There are some very big shoes to fill at Wellington's 22nd Annual Gay and Lesbian Fair, taking place at the end of the Newtown Festival on Saturday 10th March at Newtown School. For the past few years drag diva extraordinaire Pollyfilla has been the Fair's MC, keeping the crowds entertained and the entertainment flowing. However Polly left late last year for the bright lights of Melbourne (and is doing very nicely thank you—scoring a starring role in one of Melbourne's leading drag troupes “New Sensation”) and so the big question on everyone's lips is who will replace her this year? However the organisers are saying that you'll have to come along to find out! With more stalls than ever, great food, the return of the Eukanuba dog competition and Iko Iko handbag hurl, and fantastic entertainment lined up, this year's Fair is set to be the best yet! Boyband, featuring Porirua-bred but Newtown-based Rob “Gay Boy” Arnold, who were created as part of a promotion by The Edge radio station and scored a #1 hit with You Really Got Me late last year, are the headlining act at the Fair and will also be doing a signing and photo session. Other entertainment lined up for the Fair includes Tiwhanawhana — a takataapui kapa haka group, Charlotte Yates, the band called dave and a range of Wellington's top drag performers including the Drag Kings, Lady Trenyce and the reigning Miss Drag Wellington, Arabia. The Fair has received generous sponsorship from NZ AIDS Foundation, Wellington City Council and GAP. The Fair kicks off at 9 am with the official opening by Wellington Central MP Marian Hobbs taking place at 10 am, and finishes at 4 pm. However the fun doesn't stop there, with Imerst Nightclub on Dixon Street hosting the official afterparty featuring Boyband in a showdown with Wellington's top drag troupe The Glamazons. Promising a spectacular show with video, live performance, lip synching and stunning outfits and choreography, the first round is at 1 am followed by round two at 2 am. Ref: Wellington Gay and Lesbian Fair (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Sunday, 25th February 2007 - 12:00pm