Horse Meat Disco celebrates the Queen’s 60 years with a Diamond Jubilee Drag Ball on Bank Holiday Sunday! Turn up and turn it out, whether you dress in theme or just stick any ol’ wig on to simply join in the fun. Cliff Joannou speaks to promoter James Hillard…
Drag is back at HMD for the Jubilee! But what’s the difference between a Drag Ball and a Vogue Ball?
The emphasis is more on drag than being ‘real’ although to be honest our vogue balls have always been more homage and tongue in cheek than a fully fledged vogue ball, the likes of which are still very much alive and flourishing in the USA.
Tell us about the themes…
It’s the Diamond Jubilee so really with Queens in the spotlight it was a no brainer to through a big old drag pageant. The categories are pretty easy to get your head around so we hope many people will enter or at least turn up in drag. Whatever your politics or opinion about the Jubilee it’s a celebration and we love a good old knees up and of course an extra bank holiday.
The themes reflect ideas of nationhood, the commonwealth and the monarchy. We don’t endorse any opinion, we recognise that all these themes can have positive and negative connotations, we just hope that all these ideas are expressed, that the looks are fierce and everyone has a brilliant night!
Do people need to dress in theme or can they just put a wig on it and turn it out?
If you don’t want to walk you can drag up in whatever you like, although you might get pulled out of the crowd and made to walk if your look is particularly genius. And although its free entry to those in drag just putting on a wig and robbing something from you’re mum’s wardrobe will not cut it! Make an effort… Liz has for 60 years!!!
Any other hot HMD news coming up? (Ibiza, etc)
We’re always on the road these days and its coming up to festival season so if you’re planning on going to one this summer chances are you’ll see us there. We’ve also been on fire with bookings lately, in particular with Kenny Dope from Masters At Work and we’re close to closing on some more legendary names for the rest of the year. Lovebox is also going to be a big day for us, back at the NYC Downlow (The best club in the world) and then with Optimo back at The Eagle afterwards.
JAMES HILLARD’S DRAG BALL FASHION POLICE
• Horse Meat Disco ‘Diamond Jubilee Drag Ball’ is at Eagle London (349 Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, SE11 5QY) on Sunday 3rd June, 8pm–3am. Drag up to join in, or simply turn up as you are and enjoy the spectacle. Just be there!
• The ‘Drag Ball Recovery Party’ is at Eagle on Monday 4th June, 8pm-3am.
