Can you believe it’s party season already? I know! Were has this year gone? It feels like only a few weeks ago that we were dancing around our handbags in some park, drinking warm cider. But just because the weather is on the turn that doesn’t mean we can’t still play outside now does it? My Little Pony ear muffs anyone?
This years’ Winterville in Victoria Park will include an uber-camp Fairy Grotto showcasing the very best of London’s alternative nightlife and cabaret scene. “The whole park is going to be amazing! Like an alternative Winter Wonderland, and the Sunday nights will be over the top Christmas camp,” Fairy Grotto promoter Wayne Shires tells us. “We have the best line-up around… so it’s not to be missed!”
This week, Jason Reid rounds up what to expect from the month-long event…
Sunday 7th December – The Gay Bingo Christmas Show
The queens of London bingo are back with a festive extravaganza of their legendary alt-drag game show. And this time round they have a Kate Bush inspired special entitled ‘The Sixty Ninth Wave’, in tribute to her recent London gigs. The stars of the show include Jonny Woo, John Sizzle and Ma Butcher. Expect an abundance of tinsel-clad surreal surprises.
John Sizzle
“Gay Bingo at Winterville’s Fairy Grotto will be a show of two extreme halves. Firstly, we’re going to pay homage to the wonder that is Kate Bush through the medium of bingo, and after a skate and a few eggnogs, we’re going into full on yuletide mode with a rollicking, guest infested Alternative Christmas Special.”
Sunday 21st December – Sink The Pink: Christmas Extravaganza
Filling stages with colour, glamour, energy and vibrancy wherever they go, the STP kids promise an eye-watering mix of make up, glitter and off the scale camp at the Fairy Grotto. They’re ready to re-define the Christmas party, and joining them for the riotous ride will be Bourgeois and Maurice, Figs in Wigs and DJs Josh You Are and Joan Oh.
Sunday 14th December – Horse Meat Disco: Bears On Ice
The Vauxhall darlings, Horse Meat Disco DJ’s, supply a full bangin’ dance floor of pure disco classics. It may be nippy outside but the heat will be rising as cabaret stars Le Gateau Chocolat, The LipSinkers, Legs & Coq and more take to the stage. Hosted by Natalie Georgrafik, Bearfest, Doctor Woof, Dave the Bear, Fred Bear and Baby Lame.
Sunday 28th December – Supreme Fabullettes Christmas Show
The glamorous trio wrap up (get it!!) a hugely successful year for them, which included touring the UK to sell out venues, with a camptastic show. Three becomes four, as international drag performer and runner up on season six of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Courtney Act also joins the line up for one show only. NOT to be missed. Expect plush, glamorous costumes, Christmas songs aplenty, all with that unique Fabullette twist.
Vanilla Lush
“‘Courtney has been a friend of the group since we started. And we’ve all been waiting for the right opportunity to work together for a while and finally, here it is. Having her as part of the show will allow us to attempt the impossible, and that is to make it even MORE camp. Courtney will bring some of her most outrageous outfits and once she is here we will rehearse some surprises for our audience. We can’t wait to welcome her to the party”
• Winterville is at Victoria Park (Grove Road, E3 5TB) – Crown Gate entrance. Tickets and info: winterville.co.uk
