London queer history is to take place next month as the costumes and dresses of legendary drag queen and grand damme of Madame Jojo’s Ruby Venezuela, raising funds for her ashes to be shot in a rocket over Soho.
Ruby was a bastion of the LGBT drag scene from the eighties onwards, patronised by celebrities and royalty (Ruby famously had to hide Princess Diana in the dressing room to evade the paparazzi on one occasion). She also performed internationally, with residences in Vienna in the late 70s and Amsterdam in the early 00s. She even succeeded in opening her own bar, Ruby’s, in the 90s on Gerrard Street.
Ruby helped curate the iconic nineties drag scene in London, a scene dominated by the likes of Lily Savage, Regina Fong and Adrella. One of Ruby’s last wishes, or Brian as he was known out of drag, was for her ashes to be spread in the sky over Soho. If all goes to plan, her ashes will light the sky for her final headline performance after this year’s Soho Festival on the last Sunday of June.
An auction of her fabulous costumes will take place next month in the heart of Soho, where bidders will have the opportunity to take home the regalia that made her a scene staple – from boas to headdresses, gowns to necklaces, pantomime costumes, wigs etc.
All proceeds will go towards the rocket, with any remaining to be split between St Anne’s Church and the Soho Society – two causes that were dear to her heart.
Auction on 25th May, Midday – 3pm at St Anne’s Church, Soho W1D 6AF. Entry £1.
