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If you’ve been to a drag show in Naarm lately, you might have noticed a curious trend: performers performing on stage to the unmistakable Centrelink hold music . It’s not just drag queens, kings, and things either; I’ve seen live bands using it, and it’s all over TikTok, sandwiched between a hundred lizard memes. There’s something oddly powerful about that hold music. It’s the soundtrack of survival. You’ve endured, you’ve waited, you’ve aged ten years… and there’s still a solid chance they’ll just hang up on you. Which got me thinking… maybe there are things in everyday Melbourne life that deserve the same triumphant energy. Things that might seem small, but deep down, we all know they should be celebrated with the same gusto as a perfectly executed death drop. So here are a few everyday wins I think deserve a standing ovation . 1. Knowing which bins to put out without checking the neighbours’ yards You, my friend, are the Bin Whisperer. You’ve mastered the secret code of green and yellow weeks without a single peek down the street. The whole neighbourhood should be clapping for you. 2. Finding the matching Tupperware lid on the first try This is the domestic equivalent of a miracle. You’ve ventured into the chaotic cupboard of plastic chaos and emerged victorious. Someone cue the pyrotechnics. 3. Untangling a cord without swearing Whether it’s your phone charger, your hair straightener, or the Christmas lights you swore you’d store properly last year, the struggle is real. Managing to unravel it without muttering “for f***’s sake” at least once? Truly MEDEA award-worthy. 4. Remembering why you walked into the room If you’ve got ADHD, you know this is the Mount Everest of daily life. You walk in, your brain buffer wheel starts spinning, and you’re suddenly making a snack instead. Remembering what you came for? That’s deserves a gold star! 5. Carrying all the shopping bags in one trip Sure, your fingers have gone numb and you may never regain full feeling in your hands, but you did it. You are a legend. 6. Scoring a table at your favourite brunch spot without a wait In Melbourne, this is basically winning the lottery. You stroll in, expecting a 40-minute queue, and instead you’re seated instantly with a coffee on the way. The true  taste of victory is smashed avo without the waitlist. 7. Snagging the last seat on a packed tram That feeling when you spot it, swoop in, and sit down just  before the tram jolts forward. It’s a moment of pure triumph, and frankly, deserves confetti cannons. 8. Finishing the washing and actually putting it away Washing it? Easy. Hanging it out? Doable. Folding it? Fine. But actually putting it away ? Now that’s a rare, crowd-cheering achievement. In short:  life is full of little victories. And while we might not get a standing ovation for all of them, we should at least give ourselves a mental round of applause. So next time you do something mundane but unexpectedly difficult, imagine that Centrelink hold music swelling around you… and take a bow.

Are you ready for a night of giggles, cheeky love advice, and more Italian flair than a Vespa parade? Look no further because Silvio Di Baci  is bringing their one-man spectacular, A Bit of Baci , to Club Voltaire in North Melbourne from 7th–9th October 2024! Think of it as a wild mix of comedy, romance, and dating tips—delivered with Silvio’s signature smooth-talking, heart-throbbing style. Silvio Di Baci —Romeo of the drag world, and all-round charming rogue—has thrown every ounce of wit, wisdom, and silliness into this show. Expect a rollercoaster of laughs and love lessons as Silvio takes you through a hilarious journey of romantic misadventures. Whether you’re single, loved-up, or "it’s complicated," this is the show to get your giggle on! What’s A Bit of Baci All About? Expect side-splitting dating tips, questionable advice, and plenty of romantic escapades (with a few cheeky detours). Imagine a stand-up show colliding head-on with a bonkers love seminar, all hosted by Silvio’s larger-than-life persona. Whether you’re after the secret to sweeping someone off their feet—or just need a laugh after a few disastrous dates—Silvio’s got the goods. And who knows, you might even get roped into the action! Not to brag, but Silvio has wooed crowds from the Sydney Rd Street Party to Drag Expo, so you’re in expert hands for an evening of non-stop fun. And if you’re simply after a good belly laugh, don’t worry— A Bit of Baci   has that in spades too. It’s a night of comedy and charm that’ll have you buzzing with joy all the way home. Important Bits—Accessibility Note Club Voltaire is upstairs, and while it’s a fab venue, we apologise for any accessibility issues. Need assistance? Give us a shout, and we’ll do our best to help make arrangements. We want everyone to have a cracking time! A Fringe Festival Must-See As part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival (running from 1st to 20th October), A Bit of Baci  is your chance to experience one of the quirkiest, funniest shows in town. Melbourne Fringe is bursting with performances, art, and more, so get stuck in and make A Bit of Baci  your festival highlight! Get Your Tickets Now—Don’t Miss Out! Ready for a night of belly laughs, dating tips, and enough Italian charm to make you swoon? Grab your tickets to A Bit of Baci   now and secure your spot! Whether you’re coming for the advice, the laughs, or just Silvio’s outrageous charisma, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable evening. So, what are you waiting for? Get your tickets, get ready, and prepare to leave utterly smitten by the magic of Silvio Di Baci ! Get ready to experience the extraordinary – see you at Club Voltaire! Ticket Sales are now open! Don't miss out on this spectacular event!

Image description: A bright green piggy bank with a gold coin is placed on a purple background. Large black text in the top left reads “Drag ain’t cheap.” and in the bottom right, it continues with “So why are the gigs?”. In the top right corner is the Performers of Pride logo — a colourful speckled circle with orange text reading “Performers of Pride – Promoting Drag.” So You Wanna Be a Drag Performer in Naarm? You’ve got your look, you’ve picked your number, maybe you’ve even hot-glued rhinestones to your face for the first time. Congratulations, you’re diving into drag! But once you’re ready to hit the stage, a big question comes up: Where do you actually start? For lots of new performers in Naarm, the answer is often an open stage  night: a show that’s open to everyone, no matter how new you are or whether you’ve got connections in the scene. These shows can be fun, welcoming, and a great first step. But they also bring up some tricky stuff, especially when it comes to money . This post isn’t about naming and shaming. It’s also not here to hand out “right” answers. It’s here to open up the conversation. What You Get (And What You Don’t) At most open stage shows, performers are paid around $50  for doing a number. Some shows offer more, some less, and some don’t pay anything at all. For people who haven’t done drag before, that might seem okay. But let’s think about what’s involved: hours of getting into drag, travelling to the venue, often being there all night waiting for your turn, performing, and then heading home. That’s a lot  of time and effort. For many performers (especially those already spending their own money on makeup, wigs, and costumes) that $50 doesn’t stretch very far. And if the gig is unpaid? That can sting even more. Personally , I don’t think it’s okay to ask people to perform for free when a venue is profiting. But I also know some people see it differently. Some performers are happy to do unpaid gigs when they’re just starting out. Some organisers are also working with tight budgets and doing their best. Why Is It Like This? There’s no single reason. But here are a few factors that can affect performer pay: Experience level : Some people think new performers shouldn’t expect high pay, especially while they’re learning. Budget limits : Many shows, especially at smaller venues, don’t have big budgets. Venue pressure : Some bars are doing it really tough right now. The economy’s a mess, cost of living is high, and a number of venues in Naarm have closed recently. Industry standards : In some cases, low or unpaid gigs have just become “normal,” and no one’s questioned it for a while. So when you see a low-paying or unpaid gig, it’s worth asking: Is this because the money truly isn’t there, or because drag isn’t being valued enough? What Should New Performers Do? That depends on your goals, your situation, and your comfort level. Some people are happy to take any chance to get on stage. Others prefer to hold out for paid opportunities. Neither approach is wrong, but it’s good to know what you’re signing up for. Here are a few questions you might want to ask yourself: Am I okay with the time and cost of doing this gig? Is this a place where I’ll learn something, meet people, or get experience? Is the organiser being transparent about pay? Do I feel like I’m being respected? What About People Running Shows? If you’re organising shows or booking performers (especially newer ones) this is a good moment to reflect, too. Are the performers being paid fairly for the time they’re spending at the venue? Is there a way to build pay increases into the budget as the show grows? Can you be open with new performers about what they’re being paid and why? Again, there’s no perfect answer, but asking the question is a great start. Where Do You Stand? This is a big, ongoing conversation in Naarm’s drag scene, and there are lots of different opinions and experiences out there. Some people feel strongly that unpaid gigs are never okay. Others see them as a stepping stone. Some think $50 is fair for a quick number, others don’t. And some organisers are genuinely struggling to offer more right now. That’s why this blog isn’t about handing out hard rules. It’s about thinking through the topic together . If you’re a performer, how do you feel about doing a gig for free or for a small fee? If you run shows, how do you balance fairness with budget realities? As a community, how do we keep drag sustainable for everyone? In short: Open stage shows are a big part of how new drag performers get started in Naarm. Many offer low pay, often around $50, and some don’t pay at all. There’s debate about what’s fair, especially given the time and effort drag takes. Economic pressure on venues is real, but that doesn’t mean the conversation about pay shouldn’t happen. Everyone in the drag scene has a part to play in making it better, but there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Let’s keep talking about it. Let’s share stories, ask questions, and support each other. Because when we open up these discussions, we make the scene stronger, and more sustainable, for everyone.

Find out more about Performers of Pride, supporting the drag community of Naarm/Melbourne What is Performers of Pride? Performers of Pride is a website that provides information about drag events happening around Naarm/Melbourne. It features a calendar of upcoming events, profiles of local performers, and news related to the drag community. Why is the website called Performers of Pride? The website is called Performers of Pride because it focuses on showcasing the talented performers in the drag community who celebrate their identities with pride. The website aims to promote and celebrate diversity, inclusion, and acceptance through the art of drag. What is Naarm? Naarm is the Indigenous name for the land on which Melbourne is located. The Wurundjeri people are the traditional custodians of this land. The use of Indigenous names is a way to recognize and honor the traditional owners of the land. Why do you use the name Naarm instead of Melbourne? Using the indigenous name Naarm instead of Melbourne is a way to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land and to show respect for their culture and heritage. It is also a way to promote reconciliation and raise awareness about the history of colonialism and its impact on the Indigenous peoples of Australia. How can I get involved with Performers of Pride? If you are a local performer, you can submit your profile to be featured on the website. You can also submit information about upcoming events to be added to the calendar. If you are a fan of drag and want to support the community, you can attend the events listed on the website and share information about them on social media. Is Performers of Pride family-friendly? Absolutely! Performers of Pride celebrates the art of drag and the diverse and inclusive community that surrounds it. While some drag performances may include adult themes or language (these are either marked as 18+ or held in 18+ venues), many performers also tailor their acts to be appropriate for all ages. We believe that drag is a form of self-expression and art that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, and we strive to provide a safe and welcoming space for everyone to enjoy. At the moment, with many family-friendly drag events being targeted by a small minority of the general public, we have elected to NOT list family-friendly events for safety reasons. If we were to share the events, we may increase unwanted attention on these events, and that's the last thing we want! We hope that the situation will change and we will be able to include a family-friendly section in the future safely. How do you find out about all these events? We rely on community submissions to keep our website up-to-date with the latest drag events happening around Naarm/Melbourne. If you are a performer or a bar owner hosting a drag event, you can submit information about your event to us by clicking here. Additionally, we encourage members of the community to submit information about drag events they know of, such as shows or performances, by clicking here. This helps us ensure that our website is comprehensive and inclusive, representing the full spectrum of the vibrant drag community in Naarm/Melbourne. We also recommend following our social media accounts, where we regularly share information about upcoming events and news in the drag community. By submitting event information and following our social media accounts, you can help us keep the drag community connected and informed. Do you have ads on your website, or sell member information to a third-party? No. We purposefully have not added any advertising on the website to help protect users from unwanted data shares. Why do I need to accept cookies? The cookies allows us to recognise members and keep them logged in.

Find drag events around Naarm/Melbourne in one place at Performers of Pride! Performers of Pride would like to acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation who are the Traditional Custodians of this Land on which we work. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present and extend that respect to other Indigenous Australians. Upcoming Events Membership Offer Mushroom’s Dungeon Crawl - 3rd Campaign Sun 31 Aug Pride of our Footscray Nightclub & Bar A DnD Cabaret Buy Tickets Multiple Dates Once More With Feeling: A Buffy Tribute Show Sun 07 Sept Pride of our Footscray Bar 🎶 Slay. Sing. Repeat. A drag tribute to Buffy’s musical episode Once More With Feeling—camp, chaos, and catchy trauma await at Pride of our Footscray. Buy Tickets Multiple Dates Once More With Feeling: A Buffy Tribute Show Sun 14 Sept Pride of our Footscray Bar 🎶 Slay. Sing. Repeat. A drag tribute to Buffy’s musical episode Once More With Feeling—camp, chaos, and catchy trauma await at Pride of our Footscray. Buy Tickets Performers of Pride started out during the COVID-19 lockdowns in Naarm/Melbourne, a small group of drag performers turned to creating videos online to keep in touch with their audience. They were feeling pretty isolated, just like many of us, and found a way to express themselves and feel connected even when their audience was just a few friends at first. (Most of the videos created during lockdowns are lost now, but you can still find a couple of them at our Youtube page) As things began to open back up, Performers of Pride really came into its own. They shifted from just making videos to organizing live drag events around the city. It's all about creating safe, inclusive spaces where everyone in the queer community can come together, share their art, and celebrate who they are. Now, they're a growing name in the Melbourne drag scene, continuing to expand. They put on events that not only showcase the incredible talents of local queer performers but also make sure everyone who attends feels welcome. They believe drag is more than just entertainment; it’s a transformative art form that builds connections and supports people. Performers of Pride is all about fostering a community where everyone can feel safe to express themselves and celebrate their individuality. It's about lifting each other up and amplifying the voices that sometimes go unheard, ensuring that diversity and empowerment are always part of the conversation.

Search by bar name, artist name or try these keywords: Ticketed, Free Entry, Seated, Party Past Events Multiple Dates TEASER Once More With Feeling: A Buffy Tribute Show Thu 10 Jul Pride of our Footscray Bar More info Details Whisker and Wishes Fundraiser Show for Rocky Roads Rescue Fri 04 Apr The Penny Black More info Details It's Camp Tue 01 Apr The Old Bar More info Details Drag Aid 6: Penny's Medical Bills & Wheelchair Repair Fri 28 Feb Cafe Gummo More info Details Night of a Thousand Annies Sat 23 Nov Pride of our Footscray Nightclub & Bar More info Details Hozier vs Florence and the Machine Sat 16 Nov Pride of our Footscray Nightclub & Bar More info Details Membership Offer Mushroom's Dungeon Crawl Fri 15 Nov Pride of our Footscray Bar More info Details Membership Offer Fangz - Death Note Show Sat 26 Oct Pride of our Footscray Bar More info Details Multiple Dates A Bit of Baci Wed 09 Oct Club Voltaire More info Details Multiple Dates Once More With Feeling: A Buffy Tribute Show Sun 15 Sept Pride of our Footscray Bar More info Details Membership Offer Fangz Sat 17 Aug Pride of our Footscray Bar More info Details Membership Offer Double Feature: Chapter 8 Sat 10 Aug Pride of our Footscray Bar More info Details Membership Offer Double Feature: Chapter 7 Sat 22 Jun Pride of our Footscray Nightclub & Bar More info Details Membership Offer Performers of Pride Presents: Battle of the Ages Fri 14 Jun Pride Of Our Footscray Bar More info Details FREE - Everything's a Drag - Punk's Not Dead Fri 24 May Pride of our Footscray Bar More info Learn more Membership Offer Mushroom's Dungeon Crawl Fri 26 Apr Pride of our Footscray More info Details Membership Offer Double Feature: Chapter 6 Sat 20 Apr Pride of our Footscray Nightclub & Bar More info Details Membership Offer Fangz Fri 12 Apr Pride of our Footscray Bar More info Details Load More