On Wednesday night, Swan Hill Club will be transformed into a disco wonderland for Dragged to Bingo: Disco Inferno, where 10 per cent of proceeds will go to LGBTQI+ support services at Thorne Harbour Health.
Tickets to the upcoming event in Swan Hill have sold out, and co-host Eliza Lot is excited about performing for a regional crowd again.
“It’s super-exciting that we get to take our shows out regionally and the reception has always been great,” Lot said.
“The crowds are even better in regional places.
“They appreciate the performances more because they don’t get to see drag performances as often as people in Melbourne do.”
Growing up in the regional town of Georgetown in Tasmania, Lot found a passion for drag after getting a start as a back-up dancer.
During COVID-19 lockdowns, Lot thought about “giving drag a try”.
“I just never looked back, and now it’s my full-time job.
“Being able to come back to a regional area and perform in drag is so much fun.
“It gives people a different understanding of what drag actually is, and how fun it can be.”
Dragged To is making its return to regional areas with Disco Inferno after a successful Christmas in July tour.
“For this tour we’ve got about 10 queens and we’re going to 15 locations across Victoria,” Lot said.
“There will be bingo, games and dancing, which we will also encourage the audience to participate in.
“The whole show is just fun and interactive.”
Ten per cent of the proceeds from Wednesday night’s show will go to Thorne Harbour Health to provide health services for LGBTQI+ people in Melbourne.
“As someone that is in the community, I think it’s important that there are tools to help us,” Lot said.
“In Melbourne, people are a bit more exposed to us and we have a lot of freedom to express ourselves, but it’s also important to be bringing that out here and educate people on the support and services available for the LGBTQ community as well.”
Thorne Harbour chief executive Simon Ruth said they were grateful from the support from Dragged To.
“We look forward to collaborating with them to foster a strong community spirit and ensure that LGBTIQ+ individuals have access to the vital services they need.”
