Bringing family-friendly drag shows to Hout Bay

mambaonline.com:

Eleven years after converting an old fish factory in Hout Bay into one of the hottest weekend spots in Cape Town, the Bay Harbour Market is breaking ground with family-friend drag entertainment. Who would have anticipated that the introduction of feather boas and diamante stilettos in the line-up of live family entertainment would draw crowds from all over the city.

Has drag gone mainstream in the Mothercity? Since the introduction of a drag show in October 2021 at Bay Harbour Market, local stars Kat Gilardi and Manila von Teez have entertained full houses with their catchy roster of sing-along classic tunes.

With a focus on fun festivities that the whole family can enjoy, Drag in the Bay is set to open the possibilities for a new generation of drag enthusiasts and help make it increasingly mainstream in the entertainment industry. “During a brainstorming session with our traders in the middle of the pandemic, it was suggested that Bay Harbour Market should lead the way in being inclusive when it comes to representing talent and entertainment in Cape Town” says Lyn Mance, Bay Harbour Market stakeholder and head of marketing. “So, we got to work on revising our entertainment lineup – and as a space and stage that wholeheartedly loves and supports the arts and entertainment, it was a no-brainer that drag should be included in the line-up.” Though the pandemic pressed pause on gigs, as of 2021, drag cabaret stars Kat and Manila have found themselves in high demand. “I’m not sure if it’s thanks to the pandemic, but we can clearly see that the art of drag is becoming more accepted,” explains Manila. “We have more performers, and the audiences are more engaging, with venues being more open to us being there.” For Kat and