This article was cross-published with The Community Edition.
Mattie James is a community facilitator and local drag artist known as Sasha Tease. When James moved back to Waterloo region in 2021, they found a thriving queer community.
“I just wanted to come home and reconnect to family and friends from high school, so I didn’t expect to stay here,” James said. “But once I was here, I was kind of blown away by how much more community there was than I previously felt as a young 20-something,” they said.
Since their return, they have created events like the Clap Back Queens at the Apollo Cinema and currently produce and host Drag Bingo and Drag Open Stage at AOK Arcade and Bar. The Clap Back Queens show involved watching early 2000s films with strong female characters that teach us how to “clap back” and stand up for themselves.
In their events, they always emphasize the importance of community for queer individuals. “I’ve been to a few of [Apollo’s] interactive events, and I thought it was so fun and super engaging,” James said. “And I thought something like this, but for queer folks to get together in the same space, watch a movie and just be silly and fun and laugh would be incredible,” they said.
Drag Open Stage, which started on May 21, 2023, supports new talent in the drag community and works to reduce barriers to entry through a drag donation closet. It also provides a space for seasoned local performers to expand their audience reach. Many costumes, wigs, clothing, jewelry and shoes were donated by community members.
James said they value community connections and creating space for queer folks. “I’m fighting the urge — and encouraging other people to fight the urge — of individualism and thinking that you can be self-sufficient and get everything you need from yourself…especially as queer folks,” they said.
Drag Bingo takes place on the first Tuesday of every month at AOK and usually brings out a crowd of about 40 to 70 patrons. James uses this event to bring in local drag artists who have some experience and want to continue growing their career. They use the shows as a tool of mentorship for their fellow drag performers and co-hosts.
For James, mentorship and learning from their fellow community members is very important. “[One thing] I work with Spectrum on is an arts program that we are just developing and launching at the end of March” James said. “And that one is super exciting, super new…and the goal for that is to just help queer folks develop their creativity,” they said.
James works with Spectrum to facilitate multi-sport and arts pro- grams, and teaches a drag-inspired dance program called Sasha and Play through the City of Kitchener.
For more information on how to get involved and join in on the fun, make sure to follow Sasha Tease Events on Eventbrite or follow Sasha Tease on Instagram @ iamsashatease.
Contributed Photo/Kat Wex
