Syimone and Leah Halston will co-host the new show
Following the success of the four-week UAW Local 862 Virtual Drag Show, the Louisville Pride Foundation is launching the Republic Bank Queens in Quarantine Variety Show on Saturday, May 30th. This free, weekly series will be live-streamed at 9:00 PM on the Louisville Pride Facebook page and available on YouTube as well.
The show invites viewers to laugh with two of Louisville’s top drag performers, Syimone and Leah Halston, as they spill the tea on life in quarantine. The show features special segment with guests including drag queens, musicians, local celebrities, and people from the LGBTQ community. Viewers can expect sketch comedy, cocktails, and lots of laughs.
Victoria Syimone Taylor is a Louisville native with over thirty years of experience in the entertainment industry, including working at legendary establishments like The Connection Complex , Red Lounge and The Pink Door. Victoria is known and loved throughout the community for her tireless work to ensure that people are seen, heard, and respected. She has been in the Best Of Louisville for her work as a showgirl and DJ. On dealing with quarantine, she says, “You cannot control much in life, but you can control your attitude and your eyebrows.”
Originally from Houston, TX, Leah Halston has toured nationally and won numerous pageant titles during her 28 year career. Known for celebrity impersonations such as Tina Turner, Diana Ross, and Dionne Warrick, Leah has been performing at Play Dance Bar since 2012. Leah’s advice to the audience is, “Watch, Drink, Laugh, Repeat.”
Queens in Quarantine will be free, and viewers are encouraged to make donations that will support local LGBTQ organizations, including the Louisville Youth Group, Sweet Evening Breeze homeless shelter, the Fairness Education Fund, the U of L LGBT Center, and more. In addition, the program provides much needed income for out-of-work performers. The UAW Local 862 Virtual Drag Show raised over $1000 for the One Louisville COVID-19 Relief Fund and provided over $1000 in direct payments to performers who are out of work. The program will highlight a different charitable partner each week, raising awareness about the important work these groups do.
“Louisville Pride brings communities together through collaboration, empowerment, and celebration,” said Mike Slaton, the Executive Director of Louisville Pride. “COVID-19 has changed how we do our work, but it hasn’t stopped it.” During COVID-19, the organization has stepped up to serve the community by delivering programming online and coordinating the sharing of information and resources within and beyond the LGBTQ communtity.
Digital Pride also includes the Community Conversations interview series. Louisville Pride Executive Director Mike Slaton has interviewed guests on a wide range of topics, including homelessness in Louisville, the arts in a virtual setting, and how Community Ministries, Dare to Care, and Metro Government are dealing with COVID-19. Additional Digital Pride programming includes Queer Game Night and Wellness Wednesdays. More information can be found at www.lousivillepride.com.
Digital Pride is sponsored by Republic Bank, Norton Healthcare, UAW Local 862, Caperton Realty, Connally Law Offices, Evo Mortgage, the ACLU of Kentucky, and Heine Brothers Coffee.