Opening Night Party

The return of imagineNATIVE’s legendary opening night party takes over your home!
Join us following the opening film for a night of Indigenous Drag Queens, DJ’s, hand drums and more.

Content Warning: 18+

Quanah Style is Canada’s most infamous 2-spirit trans recording artist and house music diva. From coast to coast, there are few dance floors who haven’t felt her presence. After a brilliant run of singles on the Toronto-based LGBTQ+ record label Wet Trax, Quanah became a Pride festival fixture, performing her anthemic hits with vogue dance crew House of La Douche. Music videos for songs such as her debut “Beat of My Heart” and the Storyhive award-recipient “Give Me Life” showcase Quanah’s undeniable star-quality. Her incredible stage presence, signature vocals, and inspirational story led her to become the subject of several documentaries produced by CBC Arts, World of Wonder, APTN and Vice Magazine. She has also opened for Peaches, Bif Naked, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and more.

Polish that pastel, pop on those pumps and come meet your party girl president! ILONA VERLEY is the hypercolour hottie who is set to be your new obsession! As seen on Canada’s Drag Race, Hailing from Vancouver, Canada – Ilona is a multifaceted visual artist and performer who has showcased her work internationally. Working with major brands (such as Arda Wigs & Lit Cosmetics) and performing at iconic venues worldwide (Mickeys Weho, The Imperial Hotel Sydney, The Avalon Club at Hollywood & Vine) Ilona has left audiences drooling at her signature pastel perfection. Using she/they pronouns – Ilona is proudly Nlaka’pamux 2 Spirit – and flavours her drag with her connection to culture and the fluidity of her gender identity. A queen of social media, Ilona has built a formidable online brand and her carefully curated feed has captured the attention of 100k+ fans! With her vision, vocal activism and vibrant aesthetic – ILONA VERLEY is the name on everybody’s lips and hearts, proving time and time again that Party girls never die

The heartbeat of the boreal north with a unique sound of pow wow techno and contagious basslines are what defines the unique sound of Classic Roots. His releases express a wide range of sounds from upbeat, tribalism, and techno to groovy baseline sound, establishing a sense of cultural freedom that echoes through his music. He continues producing his own music which puts the crowd into euphoria and sweat. Through the inclusion of First Nations drumming and singing in his electronic compositions, he acknowledges the continued resilience of his nation. Ultimately, Classic Roots reminds people that they have the power to chase their dreams.

Manitou Mkwa (Spirit Bear) singers are from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and have been singing as a hand drum group for about 10 years. The group is comprised of a mom and her seven children including grandchildren. The songs come spiritually and it is with the belief that songs are like prayers and are to lift the spiritual vibration of people. The group released a cd two years ago for the Missing and Murdered Aboriginal girls and women to bring awareness and education to this issue. Currently working on another CD of round dance songs