TheSanta Cruz de Tenerife Carnival will introduce a new competition, Dragnaval, on February 16, spearheaded by the Department of Equality and Diversity of the capital which seeks to address a long-standing commitment to the LGTBIQ+ community. This initiative has been championed by Exuberancia Carey, the event’s artistic director.
Unabashedly celebrating the most similar contest to the drag gala of The Gran Canarian palms, Exuberancia Carey highlighted its resemblance to the thriving business like Drag Race, attributing it to the commendable work of “an important group that has always contributed whenever necessary, and with this contest, they avail a crucial platform for visibility.”
The Councilor for Sexual Equality and Diversity, Gladis de León, expressed unequivocal enthusiasm for the organization of Dragnaval, defining it as the Carnival’s diversity contest. Further, Javier Caraballero, the person responsible for organizing the mask festival, stated, “the area that I preside joins this project with great pride, creating an event that aims to celebrate diversity in all its forms.”
The drag gala, referred to as Dragnaval, settles a past commitment to the group that has contributed art, talent, and creativity to an open, avant-garde, and respectful city during the Carnival. Caraballero highlighted the tradition of drag in Santa Cruz and Tenerife, deeply rooted for decades in pubs, clubs, and events across the island.
Caraballero emphasized the artistic expression of drag as a cornerstone in diverse cultural events, referencing various instances where it has sought visibility and celebrated diversity.
A tribute was paid to the first drag galas held within the Carnival, an effort that dates back to the early 2000s, spearheaded by Marcela Kaufman.
Caraballero recounted the inaugural drag gala in 2000 at the now-defunct El Convento Discoteca, followed by events in 2001 and 2003 in Plaza de Europa. However, the second planned gala in 2002 was interrupted due to a flood.
RuPaul’s or Drag Race
The incorporation of the new contest into the Carnival programming aims to compensate for the absence of the Award Winners Festival and aligns with the drag gala in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, due to concurrent activities this year.
The artistic director, Exuberancia Carey, candidly acknowledged the drag gala as the crown jewel of the Carnival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and detailed what the first edition of Dragnaval will entail, with confirmed participation from noted figures in the community.
The event, scheduled from 9:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on the main stage of the Plaza de la Candelaria, will commence the Piñata Friday festivities. The Festival Councilor highlighted this contest not just as another event, but as a testament to the festival’s commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and progressiveness.
Twelve Participants and Three Rounds
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As the Dragnaval kicks off, individuals aged 18 and above residing in the Canary Islands are eligible to participate, irrespective of prior experience in the entertainment industry. Those interested in participating must sign up via the organization’s email galadragnaval@gmail.com. The registration opens at 12:00 p.m. today, Thursday, February 1, and closes on February 15. The participants will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnival 2024 Drag Queen Gala
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The new Dragnaval competition in Santa Cruz de Tenerife will be held simultaneously with the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnival Drag Queen Gala.
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Following a competitive pre-selection process, thirteen candidates will once again showcase their platforms at the grand Drag Gala, which can be live-streamed on Laprovincia.es, Canarian Television, and Canary Radio on Friday, February 16, commencing at 9:30 p.m.. The event will be hosted by Roberto Herrera, Drag Sethlas, and an undisclosed special guest, making it the most anticipated event of the capital’s Carnival.
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