Erskineville's Imperial Hotel will host its last regular "Lip Sync Heroes" (LSH) drag competition next Sunday after its new owner Universal Hotels made the decision to cancel it.
LSH's cancellation comes as GSN confirmed that Darlinghurst's ARQ Sydney will also cease running its "Drag For Dollars" comp until later this year; the Darlinghurst nightclub has "hopes" to bring it back in October. Lip Sync Heroes will hold its last regular drag comp on August 13, while ARQ Sydney will hold its final Drag For Dollars (for now) on August 12.
In a statement to GSN, Universal Hotels said The Imperial remained committed to being a vibrant hub for entertainment and a "showcase for extraordinary drag talent".
"Whilst Lip Sync Heroes will remain a part of our program for special events, we have been working diligently behind the scenes on a refreshed line-up of shows and events that honours the creative spirit and diverse talents that have made The Imperial a beloved venue for so many years," said Universal chief operating officer Richie Haines.
"While we're not quite ready to unveil the full details, we can assure you that our upcoming slate of performances and events has been carefully curated to delight, surprise, and engage our patrons like never before," said Haines. "Stay tuned for an exciting announcement in the coming weeks."
Lip Sync Heroes co-host Farren Heit relayed news of the cancellation of LSH via Facebook Messenger to drag performers who regularly compete in it. "It is with a heavy heart that I type this post," Heit said on July 26.
"We have just been informed that LSH will be coming to an end. We were hoping that a restyling of Sundays may have kept it going but unfortunately its time has come.
"I did say a few weeks back that Sundays could change and the new owners want to try something new for Sundays.
"Sundays will still be a night for everyone to come along and enjoy a safe and fun place to hang and have a great night. And we hope to see you all just enjoying the space.
"[LSH co-host] Ruby James and myself are being kept on for Drag N Dine and we've been asked to bring in one of our production shows we have. They are also going to bring in gogo dancers for later in the night.
"I'm being as transparent as can be so you know all the facts and not rumours and hearsay.
"We didn't get a say in this and it saddens me to write this post. New owners [and] management mean new things and at the end of the day they need to make money."
Heit said there is "talk" that Lip Sync Heroes will be put on during Mardi Gras and on public holiday weekends as a "special event".
"There are plenty of places for you all to spread your wings and keep performing: Sunday Shenanigans, Slay 4 Pay, Stonewall Sundays, the mid week night at Newtown…
"It's time to spread your wings kids… we have loved watching you all grow as performers and supporting LSH every week and I for one thank you all for the Sunday family we created."
"All good things come to an end but I can't wait to see you all spread your wings and try other stages etc, it's how u grow.. there's a whole world of drag outside of LSH for you to explore."
Meanwhile, ARQ confirmed it would pause Drag for Dollars on August 12 and hopes to return it in October when it intends to relaunch Sundays. "We’ll be working on the Sunday re-launch over the next four weeks with hopes to have them running with some form of competition by start of October at the latest," ARQ told GSN.
Drag competitions are one of the main ways up-and-coming queens get a chance to perfect their art.
Last year, Lip Sync Heroes offered the first-place winner $150 cash. Second place got a $50 bar voucher while third place got a drink voucher too.
The format later changed to offer $300 cash to the first-place winner while second and third remained drink vouchers. Finally, after Mardi Gras, it became a $100 drink voucher and other vouchers for second and third place with no cash prizes.
Ben Grubb is the founder and editor of Gay Sydney News, an independent publication covering LGBTQIA+ news. A journalist with more than 15 years' experience, he has reported and edited for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, WAToday, Brisbane Times, The Australian Financial Review, News.com.au, ZDNet, TelecomTimes and iTnews, primarily on the topic of technology. He previously hosted The Informer, a queer current affairs program on Melbourne’s JOY 94.9 radio station, and contributes to LGBTQIA+ media including Stun Magazine. Ben has also appeared as a technology commentator on Channel Ten's The Project, ABC RN’s Download This Show and commercial radio stations 2UE, 2GB and 6PR. Contact Ben: [email protected]
