‘Bittersweet’ as drag haus replaces Cork city Eurovision watch party with Gaza fundraiser

IRELAND’S leading drag haus, Mockie Ah, is hosting a fundraiser in aid of Gaza tonight in Cork following the “bittersweet” decision to cancel its Eurovision watch party.

The Pav (Pavilion Bar), is inviting people to the cabaret club night from 7.30pm.

It will feature 15 drag, burlesque, and cabaret acts from across Ireland.

Performers will include some of the Cork-based collective’s most well known queer entertainers Kitty Cartier, Candy Warhol, Mia Gold, Letycha Le’Synn, as well as Abra Kedavre, Avatar Guille, Bonnie Boux, Daria Decollete, and many more.

Entertainers will take the stage from 8pm, with Comedy Central’s Candy Warhol dj-ing from 11pm, playing a mix of pop, disco, and dance classics until late.

Speaking to The Echo on their decision to host the fundraiser, Mockie Ah founder Candy Warhol said: “We always have a really big annual Eurovision screening.

“In the LGBT scene, we love the Eurovision.

“It’s one of the campest nights of the year next to Pride, but I just wasn’t comfortable with what was happening, so we replaced the event.

“We really wanted to celebrate Bambie Thug, we’re so proud of them, so it’s really devastating that it just has to be the year that somebody we knew was representing Ireland.

“That was the obvious issue when we said we were cancelling the event, but I have reached out and said hopefully they [Bambie Thug] can come and perform at Mockie Ah during the summer, and they said they’d love to,” Candy added.

“It’s really bittersweet. I’m happy that we made that decision, but we’re championing them as much as we can.”

Capacity for the cabaret event will be capped at 250 people, with the remaining 50 tickets available for purchase from the Mockie Ah website.

Capacity for the club night will increase to 300 people, with free entry at the door.

QR codes will be posted around the venue with links to donations pages in lieu of free entry, with all profits and donations going towards the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and the Palestinian Red Cross Society.