Who will become Rainbow's 2026 Drag Artist in Residence? Find out at the DAiR Showcase, hosted by our current DAiR, Cake, on February 11 at the CCFM in Antoine Gaborieu Hall. Doors open at 6:30 pm, showtime is 7:00 pm. Seating is limited. Reserve your seat today. Donations to the DAiR program are accepted at the door.
Join us for a night of spectacular performances by our 2026 DAiR Shortlist.
Our 2026 DAiR Shortlist (in no particular order):
- Minokawa Song (she/any)
- Big Daddy Brushstrokes (they/them)
- Waaseyaa Haze (she/her)
Come out and see why these three artists were chosen by a panel of their peers to represent Rainbow Resource Centre for 2026. The winner, selected by our panel of judges from Winnipeg's Drag Community, will receive a $2,000 stipend, while the two runner-ups on the shortlist will each receive a $500 honorarium.
Tickets for the DAiR Showcase are PWYC at the door (suggested donation of $25). All proceeds go to support the DAiR program to empower Drag Artists to explore new creative spaces and to push the boundaries of Drag. Tipping the performers themselves is greatly appreciated.
We would like to thank our wonderful selection committee for choosing the shortlist and ultimately our DAiR 2026.
Selection committee:
- Cake - @glass.of.sass
- Hari Vijaijay - @yourfavedraguncle
- Prairie Sky - @homoleviticus
About The 2026 DAiR Shortlist
Big Daddy Brushstrokes (they/them) is a legally blind drag artist whose decade‑long journey began at Sunshine House in 2014. Drag became a source of affirmation through their transition and a pathway to community, highlighted by a powerful 2024 Trans March main‑stage performance. Known for elegant, resourceful looks and a sassy, humble stage presence, they champion accessibility, queer representation, and the creative spirit of Rainbow Resource Centre and Artbeat. Find them on Instagram as @Just.Your.Average.Queer.
Waaseyaa Haze (she/her) is a high‑energy drag performer of over four years, known for vibrant lip‑syncs, dynamic dance, and classic drag aesthetics infused with Anishinaabe and Ponca identity. Seen at Club 200, Winnipeg Pride, Nuit Blanche, the WAG’s Velvet Rope, GORGE events, and Sagkeeng’s first Pride, she honours traditional drag glamour while exploring Indigenous performance, femininity, and fashion. Her work centers joy, community, and Two‑Spirit visibility, with goals to expand their design, performance, and storytelling skills as a future Drag Artist in Residence. Find her on Instagram at @waaseyaaqueen.
About DAiR
The Drag Artist in Residence Program at Rainbow Resource Centre is designed to provide Drag artists with an incredible platform to showcase their talent and contribute to the vibrant 2SLGBTQ+ community. With a year-long duration, this program offers numerous opportunities for Drag artists to engage, evolve, and excel in the craft. The primary expectation is that the Drag artist will create a new artistic work during their residency. They will become the face and voice of Rainbow Resource Centre's Pride Season Campaign as part of a minimum of four opportunities to showcase their talent throughout the year, including at The Category Is Gala. They will also benefit from full access to Rainbow Resource Centre's top-notch facilities and resources, join forces with fellow artists, both within and beyond the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and collaborate on groundbreaking art projects and community initiatives that will inspire and uplift.
Our goal is to empower the Drag Artists to explore new creative spaces and to push the boundaries of their Drag expression.