With this much charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent in the house, the Thursday evening show at downtown's Orchard House Theatre will be an eleganza extravaganza unlike anything Penticton's recently seen. It will be sickening. And you will be gagged.

And yes, these are all very good things. You see, Thursday night concerns itself primarily with the art of drag. And the drag world, especially since the emergence of RuPaul's Drag Race, has its own dictionary. And we just gave you a crash course. Condragulations.

It's called the Fierce and Feminine Drag Show, and it'll feature performances from such luminaries as celebrated Kelowna drag queen Jenna Telz, the Army of Sass burlesque revue, and local up and coming singer/songwriter Jessica Singleton.

Photo Credit: Jenna TellzJenna Tellz

It will also be the debut of a trio of newbie drag practitioners who will do their best to make sure you're thoroughly entertained – Stella Nova, May Flowers, and Anya Knees.

There will be gourmet desserts, Starbucks coffee, and popcorn and sno-cones and other goodies to keep you satiated. And when you're not watching the show or scarfing back food,  you can bid on silent auction items or participate in one of a variety of raffles.

It promises to be a full, fun evening, and it ultimately benefits a worthy cause – the YES Project's new youth services centre at 501 Main Street. But without the vision and the persistence of an 18-year-old Princess Margaret student and his very good friends, it wouldn't have happened in the first place.

Husain Sattar is not only the driving force behind Fierce and Feminine, but also the founder of Princess Margaret's Youth Advisory Committee. And he says his passion for community engagement and fundraising came about several years ago.

Photo Credit: NowMediaHusain Sattar and good friend Sarah Wood

"An article came out in the newspaper about a spike in mental health issues. And at that same time, someone I knew had just committed suicide," he said.

Satter was 15 at the time. The victim was just 14.

"I was sobbing and in tears. It was so bad. But from there, I had this feeling. What can I do? Am I going to sit here and cry about it? So I called a friend of mine and we said we need to do something about this. So we put this club (the Youth Advisory Committee) together. It's just exploded since then. We've had so many people who've wanted to raise money."

"And that's when we came in touch with the YES project. We learned about their mission statement and what their idea of a youth resource centre was. So right then and there, we said we have four years of high school, and we're going to raise as much money as possible and send every single penny of it to the YES project."

The Committee's motto is "Made by the youth for the youth," and Sattar says it exists "literally to raise money to make sure none of us every have to go through the process of choosing between living or dying."

Photo Credit: NowMediaEvent organizer Husain Sattar (right) and Youth Advisory Committee co-founder Sarah Wood

The Youth Advisory Committee has held a lot of events since then. Halloween haunted houses, bake sales, Christmas caroling. But…a drag show?

"So, we were wondering what we should do for our last fundraiser," says the Grade 12 student. "Pride month is coming up…what should we do? And I said we have to do a drag show. Such a new generation idea in such a traditional city. What better way to shake it up?"

"It was the best way I could think of to do something for the LGBTQ2+ community and represent the marginalized, oppressed youth. And then combine that with raising money for all types of youth, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity."

Photo Credit: NowMedia

Not only is Sattar directing the show, but he's starring in it as his newly formed drag alter-ego, Stella Nova.

"I've never done drag before," he admits, "and I never would have thought I'd do drag. But I think every person wants to wear a wig and heels and do a death drop. So I said I'm going to spend some money and be a queen."

For those who don't know, the death drop is an iconic drag queen lip synch move. And the first time you see it, you can't help but wonder how on earth the death dropper survived. And Sattar says he's been practicing.

"Literally every single day," he laughs. "Either the paramedics will be called the night of the show, or I'll be okay. Time will tell."

Photo Credit: NowMediaHusain Sattar in death drop pose on Main Street

And he's thrilled he has a close bond with the evening's other two rookie drag performers – Anya Knees (John Mellart) and May Flowers (Austin Wells). "We're like a little drag family," he says.

Sattar says they expect the show will come close to a sell-out. And he's happy how the conversation around it has evolved. "We've had comments like, 'The city isn't ready for this' or, 'We don't want our names attached to something like this.' And then in just a matter of weeks, we're on the way to selling out. We've had enormous support from the community."

Sattar points to organizations such as Orchard House (which donated the venue) Sun FM (free ad time), Boston Pizza, the Barley Mill Pub, Skaha Chiropractic, Time Winery, and many more. And he has huge props for Jenna Telz, who's donating her time, and for Youth Advisory Committee co-founder Sarah Wood, who he says has been "amazing from day one."  

Photo Credit: NowMedia

And Sattar, who was born into a traditional Muslim family, believes it's events like this that help change ingrained attitudes.

"I think there's still so far to go. Like, that Facebook controversy about the Pride Prom. I was one of the main commenters, literally arguing with adults who have children. Me, an 18-year-old, with my 18-year-old friends, telling 60-year-old parents to be loving and to have unconditional love for children and anyone else's children."

"I believe that intolerance is part of your upbringing, and people can't be blamed for that. But do I believe it's been long enough to understand how to change? Yes. I think the excuse of "I was born in that generation' is not an excuse anymore."

Once graduated, Sattar will move on to Capilano University in North Vancouver. "I'm still going to work to save the world and protect my community, but I just got a $40,000 scholarship," he says. "I was donating blood when he got the call."

Figures.

Photo Credit: NowMedia

Photo Credit: NowMedia

Advanced tickets for the Fierce and Feminine Drag Show are $20 online at Eventbrite or in person at Boston Pizza Penticton. The price will be $25 at the door. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.

As for the tunes Sattar and his new drag family will lip synch to Thursday night, he's not telling. "The songs are just so sickening that I can't give it away. People are going to be screaming and going 'Okurr.' But I will tell you that wigs will be snatched. Everyone's wigs will be flying."