Cape Town - Partygoers and performers are gearing up for the fairy-tale, fantasy-themed Mother City Queer Project next weekend, touted as Africa’s biggest costume party, where bigger and bolder is always better.
This year’s event at the Cape Town Stadium next Saturday will be no different, with attendees busy prepping for the big event since the theme was announced in October, says Cheney Dent, of Vanessa’s Party Emporium in Sea Point.
Tinkerbell and Little Red Riding Hood are all the rage for the MCQP this year, says Dent.
“Everyone has a fantasy idea of what they want to be when they are kids, and this is a chance to go back to that,” she says, adding that once she finds out about customers’ alter egos, she’ll find the right costume.
Drag queen artists Genevieve le Coq and Miss Lola Fine, who will be lighting up MCQP’s cabaret stage, stopped by Vanessa’s Party Emporium on Thursday to check out their options. They got into character as the risqué versions of Snow White and Cinderella.
Le Coq says she’s planning to make several costume changes throughout the evening, but is considering arriving in a Princess Plastic costume.
“So many fairy-tale fantasies are plastic,” she says. “But plastic is fantastic.”
Creative costumes like Le Coq’s are the best way to get noticed at the party, according to MCQP organiser Ian McMahon. Attendees love to see clever, current or intelligent spins on classic costumes.
Fine is making her own Princess Jasmine costume, which she has been planning and creating for more than a month. The MCQP veteran – she has been to all 18 previous parties – says this year’s theme is definitely among her favourites.
“Fairy tales take you to your childhood and beyond,” she says. “Every day should be a fairy tale.”
Cape Town’s own country-rock trio BlackByrd geared up for their MCQP gig by hitting costume shop This is Not a Post Office on Kloof Street yesterday, where they tried on tiaras, tutus and fairy wings.
This will be the second MCQP performance for the trio, comprising Tarryn Lamb, Samantha Heldsinger and Tamsyn Maker.
“We are going to dress in the theme, while still maintaining our own image,” Lamb says, adding that they’d love to go “all out”.
The women agree that the MCQP is one of their favourite gigs because of the over-the-top decor and anything-goes vibe.
“The spirit of the people there is so cool,” says Lamb. “I’ve never been to an event where the people are so free.”
Partygoers can expect a line-up of local and international acts, including headliner Derrick Barry. Barry is known for his spot-on impersonations of Lady Gaga and Britney Spears, and has his own Las Vegas show.
The stadium will be transformed into seven dance floors and four experiential areas, each with its own theme and music style.
The main dance floor will be a Snow White-inspired winter wonderland, while the Wizard of Oz-themed VIP area will feature live bands CheyRouge, DraadKar and The City.
l Tickets are available at www.mcqp.co.za
General admission is R290 and VIP admission is R450.
Weekend Argus