Masked ball won’t be a drag!
West Lothian is set to see it’s first annual drag ball with the introduction of a masquerade ball in the Howden Park Centre this summer.
The ‘Masquerade Royal Drag Ball’ will take place in the Howden Park Centre in Livingston on July 23 , running from 7.30pm until late.
Guests will be presented with a glass of bubbly a buffet, entertainment, a disco, and other activities yet to be announced.
Acts for the drag ball are all being sourced locally - with the headliner for the show yet to be announced by organisers.
New West Lothian events company, ‘Lickety Split’, is running the ball which will be their first ever event.
The company is an off-shot of the existing Saltire Burlesque Academy, a local burlesque academy that aims to inspire women in West Lothian and champion body confidence.
Saltire Burlesque Academy has long supported the LGBTQ+ community in West Lothian - also hosting a drag/burlesque show on July 16 starring ‘Fanny La Rue’ with all profits going towards West Lothian pride.
Director of Lickety Split, Karyn Hamilton, spoke about the upcoming event, she said: “I’ve been running the Saltire Burlesque Academy for three years now - putting on events alongside body confidence classes inspired by the world of burlesque.
“Lickety Split came about after a conversation with the events manager at the Howden Park Centre, who we use for a lot of shows.
“We noticed there’s nowhere really local for people to go to see drag shows in West
Lothian - with people having to go all the way out to Edinburgh or Glasgow to see them usually.
“So I wanted to bring drag a bit closer to home - we’re trying to source primarily local acts as well, right now we have an amazing artist from Armadale joining us.
“Alongside drag there’ll be comedy and burlesque - we’re hoping to offer a whole suite of entertainment.”
Karyn established the Saltire Burlesque Academy was established in 2019 by mumof-six Karyn aka Bustyy Bleu, to boost confidence, empower and allow people a safe space to be the best version of themselves and love the body they have.
The former nurse said it has helped her cope through dark times after her husband took his own life.
Karyn worked at St John’s Hospital in Livingston when her partner of 11 years died and the shock of losing Peter left her suffering from debilitating anxiety.
But after receiving support from Neil’s Hugs Foundation, the 46 year old is busier than ever running her own holistic therapy business and a burlesque group that boasts more than 300 members aged between 16 and 70 who have found their “inner diva”.
Her classes have helped women shed their insecurities by strutting their stuff while getting fit at the same time.
During lockdown Karyn and her instructors provided a full online timetable of classes, quizzes, cookery shows and fun to boost the morale of the members.
Karyn and the other Saltire members also shared the stafe with global burlesque sensation Sapphira at Howden Park Centre
Tickets are available to buy now from the Lickety Split Facebook page.