Drag Bingo
At the end of every month The Capital Complex in downtown Fredericton holds a fundraiser called “Bottomless Bingo.” The bingo is hosted by local drag talent like Freeda Whales, Barb Wire, and Heather silk.
The bingo looks to raise money for different local charities. This year, the money raised will go towards the Alzheimer’s Society of New Brunswick. Bingo takes place once a week during the summer, but since people are back to full time jobs in the winter, it only takes place on the last weekend of every month.
Locals flood the Capital Complex for food, and bingo. There were drag performances after each round was played. Local Tina Burns says“I think it’s beautiful that the community’s coming together to make a difference for a cause that’s near and dear to my heart and they are doing it with so much style”.
As well as raising money for local charities they try to raise awareness of different things happening in the city, with things like politics. So, during bingo Freeda Whales walked around with an iPad registering people to vote in the up coming election.
Drag queen Barb Wire says she wants bingo to also be an open and welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community. Where they can feel safe, be themselves and have a good time with friends.
The bingo will continue into the winter with the next bingo being held at the end of October. Over the past year the bingo raised around ten thousand dollars for local charities and hopes to continue to do well into the new year.
