Spritz on the Water
The Spritz Boat Cruise took Windsor-Essex PrideFest out on the water for an afternoon of dancing, DJ beats, and dazzling drag from Sevynn and Dulce. Relive the energy, the looks, and the highlights from this summer’s most unforgettable ride.
July 27, 2025
At Windsor Premiere Cruises
WINDSOR, Ontario
All Aboard the Fun
Windsor-Essex Pride Fest’s Spritz Boat Cruise returned on Sunday, July 27, 2025, and this year’s ride was nothing short of spectacular. Boarding began at the foot of Ouellette Avenue, where guests quickly filled The Macassa Bay for an afternoon of dancing, drag, and waterfront views. With two bars, snacks, and plenty of energy before the boat even left shore, the cruise had the perfect recipe for summer celebration—and proceeds supported Windsor-Essex Pride Fest’s year‑round programs.
Table of Contents
Setting Sail in Style
Beats and Performances
Fashion on the Waves
A Cruise to Remember
Setting Sail in Style
Once the ship set off, the crowd was treated to a scenic route along the Detroit River—from Peche Island all the way to the Ambassador Bridge and back. The vibe was lively from the start, with music pumping and friends clinking glasses against the backdrop of Windsor’s skyline. Parking and boarding were a breeze near the big Canadian flag—easy in, glorious out on the water.
Beats and Performances
DJ Kevin Bailey kept the dance floor alive with an irresistible mix of tracks, while Sevynn and Dulce delivered two show‑stopping sets that lit up the boat—expertly MC’d by Mel Lucier.
Set One
• Sevynn: thigh‑high black boots, black‑and‑gold fringe bra and panties, long blonde pony—high‑octane, high kicks, high energy.
• Dulce: leopard‑print + black unitard, silver boots, hot red wig with a subtle rainbow, tearing into “It’s Raining Men.”
Set Two
• Dulce: bright orange uni with skirt, long red hair—summer scorch.
• Sevynn: fur‑trimmed cropped hooded vest with matching cuffs, ultra‑mini skirt—cozy warrior princess on open water.
Fashion on the Waves
From bold costumes to breezy summer looks, the boat was a floating runway. Guests showed up ready to celebrate Pride in true fashion, turning the decks into a kaleidoscope of colour and joy.
A Cruise to Remember
Presented by Windsor‑Essex Pride Fest, the afternoon wrapped with door prizes before docking back downtown. With unforgettable views, stellar performances, and a crowd that brought nothing but joy, the Spritz Boat Cruise proved—again—that it’s the Pride event you simply can’t miss. Until next year, this one stays a golden memory on the water.
Photos and review by Kevin Blondin
Pride Legacy Begins
Toronto’s first-ever Pride Legacy Pageant brought eight dazzling queens to Buddies in Bad Times Theatre for a night of unforgettable runway, talent, and storytelling. Meet the queens, watch the highlights, and see who took the crown.
June 19, 2025
At Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
TORONTO, Ontario
A New Tradition Is Born
Toronto’s Village just got a little more legendary. On Thursday, June 19th, the city welcomed the very first Pride Legacy Pageant—a vibrant, high-energy celebration of queer excellence presented by Vision Drag Artists and Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. As part of the Buddies' Queer Pride 2025 Festival, this inaugural event set the stage for what’s bound to become a new cornerstone of Pride season in the 6ix.
Hosted by the ever-sparkling Lemon (Canada’s Drag Race S1 & Canada vs. The World winner) and judged by Toronto drag royalty Lucinda Miu and Tynomi Banks (Canada’s Drag Race S1 and CvsTW S2), the pageant brought together eight dazzling drag artists to compete across two categories—Runway and Talent—for a $1,000 cash prize and a coveted performance spot at Buddies’ Tallulah’s Pride Party.
Let’s dive into the legends in the making.
Table of Contents
Meet the Judges
Runway: Legendary Moments
Talent: Shock, Shine, and Showbiz
Crowned and Crown Worthy
Meet the Judges
Lemon kicked off the night with an electrifying performance, reminding the packed house why she’s considered one of Canada’s brightest drag exports. After hyping the crowd, she introduced the guest judges: Lucinda Miu, a queen known for her theatrical prowess, and Tynomi Banks, the high-kicking, high-fashion diva who brought glamour and gravitas to the panel.
Runway: Legendary Moments
Each contestant was tasked with creating a look inspired by a personal legendary moment. What followed was a deeply emotional and visually stunning showcase of drag as storytelling.
Sevynn stepped out cloaked in red velvet sequins to honour the resilience of the HIV/AIDS community, complete with a dramatic red ribbon collar and angelic headpiece.
Guy Anabella brought Caribbean excellence and queer pride together in a butterfly-inspired Caribana look, emerging as a symbol of joyful transformation.
Midas embodied her namesake with a golden goddess gown and a sobering nod to the myth that inspired her—reminding us that drag, too, is a blessing.
Love Masisi dazzled in upcycled orange materials from around the world, paying tribute to their personal journey from Haiti to Europe to Canada.
Betty Baker wore a glitter-splattered princess gown to honour her storytime protest-turned-community rally in Peterborough.
Molly Kewl gave us nostalgia and irreverence, mixing Y2K raver chaos, Spice Girls camp, and boxers for a wild gender-fluid fantasy.
Sahira became the fire itself in a self-made molten look that declared: this moment—right now—is their legacy.
Sucka Queen fluttered across the stage in a head-to-toe stoned butterfly ensemble, representing a hard-earned rebirth in full technicolour.
Talent: Shock, Shine, and Showbiz
After a mid-show performance from Lucinda Miu, the queens turned up the volume in the talent portion, and the crowd was living.
Sevynn stunned with a sultry, acrobatic pole performance alongside backup dancers.
Guy Anabella dropped her self-produced track “Pretty Girls are Strong” in a fierce dance number that ended with her literally lifting a giant weight—iconic.
Midas gave us tech-meets-glam, delivering a red-hot number featuring an X-ray iPad illusion that had the audience gagged.
Love Masisi broke the mold by singing live, their voice filling the room with soul and sincerity—no lipsync required.
Betty Baker performed a heartfelt drag storytime in a Dorothy costume, complete with her puppet pal Butch and a message of hope for queer families.
Molly Kewl got weird in the best way—serving a science-themed act with a side of plasma, proving that education can absolutely be fierce.
Sucka Queen took us under the sea with a Little Mermaid-inspired video number, and a wink to her fishiest fantasy.
Sahira delivered one of the night’s most unforgettable moments—a live painting performance that ended with a jaw-dropping reveal when she flipped the canvas upside down to reveal a portrait.
Tynomi Banks closed out the talent segment with a final performance that had everyone on their feet, sealing the night with diva energy and undeniable charisma.
Crowned and Crown Worthy
With the stage full and the energy sky-high, the judges called all eight contestants back out to announce the final results.
Midas was named runner-up, a well-deserved honour after her tech-savvy, visually striking performances.
But it was Guy Anabella who soared the highest—crowned the first-ever winner of the Pride Legacy Pageant, proving that her butterfly moment was more than a metaphor. It was destiny.
A Future Worth Celebrating
The Pride Legacy Pageant wasn’t just a pageant—it was a love letter to Toronto’s drag history and a toast to its future. In one night, we saw resilience, rebellion, reinvention, and raw talent take the stage under one shared spotlight.
With support from Vision Drag Artists, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, and sponsors like Absolut, this event has set a powerful precedent. And judging by the queens we met and the stories they told, we’re not just witnessing the beginning of a pageant—we’re witnessing the birth of a legacy.
Photos and review by Kevin Blondin