On July 7, the first Sunday of the Calgary Stampede, Broken City Social Club is set to dazzle Electric Avenue in a distinctively over-the-top, rhinestoned hue as it welcomes THE ORIGINAL DOLLYFEST: an all-day affair celebrating country superstar and pop-culture/gay icon, Dolly Parton. The inaugural event features a free breakfast, an art show, drag performances and musical tributes by a handful of Canadian acts.
The first wave of featured performers include Country Music Recording Artist Shaela Miller (Lethbridge, AB), the incomparable Kacy Lee Anderson (of Saskatchewan folk/roots duo Kacy and Clayton) and Trixie Berkel (of Tillsonburg, ON). The local talent roster includes drag queens Mr. Terri Stevens and Tara Extravaganza, punk rocker Miesha Louie (of Miesha and the Spanks) and Samantha Savage Smith. More performers are expected to be announced mid-June with a few guests slated to take the stage by surprise.
"Dolly once said, 'being a star means that you just find your own special place, and that you shine where you are.' She gathers together what might be viewed socially as weaknesses or flaws and turns them into sources of strength and pride," says organizer Trixie Berkel, "I hope DollyFest helps each of us get a little closer to finding our own special place - and if that place happens to be Broken City, oh Heaven let your light shine down!"
Inspired in part by Dolly Parton’s own spirit of philanthropy, the event organizers will be collecting children’s books to support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a book gifting program that mails free books to children from birth until they begin school.
Proceeds from admission, merchandise and original artwork from illustrator Geneva Haley and tattoo artist Mason Jenkins will support Calgary’s SHARP Foundation, a Calgary-based nonprofit organization committed to providing a continuum of care including housing, healthcare, and support to those living with HIV.
Tickets for THE ORIGINAL DOLLYFEST are on sale now via showpass.com or at Sloth Records. Advanced tickets are $20, door tickets are $25. This event is open to all ages and children are admitted free before 12 p.m. The event will run from 10 a.m to 5 p.m.
