Tag Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose

• Rainbow Story Hub
• October 23, 2025
• 0 Comments
• 3 minutes Read

Ron Byers – Part Two

Part Two: Survival, Storytelling, and Legacy

“I never thought I’d still be here to tell this story — but maybe that’s exactly why I need to.”

In Part Two of this biographical series, Edmonton’s Ron Byers continues his remarkable journey — one defined by survival, advocacy, and the power of storytelling to build community and preserve memory.

As the AIDS crisis deepened through the 1980s and 1990s, Ron witnessed the loss of countless friends and community members. Then, in 1998, he himself was diagnosed with AIDS, facing both the stigma and the steep challenges that came with navigating a medical system often unprepared — and at times unwilling — to meet the needs of those living with HIV. Through it all, Ron’s resilience and determination became acts of quiet defiance and hope.

Decades later, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ron once again turned to storytelling — this time through writing. He began contributing to the Edmonton City as Museum Project, documenting the History of the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose and the History of Gay Bars in Edmonton. These projects inspired the creation of his own non-profit foundation, the Rainbow Story Hub, dedicated to preserving and amplifying Edmonton’s 2SLGBTQ+ history.

His work soon caught the attention of Explore Edmonton, who invited him to author the Guide to Pride in Edmonton. That collaboration sparked the founding of Pride Edmonton, reviving local Pride initiatives and connecting organizations across the city.

Building on these partnerships, Ron worked with Explore Edmonton and other community leaders to raise awareness of Queer History Month, ensuring that Edmonton’s queer stories were celebrated and remembered. His leadership also extended internationally when he joined a team developing Edmonton’s bid to host the 2030 Gay Games, highlighting the city’s inclusive spirit on the world stage.

Today, Ron reflects with gratitude on the journey that brought him here — from survival to storytelling, from activism to recognition. His decades of work have been honoured with numerous accolades, including being named a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his service to community and culture.

Part Two celebrates Ron’s ongoing legacy: a story of perseverance, creativity, and the belief that by telling our stories, we make it possible for others to tell theirs.

• Rainbow Story Hub
• October 21, 2025
• 0 Comments
• 3 minutes Read

Ron Byers – Part One

In Part One of this biographical series, Edmonton’s Ron Byers reflects on the early chapters of his life — from coming out as gay and facing rejection at home, to finding the courage to live openly and authentically. His story traces the challenges, friendships, and discoveries that shaped both his life and Edmonton’s emerging queer community.

After leaving home, Ron moved into his first apartment with his best friend from high school. It was there that independence began to take root — a time of exploration, music, and late-night conversations about identity and belonging. Soon after, he found Edmonton’s first gay bar, a hidden space that offered connection and the promise of something larger than himself.

That discovery set him on a path of adventure. Ron joined a female impersonation revue, traveling across the Prairies as the troupe’s tech person. Life on the road opened his eyes to the artistry and resilience within drag performance — and to the chosen families built through laughter and performance in small-town bars and hotel ballrooms.

Returning to Edmonton, Ron became part of the staff at Flashback, the legendary nightclub that stood as a safe haven for the city’s 2SLGBTQ+ community through the 1970s and 1980s. Within its walls, he witnessed both the joy of liberation and the heartbreak that came with the AIDS crisis, as friends and colleagues were lost to a growing epidemic that reshaped the community forever.

In time, Ron sought peace and balance away from the city. He found it on a small farm near Tofield, a life chapter captured in the story “Loading Dock to Farm Pasture: The Annual Flashback to Tofield Migration.”

Part One captures the foundations of Ron’s journey — the courage to come out, the pull of community, and the unbreakable spirit that kept Edmonton’s queer history alive even through its hardest years.

• Rainbow Story Hub
• October 9, 2025
• 0 Comments
• 3 minutes Read

Duane Shave

Duane Shave was a founding member and Empress of the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose (ISCWR) as well as Matriarch of All Alberta in the International Court System. We bring you the story of Duane Shave — better known onstage as Empress II, Chatty Cathy — a true pioneer in Edmonton’s performing arts and queer community history. As Edmonton’s longest-performing drag queen and a retired educator, Duane’s influence stretches far beyond the stage. His story is one of courage, compassion, and commitment, intersecting performance, teaching, activism, and community leadership.

From helping to found the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose (ISCWR) in the mid-1970s to being crowned Empress II, Duane has long been a central figure in Edmonton’s drag and LGBTQ2S+ community. He stepped into the role of Matriarch of All Alberta upon the passing of the Edmonton court’s founding Empress, and he continues to be a guiding presence in its operations.

In a time when public drag events were rare, Duane performed some of Edmonton’s first “public drag shows,” including at venues like Chez Pierre — spaces that welcomed queer expression in an often-hostile environment. Through his decades of performance, mentorship, and service, Duane has left a legacy that binds art, education, and activism together.

We invite you to listen closely as Duane Shave — Empress II, educator, advocate — shares the story of how a life on stage can also be a life of service, community, and transformation., a retired educator, and one of the first drag queens to perform publicly in the city, notably with Empress 1 Millie at the Pegasus nightclub and in the ISCWR’s elaborate Broadway-style drag shows, including Hello Dolly!.

• Brendan Roy
• October 21, 2024
• 0 Comments
• 2 minutes Read

Forty Years of Fabulous: The Story of Twiggy and Edmonton’s Drag Evolution 

In this captivating documentary interview, we sit down with Twiggy, an iconic Edmonton drag queen who has been performing for over 40 years. Twiggy shares her journey from the early days of drag to the vibrant queer scene in Edmonton today. Explore the origins of her artistry, the evolution of drag culture, and the changes within the local LGBTQ+ community through her eyes. This is more than a personal story—it’s a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the enduring spirit of drag.

• Gwen Tonack
• January 21, 2024
• 0 Comments
• 6 minutes Read

Big Joey – Another Look

In the mid-seventies, Big Joey – who was born Janet Wilkeson – was a character slightly larger than life. Though she was a founding member of Club 70 as well as a huge supporter of Flashback, she is primarily remembered for her no-nonsense behaviour and the power of her physical presence. It may surprise you to know she was also a dog loving softie.

For some reason Joey and I were ‘roommates’ for a short time sharing a house with John Reid – a founding partner of Flashback. I think it was his house, located in a totally cute, blue-collar working-class neighbourhood in Edmonton.

• Baker Park
• January 4, 2024
• 0 Comments
• 1 minute Read

ISCWR Turnabout 2010

For years one of the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose’s annual events was Turnabout, the rare opportunity to catch traditionally male-presenting performers do female-presenting numbers, and traditionally female-presenting performers do male-presenting.

• Baker Park
• December 13, 2023
• 0 Comments
• 1 minute Read

ISCWR Grease (2014)

We have another Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose Production Show from the Baker-Park archives.

This February 2014 production wasn’t the only time the ISCWR brought Grease to the stage; a 2002 production starring Miss Bianca and Rob Browatzke ran at The Roost, Boots, and Secrets.

This 2014 version ran at Evolution Wonderlounge and in partnership with Womonspace at Bellevue Hall in a dinner theatre style and starring Tequila Mockingbird as Sandy and Stiffy Steele as Danny

• Baker Park
• December 11, 2023
• 0 Comments
• 1 minute Read

ISCWR’s Nightmare Before Christmas

This 2014 drag production show and fundraiser was put on by the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose, starring Rob Browatzke as Jack Skellington and Mel Trixx as Sally.It was presented at Evolution Wonderlounge on November 8, 2014

• Baker Park
• December 11, 2023
• 0 Comments
• 1 minute Read

ISCWR Rocky Horror Picture Show 2011

The Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose is known for production work. This version of Rocky Horror Picture Show happened on October 28, 2011 at the Junction Bar & Eatery There are 3 parts to this:Part 1Part 2Photo Montage

• Baker Park
• December 8, 2023
• 0 Comments
• 1 minute Read

ISCWR Lion King Production

The Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose is known for their big production shows. At Coronation 37 in 2012, they even included one in the entertainment line-up for the evening: The Lion King. Cast included Jim McBride as Mufasa, Marni Gras as Sarabi, Stefan “Stiffy” Steele and Prince Charmin as Simba, Leah Way as Rafiki, Ivanna Diamonds as Zazu, Rob Browatzke as Scar, Clara T and Vanity Fair as Nala, Big Daddy Pump as Poomba, Yeust Bobb as Timon, as well as ensemble actors

• Rob Browatzke
• December 5, 2023
• 0 Comments
• 2 minutes Read

You can stay at the YMCA: Edmonton’s Village People

From 1994 on, Edmonton’s own Village People Revue featured prominently in many shows, at bars all over Edmonton, and indeed, western Canada. The group started off as an ISCWR fundraiser but soon took on a life of its own. Below, find a link to a December 2000 article originally published in Times.10 Magazine that tells the origin story of this group of characters. Just like with the real troupe, non-Indigenous persons wearing a headdress was never appropriate. Pictures are included for the sake of historical accuracy, not to further perpetuate insensitivity. The last official show of Edmonton’s Impersonation Revue…

• Baker Park
• December 3, 2023
• 0 Comments
• 1 minute Read

ISCWR’s Beauty and the Beast Slide Show

Showing what goes into an Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose production show. This is a slide show montage video of rehearsals, costumes, backstage and from the actual production of 2016’s production of “Beauty and the Beast” who’s audience members got to enjoy a dinner as well as the show. Admission also allowed one to stay for a dance put on by Womonspace. The event took place at Bellevue Community League in Edmonton on January 23, 2016

• Baker Park
• December 3, 2023
• 0 Comments
• 1 minute Read

Little Shop Of Horrors Show

From May 19 to May 21, 2011 the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose presented their production of Little Shop of Horrors at the Junction Bar & Eatery. This is a montage of the performances featuring cuts from the many songs performed. Cast Seymour – JeffyLube XXXPressAudrey – Marni GrasAudrey II – RobMr. Mushnik – Yeust BobbOrin Scrivello, DDS – Randy QuiverRonette, Crystal and Chiffon – Dayzi Chayne, Debi, Clara TSupporting Cast: Anelle, Bead, Otto Matic-Quiver, Victoria Park, Jugsy Malone Director – Leah WaySet Design: Lj Steele, Stiffy SteeleSpotlight – Dee Luv Our thanks to the Baker Park…

• Ron Byers
• October 21, 2023
• 0 Comments
• 1 minute Read

ISCWR Website From 1998

In 1996 Ron Byers, a member of the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose, built their very first website on the Geocities – a web hosting service that allowed users to create and publish websites for free. Recently the files used were found and so we have uploaded them to our website so you can check this “historic” part of our history. Click the pic below to access the website. Please note that it was NOT built to be mobile friendly (mobile internet did not exist then) and is best viewed on a desktop or larger tablet.

• Rainbow Story Hub
• October 7, 2023
• 0 Comments
• 2 minutes Read

Hello Dolly Production 1979

This video was filmed at the Edmonton Inn Hotel in 1979 during the Coronation Ball held by the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose. It featured volunteer members of The Court presenting a lip sync performance of Hello Dolly. Directed by John M. Kerr and starring Chatty Cathy (Duane Shave), Ron Byers, Daryl Broyles, John M. Kerr, Gerry Kasten and Bill Wallace.