The Flashback Files: Gone But Not Forgotten

Darrin Hagen

August 23, 2024
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A tribute to the many friends who lit up the Flashback stage. We miss you all.

Emperor 10 of the ISCCA – Cardinal Sin	Mr. Flashback 13 – Zola
Sadie	Yoda
Empress 12 of the ISCWR – Ora Fice	Tinoir
Reena	Sabrina
Empress 9 of the ISCCA – Flora Tron	Emperor 7 of the ISCWR – Sam
Empress 1 of the ISCWR – Millie	Joolz
Prince 12 of the ISCWR – Perry	Karen K.
Empress 11 of the ISCWR – Beverly Crest	Mz . Flashback 12 – Kim Burley
Mz Flashback 4 – Bianca Bang Bang/Janie Marie/Lee Denning	Mz. Flashback 10 – Tallulah
Empress 9 of the ISCWR – Lulu LaRude

Footage from 1981-1983 captured by Patrick Monaghan.
All other footage filmed by various friends – usually Flashback owner John Reid.

Thanks to Darrin Hagen and Chris Fassbender with the support of the Edmonton Arts Council and the City of Edmonton – Local Government here is a video that captures a few moments of the fun.

Funding for this story made possible by the Arts Council and the City of Edmonton

Darrin Hagen

Darrin Hagen is an award-winning playwright, author and LGBTQ historian. He has created many plays, stories and articles about our queer history, including Witch Hunt at the Strand, The Empress & The Prime Minister, and The Edmonton Queen: The Final Voyage. He also created the Queer History Bus Tour which ran for over a decade.

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Rob Browatzke – Part Two

Part Two: Rob Browatzke – Recovery and Evolution
In this second installment, Rob Browatzke reflects on his struggles with addiction and how it affected his work at Buddy’s, Down Under, and Boots. After the passing of the Boots Bar owner, he moved on to Prism Bar and the Junction Bar & Grill, eventually finding sobriety and a new sense of purpose. With support from his uncles, Rob helped launch Evolution Wonderlounge in 2013 — Edmonton’s premiere queer nightclub — and now shares how that legacy continues with the opening of EVO in the spring of 2025.

A powerful story of resilience, renewal, and the ongoing evolution of community.

People

Rainbow Story Hub
October 28, 2025
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3 minutes Read

Rob Browatzke – Part One

Part One: Rob Browatzke – Finding Community
In this first installment, Edmonton writer and community builder Rob Browatzke reflects on coming out in high school, his first night at The Roost nightclub, and the early challenges of finding acceptance. Rob shares stories of moving to Lethbridge for college and returning to Edmonton, where he worked at the Georgia Bathhouse, Down Under, Boots Bar, The Roost, and Buddy’s Niteclub. He also talks about his shift into community activism and media — from volunteering with the Gay Men’s Outreach Crew and Edmonton Pride Festival to helping launch Fresh Magazine after writing for Times.10.

A candid look at the spaces, people, and moments that helped shape one of Edmonton’s most enduring voices in queer culture.

The Flashback Files: Gone But Not Forgotten

The Flashback Files: Gone But Not Forgotten

Darrin Hagen

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