Rob Browatzke
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 of the Village People happened at Coronation 2012, a special tribute from Empress 36 Leah Way to Emperors 36 Rob and Jim; all three had previously been Village People. This performance included appearances from many past Village People. Jim would go on to do one more show, with an all-lesbian troupe, at a Womonspace dance in 2013.
After that, hardhats, headdresses, and helmets were hung up for good.
Edmonton’s Village People…Times .10 Magazine December 2000
Old Website that was formerly located on Geocities (now hosted here)
Rob Browatzke
Rob Browatzke is an Edmonton club owner and author. He has been professionally involved in a Edmonton’s gay nightlife for over two decades. Most of his novels are set in a fictitious gay nightlife world so this is a topic for which he is truly passionate. You can find him on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.ca/stores/Rob-Browatzke/author/B00H3YSDGO
Terrence Adams
Rainbow Story Hub
