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GORGE

@gorgefestival

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Queer Arts Festival | Treaty 1 / MB
Founded @synonymartconsultation
SEPT 26 - OCT 18, 2026

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

WORKSHOPS WITH @gorgefestival !

*NOTE: @vachina__s workshop has been moved to The Forks Event Space*

Register today (link in bio!) to work and learn alongside the best in Ballroom. Be sure to read the full descriptions and accessibility notes in the links!

Got questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us @gorgefestival and @synonymartconsultation !

Co-curated and organized by @winnipegkikiballroom @kilusan.productions @iamodi__

Thank-you endlessly to our partners

@manitobamusic and Black Professionals in Music (BPM)
@theforkswinnipeg
@urbanshamangallery

This project was funded by the Manitoba Arts Council. taken in Winnipeg, Manitoba by @gorgefestival

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7 days ago

Today we’re thankful for…SPONSORS!

We don’t say this lightly, it takes a village. On top of volunteers, artists, audience, community it takes SPONSORS to make this ship sail.

These sponsors believe in the big picture: making QUEER ART accessible and making it a priority here in Winnipeg. We have shared values and help each other.

This project was funded by the Manitoba Arts Council.

Presented with the Black Professionals in Music (BPM) program at Manitoba Music

Let’s give it up for:
@mbartscouncil
@manitobamusic
@urbanshamangallery
@theforkswinnipeg
@pegcitycarcoop
@althotel
@nbwpg
@winnipegkikiballroom
@battlefieldequipmentrentals
@sunshinehousewpg
@royaltyentco

Let’s keep it going. taken in Winnipeg, Manitoba by @gorgefestival

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7 days ago

REMAINING GORGE EVENTS 2026

🪩POP-UP DRAG SHOW IS FREE!

🪩 KIKI BALL TICKETS IN BIO!

Thanks to our amazing graphic designer @mikochase for the fire aesthetic!

This project was funded by the Manitoba Arts Council.

Thanks to @althotel @urbanshamangallery @theforkswinnipeg taken in Winnipeg, Manitoba by @gorgefestival

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5 days ago

GORGE Festival and You Betta Werk Part 3 is a wrap!

Thank you Andy and Chloe @synonymartconsultation, Urban Shaman @urbanshamangallery, The Forks, Toronto Prince ODI PinkLady, and our @winnipegkikiballroom Board and members, the Kiki ball walkers and attendees, and all of the festival volunteers for all your hard work!

Special thanks to our workshop facilitators and Ballroom mentors:
Legendary Aja 007 @ajathekween
Legendary West Cost Mother Calypso PinkLady @calypsojete
Mother Stormy Versace @stormythetattedbarbie
Legendary Canadian Overseer Charmed Mulan @djblackcatt
Silk PinkLady @_silkvelvet
Toronto Prince ODI PinkLady @iamodi__

Words and photos can only do so much to capture the magic that led up to and what happened over this festival. So proud and in awe of y’all for your incredibly artistry!

We look forward to catching up on some rest. We’ll be taking a break for the first part of November, we’ll see you our next Kiki Ballroom Open Session on November 22nd 5:30-7:30 PM.

Save the date: Some of our Winnipeg Kiki Ballroom members will be performing at the Rainbow Resource Center Gala on Saturday, November 7th at RBC Convention Centre. See you at the gala and/or after party!

#WinnipegKikiBallroom #GORGEFestival #YouBettaWerk #CanadianBallroom #KikiBallroom by @gorgefestival

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42 minutes ago

TODAY’S SUNDAY, OCT 18] FREE WORKSHOPS!
In partnership with Black Professionals In Music and @manitobamusic !

3 PM BALLROOM DJ with @djblackcatt
4:30 PM COMMENTATOR with @_silkvelvet

Meet us in Event Space @theforkswinnipeg !

Register with the links in our bio

For future workshops and getting involved, follow @winnipegkikiballroom

📸 from @iamodi__ YOU BETTA WERK PT 3 that went down last night in Winnipeg, MB. @cassidy.noir x @voguesosweet on the floor! taken in The Forks by @gorgefestival

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a day ago

🚨 TONIGHT 🚨

CATEGORIES / EFFECTS

Make sure to check out GORGE (@gorgefestival) and Winnipeg Kiki Ballroom (@winnipegkikiballroom) and ODI (@iamodi__)’s instagram pages for more information on the categories, the effects, what order they are in how much the prizes are worth!

If you are a spectator, you are encouraged to come dressed in your best animal print apparel, or whatever makes you look and feel your best. This is a great opportunity for you to embrace your FEMME PU$$Y POWER!!

** PERFORMANCE IS LAST CATEGORY** missing from the graphic!

ACCESSIBILITY

The event will take place in The Event Space at The Forks, which is located in the Northwest corner of The Forks Market (1 Forks Market Road), on the second floor.

The venue is fully accessible, with two elevators to reach the second floor. One located behind Tall Grass Prairie Bakery, and one located at the foot of the market tower.

In the venue there is limited seating with space dedicated to mobility devices. Patrons are asked to be prepared to offer up seats to other patrons, as needed, as this is a long event and we want everyone to enjoy the show and to remain as comfortable as possible.

SAFER SPACES

The organizers of You Betta Werk are committed to creating a safer, welcoming, and affirming environment for everyone in attendance.

We expect all participants and patrons to treat one another with respect and honour each person’s boundaries, identities, names, pronouns, bodies, and lived experiences.

Harassment, discrimination, bullying, unwanted touching, intimidation, or behaviour that compromises the safety and well-being of others will not be tolerated.

Consent is ongoing and can be withdrawn at any time. Please ask before touching, photographing, filming, or sharing identifiable images of another participant.

There will be a staff member present onsite dedicated to any Safer Spaces issues that may arise. They will be stationed at a table stocked up with all kinds of harm reduction supplies and information.

Our Safer Spaces staff member will be working from Synonym Art Consultation’s Safer Spaces Policy, which you can read at synonymartconsultation.com/about/policies. taken in The Forks by @gorgefestival

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2 days ago

Went to @gorgefestival last weekend, and boy, what a time 🤩🤩

Going out can get expensive quick! It had me thinking about ways to save while enjoying what Winnipeg has to offer.

We’re here with three tips to save on a night out.
#carsharing #gorgefestival #pegcitycarcoop taken in The Park Theatre by @gorgefestival

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2 days ago

TONIGHT [FRIDAY] WITH @gorgefestival

A workshop then dranks @althotel ?! Yas please.

About the WORKSHOP @urbanshamangallery

WC legendary mother @calypsojete is a prominent figure in the ballroom community, celebrated for her roles as a dancer, Trans Showgirl , and mentor. She gained widespread recognition as a member of the House of Balmain, leading them to victory in the first season of HBO Max’s “Legendary. as the first $1000,000 house

Beyond her performances, Calypso is dedicated to activism, community building, education, and healthcare advocacy for LGBTQIA+ youth. She mentors aspiring performers globally and creates safe spaces for youth to express themselves freely.

Her dedication to fostering community and promoting self-expression continues to inspire many within and beyond the LGBTQIA+ community.

-——

Urban Shaman Gallery is NOT a fully accessible space:

There are two steps up to the street entrance door

The door swings into the building and is on a strong spring.

There are an additional 5 steps up to reach the small area in front of the passenger elevator.

Urban Shaman is located on the 2nd floor, Unit #203.

Upon leaving the elevator walk straight forward to the red door directly across from elevator (not the red door located to the right of you).

The entrance to Urban is through the doorway, after a few steps brings you into the main space and office location of the gallery.

Washrooms are located in a small room with one step up into each toilet area. taken in Urban Shaman Contemporary Indigenous Art by @gorgefestival

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3 days ago

TGIF DRINKS + DRAG ANYONE?!

Let us be your pre-game (I hear there’s a show @club200 right after?!)

FRIDAY, OCT 16
@althotel
8:30 - 10 PM
FREE

Ps. Odi says Drag Shop and Show…the SHOP is simply serving lewks.

We will be filming! If you don’t want to be filmed, please let our videographer know. Otherwise, dress code is “FAB”

The lobby of the Alt Hotel is wheelchair friendly.

There will be limited seating from comfy chairs to high chairs.

Parking is general parking downtown, so make sure you provide extra time for that!

#winnipegevents #althotel #winnipeglocal #onlyinthepeg taken in Alt Hotels by @gorgefestival

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4 days ago

Want more @gorgefestival ?!

We have ONLY two more events :

🪩 Oct 16 DRAG POP UP! @althotel

🪩 Oct 17 YOU BETTA WERK KIKI BALL @theforkswinnipeg

But back to looking back on our last weekend…

@dragravewpg x @gorgefestival WAS WILD
Video by the incomparable @uncommon.creativeco

That stage was LEGENDARY

@ajathekween
@wpgpinkladychapter
@kilusan.productions
@djj_jackson
@shaeldj
@zovadasilva
@heytraycee

Thanks to :
@mark_grimace
@synonymartconsultation
@althotel

ICONIC VIDEO taken in The Park Theatre by @gorgefestival

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6 days ago

Today I am thankful for…

@mark_grimace for hosting DRAG RAVE, and collaborating with @gorgefestival

Salamat @ajathekween for blessing our city with your artistry and for your kindness. On behalf of @winnipegkikiballroom, thank you for sharing your Legendary wisdom. It was lovely to dance, DJ, and eat our way through Winnipeg 🤣. Great to host you to for your first time up north @fabby_filth! To many more!

Big hugs to my co-performers @wpgpinkladychapter @tope_o @organzalicious @shaeldj @djj_jackson @zovadasilva @heytraycee honestly dream team.

@gorgefestival continues with YOU BETTA WERK PART 3: FEMME PU$$Y POWER hosted by my brother Toronto Prince @iamodi__ PinkLady. Tickets for the workshops and ball in LinkTree. 💋💖

#GorgeFestival #WinnipegKikiBallroom #WinnipegQueer #WinnipegNightlife #PinkLadyWpg taken in Treaty No. 1 by @gorgefestival

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7 days ago

PREPPING FOR THE NEXT KIKI BALL LIKE…

@ajathekween you taught us well.

BRING THE CONFIDENCE. TELL A STORY. MAKE EYE CONTACT. STRETCH AND HYDRATE. So many stories and skills shared by this legend. thankyouthankyouthankyou.

See you October 17 for FEMME PU$$Y POWER. taken in Urban Shaman Contemporary Indigenous Art by @gorgefestival

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8 days ago