A Royal Hoopla: A party you’ll never forget
By Laura Monaghan
Bunnings ball gowns, space cowboys, fire dancers – you name it, and the partygoers at A Royal Hoopla witnessed it!
Hosted by the National Portrait Gallery, A Royal Hoopla graced Canberra with their sequin-loving theatrics on the 10th of June. Their MC for the night, Aaron Manhattan, brought much-loved flamboyancy and mayhem to the festivity. But they certainly weren’t the only much-loved person of the night.
Upon arrival, guests were greeted by a friendly staff and an atmosphere that screamed David Bowie meet RuPaul’s Drag Race. While the acts prepped themselves for the night ahead, the partygoers were treated to a low-lit lounge area with a photo booth, merchandise as well as nibblies and champagne.
However, the event really brought the heat with their first act by fiery Burlesque performer and Comedienne, Rosie Rivette. Outside in the cold, Canberran winter, Rivette illuminated the night with a dance that quite literally transformed her into a girl on fire. Quite the tease, Rivette tantalised the audience by running live flames across her bare skin and breathing it out from between smiling teeth, all whilst she danced her way across the floor.
While Rivette brought the heat, one of the following acts, musician and eclectic performer Tanzer, blew the audience out of this world with her space-disco glamour and powerful voice. Not much of dancer, Tanzer instead wowed with the immense range of her vocals and dramatic, escapist music videos.
Not to mention, legendary Sydney DJ, Charlie Villas, who brought out hit after hit so that the time between each act felt like an act itself.
Last but certainly not least was the band that truly sold this event, Glitoris. Based in Canberra, Glitoris challenges genre stereotypes with hilarious and refreshingly honest lyrics in their songs. They’re fierce, empowering, unique and FEMME-tastic. Blending rock, theatre and pop music, Glitoris are well worth a listen.
. Although, what made A Royal Hoopla truly phenomenal was how the event embraced queerness and welcomed creative expression in all its forms. Whilst the event pushed boundaries and challenged gender stereotypes, the atmosphere still felt safe and inviting, like who you are and how you show up in the world is phenomenal and something worth celebrating.
Thank you A Royal Hoopla, for a party we’ll never forget.