Okanagan QueerStory Podcast

An Interview with Ella Lamoureux and Shannon Lester aka Sasha Zamolodchikova

This is another very special episode of the Okanagan QueerStory podcast because we are recording live for a Pride event called "Our Past, Present, and Future: Celebrating and Making 2SLGBTQIA+ History". This event is sponsored by UBC Okanagan Library, Kelowna Museums and Archives, and the UBC Community Engagement Partnership and Recognition Fund. I am joined by two guests: Ella Lamoureux and Shannon Lester, aka Sasha Zamolodchikova to discuss the history of the drag scene in Kelowna. 

Ella Lamoureux is one of the founding performers of the Kelowna drag scene. From Kelowna’s Next Drag Superstar drag competition, Embodiment, #2muffs1collr, to recent star on Call Me Mother, Ella has carved out her place as one of the most influential and stunning drag performers in Kelowna. A makeup artist by trade, Ella will eternally tease you with her beauty. But, watch out if you displease her — that tongue is quick and sharper than you think! She’s generally “as sweet as cherry pie” and she brings so much love and joy to the community. A true charmer, Ella Lamoureux is Kelowna’s Sweetheart.

Shannon Lester, aka Sasha Zamolodchikova has been performing in drag for over 12 years now. He is the co-founder of drag-based performance art collective Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (now known as KKBB Collective) formed in Osaka, Japan and has performed internationally in Japan, Canada and the United States. He has performed in various art films, and theatre productions. He is also the co-founder of Embodiment Drag & Burlesque Show with his co-star Ella Lamoureux. Born in Vancouver, raised in Newfoundland, Shannon now resides in the sunny Okanagan where he makes a living as a professional visual artist and drag queen. His paintings can be viewed at www.shannonlester.com or @shannonlesterart on instagram and Shannon Lester Art on Facebook. His drag persona can be found on FB as Sasha Zamolodchikova and @misstress_of_fine_arts on Instagram. Sasha currently hosts a monthly event at Dunnenzies in Kelowna and other locations called ‘Drag Queen Paint n Sip’. Shannon has his Masters of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Painting & Performance from UBCO.

An Interview with Isaiah Bell and Sean Guist

Donna Langille interviews Isaiah Bell and Sean Guist. In February 2023, Isaiah Bell and Sean Guist will bring The Book of my Shames back to Opera Kelowna. The Book of my Shames is a one-man, cabaret-style opera performed with a small chamber ensemble. It premiered at Tapestry Opera in Toronto 2019 and has been developed with the support of Opera Kelowna, Pacific Opera Victoria and Intrepid Theatre.

Isaiah Bell, Creator, Composer, and Principal performer in The Book of My Shames, performs across North America as a classical tenor, composes music and libretti for opera and theatre, and writes prose and poetry.

Sean Guist, Creator and Director of The Book of my Shames, is an Artistic Director at Intrepid Theatre in Victoria, BC/Lekwungen Territory, and has worked with the company in various roles since 2013. He is also a queer artist who freelances as director and creator for theatre and opera and makes an occasional appearance as a bearded drag queen. 

Pride in Place at the The Museum & Archives of Vernon

Whose history is represented in your local museum and archive? Whose stories are considered important, valuable, and worth preserving for future generations? To honour and celebrate 2SLGBTQIA+ History month, join Donna Langille and special guests Susan Armstrong, Madeline Terbasket and Dawn Tucker at the Vernon Museum & Archives (MAV) to discuss how the lived experiences of the historically underrepresented 2SLGBTQIA+ community can have more Pride in Place in local museums, archives and other cultural institutions.

An Interview with Wilbur Turner

Wilbur Turner (he/him) grew up during the 60s and 70s in rural Alberta “in a time when gay wasn't a word you heard.” His upbringing in a conservative Christian cult made it impossible for him to recognize his sexuality, and was eventually ostracized by some of his own family and the church when he finally came out after 18 years of marriage. His coming out experience led him to volunteer work in the LGBT2Q+ community; after moving to Kelowna in 2011, he took on the role of President with Kelowna Pride. Wilbur played a key role in taking a small Pride March with a few dozen in attendance, to the festival with thousands in attendance in 2019. He would also become the President of Fierté Canada Pride, an organization of member prides across Canada. His first experience of the queer community in the Okanagan was in being a guest at The Flags B&B as far back as the mid 1990's which he fondly reminisces about in this podcast.

An Interview with James Sieben

Donna Langille interviews James Sieben. James (he/they) is a twenty year old trans man from Kelowna, BC. He is the former Director of Transgender Community Development for Kelowna Pride Society, current President of the Okanagan Juniors Ultimate Club, and current Secretary for the Kelowna Ultimate Players Society. He is studying Emergency and Security Management at the Justice Institute of British Columbia. He became involved in trans activism upon coming out in 2019 and is passionate about trans representation in sports, protection for trans youth and trans women of colour, and public education initiatives.

An Interview with Taysha Jarrett

Donna Langille, host of Okanagan QueerStory podcast, interviews her co-producer, Taysha Jarrett. Taysha is the founder of the Kelowna Rainbow Women group, Community Engagement Advisor for Rebellious Unicorns, Copy Editor for Kelowna.LGBT, and an author of LGBTQ romantic fiction. Taysha reveals her inspiration for creating the podcast and her hopes for what it will accomplish for the Kelowna 2SLGBTQIA+ community.