Ely’s first ever drag brunch sold out in a matter of weeks

Residents in Ely, Minnesota are gearing up for the city’s first ever professional drag brunch in August hosted by Flip Phone Events.

According to the company, tickets for the two shows sold out in a matter of two weeks. That’s 150 patrons per show.

Flip Phone Events hosts shows in New York City, Chicago, Boston, and in Minneapolis where the company started 10 years ago. Now the company says they want to bring more drag to the Iron Range. To keep track of future events you can visit their website here.

Owner Chad Kampe says, "We will definitely be coming back to do shows because there is definitely a need to bring LGBTQ+ experiences and drag experiences to the Iron Range.”

August 6th’s drag brunch will include the talents of Jaidynn Diore Fierce (Ru Paul’s Drag Race Season 7), Mercedes Iman Diamond (Ru Paul’s Drag Race Season 11), Onya Deek, and host Sasha Cassadine.

One of Flip Phones’ workers had connections with the LGBTQ+ community in Ely and after a couple of calls they were able to set up the brunch. Bringing in some very high caliber talent.

Kampe says, “At Flip Phone we work with the best of the best from around the country… they are great at makeup, great at performance great at entertaining, and we are 100% sure that the audience will be entertained for the two hour experience.”

He says he can’t wait to bring this experience to the queer people in Ely.

"I think that it’s great to show that we are here, were are queer, we are not going anywhere”, says Chad Kampe, “And drag is for everyone. A lot of people think that it is not, but it’s no different than going to Disney World and seeing a prince or princess dressed up in a costume.”