"How do we think our way through the messes we’re in, when the way we think is part of the mess?" – Nora Bateson

This quote, from a recent post by The Ethics Centre, perfectly describes why we called our latest event "Yes, and..." and followed an improvisational approach in selecting our speakers and performers.

Shane Onyou

Shane Onyou arrived on the Calgary drag scene in 2017 as the premier, sexy and sultry Daddy of the community. Throughout his career, Shane has not only been a popular performer at Twisted Element, Fake Mustache at Dicken's Pub, ISCCA events, or frankly anywhere with a stage, but has also been a frontline advocate in the community.

Serving as a 2SLGBTQIA+ activist, Shane's resume of service includes Reading with Royalty through Calgary Pride, online Storytime With Shane, supporting queer youth by providing paid stages for up-and-coming youth drag performers, and sitting on various boards including Okotoks Pride. Building a safer future for the queer youth of today is Shane's highest priority. Safety in the community is a passion for Shane, as he fills the role of head of security at Calgary's most popular queer nightclub, Twisted Element.

From newspaper covers during Pride to evening news segments covering the increasing vitriol toward the queer and drag communities, Shane never hesitates to speak up for the rights of those being targeted by bigotry and hatred. You can frequently find him on podcasts, in interviews, photo essays, and various ad campaigns as he continues to fight for a more equitable world for all. Serving you old school style and eyes that will melt your heart, Shane was Viscount of the Fake Mustache through ISCCA, and brings a unique blend of campyness and sex appeal that has audiences consistently screaming for more!

Shame on you if you've yet to fall in love with Shane Onyou!

King Neptune 

King Neptune has been entertaining across western Canada since 2011 with his suave moves and boyish charm. He danced his way into the hearts of the people and what started as a way to make some friends and have a little fun grew into a beautiful path of self discovery and community connection. Neptune found his passion for drag, performing, and activism, and continues to use his platform to raise awareness about community safety and the importance of diversity.

You can find this king performing on stages across the city, from Twisted Element, to Dicken's Pub, and even your neighborhood Royal Canadian Legion branch. Neptune considers himself a Jack of all trades and loves the challenge of adapting his performances for any and all audiences. He participates in the Reading with Royalty program, which has been successful and well attended for over 5 years, and it remains one of King Neptune's favorite ways to connect with families and allies of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Through his love of reading and performing, he sends the message that everyone belongs and deserves to be celebrated for their uniqueness.

Let him take you on an adventure across the galaxy you’ll never forget. Straight from the stars and onto the stage, it’s King Neptune!

Enyinnah Okere is the Chief Operations Officer of the Edmonton Police Services’ Community Safety and Well-being Bureau.

In his current role with EPS, he provides leadership, vision, and strategic direction in the delivery of services focusing on:

o The centralization of resources and expertise to address the needs of those who have entered the justice system, with a focus on deterring serious and crimes, reducing demand on policing, reducing crime and disorder, with the goal of increasing community safety.

o His Bureau, specifically the EPS HELP Team, recently received a 2022 Alberta Community Justice Award – celebrating special efforts taken by professionals to contribute to community justice and serving the public. Community justice occurs when the system and community partners work together to make Alberta safer place to live, while supporting those who have been impacted by crime. It acknowledges our collective strength and our ability to go above and beyond in addressing root causes of crime, reacting to it, and serving those who are most vulnerable in our society.

o He spearheaded the organization's LGBTQ2S+ apology and has led, and continues to endorse, the EPS’ Commitment to Action - the largest ever public engagement initiative with the racialized community.

o Enyinnah chairs the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police (AACP) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee.

Recent Awards include:
• Edify Edmonton's Top 40 Under 40 [2021]
• Queen’s Jubilee Award [2023]

He is the co-founder of REET Institute. This is a social impact platform, offering a unique program designed to train, develop, and mentor high school students to become the next generation of investors, owners, and leaders in the commercial real estate industry.

In January 1999, Wakefield Brewster stepped onto his first stage as a Poet and Spoken Word Artist. Today, he is known as one of Canada’s most powerful Professional Performance Poets.

A BlackMan raised in Toronto by parents from Barbados, he has resided in Calgary since 2016, and it is in the New West where Wakefield has been able to truly flourish as a Poet and as a Person.

Throughout his career, Wakefield has been published in several anthologies and since moving to Calgary, he has produced two professional recordings to his credit.

In 2019, he was appointed as The Resident Poet & Spoken Word Artist of The Grand Theatre House in Calgary, Alberta.

In 2021, Wakefield joined The League Of Canadian Poets in order to become a more integral part of Canada’s Literary scene, while representing the standards of Diversity and Representation.

He currently is Calgary’s Poet Laureate for 2022-2024.

After all that the stage has given him, he has discovered other ways that he may repay his beloved Poetry and Arts Communities by performing silently, backstage, for them.

Wakefield finds that underneath the many hats and the many hoodies he wears, resides a wonderful life.

He would like to sincerely Thank You all for being a part of it.