Operanation 2016: 38 stylish shots from inside this year’s event

by Randi Bergman May 20, 2016

Last night, a bunch of queens took to the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts for Operanation, the Canadian Opera Company’s annual gala fundraiser—over 1,000 drag queens, society queens and karaoke queens to be exact, who embraced the event’s “Queen of the Night” theme in leather, lace and all things moody/sexy/cool. (Yours truly took it one step further, going for a dominatrix look in a red leather Markoo bustier dress, a BDSM-worthy choker and a Hermès crop whip).

As is Operanation tradition, the event featured a unique blend of opera and pop music, with soprano Ambur Braid taking to the stage for an electrifying performance of the Queen of the Night aria alongside Dragonette, the night’s guest performer. But it wasn’t just about the pros. Good Enough Band set up shop in the rehearsal hall, where (brave) guests took part in a late night live kareoke session.

The event also hosted a one-of-a-kind photo booth inspired by recent arty turns in Vogue and Vanity Fair, with photographer Ryan Emberley featuring guests in a modern day boudoir—the results of which are featured below.

In addition to kicking spring party season off with a bang, this year’s event raised over $100,000 for the COC’s Ensemble Studio, a training program for Canada’s rising opera stars.