Don’t You (Forget About Me) _{by Alessia Belsito-Riera}

The one and only Matron of Monsters, Wellington producer and performer Amy Thurst is jumping the ditch and heading to Melbourne with fellow drag artist Yonic K.

“I will definitely miss my lil drag fam that I have created here and all the friends I have made along the way,” Amy says.

The pair will bid Pōneke adieu with one last show at Ivy Bar and Cabaret on the 17^th of February, so tease your hair and slip into a jazzercise suit for DIRTY GIRLS – An 80s Inspired Drag Show.

“I chose the 80s theme as a way to tie up my journey in drag here in Pōneke,” Amy says. “I first started drag performing 80s bangers and kinda wanted to end it that way, like a full circle moment.”

Joining them on stage as special guest for the night is Altra Violet – aka drag king Robin Yablind. The triple threat will serve 80s-inspired bops, costumes, and chaos with a modern twist.

A stalwart of Te Whanganui-a-Tara’s drag community, Amy Thurst has starred in and produced a countless number of shows.

“I hope, if I have a legacy, it’s for all the queer alt babes out there,” Amy says. “My love for alternative performance and queer art led me to create space for all the little weirdos out there and I loved doing it these past years. I hope it encourages them to continue it and keep Wellington going with the strong alternative arts scene.”