Nine drag houses have competed since March,
leading up to the May 9 grand finale
in Toronto
TORONTO, May 14, 2024
/CNW/ - Absolut®, a brand Born to Mix, is excited to announce House
of Venom as this year's winner of Absolut Empire's Ball, the
largest house-based drag competition in Canada.
The House of Venom is from Toronto and members Nasty, Vyper, Zi, and
Midas inject the drag scene with a potent blend of innovation, wit,
and unapologetic fabulousness.
Along with the title and crown, House of Venom receives a
$10,000 cash prize for being crowned
the winners for Absolut Empire's Ball Season Five. The runner-up
houses were Ni Haus and House of UTI (Uniquely Talented
Individuals), who will also receive a cash prize for making it to
the Grand Finale.
Founded by Scarlett BoBo, Absolut
Empire's Ball celebrates the dazzling artistry and creativity of
drag in all its fabulous forms! Now in its fifth season, Absolut
Empires Ball saw nine lucky houses compete from March through May,
judged by some of the best in the business, including Manny
Dingo, Lizzie Renaud, Alyssin Chaynes and Mojo
Toronto.
This competition offers drag houses the chance of a lifetime to
mesmerize large audiences with top-notch, professional productions.
From breathtaking stage setups to stunning lighting and sound,
Absolut Empire's Ball creates an unforgettable experience for both
performers and spectators.
"This season of Absolut Empire's Ball has shown how diverse the
drag community is within Canada.
House of Venom snatched the crown this year and know they will grow
from here," said Scarlett BoBo.
"Absolut congratulates House of Venom on being crowned the
winners of Absolut Empire's Ball Season Five. We have seen a great
mix of drag performers competing in a safe and inclusive space with
their chosen houses over this year's competition," said
Bethan Hamilton, Absolut's Senior
Brand Manager at Corby Spirit and Wine. "Absolut is a brand born to
mix and we're excited to see all of this year's houses continue to
inspire."
The program culminated in the grand finale on May 9, 2024 at The Great Hall where House of
Venom was crowned Canada's Next
Drag Empire.
All proceeds from Absolut Empire's Ball ticket sales will be
donated to The 519 and Rainbow
Railroad.
The 519 is committed to the health, happiness and full
participation of the 2SLGBTQ+ communities. A City of Toronto agency with an innovative
model of Service, Space and Leadership, they strive to make a real
difference in people's lives, while working to promote inclusion,
understanding and respect.
Rainbow Railroad is a global not-for-profit organization that
helps at-risk LGBTQI+ people get to safety worldwide. Based in
the United States and Canada, they're an organization that helps
2SLGBTQ+ people facing persecution based on their sexual
orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics.
For more details on Absolut Empire's Ball, please visit
https://www.absolut.com/en-ca/absolut-empires-ball/
About Absolut Vodka
Since the early 1980s, Absolut has been proud to stand behind
the 2SLGBTQ+ community, championing equal love for all. We have a
strong belief that mixing people and perspectives creates
connections that can change the world. From collaborating with
well-known artists such as Andy
Warhol, Keith Haring, and
David LaChapelle, to proudly
featuring Gilbert Baker's iconic
rainbow flag on our bottle since 2008, this long-standing legacy
brings to life Absolut's core belief that a colourful, diverse, and
equal world is something to strive and work for.
About Corby Spirit and
Wine
Corby Spirit and Wine Limited is a leading Canadian
manufacturer, marketer and distributor of spirits, wines and
ready-to-drink (RTD). Corby's portfolio of owned-brands includes
some of the most renowned brands in Canada, including J.P. Wiser's®, Lot 40®, and
Pike Creek® Canadian whiskies, Lamb's® rum, Polar Ice® vodka,
McGuinness® liqueurs, Ungava® gin, Cabot Trail® liqueur, Chic Choc®
Spiced rum, The Foreign Affair® wines, and Ace Beverage Group's
Cottage Springs®, Cabana Coast®, Liberty Village®, and Good Vines®.
Through its affiliation with Pernod Ricard S.A., a global leader in
the spirits and wine industry, Corby also represents leading
international brands such as ABSOLUT® vodka, Chivas Regal®, The
Glenlivet® and Ballantine's® Scotch whiskies, Skrewball® whiskey,
Jameson® Irish whiskey, Código 1530® and Olmeca Altos® tequilas,
Beefeater® gin, Malibu® rum, Kahlúa® liqueur, Mumm® champagne; and
Jacob's Creek®, Wyndham Estate®, Stoneleigh®, Campo Viejo®, and
Kenwood® wines. Corby is a publicly traded company based in
Toronto, Ontario, and listed on
the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbols CSW.A and
CSW.B. For further information, please visit our website or
follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or X.
SOURCE Corby Spirit and Wine Communications