This is a brunch with a difference!
When I asked my mum many years ago if she liked to join me for brunch, I had to explain that the word is a combination of breakfast and lunch.
Her reply was ‘oh it’s for lazy people who gotten up too late for breakfast, is it?’
She was an early riser and didn’t believe in ‘doodling’ (as she called a lie-in) but I have to admit, I love it. And what could be better than a brunch? A brunch with performances of some of Cork’s best Drag Queens of course. Instinct.Cork has been on the scene for about a year now and has created some amazing events for the LGBT+ scene here in Cork. Drag Brunch is the latest venture at the Oyster Tavern at the English Market. We were treated to smoked salmon blini, yogurt, compote with granola and tasty poached egg with avocado on delicious brown bread – all that came paired with bottomless prosecco.
The atmosphere was electric and everyone was enjoying themselves to a point where it didn’t matter that it was daytime. Performances from Lucina Schynning who also MCed the event (can’t recommend her highly enough), Kia Koke and Eiresure had us all up in excitement and some of us even put on some dance moves.
Mia Poland was the DJ and her mix of music just added a perfect foundation for the event.
We were laughing, crying and screaming – all out of joy and support to such a creative and colourful community.
We need this community in Cork to thrive and take us out of our sometimes grey existence and cheer us up. Cian O’Sullivan, who is well known in the Cork food scene (he was head of house in Fenn’s Quay) is the founder of Instinct.
When asked why brunch he said: “We wanted to try something new and this concept seems to be perfect for combining delicious food with outstanding performers. We hope to bring this show to a wider audience and we can’t thank Oyster Tavern enough for their support.”
He continued: “It is difficult to find venues that are open-minded and we do rely on investors as well to make this show accessible for everyone who wants to enjoy this artform.” It has been a while since I attended a drag show and I enjoyed this one as much as I did my first drag show in London many moons ago. Of course, the elephant in the room was addressed but MC Lucina made sure that it didn’t cloud the event.
A well-known gay bar in Cork has removed all rainbow decorations to appear ‘straight’ to incoming students during Fresher’s week. For me, Cork is all inclusive to everyone and it struck a chord when the LGBT+ community lost their safe space. A new venue is needed urgently if we don’t want to lose this creative and fun community in Cork (I can’t see any student being offended by a rainbow flag to be honest). Currently, a fundraiser is going around – so if you like to help (or know of a venue that could be used long-term) visit gofund.me/de8797e2. Also, check out Instinct.Cork on Instagram for their upcoming drag brunches – you’d be mad to miss it.