After a four-year hiatus, Toronto’s most iconic drag fundraiser returns to the stage—bigger, bolder, and with a mission to raise vital funds for Fife House’s Sorauren Women’s Residence Renovation Fund…
Get ready to dust off your sequins and clutch your pearls—because the queens are back, and they’re ready to slay for a cause. After taking its final bow in 2021, Shady Queens™ is making a fierce and fabulous return in 2025 with “Shady Queens: The Comeback.” Since debuting in 2016, this glittering spectacle has become one of Fife House’s most beloved fundraising events, bringing together royalty from the Drag Race pantheon, local talent, and an audience that knows how to have a good time—all for a worthy cause.
From the moment the lights go down at TD Music Hall on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, expect nothing short of a spectacle. This year’s lineup is stacked with international stars and hometown icons: Nick Doll (Host, Drag Race France), Pangina Heals (Host, Drag Race Thailand), Silky Nutmeg Ganache (Drag Race US), Icesis Couture (Winner, Drag Race Canada Season 2), The Virgo Queen (Winner, Drag Race Canada S5), and Rosecea Cheeks (Multi-media Drag Artist). These performers aren’t just bringing looks that kill—they’re bringing heart, humor, and a shared purpose: to raise funds for Fife House’s Renovation Fund for Sorauren Residence, a supportive housing program for women living with HIV/AIDS and survivors of gender-based violence.
Glamour with purpose
Since its inception, Shady Queens has proven that drag and philanthropy are a match made in heaven. The event has raised over $730,000 for Fife House’s programs and services, helping people and families living with HIV/AIDS access the support and housing they need to live with dignity and independence. It’s more than a night of laughter, lip-syncs, and high heels—it’s a celebration of resilience and community spirit.
Each performance, each ticket, and each sponsorship at Shady Queens: The Comeback fuels meaningful transformation—this time, focusing on creating a modern, welcoming, and accessible home at Sorauren Residence. The queens may sparkle onstage thanks to sequin and rhinestones, but the real glow comes from the joy of knowing that lives are being changed behind the scenes.
According to Carol Thames, Executive Director of Fife House: “Fife House has always been about community and the belief that that housing is healing. With Shady Queens, we are continuing to build on that legacy as the event brings together and harnesses the power of community to effect incredible change—creating access to affordable housing – homes for vulnerable members of the community who are living with HIV/AIDS and experiencing homelessness or housing precarity. The renovation to Sorauren Women’s Residence is more than just bricks and mortar—it’s about rebuilding lives, and working together to create a safe home and haven that reflects the strength, dignity, and resilience of every woman who walks through its doors.”
A night to remember
For those lucky enough to snag a VIP ticket, the evening begins with a cocktail reception and meet-and-greet from 6:00 to 7:00 pm, where guests can sip, socialize, and snap photos with their favorite queens. General admission doors open at 7:00 pm, with showtime kicking off at 7:50 pm sharp. Expect electric performances, heart-stopping glamour, and that signature Fife House blend of fun and purpose that keeps audiences coming back year after year.
How to get involved
Tickets: The queens aren’t the only ones who sell out fast. Snatch your tickets from the Fife House website (www.fifehouse.org) before they disappear in a puff of glitter—because when they’re gone, they’re gone.
Sponsor: Want your brand to shine in the spotlight? Partner with Fife House and showcase your support for a cause that empowers lives. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Tyler Cooper, Senior Development & Event Officer, at tcooper@fifehouse.org.
This October, the queens are returning—not just to entertain, but to empower. Because when community, compassion, and charisma come together, everyone wins the crown.
Find more information about Shady Queens: The Comeback, which will take place at TD Music Hall on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, visit: www.fifehouse.org.
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