An Interview with Ella Lamoureux and Shannon Lester aka Sasha Zamolodchikova

This is another very special episode of the Okanagan QueerStory podcast because we are recording live for a Pride event called "Our Past, Present, and Future: Celebrating and Making 2SLGBTQIA+ History". This event is sponsored by UBC Okanagan Library, Kelowna Museums and Archives, and the UBC Community Engagement Partnership and Recognition Fund. I am joined by two guests: Ella Lamoureux and Shannon Lester, aka Sasha Zamolodchikova to discuss the history of the drag scene in Kelowna. 

Ella Lamoureux is one of the founding performers of the Kelowna drag scene. From Kelowna’s Next Drag Superstar drag competition, Embodiment, #2muffs1collr, to recent star on Call Me Mother, Ella has carved out her place as one of the most influential and stunning drag performers in Kelowna. A makeup artist by trade, Ella will eternally tease you with her beauty. But, watch out if you displease her — that tongue is quick and sharper than you think! She’s generally “as sweet as cherry pie” and she brings so much love and joy to the community. A true charmer, Ella Lamoureux is Kelowna’s Sweetheart.

Shannon Lester, aka Sasha Zamolodchikova has been performing in drag for over 12 years now. He is the co-founder of drag-based performance art collective Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (now known as KKBB Collective) formed in Osaka, Japan and has performed internationally in Japan, Canada and the United States. He has performed in various art films, and theatre productions. He is also the co-founder of Embodiment Drag & Burlesque Show with his co-star Ella Lamoureux. Born in Vancouver, raised in Newfoundland, Shannon now resides in the sunny Okanagan where he makes a living as a professional visual artist and drag queen. His paintings can be viewed at www.shannonlester.com or @shannonlesterart on instagram and Shannon Lester Art on Facebook. His drag persona can be found on FB as Sasha Zamolodchikova and @misstress_of_fine_arts on Instagram. Sasha currently hosts a monthly event at Dunnenzies in Kelowna and other locations called ‘Drag Queen Paint n Sip’. Shannon has his Masters of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Painting & Performance from UBCO.