#queens ball

Yerin Ha and Luke Thompson rehearsing the Queen's ball dance 💃🏽🕺🏽

SHE CAN KILL WITH A SMILE, SHE CAN WOUND WITH HER EYES.

[ Her Majesty, and her Majesty's loyal Court Jester! What a pair they make. ]

ME AND YOU ARE OVERDUE FOR FIENDISH LAUGHTER.

[ Totally normal homie activity. ]

YOU CAUGHT ME UNDER FALSE PRETENSES...

[ LOVE these photos. Everyone looks so good! ]

LET ME TELL YOU A TALE FOR A PENNY!

[ What do you think he's saying..? ]

I TROT TO THE WOLF AS A DOTING SHEEP.

[ How did we go from "Oh, I'm going to betray and kill the Queen!" to this..? ]

I'LL BE THE KING OF IT, THE QUEEN OF IT, THE GOD OF IT!

[ No, your Majesty, I'm sure there's nothing to worry about with those two..! ]

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/ready-for-the-64th-annual-queens-ball-this-weekend/

Ready for the 64th annual Queens Ball this weekend?

“All I have is Dad jokes and rompers.” Paul Wheeler shares why co-hosting Brisbane’s Queens Ball is such an honour.

This Saturday night, Brisbane Pride host the 64th annual Queens Ball at Brisbane City Hall.

The longest-running continuous LGBTQIA+SB event in the world, Brisbane’s community comes together in a night of celebration and elevation.

The Queens Ball was first held on Tamborine Mountain in the Gold Coast Hinterland to bring the community together.

At the time, being gay was illegal.

Seven years before New York’s Stonewall uprising, the Queens Birthday Ball was born.

Many community members will be honoured with awards throughout the night, with this year’s theme being ‘Many Voices One Pride’.

One familiar voice that’s a part of the evening is Paul Wheeler, who will be cohosting the Gala event with Gayleen Tuckwood.

“I first became involved with the Brisbane Pride Queen’s Ball in 2019, when I hosted the VIP hour with Tina Bikki,” Paul told QNews.

“To be honest, I was very nervous as I know how important the event is.”

“And I was like ‘Wait, can I host formal stuff? All I have is Dad jokes and rompers.’

“BUT of course, I jumped at the chance and said yes.

“I loved seeing so many people from the community in full glam, gowns, suits and sparkles.”

Image: Supplied

What’s your favourite part of the night?

In 2020, Paul was asked to host the main event, but due to the pandemic, it was actually filmed at Cloudland and streamed online.

“It’s actually still on YouTube and one of the only things I can actually watch myself on.” Paul laughed.

“In 2021, the event returned to the incredible Brisbane City Hall.”

“I’ve shared hosting duties with some incredible people, Destiny Rogers, Ella Ganza, Bebe Gunn, Chocolate Boxx and Gayleen Tuckwood.”

With finalists already announced, award categories throughout the Queens Ball include:

First Nations Leadership and Engagement Award

Young Achievement Award

Activist of the Year

Ally of the Year

Volunteer of the Year

Community Social Group

Community Support Group

Community Sporting Group

Artist of the Year

DJ of the Year

Drag Performer of the Year

Performer of the Year

Event of the Year

Venue of the Year

But there’s one not on the list that’s Paul’s favourite every year.

“Of course, one of my highlights of the night is the Belle of the Ball,” he said,

“Where a selection of the best dressed are invited up onto the stage and the winner is selected based on crowd reaction.”

“Another highlight for me came a few years back when Peachy Keen asked me to dust off my dancing Converse and be part of their flashmob.”

Imagee: Supplied

Ready to get your glam on?

With everyone dressing to impress as a part of the Queens Ball, it’s a gorgeous display of pride-filled fashion.

Injecting his flair, how does Paul compete with the glamour?

“Being the Queen’s Ball, it’s only right that I have a new outfit made for the event,” he laughed.

“As you can probably guess, it’s always some kind of romper/jump suit made by Soft Butch or Gayleen.”

“If you go far back enough in the vault, you’ll see that one year I actually wore a suit jacket, shirt and bow tie…who even was I?

“This year’s look was inspired by Go-Jo’s Milkshake man music clip.

“But even camper (if that’s even possible).

“I’m so excited to celebrate our nominees and winners for another year.

“It’s such an honour to be a part of the event, thank Brisbane Pride for having me.”

We can’t wait to see what Paul and everyone else are wearing this Saturday night for the 64th Queens Ball.

And share all of the glitz, glamour and pride with you on QNews.