Wings, wigs and wine

DRAG performer and engineer Tara Zann is returning to Lennox Head to host a colourful Paint and Sip event combining costumes, stunts and creative flair.

The show will be held at Club Lennox Sports on Sunday, June 1, and includes one-of-a-kind costumes, custom-mixed music, games, prizes, and a professional artist to help with the painting.

It will be the first time Zann has run the event, after previously hosting successful drag bingo nights at the venue.

Zann, who grew up in Ballina, is no stranger to firsts — five years ago, he was the only drag queen to compete in full costume at a bodybuilding competition.

He’s since made a name for himself by combining three very different worlds: bodybuilding, drag performance and electrical engineering.

“I’m the triple threat no one saw coming,” Zann said.

“I’ve competed with my head in drag in the male lineup and I’m one of the only ones to do that.

“I think I wholly embody someone chasing their aspirations regardless of societal pressure and stigma.

“I am a drag queen, a bodybuilder and an electronic and energy engineer; any of these two combined is quite a unique combination but I have chased all three dreams regardless of stereotypes and societal pressures.”

Zann uses his engineering skills to build his costumes, including a set of electronic wings that took nine months to make and open at the press of a button.

He even attended his university graduation in full drag and said he’d be switching up costumes throughout the Lennox show.

“Drag Queens wear a lot of hats, we design our costumes, do our own makeup and put together our playlists,” Zann said.

“It’s exciting to bring drag to a wider audience and there is definitely a market for it. I’ve gone with my name as a gender flip on a traditionally masculine character in Tarzan.

“It also ties in with my name Jake as well.” There will be three performances during the event.

Tickets can be purchased at fiercefunctions.com.