Bif and Friends Make the Capital Proud

Bif Naked and her band teamed up with Capital Pride and performers Caligula and Saltina Shaker to bring the heat to Ottawa last night.

Rock star, actress, writer, speaker, humanitarian, and all around bad ass Bif Naked performed at the Bronson Centre on Friday night. This was my first time catching one of her shows, despite the fact that she’s been a staple on the Canadian music scene for decades. I expected tattoos. I expected punk vibes and heart thumping beats. What I didn’t expect was for her to be as humble, kind and self-deprecating as she was. I’m getting ahead of myself, however, as I should tell you about the opening acts. In addition to never being to a Bif show, can you believe I’ve never been to a drag show? Oh sure I’ve watched a few seasons of Ru Paul’s Drag Race, but none of that compares to what I witnessed last night.

Let’s start with the basics. Did you know that the word ‘drag’ is believed to have theatrical origins? The dresses men wore to play female characters would drag along the floor. Actors playing female parts because there were no actresses around isn’t exactly in the spirit of what we call drag today – but it was a start. The MC for the evening started off the evening by reminding the audience that it’s customary for a drag show crowd to tip the performers throughout their routine. She then introduced the first performer Caligula “like the Roman Emperor”. Caligula (They/Them) is a 22 year old drag artist based in Ottawa. Inspired by the art movements and the queer liberation of the 70’s and 80’s, Caligula blends old school passion with new school dynamics. Wowing audiences for over 2 years now, Caligula performed  in a very theatrical way. What I found most amazing was the back bending athleticism they displayed and their tipping fans certainly showed their appreciation for this art form.

Next up was Saltina Shaker. A rising star in Ottawa, Shaker, legally known as Jesse Leśniowski, is a full-time performer on stage and a disability advocate online. It was easy to see why Saltina won Ottawa’s Ms. Capital Pride pageant and hit 1.5 million followers on Tik Tok, Saltina knows how to make an entrance, and I only wish that half the performers I work with were as aware of my lens and the magic we can make together. Saltina’s video game girl, anime, sci-fi, and colourful styles leave the eye intrigued all while delivering a mesmerizing performance. Her short videos and pictures on social media inspire many, as she is as much of a role model as she is an entertainer and influencer. As a disabled queer person, she also makes a strong effort to raise awareness about body positivity involving scars, various disabilities, self love, and overall acts as a beacon of hope for many. Saltina is currently obtaining her Master’s/PhD in Environmental Sustainability at the University of Ottawa, as she is equally academic as she is creative. We cannot wait to see what she does with all her interests, talents, and personality!

You may be wondering what the link is between drag queens and Bif Naked by now. Let me remind you that in 2021, Bif appeared as a guest judge on an episode of the second season of Canada’s Drag Race. She joked that the producers wouldn’t let her be a judge anymore because she just wanted to hug everyone and tell them that she loved them. She has always been frank about her bisexuality, and the lyrics of her autobiographical songs (such as 1995’s “Everything”) detail her attractions to and relationships with women. It’s no wonder that she is such a supporter of events like Capital Pride, an opportunity for the 2SLGBTQ+ community to connect, celebrate, educate and advocate.

Before starting the first song, Choking,  Bif called out to the audience looking for a familiar face and telling the crowd that she always wears her special earrings when she performs on Ottawa as they were given to her by a dear friend from Ottawa. Throughout the rest of the vening, Bif sounded genuinely happy to be on stage, making multiple jokes and sharing stories with her cute, delicate voice, so different from her singing voice. She told stories of her childhood, her parents, and her exes, in between fan favorites such as Chotee, Lucky, and Tango. She brought the house down with her last, and probably most famous song I Love Myself Today. It’s clear that she is a mature artist who has seen ups and downs and choses to see the positive side of life now that she’s all grown up and “not 20 anymore”.

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