Vancouver is known around the world for its scenic beaches, mountainous backdrop, and diverse food scene. But it’s also home to a vibrant LGBTQ+ culture and the only locally produced Mandarin drag show in North America. Cale Tian, who performs as Wan-Ting Moi, came up with the idea three years ago after experimenting with drag during the pandemic.
“I was painting my face over Zoom with some other friends of mine, one of them being my drag sister,” Tian recalls in a phone interview with Pancouver. “Her name is Whoreia Estefan and we actually hosted a show at Numbers Cabaret called Drama Club. That’s when I started doing it.”
Vancouver has a thriving community of drag queens of Asian ancestry, and many have participated in events by Ricecake. Tian says that he loves what the founder, Van Dang, has accomplished. However, Tian decided to launch Forbidden City because he felt that there needed to be a show specifically geared to people who spoke a Chinese language as their mother tongue.
“We have all sorts of Chinese-as-a-mother tongue performers in this city,” Tian states. “Off the top of my head at that moment, I could find six.”
That led to the first Forbidden City event at The Junction, an LGBTQ+ club in Vancouver’s Davie Village.
“We have done it at least four times now,” says Tian, who was born in Xi’an in Shaanxi Province in China.
The next Forbidden City show will be at 8:30 p.m. on Friday (November 7) on the Revue Stage on Granville Island. This ticketed event is part of Vancouver’s Jade Music Fest, which celebrates Chinese-language music in Canada.
Forbidden City features impressive lineup
Tian has plenty of experience singing in front of audiences with the Vancouver Men’s Chorus. He named his drag persona Wan-Ting Moi because Vancouver is where Wanting Qu lives. She emerged as a famous pop star in China more than a decade ago when her album, Everthing in the World, went platinum.
“I would say that I am a singer, but I like to bring big, gorgeous gowns,” Tian says. “I also do dance—I feel like I am a balanced act; I can do a little bit of everything.”
Wan-Ting Moi will perform and serve as the emcee for the Jade Music Fest event. Bibi SouPhresh, Valak D’Mon, Flaming Wok, Vee for Victoria, and Yuen Young will also be part of the show.
Tian describes the Brunei-born Bibi SouPhresh as “one of the most legendary performers in the city”. And Valak D’Mon, according to Tian, is “one of the most iconic look queens in the city because she knows where to find things and she looks incredible”, whereas Flaming Wok is campy and lives up to her name on-stage.
“Vee for Victoria is going to give you that ’80s Hong Kong vibe, very demure,” Tian adds. “She is funny but also, you can’t take your eyes off of her.”
The only drag king in the lineup, Yuen Young, debuted at the third Forbidden City.
“He just won one of the biggest drag king balls in Seattle,” Tian gushes. “He is such an explosive performer and we’re just very excited to have him.”
Tian says that the goal of Forbidden City is to offer a queer space for people in the region who speak a Chinese language. At the Jade Music Fest show, the audience can expect to hear lots of classic Mandopop songs made famous by stars like Teresa Teng, Jolin Tsai, A-Mei, and even newer performers like Jackson Wang.
“We’re paying tribute to all the big names,” Tian says. “This is the music that young little gay boys grew up singing to.”
Event details
The Jade Music Fest will present Forbidden City at 8:30 p.m. on Friday (November 7) on the Revue Stage (1601 Johnston Street, Granville Island). For tickets and more information, visit the festival website. Follow Pancouver on X @PancouverMedia and Bluesky @pancouver.bsky.social. The publication is also on Instagram @PancouverMedia.
