It’s World Pride 2023 and the queer globe is converging on Sydney Australia to celebrate diversity, inclusion, community and fabulousness!

To mark this momentous event the STAGES podcast is saluting the cast of captivating drag divas and personalities who have been featured on the podcast during the past 5 seasons.

They are artists who have appeared on national and global stages; thrilling audiences, making a difference, healing community and expressing unique and wondrous talents.

We spotlight these episodes so you can savour a second listen - or so you can sample the delights of these entertainers for the very first time.

A Diva a day for each day of World Pride!

Claire de Lune is the alter ego of Restauranteur and Chef, Marc Kuzma. Claire has been a mainstay in Sydney’s Gay life for several decades while Marc has been a celebrated mainstay of our food scene.

Claire de Lune gained fast notoriety after her 17 cooking segments on Channel Nine’s “The Midday Show” with Kerrie Anne.

She then did her Drag apprenticeship by working in most of Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian venues. Renowned for her kooky sense of humour, Claire was often in demand on TV, radio and for corporate functions.

Claire career was celebrated in 2000 by winning 3 DIVAs (the Drag Industry Variety Award) including entertainer of the year, best cast 3 & under for Lady Penelope’s Baby with Verushka Darling, and an award for her charity work, particularly for the AIDS Trust of Australia, an award also won in 2001.

Claire also took part in the closing ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games and was part of the entertainment at the Olympic village during the Paralympic games.

2001 was a triumphant year for Claire with From D’Rags To Riches, Claire de Lune The Musical selling out during the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival, followed by a 4 week season of The Tempest, a major part in a Lipton Tea television commercial, a guest spot on Beauty and the Beast (channel 10) and as a guest judge on SBS broadcast of the Eurovision song contest.

Claire has been featured many times on television: Food Lover’s Guide to Australia, Young Lions, White Collar Blue, Fresh, Georges Negus Tonight, Queer TV, Faux pas Rever, Voyage, Mondo Thingo, Good Morning Australia and a Virgin Blue Mobile and Vodaphone ad campaign; and the launch of Virgin Atlantic in Sydney.

Marc was the general manager at Slide in Oxford street, Sydney and created two highly successful weekly shows: El'Circo and Vampire stories.

He now delights patrons at a very special venue that combines exquisite French culinary indulgence and stellar cabaret performance at Claire’s Kitchen at Le Salon.  The restaurant is a favourite destination for diners and connoisseurs of classic cabaret performance. A weekly line-up of artists complements the magic of Marc and his staff who deliver a superb experience - merging Marc’s three great personas - performance, food and fabulousness!

Claire’s Kitchen at Le Salon will be delivering a sensational and diverse line-up of talent during February 2023, to coincide with the celebration of World Pride in Sydney. Check out the cabaret season at www.claireskitchen.com.au

The STAGES podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify and from where you find your favourite podcasts. Tune in daily for a history of drag in Sydney. Tell your friends, share the podcast, relish the stories and embrace your own sense of Pride.