Chinook Blast postpones all-ages drag show amid fears of protests

Chinook Blast has postponed an all-ages drag show, and another show as threats of protests arose.

The organizers put a statement on its website Thursday evening, postponing Drag on Ice and DJ Gaysnakes scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at Olympic Plaza.

“We understand that this may cause inconvenience for those who have already made plans to see them, and we apologize for any disruption this may cause,” the statement reads.

It’s unclear which groups were going to protest or if they still will.

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek tweeted Friday that protests that condone hatred “cannot go on.”

She says the city pushed for a better way to address “protests rooted in hatred,” adding the city is going to use its street harassment bylaw.

“The new reality is that some protests are designed to perpetuate fear and hate,” Gondek said in a tweet.

“As a city that strives to be inclusive and welcoming, we have to provide safe spaces for the public to enjoy all that we have to offer – without a small group of people creating safety issues by spreading mistruths and hate. We cannot tolerate hate masked as protest.”

It says Chinook Blast will provide an update “as soon as they are confirmed” and asks people to visit its website for more information.

CityNews has reached out to Chinook Blast for comment.