When Sarah Michaelson and Jón Olafson – a.k.a., Mama Cutsworth and DJ J. Jackson, respectively – perform together, you’re bound to see more than just a DJ set. You can expect gold. 

On Oct. 3 at 10 p.m., the tour de force DJ duo, formally known as House of Gold Diamonds, will host their third appropriately titled diva dance party Ain’t Nuthin’ but a She Thing, honouring the tenacious female divas of popular culture. 

The party will be held at Union Sound Hall and will accompany the drag numbers of Tyra Boinks, Breyanna Burlesque, Vida Lamour DeCosmo and Satina Loren. 

Expect flashy dance numbers, fabulous drag queens, and classic belt-out-in-your-bedroom dance anthems. 

“It’s a fun event. People drink so that we look better. It gets better and better each time. They bring in different styles too, like hip-hop and R&B. Anything you think is ‘diva-like,’ they bring,” drag diva Satina Loren says. 

Having been recognized for their fun, creative and thematic events, the DJ pair is doing more than hosting an empowering female tribute. They have come to be known as true proponents of self-expression by generating safe and inclusive spaces for all people. 

“Inclusivity is a big part of what we do. We are atypical DJs in a lot of ways and for us it’s not even about making money,” Michaelson says. “I don’t care about making money. It’s more about creating a community space and offering something that’s a fun alternative in Winnipeg.” 

“We always talk about the idea that we want people to walk away from our parties not just going, ‘Oh, that was a fun night.’ Instead, we want them to be like ‘Remember the time that that happened?” or ‘Remember that show?’ We work very thematically, but we also want to create an experience,” Olafson explains. 

After creating experiences together for the better part of three years now, the ultra powerhouse that is House of Gold Diamonds will continue to spread their politics of inclusivity throughout all of their events. 

The result is expected to be unprecedented. 

“We get more of every kind of person (at our events), so it’s a really fun mix. We share a principle that these parties are for everybody and for everybody to feel safe and have a really fun time. So that’s a big part of what drives our parties,” Michaelson says. 

For Michaelson and Olafson, their gold house is your house and it’s hard to say no to a night that celebrates bold empowerment of all types. 

“It’s not everyday that you get to see four amazing drag queens at a straight bar with an amazing duo DJ set. It’s something that is so new and hasn’t really been done before,” Loren says. “It brings a fresh perspective. It’s nice to have a queer night at a straight bar.” 

Find Ain’t Nuthin’ but a She Thing on Facebook for more details.

Published in Volume 70, Number 4 of The Uniter (October 1, 2015)