Cherry Valentine Memorial Concert to honour late Drag Race UK star
'Iconic: The Cherry Valentine Memorial Concert' will pay tribute to the “life, artistry and laughter of the amazing George Ward/Cherry Valentine”.
A memorial concert to celebrate the life of late RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Cherry Valentine will take place in London in November.
Organised by Valentine’s production company, Throne Events, ‘Iconic: The Cherry Valentine Memorial Concert’ will pay tribute to the “life, artistry and laughter of the amazing George Ward/Cherry Valentine”.
Tickets for the event at Clapham Grand, London on 28 November are free but with suggested donations and memorial packages.
The event’s website details that “all donations will go to Cherry’s legacy fund and mental health charities close to George’s heart.”
The drag queen rose to fame on season two of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2021 and it can be expected Drag Race alumni will make an appearance at ‘Iconic: The Cherry Valentine Memorial Concert’ as “dedicated performances by special guests” are listed as part of the memorial concert’s programme.
Valentine passed away aged 28 on 18 September, at the time their family shared: “It is with the most heart-wrenching and deepest sadness to inform you that our George – Cherry Valentine – has tragically passed away.”
“As his family, we are still processing his death and our lives will never be the same,” they added.
In memory of Valentine, Drag Race UK season four included an in-memoriam dedication to Valentine after the show’s credits.
A GoFundMe for Cherry’s Legacy Fundraiser has already exceeded its £10,000 goal, the funds are for a Vigil for George – Cherry Valentine and to continue their legacy
As well as this dedicated concert, RuPaul’s DragCon announced that Valentine’s booth and a book of condolence would be dedicated to the late queen.
“RuPaul’s DragCon has always been a place where we all come together as a community. It is in that spirit that Cherry’s booth will remain at DragCon UK as a place where people can gather, reflect and celebrate her memory,” the event’s statement read.
Speaking to Attitude last year, the qualified mental health nurse said of working during the pandemic: “I’d be lying if I said it was fun. It was madness. Absolute madness. But I feel so privileged to be able to help, however which way I can.”
Valentine grew up in Darlington, County Durham, and presented the BBC documentary Cherry Valentine: Gypsy Queen and Proud, in which she explored her roots as a queer member of the Roma Traveller community and was shortlisted for a National Television Award for this work.
You can find out more about ‘Iconic: The Cherry Valentine Memorial Concert’ and purchase tickets to the event here.