Cherry Valentine: Memorial concert announced to celebrate late Drag Race star’s ‘life and laughter’
Drag Race UK star Cherry Valentine died aged 28. (Getty)
A memorial concert has been announced for late RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Cherry Valentine by her own production company Throne Events.
Iconic: The Cherry Valentine Memorial Concert will take place at the Clapham Grand on 28 November and is a tribute to the “life, artistry and laughter of the amazing George Ward/Cherry Valentine”.
The queen, who appeared on the second series of Drag Race UK alongside Bimini Bon Boulash, Tayce and winner Lawrence Chaney, passed away on 18 September, aged 28.
ICONIC: The Cherry Valentine Memorial Concert takes place on Monday 28th November at Clapham Grand, London. @TheClaphamGrand
Join us as we celebrate the life, artisty and laughter of the amazing George Ward/Cherry Valentine. https://t.co/1fFencwUHj pic.twitter.com/VYPFgg5646
— Throne Events – By Cherry Valentine 🍒 (@Throneeventsuk) October 23, 2022
While the event is ticketed, it is free to attend with donations welcomed, and all proceeds going towards mental health charities “close to [Cherry Valentine’s] heart”.
The concert will include performances from fellow Drag Race UK alumni, all as tributes to Cherry herself.
14+ Event, tickets are FREE with suggested donations and memorial packages. All donations will go to Cherry's legacy fund and mental health charities close to George's heart. 2 tickets per person. Tickets at https://t.co/npbjrbVfmf— Throne Events – By Cherry Valentine 🍒 (@Throneeventsuk) October 23, 2022
Other fellow Drag Race alum include Tia Kofi, who has reshared the announcement, encouraging fans purchase tickets and donate.
Tickets are available now for The Cherry Valentine Memorial Concert featuring special guests including some of your Drag Race UK faves, celebrating the life of Cherry 🍒
Tickets available here – https://t.co/bdR5dmxmJz https://t.co/dCP9etxuCN— Tia Kofi (@TiaKofi) October 23, 2022
As well as being a drag performer, Cherry was a registered mental health nurse who worked throughout the COVID-19 pandemic as a frontline vaccination nurse in season two’s mid-production break.
Cherry also fronted the BBC documentary Cherry Valentine: Gypsy Queen and Proud, detailing his life experiences and speaking to many in order to shed light on being LGBTQ+ in the Gyspy, Roma and Traveller communities. George (Cherry’s name out of drag) was shortlisted for an National Television Award for this outstanding work.
A GoFundMe for Cherry’s Legacy Fundraiser has already exceeded its goal of £10,000 by nearly £4,000.
Valentine’s family announced their death on Friday (23 September) in a statement, saying: “This will come as a profound shock to most people and we understand there is no easy way for this to be announced. As his family we are still processing his death and our lives will never be the same.
“We understand how much he is loved and how many lives he has inspired and touched.”
