Michael Venus
Acting
Biography
Michael Venus is a Canadian artist, actor and producer. Venus moved to Windsor, Ontario, at the age of 18 where he began working in the arts community of Windsor and nearby Detroit. There, with friends, he formed the artist collective "House of Venus" and began putting on various art shows, club nights and other events including an annual wearable art and wig festival called "Wiggle" which continues to this day. In 1995, he moved to Vancouver, British Columbia where he worked as an artist and event producer for 18 years. In the mid 1990s, Michael also began work as his drag alter ego Miss Cotton who is House Mother and leading "Venus Girl" Cotton has done numerous stage and television work including legendary NYC Outdoor Drag Festival, "Wigstock" in 1999, starring in The New Pornographer's music video for "Sing Me Spanish Techno"and hostessing and curating the pre-show for the Official 2010 International Olympic Committee afterparty introducing INXS. In 2001, Venus began collaborating with filmmakers including Mark Kenneth Woods with whom he would later help produce the World's first LGBT sketch comedy series called the House of Venus Show. The series began airing nationally in Canada on OUTtv in 2005 and would later air in France, Belgium, Switzerland, The Netherlands and the United States. He also co-produced and co-starred in the feature film Deb and Sisi which premiered at the Out On Screen Vancouver Queer Film Festival in August, 2008. Michael won Throbbing Rose Art Collective award for the first ever Nuit Rose festival during World Pride for his Icons and Demigods Show. Michael is currently working in Snow Queen- a herstory and expose of drag in Canada and a few other documentaries for OutSpoken Series on Out TV
Known For
Created by Canadian filmmaker Mark Kenneth Woods and co-produced by Michael Venus, the first season of the world's first LGBT themed sketch comedy TV show started airing on OUTtv in July 2005. The second season began airing in September, 2006 and, after a hiatus, a third season debuted in July, 2009. The show also aired on SelecTV/OUTtv in Australia in 2006. Pink TV in France, Belgium, Switzerland and other territories started airing the first 2 seasons of the show with the alternate title "Le Venus Show" in September, 2006. The show began airing in the Netherlands and the Benelux in April, 2008 on OUTTv. here! network in the USA began airing the show in August, 2008. Filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, the sketch comedy show blends politics and pop culture with humour and irreverence.
The House of Venus Show
Forever lonely, homely Deborah Dyer tries everything she can to "suicide herself" when she finds herself still single on her 40th birthday. All attempts fail as fate sends her car swerving right into Sisi Sickles, a recently evicted 40-something promiscuous waitress. Seeing an opportunity for a quick buck, Sisi hastily begins to take advantage of naive Deb and is soon at Deb's doorstep with a "broken umbilical cord or two." Stricken with guilt, a clueless and lonely Deb postpones her self-destructive plans to take care of Sisi. Things run hilariously amok when the two women grow closer and develop the only real friendship either of them has ever had. Who needs a man anyways, right?
Deb & Sisi
An intimate, behind-the-scenes look at performance, glamor, fame, family, love and sacrifice as some of the world's most renowned drag queens come together for World Pride in Toronto.
This Is Drag
2019 was a very significant celebration for LGBTQ+ rights internationally with the 50 year anniversary of Stonewall and in Canada the the 50th anniversary of the Criminal Law Amendment Act (also known as Bill C-150) Many will argue that these events are not the origins of the Queer rights movement as many strides were made prior to 1969 and the Stonewall riot but this is defiantly an anniversary worth celebrating when the world finally took note and the fight for equality began on a global level. This film documents the work the Never Apart platform showcased in galleries and also follows folks in Toronto, Vancouver and New York city where World Pride and Stonewall 50 parades and protests took place.
Rising: 50 Years & Going Strong
Drag was at the forefront of gay and cabaret culture for decades before it became mainstream. This is a celebration of Canada’s drag stars and an homage to the queens who paved the way.
Snow Queen
Eight Super 8 short films created by members of the House of Venus. Includes: Supa Imposed, Supa Sonic, Supa Hot, Supa Fun in the Sun, Supa Horror, Supa Show Folk, Supa Powers, and Supa Girl.
Supa 8
As artist Michael Venus prepares for the 20th year of “Wiggle,” his annual DIY wearable art event, we take a look back at Michael and The House of Venus’s groundbreaking work.
They Came from Venus
A celebration of an underground movement of love, this film tells the unique story of the multi-dimensional Canadian artist collective known as "The House of Venus". From their humble beginnings throwing DIY theme parties and fashion shows, to their journey of creating world-renowned queer culture and community, we follow the members as they prepare for the 25th instalment of their performance and wearable art festival “Wiggle”.
Venus Envy: The House of Venus Story
A celebration of House Mother Cotton and her sisters during Vancouver's ballroom scene of the 2000s. A tribute to the pioneering Canadian LGBTQ+ community and its dazzling legacy.