Katie Schulzetenberg-

 

Students eagerly lined the upstairs level of the Memorial Student Center (MSC) on Thursday, Oct. 26, awaiting the annual drag show. Many students were sporting Halloween costumes, to be judged at the event’s costume contest. The Drag Show is held annually by the Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA). This year was the first themed show, and, in line with the “dark affair” theme, the event showcased darkly dressed performers in costume accompanied by eerie music.

“The turnout at this year’s drag show was better than past years since we had a theme for the fall show, which hasn’t happened before. We estimated that there were 600 people who attended the show this semester,” said Miranda Buchanan, the events coordinator of GSA.

The costume contest was next, intended as a halftime break for the drag performance. “The idea of the costume contest came about as a way to keep the audience entertained and to break the show up. In the past we have had lip syncs and twerk offs, but since this semester was Halloween themed, we wanted to allow people to dress up,” Buchanan said.

The costume contest featured several rounds. Audience members that chose to participate would come up on stage to show off their costumes. The winner of each round received a gift basket with candy and gifts from local businesses.

With all the tips given to performers by the audience, GSA raised a little over $400. The money raised is going to help GSA members attend the Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Ally College Conference (MBLGTACC), an annual conference where queer college students gather over the course of a weekend to learn and to have fun with peers. “GSA has had the opportunity and privilege to attend this conference for over a decade,” said Buchanan.

Buchanan said,“The purpose of drag shows is to bring together a large amount of people from different aspects of life for a night of entertainment and bonding,” Buchanan said. “Everyone is able to share a night which is unique to every person.” 

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