Michigan Tech’s 26th annual Drag Show drew students and community members to Keweenaw Pride’s largest event of the year. Held in the Varsity Gym at the SDC on Saturday night, the show featured professional performers from Chicago, with sound and lighting by Tech’s Sound and Lighting Services. Performers took the stage with lip-synced routines to popular songs and mixes, blending music, dance, and personality into high-energy acts. For many, it has become a highlight of the fall semester and a rare opportunity to experience drag culture in the Keweenaw.
Drag Show Coordinator Wren Schmalz said the highlight of organizing the event is watching the community rally around it. “The most rewarding part about coordinating the drag show is seeing so many people come together to make it happen,” Schmalz explained.
Performers emphasized the energy and connection that make Michigan Tech’s event stand out. Drag King Spade Slick, who performed Saturday, noted that the atmosphere is unlike many other venues.
“I really feel like a pop star. Everything is beautiful — the stage, the lighting, and the screen in the back. It really gives a concert-like experience, and I don’t think I’ve done that for drag before,” they said.
Beyond the entertainment, performers expressed hope that the show resonates with audiences on a deeper level. “I hope the audience just takes away the importance of having community, and having these art forms and really just enjoying themselves,” added another performer, Drag Queen Aurora Gozmic.
The Drag Show remains closely tied to the mission of Keweenaw Pride, to create safe and supportive spaces for LGBTQ+ students and allies. Schmalz emphasized that the annual event continues to embody that vision, even as the country faces broader cultural shifts. “We are still making space for the queer community to be uplifted, supported, and celebrated,” Schmalz said. “We aren’t going anywhere.”
