On Friday evening at 7:30 p.m., Keweenaw Pride coordinated the inaugural Amateur Drag Show and filled the MUB Commons with excitement, community and support. “I think it was fantastic to see everybody get up there and have fun, especially the people who entered on the spot because they were inspired by the previous performers,” said Roman Edgar, undergraduate in Applied Physics. Performers took to the stage to deconstruct archaic gender roles and celebrate identity in whatever shape or form desired.
“I know that some of our performers identify as transgender and/or nonbinary and I like that this subverts society’s typical idea of drag as a cisgender man in a dress, because drag can be anybody playing with gender in any way. As for my character, I named her Andromeda Strange as a play on a sci-fi book titled “The Andromeda Strain,” said Edgar. “I chose to make Andromeda an alien because gender and the features associated with it are really just human social constructs. The vastness of space doesn’t care what gender you are, how you dress, or whether your wig is on straight, and neither does Andromeda. She thinks that this little thing humans call ‘gender’ is kind of silly.” Drag is a reminder to not take life so seriously and celebrate who you are.
“Last week I was discussing with a group of friends our excitement about the Amateur Drag Show. I expressed that I wished I had energy to perform, but I was exhausted by the work in addressing inequity on campus and balancing school work. I felt the only look I had would be a sad grandpa. We all laughed and thought the concept for sad grandpa drag might be a total blast; thus, Jerry Atrix was born,” said “Jerry Atrix”, amateur drag king, “My look was made possible by cargo pants and Werther’s Originals, but seeks to address much more. Queer spaces, like the drag show, are some of the most inclusive and transformative environments one can experience. I wish for everyone to be surrounded by that type of love and support. When I say queer spaces, I mean spaces where we aren’t judged, met with heteronormativity and can freely be us. Drag shows are about addressing legacies of systemic disenfranchisement that our society is built on. For me, the Amateur Drag Show was a reminder of what a community can be- a place of support, equity and inclusivity in big and bright ways.”
Jenny Fournier, Keweenaw Pride executive board member, expressed that Keweenaw Pride had been wanting to do an amateur drag show for sometime. Previous amateur opportunities took place after the main Drag Show in the fall semester and members had a vision for a standalone event. “We really wanted to create a fun and inviting atmosphere where everyone was welcome, and I think we accomplished that. Everyone that I talked with really enjoyed the show. We really look forward to hosting another Amateur Drag Show in the future,” said Fournier. It’s not every day you attend a drag show in a cafeteria, but when you do, it’s incredibly transformative and has everyone looking forward to the next.
The performers included, Drag Queen & Emcee Starlight Mirage, Drag Royalty Harrison Storm, Countess Alice and Andromeda Strange, Drag Queens Opal Essence, Sharon Nichole Crystale, and B-Furious, and Drag Kings Jerry Atrix and Bona Fyde (Drag King). There were also several on-the-spot sign-ups.
