The 10th Annual BU Drag Show Happened This Past Weekend
The Bloomsburg University Equality Alliance and the LGBTQ+ Resource Center hosted their 10th annual drag show on November 5th, 2022 at 7pm in the Kehr Union Ballroom. Every year in the fall, during the Mid-Atlantic Conference, this takes place. Trixy Valentine served as the host of the show, which featured performances by Sarabesque, FeeBee Foxx, Xander Morgan Valentine, Nichole Steven Valentine, and two Bloomsburg University students. About 200 individuals who attended the drag show on Saturday.
What Went On
Trixy Valentine, the host, gave an introduction and went over the evening’s etiquette at the start of the show. Drag etiquette is essential. The introduction was followed by a number of jaw dropping performances. After a brief intermission, Trixy invited the audience to strut down the aisle before proceeding to the stage. There was another round of performances following the intermission.
Why It Was Held & Importance
Katelyn Travis, the show coordinator, shared that this event is special to the organization. She shared, “This event is held as a fundraiser for the BU Equality Alliance to fund their various meetings as well as the second chance prom that occurs during the spring semester.” Many students look forward to the drag show each semester because it unites people. Past and present students are connected thanks to Trixy Valentine, a BU alum who hosts the show. The BU Equality Alliance receives funding for its meetings from this event as well.
Drag Show Etiquette
“Drag Show Etiquette” is important. It may even be one of the most important parts of the show to remember. A guest should never be ignorant to etiquette.
Matador Media dives into “The 10 Commandments of Attending a Live Drag Show” and proclaims its importance. These “commandments” are:
- Thou shalt tip the performers, and be considerate when tipping.
- Thou shalt purchase something at the bar.
- Thou shalt not touch the queen.
- Thou shalt be an active audience member.
- Thou shalt remember who the performer is (hint: it isn’t you).
- Thou shalt not take thyself too seriously.
- Thou shalt support drag artists who aren’t on RuPaul’s Drag Race.
- Thou shalt not be self-centered.
- Thou shalt honor queer spaces as safe havens.
- Thou shalt have fun.
Student Engagement
Many students attended the show and loved the performances. Levels of drag show experience varies amongst students, but everyone showed the same level of appreciation. Samantha Costadura, Bloomsburg University senior student, attended the show and it was her very first drag show. She emphasized how much she adored the show, “The fact that if I walked into any other show, I would have never had the confidence to go up there and actually strut in front of these people, but the room was just full of so much confidence and acceptance in the room.” The overwhelming feeling of confidence filled the whole room and rubbed off onto every guest.
Gage Dabulis, junior Media & Journalism student, unexpectedly attended the show. He enjoyed his experience into something new. He shared, “Yeah, it was a lot of fun. I never thought about going to one, but my buddy asked me to go.” He noted the vast amounts of energy within the show.
