The United Multicultural Council (UMC) and ASUW will be hosting their annual Drag Show at the University of Wyoming on April 21 at 7 p.m.
The event will take place in the Arts and Sciences Auditorium. As per their tradition, the show will be hosted by Jessica L’Whor.
“This drag show will be just as amazing if not even more as the years before,” Santosh Madhyanam, current senator of ASUW said. “Jessica L’Whor is definitely an entertainer and we are all glad to have him back to perform.”
Jessica L’Whor is a drag queen residing in Denver, Colorado. L’Whor has traveled around the country showcasing talent in entertaining the public.
UMC is also gathering items to combine prize baskets that will be given out at the event. The raffle tickets will be up for purchase and all collected proceeds will be donated to Wyoming Equality. They are a non-profit organization who work toward achieving equality for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit and queer Wyoming residents.
The drag show will feature performers dressed in exaggerated femininity singing, dancing and much more.
“The performers are usually dressed up very dramatically,” Riwas Bajracharya, who previously attended the drag show, said. “They have giant wigs, big eyelashes, brightly colored clothes and a lot of makeup. Most of them don’t even look like they are guys in real life. It is very surreal.”
Attending a drag show is not a normal everyday experience. The shows are very interactive. Drag queens will often pick on people from their audience and make them dance to their tunes.
“I think the best part is when the drag queen joins the audience,” said Bajracharya. “They will sing with people or sit on their laps. They are not shy at all. It is even more fun if one of your friends gets picked on.”
The purpose of a drag show is not only to entertain, but to break gender roles and gender stereotypes. The two types of drag queens that may be seen in any event are the performers and the hostess. The hostess is generally more dramatically dressed and has a more exaggerated look. Their main role, aside from being the headliner, is to provide linguistic interaction.
The second type is the performers who appeal to the audience. In addition, this year UMC had open applications for student performers eager to show their talents.
“I think if you’re looking to be an event that will not only make you laugh but will also give you some education then this is a fun way to spend your Saturday night”, said Madhyanam.
The event is free and open to all students.
“You know, the matrix says, ‘Pick an identity and stick with it. Because I want to sell you some beer and shampoo and I need you to stick with what you are so I’ll know how to market it to you.’ Drag is the opposite. Drag says, ‘Identity is a joke.'” – RuPaul
