Many events happen on Thursday at UW-Whitewater, such as plans with friends, getting class assignments done or studying for a test. While there was good weather the morning of April 9, it shifted into a rainstorm during the night. The 60-degree weather dropped down to 50. Although the weather may have interrupted some students’ plans, it didn’t interrupt the 17th annual Drag Show sponsored by many organizations throughout the community.
The theme was “Down the Rabbit Hole,” featuring references to Alice in Wonderland along with ambitious choreography.
The night started off with students, professors and community members going through metal detectors, collecting or paying for their band, and entering the Hamilton Room in anticipation of what was to come.
“I came here years ago as I did a speech among my friends,” drag king MC Ponyboy said. “It was such a great time where the host pulled random people from the crowd to do a dance-off.”
Although there were not any dance-offs with the performers or hosts, many audience members interacted with the drag queens and kings. Whether that was being danced on, being invited on stage or having their hand caressed.
“It has been an honor to be on the stage as an entertainer, and I am so happy to be on the stage performing,” Ponyboy said. “I have seen so many amazing people perform that I have looked up to.”
His performances were the first of the night, to the song “Her Name is Alice” by Shinedown and “Time of My Life” by Pitbull. Both were high energy in body and facial expressions with minimal movements, making the audience believe that he is performing the song live rather than lip-syncing.
“My favorite aspect of tonight was the crowd,” Ponyboy said. “I grew up in a small town where being trans wasn’t talked about, so it was very lonely. It’s so fun to hear the screams throughout the night.”
The next performer of the night was drag king Montell Infiniti Ross, another king who captivated the audience with an alluring performance, taming it slightly for their second performance.
“It’s so important to do the drag show here in UW-Whitewater,” Ross said. “It’s one of the last Universities of Wisconsin that’s actually still doing drag shows. So to still promote the visibility, diversity and inclusion at the level that you guys are doing, I had to make sure that I was here.”
Ross’s first performance stunned the audience as he came out in a latex bunny mask along with a colorful suit, only for him to rip it off when the lights dimmed to show his leather cropped top and pants. He seduced the audience as a lot of cheers were given.
“My favorite aspect is just seeing the entire movement and transformation of my fellow drag brothers, sisters, and non-binary individuals,” Ross said.
His second performance was in a glitter crop top with ruffling sleeves and glitter pants as he performed “Kiss” by Prince. This performance did not include an outfit reveal, but still kept the aura as he glided his way through the audience and gave them an experience that they will not forget.
The next performer was another MC of the night, drag queen Cass Marie Domino, a well-known figure in the drag community.
“Having the drag show performed at the university is an important thing to have in the community,” Domino said. “Whitewater is a very difficult area for people who live in the rainbow community. We all deserve to be seen.”
Domino went the more classy route in her routines for the night, as her first performance was done in an all-glitter body suit that had a black fabric base with rainbow glitter. Her second outfit was a shorter body suit with silver glitter, matching boots and a cowboy hat. Domino gave elegance to the audience as she took opportunities to lie sensually on the catwalk for those who were holding out money for her to take.
“My message to people is, as difficult as it is to love others, we have to do that,” Domino said. “We can’t fight hate with hate or anger, as you won’t get answers that way.”
The goal of both Ponyboy and Domino was to entertain the audience while reminding them that we are meant to stick out of the crowd instead of blending in.
Drag queen Cynthia Mooseknuckle also performed, giving her all with her makeup being as prominent as her stage presence.
“The drag show gives visibility, and people need to see that it’s art,” Mooseknuckle said. “You can silently stand for something, and the fact that you are visibly there means as much as they try to erase it, they can’t when you are standing right there.”
Mooseknuckle’s performances were classy from her first set, where she strutted the runway in a Mad Hatter-inspired look, to her second performance, where she wore a feather coat only to reveal a sparkly silver jumpsuit with tassels.
“You do what you want to do,” Mooseknuckle said. “That doesn’t go for just drag; that goes for anything that you are passionate about.”
The drag show was not just performances; they reiterated spreading kindness and self-love for all.
“I love the community engagement,” Mooseknuckle said. “As an alumnus of the UW-Madison system, Whitewater has single-handedly shown up and shown out through the drag artistry and just the complete interaction. You feel loved.”
(Natalie Illikainen)
Drag queen Malaiya Marvel shared her experience with the event and some history with the campus.
“I do this event because I want people to see that there is opportunity for any and all types of people,” Marvel said. “As a former UW-Whitewater student, I just want to show students who are in the LGBT community that you can go out and be a professional while achieving all of your dreams and having fun.”
Marvel is also a professional scientist, showing students that you can be both professional in the workplace while performing for others. She performed “Water” by Tyla in a blue bodysuit with knee-high silver boots, showing iconic moves such as the duck walk. Her next set included the same boots, but she started in a muted gold piece that soon revealed a body suit showing off the feminine body.
The other two performers, Lavender Jones and Phelonee, brought their A-game to the stage, matching the vibes while keeping it unique. Two students also made their drag debuts, and the crowd supported them throughout their performances. Both showed a new and playful side to drag that the audience did not see before.
The night was filled with love, community, and strength. As the bass grew, so did the applause and screams. There was a moment of silence honoring those who have been lost in the drag community, which showed the love people have for this community.
These events are important to show support, as an ally, community, or stranger. These events help appreciate new forms of art and the power of love that spreads throughout this community.
The sixth annual Whitewater Pride Rally is happening Oct. 3, and those who attend can see similar faces such as Mooseknuckle.
