Spring Break
Diva Drag Show brings entertainment to crowd of more than 500
Jessica Leggin/Activities Editor
Issue date: 11/18/08 Section: News
| |
| |
|
To see more photos, click here!
The divas of drag entertained a crowd of more than 500 people as they lip-synced and danced to the latest Rock, Pop and R&B music Monday night in the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Union.
Amaya Mann, Aurora Lamont Carrington, Ceduxion Carrington, Chanel Carrington, Kelasia Karmikal Carrington and Leiloni Stars brought their extravagant wear and matching high-heels to sing, dance and get the audience involved in their performances.
EIU Pride, a student organization on campus that represents the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people and straight individuals who support them, were the sponsors for the Sixth Annual "Diva Drag Show."
A drag show usually consists of men who dress up in women's clothing and make-up that accompanies a theme.
The theme this year was "Prom Night" as the divas stepped out in high heels that matched their luxurious gowns.
The Grand Ballroom was set up as if it was typical prom night with a runway for the divas to walk up and down on.
Kirstin Bowns, a sophomore education major and coordinator for the show said she was happy with the turnout.
"I couldn't be any more happy," she said. "Thrilled that people came out to support us."
The show was 30 minutes behind schedule due to the performers getting ready, and people still wanting to buy tickets to see the performance.
Bowns said it takes time for a diva to get ready when considering make-up and outfits.
"It takes a long time to get glamorous," she said.
Ceduxion Carrington, the master of ceremony and a diva brought entertainment with her raunchy attitude and sexual jokes.
Ceduxion said there was a reason for the delay in the show.
"Sorry for the delay, people, but you know… duct tape wasn't sticking," she said.
During the show, there were also male impersonators.
Carrington said it is important to have drag kings as well as drag queens.
"As a gay organization you must show both sides of the spectrum," she said. "We have to prove a point that male impersonators are just as good as women impersonators."
Anna Stevens, a senior sociology major, was one of the male impersonators for the evening as she performed as "Lance Lixalot."
Stevens said she has done performances as a male for four years.
"I love a little gender bending," she said. "It goes against the norms of society."
Stevens went on stage to lip-sync J. Holiday's song, "Suffocate" as members of the audience tipped her.
"It's very nervewrecking while you are on stage, but when the crowd is active, it goes along much smoother," she said.
Chanel Carrington, another diva in the show said she has been doing shows for 20 years.
"I'm like a veteran up in here," she said. "It feels good because any character you portray you just go out there and perform."
For Chanel's performances, she lip-synced and danced to songs such as Mary J. Blige's "I'm Fine" and Ashanti's "Good Good" all while in heels.
Chanel said she is used to performing in high-heel shoes.
"They feel like tennis shoes," she said. "It just feels like I'm in some sneakers."
Leiloni Stars, another diva in the show said she loves being adored while she is on stage.
"It's like an adrenaline rush," she said. "The crowd was so responsive and very receptive."
Stars said everyone should be able to experience a culture that is not in their norm.
"Everybody should experience something out of their own culture,"
she said. "We want people to experience our passion and love we have for this with us."
Jessica Leggin can be reached at 581-7942 or at jmleggin@eiu.edu.
The Daily Eastern News encourages on-topic, civil discussion on its articles posted online. It is our policy not to screen comments before they are posted or edit them after they are posted. However, we reserve the right to remove comments that are off-topic, malicious, libelous or include excessive foul language. The DEN also reserves the right to turn off all comments on any story it deems necessary.
Comments violating copyright law will also be removed.
Users who repeatedly violate this policy will be banned from commenting.
If you have any questions on our comment policy or wish to report a comment that you feel violates these standards, please e-mail a link to the article to our Online Editor at DENNews.com@gmail.com.
Be the first to comment on this story