Hundreds of students came out to feast on cookies and cupcakes while enjoying four diverse drag performances at Desserts and Drag, hosted by the University Activity Board on Thursday.
Onya Mann served as a performer and host, taking time to introduce each artist. In her performances she laid down on the stage, slowly bicycling her feet in the air and rolling on the ground.
Between performances to give artists time to change, Mann entertained the audience by teasing herself as a melting candle the further the night went on. Even out of breath, Mann glanced around the room grinning and hyping up the next performer.
Morgan Carden, the UAB Entertainment committee chair, said because UAB puts the event on, it reaches an audience that might not normally attend a drag show.
“Instead of reaching people that maybe attend the pride center or go to their events, ours reaches a mainstream audience with this University, because we have kind of a different core audience that comes to our events,” Carden said.
Emilie Hayes, a first-year studying nutrition, said this is the kind of event she wants to attend at NC State. She thought the space was judgment free and everyone was full of excitement for every song.
Don Javi, a Latinx drag king, used soft movements paired with Spanish music to dazzle the audience with glittering suits and fedoras, the tiniest side step thrilling them.
Tatiana Matthews belted her heart out in elaborate outfits, often incorporating costume changes during her pieces. Long gowns and dressing robes may have begun the song, but a tighter bodysuit usually ended them. Even in the back row, attendees could see the passion in her eyes as she tore off robes and closed her eyes to sing.
In one of her more energetic pieces, Matthews dressed as a clown. After the show, Matthews said her mother and family members would refer to her as a clown when she began drag. That performance of carefree laughter reflects reclaiming that past experience.
The fourth performer, Miss Pride Winston-Salem Nadia Rain, surprised the crowd with flips and tricks, hopping to the beat of songs like “Lip Gloss” by Lil Mama while wearing a “Clueless” inspired mini skirt and blazer.
These artists captivated the audience as they sauntered across the stage and strutted between tables. As they walked through the seating area, performers would look people in the eye and sing right to them or eat a cookie out of their hand.
No matter how carefree they seemed, drag is a lot more than just a performance. Mann feels that drag is something special that has to be fought for.
“It is definitely more important now than it ever has been before, because now we have to fight for it,” Mann said. “It’s not just an art form that’s being celebrated, but it’s also a form of rebellion, because lawmakers are trying to ban drag.”
Hayes said events like this bring a diverse and fun experience to the student body.
“It gives us fun, interesting things instead of something boring,” Hayes said. “Because I don’t see stuff like this every single day. I’m from a smaller town, like, people that aren’t into this type of thing. And I think this is amazing, even though I’m not part of the community. I think it’s really great to have diversity and different interests.”
The glittery night closed with a small meet and greet, allowing students to take photos with the drag artists. For an hour and a half, the ballroom was filled with sassy music and shining performers taking a stand in support of drag.
