Queens for a day
Posted on February 11, 2008
Three award-winning drag queens took the stage Friday night to strut their stuff for charity.
Hosted by Madison Equality and the University Program Board, the Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball brought in about 175 attendees and $1,200 in collections. All proceeds after the initial costs of the event went to benefit The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and the Valley AIDS Network, Harrisonburg’s local AIDS service.
“I wanted students to have a good time and know that in doing so they’re helping a good cause,” said senior Brian Turner, president of Madison Equality. “There aren’t many opportunities to do both.”
After an hour of dancing hosted by Richmond’s DJ Peaches, the ladies took the stage, lip-synching to songs such as Shania Twain’s “Man I Feel Like a Woman,” Christina Aguilera’s “Candyman” and Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back Time.” All tips went charity.
Sabrina B kicked off the event, crossing the stage and rushing the crowd. Sabrina is Harrisonburg’s honorary Miss Statuesque and served as Miss Gay Harrisonburg for the 2005-06 year. She has raised over $2,500 for the Valley AIDS network in the past and was excited about helping out the cause.
“Madison Equality approached me while I was out one night and asked if I wanted to participate,” she said. “When I found out that it was helping out Valley AIDS I immediately signed up.”
Schyler Whiney, Harrisonburg’s reigning Miss Statuesque, was also excited to support the cause. She agreed to participate on the condition that some of the funds went to the Valley AIDS Network and organized the drag portion of the show herself. As cast director of the Rocktown Divas, a drag group that performs at Rocktown on the second Friday of every month, she was excited to see student interest at JMU.
“I’ve lived in Harrisonburg for five years now, and I’m happy that it’s coming back to JMU,” she said.
Stephanie Micheals, Miss Gay Harrisonburg and Miss Gay Northeast USA Classic, was the third and final performer of the evening, wowing the crowd with elaborate costumes, flirtatious smiles and quick lap dances. While she was happy to participate in the fundraiser, she expressed concern that she sometimes feels as though she is only brought in when money is needed.
“A lot of times we feel like we’re being used,” she said. “People call us when they need funding, and when they don’t they have nothing to do with us.”
This was the first drag show hosted by JMU in four years and one of the first to involve a charity. The event has been in the works since September of last year, and Madison Equality hopes to make it an annual tradition.
“Traditions and rituals are very important for all communities,” said Thomas Miller, program assistant for the LGBT and Ally education program. “I think it’s a way for gay students to become more visible.”
Micheals said that she thought an annual JMU drag show would be a positive addition to both the college and Harrisonburg communities.
“(Harrisonburg) needs to get the community involved, the college involved,” she said, adding that in a small city like Harrisonburg a drag show can seem shocking. “It’s another form of diversity.”
Raffle tickets were sold throughout the evening, and the money raised went to benefit the two charities. Students who bought tickets were entered into a drawing to win items like a $50 gift certificate to Alley Cat, a $50 gift certificate to Hole in the Wall and a Beach Bum Tanning package totaling $190. Even those who did not win prizes seemed to have a great time.
“The drag show was great and so was the music,” senior Lauren Caskey said. Caskey had led an Alternative Spring Break trip to New Orleans this fall and said this was the closest she could get a Mardi Gras celebration.
Freshman Jordyn Clark also had a good time at the event.
“I came out to support the cause and the drag queens,” she said.
There will be more opportunities to show support in the near future. Sabrina B will be hosting another drag show to benefit the Valley AIDS Network on March 15 at the Lucy Simms Auditorium. The event is open to the community and JMU students are welcome to attend.
