by: Paul Benson
Friday, May 10th, 2019, will be Parkland College’s first drag show in over a decade! Any and all are invited. The performance will take place in Parkland’s Harold and Jean Minor Theater. Doors open at 7pm, meet and greet starts at 7:30pm, and the Drag show is from 8:00pm to 10:00pm. Tickets will be sold at the doors on May 10th. Tickets will also be sold at the college center and the student union from Tuesday to Friday two weeks in advance. Prices are: $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and students, and it’s free for kids 6 and under. The meet and greet before the drag show costs an additional $3. The meet and greet will give people the opportunity to meet the performers in advance and get a picture taken with the royalty. There will be both Drag Kings and Queens performing. Pictures can be picked up after the show.
Parkland’s Academic Success Coach and Parkland Pride Advisor, Jessica Jackson, had this to say as a parental warning, “It’s going to be a family friendly Drag show, but we do want folks to be aware that some of the music might have some adult language in it. It’s definitely going to be geared towards whomever. It’s a little bit of a late night for young ones, but the language and the jokes of the performers anyways, will be family friendly.”
When asked what people should expect at the Drag Show, Jackson said, “People can expect for it to be an identity affirming event, for there to be a lot of energy and amazing dance and performance, and flawless beat faces and amazing hair, and amazing outfits; and a lot of times drag performers have created their own outfits. And some amazing music so, some dancing in the seat.” Jackson said. “Drag performers spend a lot of money on hair, makeup, putting together their routines, and a lot of times creating their own outfits, and so it is the culture to tip drag performers. So, having ones. You do want to bring ones, and it is part of the culture to stand up and give tips to drag performers.” For those who don’t have available ones on the day of the drag show, there will be a cashier at the door who can exchange larger bills for ones.
Any money made from the Drag show will go to the performers and to the Parkland Pride Treasury. The Parkland Pride funds pay for events that Parkland Pride puts on over the year, such as the Drag Show, screenings of Free CeCe, MBLGTACC, and various other events. Jessica Jackson talked about other services that have been discussed, “In the LGBTQ+ community there’s a lot of struggles with homelessness, especially when someone comes out. So, we’re thinking about what are ways that we can support students who are in the process of transitioning homes or have been kicked out of their homes.” A suggested service to help would be putting together a care package with some essentials for students who struggle with housing.
When asked about how the Drag Show might give back to the community, Jackson said, “So, there’s a lot of misconceptions about what drag shows are and about the Pride community in general. I think it’s good, anytime our group can do things where we’re being public and we’re inviting others into a safe space. There are probably kids or students in the community who have never experienced a drag show and who may have never been in an identity supporting environment. So, I think, creating a space for that at Parkland through the drag show, is another way where not only are we affirming and supporting our Parkland Pride students and LGBTQ+ students and staff at Parkland, but also folks that are in the community”.
Save the date for Parkland Pride’s drag show. It’ll be a fun event for all, especially for those who have never been to a Drag show before. Drag Performers will include: Peach of the Midwest Carrington, Spank Knightly, Holden Ryder Gently, Ceduxion Carrington, GiGi Mayonae, Poison Iris Carrington, and Bo Dashuss. Don’t be shy, come out and enjoy the show Friday, May 10th!
