The Review

Issue date: 4/24/07 Section: Mosaic

Media Credit: Courtesy of HAVEN [Click to enlarge]

It's hard to look at drag queens and not be impressed with their ability to portray the illusion of a woman. The wonder turns into awe as these queens perform in dangerously high heels and shake with more moves than a university dance party. In the Perkins Student Center Saturday night, it was easy to sit in the audience of the HAVEN drag show and be blown away by the talent of the performers and the sense of happiness felt by those in attendance, regardless of their sexual orientation.

Kate Mallary, social chair for HAVEN, the university's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning group, says the drag show is a place for the gay community, allies of the community and curious people to come together and have fun.

"This is part of our history that a lot of people don't know about," Mallary says. "And it's a fun part of our history."

She says this is the eighth annual drag show that she knows of and this year's show was different from pageants of the past.

"We found people were leaving after two hours, so this year is pumped up and a faster pace," Mallary says. "There is no competition like the pageants, so everyone will just be having a good time."

She says it's most important for curious people and potential allies of the gay community to have a good time.

"This is our opportunity to show people they don't have to be afraid to be a part of the community," Mallary says. "We're going to be really gay tonight so please come."

The show was set up in Bacchus Theatre, with the audience divided by a runway for the performers to strut, dance and pluck audience members out to join in the celebration. Saturday's event was different from the previous HAVEN drag shows because students were getting up and performing as well.

Serenity Loves It, the emcee for the evening, opened the night with a flurry of dance moves to get the crowd of approximately 120 people ready for a night of fun and flamboyancy.

"This psycho-smock is like 40 pounds. I can't lift my arms," Serenity says as she catches her breath from her first number.

The "psycho-smock" was one of the costumes worn by Serenity Loves It and her dance partner Miss Cha-Chi Divine. Before the night was over, the runway saw Mary Katherine Gallagher parodies, a Bond Girl-themed uni-suit, stunning evening dresses and more heels than any girl could ever want.

Continued...

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