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| MC's annual drag show a huge success | |||
| MATT PENNER Staff Writer |
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United Sexualities hosted the annual drag show, Gender Blender, on April 12 in Cordier Auditorium. Dozens of participants dressed as the opposite sex to test the boundaries of gender and audience comfort, while raising money for a good cause. Amongst the craziness, the drag show was tied together by serious poems and readings discussing sexuality. However, seniors Tyler Corn and Aaron Hostetler stole the show with their multiple jaw dropping, show-stopping, and booty shaking performances. Co-emceeing the drag show was senior and Alpha Omega Psi president Heidi Gonyea.  “We’ve been planning this all semester,” Gonyea said. “The past two weeks of rehearsal have been really grueling. But in the end, it’s totally worth it.” Audience members were filed around the labyrinth of mysterious backstage doors and seated on the stage of Cordier Auditorium. Large panels topped with a rainbow flag blocked the view of the traditional seating. Setting the mood of the night early were “The Village Kings,” six women convincingly dressed as the Village People, performing a YMCA/Macho Man remix complete with stuffed crotches and hip thrusting. Following shortly after was senior Laura McSpadden’s rendition of "F*ck Her Gently.” As the audience roared with laughter and applause, the vulgar yet soft and romantic message of balance between sexual partners was clear – after rough sex, take some time and make love nice and slow. In the next performance, Hostetler’s sprawled-out, half-naked body was reason enough to dump a bag full of change on him as he was singing a song entitled “Oops.” After being quickly swept up and stuffed into bras, the show kept right on moving. The first act wound down with the boy(ish) band 2Ge+her. While successful in getting the audience pumped for the second act, performer Ayana Brown failed at being a convincing male. Her skill in dance and overall grace, attributes that rarely found alongside a penis, could not be masked. During intermission, audience members were buzzing about and excited to see one another in full drag. Junior Nora Heggen was caught complimenting sophomore Bryan Smethers on his attire: “Oh, I love Bryan’s dress,” she said. Smethers, who was sitting nearby loudly blurted out, “Oh my God, they took my gender!” Heggen added: “I really enjoy seeing the new acts. I thought they’d be just like last year’s.” After opening the second act, Corn and Jordan Frye’s reenactment of the song “Gimme Shoes” further elevated the bar. Though Corn’s only lipsynced words were “shoes” and “oh my God,” his serious-faced hilarity of epic proportions swept over helpless onlookers who could not fight the urge to donate dollars by the mouthful. Hostetler’s second solo performance of “Non, je ne regrette rien” (No, I don’t regret anything) featured passion that no one else could match – high-heeled boots of wig-throwing French fury. After getting practically naked – again – he politely bowed and exited stage right. In Corn’s last showing of talent, he sang parts of about four different songs and concluded with butt-shaking that rivaled strip club professionals. His skin-tight, shiny blue outfit left little to the imagination, and the audience loved it. Watching people shove dollar bills in the underwear and stuffed bras of performers seemed almost as entertaining as the show itself. The tradition of transmitting money from mouth to mouth occurred countless times throughout the evening. Even Robert Petitt, professor of sociology, took part in the festivities donated via the mouth, bringing on an eruption of laughter and applause. As the night wound down and drew to a close, all of the night’s participants were invited on stage for one last crazy dance-fest. Also pulled from the crowd was John Planer, professor of music, and Petitt, who shared an endearing embrace and slow danced together. United Sexualities (US), who hosted the drag show, is eager to continue the annual tradition. US is an organization that exists with the intention of providing visible, tangible support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, straight and questioning members of the local community. And for those who missed it, the after-party was awesome. |
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