If someone walked into Tavern on the night of April 5 just wanting tenders or a burrito from Salsa, they got much more than they bargained for.
That evening, the AU GLBTA Resource Center hosted the Amateur Drag Show, providing dinner and a show.
Hosted by the drag queen Mercedes, an AU graduate, the show had eight contestants, six drag queens and two drag kings. Each performance was fairly short, but did not fail to bring smiles and laughter to the audience.
Song choices ranged from “Government Hooker” from Lady Gaga’s most recent album (performed by drag queen MaryJane Magdalene) to slower songs, like Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together” (performed by drag queen Lucy Taint).
One of the best received performances of the evening, though, was the final one.
Drag king Jack Hamma, dressed in a wife beater tank top and carefully-applied facial hair, stirred the most excitement from the crowd with a rendition of “Are You Gonna Be My Girl?” by Jet.
At the end of the show, the judges gave Hamma the Best Overall Performance award.
Other awards included Best Outfit, Best King, Best Queen and Best Lip-sync.
Throughout their performances, the contestants were given tips by audience members. The money raised by the show was donated to the GLBTA Scholarship Fund, which helps current and future AU students who were disconnected from their families when they came out and are now in need of financial support.
The tips and audience donations amounted to about $450, according to Miriam Wolf, an executive board member for Queers and Allies.
The performances were hilarious, and the atmosphere’s overall energy was electric. The impressive amount raised in donations plus the courageous and great performances certainly made this a fundraiser the GLBTA Resource Center can be proud of.
thescene@theeagleonline.com
