2008 Woodie Awards
Students strut stuff at Birdcage
BGLSA sponsored event helps spread awareness
Kathleen Kemp
Issue date: 2/20/08 Section: News
The annual Birdcage drag show added a touch of fabulousness to Creed Week last night.
The show was hosted by the USC Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and Straight Association and Carolina Productions.
Latoya Lester, a second-year English student and member of the BGLSA, helped with the event.
"It's fun and it opens student's minds," Lester said.
The performers were a mix of local and out-of-town drag queens, including a few students.
Lester said that the show helps promote diversity on campus.
"On this campus, people can be kind of narrow-minded," Lester said, "One man asked me if [the performers] were 'really gay or just pretending.'"
Harriette Smith, a third-year public relations student, said she had never been to a drag show before.
"It looks like a lot of fun  - it's something different," Smith said. "Maybe [I'll tip them] if they're good."
The normally bright Russell House Ballroom was dimly lit and covered with brightly colored lights. The walls vibrated with techno music as students filed in.
In true drag queen fashion, the show started 15 minutes late. However, when the music stopped and the show began, students cheered.
Kevin Alexander, the vice president of the BGLSA, introduced the show, which was put on as part of Carolinian Creed Week.
"Creed Week is a time to embrace diversity," Alexander said. "What better way to do that than with drag queens and kings?"
The Russell House Ballroom seats 300 people. By 7:30 p.m. almost 250 of those seats had been filled and, by 8 p.m., all seats were taken and many audience members were sitting in the back.
The show opened with drag queens Carla Cox, Alexia Valentine and Kiki DeVille who all strutted, danced and lip-synced to "Lady Marmalade."
Students cheered and walked to the stage, handing performers dollar bills. Flashes went off from camera phones and digital cameras.
Christine Thompson, a third-year international studies student, said she had also never been to a drag show before.
The show was hosted by the USC Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and Straight Association and Carolina Productions.
Latoya Lester, a second-year English student and member of the BGLSA, helped with the event.
"It's fun and it opens student's minds," Lester said.
The performers were a mix of local and out-of-town drag queens, including a few students.
Lester said that the show helps promote diversity on campus.
"On this campus, people can be kind of narrow-minded," Lester said, "One man asked me if [the performers] were 'really gay or just pretending.'"
Harriette Smith, a third-year public relations student, said she had never been to a drag show before.
"It looks like a lot of fun  - it's something different," Smith said. "Maybe [I'll tip them] if they're good."
The normally bright Russell House Ballroom was dimly lit and covered with brightly colored lights. The walls vibrated with techno music as students filed in.
In true drag queen fashion, the show started 15 minutes late. However, when the music stopped and the show began, students cheered.
Kevin Alexander, the vice president of the BGLSA, introduced the show, which was put on as part of Carolinian Creed Week.
"Creed Week is a time to embrace diversity," Alexander said. "What better way to do that than with drag queens and kings?"
The Russell House Ballroom seats 300 people. By 7:30 p.m. almost 250 of those seats had been filled and, by 8 p.m., all seats were taken and many audience members were sitting in the back.
The show opened with drag queens Carla Cox, Alexia Valentine and Kiki DeVille who all strutted, danced and lip-synced to "Lady Marmalade."
Students cheered and walked to the stage, handing performers dollar bills. Flashes went off from camera phones and digital cameras.
Christine Thompson, a third-year international studies student, said she had also never been to a drag show before.
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