The University of Idaho is hosting the first on-campus drag show at the Bruce Pittman Center’s International Ballroom 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The event — I Slay Cabaret — is organized by Vandal Entertainment, the LGBTQA Office and the Residence Hall Association.
I Slay Cabaret will be headlined by internationally known drag queen Raven, the runner-up in season two of RuPaul’s Drag Race — a popular reality television show created in 2009. Raven will emcee, as well as close out the night.
Friday’s show will feature local performers from Tabikat Productions, drag queen Aquasha DeLusty and drag king Roderick. The performances have yet to be revealed, so the audience will be surprised by what is shown.
Drag shows have been offered in Moscow for years, but the free, on-campus show will make it easier for students to attend.
Julia Keleher, LGBTQA Office director, said during her six years as director, there hasn’t been an on-campus drag show.
“Drag is a performance of gender and there will be two drag queens and a drag king performing,” Keleher said. “A drag queen is typically a male who dresses in feminine clothing and exhibits feminine traits, and a drag king is typically a female who dresses in masculine clothing.”
Keleher said the performers will typically have pieces of music they perform either through lip sync or high energy dancing.
The audience will have the opportunity to ask the drag queens and king questions about drag, Keleher said. They can also talk to the performers after the show.
Hagen Hunsaker, the VE concert chair, said Friday’s event diversifies the performances the group has hosted even more.
“The mission our board wanted was to bring students on campus to something that they probably wouldn’t be able to experience anywhere else around here,” he said.
Tipping is highly encouraged at the show, and members of the audience can line up by the stage to donate to the performers, Hunsaker said.
The event is a new experience for many students, he said.
“People should come open minded, and if something makes them uncomfortable, then don’t be afraid to get up and leave, everyone should feel safe with themselves,” Hunsaker said.
All ages are welcome at the show, which is free for students with their VandalCard and $10 for the general public. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
Clyde McCaw can be reached at [email protected]