A student got more than he bargained for when he went to tuck a dollar into Miss Janet Dickson's cleavage during Spectrum's annual drag show Saturday. While performing "Rhythm Nation," Miss Dickson wore a replica of the outfit Janet Jackson wore in the music video for the song.
However, throughout the song, Miss Dickson struggled to keep her balloons in line, and she could not stop a water balloon from popping in her dress --spilling water all over herself and the student. She laughed it off as her own wardrobe malfunction.
The drag show, "The Club," was full of "celebrity" performances, upbeat music and comedy sketches with an audience of nearly 800 students. The show closed Spectrum's Spring Week, and it raised more than $1,100 for the Damien Center in Indianapolis.
The Damien Center offers free services to people with HIV or AIDS and their families. The money raised at the drag show will go to the Damien Center's testing and treatment services, Kyla Hankins, Spectrum vice president, said.
"Instead of the money going for research for a cure, it goes directly for people who are infected with HIV or AIDS," Hankins said. The Damien Center also offers direct care, housing and food for people with HIV or AIDS.
Hankins said that drag shows are a vital part of gay culture and a good way for students to be exposed to the gay, lesbian and bisexual community at Ball State.
"I think that if people can see that we are doing this and just having a wonderful time being active in our community that we'll gain more acceptance and tolerance," Hankins said. "I think we achieve that with the drag show."
The "Queens" -- or performers -- opened the show with a sketch comedy act. The two hosts portrayed Britney "Queers" and Janet "Dickson." Miss Dickson asked the audience how many were "drag show virgins" and more than half of the audience stood up.
"I'm a senior and this is my first year coming to this," Mandi Sedam said. "I didn't know what to expect, but it was really entertaining."
The hosts introduced the 18 performers in a runway show. The "Queens" rocked the house as they portrayed such artists as Lindsay Lohan, Sisqo, Baby Spice, LeAnn Rimes and Ciara.
Between each act, the hosts played stars such as Paris Hilton, Whitney Houston and Britney Spears, poking fun at things the stars have done throughout the years.
"The performance of Ciara, 'My Goodies,' was by far my favorite," Senior Jenn Hull said.
During each performance, the audience could get up and approach the stage to give the Queens dollar bills to donate to the Damien Center.
"This is such a fun thing to do for such a good cause," Hankins said.
Spectrum also sold AIDS awareness bracelets at the door to raise money.
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