Curly hair, high heels, baggy jeans and lots of glittery sequins were common sights Saturday at Spectrum's annual Drag Show, this year titled "Somewhere Over The Rainbow."
Spectrum, Ball State University's gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and straight ally organization, took over Ball Gymnasium, transforming it into the land of Oz, complete with a rainbow curtain of balloons and a yellow "plywood" brick road.
The two-act show featured performances from big names like Miss Gay Heartland 2009 Chelsea Nicole Parker, Miss Gay Indiana 1991 Leana Myers, Miss Gay Indiana University Chanel Cartier and Miss Gay Muncie 2009 Brooklyn Star.
A total of 15 performers danced and lip-synced for a good cause. All the proceeds from the night's show went to the Indiana AIDS Fund, which helps those infected with HIV and HIV/AIDS cope with the disease and educates the community about prevention.
Throughout the night Billy Skembos, one of the evening's hosts, encouraged the audience to tip their favorite performers and raise money for the cause.
"Even if they're not your favorite," Skembos said to the crowd with a laugh, "we need those dollar-dollar bills!"
Skembos has been involved with Spectrum for two-and-a-half years, but Saturday night was both his first and last performance.
He said one of his favorite performers of the night was Princess Ana Crusis, the alter ego of Spectrum's President Damon Clevenger.
Clevenger joined Spectrum four years ago looking for a support group.
"My favorite part of being involved with Spectrum is being able to create a safe environment for students. My favorite part of the show is getting pretty," Clevenger said at the end of the night.
Princess Ana Crusis took the stage three times Saturday night, receiving standing ovations each time. One of these times was a duet performance with Serenity Knolls in which the two, dressed as Beyoncé and Tina Turner respectively, performed "Proud Mary." Other highlights of the night included Chi Chi Leche's rendition of "Single Ladies" by Beyoncé and Madame McLovely singing "Maybe This Time" with a force that would rival Liza Minnelli herself.
The night ended with Princess Ana Crusis, dressed as Dorothy, taking the stage for the last time.
Being a senior, this was her last show at Ball State, but she would like to continue performing.
"I don't know about doing anything professionally, but some shows at local bars would be fun, and of course Halloween," she said.
P.R.O.U.D Moments
The Drag Show was one of Spectrum's P.R.O.U.D. (People Recognizing Our Unique Differences) Month events.
What's Next
On October 29, the group will host "Queer Factor" in the Student Center Ball Room. On October 31, Spectrum will hold Costume Dodgeball in the Noyer Bowl. Later this year, the group will perform "The Wiz," a jazzier version of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz".
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