Spectrum's fall drag show raised more money Saturday night than last year's fall and spring shows combined.
This year's "seven deadly sins"-themed show raised almost $650, Kyle Stepler, Spectrum secretary, said. Instead of donating to an organization as usual, Spectrum raised money for a same-sex couple in Tennessee whose house was burned down after receiving death threats for being gay.
There were more people at Saturday night's show than there had been in awhile, Jenika Garetson, Spectrum president, said.
"In light of everything happening in the gay community, like the gay teen suicides, it was nice to see there are so many people that are open minded and came to have a good time," she said. "It was like the candlelight of hope in the darkness we've been seeing."
Garetson said she couldn't explain how excited she was that they raised so much money. Normally they get about $300 to $400 at each drag show.
"We raised over $600. I have no words," she said. "The fact that people were so generous and we're all college students so we're pretty poor — it was amazing."
Stepler said he thinks the turnout and the money raised was partially because the donation wasn't going to an organization.
"I think [Spectrum raised so much money] because, first, the fall always brings in more money for some reason than the spring show, and we had a lot of good performers that people really liked," he said. "The fact we gave to the same-sex couple instead of an organization I think helped because they're real people that the rest of us can compare our lives to."
Freshman art and psychology major Diane Berg said she liked the idea of the money going toward individuals.
"It's the same difference whether it's going into an organization or not. It helps people," she said. "All you're doing is cutting out the middle man."
Berg said this was the first drag show she'd ever been to and she didn't know what to expect. She said she thought everyone did a good job, but Miss Ava Moore was her favorite.
"She just has a beautiful voice," Berg said. "I know her from [Spectrum] and I just admire her."
Apparently the judges agreed with Berg. While classic favorites such as Princess Ana Crusis performed, it was Miss Ava Moore who took home the most prizes.
She won Miss Congeniality, Best Queen and Crowd Favorite with her vocal performance of "Glitter in the Air" by Pink and her lip syncing of "Already Been to the Water" by Vickie Winans.
Garetson said a lot of this year's participants were newcomers to dressing in drag.
"For a lot of people, this was their first drag show and that can be scary," she said. "I'm proud of the people who came out of their shells and the audience loved them."
The ensemble group Da Vajayjays won Best Kings with their performance to R. Kelly's "Bump N' Grind," a stomp performance and chanting "Equal Rights" back and forth with the audience.
Stepler said the show has multiple benefits.
"The drag show helps everyone to relax, have fun and donate to a good cause," he said. "It's not a bunch of drag kings and queens we don't know. It brings everyone together."
Winners:
Miss Congeniality - Miss Ava Moore
Best King - Da Vajayjays
Best Queen - Miss Ava Moore
Crowd Favorite - Miss Ava Moore
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