“What is love? Baby don’t hurt me!” blared over the speakers, hyping the packed house in the University Room, accessorized with glow sticks and candy for the evening ahead. No, it wasn’t a Night at the Roxbury; it was the Kennesaw Pride Alliance’s Charity Drag Show.
Held once a semester, KPA, officers and members dress in drag, the art of gender illusion, for a night of performance to the delight of the shrieking crowd.
KPA holds the show as a charity fundraising event. Normally, the go-to charity of choice is PALS Atlanta, an animal shelter known for their longtime connection with the local lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, questioning, intersex, and a-sexual community. However, this year KPA decided to raise money for CHRISKids, a non-profit that houses LGBTQIA youth who have been displaced from their homes for varying reasons.
Emceeing the night’s events was sophomore graphic design major and KPA member Terry Finson, as his alter ego Anita Bath. After opening the show with a rendition of Divinyls’ “I Touch Myself,” Finson was joined on stage by CHRISKids Volunteer Manager Robert Lewis, who praised the effort made by the KPA to raise money for his organization. “To have college students come out on a Friday night to raise money is awesome,” he said.
From Rihanna to Beyonce, and Justin Bieber to Eminem, accompanied with glitter, bright wigs and cartwheels, six drag queens and kings raised $375 through audience tips for the CHRISKids foundation; falling short of their goal of $500 for the night.
Raffles were also held, where prizes and gift cards from Mellow Mushroom, California Dreamin’ and Regal Cinemas were given to lucky ticketholders.
On performing as Anita Bath, Finson said “I had a blast. I did theater throughout high school, but it had been a long time since I was actually on stage.”
Many of the other performers shared the same level of excitement, including Lady Gaga lookalike Aurora Savage. “It was so much fun. I love performing,” Savage said. Feel like you missed out on a great time? Fret not, as with every show on-campus; there is a show off-campus, in which proceeds from that will also go to CHRISKids. That show will be held on April 5 at LeBuzz Showbar in Marietta at 9 p.m.. More information can be found on the KPA Twitter @ KennesawPrideAlliance.
