Audience members who attended Drexel’s recent drag show on May 31 already know that all of the divas slayed the runway. The host, professional drag queen Astala Vista, came out in a beautiful handmade outfit that was made of rainbow sequins. Vista did an amazing job of teaching the audience proper drag show etiquette. The first rule was that the crowd must be loud; the queens want to know the audience is having a good time. Secondly, the audience learned the notorious sassy finger wave, which must be accompanied by saying “YAS” while doing it or else it does not count. After giving out the instructions, she performed her first act, “Gaydar.” It was a comedic performance in which she interacted with the audience as the gaydar identified the bisexual, gay and straight individuals. The best part of the performance was when the gaydar signaled a Drexel employee as a straight person based on their sneakers.
Following Astala Vista’s opening performance, the audience was introduced to the headliner: Luxx Noir London, a recent contestant from the 15th season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” A local figure, Luxx came out and put on a performance that captivated the hometown crowd. Her outfit was sparkling and she performed with continuous high energy that engaged the crowd. The first student performer, Aubrey Firedrill, charmed the audience with her high-energy choreography. Known as the “happiest drag queen in Philadelphia,” Aubrey went the whole time on stage with a constant smile on her face. Her song of choice was “Toy Doll” by Mia Taylor, and Aubrey did an amazing job encapsulating the energy of the song with her routine.
The other student performers were Whipped Kareem and Marceline Morphine. They did a phenomenal job despite admitting that it was their first time performing. Whipped Kareem is a drag king, and he stunned the crowd with his seductive act and support for Palestine in light of the current circumstances in Gaza. Marcaline Morphine’s performance was captivating as she performed Britney Spears’ “Circus” in a stunning clown-themed outfit. A notable quote from Morphine was, “I killed a man once, does that count?” after being asked if they have ever performed. Everyone cheered both performers on as their confidence continued to spur on.
Astala Vista impressed the room with her impersonation of Sabrina Carpenter’s recent VMA performance. If Astala Vista did not share that the act was an impersonation, the audience honestly would have believed that Sabrina Carpenter came to perform. The final performance of the night came from the headliner, Luxx Noir London, who ended the show with a bang with a performance of “Be My Lover” by La Bouche. The crowd went wild, and it was quite disappointing when the show came to a close. Luxx and Astala remained on stage for a while, and then the rest of the performers stepped out onto the stage and offered the audience the opportunity for photos.
All of the queens and kings put their best effort into their outfits, makeup and choreography, creating a lasting impact on those in the room. Culturally, this show offered a new perspective on the world. The audience left feeling confident and energized as there was a sense of community in the room that had never been felt before. This event is significantly important especially in today’s political climate, in which the LGTBQ+ community continues their fight for inclusivity. After attending the show, audience members felt they had gained a better understanding of drag culture and community. The crowd enjoyed being able to participate in an event where every audience member, performer and event coordinator was welcoming and inclusive. As June begins, make sure to attend Pride events and support local drag queens and kings!