One part talent show, one part fashion expo, a dash of sass and all parts fabulous, the fifth annual Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Alliance-sponsored Amateur Drag Show tore down the house Monday night in the Student Union Theater.
Boasting six contestants and a total of a dozen performers, the show sparkled like a sequin as music, dancing and some comedy took center stage for the evening.
While diva Kasandra K, also known as Kenny Mersimoski, a senior political science major, won the first place bouquet, $75 prize and more than a handful of dollar bills, everyone involved had a good time - despite some shoe-induced pain.
Mersimoski said he got involved with the drag show mostly "to have fun, to be with my girls," but his high heels were infringing on the good time.
"These shoes hurt," he said.
The knee-high black stilettos were worn to compliment the Kasandra K ensemble of a black and white dress with spiral designs, a look that when coupled with an aerobic and crowd-pleasing performance clearly impressed the judges.
One of these judges, a professional drag queen who regularly performs at Club Marcella on Main Street in Buffalo, was Miss Fanta-See Island who performed master/ mistress of ceremonies duty for the evening.
She kicked off the show's performances by dancing to En Vogue's "Free Your Mind," only relinquishing the spotlight briefly as the other performers entertained the enthusiastic and supportive audience.
As the amateur queens and kings got ready to perform, Fanta-See flirted with cameramen and Student Association President George Pape, asked for food from the audience and made merry with social commentary.
"I'm bisexual - You buy me something and we can be sexual," she said.
"Miss Fanta-See Island was my favorite part," said Reicha Snell, a sophomore painting major and audience member who came to see her friends perform and provide member support for LGBTA.
"The drag show is to show UB students that we're here, and that we're accepted by the administration," said LGBTA vice president Rachel Parrino. "It's for people who are already out to celebrate being out, and it's for people in the closet to show that there are people out there who are accepting."
The drag show is part of a full itinerary for LGBTA's recognition and celebration of National Coming Out Week, which includes a full professional drag show in the Student Union at noon on Wednesday.
The amateur show is "a way to be out in the community and not be entirely serious," according to Ryan Furey, president of LGBTA. "We're here just like everyone else, except we wear wigs and dresses."
The queen Chi Chi Kaboom, known to most as Lorenzo Guzman, senior accounting major, performed "When You're Good to Mama," from the Tony award-winning musical and Oscar-winning film Chicago in a sparkly black evening dress and a purple feather boa.
"It's fun, and it's a part of gay culture," said Guzman. "What better way to come out than in drag?"
Anasty Taste, also known as Ray Szulis, a sophomore political science major, performed Abagail's "Let the Joy Rise."
"I'm having a blast," Szulis said. "My favorite part is hanging out with everyone behind the scenes."
Despite the positive nature of the show there were some minor moments of pain, according to Christian Soto, a freshman nursing major who performed as Trips Oliver.
"These shoes are killing me," he complained. When asked if he was having fun he replied, "It's OK, but I'm not going to do this again, and I wouldn't do it for a job."
Not all the contestants vying for the title of "Miss UB" were going for the feminine look. Lacey James, a freshman pharmacy major, performed as the drag king Steele, and was one of few who did two numbers.
Dressed in a tee shirt, a knit cap, carpenter's cut jeans and false facial hair, James was greeted on stage by thunderous applause. She said her favorite part of the experience was "all the girls cheering."
Other notable performances included "Elizabeth I," who came out in full royal gold regalia complete with tiara and red hair and Miss UB runner-up "Miss Prissy." Her performance to Christina Aguilera's hit "Fighter" was accented by an outfit that consisted of a black corset and a Catholic schoolgirl meets goth night club skirt on top of knee-high fishnets topped off with red bows.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
