Though Pride Month is globally recognized and celebrated in June, students and faculty at UB like to kick things off a little earlier in the year in true blue fashion.
UB’s Pride Week is a week-long celebration of LGBTQ+ history, culture and identity that spans one week in April. From Monday to Friday, exciting events and thought-provoking talks pop up across campus, ranging from pride-themed mixers and craft nights to presentations from keynote speakers about important queer issues. This year’s events were hosted by the university’s very own LGBTQ+ Center.
On April 14, the second day of Pride Week, students gathered at Student Union Theatre, thrilled to welcome the performers of the “SpongeBob” Themed Drag Show, “Bikinis & Bottoms,” to the stage, based on the critically acclaimed series by Nickelodeon, “Spongebob Squarepants.”
The drag show, starring drag performers Luke Thighwalker, Alice Raige, Count Twinkula, Bleu Darlin’, Maddy Valley and Die Hexe, ran from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., followed by an afterparty at the LGBTQ+ Center.
Attendees entering the theatre were immediately bathed in the comforting atmosphere of dim lights, as well as the excited chatter of fellow queer folk, “SpongeBob” fans and allies eagerly waiting for the show to commence.
The night started with “SpongeBob SquarePants” trivia, led by three members of the main cast of SpongeBob. Alice Raige, who played SpongeBob Squarepants, sported an outfit that perfectly mixed the character’s attire with signature drag elements like big, expressive hair and heavy contouring. She took a more sassy, cynical spin on the character, with Bleu Darlin’, playing Patrick Star, joking that Raige was starting to act more like Squidward Tentacles than Luke Thighwalker, who was actually playing Squidward.
After a short intermission, the performers had their own musical numbers to dance and lip-sync to popular songs like CharliXCX’s “Crash” and various Lady Gaga tracks. Some even reenacted funny clips from the series, displaying to the audience the true spirit, whimsy and range of drag. Count Twinkula, playing the Hash Slinging Slasher, and Maddie Valley, acting as Mrs. Puff, wowed the crowd with their respective performances. Valley executed perfect flips and cartwheels across the stage, while Count Twinkula captured viewers’ attention with their sensual dancing and audience interaction.
Count Twinkula was definitely an audience favorite, Tyler Morley, a freshman civil engineering major, concurred. He looks forward to seeing more amazing themed drag performances held at UB, and says that “he dreams of being up on the stage in drag as well.”
“The [curtain call] part of the show, where everyone had their flashlights on and waved, was my favorite part,” said Uilliam Heady, a freshman global affairs major, who attended the show with Morley.
Die Hexe, who played Plankton’s computer wife, Karen, was a new addition to the cast of “Bikinis & Bottoms,” but their confidence is proof itself of their comfort on stage. Not to mention, their drag costume was hand-sewn and crafted by themself. When they’re not on the stage, however, they’re a fellow UB student.
Em Puffer, drag name Die Hexe, is a sophomore studying political science, English and theatre. They are well-acquainted with the theatre environment, having credits for backstage technician work, such as makeup and hair, in UB theatre productions like “Urinetown” and “Macbeth.”
Deciding to take part in drag performances and join a drag mentorship under the Rookie Knights of Buffalo was a culmination of many factors, including their identity, love for theatre and encouragement from Assistant Teaching Professor and costume shop manager Max Levitt.
Most importantly for them, the drag community in Buffalo was extremely welcoming for beginner drag performers. “Everyone, I think, should try drag. You should try drag even if you don’t think you’re gonna like the performing aspect of it… just have fun.”
Gi Swords, assistant director of the LGBTQ+ Center, and their staff worked tirelessly to ensure that the music, decor and setup were perfect for Pride Week. For “Bikinis & Bottoms,” they were inspired by an overwhelmingly positive student response to a Drag 101 workshop the LGBTQ+ Center hosted at the beginning of the school year.
“We knew we wanted to do something drag-related for Pride Week. So it just made perfect sense,” Swords commented.
“SpongeBob Squarepants” is a beloved show, and continues to be a mainstay of reaction images, memes and GIFs across the internet. It connects generations of people, just as a timeless performance art form like drag does.
The arts desk can be reached at arts@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Courtesy of Central Michigan University
