REBECCA HALE
Special to The Leader
Hundreds of screaming student fans crowded around a glitzy and colorful runway on Friday night to watch in awe and to cheer on this year’s drag kings and queens as they danced, lip-synched and strutted their stuff. The event turned out to be a huge hit, between the charis-
matic hostess, the choreographed routines and the jaw-dropping attire.
All of this contributed to a very diverse and energetic crowd who eagerly awaited the moment when Kimmi Moore and Ben Eaton would be crowned Miss and Mister Gay Fredonia.
The event took place inside Williams Center Multi-Purpose Room, which had been transformed into a showroom complete with a runway, DJ and a full lighting system. Students began to form a line outside of the MPR as early as 7 p.m. to snatch a front-row view, but doors didn’t open until 7:30.
This year, three queens and six kings competed for the titles of Mister and Miss Gay Fredonia 2013. Three alumni drag judges also performed, along with professional drag queen and hostess of the event, Anita Waistline. Each contestant performed a dance and lip-synced to a song or mash-up that they had prepared. They also participated in a runway walk.
The crowd was alive with energy as students danced and interacted with the performers as much as possible. They reached out to touch the performers as if they were famous, and some offered dollar bills to tip the kings and queens. Some performers went wild, taking the bills with
their mouths, dancing with audience members and even pulling a few onstage with them.
“The crowd craved it,” said Waistline. “It was extravagant, amazing. You love it and
want to see something new, eclectic, different.”
Senior Brittany Fischer, who has attended every drag show in the past five years, said
simply, “It was awesome.”
In between acts, different members of Pride Alliance took turns entertaining and bringing students up on stage to show their stuff. Students danced, strutted, and many twerked.
Near the end of the show, two kings and two queens were chosen as finalists and faced off in a lip-synching competition to a song of the DJ’s choice. Finalists included Moore, Danielle Diamonte, Eaton and Wayne Little.
The judging panel consisted of Waistline and three alumni: Justin Creamer, Shamrock Shake and Tequilla Mockingbird. The judges watched each contestant and screamed for their favorites — sometimes even giving a standing ovation.
Before the show, Mockingbird said she felt nostalgic to be back at Fredonia, that she “loves the school, and it’s great to come back.” She was also “excited to see new queens and what they have to bring to the table.” Finally, at the end of the evening, the win- ners were revealed.
Moore proudly received her sash next to Ben Eaton, who was also crowned. Moore is a senior, and this was her sixth semester of involvement.
She describes drag as “[her] form of artistic creation,”and said she loves to “fully embrace [her] feminine side and passion for the feminine sexuality. It involves dancing, acting, makeup, fashion; everything I love,” she said.
Moore’s name comes from the song, ‘Gimme More,’ by Britney Spears, her idol; however, this year Moore decided to take on a different side of herself, performing first to Rihanna.
Other performers who participated were Jay Dragon, Summer Night, Rider All Night, Ben Dover and Emerson Couture. This event was just one of many the Pride Alliance is hosting en lieu of Gay History Month, described by Mockingbird as “a celebration of us.”