Last Saturday’s Drag Show took off dancing and diva-ing with a variety of new emcees and fresh acts.
With a full program of 15 performances with songs ranging from “Carry Out” by Timberland to “S&M” by Rihanna, the Drag Show changed pace and style, as well emcees, throughout the night.
“Numerous people have told me that this was the best show they have seen in a very long time,” said Sejan Miah ’12, one of the hosts.
In the wake of the departure of beloved and long-tenured hosts Starla and Jodi, a.k.a. Jon Richardson ’10 and Ryan Carlino ’10, this year’s drag show was structured a little differently. The first act was presented by Alona Turner ’11 and Grace Hazeltine ’12, while the second half was originally intended to be hosted by Juan “Yasha Fierce” Garcia ’11 and Sejan “Se-Juicy” Miah ’12. Into the second act, multiple emcee changes surprised the audience, with guest appearances by Robert Mulry ’13, Gabe Estrada ’13 and Alexander Rich-Shea ’12, peforming with the name Carleigh Mae.
“I am a performer. I am not good at just going up there and just talking,” Garcia said, to explain his premature disappearance. “I was like, ‘Just tell them I went to McDonald’s before they close to get some Chicken McNuggets,’” he said.
Fortunately, his replacement was ready and willing to pick up where Garcia left off.
“Sejan is pretty awesome and we clicked pretty well so it was easy to come up with stuff behind the stage before we had to go out again and I like the spotlight,” Rich-Shea said about his impromptu MC performance.
Rich-Shea and Miah were not the only hosts to improvise.
“The first day I met Alona was Saturday,” Hazeltine said. “I think part of it was just that if you go up there you have to improvise—even if you are performing there is only so much you can practice.”
The unexpected changes were welcomed by an audience prepared for a few surprises, as is often the nature of Drag Show. Unfortunately, other events were less appreciated—the technical difficulties during one of the dances prevented the audience from hearing well-known singer Graciela Guzman croon the beginning of Cee-lo’s popular hit, “F*** You.”
“I was mad that the microphone didn’t turn on at first,” said Gigi Dichosa ’13, who performed alongside Guzman. “But then I asked people and they said it went really well.”
Of course, one of the most touching and unique aspects of the night was the introduction of Daria “Dotty” Slick, who thanked the students for their continued support during her administrative leave. Students welcomed her back with cheers, almost to the point that she couldn’t get a word in to thank them.
“I think for the people who have strong relationship with her, it was really nice to see her, hear her voice,” Hazeltine said.
With so many differences from last year, both intentional and unintentional, Drag Show is clearly beginning to accommodate a new set of Grinnellians.
“I didn’t want to try and compete with Ryan and Jon,” Miah said. “It’s just that we want to show a new generation of humor, a new generation of divas.”
