From drags to riches
Here at Humber Polytechnic and the University of Guelph-Humber, we love to celebrate and connect students to experiences they may have not had before.
Have you attended a Drag show before? Watched one on TV? Perhaps this is your first time hearing about Drag. Regardless of your experiences, here are some things you may or may not know about Drag.
Drag shows aren’t just a current trend, they are a cultural staple! They are particularly popular on Canadian campuses.
Let’s delve in.
What are drag shows?
Drag is a multimedia form of art encompassing entertainment, dancing, singing and pushing the boundaries of fashion and gender expression all in one performance. Self-expression and notions around identity and the challenging of gender norms is integral to what Drag truly is.
While there are many variations of drag shows, the central premise remains inclusivity and performance. Regardless of your age, sex, or background, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Perhaps you’ll even become a fan — or try out performing yourself!
The history of drag shows
To first understand the history of drag shows, we must explore the history of drag itself. Drag goes back to ancient Greece and Rome, and as far back as the Elizabethan Era in England! Given that women were not allowed to become actors, this led to men performing female roles. This sparked the first documented drag show in the 19th century with William Dorsey Swann.
The term “drag” first came to be during the late 19th century, apparently as a reference to long gowns that dragged across the floor during celebrations.
Fast forward to today, Drag culture is celebrated in many places around the world allowing people of all backgrounds, cultures and identities to express themselves.
The RuPaul revolution
RuPaul is one of the most famous and recognizable faces in the world of Drag. RuPaul’s career spans decades, starting in earnest in 1993.
The show “RuPaul’s Drag Race” has been a resounding success, spanning 18 seasons with numerous spinoffs! If you’re unfamiliar, the basic premise of the show is a group of drag performers come together to compete against one another in in several challenges.
RuPaul is a 14-time Emmy award winner and has been instrumental in bringing Drag to the mainstream cultural zeitgeist.
Drag on Canadian campuses
The performance of drag on Canadian campuses has grown exponentially over the past decade, with numerous colleges and universities across Canada hosting Drag shows, Drag bingo, Drag lunch, pride galas, and educational workshops.
Drag events are a great way to bring people together, introduce people to new experiences, and celebrate inclusivity, creativity, self-expression for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Drag your a** to school
Now that you know a little more about Drag performances, why not attend one?! IGNITE’s Drag Your A** to School drag lunch is coming to the Lakeshore campus for the first time ever on Wednesday, Jan. 14, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Our two-hour drag lunch experience will feature performance sets from three queens and an intermission lip-sync battle hosted by Humber’s LGBTQ+ Resource Centre. Don’t miss out!
Join us on the second floor of the L Building, right beside the Booster Juice. You won’t want to miss the energy! There will be a 20-minute post-show Meet & Greet with the queens for the first 20 students in line and no pre-registration required. Just check in with our brand ambassadors upon arrival. We hope to see you there!
Feature image courtesy of Quino Al via Unsplash.
Are you looking for another outlet to express yourself? Why not check out karaoke as an avenue to explore!
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