Columbia students dressed in costumes filled the Student Center for a night of drag talent for Wicked Week. “Who Dunnit, Diva?”, hosted by professional drag queen Venus Carangi, featured four Columbia students and two professional drag queens at Columbia’s 9th annual drag show.
Wicked Week is Columbia’s annual Halloween celebration featuring themed events across campus. The drag show has become one of the week’s most anticipated traditions, celebrating creativity, performance and self expression across all majors.
A call for drag talent was put out to students last month where they could submit photos and video clips of them in drag for a chance to perform at the show. New and returning professionals joined students on the stage with Halloween-inspired performances.
Junior film and television major Logan Newby, who goes by “Martian Grrrl”, took the stage as the first student performer of the night. Newby has been doing drag for about a year, but has never performed in front of a crowd.
“I decided to do the show because I have been feeling like I need to express myself more,” Newby said.
Newby has been preparing for the show by practicing her makeup, as she said it is a skill.
As each performer took the stage, the student audience cheered loudly and danced along with the stars. Every performer brought a new energy to the audience with their dance, song, props, hair and makeup.
“I’m really excited to see the performers, it’s my first drag show,” said freshman musical theater major Brianna Martinez.
The student performers were “Magic Micheal”, “Felomina D. Freak”, “PawsXD”, “Martian Grrrl” and were joined by drag professionals “Boots” and “Mahogany Charlotte.”
The drag show changes each year by the featured theme of Wicked Week, with this year being “Mystery Manor.” A new addition to this years’ show to help hone the theme is a collaboration with the fashion department archives.
Antonia Butka, president of the Student Programming Board and a senior film and television and acting major, has worked to lead SPB to put the show together.
“The professionals are awesome, but I really like getting to see the students shine, especially for a lot of them, this being their first time performing,” Butka said. “That’s really special. And I’m glad that we can have this kind of stage for them.”
Students participated in a costume contest in-between performances held by host Carangi, the professional drag queen. Five students from the audience took the stage as the crowd cheered for their favorite costume.
“I think college shows make you feel more appreciated than other venues, especially because a lot of the audience it could be their first time being exposed to it,” Carangi said. “The energy is always vibrant.”
Carangi was not the original host, but was happy to take up the offer after being asked. It was their first time at Columbia and they said it was good to be able to interact with the audience and create an atmosphere that students want to engage in.
Junior fine arts and arts management major Micheal Kowalkowski, who goes by “Magic Micheal”, has been performing for three years. Although he has experience on stage, this was his first time performing in classic drag style.
“The best part of the show was honestly getting the chance to challenge myself and literally ‘drag’ up my performance,” Kowalkowski said. “I’ve been exploring ways to heighten the ‘Magic Micheal’ image and this was a great start.”
Kowalkowski has performed as “Magic Michael” for other SPB events, but this was his biggest stage yet. He is used to performing in a drag-adjacent style; no wigs or makeup, but still heels and costumes.
“Perfoming alongside professionals was a bit intimidating given that this was my first time doing a drag number, but the professionals were very excited to share their tips and the craft,” Kowalkowski said.
The 9th annual drag show was a big success with a turnout of over 200 students.
“It was fabulous,” said sophomore musical theater major Linzey Lucas. “I think it is a great opportunity and I love watching it year after year.”
Copy edited by Brandon Anaya
