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'Such an art'

UAB’s first ever Drag Night fills up the HSC ballrooms, becomes platform for UAB’s first ever Drag Night fills up the HSC ballrooms, becomes platform for self-expression

Photo By Drew Crenwshaw/Staff Photographer

Gary Fuqua, aka Afrikkka, performed in UAB's first ever Drag Night at the Hill Student Center's ballrooms, Saturday, February 2.

Juwayriah Wright
CityLifestyle Reporter
juwright@uab.edu

Colorful outfits, expressive dance moves and an energetic crowd filled the Hill Student Center ballrooms during UAB’s first ever Drag Night. 

“For me this is more than just putting on a wig, lashes and make-up,” said Gary Fuqua, freshman in musical theatre and who performed as Afrikkka. “It’s being there for people when they need it and portraying representation for people that need to see it.” 

Fuqua describes themselves as being someone who's on the spectrum of gender. They said they appreciate being able to put on a good show and making people feel like being different and off-kilter is okay. 

“I was always enlightened by seeing non-binary, drag queens and androgynous people growing up,” Fuqua said. “I feel there is such an art to it and a beauty to who these people are and how they want to express themselves.” 

The event, held by the Blazer Theater Organization in partnership with Magic City Acceptance Center, was hosted by Victoria and Omni.  

“I think that it’s really important that if somebody’s into something like this, that they get to express themselves,” said Josette Hyche, a member of the panel of judges and Secretary for Central Alabama Pride and founder of the Drag Krewe I-69. “I think it’s a lot harder being in the bible belt. I’ve seen a lot of progression in the last year-and-a-half, so I think people are getting a more open mind about it.” 

The winner of the night, Joe Condon, known as Genesius, was granted a hot-spot opportunity in all benefits, fundraisers and events moving up to Pride Week by I-69 Entertainment. He was also granted a ride with I-69 Entertainment during the Pride Parade on June 8, along with a feature on flyers, the Facebook page and website as an honorary member for the remainder of the year. 

“I’m very happy that I’m able to express my art through drag, and just walk around campus in drag because that’s who I am and what I want to do,” said Alex Hernandez,sophomore in marine biology and known as Leviathan. 

The panel of judges included Aurora Savage, Addison Vontrell, Flex Vontrell, Kelly Allison, Roy Lightner and Josette Hyche. The crowd voted for their favorite performer through donations that would go to the BTO and MCAC. 

Bailey Dumlao,known on-stage as Petty Ka$h and a freshman in theatre, won the Fan Favorite title, starting off his Broadway-esque performance with ‘Money, Money, Money’ by ABBA. 

“This is my first time performing drag,” Dumlao said. “It’s so entertaining to just go out there and build a fantasy, a dream. We really have a community of performers, and technicians, even, that all understand that everything is a performance art. And finding those people to have that kind of honesty with is really nice.” 

Other displays of the night were well-received by the engaged audience, who sat around the stage to get a better view. The event was opened by Ty Jamal, whose stage-name is Thottiana,a sophomore in theatre former football player. 

“The South, I feel, still has a-ways to go,” Jamal said.“But within the US, I feel like now that drag queens are on television, it’s more accepted and normalized. I feel like America should be more accepting of the gay community before we get to drag queens, so we still have steps to take.” 

The performers also offered tips on how to support the drag scene in Birmingham.   

“Just go out to shows and support your local queens. Go to a gay club or even some regular clubs that have drag shows,” Leviathansaid. “Hear their story and watch them perform, because then you’d be able to support their art to make it bigger, better and more educational for everyone else.”