The Campus Activities Council’s (CAC) fourth event of the new year, in coordination with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Program, put on EMU’s first drag bingo hosted by Harrisonburg’s Rhinestone Productions.
The event took place on Jan. 9 in Old Common Grounds, with snacks and refreshments provided, and Campus Security Coordinator Wayne Martin at the door for extra support and safety. Although it started a bit late due to traffic, the activities continued as planned.
First was a performance by Kikiana Blunt, a queen who frequents the DMV. She graced the stage in a flurry of colors before introducing the host, Jayda Knight, the CEO of Rhinestone Productions.
Knight, introduced as Chad because she wasn’t in drag, led several rounds of bingo. Each round had a different stipulation, and every winner got a prize bag. As the rounds progressed, each bag increased in value. Prizes ranged from mini rainbow Herms, to Regal Theater tickets, to tickets to the next Rhinestone Productions drag brunch.
Following the first game was a performance by Angelle Zhane. Zhane, who grew up in Barbersville, got into drag after Shangela, a drag queen, TV producer, and actor, pulled her onstage at a pride event. “It was that night that I actually went home, and I put on makeup for the first time. I had no clue what I was doing, but that experience right there made me want to do it.”
Because her father was a drag queen, Zhane grew up around drag, and she also watched Shangela. “I have always been a performer. I’ve always loved entertaining people and making them smile,” she said.
At Rhinestones’ first performance at EMU, Zhane was one of the queens in attendance. “I remember coming around the corner, and it was just such warmth, such love in this room. Y’all really made me feel like Beyoncé. I had to pat my face; I was tearing up.”
Following Zhane’s performance was another round of bingo, then an extended break for the queens to prepare for their second performances.
After the break, Blunt had her second performance before leading the next round of bingo. Zhane finished her performance, then Knight wrapped up the night with a final game.
While there had previously been two Drag Shows at EMU, the idea for a drag brunch came from Dawn Neil, DEI coordinator. “I went to a drag brunch that Rhinestone was doing and thought it was so much fun and interactive, so I thought maybe we would change up how we’re doing the drag show for EMU.”
She and Knight agreed that students would really like a drag bingo, while still planning for another drag show in the future. “We will have a full drag show in the fall next year, and drag bingo again in the spring.”
