Expect a storm Saturday night in Downtown Milwaukee – not rain or snow, but a shower of sequins and spandex, that is, as UW-Milwaukee will host its 19th annual drag show from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Miller High Life Theatre.
Emceed by fellow drag performers Lady J (aka UWM alum and current graduate student Jazz Nance) and Montell Infiniti Ross, the UWM Drag Show – often ranked as one of the largest drag events in the Midwest region – will shine the spotlight on more than 20 drag artists strutting their stuff across the stage.
The show – often ranked as one of the largest drag events in the Midwest region – will also include a special guest appearance by "RuPaul Drag Race" season 7 contestant Jaidynn Diore Fierce and an intermission performance from Milwaukee singer-songwriter Lex Allen.
Before the main event, a family-friendly pre-show will also take place in the theater's rotunda from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m.
The show serves as a centerpiece for UWM and its LGBT Resource Center – now in its 15th year. The center was named one of America's most welcoming universities just last August by the national nonprofit Campus Pride, which also listed UWM as one of the country's top 25 LGBT-friendly colleges or universities. Living up to those plaudits, the UWM Drag Show serves not only as a night of entertainment and acceptance, but also as a fundraiser for local nonprofits focused on LGBTQ+ youth, with donations accepted as you walk in the door and during the intermission.
"The UWM Drag Show is a celebration of LGBTQ+ communities, culture and pride in keeping with the work that has earned UWM national recognition for being a welcoming and friendly LGBTQ+ campus community," said LGBT Resource Center Director Jen Murray, in a press release.
"It might be our biggest event of the year, but it’s not a stand-alone event. It’s one in a series of experiences that we present by and for UWM and the surrounding community. We are grateful for the financial support from the UWM Student Association and the Campus Activities Board that makes this event possible."
Tickets will go on sale at the Miller High Life Theatre starting Saturday, Feb. 24 at 5 p.m. on a first come, first served basis. For more information, visit the UWM Drag Show's Facebook event page or official site.
As much as it is a gigantic cliché to say that one has always had a passion for film, Matt Mueller has always had a passion for film. Whether it was bringing in the latest movie reviews for his first grade show-and-tell or writing film reviews for the St. Norbert College Times as a high school student, Matt is way too obsessed with movies for his own good.
When he's not writing about the latest blockbuster or talking much too glowingly about "Piranha 3D," Matt can probably be found watching literally any sport (minus cricket) or working at - get this - a local movie theater. Or watching a movie. Yeah, he's probably watching a movie.
