The Pride Alliance and Student Union Board are collaborating to host the annual Spring Drag Show on April 25.

There will be two showings at the Memorial Union in the Maintenance Shop. The first show will be at 2 p.m., and the second show will be at 7 p.m. 

“Expect to see beautiful, talented and hilarious drag artists from all different corners of the state,” vice president of the Pride Alliance Alexis Newport, a graduate student majoring in teaching English as a second language/applied linguistics, said. “However, you should also expect the unexpected; each show is different!” 

Newport explains what she and the Pride Alliance hope the audience will take away from the event. 

“We hope audience members feel like they belong on campus,” Newport said. “Times are tough, but we can’t shrink down and hide. Events like the Drag Show, I hope, help people feel more comfortable doing that, being their authentic self despite fear.”

The Spring Drag Show serves as a fundraiser for the Pride Alliance, allowing them to continue to create a safe space for queer students on campus.

“The drag show helps make it possible for Pride Alliance to have the rest of our events,” Newport said. “It’s our one fundraiser we do so that we can continue offering free events for the queer community on campus.”

Newport shares why she thinks it is important to support drag performers in the current political landscape.

“We see other states passing legislation, like Texas, making it so that drag shows can’t happen on campuses,” Newport said. “Almost every year, some other student org or another comes out with a statement condemning it. But every year we also get to share in queer joy with other Cyclones, enough of us to sell out last year. I think that’s important to do right now while we can.” 

Newport encourages those who have never attended a drag show before to check it out.

“This drag show has a variety of talent from all over the state,” Newport said. “Additionally, it’s in a sober environment, which is less overstimulating.”

Doors open 30 minutes before the shows begin.

Tickets are $10, with a $2 fee when reserving them from MidwesTIX. They can also be purchased over the phone through the M-Shop Box Office at 515-292-8349 Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tipping performers is encouraged, accepting cash or Venmo.

To learn more about the Pride Alliance, visit their student organization webpage. Check out more events from the Student Union Board here.