redstate.com by Alex Parker
How much would you be willing to pay for a drag show?
What if it was for students at your college?
At the University of Arkansas, they apparently guessed at that answer for attendees.
The school figured on $11,000.
At least, thatâs the amount of Student Activity fees it allegedly spent.
As reported by Campus Reform, UofA had local draggers dance on camera via Zoom.
Under the Freedom of Information Act, CR obtained a copy of the contract.
University of Arkansas spenâŠÂ by Campus Reform
For 60 minutesâ worth of dancing, the school shelled out $11,050.
The number of students who attended the virtual show: 38.
SoâŠ$11,050/38 = $290 per ticket.
And thatâs what we call government spending.
Speaking to Campus Reform, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications Rebecca Morrison confirmed it was Student Activity fees that were forked over for the fabulous foray.
An advertisement for the event marks March 18th, 7pm as Go time.
âUA Brings the Drag,â it says.
Drag has definitely come a long way. Once thought of as generally limited to gay clubs, itâs made major societal moves into unlikely locations.
Weâve see the proliferation of Drag Queen Story Hour at libraries across the country:
"The city Department of Education has been treating kids age 3 to 7 to a surprise 'drag queen story hour' in a remote-learning program it recommends as supplemental material for students stuck at home amid the COVID-19 pandemic."
Well-composed lede. https://t.co/Wnutv8iH2Q
— Omri Ceren (@omriceren) May 23, 2021
Theyâre digginâ it in Canada, too:
Virtual Drag Queen Storytime is coming back for #Pride2021! Join the event for an hour of fun & kidsâ stories promoting respect, caring, diversity & freedom of expression. All events are hosted on Toronto Drag Queen Storytime's page (https://t.co/yAA25KBoCM). See you soon! ?? pic.twitter.com/Lbn24UzNFI
— Grandview Kids (@GrandviewKids) May 21, 2021
In early June, a Southern womenâs shelter will host its âPurple Reignâ charity event:
We are excited to welcome RuPaul's Season 12 finalist CRYSTAL METHYD, to our 2nd annual Drag Show Fundraiser benefitting the NWA Women's Shelter!
June 5th at the Momentary in Bentonville – buy your tickets now!https://t.co/ewYbYvbmu5 pic.twitter.com/XTvEZHU8Po— NWA Women's Shelter (@NWAWS) April 26, 2021
Dragâs even made its way into religion.
In May of 2019, I covered Calvary United Methodist Churchâs âDrag Me to Churchâ protest of a same-sex marriage ban.
And a Bloomington, Illinois, UMC congregation is promoting for ordination a man who sometimes delivers his sermons in full regalia:
A bit of dragâs even reached the White House â earlier this month, Joe Biden (with Dr. Anthony Fauci) appeared for questions with heavily-made-up YouTuber Manny Mua:
This ainât your grandparentsâ drag.
Back to the University of Arkansas, Campus Reform notes that the show lasted less than an hour.
Included: a variety of dance styles, so something for everyone.
Performer Nikita Kakes danced to âHush Hushâ by The Pussycat Dolls, while Maddy Morphosis sang to a puppet during her performance of âBeauty and the Beastâ from the Disney classic.
Was it worth $290?
Thatâs a question for the 38 who enjoyed it â and the roughly 25,000 who paid for it.
At least the finale was grand:
The show ended with a lip sync battle between multiple students where Jaida Essence Hall urged them to âchange into something really cute,â put on a wig, or put on handcuffs.
The winner was given a prize, which was â per the contract â also paid for by the university.
-ALEX
