By Gianna Barberia, news staff
A broken foot did not stop Angela Trans-bury from performing her signature death drop, a dramatic dance move in which she flopped backward onto the ground – even though practicing the move in 5-inch heels is what broke her foot in the first place.
Trans-bury, known throughout the Northeastern community as sophomore mechanical engineering major Jackson Powell, performed in drag and emceed at NU Pride’s second annual “Return of Queen Husky Drag Show” on Tuesday.
“Return of Queen Husky” is a student-led drag show that incorporates lip-syncing, dancing and audience interaction. Although NU Pride has been putting on drag shows for years, this is the second year the club has presented their remodeled “Queen Husky” show, which added a dance competition with audience members for prizes.
“[The show] gives the performers the opportunity to express themselves in a different matter,” said Joe Lagalla, former president of NU Pride and a senior chemical engineering major.
The show was held on the last day that Lagalla served as president of NU Pride, a club he described as community-focused.
“We’re the spot for anyone that identifies within the [LGBTQA+] community and wants to be more involved in the community to meet each other, make friends and learn a bit more,” Lagalla said.
The Boston Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, an off-campus organization that aims to make all genders and sexualities feel accepted and loved, also attended to event. The self-proclaimed “clown nuns” are sisters who wear nun-attire with drag makeup, raise funds for local charities and attend LGBTQA+ drag-related events, like bingo night and boat parties.
“We want to be the craziest thing in the room so that everyone feels like they belong,” Sister Luvinya Always said. “We want everyone to feel a universal joy.”
Although the sisters were in drag, they did not perform in the show.
Powell opened the show, reviving the Trans-bury persona he performed as at last year’s drag show. Trans-bury removed her bright blue coat to reveal a cropped flannel shirt and shorts – an ensemble she boasted about getting for only $18 at the Garment District.
“I did [the show] last year, and it was so much fun,” Trans-bury said. “I perform in my bedroom regularly.”
Murray Sandmeyer, sophomore computer science and music composition combined major, performed in drag for the first time as Sexy Gamer Girl. At the show, Sexy Gamer Girl said she likes drag because it challenges gender norms.
“I’m into fashion, but it’s a feminine center and men are told not to be a part of it,” Sexy Gamer Girl said. “[Drag] is sort of a funhouse mirror showing gender.”
Sexy Gamer Girl performed twice, lip-syncing and dancing while using a Wii remote as a prop. She paired a “‘Murica” visor with a fanny pack.
“Way back when I started playing video games in elementary school, I thought it was rebellious to play as a girl character,” she said. “I loved to play as Princess Peach, so that is what inspired this look.”
Sun Peizhao, a senior communication studies major, did a graduation-themed performance under the drag name Sina. As the queen danced through the crowd, audience members threw dollar bills at her. She left the stage with about $10 in tips.
“It takes a lot of money to look this cheap, darling!” Sina said to a roaring audience.
The show ended with a group dance from the NU Pride executive board to “Toxic” by Britney Spears. Although Vice President Drew Caporale did not dance, he praised drag for tearing down traditional gender stereotypes.
“Drag is an interesting thing of itself,” said Caporale, a sophomore economics and business administration combined major. “It takes gender norms and sort of mocks them. It’s a way for people to be playful about gender.”
