On Saturday, March 2, the Jorgensen Theater filled with students eager to attend the 2024 Rainbow Center Drag Show, hosted by headlining performer Throb Zombie (@throb.zombie on Instagram) and a cast of student and local drag performers.
The theme for this year’s show, titled “Cabinet of Curiosities,” brings “the world of [the] odd and wonderful to the Drag Show Stage,” as described on the Rainbow Center’s website. With a long night of performances met with a never-quiet audience and countless fans rushing tips up to the stage, there is no doubt that the event was a stunning success.
As the lights dimmed to just a spotlight, Throb Zombie opened the show with an act that was featured in “Dragula Season 5,” where the performer was a finalist. With pale-faced make-up, a slightly unsettling expression and a surprisingly large “Sid Scoops” hat, Zombie put on a show that was both unsettling and empowering. “Sid Scoops” is an ice cream worker themed around “Trash Can Kids”—a classic series of gross yet captivating characters. Sid began by whirling around rather joyfully, only to finish the act by scooping out of their stomach and setting lumps of blood and guts onto a tray of blood-soaked ice cream cones. To top it all off, Zombie belted out the most harrowing screams as the organs were scooped out as sundae toppings, setting a high standard for performers to come.
Before going further into the later performances, it bears mentioning that a huge amount of work goes into every component of a drag costume. In an Instagram post made around the time of Zombie’s performance, the performer wrote, “The whipped topping is actually insulating spray foam. I wanted it to be even taller, but with the spray foam, it was CRAZY HEAVY. The amount of time I practiced skipping in that beast to make sure I held my posture so it wouldn’t fall off…” The same level of commitment to performing in an immaculate costume was shared among all performers, which was evident through Zombie’s introduction of Cara Ho (@misscaraho), the next performer.
Ho bombarded the stage with energy, getting the crowd moving and cheering as a flamboyant personality radiated through bright pink clothing. Ho then jumped off the stage and got immersed in the tables of the Jorgensen, which occupied the area right in front of the stage. The performance was as powerful as it was stunning, and it kept energy levels high.
Ho’s performance also included commentary about critical gender-related issues, yet, in the face of such issues, got the audience laughing with lines such as “A prostitute ain’t nothing but a customer service representative.” The performance came to an end with a genuinely uproarious audience.
Next, bringing in some “sunshine,” as Zombie alluded to in their introduction, student performer SMR Couture (@summergaspardd) had a blazing performance as elegant motion paired with a richly decorated golden outfit set her firmly under the audience’s gaze. Couture also beautifully transitioned from long, wavy clothing to a far tighter outfit by the end of the performance. As a piece of clothing was cast off—matched perfectly with the background music—the crowd was simply ecstatic. But, get this: The Drag Show was Couture’s first drag performance. Her routine was wonderful, and it was easy to tell a ton of work went into getting the performance to be as strong as it was.
Next, Rainbow Center Director Kelsey O’Neil shared some words on the center’s support for all those attending the University of Connecticut. O’Neil emphasized the ongoing rapid HIV/HepC testing, which is both free and private for UConn students. Testing dates are March 13 and 22, April 10 and 26, and May 8. More info on times, locations and alternate times can be found on the Rainbow Center website.
O’Neil also shared powerful words on the actions of the ACLU in their efforts to track prohibitive legislation across the country but closed on a high note, as they noted that the event was “The Rainbow Center’s largest drag show in 25 years of its history.” The center has “No plans to stop advocating … for 25 more years.” The Rainbow Center has many ongoing and upcoming programs, including FAMILEE mentoring, Gender Affirming Closet (GAC), and the Lavender Graduation; more information on these events can also be found on the Rainbow Center’s website events calendar. O’Neil closed, “Please tell our story; we welcome you all.”
After O’Neil’s brief but joyous interruption, UConn’s K-Pop dance group KCONN (@uconnkconn and @uconnseoular on Instagram) took the stage with an incredible series of choreographed dances to hit K-Pop songs. Their performance was incredible. Groups of five performers began the show, but the rest of the troop slowly joined them as dancers adorned black and white outfits, complimenting the choreography, which was essentially split into halves — three dancers in white, three in black. The bass-heavy tracks and the flawless execution of complicated timed choreography energized the audience. It was also exciting to see a student-led club work with the Rainbow Center, as although their performance may not have been purely drag-themed, it was an excellent addition to the host of performances for the evening.
Next, Zombie returned in a new outfit, mostly in black lace. Their ability to keep audience energy levels high between shows was also really strong. Zombie would frequently interact with students, leaving tips on the stage, which meant there was never a gap in the entertainment. Zombie prefaced the next performances by describing their performer as a “local legend” who was to do a “quite political” show. The performer was none other than the wonderful Kiki Lucia (@misskikilucia on Instagram).
Lucia began her show with a powerful video outlining notable figures in the civil rights movement, women’s history and U.S. politics. Focus was given to those fighting for a better future for any marginalized community, and tying it all together were interlaced images of Lucia adorned in an all-red gown with a white bonnet/headpiece. Reminiscent of The Handmaid’s Tale, which features a dystopian world where women are property of the state, Lucia’s outfit sets a solemn tone that leaves the audience quiet.
That silence was soon shattered as the performer danced in sync with a musical backing track and bounced around in her red outfit with seemingly no impedance despite its length and the height of her heels. The energy swelled as lyrics advocating for women’s worth and a woman’s world got the crowd on their feet. Lucia’s energy and ability to seemingly teleport across the stage was astonishing; the audience was completely locked in.
As Lucia left the stage, Zombie again provided an excellent transition to the next performance. An audience member asked them, “What is your favorite natural environment? Mine right now is the woods.” Zombie told a story about Louisiana and their affinity for being a “swampy boy.” Brief interpersonal moments like this set the tone for the whole event: great performances for and by great people.
Next, student performer and co-team lead of student programs at the Rainbow Center, Alexxxa W.F. Starlight, took the stage (@alexammudell on Instagram). Featuring songs by Avril Lavigne and others, the set of songs complimented Starlight’s aesthetic style. The performer would add another cosmetic item between songs, such as a tie, which matched the footage in the music videos on the monitors above the stage. This highly choreographed performance was absolutely awesome. The audience cheered as Starlight embodied the energy and passion that has come to highlight the entire show.
Finally, we come to the closing performances. The first was by the wonderful Xiomarie LaBeija (@xiomarie.xl on Instagram), whose supporting dancers gave a marvelous performance filled with belly flops and incredible choreography throughout. One of LaBeija’s most evident talents is her ability to use her body to support her act. As described in her Instagram bio, Xiomarie is “CT Plus Size Dancing Diva #XL.” With this gift, LaBeija owned the stage and danced with incredible power and strength.
Following LaBeija’s performance, the audience was greeted by the remarkable stage presence of Michele Phoenix, another student performer (@onlymichelepheonix on Instagram). Phoenix took the stage wearing a stunning red outfit, which was gradually torn off as the performance went on. By the end, her style and physical ability yielded a star-struck audience. Tips flooded the stage as the crowd knew the show was coming to a close.
To wrap up a wonderful evening, the many student and faculty Rainbow Center leaders responsible for putting together the event gathered on stage to tremendous applause; while there are too many to list here, their roles and information can be found on the Rainbow Center Instagram @uconnrainbowctr, or on the Rainbow Center website.
Although the night wasn’t over just yet—fully adorned in blacked-out, flowing attire, Throb Zombie gave one more incredible performance, gliding across the stage and even rushing through the aisles, grabbing tip money with their mouth and embracing fans as they ventured across the venue. From start to end, the night was filled with more energy and fun than I had ever imagined.
After the event’s final closing, I was able to talk to some attendees and hear their thoughts. Harley Niger, a fourth-semester theater studies student, remarked, “This was the most wonderful experience of my life; I just came out as non-binary, Throb Zombie is also non-binary, so to be that close to someone was really affirming.”
Positivity and good vibes also were expressed by Arcadia Kittelson, a fourth-semester analytics information management major, who commented, “This show fucked really hard love it can’t wait to see more, amazing, my voice is gone.” I can confirm that my voice was also gone; even as a reporter, I couldn’t help but join in when audience applause was so powerful.
Hannah Stenström, a fourth-semester math major with an English minor, added, “The show got me barking like a dog, and I’m even more gay now than I was at the start.”
Fourth-semester robotic and mechanical engineering major Jay Brown stated, “best drag show I’ve ever been to. Of course, it was the only one, but I’ll go to plenty more.”
The idea of coming back for more was a common sentiment among the crowd, who stayed for some time after the show or headed to various afterparties. I managed to reach the front of the line, waiting to meet Throb Zombie. When asked about their thoughts on the show and performing at UConn, Zombie joyfully shared, “It was absolutely spectacular. I hope they fly my little bat wings back here sometime. I had a great time delighting and frightening UConn.”
So, while I didn’t mention it at the start, this was also my first time attending a Drag Show. With brilliant performances, lovely people and positive energy, I certainly had a great time, and I encourage everyone to attend the next Annual Drag Show in 2025. Until then, keep an eye on the Rainbow Center’s event calendar so you can share in one of their many positive experiences open to students for the remainder of the semester.