Apr 1, 2020
A Last Drag Queen Dazzle Before the Fizzle of Coronavirus
UNR recently held its annual Drag Show in the Joe Crowley Ballroom to support Reno’s diverse drag community with guest host Shea Coulee. The event marked one of the last events held on campus due to the novel coronavirus. Reporting by Jessica Romo.
From Drag Shows to Social Distancing
Prior to social distancing advisories and the end of public events, community members gathered on the University of Nevada, Reno, campus to have some fun while celebrating a vibrant culture with historical LGBTQIA+ significance.
The drag show on March 11th was a first for some including student Courtney Hendrix, a member of the UNR Queer Student Union.
“It has a really rich history in the queer community and it’s a chance to go out an express yourself,” Hendrix said, when asked what interests her about drag.
Student Queens Serving Realness
In total, there were 13 student contestants, each with individualistic style — one drag queen shocked the crowd by coming out wearing a face mask.
Hours of preparation go into drag performances with make-up, hair and costume dusting.
Performing and Designing Costumes and Face Masks
Jorgie Silba (in photo below), also known as Ariana Does Moore, has been performing drag for three years, while occasionally staying up all night before performances. “I’ve been sewing and designing my costumes for two and a half years now,” Silba said in a subsequent interview.
Silba is a surgical Certified Nursing Assistant at Saint Mary’s Hospital — the U.S. healthcare system is currently experiencing material shortages, so in drag, Ariana Does Moore released a tutorial on how to make a simple face mask (in video below).
