CREDIT: FSU PUBLICATIONS
After the success of its first drag show, the Fanshawe Student Union will host its second one titled What a Drag, A Night of Illusions, on Feb. 14.

Due to popular demand, and a successful first show last semester Fanshawe will host its second ever drag show on Feb.14.

What a Drag, A Night of Illusions, is a collaboration project between the Fanshawe Student Union (FSU) and ProjectBE Event Productions, a London based LGBTQ+ community. DJMLive/ Studio 32 production company will also be back to provide music for the event.

Though the possibility of a second show was already in place even before the first one happened, FSU VP of Internal Affairs, Kevin Kaisar, who is behind the event, said the idea of it was based on the “contingent” of the success of the first show last semester, based on if people showed up and if they enjoyed it.

Kaisar said the first show in itself was a risk.

“Before the first show actually happened, we talked about maybe converting this into something a little more regular and if people like it and seem to be more interested in coming to drag shows, then we could maybe look at doing one, once a semester,” Kaisar said.

According to Kaisar, the planning around the second show is a bit different than the first, mainly due to the fact that the performers and company changed from last semester.

ProjectBE Events Productions, who were chosen to work on the second show, produce shows once a month at Lavish Night Club in London as well and will be putting on one of those shows for students at Fanshawe, specifically Kaisar said.

The fact that the show will be on Valentine's Day, was a “cool” idea for Kaisar.

“The original idea was to do something that was more a Valentine's Day theme drag show,” Kaisar said. “It just felt like a good fit.”

Kaisar said it was easier to get the event put together, since the main production company and queens are London based, which was a reason Kaisar chose the company, rather than FSU trying to put the event on themselves.

“We're also trying to support the local talent and business as well,” Kaisar said.

Queens who will be performing for including Lita Von Sleaze, Miss Afra- Tighty, Miss Taken, Bettie Rebel and Nico Lavender.

According to Kaisar, the audience can expect to have an “absolutely amazing time”, while at the event.

“Drag shows are always a blast. Expect a lot of audience interaction,” Kaisar said. “You will see people going up on stage to dance or do a bit with the queens.”

Kaisar said the audience can also expect to see a lot of splits and death drops throughout the show and a lot of comedy, dancing and perhaps lip-syncing and aesthetic pageant queens as well.

“With every drag show, there usually is a diverse line up with someone who does pretty much everything, so you can expect [a] really fantastic night out, no matter what you're interested in,” Kaisar said. “Each queen is so completely different because someone's drag persona is a representation of themselves, it's a character that each person has created so every drag queen has a completely different performance style so it will be very different.”

Sierra Lampman, a third year Fanshawe student attended last semester's drag show, and said she will probably attend this one as well.

“It was a big hit last semester, and tons of fun. I like the change in environment and the inclusiveness. It was a great time and I got to see something I otherwise would have never seen before. I'd love it to be a constant event,” Lampman said.

Tickets for What a Drag, A Night of Illusions, are $5 in advance at the Biz Booth, or $10 at the door on the night of the event. The event will take place in The Out Back Shack. All ages with valid Fanshawe student card and 19+ without.