Halloween is around the corner, and with it, numerous ways for students to embrace its creative spirit. One of the biggest events on campus this Halloween also has that creativity at heart. On Oct. 29, Case Western Reserve University’s chapter of Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM) will host their HalloQUEEN Drag Show from 8-10 p.m. at the Tinkham Veale University Center’s ballroom. At the event, students will have a chance to showcase their Halloween costumes. Given the event’s mask requirement, students will be challenged to creatively incorporate masks into their costumes.

In preparation for the event, oSTEM released a list of recommendations for attendee drag show etiquette, which includes loudly cheering on performers, dressing up in costume for the event, respecting the queens’ preferred pronouns and tipping the queens via Venmo. 

This oSTEM event is also important in representing the LGBTQIA+ community at CWRU, as Janvi Ramchandra, a student planning to attend the event, emphasized. 

“A lot of times, events happening on campus can help to connect students more, especially events that specifically emulate [LGBTQIA+] culture … The history of drag is incredibly rich and artistic, and is so integrated in the history of [LGBTQIA+] representation in America,” said Ramchandra.

oSTEM has taken the effort to promote the event in STEM classes, which is where Ramchandra has found out about the show. 

“Promoting the event in classes will help to expand the representation of the [LGBTQIA+] community to individuals who [have little to no experience with drag shows],” Ramchandra continued. “It is also a good indication of the STEM department at CWRU taking steps towards being more supportive of students identifying as [LGBTQIA+] studying on campus.”

HalloQUEEN will undoubtedly be an entertaining way to celebrate Halloween while supporting local artists. The event will feature six Ohio-based queens: Alejandra J-Love, Marilyn Dubois, Joliee Blak, Sarah Tonin, Natasshja Norielle and Anhedonia Delight. Students interested can sign up on CampusGroups with unlimited spots.