Doors and Bar at 7
Show at 8:30
Tickets: $10 / $8 for students with ID
They’re dressed, the makeup is perfection and they’re ready to take the stage again at the Varsity for a variety drag show on Friday, April 26.
The show will be emceed by Southern Illinois’ godmother of drag Blanche DuBois, who will also perform along with Jodie Santana, Leiyana Santana and Lumber Jill, with special guests Rochelle D’Leight and Lola Rubitonya. Christina Garnette will be the evening’s hostess and will also perform a number.
This is an adult show, and no one under the age of 18 will be admitted.
Performances begin at 8:30 on Friday, April 26. The Varsity Bar will open at 7, so come early and enjoy specially created cocktails in the company of Christina and the Varsity staff.
Tickets are $10 for adults or $8 for students with ID. They are available in advance at Eventbrite (see link). Tickets are not available in advance at the venue but will be available on the night of the show when doors open at 7.
Friday, May 17 at 7:30
Saturday, May 18 at 7:30
Sunday, May 19 at 2
Tickets: $15 (see link) or at the door one hour before performances
This contemporary musical explores the five-year relationship between Jamie Wellerstein, a rising novelist, and Cathy Hiatt, a struggling actress. The show uses a form of storytelling in which Jamie's story is told in chronological order (starting just after the couple have first met) and Cathy's story is told in reverse chronological order (beginning the show at the end of the marriage). The characters do not directly interact except for a wedding song in the middle as their timelines intersect.
Braden Cummins appears as Jamie, and Lauren Hickle portrays Cathy.
Runtime is approximately 90 minutes with no intermission.
The Last Five Years is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
Friday, June 7
Varsity Bar and Doors at 5:30
Pageant: 7:30
Tickets: $20 at Eventbrite (see link)
The Southern Il Pride Royalty Pageant is a gender-inclusive drag pageant for contestants who are committed to serving the LGBTQ+ Community of Southern Illinois.
More than title holders, our Pride Royalty embody the soul of Pride. They commit their volunteer work, time and energy to the mission of Pride in Action, Southern Il. Pageant Director Blanche DuBois is committed to producing a vibrant pageant that honors drag in all of its forms and embraces gender inclusivity.
Contestants will compete against one another for the titles of Mr. Southern Il Pride King, Miss Southern Il Pride Queen, and Mx. Southern Il Pride, Nonconforming. Categories include Opening Presentation, Pride Wear, Pride Talent and Pride Platform.
This year's pageant features performances by our guest judge, former Miss Gay America and Miss Bastille 2024 Sabrina White; former Miss Continental Elite and 11-time pageant titleholder Jodie Santana; assistant director Christina Garnette; reigning Southern Il Pride Queen Leiyana Santana; and reigning Southern Il Pride King Ethan Jackson.
The pageant is Friday, June 7. Doors and Varsity Bar open at 5:30; the show begins at 7:30. Tickets are $20 and are available here at Eventbrite and at the door on the night of the pageant.
Saturday, June 8
Special Guest: A’keria Davenport
Varsity Bar and Doors at 6
VIP Meet and Greet: 6:30
Show: 7:30
18+ to Enter
Tickets: (See link)
VIP: $35
General Admission: $25
General Admission: $15
Kick off Pride month with Pride in Action, Southern Il's debut of the 2024 Southern Il Pride Royalty Court, featuring the phenomenal talent of drag race alumni A'keria Chanel Davenport!
A’keria has been featured on RuPaul's Drag Race season 11 and RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars season 6. She also holds several pageant titles including Miss International Vogue 2017 and Miss Black Universe 2017.
Special guest Noah Mazzeratie Steele is Mr. Missouri's Entertainer of the Year, 2023-24. Other titles include Metro East Pride King 2022, Mr. Pride St. Louis 2017, and Mr. Star City 2016. Noah rounds out a cast of local drag royalty including former Miss Gay USofA and 6+ time title holder Blanche DuBois; 13+ time title holder and former Miss Continental Jodie Santana; Miss Southern Il Pride Queen 2023 Leiyana Santana; and former Miss Gay Southern Il Jasmine Cavalli.
VIP tickets include a meet and greet with A'keria C. Davenport, featuring light refreshments and swag. General Admission tickets for $25 are preferred seating.
Pride Spectacular! Is Saturday, June 8. The Varsity Bar and dors open at 6, with the VIP meet and greet beginning at 6:30. The show begins at 7:30. Tickets are VIP $35, General Admission $25, General Admission: $15. Must be 18+ to enter.