Six Iowa-based drag kings and queens took the stage at T-Bock’s Upstairs Friday, October 11 in a drag show organized by Arthaus. The show was one of several events held during Decorah Pride that ran from October 8 through 12.
Featured performers included Luther alumni Muff Daddy, Mo B. Dick and Alexandra St. James as well as Des Moines-based performers Vana B, Scarlet Diamond and Sharaya Diamond. Vana B and Sharaya Diamond are regular performers at the Legendary Blazing Saddle, an LGBTQ+ bar in Des Moines.
The two-act show featured lip-syncing, dancing, crowd interaction and many outfit changes. 2024 Pride Planning Committee Co-Chair Andrew Ellingsen began the show with an explanation of the importance of local drag.
“Drag on your TV would not exist without drag in this room and other rooms like it,” Ellingsen said. “We all get to watch drag from the comfort of our living room, and we are lucky to have it on our TVs. This is drag in real life, and it works best when you interact.”
Alexandra St. James acted as the host for the night, introducing performers, providing historical background for the art of drag, bantering with members of the crowd and taking things a step further than lip syncing and turning the microphone on to sing. Emilee Burcham-Scofield (‘26) attended the show and shared that her favorite part was how St. James interacted with the crowd.
“[St. James] immediately felt like a friend,” Burcham-Scofield said. “As a Luther graduate, she was very relatable and funny with her observations on the student experience.”
While the show was advertised as 18+, a wide range of age groups and identities were represented in both the performers and the crowd. Sophie Yakes (‘25) appreciated the diversity in the room.
“The drag show was yet another example of the Decorah community coming together to support people of all identities,” Yakes said. “It was so wonderful to see Luther staff and faculty, large groups of students, Decorah business owners, [community] members, staff from local churches, staff of non-profits in the area and everyone in between in attendance.”
Yakes only had one complaint with the event: inappropriate consumption of alcohol. A happy hour was held prior to the commencement of the show, and alcohol was served for the duration of the show.
“I wish there had been a drink limit as some individuals that became too intoxicated interrupted the show, however, [St. James] handled them with poise and humor to keep the show going, and people in the crowd took action when it was needed to make sure people got the help they needed,” Yakes said. “Overall, the show was a great experience and a reminder of how supportive the Decorah community really is.”
The drag show on Friday night was preceded by an event on Tuesday at Pulpit Rock Brewing Company exploring the history of the Pride movement. Author Vi Khi Nao participated in a conversation at Pulpit Rock Brewing Company on Wednesday. On Thursday, Impact Coffee held Pride Trivia. The drag show was followed by Pride Yoga at Driftless Yoga, the Pride Parade, Party in the Park, QueerPOPERA at Impact Coffee and a dance party at Pulpit Rock Brewing Company on Saturday and a Rainbow Run on Sunday.
Next year, the Decorah Pride Parade will happen on Saturday, October 11.
