By Ramona Gonzalez
The Alumni Village Residence hall was transformed into a festive Spooky Drag Ball on Oct. 17. The room was adorned with spider webs, glowing pumpkins, and vibrant decorations that captured the enchanting essence of Halloween, blending the season’s spookiness with the spirit of Purchase.
Adrien Douglass, Jean Post, and Risa Tirado in drag. (Photo by Ramona Gonzalez)
Mani Jones, a sophomore classical music major, took the lead in planning the whole event in honor of October being LGBTQ+ history month. They aimed to create a welcoming space to be yourself and express yourself freely.
The ball had an atmosphere that couldn’t be contained in the room. The room was filled with people in vibrant and spooky colors, ready to embrace the night’s festivities.
About a dozen people appeared in dazzling drag or funny costumes that lit up the night with energy and flair. The night consisted of dancing, snacks, and later on, a showing of Rocky Horror. Jones was hopeful going into planning the ball, expecting a different outcome of the night, but satisfied with the results.
“We were very ambitious in our planning,” said Jones. “It was meant to be like a Halloween place for people like us to just come and have some fun and sing songs.” Although no one sang, Jones felt it was more fitting in the end to play a movie in order to create a more relaxing atmosphere.
Attendees at the ball watching Rocky Horror. (Photo by Ramona Gonzalez)
Jones believes the event went well and is grateful for the people who went. “I would say out of ten I would give this a solid seven,” said Jones. “I’m not at all disappointed in this.”
Much like Jones, others thought it also went well and had fun. Kilanys Marti Marrero, a first year undeclared major, attended the event in hopes of finding more people who enjoy drag and are part of the LGBTQ+ community.
“It was definitely not what I expected, but I got to see a lot of people within the same community just being comfortable,” said Marti Marrero. “It was very cozy and comfortable.”
Another attendee Risa Tirado, a junior painting and drawing and graphic design major, enjoyed the event and is glad they went. “It was like a cute little bonding moment,” said Tirado. “ I love Rocky Horror, so that's also so fun.” Tirado went with a friend and her girlfriend and stayed until the end of the movie.
The ball succeeded in fostering a cozy atmosphere where people could connect and express themselves. This was an event Jones has had in mind since September and plans on doing it again next year.
The ball highlighted the importance of embracing yourself and supporting one another within the LGBTQ+ community. Jones says they plan to make more events and parties like this and are looking forward to planning the next one.
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