For the past 10 years PRIDE has hosted a drag show in the fall semester, now the organization will hosts its first ever spring semester drag show.

“It’s LIT! Drag Show” will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 27, in the Student Rec Center’s west gym. An amateur show will begin at 6 p.m.

The event is open to students who have a desire to perform in drag shows.

“We wanted to give students who don't have as much experience with drag performing the opportunity to try it out in a safe place,” Rane Belling, president of PRIDE, said. “We are also encouraging everyone to come to the earlier show to get good seats.”

A total of six performers will be performing on Thursday, which include three kings and three queens. Faim Lee Jewels and Riley James are two performers, who have participated in the annual fall drag shows for years and they will be performing in the spring semester's first drag show.

“The crowd is always excited to see them perform,” Belling said.

Alejandra LeBlanc Leight, Blanche DuBois, Storm and Rain Foxx are some of the other performers, these kings and queens come from Carbondale, Illinois, St. Louis and the Cape Girardeau area. All of the performers will have three to five minutes each to perform their musical numbers.

“We do this show because it's a fun and safe way to experience something people are not usually a part of,” Belling said.

PRIDE is expecting between 250 to 300 people to attend this event, based on the turn out from previous years. “It’s LIT! Drag Show” will be a glow-in-the-dark-themed event. PRIDE hopes events like the drag show will help raise awareness to the drag and LGBT community on campus.

This show is a great way to express yourself.

“Something about the atmosphere during the show is really exciting and fun. Everyone who attends, helps and performs has this kind of energy that can lift your spirit,” Belling said.

PRIDE will be selling VIP tickets for students in the UC Lobby throughout the next couple of weeks leading up to the show. Admission for the show, other than the VIP tickets, will be free.

Students who have interest in performing are encouraged to take part in the amateur portion of the show. Anyone wanting to perform in this part of the show needs to sign up before April 27. If interested, contact Rane Belling at lbelling1s@semo.edu or another executive member of PRIDE.