Pride, a recognized student organization at Eastern, is hosting its second annual drag show tonight to promote AIDS awareness.

Professional female impersonators from Zim Marss Night Club in Terre Haute, Ind., will dance and perform to music during this interactive and energetic show, said Bill Kolacek, a complex director for Housing and Dining and the chair of the Social Justice and Diversity Education Committee.

“Everything about it captures the word ‘fun.’ People have a really good time,” said Maurice Tracy, co-president of Pride and an Eastern senior political science major. “Half the time you’re just standing on your feet clapping because it’s so much fun.”

The show will kick off 8 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union. Admission is $3 at the door.

“A portion of the proceeds will go toward AIDS research and education,” Kolacek said.

About 700 people came to the show last year, and Tracy said he “fully expects to pack the ballroom” again this year.

The show was received well by the university, leaving only standing room last year, Kolacek said.

“For a lot of people who came last year, it was their first time coming to a show,” Tracy said. “They had a really good time. I think this year they’ll bring their friends.”

The performers have all had anywhere from seven to 22 years of experience, Kolacek said. They have competed in several drag pageants and are all title holders.

“It truly is an artistic expression,” Kolacek said.

Chris Thompson, a guest singer who is also known as Mr. Gay Terre Haute, will open the show with his rendition of Josh Grobon’s “You Raise Me Up.” The introduction to the show will also include a power point presentation to honor those who have died and those who are struggling with the disease today.

“There’s nothing that EIU does that’s anything like it, really,” Tracy said.