Divas dressed in drag are coming to Eastern with their 6-inch stiletto heels and prom dresses at 8 tonight in the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

The “Diva Drag Show” has entertained crowds at Eastern for five years because of EIU Pride, a student organization on campus. Pride is a group for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people and straight people who support them.

Kirstin Bowns, a sophomore education major and coordinator for the show, said the theme for this year is “Prom Night.”

“This will be the best year yet,” Bowns said.

Bowns said the decorations in the Grand Ballroom will be set up as if it were a typical prom night with twinkling lights, a banner and other decorations that appeal to the theme.

Pride president Dan Koteski said the show has always had high attendance because of the way it appeals to students.

“The show appeals to students because it’s one of those rare art forms that melds theater, music and dancing,” he said.

Drag shows usually consist of men dressed in female clothes and lavish make-up that usually goes with a theme.

Bowns said in the past the divas have had incredible outfits.

“I’ve seen everything from gorgeous gowns to superhero costumes,” she said.

The divas will also display their special talents, which range from acrobatic moves to lip-syncing.

Bowns said she has seen divas do splits and cartwheels while in 6-inch stiletto heels.

During the show, audience members are also expected to tip the drag queens.

Bowns said $1 bills usually are in high demand for students who want to tip the divas during the show.

“The divas are usually tipped quite heavily,” she said.

There are six divas who are paid $100 each to perform but can sometimes easily double that amount by tips from audience members.

Koteski said the divas love coming to Eastern to entertain students and enjoy getting tipped at the same time.

“There is no gay bar that packs a room of 500 that tips for 4 hours,” he said.

Bowns said she encourages audience members to participate during the show.

“We’ve had audience members pulled on the stage,” she said. “We encourage them to walk around the stage.”

Bowns said someone in the audience could get lucky and get pulled on stage to dance with the divas.

“The (master of ceremonies) has plans for her number which involves audience participation quite heavily,” she said.

Bowns said students should come out to the show because this is an experience not many people in Charleston get to have.

“It’s so different,” she said. “It draws a crowd of curiosity and excitement.”

Want to go?

What: Diva Drag Show

When: 8 tonight

Where: Grand Ballroom, Martin Luther King Jr. University Union

How much: $3 admission fee

For more info: [email protected]

Jessica Leggin can be reached at 581-7942 or at