Drag Me to Hell brings the heat at the Fisher
Visions and Voice uplifted alternative drag queens, showcasing unique artistry.
By JOSE BIZUET
With Halloween around the corner, students gathered at the USC Fisher Museum of Art on a dark and ominous night to celebrate a creative and unique alternative art: Drag. Visions and Voices, alongside The Getty and PST Art, welcomed attendees to Drag Me to Hell: Demonic Drag Performances and Costume Contest, a unique experience all could enjoy.
“By uplifting a specific alternative or subgroup of queer art, this could reach more people by interest, rather than a specific community,” said Emily Lopez, a Visions and Voices volunteer and sophomore majoring in applied and computational mathematics.
Before festivities commenced, attendees mingled while enjoying refreshments and foods with names such as “Blasphemy,” “Bloody Toes” and “Sacrificial Lamb.” Amber Horbath, a graduate student studying molecular pathology and experimental medicine, loves drag shows and Halloween.
“I thought this was the perfect event to combine both my interests,” Horbath said.
Although three protestors gathered outside campus gates, shouting homophobic remarks and attempting to disrupt the night, the event carried on undeterred.
“Alternative drag is being uplifted and supported by a large organization like USC. I love that, although it is being protested outside, we are still pushing to promote this event and alternative drag,” said Saneel Sharma, a senior majoring in design who also performs drag as Rae Oblivion.
Moments before the performance, students huddled near the stage illuminated by roaring flames. Soon after, Miss Toto, an international DJ dressed as a promiscuous devil, announced she was there to emcee. She connected with the crowd, delivering a lesson in drag performance etiquette.
The first round of performances consisted of three separate performances from Specimen Scythe, HoSo Terra Tomo and Vander Von Odd, respectively.
Specimen Scythe — “the one and only Specimen,” as Miss Toto referred to her — is a nonbinary “drag specimen” from Costa Rica. Their revealing punk-rock outfit was barely covered by their shredded animal fur coat and hat.
Their fast, robotic performance to “Ego / You Tear Me Apart” by George Maple created a dynamic contrast as they walked, ran and crawled across various levels, fully utilizing their space.
Despite protests outside the venue, attendees and performers enjoyed themselves in the spooky atmosphere while munching on Halloween-themed snacks. (Jake Berg / Daily Trojan)
HoSo Terra Toma, finalist from The Boulet Brothers Dragula and The Boulet Brothers Dragula: Titans, is a Korean American performer who brought an interpretative dance to ”My September” by Nastyona on campus.
Her classic, beautiful look — emulating a bloody doll — left the audience in awe as HoSo passionately danced on and offstage. HoSo’s performance consisted of interacting with the audience, throwing crushed sunflowers into the air and repeatedly imitating the act of hurting herself with a crowbar.
Vander Von Odd, trans-femme drag queen and original “super monster” from The Boulet Brothers Dragula, brought old Hollywood glamour to the show as she graciously and emotionally swept across the stage.
Vander’s bedazzled mermaid gown, paired with a towering veil, left the audience with an empowering performance of “Voices Carry” by ’Til Tuesday. Her interactive visuals, alongside her bold physicality, made for a beautiful performance of genuine expression.
After the first three performances, Miss Toto returned to announce a brief intermission, also announcing that attendees could participate in a costume contest hosted by the performers.
Miss Toto started the second round of performances with a bold performance of “Dark Lady” by Cher, filled with numerous theatrics, larger-than-life facial expressions and a powerful stage presence. Her deep violet mermaid gown and glamorous braided crown shaped into a cobweb meshed perfectly with the song and ominous vibe.
After being welcomed back on stage, Specimen Scythe came out in a look similar to a biblically accurate angel. Scythe’s bold choice of “Chokehold” by Sleep Token allowed them to be chaotic as they powerfully pranced in the audience’s faces, with an intriguing use of props and a brightly lit headpiece.
HoSo’s second performance opened with a documentary on the metamorphosis of moths. An abrupt transition brought HoSo on stage as she performed dressed as a moth to “Nobody” by Mitski. This fun song choice allowed HoSo to ‘fly’ in front of the audience, leaving room for her to genuinely enjoy her performance.
To close out the performances, Vander came out for another emotionally-filled performance, but this time to “Talk to Me” by Stevie Nicks. This performance, ranging from subtlety to in-your-face raw emotion, kept the audience engaged as she graciously walked among the crowd.
“The drag performances were amazing, the host amazing, the crowd was amazing,” said Peyton Grase, a senior majoring in design. “This is definitely one of the best Visions and Voices events I have been to.”
After all the performances, Miss Toto introduced the costume contest rules. It allowed attendees to prance on stage before the judges while everyone cheered for them.
From lamps to werewolves, participants enjoyed showing off their costumes. Ultimately, a couple dressed as different generations of Catwoman took the grand prize.
The night ended with Miss Toto’s appreciation of the performers and the audience. She delivered a heartfelt speech reflecting on her experience at USC, reminding attendees to embrace and remember these events as she wished she had them growing up.
With festivities coming to an end, students danced with one another, basking in the spooky ambiance.
