Mx. Chambana Pageant
Saturday, September 9th
4pm
This year's program includes a buffet dinner!
City View Ballroom - 45 E University Ave, Champaign, IL 61820
Official Mx. Chambana After Party: Quality
110 N Neil St, Champaign, IL 61820
Pageant Owner: Peach of the Midwest Carrington
Hosted By: Anita Mann
Featuring: DJ Slim, Diva Deparis, Andy Lewis, Teresa Holliday and more to come!
Now featuring EXTRA SPECIAL GUEST JUDGES for the Q&A Round:
AUDIENCE TICKETS
GA: $15, Seating is first come, first served, includes buffet
VIP: $30, Reserved table seating, skip the GA line entry, includes buffet
Buffet menu:
-Pesto Goat Cheese Crostini with Balsamic Pearl Onions and Edible Flowers- Vegetarian
-Waffle Fry Burger Bites- Gluten Free
-Peking Duck Spring Rolls with Orange Sauce
-Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Shrimp with Lime Creama - Gluten Free
-Honey Cider Chicken Kebabs with Creamy Mustard Dip- Gluten Free
-Fruitcuterie Board- Vegan and Gluten Free
-Rainbow Crostini Display-Vegetarian
-Rainbow Hummus Display-Parts are Vegan, Vegetarian and Gluten Free
-Greek Pita Nacho Board- Vegetarian
-White Cheddar Stuffed Mushrooms- Vegetarian and Gluten Free
-BBQ Pork Bao Buns with Sweet Chili Sauce
-Mini Rainbow Cheesecakes-Vegetarian
-Rainbow Sugar Cookies-Vegetarian
GA: $15, Seating is first come, first served, includes buffet
VIP: $30, Reserved table seating, skip the GA line entry, includes buffet
Buffet menu:
-Pesto Goat Cheese Crostini with Balsamic Pearl Onions and Edible Flowers- Vegetarian
-Waffle Fry Burger Bites- Gluten Free
-Peking Duck Spring Rolls with Orange Sauce
-Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Shrimp with Lime Creama - Gluten Free
-Honey Cider Chicken Kebabs with Creamy Mustard Dip- Gluten Free
-Fruitcuterie Board- Vegan and Gluten Free
-Rainbow Crostini Display-Vegetarian
-Rainbow Hummus Display-Parts are Vegan, Vegetarian and Gluten Free
-Greek Pita Nacho Board- Vegetarian
-White Cheddar Stuffed Mushrooms- Vegetarian and Gluten Free
-BBQ Pork Bao Buns with Sweet Chili Sauce
-Mini Rainbow Cheesecakes-Vegetarian
-Rainbow Sugar Cookies-Vegetarian
Scroll down to get your tickets before they're gone!
What even is a drag pageant and why is it important?
For those who are new to this world, the art of drag has been around a long time. A loooong time. It’s been documented as at least hundreds of years old and the history is far too robust to fully document in a few words on a webpage. But throughout this history, the concept of pageantry and presentation has always been part of the drag world. Those interested in digging in deeply should spend time learning about Ball Culture and the importance this has played in queer culture, and especially in BIPOC queer culture. This article in Rolling Stone written by Lester Fabian Brathwaite is a good beginning (but just the very, very beginning of such deep learning!).
There is also a rich history of what we think of as the traditional pageant experience since at least the 1960’s. People may be familiar with large scale pageants like Miss Gay America, Miss Continental, National Entertainer of the Year, and so many, many more.
It is this history of early drag, Ball Culture, and the more formalized and regimented pageants that gave birth to widely consumed modern media like RuPaul’s Drag Race and Pose. If you’ve enjoyed any of that, you have this rich culture and history to thank!
As for what to expect if you come to ours: drag performers will compete in a series of rounds in an effort to show off their best selves and convince a panel of judges why they should represent the Champaign-Urbana community for the next year. If they win, they will perform, attend community events, and advocate for our local LGBTQ+ community in a place of honor. (You’ll also get to enjoy performances and a delicious buffet at our event!)
Why does this matter?
While attacks, bigotry, violence, and trying to legislate us out of existence is hardly new for the LGBTQ+ community, the current wave is taking special aim at the art form of drag. And it is with this in mind that programs like our Mx. Chambana Pageant become even more important to produce, promote, celebrate, and support. We need to be VISIBLY on the side of inclusion, diversity, art, expression, safety, community, and love!
This is just one of many reasons why Uniting Pride is honored to partner with Peach of the Midwest to bring this program into our community. Thank you to all those who compete! Thank you to all those who buy tickets and cheer the contestants on! Thank you to the volunteers and sponsors who make this program possible! And thank you to Champaign-Urbana for being a place that welcomes and supports our LGBTQ+ community and the incredible and important art form of drag!
For those who are new to this world, the art of drag has been around a long time. A loooong time. It’s been documented as at least hundreds of years old and the history is far too robust to fully document in a few words on a webpage. But throughout this history, the concept of pageantry and presentation has always been part of the drag world. Those interested in digging in deeply should spend time learning about Ball Culture and the importance this has played in queer culture, and especially in BIPOC queer culture. This article in Rolling Stone written by Lester Fabian Brathwaite is a good beginning (but just the very, very beginning of such deep learning!).
There is also a rich history of what we think of as the traditional pageant experience since at least the 1960’s. People may be familiar with large scale pageants like Miss Gay America, Miss Continental, National Entertainer of the Year, and so many, many more.
It is this history of early drag, Ball Culture, and the more formalized and regimented pageants that gave birth to widely consumed modern media like RuPaul’s Drag Race and Pose. If you’ve enjoyed any of that, you have this rich culture and history to thank!
As for what to expect if you come to ours: drag performers will compete in a series of rounds in an effort to show off their best selves and convince a panel of judges why they should represent the Champaign-Urbana community for the next year. If they win, they will perform, attend community events, and advocate for our local LGBTQ+ community in a place of honor. (You’ll also get to enjoy performances and a delicious buffet at our event!)
Why does this matter?
While attacks, bigotry, violence, and trying to legislate us out of existence is hardly new for the LGBTQ+ community, the current wave is taking special aim at the art form of drag. And it is with this in mind that programs like our Mx. Chambana Pageant become even more important to produce, promote, celebrate, and support. We need to be VISIBLY on the side of inclusion, diversity, art, expression, safety, community, and love!
This is just one of many reasons why Uniting Pride is honored to partner with Peach of the Midwest to bring this program into our community. Thank you to all those who compete! Thank you to all those who buy tickets and cheer the contestants on! Thank you to the volunteers and sponsors who make this program possible! And thank you to Champaign-Urbana for being a place that welcomes and supports our LGBTQ+ community and the incredible and important art form of drag!
PROSPECTIVE CONTESTANTS
Do you have what it takes to be the FACE of Mx. Chambana Pride 2023-2024? This is an all inclusive drag pageant so YES men, women, non-binary, trans, and all or none of the above are welcome to enter.
This year we have 2 divisions! Mx. Chambana (19-39 years old) and Mx. Chambana Supreme (40+ years old)
Theme for presentation will be "Pride Eleganza": show off your pride in yourself, your identity, your community, or whatever means the most to you in a truly elegant way!
Categories include: Presentation, Formalwear, Q&A, and Talent.
The winners will be honored in the CU Pride Parade on Sat Sept 30th (steps off at 2:30pm) and will perform in the Drag Extravanganza show starring LaLa Ri that night, so you must be available for these two events to compete. In addition, the winners will receive cash prizes ($200 for Mx. Chambana and $300 for Supreme), plaque, crown and sash, and 2 guaranteed bookings. There are only 6 spots available in each division so sign up right away if you want to compete!
Do you have what it takes to be the FACE of Mx. Chambana Pride 2023-2024? This is an all inclusive drag pageant so YES men, women, non-binary, trans, and all or none of the above are welcome to enter.
This year we have 2 divisions! Mx. Chambana (19-39 years old) and Mx. Chambana Supreme (40+ years old)
Theme for presentation will be "Pride Eleganza": show off your pride in yourself, your identity, your community, or whatever means the most to you in a truly elegant way!
Categories include: Presentation, Formalwear, Q&A, and Talent.
The winners will be honored in the CU Pride Parade on Sat Sept 30th (steps off at 2:30pm) and will perform in the Drag Extravanganza show starring LaLa Ri that night, so you must be available for these two events to compete. In addition, the winners will receive cash prizes ($200 for Mx. Chambana and $300 for Supreme), plaque, crown and sash, and 2 guaranteed bookings. There are only 6 spots available in each division so sign up right away if you want to compete!