Drag performers graced the stage with an assortment of glitter, bright make-up, high heels and colourful wigs. The crowd roared in excitement with every song preformed, and every beautiful dance number.

The night was full of laughter and games at The Great Canadian Cabin on Friday, March 4, when Algonquin’s event management class held ‘Drag for a Wish’. The night was all in the name of raising money for the Children’s Wish Foundation, with casino games in the back and a silent auction.

Loresa Novy, one of the event coordinators and event management students, spoke before the venue, and had great hopes.

“I don’t think a drag show has ever been done between the partnership with the event management program and Children’s Wish.”

Positive feedback from the professor and the community had fuelled the event, and sufficient planning and preparation went into the evening. The goal of the night is to raise as much money as possible for the charity.

“We really just want to do the best we can, I don’t really want to put a dollar amount on it,” Novy said.

Novy and her teammates were at the Cabin early to transform the market bar into a Las Vegas palace, and the space looked fantastic. A casino was hidden in the back room, the red carpet was set out, and the tables decorated with Vegas-themed crafts. An Algonquin favourite from Dirty Bingo, Zelda Marshall was greeting guests at the door, preparing them for a night of spectacular show.

The evening’s host, Alex Lewis introduced the acts. “They were looking for someone as an MC that’s, you know, well versed, intelligent, off the cuff. Unfortunately that person couldn’t show up so they found the loudest gay guy they could,” Lewis said.

Lewis kept the lively crowd happy, entertaining audience members throughout the evening.

“It’s a very joyous crowd,” he said, “And on top of that, these are individuals within the community that are just really exemplifying how important this organization is to the community at large. And they’re really showing their dedication by coming out tonight.”

Barbara Clarke, a professor at Algonquin’s Pembroke campus, started off the performance with great jazz numbers. Clarke both sang and played the trombone while more people piled in through the door.

Ottawa’s drag community put on quite a show for the audience, with performances from Krystal Caring, Cléo Longaria, Darius Crown, Sapphire Champaign, Sydney Channel, and Miss Capital Pride Jade London.

Members from the Children’s Wish foundation board of directors were there to show their support for the event management students.

“As a member of the board, we go to all the events to show our support because the Algonquin partnership that we have is very important to us,” Ian Smith said. The event drew in a large crowd of people from the city and college.

“I’m interested to see the number of people that are in the room and how people are accepting this as a really cool event,” Smith said.

Throughout the night, money was raised through playing blackjack and roulette with fake money, through buying gifts like pictures and gift cards, and even Algonquin College’s bartending student were selling non-alcoholic drinks.