Third time’s the charm: My time to shine

By: Lio Salazar, Features Contributor

On March 30, 2025, Unity held its third annual drag show on campus,“Drag Me To Brunch,” this show differed from its two predecessors by hosting the event as a brunch in Regis. The two drag shows prior, “Life Is A Drag” and “Don’t Drag Your Heels!” were held in Montante. These shows featured big personalities and big names like local drag king Freddie Hercury and queens Tara Bishop and Willa DeWhisp, with contestants from the reality competition ’RuPaul’s Drag Race,’ Mrs. Kasha Davis, Tatianna and Nina West. 

This year’s “Drag Me To Brunch” boasted a cast of entirely local performers, and was hosted by two Canisius alumni. Performers for this brunch included kings Rocky Switch and Lookie Lou, and queens Maxxi Padd and Thea Dupixie. Now if the name “Thea Dupixie” rings familiar, that’s because that’s my name in drag! 

Let me tell you: I am nothing short of proud of how far Unity has come, how much they have executed and overall the trail they have pioneered in the last few years. I had the privilege of being president of Unity from 2022-23. After years of executive boards trying to make the case for Unity to host a drag show and being met with opposition, I was filled with ecstatic joy and pride when Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Harold Fields came to WC 009 and told us of the show’s approval. We kept our cool in the presence of the VP, but did in fact do laps around the clubroom in celebration: we’d done it. I immediately called my presidential predecessor, Karen Jesch ‘22, to tell her that “We did it, Joe. We did it,” and “Life Is A Drag” took the stage in Montante on April 21, 2023. We were surrounded by Canisius students, faculty, past Unity members who were not able to see a drag show during their time at Canisius and even three past presidents who all thanked my executive board and me for finally . 

When I turned 21, some friends of mine convinced me to start doing drag in Buffalo, which I hesitantly started. Four months after starting (and a few shows downtown), I helped the 2023-24 E-Board get their drag show off the ground for a successful second show, with performances from three Canisius alumni - Freddie Hercury, Damsel ‘N Disdress and Neleh Slay.

It’s been over a year since I started performing in drag as Thea Dupixie, and it all came into a culmination this past weekend when I was able to perform in Unity’s brunch. Being the president of the club that was able to get the drag show off the ground running, I’ve shed probably three rounds of tears about how insanely proud I am to have been privileged to see this show blossom. Seeing Unity flourish and overall the Canisius community and the Buffalo drag community intertwine a little bit more has been so fulfilling. Being a part of the show with my drag mother, Neleh, and my “brudder from anudder mudder,” Uriel Dad, “Drag Me To Brunch” really swept me for a whirlwind of emotions to see my two worlds come together in a beautiful and powerful show. From Maxxi Padd’s three death drops in a row, to a number of “my kids” screaming with joy to finally see their “mother” perform in drag and an executive board who was beyond prepared to keep this legacy going, this show cemented itself in the timeline as part of Unity’s importance at Canisius.

There aren’t many other words that I, the sophomore who started it and the senior who got to be in it, can say about this show other than: support local drag and support your local queer community. No matter who you are, it doesn’t take much to recognize how much time, dedication, work, physicality and charisma it takes to be a drag performer. It doesn't take much to realise that queer rights are being threatened to be silenced. It shouldn’t take much to stand with your local queer community when they are struck with adversity. Educating yourself, advocating for others and supporting everyone is all that the queer community asks for, is everything that Unity stands for, and I am so glad I have gotten the ability to see through once again. 

Always and forever, your favorite fairy’s favorite fairy