As the lights dimmed in Davis Auditorium, a deep voice carried through the crowd.

“Good evening University of Denver,” the vibrato boomed.

From right stage, a fire-red mass of delicately styled hair became visible to the audience. The hair, supported by a stalky figure in a shimmering black dress, centered itself in front of the crowd and continued: “Welcome to the seventh annual Drag Queen Fashion Show.”

The woman continued the introduction of the show Friday night by introducing the first performer. A blonde named Danielle took the stage in a red evening gown, adorned with a glaring diamond necklace visible from the back of the auditorium.

Danielle strutted across the stage, and began her passionate lip-syncing of “True Love, You Can’t Buy It.” Utilizing the microphone that was strategically placed onstage and her quadriceps-bearing slit in her dress as tools, she managed to set the event’s mood.

Following the initial performance, a lighting problem slightly interrupted the show. “We’re having testicle difficulties,” lisped Danielle, the host of the program, after changing from her gown to designer jeans and a revealing airy blouse.

After a roar from the crowd in response to the comment, the event continued. Another professional drag queen took the stage in floor-length gold cape, and danced energetically to a remix of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You.” She bounced through the clapping crowd, mounting the auditorium’s staircase in stilettos.

When the song commenced, the first DU drag queen Justine St. Claire took the stage. Accompanied by three female dancers, St. Claire, or Carlos Arellano as he is usually referred to, mouthed “Your Disco Needs You” while seductively dancing synchronized moves.

Donning a black miniskirt and a black and white striped cropped top, the blonde St. Claire demonstrated his talents with the upbeat song.

At one point during the performance, St. Claire exposed the tops of his black hose to the audience when imitating a specific Madonna dance move involving passionate gyrations with the wooden stage floor.

St. Claire and his backup dancers sporting black cat masks then can-canned, and ended the act by tossing handfuls of glitter and raising a black “DISCO” sign above St. Claire’s ending pose.

Following St. Claire, another professional drag queen entertained the crowd with a dance number in an elaborate costume. She stripped off her black layered dress at the beginning of the act to reveal a metallic blue leotard, filled with cut outs. She proceeded to perform an acrobatic routine, including a back handspring, wearing heels.

DU student Jeff Holdz then took the stage resembling a skater girl in a Ramones tee shirt, a striped mini skirt, and Converse tennis shoes. Lip syncing to Avril Lavigne’s “Complicated,” Holdz, who used the alias Stella Stratavarius for the occasion, bounded down the stairs of the stage and pranced through the crowd.

Throughout the performance, Stratavarius flashed his upper thigh numerous times, amongst jumps and kicks to his music of choice.

Following Stratavarius’ routine, the host Danielle chose to comment on his female figure. “You get an A+ for your tits girl,” she said. “They’re perfectly balanced. I’m jealous.”

Then two more professional drag queens performed. One chose a mouthed rendition of Marilyn Monroe’s “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend,” and the other, dressed as country singer Winona, performed two of the artist’s hits.

DU student Josh Peralta then strutted on stage as Luscious Wang. Dancing with a male partner to “Lap Dance” by N.E.R.D, Wang shocked many audience members with the brevity of his dance moves. The crowd shrieked in numerous instances during Wang’s time on stage.

Dressed in fishnet tights, a black mini skirt, buckled black boots, and a red top exposing a strappy black bra, the black haired Wang chose to use a folding chair for a portion of his drag routine.

Two more professional drag queens followed Wang’s act, followed by Mimi Morningside Love, or Castel Valere, as he is generally known. Love performed to Whitney Houston’s “I’m Every Woman.”

Femininely shaking his hips, Love danced wearing a short Houston-resembling wig and a black evening gown with straps. His exposed biceps tugged on an audience member’s tie at one point during the performance, and throughout the act, Love shimmied whenever he deemed appropriate.

Another professional dancer took the stage wearing a thong leotard and leather biker jacket, mouthing the words to “Turn Back Time” by Cher.

The final DU drag queens followed the Cher performance in a duo. A blonde wearing a plaid miniskirt and tied white shirt entered the stage alone, and mouthed the opening verse to “Reflection” by Christina Aguilera.

The opening sound effects to “Dirrty” by Aguilera interrupted the slow serenade by the initial performer, and a leather chaps-clad blonde stormed on to the stage, carrying with him a whip. The two, named Cocao Bannoc and Chesty La Rue for the performance, then broke out a synchronized dance.

Through a series of highly sexual dance moves, DU students Joel Burrage and Todd Martinez gained the attention of the crowd, and ended their segment together in pose insinuating a passionate kiss, though their blonde wigs hid the actual act.

“I thought they planned it out well,” said audience member Michelle Janacek, a DU student. “And the choreography was hilarious.”

Two more drag acts followed the last performance by the students. A raffle for the audience took place after the final act, giving away various DU apparel, including a scarf, a sweatshirt and a couple of tee shirts.

The auction allowed for the performers to prepare before taking the stage for the final time. The DU drag queens were introduced once more time to the loud applause of the audience, and were then voted on based on the crowd’s appeal.

Strong applause distinguished the evening’s winners as Bannoc and La Rue, who in turn were handed a bouquet of flowers, and the request for an encore presentation.

The males then re-performed their act, and with their final bow, the event came to a close.

Sponsored by the DUPB in correlation with the professional drag queens, the fashion show raised money for to benefit the Rainbow House, an organization that works to prevent domestic violence. This was the seventh year for the show and it was a success.

“The show was very entertaining. It mixed well between professionals and DU students,” said Janacek. “It was definitely shocking, but I was amazed.”