Full glam, colorful dresses, fake beards, and a unique sense of liberty: this is Adams Drag Night, the signature annual event of Adams House. Every year, Adams House transforms into a place where creativity flows everywhere, gender limits dissolve, and everyone expresses themselves freely without fear of judgment.
On Nov. 15, the tradition returned. Student performers, professional drag queens, and a packed crowd in the Adams Oaktel united to deliver the most magical night of the year. The atmosphere at the event was vibrant, and the vibe was a unique feeling of freedom, showcasing drag performances where nearly everyone, even the spectators, was dressed in drag.
In the 1980s, before housing assignments became randomized, Adams House was home to many students of color and queer students on campus. A crucial moment in the history of Adams House occurred when a gay student, an Adams House resident, was attacked by another student on campus. Enraged, the Adams House community felt the drive to fight back against hate and came together to throw a drag ball, supporting their queer peers and protesting the hatred.
“The drag night has a particular meaning to many of us: the rights of the queer community that have been fought for and won by drag queens and trans people throughout their history,” said a drag version of John and Abigail Adams to the audience at the beginning of the event while explaining the importance of this event for the queer community at Harvard. Then they introduced the presenters for the night: Gigi Glam and Kori King, professional drag queens who delivered energetic and stunning performances throughout the event.
The night was filled with exciting acts from both students and professional drag queens. Amazed and delighted by each unique display, the audience brought incredible energy. One performance saw a drag Wonder Woman as the protagonist, appearing from the back of the room and dancing her way to the stage to the sound of “Man! I Feel Like a Woman” by Shania Twain. The crowd cheered and went crazy at every move. Then, a duo dressed as the Fairly Oddparents appeared on the stage with colorful makeup, high heels, and well-produced outfits to sensually dance to the rhythm of “Promiscuous” by Nelly Furtado and Timbaland. The dance was provocative and fun, and the crowd cheered and gasped at the performance.
Another performance of the night was delivered by two seniors, Victor Arruda ’25 and Camilo Vasconcelos ’25, who both dressed as Charli XCX with full drag makeup. They started dancing to the rhythm of “Girl So Confusing” followed by a music shift mid-performance to add what they called “some Brazilian flavor,” and “Movimento da Sinfonia” by Anitta started playing.
“It’s a really fun and great opportunity for people to express themselves and just have fun among friends,” said Arruda. “I’m really glad that I got to be part of this before the end of my senior year. If I could, I’d do it again.”
Arruda also emphasized the inclusive spirit of the event. “Drag is for everybody. Regardless of your sexuality, regardless of your gender identity, come express yourself—it’s fun!” For Vasconcelos, Drag Night offered a feeling of liberation. “It’s great to be in spaces where you can be celebrated and do whatever you like. Express yourself; it’s always worth it.”
For many, drag is more than just a performance—it’s an art form and a source of pure happiness. As Kori King expressed, “Drag is an art form, and whatever you want to portray. It’s a great way to express that.”
Gigi Glam, her partner in crime, sees drag as transformative. “When you get in drag, there’s this feeling of pure happiness that I don’t think you can feel in any other thing that you can do.”
Gigi’s message to everyone? “Perform and have fun, life is about having fun.”
Adams Drag Night this year continued to be not just a space for resistance, but also a vibrant celebration of creativity and freedom. From its origins in protest to its evolution into a joyful expression of individuality, the event remains a cherished tradition where participants can fully embrace their true selves.
Frida López ’27 (fridalopezbravo@college.harvard.edu) is trying to convince her friends to perform with her at the Adams Drag Night next year.