Tulane Dining proves college is no drag with queens in The Common

Mocktails flowed as Tulane University students experienced a New Orleans Drag Brunch at The Commons, hosted by Tulane Dining by Sodexo.

New Orleans has a very rich drag culture which can be traced back to the 1930s.

“Drag brunch is a very popular event here in the city, but it is often hard to secure reservations or sometimes it may not be affordable for a student,” said Michael Fulkerson, marketing and communications director for Tulane University Dining Services by Sodexo. “We wanted students to experience a drag brunch for themselves right here on campus while enjoying local drag culture with three very talented and unique local drag queens.”

The three featured drag queens were Debbie with a ‘D’, Franky, and Laveau Contraire who performed two songs each and one rousing final number as a group. They engaged students and danced all around the dining hall, jumping onto tables and landing splits on the floor.

“Many drag fans and performers would agree that ‘drag’ is more than simply the act of putting on ‘drag’,” said Fulkerson. “It’s a culmination of many different facets coming together into works of art and culture.”

The extensive brunch menu included traditional brunch items - pancakes, eggs, omelets, fruit, oatmeal, sausage, hash browns, grits - and a mocktail bar.

The mocktail bar served a selection of fresh fruit juices with “mixers” (sparkling water and lime sparkling water) along with an array of colorful fresh fruit. Mock Bloody Marys were also available with classic garnishes like pickled okra, pickles, celery, olives, and hot sauce.

“The Drag Brunch was a great way to spend a Saturday morning and learn what’s happening on campus due to the funny infomercials between songs,” said Tulane student Alix Weiss, Class of 2022.

Raffle pulls provided opportunities to win books featuring Drag and Drag Brunch recipes, $100 in dining dollars and a grand prize of 2 tickets to a VIP meet and greet and drag show featuring national drag superstar, Trixie Mattel. Giveaways included candy, stickers, and branded fans.

“Tulane University Dining Services by Sodexo is fully committed to diversity by fostering an inclusive culture here at Tulane University where our employees, as well as Tulane students, faculty and staff, feel valued and respected as individuals,” said Fulkerson. “The same can be said for any of our events. It's about empowering people by respecting and appreciating what makes them different, in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, education, and national origin.”

Tulane student Taylor Sinett, Class of 2022 said, “The Drag Brunch was so much fun! I loved the fun mocktail bar and swag.”

PHOTO CREDIT: Randy Krause Schmidt Photography

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Editorial Contact: Jennifer Toone Corrigan, In Toone Communication, 401-258-8830, jtoone@intoone.com