Fundraising usually involves eating or exercising. Rarely does it involve cross-dressing, yet the royalty of Massachusetts will say otherwise. It’s not the Kennedys being referred to but the Imperial Court of Massachusetts. The Boston Area Gay and Lesbian Youth Center benefited from the attention they garnered during the Queer Student Union-sponsored charity drag show on April 28. With both male and female impersonators to entertain the UMB community, students watched lip-synching and dancing from the grass of McCormack Plaza.

Marquessa Eve Adams opened the event and Grand Duchess Stephanie Edwards continued with a somewhat uninspired, hip-shaking faux belly dance. It was the self-titled, “platinum bombshell of wine, roses, and romance,” Empress Wilma Von Shwink, who grabbed the crowd’s attention, declaring, “We put the ‘fun’ in fundraising.”

Viewers who enjoyed themselves even the slightest were invited to drop a dollar into the collection plate. “We will climb over tables and people to get to you. We will get to you,” promised Von Shwink.

The court’s website says, “What makes the Imperial Court different from other fundraising organizations? In the Court it doesn’t matter who you are, but who you want to be. No matter your gender, gender identity, or sexuality, there is a place in the Imperial Court for you. The most important thing we do is finding new and creative ways to give back to our communities.”

The nobles of the Imperial Court are awarded camp titles by their Monarchs. Within the Imperial Court of Massachusetts, the Monarchs are elected to one-year terms by the membership. The post comes with the long train of titles after their names, which can be difficult to keep track of.

A mixture of the bawdy and the bold, portly Imperial Prince Consort came out in a red satin shirt lip-synching, “I’m thinking nasty thoughts/but I’m no sinner/Mmm, baby you smell like dinner.” As he pranced and strutted, the Prince unwrapped a muffin and began to eat it, the analogy not lost on a laughing crowd.

Von Shwink paid tribute to “unsung heroes” she called drag kings, Grand Duke Drake Blackstone came out dressed up in a medieval costume toting a plastic rose which he gallantly offered to audience members during his performance. Complete with cape and crest emblazoned on his chest, he danced around, finishing his routine with a flourish and a bow.

Altogether, the Imperial Court of Massachusetts managed to raise roughly $635. For more information about the performers visit www.impcourt.com.