Despite the lack of singing, there was no shortage of talent at Colgate University’s second annual Lip Sync Battle on Oct. 26. The event occurred in the Edge Cafe with a lively audience in attendance. The overall welcoming atmosphere contributed to students’ confident performances, who each competed for prizes including a $100 reward.
Students sought to improve the event this year, creating a space for people to shine. Junior Langh Guite, one of the event’s organizers this year, performed in the event both this year and last year. He described how he first got involved as a performer last year.
“Like everyone else, we were reluctant until the week before, when we realized that it’s a free $100,” Guite said.
Even though the prizes incentivized him to ultimately participate, Guite described how he interpreted the format of the show this year.
“I interpreted it as RuPaul’s Drag Race. It’s always been like that for me, where it’s been like this extravagant gay thing,” Guite said.
The experience, both this year and last year, has allowed Guite to explore ways to express himself in new, empowering ways.
“It was my first time doing all of that stuff, such as wearing makeup or wearing more feminine clothes or portraying a female singer,” Guite said.
Guite noted how the environment during the event supported performers like himself.
“It was just a space for other gay or queer bodies to explore other gender stereotypes or norms and not be judged. The community here felt very open,” Guite said.
Sophomore Angel Gonzalez, another one of the event’s organizers this year, agreed with Guite on the welcomeness of the community. Gonzalez and Guite performed together both years and won last year. Gonzalez specifically addressed finding a sense of belonging in the Colgate community that the event helps foster.
“It’s needed, in my opinion, when it comes to a certain community feeling like they don’t belong in this place,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez further explained how the event helped to uplift the LGBTQ community on campus.
“The LGBTQ community is really small here, so having these kinds of events just proves to other people and to us that we can still belong here. We can still have a purpose here,” Gonzalez said.
Going forward, the organizers ultimately hope to work on advertising for such an event that holds meaning to them.
This year, there were a total of six performances and three winners.
First-year Andres Carvajal Sanchez performed in the show this year and won first place. He discussed the extent to which he prepared for the event. He discussed what it takes to get up on the stage.
“I think it’s definitely the ability to demonstrate that you’re confident with yourself. A lot of people have a lot of talent, but fears can often lead us to steer away from those opportunities. It is just one step forward on my journey to be confident and be myself,” Carvajal Sanchez said.
Carvajal Sanchez also noted that the organizers would like to focus more on advertising the event next year. Gonzalez agreed, explaining the marketing process for this event this year.
“When we were trying to advertise it [in] the time that we’ve been here, we’ve been a little bit shy because not everyone is going to support what we do. So it was kind of hard to open up about our vision,” Gonzalez said.
The event made a positive impact on performers and attendees alike. It created a safe space for students to express themselves and find a place within the greater campus community.
“Whether I get judged or not, I know that I have those people looking at me and cheering me on, making me feel more confident. They make others feel more confident with themselves,” Gonzalez said.
