Rocky Horror Valentine
By Lily Hodgson, Editor-in-Chief
On February 23rd, 2024 at 9pm, Brandon Pride hosted their annual showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. The "Rocky Horror Valentine" tradition has been going on in Brandon since 2011, and it's clear that this event is still going strong thirteen years later. A large crowd of sequin-ed, fishnet-ed, and costumed viewers gathered in the Evans Theatre to take in the show. There were free snacks and drinks and tons of prizes to be won (donated by Smitten). "Survival Kits" were available for $10 apiece, containing everything viewers needed to interact with the film. It was my first time attending this event and I would definitely recommend the survival kits for "virgins," as mine really added to my enjoyment! Throughout the movie, the crowd got sprayed with water-guns, covered with confetti and rice, and blew bubbles and noise-blowers. Singing, dancing, and laughter filled the room, along with frequent shouts of "Asshole!" and "Slut!" when certain characters were shown on-screen. It was messy, silly, and a ton of fun. To top it all off, there was both a costume contest and a lip-sync contest that only added to the interactive nature of the show. If you've been considering attending, I would definitely recommend it - it is truly an experience like no other. The 2SLGBTQ+ joy in the room was palpable and contagious, and when I left the theatre after midnight I was filled with an unshakeable feeling of happiness. I will absolutely be there next year (potentially in costume?) and I encourage everyone reading to attend as well!