At long last, Drag Queen Bingo is making a comeback to the CU Denver campus; and it’s going to be fabulous. Hosted by the Campus Activities Team, Queen Bingo will take over the Tivoli Turnhalle on Thursday, November 13th, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, inviting students to relish an evening filled with music, prizes and other festivities.  

The event will feature Denver’s brightest star, Jessica L’Whor, making her return to campus. Known for her quick wit, stage presence, and dedication to advocating for LGBTQ+ visibility, Jessica has become a standout figure in Denver’s drag community, as well as on social media. With a combined audience of more than 306,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok, she has gained widespread attention for her viral series, Ask a Queen. In the videos, she stands on a street corner beside a handmade sign inviting passersby to ask her anything. Many of the clips have earned millions of views, showcasing her humor, warmth, and commitment to promoting queer visibility in public spaces.  

From questions about makeup to gender identity, her responses blend humor and vulnerability, transforming casual conversations into teachable moments of acceptance and community. Her online presence bridges the gap between performance and activism, making drag feel accessible to audiences who might not experience it firsthand. In a cultural climate where drag is often politicized, Jessica’s approach reminds viewers that visibility itself can be an act of resistance and compassion. 

Joining Jessica L’Whor is Ximena Latinx, a gifted performer, and Denver fan favorite. She’s a Drag Brunch veteran and has graced many stages across Colorado. But her impact extends far beyond the spotlight. Ximena continues to push for greater Latinx representation in queer spaces and uses her artistry as a form of community care. Last year, she taught a six-week “Drag Academy” course at Red Rocks Community College, that offered students a supportive space to explore drag and its history. Her class emphasized the legacy of queer performance as a form of self-expression, protest, and healing. An ethos she continues to carry onstage. 

With both queens bringing their star power to campus, the event aims to foster a space where students can feel seen, celebrated, and connected. In conversation with Ramón Montiel-Garcia, CAT Event Programmer for Culture and Arts, the decision to bring Queen Bingo back was rooted in its importance to the LGBTQ+ community at CU Denver. The event, he shared, is intended to honor queer culture and “welcome in people who are part of that community,” especially those who may be seeking representation or belonging on campus.  

Bringing that vision to life has required months of planning from the Campus Activities Team. The Culture and Arts division of CAT pitched the event this summer and started planning shortly after. The first priority was securing talent. Once Jessica and Ximena were confirmed, the team shifted into full production mode. This consisted of budgeting, booking the venue, contacting vendors, reaching out to sponsors on and off campus for support, and as Montiel-Garcia put it, “lots and lots of emails.” With up to a dozen events planned per semester, it’s all part of the Campus Activities Team’s mission to make student life more meaningful, memorable, and to foster inclusion on campus.  

To bring that experience to life, CAT has several festivities in store for Drag Bingo. The evening will consist of three rounds of bingo, each set to their own Pride-infused playlist. Winners could walk away with curated prizes, including skincare, makeup, or self-care bundles. In true Drag Bingo fashion, Jessica and Ximena will lead the games and perform throughout the evening. Attendees can also enjoy the mocktail bar, bracelet making station, and photo opportunities with the queens. 

Queen Bingo is free and open to all CU Denver students, and each attendee is welcome to bring one guest. Whether you’re a bingo beginner, connoisseur, or someone looking for something fun on a Thursday night, Queen Bingo is ready to welcome you in, glitter and all.