Cincinnati orgs to hold a drag Purim celebration

Purim was already pretty gay.

The Jewish holiday – celebrating the survival of the Jewish people from Persian rule in the 5th century BC – features costumes, masquerading, songs and fancy finger foods.

But this year, one Ohio celebration is taking that LGBTQ-friendly Purim baseline and kicking things up several notches.

On Friday, March 3, those in the Cincinnati area will be able to take part in “Glitter, Groggers, and Glam: A drag Purim spiel.”

The celebration is a partnership between elech (“Cincinnati’s queer Jew-ish community”), Greater Cincinnati HRC, TreeHouse Cincinnati, ish (a Cincinnati-based community engagement organization centering  Jewish arts and cultural traditions), Reflect Cincy (a project of the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati) and Urban Artifact (a local brewery).

Some info from the organizers:

• A Purim spiel is the theatrical retelling of the Book of Esther that many organization’s show or read every year. When you hear the name Haman, you shout and “BOO” loudly and make lots of noise using the groggers (noisemakers).
• You do not have to be Jewish to attend.
• You do not have to be queer to attend, though please be mindful of intentionally creating a safe and validating space for queer people to practice jewishly, together.
• There will be a costume contest, photo booth and more hamantaschen (traditional Purim pastries) than you could possibly stomach.

Ignite Action

• “Glitter, Groggers and Glam” will be held on Friday, March 3 from 8-10pm at Urban Artifact (1660 Blue Rock St Cincinnati, OH 45223). Please go HERE to RSVP.