Not your grandma's bingo: Cat's Eye Dirty Bingo rewards nights of self love

Bingo. The word conjures up images of grandma in Fort Lauderdale or Sarasota, blotter in hand, poised vigilantly over three or four numbered cards. Consider, then, Dirty Bingo. And no, it's not what you think.On October 27, the Cat's Eye hosted the second Dirty Bingo event of the
year. It was a night filled with laughter, fun, and of course, the requisite racy sexual innuendo. Although Dirty Bingo is advertised by posters that seem to coat the Vic campus, many students still don't know what it's all about. What is Dirty Bingo? The answer to the burning question lies ahead.

Dirty Bingo is a group of students getting together once a month to play
traditional number-calling bingo, but with a few alterations. The prizes aren't monetary - they're sex toys. More specifically, vibrators, whips, and handcuffs are up for grabs.

The person announcing the numbers is also of a different sort than the normal bingo caller at a typical hall. Shirley, a drag queen, performs at these types of events as a career. Shirley comes ready with a repertoire of vulgar commentary, and tries to pick up every guy who has the good fortune to walk in. She'll call you "sweetie" as you walk in, and then screams "dirty whore!" into her microphone as you turn around.

All of this may sound daunting, but the event was hilarious. If you're the daring sort, there are many chances to showcase your wild side. Shirley has been known to distribute prizes to those who show her their most intimate bits, and yes, some people have bared them in a bid to walk away from the event with something to show for it. The event is decidedly naughty, with the Office of the Dean insisting on a "Warning: Crude Content" label on some advertising. Even so, people have been leaving the event with smiling faces and lasting memories.

Students are welcome to drop in on the event, even if they don't plan on playing the game. You can watch from the sidelines as the faces of the people that win the various prizes display a range of expression, from embarrassed, to a little too excited, both of which are enough to draw a hearty laugh from the crowd. The bottom line: Dirty Bingo delivers what it promises: bingo, sex toys, and a vulgar, colourful drag queen.