Best in Drag Show
A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (September 2017) |
Best In Drag Show | |
---|---|
Status | Active |
Genre | Fundraising event |
Frequency | Annually |
Venue | Orpheum Theatre |
Location(s) | Los Angeles |
Country | USA |
Years active | 1989- |
Inaugurated | 1989 |
Founder | Alexis Pittman |
Activity | Drag show |
People | Kathy Griffin, Melanie Griffith, Vanessa Williams |
Best In Drag Show is an annual fundraising event in
History
The
Supporters
Numerous and notable celebrities have supported the show over the years, volunteering as pageant judges and donating money. Many return year after year. Best In Drag Show celebrity supporters (and from the prior two versions of the fundraiser) have included Jason Alexander, Loni Anderson, Garcelle Beauvais, Rachel Bilson, Sarah Chalke, Melinda Clarke, Kim Coles, Jennifer Coolidge, Marcia Cross, Jon Cryer, Eric Dane, Jeffrey Drew, Anna Faris, Peter Gallagher, Rebecca Gayheart, Sara Gilbert, Kathy Griffin, Linda Hamilton, Perez Hilton, Dot-Marie Jones, Chris Kattan, Kathy Kinney, Lori Loughlin, Jane Lynch, Camryn Manheim, Jayma Mays, Maria Menounos, Niecy Nash, Mary-Louise Parker, Chris Pratt, John C. Reilly, Debbie Reynolds, Caroline Rhea, Kelly Rowan, Katey Sagal, Molly Shannon, Charlie Sheen, Martin Sheen, Tori Spelling, Nicole Sullivan, Holland Taylor (Aid For AIDS Honorary Board Member), Jennifer Tilly, Judy Tenuta, James Van Der Beek, Dita Von Teese, and Jo Anne Worley.[3][4][5] Aid For AIDS major supporters Charlie Sheen and Kathy Griffin (Griffin began opening the fundraiser as hostess in 2003) were honored with AFA Silver Anniversary Angel Awards at the nonprofit's 25th anniversary in 2009.[6] Award-winning casting director Patrick Rush,[7] who served as the fundraiser's Master of Ceremonies for 18 years, is an ongoing producer of Best In Drag Show and was a member of the volunteer team producing Battle For the Tiara since its first year.[8] Aid For AIDS recognized his long-standing support in 2009 by establishing a scholarship, the Patrick R. Service Award, in his honor.[6][9] Rush, an Aid For AIDS nominee, was honored by The City of West Hollywood[10] with the Paul Andrew Starke Warrior Award in 2005, presented on World AIDS Day to outstanding members of the community working in HIV/AIDS services. Other Best In Drag Show supporters nominated by Aid For AIDS who received this award are Tom Pardoe (in 2007), producer, director and choreographer 2003-2010, and Jeffrey Drew (in 2008), long-time show collaborator and star performer. Drew became director and choreographer in 2011.[3]
Awards
The Best In Drag Show volunteers were honored in 2010 by Christopher Street West (CSW) with the CSW Special Community Award. CSW annually produces the Los Angeles LGBT Pride Festival and Parade (LA Pride).[11]
References
- ^ Mendoza, Laura Alicia. "Non-Profits Merge: The Serra Project." Los Angeles Business Journal. March 30, 2009. "[1][dead link]". Retrieved November 24, 2009.
- ^ Kelley, Shannon. "Visions of L.A. in the Age of AIDS - Battle for the Tiara." KCET Online."[2] Archived November 6, 2009, at the Wayback Machine". Retrieved April 27, 2010.
- ^ a b c Aid For AIDS website www.aidforaids.net/index1.html""Aid for AIDS". Archived from the original on November 4, 2010. Retrieved October 29, 2010."
- ^ WeHo News staff. Best In Drag Show 2009. WeHoNews online. October 22, 2009.""Archived copy". Archived from the original on October 29, 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-05.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)". Retrieved November 30, 2009. - ^ AFA Celebrity Fundraising Support""Archived copy". Archived from the original on October 9, 2011. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)" - ^ a b AFA 25th Silver Anniversary Reception and Award Presentation - November 5, 2009""Aid for AIDS". Archived from the original on October 28, 2010. Retrieved 2010-10-17."
- ^ IMDb online. Patrick J. Rush"[3]"
- here! TV network online - Straight Girl in a Queer World #41 Patrick Rush hosts AID for AIDS' "Best in Drag Show"[4] Archived November 23, 2010, at the Wayback Machine"
- ^ The Patrick R. Service Award"[5]"
- ^ Aid For AIDS is partnered with The City of West Hollywood for the West Hollywood Memorial Walk and was headquartered in West Hollywood for more than 25 years. The non-profit continues to maintain a client service office there. "Aid for AIDS". Archived from the original on November 4, 2010. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
- ^ "LA Pride honorees". Lapride.org. October 5, 2009. Archived from the original on July 15, 2010. Retrieved December 4, 2013.