Coronation XXV
I thought I'd start here with details regarding my reign as Empress XXV of the Imperial Court of Nebraska. The road here has been long and at times bumpy, but well worth it. I met a lot of fabulous people over the weekend and hope to continue building on the relationships that were created.
HGRA Benefit Show
As only a true entertainer can do, I performed at an HGRA Benefit Show hosted by the one and only Ammie Zahn with only a few days notice. The show was filled with a lot of great local entertainment, including a first time performance by then PR candidates Thomas and Jennifer Jett doing their rendition of hillbillies performing "Jackson".
Investiture XXV
Dan and I worked non-stop to set up Investiture XXV in a record three weeks after Coronation. It was great to have almost all of the new Royal Family members present to be invested. The biggest thrill of the evening was to watch my friend and partner, Thomas, walk down the staircase to be crowned Prince Roylae XXV. It was an even greater thrill to see a longtime friend and mentor, Jennifer Jett, to walk the same stairs and stand at Thomas' side as Princess Royale XXV.
One thing I learned in the process of getting ready for this event, KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING AHEAD OF TIME! While things went smoothly, there was a little confusion as to what we were doing and when we were supposed to do it. It was again a wonderful event filled with performances by CeCe Sakowitz, Stella Dallas, India Blue, Erica LaRue, Billy Austin and many other fabulous entertainers.
Minnesota Coronation
In my first "Out-of Realm" walk as Empress XXV, I traveled to St. Paul, MN with Prince Royale Thomas and Princess Royale Jennifer Jett to represent Nebraska. Others in attendance were Emperor Dan, Duchess Mystic DeLight, Czarina Destiney, Emperor XXIV Michael Lyons, Empress XXIII Monroe, Empress XXI And More, Empress XVIII Montana, Archbishop Michael Corey and Friend to the Court Randy.
It was nice to see familiar faces such as Electra Storm, CeCe Sakowitz, Rachel Starr, India Blue, Jake from Alaska, and of course, Erica LaRue. Erica, thanks for the tip on when to escape to get more confy!
In true ICON style, we had a great time and did a teriffic job representing Nebraska. And YES, fat girls can wear crowns too!
Michele Korman's "Hats Off To The Empress & Emperor's New Clothes"
Leave it to Michele to come up with a fun filled evening. If I remember right, this is her 10th year having this show for the Emperor and Empress. Before the show began, Michele was sitting in the dressing room collecting music and told the stary of how her show came to be. It seem Michael Lyons used to wear fun little hats to parties. There was a particular hat he would wear quite often and Michele decided one day to do a show all about hats. That not the whole story, but it's a good idea how something as little as a hat can become the center for a show that has spanned 10 years.
Pumps 4 Pills
Leave it to Jeff McKenzie to come up with wild ideas. Over cocktails one afternoon, Jeff and I were discussing ideas for shows and before you know it, Pumps 4 Pills was in the works. As Guardian to the Court, Jeff enlisted his Guardian cohort, Feleena Katz, and together they creates a fabulous show. Entertainers for the evening included, Emperor and Empress, Dan and Lana, PRs Thomas and Jennifer Jett, PR XIX Stella Dallas, Emperor XX Paco, Emperor XIX & XXIV Michael Lyons, Grand Czarina XXV Lady D'Vore, Grand Duchess XXV Chandler, Lady to the Court Ms Fanta Cee and many other excellent entertainers.
Reservation requests for the show began coming to DC's Saloon two weeks before the show, so we had to place tables on the dance floor making the event more of a theatre in the round. Through the generosity of the entertainers and the crowd, Jeff and Feleena were able to raise just over $900.00 for Michele's Fund.
ICON's Labor Day Picnic
Rainy days don't keep the queers away. The day started out a little overcast and beautiful. Temperatures were not too high and there was a great breeze keeping us all cool. However, before the gates to the park open, the sky opened up and let the rains come. This did not keep the picnicers away though. We had just under 200 people at the picnic. They enjoyed our change of menu to bar-b-qued chicken while playing volleyball and listening to great music by Little Joe.
AIDS Walk 2005
It was a beautiful day in Heartland of America Park in Omaha and a number of ICON Royal Family and board members joined together to for Team ICON for the 2005 AIDS Walk. Members included Empress XXV Lana Caine, Grand Czarina XXV Lady D'Vore, PRincess XXV Marsha Mellow, Lady to the Court Ericka Daelin, Event Coordinator and Princess Royale XX Michele Korman, Empress XX and board member Feleena Katz and Princess Royal XXIV and board member Jewels.
Though the walk was considerably shorter this year, AND we had to push Michele around in a wheel chair due to her recent surgery, we all had a good time. And by the way, thank you Jewels for showing us and ALL of the other walkers how to exercise!
Susan Davis' MDA Benefit
If there's one person I admire for their determination, it would have to be Susan Davis. She called in late August and asked me to be her "Special Surprise Guest" for her annual MDA Benefit Show at the Q in Lincoln. One of my goals as Empress XXV was to make sure that whenever possible, I would make it to out of town events, especially within the state of Nebraska. PR XXV Thomas and I loaded the car with Emperor Dan, Baron Matt and Lord to the Court Junior and headed to Lincoln for the evening.
Once we arrived we were welcomed with enthusiam and cocktails. The show was filled with Lincoln's finest performers including Czarina XXV Destiney, Skylar and Dawnya. Mr. Q MC'd the event and was gracious to point out present ICON members in the crowd. Before we could leave the bar, show director Michael had captured us and booked us into the Q for early January.
We love the Q and will definately be back. Thanks Susan for having us down.