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The Imperial Court of New York’s 26th Annual Night of A Thousand Gowns hit the Marriott Marquee this past Saturday and brought a whirlwind of fun and excitement to anyone attending.
The night’s theme of “Wonderland” was taken to the extremes of camp with a royal flare. The costumes by reigning Emperor and Empress Pepperica Swirl and Vanity Society alone were enough to call home about. The amount of creativity behind their brains is incredible. With probably more than seven costume changes each, this duo could have done a full show on their own.
The rest of the show’s performances had highs and lulls, highlights including Lisa -Lampinelli’s stand up, a performance from the cast of Chicago, and the opening/closing performances by the court.
The new Emperor and Empress, Ritz Kracker and Witti Repartee, were crowned towards the end of the evening to cheers and hollers from the audience.
Their Most Imperial and Sovereign Majesties, Emperor XXI Ritz Kraka and Empress XXVI Witti Repartee, are excited to invite you to join them at the 27th Annual Night of a Thousand Gowns, held this year on April 6, 2013 in New York!
Join the entire Imperial Court of New York for a glittering and joyous celebration as we raise funds for GLAAD and GMHC, are entertained by Broadway Favorite Karen Mason (Mamma Mia, Sunset Boulevard, Wonderland), RuPaul’s All Star Drag Diva Chad Michaels (with more yet to be announced!) and attend the midnight coronation of Imperial Crown Prince Royal Wen-D Bouvier Pinkhouse, and Imperial Crown Princess Royale Gracie Steeles.
Personalities and entertainers abound! Last year, audiences were dazzled by comedienne Lisa Lampanelli, Olympic Skater and Reality star Johnny Weir, Amra Faye-Wright and the cast of Chicago, drag sensation Ebonee Excell and many others!
Who will show up for this year’s fabulous ball? Come and find out!
The Imperial Court of New York is excited to announce that the 2013 Imperial Diamond Award will be presented that night to Elvis Duran, one of last year’s Honorary Chars, and award winning host of the nationally syndicated Elvis Duran and the Morning Show, heard locally on Z100.
The Imperial Diamond Award is ICNY’s most prestigious way of recognizing a member of the greater community whose service to LGBT and HIV related causes is exemplary. Previous winners include Political Author and Activist David Mixner, Speaker of the New York City Council Christine Quinn and Celebrity Photographer Mike Ruiz.
Point Foundation (Point), the nation’s largest scholarship-granting organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) students of merit, honored celebrity photographer Nigel Barker with the Point Courage Award and The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. with the Point Inspiration Award on Monday, April 15.
Point Honors New York was attended by celebrities, champions of the LGBTQ community, as well as recipients of the prestigious scholarship. Actor, singer, chef and E! News Correspondent David Burtka who was the host for the evening.
Celebrity guests included Emmy and Tony Award winner and star of “Dallas” Judith Light; star of “How I Met Your Mother” Neil Patrick Harris; author and award winning star of “The Breakfast Club” Ally Sheedy; civil rights activist and best-selling author David Mixner; MSNBC News Anchor Thomas Roberts; star of “In Between Men” Margot Bingham; Emmy Award nominated and star of “Mad Men” Cara Buono; Award winning WPIX News Anchor Tamsen Fadal; and actress, radio DJ and television personality Alani (La La) Anthony. Performances by Andy Kelso and Timothy Ware of Broadway’s Kinky Boots were a part of the evening of cocktails and dinner, which also featureed current Point Scholars and Point Alumni.
“Building a more inclusive and equitable society comes by finding common bonds with allies, and Nigel Barker is a courageous straight ally of the LGBTQ community,” said Jorge Valencia, Executive Director and CEO of Point Foundation. “In all of Nigel’s philanthropic efforts – combating HIV/AIDS, focusing on the people of Haiti or saving wildlife – he brings attention to people fighting for empowerment. Currently Nigel is focusing his lens on a key figure in LGBTQ rights advocacy and a great friend of Point: David Mixner. We are honored both men were honored at our New York Point Honors event.”
World Liberty TV’s LGBT team was on hand to interview Mr. Jorge Valencia, Executive Director and CEO of Point Foundation.
Screaming Queens is a boutique entertainment company providing drag queens, impersonators, colorful theme characters, Strolling Tables, and offbeat cabaret artists for private parties, corporate promotions, fashion events, casinos, country clubs, birthdays, Weddings, and even Bar Mitzvahs!
Non-drag entertainment includes a spectacular collection of gorgeously costumed Showgirls who can serve as greeters, dancers, candy/cigarette girls, or simply as eye candy. Having a birthday party? You must have a Girl In a Cake!
Let Screaming Queens bring some of our unconventional glamour to your next affair! Want to jazz up a sedate holiday dinner? Just add some technicolor drag queens with a Polaroid camera! Creating your own Studio 54? Our Human Disco Balls are just what you need. Planning a Vegas theme? Bring in our gorgeous Las Vegas Showgirls (yes, they’re really girls!). A Hollywood party? You must have Joan Rivers on the red carpet! A convention in town? Let Miss Empire State and Miss Chrysler welcome your visitors to New York City!
The New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP) will hold its 16th Annual Courage Awards on Thursday, September 27, 2012 at Studio 450 at 6:00 p.m. AVP’s Courage Awards were created 16 years ago to honor outstanding individuals, organizations and corporations whose work on behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and HIV-affected communities—particularly on behalf of victims and survivors of violence—has made a profound impact on all of our lives.
The following people were honored at the Gala: BD Wong, star of television and Broadway, and a tremendous, long-time spokesperson for and supporter of AVP • Verizon Wireless, for their support of AVP’s mission and work and for their commitment to LGBTQH communities and the issues that matter most to us • Interbank Roundtable Committee, a networking group of LGBT leaders at financial services firms— and AVP supporters—dedicated to accelerating the pace of workplace equality.
World Liberty TV also had the pleasure of speaking with Sharon Stapel, Executive Director of The New York City Anti-Violence Project.
After Two years in the making, Be The Link will be complete. The culmination of this is a beautiful exhibition to unite diverse influential people without separatism. AIDS does not care whether you are black or white, straight or gay, the fact remains – HIV effects everyone.
The art on display will feature some of today’s most prominent figures in the world of talent including: world champion athletes, fashion designers, news/media figures, recording artists, actors, top CEOs and business moguls. The diversity of people who form the links highlights the uniqueness of this collaborative effort that shines light on advance treatment that can help reduce the risk of AIDS.
An exhibit of photographic images will be displayed in galleries – one in New York City and one in Los Angeles, symbolically linking both coasts. The New York opening event Media Sponsored by Zink Magazine will be a lavish red carpet affair in an historic architectural facility in Tribeca on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2012.
Limited edition shirts designed by Project Runway Finalist Christopher Palu and partner Stacy Longo will debut at the New York gala to raise funds for Until There’s A Cure. An opening gala will be held in Los Angeles on February 23, 2013 with location to be announced.
The event spotlights the Photography of Andy Tsagaris, Director and Visionary of the Event. Featuring some of today’s most prominent figures in the worlds of business, entertainment, sports, and politics including: Project Runway Season 10 Winner Dmitry Sholokhov; Charlotte Ronson, fashion designer; Phillip Bloch, Hollywood’s premier fashion stylist; Michael Bastian, fashion designer; James Mottern, screenwriter and filmmaker; Adam Sabbagh, entrepreneur, sportsman, media personality, and humanitarian; VH1’s Mob Wives Carla Facciolo; celebrity stylist and television star Carson Kressley; avant-garde fashion duo The Blonds; film producer Cindy Cowan, president of Cowan Entertainment; actor Tommy ‘Tiny’ Lister; Kate Linder star of The Young and the Restless; reality star Jessica Romano of Jerseylicious; Julie Macklowe founder of luxury cosmetics company vbeauté; Randy Jones, multi-platinum recording artist and founding member of The Village People; actress Tara Reid; David Mixner, author, political strategist, civil rights activist, and public affairs advisor; Todd Thomas, fashion designer; and Sean Stone, director, producer and son of legendary producer Oliver Stone.
The Be The Link Campaign is partners with Until There’s A Cure, a national organization since 1993 dedicated to eradicating HIV/AIDS by raising awareness and funds to combat the pandemic. Until There’s A Cure is committed to: funding innovative programs which promote AIDS awareness and prevention education; providing financial support for care and services for those living with AIDS; and supporting and advocating for AIDS vaccine development which offers the best hope for reducing the spread of HIV.
Bradley Darryl “BD” Wong (born October 24, 1960) is an American actor, best known for his roles as Dr. George Huang on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, as Father Ray Mukada on HBO’s Oz, Henry Wu in the movie Jurassic Park, and for his Tony Award winning role as Song Liling in the Broadway production of M. Butterfly. He starred as Dr. Lee on NBC series Awake from March to May 2012.
Wong was born in San Francisco, California, the son of Roberta Christine (née Leong), a telephone company supervisor, and William D. Wong. He is of Chinese descent. Wong attended Lincoln High School before attending San Francisco State University.
Wong, who is openly gay, began a long-term relationship with talent agent Richie Jackson in 1988. In 2000, Wong had twin sons: Boaz Dov, who died 90 minutes after birth, and Jackson Foo Wong. They were born through a surrogate mother, using Wong’s sperm and an egg donated by Jackson’s sister. In 2003, Wong wrote a memoir about his experiences with surrogacy titled Following Foo: the Electronic Adventures of the Chestnut Man. Wong and Jackson ended their relationship in 2004.
Our Executive producer had the pleasure of chatting with BD Wong at the 16th Annual Courage Awards, which he is a very big supporter of.
Billie Jean King (born November 22, 1943) is an American former professional tennis player. King won a total of 39 Grand Slam titles throughout her career; this includes 12 singles, 16 doubles and 11 mixed doubles titles. Additionally King won the first ever WTA Tour Championships and was a three time winner of the doubles event. King is an advocate for sexual equality and won The Battle of the Sexes tennis match against Bobby Riggs in 1973 and was the founder of the Women’s Tennis Association, World Team Tennis and the Women’s Sports Foundation.
King has been bestowed with several honours. She was inducted in to the Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987 and was awarded the Phillipe Chartrier Award in 2003. The Fed Cup Award of Excellence was bestowed on King in 2010. In 1972 King was the joint winner with John Wooden of the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year award and was one of the Time Persons of the year in 1975. King has also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and was given the Sunday Times Sportswoman of the year lifetime achievement award. King was inducted into the National Women’s hall of fame in 1990 and in 2006 the USTA National Tennis Center was renamed the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center after her.
World Liberty TV had the pleasure to speak to Ms. King, as she was being honored with the ‘Spirit of Active Lifestyle’ Award at The Orthopedic Foundation’s annual gala.
