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June 2010 Edition Of
"The Excellence"
Coco's Corner
 I
try to start off every edition of
Coco
’s corner talking about the different entities that make Miss Gay America one
of the oldest and strongest female impersonation pageant systems around, the
family, friendships, sisterhood, promoters, contestants, supporters and
sponsors. This month I choose to highlight a sponsor who is fairly new to the
system in this capacity. Mark, of Las Vegas Costuming Supply, I met Mark merely
as a contestant after receiving a beautiful ring from him at registration as a
gift (all 50 contestant received one from him as a welcome) this past year at
Miss Gay America. I decided to go up to his room and check out what he had to
offer, so I wandered in where all his jewelry and other drag supplies were on
display and saw a few appliqués that caught my eye… his nice and friendly
voice said “you like those I see? Well you can have them for one dollar a
piece.” My eyes lit up like a kid in a candy store and grabbed as many as
my hands could hold, paid him and said “I’ll be back to see the jewelry”.
He replied “ I’ll be here!” with a big smile on his face. I then visited
him everyday throughout the competition purchasing something upon every visit,
even a few more appliqués. I remembered in registration they mentioned the 6
lovely sets of jewelry Miss Gay America would receive during her reign from Las
Vegas Costuming Supplies. I remember saying to myself, gosh that would be nice
to own someday, didn’t know it would be a reality so soon. Mark was one of the
first calls I received when my reign began. I remember it as clear as day he
said, “Well hello Miss Gay America, are you ready for your jewelry?” Our
contact since then has been none stop. He is a strong supporter of the MGA
system and the preliminary across the country. He is just another example of
excellence. His text messages just to say” hello, how is it going on the road
MGA?” are the ones
that keep me going when I get overwhelmed and fatigued. Thank you Mark and Las
Vegas Costuming Supplies for your help in keeping the excellence looking
excellent!
Speaking of
Las Vegas
, Miss Western States America Regional was up next! Held right here in
Las Vegas
Nevada
, the entertainment headquarters or the world. Proud promoters Kenneth Blake and
Lee Revelle were ready to take on a great weekend of pageantry and entertainment
and I was really looking forward to this pageant. For those of you waiting for
something juicy to talk about on the chat boards listen closely
because this will be a good one, much better than any holiday. I stepped
off the plane in my Stacey Adam shoes , and walked right into the hustle and
bustle of the Las Vegas lifestyle, greeted by Kenneth Blake full of flair and
style (who also had a show on the strip in less than 2 hours…) and Ron
(Lee’s partner). I was whisked away to the hotel and checked into my lovely
suite and told see you in an hour downstairs. I was on my way to the
Imperial Palace Hotel to see Frank Marino’s show DIVAS!!!! This was so
exciting. I got to see the La Cage’ show at the Riviera Hotel and Casino the
December before it’s last curtain call. Seeing the new show in a new
venue was going to be a real treat! I was joined by a few of my MGA
sisters, Victoria DePaula, Rachael Erikks , and many friends like Truly
Fabu, Sache’ (Miss Western States 2009), Robert York (Miss Gay DC
Regional promoter) and Contestant Monica Moore, Peter and a few others.
This show was top notch entertainment, with the likes of Joan Rivers, Cher
, Madonna, Celine Deon, Dolly Parton, Liza Minnelli ,Whitney Houston, Diana Ross
, Bette Midler, Beyonce’, Tina
Turner, Britnney Spears and Lady GaGa WOW!!! This cast rocks!! From Frank Marino
himself, Hot Chocolate (Larry Edwards former MGA) to Derek Barry, Chris Woods,
Coco Vega, and Western States very own promoter Kenneth Blake, Steven
Wayne ,Sammy Gonzales, just to name a few. A Cast of Male Dancers that makes
Chip-n-dale dancers look like a thing of the past. Paul Pratt I love you!!!
Frank‘s costume changes and Monologues made me laugh hysterically. The number
I remember the most in this show is the closing number performed by Kenneth
Blake himself entitle “What makes a Man a Man. “I love this number because
it reminds me of what the true art form is all about, the transformation is just
well choreographed and the words of the song are very touching and real. It puts
in perspective all that we do as illusionists, so when someone refers to Miss
Gay America as a boy pageant it doesn’t bother me because in the world of
Female impersonation we are all men regardless of the decisions and alterations
we make. And this performance brings it all together in a matter of minutes
.This was a great way to start my weekend of pageantry in Vegas. After the show
we were greeted by the cast and took many pictures. Then it was a hummer limo
ride off to one of
Las Vegas
night life hotspots where the celebrities hang out!!! If I told you, then it
wouldn’t be a celebrity hotspot anymore. I was introduced to many and posed
for the paparazzi and after a little dancing and orange juice it was
time for Miss Gay America to retire and prepare for a day of pageantry filled
with administrative duties, opening rehearsals with the Las Vegas Dancers,
Judges briefings and contestants orientations. You’d think I would be
exhausted just mentioning the next day’s activities but living this dream
doesn’t allow for fatigue. I woke up real early, met with the dancers for the
opening, and conducted a full day of pageantry and everything ran like
clockwork, The old Debbie Reynolds theatre right off the strip was
the backdrop for Miss Western States America. It was amazingly beautiful with
red Velvet Curtains and matching red velvet walls and carpet… this stage
was every entertainers dream and it was where 2 contestants Monica Moore and
China Collins would battle it out for a Las Vegas audience, both receiving
their ticket to Miss Gay America, being judged by former Miss Gay
America 2009 Victoria DePaula, and many big names in the Las Vegas world of
entertainment, long time Impersonator Frank Marino, and choreographer were
just some of the qualified judges who crowned Monica Moore your New Miss Western
States America. The next night we all attended DIVAS once again… contestants
Monica Moore and China Collins, joined by Angela Dodd, Truly Fabu, Duwanna Moore
and the entire pageant staff and supporters. It was another great night in
Las Vegas
.
My pageant duties were over and I had two extra days of rest and relaxation in
Las Vegas and I checked into the Vdara at City Center (the newest entertainment
complex in Las Vegas) and relaxed for a quick two day mini vacation… ok so I
did go shopping and lay by the pool and catch a few cirque shows but this really
was relaxation or what you would call therapy! Thank you to Dwanna Moore for
your wonderful hospitality in
Las Vegas
during my mini vacation. My stay in Las Vegas came to an end, Kenneth
picked me up from city center and we had an early lunch buffet and
discussed some future business as we over ate at the buffet and then
it was kicking and screaming all the way to the airport. Don’t worry…
everything I didn’t tell you about this Las Vegas trip I’m sure they will
make it all up in the chat rooms online (ha ha).
Next stop
Oklahoma
!!!!!! I have been told by many formers that Miss Gay Oklahoma America is going
to be a very memorable pageant experience for me... Now I know exactly what they
meant. I landed in Oklahoma and it was like being at home, very
drama and care free, Oklahoma was another place where people were calm, cool and
collected, or at least they were until the tornado sirens when off, but I’ll
get to that in a second. I was greeted at the airport by Aron (Catia Lee Love) a
face I am oh so familiar with on the road now… we’ve spent a great amount of
time together and getting to know her/him has been one of the highlights of my
reign thus far! (Catia this is the part where you get all teary eyed and
sentimental). She checked me in at the host hotel and I needed some serious rest
before the show that night. After my rejuvenation we headed to the bar for
Catia’s weekly show. It was great.
Oklahoma
was welcoming just like I was told they would be. The 2nd day was a day of
girl’s day out with shopping and eating. This was the night of the bus
tour and Miss Gay Oklahoma review show featuring Miss Shantel Mandalay Miss Gay
Oklahoma America 2009. By this time
Tillie Lane
(MGOA 1983) and Pure Chocolate (Steven MGOA2005) arrived into town. If you know
them both, you know exactly what that means, I was in for a good time. Mark from
Las Vegas
costumes was there at the review show selling his beautiful jewelry and showing
his support. The review show was great and showcased many formers like Trudy
Tyler MGOA 1977, Tillie lane MGOA 1983, Kris Kohl MGOA 2003, and the lovely and
always painted Lindsay Page MGOA 2007and many more. The night was ended with the
roasting of Shantel by all the formers! It was a very fun laidback
well-organized evening. I arrived back at the hotel after an IHOP visit, tired
and ready for bed, I laid down and at 5am, I’m awaken by a phone call and a
loud horn blaring noise, across the
city, I thought it was that great day and Gabriel was blowing his trumpet ready
to carry me home!!! But No, it was the tornado sirens!!!! What to do? I don’t
know… I’m from the
land
of
Hurricanes
, you at least get a bit more of a warning to evacuate. I answered the
phone and it was Catia saying Girl, turn on the TV, you’ll be alright! I
finally calmed down and went back to sleep. The next day I was awaken by a knock
at my door, it was former Miss Gay America Dominique Sanchez, as she was head
judge this year at Miss Gay Oklahoma America. We hadn’t had a
chance to see each other since competition at Miss Gay America but we took
a little time to catch up and then it was time for me to go to work
once again as the administrator and contestants liaison at registration
and orientation. It was preliminary night, evening gown and solo talent with all
9 contestant s who qualified. The night went off without a hitch, the bar staff
was amazing and everything ran like a machine just like I was informed it would
by many former MGA’s. The next night began with another star studded opening
where all the formers dressed in different character icons just like the show in
Las Vegas
! It was great! Catia as Liza that was fun to watch! Then the contestants
competed in talent and soon it was time to crown the new Miss Gay Oklahoma
America
. When it all came down, 1st alternate was Mya Mokka Iman and Londenn B. Raine
was your new Miss Gay Oklahoma America. These contestants are both very capable
of making
Oklahoma
shine this year at Miss Gay America Congrats to them both!
Well now it was time for me to experience the saying “MGA never sleeps”. I
got back to the hotel around 2:30 AM, critiques with contestants until
3:30 a.m. I allowed contestants who
wanted more feedback into my room while I packed and prepared to
leave for the airport by 5 am for a 6:30am flight to
Columbus
,
Ohio
. Yes, Miss Mid Atlantic America
with promoters Aron Aranda and Tiffanie Taylor was up next!
With a layover in
Memphis
and Delta Airlines connection flight cracking my laptop computer (don’t even
ask…), I arrived with exactly 30mins to spare to attend registration and
orientation at noon. Well, with the screaming babies sitting directly behind me
on both aircrafts, sleeping was not an option so there I was still wired from
the pageant the night before and ready to go. I was also so excited because this
is the city where Miss Gay America 2011 is going to be held and I’ve never had
the pleasure of being in
Columbus
Ohio
, so this was all very exciting. I was greeted by my assistants for my stay
Christina Davis and Tonya McGinnis… they were amazing and anything that could
go wrong, they had a solution for not to mention how much fun they were to be
with… they kept me on the Red bull, up and alert… and then I quickly rushed
to the bar Axis, where four great contestants were gathered and ready to get
things underway. As I entered the building I was very impressed by
this upscale facility with a beautiful stage with a modern flare. I took my
place at the table on stage with Kristina Kelly Miss Mid-Atlantic America 2009
and we began. This was a wonderful pageant and like many of the others it
ran smoothly. Again, Mike Rinehart (
Mideast
promoter) and Mark from Las Vegas Costuming were both in attendance showing
their support of every part of the MGA system.
Still running on no sleep, I was able to make it all the way through to crowning
where 2nd alternate was Hellin Bedd, 1st alternate was Sue Nami of
Baltimore
,
Maryland
and Symphony Alexander Love was crowned the new Miss Gay Mid Atlantic America
2010. After critques with the contestants, we all headed to Inn Rehab a great
cozy bar to see Hellin Bedd’s show with Diamond Hunter and Erika Evans (Miss
Gay Ohio America 2005), who was a wonderful host, along with Jeff McNeil at the
pageant as well. Then we headed back to the lavish 2 bedroom suite where we
watched DVD’s and ate
White
Castle
burgers that Aron provided for us. I knew Kristina was coming down from her
room so I asked
Isis
her dresser to hide a few burgers for me before she arrived so I would have
something to eat after getting out the shower. Well, I didn’t think Isis
would tell her about my request and as I showered… like a hurricane Kristina
showed up and confronted me about the burgers… well if you know Kristina
Kelly, you know it would be in my best interest to give up the burgers, I got
out of the shower and we laughed and ate until we were full. I retired before
everyone else because I knew we had an early Sunday brunch scheduled at Union
Station, a beautiful restaurant with a great show later on that evening headed
up by Nina West (former Miss Entertainer of the Year). I got to meet Nina and
her cast later on that night at Union Station… it was a blast as she was so
kind and we actually took some time to converse and exchange numbers. I think
I’ll be spending a lot of time at Union Station when I return for Miss Gay
America 2011. If anyone knows Kristina Kelly, you know there wasn’t a dull
moment with her… Sue Nami, Isis Deverreoux (Kristina’s Dresser and longtime
friend), Josie Foster and many more, all at brunch with Mimosa’s. I enjoyed
every moment with them. Aron made me feel like a princess in
Ohio
. Then it was time to tour the city of
Columbus
,
Ohio
. I can truly say Miss Gay America is going to be a blast in this city so if you
were thinking about attending, make plans now, as it is going to be something to
remember. My tour was great… with all the shops, galleries, food and
entertainment… you will find all to be very fulfilling. I am a lover of
ice cream and it is the reason my gown size has increased since Miss Gay America
from a 4 to a 6 and the best homemade ice cream I’ve ever eaten, is at a
place called Jenni’s, all located in an area called Short North in Columbus. I
will also be frequenting there a lot during the competition this year. My
Final Dinner in
Columbus
was at LEVEL and it was amazing. I can still taste the steak I had… I love
the décor of this establishment as it was friendly and inviting and I am sure
to return there too. Then it was a
little bar hoping before It was time to turn in.
So now it is the next morning and my trip was coming to an end but not
without me touring all the facilities that are being used for the 2011
competition… so before heading to the airport I met with the hotel staff
management of events and conventions, toured the facilities scheduled to be used
and then headed over to the location for the final night of competition, Wow! I
was so pleased… I think this is going to be an amazing place and Miss Gay
America 2011 is going to be an amazing event. I was then rushed to the airport
after Aron and I completed our tours and he made sure I was all checked in, we
said our goodbyes and said how we were looking forward to seeing each other
again at Miss Gay Ohio America.
I write my letters so you can get a closer look at my journey as Miss Gay
America and I am loving all the attention it’s receiving on the chat boards.
Thank you all for reading and maybe when I’m done, you will have a
better understanding and knowledge of what is incorporated with being Miss Gay
America. We may all be different and choose different endeavors in life but it
is when we learn to respect each other’s decisions and choices, we as a
community will be able to unite and ask the rest of the world to respect us and
give us the same rights as others... In my next letter I’ll tell you all
about my trip to
North Carolina
with Tiffany Storm and the fabulous night spot Scorpio’s and my step down as
Miss Gay Heart of
America
in
St. Louis
MO.
Until then,
Much Unity and Respect,
Coco
Montrese
Miss Gay America 2010
 From the desk of Larry & Terry
Happy
Pride……..
As many of
you are busy preparing for the preliminary of your choice, we hope that you can
take time to participate in the various local pride events across the country. As
there are no scheduled preliminary pageants, for the month of June, Miss Gay
America 2010 Coco Montrese, is going to participate in various city pride events
including
Orlando
Florida
,
Washington
,
D.C.
and
Baltimore
,
Maryland
. We are noticing that many cities are moving their pride festivities, from the
traditional June dates to other dates that have better promise of more
comfortable weather however, many great cities such as
St. Louis
,
Atlanta
,
New York
and
Columbus
, will be hosting incredible pride celebrations. While this pageant system has
an audience, contestant and promoters base that is predominantly gay, it seems
only natural to wish all the readers a very Happy Pride Month. We have never
been an “in your face” organization but rather we just celebrate diversity
with many other thousands across the country. So no matter, where you are or who
you are , we trust that you can spare a few moments to celebrate our diversity.
During the
month of May, we were fortunate enough to attend the Miss Heart of America 2010
pageant. We once more witnessed the very reason why Cocktail Entertainment, has
been nominated for the most recent three years, as Regional Preliminary of the
Year, and winners of the Miss Gay America 2010 Pageant Season Regional
Preliminary of the Year. Once more, the pageant ran smoothly and at nights end,
Sasha Leigh Chambers was crowned as Miss Heart of America 2010 and Sally
Sparkles received award of 1st alternate. All contestants did a great
job and it made us proud to be owners of a pageant system that attracts such
quality contestants.
St. Louis
always provides great support to this pageant system, and this time, was no
exception. Our pride continues to increase with each and every time we witness
Miss Gay America 2010 Coco Montrese in action. She works hard to be what others
expect her to be, which is EXCELLENCE. She is truly there to help contestants
and promoters and quite often puts her behind the needs of others. For those of
you who have not yet witnessed EXCELLENCE in motion, you are in for a treat.
Once more,
we hope that each of you will make some time to support your local pride
activities. As we know, first hand, it takes many hours of dedication to produce
any kind of event, and it make the volunteer efforts seems so much more
worthwhile, when it is supported by many, near and far.
Until
Next Time!
Larry and
Terry
A Note From The Editor
The Excellence strives to be an informative newsletter delivered to the promoters,
contestants, audience and other supporters of the Miss Gay America Pageant System throughout the year. Should there be any issue or topic of discussion a promoter would like to see addressed (or to write an article to be published) in a future newsletter, please contact the editor via
Email.
Please note, any article, comments, or opinions faxed, mailed, (postal or electronics),
or otherwise sent to any of our "addresses" become our property and carry an implied consent of publication should we choose to do so. No articles will be published in which one or more of the following occurs:
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