Causes

Best in Drag Show Attracts Fun Hollywood Crowd

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Best in Drag contestants for 2013 Photo Credit: © John Paschal/jpistudios.com 08/18/13 © John Paschal/jpistudios.com 310-657-9661

Best in Drag contestants for 2013 – Photo Credit: © John Paschal/jpistudios.com

Martin Sheen, Charlie Sheen and Brooke Mueller attend the Legendary 5th Annual Best In Drag Show and Fundraiser for Aid For AIDS at the Orpheum Theater, Los Angeles.  (10/14/07) ©Brandon Charles/jpistudios.com 310-657-9661

Martin Sheen, Charlie Sheen and Brooke Mueller attend the Legendary 5th Annual Best In Drag Show and Fundraiser for Aid For AIDS at the Orpheum Theater, Los Angeles.
 ©Brandon Charles/jpistudios.com

Emmy Award winner Holland Taylor (Two and A Half Men), Golden Globe nominee Mireille Enos (The Killing), Alan Ruck (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off), Bellamy Young (Scandal), and Kathy Kinney (The Secret Life of the American Teenager) will be among the celebrity judges set for the 2013 Best in Drag Show on Oct. 6.

The outrageously entertaining Aid for AIDS fundraiser, which has drawn celebrities from Martin and Charlie Sheen to Kathy Griffin and Vanessa Williams, returns to the Orpheum Theater downtown Los Angeles for the 11th anniversary show.

Event co-founder Patrick Rush returns to host, and Jeffrey Drew, long-time lead star throughout the history of Best In Drag Show®, will again direct, choreograph and helm the 2013 production.

Jennifer Coolidge, 2009 winner Sybil Rights, and actor John C Reilly at the 7th Annual Best In Drag Show Fundraiser to Benefit Aid for Aids held at the Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles.  © Sean Smith/jpistudios.com 310-657-9661

Jennifer Coolidge, 2009 winner Sybil Rights, and actor John C Reilly at the 7th Annual Best In Drag Show Fundraiser to Benefit Aid for Aids held at the Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles. © Sean Smith/jpistudios.com

“Behind the sparkles, spangles, and spandex is a great cause, providing housing and food for those who are devastated with HIV/AIDS and poverty,” says Terry Goddard II, executive director of Alliance for Housing and Healing, of which Aid for AIDS is a vital program.

The 2013 contestants include Sash Carl (Miss California: Beverly Center),  D’Nez Westmoreland (Miss Michigan: Electra Caprice Riviera), Stephen Molinaro (Miss New Jersey: Vava Fanculo), Mike Cativo (Miss Puerto Rico: Mimi E), Dajuan Powns (Miss Washington DC: Ciera Lyon), and Aron Ross (Miss Wisconsin: Misty O’Portunity).

Best in Drag Show® was originally founded by Alexis Pittman with a small group of friends in his West Hollywood living room in 1989. Then called Battle for the Tiara, the event raised $400 from 20 donors. As its popularity grew, so has the venue. Today it’s a large, highly-anticipated annual beauty pageant spoof that makes fun of itself, while keeping the focus on giving back to the community.  The current version has raised over $3 million for Aid for AIDS, in support of the work of the non-profit throughout Los Angeles County to prevent homelessness and hunger for men, women, children and families with HIV/AIDS.

To purchase tickets, visit: www.bestindragshow.org or call 323-344-4880.

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Journalist Laurie Schenden covers the entertainment industry, with many of her notable celebrity interviews appearing in the Los Angeles Times and other national and international publications. As a longtime columnist and feature writer for the LA Times, she also covered events and California destinations for the lifestyle, Outdoors and Travel sections. Laurie Schenden's international pieces include the long-running Where Are They Now celebrity feature for Spotlight Magazine, published in five languages. Laurie has also contributed to numerous documentary films, and produces content via Saving Grace Films.

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