Pomp
and circumstance was on full display at the Marriott Marquis Hotel
in Times Square on March 27, as the New York chapter of The
Imperial Court, a charitable organization with 70 chapters
throughout the United States, Canada & Mexico, held their 18th
annual "Night Of A Thousand Gowns" charity ball.
As
they passed the sixth floor in the glass elevator, or happened to
look down from over the railing of the seventh floor, visitors of
the hotel were astounded by the parade of magnificent gowns
milling around the cocktail party outside the main ballroom. Many
of the gowns were period recreations from the 18th century, and
although the black tie gala is known as a "drag" event,
it attracted men, women and people of all gender expressions,
dressed in tuxedos and gowns of various styles. Some of the gowns
were
drop-dead-over-the-top-the-royal-family-wished-they-could-have-one-of-these
gowns type gowns. With hair and tiaras just as magnificent, the
Imperial Court of New York could rival the best of any European
monarchy in style and grace.
Amid
all the glitz and the glamour that the 1000+ attendees experience;
four course dinner, dancing, deserts, stage entertainment, the
walk of the royal court, people sometimes see right past the real
jewel of the court - their humanity. Formed in 1965 by Jose Sarrie,
the organization exists to help the community at large, raising
money for various charitable causes. The beneficiary of this
year's charity ball was The American Foundation for AIDS Research
(amfAR), and a silent auction was held to benefit the ACLU Lesbian
and gay Rights and Aids Project.
Who
can join the Imperial Court? Anyone can join as a Lord or Lady,
and elevate through the ranks (Duke & Duchess, Count &
countess, Barons & Baroness, Prince & Princess or Princess
Royal, you get the idea - and ultimately Emperor and Empress),
which is based on service to the community, and then voted on by
the Board of Directors, who in turn are elected by the membership.
Many
of New York City's best-known drag celebrities turned out for the
evening festivities, such as singing impressionist Porsche and the
legendary Boy George. At ten o'clock the Emperor XIII Ron (The
Golden Ursus Emperor of Valor, Virtue, and Charm) and Empress XVII
Demi-Tasse (The Hollywood and D'Vine Empress of Sincerity and
Sympathy) led the royal court in a grand procession as they were
presented to the audience. Later, new members to the Court were
introduced and took their walk down the runway, as well as
honorary members who made a donation and purchased a title for the
evening. Rebecca, from Philadelphia, walked so fast from the
excitement of it all that her friend Kalina told me, "I
didn't have time to get a photo." But Rebecca countered, "I
don't even care about the photo - it was a fabulous
experience."
The culmination of the evening came just before midnight when
Emperor XIII Ron and Empress XVII Demi-Tasse took their final walk
as the reigning monarchs. A local drag performer, Trai La Trash,
was crowned Empress XVIII and will serve until her reign ends
March 2005. I asked Demi-Tasse what advise she had for the new
Empress, and she said, "To be Empress one has to keep their
ego in check." I wasn't sure if that was a lesson she learned
or an opinion she had about the new Empress, but it
sounded like good advise either way.
The
Imperial Court may have different rankings within their own
organization, but through their personal efforts, commitment to
community, singular and collective generosity, they have all
elevated themselves to a higher state of grace. Copyright 2004 - All Rights Reserved
