In with the OUT Crowd

by John Colombo

 

 

  

Three’s company: two contestants and three judges?

The 33rd annual Miss Pittsburgh Pageant was held at Pegasus in December at its new location, 1740 Eckert St. Competing for the 2009 sash were Lady Rose Amore and Ann Fu Yung. Hosted by Miss Pittsburgh 1991 Kierra Darshell, the show featured performances by Tamara Knight, Euneke-2-Die-4, Sasha and Kierra. Judging that evening were Marsha Mellow, Vanna, Leena and Sebastian. Held on the 4th floor—the Eagle has kept the 3rd floor as its bar—the show opened with an overture as grand as any Broadway production, as the crowd settled into their seats. Then a carnival of former Miss Pittsburghs sashayed across the runway and greeted the audience and the judges.

Once the entertainment began, newly crowned Miss Teen Pittsburgh Ariel Van Michaels sang live “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” from Dream Girls—going all Susan Boyle on the crowd.

At the evening-wear portion of the show, Ann Fu Young strutted the catwalk in a haut peacock couture cocktail gown with a green inner lining. Lady Rose graced the stage in a full length black fur, which she removed to reveal a multi-colored sequined gown with matching sparkling jewelry. Then Kierra performed in a fabulous sequined black and yellow gown—reminding us by example why she is still one of the top drag performers in the region.

Just when I thought the show could end in one hour, we were treated to a 20 minute five minute break. While waiting I looked around the room and was very happy to note that men in Pittsburgh seem to be wearing more dress shirts and ties, a trend I’ve noticed a lot as of late.

When the talent portion began, Ann did Cher on crutches with a leg brace, quite a daring choice for talent. It worked as it segued into other bits, like the “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” vignette from the ’80s and ’90s by Mrs. Fletcher of the Life Call commercials. Rose went in an equally daring direction, but forward in time, to a space age monk and cave man number complete with backup dancers, skulls and futuristic Flintstone wear.

While the judges tallied up the scores, Sasha performed in a short hot red sequined dress, scorching the stage with the most energetic performance of the evening. Drum roll… And the winner of Miss Pittsburgh 2009 is: Lady Rose Amore, who started to cry and almost seemed as if she were going to faint. Once the crown was placed on her head and flowers were thrust into her arms, she took her congratulatory walk into Pittsburgh history.

On Dec. 18 the Delta Foundation’s 4th annual SPARK party was held at the Pittsburgh Opera House, and in such a luxurious space with gorgeous chandeliers and red draperies the event gets more elegant every year. Guests imbibed Champagne with fresh strawberries and snacked on appetizers while chatting with celebrity guests: pop sensation Kristine W. and Sirus XM Radio Host Derek Hartley. Also in attendance: reigning Miss Pennsylvania Shannon Doyle who represented our state in The Miss America pageant in late January.

Hartley, the handsome and charming emcee, conversing freely with whoever approached him. He admitted this was his first time in Pittsburgh, but from the sounds of it not likely his last. He was taken by our friendly people, our beautiful skyline and “hot men.” (Derek is single by the way.)

Named one of the Dance/Club Play Artists of the Decade by Billboard magazine, Kristine W. was also gracious and equally stunning. Her first set was acoustic and she was as bubbly and intoxicating as the Champagne. Miss W. was accompanied on the piano by multi-talented songwriter and composer Jeff Franzel.

Sparkling that night: Nicole Jubura with partner Kelli Burns, Alex Shamraerski, Billy Porter, Nayck Feliz, Sara Luby and Dok Harris.

The other big ticket event was the annual holiday concert by the Renaissance City Choirs. This year was their 25th anniversary and the first time the choir has performed at the Carnegie music hall in Oakland. Artistic director Andres Cladera and ensemble performed crowd-pleasing holiday staples flawlessly. Much to my joy, the woman’s choir provided a lovely rendition of Terre Roche’s “Star of Wonder.” As always, in addition to his gifted musical direction, Cladera has a flare for comedy and drama, and his comments and asides though out the night were very enjoyable. Other highlights included a performance by the Edgewood Symphony Orchestra and a clarinet solo by Kira Bokalders. Join the choir for their Silver Anniversary Gala Feb. 20 at the Grand Hall in the Priory—the choirs’ annual black tie fundraiser.

At a smaller more intimate party, Dan Iddings held a fundraiser at his home to benefit the RCC Choirs and the GLCC library. Over $800 for each organization was raised that night. Guests included Jim Cassaro, Jeffery Panos, Paul Block, Scott Peterson, Josh Nickhlos, Doug West and Susan Holmes. The group enjoyed light fare washed down with Dan’s famous Red Velvet Punch, a concoction consisting of Brandy, Champagne and a few secret ingredients Iddings isn’t ready to give up. His new home features volumes of books on most walls—he has as many in his personal collection as the entire GLCC library, of which he’s the director.

New Year, new bar. HEAT is hot! Located in the Strip on 19th St., HEAT opened its doors for the first time to help bring in 2010. Well dressed patrons showed up in limos and waited in a line to get in, which stretched halfway down the street. Boys—and girls—in bikinis mingled with the crowd and performed on stage. 

The club director is Ryan Skyy of Blow Pop fame and Phillip Royale, his partner and design director, who not only designed the club interior but is in charge of the changing scenery the venue will feature month to month. The bar is currently open only on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Blow Pop is back one Saturday a month.

Who was seen in gold lame, shoulder pads and Dior sunglasses celebrating her 30th birthday at 5801? Why none other than the infamous Mahogany la’Piranha. Mahogany was also celebrating 12 years of going by her performance name, Mahogany. Miss la’Piranna, a trans drag performer, says it’s easier to be gay than transgendered, but she has never thought of herself as male. Mahogany learned early on how to survive in this world, and she has gone from living in the projects in the hill district to Shadyside royalty. On being asked how she was that evening, Mahogany answered: “Rare, expensive, dark and beautiful.” Celebrating with her that night were best friends Marsha Mellow and Veruca la’Piranna.

At another birthday celebration in another part of town, Bloomfield, Laura Hodge of Pittsburgh Dance Arts and Tom Downing of PATF were living it up at the Pleasure bar with Hodge’s partner Christopher Mattick and Downing’s partner George Hazimanolis. The duo have been BFF and have celebrated their birthdays together for the past 10 years. Friends Tanya Sheffield and Mary Hanlon were in attendance as well.

It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Joe Kelly. Born in Pittsburgh on Jan. 21, 1966, the youngest son of Geraldine and Charles E. Kelly, Joe is survived by his legally wed husband John Vernon and siblings Judy Kelly, Jerry Albert, Janie Corman and John Kelly. Joe was a filmmaker and split his time between Pittsburgh, Provincetown and New York.

A tribute was held, fittingly, at Kelly’s Bar in East Liberty. Amy Lamb, Ana Kelly, John Van De Grift , John Artale, Richard Parsakian, Larry Leahy and Angie Walker sat at the VIP booth and shared fond memories of Mr. Kelly. The table was adorned with a photo of Joe and his husband, and a very experimental piece of art that no one but Joe could have dreamt up. Known for his quick retorts, Joe was a creative man and a visionary, always ten steps ahead of the pack. One of his short films, Skull Fuck, was shown to great acclaim in many film festivals around the world as well as the 1993 Whitney Biennial. Joe also worked as a location scout on several films. More recently he had just finished working on Notification, a documentary in conjunction with the film The Messenger, which should be released this spring.

A larger memorial celebration will be held Feb. 13 in the offices of Lumiere Films on Mt Washington. Joe died Jan. 10 of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Memorial donations can be made to Compassionate Care ALS at www.ccals.org.

Email invites, social events and rumors, or just say hi: john@outonline.com