Tie One On

Move over, Emmys. Watch out, Grammys. Oscars and Tonys, take note. There’s a new award show coming to town. It’s called the 2009 Buffalo Creative Black Tie Awards, and it’s a fundraiser for Reign 19 of the Imperial Court of Buffalo produced by Prince Royal Jeramie Rutland and hosted by the Drag Queen Goddess Nina St. Marcos.

The event will be held on Sunday, January 10, starting at 5pm. The awards presentation and entertainment show will be at the Buffalo United Artists Theater in their grand brand new space (thank you, all deities everywhere) located at 119 Chippewa Street between Delaware and Elmwood. It is expected that the festivities there will last until 8pm, after which the gang will sashay down Delaware to the Underground Nightclub for the final round of rollicking frolicking until 11pm. The admission price at BUA will be $10 and it will include the after party buffet and the first drink at the Underground, where there will be a Chinese auction, a 50-50, and other assorted goodies.

I interviewed Prince Royal Rutland and asked him how he came up with the idea. I believe it’s the only week of the year that there isn’t an award show somewhere, so I was curious to know why he decided to do another one. When he told me a few of the categories I quickly understood. How about Best Fag Hag. That’s sure to be a tie between Kerry Kate and Loraine. Then there’s the Biggest Lush and Hottest Mess categories. And yeah, there are a few kinda serious ones like Best MC, Best DJ, and Best Male and Female Entertainers of the Year.

The one I hope to win is Buffalo’s Biggest Drama Queen Award. Well, why not. I won this year’s Artvoice Best Drag Queen Award, after all.

Ballots for voting are available at all of the Buffalo gay bars. They cost a buck apiece, so stop in when you get a chance and fill out a few. If you vote for me for Drama Queen I’ll give you back your buck. (Just kidding, folks. I would never ever do a thing like that.)

So get your glitzy gowns and bling bling tuxedoes back out of the mothballs where you put them for next New Years. “Creative Black Tie” can be anything from a Balenciaga or Chanel to a spiffy number from the thrift store. For the guys, think motorcycle jackets and leather jock straps. All with a bow tie and a huge cape, of course. So get all gussied up in your finest evening wear and come on down to BUA where all the beautiful people will be.

—danny winter