Kindgo
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By TERESA McMINN
For the Daily Record/Sunday News
http://www.ydr.com/newsfull/ci_3768809
At bottom: · At a glance
Apr 30, 2006 — Glamour, grace, style, talent and a commitment to carry out a platform.
Those are some of the qualities 10 contestants will demonstrate as they approach a grand stage and vie for a crown.
The Miss Gay Pennsylvania Pageant will be held at Penn State York's Pullo Family Performing Arts Center in June. The show is a collaboration of Keystone Productions, Penn State York and Rainbow PAWS, a gay, lesbian, bisexual and straight group that meets weekly on campus.
"We're all kind of working together to make it a success," said Steve Haver, director of The Pullo Family Performing Arts Center at Penn State University. "We're looking forward to it. I think it's going to be a lot of fun."
Scott Simonds, staff advisor for Rainbow PAWS, said students were enthusiastic about the idea of having the drag show on campus. They thought it would be fun and a good opportunity to educate the public on the gay, lesbian and bisexual community.
"Penn State York has tried to present ... events that are somewhat provocative," he said. Events sometimes are geared toward making folks think beyond their comfort zone, he said. "I think we've tried to push the envelope a little bit in that direction."
College campuses tend to be more accepting of diversity and provide a forum for intelligent discussion on such issues, Simonds said.
"It's going to be great," he said of the pageant. "I think it's going to be a hoot."
A.J. Makibbin, owner of Keystone Productions, which is presenting the pageant, said he hopes to make the Miss Gay Pennsylvania Pageant an annual event at the Pullo Center.
Because the show will be held on campus rather than in a night club venue like other drag queen pageants, no alcohol will be permitted, and the show will be open to an all-ages audience.
"There are other people out there and audiences that won't want to go to a smoke-filled bar," Makibbin said.
Makibbin, 25, of Dallastown, is also a former Penn State student, has 15 years experience in theater work and is a professional makeup artist. He has participated in competitions for five years and performs as "Visa D'Kline."
Makibbin is handling advertising for the drag show. An add for the pageant will appear in the May issue of Genre Magazine, a worldwide publication for gay men. He will also work the show as stage manager and will likely be the pageant host.
Student tickets will be sold by Rainbow PAWS for $15. Rainbow PAWS will retain $5 for every student ticket sold.
"If we could sell out that whole theater I'd be as happy as pie," Makibbin said of the Pullo center, which holds over 1,000 seats.
Rainbow PAWS students will also volunteer to help with production aspects including spot lights, back stage and curtains.
"They're really, really pulling for this," Makibbin said.
At a glance
The Miss Gay Pennsylvania Pageant will be held 8 p.m. June 17 at Penn State York's Pullo Performing Arts Center.
The show is expected to feature 10 drag queen contestants who will compete in evening gown, on-stage questions and talent categories. Contestants must also have a platform they'll commit to follow through on if crowned queen.
Ticket costs are as follows: students $15; advance $20, and $25 day of the show.
To buy tickets: http://www.ticketweb.com, or call 505-8900.
Contestant applications are open to all 50 states and will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.
A.J. Makibbin, owner of Keystone Productions, which is presenting the pageant, also hopes to get donations of flowers, prizes, and gifts for the pageant winner. To donate, visit http://www.missgaypa.com.
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God bless,
Kindgo
Inside the will of God there is no failure. Outside the will of God there is no success.
Posts: 4320 | From: Sunny Florida | Registered: Jun 2002
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