Author: Kevin VanWagner
The annual Ride for Roswell is held in June every year, here in Western New York. The ride is broken down into event sponsors and sponsored riders, with all of the proceeds going towards supporting the great things that Roswell Park does to battle cancer.
This year the LGBT community will be represented due to the great thinking of one of Buffalo’s newer queens – our current Miss Snowflake, Alessandra Diamónds. After winning the Miss Snowflake drag pageant, Diamónds decided that she wanted to help the community by promoting a drag show style fundraiser. The funds raised will be earmarked for Roswell, via her fiancee Edward Thomas who is participating in the annual bike ride.
When asked why she is doing this event, Alesandra clearly stated “This event means so much because cancer affects us all in the community – especially in Buffalo where we are very close to one another. We didn’t get the name “City of Good Neighbors” for no reason. Most of us have had cancer affect our friends, families, neighbors in some way or another.”
Lately, in this city, things are changing – change is all around us. One noticeable change is that more and more businesses are rallying around the idea of acceptance as the norm. There’s a common recipe of unity that everyone shares, which promotes all-inclusive fun. This shows that Buffalo is “something different”.
Alesandra is definitely one that loves the direction Buffalo is heading, so it comes as no surprise she would pick a new venue that symbolizes that inclusivity. For her, MES Lounge at 228 Franklin Street, near Chippewa, was an obvious choice. That location, for as long as I can remember, has been a “straight” oriented establishment. When talking to the club’s new owners, Mike and Krystal, they told me that the are helping to break down conservative barriers in Buffalo, which is very refreshing. They are creating awareness that we are all unique, by hosting benefits and fundraisers that support all walks of life. “We want to help Buffalo to stay current, and hope to be an example of a venue that embraces Buffalo and all of its communities with open arms.” Mike and Krystal see the drag shows as fun, interactive, and imaginative.
This drag event will feature some great entertainers from throughout our WNY area, including Vanity Vogue, Keke Valasquez-Lord, and Veronica Lace, as well as Buffalo’s favorite hostess – Fanta See Island!
We asked Fanta See about performing at the event. She said that she loves that it’s being hosted at a new location that is open to drag shows and willing to help raise money for a worthy cause. Fanta See’s response and I quote, “If you keep doing what you’ve always done then you will always get the same results and never fully reap the benefits of growth.” Fanta See is coming out of a drag hiatus, dusting off those shoes and proving she’s still got it. It’s people like her that help to bring about that change, while raising some money for an amazing cause.
Come support this event Buffalo!
Breaking Barriers – Drag for a Cause
MES LOUNGE
Sunday, June 18, 2017
228 Franklin Street | Buffalo, NY
Doors open 6pm
Showtimes 7pm and 9pm
Suggested cover $5
(21+ event)