35th Annual Night of a Thousand Gowns Journal [2021]

THE IMPERIAL COURT OF NEW YORK PRESENTS THE THIRTY-FIFTH ANNUAL

Celebrate your quest for better health Quest Diagnostics is proud to support the

Imperial Court of New York and Night of a Thousand Gowns © 2021 Quest Diagnostics Incorporated. All rights reserved. MI10124 03/2021

The Imperial Court of New York with

Their Most Imperial Sovereign Majesties

Emperor XXIX Graham D’Craquer The Noble Silver Giraffe Emperor of Conversation, Compassion and Charity and

Empress XXXIV Madelyn Keyth The Towering Tequila and Amethyst Orchid Empress of Love Laughter, and Lumpia Prouodly Presents

3

Virtual Charity/Coronation Ball To Benefit The Imperial Court of New York Reign Charities Watch on: youtube.com/imperialcourtny Saturday, April 10, 2021 Witness the Coronation Ceremonies of

Emperor XXX Sir Tree and

Empress XXXV Sugar B. Real

GREETINGS FROM THE MONARCHS T.M.I.S.M EMPEROR XXIX GRAHAM D’CRAQUER EMPRESS XXXIV MADELYN KEYTH

What a year! When we

4

Emperor XXIX Graham D’Craquer and Empress XXXIV Madelyn Keyth

were elected in September 2019, we had every reason to think that our reign would be one for the books, only in a much different way. Our goals to represent the Imperial Court of New York were ambitious but completely doable and ones that would make the ICNY, and us, proud. Well, here we are 18 months later and our worlds have been reshaped in ways no one could have envisioned.

From virtual shows to online auctions and sales of everything from T shirts to Tupperware, we were able to carry on through this improbable year.

Arguably, we learned more technology in the last 18 months than in the past 18 years!

Despite the challenges, and with the help of so many people, we ended the year on a high note. A lot got accomplished and we conceived new, and probably lasting, ways of helping our members and beneficiaries. There’s always a silver lining, and we found several this past year.

So, while this would normally be a welcome letter to our guests from near and far, we simply say enjoy this journal that highlights the crazy year of the Imperial Court of New York.

You Are Loved!

Maddie and Graham

SAVOR STOLI® RESPONSIBLY. Stoli Group USA, LLC, New York, NY ©2021 Spirits International, B.V. | stoli.com

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT 2020 was a challenging and learning experience for the court. Covid-19 hit us hard and we were heartbroken to cancel our coronation ball.

We had to adapt and re-invent ourselves under difficult circumstance. And while we hunker down, our work continues. A year later, we are still dealing with the pandemic, but it seems there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Over the past 12 months, we’ve held over a dozen online events and fundraisers, and continue to raise funds for various LGBTQ+ organizations. When Pride was cancelled, our monarchs took ‘Pride to the People”, and did a walking tour of Greenwich Village with a Court entourage.

Absolute Empress VII This past Thanksgiving, we delivered a full Coco LaChine thanksgiving dinner to the residents of Trinity President, Board of Directors Place Shelter in Manhattan; and provided 50 food gift cards to the residents of Thursday’s Child in Long Island. Who knew that Zoom, Livestream, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook Live would become part of our daily vocabulary.

I would like to commend our members for their tenacity and determination, and the Board of Directors as we forge ahead through this period. To our reigning monarchs, Emperor Graham D’Craquer and Empress Madelyn Keyth, who have risen above these challenges elegantly without the trappings that we were accustomed to. You have my utmost respect and appreciation. I sincerely hope that in the very near future, we get to see you and all our members in person with all the glitz and glam that we are known for.

I would like to welcome back our new monarchs for Reign 35, Emperor Sir Tree and Empress Sugar B Real, and wish you well as we enter a new chapter of our Court post pandemic.

I would like to express my profound gratitude to two of our major sponsors of the Imperial Court of New York for over a decade – Stoli Vodka and Quest Diagnostics, for their generosity. Thank you to the Queen Mother, Empress Nicole the Great and King Father, Emperor Terry Sidie, and our out-of-town friends who sent video greeting. My gratitude to our Ball Co-Chair – Empress Gefil Tefish and Princess Veronica Blake and members of our coronation team.

You can watch our virtual coronation at the Imperial Court of New York channel on YouTube. Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you in person in 2022 for the 36th Night of a Thousand Gowns.

Absolute Empress VII Coco LaChine Queen Mother of New York

7

A LETTER FROM THE QUEEN MOTHER OF THE AMERICAS It is with honor that I commend and

salute the Imperial Court of New York for being a role model of how a social service organization could continue their program and outreach safely during our current COVID pandemic. Emperor Graham and Empress Madelyn were perfect ambassadors of goodwill and Reign XXXIV continues to reach many people.

New York will always have a special place in my heart, just as it did for our beloved founder, Empress I Jose.

Best wishes to my brother, Emperor Empress Nicole the Great Queen Mother I of the Americas Sir Tree and my niece, Empress Sugar B Real.

It is also my honor to donate $1,000 to the New York Court’s “Empress Coco LaChine Scholarship”, as we have many times before.

New York is indeed one of the world’s biggest melting pots … and knowing the diversity of your Court, I am sure you are all standing up with Asian & Pacific Islanders, African American, immigrants and our beloved transgender community.

In closing, as I have always said, one of the greatest gifts of our International Imperial Court System is the friends we make for life. Seeing and knowing that so many courtiers reached out and cared for each other, is what our rainbow family is all about.

God bless you all with good health and happiness.

Empress Nicole the Great Queen Mother I of the Americas and Queen Mother I of New York City Commissioner, City of San Diego Executive Director, International Imperial Court Council

www.GLBTvote.org

9

REIGN 34 BENEFICIARIES

The following charities were beneficiaries for the many virtual events that the Imperial Court of New York held during Reign 34.

AIDS Walk New York Bailey House Citileaf Housing Coco LaChine Scholarship Fund God’s Love We Deliver Hetrick Martin Hudson Pride Iris House

PAWS NY Princess Janae Place SafeHorizom SAGE Solace House Sylvia’s Place Thursday’s Child Trinity Place Shelter

CONGRATULATIONS HMISM Emperor XXIX Graham D’Craquer HMISM Empress XXXIV Madelyn Keyth & The Imperial Court of New York on a Successful Reign

• Join The Imperial Court of Toronto For

CORONATION XXXV Saturday October 3rd, 2021 Courtyard Marriott 475 Yonge St. Toronto, Ontario

HMIM Regent Empress 34, Nikki Chin

WWW.TICOT.CA

TONIGHT’S ENTERTAINMENT ULTRA NATE Ultra Naté. She reps hard for Baltimore, Maryland and is a world renown singer, songwriter, DJ, producer, label owner and promoter.

Ultra Naté has delivered her classics, new tunes and energetic dj sets all over the globe performing everywhere from Amsterdam, Paris, London, Japan, Moscow, Sweden, Dubai, Italy, Brazil, Norway and Spain to residencies in Ibiza and such varied events as Glitterbox, children of the ’80’s, Greenpeace Festival, Battle Hymn, U.S. National Cherry Blossom Festival to name a few!

In Ultra’s nearly three decades of making music, she has remained a musical chameleon, embracing a variety of sounds. Her sound embraces a variety of genres including house, soul, disco, electro pop, R&B/hiphop and rock. Ultra is honored to be considered an icon of the Dance and LGBTQ communities worldwide. She was recently named one of Billboard Magazine’s “Greatest of All Time” *Top Dance Artists (#12) along with having three entries in the industry bible’s respective “Greatest Of All Time” *Top 10 Dance Club Songs including the perennial, platinum-selling #1 anthem, “Free.”

LAUREN KIDWELL

Born to a guitarist and granddaughter to opera

singers, Lauren grew up around music. She and her sisters, played instruments, competed in local talent shows, and performed in school plays and concerts. suffice it to say, with four daughters who never stopped singing, the family home was never quiet. While her other sisters chose country, jazz, and opera, lauren’s passion lay in musical theatre.

Determined to be a professional actor, she attended university near her home in California. After graduation, she focused her career towards directing. But after a serendipitous event, she was inspired to return to performance. convinced to try post-graduate education, she put all her eggs in one basket, and applied to only one school - The Boston Conservatory. she figured if it was meant to be, then surely she would receive a sign....and she did. she was accepted on the spot in her audition! and in 2012 packed up her life in sunny california and moved to Boston. After earning a Master’s of Fine Arts in Musical theatre from the boston conservatory, she moved from beantown to the big apple where she is continuing her career as an actor, director, and acting coach.

Lauren just returned to NYC from playing Mother Abbess in the ​national tour of Rodger’s & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music!

15

INTRODUCING OUR NEW EMPEROR and his friends, Charlie and Frank, Fredd E. Tree, know to fami-

16

had no idea that their night of dancly, friends and most people around ing at the Stonewall Inn was going to the globe simply as TREE, was born put them right in the middle of the in Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York raid of all raids. They broke windows; in 1939 to parents of Russian and Ukraine heritage. In 1967, Tree moved threw rocks and bottles at the fearful police barricaded inside; and freed a into an apartment in the Chelsea secpaddy wagon full of their compatriots. tion of New York which he still lives They had no fear that night: luckily in today! none of them was Tree spent his arrested. formative years working as a Because of his newspaper delivinvolvement in the ery boy, a movie Stonewall Riots, house usher and Tree has been ina cashier. Tree terviewed by CNN, would go on to television stations all work on the floor over the New York of the New York Metro area, countStock Exchange; less newspapers and and as a doorman magazines and even at a local watering by newspapers and hole. One day, the television stations owner and manaround the globe. ager asked him Tree has been a feaif he would like His Imperial Majesty Emperor XXV tured subject of a few to be a bartender.

Sir Tree documentaries.

Tree’s answer — “I never made a drink and I don’t Tree has been Grand Marshall of a drink!” With a laugh, he was handed a number of pride parades and has been bar rag and told he’d soon learn to do both. Forty-six years later, Tree is now an honored guest at the opening of known around the world as the affable several LGBTQ centers. Tree has givbartender at the landmark Stone¬wall en lectures at numerous high schools and colleges across the country on the Inn on Christopher Street. history of gay life before the Stonewall Riots. He has been honored by several His status behind the bar isn’t what makes the Stonewall Inn so important states, Stonewall United Kingdom, City Council, and State Senators. Toto Tree. It was at that bar, in June of day, he can still be found behind the 1969, that Tree became a witness to, no, a part of our collective history. De- bar at The Stonewall Inn. He has no intention of retiring anytime soon. spite having been through many police raids of the known gay bars, Tree

INTRODUCING OUR NEW EMPRESS years as a Proud Ally!

As Empress XXX Sugar B. Real, While a social organization, I am humbled to represent the more importantly, we are a fundImperial Court of NY once again. raising organization. We needed My experiences as Empress XXX, to maintain our visibility so that ongoing involvement with benebeneficiaries and recipients knew ficiaries and continued visibility that we were still here supporting within the LGBTQ+ community them. We understood the need is an advantage in these unprecemore than ever. We had to learn dented times. The Imperial Court new methods to fundraising, of NY has been family for the leaving social past 14 years; gatherings behind deciding to and moving to virreign again was tual events. I am a decision from proud as we have my heart. succeeded more Covid-19 than once during had cause us the pandemic. to experience Our new norunpredicted mal has made a life-altering “more inclusive” changes. What organization.

I wanted for the Virtual events ICNY, as an orinclude many ICS ganization, was members, local to keep moving drag performers forward and Her Imperial Majesty Empress XXX and community progressing – it Sugar B. Real partners, coming is how we stay together for our alive to help our most vulnerable beneficiaries.

Our virtual fundraiswithin the community. ers are seen around the world. Out Sadly, we have suffered because of Covid. We had no choice but to of the ashes rises the Phoenix.

I love this organization and am social distance and wear masks to proud to represent. The world is protect our loved ones. Unaware opening again, we continue to of how isolation would affect us thrive, grow, and love. True joy lies both physically and mentally. We in the act of giving. learned our strengths - We are Join me let’s come together and resilient! do what we do best.

The Imperial Court System emerged out of a pandemic. I became committed during the AIDS Yours truly, crisis and remain so for the past 34 Sugar B. Real

17

EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION T.M.I.S.M EMPEROR XXIX GRAHAM D’CRAQUER AND EMPRESS XXXIV MADELYN KEYTH

18

Reimagining our reign started to compassion and purpose. It was a joy take shape a little over a year ago. to watch. We owe you all much and We understood that we had to adapt are grateful. rapidly to a new reality and still try to represent our wonderful membership For her steady hand on the tiller in meaningful ways. And we had to through this turbulent year, we apcraft innovative ways to raise money plaud and thank our President, Coco for our beneficiaries. This is where LaChine. Thank you for allowing the role of the us to mold our ICNY membership, reign to reflect our and its Board of personalities and Directors, simply goals. cannot be praised enough. As MonVeronica Blake archs, we knew that was named early we would raise and in our reign as (hopefully not) fall the Empresses’ on the good graces HBIC. He quickly of these amazing assumed the role individuals. They for us both and was came through in the real power beways that were hind our reign. We in equal turns owe you an eternal Their Imperial Sovereign Majesties innovative, fun and Emperor XXIX Graham D’Craquer and debt of gratitude generous. So, a big and thanks beyond Empress XXXIV MadelynKeyth thank you to all of measure. you for stepping up with us and making a challenging year There are many who are behind successful. the scenes and just plain make things work. No one does it better than EmAs a collective, the ICNY memberpress Gefil Tefish . We are blessed to ship is beyond compare. As always have him in our lives and thank him though, there are superstars who defor all he does. Jeffrey Blanchfield was serve special recognition and thanks. another behind-the-scenes rock at the We’ll start with our Dowagers. Emshoot. Thanks so much Jeffrey. An peror Antonio and Empress Chuleta added thanks here to the staff at the were so generous and forthcoming NY Theater Workshop for your help right after we were elected and all during the shoot. during our reign. Thank you both for your support and love.

No one does Boyfriend/Godfather better than Marco DeRand. As a Both of us are long time Board counselor, confidant and dear friend members. We have a pretty good idea you have no equal. of how this segment of the organization works. This past year, we got Ruby Starling was present, helpful to see how the Board reacted to our and so much fun to be around. Thank changing world with nimbleness, you for everything you did for us this

year.

LaCarrow has made an impact that is much larger than his experience with the Court would convey. His ideas are novel and come ready to hit the ground running. Thank you, Kevin.

Our halves, Empress Lucia Virginity and Emperor Fantasia lent their experience and hearts to our reign. We thank, and love, you both.

Rob Hunter de Woof, Empress Farrah Moans, Paris Ideen, Empress Pepperica Swirl, and Ken McGee we managed to look incredible and regal.

Thank you all for helping us realize our dreams.

Frank Baccari styled, restyled and created a lot of hair this year for Madelyn. Thanks so much for adding such glamour to her overall look.

Our brother Emperors and sister Empresses throughout the Imperial Court System stepped up to support us in many generous ways this year.

We would like to thank; Jenu Wine Beaute, Virginia X Ginnie, Errinneh N. Lawas, Mimi Osa, Miss Drew, Nikki Chin, Connie Concepcion, Nikki Knowles, Ginger Sparkles, Uma Jewels, Diva Lilo, Bella Rose, Dotti Rose, Star Kirkland, Ray Byars, and Trevor Reynolds. Thank you for giving us visibility during your online events and providing donations to ours.

We cannot forget the folks who simply checked in, offered help and just let us know they were there. There are too many to name here, but know we appreciated, and valued, each and every one of you.

Emperor XXIX Graham de Craquer Empress XXXIV Madelyn Keyth

19 2020-2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Officers

President: Charles Ching Vice-President: Mark Costanzo Treasurer: Patricia Harrington/Charlie Walker Secretary: Robert Amos

Board Members At Large Jeffrey Blanchfield Randy Moscaritolo Revital Simmons Jefferey Wallach Kevin Walsh

Reigning Monarchs

Empress XXXIV Madelyn Keyth (Keyth Atiles Nelan) Emperor XXIX Graham D’Craquer (Graham Mills Nelan) Empress XXXV Sugar B. Real (Rhonda Potter) Emperor XXX Sir Tree (Fredd E. Tree)

Minister of Protocol Eric Sanders

VIRTUAL NIGHT OF A THOUSAND GOWNS VIDEO PRODUCTION CREW Coco LaChine - Executive producer Veronica Blake and Gefil Tefish Executive Producers Jeffrey II - Associate Producer Video Production jointly produced by Anthony Bellov Video Production, NYC And Robert Amos NOATG 2021 Sponsors Stoli Vodka, Stoli Group NY, LLC Quest Diagnostics Inc Best Ad Promo Inc Baker McKenzie

20

Editing Robert Amos Anthony Bellov Revital Simmons Photography for Slideshows / Montages; Robin Souma Mike Ruiz The Drunken Photographer Revi Simmons And hundreds of talented, unnamed photographers On Site / Production Still Photographer Revital Simmons Script Writers Jeffrey Wallach Jeffrey Blanchfield Charles Ching Slideshow montages created by Alex Bartlett Jeffrey Wallach

Second Unit Location Production Filming Rhonda Potter Queen Mother Nicole’s, Greetings Video She did it all herself, didn’t you read the credits she provided?

Archive / Photo Researcher Kevin Walsh Floral Arrangements provided by Blooming Floral Designs, Deer Park, New York; Keyth Nelan Production Catering Dunkin’ Donuts Hair and Make-up by; Chance Transportation Captain, Security, and On-Site Scenic Crew Chief Keith Reeves Social Distance-ly Filmed on Location at New York Theatre Workshop; New York Hillary Luong; Production Manager Michelle Agunda; Facilities Manager John Anselmo, Micheal Fudge; Technical Supervisors Scenery manufactured by GladsBuy Media, XuZhou, JiangSu, China

OUR 2021 SPONSORS

ICNY TAKES PRIDE TO THE STREETS

21

VIRTUAL NIGHT OF A THOUSAND GOWNS BEHIND THE SCENES

22

VIRTUAL NIGHT OF A THOUSAND GOWNS BEHIND THE SCENES

Photos By Revi Simmons