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Ain't no drag

BCAP brings out the drag queens to raise money for HIV prevention

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Miguel Chernus-Goldstein performs as Angel de Luna.

Miguel Chernus-Goldstein performs as Angel de Luna.

IF YOU GO

What: "Absolute! Fabulous! Gorgeous!"

When: 8 p.m. Saturday

Where: Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder

Cost: $18-$25

www.bcap.org

These hot ladies are all dressed in drag, with somewhere to go.

And they don't want you to miss one saucy party.

Boulder County AIDS Project and its HIV prevention program, Atlas, are organizing "Absolute! Fabulous! Gorgeous!," its third-annual drag and fall fashion show at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Dairy Center for the Arts.

Frank O'Cana, Atlas program coordinator and director of the show, says there will be 10 local drag performers and 12 local models, all of whom are volunteers for BCAP.

"These men work on HIV prevention initiatives throughout the year," O'Cana says. "Many have been with the program since fall 2005 and have put in hundreds of hours for the program in a variety of capacities."

Many of those volunteer hours have been spent organizing "Absolute! Fabulous! Gorgeous!," which will benefit BCAP, O'Cana says.

"They offer a lot of their time. This is a higher-level time commitment for volunteer work," he says. "I have the privilege of interacting with these volunteers from the moment they step into the agency looking for a way to get involved."

The mission of Atlas is to build a future where HIV transmission is rare, he says.

This is important to two performers and volunteers who are both back for the show's third installment.

Miguel Chernus-Goldstein will be performing three numbers as Angel de Luna, including "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend," Marilyn-Monroe style; "When I Grow Up," by the Pussycat Dolls; and belly dancing and lip synching to "Habibi Ya Eini."

"I participate because I believe in the message of Atlas," says Chernus-Goldstein, who designed a costume for one of his numbers. "This is a very meaningful and interesting way to present it to the public."

Jason Nichols will be performing four surprise numbers as Princess Cheri Bottoms.

Nichols says there will be a wide range of music and performances, including a live and interactive number with the fashion show for the first time.

"Being able to entertain and to get a positive message out is something I wanted to get involved in," Nichols says. "It's just a night of chaos and absolute hilarity. You can't miss it."

O'Cana also is excited for Bud Coleman, the director of theater at the University of Colorado, to emcee the event.

"He is able to present HIV awareness and prevention, which is something quite serious, in a very comfortable way -- with a lot of energy, spirit and humor," O'Cana says.

So ladies, be prepared to be trumped. These 10 in drag will be bringing the heat -- and all for a good cause.

"I think it is important to spend some time in the spirit of HIV prevention and education -- and how that can be further shared to the community through artistic performance," O'Cana says.

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