Battle for the Tiara
Encyclopedia
Battle for the Tiara is the original name for the Aid For AIDS
(California
) fundraiser
, Best In Drag Show
, held annually in Los Angeles
. It also is the name of the award-winning 1998 documentary
film
that chronicles the fundraiser.
show fundraiser was founded by Alexis Pittman and a small group of friends in Los Angeles
in 1989. It is a farcical beauty pageant where amateur
, male contestants dress and perform as women in categories of evening gown, swim suit, talent, and question and answer segments. Battle for the Tiara began as a small, annual AIDS
fundraising event in a private home, and due to its popularity, it was moved to subsequently larger venues. An award-winning, 1998 documentary was made of Battle for the Tiara, by Charley Lang and Eric Schiff, which chronicled the history of the Los Angeles fundraising event that has raised millions of dollars for HIV/AIDS treatment and assistance through Aid For AIDS in California. When Pittman died, the group stopped production for two years, then brought the event back in 2003 with the name, Best In Drag Show
. During the interim two years, another version was produced by the show beneficiary entitled, Quest for the Crown, the subject of director Roger Hyde's documentary, Queen of the Whole Wide World. By 2008, the re-named fundraiser was being held at the historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, which seats 1,900. In 2010, the benefit raised $300,000. In 2011, the winning show contestant from 1998 Battle For The Tiara, Jeffrey Drew
as "Lotta Slots, Miss Nevada," became the director and choreographer of the later version of the fundraiser, Best In Drag Show. Quest for the Crown and Best In Drag Show are registered trademarks of the California non-profit Aid For AIDS
, founded in 1983.
and is supported by an extensive list of celebrities
Aid For AIDS
Aid For AIDS is a California-based nonprofit organization, founded in 1983 and dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by HIV disease.-Services:...
(California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
) fundraiser
Fundraiser
A fundraiser is an event or campaign whose primary purpose is to raise money for a cause. See also: fundraising. A fundraiser can also be an individual or company whose primary job is to raise money for a specific charity or non-profit organization...
, Best In Drag Show
Best In Drag Show
Best In Drag Show is an annual fundraising event in Los Angeles, California, benefiting the California-based non-profit, Aid For AIDS.- History :...
, held annually in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. It also is the name of the award-winning 1998 documentary
Documentary
A documentary is a creative work of non-fiction, including:* Documentary film, including television* Radio documentary* Documentary photographyRelated terms include:...
film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
that chronicles the fundraiser.
History
The well-known dragDrag (clothing)
Drag is used for any clothing carrying symbolic significance but usually referring to the clothing associated with one gender role when worn by a person of another gender. The origin of the term "drag" is unknown, but it may have originated in Polari, a gay street argot in England in the early...
show fundraiser was founded by Alexis Pittman and a small group of friends in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
in 1989. It is a farcical beauty pageant where amateur
Amateur
An amateur is generally considered a person attached to a particular pursuit, study, or science, without pay and often without formal training....
, male contestants dress and perform as women in categories of evening gown, swim suit, talent, and question and answer segments. Battle for the Tiara began as a small, annual AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
fundraising event in a private home, and due to its popularity, it was moved to subsequently larger venues. An award-winning, 1998 documentary was made of Battle for the Tiara, by Charley Lang and Eric Schiff, which chronicled the history of the Los Angeles fundraising event that has raised millions of dollars for HIV/AIDS treatment and assistance through Aid For AIDS in California. When Pittman died, the group stopped production for two years, then brought the event back in 2003 with the name, Best In Drag Show
Best In Drag Show
Best In Drag Show is an annual fundraising event in Los Angeles, California, benefiting the California-based non-profit, Aid For AIDS.- History :...
. During the interim two years, another version was produced by the show beneficiary entitled, Quest for the Crown, the subject of director Roger Hyde's documentary, Queen of the Whole Wide World. By 2008, the re-named fundraiser was being held at the historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, which seats 1,900. In 2010, the benefit raised $300,000. In 2011, the winning show contestant from 1998 Battle For The Tiara, Jeffrey Drew
Jeffrey Drew
Jeffrey Drew is an American musical theatre dancer/actor who has performed in more than 25 musicals and, since 1995, has been a casting associate for television. He received several "Best & Brightest Awards" from California non-profit Aid For AIDS for his significant fundraising support. The City...
as "Lotta Slots, Miss Nevada," became the director and choreographer of the later version of the fundraiser, Best In Drag Show. Quest for the Crown and Best In Drag Show are registered trademarks of the California non-profit Aid For AIDS
Aid For AIDS
Aid For AIDS is a California-based nonprofit organization, founded in 1983 and dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by HIV disease.-Services:...
, founded in 1983.
Supporters
The fundraiser, currently named Best In Drag Show, has raised millions with the help of show underwriters, private and corporate donations, and a large group of volunteers. Each year, the show raises more than a quarter of one million dollars in one evening. for the Los Angeles-based, non-profit organization Aid For AIDSAid For AIDS
Aid For AIDS is a California-based nonprofit organization, founded in 1983 and dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by HIV disease.-Services:...
and is supported by an extensive list of celebrities
Best In Drag Show
Best In Drag Show is an annual fundraising event in Los Angeles, California, benefiting the California-based non-profit, Aid For AIDS.- History :...
External links
- Aid For AIDS website - aidforaids.net http://www.aidforaids.net/events.html
- Dakota Filmworks website http://www.dakotafilmworks.com/dakotafilmworks/Home_Page.html