This past year has been an incredible one of good fortune & great friendships. I was blessed to have countless supporters & well-wishers from all over North America, first with the Kickstarter crowd-funding of the Gulfport “Butchlesque” show; and then during the run-up to the show as we did calendar photo shoots & mingles. Unity is the cornerstone of our credo, and there is NO unity without people. (Cue the Streisand music: “People… People who need people… are the luckiest people in the world….”)
I was VERY lucky people in 2012, for old friends & new. From Vic Harris & Holly Thompson, who were waiting at the computer for Kickstarter to launch; to people who filled the Gulfport Casino Ballroom on June 2nd for “Butchlesque” — people who I’d had never met before, but who saw the value of the event. This is my “thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!” roll-call for 2012:
The centerpiece of every “Butchlesque” show is the catwalk, and I’m so proud to now have 40′ of it that once belonged to fashion designer Ricky Lindsay. The love that was behind the construction of his catwalk for his very first fashion show lives on with every “Butchlesque” event.
Alex Melo, you are a phenomenal photographer! I love that your unique vision has captured all of our moments for posterity. I was in awe of your determination to find just the right image for each of our calendar models & “Butchlesque” contestants. I will always remember how you perched on a kitchen counter to ensure the perfect shot! You are fun & energetic & insightful.
Kristine Eigenbrode & Nicole De Rosa, you traveled two hours — each way! — on numerous occasions. It is always amazing when people give of themselves, their time & effort to bring their talents to a project, and then walk away thanking ME for having the chance to do it. You are true professionals, and I just love having you around! You bring excitement & passion to everything you touch!
That brings me to Andy & Sasha Citino, who threw open their “6S Boutique” for our video shoot, loaned us some boxing gloves for a photo shoot, and again welcomed “Butchlesque” contestants for some catwalk training & fashion tips.
Marcia Burns was quite the behind-the-scenes “Prop Master” for our endeavors! Big thanks to you and Cathy McLean for serving as Prosuzy’s paparazzi.
When I set out to make a butch-femme calendar, I was blessed with so many volunteers. Thank you to ALL of the models! Angela Brownell-Miller, her gorgeous friend KAT; Melinda Scott, Cheryl Lane, Wendy Beasley, Annmarie Hirsch, Janine Clark, Lasha Bacon, Vinnie Marconi, Lynn Vincent, Aurora Albritton, Tea Sotelo, Dee Graham, Alena Scandura, Dana Patton, Susan Turner, Sterling Fury; Laura Latimer Teal, Lisa Verra Ferreira, Cat Geraci-Ottey, Page Denmark and Melissa Bowen. I hope that you all had as much fun as I did, and that you appreciate how wonderful & beautiful you all are!
A tremendous round of applause to Jaco’s Boxing Gym in Sarasota for allowing us free reign for our calendar shoot. They had boxers preparing for a Las Vegas bout, and they told them to “GET OUT” so that we could shoot.
Not only were Aurora Albritton, Tea Sotelo and Vinnie Marconi & Lynn Vincent among the calendar models, they also brought their individual expertise to the “Butchlesque” Creative Team. Their sharp eyes, keen attention to details, and enthusiasm made them fantastic “Butchlesque” Ambassadors!
Jennifer Windhausen, even though your woman was on the catwalk in Gulfport, you stepped in so cheerfully to work the door on June 2nd. Your sense of humor is a delight, and your laugh is infectious! I hope to work with you again in the future!
Thanks to ALL of the butches who stood up & claim their spots on the catwalk: Angela, Kaje, Katie, Scotty Scott, Dana, Susan, Elaina, Michelle, Tea, M. Scott, Kendra & Laura. You are brave, and you make us fall in love with butches all over again.
Thank you to our backstage assistants: Angela Paolillo, Brianna Wiley & Natalia Santiago; and our Judges: LaBrenda Gullett, Page Denmark and Margaret Weatherly.
Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket. Doing so conveys your appreciation for butch women & the contributions they make to the LGBT community.
Special thanks to our sponsors & advertisers: Home and Condo Rentals and Property Management, Inc., Taxi Taxi Bradenton; 4 Friends Club-Bar, Realtor Cheri Ivarsson, Maas, Inc., ButchFemmeKink.com & JP Global Graphics…and let’s not forget our CUPCAKE Girl, Lori Campora!
For my family & my PIE (Lisa D. Newlin)… I am grateful beyond measure.
I hope that I haven’t left anyone out. Everything undertaken this year has been in the making for a lifetime, and I owe a great debt to EVERYONE who saw it, and me, through. I am blessed to have every one of you in my life. I will always think of you and smile. I love each of you!