Desperate Divas surround AIDS Housing Alliance/SF Executive Director Brian Basinger. Miss Anita Fixx, Starr Munro, the newly-crowned Miss January 2008 Raya Light, 2007 Desperate Divas calendar cover girl Garza Peru and Pollo DelMar performed at the recent

Contests April 20-22 Allow Local Drag Divas to Vie for Additional Calendar Openings

AIDS Housing Alliance/San Francisco kicked off its 2008 Desperate Divas model search with a March 24 benefit and competition. In addition to raising more than $850, An Evening with Garza officially crowned the first model in the AHA/SF’s much-anticipated Desperate Divas 2008 fundraising calendar.

Drag enthusiasts packed Café Flore for a night of entertainment headlined by Garza Peru, who graced the cover of the first-ever “Desperate Divas 2007” calendar.  In addition to appearances by DD ’07 luminaries Trauma Flintstone, Katya Ludmilla Schmirnoff-Skyy and event co-MCs Starr Munro and Pollo DelMar, local drag legend Ethel Merman, New York City star Tweaka Turner and Blue Buddha also performed.
While the standing-room-only crowd enjoyed last year’s Divas, the majority showed to support 2008 hopefuls. A field of six–Erykah Munro, Charisma Glitterati, Paju Munro, Kim Burly, Sasha Soprano of the Gay Mafia and Raya Light–was narrowed to three, then two, by audience applause. In a close battle, reigning Miss Trannyshack Light bested Soprano to be named Miss January ’08.

AHA/SF reps were thrilled with the evening’s turnout and the excitement shown by both community and performers. Garza hopes the enthusiasm continues when the Diva Search continues April 20-22 at venues throughout the Bay Area.  “It’s important for us to continue looking for more talent and big hearts with plenty of love, hope and compassion for our community,” says Garza. She encourages local drag performers willing to donate their time and energy to AHA/SF and the calendar–which requires models to appear at fundraising events in addition to participating in a high-glamour photo shoot with award-winning photographer Kingmond Young–to consider upcoming Desperate Divas events.
After the calendar’s initial success, raising approximately $20,000 for AHA/SF, local retailers, organizations and clubs/bars are on a waiting list to sponsor months. According to DD ’08 sponsorship coordinator Pollo DelMar, Cookie Dough’s Monster Show, Charlie Horse/The Cinch, Glamarama, the BeBe Sweetbriar Foundation, The Big Gay Frat House and Salvage/Deco Lounge are already onboard. Bench & Bar, Sanctuary, Under One Roof and Café Flore return for a second year.

While the support is a great turn of events for the calendar, many sponsors name their own models. To preserve the spirit of the Desperate Divas calendar, and the excitement competing to be in it generates, DelMar says AHA/SF made sure at least a third of the girls are chosen by the public.  “Like the AIDS Housing Alliance, this calendar is about developing and supporting our community,” she explains.  “But the spots are limited, so don’t wait until the last minute to compete!”

Starr Munro, the Desperate Divas ’08 event coordinator, echoes the though. She expects interest to increase as the number of 2008 calendar openings dwindles. The last model chosen for the 2007 calendar, Munro faced a dozen others last year. “By the last contest, everyone has heard about the competitions and knows the other calendar girls,” she says, “It just gets more and more exciting.”

To increase chances of getting in the 2008 calendar, DelMar suggests aspirants compete at all the upcoming Desperate Divas events. Salvage hosts the Desperate Divas April 20. April 21, AHA/SF is at the Big Gay Frat House. The final contest is in the East Bay April 22 at Bench & Bar. 
For more information, visit:  http://www.AHASF.org.