SCS Icons Sell Out Town Hall for Benefit Extravaganza The night featured standout impersonations and performances by many renowned local Drag and impersonation superstars including Sean Paul, Arnoldo! Drag Chanteuse, Lady Chablis, Nina Maxwell, The Queen Bees, Sylvia O’Stayformore and Your Gay Lover. There was a special surprise Cher impersonation from legendary artist Smokee, and the agency’s ICON Idol competition wrapped up with a stirring final with Lynnwood’s Rodeo Drive and Seattle’s Abby Park Avenue splitting the audience vote resulting in a tie. “I was shocked,” said agency clinical director and ICON Idol judge Donnie Goodman. “Rodeo and Abby tied during the preliminary, too, and when I saw the results for the final I was literally left speechless.” Per the contest’s rules, the tie was severed by a vote of the competition’s three judges, the trio unanimously declaring Rodeo Drive the first SCS ICON Idol. “It was such a tough decision, but based on the preliminary rounds and the semifinal Rodeo really was, in our estimation, the only choice.” “For an inaugural, and hopefully annual, contest, I don’t think you could have asked for a better, more exciting finish,” said Aleksa. “It really showed that Seattle does have a young group of Drag artists trying to get out there, perform and do things for their community. I’m so happy this competition gives them a venue to get out there and do just that.” Final numbers were not yet available, but executive director Ann T. McGettigan still couldn’t hold back her enthusiasm in regards to the night’s accomplishments. “While this is a fundraiser for the agency,” she said, “this also, like the title says, is a celebration. A celebration of SCS, of performance impersonation, of our clients and, most of all, of our community. Raising money is nice, and if early counts hold true this ICON is by far our most successful yet, but it isn’t the single most important thing. What’s important is to give the LGBT community a safe, welcoming place to come deal with some pretty tough times and hard issues, and we here at SCS make that our priority every single day.” The night’s most heartfelt moment exemplified that sentiment, SCS client John Mack taking the stage to talk about how the agency has helped him take back control of his life after drug addiction and depression almost ruined it. “It was such a relief to find out I’m not such a bad person,” remarked Mack during his speech, referring to years of internalized homophobia brought about by his family and friend’s religious beliefs. “I had reached a place of deep despair and [SCS] has helped me to restore hope and optimism to my life. I have never had an agency treat me with the love, empathy and compassion Seattle Counseling Service has shown me.” “That moment, more than any other, truly moved me,” said McGettigan. “Watching John take that stage, talk about his life now as compared to before he came to SCS, once again showed me how important the work we do is. Mental illness and chemical dependency are largely hidden afflictions haunting our community, and for him to get up there and speak of dealing with both so honestly was stirring. For the audience, I think it was eye opening. Getting people to see the work we do is exactly what this night ultimately is for.” “I’m almost sad it’s all over for this year,” said Manila. “It was a real team effort between all of us; the volunteers, the performers, my production team; to pull this show off. Watching it come to fruition so beautifully was a sincere delight. The performances were amazing. The response was enthusiastic. Everything was simply wonderful beginning to end. In fact, as much work as all of it is, I find I can’t wait to start preparing for ICON 4.” |