August 12, at the Ice Palace, was “Turnabout” night, hosted by ‘leatherman’ Titanium Tenny (Lavinia Draper), who explained the event’s theme as “the boys are girls, the girls are boys.”  It’s the wild night when bartenders, managers, waiters, DJs, and others, who don’t usually do drag make a stab at it, with the assistance of the experts, their drag queen colleagues.  With Brant (Porsche) serving as DJ, Titanium/Lavinia opened the evening singing “Find me somebody to love” and added another Queen song, “We are the champions,” at half time.  All performers’ tips, totally more than $800, were to be donated to Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth (LIGALY), for its anti-bullying, AIDS and STD prevention, and education efforts. 

Ivana Nalya (Ken Braun), dressed and made up by Sabel Scities, did two numbers and was a sight!  A hot Donna Diyawanna (Robbie Ranger) joined forces with a scruffy Wendy Lewis for Crystal Waters’ “She’s Homeless.”  Gary Hall (Shequida) made several cameo appearances as a cocktail waiter, writing down orders on the paper enveloping a hanger, until Sal Piro scolded, “No wire hangers!”  A glittery Paulina Stone let us know that “You make me feel good, you make me feel safe.”

In “Call Me Maybe,” Adora Mia (John Doyle) was left in the lurch by our lifeguard and Mr. Fire Island Leather 2012 Mark Nayden, who went off together.  Lady Charles (DJ Chuck McTague), in drag inspired by Barbra Streisand, told us about “the best thing about being a woman,” and later worked the room, insisting, “I need a man!”  Bubbles Atlantic (Tommy) urged us to “shut up and dance!”  “Viveca M. Cox’s drag mother is Logan Hardcore,” said Titanium, of the next performer.  Prince Royal Wen-D Bouvier Pinkhouse, of the Imperial Court of New York, did a number in which she performed a virtuoso harmonica solo.

Patricia Diamonds (Peter) told us to “Carry on.”  Dressed by Ginger Snapt, made up by Ariel Sinclair, and coiffed by Porsche, a classy Yetta Yenta (Todd) borrowed Ethel Merman’s voice for “Everything’s Coming Up Roses.”  Sandy Tan (DJ Richard Kennedy) did a number in Japanese, paying homage to Twiggy, and distributed Hello Kitty bubblegum from Pearl River, in Chinatown.  Amanda Playwith, from Island Breeze, informed us that “I will always love you” and “I want you back.”

In exchange for a $50 donation, Brant and Gary made out on stage.   Most participants’ performance of the song of the summer, the Scissor Sisters’ “Let’s Have a Kiki,” was supposed to be the grand finale, but one more number remained, as, for a $100 donation, Brant and Titanium collaborated on singing ABBA’s “Dancing Queen.”