The Miss Cherry’s 2013 Pageant took place at Cherry’s on the Bay on August 4 and a panel of eight judges chose Sabel Scities, out of 11, earlier 12, contestants, as Miss Cherry’s 2013, succeeding Miss Cherry’s 2012 Ginger Snapp, who crowned her. Lauren Ordair, the runner-up was named Miss Cherry Lane; Tina Burner won Best Performance and audience favorite; and Bootsie LeFaris was awarded the Best Newcomer title. Susan Levine was the DJ, Gusty Winds and Bianca Del Rio hosted the contest, and Tommy Brannigan was the talent coordinator. Judges were Cherry Grove Community Association, Inc. President Diane Romano and spouse Pat Goff, Troy Files and Brian Clark, Roger Cortez, China, and Dune Point’s Petra Brehl and Rick Dugas. The other contestants were Spicky Hilton, who dropped out after singing a romantic “At Last;” K. Money; Stasha Storm; Whore D’Oeuvre; Mahogany; Brenda Dharling; LeeLee Heavenly; and Jesela Versace.
In the talent portion of the contest, Sabel, in black leather, sang “Wig in a Box,” from “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” with a variety of wigs to work with, and brought down the house. Lauren sang “I have nothing” with sincerity and drive and was a sensation as well. Tina’s tour de force, with bare-chested male dancers, consisted of “Stuff Like That There;” “They Can’t Take that Away from Me” with a dance partner in a top hat; “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” for which she brought out the troops, before taking us “To the Hop;” “Bad Girls;” “Vogue;” “The Macarena;” “All the Single Ladies,” with Tina and her backup boys all in black leotards; and “Good Girls,” for which Tina went topless. Bootsie did a dramatic song and, especially, dance number with a male dance partner.
In the question and answer section, Sabel was asked about the last event of Cherry’s season and rightly answered, “The Survivors Party.” Lauren’s question concerned Cherry’s sister restaurant—she answered correctly “Sandcastle.” Tina was asked the name of Cherry’s Thursday night event and gave the correct answer, “Blow.” Bootsie knew that the night for Dining with the Divas at Cherry’s was Monday.
“Gotta Get a Gimmick,” from “Gypsy,” was the riotous opening number of the afternoon, with Ginger as Mazeppa, Bianca as Electra, and Gusty as Tessie Tura. Ginger ended her reign with a determined “And I Am Telling You I Am not Going,” from “Dreamgirls,” and indeed had to be dragged off the stage by Gusty and Bianca, and with an optimistic “Defying Gravity,” from “Wicked.” Ken Woodhouse, appropriately dressed, for both the occasion and the song, sang “Sweet Transvestite,” from “The Rocky Horror Show.” Miss Cherry’s 2010 Logan Hardcore did “I Just Wanna Dance,” with split and kicks, of course. Miss Cherry’s 1993 China took a walk celebrating the 20th anniversary of her reign. Miss Cherry’s 1994, Miss Fire Island 1968, and Ms. Cherry’s 2011 Charity offered “Piece of My Heart.”
Donna Piranha made an appearance doing “The Best Thing about Being a Woman.” Justin Valentine made a welcome return singing “Open your heart to me” and “Vogue.” Miss Cherry Lane 2011 Dallas Dubois’ number was “Life of the Party.” At last year’s Miss Cherry’s Pageant, Liza Minnelli, who had sung with Alan Cumming the night before, stopped the show with a cameo appearance on stage. This year’s celebrity cameo appearance on stage was made by Wanda Sykes.