On September 7, an array of Cherry Grove entertainers performed in the Concerned Women of the Grove (CWOG) “Follies” at the Ice Palace, raising funds for Cherry Grove EMS, to continue Emergency Medical Service for a second season as a pilot program. Proceeds from a 50-50 raffle and all performers’ tips, totaling $7,000, went to EMS, which has responded to 60 calls since May. DJ Chuck McTague was responsible for music, lights, and sound.
Fresh from being named Ms. Cherry Grove, in the previous day’s Miss Fire Island contest, and joking that that made her “queen of the old and fat people,” Donna Piranha hosted the “Follies,” opened the show with a zesty “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” from “Funny Girl,” and reported that she and partner Roger Cortez would be married on November 8. Mica moved us by singing “It’s as If We Never Said Goodbye,” from “Sunset Boulevard.” Charity returned, after her announced farewell to the Grove, to salute a sweeter than sweetheart with “Candy.” Ann Phetamine’s mash-up included “Let’s Have a Kiki” and “Raise Your Glass.” This writer sang “This Nearly Was Mine,” from “South Pacific.”
Bella’s lusty number was “Bring on the Men,” from “Jekyll and Hyde.” Linda Dickerman, as a Confederate soldier, and Barbara Hirsch, as Carol Burnett as Scarlett O’Hara, in the dress made from curtains, complete with curtain rod, blended “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” with the audience singing along, with “Tara’s Theme,” from “Gone with the Wind.” Glamorous Nikki Starr was Cher doing “Song for the Lonely” and a medley of “Half Breed,” “Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves,” and “Dark Lady.” Renée Flaming contributed a multi-lingual “Let It Go,” from “Frozen.” The audience cheered for Freddy and Christian, giving us Boy George songs, including “Karma Chameleon.”
Demi-Tasse, as Tina Turner, performed “River Deep, Mountain High.” Ivanna Cocktail, as Shirley Bassey, urged us to “Get This Party Started.” Belvedere’s Kendra Kinx, who won the Miss Fire Island Judges Award, was on hand for energetic song-and-dance “Shake It.” Sonny Shores sang a lively “I’m Gonna Live Till I Die.” Tish was so acclaimed for her “Broadway Baby,” from Sondheim’s “Follies,” that her song warranted an encore. Sharon Cox repeated her number from the Ice Palace Turnabout Show, singing “What I Gotta Do to Make You Love Me” and stopping the show. Viva Sexx and Nikki closed the fundraiser with “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”
During the performance, Valerie Perez and Lorraine Michels presented checks for EMS and Kathy Howe pledged a percentage of what she makes doing housekeeping for the EMS unit. With Cobra picking the winning ticket, CWOG’s own Annie Scarpa won the raffle and donated her winnings, totaling $510, to EMS.