Mint Julep event raises a glass and $88,000 for health services
In Houston, #SundayFunday is definitely a “thing.”
The weekend social event is typically marked by copious amounts of champagne cocktails, indulgent fare and midday partying. Legacy Community Health’s annual Mint Julep boasted all of the aforementioned components and more.
A packed house of supporters began pouring into Rich’s Houston — the former post-college dance club of choice turned “it” gay bar — in Midtown around 2 p.m. For the past 15 years, the nonprofit has hosted the free drag show with proceeds benefiting HIV/AIDS programs and services.
That’s right. In addition to bottles of Veuve Clicquot, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and orange juice (mimosa or screwdriver, anyone?), a dozen highoctane drag performers including Shy Anne, Kaye Sedilla, Ginger Grant and Katy Freeway shimmied and shook across the stage in the style of this year’s “Dream Girls and Guys” theme.
“We often get asked why we began serving those outside of the LGBTQ community,” said event chair Tony Bravo, who shared host duties with Linda Cantu and Ben Dillon. “The best way to serve the Houston community is to include everyone.”
Indeed, the organization now provides medical and social services to the uninsured and underinsured of Houston, Baytown and Beaumont. More than 152,000 patients visited Legacy’s clinics and school-based locations in 2016 alone.
In between trips to the Bryan Caswell-catered taco buffet, attendees waved and donated their dollars to the tune of $88,000, which exceeded this year’s fundraising goal.
Female illusionist Angelina DM Trailz brought the house down, not once but thrice, with her rendition of Celine Dion hits and a grandfinale-on-roller-skates.
Thanks in part to Angelina and honorees The Diane Foundation, Jani Lopez and Bryan Hlavinka, the bar has been effectively raised for 2018’s Sweet 16 soiree.