The Shelley Novak Awards

The unsinkable Shelley Novak will host her annual drag awards show Monday, Feb. 21st at Crobar. She will begin the night showing another camp classic at her monthly "Hollywood on the verge of a nervous breakdown" series. For ten dollars you get a ticket to the movie being shown at the Miami Beach Cinematheque on Espanola Way, Shelley's riotous repartee, admission to Crobar and the drag awards, and two drinks! Pinch me, I think I'm dreaming.

The drag awards' categories are Best Costume, Best Latin Drag, Best Newcomer, Best Host/MC, Most Comedic, and Most Glamorous. The Lifetime Achievement: Your Career is Over Award will be given to Bridgette Buttercup. I have my favorites, of course, but wouldn't be foolish enough to announce them out loud; I've already voted, too. I am a bit troubled by one name or two which appear every year on the Awards (and win, too). I give credit to anyone who stands out at what they do, but think after several years of dominating a category the drag queen should be elevated to some lofty position like judge to let the others have a chance. The English are good at this; every time they want to get rid of some pesky person they make them an Earl or Viscount and lock them up in the House of Lords. Miami could have a House of Queens that drag matters are brought to and debated.

I am breaking my tradition of staying home on Sundays today; The Palace on Ocean Drive is having a "Sexy Speedo" contest and I love to watch the reaction of the tourists to The Palace's open air drag shows. Let's see, boys in Speedos/drag queens/ drink in my hand. I guess I'm going to a little bit of heaven.