A week ago tonight since the Drag Show Night host by the Courtyard by Marriott Oxford South Hotel raising funds for our charity was held and presented by Scarlett Von Kok and Friends. It was a fabulous night full of laughter, hilarity, all things drag and campery as well as entertainment and dance. And, for our very own founder Andy, he also found himself thrown into the deep end all for charity.
Mr Play2Give Andrew Baker MBE BCAv is known for getting involved and in pretty much doing anything (non physical due to limitations with his disability) if it brings in some bob for the charity, and well the show night saw Andy (much to the amusement of the guests and queens after an audience vote) transformed across two hours into an unrecognisable queen too – all thanks to the handiwork of Grace Anatomy who was on hand to do the honour of making over Andy.
Meet Ella Bazookas!
For one night only, Andy became Ella Bazookas – a mysterious, cheeky, naughty, fiery, red-haired vixen with attitude and swagger, and Ella sure went down well with the party-goers, as she also busted out some quality dance moves on the dance floor, after she “reached for the stars” and all after a bit of “its raining men”!
Our Drag Show Night last Saturday (17/6) was a huge success with a packed room and a sell-out occasion, raising an amazing £1,547.00 smashing the funds raised by our ladies night held last year out of the park.
Just as well the show raised an amazing amount so that the hilarity and amusement of Andy’s transformation wasn’t all for nothing.
Our thanks to all involved in putting the event together including Claire (sales manager at the hotel), to the hotel for kindly hosting and providing all the welcome drinks, canapes and the food and drink, to Scarlett Von Kok and her friends Cairo Ali, Lujane Oud, Sera Tonin and Grace Anatomy for putting together a spectacular show and to Dan of RD Productions for the most amazing light, PA, sound and technical support really bringing the venue to life with spectacular lights and for the disco to end the night.
It was wonderful to see so many people, over 70, turn out for such an incredible night of fun, smiles, laughter, joy, enjoyment and hilarity and all with great spirits had by all and it is hoped that we will hold another night with Scarlett Von Kok and Friends, in 2024.
Thank you to David Child, representative from the Oxford Hospitals Charity, for attending and giving a wonderful and engaging talk on the night about the work of the hospital charity and our impact to the Oxford Children’s Hospital in our fundraising and work in raising tireless funds over the past 21 years. David was also on hand to help decide Andy’s fete with Grace Anatomy by picking the colour in the eye shadow stakes. David, fortunately, was very kind and chose a lovely pinky shadow for Andy’s glittery eyes. So well done David for his input and for being responsible, a little, in Andy’s stunning transformation as Ella Bazookas.
And above all, a big well done to Andy for being such a great sport on the night. Now, that is dedication to the cause!
