Home About Us Events Families Tech Crew Links Contact Us

Our Next Event  . . .  when we get plowed out ...

 

Once again *postponed*
The Royal Ball

Honoring the King of Hearts, Pat Garrett and the Queen of Hearts, Sylvia Stallone

Once again, Mother Nature is preventing us from crowning a new King and Queen of Hearts .... once we get the schedule re-arranged, we'll let everyone know.

Ziegfelds
1824 Half Street SW


Sunday - February ?, 2010
$10 Entry Fee
Doors open at 2:00 p.m.
Show begins at 3:00 p.m.


Save The Date ... 50th Annual Gaye Golden Boy Awards Scheduled

Yes, it's just a little over a year away and we want you to go ahead and reserve the date to join with The Academy of Washington in celebrating our milestone 50th Annual Gaye Golden Boy Awards.

The grand celebration will be held on  May 1, 2011 at the Almas Temple. Doors will open to the public at 4:00 pm and Protocol will begin at 6:00 pm. Come dressed in your finest as we recommend black-tie/formal attire. More details will be released as we get closer to the date .... but don't miss this event!
 


We Have a New Miss Gaye Zodiac 2009!

The ten of the twelve signs were filled, nine individuals competed on Sunday, January 10, 2010 and the "women" of the Academy continue the hold on the Zodiac medallion for another year!

The Zodiac Signs that competed were:

Capricorn Tammy Taylor Stephyns
Aquarius Arizona Blake
Pisces Alexandra B. Childs
Taurus CoCo Blackwell
Gemini Anthony Perkins
Leo Shelby Blake-Stephyns
Virgo Gucci Renee Blackwell
Libra Ronita B. Childs
Scorpio Tiffany Nicole Blackwell

After a ghoul-ful entrance and then on-runway transformation into Miss Gaye Zodiac 2009, Veronica Blake led off a wonderful evening of talent and self-expression from the contestants. After an exciting contest,  the title was passed on to yet another female Zodiac contestant. Non-Finalist in Self-Expression was Anthony Perkins, Non-Finalist in Talent was Alexandra B. Childs,  2nd Runner-up was Ronita B. Childs, 1st Runner-up was Arizona Blake, and the title of  Miss Gaye Zodiac for 2009 was won by Miss Leo, Shelby Blake-Stephyns.

Congratulations to Shelby and "Bravo" to all the contestants for a great Zodiac Finals contest.
 

Flanked by Miss Capricorn, Tammy Taylor-Stephyns (left), Shelby Blake-Stephyns (center) learns she has just won the title of Miss Gaye Zodiac 2010.


Miss Gaye America DC 2009

The 2009 Miss Gaye America (DC) Pageant was held at Ziegfeld's on November 22, 2009. Five Academy members competed in five categories: State Costume, Swimwear, Talent, Evening Gown, and On Stage Question.

The Academy members competing were: Miss Florida, Sylvia Stallone; Miss Georgia, Mona D. Lotts; Miss Kansas, Regina Jozet Adams, Miss New Jersey, Gucci Renee Blackwell, and Miss Pennsylvania, Charity B. Childs.

The current Miss Gaye America (DC), Destiny B. Childs, opened the show with "One Short Day" from the Broadway play "Wicked" and to entertain the standing-room only crowd throughout the evening. Destiny completed the evening as our Miss Gaye America (DC) melting before our eyes on stage but then returning for her final walk as Miss Gaye America (DC).

Finalists in the Pageant were: Miss Florida, Sylvia Stallone and Miss New Jersey, Gucci Renee Blackwell. Second Runner-up was Miss Georgia, Mona D. Lotts. First Runner-up was Miss Pennsylvania, Charity B. Childs, and our new Miss Gaye America (DC) for 2009 is Miss Kansas, Regina Jozet Adams.

Congratulations Regina!

Regina Jozet Adams
Miss Gaye America (DC) 2009


Mr. And Miss Gaye USA (DC) Results

Congratulations to Anthony Perkins  for winning the title of Mr. Gaye USA (DC) and Sarah Lee Garrett (pictured right) for winning the coveted "silver rose" as Miss Gaye USA (DC). It was a wonderful evening of competition and all of the contestants deserve a "bravo" for their efforts.

Not since Lainie Kazan in the 1970's has the winner of Miss Gaye USA (DC) gone on to later take the title of Miss Gaye Universe (DC). Congratulations to Sarah on making her mark in Academy history!


Tabitha Versace Starr

Tabitha Versace Starr (Mark Kube), 46, of Washington, DC entered into Eternal Rest on Wednesday, October 28, 2009. He was born in Fredericksburg, VA and graduated from Orange Senior High School in Orange, VA. Mark lived in Washington, DC for the past 18 years where he worked as a bartender for Crystal City Marriott, The Kennedy Center and local bars Badlands and Mr. P's. He enjoyed traveling, making exotic crafts and jewelry, and spending time with his family and friends. He dearly loved his 9 year old Pomeranian, Rustybear. He was a member of the Washington Academy where he enjoyed performing as Tabitha Versace Starr, and being a family member of Addison Road. He also won the title of Miss Northern Virginia Gay Pride, the first and only winner of that title. He is survived by his Partner of 21 years, Glenn D. Grove, his parents, Alvin & Peggy, a brother, Rodney and his sister, Leah Ann. Services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Memorial Donations to help with the cost of funeral services may be sent to his Partner, Glenn Grove, P O Box 53015, WDC 20009-9015.

Tabitha was a member of Addison Road and a former Miss Faberge. Her Academy Golden Boy awards included:

2004 - Addison Road Award of Merit
2005 - Drag Personality
2006 - Ambassador of Addison Road
2007 - Most Talented Drag
2008 - Academy Pride Award
 


Sasha Kennedy-Smith and Pebbles Take Turnabout  Titles

The current Miss Gaye Turnabout (DC), Sierra Dawn Childs, both of our Entertainer of Turnabout (DC) winners, Lucky Couture and Dirty Martini, a large crowd, eight Miss Gaye Turnabout (DC) contestants, and five Entertainer of Turnabout (DC) contestants added up to an exciting and very entertaining Turnabout contest at Ziegfelds on Sunday, October 25th, 2009.

After a wonderful display of charm and couture by our eight Miss Gaye Turnabout (DC) contestants and entertainment by the five Entertainer of Turnabout (DC) contestants, the judges' decisions were announced.

In the Entertainer of Turnabout contest, Johnny Bravo as "Ferrera Roche" was second runner-up, Xavier Bottoms as "Nada Bottoms" was first runner-up, and Bam Bam Blake as "Pebbles" was awarded the title of Entertainer for Turnabout for 2010.

In the Miss Gaye Turnabout (DC) contest, Diego Kane Lovelace as "Lace B. Childs" was second runner-up, John Kane as "Aurora Garnett Blake" was first runner-up, and Trace Couture as "Sasha Kennedy-Smith" was crowned Miss Gaye Turnabout for 2010. This was Trace's second attempt for the coveted crown.

Miss Gaye Turnabout (DC) 2009 , Sierra Dawn Childs, with Entertainer of Turnabout (DC) 2009, Lucky Couture (not pictured, our other Entertainer of Turnabout (DC) 2009 winner, Dirty Martini).

Entertainer of  Turnabout (DC) 2010, Pebbles with Miss Gaye Turnabout (DC) 2010, Sasha Kennedy-Smith after winning their titles on Sunday evening.


Yolanda M. Young (Carolyn "C.J" Davis)

Yolanda M. Young (Carolyn "C.J." Davis) died on Saturday, October 3, 2009 in Bethesda MD, after a brief illness. She was 60. She was a former member of Beekman Place as Trina M. Young's daughter.

Click here to continue reading her tribute pages.


Mr. and Miss Black and White Chosen

On Sunday, September 20, 2009, the 2008 Mr. and Miss Black and White, Shammy Jaymes and Shelby Stephyns were presented and presided over  the 2009 Black and White Ball. Our new Academy Debutantes and Debonairs were introduced to the Gaye President (DC) of the Academy, Patrick Turner-Lee and First Lady of the Academy, CeeCee Leone. After a wonderful evening of entertainment by Shammy and Shelby as well as former titleholders, the new Mr. Black and White Debonair, Xavier Bottoms, and Miss Black and White Debutante, Shelby Bottoms received their titles.

Congratulations to Shammy and Shelby for a wonderful evening and to Xavier and Shelby on what will a great year for the two of them.

 

Mr. Black and White, Xavier Bottoms and Miss Black and White, Shelby Bottoms at the conclusion of the 2009 Black and White Ball


*Updated* 2009-2010 Full Season Calendar Now Available

The calendar for the Academy's 2009-2010 season is now available. Click here to download the Adobe PDF version of the calendar.  This version of the calendar (dated August 31, 2009) has the following changes:

- Removed September 2, 2009 meeting (meeting canceled)
- Moves Miss Gaye America (DC) Showcase and Contest to the Fall Schedule; Zodiac Showcase and Finals are now in January 2010
- Has all events scheduled through the end of the season.

For any changes to the calendar, please email Veronica Blake.


New Academy Mailing List Started

As of this week, a new comprehensive Academy mailing list was created and the first emails have gone out. This one-way mailing list will be used to distribute information out to Academy members and friends on Academy events and newsworthy activities. It was generated from the Academy Troop List. If you supplied an email address on the Troop List, you should have received an email from "AcademyInfo" at this website address (thewashingtonacademy.com).  If you are a member or friend of the Academy on the Troop List and you didn't receive the email, please send an email to Veronica. Several emails have already been returned because of non-existent email addresses.

Not a member of the Academy but would still like to be kept abreast of Academy happenings, send an email to Veronica and she will add you to the "Friends of The Academy" list.


Academy Happenings

 

The 2011 Zodiac Contests Have Begun

The race to fill the Zodiac wheel for the 2011 Zodiac contest has begun and so far, the first of the monthly signs have been taken.

The Zodiac Signs filled so far are:

Capricorn Ronita B. Childs
Aquarius * Contest on March 7, 2010 *
Pisces * Contest on March 7, 2010 *
Aries * Contest on March 7, 2010 *
Taurus * Contest on April 18, 2010 *
Gemini * Contest on April 18, 2010 *
Cancer * Contest on April 7, 2010 *
Leo * Contest on May 16, 2010 *
Virgo * Contest on May 16, 2010 *
Libra * scheduled for next season *
Scorpio * scheduled for next season *
Sagittarius * scheduled for next season *

Remember that you must sign up with Veronica Blake at least one week before the contest if you want to compete.


Current Academy Protocol

Holding  the Academy's highest titles this year are our new 48th Best Actor and Best Actress A.J. Turner and Tula. Congratulations to both for achieving this high honor

In addition to our new Best Actor and Best Actress, the Protocol Holders for our 48th Year are:
   
Mr. and Miss Gaye Golden Boy: Anthony Perkins and Ophelia Bottoms
Mr. and Miss Gaye Academy: Ricky Couture and Ashlee Jozet Adams
Most Promising Actor and Actress: Kanili Diamond and Shelby Blake-Stephyns
Mr. and Miss Showbusiness: Big Daddy and Vickii Vox
Emperor and Empress of the Silver Screen: Jimmy Carter and Jessyca Jaymes Colt
Supporting Actor and Actress: Carlton Stephens and Ophelia Bottoms
NY Drama Critic's Best Actor and Actress: Sting and Kelly Garrett
Vice-President and Vice-Lady: Fred McMurray and Veronica Blake
President and First Lady: Patrick Turner Lee and CeeCee Leone

Congratulations to all of our Golden Boy recipients and to our new Best Actor and Actress. And knowing A.J. and Tula, we are definitely in for a most enjoyable and unforgettable year!


Miss Gay Dreamgirl 2009

Congratulations to Kristina Kelly who won the Miss Gay Dreamgirl Crown on Sunday June 28, 2009. Kristina was one of 7 wonderful contestants that evening and all the girls provided the audience with a wonderfully entertaining show. Our sincere thanks goes out to Destiny B. Childs who carried the title of Miss Gay Dreamgirl for us for the past three years. Thank you Destiny and congratulations to Kristina!


Miss Gaye Universe DC 2009

On Sunday April 19, 2009, 26 contestants participated in the 2009 Miss Gaye Universe DC Ball and Tammy Faye Taylor stepped down from the title handing it over to Patti Lovelace, Miss Germany. Blair Michaels, Miss England,  was first runner-up and Destiny B. Childs, Miss India, was second-runner-up.


32nd Royal Ball

A new Royal Family was crowned on Sunday, March 29, 2009 at Ziegfelds. After the current Royal Family (King of Hearts Frank Sinatra, Queen of Hearts Tula, Prince Charming Kanili Diamond, and Cinderella (Ashley Jozet Adams) said their farewells, a new group of Royalty stepped into place.

The Gaye Prince Charming for 2009 is John Denver and Gaye Cinderella  for 2009 is Alexandra B. Childs. Pat Garrett was crowned the King of Hearts for 2009 and Sylvia Stallone is our new Queen of Hearts for 2009.


 


© 2010 The Academy of Washington, Inc., All rights reserved.
No portion of this web site may be copied or reproduced without the express written permission of The Academy of Washington, Inc.
All names specified on this web site are completely fictitious and are not intended to bear a resemblance to any person living or dead. Any such resemblance is entirely coincidental.
Last modified: January 31, 2010