A little drag and a lot of fun are in store this weekend as Wilton Collective hosts its annual Reverse Quinceañera (RQ). Founder Julian Cavazos began the tradition on his 51st birthday, the reverse of 15 which is the traditional age for a quinceañera.
The party has grown over the years, and the 12th iteration is Saturday from 6:30-11 p.m. in the Crystal Ballroom at The Manor in Wilton Manors, with the theme Queen of the Night. And Queen is the operative word.
Some of South Florida’s top drag entertainers will compete for a $1,500 top cash prize. While there will be lots of pageantry, the RQ entertainment is strictly a talent show. The night will also feature a new chapter in the long-running saga of Myrna, a telenovela story featuring the ups and mostly downs of a character looking for love. The fifth chapter will feature a surprise pregnancy.
“This picks up where Myrna is ready to drop, and she’s going to find love again. It’s going to be quite an episode,” Cavazos said. He also teased a touch of royalty.
Local entertainer FayWhat?! Is back to host for a second year.
“This organization is near and dear to my heart,” she said. “I’m very excited.”
Proceeds from the benefit, which is sold out, go to Julian’s Fountain of Youth, which works with LGBTQ youth and develops programs and outings to help them develop life skills and cope in an often-hostile world.
Fay says it’s that mission that inspires her to pitch in.
“If you’ve ever spoken to Julian, you know that those children are his world and his passion. Right now, with the climate that we’re in, LGBTQ+ youth are the most targeted, and they can’t even vote and yet they’re going through that.”
