Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – What A Drag!, the annual charity event benefiting the Casa Esperanza Women’s Shelter, surpassed all expectations in its eighth year. Over 675 guests filled Teatro Vallarta’s seats to the rafters. The bottom line for this event is raising money, and this year it raised over 2.3 million pesos, representing one-third of the annual budget for the organization.
Casa Esperanza provides beaten, emotionally abused, and broken women and their children with a warm, caring place to live, food, emotional counseling, job training, life training, and, most of all, a second chance at life – free of violence.
Every year, straight men dress up in drag and perform in a competition that includes some of the most spectacular musical performances you will ever see. This year was no exception with amazing dancers, fireworks, guest performers, and of course, the contestants put on their six-inch heels, kicked up a storm, and sang their hearts out.
This year’s winner was Efren Munoz, sponsored by Casa Karma Private Villa and Event Venue. Efren, a.k.a. “Queen Dayana La Más,” wowed the audience with his Jennifer Lopez performance.
The first runner-up was Victor Do Espirito, sponsored by Ryan Donor Realtor and Asociadas. The second runner-up was Lee Perry, sponsored by Nacho Daddy and Dr. Randy Prust. Lee also won the title of “Miss Sweet Charity.” This award is given to the contestant who brings in the largest amount of donations. All six contestants deserved to win in a very tight competition.
In his fifth year, show director Javier Martinez orchestrated a seamless evening that rivaled Las Vegas reviews. Martinez is an international dancer, costume designer, and hairstylist.
A standing ovation also goes to the What A Drag! committee headed by Freda Thompson and to the many sponsors of this year’s event, including the Eidelman Foundation, The Jem Project, Puerto Vallarta Boat Club, and so many more who helped make this year’s event such a success.
Written by Jim Lee for BanderasNews.com.
About The Casa Esperanza Women’s Shelter
Operated by Compassion for the Family Inc, a US 501c3 charitable organization, the Casa Esperanza Women’s Shelter provides beaten, emotionally abused and broken women and their children with a warm caring place to live, food, emotional counseling, nursing care, child care, child counseling, job training, life training and, most of all, a second chance at life – free of violence. When each of these women and their children are ready to embark on their new lives, they are provided with a minimum of six-month follow-up support. For more information, please visit CompassionForTheFamily.com, find them on Facebook, or contact David Zude at compassionforthefamily(at)yahoo.com.mx.