Drag superstar (and Dallas’ own) Alyssa Edwards will be headlining The Greg Dollgener Memorial AIDS Fund’s signature drag entertainment fundraiser Night of Stars: The Original, set for Saturday, Sept. 12, from 5-9 p.m. in the Rose Room inside S4, 3911 Cedar Springs Road, GDMAF officials announced this morning (Tuesday, July 28).
Edwards is North Texas native and one of the most recognizable entertainers in drag, known for her larger-than-life personality, impeccable performances and worldwide fan base. Already a legend in North Texas and in the drag pageant world, not only for her talents as a performer but also as owner and instructor of the award-winning, Mesquite-based dance studio Beyond Belief Dance Company, Edwards gained a national and international fan base with her appearance on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 5, followed by a turn on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 2. She went on to star in the acclaimed Netflix docuseries Dancing Queen and was crowned the inaugural “Queen of the Mothertucking World” on RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars in 2024.
Joining Alyssa Edwards for Night of Stars are: Onyx Anderson, Penny Cilyn, JT Davenport, Gloria Devine, Peter DiCesare, Sierra Lapuerta, Kiana Lee, Mattie Madison, Kabrina D Sierra, Mary Anne Somers, Sapphire Elaine Tailar and Wayne Smith.
General admission tickets, available at the GDMAF website, are $30 in advance, and VIP tickets, which include an exclusive pre-show reception and meet-and-greet with Edwards, are $50 in advance. Sponsorship packages are also available for businesses and individuals wishing to support the event and GDMAF’s mission.
“For more than a decade,” organizers said in a press release announcing the lineup, “Night of Stars has showcased the extraordinary talent of the local entertainment community while raising critical funds for HIV-related programs and services throughout North Texas. Night of Stars has established itself as a beloved tradition in The Rose Room, combining world-class entertainment with meaningful community impact.
Event Co-Chair Michael Screws said, “Night of Stars has always been about bringing our community together through incredible entertainment while making a real difference. We’re proud to continue a tradition that has entertained audiences, celebrated our community and raised vital funds for HIV-related programs and services for many years.
“We’re excited to welcome Alyssa Edwards and an exceptional cast for what promises to be an unforgettable evening.”
The Greg Dollgener Memorial AIDS Fund is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting HIV/AIDS service organizations throughout North Texas. For more than 30 years, GDMAF has raised and distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars helping those with HIV/AIDS in emergency situations.
— Tammye Nash