The 20th annual Leo Party and Miss Leo Contest are set for 9 p.m. on July 28 at The Hidden Door, 5025 Bowser. The theme for this year’s party is “Back to Our Roots.”
The Leo Party started two decades ago, conceived of by Earl Marler, David Moore and Jeff Moyer, as a comedy drag show in the back bar at the Hidden Door to raise money for charities.
The Miss Leo Contest was added in the party’s fourth year, with contestants strutting their stuff on a 4-foot-by-6-foot piece of plywood balanced on beer cases. Then, as now, the tiara and the title went to the contestant who raised the most tips.
The pageant grew so much in popularity that it had to be moved to larger quarters on the bar’s patio, and today all the money raised goes to the AIDS Interfaith Network’s Daire Center, an adult day and respite care facility for people living with HIV.
In honor of the event’s 20th anniversary this year, all former Miss Leo winners who can will perform, along with those vying for the 2007 crown.
The show will be dedicated to the memory of the late Mance “Dolly” Bridwell and emcee and show director and former Miss Leo Andy Scanlon, will perform the final number in Bridwell’s honor.
For more information, contact Scanlon at 214-521-5244.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition July 13, 2007