‘Dudes’ Raise Awareness, Funds For Women’s Center
By Nancy Lundell // October 20, 2014
Manly Men Strut Their girlie Stuff
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL PHOTO GALLERY
Highly Anticipated Event Where Manly Men Strut Their Stuff and Rock Their Moxy
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – If Sheriff Wayne Ivy gets tired of the top law enforcement job in Brevard County, he might have a shot at a career in entertainment.
The second annual “Dude Looks Like A Lady: Men Against Domestic Violence” fundraiser was held recently at the Cocoa Beach DoubleTree.
As the honorary chair and emcee of the evening, his wry remarks, gentle insults and out and out ridicule of the “Dudes” who had the guts to dress up and impersonate women, kept the audience of 6oo or more laughing their sides off as they continued to write checks, put money in the hat and stuff fives and tens into performers’ bras and pockets – all for an important cause.
Men Against Domestic Violence grossed about $124,000 for the Women’s Center’s programs that help women abuse victims rebuild their lives and their self esteem.
Eighteen men from all walks of life competed to raise the most.
They included a high school teacher, a jeweler, a dance instructor, several engineers, a fire fighter, a real estate investor and a nurse, to name a few. And then they took to the stage to impersonate a woman they admire or at least find fascinating.
Tyler Sirois, Executive Director for the State Attorney’s office, emerged as the top fundraiser, bringing in $24,000 for the cause.
Of special note were William Booth, a teacher at Melbourne High, who was totally convincing as Joan Rivers doing a somewhat raunchy stand-up routine.
The Dude with the best performance and winner of Miss Congeniality, based on audience applause, was Walter LeBlanc, a recruitment assistant and nurse at Parrish Medical Center, who transformed himself into Liza Minnelli.
Emcee Ivey asked each Dude contestant to talk about his upcoming performance and what inspired his choice.
Then they all cleared the room for makeup and costumes and came back one by one for their impersonations.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL PHOTO GALLERY
Nancy and Drake Lundell cover the social, cultural and artistic scene in Brevard County for Maverick Multimedia’s SpaceCoastDaily.com and Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine. Nancy is also a Realtor with Prudential Sterling Properties of Indian Harbour Beach and Drake, who is also a licensed real estate sales associate, serves as her marketing manager.
To reach Nancy and Drake call 321-474-3890 or e-mail Nancysellshomes4u@gmail.com
