While flipping through GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine, you are bound to come across several photos labeled as ISCCA fundraisers – ones where they collaborate with AIDS Calgary or the local bars to raise money and awareness. Many of them have become very well known in the drag community due to their role in the ISCCA, but their efforts are about so much more than fame and lip-synching to their favorite gay musical icon. The Imperial Court system has been going in Calgary for longer than many of us can remember, and they continue to do fabulous work.
I met with our current reigning Empress and Emperor, Mz. Dyna Myte and Wolfgang Von Bearstein on December 31st at the Texas Lounge. They were both looking a bit worn out from their busy lives, but were pleased to do our interview.
GC: What is the difference between Calgary’s Court and any other court? What are your plans for the New Year, where are you coming from and where are you going to?
W: We want to involve every aspect of the community, to be united together as one flag, one family kind of idea. There’s too much separation, if you will, between the Gays, the Lesbians, leather pride and the bars.
D: Yes, not only just the bars but all of the organizations... We want to make sure we make it to all of those functions so everybody feels like we’re supporting each other.
W: We were elected by the community and therefore we feel we have to be…everywhere. We want to feel that everyone is getting their time with the Court.
GC: What are you doing in Calgary to create that sense of community?
W: We’re trying to be visible…everywhere as much as possible.
D: There are always similarities in the Courts [between different cities], but, as for Calgary it seems like…
W: It seems like in the past they have not been everywhere where they could be. We’re focusing a lot on being at every possible event that we can.
D: All the functions, all the bars as well.
GC: To what would you attribute your success this year, with regards to the fundraising that you’ve done?
D: We’ve been very fortunate, the community has really supported us this year. I know there was a lot of concern with bars closing down. In past years [the ISCCA has] focused a lot on drag shows…and we still do drag shows, but we’re doing other things as well. We’re doing coat checks and shooter bars, BBQs and calendars and t-shirts…all sort of things, to try and think a little bit differently.
W: Think outside the box. We have worked our asses off the past…eight and a half months is it now? We’re doing functions three, four, sometimes even five times a week.
D: Sometimes there are three functions in one day!
GC: So how important is tonight, being New Years?
D: We have to be out and visible with the crowns. We’ll be out to all the venues tonight - we have to get everywhere!
GC: What was your favorite ISCCA-related event this year?
D: I had a blast doing World AIDS day. Twisted Element treated us really, really well. They helped us out with selling the ribbons, making it mandatory at the door. It was wonderful, that was a really fun function to do. It was busy, and it was a full week or two of trying to make all these ribbons [and other preparations]. Other than that, outside of Calgary, the best function we’ve been to was in Alaska. Alaska treated us so wonderfully, they were so welcoming to us.
GC: What were you in Alaska for?
D: We were there for coronation. It was wonderful. We spent…four days there?
W: Four day…not long enough.
DW: It really was a lot of fun. Hopefully they’re planning on coming back here for our coronation.
W: We want to re-create that sense of hospitality for everyone coming here.
GC: What do you think are some of the most important charities that you provide donations and support to?
D: We are helping raise money for Beswick House. We’ve given to the Centre of Hope. We’re also donating towards Artists for Quality of life, which [supports] the AIDS Calgary lunch program, as well as the Children’s Wish Foundation - we’d like to grant a wish, at least one wish. And then AGAPE manor. …A lot of people aren’t familiar with AGAPE but they work hard with AIDS patients as well as anyone terminally ill, like cancer patients. They’re always really, really in need as well.
At this point the duo needed to get back to their duties, but in closing they wanted to let everyone know how much they love to see new faces as well as old. The two of them are not only partners in the court, but also in life, and they’re excited to see what the rest of their reign will bring.
Every penny they raise is going to a worthy cause, and their roster of charities is ever growing. With any luck the new found energy they have brought to the Court will be carried on even after they step down this April.
The ISCCA
www.iscca.ca
