November marks the half-way point for the reign of Calgary’s Emperor and Empress, so it was time to track down current reigning Empress 32 Nina Tron and Emperor 32 Michael Myte for an informal progress report.
But first, recalling how Empress Nina Tron encountered some interesting challenges when campaigning to become Empress earlier this year, we asked her boy alter-ego Arin Chilton to reflect on his experiences.
“It wasn’t as much of a battle as some would make it out to be,” he said. “In every campaign there are people who want you to win, and then there are people that don’t want you to win. In this case there were some pretty loud people that didn’t want me to win, and it only encouraged me to make sure the people that did want me to win got out and voted.”
Shortly after coronation, Emperor 32 Ashley Carmichael had to step down, and Mike Esbeth explained how things came about for him to be filling the role as Emperor in her stead.
“When Ashley was elected as Emperor, she obviously wanted to have a great year. She had to step down due to health concerns. Within the organization’s process of elevation, if one of the titles is unwilling or unable to finish their term, the title underneath is moved up. As far as I know, there was a small option of saying no I’m not ready or prepared to do this. …But I wanted to be there for Nina, and not to have to put a burden on another past monarch that has just stepped down. I felt that it was my responsibility to step up to the plate and give Nina the best year that I could with support for her, and…for Ashley to be proud of what was accomplished, because she will always be the 32nd Elected Emperor even though she won’t be on the college of monarchs.”
This year the ISCCA happens to have representation in the Upper House from one of their longstanding charities of choice, the Children’s Wish Foundation.
“[Fred] is an active member of their organization as well as ours,” explained Chilton. “It’s good because he has a connection to that organization, and can get the [fundraising materials] that we need, so it’s nice having such a close relationship with a charity.”
A challenge the ISCCA has faced during this reign is the inaccessibility of a fundraising venue that was once available to past reigns.
“We’re primarily still working with the venues that have always stood by the court no matter what,” Chilton assured us. “They’re the loyal sponsors of this organization – they have always supported us and we support them in turn. It really hasn’t affected us at all, to tell you the truth…we’re having a meeting in a week and we should know a better total, but we’re hovering around $25,000 now and we’re at the halfway mark, so it looks good.”
Perhaps this bump in the road is smoothed over by increased fundraising efforts outside of the city. Recently the court raised an impressive $3000 for the Children’s Wish Foundation at Cougars bar in Turner Valley. Said Chilton, “It came through Debbie Leong who does business with the owner of Cougars. They had been talking about it for some time, and it came to be when Justine moved back. …So through Children’s Wish, and Debbie Leong and Justine…it came together flawlessly as far as I’m concerned.” Esbeth added that there is a possibility another Turner Valley show will happen this upcoming April, spearheaded by Hellon Heels.
The ISCCA is indeed blessed with the support of a number of big-name drag queens, including a few that have recently returned to Calgary.
“They have been a part of this city and its culture for a lot longer than I have, so it’s nice to see that support is still there – that they’re there to support the organization no matter what. …I think timing is everything in this case (that’s for you Justine). It just so happened that Justine and Terry were moving back, and both of them are very strong individuals in their sense of community and support, and they look to not necessarily get involved with the politics, but get involved with solutions.”
Chilton also showered praise on Dyna Myte, who was named Entertainer of the year for this reign. He explained how she and her Emperor continue to actively participate in the ISCCA.
“[Dyna had] one of the most excellent reigns that this city has seen. She’s moved on to also become this city’s Heir Apparent, which is our connection to San Diego through the international Court system. …So that’s a big honour. Plus we also have Wolfgang who is a member of Parliament, and his job is to review and revise the whole system in itself, and he’s an excellent person for this job.”
The ISCCA has a large component of fundraising nights that occur on a weekly or monthly basis. They host special shows every 3rd Sunday of the month at the Calgary Eagle, and every 2nd Saturday at Money Pennies; they sell shooters on Tuesdays and Saturdays at the Texas Lounge, and every 2nd Friday at the Calgary Eagle alongside of coat check. Their regular Barbecue fundraisers have now ended due to the change in season – although this is their mainstay at Backlot, Chilton says they hope to have something new at Backlot around Christmas time. Some upcoming special events include a Sunday show during World Aids Day weekend, a Crowns for Kids show at the beginning of December, and a booth sponsored by GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine at the Taboo Exhibition and Sex Show (in Calgary from November 14th to 16th).
“I’m out of town in Regina for their investitures, but Michael will be [at Taboo]. We’re selling [teddy bears] and also Court pins as a fundraiser. The bears are coming with me to Regina as well.” Esbeth adds that the teddy bears are selling for $15 each, toward charity of course.
Esbeth left us with some final thoughts. “I really thank the community for their support, and GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine for all the things they do for us above and beyond the call of duty. At the end of the day, without the support of the community and the city – everybody that’s involved – this organization is only a name.”
The Imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch
www.iscca.ca
