NIRVANA!!!!!

OMG- GingerSnaps!!!   Miss Ginger's life is complete! Should a truck hit her tomorrow, no regrets (just a tangled mess of bills, debt, wigs and eyeglasses) would be left behind!!!!


The beautiful lady to the left, Shelby Hodge, has been penning the coming's and going of the social scene in Houston since Miss G got here. (Shelby MUST have been the youngest social columnist in the business back then!)  When Miss G first came to Houston, Shelby wrote for the Houston Post, and Miss G followed her column religiously,  hoping to be a "sightemed" at a "swakienda" SOMEWHERE west of the Mississippi!!


Some years ago, the post folded into the Chronicle, Miss Ginger's oft-quoted source of all things Texicana.  A couple of years after, Shelby disappeared from the Chronicle's fading pages, only to reappear, bolder and more timely than ever, as the Editor-at-Large for Houston's online source for the happenings about own, houston.culturemap.com.  Screw papercity, people- culturemap is THE place to get the dirt on what's happening around town!  No slumming at Eatzie's  Cafe Express  Barnaby's to find the latest issue- culturemap's webeditions appear on your screen each morning, before your Height's-brew coffee even has time to temper your River Oak's hangover from the night before!!


ANYHO, Shelby's most recent column highlighted one of Miss Ginger's signature events, The Mint Julep Pageant, and don't fail to notice, people, that Miss Ginger was the FIRST QUEEN MENTIONED!!!  In the words of Alexis Mateo:  BAM!!!!


Hopefully, all you Houston 'Snaps out there are already planning to attend the event, one week from this Sunday, at Rich's!  And if you're not:  WHAT THE HELL'S YOUR PROBLEM?!!!


See ya there!!

Happy Derby day Mayo!!

It's 2 of Miss Ginger's favorite spring Holidays, all rolled into one!!  Can't wait to see all her friends at Derby Day!!

The press has recently criticized the adult beverage companies for turning Cinco de Mayo from a cultural observance to a drunkfest.  Miss Ginger is gonna have to do a little research on that...

Meanwhile, Jeebus weeps for usurped holidays.....

Derby Day is Coming!!

It's hard to believe it's almost May, and time for our 4th Annual Derby Day Celebration, benefiting Legacy Community Health Services!  If you've not been to Derby Day before, be sure to come out and join the fun!  Derby Day is all about the hat, so be sure to create your fabulous, most gravity-defying chapeau to enter our Big Hat Contest!  Too butch for a bonnet?  This year,  we're adding a "Construction Hat Contest" to celebrating the progress of Legacy's fabulous new building on California Street in Montrose!  You won't want to miss our legendary Drag Horse Races, and of course, we'll televise the running of the race to see who can pick the winner!!


By the by, gurls and boiz,  Derby Day is the kickoff for our annual Mr, Ms, and Miss Mint Julep Contest, where we crown the boy, girl, and boygirl who raise the most money for Legacy Community Health Services over the course of the summer!  If you want to enter the contest, contact Timmy at tjmartinez@legacycommunityhealth.org   The sooner your declare your candidacy, the sooner you can start your fundraising efforts!  As a special bonus, decare your candidacy prior to May 7th, and Miss G will work you into the lineup so you can start collecting at Derby Day!!


Check our facebook page and RSVP so we can be on the lookout for you!

Isn't it Ironic? (and yeah, I really do think...)

How ironic is it that around the same time that BP finally manages to do SOMETHING semi-successful to stop the surge of oil into the Gulf, the oil itself makes its most dramatically damaging landfall yet, on the snowy white beaches of Pensacola, Florida?

And to make it the timing even more reprehensible, it was the same weekend that Jimmy Buffet planned to open his first

Margaritaville Hotel in Pensacola! Dead oysters, oily birds, fucked up beaches, and thousands of

people out of work! How much worse can this get?

And just about the time public opinion of BP couldn't get any lower, this image starts to circulate the interwebz! WTF?! Reap what ye shall sow!!

But it's not all bad news!! Miss Ginger's RoundUp went on as planned, and Miss G got to wear this FABULOUS sparkling cowgirl look designed and created by "Momma" Weldon!

She and her FABULOUSLY handsome dancers started the show with a western boogie that got the crowd shakin'!

After Miss G and the boys, one of Miss Ginger's Best Sisters (and Miss Mint Julep 2006) Aurora Briar, took to this stage in a Cravyn original pink and black number that knocked our socks off!!

Mona Lotta, the reigning Miss Mint Julep, rounded out the Julep returns in this dazzling cowgirl ensemble!

In addition to the returning Juleps, we also featured some aspiring Juleps, our candidates for Mint Julep 2010, including the incredibly hot and leather-clad Alex Stroud, and the adorable and bubbly Isabella Rose Mink!

What a great night was had as we raised $4,000 for Legacy Community Health Services! All in all, a pretty FABULOUS day!

Updates to the Social Calendar!

Miss Ginger has been a busy beaver getting the social calendar updated all the way out to February, 2011!! She needs a cocktail after all that!! It's a true "homosexual agenda!!" Check it out and print a copy for yourself! It's a veritable compendium of all things Ginger!!

Next on the list: "All Hands On Deck: the Love Boat Sails to Gilligan's Island" presented by Aaron Patterson to benefit the Krewe of Olympus- Texas, Inc.


Aaron is a prospective member of the Krewe and a Mr. Mint Julep, and is a major supporter of Miss Ginger and the community!

And, Miss Ginger gets to play that bitch who copied her name, "Ginger Grant"! Should be a lot of fun!!!

And, as fans of Miss Ginger, you'll be the first to know about this "hot off the presses" event!
Be sure to put a big red circle around Saturday, June 19th, for the Krewe's "Waking up in Vegas" party!! This is not your grandpa's casino night, and it's sure to be lots and lots of "stays in Vegas" fun!

Here Goes!

Miss Ginger's busy season begins with a bang!! It all starts with Derby Day on Saturday, May 1st!

Another Successful Mint Julep Shindig!

The Houston community came out in droves to support Legacy Community Health Services today at the 7th Annual Miss Mint Julep Contest!

Of course, being totally in the moment left Miss G completely scatterbrained, so she doesn't have photos of the winners to show you. But she still wants to give a big shout out to Mona Lott, Miss Mint Julep 2009, as well as her consorts, Susan Hayes, Ms. Mint Julep 2009 and Tami Schafer, Mr. Mint Julep 2009. Congrats to the winners, and also a big thanks to all the contestants who worked their little butts off to raise money for Legacy!

Miss G does, however, have a few pics of the glitterati that she managed to snap, plus a couple she stole from the handsome Mr. Hlavinka's facebook post!

As has become the tradition for the Mint Julep franchise, we once again brought a new entertainer out of the wings and into the fold. Houston's own Kitty Cash wowed the audience with superwoman style and super human class! She looked like she was having a lot of fun, so I suspect we'll be seeing more of Miss Kitty sometime soon!

This year also marked the reunion tour of one of Houston's most popular gurl groups, the Cu'tless Supremes! I'll let your imagine decide what the " ' " replaces, but don't forget, they ARE drag queens! As always, they brought down the house with their precision choreography!

If you've ever driven by Chez Ginger and wondered "how does that gurl keep her lawn so immaculate" the simple answer is: she doesn't! Miss G was thrilled that the OCD groundskeeper herself, Ms. MB (right) and her lovely partner Ms. Liz (center) offered to share their reserved table with Miss G! And Miss G was more than happy to accept, since, about halfway through day two of this drag-a-thon, those 4 inch spikes were killing her!

We ended the day with a special photo op featuring Miss G, Kitty Cash, and The Empress of the Royal Sovereign Single Star, Marcia Mink Gill.

What a great day we had and what a lot of money we raised! Miss G will get a total for you once we're through counting! That was a lot of crumpled singles!

OYE!

What a week! Boy G hasn't worked this hard at work since he was a rookie! Since the last restructure, though, everyone's pretty much a rookie, so it can make for some, long, hard days as everyone's ineptitude comes to the surface! Just glad it's over! Boy G let Miss Ginger get the best of him and actually popped open a bottle of pinto grigio tonight! Some weeks are just to rugged to deal with alone!

And now, we're heading into a busy weekend for Miss Ginger!

Saturday night, Miss Ginger is guest emcee for "The Sounds and Styles of a Texas Summer", presented by James Martinez, Mr. Tony's Corner Pocket 2009, as a direct benefit for the MCC Food Pantry! Tony is alway's such a love to help out the rest of the community, so when his posse reaches out to help the town, you can bet Miss G is gonna be there!

Then Sunday, the best drag contest of the year moves to the BRB as we present Miss, Ms. and Mr. Mint Julep 2009. Miss G is honored to be listed among the headliners on this year's show poster, and this show is always a fun-filled drunk fest, but it also raises LOTS of money for Legacy Community Health Services! Miss Ginger is inviting everyone to come out to see the 2 great shows, so come out and see her! And don't forget: Saturday night, the bitch will have a microphone, and she will TALK ABOUT YOU if you're not there to defend yourself!!!

So this weekend, Miss Ginger will be one Busy Drag Queen!

It's That Time of Year Again!!

Once again, it's time for Legacy Community Health Services biggest community event of the year! It's where Miss Ginger got her start, and it's a great deal of fun for a really great cause! Everyone whose anyone is gonna be there! Aren't you someone? Good, then Miss Ginger will see you there!

It's That Time of Year!

It's that time of year when everyone is celebrating pride, coming together, and raising money for their favorite organizations! You just never know WHERE Miss Ginger is going to show up this time of year, because there are so many shows and invites she can't possibly be at everything! But here are a few events where there's a REALLY good chance you will at least catch a glimpse of her!

First, Alex Stroud, Candidate for Mr. Mint Julep 2009, is having a show this Saturday night (tomorrow!), 8pm, at Tony's Corner Pocket. Miss Ginger just HAS to be there for him, because Mr. Alex has worked his adorable ass off raising money for the Mint Julep Franchise this year, and tomorrow night is just another example. Plus, Miss G is totally crushing on him, even though he has a BF. (She's quite the homewrecker! Not!) And plus plus, after the show, as always on Saturday night, Tony's will have dick dancers, aka penis prancers, aka male strippers, and that's always good for an ogle or 2! Won't be the same with Mamie, Maddie, and the rest of the trannies, but it will still be a fun time!

Then, on Sunday, June 13th, the Board of Directors of ERSICSS has a show at EJ's, 2517 Ralph at Westheimer, to raise money for Legacy Community Health Services. You can be pretty sure Miss Ginger will be there as well because: A: it's a benefit for Legacy, B: she's always there for her friends from ERSICSS, C: she will have already shaved her netherlands from the night before, and D: the bartenders at EJ's are usually shirtless and handsome! How many more reasons does a girl need to put on a face and heels and strut out in style!

The next weekend, on Saturday, June 20th, Candidate for Miss Mint Julep Mona Lott hosts a show at Tony's Corner Pocket entitled "Over the Rainbow!". The ever colorful Miss Mona is sure to have a show that will wow and amaze us!

But, the month's not up yet! On Friday, June 26th, the PWA Holiday Charities are presenting a show at Tony's Corner Pocket. 8pm on a Friday is a great time to be out and about, and the Holiday Charities always put on a great show for a great cause!

The summer draws near it's close as we present the Mr., Ms., and Miss Mint Julep Contest, Sunday, July 19th, 2:30pm at the Brazos River Bottom. This year's show should be extra FABULOUS with a new venue, new performers, and some great candidates who have really worked hard this year to raise money for Legacy! If you only see one drag show a year, this is the one to see!

So keep an eye out for Miss G when you're out and about in H-town the summer! Be sure to tip her, and when you do, be sure to tell her "I'm a GingerSnap!"

Miss Ginger's RoundUP was a FABULOUS Success!

Miss Ginger and Boy Ginger are TRULY humbled by the outpouring of support from their friends for tonight's RoundUP show! This first time ever event raised $5,000 for Legacy Community Health Services, and corporate matches will bring the total to $10,000!! From a Drag Show!
Miss Ginger is truly touched, and so honored to have a group of friends as loving, giving, and generous as you! In these tough economic times, Miss G feels it's more important than ever for those of us who have jobs to support Legacy, so healthcare will be available to those less fortunate. Nothing feels better than good karma, except perhaps knowing that your friends all "pay it forward" as well! Karma breeds karma, and it's great to be in such good company!
I want to thank everyone who mailed in checks, came to the show and tipped, or bought tables to support the cause! I especially want to thank the performers, those tireless souls who give their weekends, every weekend, raising money, one dollar at a time, to ensure people from all walks of life can recieve the dignified healthcare that everyone deserves!
Soooo,
here's a shout out to Marcia Mink Anne Gill and JP Gill, former Mint Juleps and the reigning monarchs of ERSICSS who took time from their busy realm to support 'lil ole Miss Ginger! Falcon and Scott, who always come up to support the cause! Aaron Patterson, the reigning Mr. Mint Julep, and Keith Nappier, co-founder of the Mint Julep Organization! Vixen Deveraux Morehead and Mona Lott, candidates for Miss Mint Julep 2009; Susan Hayes, candidate for Ms. Mint Julep 2009; and Alex Stroud, candidate for Mr. Mint Julep 2009. Oh, and I almost forgot the new candidate who announced at tonight's show, Gear Shift who will challenge Alex for the title of Mr. MJ!
I also have to thank my co-emcee, Holly Redwood! We should do a sister act, girl!
Miss Ginger also wants to thank the board and staff at Legacy for all they do to support our community! Working in the non-profit world is tough, because you never walk away from the need, and the desire to help! Just like the performers, they are out there every weekend, representing Legacy and interacting with the community- "off the clock", so to speak! You guys are there for the community every bit at much as the performers are, and I for one want to publicly say "thanks!"
And finally, thanks to Sonna and her darling sweetie Denise! I wouldn't be doing this if it weren't for them, and they helped make Miss Ginger the gurl she is today! Love ya!
Love to all, and thanks again for your support!

The Derby was a Big Win!

At least for Miss Ginger and Legacy Community Health Services! We had a great time at Chances as we partied, drank, and ate in anticipation of the big derby race! We even had a lot of fun games and contests for the guests to be a part of the action!








Miss Ginger opened the event with one of her rousing performances, and started the day by introducing the "wagering" system. Ya see, off-track betting is not legal in Texas, so of course we couldn't actually "bet" on the horses! However, every drag queen worth her pumps knows a 50/50 raffle is a quick way to pull in some bucks! Typically, a 50/50 is simply a raffle for 1/2 of the take. But we made it more fun but having mulitple "hoppers". The cups on the stage in this picture were each labeled with the name of one if the horses in the Kentucky Derby. Each time a guest bought a raffle ticket, they placed the stub in the hopper corresponding the the horse that they thought would win the derby. When the race was complete, we drew a ticket from that hopper to determine the 50/50 winner! It gave everyone a chance to feel like they were part of the race!

But before the race even started, we had some races of our own at "Drag Queen Downs!" Our "jockeys" picked their favorite color horse and chose a "colorful" name for them!
Then, the colorful dice were rolled, and the corresponding horses moved forward on the track, until we had a winner! There several qualifying rounds, but in the end "Keep M Cumin" was the winningest drag horse!

There was also a Jockey Shorts contest, with the most fabulously decorated pair of jockeys winning a beautiful gift basket! A very fortunate camera angle keeps you from having to witness the winning atrocity hanging between Miss D's legs!




In addition to several popular community entertainers who came out to support the event, we had performances by several of this year's M/M/M Mint Julep candidates. The contestants vie for the title by raising money for Legacy, and the winner is the contestant in each gender category who raises the most money! This was the first opportunity most of the candidates had to start their totals, and they did an awesome job!

Mona Lott, seen here on the right with this year's Miss Mint Julelp, Alicia Allure, is running for Miss Mint Julep 2009!






There are 2 candidates so far for Mr. Mint Julep, Drag King Tammi and Real Man Alex.
Miss Ginger just met Mr. Alex for the 1st time today, but she certainly hopes to see more of him in the not too distant future! To be honest, dear readers, she found herself quite smitten, and maybe even fantasized a bit that Alex may become the next Mr. Ginger Grant!
We also had the opportunity for a "three generation" photo of Miss Mint Juleps 2006, 2007, and 2008, Aurora Briar, yours truly, and Alicia Allure. Quite a fetching trio, no?

Miss Ginger gives her sincere thanks to everybody who came out to enjoy the festivities and support Legacy!

TGIF!!

Miss Ginger LOVES her weekends but she is particularly glad this one is here! She just did NOT maintain control of this week, and it really seemed to get away from her! The broken laptop thing was really the crux of it, but it just seemed to throw a wrench in the whole week! Business sux lately, which is no surprise, but when you're not winning at work you feel like you're not winning, ya know!? Now she's at the business center in the Hilton, and they have the NERVE to charge 6 dollars for 15 minutes of computer times! That's highway robbery! But you, dear readers, are worth a mint to me, so six dollars is worth every dime to keep you up date!
So, Bubba's flight lands in about 4 minutes and he'll be here to join in the mirth of New Orleans! Tonight, they're headed to the "casina" (as they call them Texas) to win back the money Miss G left there last night! Then, Saturday is the JazzFest and after that the French Quarter, if the 2 old geezers still have it in them! There will be lots of photos on the blog come Sunday evening, so watch for those!
And once Miss G gets home it's time to get everything in motion for the Derby Day Party on May 2nd at Chances! If you hadn't planned to be there, you need to change your plans! It's going to be a crazy party with lots of GREAT games and prizes, and, of course, a chance to "bet" on the derby! Everybody who's anybody will be there, and since you're somebody, you won't want to be left out! See ya Saturday! Don't forget your bonnets!

Check out Miss Ginger's Newest Feature!

Miss G's appearance calendar will now "appear" at the top of the side bar- for now and forever! Keep up with our gurl's comings and goings (lately she's been going a lot more than she's been coming, if ya get my drift!) Anywhore, it's your one stop information center for all things Ginger!!! And if you can't make it to one of the citys in Miss G's exclusive tour, her causes are more than happy to accept your donations by check, charge, or food stamps! Just send money, bitches- these heels are killing me!!!!

Of Course Miss Ginger Loves "THE HAT"!

When was the last time the world was set abuzz by a hat??

The last time Miss Ginger remembers hats being so talked about was when Bella Abzug ran for Congress!

But those who have followed Miss Ginger since last spring know she's a big lover of big hats!

And speaking of big hats, time flies in GingerLand and it will be Kentucky Derby time before you know it! And that means Houston celebrates the Derby, Miss Mint Julep style! Miss Ginger will host the big shindig once again this year, the first Saturday when our Texas weather is just beautiful! Start making your hats now, darlins', because our second year is going to be even more FABULOUS, and will raise even more money for Legacy Community Health Services!

Take Me Home!!!

Yea!!!! Miss Ginger gets to go home today!!! Even if it's just for one day!!! Tonight after work she gets to fly back to Houston for 1 full day, to pet her pussies, wash her unmentionables, and repack her bag to leave again early Sunday morning. After that, it's straight through next Saturday, then she's DONE!!!


It's one of my favorite Cher songs, and also the number Miss G performed when she won Miss Mint Julep 2007!!!



Take me home, take me home
Want to feel you close to me
Take me home, take me home
With you is where I want to be

Wrapped in your arms tonight
Just makin' love
Music and candlelight
Stars up above

Take me home (take me home)
Take me home (take me home)
Oh can't you see I want you near
(Can't you see I want you)
Take me home (take me home)
Take me home (take me home)
Ooh, baby let's get out of here

I'd follow you anywhere
Your place or mine
Just a one-night affair
Would be so fine

I'm in heaven (heaven), seems like heaven (heaven)
So much in heaven (heaven)

(Take me home)

(Take me home)

One night with you
Lyin' here next to me
It's the right thing to do
It would be ecstasy

Ooh I'm in heaven (heaven), seems like heaven (heaven)
So much in heaven (heaven)

Take me home (take me home)
Take me home (take me home)
Ooh I want to feel you close to me
(I want to feel you close)
Take me home (take me home)
(Take me home) Ooh with you is where I want to be

Wrapped in your arms tonight
Just makin' love
Music and candlelight
Stars up above

Well I'm in heaven (heaven), seems like heaven (heaven)

(Take me, take me home, home with you)
C'mon and take me, ooh baby baby take me home
(Take me, take me home, home with you)
You'll be lyin' next to me, baby it'd me ecstasy
(Take me, take me home, home with you)
Ah can't you see I want you near, baby baby let's get out of here
(Take me, take me home, home with you)