On Saturday, drag queens from all over New Orleans will come together to raise money for the New Orleans’ Covenant House and other local charities.
The event is called Drag 4 A Cause, and it’s being hosted at the Oz New Orleans dance club by the Vanguard College of Cosmetology in Metairie. For $10, you can enjoy some great music, watch the Drag Makeover Competition, and an Amateur Drag Queen competition in addition to seeing some of the top performers in the city.
The Vanguard College of Cosmetology in Metairie is a Paul Mitchell affiliate, and well known across New Orleans for their charity work. Previously they’ve partnered with the New Orleans Mission to provide free haircuts and styling, food, clothing, and shelter awareness to the city’s homeless. They have also teamed up with the New Orleans chapter of the NO/AIDS Task Force.
Saturday’s event will have several beneficiaries:
The Covenant House – A crisis shelter dedicated to helping more than 800 homeless youth and children every year. Many have suffered from abuse, violence, and trauma. Some are victims of human trafficking.
Leeza’s Care Connection – This charity was founded by television personality Leeza Gibbons to help support caregivers who are charged with helping parents, family members, and others suffering from Alzheimer’s and other chronic illnesses.
Food 4 Africa – This charity works with a variety of organizations to help supply children in Africa with at least one healthy meal each day. Their efforts focus on preschool-aged children, AIDS orphans, and some of Africa’s poorest families.
Thirst Project – The Thirst Project’s goal is simple: provide communities with safe, clean water. Waterborne illnesses kill more children every year than world violence, malaria, and AIDS combined. Providing safe drinking water to communities in need can have a significant impact on lowering disease rates in that community.
Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking (CAST) – Human trafficking is a major problem in New Orleans. Last year, more than 90 female human trafficking survivors sought services in the city. CAST offers services to survivors and advocates for policies, legislation, and public awareness.
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals – Every year, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals provide services to more than 10 million children across North America. These children receive the best, most advanced care available – in spite of the fact that often insurance programs and Medicaid do not cover the cost.
No Limits – No Limits is committed to supporting the education, wellbeing, and personal development of poor and vulnerable children. In addition to teaching children how to read, they offer teenagers vocational skills training, ensuring that even the poorest children can improve their situation.
Andrew Gomez Foundation – This charity honors a Paul Mitchell school graduate who struggled with mental illness. It is dedicated to helping students, graduates, and their families deal with stressful situations. They have provided funds for hurricane relief, domestic violence shelters, breast cancer, educational opportunities, and more.
Gary Sinise Foundation – Since 2011, the Gary Sinise Foundation has served our nation’s veterans, police officers, firefighters, and EMTs by providing emergency relief grants, hot meals, adaptive technology for homes and vehicles, mobility devices, and more.
The Drag 4 A Cause event will take place at Oz New Orleans on Saturday, April 27th, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is only $10, so come out and support this great, unapologetically progressive cause!
