ISCWR Coronation Festival

For thirty-six years now, the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose has held an Annual Coronation ball at which they elect a new Emperor and Empress to rule their kingdom with beauty and strength. It is an evening of glamour, when Queens from across Canada and the US descend upon Edmonton to celebrate the fundraising efforts and accomplishments of an organization that, over the years, has raised tens of thousands of dollars for charity.

From August 23 - 26, the ISCWR is holding their Coronation Festival, the culmination of twelve months of hard work and great shows. Events begin on the Thursday, with their In-Town Show, to be held at Flash. This is an opportunity for all of the local queens to showcase their talent. Those local queens can take the night off Friday, when they can sit back and watch the out-of-town guests perform at Junction during the Out of Town Show. Monarchs and friends from other realms will be flocking to Edmonton to perform and to party, and to applaud this year's Upper House, other title holders, Board, and volunteers on their spectacular fundraising efforts. The weekend ends on Sunday with Victory Brunch, again at the Junction, where the outgoing Monarchs say thank you and goodbye and the new Monarchs begin their reign.

Coronation itself is Saturday August 25, and will again be held at the Ramada Kingsway. The theme for the ball is "Return to Pride Rock" and will feature some changes from previous coronations. As no monarchs were elected at last year's ball, this year has been spear-headed by a team of six regents, as well as a Prince, Princess, Duke, and Duchess. You can meet that Upper house here. One of the most noticeable differences will be that instead of "last walks" of the outgoing Emperor and Empress, the Regents, as well as other members of the court, will be presenting one of the ISCWR's infamous production shows: The Lion King.

After the Lion King, the Regents will be giving away a $300 door prize as a thank you gift from them to everyone who has supported the year. All you have to do to be eligible to win is buy a Coronation ticket and be there at the end!

If you enjoy drag shows, don't miss this weekend. If you enjoy dressing up the the nines and mingling with royalty, don't miss this weekend. Most importantly, if you enjoy supporting GLBT youth, don't miss this weekend. The charities of this year's court are all focussed on the promise of tomorrow: the youth. Whether through the John M. Kerr Memorial Bursary, Millicent's Red Diamond Retreat for kids affected by HIV/AIDS, Campy fyrefly, or another of Edmonton's amazing youth-oriented GLBT groups, all the proceeds from Coronation weekend (and all the shows and events leading up to it) will be benefiting the next generation.

As the 36th House Under Millicent says, everything that was old is new again, the Circle of Life continues.

For more on the ISCWR and their shows and events, click here.