The first of December marked World AIDS Day around the globe and Pattaya’s gay community celebrated the occasion with pride.
Hosted by Jim Lumsden, his Baan Souy Resort was lit up in a variety of colors for the annual charity show to support the Heartt2000 HIV/AIDS foundation.
Doors opened at 7:30 p.m. and tickets were 500 baht a head, which included a free drink during the show and a complimentary buffet hosted by Ron Weston and Ben Vickers. The two are generous contributors known in Pattaya’s gay community and support a lot of other charity activities as well.
Davina Sparkle was the highlight performer at the Bann Souy World AIDS Day event.
Attendees had a choice of buying raffle tickets at 100 baht each, and grand prizes included a 1-baht-weight gold chain, a 1-baht-weight bracelet and a Yamaha Fino motorbike, which were donated by expats in Pattaya. Other prizes included bottles of champagne, whisky, wine, electronic gadgets and more.
Showtime commenced at about 10:30 p.m. with “Madame” Jim performing a fabulous drag act followed by special guest Davina Sparkle, who flew into Thailand particularly for the occasion. Davina has ‘show business’ running through his veins and has been a professional Drag Queen Comedian working on the cabaret circuit for over 15 years.
Madame Jim having a swing during the opening show.
As a professional comedic entertainer, David has experienced all forms of entertainment and venue’s from a Drag Bingo Host to being a Drag Performer for Gay Pubs, Mixed Cabaret, Ladies and Stag Nights and even Army Functions to playing in Brighton’s alternative Pantomime. His different cabaret shows have taken him abroad entertaining in Thailand, the USA as well as Cyprus and Gran Canaria.
Dr. Phillip Seur, founder of Heartt2000, thanks everyone for their support.
With his love for the country and his friends in Thailand, he has entertained in the Bondi and Panorama Pub as well as hotels in Pattaya in various charity drives, and also the fabulous Balcony night club in Bangkok, where he is an avid fundraiser for the Thai’s for Life Jing Jai Orphanage, which appears on the main stage at Brighton Pride every year.
Many other well-known performers followed non-stop, including the Dolly Sisters and other cabaret acts by local performers.
Jim said the event raised 226,000 baht for Heartt2000.
Earlier, on Thursday November 19, Davina Sparkle made a special appearance at the Panorama Pub to perform and support the same cause. The pub manager David Kerridge, also known as one of the Dolly Sisters, confirmed they raised a staggering 83,700 baht for Heartt2000.
Thanks to Madame Jim, Davina Sparkle, Ron Weston, Ben Vickers, the Dolly sisters and all others involved. It was a successful World AIDS Day and you guys are a gem to the community.
