Ravyn Ent Gives Back

Ravyn Entertainment aren't just your average entertainers. We too have our philanthropy work we like to do. Not only to further the causes of the LGBT community, but the general populace as well. Every single one of our members have given back in their own way. Either by getting involved or doing benefits, Ravyn Entertainment is on the forefront of social change!

RAVYN ENTERTAINMENT GIVES BACK!

OutReach is South Central & Madison's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center

OutReach's history is rooted in the pasts of several different community organizations beginning with Crossroads of Madison, Inc. which was incorporated in 1969, followed by Renaissance of Madison, Inc. and the Madison Gay Center, which was located at 10 Langdon Street and offered information by phone, drop-in peer counseling, reading materials, and a joint lesbian and gay speakers bureau. After the Lesbian Switchboard closed, the Gay Center was renamed the Madison Gay and Lesbian Resource Center (MGLRC). In July of 1973, MGLRC was incorporated as a non-profit. It moved to several locations over the years, but its services were never interrupted. OutReach and its predecessors have offered the community continuous service for 34 years. The United was formed in 1978 as a political action organization to defend the city of Madison's non-discrimination ordinance against the anti-LGB campaign led nationally by singer Anita Bryant and locally by an evangelical minister.orientation. After that threat passed, The United identified new battles and issues. After working collaboratively for nearly 15 years, the two organizations merged into a new agency called OutReach, Inc., on July 1, 1998.

Founder Brian Ponce is currently OutReach's longest serving volunteer, serving for 14 years! He's been a Peer Counselor, Group Facilitator, on the Speaker Bureau Panels, Calendar & Guide Coordinator, Development Consultant, Programs Consultant, Acting Programs Director, Graphics Consultant, Special Events Chair & Member, Banquet Committee member, Peer Counselor Trainer, Directory Committee member, Pink Party planner/staffer & Entertainer, among other things.

Brian continues his work with OutReach to this day in some of the above capacities and is also considered Staff (usually only three paid staff members). If you are interested at opportunities at OutReach go to: www.lgbtoutreach.org!

EmC Ravyn aka Josh Bartz started his internship at OutReach in 2006. After his internship through the UW Madison School of Social Work was finished, Josh remained at OutReach. During his tenure, he has been peer counselor, assistant Peer Counselor Trainer, OutThere Founder and Program Coordinator (18-24 Year Old LGBT Social/Support Programming, www.outtheremadison.org), OutReach Board member for 2 Years, Room to Breathe Counselor, among other things. He has recently become one of the youngest Vice President's that OutReach has ever had! Josh is always willing to lend a helping hand and looks to becoming one of OutReach's longest serving volunteers.

Michelle and Mark (Mr J), have served OutReach in a variety of ways. Michelle was a Board Member at OutReach who also serves as a peer counselor and takes part in the Transgender Ally Training. She has also been on the Speaker's Bureau and has an active part in the OutThere group. Mark has been Peer Counselor, served on the Special Events Committee, and served in a role doing data entry for the center. Mark has recently took on helping to produce the Directory in 2010.

Ms. Tina and Cass Marie have also have been volunteers at OutReach in different capacities.

OutReach has served as Ravyn Entertainment's "Home" since it's inception as Lexi Ravyn Productions and as always, OutReach will be a part of their continuing mission and as integral to their lives as any of their shows and lives.

OutReach is located at: 600 Williamson St, Ste P-1 Madison, WI 53703, in the Gateway Mall. Come on "out" and see what your community center is doing for you! ;)

Since 1985, the AIDS Network (formerly the Madison AIDS Support Network) has provided critical AIDS care and prevention services to South Central Wisconsin.

They are sustained in these efforts by the resources, expertise and passion of hundreds of volunteers and donors. Working together they strive to meet the increasing needs that HIV disease and AIDS place before them. They put on events like the ACT AIDS Ride, MadCampBingo, and the Red Ribbon Affair as special events and continue to lead a cooperative and compassionate response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic for thirteen counties of south central Wisconsin and strategically strive to effectively address other sexually transmitted infections through the enhancement of testing, education and support activities.

Cass Marie Domino has served in many functions at AIDS Network, from THE entertainer at benefit shows, volunteer at the AIDS Rides, to Rider at the AIDS Ride and hostess of the special event, Mad Camp Bingo. Whatever the volunteer opportunity, Cass gets into the spirit and proves the unbound ability of giving from the human heart.

Cass continues her work with AN to this day in some of the above capacities and is always looking for others to become part of the effort! If you are interested at opportunities at AIDS Network go to: www.aidsnetwork.org!

Mr Jezebelle, or Mark Steward, is currently the co-facilitator for one of AN's longest standing support/social group for men living with HIV/AIDS, POZITIVE LIte. Mark also volunteers in other capacities as well.

The Contessa's role in the Daughters of Darkness as entertainer, had her taking over the role as coordinator. The event will return again and hopefully to benefit it's "Parent" organization. The Contessa as Brian Ponce was also helping to recruit funders for the ACT Ride (precursor to the AIDS Ride).

Newest RE recruit, Natalia Saffire has been a long time supporter of the Network, whether it be performing at Benefit Shows, to helping Cass with Mad Camp Bingo, or being a Rider at the ACT Ride, Natalia is truly an inspiration to all!

AIDS Network is located at: 600 Williamson St, Madison, WI 53703, in the Gateway Mall. Right next to OutReach! :)

Kurtis Ryan @ Rainbow Over Wisconsin

Founded following the success of the “Alive With Pride 95” gay pride event by the region’s tavern keepers, Rainbow Over Wisconsin (ROW) has grown from a group that had served to coordinate bar benefit shows to a non-profit, tax-exempt community foundation whose members include area business owners, LGBT activists and people who simply want to make northeast Wisconsin’s gay community the best it can be. One of it's key fundraiser's is the ROW Dinner, Auction, and Show.

Kurtis Ryan has been actively involved with the ROW Dinner and Show for several years as well as volunteering in different capacities.

Like its sister organizations - Milwaukee’s Cream City Foundation and Madison’s New Harvest - ROW financially assists the work of local and regional groups serving the LGBT community in central, eastern and northeast Wisconsin through its Community Enrichment Fund grant program. In the last eleven years, Rainbow Over WI has funded more than 60 projects developed by over two dozen groups.

For more on ROW, please go to: www.rainbowoverwisconsin.org

Michelle @ Madison Area Transgender Association aka MATA

MATA provides information, direction, and referrals to all those in the Transgender Community, their s/o's. friends, family, and allies.

They hold 7 meetings a month at Outreach (LGBT) center. Plus holding special yearly events. They focus as a peer support group on issues and problems transgender individuals are facing. They also have a TG hotline & charge no membership fee or dues.

Michelle has been a sitting board member of MATA for a few years and also volunteers for them in a variety of ways. Recently, MATA sponsored the 3 Day, how to be a Trans Ally, held in Madison. RE were among it's speakers and organizers. Michelle is starting a new group for MATA starting Spring 2009.

Contact: Cami / Charlene, Business Address: OutReach (600 Williamson, Madison WI), 608-222-6210

Email: matawis@charter.net

Candi Stratton @ www.tgconnect.com

tgconnect offers Transsexuals, Transgender folk, Crossdressers, Transvestites, Queens and Showgirls a place to meet others, shop, and get the gossip from from around the globe.

Designed and operated by Matthew Randall, husband of Candi Stratton, it is a one stop place for others to find out what's going on today about transgender rights and events.

Candi herself also helps manage and direct the site. She has been outspoken about her SRS surgery in not only her act, but in interviews all over the world. Candi is an inspiration to her community, both LGBT and the 'mainstream" community.

For more, go to: www.tgconnect.com

Conner Knightly @ The Trans Theory

The Trans Theory is a Myspace page for all Female2Males, Males2Females, & Supporters to bond, mentor & expand their knowledge, and get to know other transgenders/sexuals around their area. The visitors may think they are alone, but they are never alone.

Jace & Conner (Conner Knightly is co-founder of site) know what it's like to be outted for being transgendered, so they decided to make a support system to let EVERYONE who feels alone know that THEY ARE ALWAYS HERE even if it seems they aren't... they are...

Don't be afraid to read the blogs and the stories of the members, who either one, wants to transition or two, already have started the transitioning, maybe you can find answers you've been questioning yourself for a while now... If not... Go to someone who's on our friends list and see if they have the answers you need to help find yourself...

For more info, visit: www.myspace.com/thetranstheory

Ravyn Entertainment @ PRIDEFEST (Milwaukee)

The Contessa, Bryanna Banx$, Tempest Heat, Conner Knightly and Kurtis Ryan have all performed live at the Dance Pavilion and other parts of the park, while Kurtis himself not only danced back up for Dhany & the Benassi Bros, but judged the Miss & Mr. Pridefest Pageant held at the park. Brian Ponce has worked in a variety of positions as volunteer and Ritchie Rich has served on their board. Tempest is the current Miss Pridefest 2009, which she steps down on June 10th. In 2010, Ravyn Entertainment became the sponsors of the 2010 Dragshow at Pridefest on June 13th.

Whatever their future with Pridefest, it continues to be one of the largest and successful Prides in the United States!

For more info go to: www.pridefest.com!

Ravyn Entertainment @ Pride Parade (Milwaukee)

The Contessa has participated in the Parade by marching with the Brewcity Bruisers, Bryanna in the LaCage car and Kurtis with the WI Royalty car. EmC Ravyn walked with the Bruisers in 2007. Mr. Jezebelle was guest judge at the Parade in 2008.

For more on the MPP, go to: www.prideparademke.org

Ravyn Entertainment (Then still known as Lexi Ravyn Productions) @ Upside Down Pride Celebration (Columbus OH)

RE/Lexi Ravyn Guest Star, Dee-Ranged Guest Starring during their time on stage.

Promo Productions produced this benefit for Stonewall Columbus on January 24th 2009 at BoMA (Bar of Modern Art in Columbus OH).

The event was called the Upside Down Pride Celebration and was sponsored by Outlook Media, Anheuser Busch, Body & Soul Massage Therapy, BoMA, Carriage Trade Realty, Out in Columbus and SMK Advertising. They came up with this idea because it is almost 6 months to the day for the start of Pride Celebration in Columbus Ohio, which was June 19th, 20th and 21st.

This year's theme is FREEDOM! Which after the huge loss in California we all need to come together and protect.

Other entertainment included Tracy Temple, Team Smile and Nod, Stompers, Royal Renegades ( a local

Drag King troupe) and Spin Columbus.

Also entertaining for the day was be MC local comedian Kate Queen, Donna Mogavero, Fabulous Johnson Brothers and Regina Salyes.

Finishing out the roster was Lexi Ravyn Productions (now Ravyn Entertainment), Eric Himan, spinmaster herself DJ Moxy and final act Saving Jane.

There were gaming booths, food, and beverages for all to enjoy. With the event being available to all 18 years and up.

This has been a awesome experience for Promo's Chris and KD. Spending time finding a variety of entertainment that will be sure to excite many.

For more information on the entertainers, booths and opportunities visit Promo's website at www.promoproductions.net and look under Upside Down Pride Celebration.

Candi Stratton @ Northern Marquette University Annual Drag Show

The Annual NMU Drag Show is produced by OutLook. OUTlook is known and recognized on the Northern Michigan University campus as a safe support system for our student members. OUTlook strives for a reputation as an organization that provides exceptional resources to its members related to the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, and Ally community.

Each year, OUTlook works diligently to provide a series of speakers that help to educate our members on issues related to GLBTQA topics and effective activism. In an effort to unite our members and create a more cohesive group OUTlook sponsors social events such as, but not limited to: movie nights, bowling, campus chalking, dances, and attending local theater productions, and art museums. As in the past, we also participate in holding an annual drag show, National Coming Out Week, as well as Day of Silence/Night of Noise. OUTlook is a non-profit organization.

For the several years, Candi Stratton has performed with a small few divas from Chicago and Milwaukee to help OutLook raise the funds they need to keep the center going!

For more on OutLook, go to: www.myspace.com/nmuoutlook

Ravyn Entertainment & It's Members @ PRIDE EVENTS Around the US! Candi Stratton @ Melbourne Mardi Gras Pride!

Ravyn Entertainment and it's members get requested to perform at a variety of Pride Events and Pride Fundraisers across the Midwest. Candi, performs across the US and as Miss Gay Universe, was part of the huge Melbourne Mardi Gras Pride Parade & celebration.

Cass Marie Domino and Candi have performed at LaCrosse Pride in WI, DJ Ravyn 1 and the Contessa have been part of Pride celebrations in Toronto and down south, and Bryanna has made appearances at Chicago Pride. As has EmC Ravyn, the Contessa, DJ Ravyn, and Candi Stratton.

These are just to name a few. Whether solo or as a group, LRP perform at their very best! Divaesque performances, Comedy routines, Emcees, Live Singers, occasional group numbers, whatever it might be, Ravyn Ent. has performed for family friendly Prides and those more aimed at adults...lesbian, gay, trans, bi...whatever, Ravyn Ent. is about the ENTIRE community! Without each other, whoever we may be, the LGBT community would falter! Where ever we perform, you can be sure, Ravyn Ent. will be waving their Rainbow Flags high!!!

Candi Stratton appears in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade 2006. Miss Gay Universe

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Ravyn Entertainment @ WISCONSIN CAPITOL PRIDE

The mission of Wisconsin Capitol Pride is to promote diversity and pride within the greater Madison area’s LGBTQA community and acceptance from the rest of the community.

Their efforts are to go towards not only celebrating the LGBTQA community, but also invite the whole of Madison to come and join in our celebration. Wisconsin Capitol Pride is here to serve and support the community and its allies to have a more visible face and greater interaction with the general public and the community as a whole.

The previous pride group, the Madison Pride Organization, had gone through some major troubled times due in part of their former treasurer and were barely able to pull off their last event in 2008. A new board and new organization was formed to help form a void in the Madison WI LGBT Community. Though not a direct inheritor to the Madison Pride Organization (which is still in existence), WI Capitol Pride was able to pull off a decent event for their first year. Held on the weekend of August15th and 16th of 2009 (not the traditional time of Pride in Madison, which was the third weekend of July) at the Alliant Energy Center's Willow Island.

Time will tell if WI Capitol Pride will have the staying power to continue or even if Madison Pride has a resurgence, whatever happens, the citizens of Madison's LGBT Community will continue to make sure PRIDE is an event that will always take place.

You can visit the organization's site at:

www.wisconsincapitolpride.org

CANDI STRATTON
VOLUNTEERISM/CHARITY WORK

OutReach

AIDS Network

ACT Ride

Rainbow Over Wisconsin

Madison Area Transgender Association

Pridefest (Milwaukee)

www.tgconnect.com

Upside Down Pre-Pride Event (Promo Productions)

Milwaukee Pride Parade

Trans Theory

Northern Marquette University

Annual Drag Show

WI Capitol Pride

Felicia Melton Smyth Benefit

Matthew Shepard Foundation

Drag Down Cancer Comedy Benefit

Madison Pride 2005-2008

Pride Events Around the World

Brian Ponce, Joshua Bartz, Ms. Tina, Cass Marie, Michelle, Jason Pauley & MR. J @ OutReach/Outhere

OutThere is OutReach's

Social Group for 18-24

Year Old

OutThere is OutReach's longest standing and successful young adult group since 1998. Founded

in 2007 by Ravyn Ent Co-Owner,

Josh Bartz, this group continues

to grow and adapt. never showing

it's age ;)

Cass Marie Domino,Mr Jezebelle, The Contessa Pirahna & Natalia Saffire @ AIDS NETWORK

And It's Events: The ACT Ride and MadCampBingo

The AIDS Ride concept was conceived about 10 years ago, when someone thought it would be a great way to build community, challenge people, and raise needed money for this cause.

There have been numerous rides since then, in cities all across the United States. In the Midwest, we had what was called the Heartland AIDS Ride, which was a 500-mile ride from Minneapolis, through Wisconsin, to Chicago. Over 1,200 riders raised money and participated in this event.

Seven years ago, that ride started seeing dwindling returns, so a number of volunteers and staff at AIDS Network decided to produce its own ride. It was called ACT I, or AIDS Network Cycles Together.

The ACT rides have met their goals. Between ACT I, II, III, 4, 5 and 6 over 800 riders and 500 crew have traveled through small towns and cities all over southwestern Wisconsin, spread the word that AIDS continues to affect our state, and raised over $1,600,000. An incredible 87 to 89% of that amount, almost $1,400,000, went directly to AIDS Network & the services that they provide.

THIS IS NOT YOUR GRANDMOTHER'S

BINGO...IT'S A WHOLE LOT

MORE FUN!! Camp Bingo is a fundraising event for the AIDS Network Come play, have fun, and raise money for a good cause!

Into it's 5th Season, there's just not no stopping this event! Original host Gigi Munroe filled the spot the 1st year, but Season 2 saw the event hosted by Cass Marie Domino, as she has continued from that point on. From prizes to theme nights, to Celebrity Ball Callers, & more, Camp Bingo is a great time had by all!

PrideFest is an annual gay pride event held on the Henry Maier Festival Park (Summerfest) grounds in Milwaukee on the second weekend of June. PrideFest celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2007, which was also a record-breaking attendance year with 27,467 tickets sold over three days.

Each year, PrideFest energizes the shores of Milwaukee’s lakefront with one of the nation's most dynamic celebrations of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) culture and community. Thousands of people enjoy the nation's biggest Pride entertainment lineup, catch up with old friends and make new ones, and renew their sense of Pride.

Past headliners include: Cyndi Lauper, Deboarh Cox, September, Brandy, Joan Jett, Kathy Griffin, Lady Bunny, Cascada, En Vogue, Chaka Khan, Dhany, Kristine W, RuPaul, Hedda Lettuce, B-52s, Kevin Aviance, Taylor Dane, and so many more....

Whatever their future with Pridefest, it continues to be one of the largest and successful Prides in the United States!

For more info go to:

www.pridefest.com!

PrideFest was the first organization to hold a Pride parade in the Milwaukee area. But unfortunately during PrideFest's darker years when funding was low the parade was cut from the bill of events.

The original owners of Outbound magazine took the bull by the horns and one year after the parade was dropped by PrideFest Jim and James pulled one together.

For the 2006 parade there were shake ups within the organization as Jim and James had to leave the Milwaukee area, and have since relocated to Pennsylvania. But the Parade still went off with out a hitch and grew by 25 minutes and almost 10 entries.

In 2007 the organization stood firm despite numerous changes which were out of their hands. The parade grew in 2007 to include shuttle service provided by the Joseph Pabst Foundation, and to a length of 1 hour and 30 plus minutes and a total of 35 plus units.

In 2008 the Parade had to deal with severe weather but despite that the parade held firm that it is a rain or shine event. Luckily the sky's cleared about a hour and a half before step-off and the parade went off with out a single hitch! this year the Parade grew to 48 units and lasted for 1 hour and 40 minutes.

The mission of the Milwaukee Pride Parade is too keep Milwaukee's LGBT Community visible and show their Pride during the weekend of Pridefest.

As stated above, Pridefest and the Milwaukee Pride Parade are two distinct organizations.

For more on the MPP, go to: www.prideparademke.org

The largest student-attended event held annually on NMU campus, the NMU Annual Drag Show, just keeps growing.

From Candi Stratton to Shannon Dupree, and Maya Douglas, and other performers from all over the northern and southern Midwest, the NMU event is a must see! No holds bar performances from today's

greatest Gender illusionists, drag kings, and amateur queens, go check out more about them by contacting OUTLook!

Click here for their website!

WI Capitol Pride weekend was hosted by Ravyn Entertainment's CASS MARIE DOMINO and also included local bands and acts, and national touring comedian, Vickie Shaw.

DESIREE MATHEWS was also on hand and other members of Ravyn Entertainment (EmC RAVYN, MICHELLE, J RAVYN, MR JEZEBELLE, and KURTIS RYAN) took part in various Pride events through out the weekend with other businesses and organizations.

You can visit the organization's site at: www.wisconsincapitolpride.org

Ravyn Entertainment @ MADISON PRIDE (Mid 1990s-2008)

Madison Pride and MAGIC Picnic is the yearly celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) residents of Madison, Wisconsin.

The 2009 version of this event, now entitled "Wisconsin Capitol Pride," though not a direct inheritor to Madison Pride, centered around the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, August 15 and 16, 2009.

(Repeated from above)

The event was an amalgamation of two LGBT events that had originally been separate, distinct events:

The Pride march and Rally were originally organized by the now defunct GALVAnize organization, an LGBT group; The MAGIC Picnic was started by the late Rodney Scheel who owned and operated the Hotel Washington complex of night clubs (which included the establishments The Club DeWash, The New Bar, Rods, The Barbers Closet, etc.), which the community lost in a tragic fire in 1996. The picnic is traditionally held on the third weekend of July although that has been shifted in some years to avoid conflicts with other regional gay events, such as the Gay Games in 2006 when the picnic was held on the second weekend of July. The picnic was traditionally held at Brittingham Park at the junction of Park Street and West Washington Avenue in Madison.

The acronym MAGIC stands for Madison Area Gay Interim Committee and was also formed partially in response to Anita Bryant's anti-gay campaign of the late 1970s/early 1980s. The MAGIC picnic was also closely associated with the local and national gay volleyball league which usually held a tournament in Madison on the same weekend as the MAGIC picnic

On October 11, 1987, Madison residents Pam Jacobson and Tim O'Brien were separately attending the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, greatly inspired by the presence of the more than 500,000 people assembled on the national Mall. Upon returning to Madison, Jacobson explored the possibility of organizing a local march, and began searching for others to help organize the event. At the same time, O'Brien was also discussing the idea of organizing a march. Mutual friends connected O'Brien and Jacobsen, and their meeting resulted in the formation of the Madison Pride March Committee.

It was during the first committee meeting that the name GALVAnize (Gay and Lesbian Visibility Alliance) was selected. During GALVAnize's existence as a group, its goal was to increase awareness about the number of lesbians, gays, and bisexuals in Madison, to work for their civil rights, and to form coalitions with other minority groups in Madison.

GALVAnize held two major marches for Gay and Lesbian Civil Rights in Madison. The first was held on May 6, 1989. The second major march occurred 2 1/2 years later on October 5, 1991. Official attendance estimates for the first march averaged about 7500 people, and about 5000 people at the second march, on a scale roughly comparable to the number of people attending many of the record-setting Madison civil rights and anti-war related marches of the 1960s.

Following that, the March evolved into a more traditional Pride Parade and was consolidated into the Pride Weekend in 2002. Pride Weekend traditionally consists of the Madison LGBT community center OutReach's annual dinner on Friday (in which community leaders and allies receive recognition for their work), University of Wisconsin–Madison GLBT Alumni breakfast on Saturday or Sunday morning (which also includes a ceremony recognizing distinguished LGBT alumni), the MAGIC picnic on Saturday afternoon, followed by the Pride Parade on Sunday morning and a repeat of the picnic on Sunday afternoon.

In 2008, due to the mismanagement of funds by the treasurer, Madison Pride faced it's worst time ever. Though some marked it as a let down to previous years, many others were grateful for the fact there was anything and liked the "Back to Basics" concept, Club 5 and Indiequeer also hosted their own alternative events that weekend, making it the first time in a long time that there was a community wide event.

Though in 2009, Madison Pride was thinking of coming back strong, a new org had risen in its place. Though strides were made by both to have some minimal connection to one another.

Technically, the Board of Madison Pride is still in existence, until they can settle the past mistakes of their treasurer, they must remain intact. It seems the era of Madison Pride is over and WI Capitol Pride is the new, but time will tell what happens to Pride in Madison...

DESIREE MATHEWS and CASS MARIE DOMINO had performed at the Madison Pride for many years before the remaining members took part in the celebration. Cass Marie, in turn hosting the celebration for several years since the 2000s. It was in 2005 when former founder, Alexis Rouge, recruited several members of different area organizations, including the then unknown, Lexi Ravyn Productions (Ravyn Entertainment's first incarnation). This was done to try to get not only the bars involved, but different LGBT orgs to make it a more community based event.

From there, founder BRIAN PONCE, would take on the role of Entertainment Director in 2006, with EmC RAVYN joining him as Youth Entertainment Director in 2007. We also produced the very successful Madison Pride King and Queen Pageant in 2007, where KURTIS RYAN and LULU RODRIGUEZ first joined our group. MS TINA would serve as one of the judges with Desiree Mathews also among them. Miss Mathews, Cass Marie, Kurtis, Lulu, Alexis, EmC Ravyn (then DJ Ravyn 2.0), DJ RAVYN 1, BRYANNA BANX$ would later take part in entertaining (along with other Wisconsin Entertainers) in different years. Cass Marie and Alexis would serve as co-hosts in 2006 and 2007. 2008 was hosted by Cass Marie, EmC Ravyn, and DJ Ravyn 1. Mr Jezebelle would serve as Secretary in 2007 and Board President in 2008. It was he and his co-chair that discovered the mistakes made by the then treasurer after they called for an audit of the books. Mistakes were tracked even BEFORE 2007/2008 that went back to before our time on the board. Though 2008 was a bad year in some ways, if not for Mr J, the mistakes would not have been found and may have continued.

In 2009, with the creation of Wisconsin Capitol Pride, Cass Marie would return as hostess and entertainer, while Desiree would be one of the performers during the event. They, Kurtis, J RAVYN, EmC Ravyn, MICHELLE, Mr J, and past member, JAZMYN, would take part in area events celebrating Pride.

Photos taken by Madison Pride Photographers, Nikki Baumblatt, Robert Benoy, and Patrick Farabaugh, if anyone else was left out, we sincerely apologize ;)

Desiree Mathews @ MATHEW SHEPARD FOUNDATION BENEFIT SHOWS (CLUB 5)

The Matthew Shepard Foundation is an LGBT rights group founded in December 1998 by Dennis and Judy Shepard in memory of their 21-year old son, Matthew, who was murdered in an anti-gay hate crime in Wyoming in October 1998[1].

Created to honor Matthew in a manner that was appropriate to his dreams, beliefs and aspirations, the Foundation seeks to "Replace Hate with Understanding, Compassion & Acceptance" through its varied educational, outreach and advocacy programs and by continuing to tell Matthew's story.[2]

The Foundation focuses on three primary areas: erasing hate in society; putting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth first; and ensuring equality for all LGBT Americans.

You can find their website here: www.matthewshepard.org

Every year or so, Desiree Mathews and her Burning Bridges Productions co-founder, Ida Dunham, produce a show at Club 5, or sometimes another venue) to benefit the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Recruiting queens from other Production companies or solo queens, including at times our own people, Desiree and Ida make a hilarious and winning combination, especially benefiting a good cause!

Cass Marie Domino @ DRAG DOWN CANCER COMEDY BENEFIT

Each year a group of wonderful & talented people get together to raise money to fight cancer. It's like a variety show - drag queens & kings, live singers, comedians and more! Every penny is donated to the American Cancer Society. The space is donated and so is the talent! All cover charges and tips are fully donated!! $730 raised in 2007 ~ $2,200 raised in 2008 ~ $3,200 raised in 2009 ~ $???? raised in 2010

Created by Kimmy Jones, for the past several years, she has recruited some of the best talent that Wisconsin has to offer and few friends to help out. Ravyn Ent.'s Cass Marie Domino was the hostess this past year with WI Royalty, Josie Lynn, leading the charge with entertainment.

For more on this wonderful benefit show, visit them at Myspace, HERE or Facebook, HERE!

Ravyn Entertainment @ HOME FOR CHRISTMAS SHOW, BENEFIT IN HONOR OF FELICIA MELTON-SMYTH

Organized by Christian Schmidt and Jazmine Roberts, the CLUB ICON Christmas show this year is a benefit for the AIDS Network, all in the name of Miss Felicia herself.

Ravyn Entertainment co-owners, Brian Ponce and Josh Bartz, became involved when Christian went out and did a massive search for entertainers and was looking for ones that knew Felicia or had some other connection to the late entertainer...Knowing Felicia was one thing the owners had in common with Christian, but also them knowing that several of their members had even closer ties to her. It was the least they could do to remember their friend, their mentor, or their colleague...

Ravyn Entertainment now hosts the webpage dedicated to Felicia as well as information about the show. You can also find invites on Myspace and Facebook.

To find out more about this, click the link below!

WWW.RAVYNENTERTAINMENT.COM/FELICIAMELTONSMYTH.HTML