01/12/11: 79CXR pulled out all the stops this World Aids Day with over four hours of entertainment and fundraising for HIV charity The Food Chain, which provides access to tailored nutritional services for those living with HIV in the UK.
Hosted by the resplendent Bette Rinse and Mary Mac, the team at CXR certainly know how to keep even the hardened of drag aficionado entertained, as they served up delights from Lola Lasagne, Mae Hemm (who picked on me…noted, haha), Morag McDuff, Son Ofa Tutu, Sidney Bueno, Kitty Monroe and a ‘cheeky’ cameo from Mrs Moore.
And if drag isn’t your thing (clearly you need a night out with me) there were also sets from vocalists James Bedford and Laura English.
The queen of the night though, who brought the house down, was 90s pop sensation Lonnie Gordon, who, like Whitney when she was good, had EVERYONE up on their feet bopping around like it was a smoke filled Vauxhall club at 7am.
The reaction was sensational; and if a whole set of her favourite numbers (including her 1990 top 5 smash hit ‘Happenin’ All Over Again’) wasn’t enough Lonnie even stayed onstage afterwards for over half an hour, as revellers queued up for signed photos, for a small donation to the night’s fundraising.
Organiser Dave Bunce, manager Michael, all the team, performers and generous punters of 79CXR helped to raise over £1000 for The Food Chain. Bravo from all at QX towers.
79CXR, 79 Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0BN
Words by Jason ‘Tia’ Reid
Photos by Joel ‘Tamera’ Ryder
