nothin Bear Soup Champions True Colors Fundraiser | New Haven Independent

Bear Soup Champions True Colors Fundraiser

DAVID SEPULVEDA PHOTO

168 York Street Cafe.

Those walking down York Street Cafe last Saturday night might have gotten a sip of Bear Soup, a hearty mix of bears, leather, drag and more” — the more” being an evening of rollicking entertainment and fundraising to support LGBTQ programs at True Colors, a Connecticut-based nonprofit organization that serves sexual-minority youth and provides family services.

Rob Petersen Photo

Mannetti.

Event organizer and co-emcee Joe Mannetti, a self-described bear, is the kind of guy who would give you the proverbial shirt off his back. While he likes to host shirtless to display his proud pecs and overall burliness, it is his heart and what he does for others that is most notable.

Mannetti began his fundraising and outreach journey after winning notoriety as a Bear title holder while living in Los Angeles. I wanted to use the attention that having a spotlight gave me to promote organizations and causes that were important to me in our communities,” he said. They included HIV/AIDS outreach, improved support services for transgender people, and supporting programs that allow LGBTQ youth to grow and thrive to meet their full potential as themselves.”

Upon moving to Connecticut, Mannetti said he immediately reached out to True Colors in support of their mission working with social service agencies, schools, and communities to help meet the needs of LGBTQ youth.

Mannetti’s personal mission to make the world a better place for all of us by cherishing the value of all of us” has resulted in numerous awards. These include the Justice-Love Award from the Metropolitan Community Church (LA); Best Bear Fundraiser 2009-10; the Dorothy Award (2013), for top fundraiser for New Haven Pride Center; and the P.R.I.D.E. NY Leadership Award in 2014.

David Sepulveda photo

Co-emcee Sconcia Flames, left, and True Colors Dir. Robin McHaelen.

Attending the Bear Soup fundraiser was True Colors founder and executive director Robin McHaelen, who noted that the organization’s training and mentoring programs are unique in the state. McHaelen articulated her belief that every child deserves a champion” and that each person, whoever they are, can make a difference.”

Morgana De Luxe collects donations.

At Saturday’s event, the cafe was filled with champions — those performing with their whole hearts, and those giving from their hearts in appreciation of a good cause.

Sconcia Flames, left, and dancer Luis Antonio.

Co-emcee of the fundraiser was the irrepressible Mistress Sconia Flames Cushman, who worked the crowd front, back, and center all night” and ran an auction of donated items that helped boost the evening’s fundraising total to over $2,000. DJ Anjel Perrone of Dark Angel Entertainment, a regular karaoke host at York Street Cafe, worked her technical magic from a corner of the stage.

Summer Orlando.

Throughout the evening, the audience was treated to one show-stopping performance after another. Among the performers of hot men, elegant queens, comic drag performers, and a handsome and talented artist” was Summer Orlando…

Morgana De Luxe.

…Morgana De Luxe…

Left, Lucia Virginity, Dandy Lions, Bottom, Barbra Joan Steetsand.

…Lucia Virginity, Dandy Lions, Barbra Joan Streetsand…

Luis Antonio.

…and Luis Antonio of the Elm City Dance Collective. Other show contributors included Veronicah Mann, Dale A. McKinzie, Anna McKinzie, and Cassandra Fiore.

Left, Mr. Connecticut Bear 2016, Ken Benoit; center, Mestre sketches.

In a multimedia presentation, visual and performance artist Ricky Mestre screened his Bear Soup video while dancing and simultaneously creating a pastel drawing. Strip dancer Israel Guardado lent support.

Benoit, Mannetti, Mestre, and Guardado.

A derby-wearing dancer emerged and later took the highest bid of all auctioned items.

While York Street Cafe staff and many others contributed to the evening’s fundraising success, the show’s hosts said that more champions are always needed. For more information about supporting the True Colors mission, visit the website.

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