Drag Queen Bingo Benefits Laguna Beach Dog Park (and the Doggies)

By Lori Vanny Ke

Crowds gathered into Hennessey’s Tavern in Dana Point on Friday, April 20 to support the first “Drag Queen Bingo” benefit for .

The benefit was aimed to raise funds for the non-profit organization which helps to preserve and improve the park through its fundraising events.

At a ticket price of $50, attendees received dinner, 10 bingo games, and prizes. About 75 people filled the tavern along with regular restaurant guests. The event raised over $1,000 with the live auction. All proceeds go to the Laguna Beach Dog Park and animal rescue groups.

“I’ve worked with the dog park for 15 years," event organizer Daniel Mulrenin told Laguna Beach Patch. "We have a close group of friends. The dog park needed help to raise money, so we decided to have this event. It’s money to buy benches and fencing as well as helping other animal rescue groups. That’s where the money goes—stuff the city can’t cover.”

The bingo game started just after 8 p.m. Hosted by hilarious emcee Jeffrey “Bingo Boy” Bowman and a lively drag queen known as the Fabulous Belle Aire, the night was filled with cheering, laughter, and clever callbacks.

Belle Aire was embellished with a large black-feathered vest, a red top, denim shorts, a beige headband holding her long dark curls together, and black pumps. Both hosts are from Legendary Bingo of Los Angeles.

“What’s the name of the game?” Belle Aire shouted.

“BINGO!” the audience responded.

“How do we play it?” Belle Aire asked.

“Loudly!” the audience cheered.

Throughout the 90 minute game, Bowman and Belle Aire would announce live auctions for items such as wine packages, a mermaid art piece, a dog gift basket, a two-night stay at Mammoth Mountain, and a private wine tasting. Bidding started at $1.

Winners of the bingo games yelled, “It’s on!” when they had one turn left until victory, and of course, “Bingo!” once all specified spots were called out. Prizes included t-shirts, gift certificates to and , and yoga classes. The crowd cheered on the winners, who had to run around the tavern while the audience chanted, “Pelt her, pelt her!” or “Pelt him, pelt him!” and playfully threw their crumpled-up losing bingo sheets at them.

The evening also featured a drag queen costume contest where a spirited participant known as Brighton Timmy and his female friend received the honor of winning the “Best Costumes.” Brighton Timmy was dressed in a wild ensemble that included a pink and feathery headpiece, a black gown, and a white feather boa while his friend wore a huge purple mad-hatter-esque hat.

With the money raised, the organization hopes to continue adding onto the dog park.

Senior Animal Control Officer for Laguna Beach Joy Falk was an integral part of Friends of Laguna Beach Dog Park.

“It was 20 years ago. My friend saw one in San Francisco, and I saw one in New York. We were thinking, ‘You need to give them a spot to run around’,” Falk said. “It took about two years of calling city council people and making petitions. This is the first dog park in Orange County. It’s important to have a group to support it.”

Many attendees of the event were from Laguna Beach and often spend their time at the Laguna Beach Dog Park. Laguna Beach resident and attendee Michael Waldman commented, “It’s an off-leash dog park. There’s a big wide open space. There are really friendly people. Lots of beautiful dogs. It’s a beautiful place to be.”

“The dog park is a great place for dogs to socialize with other dogs,” said Enrique Ceniceros, a participant in the benefit. “We have a Great Dane. We take her there so she doesn’t get restless at home,” his friend Kevin Sperry adds.

Friends of Laguna Beach Dog Park President Nancy Nicoli hopes to implement more social events that will help benefit the organization.

“Whenever we can help a city and make improvements, that’s what we use our money for,” commented Nicoli.