Centaur Motorcycle Club Hosts Lip Synch Battle Xtra for Charity Fundraiser
Lip Synch Battle Xtra began with the idea of bringing the clubs and organizations of Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia (and beyond) together, as a way to raise funds for 501c charities and to strengthen our relationships as leather clubs and members of the LGBTQ+ community after Covid 19. However, it ended up becoming much more. The show itself became a way for us to celebrate and protest against the unjust laws against our drag and trans brothers and sisters being passed by conservative state legislatures.
Hosted by The Centaur Motorcycle Club at the Red Bear Brewery, Lip Synch Battle Xtra was held on April 1st 2023; the venue serving as the perfect choice for the event since it is the first 100% gay-owned brewery in Washington DC, and one of only a handful of 100% queer-owned beer spaces in the USA!!
The way it worked was that each organization performed two songs from a preselected list of music from different genres. There were gay anthems like “This Is Me!!” from The Greatest Showman, pop hits like P!nk’s “What About Us”, country megahits like Shania Twain’s “That Don’t Impress Me Much” and camp classics such as “Save A Horse, (Ride a Cowboy)” by Big & Rich .
Attendees included the Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association (ASGRA), represented by Dixy Crystal and James Claypool who were supporting Rainbow Families, The Bucks Motorcycle Club of New Hope, PA, represented by Jizzy Bell (Jeffrey Coleman) who was supporting the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL), and The Shipmates of Baltimore, MD, represented by International Mr. LeatherBear, Ali Lopez, who was supporting Safe Heaven.
Genocide Abrasax , (Derrick Otter Star) performed double duty as Master of Ceremonies and “Halftime” entertainer while the distinguished judges panel consisted of: Daddy Rod, Leather Man of Color 2011 and American Leather Man 2017, Author and Podcaster, Wyatt O’Brian Evans, Virgina Bear Hunter 2023, Juan Carlos Estremara, and Mx. Maryland Leather 2023, Finn Michael Coy- Gresavage.
While the performers were working the audience, the membership of the Centaur MC and volunteers sold mini cheesecakes and raffle tickets in order to raise money to be donated to the winner’s charity.
At the end ASGRA , with a Flawless Victory over the competition, emerged as the winner of the first Lip Synch Battle Xtra with Rainbow Families receiving an $804.00 donation. Not bad for a first-time event!
Organizers wish to thank the staff of The Red Bear Brewery Co., especially Erin Young, who served as stage manager, Thomas Jordan, DJ Say What?,( Evan Ribeiro), the membership of the Centaur MC and volunteers Ryder Tidwell and Sean Garnett.
Lip Synch Battle Xtra will return next year with ‘SashQueen Smackdown!’, tentatively scheduled for April 6, 2024.
Stay up to date with this and all other events put on by the Centaur Motorcycle Club by checking out their official website and by following them on Facebook and Twitter.
