Miami's fabulous drag queen Elaine Lancaster has been keeping herself quite busy lately. In the next few weeks alone, Elaine will be hosting two parties at Score and prepping for the upcoming 30th Annual White Party.
Since her short-lived days on Real Housewives of Miami (James Davis, the man behind the glamorous woman, is Lea Black's bestie), Elaine starred in the locally produced documentary, South Beach on Heels; she's now working with that filmmaker on a documentary about her own life. She's also continued her philanthropic work. The lady knows how to werk it, which is probably why the Female Impersonators Miss Florida Pageant has established a new award in her honor: the Elaine Lancaster Stellar Award.
Presented to the female impersonator earlier this week, the title celebrates her "outstanding commitment demonstrating true beauty, talent, and class in the female impersonator industry; always the perfectionist, leader, and friend," she quotes from the award description.
See also: Elaine Lancaster Dishes on Miami Beach Gay Pride 2014
"It is extremely humbling to have an award given in my name," says Elaine, adding, "I not only make a living as a female impersonator, but I am a huge fan [of the Miss Florida Pageant]."
Davis has been living in Miami for over a decade, so naturally, Miss Lancaster has been dominating the scene since the late 1990s. Sixteen years ago, she came out to host the grand opening of Score on Lincoln Road. And now, this weekend when the nightclub celebrates its 16th anniversary, Elaine will be in the center of it all once again.
"They say it's easy getting to the top, but staying there is what's hard. I'm just happy to still be on top of the game after all these years with my face as fresh as when I first arrived."
She promises plenty of surprises throughout the night, beginning with some sushi and cocktails, and "great music, as always."
The same energetic atmosphere will be the setting one week later, on Friday August 22nd, when Score puts on a little shindig for the Lancaster's birthday. Elaine is friends with Score's general manager, Fabricio, she tells us, making it her "home base" for performances in Miami nightclubs.
"They have thrown me a birthday soiree every year, and this year, artist Havi Schanz will be presenting me with one of his masterpieces."
Elaine's actual birthday is on August 27, but everyone knows birthdays deserve to be celebrated for more than one day. After the party at Score, the following week on the Friday the 29th, the festivities continue at the Forge Restaurant (her favorite spot for fine dining).
With so many events and hosting opportunities that come her way, Elaine makes it a point to choose wisely: "I try to align myself with causes that I am really passionate about - there are plenty of great causes out there, but I can only do so much." What she admires most about the annual White Party - an event she has hosted and emceed every year since 1998 - is how they donate $0.86 to every dollar collected to client services.
Once things settle down in her social calendar, the diva says she plans on sifting through some 25 years of diary entries and compiling an outline for a future memoir. "Even I can't believe what an amazing and exciting life I've had and continue to live!" she gushes, thinking back on her career milestones. "One really doesn't realize how far he's climbed the mountain until he stops and looks back."
Maybe there will be a chapter or two about her two upcoming parties - you'll just have to attend and see if they're worth writing home about.
Score Nightclub celebrates its 16th anniversary this Saturday, August 16, with host Elaine Lancaster. Also taking place at Score is Elaine's birthday bash on August 22. Visit facebook.com/scoreclub for updates.
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