The picks are in:
OFC Readers’ Choice ‘OUTstanding Awards,’ 2012
More than 900 Out Front Colorado readers voted on the best of the best: the people, businesses and venues they love!
Here are the honorees picked this year.
The 2012 Out Front Colorado Readers’ Choice OUTstanding Awards:
OUTstanding People
OUTstanding Local Entertainer – Cora Vette
You will never forget seeing Cora Vette perform for the first time. ‘Who exactly is the new drag queen in town, and where did she get those fabulous boobs?’ But after watching her sing live you will realize that Ms. Vette is no drag queen.
Cora has been a staple in the lives of thousands: first entertaining us at Tucked and then in mid-2011 when she created Cora Vette’s Hot Rods, a burlesque show featuring boys. Very, very sexy boys. Before you dive into the rest of the OUTstanding Awards, check out our chat with Entertainer of the Year, Cora Vette.
You have an amazing voice. You were in Mama Mia Las Vegas! Is that the biggest thing you’ve done?
As far as a Broadway type show, yes. It was an amazing experience. I actually started out as the understudy for Tanya and on the last night of previews she called in sick, so I had to fill in for awhile. The following year I was given the contract role. I guess you could say it was an understudy moment of fame.
How did you go from being in a Broadway musical to a burlesque star?
It kind of happened by accident and necessity. Because I did Mama Mia, I have an equity card, that dictates where I can perform in order to keep my retirement. When I moved back to Denver, there wasn’t a lot of places I could still perform. I found burlesque as a way to still perform. I wanted to perform. Apparently, I’m crazy, I didn’t know that.
Most people know you from Tucked.
That drag show was the hardest performance of my life. I loved it. But it was hard. You really have to grab the attention of an audience who might not actually be fully paying attention. And I still think half the gay community thinks I’m a man. It’s a compliment for them to think I’m a drag queen. I’ve always wanted to be a gay icon. Those are the women I’ve always looked up to.
Like who?
Bette Middler. I’m an old gay at heart. I’m not a Britney, Christina. I’m more Aretha Franklin, Barbara Streisand. Liza.
And now you’re doing ‘Boylesque.’
Yup. We’re moving the show to Benders, starting April 19. It’s going to give a chance for even more people to experience the sexy. Very Sinatra. I love putting boys in fedoras.
Out Front Colorado’s 2012 Readers’ Choice Awards
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