The San Antonio LGBT Chamber of Commerce is holding its Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon on May 29, during which they will honor three “extraordinary San Antonians with awards in recognition of [their] contributions to advance the LGBT Community.” In their announcement for the event, the Chamber board writes, “As the largest gathering of LGBT…
Tequila ‘Truth Serum’ Reveals: Mindy Miller Hill is Cornyation’s King Anchovy LIV
They say loose lips sink ships but in the case of Fiesta Cornyation a bit of tequila “truth serum” led to to revealing the name of the next King Anchovy during the 80th birthday party for Cornyation founder Ray Chavez on October 21 at the Bonham Exchange. A post on the Fiesta Cornyation Facebook page…
‘Cornyation, the Short Film’ to be Screened at San Antonio Film Festival
Filmmaker David Sims’ 20-minute documentary about Fiesta Cornyation, which follows the behind-the scenes staging of the show in 2017, will be screened at the San Antonio Film Festival on August 3 as part of a block of short films under the category Hometown Heroes. Cornyation, the Short Film was completed in September 2017. It chronicles…
From SA’s Happy Foundation Archives: Gay History in a Three-Ring Binder
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. As Happy Foundation Archives Director Gene Elder once pointed out, “an archive can be as simple as a shoebox in the closet.” And while his cavernous headquarters at the Bonham Exchange are in fact brimming with what appears to be thousands of these DIY shoebox-archives — not to…
SA Filmmaker Chronicles the Colorful History of Fiesta Cornyation
After producing a 20-minute documentary about Fiesta Cornyation this year, local independent filmmaker David Sims announced he’s now working on a full-length version celebrating one of Fiesta San Antonio’s most popular events. Cornyation, the Short Film, which was completed last September, chronicles the origins of the bawdy stage show and it’s roots in the community.…
Fiesta Cornyation Names Charlie Biedenharn as King Anchovy LIII
In a January 19 announcement, the board of directors of Fiesta Cornyation named Charlie Biedenharn as this year’s King Anchovy LIII. Ray Chavez, the reining coordinator of Cornyation, introduced Biedenharn during a soiree at the home of last year’s King Anchovy LII Jeffrey James. Biedenharn is co-owner, with Anne Ng and Jeremy Mandrell, of the…
On the Chartreuse Couch: Gene Elder Interviews Ken Slavin
Gene: Ken, here you are at last. On the couch where you belong. Now, I want you to just lie down and make yourself comfortable and just say the first thing that comes to mind. What do you think of when I say, “Artists giving their art to fundraisers and musicians playing for free at…
All About That Dress: A History of Cornyation Fashion
For the last three years, I’ve been working on a book about the history of our most beloved Fiesta event, Cornyation. I’m pleased to report that the book will be published in March 2017 by Trinity University Press, and it will include more than 100 pictures of Cornyation over the years. Over the course of…
Gay Royalty Rules Cornyation’s Court of Our Mad, Mad, Mad World
Michael Bobo and his husband Wayne D. Beers — the dynamic duo of W.D. Deli — have been preparing for their crowning moment for years, so to speak. So when the lights go down, the music starts thumping, the curtains go up and an odd assortment of outrageous drag queens, city celebs and other bizarre,…
On the Chartreuse Couch: Gene Elder interviews Ann Kinser and Michael Mehl
Gene: Ann, Michael have a seat on the sofa. Thanks for joining me and millions of others around the world. Michael, we know you are the spark that ignited the fire for Fotoseptiembre and we should talk about that. And Ann you were a major highlight at Cornyation for several early years, and I know a…