The Best Boylesque competition at Burlesqe Hall of Fame Weekender was kicked off by an emotional speech by Tigger. Now, there had been speeches by past winners before each category began. The speeches were kind of awkward and left me wondering, “Why are they doing this? We could read this person’s thoughts in the program, or on the Burlesque Hall of Fame website.” When Tigger delivered his speech I thought to myself, “Oh, maybe this speech was the point of it all.”

I can’t directly quote, but Tigger’s words on gender in burlesque and shattering barriers were inspirational. Besides drawing form his own experience as an internationally-recognized gender-fucking sexpot, I’m sure he was inspired by the historic “first” that night — a drag king, Lou Henry Hoover, competed for King of Boylesque for the first time.

In the end, the adorable, high-flying Matt Finish was the one who took home the crown. His troupe Don’t Blink Burlesque, despite an excellent performance in the Best Large Group category, didn’t win. It was excellent that Matt could bring a trophy home for Tuscon.

After the traditional make-out session with Tigger, Matt Finish was delivered his crown and sash by the previous King, Mr. Gorgeous. Gorgeous’s platform heels made him well over six feet tall, and Matt Finish had to leap in the air to kiss him. The crowd also enjoyed a lighthearted chuckle when the crown was placed upon Matt’s head — it was too big and fell down to rest on his shoulders.

 

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Heather Schofner is the features editor of VerbicideMagazine.com and the owner of Olympia, Washington-based Heather Schofner Photography.