|
|
| Bat N' Rouge returns to Cal Anderson Park
|
by Shaun Knittel -
SGN Staff Writer
Bat N' Rouge, the official Seattle Gay Pride kick-off event, returns to Cal Anderson Park June 13 from 5-8 p.m.
For over 10 years, the Capitol Hill Alano Club (CHAC) has hosted the softball extravaganza. If you've never been to a Bat N' Rouge game - say, the Drag Queens vs. the Dykes - you are in for something different: a softball game gone very, very wrong that feels oh-so-right.
This year, Sen. Ed Murray (D-WA) is the dignitary to throw the first pitch. Then all hell breaks loose. The rules are simple, said Publicity Coordinator Jim Davidson; there aren't any. Teams and attendees can bribe the umpires for stunts to be performed by the teams individual players, buy runs and hits and innings, and the entire spectacle is professionally choreographed with music and traditional ball game sound effects, added Davidson.
"This year, Bat N' Rouge XI will prove to be the biggest and best ever," Davidson told SGN. "From humble beginnings 10 years ago, Bat N' Rouge has grown significantly in size, scope and attendance."
Last year Davidson said the Lesbian players were forced to be "made-up" in drag make-up and made to run the bases in heels. The Drag Queens were stripped of their wigs - the ultimate insult - and made to sing songs.
The softball extravaganza is helped along by dozens of volunteers and organizations that sponsor the event. This year the Rainbow City Band, a marching band in full regalia, will perform during the event. There will be a traditional concession with a full hot dog stand with sodas and other treats. The Knights of Malta will perform a flag ceremony during the game opening and "Super Hunk Roscoe" will perform the national anthem. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and Rat City Roller Girls will participate, as well.
An introduction is planned for 2009 Gay Pride Parade Grand Marshall George Bakan, Seattle Gay News publisher and longtime activist.
Davidson said he can't emphasize just how much fun the event is, as well as the importance of the mission that CHAC serves for the LGBT community. Bat N' Rouge is one of the main fundraisers for CHAC, a non-profit organization hosting nearly 60 12-step meetings each week.
CHAC is now in its 27th year of service in providing the Seattle LGBT community with recovery support for drug and alcohol addiction. Officially founded in 1982, CHAC provides meeting space for a variety of 12-step programs. Though founded and supported by the LGBT community, CHAC welcomes all people seeking recovery. The meetings include Al-Anon, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Crystal Meth Anonymous, Sex Addicts Anonymous, and other addiction and recovery groups as well as the Seattle Spanish-speaking chapter of AA, "La Esperanza."
The Capitol Hill Alano club is funded entirely through donations, fundraisers and individual membership. CHAC is managed by volunteer contributions and time, service and talents and is located at 1900 East Madison. For more information about Bat N' Rouge and CHAC, visit www.chacseattle.org.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Darlene Nipper speaks at Seattle POCAAN
------------------------------
Court OK's California's Prop 8;
rally/protest march in Seattle
------------------------------
Operation Shine Seattle begins
------------------------------
Pride weekend main events
------------------------------
PRIDE EVENTS CALENDAR
------------------------------
Sisters accepting grant applications
------------------------------
Bat N' Rouge returns to Cal Anderson Park
------------------------------
UPDATE: Domestic partnership cancel court petition to amend Referendum 71 title
------------------------------
Seattle Gay History: The great Andy Warhol
------------------------------
The OutField: Emile Griffith: Out for the count
------------------------------
Entre Hermanos' Latino Pageant 2009
------------------------------
------------------------------
Zero to 60: 2009 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV
------------------------------
Arnold actually plans to take away people's HIV meds
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
Thousands at Fresno rally
------------------------------
Gay mayor's illicit love shakes a Texas town
------------------------------
Shock at gay film shown to teenagers
------------------------------
Nev. Sen. overrides Gov.'s veto of DP bill
------------------------------
Gay marriage accord reached
------------------------------
Judge Sotomayor and LGBT Rights
------------------------------
New Images From the Stonewall Uprising's Final Night
------------------------------
Bill Proposes Immigration Rights for Gay Couples
------------------------------ |
![[Valid RSS]](images/valid-rss.png "Validate my RSS feed"){kind=small}
post your own information on
http://sgn.org/rss.xml | what is RSS? | 
use Google to set up your RSS feed