On Nov. 14, the Legacy Project presented its the [Un] Gala, the organization’s annual fundraising event to celebrate the accomplishments of the Project. This year titled “Landmark,” the gathering was billed in part as “a multimedia celebration of America’s love affair with drag.”
![From left, Renauda Riddle, David Martin, and Ralph Kennedy at Landmark_ The Legacy Project's [Un] Gala. Photo by Vern Hester](https://i0.wp.com/windycitytimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/LGWG-from-left_-Renauda-Riddle-David-Martin-and-Ralph-Kennedy-at-Landmark_-The-Legacy-Projects-Un-Gala-image-by-Vern-Hester.jpg?resize=780%2C519&ssl=1)
The event, which took place at Sarabande, 2726 W. Roscoe St., also served as a celebration of Legacy Project founder Victor Salvo.
Guests enjoyed an open bar, a sumptuous buffet dinner, appetizers, a silent auction and a special performance and presentation by drag artist Mrs. Kasha Davis. DJ Moose Moder provided the soundtrack and the evening was dedicated to the late Chilli Pepper.
Though Salvo had announced that he would be stepping down as head of the Project, he assured the audience that his exit would be gradual over the next two years. In light of the Republican sweep after the 2024 election, the Legacy Project’s board of directors made a point to re-commit the vision of the organization so that the concept of erasing LGBTQ+ history could not happen.
Legacy Project board member Ralph Kennedy said, “Victor illuminated the past and showed a light on possibilities.” Board member David Martin later called Salvo “a visionary” who is “someone who can see something that others cannot see.”
As guests sat down to dinner, Davis shared her evolution from dejected alcoholic to a celebrated contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race, with equal parts song, candor and humor. Her presentation ended with the traditional removing of her wig, which was greeted by a standing ovation.
After the close of the auction, Davis led a fundraising segment with money going to support the creation of Legacy Project promotional materials, a restoration of multiple Legacy Walk bronze memorials, the development of new lesson plans and multimedia resources on LGBTQ+ history programs for students at Legacy Walk installations. The event had raised over $21,000 by the end of the evening.
The post Legacy Project spotlights both founder Salvo and drag culture at [Un] Gala bash appeared first on Windy City Times.