Show Must Go On

Saturday, November 30^th, the RubiGirls take the stage for their 23^rd Annual ‘The Show Must Go On!’ The show, which was originally titled ‘To Care is To Cure,’ has become, for many, a Holiday Tradition.

‘What better way to give than to be entertained, laugh a lot and know your donations are helping people right here in the Miami Valley.’ says RubiFan, Brad Justice. ‘It’s exciting to be part of the energy at the show! Who doesn’t love Dana, Fonda and all the other Crazies!’

This year’s event takes place at the Brightside Event Space. Doors open at 7pm and the show kicks off at 8pm. The theme this year is ‘The RubiGirls in GAY as HELL!’

‘We had a record-breaking sell-out.’ says Brent Johnson, aka India Summer. Within 10 days we sold 90% of our tickets. ‘It’s humbling to know that people love our mission and see beyond the frivolity to the philanthropy!’

Speaking of Philanthropy, the RubiGirls were just awarded the Association of Fundraising Professionals Philanthropy Award. ‘It’s really a big deal.’ Says Tim Farquhar, Rubi’s Fonda Peters. We have worked really hard! We were never looking to receive awards or accolades, but just to keep our eyes on helping people.’ And help they have.

On the 30^th, the RubiGirls will take in their 2,000,000^th dollar. Driven by their mission, the RubiGirls have branched out from HIV/AIDS only donations, to helping all kinds of people across the Dayton Area…and beyond.

‘So many people know our history. Thirty-Five years in the making, we were here during the HIV crisis, through the fight for marriage equality and now, our hope is to change the atmosphere of intolerance and injustice in the US.’ Josh Stucky stated. Stucky is the sole RubiGirl to be with the group all 35 years. Farquhar took a brief break in the 90’s.

‘I feel like for Tim and me, we’ve seen the best of Rubi and the harder times. The harder times were those years when we wanted people to take us seriously as we asked for money in women’s clothing! I believe it was the persistence and the laughter that made it possible to help so many folks!’ he adds.

Many people have worried that the RubiGirls would fade away as the years past. ‘Heck no!’ says Jacob Sams, aka Jackie O. ‘The elder Girls have taught us all about fund-raising, philanthropy and the gift that Rubi really is to the community!’ O is one of the newer, younger RubiGirls, hell-bent on seeing it through for another generation. ‘There are always going to be people who need and we want to provide!’

This year’s show looks to be another hoot! New choreography, more parody and even a little classic Rubi will complete the line-up. ‘We are keeping it fresh, but we realize there are staples to these shows!’ says Alex Everett, Rubi’s Minnie Skirt.

The RubiGirls never seem to lose sight of their vision. Through dedication, cooperation and eyelashes these Daytonians have become models for performance groups across the country.  ‘A Different Way to Make A Difference,’ is their battle-cry, and they certainly live by it!

The RubiGirls are a non-profit 501c3. To donate to the RubiGirls simply go to their Facebook Page or therubigirls.com. Merchandise is also available through their Website!  You can also reach the RubiGirls by email at [email protected].

RubiGirls star in The Show Must Go On!

‘The Birdcage’ was the movie everyone rushed to; ‘Baby Alive’ was the toy for all kids; DVD’s were launched; Gas was $1.09; and Lenny Kravitz and the Spice Girls topped the charts. It was 1996. For Fonda Peters and Dana Sintell, of the World Famous ‘RubiGirls’, an idea was growing. ‘We need a fundraiser that brings people from all walks of life to a drag show, with a goal of raising $1000 for HIV/AIDS research.’ says Fonda Peters.

The show idea was an actual extension of ‘To Care is to Cure,’ a Dayton Drag Show that took the best of Dayton’s Queens, and did shows at all the bars in the area. ‘Those were remarkable shows. Drag Queens literally rode on buses from bar to bar and did these super fun shows! They were all serious about changing the HIV trajectory…enough people had died.’ says Peters (AKA Tim Farquhar).

Fonda Peters has been doing shows for 34 Years.

For his cohort, Dana, the bus rides won’t ever be forgotten. “Honestly, I’m not sure how many of us are still alive from those days…Lord it was a long while ago! I remember one year, early on in 90’s, I was doing a number at 1470 West, and a very beautiful, young man brought a dollar and said, ‘I have AIDS. I’ve been so sad, feel like giving up. I needed this laugh more than you know.’ ‘I hugged him…held him…and there were tears…It changed me….forever! People needed a reason to celebrate the Gay Life….there was too much negativity surrounding our community’ says Dana Sintell (AKA Joshua Stucky).”

The Legendary Dana Sintell, RubiGirls emcee.

From those early days, the RubiGirls knew there was an opportunity to help…change the conversation. After lengthy talks and a few catfights, the Girls settled on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. ‘It felt right. Everyone’s home, people that have nowhere to go would have an outlet, and families could come and celebrate with us! I will be honest, the first year shocked us….we sold out and made well over our goal. It was that night we knew…THE SHOW MUST GO ON!’ says Peters.

For Peters and Sintell, the 22nd Anniversary is amazing, but they’ve been in dresses for 34 years. ‘No doubt, one of our favorite parts of any year is the BIG SHOW in November. Tim and I get to be on that stage one more year. One more standing ovation. Although we’ve talked about leaving, talked about passing the torch, I think we both feel we meant what we said when we committed to seeing an end to HIV. Can’t quit….especially when things have gotten so much better.’ says Stucky.

Magestik always brings the beat to the shows.

Today’s RubiGirls are definitely well-versed in ‘The Show Must Go On.’ Magestick (AKA Matthew Swisher) says,’This is THE show of the year. We rehearse a ton, drink afterward, and new ideas fly. I am beyond proud to be part of the RubiGirls and this special night. Every dollar is going to help someone, educate someone and make a better day for people with HIV. Truth is, crazy as they are, Tim and Josh, actually all of the more seasoned Girls, are iconic in this town. Not because they are beautiful, or dress to the 9’s or whatever….it’s because they stuck to their vision. They really want to do good things for people.’

The RubiGirls appear all over the Dayton area!

The RubiGirls are on the verge of helping raise $2,000,000 for charities. ‘Um, we had no idea this would ever happen.’ Sintell adds. ‘The support of the Dayton community surpasses every city, even bigger ones, around the country. When I tell people we do banquets, parties, grand openings, bingo, church performances, nursing homes, trivia, kids’ birthdays….etc, etc, they are stunned! RubiGirls are something special. And we take that very seriously. We always want to be cutting edge, but remain respectful. It’ s a fine line…but people are more apt to donate when they laugh and feel good.’

Peters concludes, ‘There have been over 50 or so RubiPerformers over the years. It’s a legacy. We’ve been performing longer then some of these new girls have been alive. That says a lot. We just hope that this continues, as long as possible, with great laughs, bigger crowds and MORE DONATIONS! Long live the RubiGirls!’

THE SHOW MUST GO ON

is set for Saturday, 11/24, with doors opening at 7pm.

It is in a brand new downtown venue, The Brightside,
located at 905 East Third Street Suite B, Dayton, Ohio 45402.

Tickets are on sale by clicking on link, or at the door for $40, if still available!
And don’t forget to bring a few bucks for tipping!

Be sure and follow The RubiGirls  on Facebook!