WHEN WE WERE KINGS



If you're familiar with Fiesta (in general) in San Antonio and  (specifically) Cornyation, great. If you're not, I'll let you discover all the details for yourself. There's a lot of information online about both subjects, and I don't want to copy and paste a bunch of stuff here. You can Google either of those topics and get plenty of information if you're so inclined.

I would like to mention that Mr. Beers and I were selected to be Kings Anchovy for this past April's Cornyation. To say that it was a great and wonderful experience would be an understatement. From our first meeting with Jesse Mata and Ray Chavez we experienced nothing but fun and love. Lots of both. Yep, it's been all sunshine and lollipops, rainbows and unicorns for these kings. That first meeting went something like this:

Jesse & Ray: We're here today to ask you guys if you's like to be involved in Cornyation this year.
Beers & Bobo: Sure. We haven't been really involved in quite a few years, but that would be fun.
Jesse & Ray: Specifically, we'd like to know if you'd be interested in being Kings Anchovy this year.
Beers & Bobo: (Exuberantly, smiling) I believe we can do that. (And then) That would be great!



The weeks that followed were full of planning, and then parties (Thanks for letting us hang out with you guys, Tim Campion & Allison Little!), and then, eventually, Cornyation. Friends and family members stepped up and volunteered to do all kinds of things. Our friends Fred, Tom, and Craig put on a fantastic Cornyation fundraising party. The great people at European Artisan Upholstery got to work making a beautiful throne for for two kings. Greg Mannino began sketching and creating some of the most amazing costumes. Gloria Liu recruited and choreographed some beautiful tappers. Friends from near and far found it in their hearts to volunteer their time and talent (and sass) to be part of our court. Still others gave generously to the cause with money and checks and credit cards. It was overwhelming and humbling to experience so many acts of generosity and kindness.



When Cornyation ended lots and lots of people approached us and asked about the experience. "How was it? Did you survive? What was your favorite part?" The favorite part answer is easy. People. Old friends, deli customers, new friends, family members, strangers. People. A few weeks before Cornyation there was a great Kings Coming Out party (Thanks, Elaine!) held at El Mirador hosted by Chris Hill (King Anchovy 2015). There were at least half a dozen former Anchovies at the party, and they were (and are) some of the nicest and coolest folks ever. They all had little bits of advice to offer us. One told us that the trick to a successful Fiesta as King Anchovy was to "Try to stay drunk, not too drunk, but just drunk enough." Almost every one of them told us to get ready to have the best time and to savor every minute of it. Other sage wisdom included the necessity of "a bottle of really good tequila backstage."



We really did have the best time and we really did try to savor every minute of it. We will remember the experience fondly. It was an outstanding Fiesta for us, thank you. And next year, at the Kings Coming Out party, we'll be right there with a nugget or two of advice of our own.









Comments

  1. What a wonderful opportunity to journey down that road wit you two of my favorite men! Love to you both and keep pushing on!

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  2. My favorite Cornyation of all time and I've been going for a very long time!

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