To say that the closing of the LA legend, The Queen Mary Show Lounge, in 2002, left a huge void in the lives of many, would be a gross understatement! Then again, when I met the late rapper/actor Tupac Shakur (RIP), he spoke about how changes are part of life, and we all have them coming to us.

‘Queen Mary Reunion Too’

Yes, our beloved Queen is gone. However, her spirit lives on, and that is more than enough to transform people who were always there behind the scenes to step up. Ever since I can remember, Kristina Johnson was a pillar in the Queen Mary family. After the initial shock of the club closing, Kristina decided to ensure that the proverbial Phoenix would rise from the ashes. Her next step was to put together a dedicated group that would put their egos aside to see to it that the legend would continue. Kristina (bless her heart) contacted the ever popular Butch Ellis who was our Front Room Show lounge Mistress of Ceremonies for the last century! (only kidding. Butch!!).

Meetings were held by the trio, and eventually the result was a Friday and Saturday night extravaganza. The show was held at the ever-tranny-friendly Beverly Garland Hotel on Vineland Avenue in North Hollywood. Needless to say I was on cloud nine, when I received a VIP press pass to the first Annual QUEEN MARY TOO REUNION. As expected both shows sold out, and the buzz is that we can look forward to another event next year. When I arrived at the Saturday night show, my limousine driver Larry S. took one look at the crowd waiting to get in. "Look at all those hotties!" Larry salivated. "If I wouldn't lose my job, I would park this tank and join you!" After I informed him that most of these 'hotties' were trannies. Larry just smiled and indicated that he was just fine with that revelation!

It was as if the Karma of the Universe had said, "Lets' do the Queen Mary Time Warp again!" The show started with MC Butch thanking all for attending and then she mentioned that we should thank Kristina for all her efforts. It was pandemonium in the room, when Kristina took the microphone to welcome and thank all in attendance for making this very special night a reality. Then, it was Showtime! The magic of the Queen was back in full force, as the lovely ladies hit the stage with a sizzling rendition of "Lady Marmalade". The next two hours were a high- energy, non-stop drag revue which featured some of the premier acts presented over the years at the club. Leading the troupe was veteran stage diva Miss Monica Russo, who stole the show with her sexciting number "Devotion"!

This reporter was seated with Kristina and her ‘Girls’ however, I spent most of my evening scampering around taking photos for you to see.

‘Annual West Hollywood Drag Race’

This event is the first of the official "tranny season" in West Hollywood and is a prelude to the huge costume contest to be held on the following weekend (but this year rained out)! However, the sun was shining this day and the cameras were rolling at this high-heeled drag race.

The rules for this 50-yard dash requires that all the contestants run in three inch heels or stiletto pumps, and all must be in DRAG. This event is a media favourite, with numerous video crews from local television stations and hundreds of people in attendance. The party, (excuse me! The DRAG race) was staged on the sidewalk in front of MICKYS, which is located in the notorious gay jungle known as "Boys Town" on Santa Monica (S & M to the locals) Boulevard. The drag races was a sight to behold, as the ladies (and Pete Penn from the Sharon Osbourne Show) ran the gauntlet. By the way, Pete was resplendent at race time, in a pair of whorehouse-red hooker heels! Later, the Master of Ceremonies David Logan began to announce the winners and present the prizes. During the ceremony David announced that he had a very special presentation to make. MOMMA West Hollywood's most celebrated drag diva was awarded the Key to the City of West Hollywood! Yours truly had a memorable afternoon, taking photos and recommend you time your LA visit to join the fun and zany antics of the West Hollywood Drag Races.

‘The Red Dress Party’

The Tranny Guide was on the scene at the ‘Aid for Aids’ benefit: The Red Dress Party on Sunday, October 26th at The Factory in West Hollywood. The nightclub was transformed into a Hall of Candy Apple Red: Asian Style specifically for this incredible revival event. Red dresses, Red Costumes, Red lingerie, even Red chaps. Guests from glamourous to gaudy and creative to curious, dragged the red out of their closets and flaunted it during this fabulous evening of dancing, divas, and dazzle. Billed as "the highlight and must-do event of the Halloween season" this gala had everything from a first class VIP room with complimentary Smirnoff bar, neck and hand masseurs and make-overs by Too-Faced cosmetics) to an outrageous costume contest hosted by "The Goddess of Comedy" Judy Tenuta and "The Drag Queen of Comedy" Bridgett of Madison County. Participants were judged by celebrities Jean Smart (Designing Women), Joan Van Ark (Knots Landing) and Patrlka Darbo (Days Of Our Lives) for the titles of Miss Red Dress, Miss Red "Guess" and Miss Red MESS.

For 20 years. ‘Aid For AIDS’ has provided direct financial assistance to persons living with HIV/AIDS that are disabled and living below the poverty line. AFA's mission is simple: keep a roof over their clients heads and the lights on by paying for the necessities of life-including housing, health insurance premiums, and medications. THE RED DRESS PARTY is the ‘benefit’ to help raise awareness and the much needed funds. Make sure you globe trekking trannies attend the NEXT year and the Halloween Costume Parade and Carnival as they are both held the same week!

‘Drag *N* You Out Party’

"Drag N You Out" is the brainchild of Hollywood’s favourite drag diva, Jazmine, who can be seen as a guest star on "The Anna Nicole Show" as Anna’s lookalike "gal pal." Committed to taking the art of drag transformation to a new level. Jazmine’s mission is to inform educate and promote tolerance for people of all creeds, colours and sexual preferences. On Thursday June 19, www.jazmine.com (www.jasminesworld.com) presented a dazzling evening of drag at ‘The Factory’ in West Hollywood. The event was in memory of renowned make-up artist Kevyn Aucoin, and 100% of the proceeds benefited the Elizabeth Glaser Paediatric AIDS Foundation. "Drag N You Out" kicked off Gay Pride weekend with MC Boy Mike, and was directed and choreographed by critically acclaimed choreographer Brian ("BP") Paul Mendoza. (Grease! 42nd Street, A Chorus Line, and Bye, Bye, Birdie. Xanadu Live. Coop’s |As It Is In Heaven and Matrix’s Anyone Can Whistle). The glamourous divas included Adrenalin, Bel Aire, Bridgette of Madison County, Cassandra Fever, Chad Michaels, The Chanell Twins. Cherie. Chi-Chi La Rue. Chris Green. Clare Voyant, CoCo Peru, The Confused, Constance, The D.D. Divine. Desiree La Fernme, Diva, Dixie Longate, Electra Lox, Ethylina Canna, The Fabulous Phyliss, Fontasia LaMore, Glamour, Holly Woodlawn, Honey Suckle, Honey West, Jackie Beat, Jazmine, Jazzmun, John Price, Julie Shepard, Karen Dior, Kelly / Mantle, Lady Dante. Lucky Charm, Milienium. Momma, Mr Dan, Nomi Moore, Niki Starr, Scott Kaske, Sister Roma! Seven, Shante Bouvier, Tera Nova, Vida de Ville and Viva Sex.

‘CLUB 7969 Transformation Release Party’

Every Friday and Monday evenings the CLUB 7969 is T-girl central with a non-stop parade of trannies of every type and persuasion. They say LA'S the place and in many ways this true! The hottest drag shows and concrete catwalk on the West Coast and maybe even on this drag loving planet IS the CLUB 7969 .

Yours truly along with Viva Sex are presenting release parties every time a new copy of ‘Transformation’ magazine is published.. It's a perfect Friday night in Southern California at the infamous T-Girl palace the ‘CLUB 7969’ (formerly known as Peanuts) is packed with a standing room only audience. LA'S premier Madonna-style clone Viva Sex has once more claimed the club's stage for her own and was just finishing, thanking her audience for all their love and support. I assumed (WRONG!) the show was over, so I began to sashay over to the back bar for a quick libation. To my surprise I heard the siren call from Viva onstage... "WHERE'S MARLAYNA?? She was just here a moment ago, snapping pics for The Tranny Guide from England. Twas like someone hit the "ON" switch and yours truly was up on stage with Viva doing a major show and tell for The Tranny Guide. www.vivsexmadona.com

‘Lydia's TV Fashions’

13837 Ventura Blvd. Suite 2 Sherman oaks. Open Tuesday through Saturday 12 pm to 7 pm. Email: lydiastv@sbcglobal.net. Tel: 818 995-7195 toll free Tel: 866-995-7195. Yours truly has been shopping at Lydia's TV Fashions from evening number one! On a recent visit I overheard a globe trekking gal from Scotland exclaim, "YOU folks have it all! I think I'm in Tranny Heaven”! Lydia's TV Fashions has been a local and International resource for TGs and cross-dressers of every persuasion since 1991. They stock wigs, breast forms, foundation garments, panties, maid outfits and shoes and heels up to size 17, dresses, skirts, sexy top, unique fashions, stockings, magazines, books, feminising supplements and a full line of makeup. Discretion and privacy are always a priority so parking and the store entrance is off the boulevard. A unique service exclusive to Lydia's is their 24/7 access to a discreet private dressing space with personal lockers for a monthly fee. Lydia's has complete make-over and transformation services as well as makeup lessons; everything to transform you into the inner woman you wish to express. One can rent complete outfits for a few hours in the store or for an evening out on the town. Lydia's also has a ‘Personal Guide’ service available to make your trip out shopping or to famous tranny palaces like the 7969 CLUB, memorable, safe and secure.

Lydia’s has been under the new management of Jerry and Kelly Nakahara since 2000 and they roll out the royal red carpet when they welcome out-of-towners and first-timers. If you are new to the tranny scene, curious, or just ready for your first night out 'en-femme, the owners and staff at Lydia's are there to help you. By the way, I have to mention that Lydia's always has the latest issues of most magazines including Transformation and of course the Tranny Guide. A more substantial report with many pictures on this exceptional service by Vicky Lee is available in issue 9 of the Tranny Guide.

‘Classic Curves Intl’

P.O. Box 115, Wilmington, CA 90748 USA tel/fax: 562-595-9148, Outside California call 888-898-8787, or e-mail: cci@fws.net Ms. Espy Lopez and her team at Classic Curves are celebrating their 10th year serving the transgender community. They offer custom-made body prosthetics for the TG woman who demands the very best. Classic Curves outfitted three movies this year along with orders from various costume houses and theatres. 2003 saw the introduction of ‘Veronica 3’ with innovative polymer jell prosthetic pads for the derriere and hips, a development of their best selling product . They are now working on ‘Veronica 4’ a pull on garment with bra cups that are strong enough to hold the weighty jell pads. www.clcrv.com

‘The Jim Bridges Boutique’

12457 Ventura Blvd, Suite 103, Studio City, CA 91604, www.jbridges.com Phone: +1 818-761-6650 Weds – Fri 12pm - 6pm Saturdays 12pm - 10pm. When I first came out of the proverbial closet, my friend Melissa Foster introduced me to Jim Bridges. At that point in time, I had just started presenting parties at the Back Bar of the Queen Mary Night Club. Not satisfied with my feminine image at the time it was Jim, with his magic wands and 37 years of experience in the beauty industry, who helped me get there! The Jim Bridges Boutique has been helping ladies like me out of the closet for the past 17 years with make-overs wigs and advice and a unique range of clothes and accessories. Jim’s store is a safe, warm and friendly place to shop for all your cross-dressing needs in one location. With Jim and his staff of professionals, who have literally transformed the looks of thousands of trannies from around the world, you know that you are in the hands of experts.

‘Reel Clothes’

5525 Cahuenga Boulevard in NoHo (between Chandler and Burbank) (818) 508-7762. e-mail: sales@reelclothes.com Have you ever watched a movie, and wondered what happened to those hot dresses, props and stuff after they finish filming? The major movie studios like Disney, Universal, MGM, Sony and Warner Brothers have huge wardrobe and prop departments. However, they also have space limitations! Like all of us, they have to "clean out their closets" every so often. Back in 1981, Elaine Volmer was working for the wardrobe department of a major movie studio. Elaine decided to open up a shop that had an orderly, systematic method of re-selling wardrobe and props to the public. In 1991, Holly Hunter came on board as Elaine's partner and general manager, and now the small boutique has grown into a thriving and very "tranny friendly" business! Because of North Hollywood's proximity to the movie production centres, many actors and actresses live, shop, and dine in the area. Reel Clothes can claim a number of famous movie people who have actually shopped at the store, including Amanda Plummer, Deborah Harry, Lori Petty, Kathy Ireland, Geena Davis, Dave Foley, Leonard Maltin, Judy Tenuta, Emo Phillips, and Marlon Brando. At the 2003 Tranny Guide Party, I wore a shimmering gold dress from REEL CLOTHES. I was told by a wardrobe expert that it was from the hit show Baywatch, and that Pamela Anderson had previously worn it!! Now, every time that I visit Reel Clothes, I head for the rack where I originally found this dress. Now, the good news for you is that you can visit their shop and NEVER leave your home! Yes, please check out their website, www.reelclothes.com for fun and unique items from the movies and television. And, please tell them you read about their "tranny friendly" shop in the TRANNY GUIDE and that Marlayna Lacie sent you!

www.marlaynasworld.com - email: marlaynalacie@earthlink.net.