By Mikkel Hyldebrandt
In honor and remembrance of “Mama” Regina Simms, Friends On Ponce is bringing back her infamous Holiday Christmas benefit and toy drive for Toys For Tots.
To say 2020 has been a challenging year for Friends On Ponce, a decades-long staple of the LGBTQ+ community, is an understatement. The friendly neighborhood gay bar was forced to shut its doors for a while at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and in late April, it suffered the devastating loss of its long-time bar manager, Regina Simms. Regina “Mama” Simms had managed the bar for more than 15 years, and she was the loving epicenter for patrons and staff alike. She influenced countless people’s lives with her giving nature, and her New Faces show launched so many people’s careers on the drag scene.
Another Simms signature event was her annual Holiday show and toy drive, which is now being brought back in full force not only to honor Mama Regina’s life and memory, but also to spread a little cheer after a year that has brought a whole new level of challenges to us all.
The 16th Annual “Mama” Regina Simms Holiday Christmas Benefit & Toys For Tots will be hosted by the illustrious Charmaine Sinclair Dupree, who will be flanked by close and personal friends of Regina and the community, as well as former contestants of the New faces show, including, but certainly not limited to, Roxy Redd, Tatiana Du jour, Ravion, Majik Sheena Cassadine, and Nyx Karres with more special guest appearances being added right up until show start on December 13 at 7:30 pm. The show will be full of amazing performances and surprises – and you can even purchase a commemorative face covering that celebrates the memory of Mama Regina (proceeds will go to Toys For Tots)!
Attendees can donate a toy or make cash donations that will all benefit Toys For Tots, and a Sunday Night Mixtape Party with DJ Darlene will follow the stacked benefit show, who will be playing all of your favorite dance hits from the 80s and 90s.
So, come out and celebrate the life and memory of our friend, sis, mama, and mentor and spread some love and Holiday cheer in the spirit of “Mama” Regina Simms.
WHAT
The 16th Annual “Mama” Regina Simms Holiday Christmas Benefit & Toys For Tots
WHEN
Sunday, December 13, 6 pm
(7:30 pm showtime)
WHERE
Friends On Ponc
Get your Limited Edition “Mama” Regina Face Covering
Support a good cause and stay safe with the limited-edition Friends On Ponce face mask that honors “Mama” Regina Simms and raises money for Toys For Tots.
The mask will be available for purchase at the benefit show, and all proceeds will go directly to Toys For Tots.