Introducing the 32nd Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade Queen

I received this press release from the Light Bringer Project and thought I should share it so you can learn a little bit about the woman who will be carrying on my legacy.

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PHOTOGRAPHER, JULIE KLIMA, SELECTED QUEEN
OF THE 23RD OCCASIONAL
PASADENA DOO DAH PARADE!

24-year old, Julie Klima (aka “Skittles”), with her signature pink doll-like hair, won over judges’ hearts on Sunday afternoon at the Pasadena Doo Dah Parade Queen Tryouts. The eclectic event was held at the American Legion Hall in east Pasadena. A current resident of Glendale, Klima, confesses she hardly remembers her presentation. “It was very noisy,” she said, “and people loved that I love colors and dress colorfully.”

 

An Art Center Photography Graduate (2006), she brought camera and props, and spent most of the afternoon playing with the judges who posed for her pictures. She also schlepped their beers.

 

 A freelance photographer, Queen Julie will be taking her own self-portrait as queen, and is starting a series of Official Royal Portraits of the Doo Dah Queens. She also plans “show some love” to the people camping out the night before the Rose Parade, where she also plans to “have a fun party that everyone’s invited to.”

 

More about the Tryouts: As anticipated, individuals of all genders, shapes, ages, and persuasions tested their fate to become queen. Twenty one contestants were outnumbered by equally-costumed judges, including many former queens, and another hundred or so parade entrants, tryout supporters, Legion members, and the curious public.

 

The town-hall setting with long tables in beer-fest style, crock pot chili, and legendary Doo Dah House Band, Snotty Scotty and the Hankies on stage, set the mood for the lively caucus. Among those who tried out were, Count Smokula, Santa’s Bad Elf, belly dancer, Narayana, a smoking Amy Winehouse, Queen Mother Teresa Kennedy, the Swami from El Monte, Sabrina the Stimulus Package, Second-Hand Rose Queen, Crystal, Gopher Girl, Buffy the Dog, Ms. Laurel, Pinball Lizard, Mama “J”, and Miss Boy Frances.

 

1st Runner up and second place went to bass guitarist, Eric(a) Valentine, also of Glendale.

 

 2nd Runner up was a tie between Roobie Breastnut, former burlesque star, as Sarah Palin, and Crystal Lightner, local diva of Altadena.

Even More Info: Organizers staged the first public tryouts in 1998 at a Gothic house on stilts.

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It then moved to the famed Zorthian Ranch, in Altadena. This and other parodies of Pasadena’s ‘Other Parade’ have fueled Doo Dah’s colorful and controversial life on Colorado Boulevard. The 32nd Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade will be held on Sunday, January 18th stepping off at 11:30am on the streets of historic Old Pasadena. To enter the parade simply go to the website and fill out a form, or call for more information (626) 205-4029.

PHOTOS, courtesy of Terry Miller.

www.pasadenadoodahparade.info


 

Passing the reign

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Sunday was the No Doo Dah Party and Queen Tryouts. I entered the hall and was thrilled to see my banner from the parade on the wall with a tinsel-flounced soft chair awaiting me. This was to be my throne to survey the event.

 

Horses on Astroturf was getting the house rockin’. And Patricia Hurley of Light Bringer Project presented me with an official Doo Dah pin as “Dr. Demento” (Doug Larner, the event’s emcee) filled my glass with a dirty martini. What a welcome!

 

I stepped outside to offer some last minute advice and good wishes to the potential queens.  Then the band offered a drum roll and march as Dr. Demento escorted me back into the venue followed by all the potentials. The crowd cheered “Hail to the Queen” and, surprisingly, “We love you.” I was sooo moved. I was led to the stage and joined Snotty Scotty & the Hankies for “my” song, “Little Queenie.”

 

That done, I stepped down and was led to my throne. Dr. Demento introduced the judges and began bringing in each potential. Finally, when everyone had their moment in the sun, we took a break and enjoyed some more music. 

 

Before announcing the new queen, I had a few more things to do. First, I danced with

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drummer Ric Sarabia accompanying me. I used my veil, as well as not one, not two, but three swords. (Some of you may have seen a bit of this on the news!) The crowd was very kind. They gave me all of their attention and cheered as I shimmied to the finale.

 

To the yells of “Speech, speech!” I stepped up to the mic and offered a few words of advice to the new queen and also thanked everyone for all that they had done for me over the past year. I summed up my reign with “Long live Doo Dah!”

 

We have now named 32nd Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade Queen Julie, along with 1st runnerup Erica Valentine and 2nd runnerups Sarah Palin and Crystal to lead the parade in January.

 

To see some of my day, please visit

Doo Dah photos:
http://sgvtribune.mycapture.com/mycapture/enlarge.asp?image=21375387&e
vent=642112&CategoryID=27239

Doo Dah video:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1842754521/bctid29972920
01

 

And also go to www.sgvn.com to read Caroline An’s story.

 

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Don’t fret, just because I have passed the reign doesn’t mean that I will forget my loyal subjects. I thank you for all your support and love. I will continue to keep up this blog until just after the parade ~ perhaps longer should there be an interest ~ so please return from time to time and let me know how you are doing.

 

Hugs,

Queen Mickie

Queen Mickie not fade away….

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It may be an obscure song reference, but it’s also my anthem of the moment. Sunday may be one of the most important days of my life, it will surely be one of the most emotional, as I will be stepping down as the reigning Queen of the Pasadena Doo Dah Parade.

 

As the days – no – hours count down, I am reflecting on the past year. I have met many wonderful and interesting people, some who have become my friends. I have had a good fill of exciting experiences, perhaps more than I deserve. And I have had an opportunity to reach out to the community and the world to share the efforts of the Light Bringer Project, the quirky side of Pasadena and the true freedom and joy of the California lifestyle.

 

It has been inspirational, awesome and so many other big words. I have had the precious honor of being able to become a celebrity of sorts and I hope that I will be remembered and “not fade away.”

 

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With much love to all my Royal Court and my loyal subjects,

 

Your faithful Queen Naughty Mickie and the Royal Pup Atticus

 

bid you to

 

Carry on, as you were!

 

P.S. We’ll see you at the 32nd Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade 11:30 a.m. Sunday, January 18th, for our last farewell and final sendoff.

 

Here’s the information for Sunday, should you wish to come and bid me a personal farewell:

 

No Doo Dah Party and Queen Tryouts

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1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23

Tryouts begin at 2 p.m. with crowing at 5:30 p.m.

American Legion Post 280

179 N. Vinedo Ave. (between San Gabriel and Altadena Drive)

East Pasadena

(626) 792-9938

$5 cover, except for first 25 queen hopefuls. Cover goes to American Legion’s charity of choice

 

There will be performances by Snotty Scotty and the Hankies and Horses on Astroturf, food, drinks and more. Come out and audition or cheer on your favorite hopeful.

 

Queen hopefuls please register by calling (626) 205-4029.

 

Also, entry forms for the 32nd Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade are now being accepted. $10 per marcher. Proceeds benefit Light Bringer Project. Be creative and innovative! Homemade conveyances are encouraged. Pets and motorized vehicles must be approved. Call (626) 205-4029 or visit www.pasadenadoodahparade.info

 

 

 

 

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Gimme three days…

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It’s sneaking up on me quicker (and scarier) than Rev. Billy did at the Doo Dah After-Party last January. No, not a deadline for another royal gown, but the No Doo Dah Day Party and Queen Tryout.

 

As some of you are aware, I had a minor altercation with a skateboard (and a certain sure-footed and friendly bulldog) last week which resulted in a tweaked knee. Yes, your Queen has been slightly cattiwompus since!  I have been staying off my feet and using ice and heat and lots of good karma to heal myself for my next big day— SUNDAY!  THREE DAYS FROM NOW!!

 

Word is that a certain Queen you know is going to do a very special dance with her swords for those in attendance at the fete. And that word is true….

 

Will you be among her loyal subjects on Sunday?

 

Will the Queen be successful in entertaining everyone at the party?

 

Will the Queen fight for her crown, break down and cry or be ever so gracious in handing over her reign?

 

These questions and more will all be answered. But ya gotta be there to find out!

 

Now, carry on, as you were…

Countdown to Sunday

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As painful as it is I am looking forward to the No Doo Dah Day Party and Queen Tryouts Sunday. A gathering of the Doo Dah family is always an event to remember, but this time it’s going to be hard.

 

I’ll miss the amount of opportunities I have had to promote the Light Bringer Project and all the wonderful things it does, as well as some of the other charities and causes I hold dear and, of course, Pasadena.  I will still be able to spread the word on these things, but not in the same capacity, as for the past year people have wanted to hear everything I had to say and now I will be fading back into obscurity…

 

I was almost in tears yesterday at lunch as I told my friend how much it has meant to me to be Queen this year. Sagely, he told me that, “You’ll always be a queen.” And I know he’s right.

 

Photo: Tom Costen of Light Bringer Project chats with Queen Mickie at the 31st Occasional Doo Dah Parade after-party.  

Tying up the ends

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As my reign draws to a close, I have been trying to make sure to put the last of my authority to good use. On Saturday I attended a birthday party for my friend Richard. It was at the Tropicana Bakery on Paramount in Downey and I will certainly go back there– the coffee was fantastic and the food was wonderful! But I digress…

 

Richard and his wife, Kim, own Esotouric, a tour bus company. The two, along with other experts, lead tours throughout Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley focused on crime, architecture, history, literature and other topics.

 

They have also been very supportive of my reign and have invited me to see off their “Black Dahlia” tour from Vroman’s in Pasadena. For this, I blessed the bus with a bottle of champagne bubble bath. I’ve also guested on a couple of tours, lending my experiences and observations to their fact – and humor- laden narratives.

 

So, as they say, it was payback time…

 

On Saturday, I requested Richard and Kim to kneel in the middle of the restaurant and (to their big surprise) pronounced them Knight and Lady of Knowledge. I expect them to draw on all their resources and continue to inspire people to learn and be curious about our past, as well as our present and future.

 

I am pleased to welcome them into the Doo Dah family and you will see them as part of my entourage in January on parade day. Until then, learn more about Sir Richard and Lady Kim at www.esotouric.com

 

Huzzah!

Words of regal wisdom

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Tryouts for the 32nd Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade queen are just over a week away, so my editor suggested that I impart some advice to whoever is awarded the reign.

 

I thought long and hard and narrowed it down to my Top 10 Tips. You can read my words of regal wisdom in the weekend section of your newspaper Saturday or go online to www.sgvn.com.

 

This is recommended reading to all queen hopefuls so you know just what you’re getting into. Being royalty isn’t all smiles and waves, it goes much deeper than that… it’s attitude, it’s style, it’s wit, grace and charm and it’s in your blood, your heart, your very essence.

 

If you think you can handle all the pressures and demands, then please prepare your audition and reserve your spot for the No Doo Dah Parade and Queen Tryouts Nov. 23. For more information, read my story and visit www.pasadenadoodahparade.info.

 

Now, carry on, as you were…

Musings from a Royal Pup

                                             19052-zatticus royal-thumb-300x200.jpg                                  Hello Readers!

 

My mommy’s busy on the phone, so I decided to do her blog entry for her. I’m really concerned as she told me that on Nov. 23 a new Pasadena Doo Dah Parade Queen will be coronated. She didn’t say anything about a new Royal Pup, so I’m in a quandry…

 

Will there be other dogs vying to take my place?

 

Will I always be a Royal Pup?

 

Will they honor me with an Outgoing Royal Pup party?

 

Perhaps one of you dear readers knows the answers to my questions. Although, when it comes to my mommy, no matter what, she will always be Queen to me!

 

Paws up,

Atticus