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View Winners → Annual Quest for Doo Dah Queen Produces Not Only a Queen but Additionally a King
Arts Oct 23, 2017
The intersection of Fair Oaks Avenue and Glenarm Street. | Photo courtesy of Google Maps
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Originally published Oct. 23 / Last updated Oct. 24 @11:24 a.m.
By Terry Miller
The annual ritual to select the perfect (or most eclectic/maniacal ) candidate to roll down Colorado Blvd., East Pasadena on Nov. 19 as Queen of the 40th Doo Dah parade took place Saturday night at the American Legion Hall in Pasadena. The net result: a Queen plus one King.
It has been a very long time since the Parade had a King, according to Tom Coston … the Czar of Doo Dah and Lightbringer’s executive director.
Hundreds of well-wishers and Doo Dah devotees crammed into the Legion hall to witness the magical madness that is the annual Doo Dah Queen Tryouts, and if you wanted to be a Judge, the only prerequisite was to “Buy Tom (Coston) 2 beers…and VOILA! You’re a Judge.”
Over twenty-five judges gathered in East Pasadena this weekend and decided who would become this year’s Queen of the Pasadena Doo Dah Parade. Among a boisterous crowd of onlookers and typically atypical cast of royal hopefuls, Imani Phoenix wowed everyone over with her inspirational story and vivacious Aretha Franklin impersonation.
Armond Anderson-Bell AKA Imani Phoenix, as Forever 69, was named Queen of the 40th Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade during tryouts for the Queen at the American Legion in Pasadena, Oct. 21.
Queen Imani was “the obvious choice,” according to many onlookers Saturday night. And the truly eccentric Waterhouse completed the perfect pair of King and Queen to Reign over the 40th annual parade that has become the silliest and most loved parade in the world.
Imani Phoenix was born Armond Anderson-Bell in a South Central L.A. neighborhood where gang violence was reaching an all-time high. “This was a place where being different wasn’t just a challenge, it was almost impossible.” Not only that, Armond’s home life presented him with equal difficulties. It was a hyper-masculine environment led by his father who was an auto mechanic and uncle who had played with the Buffalo Bills.
In those days, the only options for a young black man were to play sports or become a rapper. Instead, Armond reverted to books and education to quietly move his life forward. Then at fifteen years old, he made the decision to come out of the closet. He was ready for anything. But, instead of rejecting him, his family encouraged him to emerge as a proud black man and he took that to heart.
As a young adult, Armond moved to Silverlake and joined “Project Ten,” an organization dedicated to creating acceptance for gay high schoolers. Many of his peers were still insecure with going public. But Armond believed it was important to act boldly. He did so and was even highlighted in The Advocate magazine. In 1996, he was selected to go to Sacramento and statewide college campuses as the youngest board member of “Models of Pride.” They were among those responsible for the passage of AB 101 which struck a blow to discrimination of gays in high school.
As a 38 year-old community activist, the current Doo Dah Queen works with numerous nonprofit organizations and initiatives which advocate for LGBT and others’ rights. Queen Imani said, “I once had people in my life love me when I didn’t even love myself. Now I’m truly blessed because I’m not only supported by gay blacks, I’m supported by whites, straights and the broader community.”
Queen Imani has known about the Doo Dah Parade for a long time. Last year he came to see the unique event because he loved the idea of satire and people stepping outside of their comfort zones. Watching from the sidelines, someone in the parade caught his colorful outfit and asked him to join his float. He did so. “When I tried out for Queen, I was just hoping someone would recognize my spark. And I believe in order to wear a crown you have to have gone through something and learn humility. I take it seriously. That’s why I’m honored and thrilled to serve as this year’s Doo Dah Queen.”
The 40th Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade will be held on Sunday, November 19th, stepping off at 11:00am on the streets of East Pasadena. To enter the parade, simply go to the website and get the entry form. Call for more information on HOW TO ENTER at (626) 590-1134.
Public Information Number: (626) 590-7596. Results from the tryouts are posted on the Pasadena Doo Dah Parade website.
Entry Forms and further information to be found on the website: www.pasadenadoodahparade.info
