This weekend, The Garden Nightclub in the East Village will sparkle with rhinestones, smell of hairspray and thump with bass from Gaga, Cher and Beyonce remixes. The Miss Gay Iowa USofA pageant brings three nights of glamour modeled after the traditional Miss America pageant, with an interview, evening gown segment and talent showcase, and the queens are ready to fight for the crown.

A history lesson

The first Miss Gay Iowa USofA pageant was held in 1989 at The Garden. At the time, only a few contestants entered the contest with the hopes of moving on to the Miss Gay USofA finals held in Dallas. This year, dozens of female impersonators competed in 13 preliminary pageants across the state, vying for a coveted spot at this weekend’s statewide event.

The pageant has experienced ups and downs over the years. In the mid-’90s, Iowa’s pageant was considered by many to be one of the best in the country. Then a shift in ownership limited the pageant to FFI (Fierce Female Impersonator) status, meaning the crowned queen didn’t qualify for the national competition (winning the state crown was as far as she could go), a change that resulted in fewer participants.

A new owner

Vanessa Taylor, a well- known female impersonator in Des Moines and mentor to the impersonating crowd, competed in her first Miss Gay Iowa pageant in 2000. She was just 21, and won her preliminary pageant in Cedar Rapids. Five years later, she took home the Miss Gay Iowa crown.

“In 2001, there were six contestants in the whole state,” she said. “It’s crazy how much it has changed. This year there are 13 finalists — out of however many competed in the prelims. We hope to keep growing, and next year have 20 (finalists).”

Discouraged by the FFI status of the pageant in 2010 and 2011, Taylor jumped at the chance to buy the pageant when it was offered for sale last October. She immediately bought the rights to make it a Miss Gay USofA-certified pageant, which will send the winner to Dallas in May to compete against dozens of other winners from other state and regional pageants. She also brought the pageant, which spent a few years in Cedar Rapids, back to Des Moines.

Show vs. pageant

A pageant differs greatly from a regular drag show.

“It’s a production,” Taylor said. “These girls spend thousands on the pageant, between their dresses, makeup and other expenses.” In addition to the costs, the stress of nailing the interview, customizing or creating a gown that fits perfectly, and organizing a talent routine that wows the judges and the crowd, is enough to keep finalists up at night, fretting over details.

“We rehearse three nights a week for four hours each time,” said Keira Cavalier, winner of Iowa City’s Studio 13 preliminary. “I get off work at 4 p.m., and my backup dancers come over and we practice until about 9 p.m.” On Tuesday nights, when she isn’t finished working until 10 p.m., they get together and rehearse until 2 a.m.

“It has to be perfect,” she said.

How finalists are judged

A panel of judges critiques finalists in three categories: interview, evening gown and talent. Many of the judges are from out of state, and include Kitty Litter (Miss Gay Iowa at-Large 2004), Antoine Smith of the Broadway musical “Memphis,” and Ra’Mon-Lawrence Coleman, a designer from season 6 of “Project Runway,” among others.

Interviews are conducted individually, and judges look for who can add to the vibrancy of the pageant in coming years. Evening gown is judged on fit and length, modeling and the overall look. Talent is based on live performance. Some finalists bring backup dancers, some go solo, some even singing live, instead of lip-synching.

The girls draw numbers for Friday and Saturday night. Half will do evening gown on Friday, the other half on Saturday. Half will do talent on Friday, half on Saturday. Then the top 10 finalists are announced, and the top 10 do it all again on Sunday night — finals night.

The winner

The overall winner will be crowned 2012 Miss Gay Iowa USofA. With the crown comes $1,000, a victory tour across Iowa, paid entry into the 2012 Miss Gay USofA pageant in Dallas (held in May), appearances at multiple benefit shows, and paid entry fees to future preliminary pageants. The first alternate will receive $500 and paid entry to the 2012 Miss Gay USofA pageant in Dallas.

Why you should go

Unlike weekend drag gigs you can catch at venues around Des Moines, the pageant is full-on glamour — just as much a spectacle for seasoned pageant supporters as it is for newbies to the scene. The Garden will be packed with friends, family members and supporters of the finalists, all wanting the event to return to its roots.

Not only will you get to watch the finalists, you’ll also see special guests, including the current Miss Gay USofA (Luscious), the current Miss Gay Iowa (Alexandria), and most of the previous Iowa winners from the last two decades. The event will be hosted by Tajma Hall, Miss Gay USofA at-Large 2008. Get there early to secure a good viewing spot near the large stage. The pageant can be viewed on large projector screens in the front bar as well.

“It’s a show they won’t see any other time the rest of the year,” Taylor said. “It isn’t often that you can get all of the former Miss Iowas together in one show with national title holders. To get to be around that level of talent is extraordinary. For some guests, it’s like seeing a celebrity.”

Miss Gay Iowa USofA

When: 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. Sunday

Where: The Garden, 112 S.E. Fourth St.

Cost: $10 Friday and Saturday, $20 Sunday

Info:
missgayiowa.com

Miss Iowa All-Star Show

What: A pre-event show featuring performances by former Miss Iowa winners

When: 10 p.m. Thursday

Where: The Garden, 112 S.E. Fourth St.

Cost: $5