Everyone We Saw at the Pride United Ball and Out in STL Awards

The day before the Maven’s inaugural Pride United Ball, which took place Friday evening and featured the Out in STL Influential Awards, the florist who agreed to donate the arrangements backed out. The morning of the event, the Out in STL Pride Issue, featuring the honorees, hadn’t yet arrived from the printing press. It was a nail-biting moment.

But despite some last-minute scrambling, the event was a dazzling success. The magazine came later that day and the event brought a capacity crowd to the Little Bevo — the gorgeous event space generously provided by owners Nick Fruend and Derek James, and festively decorated by Rick Schneider.

The vibe was part Met Gala and part family reunion, and the attendees were a veritable who’s who of community stakeholders, with many sitting on Pride boards, leading organizations or directing shows.

Jade Sinclair opened the event, and our own Chris Andoe was the evening’s main emcee, running the awards program. “Maven of Mardi Gras” Luann Denten was given a heartfelt introduction by Andoe, and she radiated joy as she warmly welcomed everyone.

Guests were encouraged to dress in a way that best expressed who they are, and many went the glamorous route, including the statuesque Lucy Couture who stunned in a pink gown covered in chandelier crystals.

The top-notch entertainment included performances from Jade Sinclair, Lucy Couture, the evening’s Legacy Award recipient Candy Principle, the Belles of Bevo and a high-energy, wig banging Ming Lee thrilling the audience while channeling Tina Turner.

Folks from all corners of the community came together for a beautiful evening of love and camaraderie, and a historic highlight came when the Maven called representatives from all seven regional Pride organizations to the stage for a group photo.

DJ Greg Laine kept things running smoothly, and had the crowd jumping well into the night.

The Maven announced that the Pride United Ball will be an annual event.

Photographers Geoff Story and John Frey were on the scene last Friday and captured the fabulous night: