Atlanta Cotillion puts on its red dress [photos]

By Project Q Atlanta | Sep 18, 2012 | 11:45 AM

In its 11th year of serving up gay Atlanta “debutantes” in glamour drag for a cause, Atlanta Cotillion Ball saw red and dubbed itself “Le Bal en Robe Rouge” on Saturday to raise money for AID Atlanta.

As in years past, guests decked themselves out in formal gowns with their dates in tuxedos. The 2012 class of debs were all visions in red to complement this year’s “Robe Rouge” theme. Saturday’s ball at the Foundry at Puritan Mill also included beats by DJ Mike Pope, guest emcee Randy Roberts and entertainment by nationally recognized comedian, singer, actor and drag maven Varla Jean Merman.

The ball was preceded by a season of fun fundraisers by individual debs and theme parties including the country-western “GCB” Kickoff Party (view photos) with “A List: Dallas” urban cowboy Levi Crocker and the annual Cotillion Cabaret (photos).

When all was said and done, David Janke, a.k.a. Victoria Isabel “Tore’bella” Candler (top photo, left), took home the Cotillion Queen crown by raising the most money for AID Atlanta – a little over $28,000. Cotillion’s total 2012 donation to the HIV/AIDS agency is still in the works as more Cotillion events are planned to amp up the donation, says Cotillion’s event co-chair Ronnie Mallette.

Last year’s record-setting total was $171,000, and Cotillion has raised nearly $1.2 million for AID Atlanta since its inception.

Photos by Rory Evans