On Wednesday, it was a black suit, white cap affair. It was precision and scores based on technical merit. It was Beethoven’s Fifth and understated class. In short, it was all business for four competing teams at the Gay Games VII synchronized swimming competition at Northwestern’s Sports and Aquatic Center.
Today, there’s a different recipe for success. Start with talented synchronized swimmers. Add a pumping beat. Throw in some flamboyant costumes. Sprinkle in some complicated dance moves. Add a dash of feather boa and start channeling your inner-Broadway star.
The Pink Flamingo Aquatic Show is not for the faint of heart.
An instant crowd and competitor favorite since its inception in 1969, the Pink Flamingo Show is what the Gay Games are all about.
It’s entertaining.
It brings people together.
It’s a hell of a good time.
Just ask 52-year-old Charles Jelks, a third-year Gay Games volunteer from Wisconsin. “It’s a bunch of guys dressed up in outrageous costumes and doing ballet in the water,” he said, a smile creasing his face. “It’s always funny and so popular.”
And what’s not to love? Every year the shows get more elaborate, with swim teams trying to outdo each other in a friendly competition. It’s like Bollywood meets Seussical the Musical and themes range from “Musical Personalities” to this year’s “Underwater Fantasy.”
Although eight to 12 teams will be judged this year on criteria such as creativity and costumes. But it’d be a mistake to think the Pink Flamingo is a cutthroat competition.
“Oh it’s not a competition,” Gay Games volunteer Cid Blaise said. “It’s a light and sound production – to say the least.”
Blaise, a native of Kodiak, Alaska, is attending the games for the first time this year. She works at the dance competitions, overseeing everything from traditional Olympic sports like ballroom dance to events exclusive to the Gay Games, such as country line dancing.
Blaise said she will be at the University of Illinois’ Flames Natatorium, 1901 W. Roosevelt Rd., tonight at 6 p.m. to take in the show. Don’t bother trying to join her. Tickets, at $25 each, are already sold out. In f act, they’ve been sold out since the box office opened.
Jerry Riber, another volunteer from Alaska, said he wasn’t surprised that the event had sold out the venue. He didn’t miss the Pink Flamingo when he volunteered in ’94 and ’98; he’ll be there this year too.
“I wouldn’t miss it,” he said. “Are you kidding?”
Teams guard their routines carefully, worrying that their special touches will be picked up by other teams. But the show is known for fostering friendship, not malice, between teams, Jelks said.
And besides, who has time to fight over who had the best split-second timing when entire teams are parading around dressed as their favorite Hollywood bombshell?
“There is always someone dressed up as Carmen Miranda,” Jelks said.
Me? I think I’d go with Marlo Thomas.
