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In The Beginning...
The Alamo Empire began as a Barony of the Royal, Sovereign and Imperial
Court of the Texas Riviera Empire of Corpus Christi, Texas. During the
third reign of the Texas Riviera Empire in late 1989, Empress III Chablis
Lee Love named Gene Brake as the Baron de San Antonio. Gene as the first
head of state of the new Barony, named Marissa Marlowe as the first
Baroness.
During the planning for Coronation IV in Corpus Christi, Empress I Jackie
O'Dare, Empress II Tanya Robyrts and Empress III Chablis Lee Love
discussed the success of the Baron and Baroness and first suggested they
were ready to become a Court. Chablis telephoned Gene Brake and posed the
suggestion to him over the phone. After discussing the plan with Baroness
Marissa Marlowe the two decided to take on the challenge.
After much successful work throughout San Antonio, Gene Brake and Marissa
Marlowe were announced as Regent Emperor and Empress of the new Imperial
Court of San Antonio at Coronation IV in Corpus Christi in September of
1990. They were crowned by Empress Chablis Lee Love of Corpus Christi and
Emperor David Alwell of Houston.
Gene and Marissa returned home to San Antonio and began the task of
organizing the Court. They first decided on the name, the Royal, Sovereign
and Imperial Court of the Alamo Empire. Public meetings were announced and
new members signed up. Investiture for the Regency Reign of the new Court
was held on October 20, 1990 at Ab's Westernaire where the new Court
invested over 50 members with titles. The event was witnessed by
representatives of the Courts of Houston, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Ft.
Worth, Denver and Anchorage.
Shortly thereafter, Regent Empress Marissa resigned. With her departure,
the founder of the Texas Riviera Empire in Corpus Christi, Jackie O'Dare
moved to San Antonio to assist with the planning of Coronation I. She
helped teach the new court members what the Court System was all about and
introduced them to many new and friendly people from across the State of
Texas and United States. The new court members learned rapidly and soon
were off and running on their own.
This young and eager group of dedicated court members, went about the
planning of Coronation I. Regent Emperor Gene Brake stepped down with a
theme of "A Salute to Imperial Russia, The Return of the Monarchs" on May
29, 1992. The gala event was attended by representatives of the Imperial
Courts of Anchorage, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Denver, Ft. Worth, Houston,
and San Diego. One of the Emcees for the evening was none other than
Nicole the Great of San Diego, and she was there to crown Emperor I Gene
Brake and Empress I Jackie O' Dare.
Reign I...
Once again just when things were again off and running, the newly crowned
Empress I Jackie O'Dare had a family emergency that required her to move
out of the Empire for the remainder of the reign. Emperor I Gene Brake,
luckily had some dedicated court members to rely on. During Reign I many
great things were accomplished for the San Antonio community, including
raising funds for the San Antonio AIDS Foundation and the Women's AIDS
Task Force. The Court also had some birthing pains as two Baronies were
named, one in Austin headed by Baron Doug Toman and Baroness Rona Bare-It
and one in Waco/Temple headed by Baron Richard Tracy and Baroness Carma
Sue Snow.
Reign II...
Coronation II, "A Salute to French Decadence" was held on June 12, 1993.
Again the event enjoyed great attendance and ended with the crowning of
Empress II Ericka Raye, as the sole monarch of the Alamo Empire. During
Reign II, the court strengthened its ties within the community and raised
much need funds for many groups including the San Antonio AIDS Foundation,
the Women's AIDS Task Force, the AIDS Resource Center and the NAMES
Project. The Baronies from Austin and Waco/Temple were also released to
form their own courts with the full blessing of the Alamo Empire.
Reign III...
Coronation III, "Moonlight and Roses... One Enchanted Evening" was held on
June 11, 1994. The glittering evening saw a much greater attendance by the
local community and culminated in the crowning of Empress III Hott Tamale
and Emperor III Adam West.
Due to family concerns the elected Emperor III resigned and Charlie Saul
was appointed Regent Emperor III. The health of the Empress began to fail,
which limited her ability to travel, but it never stopped her from serving
her community which she so dearly loved. She was able to attend the 30th
Anniversary Coronation for San Francisco which also marked the first walk
for the Alamo Empire at our mother courts Coronation. One of the biggest
highlights for the court during this reign was receiving approval of our
501c3 status from the IRS.
Reign IV...
Coronation IV, "Somewhere in the Night... A Black and White Leather
Fantasy" on April 7, 1995, saw the largest crowd ever attend a San Antonio
Coronation. A standing room only crowd cheered on Hott Tamale as she
stepped down. The end of the evening brought about the crowning of Empress
IV, Shirley Harwood. Empress IV Shirley Harwood, although elected as a
sole monarch, she selected Adam Garza as her Regent Emperor IV. The couple
enjoyed unprecedented fundraising success as they broke all court records
for funds raised during a single reign.
Reign V...
Coronation V, "Regale' V, A Republic of Texas Ball" on March 22, 1996
ended with the crowning of Emperor V Harry Jackman and Empress V Desiree
Houston.
Reign VI...
Coronation VI, "Far Away Wonders... Let Us Take You There" on April 12,
1997, celebrated the reign year with a stepping down with amazing rituals
and productions as the monarchs took us on a ride from Polynesia, to Great
Britain and then back to Imperial China. From hula dancers to 30 foot
dragons it was a feast for the eyes. The grand finale of the evening was
the crowning of Emperor VI, Gene Brake and Empress VI, Shirley Harwood.
Empress Shirley was removed 10 months into the reign for just cause. To
fill the vacancy on the throne the Reigning Emperor Gene Brake asked the
Board to elevate Princess Royale Kristie Anastasia Pe'Vey, to the title of
Regent Empress VI. The Board agreed and the vacancy was filled. During the
same reign, Harry Jackman lost his title of Emperor V due to his attempt
at forming a rebel court.
Although there were some problems experienced at the onset of the reign,
it proved to be a pivotal reign as many links were regained throughout the
gay community and the membership experienced a tremendous boom.
Reign VII...
Coronation VII, "The Bright Lights of Broadway" on June 27, 1998, at the
Menger Hotel, culminated in the crowning of Emperor VII, Adam Garza, the
Emperor Del Sol, and Empress VII, Kristie Anastasia Pe'Vey, the Diva
Diamond Swan Empress. The two experienced much success throughout the
entire community and forged the court into new areas and experiences that
brought the activities of the reign into the San Antonio spotlight. The
monarchs experienced tremendous support from their line of succession and
made friends across the United States as both traveled extensively. This
reign was also successful in continuing the growth of its membership base.
Reign VIII...
Coronation VIII, "A Gala at the Taj Mahal: An evening of Mystique,
Seduction and Intrigue" resulted in the crowning of Emperor VIII, Nathan
Javine, The Amethyst Jeweled Teddy Bear Emperor, and Empress VIII, Kandace
Antionette Pe'Vey, the Emerald Jeweled Jaguar Empress. This reign proved
to be a great success in its "Continuation of Excellence" which was the
mission of Reign VIII. They continued to build links throughout the city
and enhance the membership base with quality persons that offered many
talents and gifts to the organization. The monarchs also traveled
extensively throughout the United States and made friends wherever they
visited. They created very strong working relationships with bar owners
and spearheaded many successful fundraisers for such agencies such as
Providence Children's Home, the Gay and Lesbian Community Center and Hope
Action Care.
Reign IX...
Coronation IX "Carnaval 2000: A Brazilian Odyssey" culminated in the
crowning of Emperor IX, Christopher Hoffman, The Ethereal Golden Griffin
Emperor, and Empress IX, Wanda Carlysle Bouvier, The Over the Hill but
Still Good Lookin' Champagne Empress. Under the leadership of their
majesties, the Court was able to raise tremendous amounts of money for a
wide variety of agencies throughout the city. The level of support for the
monarchs from the membership base was very visible and together they
continued to travel across the country and represent San Antonio. Their
professionalism, gentility and seasoned experience helped model for the
membership successful fund raising efforts. Agencies that benefited from
their success were Providence Children's Home, The Gay and Lesbian
Community Center, Hope Action Care and the Alamo Womens' Breast Cancer
Foundation.
Reign X...
On July 5, 2001, Coronation X, "Viva Fiesta! A San Antonio
Tradition" ended with the crowning of Emperor X, Lee R. "Mac-A-Licious"
McLeod, The Ebony Onxy Stallion Emperor of Midnight Pleasures and
Fantasies, and Empress X, Kristie Anastasia Pe'Vey, The Double Down "Gimme
a Double, On the Double, and Don't Gimme any Trouble" Diva Swan
Empress. This coronation was special in many ways. First, the new monarchs
were elected under a new format two months prior to coronation. Second,
the election was opened to the community and not just to attendees at
coronation. The Theme of Reign X was "The Reign of Midnight Fantasies
and Double Dosage". The monarchs, as with prior reigns, traveled
extensively across the country and within the state of Texas fostering new
and nurturing prior relationships with their sister courts.
The monarchs worked
tirelessly at home improving and continuing relationships with the
organizations, individuals and bars that had been fostered during Reign
IX. Because of these efforts, Reign X witnessed a significant growth in
the membership. The high visibility and professionalism of the members
resulted in many successful fundraisers for the community and grateful
organizations. Agencies that benefited from the fundraising success were
Hope Action Care, The Gay & Lesbian Community Center, Beat AIDS,
Jennifer's Camp, and the Alamo Women's Breast Cancer Foundation.
Reign XI...
On July 6, 2002, Coronation XI, "An Imperial Version of the Divine
Comedy; From Inferno to Paradise with Dante" climaxed with the
talents and crowning Emperor XI, Jon "Z" Zamarripa, The Silver
Moon and Mystical Keeper of Erotic Dreams. Coronation XI was a spectacular
from beginning to end, drawing members of the International Court System
from across the country. With this being the second year of the Alamo
Empire's election process, Reign XI hit the ground running. Reign XI was
like a Broadway show, with a lot of hard work behind the scenes, then
producing stunning visibility. Emperor Jon Z. was absolutely the hardest
working monarch of the circuit.
Emperor Jon continued
building the relationship of the Alamo Empire with the San Antonio
community, steering the focus towards the awareness of the health crisis
and conditions of our gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgendered family.
Reign XI showcased the compassion and the commitment of the membership and
it's supporters. Beneficiaries of Reign XI's dedication were BEAT Inc.,
Hope Action Care, The Gay & Lesbian Community Center, and the Alamo
Women's Breast Cancer Foundation.
Reign XII...
On July 5, 2003, Coronation XII, “A Speakeasy Under the Silver Moon:
Where Gangsters, Flappers & Sinful Jazz clash with Carry Nation”
made it’s last call announcement with the crowning of Emperor XII Ken
“BIG” Johnson, “The Platinum Constellation, 14kt Cobalt Diamond
Monkey, Lord of the Garden of Freedom and Passion”, and Empress XII
Keana Lord … PeVey, “The High Priestess Onyx Siamese of the 13th Moon,
Provider of Primal Fear and Latina Fantasies”. Let’s just say that the
joint was jumping . This Coronation, from set design to award worthy
performances was the kick off that ushered in X-2 The Empire Re-Loaded.
Reign XII’s goal was to get back to basic fundraising and illuminate the
Alamo Empire’s hardworking dedication to it’s community throughout the
Int’l Court System.
Ken and Keana worked
as a team, allowing each other to do what they did Best. Emperor Ken
focused on new ideas to move the court forward and Empress Keana commanded
attention with her flawless performances. The Reign of the Ghetto as Keana
and Ken coined it, proved that TRUST, (The Reign United Stands Together),
conquers all obstacles. Beneficiaries of Reign XII were BEAT, Inc., The
Diversity Center, and the Community Clinic. With addition donations to
Jennifer’s Camp and Skyward Bound Ranch.
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