At 77-years-old, former Majic 102.7 DJ Rick Shaw still has the voice and personality for radio. President of the Majic Children's Fund and involved with Neighbors 4 Neighbors, he devotes himself to the same causes he did when he was still on the air.
Of N4N, Shaw says, "They do wonderful things for the community that if they didn't do, they just wouldn't get done." The nonprofit into being after Hurricane Andrew ravaged South Florida, leaving legions without homes.
His latest fundraising stunt for the charity though might take Shaw slightly outside of his masculine comfort zone. For this one, he'll be wearing high heels, a wig make up, a dress, and he'll be going by the name Miss Roxy Roll.
Along with Melissa Milroy, senior marketing manager at the Galleria at
Fort Lauderdale, Marcia Barry Smith, board chair of Neighbors 4
Neighbors, and Elaine Vasquez local community advocate, Shaw will be transformed by the ladies of Wilton Manors' drag hotspot Lips into his female avatar... For charity, of course.
"I gotta go down and get fitted. I've never been to a fitting before," says Shaw with a laugh. "Totally out of character for me, top to bottom."
Not to short change the contributions of the other non-queen participants, but as actual ladies, getting dolled up for the stage won't be quite as out of character as for an old dude like Shaw.
"I said, this is crazy, my mom spent the money to put me through college. I was in radio for 50 years, and finally it's come down to this. After 50 years on the air in South Florida, I thought I had pretty much
covered all the bases. I've gotten to do so much because I worked in
broadcasting, I flew with the Blue Angels, but this, believe me, is a
first."
Fortunately, Shaw is quite good-natured about the change of gender. To him, the most important thing is that this will raise money for his favorite charity.
"People say 'What are you doing this for?' And I say, Neighbors 4 Neighbors! They help people that otherwise would not have anywhere to go."
This special edition of Dinners with the Divas takes place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 7. Tickets are $50 per person for a three-course dinner with two complimentary glasses of wine or Lips' signature cocktails. The $75 VIP package includes premium seating plus a champagne reception where you'll meet the cast of Lips. Prices include tax and gratuity. Proceeds from the ticket sales will go to Neighbors 4 Neighbors.To purchase tickets call 305-597-4404, or visit neighbors4neighbors.org.
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