Aspiring queens for Pasadena Doo Dah Parade to compete at Sunday’s tryouts

For aspiring queens of the Doo Dah Parade – a counterculture version of the Rose Parade – Sunday is judgment day.

Those wishing to don the crown for the the 38th Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade, taking place Nov. 22, will get the chance to strut their stuff during tryouts at the American Legion hall in east Pasadena on Sunday afternoon.

Unlike the more traditional Tournament of Roses, practically anyone and their mother – and their dog – can make a run for queen.

“It runs the gamut – there are men, there are women, there are dogs, there are children,” said parade organizer Patricia Hurley. “We like to keep it open to everybody because we really are trying to set an example for the Rose Parade that just does one kind of person – or at least, one gender.”

The Doo Dah Parade began in 1978, a satirical “twisted sister” of the annual Rose Parade, which is typically held on New Year’s Day and draws visitors from all over the country to Pasadena.

Hurley ticked off a few of the regular aspirants for the crown: Count Smokula, a sort of Yiddish Dracula who plays the accordion; a woman known as the Naked Opera Singer; the Swami from El Monte, whose “psychic dog” may be trying out this year instead.

“Each queen gets three minutes or thereabouts to show us their talents, whether it be dancing, singing, telling jokes, or just standing there looking spectacular,” she said.

Whoever wins this year will receive a crown made by the previous year’s queen – in this case, Nancy Urbach, known as the belly dancer Narayana, who has sashayed her way through every Doo Dah since 1978.

Each year, about 15 to 25 hopefuls may compete to reign over the Doo Dah Parade, Hurley said. This year is no exception – around 17 people are expected to take to the stage, and anyone else who hears about the competition is free to walk in.

“Usually we get a number of people that just show up,” Hurley said.

Tryouts will be held at the American Legion Post 280 at 179 N. Vinedo Ave., Pasadena 91107. Registration runs from 3 to 4 p.m. and the event will begin at 4:30 p.m. And those who simply want to enjoy the festivities are more than welcome – there will be a $5 cover at the door.

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