With more than 10 pageant titles under his belt, performer Kirk DaVinci knows how to captivate audiences.
With each of the Tampa Bay and Central Florida performer’s wins, which most recently include Mr. Polk Pride 2019 and Mr. Tampa Pride 2020, he strives to exhibit persistence, resilience, involvement, dedication and education throughout his reign. COVID-19 has presented new challenges for that and for the LGBTQ entertainment industry as a whole, he says.
Entertainers financially dependent on booking fees and tips have been severely impacted by statewide social distancing guidelines, event cancellations and venue closures. While made in the necessary efforts to reduce COVID-19’s spread, DaVinci explains, “it’s a huge source of income that has been lost.”
As Mr. Tampa Pride, it’s part of what led him to spearhead a digital Tampa Pride weekend with the organization’s support after in-person festivities were postponed. He welcomed nearly 50 of the previously scheduled performers to screens March 27-29 to raise awareness, funds and lift socially-distant spirits.
“We put the whole weekend together in 48 hours,” DaVinci reflects. “Once it all came together, we had to add more entertainers to the lineup. People had fun, they were entertained and the performers made some money.”
The response prompted him to launch DaVinci’s Digital Days the following weekend. The recurring, three-day digital experience is held Fridays from 10-11 p.m., Saturdays from 9-10 p.m. and Sundays from 12:30-1:30 p.m. and welcomes four entertainers per day who accept tips via Cash App, PayPal and Venmo. They’re each allotted 15-minute timeslots to engage viewers.
“We have to use the means we have when we can,” DaVinci explains. “A few entertainers have told me that they’ve made $100 in their 15 minutes.”
DaVinci says the benefits aren’t strictly monetary, noting that the experience has been surprising from entertainers and audiences alike. “We’re all struggling right now, we’re all going through it,” he explains, “but even if people are unable to tip, it’s helpful just to see the amount of people who are watching. It’s nice to see that you’re entertaining people again, that you’re encouraging them and giving them something to enjoy during this time.”
That desire is the bedrock of the group, which currently welcomes nearly 2,000 people to its public Facebook page. “God put me on this earth to make people laugh and put a smile on people’s faces,” DaVinci says. “Whether I’m hosting, singing or performing, I’m always trying to make sure everybody’s having a good time.”
To that end, he welcomes any and all to join the group, which shares videos from each performer for public viewing in one digital locale. Previous performances are also available, dating back to Tampa Pride’s digital weekend, accessible at this link on Facebook.
“We provide entertainment for others, but it’s also beneficial for us,” DaVinci says. “I have a motto that I go by – live life, love life and have individuality. We know this is a rough time for everyone, but don’t forget to love yourself. Don’t give up.”
Read about other LGBTQ workers in Tampa Bay and Central Florida who are making a difference in Watermark’s full “Essential Heroes” feature.
For the latest updates about COVID-19 and its impact on the LGBTQ communities in Tampa Bay and Central Florida, Watermark’s frequently updated coverage here.
