Lacie Browning. (Photo courtesy American Lung Association)
ORLANDO | Lacie Browning is a staple in the Central Florida LGBTQ community. The WAVE Award-winning drag performer has been entertaining crowds in Orlando for years and can be seen most weeks showcasing her talent at her home bar, Stonewall Orlando.
On Nov. 10, Browning will be putting her talents towards a charitable cause, the American Lung Association’s Lip Sync for Lungs Battle IV at Novel Lucerne in Orlando’s SoDo Mainstreet District.
Browning was connected with the Orlando Lung Association through fellow entertainer, Billie Jo Clark, and drew a deep personal connection to the event and organization.
“There’s so many of us that have family members or friends with lung diseases, they’re so common nowadays that more research is needed,” Browning says. “Personally, I know family members that have lived with COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease] and other lung diseases, and with COVID things have been more difficult for them.”
Browning will perform during the fourth installment of this epic lip-sync showdown along with three other competitors — Heather Hurry, marketing director of Pillar to Post; Michael Barber, Central Florida criminal defense attorney and president-elect of the Orange County Bar Association’s Young Lawyer’s Section; and Dr. Rick Ramnath, member of the American Lung Association’s Local Leadership Board — to see who will win the title of Lip-sync Battle Champion.
The evening, which will also feature a silent auction, will be emceed by VIP Mortgage Group’s Ted Bogert with Jordan Ostroff of Jordan Law FL, Steve Gunter of Taproom at Dubsdread and Chelsea Whaley of J Donovan Financial serving as the event’s judges.
The lip-sync battle will raise funds to support the American Lung Association’s overall mission to conduct groundbreaking lung disease research and provide lung education programs in Florida. Helping to raise funds for charity is second nature for Browning, who has performed at many fundraising events throughout the years for local LGBTQ organizations. Browning believes that there is more to performing than just the entertainment value, especially since the pandemic started in 2020.
“I’ve worked in Orlando for a long time and I love giving my time to help with charity events and fundraisers. I held live events from home during the pandemic, any proceeds I made I donated to my bartenders and anyone out of work at that time,” Browning says. “I love giving my time up to help.”
The American Lung Association hasn’t forgotten about the pandemic either and will have safety precautions in place for the event. Along with maintaining social distance and requiring masks, the event will limit attendance. To accommodate all who want to watch the lip-sync battle, you can choose the “Pajama Party” live stream option. Along with being able to watch the event from anywhere, viewers will be able to still participate in the silent auction, comment on your favorite performances and more.
The American Lung Association’s Lip Sync for Lungs Battle IV will be held at Novel Lucerne Nov.10 from 5:30-8 p.m. Tickets are $35 and the virtual experience can be purchased for $20. For more information about the event, how to donate or to purchase tickets visit LipSyncForLungsOrlando.org.
