ABOVE: Photo via Jeremy Fetters.
ST. PETERSBURG | “A Night of 1,000 Britneys,” a drag show benefiting Moffitt Cancer Center on Nov. 12 from 4-8 p.m. at Enigma, will celebrate the life of the late Keith Joseph Frey.
Frey was a mainstay in Tampa Bay’s LGBTQ community, working at and supporting numerous safe spaces throughout the region. The North Dakota native proudly called Florida home and died Sept. 28 at 44.
According to his obituary, Frey loved to travel, have dinner parties and decorate for the holidays, especially Christmas. He “was an old soul in a younger-ish man’s body,” it continues, who “loved ‘listening’ to Britney Spears and watching ‘Golden Girls’ or a horrible holiday Lifetime movie with his sister/bestie Alexis.”
Frey was a beloved son, brother, “Unkie,” nephew and more. His loved ones noted that “we would run out of space to name all his friends to which he considered family.”
That includes Jeremy Fetters, Frey’s friend of 25 years. He organized the fundraiser to honor his memory.
“He was the closest thing that I’d ever had to a brother,” Fetters says. “I’d known him for a quarter of a century. Everyone that ever met him just instantly fell in love with him because he was so funny.”
Fetters will co-host the Britney Spears-themed drag show as his alter ego Cherry Poppins, joined by PheYonce Montrese. Attendees are encouraged to wear their best Britney wig in honor of Frey, who Fetters says dressed as the pop star every Halloween.
“We decided that we wanted to have a celebration that would be more like him,” Fetters reflects. “Funny. Picturing people out there in blonde wigs, we could see Keith laughing at how ridiculous everyone will look.
“It will be lighthearted and fun and give people a chance to celebrate,” he continues, “and because of his history with cancer, his sister wanted to do something to donate to Moffitt. That’s why we’re doing the drag show and a raffle.”
Poppins and Montrese will be joined by some of Frey’s closest friends and family to perform his favorite songs. Anyone who would like to share a memory or perform a number is encouraged to contact Fetters directly via Facebook or by emailing JeremyInStPete80@gmail.com. More details can be found below.
Prior to the show, a visitation for Frey will be held Oct. 29 at Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home in Clearwater from 1-3 p.m., followed by a celebration of life from 3-3:45 p.m. In lieu of flowers, his family notes a donation can be made to Moffitt Cancer Center in his honor at Give.Moffitt.org or by calling 1-800-456-3434, ext. 1403.
“A Night of 1,000 Britneys” will be held at Enigma Nov. 12 from 4-8 p.m., located at 1110 Central Ave. in St. Petersburg. For more information, email JeremyInStPete80@gmail.com.
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