The Reception for BillyBoy* & Lala  

at City Hall, Delémont

The three artworks in the form of huge wedding cakes were unveiled during the cocktail for the artists BillyBoy* & Lala which officially launched the Gay Pride, on June 29th 2012 at 18pm (6 o'clock in the evening). This cocktail was at City Hall with the Mayor, Monsieur Pierre Kohler, Edith Cuttat-Gyger, Chancellor, and André Buri, President of the Parliament, the two artists, members and organizers of Juragai, the press and members of the population.

The artworks arrived at City Hall and were stored temporarily in an adjoining room. The prestigious main council room, decorated with a large portrait of the Emperor Napoleon the 1st, painted by a Delémontain painter of the early nineteenth-century, reminds us when Delémont was the sub-prefecture of Alsace in France under Napoleon.

All the knitters of the Café Tricot were present and they were all dressed in white, which was very beautiful and was very appreciated by both BillyBoy* and Lala. Mayor Pierre Kohler, in the presence of members of the city council, made a short, lovely speech and then he gave way to Régis Froidevaux, president of Juragai, and the Jura Pride organizer, who also gave a charming speech after which he gave the floor to Lala, who spoke on behalf of himself and BillyBoy*. He spoke of his gratitude to live in such a liberal and open-minded city and the importance of equal rights.

As usual, Lala had not enough time to prepare a speech, but as the artworks spoke for themselves and pretty much everyone present already knew the charming story of their creation, he gallantly invited Laurent Mercier known as the personage Lola, (who came specially from Paris to host the presentation of the artwork) to take the floor. Then, the wedding cakes were carried in by pairs of young people, some straight, some gay and some lesbian, accompanied by music and to allow Lola to make a big "entrance". He conveniently plugged his Iphone, with the help of Alec Jiri into the sonor system and did a catwalk strut around the whole room in a sublime Gloria Swanson 1920s creation of his own design. He used the glamorous music from the Hollywood film "Sweet Charity",…notably the Bob Fosse dance number called "The Snob" though they had a moment of minor trouble starting, he really was a huge success and a real LGBTQ statement within himself, something which BillyBoy* & Lala decided was is a total and true "Mdvaniiism". The impressive artworks were applauded a very long time, all those present had big smiles on their faces and seemed very pleased and happy. It was a very mixed group of people from all sorts of lifestyles, ages, and backgrounds, but it was clear they all appreciated this very affirmative message of equal rights and love.

Among the many guests, their was the presence of friends such as Juju and Yves Haenii, who came especially from far away Sierre (Switzerland), there was Laetitia and Grib the alternative punk electro duo of the militant KingsQueer duet who also played the next day at the Pride. There was the beautiful and charming Anne Shelton Aaron, art patron and friend of the artists, who came especially from Geneva. Also present was the artist and friend Cheong Seol Kwon. She took some great photos. There were many other friends and notables. It was an honour for BillyBoy* and Lala that Sven Robinson, the Canadian politician who was running for Prime Minister and who outted himself as being gay, (the first time in political history such a thing happened), was also here. He is a friend of the Mayor and they both told humorous anecdotes of their friendship.

Then BillyBoy * and Lala offered to each member of the knitting group a specially-made Surreal Bijoux necklace based on a vintage 1987 necklace, (in either gold or silver for each one to chose). The necklace is made of charming cartoonish forms which float around the neck, all with smiling faces and so typically BillyBoy* Surreal Bijoux. Each knitter was also offered a Mdvanii Society silkscreen print dedicated personally to each one. Afterwards, all the guests share the what is called "the glass of friendship", which was wine and champagne, offered by the City. There was a charming table of cakes, cookies, pastries and sweets, served by local citizens in folkloric costume. The whole event was utterly romantic and the message of love was clear and evident. BillyBoy* and Lala's marriage was a subject of congratulations by all. 

The reception was very warm and bathed in a beautiful light coming through the high old windows of the room and lasted until about 8:30pm. A barbecue and cocktail party was held at the home of BillyBoy * & Lala after this ceremony, which lasted late into the night, listening to Lala's beloved k.d Lang of course. It was a very merry occasion and a true celebration, "Jura -style" drinking champagne in glasses designed by Sylvie Fleury for Dom Pérignon (they come with lipstick traces) as well as BillyBoy* and Lala "Loving Bird" flutes. Later BillyBoy* provided his famous cocktail named "Dragster" by Lala (don't ask for the secret ingredient, honey). And no need to be in drag to have plenty of it!

Louis-Ferdinand Reversi

October 2012