IOWA CITY — With a showcase of performers this Saturday, and a special sale of its commemorative jersey, the Lambda Softball Association (LSA) of Eastern Iowa is aiming to raise money for its upcoming trip to the Gay Softball World Series.
The Dirty Divas travelling team of LSA is co-led by founder Jose Maldonado, center, and Steven Holter, far right.
The LSA‘s 4th Annual Night at the Cabaret, coming Sept. 28, features drag performers from eastern Iowa, plus league leaders in drag, too. Happening 6:30 p.m. Saturday at DanceMor in Swisher, the Cabaret also features a 50/50 raffle of baskets assembled by LSA members, fun food, and games.
“It’s a great experience for LSA, and a great chance for people to get to know us,” says Steven Holter, one of the league’s coordinators who will also perform at the Cabaret Night.
He’ll be joined by emcee Katrina Cass; drag kings Javi Monroe, Logan Blewz and Logan Flynn Monroe; and league members Evan Risk, Colton Alexander and Mark Miller.
DanceMor, the venue in Swisher, Ia., is also known for a wide selection of games.
The event will subsidize league members headed to the Gay World Series Oct. 14-19 in Las Vegas, where 274 other teams from the United States and Canada will also gather, Holter says.
A limited supply of first-run commemorative jerseys are available by emailing steven.lsaiowa@gmail.com. LSA is also taking re-stock orders if needed.
Special jerseys now on sale
This year, for the first time ever, LSA is also offering its commemorative jerseys to the general public. Typically, the jerseys are provided only to travelling team members.
A limited supply of first-run jerseys, adorned wiht rainbows and a silhouette of Iowa City, are $35 and available to order by emailing steven.lsaiowa@gmail.com.
Profits from the shirts will help fund the league’s operation year-round.
Two team members with artistic leanings put the shirts together. Colton Alexander, a photographer by trade, and Ezekiel Cieslak, a TikTok influencer, created the design this year, Holter said.
Colton Alexander, a player and photographer for LSA of Eastern Iowa, co-designed the shirts with teammate Ezekiel Cieslak. (photos courtesy LSA)
LSA schedule and what’s coming up
LSA holds a spring, summer and fall season each year, and the fast-moving fall season for LSA began Saturday. Teams will play every Sunday through October.
New players are welcome to join anytime, or can wait until next spring to participate in the player rankings. Fans are also welcome to attend and cheer on the teams.
LSA also offers kickball, darts and other group gathering opportunities in between its softball seasons.
Ezekiel Cieslak, right, co-designed the commenirative jerseys with fellow teammate Colton Alexander. Cieslak is pictured above with partner Isaiah.
Founded in 2017 by Jose Maldonado, the group was named Best Community Sports League of the CRANDIC by Iowa Little Village Magazine in 2021.
To learn more about LSA, head to its website at lsaiowa.org. There, you’ll find a link to pre-purchase tickets to Saturday’s event; a link to donate through Venmo; and a link o donate through PayPal.
You can also learn about other LGBTQ+ affirming sports groups at The Real Mainstream’s Resources page featuring LGBTQ+ sports leagues, roller derby teams, and women’s tackle football teams throughout Illinois and Iowa.
Editor’s Note: LSA of Eastern Iowa is a partner of The Real Mainstream, providing assistance in print edition distribution throughout Johnson and Lee counties in Iowa, and the Quad Cities.
