On September 3rd, 2010 everybody around the world had a very special chance to be Freddie For A Day. But for the Argentinian fans the fun didn't stop there! There was an after-work party in downtown Buenos Aires. Despite the day being cold and rainy and a couple of big traffic jams, a lot of Queen fans gathered at the Ultra bar to celebrate the life of Freddie Mercury and to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. It was really great!!!
Music by Freddie Mercury and Queen invited people to enter the pub. The place was nice and cool (well, it was warm in fact, but that made it actually cooler!). Each attendant was met by the organizers or by volunteers from the Fundación Huésped, a well-know local HIV/AIDS charity, and each was given a leaflet about the Fundación, HIV/AIDS and safe sex, a red ribbon, a condom and a sticker containing a patch with the Freddie For A Day logo and the phrase "Today I'm Freddie Mercury" and... er... a moustache! There is no need to mention that the adhesive moustaches were definitely a big success!!! Most fans wanted their pictures by the big banner of the event (courtesy of Universal Music Argentina).
The evening was hosted by local radio star and long-term fan Daisy May Queen - she spent the entire day (!) dressed as Freddie from the ‘I Want To Break Free’ video clip.
The programmed activities started with a brief presentation of the Freddie For A Day global initiative and The Mercury Phoenix Trust by Daisy and local Freddie For A Day coordinator Wilki - dressed as Flash Freddie. Then it was time for the Freddie Mercury Costume Contest, with a handful of participants, some in very elaborate outfits. The people from Universal Music Argentina had the difficult task of chosing the winners. Two prizes were given:
- First Prize ('Golden Moustache') to Airton Ezequiel Loureiro (23 years old) dressed as Magic Tour Freddie: he won a CD album of THE FREDDIE MERCURY ALBUM and a CD single of Love Kills.
- Second Prize ('Silver Moustache') to Matías Nicolás Figueroa (21 years old) dressed in a magnificent harlequin leotard made by himself: he won a CD album of THE VERY BEST OF FREDDIE MERCURY SOLO.
There was also a special prize of 'Longest Moustache' - as measured by the exclusive Moustach-O-Meter, carefully handled by Wilki. It was for Paul McMercury (31 years old, he won't give his real name!) - he won two tickets for the next show of Bigot: A Tribute To Queen. All participants were given the corresponding certificates.
Live music followed, performed by Bigot (which roughly translates as 'moustache'). They put out a semi-acoustic set:
My Melancholy Blues / Love Of My Life / 'Freddley' (Freddie Mercury Medley: There Must Be More To Life Than This+How Can I Go On+Love Kills+The Fallen Priest+The Golden Boy+La Japonaise+Love Me Like There's No Tomorrow+Goin' Back) / Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon (!) / Under Pressure
The audience asked for more, so Bigot obliged with a rocking version of Hammer To Fall.
Then it was time for Debora, media coordinator of the Fundación Huésped, to talk about HIV/AIDS in developing countries and the work of the Fundación. The event was officially closed by Carina and Agustín from Universal Music Argentina. They are looking forward to the next Freddie For A Day!
Congratulations to everyone involved!!! We still love you, Freddie!
You can see all the photos of the event on
Facebook.
Fundación Huésped is a very well known local HIV/AIDS charity in Argentina that was founded in 1989. Debora Fiore, the media coordinator of the Fundación Huésped who was at the Freddie Por Un Día afterwork party, said the following about the event:
“It is very important for us to have the chance to spread the word about the Fundación Huésped at events like these. And especially amongst young people, people who feel so committed to the cause, because it is the only way to give an effective response to HIV/AIDS: through the involvement of the whole community. It was gratifying to see the young deeply moved and motivated, and with so much enthusiasm, to offer their bit against HIV. I am looking forward to the next Freddie For A Day and I hope there will be more of us!”