Houston Splash 101

Cookie La Cook - Entertainment Director / Emcee / Host
"The mouth of the South" is how this individual is most commonly referred. If you're having a show as big as Texas, you've got to have an even bigger host!! Houston's legendary and resident emcee says all the "wrong" things at just the "right" times. This plus sized emcee from the boot shaped state of Louisiana has an attitude as spicy as a bowl of her gumbo. That's right, she puts the "COOK" in COOKIE, Cookie la Cook.

As the club scene has changed from Studio 30, Uptown Downtown, The Backyard to Rascals, from Level 3 and Incognito Club this individual has been a permanent fixture in the Gay community. Not just a mere club host, Cookie has hosted other great events including Juneteenth in Dallas, and various pageants, not to mention hosting The Official Miss Gay Texas At Large (a title she once held).

With such longevity in the community, Cookie is also a true activist. Community service is another side of this humanitarian that is commonly seen. Whether she's visiting the sick, having a benefit show, attending a funeral, Cookie gives without hesitation. This cornerstone of Houston's entertainment industry has combined the elements of Community and Comedy. Whether it’s a made up ad for a beer you can douche with, or a Miss Cleo routine, Cookie reminds us we're a "Fucking Great Audience," but its only because she's a "Fucking Great Host!"

Derick Miles - President HoustonSplash
No train would have direction without an engineer. A mild mannered quiet man by day, but behind that gorgeous smile lies a brother with BIG DREAMS for Houston Splash. Derick Miles has been the driving force behind Houston Splash for 10 years now.

As a former owner of Incognito Club, Derick and the late Clifford Hunter brought forth-new light to the African American Club scene. With a powerhouse team of influential parties (including Cookie La Cook, Grover Fortenberry, Rande Rochelle, Tony Powell, and "Mother") Incognito the club was born. The newest spot on the block, tucked away on the edge of Houston’s Chinatown, became the home of this new establishment. The start of the Incognito Divas, The Firm, The Men of Texas, Mr. & Miss Black Gay Houston, The Southern Divas, and other Incognito "traditions" were born there.

As if being in the Club Business wasn’t enough to keep any man busy, Derick's second baby is HoustonSplash. It takes all year long to plan for an even such as this, and Mr. Miles doesn't skip a beat. From contract negotiations to DJ's, dancers and drinks, Derick has his hand in everything much like Oprah and her O magazine. The growth alone, from a weekend to a weeklong celebration has kept Derick even busier.

Sean Dawson - Vice President HoustonSplash / Promoter
Flyers, television, and magazines are the weapons of choice when it comes to tying what's going on in the world to HoustonSplash. Finding the latest party venues and trends while putting a spin on them is always a way to keep up with the changing times. The media and all its avenues are always in the mind of this brother.

A native of Denver, Co., Sean relocated to Houston Texas due to a job promotion. Bringing his marketing knowledge and an eye for the "out of the ordinary", Dawson added a twist to everything he touched. When it comes to hot layouts and catch phrases, here's where some of them were born. With the help of a few close friends, Sean collaborates to smooth the edges out on his sometimes-elaborate ideas. The HoustonSplash themes have started with a small flicker and soon the imagination spreads like wildfire. With new direction, the promotion of HoustonSplash grew from a weekend to a weeklong event. The groundbreaking presentation of this all started with the HoustonSplash brochure featuring "The Wedding ". The ball has continued to roll with themes such as the annual Strip Down in H-town, Mission Possible, Elements, and last year’s theme of “The Revolution.”

As everything goes to print, meanwhile, Sean makes certain every word is added to the HoustonSplash website. From cross advertising, driving directions, and informative readings, these few and more add that extra touch to the HoustonSplash website. After receiving the shipment of flyers, the real work starts. From Chicago to D.C., New Orleans to Dallas, LA and Atlanta; Sean and his assistant hop flights across the country to spread the word while tagging hundreds of cars at nationwide Pride events. Needless to say, Mr. Dawson stays busy all year long, and in the words of one of his flyers "It takes more than a name, to fill his shoes".

Tony Powell – Sound Engineer / DJ
Lights, Camera, Action! No, I'm not talking about Mr. Cheeks, but rather a small part of the total DJ experience. While Hansel had Gretel, Jack had Jill, …….Cookie LaCook has Tony. The complimenting maestro to the "The mouth of the South " that brings together music, lights, and action, is none other than DJ Tony Powell.

A laid back perfectionist, this DJ knows exactly what he wants and what it takes to accomplish the goal at hand. While setting the tone of the night by selecting just the right lighting, color, and positioning Tony views each night as a production. His lighting expertise extends more than just within the club but also as an outside video, light, and music contractor. Powell's composition portfolio is close at hand to be ready before an Overture, after the show or to get the night warmed up.

A music man by blood, Tony travels abroad to not only DJ, but participates in conferences with other like- minded DJ's. Setting up shop for parties, programs and making pageant tapes among other things, keep this man on the move. Tony's very own "vault of vinyl ", has held its own throughout the changing times. The tons of music stashed away in his Third Ward home range from, musicals, sound effects, old school, Underground, and Deep House, to R&B, Hip- Hop, Rap and yes, even ZYDECO. Whether its packing the dance floor at BARTINI or TOYZ with R&B, creating a disco talent tape, or making the 8-Count KIDS fight to the death with House music, DJ Tony Powell is somewhere in the mix.