Each April The FRESH FRUIT FESTIVAL gives awards to the entries in the past year's festival voted best by audiences and the Board of Directors. Also presented at that time are special lifetime awards for those who have supported LGBT arts. For performance in a Two-Spirit Evening held at New York's Conscious Collective in 2006, Landa Lakes and Samantha Richards of the San Francisco based Native American drag troupe the Brush Arbor Gurlz will be awarded Outstanding Artist Awards at the upcoming Fourth Annual Fruits of Distinction Awards.

Murry Hill will host the Awards to be held on Monday, April 16th, at the Metropolitan Room in New York City starting at 9:30pm. Landa and Samantha will perform in a short segment during this formal event.

Landa Lakes, the matron or mother of the Arbor, explained the origin of the troupes name is derived from Southeastern tribal culture. During the summer and early fall months also known as stomp dance season, Southeastern tribes erect brush arbors. Girls often seek shade under the arbors which gives them ample opportunity to flirt with the roaming boys. The troupe includes dragsters from the Chickasaw, Cherokee, Navajo, Tohono O'odem, Metis and Choctaw Nations.

Upon learning that she will be receiving an Outstanding Artist Award, Samantha exclaimed that she was honored and excited. As a long time performer in both drag and the theatre world, Samantha said that she loved performing with her Native American brothers and sisters and having the opportunity to share a slice of something traditional and personal with diverse audiences.

If you would like to learn more about the Fourth Annual Fruits of Distinciton Awards or get tickets, you may go to the website at www.freshfruitfestival.com.