Queen Bootleg Meg, (Meghan Kanyer) (Photo – Doo Dah)
On Sunday, Nov. 24, Old Pasadena’s DogHaus played host to the highly anticipated queen tryouts for the Doo Dah Takeover, a lively cabaret-style event that stepped in to fill the void left by the absence of the Doo Dah Parade this year. The room buzzed with exuberance as raucous live music filled the air, Doo Dah glitterati mingled, and passionate fans gathered in anticipation of an afternoon packed with talent, humor, and a touch of chaos.
By News Desk
The star of the show, however, was Bootleg Meg, the stage persona of Meghan Kanyer. She turned heads and stunned the royal judges with her emotionally charged performance of “Tripping on Mushrooms and Heartache.” This heartfelt original song, which reflected the challenges of the past year, resonated deeply with the crowd. Clad in a stunning rainbow-sequined gown, purple and gold star necklaces, and crowned with a silver star headdress, Bootleg Meg proved she was more than just a contender—she was a force of nature.
Though she originally had no intention of vying for the crown, Bootleg Meg’s infectious energy and the crowd’s enthusiastic encouragement led her to throw her hat in the ring. The coronation ceremony that followed was nothing short of spectacular. The newly crowned queen celebrated in true Doo Dah fashion, by launching into a high-energy rendition of the Grateful Dead’s “Shakedown Street” with Ashton Slater’s Grateful Get-Down. The crowd erupted in cheers as the music reverberated through the streets.
Eight Contestants
Eight contestants vied for the crown, each bringing their own flair to the stage. Among the hopefuls were the swashbuckling Shanty Wench, the newly-minted Doo Dah Baby Mama, and the ever-cheerful Jolly Green Queen. Other contenders included the familiar hippie rainbow Fakeoke Dennis, the joyful Shelley No Name, and the fabulously adorned Dr. Bobbs and Princess Cory, whose matching opulent golden attire dazzled the crowd.
The afternoon was a whirlwind of impassioned speeches, stand-up comedy, dance performances, and some seriously entertaining musical numbers from a lineup of guest artists. Bands like Count Smokula, MA the Band, Seeñor Groucho, and Robby Ravenwood and the Funhouse Porcupines kept the energy high, while Bone Creek and 2024 Queen Sparrow Dena added to the eclectic mix. The event culminated in the coronation of the new queen at the Old Towne Pub, where live jams from Ashton Slater’s Grateful Get-Down rounded out the evening.
A highlight of the day was the presentation of the 2025 Queen’s crown, an elaborate, bedazzled creation handcrafted by Doo Dah Preservation Society co-founder Veronica Andrade. The crown was presented by the reigning 2024 Queen, Sparrow Dena, who bid farewell with a touching ukulele rendition of Simon & Garfunkel’s “59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)”. The performance was a poignant tribute to the love and laughter that bind Pasadena’s irreverent community.
Bootleg Meg
Bootleg Meg, who has been an active participant in Doo Dah events since 2012—performing with bands like Soul Fuzz and the Rock and Roll Preservation Society—has become a beloved figure in Pasadena’s vibrant arts scene. A resident of Altadena for 15 years, Meg’s resilience was on full display this year after surviving a devastating fire earlier in 2025. Now, she looks ahead to new musical endeavors, including plans to start an outlaw country band under her Bootleg Meg persona.
In a statement to the crowd, Natalie Lydick from the Light Bringer Project, co-producers of the Pasadena Doo Dah Parade, expressed optimism for the future of the parade, set to return in 2026. “This enormous and joyous turnout for the Doo Dah Takeover shows that the spirit of the parade is alive and well, and we look forward to bringing satirical fun back to the streets of Old Pasadena once again.”
Doo Dah Parade
For the uninitiated, the Pasadena Doo Dah Parade is a quirky and satirical alternative to the traditional Rose Parade and has been a cornerstone of Pasadena’s cultural scene for 45 years. It all began in 1978 as a grassroots effort to highlight the city’s eccentricities and sense of humor. Known for its offbeat floats, outrageous performances, and cavalcade of outlandish participants, the parade has even earned national recognition, including a feature in the Wall Street Journal.
This year’s Doo Dah Takeover has proven that, even in the absence of the parade itself, the spirit of fun, irreverence, and community continues to thrive in Pasadena. And with the countdown already underway, the return of the parade in 2026 is something everyone is eagerly awaiting.
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