Popping the question at P!nk
RICH LOPEZ | Staff writer
Rich@DallasVoice.com
Lonnie Jones King and Ricardo Santiago Rios do love their own way. From meeting via social media to proposing in front of a big pop star, their relationship almost thrives on the unconventional.
Next Friday, March 14, at BearDance: The Mad Hatter Party, the two will continue the trend, sealing the deal and beginning life-ever-after with a wedding.
As if it were predestined, both men work in the airline industry. King is a pilot for a private company (as well as owner of printing and embroidery company FlexPress), and Rios works as a flight attendant for Southwest.
But the two didn’t meet in the air.
They met in December 2023 via Instagram. Sliding into each other’s DMs proved to be the beginning of a romance despite the two of them living in different states.
“I found Ricardo very kind, sweet and honest, and, after having endured great loss several years earlier, it was refreshing to find somebody willing to be patient with me,” King said, explaining what is was about Rios that made such a strong impression on him.
BearDance board member (and Dallas Voice cover model) Ami Sadeh explained how this wedding is an extension of what the organization strives for: “BearDance has always been about creating a space for our community to make connections. Over the years, we heard many stories of relationships that began at BearDance. So it’s only befitting that we also host such a wedding.
“We are delighted.”
While juggling schedules, King and Rios answered some pressing questionsfor Dallas Voice about how their fairy tale led to BearDance, the high profile proposition and whether there’s gonna be enough cake for all those bears.
Dallas Voice: To continue, Ricardo, what was it about Lonnie that made an impression on you? Rios: I found Lonnie to be a very interesting, sweet and funny man. To be quite honest, it was the first date where I ever felt comfortable being myself and just letting our time flow as we got to know each other and have a great conversation.
Let’s start with the proposal because that was kind of a big deal! King: It started out as a proposal at the P!nk concert on Nov. 6 in Arlington. I had a sign with me and asked the people beside us to help me with the proposal.
We happened to be in the front row. At one point during the show P!nk came down from her routine, and was facing us about 10 feet away. I held up a sign that said, “I am proposing to my boyfriend, will you help me?”
She nodded and later in the show, she was singing one of her slow songs on the stage in front of us. She then stopped her show and came down to the stairs and greeted us and then asked: “Who is going to do this?
Rios: Lonnie got down on his knees and asked to marry me in front of the entire stadium. It was one of the amazing moments, and we will remember it for the rest of our lives.
How did you decide to get married at BearDance amid the entire crowd? King & Rios: We’re actually doing a small ceremony at the club before the dance. We decided to do something creative, where everyone that we have close to us will be a part of this memorable day and contribute to the BearDance success.
Can you describe what that will look like? King & Rios: We’re doing everything based on the TBRU theme Bears in Wonderland in which everyone will have the creativity to dress up as the characters from Alice in Wonderland.
OK, do you have a first dance song planned? King & Rios: We do, but we decided to keep our song for ourselves and family to share.
And will there be cake? King & Rios: Absolutely! We hired a very creative woman who owns Daisy Cakes that will be making our wedding cake based on Alice in Wonderland.
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BearDance at a glance
This year’s BearDance happens on Friday, March 14, at Station 4. While part of Texas Bear Round-up’s schedule, the ticketed event is open to the public. BearDance is more than a party. It’s a veritable bear-a-palooza all inside the club.
Proceeds from the party go toward this year’s TBRU beneficiaries which include Cathedral of Hope Benevolence Fund, Greg Dollgener Memorial AIDS Fund and The Coalition For Aging LGBT.
There are two types of premium access to the event: The VIP Fast Pass provides quick access to the dance, dedicated bar lines and a VIP exclusive lounge in the Granite Bar. Premium Access perks include priority entry into Station 4, a souvenir badge, choice seats to Yvie Oddly’s show with a meet-and-greet.
This year’s BearDance: The Mad Hat Party A BearDance Adventure kicks off at
8 p.m. with the following schedule:
8 p.m.: Doors open.
8-10 p.m.: Opposites Attract Mixer.
A friendly mixer for bears and non-bears/smaller types to meet and mingle.
House of Frequencies on the main floor.
10 p.m.-1 a.m.: DJ David Aude spinning for main floor.
10 p.m.-2 a.m.: House of Frequencies in the Granite Bar VIP Lounge.
11 p.m.: Yvie Oddly, Maddelynn Hatter and the Rose Room cast. (Please confirm the time with BearDance closer to the event.)
1-4 a.m.: DJ Derrick Carter spinning for the main floor.
For tickets and passes, visit BearDance.org.
