A Quick run down of Halloween Events happening this weekend at Orlando's Gay Bars.
If you have your Halloween costume make sure you head to where you can score the biggest cash awards for the Best Halloween Costumes.
Friday October 28th
Pulse Nightclub- Platinum Thriller Friday $200 Halloween Costume Contest
Mr. Sisters - Asylum Weekend (Costume Contest is Saturday) Nightly Balloon drops with cash prizes inside!
Saturday October 29th
Mr. Sisters - Asylum Weekend - Costume Contest is Saturday - Grand Prize is a Cruise for Two!
Nightly Balloon drops with cash prizes inside!
Parliament House - Halloween Part 1
Halloween Costume Contest - $1,000 Winner Take All!
Pulse Nightclub- Pulsate Halloween $200 Halloween Costume Bash
Sunday October 30th
Mr. Sisters - Asylum Weekend (Costume Contest is Saturday) Nightly Balloon drops with cash prizes inside!
Monday October 31st
Parliament House - Halloween Part 2
Halloween Costume Contest - $3,000 Winner Take All!
Rus J
VisitGayOrlando.com
Friday, October 28, 2011
Halloween Events at Orlando Gay Bars
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Altar Boyz Review - Off Braodway Musical Playing at The Abbey
Altar Boyz is playing at The Abbey now through mid-November.
I had an opportunity to catch the show last Friday and want to give you my
take. The musical was Winner of the 2005
Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding
Off-Broadway Musical. The show tells the story of the boy band trying spread
the word one concert at a time and this is the last concert of their world
tour.
The dancing was impressive and well choreographed, the actors had pleasing harmonies, the volume was just right for The Abbey’s stage and the songs were all very well themed to a Christian boy band.
However while the story was entertaining it didn’t pull me in enough to feel vested in the characters. In addition the actor’s characters were so stereotypical that there were no real character surprises, so it was easy to spot the Christian gay guy who has yet to come out and immediately discern that the muscle guy wasn’t very smart. It was so cliché that I left wishing that they had challenged me more.
Overall, I enjoyed the high energy of the show, the music and interaction between the cast and for that I think it is worth going out of your way to see it during its limited run. The story behind the musical is average and could be strengthen, but noting that this is supposed to take place during a concert it is hard to develop that dialogue unless they added some backstage scenes to the show.
A few key points to address about the show:
The music is Christian oriented but with songs like “Girl You Make Me Wanna Wait” and “Jesus Called Me On My Cell Phone” it is very tongue and cheek.
I think the show is more enjoyable with a friend then going by yourself, as there are several moments that will make you look at someone and say did you see that.
Just to be clear the musical is not a gay musical, it is just a musical and is entertaining for all adult audiences. I would say that if you are Catholic, you will get more of the jokes.
About the Venue:
The Abbey is a pleasant surprise as I have walked by many times and thought it was a long skinny bar and a stage area. However in the bar and lounge area you are comforted by dark tones, leather furniture and a stunning stained glass light fixture that makes this place a hidden gem.
Tickets can be purchased at the location if seats are available.
Seating includes rows of chairs and a table seating area as well. This works well for a multi purpose venue and we and most of the audience preferred the tables as you could enjoy your drinks while enjoying the show.
About the Production:
The production of ALTAR BOYZ playing at The Abbey is directed by Steve MacKinnon with choreography by Kim Ball. Featuring a book by Kevin Del Aguila, music and lyrics by Gary Adler and Michael Patrick Walker and conceived by Marc Kessler and Ken Davenport, ALTAR BOYZ made its official Off-Broadway debut on March 1, 2005. After five laugh-packed years and 2,032 performances, Altar Boyz closed Off-Broadway on January 10, 2010, but continued its side-splitting run with national United States tours and international resident productions in Korea, Hungary, Finland, Australia, Montreal and the Philippines.
Rus J
VisitGayOrlando.com
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Steel Nightclub Closes in less than 3 Months, What Went Wrong?
Steel Nightclub Opened just before Gay Days in June and Closed before Labor Day.
The owners of Steel invested a lot of money to create a great looking bar, sweet accents and had an attractive staff, but how did it go wrong so fast?
1. Location, Location, Location
Hidden away behind and beneath the Bank of America building, no Club has been able to make that location work. Plus it is off the beaten path and there are safety concerns and who knew where to park. Other downtown bars are at least 3 blocks away and Steel just didn't offer enough to get patrons to risk the walk.
2. Alternative vs Gay Bar
They wanted to be know as an Alternative Bar and not a Gay Bar, however if you ever went in the place you knew it was a Gay bar, however the Alternative Bar downtown is I-Bar and the crowd that might have embraced Steel as alternative stayed at their favorite watering hole and never ventured to the isolated Steel Orlando. And as for local gays, they just never embraced Steel, it might have been it was so hidden that it wasn't worth the effort to discover verse Orlando's other established locations.
3. Service
The one time I did venture to Steel, I must say I felt like I inconvenienced the bartender from doing nothing. Our group of five arrived and basically doubled the number of people in the bar on a Sunday night and I waited 2 - 3 minutes as the bartender completed a story (not a drink order), then turned around to move some bottles and then when he was ready take an order. My thought was I don't want to come back here.
4. Outdoor Area
While the inside of Steel was beautiful the outdoor area facing the train tracks reminded me more of a jail yard / trailer park with it's chain link fence and plastic outdoor furniture. It just didn't match and kind of screamed, we don't care about this area or we ran out of money. Basically, it was set up for smokers and not for relaxation.
Overall, I was excited when Steel opened up. Finally a gay bar downtown, however after my first visit I just never found a reason to go back; To Far, Didn't Feel Welcome and Didn't Like It Was Hidden. I wanted it to succeed, I wanted to walk to my local gay club, but all in all it was not meant to be.
While I think downtown Orlando is ready for a Gay Club, I don't believe it should be hidden away from the general public in a back alley behind a bank. I think it can survive in the downtown bar district and survive with a mix of gay and straight patrons walking through the door who just want a great time and music.
Steel Orlando had one of the shortest nightclub runs in all of Orlando and it is sad, but with so many missteps it is not hard to see why they did not succeed.
To future bar owners, learn from their mistakes and good luck.
Steel Orlando - RIP
Rus J
VisitGayOrlando.com
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Drag Queens Terrorize Orlando Fabric Stores
Oh Girl, "No they Didn't"
"Oh Yes They Did!"
Drag Queens Gone Bad! Yes, gangs of Drag Queens have been terrorizing local fabric stores stealing boas, filmy fabric, sequins, bras and feather boas.
In an off the record interview, we also discovered that this Drag Queen Gang, was also known for using the phrases "HeyGirl!," HeyGirl, check this out" and "HeyGirl, I must have this!."
Several members of the store's staff who are unauthorized to speak to the media, told us they were often terrorized while the Drag Queen Gang roamed the stores, however many times they were helpful in pointing out tacky shoes, offering fashion advice and once they even gave out free skin care samples.
The Drag Queens often would order yards of fabric, that cost as much as $39.99 a yard, and then stuff it in their man purses and leave! One clerk was noted as saying, "Oh, gosh, they could wipe out a whole section of boas in seconds..."
Well let it be known that Truth, Justice and Better Dressed Inmates have come to Orlando since these purse wielding, wig wearing and heavy base makeup criminals have been removed from the streets of Orlando. Now hopefully Fabric Stores across our great city can relax knowing that this gang is behind bars.
Rus J
VisitGayOrlando.com
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Fasscination Sunday Night Gay Days Party is the Event!
Hopefully your flight is Monday so you will be able to experience one of Wonder World's Marquee events Fasscination a party that is sure to tempt the body and soul.
With DJ Pagano and Peter Rauhofer you won't be able to stand still and as with any Mark baker event he is working to impress and exceed what has been done before so expect the unexpected at the Hard Rock Live Sunday Night. Tickets are still available, get more details for Fasscination here.
Rus J
Visit Gay Orlando and be sure to check out all the Orlando Gay Days Week Events
Friday, June 3, 2011
Tickets To Epcot Retro T Sold Out!
The 1st year Retro T Party at Epcot has sold out!
Congratulations for Let's Go Play creating a new and unique event that allows the Epcot experience to be unique for those visiting for Gay Days.
So it looks like this might become an annual event.
Rus J
Visit Gay Orlando and be sure to check out all the Orlando Gay Days Week Events
Gay Days Saturday Night Parties, Concerts, Variety Shows - It's Gay Days Your Way
Saturday Night offers a lot of options ranging from the big party at Universal to a Variety Show at Hamburger Mary's here is a quick list of Saturday night options for you and your friends.
1. Stay at the Magic Kingdom - Open til Midnight!
2. Matinee IBIZA Rising - Universal Studios - Wonder World Party
3. Salt N Pepa - Parliament House
4. Deborah Cox - Mr. Sisters
5. Leigh Shannon Variety Drag Show - Hamburger Mary's
6. Taylor Swift Concert - Amway Arena
7. Eufuria, Bear Dance - DoubleTree
8. And if you sleep through the early evening - You can still hit Tunnel - the After Hours party starts at 1 am!
Check out more details for these Saturday Night Gay Weekend Events here.
Rus J
Visit Gay Orlando and be sure to check out all the Orlando Gay Days Week Events
