“A Night Out with Mark & Carrie” And the Winner is….
Yes, the Oscars were last weekend, but this is a better “And the Winner is” story. Creative Loafing had their Holiday Online Auction to benefit the Children’s Home last December. The winning amount of all the auctions given to the Children’s Home was $12,077. What a remarkable venture and charity event. Mark and I were chosen as an item to be creatively auctioned off. We had secured some fine eating establishments, bars, clubs, shopping and other tempting places to take in and the rest would be off the cuff as we normally do.
Yes, the Oscars were last weekend, but this is a better “And the Winner is” story. Creative Loafing had their Holiday Online Auction to benefit the Children’s Home last December. The winning amount of all the auctions given to the Children’s Home was $12,077. What a remarkable venture and charity event. Mark and I were chosen as an item to be creatively auctioned off. We had secured some fine eating establishments, bars, clubs, shopping and other tempting places to take in and the rest would be off the cuff as we normally do.
The winner was local resident Brad Nelson and 3 friends, Jim, Scott and Mike. We started at MC FILM as a meet and greet and laid out plans of the night’s happenings. We got started by going to Streetcar Charlie’s with bald, fun loving manager Charlie bringing out appetizers and drinks. Everyone loves their famous deep fried green beans and chicken strips! We walked the Ybor brick streets and took a break as we window shopped and went into the new hair salon in Centro Ybor, Tribecca Colorsalon and Becky’s Box of Beauty. We were treated to a tour of the hair, nail and beauty school facility. Next we were off to GameWorks to unwind as we did work our store all day. Races were won and some video games we just couldn’t get the knack of. Thank you, Miss Valerie. Dinner was graciously provided by Teatro on 7th with Chef Bill and Leigh Haines welcoming us to the historic red brick El Centro Espanol Building, which was home to the first Ybor City Mutual Aid Society. A 130 member wedding party, a group from the class of 1955 Hillsborough High School Reunion and 2 couples getting out of Wesley Chapel to get some excitement were our dining comrades for the evening.
Arriving from Daytona Bike Week was the other owners, Gen. David Scott and wife Jill, right off the motorcycles all dressed in their leathers. What a fabulous dinner we all had! On to Hamburger Mary’s for dessert and show, where we ventured into a room filled with hundreds of friends. Flamed platters filled with graham crackers, chocolate bars, marshmallows and a burning centerpiece for cooking our smores. Amy DeMilo, Jocelyn Summers and Ybor City’s First Lady of Drag, Miss Joey Brooks, were the famous drag queen stars for the night. Owners Curt & Mike had a standing room only crowd and the balcony was packed. It was on to Organic 1 Art Show for a preview of their new upcoming art show. Local artist Noah had a metal sculpture piece that had just won Red Bull Intl. Sculpture Contest this past week. Mama at Reservoir Bar was ready for the gang to have an after dinner drink. Honey Pot Manager Ernie welcomed us. They had a great number of people dancing all over the colorful dance floor. On to G. Bar for a VIP service sitting and a wild male review show with dance music extravaganza DJ Greg Anderson. Miss Arica Love had us partying with shots and complimentary champagne. Whew …thanks Steve & Steven! It was now well into the early morning hours and we finished our night out with special guests at Ybor Social. Brad and friends headed off to the complimentary Hampton Inn & Suites to sleep.
When asked if this was a “typical Saturday night with Mark & Carrie”, we replied, “No, sometimes we really get wild!”
