The Half Way to Gasparilla Bar Crawl started at The Honey Pot with over 1,100 partying pirates! This years benefit went to ‘Meals on Wheels’ Hillsborough’. Over at the Castle was Fetish Con. I have always said, “straight people are the kinkiest” and I wasn’t disappointed! There were multiple drag shows at Hamburger Mary’s, Bradley’s and Tease and dancing men at Liquid Lounge, Bradley’s and G.BAR. There was also a Frank Sinatra Party at The Ritz Ybor. So as we were walking over to G.BAR for the Stripper vs Aliens Invasion Party, suddenly we heard our names called out from the parking lot. It was none other than former Tampa…
USF Starting New GLBT Special Collections at Library
The University of South Florida Library in Tampa is starting a new GLBT Special Collections area. We had a meeting with Merrell Dickey, USF Director of Library Development and Mark Greenberg, USF Director & Associate Librarian of Special Collections Dept. and they said they wanted to grow the beginnings of the Tampa Bay and Florida GLBT Special Collections Area. We have contributed the massive collection of gay Tampa pictorial history photo books and gay historical materials from Tampa Pride, Art For Life, Hillsborough Human Rights Force, Equality Florida, Orlando Gay Days, Tampa Intl Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, MCC Tampa, Tampa Bay’s Gay Men’s Chorus and so many other businesses, groups and organizational meetings. This was all from a collection from decades of our dear local GLBT historian and photographer friend, Rex Maniscalco. Covering over three decades of local and statewide gay events, in 13 very large packed boxes, Mark & Carrie donated and delivered this collection.
Also contributed to the special collection is the entire local GLBT monthly magazine collection from The Gazette running from 1988 – 2007, Womyn’s Words monthly 20 year run magazine and a historical collection of 1940 thru 1980s gay photos from local Tampa gay pioneers, Bobbie Smith and partner, Kay Thompson. More items are being collected and added to make USF one of the premiere and most comprehensive GLBT Library Special Collections in the country.
Laughing Cat Restaurant Moved into New Home in Ybor
The world famous Laughing Cat Restaurant has moved across the street into the former Streetcar Charlie’s location. Chef Franco & Chef Jerry are trained in extensive French cooking. At the Laughing Cat they combine the best of progressive Italian with a touch of French flair cookery. For years the locals have all known the secret — this is the very best lunch buffet in Tampa! There is a full hot and cold buffet display with countless items changing daily – for only $9.95. At night the restaurant is a packed house, so we suggest reservations. Thelaughingcat.com
Bernini’s of Ybor. . .a Go Go
Bernini owner Jason is at it again! He has transformed a school bus into a moving party experience! The inside is decked out with European leather, granite counter tops, LED mood lighting, cool air, a HOT sound system and a contained bathroom. In the back is a grill for BBQ and on the side are roll out awnings. Avaliable for rental to ballgames, special events or whatever. . .we’re sure there are going to be many unprintable stories about this special Bernini’s A Go-Go Party Bus. Way to go Jason!
