Crate and Barrel’s dark side
Okay, so it’s not so much a dark side as much as it was just dark. The highly anticipated (although mellow compared to the IKEA hoopla of a few weeks ago) opening of the new Crate and Barrel in Tampa was no competition for those major storms. The International Plaza store debuted in the dark—for nearly 90 minutes. During the charity event, a power failure left caterers trapped in an elevator for half an hour while 400 select guests had to stay put sipping margaritas in the reception area. Outside, the deluge of rain backed up cars 35 deep at the valet stand. Despite the minor setback, one spokesperson told the St. Petersburg Times that shoppers spent more than $10,000 at the opening. A percentage of those sales benefit the First Generation Scholarship Fund at USF.
Smeltzer really is gone
Long-time Watermark Sarasota liaison, former Planned Parenthood executive director and GaySarasota.com creator Misty Smeltzer has left the building—or more accurately, the state. Smeltzer has followed her heart and her new honey to Texas, where she hopes to land a great job with an undisclosed charity. Smeltzer shared the news at Sarasota Pride, and said that while she loves Sarasota she’s looking forward to a new beginning in the Longhorn State. In the meantime, Smeltzer hopes to pass the reigns of GaySarasota.com onto someone else in the area, but she wouldn’t share any names at this time. We wish Misty the best as a new Texan!
DJ Vertigo hits Café Alma
Popular DJ Vertigo, also known as WMNF DJ Scott Elliott, is now spinning at Café Alma in downtown St. Petersburg every Friday and Saturday. The All-Souls radio host and former St. Pete Pride chair provides tunes from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Hopefully those yummy tapas and drink specials will keep DJ Vertigo from getting guests too dizzy later in the night.
Fringe notes
Need evidence that the 18th Annual Orlando International Fringe Theater Festival was as gay as ever? Five of the eight “Patrons Picks”—audience favorites at each venue—were decidedly LGBT in content. Zanna Don’t at the large and usually full Silver Venue was to gay what cotton candy is to sweet. Elegies: for punks and angels and raging queens touched audiences at the Red Venue with a musical tribute to those lost to AIDS. The Brown Venue was filled with laughter during performances of The Well of Horniness, a hilariously campy lesbian murder mystery. Blue once again dazzled devoted audiences at the big Orange Venue with VarieTEASE Lullaby, a surreal tale told through creative—and always sexy— choreography. And Logan Donahoo’s production of Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You had audiences gasping and guffawing at the Yellow Venue. Heavy rain thinned audiences on weeknights, but weekends were packed and many shows (like Carole Lee and Miss Sammy’s Schmicked) sold out every performance. Fringe remains one of the best—and gayest—things about Orlando.
Picking sides early
It looks like the upcoming 2010 Florida Governor’s race will be between Democrat Alex Sink, and Republican Bill McCollum, and it’s not too soon to pick sides. That’s why always-generous local activists Ted Maines and Jeff Miller are hosting an early fundraiser for Sink at their beautiful home at the Sanctuary next week. The choice isn’t difficult. Sink, a former president of Bank of America who resides near Tampa, is currently the state’s Chief Financial Officer. She brings needed expertise to a cash-strapped state, and openly supports LGBT equality. Orlando’s McCollum is a former U.S. Representative and current state Attorney General who is tied to the most conservative elements of his party.
Gay movies downtown?
According to Plaza Cinema Café general manager Tim Johnson, the brand new and much-anticipated downtown movie multiplex is enthusiastic about the City of Orlando’s mandate that at least one theater be devoted to art films. And what about using one of those theaters to screen gay films during Come Out With Pride during October? “Great idea,” said Johnson. Details to follow.
