Metro goes for ‘gold’
The Annual Academy Awards are upon us March 2, and what better way to celebrate the best of Hollywood than with a fundraising party on the beach? Metro Wellness and Community Centers will host its first ever Oscar party, dubbed The Gold Party, at the Bilmar Beach Resort on Treasure Island. Tickets include food, drinks, a red-carpet entrance and, of course, the broadcast of the awards show hosted by Ellen DeGeneres. Money raised from ticket sales benefit the organization’s new LGBT Welcome/Youth Center set to open on Central Avenue this summer. Sponsors of the party include Watermark, Creative Loafing, Georgie’s Alibi, TIGLFF, Balance Tampa Bay and more. Tickets are available at MetroTampaBay.org.
Jorge’s big party
Jorge Alvarado is bringing back his newest season of his talk show in a big way—with an all out party and live recording at Hamburger Mary’s in Clearwater on March 1 and March 4, respectively. The fabulous host of The Jorge Show will host VIPs on March 1 to celebrate the launch of his second season on the air. And on March 4, he’ll record his season premiere at the same location to be shown Friday, March 7, on Channel 32. The show discusses celebrities, fashion and local events and is not surrounded by other paid programming. The show premiered last January on the Tampa Bay Community Network. This will be the first season to broadcast on WMOR TV and Estrella-TV. For details, check out TheJorgeShow.com.
Some lusty gays
Yes, that was Historic Ybor Neighborhood Association president Tony LaColla and Watermark Editor Steve Blanchard featured in Creative Loafing’s Lust List issue around Valentine’s Day. The two out-and-proud men were part of a photo spread and interview section featuring 14 of Tampa Bay’s “lustiest” celebrities. Featured models ranged from bartenders to fathers. All honorees had their photos taken and LaColla and Blanchard were both interviewed by CL editor David Warner, who asked questions about their professions and their physical appearances. LaColla was photographed solo and with his partner, Jose Garboza. Blanchard was photographed solo and yes, lost his shirt at one point. The two were also present at the magazine’s Lust List Party at The Castle in Ybor City on Feb. 13, where they and other honorees were presented their official Lust List certificates.
Time to truly dance at Quench
The popular bar on Ulmerton and 66th Street in Largo has renovated its dance floor, just a few weeks after celebrating its first anniversary. Management posted photos of the renovation on its Facebook page, showing everything from the stripped floor to the immaculate, wooden finish. The new floor triples the dance floor in size and debuted Feb. 25 for the club’s Two-Steppin’ Tuesdays line dancing class.
