Introducing Have A Great Gay Weekend, Watermark’s roundup of the best and gayest events for the coming weekend, published every Friday.
We pick three events in the West coast, Tampa Bay/Sarasota area, and three events out of Central Florida. Want to let us know about your great gay event? Email jeremy@watermarkonline.com.
Your taxes all filed and you’re ready for fun? Then check out our picks for this coming weekend:
TAMPA BAY/SARASOTA EVENTS
Trans Community Picnic
Saturday, April 16, 1-5 P.M.
Lettuce Lake Regional Park, Tampa
The Tampa Bay transgender community and allies are coming together for a picnic at Lettuce Lake Park’s Shelter # 9. It’s pot luck, so please bring your best dish, dessert or other food item. The Trans Support Network of West Central Florida will cover water, hot dogs and hamburgers. It is $2 per car of up to 8 people to enter Lettuce Lake Park. There is a planned carpool departing from Metro Wellness and Community Center in St. Petersburg at 11:30am. The party kicks off at 1pm with lunch starting around 2pm No alcohol allowed in the park. Check out TransSupportNetWCF.com for more information and other upcoming events.
Punky’s Purple goes Pink
Saturday, April 16, 10:30am- 3:00pm
Punky’s Bar & Grill, St. Petersburg
Does the old jalopy need a good scrub? Are strangers writing inappropriate messages in the dirt built up on you windows? Well hop in that cool rider and meet me at the car wash! Come on down to Punky’s as they get their sexy crew out in the sun to suds up and get your ride squeaky clean all to raise money so they can adopt two adorable pink flamingos at Sunken Gardens. Their names are Punky and Roz! It’s a requested minimum donation of $5. While you are getting that bucket of bolts polished up, enjoy live jazz on the patio along with Punky’s delicious brunch buffet and drink specials. $3 mimosas, $5 bloody marys and $5 frozen drinks.
Support Love/Support Fun
Sunday, April 17, 7:00pm
The Gator Club, Sarasota
LDG Productions presents Support Love/Support Fun, an LGBTQ (friendly) show of music, contests and prizes. Hosted by Sarasota’s hometown girl Miss Beneva Fruitville, see performances by vocalist Brian Craft, Black Diamond Burlesque’s Abience LaFleur and VooDoo von Boom Boom. Prizes from Kinky Kitty for the Sexy Underwear contest winners. Specialty cocktails and complimentary tastings. $10 cover charge, all proceeds go to benefit the Harvey Milk Festival beginning May 14, additional donations will be accepted. Doors open at 7pm and show starts at 8pm. Come out and make it The Gay-tor Club for the night.
ORLANDO EVENTS
AIDS Walk Orlando 2016
Saturday, April 16, 7:30 A.M.
Lake Eola Park, Orlando
The Hope & Help Center is now in its 21st year of the AIDS Walk Orlando, and with the rising numbers of HIV infection in the state of Florida awareness, education and funds are needed now. AIDS Walk Orlando is the second largest annual fundraiser for the Hope & Help Center of Central Florida in helping them to achieve this mission. Registration fee is $10 for individual walkers and $25 for team captains. For more information and to get registered call 407-645-2577 or visit AIDSWalkOrlando.org.
First Annual Barber Fund Golf Tournament
Saturday, April 16, 8 A.M.
Metro West Golf Club Orlando
FORE! With a vintage, glory days theme and a great cause, the First Annual Barber Fund Golf Tournament is a great way to tee off your Saturday. Proceeds go to The Barber Fund, a 501(c)3 organization that helps people living with cancer. Shotgun start at 8 a.m. Following the tournament a celebration luncheon will be held at the MetroWest Golf Club highly-acclaimed Westerly’s Restaurant. Registration at TheBarberFund.org; or register at the event starting at 6:45 a.m. For more information contact Tammy Humphrey at Volunteer@TheBarberFund.org or (407) 375-3746.
Florida Film Festival
through April 17
Enzian Theater, Maitland
The Florida Film Festival is an Oscar®-qualifying festival, premiering the best in current, independent, and international cinema. Through ten days of 170 films and first-class events, film lovers mingle with filmmakers and celebrities over hand-crafted cocktails and a delicious menu at Eden Bar and inside the theater. Showtimes are all weekend long with a closing Sunday brunch buffet April 17. Schedule and tickets at FloridaFilmFestival.com.
