If Have A Great Gay Weekend has a theme this week, it’s fast women. From soccer to speed dating, it’s a big weekend for ladies who are light on their feet.
But don’t worry, there’s stuff for the men, too. Especially the rare hybrid of bear+singer+geek. If that’s not you, we found out about two food favorite festivals, side-by-side, which is where Watermark will be whetting our whistles. Read on to learn about the magical combination…
Pro Shop Pub 40th Anniversary Celebration
Friday, April 22- Sunday, April 24
Pro Shop Pub, Clearwater
Join the Pro Shop Pub in Clearwater as they celebrate history as the longest, continuously owned LGBT pub in the state of Florida and the longest running in the nation. Since 1976 they have been slinging drinks for the community and now, 40 years later, they are still going strong. The festivities begin Friday, April 22 with live music from St. Pete natives DoubleMBand. Saturday, April 23 is the big anniversary celebration with drag shows, male dancers, drink specials and giveaways. Sunday concludes the party with a free cookout. Never a cover. For more information visit ProShopPub.us.
Women’s Speed Dating
Saturday, April 23
Metro Wellness & Community Center Ybor, Tampa
All the single ladies, all the single ladies. Are you looking for your future wife or are you new to the area and want to meet some local, fun gals? Come out to Metro’s LGBT Community Center in Ybor on Saturday, April 23 for a women’s only speed dating night. $10 cover to get in plus a cash bar. Planned ice-breakers and plenty of socializing and fun to be had. Call 813-232-3808 for more information or contact Toli at ToliG@MetroTampaBay.org.
Tampa Bloody Mary Festival / Grilled Cheese Festival
Sunday, April 24
Channelside (Bloody Mary) and Centro Asturiano (Grilled Cheese), Tampa
There is nothing that we love at brunch more than a bloody mary and an array of cheeses. That’s why Sunday will be the day you calorie counters will want to save all you points for. First, you have a festival dedicated to the drink of the gods, the Tampa Bloody Mary Festival comes to Channelside. Enjoy unlimited samples of the best bloody mary’s from the Tampa area. Mimosa’s and brunch eats will be available. Then head over to Centro Asturiano de Tampa for the Tampa Grilled Cheese Festival. Food trucks of all kinds will be serving up their best grilled cheese dishes. Their will also be a full bar available. Both events start at 11:00 a.m.
Bearaoke Karaoke Invasion!
Saturday, April 23
The Geek Easy, Winter Park
Bears + geeks = karaoke fun? It will this Saturday, when Bears in the City hosts karaoke at The Geek Easy, starting at 8 PM. At this “fur-tastic” event, local bear celeb Pat O’Rourke will be the man on the mic with a catalog of more than 75,000 songs sure to satisfy your itch to chirp. The Geek Easy will fuel your vocal chords with an affordable menu ranging from veggie burgers to funnel cake fries. Oral Frier from A Comic Shop will co-host. Bearaoke is a doctor-approved way to safely quench any oral fixation.
Orlando Pride v Houston Dash
Saturday, April 23
Orlando Citrus Bowl
The women of Orlando Pride are back at it again – presumably not in white Vans. The first home game of the 2016 season – second overall – is sure to be a who’s who of Orlando you won’t want to miss. Competing under the National Women’s Soccer League (the top division of women’s soccer in the nation), this is the second game of Orlando Pride’s inaugural season. The homegrown love of The City Beautiful that will permeate the Bowl may or may not leave you with a serious case of Instagram FOMO (look it up). To learn more about the upcoming games of the season, click here.
Black & White Bash
Sunday, April 24
Kres Chophouse
The Mad Cow Theatre’s second annual Black & White Bash is hitting the town just in time for the spring arts rush. Doors open at 5 p.m. for the benefit. Proceeds will go directly towards funding the organization, which touts itself as “Downtown Orlando’s only professional theatre company.” Upcoming productions include the Tony Award-winning musical Avenue Q, which will be hitting the stage on June 3. Co-chairs for this event include former Florida House representative Joe Saunders and Orlando Sentinel theater critic Elizabeth Maupin. Tickets are $125 and are available here.
