Movie set tents went up in the G.BAR parking lot late Saturday Night. It was perfect timing since that same night GaYBOR District were hosting the Sugar & Surge Parties for the Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.  Parts of the major motion picture, “Magic Mike” are being filmed in Ybor City. Besides the streets of Ybor City locations included The Bricks and the Amphitheatre on 7th Ave. Hundreds of Tampa Bay extras showed up and played their part as patrons on the street getting into the club and dancing on the Amphitheatres rotating dance floor. The film is an independently produced film directed by Oscar-winning director, Steven Soderbergh. Based on the story of the early years of Channing Tatum as an exotic dancer in Tampa before becoming a Hollywood star. The film also stars  Matthew McConaughey, Alex Pettyfer, Joe Manganiello and Matt Bomer. This is the second film for Steven Soderbergh to be filmed in Tampa Bay.  The first was “Oceans Eleven”. The “Magic Mike” budget reportedly is $20 million with $1 million being spent in Florida.

One of the many highlights of the Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival is the Sugar Party for the Girls and the Surge Party for the Guys. The Honey Pot was proud to host the Sugar Party again this year. Set designer Chou Chou & Mathieu transformed the Honey Pot in to a  Sugar Fantasy World!!! Candy & Sugar everywhere!!! On the third floor there were deserts from over 20 famous Tampa restaurants. Three Olive Vodka were passing out snow cones with their new ‘Wedding Cake flavored Vodka’!!! There was even a cotton candy booth too.  The evening began with two performers singing love songs and had all the ladies swooning. High above the dance floor there were aerial acrobats, twisting & spinning. It looked like a scene form “When Night is Falling!!!” The DJ had everybody on the floor dancing the night away under huge white chandeliers with ice cream cones dripping off them.  All we can say is Viva La GaYBOR!!!!

There is a poster on Facebook spreading like wild fire….  It reads ” If you really want to occupy Wall Street do your Holiday Shopping at a small independent merchant.” We can not agree more!  There are so many small ways we all can do this.  Yesterday, on my way to the BIG grocery store I decided to stop by my small neighborhood Italian grocery store “Castellano & Pizzo” http://www.facebook.com/#!/tampaitalian to pick up some cheese.  This family business has been here since 1891. While there of course I found some more “must have” items. Totally inspired by Castellano… Later that night I surprised my better half with one of our favorite  Italian deserts. Torn pieces of Italian prosciutto over fresh melon chunks. Maybe the slogan “Shop Independents”  should also be,

“Re-discover the beauty of your own Neighborhoods!”

The theme to this years All Hallows Ball is “Up in the Air”. Maybe that explains all the fairies we have seen in GaYBOR!!! They are everywhere & OMG many are very HOT!!! The Bluz & BBQ Benefit at Curtis Hixon Park on the riverfront had lines of people sampling and eating favorite bbq from area smokers while listening to some great blues bands. The charity event was set up to help open the now closed Davis Island historical gem, Roy Jenkins Pool. Thousands came out and had a blast. I think there was some cash made for those expensive city pool renovations. Thanks editor, Bill Sharpe & South Tampa Community News! TIGLFF had quite the week with over the top new festival films, actors and directors parties, Taste of Tampa Bay, Vendor show, more great feature films and tons of people to credit helping volunteer and staff for the film festival. Job well done, president Ken Hodges and staff!! Judy B Goode is driving good these days in her NEW CAR!!! At the Straz Center, part of the Broadway Shows, this week is the Creepy Zany new musical play version of creator, Charles Addams namesake and quirky family, The Addams Family” perfoming all week.