Author Archives: admin
Dishing with Mark n Carrie. Tampa
Tampa PRIDE Foundation Scholarship
The Tampa Pride Foundation selection committee met to review the many applications for this year’s scholarships. The top 10 applications were selected. Each will receive $1,5000. The winners will be announced soon.
CANCELED …. Tampa PRIDE on the River
The Board of Tampa voted to cancel “Tampa PRIDE on the River” this year. In the years past, many variety acts, bands, entertainers, activists, elected officials and headliners of the RuPaul girls along with many local Drag artists, have performed here. It would be unfeasible to make this event 18 and up. The main Tampa PRIDE 10 Year Anniversary Event is a go for March 2024. Last year the Cuban Club courtyard was made an 18+ event to accommodate the states, “Don’t Say Gay” bills .
From NBC News…
…. DeSantis also signed a measure that prohibits establishments from having children at an “adult live performance.” Though the bill doesn’t specifically name drag performances, DeSantis said Wednesday the law is intended to restrict them.
“There’s these adult performances, these drag shows, sexually explicit,” he said. “What they’re doing is adult entertainment. People can do what they want with some of that, but to have minors there, I mean, you’ll have situations where you’ll have like an 8-year-old girl there, where you have these like really explicit shows, and that is just inappropriate.”
DeSantis noted that Florida’s has taken administrative action against against multiple venues and restaurants that have held drag performances with minors in attendance, “but the reality is we needed the legislature to come in and really clarify that if you are an establishment that’s having adult performances, you have an obligation to make sure that these young kids are not permitted in the premises, and we’re going to hold you accountable.” ….
Read the story here.
ZOIE’S
The must do in St. Pete is ZOIE’S!!!! Tell them Mark and Carrie sent you. https://www.facebook.com/zoiesfl This past week Tru T filmed here! Click here to view this week’s episode of Tru T https://www.facebook.com/trutea1
Ybor City developer Darryl Shaw would like to build a 5,000-seat stadium for his new pro women’s soccer team
Last week Darryl Shaw upset people on Facebook with his vision of Ybor City’s future. Now this week Darryl Shaw is announcing a new soccer stadium. What do you think will be next???
https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2023/05/12/ybor-city-seventh-avenue-revitalization.html
Memorial Day Weekend
Southern Nights
Bradley’s on 7th
You Just Can Not Make This Up
In the 1980’s I was on the board of directors at MCC Tampa (Metropolitan Community Church.) In those days we were called a GLBT affirming religious organization. Many religious organizations were making books called church directories. These books were similar to a High School year book. Since this was before the internet and long distant calls were very expensive, I wrote to the company. The company wrote back that this was the 1st time they had ever done a book for a GLBT group. Then asked was this even legal in Tampa Florida? After a couple more letters they came to MCC Tampa and took all the photos. This was the 1st time many of the people and couples had ever had a professional photo done. Some of the couples thought it was too scandalous to have a photo taken as a couple and choice separate photos. After the books came out the company the sold photos to everyone. They said it was one of the highest average sales per person ever. Fast forward to 5/18/2023. This book would be banned from our schools in Florida today. It is a very sad times for everyone in Florida.
Southern Nights Tampa
Dishing with Mark n Carrie… Grand Opening
Grand Opening TODAY 6PM
https://www.facebook.com/events/215295954445848
Tampa International Fringe Festival
Today – May 14TH
https://www.facebook.com/tampafringe
This Saturday
Tampa Train Day! @ Tampa Union Station
https://www.facebook.com/TampaUnionStation
Ybor City fountain at I-4 is expensive, problematic and going away.
This fountain at Interstate 4 in Ybor City costs $100,000 a year to run. It will soon become something else. [ SUE CARLTON I Times ]
14 million Dollar Updates to Tampa Theatre
The Tampa CRA is proceeding to fund a 14-million-dollar upgrades to the Tampa Theatre. Hum… The Ybor City Development Corp aka YCDC or Ybor CRA has cut all cultural arts grants.
Memorial Day Weekend
Bradley’s on 7th
Southern Nights Tampa
You Just Can Not Make This Up
Our good friends Miss Judy B Good and Paino Man Paul Thomas for the past 10 years have been selling out their cabaret show at the Hollander Hotel in St. Pete. The shows go 1 to 2 hours long. This past week it was a sold-out show again. Half way thru the show a guy stood up at the bar and walked up to Judy, who was performing. He actually said “Are you done with this nonsense now? Just stop! I want to watch the Kentucky Derby on the TV.” Judy replied that the sold-out room had all come to hear them perform. Maybe he could go to the outside bar and watch TV there. The crowed gave him a big booooo.
Bradley’s on 7th
Southeren Nights Tampa
Dishing with Mark n Carrie… Betty White Banned
Who would ban Betty White in Florida???
The Escambia County Public School district in Florida has banned the book “That’s Betty: The Story of Betty White” The children’s picture book features a character with two dads. Under the “Don’t Say Gay” law this book is banned!!! We can only hope the republicans feel safer now.
Pulse memorial will not be built at scene of 2016 mass shooting
Tampa Bay Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
Grand Opening of the Fringe Theatre
https://www.facebook.com/events/215295954445848
https://www.facebook.com/tampafringe
THIS SATURDAY
https://www.facebook.com/events/668404611698547
Zoie’s
A great reason to cross the bridge and head over to Zoie’s!!! What FUN new place to Eat Drink & Party at! Zoie’s is a place for everyone. From Leather to Feathers and everywhere in between. This past Sunday Funday was Miss Joey Brooks & cast. They performed 2 sold out shows. Do not miss this stop in St. Pete. Tell them mark & Carrie sent you. Located at 2245 Central Ave, Saint Petersburg, FL,
https://www.facebook.com/zoiesfl
Southern Nights Tampa
Bradley’s on 7th
“For the Love of Desi” Fundraiser
You Just Can Not Make This Up
This week Tampa Mayor Jane Castor was sworn in for her 2nd term. This reminded us about when Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn was 1st sworn in at the Tampa Convention Center in 2011. The room was packed with 100’s of people there. Then a choir started to sing in the back of the room. In single file they came a strutting, clamping hands, singing in the room. Then all of a sudden, we noticed a very tall guy in the choirs. It was Drag Queen Wanda out of drag!!! As she walked past us Wanda put her finger over her mouth and said shuu don’t tell anyone. LMAO She really could sing too!!! A couple of years later Wanda was murdered in Tampa. They even made a TV show about the killing. But on that day, we saw a different side of Wanda, that many didn’t know about.
