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Once again The GaYBOR District is honored to be a part in the Rough Rider’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade this Saturday night! This the only openly LGBT group east of the Mississippi to be in a St. Patrick’s Parade. This says volumes about how GREAT and Diverse the Tampa Bay Community is!!! There are some seats left on the float.

Call 813-247-6233 to reserve yours today.

 

Check out the movie trailer here. The movie making of director Dan Steadman’s movie, “Ybor City” was shot all over the Tampa Bay area parks, buildings, and beaches but a lot was shot and based here in historic Ybor City. It is getting ready to go on the Intl. Film Festival Circuit. Please click like to help promote the film. Then share with all your friends.

This months meeting hosts were The Metro Wellness & Community Centers in Ybor. It was a very informative meeting . Just some of the upcoming events & topics included: the Gasparilla International Film Festival, newly national formed advocate group Get Equal Florida, Transit In a Pinellas County transportation iniative, Latino Gay Pride.

*    In May, GaYBOR/ Hillsborough Community College Student Rooster Art Project. A selection of art students competing and painting ceramic/concrete “Ybor Roosters” and the chance to win a tuition voucher at HCC Ybor Campus. An open HCC Community Gallery Show Reception, Roosters will be displayed throughout historic district in Ybor City Clubs & Stores. Another great GaYBOR community involvement program.

*    GaYBOR will be in the Rough Riders St. Patrick’s Day Parade this Saturday, March 16th. $35 to be a part of the float krewe and $ 20 for walkers. Food, Beads, Fun, Adult Beverages included. MC FILM to sign up.

*    GaYBOR’s Annual Easter Bonnet Bar Crawl is set for March 24th. Tks are $ 15.00 and can be picked up at MC FILM.

*    Miss GaYBOR Pageant is set for May 9th at the Honey Pot

The guest speaker was Jeremiah Kerr. After the meeting Jeremiah took the group on a tour of the Ybor Youth Clinic. The April meeting will be at Bradley’s on 7th, April 12th at 4pm. www.GaYBOR.com

What a way to learn about historic Ybor City and the buildings that were built to house the settlers. Take a trolley sponsored by the State Ybor City Museum Society. Hundreds stopped and toured the small renovated casitas ( family houses) and also toured social centers (Italian Club & Cuban Club) and Ybor’s first cigar factories. Of course food samplings were at the get on/ get off stops to enjoy the ethnic flavors that made up Ybor City 100 years ago.

What a difference a day makes. It has been a while since we have been to the new Dali Museum. It is a real pride to have such a wondrous museum of that stature in our community. Gorgeous!!! The Dali gallery was open for viewing at the private event. Under the downtown St. Petersburg stars was a beautiful warm clear night celebrating the Annual St Pete Pride’s, “Taste of Pride.” Sponsored hosts was our friends at Tyrone Square Mazda, Sonny Gonzales & GM/VP David Fogel. Over 20 restaurants, bars, and caterers handing out samples of there delicious culinary treats. And the open bars! Petite Appetizers, elaborate entrees and savory tasting desserts all in the spirit of the evenings sharing of our community Pride! St. Pete Pride President Aaron Horcha complimented and applauded the vendors and all the contibuting attendees. Dali Sales Director Jim Nixon greeted all the visitors to the new museum home. Georgie’s Alibi, Hollander Hotel, Queens Head, Flamingo Resort were among the many delectable food supplying vendors.

Many friends I hadn’t seen for a while were there and I had to catch up on their happenings. Partners, David Schauer & Ed Briggs introduced me to local activist Darden Rice who is declaring her candidacy for the upcoming St. Petersburg City Council election. Former Grand Central Bar owners, Jim & Kris were as jovial as ever. Note: Grand Central was the first meeting place where we all got together to form St. Pete Pride 10 years ago. The Tampa Bay Leather Tribe had member bartenders serving from multiple bar areas. Dine Out Tampa Bay and Santa Speedo Run promoter Jay Allar was promoting ASAP’s upcoming Miss ASAP Pageant in April.

It was a smash hit with over 600 foodie attendees awing the unique monstrous Dali. St. Pete Pride has monthly events building up to the huge fanfare Pride Celebration on Saturday, June 29th

The growing artsy Grand Central District in St. Pete has a great tenant with very creative events. The now 5 year old ARTPool Gallery shared its eclectic art projects with the community last Saturday evening. Advertised as the Mad Hatters Masquarade Ball & Art/Music/Fashion/Body Art/ Video Pool Art Party!!! A mask, hat or body art was required upon entry. The out of ordinary mountaineer sounds of the Mr. Pickles Band was a sounding background success. The never dull moment festival had many surprises including the ‘simple’ body art contestants, the fashion show and burlesque fire eating show by Tokyo Belle. Behind a floodlight screen was an erotic dancer entertaining the masses by silohette. A wild 1980’s MTV style video show was appearing above the fashion revelers on the side of the back building.

The well packed blend of delights, all from local artists, benefiting their Tampa Bay culture art center. The boutique individual crafts & vintage clothing stores were all open. A small bar, cafe area and smoothie/ tea bar had a long line. Young and old were attracted to the on Central Ave art filled relaxed family celebration.

The next ARTpool Gallery event is coming up March 23 & 24th at their 2030 Central Ave collage of stores. Open daily.

The St. Pete Queen of Thai was very busy during their very busy springtime dinner hour. Bryan Khan and staff had another packed house serving a wide variety of authentic Thai & Japaneese dishes. The St Pete Central Ave Thai eatery had tables of tourists and regulars enjoying the Pan Asian menu of tantalizing dishes. Pad Thai, Fresh Spring Rolls, Yum Beef Salad, Vietnamese Pho & Thai Tom Yum Soups, Stir Fry, Curry Dishes and Seafood Specialty ‘Queen & I’ Dishes.