Category Archives: Special Events Photos

Rene’s Cabaret Reunion

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A club that is not recognizable or familiar to many had its hey day in the 70′ & 80’s! Rene’s Club Cabaret on Kennedy Blvd (now doctor clinic & office) had an outdoor swimming pool, cabanas, large stage show area for drag performances and large bars in its 3 room divided up building to serve customers. The club was named after it’s owner, Rene Rodrigues. Rene was a diva character to say the least. Standing a tall 5’2″.  Rene loved drag to say the least! The Tampa club was created and built to Rene specs. It premiered a cast of club kids & drag queens at an earlier generational era. The head of the shows was Miss Tiffani Middlesex and her hand picked auditioned drag performers.
Mark & I went there and we were young USF students. Rene liked us and gave us FREE VIP anytime passes. We still have our VIP Rene’s card (#111 & 112) in our glassed souveniers.
Saturday night Miss Joey Brooks brought back the old cast for a reunion for friends and members of the casts. Hundred packed Bradley’s on 7th. Hugs and greetings were shared by out of towners and locals that haven’t connected or communicated  in years. It was a great memory lane for the packed house many. On stage was Miss Tiffani Middlesexx, Esme Russell, Dana Douglas, Apple Love and Joey Brooks.  
Thank You Joey for a re-creation to the past times in present tense but remembered by our youthful years

Twilight Market at the Roosevelt

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Do you want organic grown vegetables, herbs and freshly baked organic goods. No stimulants or antibiotic grown plants and herbs are also For Sale every Tuesday evening from 5:00 – 10:00 pm at the Roosevelt on 15th Street and 8th Avenue in GaYBOR/ Ybor City. A full market with natural hemp clothing, hand crafts, items, classes, chemical Free dog food & biscuits. The Beef & New dried mushroom jerky was a tasty hit! Food stands and Food Trucks are also on premises.
 Stop by and check out the newest of shopping ventures in GaYBOR/ Ybor City every Tuesday evening at the Twilight Market.

Bear’d Out

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The doors opened to the now famous Bear Night Out at the lower bar at Ybor Social. The overwhelming number of Bears, Cubs, Otters and friends came from as far away as Ft. Lauderdale, Melbourne and Orlando. A variety of special on stage performances made for a wild party night. Bartenders Vinny, Wolfy and staff had the drinks flowing and got the crowd in the ‘out of hibernation’ mood. An after rumble continued for the large gathering and set right next door at the Ybor Resort & Spa. Great to see friends that haven’t been to GaYBOR for some time.
The 2nd Saturday is Bear Night Out at the Ybor Social. Grrrrr will see you there

Happy 3 Year Anniversary… Hamburger Mary’s

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    Congratulations to Hamburger Mary’s Ybor City in their 3rd year  anniversary celebration. The bar & waiter staff also did a Turn-a-Bout drag event benefitting  Metropolitan Ministries Children Fund. Customers graciously donated to the some; funny, amusing but not so pretty cross overs. Pics below tell the story.  HM hostess Melanie Minyon was the ring master for the night.
    Kudos to Hamburger Mary’s for another great year and all the non profit support you give.

GaYBOR Store Front Decorating Holiday Party

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    The competition was fierce this year in the annual storefront decorating event. Hundreds of Ybor City businesses, bars, clubs, retail shops, offices and residents went all out to win the bragging rights and the $$$ of donated gifts and hotel weekend stays. The many judges had a hard time and the number of entries doubled over previous years. All making GaYBOR/ Ybor City a prettier holiday experience. 
    Winners this year.  Best Decorated Bar – Gaspar’s Grotto, Best Decorated Restaurant- Carnes Chop House, Best Decorated Retail- La France and Best Decorated Residents home went to
    The party was held at Bradley’s on 7th and over 350 attended the holiday fare with flair party. The hilarious entertainment included, Miss Joey Brooks, Esme Russell, Melanie Minyon and cast.

Obituary

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Terry Petsch
Died 11-27-2012
When we heard that our good friend Terry had passed we started to look for a “Good” photo of him. In all the photos he was making a humorous face. Then we realized, that was Terry. He was really a big kid at heart. Big smile on his face as he always enjoyed life and was having a great time. Many people will remember his parties at Ft. DeSoto State Park,  The Suncoast Resort & Flamingo Hotel. Born in Minnesota, partners in the Saloon Bar in Mpls, he relocated to Long Boat Key where he operated his framing studio in Siesta Key. Terry will be missed by many in our communities. His sudden bout with cancer was a surprise to us all. Rest in peace our fun loving Italian friend.

Lighting of the GaYBOR/ Ybor City Holiday Tree

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The official kick off to the 2012 Holiday Season has begun!!!
Groups like: The GaYBOR District Coalition, YCDC &&& Businesses: like Hamburger Mary’s, Honey Pot, G.BAR, Social, MC Film Fest, JJ’s Cafe, Carne, Don Vicente Inn &&& Ybor residents: like Mike, Scott, Rich, Tessa, Jack, Mamma &&& Many Many more organizations and individuals all worked together, under the leadership of Mathieu Stanoch & Florida Entertainment Group, to bring an exciting line up this Holiday Season. Last week volunteers decorated the famous 7th Ave. lamp posts of GaYBOR/ Ybor City. It really looks marvelous and highly welcoming.
On Wednesday, 11-27-12 was the lighting of the Holiday Tree in Centro Ybor. Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Santa Clause both did the honor of lighting the 2 story tree. There were 100’s of people and performers from Busch Gardens & The Straz Performing Art Center all there to cheer them on. Mark your calendars now for Saturday, Dec 15, 2012, the date of the next BIG event you will not want to miss and experience! “The Holiday Spirit Parade & Snowing on 7th Ave.”  (We hear there will be snow flying.)

Latin Heritage & Cigar Festival Lights Up

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This year the 14th Annual Latin Heritage & Cigar Festival moved its location from Centennial Park to Ybor Square. The weather was clear skies and Florida perfect for any type of outdoor festival. The proceeds from the festival will go to the Ybor City Museum Society.  Broadcasting live on major radio networks from the courtyard stage the National Cigar Show, the many interviewed guests included local Ybor writer and author, Paul Guzzo, Cigar City Magazine writer and Tampa Bay History Museum Marketing Director Manny Leto and many national & local cigar makers & connoisseurs.
This year thousands participated and attended the special heritage and cigar event. Three of the big Tampa Bay sports teams were represented with the TB Buccaneer Cheerleaders, Tampa Bay Lightning Hockey interactive display, Tampa Bay Ray’s Batter Up Experience. Food Truck Rally ( including Michelle Fadedo’s Best Ever Devil Crabs), Ybor City Architecture Tours, live bands, and a conglomerate of fine cigar sellers were displaying and selling what Tampa is known for, Great cigars.
Along with all the festivities was the charity booth, ” Cigars for Soldiers” where cigars are gathered and donated all to be shipped abroad to our Fighting Overseas American Soldiers!
This was also the first year for Cigar Palooza. The Bear Cigar Smokeout in Ybor City this past weekend follows other national Bear Cigar events in P- Town and Las Vegas.! Great job promoter Chris Reilly!
You can donate cigars or money to this special 4th year Ybor cigar benefit by contacting the Ybor City Development Corp.,  813-274-7936

Holiday Decorating GaYBOR/Ybor City

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The GaYBOR / Ybor City family all came out to put bows on the Ybor Street lights and helped re-create a small town Holiday setting last Sunday. With direction from Mathieu Stanoch, GaYBOR leaders and the YCDC, Ybor has that holiday feel for every man woman or child to experience. More great events are in the works this week. Holiday Tree Lighting in Centro Ybor. Thousands attended last years festive tree lighting.