Category Archives: Special Events Photos

New Must Try Restaurant.

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    We just love the magic of GaYBOR!!! After a full Sunday FUNday, we stopped by Bradley’s on 7th. Sitting next to us were 2 very cheerful guys. Ryan & his friend. The conversation moved to food. When we talked about kim chee Ryan’s eyes opened up. It turns out he is a chef at the new restaurant across the street to the University of Tampa, “Edison: food + drink lab.”
    Ryan described a chef’s special, Tuna Tartar with kim chee & Korean pickles that they make at the new open air trendy bistro. The next day we made a trip to the Edison. Located at 912 W. Kennedy Blvd in the same building as GaYBOR Members Tribeca Hair.
    The dinning room has a fresh, clean, scientific fun Edison- esk atmosphere. The luncheon menu was full of interesting & unusually interesting savoring items, mostly New American Modern Cuisine. Our server explained that most of the items have 5+ flavors hid on each plate. We looked up to see our friend, Melissa (Madge) Judge was working there as brand operations mgr. We commented on how fantastic the menu was then she told us who the Chef-Owner is… Jeannie Pierola!!!
    WOW Jeannie is a legendary celebrity chef in Tampa. From Bern’s Steak House and SideBern’s Restaurants to private pop up parties!!! The staff is made up of people who Jeannie personally knows and has worked with. The food, service & atmosphere all got 5 out of 5 stars from us. Our only complaint is that Edison is not located in Ybor City! LOL LOL
    You all know how much we like to walk to everything. Edison’s is perfect for “Date Night!!!” We highly suggest reservations for this “Must Do” restaurant at http://edison-tampa.com/
Follow Edison on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/EdisonFoodDrinkLab

VM Ybor District House Tour

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    On a beautiful sunny Sunday, V.M. Ybor District had its VM Ybor 2012 House Tour showcasing 10 homes and businesses just north of the I-4 separation from Historic Ybor City.
    Remodeled cigar and bungalow homes were on the open tour invite. A record number of people took in the tour that included and starting point the old 1908 Ybor Grammar School now Academy Prep Center of Tampa. Welcoming the home was local architect Kim Headland and a host of other community volunteers. The area is changing with the economy changing and a high interest in moving to Ybor City area. Other notable places were J.C. Newman Cigar Factory Museum building . The greatness was the four sided tour clock that people governed their time by. The location of old St Benedicts Moor School location now sits one of the relocated homes from the I-4 expansion. The historical house has many recognizing facts. One being a home of Tampa mafia kingpin, Vincent LoSacalzo. This was also the site of one of the first schools for African- Cuban students. There were laws of against teaching young Africans on Florida laws. The 1913 Florida law that was acted upon, “An Act Prohibiting White Persons from Teaching Negroes in Negroes Schools.”
    All along the sidewalks is a poem embedded in the specially laid granite sidewalk by City of Tampa Laureate, James E. Tokley ,Sr.. It is on the corner of 17th Street & Columbus. Very worth while to see.
Some of the on tour homes were completely remodeled as others alongside them are in various stages of renovations. A very happening re-development area.
    Congratulations to the VM Ybor Neighborhood Association on a great insight to a special area in Tampa.

Guavaween, A Big Success Changeover

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    After years of a Ybor City Mama Guava Parade, 24 block fenced in area of Ybor, and a cover charge to enter, this year it all changed! And to the good! More costumed characters came out and took part of the new Guavaween celebration changeover. Although the numbers aren’t in the estimated police number was up over the past years.
    This year more of an adult wrist banded music venue at 8 clubs that was a huge hit for the clubs and for the Ybor Chamber of Commerce. Guavaween is an annual fundraiser for the chamber. The paid wristband let you get an entry to hear top bands perform and all the other Ybor businesses were open for a more regular Saturday night of fun and craziness.
    There was a bit of confusion on whether visiting partiers had to pay an admission charge to get into Ybor City. The main charge was for the wrist bands that got you into the 8 music venue clubs. Other clubs charged accordingly.
    Costume contests at Hamburger Mary’s, Honey Pot, Centro Cantina, Bradley’s on 7th and G. Bar all created over the top entertainment and grusome ghostly zombie parties. The street costume watching was just as exciting as being in any of the clubs.
    It was a win, win for Ybor City!

New BEARhood Take Over Party

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    Congratulations to the party organizer/ bartender Vincent Salpietro. The new 2nd Saturday of the month Bear Party is held in the basement of the Ybor Social. See all the photos at www.mcfilm.co You will not want to miss the next party. Become a friend of Vinny today at https://www.facebook.com/vincent.salpietro.5?fref=ts

EL GOYA Reunion

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    Friday night was an El Goya Reunion Party and brought back great memories of days past. Bradley’s on 7th was the host to the 30 year old kindling. Hosted by Joey Brooks and a cast of performing entertainers that haven’t performed in years. Attending and performing were some of the Ybor City’s Golden Days Drag stars. The numbers and outrageous outfits were spectacular. Bobbie Lake, Melanie Minyon, Gilda Golden and Joey Brooks. The place was packed with memory hounds, well wishers and renewed friendship seekers. Also was longtime area favorite Drag Star, “Hey Everybody” Stephanie Shippae.
    Memories of the 1980’s days of the very popular gay bar were portrayed by the smiles, talents and friendships that people developed. This was a very visual exciting youthful gay bar that many found out and acted upon their true inner feelings and found a comfort zone.
    “Straight or gay, El Goya was a very popular place to take visiting dignitaries to.” said former Tampa Mayor Dick Greco. ” Most people had never even seen a real drag show and it was a very interesting place to take our city’s VIP visiting guests. I loved it. And so did the guests.”
    “Mayor Dick Greco had a reserved table in the front of the stage whenever he wanted it.” commented reunion host Joey Brooks.
    Ybor City’s famous El Goya closed in late 1980’s changed to Tracks and then Pleasure Dome and now Czar.
“It was so unique back then in Ybor City that it was one of 2 businesses that stayed open after dark, the Columbian Restaurant and El Goya. “ said Horst Glamsh, a lifelong Tampa Bay resident, bartender and El Goya Bar frequenter.

90+ Trees were Murdered in Ybor City by the City of Tampa!!!

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    Friday, Sept 21, 2012.    The tall & luscious trees only crime was providing shade & beauty to historic Ybor City. Many of these trees were 15 years and older.  The trees were located between 6st Ave on the south & 9th Ave on the north and 14th Street on the east & 20th Street on the west.  Attached are photos of 90 trees (we counted others report 100 trees gone) gone and very much missed already.   To say the community & visiting guests to Ybor are outraged is an understatement.

WELCOME New Neighbors to GaYBOR/Ybor City

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Here at MC Film we have new fun neighbors upstairs!!! The spaces is share by Interior Designer Carla D. Atkinson owner of  “Carla Atkins Design Interior Design” and Elliott Wheeler Architect.  With great humor the two tell their friends & customer that they are located in the small metal shed between MC Film & The Ybor Resort & Spa!! LOL LOL That is kinda true. The small metal shed leads to the stairs leads  to the entire second floor above MC Film.  WELCOME to our corner!!!!

GaYBOR District Meeting

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    TIGLFF Executive Director Larry Biddle talked about the 23rd Annual Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival starting October 5th at the Tampa Theatre. What a great time to get out and have fun seeing new GLBT movies being theatrically released for the year. Florida Aquarium’s Animal Registrar, Jason Donnell talked about the future million dollar expansion program of the aquarium, group events and finding the 1900 sunken boat in Hillsborough River. The GaYBOR District gave a $500.00 check to the Holiday Spirit of Ybor Festival for the upcoming 6 week Christmas Holiday events in Ybor City. The next GaYBOR Meeting is October 13th.