Photos of the Week
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“Dishing with Mark & Carrie” E-Newsletter Turns 20 Years Old
It was 1996 at the corner of Himes Ave and Kennedy Blvd at MC FILM FESTIVAL, “Dishing with Mark & Carrie” started an e-blog of Tampa Bay Gay events and places to go. The sign up sheet was on the counter of the store. The clock turns steadily and now 20 years later the Award winning blog turns 20 Years
Old!
Mark & Carrie, owners of MC FILM FESTIVAL a Gay Pride Shop and Theater started the printed bi monthly free version for 4 years then went to the E-Newsletter. The Rainbow flags flew on the streets of Kennedy blvd and so many visitors and tourists stopped in. A regular hangout also for the Tampa Bay community to stop in and catch up on the gossip that was happening around town. Free materials, brochures and business cards were on the Free Take It Table. The store was next to Metro, a well known gay bar on Kennedy Blvd.
Covering new innovative conceptual plays including “Mama’s Ghost” by Max Turner and “A Tale Like Mine” by Zeke Zetterman, both were writers in Tampa. Musicals, meetings space for so many organizations, and unique events. The Candlight Vigil for Harvey Milk back in the mid 1990’s, the beginnings of Gay Days at Disney meetings, Tampa Gay & Lesbian Film Festival showings and the Spring Fling Gay Festival 1996-1999. Ms Joey Brooks performed along with 5 other performers. Joey is still Ms MC FILM.
THIS SATURDAY!!!!!
3 HUGE EVENTS!!!!
Francis House to Merge with ASAP
Changes happening in our community. Francis House in Tampa and ASAP , a Clearwater AIDS Service Organization, are joining forces. We have signed an initial memorandum of understanding and plan to operate as a member of Empath Health, a Clearwater-based care network.
The Francis House-ASAP merger brings together service providers on both sides of Tampa Bay, each with their own set of unique services, stated Rafael Sciullo, president and CEO of Empath Health.
Both the Francis House and ASAP campuses will continue to provide services to clients, uninterrupted.
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn
Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Dr. Catherine Lynch Buckhorn, and U.S. Ambassador to Singapore and fellow Floridian Lirk Wagner joined President Obama and Mrs. Obama Tuesday night at a state dinner at the White House for Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Opening SOON in St. Petersburg
Hillary’s America: Loved Ones
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To be fare. We wanted to post the Official Trump LGBT Commercial, but couldn’t find one.
Masquerade Ball by Balance Tampa Bay
Balance Tampa Bay did another astounding Masquerade Ball Charity event at District 3 last Saturday nite. The lines of revelers continued around the corner to get in. Outfits were glamorous to eye brow discreet. The 2nd year for the special late summer event benefited Francis House for all they contribute and do for the community.
On the dance music spinning table was famed lookin good DJCK. A night of great Salsa entertainers, dancers and meeting old and new friends.
Balance Tampa Bay is an LGBTA volunteer organization founded in 2011 with the mission to promote Fellowship, Fun and Philanthropy throughout the LGBT community and Tampa Bay as a whole.
Visit www.BalanceTampaBay.org
Femmes and Follies
Miss Katie James and her performing troupe of wonderful ladies did it again. The WOW SHOW that just keeps giving it more every time. This past Sunday was the “Super Heroes Show”. Here are some of the photos from the night. Many more photos were way TOO HOT for Facebook!!! Visit their site today and don’t miss the next show on October 16th…. “Things that go Bump in the Night”!!!!
Caught @ Bradley’s on 7th
Caught @ Hamburger Mary’s
Caught @ Liquid
Caught @ Steam Friday’s
From The MC Film News Bag
GeckoFest Brings Music, Magic, Thrills to Gulfport
GULFPORT, FLORIDA: Gulfport’s 16th annual GeckoFest promises a full day of free family-friendly fun on Saturday, September 3rd from 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. The streets of the waterfront village will be filled with live music on two stages, hundreds of food, art and craft vendors, kids’ activities, and up close and personal street performances by a bevy of acrobats, magicians, daredevils, dancers, aerialists, escape artists, fire eaters, balloon artists and costumed characters. GeckoFest is located along Beach and Shore Boulevards in the heart of Gulfport.
The theme for this year’s festival is “20,000 Geckos Under the Sea!” Join in the spirit by arriving in your choice of “salty,” “steampunk,” “geckofied” or other costume. The GeckoFest wacky walking parade invites everyone to join in at 6:00. A costume contest for kids and adults will take place after the parade.
The festival will be flanked by two stages offering music throughout the day and night. The line-up for 2016 emphasizes local talent from Tampa Bay. Hours of lively tunes will come from singers and bands including Rosewood Creek, the Southern Road Dog Band, Laura Shepherd, Dan Stevens, Rich and Joe, the D20 Band, Paul Anthony Band and more. GeckoFest ends on a high note each year with its ever-popular, high-energy street dance starting at 8:00.
GeckoFest’s strolling and stationary street performers bring fun, thrills and a circus atmosphere to the village with a chance to get close to the action. Entertainers will make you laugh, gasp and applaud. Step right up and participate in a magic trick. Witness extreme stunts happening just a few feet away. Tie up an escape artist and watch him maneuver out of his bonds. Pose for photos with your favorite characters. Take home your own free, fanciful balloon creation.
This year’s street performers include past favorites and brand new ones. Father-son duo Dallas and Nick are reprising their amazing feats of fire juggling and escape artistry. The Amazing Kenny returns with his mixture of stilt-walking, juggling, fire-eating and ballooning. Comedy/stunt artist David Ferman creates both laughter and wow-worthy daredevilry. Crazy Indy climbs into his Cyr wheel to perform outlandish acrobatic feats. Magician Rafael Villa amazes crowds with sleight of hand. Loz Primoz International Breakerz will entertain crowds with body-twisting energy. Other jugglers, magicians, acrobats, face painters, mimes, dancers and aerialists will be on hand throughout the festival area. Favorite costumed characters will be roving the village ready to pose with you for your photos, including pirate Captain Jack, Darth Vader, Spiderman, and the “O-Fish-Al” Gecko Goddess, as well as “living statues,” more pirates, fairies, undersea creatures and giant geckos. The WONDER FLOW fire show will light up the night after the sun goes down.
Up to 200 vendors will offer arts, crafts and other goods, as well as foods from across the spectrum to complement the many local restaurants in the village. Beer and wine will also be offered at two festival locations. Purchases from GeckoFest vendors, as well as Gulfport’s own, shops, galleries and restaurants support local, home-grown small businesses.
Parking for GeckoFest is free. Free shuttles also offer visitors an opportunity to park in off-site locations for transportation to and from their vehicle and the festival site. For more information on GeckoFest, directions and parking go to www.GeckoFest.com. Like the Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/GeckoFest. GeckoFest offers a fun-filled opportunity to explore quirky Gulfport, a wonderful slice of “Old Florida,” on one of its most colorful days of the year.
GeckoFest is preceded each year by the Gecko Art Show, Gecko Crawl and Gecko Ball. All events are hosted by the non-profit Gulfport Merchants Association. This year’s GeckoFest is sponsored by the following supporters: BeachLife, Budweiser, City of Gulfport, GEICO, Go Tonight, Golin Harris/Tobacco Free Florida, Gulfport Beach Bazaar, Jim’s Harley Davidson, Key West Express, Paradise News, Pet Supermarket, ProSuzy, Rainbow 411/GSH Radio, Smokin’ J’s BBQ, Staywell, Tampa Bay Rowdies, Tampa Bay Times, tbt, The Gabber, and YELP. A portion of proceeds from all Gecko events benefits local charities each year. This year’s charitable recipients include the Gulfport Historical Society and First Florida Frontiers.
Contact: Suzanne King; suzfest@gmail.com; 727-322-5217
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Discover Gulfport on the web! Go to VisitGulfportFlorida.com