The Gecko Ball 2010 was held at the beautiful Peninsula Inn & Spa in Gulfport. Guest entered through the Rabit Hole! Into the world of Alice & Wonderland! There was live music by Kevin Wilder and the Mad Hatters. Tableside magic by Kim Magic, who will be bartending at the Dive Bar & Grill. Silent & live auctions and a Wonderland buffet by Chef Luc Molinier. We even had our photo taken in the Wonderland photo booth by Tim & Lynn Finley. Most all the guests were in full costume The garden party & people were absolutely  enchanting. BUT WAIT!!! The fun continues this Saturday, September 4th, Noon - 10PM. The 10th Annual Gecko Fest will be in Gulfport Beach. This Art, Food & Music fest is a favorite & you will not want to miss it. Come early & stay late!!!  

The large bathroom became a natural gathering place in the house.  It had no shower, only a clawfoot tub, but it also had a sofa.  With from six to ten residents, and one bathtub, everyone became close friends.  While one soaked in the tub, another would recline on the couch and read A Streetcar Named Desire aloud. The Tennessee Williams play inspired the residents to fondly name “Belle Reve”
in honor of Blanche DuBois’ Mississippi plantation.

And so it was, on a sultry August afternoon in 1972, that this band of friends decided to plan an amusement.  According to author James T. Spears, writing in Rebels, Rubyfruit and Rhinestones: Queering Space in the Stonewall South, this “motley crew of outcasts” began Southern Decadence as a going away party for a friend named Michael Evers, and to shut up a new “Belle Reve” tenant (from New York) who kept complaining about the New Orleans heat.  As a riff on the “Belle Reve” theme, the group named the event a “Southern Decadence Party: Come As Your Favorite Southern Decadent,” requiring all participants to dress in costume as their favorite “decadent Southern” character.    According to Spears, “The party began late that Sunday afternoon, with the expectation that the next day (Labor Day) would allow for recovery. Forty or fifty people drank, smoked, and carried on near the big fig tree … even though Maureen (the New Yorker) still complained about the heat.”

The last time we took Miss Amber for a hair cut they nicked her in 2 places!!! You all know how we feel about our pets! that was the last time we will ever go to one of those big box stores for grooming. The very creative advertising for the Reef Dog Gifts & Grooming in Gulfport caught our eye. www.reefdoggrooming.com  Owner & operator Mary O’ Malley gave Miss Amber the best cut ever!!! Mary told us that when Miss Amber was finished she jumped back up on the table and wanted more!!! Miss Amber highly recommends you check out Reef Dog for your selves! Located at 2820 Beach Boulevard Gulfport, FL 33707  Phone: 323-7007

It’s very easy to see why Thursday Nights in GaYBOR have become so very popular! There is the GaYBOR talent contest at JJ’s, Nightly Specials at MC Film, Live Music at Hamburger Mary’s, Momma at The Reservoir and Bonnie at The Crowbar. Then around 10 everybody and we do mean everybody strolls over to The Ybor Social/Eagle!!! What an eclectic mix pf people and positive energy! See you there this Thursday! Viva La GaYBOR!!!

Sadly our camera died just as Lei Shannon’s Show started this weekend at Mary’s! Now that’s enough to make a preacher swear!!!! In the positive community spirit Hamburger Mary’s were at Pride on 7th, serving fresh off the grill hamburgers. 100% of the monies raised were donated back to Pride! Its easy to why Hamburger Mary’s  has become so very popular!!! On Sunday nights there is a fun t-dance with DJ Power Infinity and a Drag Show too. For so very many of us Sunday nights are our Friday nights and the end of the week. Thank You Mary’s  for hosting this party for us!!!  Viva La GaYBOR!!!