Fundraisers galore fill Colombo’s calendar

by John Colombo

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Spring has sprung. Just last month while the ink was still wet on your copy of Out Pittsburgh was still buried in snow of epic proportions. As I write this today, the weather is gorgeous and it’s 70 degrees. What a difference 30 days makes. And here’s what happened last month.

Two new LGBT club nights debuted. Alto in Shadyside is now home to Alternative Wednesdays, and Whim, located at Station Square, becomes Sugar every Thursday night.

Sugar bills itself as gay nightlife, just a little sweeter. Admission is $7—$5 with your sugar cube (card)—oh, and parking is not included, so factor in another $5 unless anyone knows a secret parking space nearby. (For your sugar cube card, register online at sugarpittsburgh.com.)

Sugar is produced by Ron Demino of G2 H2 and Ken Huntly, who were approached by Whim to fill the void for the 18-plus crowd back when Pegasus closed/moved. As I am writing this, Heat, Sugar and Pegasus all offer space for 18 and over. None the less, the space at Whim is fantastic, with rotating house DJs and an insane lighting system. Look for future theme parties and possibly some Sunday happenings once Thursdays get established. Seen at Sugar: Yogi Yost and Michael Balderson celebrating Joe Junker’s 31st birthday; and boyfriends Andres Cladera and George Kacenga. Expect Out to next visit alternative night at Alto’s.

The Blow Pop parties have returned, now at Heat. Once weekly events, the theme is now extended through the month. In March Heat was host to “Glow,” which featured black lights, glow in the dark shots, body paint and—what else—go-go boys. On the night we visited, promoter Ryan Skyy was dressed in tights, had white hair and sported a Phantom of the Opera mask. Green lasers darted around the dance floor, which was packed with hot men and women gyrating madly to Adam Lambert’s new dance hit “What Do You Want From Me.” Manning the music: DJ Michael St. John, and applying the glow paint: Caleb Green. Seen: Bob Kompier, Todd Kumer, Tom McBride and Nate Evanoski.

Speaking of Heat, porn star Johnny Hazzard made an appearance at Pegasus at a show hosted by Kierra Darshell. We caught up with the 5' 8" demigod backstage before his show and asked him a few questions. Johnny used to used to write a music review for Frontiers magazine, and he released a single, “Deeper Into You,” back in 1998. Great video, check it out on You Tube. He sounds pretty decent, although he spends an lot of time with his hands in his crotch in the video (not that we have a problem with that). Johnny’s also appeared on here! TV’s The Lair, performing under his birth name, Frankie Valenti, which is a pretty sexy name for a very sexy guy. Someday, Johnny wants to have his own clothing line which could be successful as he wears clothes well. Again, check out that video, he looks great in clothes. OK, and out of them too. Oh, and guys, Mr. Hazzard likes to cook and he’s single.

For the 82nd annual Academy Awards, Spin Bartini invited patrons to watch Oscar on their gorgeous video monitors, including in-booth TVs in the new seating area along the back wall. Everyone had cell phone in hand, texting predictions of winners to friends. Seen watching the stars: Brian Broome who just celebrated a birthday, Dale Markham, Bill Waters, Eric Schmid, Shaun Miller and Andrew Puschel.

The Renaissance City Choir’s Silver Anniversary gala was held at The Priory Feb. 20. Hosted by RCC’s Artistic Director Andres Cladera, Board President Pamela Cochenour, Richard LeBeau and Vicki Green, the event featured the presentation of the Renaissance award, given this year to Gary Van Horn in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the city’s LGBT community. Bunny Bixler emceed the grand auction. After a sumptuous four course dinner, guests were treated to ballroom dancing performance by Tammi Hanak and Nathan Hart, an amazing duo. Guests included: Amanda Green, Deborah Van Horn, Herb Beatty and Erica Olden with husband Denver Dash.

Persad held its annual underwriters’ party at the home of Peter Karlovich and Steven Herforth on March 5. The event, which featured an art preview, was a thank you party for Celebrate Life, Celebrate Art’s sponsors and financial donors. Approximately 200 guests attended. The house was tastefully decorated with floral arrangements by Michael Whitlinger Designs. Kazansky’s Deli provided the food, which was prepared by Chef Tony Solis. Owned by Paul Krause, Kazansky’s has been providing the food and volunteer servers for this event for 15 years. Seen: Betty Hill, Persad’s executive director, and Ryan Tinn, director of development; Gary Van Horn; Tony and Ed Molar-Strejcek, Out publishers; and David Doorley, editor-in-chief, with partner Brian.

The Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force held its A Midwinter’s Night’s Dream at PPG’s Winter Garden, and it was a dream come true. Under the creative direction of Bill Chisnell, this gorgeous party was certainly a “party of the year” contender. Co-chaired by Dr. Michael and Mrs. Norma Sobel, this was PATF’s 24th annual benefit. This year’s recipient of the prestigious Kerry Stoner Award is Richard Raugh, a patron of the arts who has been involved in the local art scene for over 30 years and also involved with PATF for 16 years. The opening entertainment featured a dance performance by Knotdanc. Celebrity guest singer for the festivities was Porsche, a Provincetown cabaret performer with an incredible voice—Porsche can now be seen playing sidekick on “The Wanda Sykes Show.” Later in the evening there was a special performance by the Renaissance City Choir. Seen: Robert Moore, Dan Frankel, Stacy Weiss, Will Carpenter, Mike Tomazak, Sam Badger, Tim McVey and the grande dame of the cocktail set, the lovely Mary McVey.

The 18th annual City Theatre benefit for Shepherd Wellness Community was held March 19. Councilman Doug Shields was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award to the AIDS community. Awards for distinguished service to SWC were presented to Rev. Howard Cherry and Elaine Lynch. Some of those in attendance: Scott Nixon, Joe Kennedy, chair of the host committee; Corey O’Connor, honorary chair; past board presidents Cynthia Klemanski and Terry Stefl; Executive Director Scott Peterman; volunteers Phil Herrington and Bernie Highling; Rodney DeCecchis; Khafre Abif; partners William Schaffer and Larry Kontor, Fred Peterson and Berwyn Clark, and Lou Fazio and Lloyd Welling; plus members from Transpitt who volunteered to sell raffle tickets and act as usherettes: Robyn Michaels, Nikki Noble, Sally Sams and Donna Christopher.

As if there weren’t enough parties in Pittsburgh, Out took to the road to Morgantown WV to attend Sweets for the Sweet, a dessert tasting held at The Ramada Inn to benefit Caritas House, north-central West Virginia’s only AIDS service organization (a United Way agency and member of the West Virginia Coalition for People with HIV/AIDS). Coordinated by Caritas House President James Yost, with Executive Director Sharon Wood and Volunteer Coordinator John Sonneday, the event featured desserts from Morgantown restaurants and music by Samba Nova and raised over $15,000. Out made some new friends at Sweets for the Sweet—like Sheriff Al Kisner and wife Nada Kisner;, Jennifer McIntosh, president of Social Justice at WVU; Sen. Bob Williams; Morgantown Mayor Ron Justice and Montaz Hazelton, Vice Versa’s co-owner. Then we partied the night away at Vice Versa, the best gay bar south of Pittsburgh, in downtown Morgantown.

Email invites, social events and rumors or just say hi: john@outonline.com