IN WITH THE OUT CROWD

Summer doesn’t slow Colombo’s social roller coaster

 

by John Colombo

June and July were action packed months in Pittsburgh. So many parties, so many events and too many cocktails. Now August approaches and the fun’s not over yet. (Did you know that August was originally called Sextilis, the sixth month in the original ten-month Roman calendar under Romulus? If it were still called that we would have shortened it to Sex. So have a great Sex and get out and enjoy what’s left of the summer.)

Heard about Bowl-oke? In June, Ken Huntley of Big Gay Extravaganza got a group together at Arsenal Lanes in Lawrenceville bowling and Karaoke. Simultaneously? That would be talent, but no, the Karaoke was a separate activity for when the bowlers took a break.

As good fortune—or planning—would have it, Ken booked lanes right next to the bar. Quite frankly, bowling just makes my fingers hurt, so let’s just say my favorite part of the night was the bar. And watching the boys bowl. Smiles were plastered on all the faces, or it could have been the Tequila shots chased with pickle juice everyone was drinking—don’t try that at home. High scoring bowler was Rich Bailey, who must have had less Tequila than the rest of the group. Also bowling: Burke Tyler, Craig Coppaway, Kevin Kowalski, Jim Biros, Randy Bowser, Bill Waters and Carter Lee.

Gloria Gaynor performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at Heinz Hall in June, and I had the pleasure of running into her twice. By chance I bumped into a good friend, Kim Racan of studio e entertainment, who was dining with Gaynor, her husband Gary and event planner Bonnie Walker. I had a few words with Miss Gaynor and party at the table and later told Kim what a fan I am.

The next day Kim called me with tickets to the show. Under the direction of Resident Conductor Lawrence Loh, the PSO performed brilliantly for the first half of the show. After the intermission Miss Gaynor and her band took front stage with the PSO behind. Magic! The hall, bathed in red and purple lights, set the mood for the opening number, a cover of “Going Out of My Head.” Gaynor followed with “Never Can Say Goodbye,” “Killing Me Softly,” “I Am What I Am” and, of course, the main course as a finale, “I Will Survive.” The audience rushed the stage to sing and danced along. After the show, I joined Gaynor and her party for food at drinks at a downtown hotel.

At one point I found myself alone with Gloria Gaynor!! for over 15 minutes. She is one of the sweetest, most humble and adorable woman in the world. Some of the things she shared with me: the death of her sister who was murdered as well as the talent of her brother who can sing but won’t.

When I asked her about the Studio 54 days, she replied, “Yes, I knew them, but they were a little too crazy for me.” To drive the point home, Miss Gaynor said, “You know that moon with a spoon on the wall of Studio 54? I just thought it was cute. I didn’t know [what the spoon represented]. Sometimes my limo driver would slow down in front of the club, and the doorman would say, ‘You don’t want to come in tonight, Miss Gaynor.’” She’d thank him and off she’d go to another club instead.

Last tidbit: her biggest hit, “I Will Survive,” was a B-side number to her cover of “Substitute.” Gaynor couldn’t get the record company to push it, and it wasn’t until a DJ flipped and played it that it became a big hit.

Like a Virgin. I said like. On July 1, Kingdom Come held it’s Virgin Territory debut drag king show at the 31st Street Pub. Virgin Territory featured cutting edge comedienne Tamale Sepp from Chicago. Tamale’s performance explored gender and social themes, incorporating comedy, burlesque, drag, fire dancing and tribal belly dancing. She was hilarious. Also featured that night was Drag King J.J. Cox, Mr. Pittsburgh Pride 2010.

The event featured a “sacrifice” where individuals who have never performed drag (or “virgins”) were randomly selected, dressed by drag experts and given the chance to perform an impromptu drag number. Raffle money raised was donated to Equality Advocates, a non-profit agency dedicated to achieving equality for LGBT individuals in Pennsylvania through direct legal services, education and policy reform.

As per my usual experience at drag king performances, I clocked a hot guy out the corner of my eye, only to realize later it was a King! Also titillating, the “kings” performed numbers wearing suits. I love a man in a suit. Best Outfit went to Dylan Dior, who performed as a beer-swilling cub scout in one number. At the event were, to my surprise, my old counterpart, whom I’ve never met before, a former Out photographer Bernie Schillins with partner Drew Knapton and friends Gloria Thorn and Lois and Rich Pickering.

In mid-July, a fund raiser was held on Mount Washington—yes, at that house—for County Council Representative Rich Fitzgerald, who was instrumental in helping Amanda Green Hawkins get the county anti-discrimination ordinance passed in 2009.

Fitzgerald is the representative of District 11, which includes Homestead, Mount Oliver, Munhall, West Homestead and the eastern parts of the city, including Squirrel Hill and Shadyside. He has been a member of the Council since the inception of the County’s Home Rule Government in 2000 and is serving his third consecutive term as Council President. He and his wife Cathy and their eight children—sans one—were in attendance.

If Dan Onorato becomes our next governor, Fitzgerald will become Allegheny County Chief Executive, Onorato’s current position. However, even though he gets the position automatically, he will have to run for the position formally during the next election, and this is what the evening’s fund raiser was all about. Gary Van Horn, who donated the beverages that evening, gave a speech endorsing the duo. Seen: Laura Ridgway, Deidre Fleming, Senator Wayne Fontana, Council woman Brenda Frazier, County Council woman Amanda Green Hawkins, Guy Costa and Hugh F. McGough.

On a visit to Vice Versa in Morgantown on the 4th of July weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting porn star Aden Jaric. Aden had been married in a non-official ceremony to his former partner Jordan, and they both took the same last name Jaric. In a monogamous relationship for five years, they only had sex with each other on screen and were signed exclusively with Falcon. Apparently the couple split back in April, and now Aden is touring on his own.

When I met Aden backstage, he tried to explain to me about the breakup, but he was in good spirits that night and a gentleman. His ex is still performing and dancing as well, according to Jordan’s last twitter post. What a cute couple. While I’ve never seen them together, I’d sure like to.

Let’s talk about more sex, the safer kind. Wrap-Up was held at PATF offices in East Liberty last month. The social mixer and safe sex party was hosted by Alan Jones and John Musser (Out’s Sex Gurus), with the help of David Brunner. The event featured the screening of David’s movie, now titled Herpes, the Gift That Keeps on Giving. Sandwiches and soft drinks were served, and then after the mixer came the slideshow—and I had to put my sandwich down for that one. The slideshow was a graphic tour of all things STD-related. Next up, an interactive to quiz, Safe Sex Jeopardy. There were about 50 people in attendance, but I didn’t feel right taking names at this one.

Happy Ending. On the first Friday of July at Image Box in Garfield, mixed media artist Bob Zehmisch had his first solo show opening in two years, which included collages and religious icons, plus sculpted dinosaurs, aliens and other amusing animals that were available for purchase. Zehmisch is known for his ink wash, oil stick and pencil abstract nudes that have been on display in galleries all over the city. (I’ve seen them in people’s homes as well.) Seen: John and Tracy Mahood, Charlotte Tragard, Heather Abrams and Eric Shultz.

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