Colombo gets his fill of all things ‘naughty’ and ‘nice’

by John Colombo

Happy Holidays. Have you been naughty or nice this year? If you’re like the rest of our readers you’ve probably been a bit of both. And two recent events were perfect for both behaviors.

Persad Center’s 4th annual benefit party Spellbound was held at Montage Interior Design Studio on Halloween weekend. This year’s party was the best ever! The design studio is a gorgeous space with plenty of well decorated rooms to wander through and socialize. Plenty of bars and bartenders—including incredibly handsome and attentive Brennan Waller, so no waiting. As a special treat for the smokers, there was a designated smoking room inside, such a rarity these days and much appreciated by those of us who get tired of leaving the party to go outside to indulge.

Trevor Benyack was the DJ for the evening with co-chair Brian Stankavich acting as the emcee. Spellbound also included a special dance performance by the Pitt Dance Ensemble and Drive by Drag featuring Ms. Veronica Bleaus and Ms. Daneil Lamort, palm reader Arlene Kelly and tarot card reader Greg Weidner. Persad’s Betty Hill was there with partner Kathi Boyle (dressed as cupcake waitresses) as was Bob McGrogan, special events coordinator, dressed as a leprechaun. Also seen: Jon Holmes, Kyle Roberts, Lauren Zito, Gary McKillop, Rocky Ventrello who was visiting from Chicago and the GLCC’s Matt Murphey. The event raised $10,000 this year for Persad Center.

The Andy Warhol Museum celebrated its 15th anniversary with a gala at the David L Lawrence Convention Center on Oct. 30. The Party (“Film, Fame and Fifteen Minutes”) was a fundraiser for the museum. Guests of the VIP party walked down a red carpet complete with paparazzi and were greeted by a trio of Marylyn Monroes. Cut out stars hung from the ceilings, and the room was illuminated by photographers’ strobe Umbrella lighting. Seen at the VIP event: Lois Pruitt, Cynthia McCormick, Marguerite Jarrett Marks, John and Donna Peterman, Lynn Zelevarski and Rich and Cindy Engler.

Later dinner was served against a backdrop of the 9th Street Bridge through the Convention Center’s glass walls. Afterwards guests were led into a cavernous room for the dance party, but I had forgotten how uncomfortable the floors are at the Convention Center—all that concrete started to take its toll on me, and I assumed others. Many of the VIP guests stayed in the main area, and those who did show up for the dance party were not enough to fill the room.

However, the centerpiece in the room was brilliant: a huge nine-panel screen hung from the wall ala The Brady Bunch, which displayed two second clips of any guests who mugged for the video camera. In that way, the guests’ actions became the art for the evening.

The music was superb as well, boasting two DJs, ?uestlove (pronounced “quest love”) and rupture. Seen at the after party: John McCaffery, Kelly Boyer, Thom Watson, Rick Armstrong, Tom Mistick, Dee Briggs and Jessica Dale.

Pittsburgh was privy to not one but two performances by the fabulous Pandora Boxx. The first show was held at There Ultra Lounge with Georgia Bea Cummings and Angelique Young, with a second performance at Pegasus the next night hosted by Lady Rose Amore. Pandora had auditioned for season one of RuPaul’s Drag Race on Logo but did not make the cut; so for her second year audition she made a bitter and hateful demo tape about not being picked—all in fun I’m sure. That caught the producers’ eyes, and a star was born. While not winning the season, she did make it to episode eight. Not bad! You can also see her on Logo’s One Night Stand Up: Dragtastic, the first ever all-drag stand-up comedy special.

Seen at her There performance: Kevin King, Drew Yunker, Bradley Rea, Gregory Bohanon, Thomasine Campbell and Chet Campbell. At the Pegasus show: Ashley Meilman, Matthew Tardino, Nikki Attinson, Justin Corbett, Rick Break and Justin Lloyd.

Georgia (Miss Pittsburgh Pride 2010) is another busy woman! Shortly after her appearance with Pandora, she hosted her own show at There Ultra Lounge with Angelique (current Miss There Ultra Lounge and Miss Pegasus 09-10). Her Monster Bash was a Lady Gaga inspired show, which was superb. Seen: Joe Post, Eddie Barnard, Jonathan Hoag, Nick Bramleft, Ryan Vandergift and Yvonne Ludwig.

The first annual Mr./Ms. Pittsburgh Leather Fetish Contest made it’s debut in early November at Cattivo Soto in Lawrenceville. The contest is owned and run by David Dean, president of Three Rivers Leather Club and founder of the Steel City Bondage Club, both of which were sponsors of the event. Mike Natale was the executive director of the contest, and both he and Dean shared the mic that evening.

Judges included Ed McDonough (current Mr. Eagle Leather), Steve Kenny, Matthew Pavelich, Walter “Buzz” Bonnettt, Christopher Gionta, Todd White and Paula Smith (American Leatherwoman 2000). Smith is also co-producer of American Brotherhood Weekend which will be held Oct. 7-9, 2011 in Chicago. ABW is a celebration of bonds shared in the leather community and contestants compete for American Leather Man/Woman/and Boy titles.

Contestants that night were Brandon Mikal, Jessi Strucaly, Sonja Kazar, Ron Koski and D. Also, Richard Nofsker of Wild Dick Leather and Fetish Accessories was there with his partner Jonathon Askew with a display table of wares for sale, and a basket of fetish gear was raffled off courtesy of Don Harris and the ER Room. Located in New Williamston, PA, Wild Dick can be reached at 724-877-8166 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            724-877-8166      end_of_the_skype_highlighting. After the judges reached their decisions, D—will he need a full name now?—is now the first Mr. Pittsburgh Leather Fetish 2011 and Jessi Strucaly is the first Miss Pittsburgh Leather Fetish 2011. Ron Koski and Sonja Kazar were first runners up. Seen: Janet Rensi, Rege Linn, Kierra Darshell, Rob Hienz, Doug Dantzer (who was celebrating a birthday), Greg Lattera, Gil Buszek and Jeremy Koscinski.

The 18th annual Mr. and Miss Tri-State Pageant, which is produced and hosted by Kierra Darshell, was held Oct. 24 at the Holiday Inn North Hills. This year’s show had a total of 12 contestants competing. The category winners this year included “Best Interview” winners Noah Lee Richards and Milan Tre’zur, “Best Evening Wear” winners DaQuan Bre’Jee and Daesha Richards and “Best Talent” Lucky and Tamara Knight. Walking away as new title holders were Mr. Tri-State Noah Lee and Miss Tri-State Daesha Richards.

And for one last look at what’s “naughty and nice,” I checked my list (last month’s copy of Out) and then headed out on a Wednesday night to P-Town and Real Luck Cafe to watch the guys take it off—for research, of course. First stop P-town, where Sam got right to work, dropped trou and danced on a box. Sam had the moves. At what I like to call half time, I got to talk to Sam, a nice man who can hold his own in a conversation. And that’s when I learned not to use the word “stripper,” it’s “dancer.”

While it’s not polite to mention the names of gentleman watching the “dancers,” I will say that as I was leaving Rodney Swartz showed up with his pool boy Raul. I wish I was making that up. Brian Broome must have been booked that night. Next I hopped in my Corolla and sped over to Real Luck, which featured two performers: club kid Mikey and bad boy Bryan—who was totally uninhibited! Since the performers dance on the bar, you’re pretty much eye level to the stocking stuffer. I have a thing for bad boys so my eyes were glued to Bryan, although I did keep glancing over at Mikey. A nice contrast to each other. As I left, I caught one last glance at tattooed Bryan gyrating away.

I wish each and everyone one of you a beautiful and peaceful holiday season. May all your wishes and dreams come true this year!

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