Colombo and Elbow Room—both on the move

by John Colombo

Spark 2010, the Delta Foundation’s annual holiday party was held Dec. 18 at the Pittsburgh Opera house in the Strip District. This 3rd annual party was a fundraiser for Pittsburgh Gay Pride week, which will be held June 3-12. Spark featured headliner Martha Wash singing some of her greatest hits including “It’s Raining Men” and “Gonna Make You Sweat.” She also sang an amazing acapella rendition of Happy Birthday to a local favorite,  bartender Jenna Benyack, who had turned 26 that evening.

The evening began with the jazz ensemble from the Afro-American Music Institute performing during cocktail hour. Manning the bar: three shirtless adult film actors looking absolutely yummy. Guests were treated to a wonderful spread provided by Right by Nature—whose Chief Operating Officer Michael Johnson was there with his partner, Eddie Moss. Delta President Gary Van Horn led a Champagne toast to celebrate the repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.” 

Seen at Spark: Sam Shaginaw, Brian Larson, Sam Elvingston, Brain Czarniecki, Fred Mergner, Doug Shileds, Michael Marmo and the ever so lovely Miss Pittsburgh Pride 2010 Georgia Bea Cummings.

Earlier in the month, Pegasus held its 34th annual Miss Gay Pittsburgh Contest on Dec.10, hosted by the fabulous Kierra Darshell with some assistance on the microphone by Mark Roberts Cash. The DJ booth was manned by DJ Brian, and the show featured the talents of Darshell, Akasha LeStat and the outgoing Miss Gay Pittsburgh 2009-2010 Lady Rose Amore.  The audience was a mix of handsome, young gay men and lavishly dressed drag queens. And ladies and gentlemen, the winner is: Angelique Young was crowned Miss Gay Pittsburgh 2010-2011, with Adora Lamore first runner up and Georgia Bea Cummings second runner up.

Seen at the pageant:  Matthew Burgess, Michael Nye, Craig Steel, Victoria Young, David Karr, Veronica Bleaus, Dani Lamorte and Rick Mays.

     The next Evening at Pegasus, Marsha Monster Mellow celebrated her 33rd birthday in style by hosting a show for Adult Film Star Matthew Rush, aka Gregory Grove. An Altoona, PA native, the biracial actor now resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He is also a personal trainer and body builder who has even competed at the Gay Games in Amsterdam and Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. His most recent adult film is Affirmative Blacktion. I googled a preview, oh my! He told me that he just finished a yet-to-be-named film with Chi Chi LaRue, and it was the hottest , most erotic work he’s ever done.  Rush was the most down to earth porn actor I’ve ever spoken with—much more the boy next door type. Great body and killer smile.

Lucky Shawn Glass was taken out of the audience by Rush, who by then was wearing only a leather Jock Strap and performed some sexy maneuvers atop a helpless Glass who had been pushed (gently) to the floor by Rush. Afterward Matthew met with fans upstairs in the Eagle bar. Ogling Rush that night—besides me: Tom Swogger, John Wagner, Jimmy Biros, Carter Lee and Jake Hill who was also celebrating  a birthday that night.

That same night, the Renaissance City Choirs returned to the Carnegie Music Hall for their 26th annual holiday concert. Led by Andres Cladera, artistic director and choral conductor, the choirs performed traditional carols and were joined by the Edgewood Symphony Orchestra.

As always, the audience sang along on “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” and  a new sing-along was added this year, “A Christmas Festival,” which bumped the ever popular “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer” off the program. One of the comedic pieces this year was the “Fruitcake Song,” which featured Jeffery Gross, Chad Elder and Nathan Hart wearing fruitcake hats and singing the woes of being the unwanted Christmas gift that gets re-gifted every year.  The women performed  some humorous songs  as well, like “Good King Kong” and “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” featuring  Sandy Vansuch in a beautiful solo.

Seen at the concert: Susan Haugh, Hugh McGough, Gary Van Horn, Kathi Boyle, Lee Marcuzzi, Joanne Bostjanick, Gary McKillop and the lovely Mary Jo Winokur.

And for those of you who haven’t heard: After 64 years the Elbow Room on Ellsworth Ave. has moved to 5533 Walnut St., in the former Max & Erma’s space. We Love the Elbow Room and the Elbow Room Loves us. Not only has it been one of the longest running distribution points for this very paper you are holding in your hands—for more than two decades—the Elbow Room has always been very supportive of the LGBT community.

From first dates to Sunday brunch, many gay men and women would always be seen there, and copies of Out sat proudly in the vestibule where you first walk in, not tucked away in the back.

The original bar had opened in 1947, and in 1978, Joe and Nancy Di Fiore transformed the former shot-and-beer bar—of which no one that night could remember the original name. Son Mike DiFiore has been running the place for quite some time now, and sister Lisa DiFiore has worked there as well.

Mike also owns Bites and Brews, which  will be expanding into the back room of the old Elbow Room,  and his other restaurant on South Highland, Buffalo Blues is getting ready for some big company, as Big Burrito opens its newest Mad Mex there sometime this spring.

Once moved, the Elbow Room will continue its tradition of offering great food, a large wine list, a friendly bar and a welcoming atmosphere for all. The new location offers a larger kitchen to expand their menu and daily specials. 

Meanwhile, and here’s the really cool part, the Ellsworth Avenue location will be redesigned and dubbed The 1947 Tavern, which will feature small plates, homemade desserts and specialty wines and handcrafted beer in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. So it’s win-win for both Shadyside neighborhoods, and we should see some interesting new dynamics come summer.

Seen that last night: Larry Leahy Larry DMD, bartender-now-dentist to the stars, only upstaged that evening by the fabulous Jean Horne with husband Chuck, manager Barb Daniels and cousins and managers Shawn Jordon and Katie Vojtko; also of note John Van De Grift, partner of former bartender and celebrity DMD, Sean Gray, PJ Maloney, Charlene Campbell, Mike DeVanney, Megan Fisher and Karen DiFiore.

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