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Let it snow!  Colombo braves blizzard to cover social scene

by John Colombo

Last month the biggest party turned out to be Snowpocalypse ’10. While not an official event, it snowed. It snowed a lot. Then it snowed some more. Friday, Feb. 5, is when it all started.

This also was the night of photographer Donald Rager’s art opening at Remedy in Lawrenceville. Being the funlovers we are at Out, we decided to risk our lives for the one-mile trek down the hill from Penn Ave. Turns out the scarier part was the trek back uphill many hours—and many inches of snow—later.

Formerly of New Bethlehem PA, Rager now calls Pittsburgh home and resides with his partner of seven years, Smith Hutchings. “Drag Queens” (Rager’s first solo exhibit) features prominent Pittsburgh drag queens—including Mahogany, Veruca Salt, Sharon Needles and Cherry Bomb. Rather than beautify his queens, Rager chose bizarro, circus-esque images. It worked quite well as the models’ inner beauty was apparent but as if reflected before a fun house mirror.

Seen that night: Al DiGrazia, Smith Hutchings, David Grim and the lovely Genevieve Savickas.

 By Saturday, the 6th, everything had shut down. Most bars closed or closed early. Coco Peru, who was to perform at 818, had to cancel as planes were grounded. Word on the street is a rescheduled performance in April.

Some people used the snow to their advantage. Facebook was buzzing with impromptu parties asking people who could walk, ski or sled to events, including Edger Um’s Snowpocalypse Now! party at New Amsterdam in Lawrenceville. Featured DJ’s were Lauren G, Nicky Nikkels, Paul Alexander, Aaron Clark, Ed Um and Ryan Walsh. There was a promised snowball fight at 2am to boot.

 Sunday, Feb. 7, the city was still locked down. In Shadyside Rodney Swartz, part owner of the Harris Grill, celebrated “the anniversary of his 39th birthday,” thinking he would just watch the Super Bowl with friends. That was until the hot tub party bus from Cleveland showed up, courtesy of friends and part owners Dana and Alex Fruzynski. Celebrating with Rodney: Nathan Bell, Leslie Donavan, Brian Broome and Tom West.

The following weekend after Snowpocalypse, things started returning to normal. Tiffany—yes, that Tiffany—drove from her home in Nashville, on Valentine’s weekend, to perform at 818.

Tiffany started with a VIP reception at There, a dinner and meet-and-greet organized by Scott Noxon. Proceeds went to Shephard Wellness Community and the GLCC. Warm and charming, Tiffany looked positively radiant as she chatted with fans. Out learned that she is currently working on—not one but—two films, both to be released in April. She is also working on a new country music album, which is one of the reasons why she left California for Nashville.

At the VIP reception: Juli Vari, Cara Walkowiak and Dan Pfeifer, of Denham & Co. Salon in Market Square, who was Tiffany’s hair stylist for the evening. Also in attendance was Dean Beisner of MAC Cosmetics, who was taking care of Tiffany’s make up that night.

Later the party moved across the street to 818 where Tiffany gave a stellar performance. When she sang “I Think We’re Alone Now” the crowd went wild. At 818: Jen Smart, Brian T. Spong, Jessica Kocak, Alex Chakhmartov, Brian Larson (who got a special “Happy Birthday” sung by our celebrity guest) and last but not least...Alex the midget stripper!

 Pittsburgh and 818 also had the honor of hosting the one and only Pepper Mashay. When asked how she felt about being back in Pittsburgh, she said emphatically, “Cold!”—she is from LA after all, but she was happy to be back with familiar faces.

In a touching moment Angelique Young, Miss Pegasus 2009-2010, was brought backstage practically in tears to meet Miss Mashay. Hosting the show that night was the current Miss Pittsburgh Lady Rose Amore, who introduced Pepper to the crowd.

Later Pepper brought Angelique on stage to perform, and before we knew it all the drag queens were on stage performing. The entire dance floor even got into the ac, and by the time Pepper went into her song “Dive Into the Pool (Let’s Get Soaking Wet),” bartenders were gyrating up on the bar, and the crowd had been whipped into a frenzy. Pure class, Pepper is a lot of fun, and bless her, she left to catch a plane at 4am for another show in another city the next day. What energy!

 The Burgh Bears are back! Back on Polish Hill at 1226 Herron Ave where the club now holds its bears bar night the 4th Saturday of every month. Both a social and a fund raising group, the guys play pool and enjoy the company of other men at their monthly’s. Being a bear isn’t about how you look, it’s about attitude. And the attitude these men sport is laid back.

An organized force since 1993, the Burgh Bears have about 50 bears and is always looking for new members. The group still boasts four of its original members. Seen that bear night: Gary Snyder, Peter Freidman, Lee Hughes, Jake Young and Steve Kooser. On the web: www.burghbears.org

 Downstairs at 1226, the home of Leather Central, Ky Eaton (Mr. Pittsburgh Leather Central) held a Claw Nation party, a fund raiser for PATF Food Bank, Ronald McDonald House and Greater Pittsburgh Adult Literacy. At the fund raiser: Doug Masiroff, Lisa Allen and Hugh McAfee with husband Lee Hughes.

Now take 50 artists and 50 toilets seats. What do you get? “All Crapped Out—A Toilet Seat Adventure.” Hosted at the Firehouse Lounge, the show featured each artist’s unique take on the toilet seat—something you use every day—as art. Promoted and sponsored by Project 50/50’s Allison Contreras and Dave Kaule, the show came together from an idea by artist T. J. Baker.

Out was fortunate to meet and spend time with Allison, whose piece was one of the highlights of the show. A Pittsburgh native for 10 years, Allison’s energy, personality and creativity are a welcome addition to both the LGBT community and to the artistic community. Other artists in the show included: Linzee Allshouse, Danny, Devine, Sean Donovan and Becky Root. Project 50/50 on the web: www.project5050.com.

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