Lez Liquor…and tag sales…and bears—oh my!

by John Colombo

Last month Lez Liquor Hour was held at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. The ladies mixed and mingled outside on the well appointed canopy-covered deck with a view of both Shadyside and the lush green grounds. The Center donated the space and the liquor for the event, and the money used to purchase drinks went to charity, as is always the case when the women host an event at a non-bar venue. L2H2 usually raises $300-500 dollars at each event, and usually is host to about 300 women. Victoria Bradley, L2H2 founder, and Joy Sato, director of special events at the Center, were on hand that night. Also seen: Susan Haugh, Beth Baxendale, Barbara Broff Goldman, C. J. Daro and Nancy Stampahar.

Over on Planet Men (or G2H2), the guys held their monthly party at Bossa Nova downtown. Hosted by J. R. Daniels, Ron DeMino, Wayne Savage and Steve Woodring the theme was G20 H20 in honor of the G20 summit. Bossa Nova, a chic contemporary cocktail lounge and restaurant that is extremely gay friendly, is owned by Robin Fernandez of Metropol fame. Robin and his wife Ann, were recipients of PATF’s Kerry Stoner Award in 2008. I bumped into Doug Clewett, a human resource manager who was attending G2H2 for the second time. Seen: David Padawer, Jerry McCausland, Charles King, Darrien Morris and Gary McKillop. Also, Tim McVay and David Bush were in attendance and, as you read this, are celebrating their three-year anniversary together.

Local photographer Dawn Hartman had an opening at Spinning Plates Artist Lofts last month on “Male Intimacy,” a follow up to her show last year, “Lesbian Intimacy.” Different facets of male intimacy were represented, including men in the military, drag and even men with children. Most of the male couples she photographed are real-life couples, and many of them attended the opening—including Nathan Mallory and Benjamin Haake; Paul Vonkuster and Nam Khuu; and Jimmy Constantin and Bill VanKirk.

Woof Weekend 2009 was a lot of fun as bears from around the country descended on Pittsburgh in September for the annual event. what started out 15 years ago as a one-day event hosted by the Burgh Bears now spans three days. Their famous Sunday picnic features a bake off, volleyball and lots of hot bears. All money raised goes to Shepherd Wellness Community and, not surprisingly, to the bear exhibit at the Pittsburgh Zoo. Seen: board members Ron Hall, Gary Snyder, Bill Hopewell and Lee Huges; Brian Long, who celebrated his 29th birthday; Jon Strojinc, Jack Holczer, Lewis Knett and Dan Fenon.

Persad’s second annual Red Tag Art Sale was held Sept. 19 at Imagebox Gallery in Garfield. Featuring works of art that were not bid on or picked up at Persad’s Celebrate Life, Celebrate Art event, Red Tag Sale is the invention of Dan Iddings and Jeffery Kash after Dan stumbled upon leftover treasures in Persad’s basement.

Bob McGrogan, Persad’s new events coordinator, put together the event, Iddings donated the food and drinks and, as always, John and Tracy Mahood of Imagebox gallery donate the space. Persad’s Betty Hill and Ryan Tinn were in attendance as were a surprise bevy of celebrities, including singer Billy Porter from New York, award winning Australian filmmaker Nick Meyers and Australian musician/song writer Nicole Skeltys. Also seen: artist Joe Caro,  as well as husbands Steve Clark and Scott Smith.

Other September events included:

Roger Guzik opened a new design center next door to his current shop, Pennhollows on South Highland Ave. Guests were treated to a preview of the new store and the beautiful fabrics, rugs and rare books.

The national grassroots organization Pride at Work hosted a cocktail mixer for its members and allies during the AFL -CIO convention at the David L Lawrence Convention Center. Pride at Work strives to mobilize mutual support between organized labor and the LGBT community. Although there is no local chapter, Pittsburgh native Eric Toal is trying to get one up and running.

Club Pittsburgh celebrated its 8-year anniversary with Champagne and cake. Part Owner Steven Herforth also celebrated his 49th birthday, and many friends were in attendance to help celebrate, including Manager John McMarland, Gary Van Horn Jr, Chris Eckles and Tom Yargo.

And last but not least, here's a surprise for everyone looking for a weekend hotspot. Donny's Place in Polish Hill is now officially Bar 1226 on Herron. The main level is still slated to become a sports bar, downstairs is still Leather Central, but the exciting news is Dance Central upstairs. You need to see this space. Adorned in crush red velvet draperies, angel statues and disco ball chandeliers, it's campy, fun and retro.

Remolded by Freddie Bainbridge who is also bartending there, Dance Central features an upscale cocktail menu and good dance music. Patrons are invited to bring in their own music, and they will add music to the library based on the requests. The bar is also available for private parties, and I was fortune it enough to get invited to the party of Big Pat and Little Tommy, Dance Central’s first private event. Currently, DC is only open on Saturdays. Check it out. Seeing is believing.

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