Well, what a crazy week THAT was… as those of you know who follow this blog, last Wednesday’s Bingo was a challenging night what with our scheduled charity, Heritage of Pride, canceling out just 90 minutes before we were to start an event that they had begged to be booked at months ago….and taking it’s confirmed guests, Dustin Lance Black and Cleve Jones along with it. Apparently I wasn’t supposed to advertise that Black and Jones would be there. What did HOP think I was going to do once they confirmed them? Make people guess who my guests were? Ridiculous.
A big apology to the young gays who showed up eager to meet their idol (Black), disappointed that Bingo was one of the only events that he was scheduled to be at that they could afford to go to. Making yourself the model for the young and then charging 20somethings (who typically, especially in this economy, don’t have a ton of disposable income) an arm and a leg to come and see you doesn’t make much sense to me.
But here are where people are heroes.
Our XXX star Nick Capra www.nickcapra.com flew in that day from Los Angeles and showed up ready, willing and able to give good show (which he more than did). Our very special guest, singer Bianca Leigh belted out a couple of beautiful numbers that really got us into the perfect mood. And our friends over at Lucas Entertainment showed up with a bag of flicks just in time for the first round to start (thanks Patrick!). Plus my best friend Matt from the west coast who joined us with a bunch of San Fran goodies that we used as prizes.
And despite the fact that they had their own bigger event going on down the street at Stonewall, the Gay/Lesbian Anti Violence Project www.avp.org offered not only to be our last minute beneficiary for the evening but they sent four fantastic and enthusiastic volunteers down to work the room and just be fabulous. And what did they get for their effort? Just over $1000 raised in two and a half hours through Bingo card sales and an auction for our p0rn star’s underwear that went nearly to a near record $475 (we love our friends from Canada as well as our other friends who were bidding too).
But, on an even brighter note, Cleve did show up later on in the show insisting that he knew nothing about being confirmed for the Bingo event and set out to get the crowd whipped up into a frenzy about the October March on Washington for Equal Rights. Which many of us agreed will be great fun and not at all bloated like the disastrously mis-managed March on Washington in 2000 (where circuit party queens didn’t even realize that there was a political rally at the center of the weekend). You can go to www.nationalequalitymarch.com to sign up for the March and get regular updates.
Now, tonight at Bingo, it’s Amanda Takehomeother (“I’m just a girl who can’t say no… to cash!”) and myself calling out the numbers so that you, yes you, you lucky dog, can attempt to win back some of that cash that you lost over the weekend (along with your self respect and a watch or two). It’s our “semi annual, post big fag event, no stars, no charity” Jackpot Bingo night!! Four or five rounds (depending on how fast we get through the first couple) where the cash you pay for your bingo card is the prize! Lots of cheap booze and great fun telling our Pride stories (even possibly some of the X rated ones….) at Pieces Bar located at 8 Christopher Street from 8pm to 10pm tonight, Wednesday July 1st! See you there!
(pictures from last week will be up by tonight!)
