Mariah Carey

16,500 people packed the St. Pete Times Forum for the Mariah Carey Concert. This was the second stop in her new tour, "The Adventures of MiMi."  After working out some technical difficulties Mariah took to the stage and wowed the very enthusiastic crowd. The skimpy 2 -piece outfit wasn't bad either. The show had a lots of color, depth and eye candy if you know what we mean! About an hour into the show Mariah suddenly appeared on a small lighted floor stage in the center of the crowd and broke into the song "Fantasy." The salsa - reggae - hip hop artist, Sean Paul was the opening act. We couldn't understand what he was saying but we were singing along anyway! The many levels all had people dancing in the isles. The night before at the St. Pete Times Forum was the American Idol Tour. The performances by Idol winner Taylor Hicks, runner -up Katherine McPhee, Chris Daultry, Bucky Covington, and Lisa Tucker. All great acts! They performed to a sold out audience also. Yes Did you know that the Forum is the highest grossing concert venue in the world? Here is a tip for your next visit. Park in the garage across the street from Channelside. Then after the event stop for a drink there and have the bar validate your parking ticket. By the time your done with your drink the crowd is gone and you just got a discount on parking.

 

 

       

 

Go Joe

Local Democrat Joe Redner , Who is running for a Hillsborough County Commissioners Seat, District 5,was in a verbal debate with Republican Tony Katz. When Katz called Joe a liar & yelled "F*ck You," Joe said "So what fat boy." That is when Katz thru a chair at Joe.  "That's assault ", Joe yelled. It was all caught on tape. Just for the record Joe Redner is very pro GAY and has challenged the Hillsborough County Commissioners in and out of court. To learn more about the incredible Joe visit www.joeredner.com  & his TV show at http://voiceoffreedom.org/

See a Republican behaving badly... throwing a chair

http://youtube.com/watch?v=9lHzkVrN1ps

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Out Games in Montreal

The Out Games were a Huge hit. At the Montreal ceremonies were singing Diva's Martha Wash & Liza Minnelie. Even a Gay team from Lebanon were there. Below are some great photos that tell the rest of the story.

      http://www.montreal2006.org/

 

 

 

 

 

Gay Mass Murders

The UK press is now officially reporting that one of the fruits of American Democracy in Iraq under the US occupation is a growing epidemic of homosexual executions by Shia militias and the American-trained Baghdad police force. According to an Iraqi LGBT group based in London, many of the executions are being conducted by Iraqi policemen themselves and partly within the law. "Homosexuality is seen as so immoral that it qualifies as an 'honor killing' to murder someone who is gay - and the perpetrator can escape punishment. Section 111 of Iraq's penal code lays out protections for murder when people are acting against Islam."

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,1838222,00.html

A SALE you will not want to miss!

 

Adult VHS tapes from $.99  -  Gay & Lesbian Movies from $3.33  -  Music CD's from $2.99

Closeout's  -  Books  -  T-shirts from $1.99  -  & Much more

 

Caught at the Thursday Night Tea Party

The Cleveland Browns Fan Club http://www.brownsbackersofpinellas.com/ enjoying an evening of music & fun with Tea Cup, Judy B Goode & Pianoman Paul Thomas

 

 

 

 

The Leigh Shannon Update

Thank you Leigh & keep the updates coming!

Hi guys,

The heat is very bad and of course EVERY Family member that comes to visit Orlando demands that you go out to the theme parks and play with them.  I now tell them before they get here, Orlando residents do NOT do the parks from July to September. We know that it is hot, people smell in crowds, and  a 2 hour wait is way to long to ride a roller coaster. I do let them know they can buy me dinner about 7PM after the sun goes down if I even enter the park!  LOL... I know it is the only time that most parents can bring their children due to the school schedule.  But I do tell them how wonderful it is to visit the parks the other months of the year.

Well, We had several Paris Hilton CD Release parties scheduled in several cities but with some legal problem, Orlando has been canceled.  I guess maybe because she has her own club downtown that is not doing well at all and they need the publicity.  But Melbourne is still on.  Can this DIVA really sing?  One thing I bet she will never tour.  LOL!  Speaking of Southern Nights, Page King is now in charge of the bookings there, congrats to her!  She is a great gal. 

I will be at Southern Nights in Orlando on Labor Day Weekend and we will possibly have her Jessica Simpson CD Release party there.  Check in the future at SPECIAL EVENTS   DIANE CASO, get your group together and call me if you need tables!  You will enjoy this club.  Another great show is planned at Pulse in Lakeland on Saturday, August 12th with yours truly, surprise special guest and  a hot male dancer.  Call the club for more information.  My guest this past Friday at Cold Keg was Kelli Randell and she was a blast.   Next Friday is the debut of BLONDE & BOOZE X2 with Roz Russell and myself.  DRINK specials all night and a special show.

Well, Orlando is losing some talent and a major fixture of female impersonation on August 9th.  Carmella Marcella Garcia is leaving Orlando to return home to Kentucky.  His father is ill and he is going to be by his side.  Carmella had left a major mark on Orlando and will never be forgotten I feel.
Winning numerous titles and was a major fixture at Southern Nights for many years.  He originally was hired at the Parliament House Resort in Orlando.  We will miss him a great deal!   Carmella's final show will be August 8th at Southern and I will be there to speak along with others to wish him a great farewell.  Do not miss this great show and farewell. A loss for this city for sure! This made me reflect on the situation in Orlando and wonder what happen to DRAG in Orlando?  As far as on the wide appeal.

And many are hoping that with Southern Nights reopening the show bar that some past greatness of that club will come back on the DRAG level.  I remember the show bar being packed every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and even on Sundays when I was the show director there. And this carried on with Carmella taking over.  I must say this.  I DO think it is time for this city to have more options on the female impersonation show level.  There is only one great show club in this city that features a wonderful emcee Darcel Stevens and show but they have a full cast and special guests are limited.  They also feature some of the best theatrical plays this town has ever seen. Thanks to the very talented Michael Wanzie. It is also a wonderful place to see a show but surely we do not want DRAG to become like the Brighthouse Cable company and become a monopoly in the city.  I think we could use several show clubs in this city.  I even remember when The Club was featuring Lola Olay and Miss Sammy with their wonderful special showcases, so what happen?  There used to be so many options.

There are many who are stars, icons, and legends that are not being used in this city.  Stephanie Shippea, Melissa Mason, Rusti Fawcett, Roz Russell, Amber Douglss, Nikki Adams, Amy D'Milo, Felicity Lane, Bobbie Lake, Lola Olay Roz Russell, Tasha Long, Esme Russell, Crystal Chambers, Kelli Randell. Alicia Markstone and many more come to mind.  And many from other surrounding cities as well.  Hell, even Carmella had to go on a US tour to be able to work.  Until Southern started some good shows back in a fuller force.   It is time to give people options with a classy show that brings back the earlier show for a 30 and up crowd.  And bring in some of the Flash backs along with the new ones. There are many str8 and gay people who want to sit down and be entertained by a drag show.   And with all the great ICONS of drag not being used in this city is ridiculous.  And remember the 30 and up crowd has money to buy drinks and spend money, the kids do not!  So I do hope Southern Nights gets it show room and brings back a choice in the city for some of your DRAG Divas.  And I do hear the crowds are returning slowly but with the huge help of changes and some alternative shows by Blue.  But hell, I hope three more clubs open up in Orlando.

But for now, you can catch Melissa Mason at The Rainbow Room in Cocoa Beach, Stephanie Shippae' makes frequent visits there as well.  She is also featured at Cold Keg occasionally. Rusti Fawcett is now doing theatrical performances at Sleuth Dinner Theater in Orlando.  Bobbi Lake is somewhere in Tampa performing along with some performances at the SunCoast Resort in St. Petersburg. Miss Sammy stay super busy and has a night at the Parliament House.  I also heard his short movie was fantastic! Amber Douglas can be seen in Daytona and in Melbourne still.  Roz Russell and Kelli Randell are featured with me a lot and other clubs in the Cocoa/Mellbourne area. Crystal Chambers can be seen at Pulse in Lakeland. Alicia Markstone is show director at the SunCoast in St. Pete.

These are just my personal thoughts on this subject and  I do miss seeing lots of different guests that are of today and the ones who have entertained us for many years.  I am just afraid that someone might also think as them as yesteryear?  But again, if some of the old formats came back and there were more good high grade shows in Orlando, more of the girls I mentioned could come back to perform. 

Monopolies are not good for anyone.  One such severe case.  Did you know that there used to be 25 gas companies in the USA?  There are now only 6 I believe now.  And remember how many department stores there used to be?  That sorta tells you the whole story.  That is why I still will not shop Walmart to this day!  Give me a mom & pop shop any day!

Well, gotta run for now.  Everyone stay cool and see ya soon.


Leigh

PS I just got a call yesterday and I will be taking a small part in hosting the Head Dress Ball in Orlando.  This will be one fun night.  If you would like a table for this great fund-raiser, please call me and I will direct you into the right people.  I am looking forward to it!
http://www.leighshannon.com
http://coldkegnightclub.com
http://www.parliamenthouse.com/
http://www.suncoastresort.com/
http://www.rainbowroomclub.com/
http://www.sleuths.com/
http://www.mcfilmfest.com/
http://www.southern-nights.com/


Leigh & Carmella In Melbourne


Lorrie, Rusti, Mella, Leigh and Nef



Miss Stephanie!


Kelli and Leigh Friday night.....

 

The Sonia Plotnick Health Fund  - Saturday Aug 19th

 

FMI Linda-Robert@msn.com