Travel - News

Hello to all,

Last week my article was a tribute to the wonderful Miss P who is long gone.  I hope you enjoyed it.  I got quite a few e-mails that said it was good to see the gal back in print.  Well, when I came to Florida, there were many that helped me personally, Dana Manchester, Billie Boots, and many more.  But one of my all time favorites is coming to Revolution in Orlando.   Miss Tiffany Arieagus will take the stage with Danielle Hunter and cast during the Fourth Of July Weekend.  Believe me guys, this will be one HOT performance you will not want to miss!  So I would highly suggest reservations for the Majestic Theater at Revolution.  And DJ MIK & DJ Joanie will keep the dance floor hopping.  And be sure and catch the newest cast member Shantell D Marco, a new gal in town.  She is absolutely beautiful and looks like she is 16, LOL!

Tiffany The Queen Is Back! 

 We would like to wish Blade Matthews good luck and she is heading into a new venture out of state.  She was a regular at Pulse and the Parliament House in Orlando.  She was also involved with Baby Blue’s Varitease performances.  I was just telling someone the other day how there are really no big newcomers that are growing in talent and longevity. Blade was one of those performers who was upcoming I feel.  And we have lost Deranged last week to the Mid West!  We were discussing who will take the place of Stephanie, Natasha, Darcel, Page, Leigh, Amy, Danielle, Nikki, and Joey when we all get older? And YES gals, we are the older ones already. I see a few that could take the place, Sassy Devine, Tia Milan, The Lady Minx, Faith,  Crystal Chambers, Co Co Montrease comes to mind immediately.  And I know there are some I am probably leaving out. The respected art of female impersonation has been slowly fading from the 90s.  And the day of boy queens are just about over in Florida.  I hope the art gets a pick up soon with performers but show venues as well.  This art is worth saving for sure.  By the way, congrats to CoCo for winning the Miss Gay Days Pageant 2008!

Be sure and catch Baby Blue’s Varietease Carnival for a repeat on three Wednesdays at the Parliament House on June 25th, July 2nd, and July 16th.  It will also be featured on Saturday, July 5th.  This is one of her best!  You can get tickets at WANZIE.Com s well.   And if you go to her show on Wednesday, be sure and catch Page King & I at Leigh Shannon’s Studio 55 in the disco.  We now feature special guests weekly!  This is a super fun night with just about everything!

Gotta run for now.  But remember, if you only use people and move on, one day there will be no one else to use!  So keep your friends precious to you.

Til Next Time,

Leigh

GAY DAYS RAGESGay Days Kicked off at the Parliament House on Tuesday to mark the week long Gay Pride event at Disney. The event itself consists of 50 events to accommodate at least 130,000 from all over the world making it Disney’s most lucrative week of the year with profits in the millions. This amazing event originated with the hard work of a couple of people who spent years working very hard to be allowed to have a gay celebration day there.ORLANDO BLACK PRIDE CONTINUESThursday Night at AKA Lounge for Hip Hop and R&B. Third Largest Poetry contest on Friday night at Club Mansion with Jackie-O in concert. Saturday is Get Wet at the Orlando Visa Hotel after the women’s football game. The biggest cookout in the country takes place on Sunday the last day of events with free entry from 2pm-9 pm followed by the grand event at Bliss Ultra Lounge starring Trina. 5 Million at World’s Largest Gay Pride inBrazilPumping over 100 million intoSao Paulo’s economy, the “Homophobia Kills” event was bigger than the previous year.June 17th Gay Marriage DaySame sex couples inCalifornia will be able to get married as of June 17th according to the California Supreme Court. Florida Bill includes Protections for the GLBT Community            Schools must legally now respond to anti-gay bullying.Mexico Boasts First Trans-gendered Wedding By a Trans-gendered couple.                             Germany Honors Persecuted Gays during HolocaustThe memorial monument inBerlin has a window that shows a film of two men kissing.  

Hello out there,

I just got done with a relaxing Memorial Day Weekend.  I did absolutely nothing except eat and hit a movie.  Of course, I only hit matinee anymore because a movie, popcorn and drink can cost two people $50.00, well just about.  There was a film in limited release called “Then She Found Me” starring Bette Midler and Helen Hunt who also directed It was a great film and it was good to see both back in action on the big screen.  But unfortunately it will probaly hit DVD Release in September.  Small films no longer get much press or promo anymore, therefore most things go directly to rental release.  Bette was her usual funny self, so try and catch it before it leaves for good.

Summer is here and we will be deep into the major heat soon.  The economy is terrible, and since this administration has gotten us enslaved to energy, oil and healthcare, the times ahead seem unclear.  So it is so important again, that I remind people to help support our small businesses.  Unless you want no selection in shopping that can cannot be found at Wal Mart.   Here are some spots you need to cater to and make sure they are around for you in the future. Forever Young Florist on Edgewater, ask for Beaver and a sure fire hit there,  Twisted Tom’s at the P-House, of course ask for Tom, Mojo on Mills Ave which has pride items, rentals, videos, gifts and much more, ask for Steve.  For costume rentals and supplies, head to Century Costumes, ask for Carl, If you don’t find what you need there, try Allied Costumes on Fairbanks, ask for Trish. And there is also Skipstewartcostumes.com for very high end costume making, ask for Skip, Funky Monkey restaurant (of which my friend Carla as Barbara Streisand will be performing soon) ask for Eddie, Hamburger Mary’s has just opened downtown, ask For Mary I guess, LOL!  And gay icon Jimmy James will be featured there on Sunday, June 7th.  And for the pets, hit Rangers Pet Outpost for the best in Orlando’s pet lodging and grooming.  Located on Mills Ave as well.

Clubbing notes!  Roz Russell was at Cold Keg last Friday and it was a great show!  Mimi Marks was absolutely stunning as always at Revolution last week.  On Sunday, June 7th, be sure and check out Miss Tasha Long at Parliament House with the Footlight Players!  Miss Joey Brooks is going great with her new show in Tampa at Copa!  Be sure and check it out their revolving cast there.  Some familiar faces for sure.  Don’t forget Miss Dame Edna every Monday at Savoy, Miss Sammy & Michael Wanzie every Wednesday for Bingo at P- House. Catch Roxxxy at Pulse on Monday’s Latin Night and on Wednesdays.

On a personal note, I might be heading to Californai to get married to my partner Joey, Let’s ALL GO!

Til Next Time,

Leigh

Hi Guys & Gals,

Ellen is getting married and so are many other stars with the new gay marriage ruling in California.  I was quite surprised to see Ellen come on her show and make the announcement, but very happy to see it.  Ellen is well known and very respected among many.  Lets hope that the ruling does not get overturned.  Some Hetro people ask me why I want to get married?  I reply with several reasons, I want to have my partner be legal in my decisions, benefits, and my life.  But most of all, I want to as miserable as str8 folks, LOL!  But seriously, maybe we as gay people are gaining a bit of ground.

ELLEN GETTING MARRIED! 

GAY DAYS is here.  And speaking gay gals,  if you want to catch some great gal comedy, three hilarious comics will have you gasping for air with laughter! Haren Williams, Suzanne Westenhoefer, Marga Gomez will be featured with your emcee Bear.  You can catch this show at the Regal Sun Resort at 1850 Hotel Plaza Blvd. in Orlando on Saturday, June 7th from 7:00-10:00.  On the drag pageant circuit, don’t miss Miss Gay Days Pageant on Thursday, June 5th at the Royal Plaza Drive.  This is sponsored by The Center of Orlando.  It will be hosted by Miss Dame Edna and Page King and I will be there that night as well.  This starts at 8:00 and will be a lot of fun and full of DRAG!  And the theme will be “A Salute To Our Troops.”

MISS DAME EDNA HOST MISS GAY DAYS PAGEANT 

M&M, LEIGH & PAGE

 Also remember everyone that all the big parties and special events are great out by Disney and will be packed.  But if you are new in town for this, remember to check out all the great clubs (small & large) in Orlando.  You have Savoy, Paradise, Pulse, Legacy Club, Faces, and Peacock Room.  And don’t forget to feed that hunger with Friends on Mills Ave, and upscale dining with Funky Monkey also on Mills Ave.  Then of course you have the larger clubs, Revolution and Parliament House Resort with all the fixxins!  Adult film stars, Sister Sledge, famous drag personalities, dancers, and lots of surprises will make this a week to remember for sure.  And please drop by our store Ritzy Rags Wigs & More and see Page and I.  We have NEW arrivals of male under gear, swimwear, pride items, male & female jewelry, masks, clothing, and much more. VISIT www.ritzyrags.com and www.leighshannon.com as well……

Be sure and send any info and PICS to me so we can feature them in BUZZ!  You all take care and play good and hard this Gay Days!

Til Next Time,

Leigh

Hello To All!

Mother’s Day week was quite weird for me.  All in one week, my 3rd stepmother had to undergo triple bypass, second stepmother was quite ill, I became deathly ill, my backyard wooden gate broke and so did my water heater.  But I am back from being sick and on the road again.  I am the worse when it comes to being ill, I want NO one to talk to me, but I expect to be pampered, LOL!  Hope you all got to spend some time with your mother or someone close.

One more special addition to Gay Days in June!  The incredible and distinctive beauty and personality of Miss Amanda Lepore will hit Revolution Orlando with the boys from StraightFraternity.com starting June 6th, 7th and 8th!  Other Cast members that weekend will be newcomer to our city Sasha Colby, Danielle Hunter, Erica Andrews, Josephine Andrews, and Shantell D Marco.  There will be three shows nightly. Believe me, if you have never seen Amanda, you need to meet her.  You will  enjoy this famous personality and she is truely a famous person in the Hollywood scene.

AMANDA LEPORE 

Hard Rock LIVE has a lot of great names coming to our theme park city.  With Margaret Cho on June 6th, Pat Benetar on July 8th, Boy George on July 26th and many more. Tickets are available by calling the Hard Rock Live Box Office at (407) 351-LIVE.  I personally heading to see Miss Pat Benetar for sure, OK maybe Miss Boy Geoarge too, LOL!

Pat Benetar Does Hard Rock 

Memorial Day Weekend At the Parliament House Resort in Orlando will be hot with recording artist Jeanie Tracy on Saturday, May 24th with the biggest NO Cover T-Dance.  On Monday night enjoy the strip show with Blade Matthews and then our show on Wednesday, Leigh Shannon’s Studio 55 with a tribute to Sister Sledge.  So just get a room and stay all week and just finish up with Gay Days!  Gotta run for now, Everyone stay safe, sweet and wake up to a new day and cherish it!  Visit www.leighshannon.com and send any info and PICS my way so we can get the BUZZ out!

Til Next Time,

Leigh