Carnival. Crazy. Crazed.

If the summer season here in Ptown was a sinking ship, then the stern would be high in the air. And that faint moment before she starts to slide under the water, that short delay, is Carnival week. Drag bingo, drag brunch, opening ceremonies, parties and of course, the parade, have made this past week one energetic ball of social frenzy. Pandemonium defined last week as the town was invaded by cowboys and scantly clad Indians.

The week started with my Rodeo at The Raised Ranch on Sunday. Thanks to everyone again, for making it a special and successful event. That evening the kickoff party for Carnival was at The Boatslip. It was OK. Lea Delaria hosted, the sound system was screwed up and I left early. However, I did meet many nice cowboys. I felt as if I were back in Phoenix.

Tuesday night was “Classical Varla” at the UU Church. It was a sold out crowd and we had a front row seat for the entire program. Varla donated all the proceeds of the show to The AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod. It was a wonderful evening. After the show, I stopped by Ross’s Grill for a special VIP cocktail reception. It was nice to meet the singers.

Wednesday, Luis came for a long weekend. We had a quiet night in preparation for the days ahead.

Thursday was full of parade fun. I watched the parade from a party on a balcony overlooking Commercial Street in the west end. The afternoon started with a party at Forbidden Fruit. A store owned by Todd and Eric. A wild time by everyone was had there.

After the parade Luis and I went to Tea dance. It was packed but a lot of fun. The dance floor was impenetrable.

Friday night Miss Coco Peru changed my life. I jest of course, but, this was by far, the best show I’ve ever seen in Provincetown. I’m a huge Dina Martina and Varla fan, but this was even better than them. I may even have to put her past Linda Eder performing at town hall six years ago. I laughed the whole time… from when she opened the show with, “Have you ever woke up in the morning….looked around… and said….. oh fuck? To her singing The Little Mermaid song and inserting her trademark line from the movie “Trick” “It burns.” Anyhow, I have new favorite and can’t say enough. Check her out. She sold out the UU church.

Saturday night, Luis and I had yummy lasagna at Kaitlin Colombo’s house. Her dad prepared lasagna and chocolate dipped strawberries. How good is that?

Sunday was an annual ice cream social, a client appreciation party for work. It was a fun event with tons of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. Afterwards, my friend Brian and I hit The Porch bar and I made a new friend from Milwaukee.

I’m heading to Nantucket this week for two days. What a juxtapositional experience that will be.

Play it safe, see ya next week.

The Summer is Slowly Slipping Away

The summer is slowly slipping away. Less than two weeks left of fun and crowds. I am completely exhausted for one, after having experienced a summer of grabbing the majority of what Ptown has to offer from a single gay man’s point of view. I’ll need the fall to recover from shows, events, restaurants, parties, men and more!

I eased back into the work week with the grace of a gazelle falling off a cliff.
Taking an unplugged vacation for one week proved to be relaxing but stressful upon re-entry.

This week I got back in the routine of work, gym and home. Of course, I left room for fun. Besides last minute planning for my first fundraiser, Rodeo at The Raised Ranch, a benefit for The AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod, a few of us took in a show over this past weekend.

Let me tell you about the fundraiser first. It was a success and close to 40 people attended this two hour event to raise money for The AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod which took place at my house. The weather was perfect.

The food was purchased and prepared by my friend Brian Bator, who I had not seen since our new year’s trip to Atlanta! He came down from Boston for the good cause. Summer rolls, crab cakes, cucumber nibbles, vegetarian sausage and homemade salsa were consumed by the attendees and delicious!

Matt, from the erotic fashion show a few months back, stood by and let himself be lassoed for $1.00 per try. He wore nothing but a skimpy bathing suit, cowboy hat and seductive smile. If you roped him, ya got a prize from a grab bag. This raised extra cash. Adult film star Spencer Quest was on hand to work the crowd with handshakes and smiles.

Around 4PM, the entertainment started. As peeps visited the open wine and beer bar, filled up on beverages of choice, they settled in chairs and on the rock wall. I emceed the event which went as smooth as butter!

Michael Burke, the Associate Director of The AIDS Support Group gave a brief speech.

Bruce, an individual living with HIV and AIDS gave a testimonial to the experience of living with the disease…. It put a face to the event and helped us raise more money by passing a cowboy hat.

Afterwards, Buddy Starr, sang two songs for us, one country and one from my favorite musical Mame. Of course the words were changed in both songs to reflect a rodeo and the gay life. His act was very enjoyable mixed with a bit of comedy and some tap dancing!

Then Kaitlin Colombo, star of E-Entertainment and “Last Comic Standing” took the stage with her brand of humor. The laughter started immediately and she kept the momentum going with one joke after another. “A relentless onslaught of comedy” that’s my quote. She seemed so innocent at first in her playful red dress and cowboy boots….but we all had to hold onto our cowboy hats as we were knee deep in smiles before we knew it.

Ending the afternoon, local singer and songwriter, Anne Stott, performed four songs for us with her acoustic guitar. Her melodic voice and strumming were a perfect compliment to the somber meaning behind the event. She ended with Janis Joplin’s “Mercedes Benz”… a sing a long that most knew. She sold her cd’s and donated the proceeds to The AIDS Support Group.

I thanked everyone for coming after Anne performed and the event ended. It was a huge success for the AIDS Support Group as we raised a lot of cash. I think there may be one next year. If you want to donate this year, you still can, just send me an email and I’ll tell you where to send the check.

Saturday night, Luis, John, Brian and I went to see Lainie Kazan at the Vixen Nightclub. She performed for an hour and half. Her singing was completely awesome. The performance was a mix of stories, comedy and singing. She had broken her hip a few weeks back and performed from a wheelchair. After John and Brian had Lainie sign their newly purchased cd’s, we went home where Luis prepared an eggplant lasagna from scratch….absolutely delish.

Sunday night, after cleaning up from the fundraiser, Brian, Rich and I went to the opening party for Carnival at the Boatslip. Lea Delaria emceed the event. There was an automated horse, lots of entertainment and plenty to look at. I left at 11:30…. had to work the next day, but the event went until 1AM.

So Carnival has started with its theme of Wild Wild West.…. Next week I’ll write about Classical Varla, the parade and numerous parties that will happen.

In the meantime, if you’d like to send in a photo, comment or anything else pertaining to Ptown… Email me at mike.dubour@verizon.net.


Have a fun week, thanks for reading and play it safe!

Getting Away From It All

Last week I had to get away from it all. This being my first summer being single in Provincetown has taken its toll. I escaped to the quiet seclusion of Western Mass. Westhampton, to be exact and a week long vacation on Pine Island Lake. Kayaking, swimming and row boating filled the days and dining in Northampton eateries and movies filled the nights. I was on Golden Pond and catching up with family and childhood friends and renewing a friendship with my friend Tony.

I’ll write about Provincetown next week as it will be Carnival week. Wild west is the theme and this town will be no doubt filled with cowboys and Indians. Remember the Rodeo at the Raised Ranch fundraiser is this weekend. You are invited … read and download the invite at my site. Next week I’ll be back and tell you how it went. If you want to come just send me an email. Anne Stott will provide the music, Kaitlin Colombo and Buddy Star will perform comedy, porn star Spencer Quest will make an appearance, there will be tarot card reader and a hot lil cowboy named Matt will be available for lassoing (scroll back a few blogs to see him modeling erotic clothes in the June 9th blog entry) It promises to be a fun time for a good cause.

I capped off my vacation by spending a day in Wellfleet at The Wildlife Sanctuary. How absolutely beautiful! Trails that wind along the ocean, through woods, along a pond and more. The scenery is spectacular and worth the $5.00 donation.

On Sunday, Luiz and I went to the Flea Market in Wellfleet. What a huge event. Not really my cup of tea but if you like deals and used items for purchase, this may be your thing.

Have a good week. Email me at mike.dubour@verizon.net if you would like to post anything or have any input.

Bye Family Week, Hello Vacation

NOTE: Remember, I'm hosting my first-ever fund raiser on August 17th in Provincetown. It is to benefit The AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod, for which I am a Board Member. $50 per head. $90 per couple. You are invited … read and download the invite at my site.

Okay, now to this week's blog entry, "Bye Family Week, Hello Vacation" ...

Family Week has ended! While I was shopping at Bravo with Rich for playful new shirts, we observed two daddies and their Asian daughter. It was the first Sunday of Family Week. They were all smiles, stroller nice and neatly organized, diapers neatly piled, ready for deployment, and blanket smartly folded on the stroller roof. I just had to say “hello” as one of the daddies was very attractive and the daughter was like a doll.

Well, flash ahead to Saturday morning. I saw the same couple while waiting in line (out to the street mind you) for my morning coffee at Joe. Needless to say, I tried to avoid eye contact as they lumbered by, the cute daddy far ahead with the stroller…diapers spilling out with wipes in tow, the blanket hanging over the edge and dragging on the street, a scowl on his face. The other daddy trudged behind, pulling the little girl, tripping on the brick sidewalk and looking as if he’d rather be at a fabulous morning brunch affair.

This seemed to be the theme as Family Week wore on and the combination of hot weather and unruly children created an orchestra of chaos.

There were, to be fair, plenty of calmer families who took advantage of the workshops, play groups and networking events. I am an avid supporter of Family Week for the diversity of our community.

I went to The Provincetown Inn for a swim on my day off, between chores, and ran into my friends Pam and Judy. These legendary ladies have been coming to Provincetown since the 1950’s and have so much knowledge about the town and its evolution. Between the jumping, splashing and yelling of the children we had a pleasant conversation about Judy Garland, Wayland Flowers, Paul Lynde and other luminaries who they partied with in the day, here in Provincetown. Apparently, before Tea Dance was born, the after beach spot was The Moors Restaurant for an event called Sing A Long. Also, Paul Lynde and Wayland Flowers could be found at The Crown and Anchor bar. How fun.

Luiz is back for a visit before I head off to my summer vacation in Western Massachusetts. I’m off to a lake house in Westhampton, just outside of Northampton, for seclusion and regeneration. I’ll also be catching up with childhood friends and family.

Thursday night Luiz, David, Brian, Rich, Michael and a Dutch guy whose name I forgot, dined at Frappo. We ate outside, listened to Miss Richfield bark for her show and people watched. What a fun place. Afterwards we went to see Hedda Lettuce, the last of the queens to see. If you come to town be sure to check her out if you like adult themed humor. Her style is in line with “ole” school queens…she picks on the audience, sings her own songs and all mixed together with a twist of vile, stinging, adult comedy. Check her out, but be prepared for crassness…this is after all her signature but you shouldn’t be scared away.

Friday was spent at The Porch Bar. While conversing with friends a glamorous drag queen tapped my shoulder and said “hello Michael in a raspy sexy voice.” I was lost for words as I didn’t know her name. But she knew me! After disclosing that she was a real estate client we had a good laugh. I thought to myself while sipping my beverage…”only in Provincetown can I be in a circle of conversation that includes close friends, a New York City Producer, Stand Up Comedian, drag queen and my straight nephew.” What a chuckle.

Check in next week. In the meantime check out Kaitlin Colombo’s new blog appearing on Edge.com (click here)

I’m off to vacation. Email me at mike.dubour@verizon.net if you would like to post anything or have any input.