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!