Tampa Bay’s Overheard: Lady Chablis and GaYBOR Days

More than two tears have fallen as Lady Chablis passes away

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil scene-stealer and Savannah legend Lady Chablis died Sept. 8, according to Club One in Savannah, Ga. where Chablis was a performer.

“Chablis always wanted to give the audience, be it 15 or 1500, the best that she had. With her declining health, she regretted that her body wouldn’t allow her to give more,” Club One wrote in a post on their Facebook page.

The Lady Chablis was a lover of the bay area, even moving to St. Petersburg for a few years in the early 2000s, and could often be seen at the Suncoast Resort. “My favorite thing is the water,” she told the then -St. Petersburg Times in 2000. “Being close to the water, being able to [see] rain every other day, walking outside and seeing those wild parrots or canaries. What are those green birds? And the cranes in my front yard, those tall birds? I love that. … It’s so soothing.”

Chablis was one of the subjects of author John Berendt’s novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, known in Savannah simply as “The Book.” The novel was adapted into a film in 1997 by director Clint Eastwood and starred Kevin Spacey and John Cusack. Chablis insisted to USA Today that she would play herself in the movie or there would not be one.

Chablis’ sister, Cynthia Ponder, confirmed she died at Candler Hospital. A close friend, Cale Hall, said Chablis died from pneumonia and had been in the hospital for the past month. Chablis passed away surrounded by friends and family at Candler Hospital in Savannah. She was 59.

There goes the GaYBORhood

GaYBOR Days are back and the coalition is ready to show you a fun and happy Tampa Gay! GaYBOR Days is a weekend packed with shows and events to promote gay-owned and gay-friendly businesses in Tampa and is hosted each year by the GaYBOR Coalition.

In its ninth year, GaYBOR Days looks to expand and show why Ybor City and Tampa Bay are perfect spots for any LGBT event. The weekend will get started Thursday, Sept. 29 at Southern Nights Tampa in Ybor City with an official Tampa Pride kick-off party. Tampa Pride isn’t until March 2017 but the parties last so long in Ybor you have to kick it off six months early!

The party continues through Oct. 2 with great deals and offers on restaurants, shopping, clubs and more. Many of the member businesses will be having special events and programs throughout the week. See ya at the GaYBORhood!

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