Find them Somebody to love, really
We love Crescendo: The Tampa Bay Women’s Chorus. So imagine our excitement when we got a chance to hear them do a surprise number not just once – but twice this month! The fabulous ladies first appeared at the start of the Metro Tampa Bay Gala when a “fight” broke out between two women, gaining the attention of the entire crowd within the Garden Club on Sept. 19. But soon, it was evident it was staged as women throughout the crowd took turns singing portions of the Queen hit “Somebody to Love.” By the time the song wrapped, the women, who had been stationed around the large room, were all together, near one end of the room belting out the mega-hit. It grabbed everyone’s attention and was a fabulous way to announce that the evening’s festivities were underway.
Just a week later at the launch party for the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, another “fight” broke out near the bar, grabbing the attention of everyone at the Tampa Museum of Art on Sept. 19. But once again, the familiar song started and the members of Crescendo appeared throughout the crowded museum, with one member belting out some impressive notes from atop the stairway. And yes, even though we had seen it a week before, the performance still surprised us, and delighted the entire room.
Those bear necessities
Every month, Watermark editor Steve Blanchard and Tampa Bay sales manager Bill Jeffries host Watermark Wednesday at different venues throughout the region. While the formula is pretty constant – networking, social time, raffle prizes and donating money to organizations and charity – the September social took a surprise turn with the Tampa Bay Bears. For the first time ever, Watermark Wednesday presented a “Bare Chest” contest, which suited the men of the Tampa Bay Bears just fine. In all, seven contestants took to the stage at Quench Lounge to showcase their torsos and two of the hotties walked away with prizes to see area shows. One of the prizes was to see – appropriately – the Bare Naked Ladies in concert. The night was also the most successful Watermark Wednesday to date, with more than $700 raised for the Bears, which donated it to the AIDS Partnership Inc.
Digging dystopia
Believe it or not, it’s already that time of year to think about the holidays, especially Halloween, which is less than a month away! Walk through any club or gathering of friends in Tampa Bay and you’ll hear the same question – What’s your costume for the All Hallows Ball this year?” While many have ideas already in the works, there are some who are still struggling with this year’s theme – dystopia. Those LGBTs on “the list” received word of the dark theme via mail earlier this month and it included a description of what the organizers have in mind. The message is short and sweet: “mankind has recorded speculation of the end of times throughout history,” it reads, “detailing the days following those arguably lucky survivors. Now it is time to put your imagination to the test as you envision and embody a post-apocalyptic future, as you define Dystopia.” The annual invitation-only party is on Oct. 26 at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Tampa. You can bet we’ll be there with our cameras to catch the creative process all night long.
