The Sinclair Report:
The Dog Days of Summer
Do you ever wonder why the call this time of year the “Dog Days of Summer”? Is it supposed to have a negative connotation? I don’t know about all of you out there who have canine children, but I do, his name is Josh, and this is his favorite time of year. He gets to play in the creek with all his dog friends, he goes swimming in the neighbor’s pool, he rides shotgun in the Vista Cruiser with the windows down (I’ve really got to get the A/C fixed). He’s having loads of fun.
And speaking of loads of fun, that’s just what I have for you this month. The weather is perfect, the days are long and the nights are hot, and open toe sling-backs are still permissible. Before we get down to business with a month of fun in the Carolinas, a few announcements.
First… a belated Happy Birthday wish to Club Cabaret owner, Jeff Reeves. The staff of Club Cab certainly pulled off a surprise. Kudos kids.
Picnics Restaurant and Bake Shop would like to invite the entire community as well as their loyal customers to a Special Birthday Party honoring Minnie Smith--The Pie Lady--as she celebrates her 88th birthday! The homestyle diner and bakery will honor Minnie's birthday--as well as the 55th birthday of son and co-owner Ron Smith--with an all-day party on Wednesday, August 6 from 11:30 am until 8 pm at the 371 Merrimon Avenue location.
This special day will feature complimentary slices of Minnie and Ron's "Birthday Cake" as well as champagne toasts for all adult guests. Having served their world famous pies, cakes, and cheesecakes for nearly14 years, Ron and Minnie relish the opportunity to share their party favors with all their extended friends and family in the Asheville community.
PICNICS also reminds everyone that we are in the peak of the fresh South Carolina peach season, so come on in and enjoy a slice of Minnie's most fabulous pie--and of course--a scoop of vanilla ice cream! Or call and reserve a whole pie of your choice. Fresh local blackberries are also coming into season, and should be bountiful this year. Come in and enjoy a slice of homemade blackberry pie or cobbler. You’ll most likely see me there sampling the wares.
Also, don’t forget Saturday Night, August 2nd: Cookie LaRue Loves Safe Sex, A Benefit for WNCAP at O.Henry’s. Come out for this Fun filled, Star studded night of excitement for a very special cause.
OK… let’s start down south, in the Upstate again this month. Greenville is becoming quite the happening place.
Sugar Shack, owner Stephanie Howard has been putting her staff through their paces planning new events and booking new guests. A few of Sugar Shack’s highlights for the month are: Saturday, August 16th, Sugar Shack celebrates their Third Year Anniversary, and what a party, PJs for PJs. Yes, it’s a Pajama Party. Wear your PJs and get in free and drink free PJs all night long. There will also be free beer, great dance music, a fabulous show… all to say thank you for three successful years. Come early and stay late, the party starts at 9:30. On the 23rd, it’s Kelly Jo, Unplugged. Come out and see this terrific artist. On the last Thursday of the Month, the 28th, Stephanie is bringing in a live DJ for a very special dance party. And on the 30th, Greenville’s only One Man Cover Band, Bill Johnson will be in concert. Showtime for this event is 10pm.
Also at the Sugar Shack, on Saturday, August 9th and Friday, August 29th at 11:00 pm it’s the Sugar Daddies, the Best King and Queen Show, hosted by Randy O’Reilly. And every Sunday you can be part of a Guitar Hero & Beer Pong Tournament with $2 Beers and No Cover. Karaoke & Dance Party with Donna B. on Saturday, August 2nd, Friday, August 15th and again on Saturday, August 23rd at 10pm. As always for the most up to date info about the Sugar Shack you can go to their website at www.sugarshackclub.com.
Greenville’s latest offering to the gay club scene, Club Skittles, is still going strong and building momentum. It’s a little hard to find, but well worth the search. If you know where the new Bloom is on South Pleasantburg Drive, well Club Skittles is right around the corner, next door to the motel. It was my pleasure to be able to perform there last month. Everyone made me feel very much at home and I’m sure they’ll make you feel that way too
Club Skittles is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 9 pm till 2 serving a full selection of liquor, beer and wine with nightly drink specials, $3 house shots, $3 domestics, and a bartender’s choice. Friday night is show night at Club Skittles when show director Amanda Blake is joined on the Skittles stage by some of the South’s best up and comers (you know what I mean Summer), Saturday Night, their live DJ rocks the house with your favorite dancing tunes.
I tried to sit down with Show Director Amanda Blake and get her line up of entertainers but as busy as she has been booking the best talent around, this never happened. Amanda promises that I will be able to bring you the current line up weekly in my column in Come Out and Play.
You can log on to their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/clubskittlesgville for directions to this new Upstate offering. Of course, you must go in and check them out for yourself, and remember to tell them you read about it here.
Let’s point the Vista Cruiser up the mountain towards Asheville and take a look at what’s going on here in the “San Francisco of the East”. I just love that moniker (it means name, Summer).
Smokey’s After Dark continues with their summer line-up of drink specials. Smokey’s Summer Specials now include a daily $3 Attitude Adjustment Shot. Here’s the list: Sunday Bloody Sunday features $3 Bloody Marys and $3 Grape Pucker shots; Monday is Beer and Balls Monday at Smokey’s with $2 domestic beers, Free Pool and $3 Apple Pucker shots; Tuesday it’s a Tea Party with Robbie serving up $3 Long Island Iced Teas and $3 Butterscotch Schnapps; Wednesday offers Bourbon, Bingo, and Bob. Free Bingo called by a celebrity bingo caller, $3 Bourbon and Coke, fabulous bingo prizes and Razzamatazz shots for $3; Thursday is 80’s night with Trent. Celebrate the dark days of disco with their dark liquor hi ball special, $3 Bourbon, Scotch, or Rum, and a Peach Schnapps shot special for $3. And don’t forget, at Smokey’s… there’s never a cover.
Now, just two doors down from Smokey’s is Tressa’s Downtown Jazz and Blues. Tressa’s is redefining the art of night clubbing. The ambiance takes you straight to the French Quarter, the Martini List will astound you, and the service is, in a word, perfect. Once you’ve got your adult beverage of choice, grab a table and get ready to be wowed by the line up of entertainment at Tressa’s Downtown Jazz and Blues.
Tressa’s weekly line up begins with Monday’s Industry Night, this night is just for us. DJ Izzy Mayfield spins your favorites all night long and the staff of Tressa’s offers expert service some of the best mixology (that’s bartender lingo, Summer) you’ll experience, anywhere. Just show your industry ID for a waived cover and let the good times roll. Tuesdays continue strong with Chuck Lichtenberg and his knack for emulating the great jazz styles of the masters and Wednesday’s Ladies Night is always a hit, especially now that Ms. Jones and the Velvetones are back! Tressa’s is also bringing back a monthly “La Cage” styled revue courtesy of Natalie Productions. All weeknight shows begin a 9pm.
SRO weekends are the norm at Tressa’s with top name entertainment such as Funky 4 corners, Peggy Ratsuz, or Ruby Mayfield. Don’t forget that on Friday and Saturday, the smoke-free Luxury Lounge upstairs is open for a breath of fresh air.
Let’s move over to French Broad and check out what’s happening at Club Hairspray. First, though, their weekday line-up.
Sunday Nights are Industry Night with Shorty. Ever play Beer Pong? You gotta try it.
Then it’s Monday Madness w/Brandi and Tracy and DJ Position playing the top hits. Mondays also feature free pool and $1.00 PBRs and $3.00 Lemon Drops. So come out and start your week right!!!!
Spend Tipsy Tuesdays with Hannah, Shorty, and Tracy, Strip Tease Lessons, and DJ Position. Tuesday’s drink specials are $2 Miller Lites and $3 Kamikazes.
On Wednesday nights you’ll find the Wild 90’s live on at Club Hairspray with Janie, Shorty and DJ Position playing your favorite 90’s hits. $2 Yuenglings and $3 Buttery Nipples are the specials on Wednesdays
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Thursday is College Night with Sound Extreme Karaoke. Show your college ID at the door for specials with you in mind: $2 Michelob Ultra and $4.00 Red Headed Sluts.
Friday nights features Drag Kings or Live Music to tickle your fancy! Yes, Every other Friday Club Hairspray will give you a li’l variety w/ Kings from all over the South or live music from your local favorites like Jazz or Nikki Talley! $2.00 Bud Lights and $4.00 Wells (These include- house Vodka, Gin, Rum, Tequila, and house Whiskey!!!) will keep your thirst away.
Saturday is Show Night, now under the direction of Miss Ashley Michaels. Ashley brings her own brand of Vivaciousness and Grace back to a vocal stage! Hers is always an innovative take on songs both old and new. Come to Show Night and see what Ashley, The Show Director, has in store for you at the ever exciting Hairspray. Drink specials all night long are $2 Yuenglings and $4 Jager Bombs.
Now, I need to mention a couple of Club Hairspray’s exciting special events for August. On Friday, August 1st, the Sugar Daddys, traveling drag troupe from South Carolina, will keep you entertained late into the night. Showtime is 11pm.
Then on Friday, August 22nd,Hot N Ready will be in the house to wow you. Hot N Ready is one of Club Hairspray's premiere drag troupes. Consisting of four drag kings: Krisp E. Kreme, Papa Ren, Oliver Twist, and Shawty. As well as two GoGo Girls: C-Low and Kinky Kreme. Hot N Ready performs songs from every genre fromNew Kids on the Block to The Cliks to Nelly and Tim McGraw. With their own twist on the songs and their original choreography, Hot N Ready is definitely a group not to be missed. Come out to Hairspray Friday August 22nd and check out Hot N Ready starting about 11:00pm. Look forward to seeing you there! And for more information about Club Hairspray and its many fine, fun, and exciting happenings visit them on the Web at www.myspace.com/clubhairsprayasheville.
Now, moving on the tri-plex of fun, O.Henry’s, Straps, and LaRue’s it’s a jam-packed month. With gas prices climbing, the cost of living rising, and just the general increase in prices everywhere, O.Henry’s has posted a new and very interesting daily drink special for the remainder of the summer! That coupled with the other daily drink specials that are posted and change from day to day, and the modest REGULAR prices of their cocktails, makes drinking in the O.Henry's triplex considerably less expensive than other clubs around. That's important to keep in mind, if stretching your entertainment dollar means anything to you at all !!
Also along the theme of getting more buck for your dollar, O.Henry's opens its pool tables for FREE pool all day and night on each and every Wednesday and Sunday of the week, unlike other clubs that might open them, but only for the slow business hours of the day. Keeping the theme of 'saving a buck or two' alive, O.Henry's reintroduces its 'MEMBERSHIP HAS PRIVILEGES', just show your current membership card on each and every Monday during August and get ONE DOLLAR off the price of your first cocktail!
O.Henry's, keeping its regular prices down and then shaving cost off of that as well, doing all it can to make your drinking experience pleasurable, and AFFORDABLE.
VJ Drew and Bartender Scott are certainly making a night for themselves with O.Henry’s Monday Night Cyber Jukebox. The best of the Internet along with your most requested YouTube and MySpace videos and the latest music videos. Also new at O.Henry’s, DJ Captain Iguy joins the staff as their regular Friday Night DJ spinning all your favorite Hi Energy hits. Stop by and tell him that Miss Sinclair sent you.
The club is open each and every day of the year at 2pm and stays open, serving up its last cocktails at 2am. This club, the oldest gay club in the state, shows us why by giving us more for less. You're sure to enjoy the club whether it be during the week night or on the happening weekend nights.
O.Henry's offers up the magic of the ASHEVILLE ANGELS on Saturday nights. NATALIE PRODUCTIONS showcases a cast of 3 impersonators each and every Saturday night, mixing the cast from week to week and showing you 'themed' nights as well when the opportunity presents itself. Clearly some of the best 'drag' in the state !! Showtime is midnight.
Natalie herself sat down and shared with me her “Star Studded” line-up for August.
Saturday, August 2nd. It’s a WNCAP benefit, “Cookie LaRue Loves Safe Sex” starring Cookie LaRue and co-host, myself, Stephanie Sinclair. The evening will feature the house cast along with special guest Keisha Wellington.
On the 9th, Amanda Blake from Greenville’s Club Skittles joins Natalie Smalls and Butch on the show floor.
Then on the 16th, I, Miss Stephanie Sinclair, return to the stage at O.Henry’s to be joined by Adara McDaniels and Lisa Fontaine.
On August 23rd, Natalie presents, Gilda, along with special guests, Summer Clearence and Tiffany Stone.
And finally, on the 30th, it’s the Greensboro Invasion, featuring the reigning Miss O,Henry’s, Tia Chanella. Joining Tia that night are Felicity Brylette and Angelica Dust.
Just a few steps down the hallway in the tri-plex of fun is Straps. Straps is open each and every Friday and Saturday night of the year at 8pm. The drink special there ( to keep the theme of 'more for less' alive) is the 16 ounce draft beer at just TWO DOLLARS each ! These drafts beers are served in chilled glasses whenever possible, but also remember, if there's a drink special in O.Henry's, it’s available at the same great price in STRAPS too !!
The area’s ever popular leather/Levi club, WNC LEATHERMEN, meet each first Saturday night in Straps for their MEET AND GREET night. This promises to not only fill STRAPs but the overflow of patrons pours into O.HENRY'S and LaRUE'S (the two other bars in the triplex). Bartender Jamie has worked hard on building this small but intimate club into what it is and prides himself with its motif and strong masculine feel, so come out and party with him.
This month at the LaRue's Backdoor…That slut, Michae,l keeps the Hump in "Hump Day" every Wednesday at LaRue's Backdoor with Mojito's and an insane Martini Special. You really have to be there to understand!
Thursday, August 7th is The Backdoor's Monthly Wide Open Mic! Last month was so umm . . . odd . . . the good folks at The Backdoor are making it monthly. Do you have an itch to be on stage? Well here is your chance! Stand up! Drag! Performance Poetry! Strip! Sing! Rant about your annoying neighbors! You have 15 minutes to do whatever you want on the infamous LaRue's Backdoor stage. There are no rules! Well, one rule. NO MIMES. Oh and if Cookie gets bored before your time is up watch out! Ask the "Poet" from July! Sign up at 9 and be ready at 10!
On Thursday, August 14th, the fabulous local Improv Group THE OXYMORONS will take the stage at 10pm. According to the rumor mill…at their last show at 35Below, Cookie LaRue was seen literally Laughing Her Ass Off! No really, she had both feet off the floor hands in the air and was waving her hanky . . . apparently it was a sight to behold!
On Friday, August 15th, FabCo Entertainment Presents . . . Scott Cureton! Michael Sheldon! Phoebe Fabu! Lorna Doone LaRue! in SHE HAW! A Cavalcade of Country Classics! With special Guests, Natalie Smalls and the Clogging Wonder of the South, Timmy Twinkletoes! This is a show not to be missed! Showtime is 10pm and tickets are $10. This thing is selling out quickly so get yours now!
Thursday, August 21st is perfect for game show junkies because it’s time for The Queer Factor! Gay Password Edition 2! With your Hostess, Cookie LaRue! The Backdoor's "almost monthly" Live Game Show is, of course, a benefit for Loving Food Resources so bring lot's of cash cause Cookie won't stop singing til her purse is full. If you were there last month you know what to expect, if you weren't, then you missed out on the most fun you can have in Asheville on a Thursday since well . . . Ever! Who knew Ma Bell knew what a Rim Job was?
On Friday, August 22nd, FabCo Entertainment Presents SHE HAW! (see above) in a special NON SMOKING SHOW! Always wondered what all the fuss was about but couldn't take the Second Hand Smoke? Tonight's show is Non-Smoking! Now you have no excuse! Showtime is 10pm sharp. Tickets are on sale now at the bar or by calling 828-252-1014. Get yours fast ‘cause they ain’t gonna last.
Saturday, August 23rd is Country Night! All Country All Night! Boot Scoot yer Boogie over to the Backdoor and Two Step your heart out! Western Wear encouraged!
And Friday, August 29th, The Final Night of She Haw! Who knows what those Girls have in store for their final show! Showtime is 10pm and if it isn't sold out already you need to get your ticket soon!
Big News! There is a rumor going around that Cookie and Frankie are starting to work on an All New Show for September! According to local gossip, it is called, "There's An Angry Lesbian In The Coffee House Tonight!" From what we hear Miss LaRue has a rather big announcement to make . . . what does she keep in that closet anyway . . .?
For more info on these and other events to special to mention check our Cookie's MySpace page www.myspace.com/laruesbackdoor
Our last stop on this month’s tour is Hickory and Club Cabaret. Owner and resident cutie, Jeff Reeves tells me that Club Cabaret is now open Wednesday thru Sunday, from 9:30pm. This means a whole extra night of Club Cabaret every week. Some of the nightly features at Club Cabaret are Wednesday Night Karaoke with the one and only Monica Jeffries playing all your Karaoke favorites. Thursday night is Retro night. Break out the polyester and gold chains and come on in for some of the “baddest” (remember when we called everything good, “bad”), old school disco tunes. Friday night at Club Cabaret is Show Night, bringing you some of the biggest names in local female impersonation such as Shana Nicole, Kristin Collins and Victoria Victors. Saturday Night at Club Cabaret is Dance Night. Come on out and shake what you got to the live DJ spinning all your dance favorites… and you’ll never know who might take to the stage to perform at midnight. Sunday Night at Club Cabaret is your night to shine when Monica Jeffries once again turns over the stage and the mic to you, Come out and show what you’ve got. It’s always a good time at Club Cabaret. I know when I’m in Hickory; Club Cabaret is on my list of stops.
Jeff Reeves also shared with Miss Sinclair that Club Cabaret has a new website at www.clubcabarethickory.com. I checked it out the other day and they’re just starting to fill it with their new schedules. So log on or just read about it in my weekly report in Come Out and Play,
A few nights to remember at Club Cabaret this month are: on August 1st, Club Cabaret presents the Mr & Miss NC Classique contest starring Dwanna Moore, Miss Classique & Xavier Cole, Mr Classique & Victoria Victors, Miss NC Classique & Tony Lionhardt, Mr NC Classique; the on August 8th, it’s Q and Divida and the Broadway House cast show; on August 15th, from Atlanta, Miss Isabella Diamante will perform; and August 28th -31th Club Cabaret will host the Mr Gay USA FMI Contest Starring D Roc and contestants from all over USA.
OK… that’s it for now. As I always say, if you don’t see it here, or read it in my newsletter, or now on my Blog, it either just isn’t happening, or you don’t need to be there. So Drive Carefully, Drink Responsibly, and Play Safely. I want you all back reading my column next month.
Stephanie
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