Category Archives: GaYBOR Photos

EL GOYA Reunion

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    Friday night was an El Goya Reunion Party and brought back great memories of days past. Bradley’s on 7th was the host to the 30 year old kindling. Hosted by Joey Brooks and a cast of performing entertainers that haven’t performed in years. Attending and performing were some of the Ybor City’s Golden Days Drag stars. The numbers and outrageous outfits were spectacular. Bobbie Lake, Melanie Minyon, Gilda Golden and Joey Brooks. The place was packed with memory hounds, well wishers and renewed friendship seekers. Also was longtime area favorite Drag Star, “Hey Everybody” Stephanie Shippae.
    Memories of the 1980’s days of the very popular gay bar were portrayed by the smiles, talents and friendships that people developed. This was a very visual exciting youthful gay bar that many found out and acted upon their true inner feelings and found a comfort zone.
    “Straight or gay, El Goya was a very popular place to take visiting dignitaries to.” said former Tampa Mayor Dick Greco. ” Most people had never even seen a real drag show and it was a very interesting place to take our city’s VIP visiting guests. I loved it. And so did the guests.”
    “Mayor Dick Greco had a reserved table in the front of the stage whenever he wanted it.” commented reunion host Joey Brooks.
    Ybor City’s famous El Goya closed in late 1980’s changed to Tracks and then Pleasure Dome and now Czar.
“It was so unique back then in Ybor City that it was one of 2 businesses that stayed open after dark, the Columbian Restaurant and El Goya. “ said Horst Glamsh, a lifelong Tampa Bay resident, bartender and El Goya Bar frequenter.

GaYBOR District Meeting

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    TIGLFF Executive Director Larry Biddle talked about the 23rd Annual Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival starting October 5th at the Tampa Theatre. What a great time to get out and have fun seeing new GLBT movies being theatrically released for the year. Florida Aquarium’s Animal Registrar, Jason Donnell talked about the future million dollar expansion program of the aquarium, group events and finding the 1900 sunken boat in Hillsborough River. The GaYBOR District gave a $500.00 check to the Holiday Spirit of Ybor Festival for the upcoming 6 week Christmas Holiday events in Ybor City. The next GaYBOR Meeting is October 13th.

 

Once again, GaYBOR Saved the day in Historic Ybor City.

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    Labor Day Sunday FunDay GaYBOR Style was a huge success. The GaYBOR members pulled together and turned a quiet Sunday into a very busy Saturday night. All the GaYBOR Members were very busy. The GaYBOR Bar Crawl started at Barbarella’s with 150+ Party People. The group made their way thru 9 clubs spreading Labor Day Cheer! At the last stop Bradley’s on 7th they were treated to a wonderful, fantastic buffet. Hamburger Mary’s kicked the day off with their Famous Sunday Brunch! Later in the day they had the Legendary Lady Bunny Performing. Romantic dinners at The Laughing Cat & New sidewalk dinning at The Row Boat. New York, New York Pizza had the outside tables filled. The Ybor Social hosted the “Ybor Eagle Reunion Party.” A full day of Friends, Family, Great Food,Cigars, Cocktails & Shopping. To end the day off there was a 4 dimensional Light & Sound, “Black Light – Glow Party” at The Honey Pot. Viva La GaYBOR!!!!

GaYBOR President Guest Speaker @ Sam’s Club

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    GaYBOR District Coalition had a special invitation to address the South Tampa Sam’s Club Mangers, staff and employees in their weekly morning meeting Thursday. GaYBOR Board officers Mark and Carrie arrived for the before 9 AM employee breakfast gathering.
    ” Diversity starts at all levels and areas. Businesses, churches, schools, organizations, and government agencies all have to share in the process.” Carrie said. “Sam’s Club is inclusive of a wide variety of outreaches including GaYBOR District Coalition.”
    Store Manager, Theresa and Human Resource Manager, Christina helped set up the morning speaking engagement to help educate staff & employees of a better understanding of Tampa’s historic Ybor City and GLBT community. After the breakfast we joined the group in a wake up store cheer! GDC now has over 286 GLBTA businesses and residents.
    Sam’s Club in South Tampa is a long time member of the GaYBOR District Coalition and are sponsors to the upcoming GaYBOR’s FREE, ‘5th Annual 7th Ave Health & Wellness Fair’ , September 21st at Metro Wellness Community & Wellness Center in Ybor City.

Professional Wrestling at a Gay Bar in GaYBOR!!

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Florida Legends of Wrestling @ Bradley’s on 7th
    Bradley’s very own “BONECRUSHER” Mohamed Studd brought back for the 3rd time F.L.O.W!!! A complete professional wrestling organized competition complete with ring that was set up over the dance floor. Over the night the crowds cheered & SCREAMED for their favorites. There were 6 match sets in all. In Match 4 “BIG SEXY NUKE” with the help of his Manager “MAN EATER MR SPARKLES” (Carrie West) easy over took “BIG DICK STEEL.” In the Grand Finally round “BONECRUSHER” vs “PRESTIN CAINE” the crowd were on the verge of a RIOT as Prestin Caine CHEATED to WIN!!! As Preston’s manager distracted the referee, Prestin handed BONECRUSHER a folding chair to hold. Then the scum Prestin layed down and pretended he was hit with a chair!!! Despite a roar of BOOOO”S Prestin won the match. Look for the next F.L.O.W Matching coming soon to Bradley’s on 7th.
More Photos attached

GaYBOR District was proud to showcase GaYBOR to Switzerland leaders

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    GaYBOR District was proud to showcase GaYBOR in Historic Ybor City with 20 business and government leaders from Switzerland, Edelweiss Airlines executives, 6 Swiss GLBT journalists, a Swiss TV Camera crew and European TV personalities. The “asked for tour” by the Swiss delegation requested a tour of the GaYBOR District in Historic Ybor City.  The night  included a European style dinner at Laughing Cat Restaurant and then an Official Meet & Greet event with local Tampa leaders at Don Vicente Historic Inn. Other samplings of the Landmark designated district were at Jose Marti Park, G.BAR, Stone Soup Company, Metro Wellness & Community Centers, TECO Streetcar, King Corona Cigars, Hamburger Mary’s, Honey Pot, Centro Ybor Complex, Bradley’s on 7th and Liquid Tampa.
    Many Tampa City and Hillsborough County officials were very instrumental in participating in the “Discover GaYBOR District Swiss Tour”. THANK YOU to the GaYBOR GLBTA Business and Community residents in making these international guests very welcomed to GaYBOR/Ybor City – Tampa!
Carrie West, President
GaYBOR District Coalition
6-30-2012

Tampa City Nightclub Regulation Watch

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    The GaYBOR District Coalition with it’s Ybor City family were all out if full force at a recent Tampa City Council Workshop to change Tampa Liquor laws and regulations. (i.e.) 18 up or 21 up bars? Regulations on hours, locations? These new regulations that Tampa City Council adopts and passes will affect all of Tampa. Yes, even SOHO district, Fowler Ave and the Westshore areas besides Ybor City! Unfortunately, 95% of the people there were from Ybor City. This speaks highly of how GaYBOR -Ybor City businesses work together and communicate together. Another open council hearing is set for June.
Viva La Ybor City!!!
(More Photos below)
To see the whole meeting visit….