It's party time ... that’s right … party time. With the passing of the Gay High Holiday, Halloween, it means that Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Darwali, Kwanzaa and New Year’s and Three Kings are all right around the corner. I’m so ready.

But first, a few announcements. You know me … I always have announcements.

Once again, the fine folk at Grove House present the Art Fryar Memorial Dinner, Thursday, November 13th, The evening will begin with a Cocktail Hour from 6pm-7pm, Dinner Begins at 7 pm. Tickets are $15 per person with all proceeds to benefit Loving Food Resources. Jeff, TJ, and the rest of the staff at Grove House have planned an incredible menu, which, by the way, I understand that they will be cooking themselves. I can tell you from experience that TJ really does know his way around a kitchen. Pasta Primavera w/Chicken, Vegetarian Pasta ala TJ, Ceasar Salad, Bread, Dessert, Tea/Coffee are all on the menu. Place: Eleven on Grove above Scandals Nightclub. 11 Grove St, Asheville. Call (828) 505-1612 to make reservations. Pay cash or check at the door.

And speaking of special events at the Grove House, get ready to Boot Scoot your Boogie on Saturday Night, November 22nd as Eleven on Grove presents Asheville’s First LGBTQ Fall Country Dance. DJ Es will be spinning up all your Country Dance Hits. Cash Bar and Light Hors D’Oeuvres. $10 at the door. The fun starts at 8 pm. For more information call 828-505-1612. Yehaw!

First. A great big Sinclair style congratulations to the newly crowned Miss O.Henry’s, Miss LuAnn Landreth. It was so good to see LuAnn back on stage, all rested and ready to entertain again. All three entrants were quite talented but unfortunately, there can only be one winner. It was a hard choice. I was joined at the Judges Table that night by the wonderful likes of Mr. Michael Sheldon (Cookie LaRue’s alter ego), and Mr. TJ Haynes, General manager of Grove House. Thank you gentlemen for a job well done, and thank you, Natalie Smalls, for another fine and well run pageant.

Second. Congratulations to the WNC Leathermen on their recent 1st Anniversary Party, “Boots Boxers and a Bag of Groceries”. It was my honor to perform for the Leathermen last Saturday Night for their anniversary, and their month long food drive for LFR was a smashing success. Did you see me in my boxers that night… black satin of course. I thank the Leathermen for allowing me to be a part of the special evening.

OK… enough humility, it really doesn’t become me. Let’s fire up the old Vista Cruiser and see what’s happening in partyland.

First stop, Hickory and Club Cabaret.

Club Cab owner Jeff Reeves and his staff are always cooking up ways to make your night time the right time, and they might just have hit the “nail on the head” wit this one. Their brand new Saturday Night Dance Party with the legendary DJ Lynn Benifield. Charlotte’s loss is Hickory’s gain with DJ Lynn heating up the house on Saturdays with his unique style and mix. If DJ Lynn doesn’t get you up on the dance floor, it’s only because you’re crippled (NO… I really didn’t mean that… no hate mail please).

Friday Night at Club Cabaret continues to shine with some of the brightest stars around. That’s right, Show Night. Owner Reeves not only employs some of the most talented entertainers in the state, but he brings in some of the most incredible guests. Showtime is at Midnight.

Sunday, Club Cabaret’s famous Scaryoke Karaoke continues to bring in crowds. I’m not sure whether it’s the liquor or the talent but the evening is always a success.

Open Wednesday thru Sunday from 9:00 pm and located in the heart of downtown Hickory, make Club Cabaret a must on your party plan. Check out their website at www.clubcabarethickory.com or their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/clubcabaret for details on current events and specials. See you at “The Cab.”

Before heading back to Asheville, let’s drop down to the Upstate and check out the happenings at the hottest little bar in Greenville, the Sugar Shack.

That little neighborhood bar with the big club feel, the Sugar Shack, continues to entertain Greenville’s hippest and hottest every Thursday thru Sunday. Owner, Stephanie Howard and her staff provide entertainment for all tastes. From Drag Queens to Drag Kings, Dance Parties to Karaoke Throw Downs, From Live Acts to Live DJs. If you don’t have a good time at the Sugar Shack, it’s your own fault.

Log on to their website at www.sugarshackclub.com and check out their weekly line up. And when you go, tell them “the other Stephanie” sent you.

All righty then… time to head up the mountain to The Land of Sky, aka Asheville, and a taste of November Party in the big “A.”

First stop, the famous tri-plex of fun, O. Henry’s, Straps, and LaRue’s Backdoor. Park once and take advantage of three separate clubs under one roof.

Miss Sinclair had the express privilege, as she does every month to sit down with the owners of the O.Henry's Triplex, Pete and Steve. Pete said, “CHANGE month is just about completed with more improvements.  The room dividers are in and hung, the Commercial smoke eaters have arrived and are already in use in all three bars !!  LaRue's has made some of its changes and promises the rest to be in place by month’s end.”

Pete continued, “ Straps will be redecorated and O.Henry's will be finishing its last two projects before the floors are all polished in all clubs and the changes began last month are complete”

“The Triplex is working on a new daily drink special board and will be posted on November First.  Your favorites will be protected and other specials will appear as well. Besides the daily specials that all bars offer, each bar has their own signature or featured drink as well”. 

O.Henry's, North Carolina's oldest gay bar, is open each day of the week 365 a year  at 2pm and still offers up free pool on Wednesdays and Sunday

Saturday night at O.Henry’s, Natalie Smalls brings to the Asheville audience the finest in female impersonation with her Asheville Angels Review. Natalie shared her November calendar with me:

On Saturday, November 8th – Natalie joins, Sasha Leigh Chambers and McKenzie Taylor. On November 15th, the Carolina Showgirl, Chyna, will be joined on stage by Phoebe Fabu and the Legend of the South, Gilda. On November 22nd, Natalie presents Adara McDaniels and some very special guests, your newly crowned Miss O.Henry’s, LuAnne Landreth and the ever incredible Mr. Butch. And to end the month, on November 29th, Cookie LaRue herself joins the cast.

Also don’t forget, Natalie’s road show, Friday Night, November 28th. Natalie, Lisa Fontaine and Chyna invade Club Hairspray for a special Friday Night performance.
Straps, home of the WNC Leathermen, is open each every Friday and Saturday night with hottie bartender Ken who will continue to offer up refreshingly cold, 16 oz draft beer for the ghastly thin amount of $2.00 along with his Straps Signature Drink Line up. Straps will also offer the same drink specials you’ll find nightly at O.Henry’s and Larue’s.
And speaking of LaRue’s, I had a chance to split a diet Bud with the Diva herself at Asheville Regional as she was waiting for her flight to Branson (Cookie, give up on the judgment already, you’ll never get a penny out of the skank… but I digress). Cookie told me, “LaRue's Backdoor is the finest Lounge in Asheville, named for the one of this countries finest IRRITAINER'S-Miss Cookie LaRue. You will be escorted into her world the minute you walk through the door. A door labeled ‘ASSHOLE FREE ZONE’, one of the only rules we have, and our most strict. LaRue's Backdoor is about fun-leave your attitude at some other establishment!”
With that said, her standby seat was called and off she went… coach of course… and she forgot to give me her calendar for November. No worries though, you can check out the daily do-ings at the Backdoor on Cookie’s MySpace page, www.myspace.com/laruesbackdoor.
Next stop in Asheville is Smokey's After Dark. Gene and the gang at Smokey’s keep the good times rolling with drink specials and theme nights. At Smokey's there is never, ever a cover. Check out Sunday Bloody Sunday, with $3 Bloody Marys and tons of gorgeous men. Monday night is Beer and Balls night at Smokey's with $2 domestic brews, free pool, and even more beautiful men. Tuesday night is a Tea Party with Robbie featuring $3 Long Island Iced Teas and still, more men. Wednesday is Bourbon, Bingo and Bob night. Play free bingo called by a celebrity bingo caller. Sip a $3 bourbon and Coke, enjoy fabulous bingo prizes, and hey, if you lose, there are still some amazingly hot men. Thursday is 80's night. And ladies, please don't feel left out at Smokey's either-- You'll have a fabulous time, too.

Now, let’s check in on the craziness on French Broad, better known as Club Hairspray. Ashley and Jazz have been working very hard on their November line up and I’m proud to be the one to release it. Here goes…

Mondays: Manic Mondays w/ Boi Jamie, free pool and $1 PBR.

Tuesdays: Hairspray Idol with Brandi (don’t forget the free pool) Hairspray Idol competition is a weekly chance to win $25 bar tab. Monthly semi-finals offer contestants chance to win $100 cash prize. Finals in December will be for a chance to win $500 cash prize. Any talent welcome! More information is available on www.myspace.com/clubhairsprayasheville. $2 Miller Lites and  $5 Jager Shots.

Wednesdays:Wild Wednesdays with Janie or Shorty. I love the 90’s night with the best mix of your favorite 90’s dance music. $2 Yuengling and $5 Long Island Iced Tea.

Thursdays: Thirsty Thursdays with Jamie & Janie.  And it’s College night with Sound Extreme Karaoke. Top 40 dance music and Karaoke all night with $2 Mich Ultra and $5 Jager Bombs.

Fridays: Fabulous Fridays with Shorty & Janie.Live acts/musicians every week.
11-7-08: Hot N Ready Drag King Troupe: Hairspray’s Premier Drag King Troupe. Combining hit music with hot choreography, this drag king troupe is the best around. Come check them out and don’t forget your dollar bills!

11-14-08: Jazz Salm Hairspray’s favorite girl & her guitar is back for November’s live events. Jazz gives you a walk through her diary with her amazing vocals & powerful lyrics; check her out before the show; www.myspace.com/jazzsalmmusic.

11-21-08: Wet T-Shirt/Boxer Contest. Think you have what it takes to win Hairspray’s Wet T-Shirt/Boxer Contest? Well, bring it on. We’ll provide the boxers and the t-shirts. Cash prize of $100 to the winner.

11-28-08:Natalie Productions Are you ready for this?The flawless Miss Natalie Smalls w/ Natalie Productionsis taking over Club Hairspray on November 28th with her all-star cast These talented Queens will blow you away. Show starts at 12. $2 Bud Light and $4 Well Liquor.

Saturdays: Sinful Saturdays with Jamie & Janie or Shorty and The Queens of Hairspray shows featuring Ashley Michaels & guests along with $2 Mich Ultra and $4 Long Islands.

Nov. 1st: Vickie Celeste, Roxanne Rage, Ekisha Renee
Nov. 8th: Serena Nox, Adara McDaniels, Ashley Michaels, Envy
Nov 15th: Sabrina Love, Lita Fontaine, Brianna Love
Nov 22nd: Terry Christian, Ashley Michaels, Ekisha Renee
Nov 29rd: Adara McDaniels, Roxanne Rage, Envy

Sundays: Service Industry Night with Jamie. Free pool, $2 Miller Lite, $3 Mimosas and $4 Bloody Mary’s.

Ok, last but certainly not least, Tressa’s Downtown Jazz and Blues. As always, Tressa, Terri and the whole staff “Re-define The Art of Nightclubbing” and the word of the day is always EXPERT; expert service, expert libation, expert entertainment… expert, expert, expert.

Monday night is still Industry Night at Tressa’s. DJ Izzy Mayfield will spin your favorite tunes all night and you’ll receive the absolute best in service. Tuesday nights feature Chuck Lichtenberger’s Jazz Jam. Wednesday night is Ladies’ Night with Ms. Jones and the Velvetones, always a favorite. All weeknight shows begin at 9.

A few weekend highlights from Tressa’s calendar are:

Thursday, Nov. 6: LIFT with DJ's Joshu, Trevor, and Friends. Delicious Music for Body and Soul.

Friday, Nov. 7: Blonde Blues. Great Blues and Dance to start your weekend.

Saturday, Nov. 8: The Levi Douglas Blues Band. Excellent Texas Blues


Sunday, Nov. 9: Blues For Elizabeth, a special Benefit with lots of local Blues artists. Doors open at 6.30pm, show starts at 7pm.

Thursday, Nov. 13: Peggy Ratusz' Invitational Blues Jam. Excellent Blues with lots of local artists.

Friday, Nov. 14: Peggy Ratusz and Daddy Longlegs. Fun, Dance, and Blues.

Saturday, Nov. 15: Ruby Mayfield and M-Pride. Celebrate the weekend with Fun and Dance from Blues to Rock'n Roll.

Have You Been Upstairs to the Luxury Lounge? Tressa’s has created an intimate oasis for those who desire a more private smoke free experience. Enjoy the beautiful fireplace and the great sound system, along with the superb service and wonderful selection of fine spirits you've come to expect at Tressa's! The Luxury Lounge is open Every Friday and Saturday, 8pm-2am.

Both bars are available for private & semi-private parties and special events! Celebrate the Holidays with your family and friends at Tressa’s. The Club is available 7 days a week. Book your parties now and relax while Tressa’s staff take care of the rest. Book your holiday party now! Call 828-254-7072 or e-mail them with your requests! Mention my name and this article for special rates.

Well boys and girls. I’ve done my best to bring you the best for your November party. I hope to see all of you out and about… oh and don’t forget… when you’re preparing your Thanksgiving Turkey this year, don’t forget to take out the bag with the giblets before you stuff it. It works much better this way.

Drive Carefully, Drink Responsibly, and Play Safely. I want to see you all next month.

Stephanie