Phoebe Fabu at O. Henry's October 4 at midnight.

Well my darlings, the air is getting crisp and it’s getting a little chilly in my shorter skirts. It’s time to get out the spiked heel boots and satin trench coats and get ready for Fall.

First, I’d like to announce that I, Stephanie Sinclair, along with the rest of OIA received Miss Sabrina Love’s September Community Hero Award. I am absolutely thrilled and extremely humbled. It’s such an honor, and a fabulous way to start off the season. I even got Charlie Foxfield into the Cruiser and out there with me. She looked good but I had better shoes.
Anyway. It was a fabulous experience and you can witness it for your very own viewing pleasure on oiaTV. Speaking of which, I also just want to remind everyone to keep watching oiaTV, since we’ve worked so very hard for it. And besides, why on earth would you want to miss ME? Because don’t forget that I host it.

Finally, please make sure to keep your calendars cleared for the October 4 AIDS Awareness Walk. I'd be thrilled to see you there, and I'd be even more thrilled to see you there with donations of canned goods and other tasty non-perishable goodies for Loving Food Resources, a food bank that serves people with HIV/AIDS. Dust off your walking shoes, or walking pumps or boots and prepare to strut around to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS in WNC.

I'd also like to go through a couple of special events for the month that are definitely worth a mention. From October 1 through 5, stop by TheatreUNCA for the “Psycho Beach Party.” Take one surfer-girl wannabe turned split-personality dominatrix, mix in a host of whacky seaside characters, and you've got anything but a typical day at the beach with Frankie and Annette. Instead, you've got a certified "Psycho Beach Party."  This campy spoof of 1960s surfer films and Hitchcock-style horror flicks will be showing at UNC Asheville's Carol Belk Theatre. Curtain is 8 pm. Wednesday-Saturday with a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee. All shows are open to the public. For more information, please call 828.251.6610.

The WNC Leathermen are helping re-vamp Straps. They are also hosting their monthly meet 'n greet there in November .

Don't miss Crys Matthews in Burlington at the Burlington Farmer's Market at 2 pm on October 19. I asked Crys what her music is like and she told me, “Imagine if Jill Scott and Otis Redding had a daughter. Now imagine Tracy Chapman was her god-mother and that she spent summers teaching herself piano in Chicago and guitar in the mountains of North Carolina. That would probably sound something like the music I am fortunate enough to call my own.” Don't miss her unique infusion of folk, jazz, funk, blues, Americana and bluegrass. She's also the winner of the 2007 Regional Artist Project of Northwest North Carolina's grant.

And of course, how could I forget Halloween? Now girls like me don't camp, but if you like sleeping outside and want to try something new this Halloween check out the Samhain Sabbat this Halloween weekend Thursday, October 30 through Saturday, November 1. It's Asheville's 14th Annual Free Public Witch Ritual. You can either bring your own goodies and camp out, or you can bring some extra cash to get smoked meats and veggies on Thursday. Make sure not to tread on a fairy, and make sure to have a completely magical time! For directions and other details, visit www.oldenwilde.org. 

And now, on to the clubs. We'll start in our ever-so-lovely hometown, Asheville.

Stephanie Howard (L), owner of Sugar Shack, and one of the bar's loyal patrons.

Smokey's After Dark keeps 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 feauturing $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 with a dark liquor hi ball special: $3 bourbon, scotch, rum, and men. I'm just kidding. The men aren't $3. But the drinks are. And ladies, please don't feel left out at Smokey's either-- You'll have a fabulous time, too.

At Tressa’s Downtown Jazz and Blues, make sure to plan ahead for the annual Halloween Costume Ball. It’s usually the biggest night of the year, and the club will be transformed into a haunted house. The drink special is Tressa’s infamous Deadman’s Eyeball. There’s also a costume contest with prizes awarded at midnight—will you be the scariest or the funniest? There’s a sexiest prize, too, but you know that I, the one and only Miss Stephanie Sinclair, will win the sexiest costume prize hands down.

Don't forget that Tressa's also features the smoke-free Luxury Lounge and Oxygen bar upstairs if you need to catch your breath and let your ears rest from all that wonderful music downstairs.

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, which is always a favorite. All weeknight shows begin at 9. On October 16 don't miss Natalie Productions at Tressa's featuring Adara McDaniels, Tamalah Taylor Lisa Fontaine and Natalie Smalls.

Fall into October at Club Hairspray with the following fabulous weekly specials. Monday nights are completely manic with Brandi. Shoot some free pool, and sip on $1 PBR. Then get ready for Talented Tuesdays with Shorty. Shoot some more free pool and make sure to sign up for Hairspray Idol. You’ll get a weekly chance to win a $25 bar tab. If you think you’re more fabulous than me, you might make it to the monthly semi-finals and get the chance to win $100 cold hardy cash. The finals in December give you the chance to win a $500 cash prize. You can get more information at myspace.com/clubhairsprayasheville. Meanwhile, don’t forget that the Tuesday drink specials are $2 Miller Lites and $5 Jager shots. Get wild on Wednesdays with Janie and Shortie at Club Hairspray’s I Love the 90’s night. DJ Position will spin your favorite 90s tunes while you drink $2 Yuenglings or $5 Long Island Iced Tea. Thursdays are awfully thirsty with Jamie and Brandi at College Night, with Sound Extreme Karaoke. If you need some help with the karaoke, you can check out the $2 Michelob Ultra; if you need some extreme liquid courage get yourself a $4 Red Headed Slut. Finally, Fridays are fabulous with Shorty and Janie along with live acts and musicians.

Special events at Club Hairspray this month are: Julie Loyd at 11 pm on October 3; Natalie Productions at midnight on October 10; Jazz Salm at 11 pm on October 17; Drag King Troupe the Crown Royals on October 24; and The Freaker’s Ball on October 31 – featuring $2 Bud Light and a bartender’s choice drink special.

And let’s not forget the weekend! Sinful Saturdays are with Jamie and Brandi. Come catch a Queens of Hairspray show, featuring Ashley Micheals and guests. Treat yourself to a $2 Michelob Ultra or a $4 Sex on the Beach, if you’re feeling a bit randy. Sundays are Service Industry Night at Club Hairspray. Wind down from your weekend with Jamie, free pool, $3 mimosas and $4 Bloody Marys.

October of 2008 is indeed a month of change at the O.Henry’s Triplex. Prepare yourself for some cosmetic changes in appearance to O.Henry's, Straps, and LaRue's Backdoor along with some structural changes as well. You will notice a change in the vibe in all three bars; the atmosphere in all bars will be livelier, more colorful, and more cheerful for the party-minded, if that’s even possible.

At LaRue’s prepare to see the former 'glamorous' look revamped to an entirely new level of 'glamour' and sophistication. Look for a commercial smoke eater and freshly polished floors. Later on this Fall look forward to a new HVAC unit as well. For more information about the fabulous Miss Cookie Larue’s monthly events for October keep an eye on her Myspace page, www.myspace.com/laruesbackdoor.

Straps will be getting the full spa treatment as well with the help of the ever fabulous WNC Leathermen. Straps will be adding a commercial smoke eater as well.

The bulk of the changes will be at O.Henry's. In addition to a smoke eater and re-polished floors, look forward to a remodeled back bar, a freshly made-over stage area, fresh colors and separation in the floor space, a foot rail at the front bar, freshly scrubbed duct work and no more issues with the cable TV reception.

Clearly the O.Henry’s Triplex bars absolutely no expense when it comes to the question of customer benefits and bar atmosphere!  

O.Henry’s will continue daily drink specials, and Straps and LaRue’s will contribute signature drinks as well. Specials are posted but will be changing throughout October in keeping with the changed look of the clubs.

However, some things never change including free and open pool tables Sunday and Wednesday of each and every week. Tables will remain open and free all day and night and not just during slow hours of the day. DJ I Guy will continue to spin only the best music each Friday night with absolutely no cover charge. Saturday night is the night of impersonation as Natalie Productions puts on a midnight show with a fresh new cast each week. Cover starts at 10pm, but being in the club at that time gets you stamped for free entry for the entire evening.

Don’t miss Lisa Fontaine, Chyna, and Phoebe Fabu on October 4 at O. Henry’s. October 11 brings Gilda Golden, Tiffany Stone, and Butch; October 18 showcases the Miss O. Henry’s Pageant featuring Natalie Smalls, Tamalah Taylor, Adara McDaniels, Summer Clearence, and Tia Chanella. What happened to retirement, Summer? Is this your comeback event? On October 25, I, Stephanie Sinclair, will perform with Tommy D, Akasha, and Amanda Love.

Straps, open each every Friday and Saturday night will continue to offer up refreshingly cold, 16 oz draft beer for the ghastly thin amount of $2.00 and will offer the same drink specials you’ll find nightly at O.Henry’s and Larue’s.

The monthly meet and greet of the WNC Leathermen is the first Saturday of the month. Plans are also in order for the club’s first anniversary celebration in November, so stay tuned for more leathery fun. For more information on the WNC Leathermen, see our feature story on page 12.

I'd also like to throw in a little note about the Firestorm Cafe. It's not precisely a nightclub, but they are wonderful and open from 10 am to 10 pm 7 days a week. Their October schedule features the Grassroots Media Justice Tour on Saturday, October 4th at 10:00am. It's sponsored by Left Turn Magazine, ColorLines Magazine, Bitch Magazine, Spread Magazine, Free Speech Radio News, and other radical and independent media projects from around the US, The Grassroots Media Justice Tour brings performances, workshops and inspiration. Also, stop by on Tuesday, October 7 at 7:30 pm to watch La Commune. As always, the Firestorm Cafe also serves up fantastic coffee and food.

Now we'll move down south to Greenville.

The Sugar Shack is still partying hard. They're open until 2 am on Sundays for Guitar Hero and Beer Pong. The last Thursday of the month features a live DJ, and every Friday and Saturday night is a dance party. Be sure not to miss the beautiiful Barbara Gehlmann on Saturday, October 5.

While you're in Greenville don't miss Club Skittles, which just continues to get better and better. They're open Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 10 pm on. They've got a full bar along with beer and wine, and -- nightly drink specials. You'll find $3 house shots, $3 domestics and a bartender's choice. Friday night is always show night at Club Skittles with some of the best male and female performers the Southeast has to offer. Saturday nights feature a live DJ to rock the house so you can dance until the wee hours of the morning. You can find their Myspace page at  myspace.com/clubskittlesgville for directions and other information. Just make sure to tell them you heard about it from ME.

Now let's head out of Greenville and toward Gastonia for Night Owls. This fabulous gem of a club features a pool tournament every Thursday night this month along with $2 Natural Ice. On Fridays check out Needa Samore with her special guests and enjoy a delicious Sex on the Beach for $3.50. Saturday night is the lovely Kasey King's night with the Kasey King Show and $3.50 Blue Motorcycles. And finally, end your weekend the right way on Sunday evenings with the Whitney Leigh Show and $3 Corona.

From Gastonia we make our way to Hickory for Club Cabaret. They are still open Wednesday through Sunday from 9:30 on, for an entire extra night of Club Cabaret each and every week. Come on out for Wednesday night to see some of the hottest men in Hickory take the stage and take it off. Thursday night is College Night. Present your college ID at the door for a discount on the cover charge, enjoy drink specials all night and take a break from your books to make some new friends.  Friday night is show night and features some of the best names in the region such as Shana Nicole, Kristin Collins and Victoria Victors. And Saturday night is a dance party so you can come out and groove to a live DJ. Sunday night is Scaryoke night with Monica Jeffries once again-- she'll hand over her microphone and let YOU take the stage.

Finally, I'd like to throw in a handful of Save the Dates for November just to keep in mind.

On Friday, November 7 be sure to have a ticket to the Benefit Concert to Raise Awareness on Hate Crimes in the Carolinas. Nationally acclaimed musicians will observe the 10 year anniversary of Matthew Shepard's murder. His legacy and story will live on through national performers such as Randi Driscoll and Jason deMarco perform. The funds from the show will go toward educating and creating awareness to prevent hate crimes in the future through the Matthew Shepard Foundation and Campus Pride.

Also, make sure not to forget to registry for the 2008 Equality Conference and Gala. This is North Carolina's LGBTQ event of the year. It'll be on Saturday, November 15 at Duke University. The conference will feature a report on the state of equality in North Carolina with Ian Palmquist. The keynote speakers are Mara Keisling, Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality; Kate Kendell, Executive Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights; and H. Alexander Robinson, Chief Executive Officer of the National Black Justice Coalition. They'll be discussing strategies for uniting the equality movement.

The gala will be held at the Nasher Museum of Art and dinner will be catered by Cafe Parizade. Dinner will be followed by dessert and dancing--- make sure to get dolled up in something that absolutely dazzles. To register for the conference and gala, pop on over to equalitync.org/conference.

Now make sure to party hard but play safe and remember that if you didn't see it here or read it in my weekly report, it's either not happening or you don't need to be there. And of course, if you miss out on anything stupendous, you can catch it on oiaTV. Drive carefully, drink responsibly and play safely so I can see you right back here next month.

Stephanie