Finally, the Olympic Games are over and gay men from all across the nation seem to be coming out of hibernation after having serious “alone time” while watching the greatest Olympian ever, Michael Phelps, tear through Beijing in his Speedo. Now that we can safely put away the bottle of lube, open our blinds, and let the sunlight in, why don’t we gossip about the things that are going to be happening in the Queen City as September rolls by and takes the summer heat away.

I’m not sure if you heard the rumors that the best drag show EVER happened last month at Scorpio… it’s actually not a rumor, it’s the truth! I had never in my life seen a drag show of such a high caliber. Almost all of the formers came to entertain for the Miss NC America in Review show. Darlene Duncan, Melissa Montgomery, and Jamie Monroe were some of the crowd’s favorites to see back in the Queen City.

Tiffany Storm not only did a phenomenal job putting the pageant together on behalf of Von Entertainment but, reminded all of us what a true diva is by dancing the crowd down and making them coins! Surely, all four former Miss Gay Americas that we have proceeded to show out on their own as well… Lauren Colby, Tiffany Bonet, Kerri Nichols, and Luscious… need I say more?

The next night was the actual Miss Gay North Carolina America pageant itself. From the second I walked into the bar, I could tell by the amazing set decorations done by Greg Fulk, that it was going to be one of the best pageants this year. The pageant lasted almost six hours and at the end, Victoria Parker (who took onstage question and male interview) won the coveted spot. Shana Nicole won talent and 1st runner up and Angela Lopez won solo talent. Good luck to Shana and Victoria at Miss Gay America in October!

Sunday the 7th, Scorpio will reopen the small club, Divas, inside the main club. Divas will offer you a bit more partying space, an intimate setting, and a spotlight show at 1:30am. I will never forget getting my start there over four years ago in Angela’s Show. I’m so excited that it’s coming back to life.

Sunday the 14th, Scorpio will feature: Miss Gay America in Review Show with Nicole DuBois, Maya Montana, and Makaila Kay. Brooklyn Dior will be your emcee for that night

Sunday the 21st, Ladies and Gentlemen are you ready to rumble? Scorpio will play host to “The Battle of the Bitches” featuring Mr. Charlie Brown, Carmella Marcella Garcia, and Chea Allen.

Hartigan’s seems to be revitalizing their business and making the other clubs step up to the plate as well. I stopped in a few weeks ago incognito to see what everyone was raving about. Their new menu is a fat drag queen’s wildest dream! I too was overjoyed with the fabulous arrangement of their sampler platter, which included mozzarella sticks, wings, onion rings, and a superb spinach dip! Not to mention it was a Tuesday and that means it’s $2 bottled beer day at Hartigan’s…and yes that includes all imports.

September 12th, Hartigan’s will play host to the fabulous party planning’s of In The Lyfe and their Playboy Mansion Party which promises to be a blast. I’m sure you will find all sorts of ladies in their skippies if that’s your type of thing. For more information, bunny-hop on over to inthelyfe.com.

Friday September 19th, the multi-talented Rodie Ray will be wooing you and everyone else at Hartigan’s with the soulful sounds of Indie Rock. I heard a rumor that she can play any instrument that makes sound.

The next Friday, the 26th, Donna Duncan will be performing with the Detour Band. Donna Duncan is the first lady of blues and soul of the Queen City, and has been compared to a young Tina Turner due to her sultry sounds. For more info, please be sure to check out Hartigans.com

Another place that seems to be getting better and better with time is Petra’s Piano Bar and Lounge. Connie has done fabulous job doubling the amount of space in the facility and serving up a fierce atmosphere once again. The new bar/billiards room in the back looks absolutely amazing. I never even knew that Petra’s had so much space to enjoy… which leads them to quickly become a driving force in Plaza Midwood.

I was at Petra’s for the incomparable Trey’s Cabaret, and it completely blew me away with the choices of song, the band, and the fabulous additions of world class piano player Ryan, and my favorite lesbian ever, Rachael. Rachael will be entertaining you in her second cabaret this year on September 21st.

Don’t forget Roxy’s Trivia Tuesday at Petra’s, where they almost put the whole staff of OIA out the door a few weeks ago for saying the answers and spoiling the whole game! Please be sure to go in a support Roxy C. Moorecox as she tries her hardest to stump you with outrageous questions that every homo should know! Also, my favorite night of the week at Petra’s is karaoke night, where you can usually find me drunker than a tick screaming Amy Winehouse songs at the top of my lungs!

Sidelines, Charlotte’s only gay sports bar is gearing up for football season, which will be starting on September 7th. They will be showing you the games on one of their 13 TV screens. Best of all you don’t have to worry about missing your favorite team, you just have to tilt your head to the respective screen and enjoy the night away. Don’t forget to stop into Sidelines and take advantage of their free Wii, WiFi, and pool tables.

The Charlotte Eagle had quite a steamy last month with the Manhunt.net Party Circuit stopping in for their “7 Sexy Sins Tour”. That night brought in the uber-chiseled Raging Stallion Porn Star, Steve Cruz, who could have greased up a ball bearing by just touching it.

On, Saturday the 13th, the Tradesmen will bring back The Carnival of Hope to Charlotte at The Eagle. The night benefits the House of Mercy and to this date the carnival has raised over $48,000… that’s pretty impressive for a bunch of “trade”. Also, the night will be featuring the Tradesmen Dunking Booth, Tim’s Wheel of Misfortune, cotton candy, and their world famous shooters. For more information please go check out thetradesmen.org

Sundays feature 50cent draughts all day long! On the third Sunday of every month, you can catch the Nikki Eaves Show, featuring some of the most diverse queens in the city. On the last Sunday, you can catch Roxy C. Moorecox in all her glory doing what she does best, raise money by making you laugh! Later that night around 11, the lights go off and its time for The Eagle’s infamous “Blackout”! Just be sure that you don’t blackout before the blackout, or your butt just may be ate out!

The Monthly Dance for Bears, Cubs, and their Admirers will be held on Saturday September 27th featuring DJ Danny G. If you have any other questions about what is going on at The Eagle please check out their website at charlotteeagle.com

In Gastonia, Night Owls will be hosting the Miss Gay Mideast America Pageant, which will be held on September 13th. This is the first year the pageant will be taking place and its theme is: “Dreams Do Come true!”. Entertainment for the evening will be the current reigning Miss Gay America, Mikaila Kay, Luscious, Tiffany Storm, Jessica Jade, Maya Montana, and Nicole DuBois. This is a prelim to the Miss Gay America Pageant in October. I encourage all girls who think they are ready, to go and do this pageant! Maybe you could be the next Miss Gay America and bring the crown to NC for the 5th time in 22 years!

Don’t forget, Needa Somore hosts the Open Mic Night at Night Owls every Thursday. For more information please check out nightowlsofgastonia.com

Can you believe that it has been almost one whole year since Kim took over Liaisons? Kim will be throwing one of the biggest parties of the year to commemorate this special event. Budweiser will be bringing their Cornhole Alley game to the pink house. There will also be a delectable BBQ for all of you pork lovin’ fans with music by music by DJ Ghost. The Beach Party last month was an absolute success and is proof Miss Kim really knows how to throw a hot party!

Another event that Liaisons is hosting is the Queen City’s first ever Bar Crawl on September 13th. The bars involved will include 1300 Southend, Sidelines, The Eagle, and, of course, Liaisons. That night the bar owners will put you on an Everlasting Scavenger Hunt for prizes that should only be used for personal pleasure… any idea what that might be? I personally can’t wait to see all the drunken homos on the light rail making the rest of the riders think that Gay Pride is being held on the Lynx Blue Line.

Thankfully, after that we can go and get off at Central Station! September 19th will feature a “Send Off Show” for Hickory’s own Shana Nicole who just won 1st Alternate at Miss NC America. Shana had a phenomenal Dolly talent that night and swept up that category honey! I wonder what the owners of  Club Cabaret put in her cereal… Also in the show that night will be Angela Lopez and Brooklyn Dior.

Please don’t forget Chasers, the hottest all male strip club in the Carolinas! You can always go in and see what is laid up on the meat rack.  I hear they are giving all of their dancers passes to the YMCA to bulk up and Michael is going too! Those boys just seem to get better and better with time.

Thursdays at Chasers feature Let’s Make a Deal with Keisha Wellington and the boys. There is a raffle with your admission ticket; Keisha draws for fabulous or not so fabulous prizes.

On Sundays, it’s Boom Boom and Brandy’s Starlight Review at Chasers featuring Starla Da Vinci, Venus Demillo, BeBe Blain, Charlotte Damone, Emory Star, Alurra Reigns, Jessica Raynes, Alurra Fox and Lilith DeVille.

I hope this month my article was as good for you as it was for me! IF you have any suggestions of events that I should cover or such, please feel free to email me at lambdarevolution@hotmail.com. Also, please be sure to look for my interview with Brandy Alexander this month on OIAtv.

Many blessings,

Starla DaVinci

P.S. Don’t forget to come see me, Starla DaVinci, in Nasty/Shane’s 80’s Flashback Night at Snug Harbor on September 13th. Nasty/Shane always knows how to put on a fabulous show! I guess I’ll have to make myself some glitter props!