Pink Banana World

Broadway Meets Anaheim - Nov 5, 2011

2011-10-31T15:42:00.000-07:00

APAC Foundation Presents “Broadway Rocks Anaheim 2011”
at The Heritage Forum

Star-Studded Cast Includes Shirley Jones, Lea Thompson,
Valarie Pettiford, Vicki Lewis and Ace Young

The AnaheimPerforming Arts Center Foundation (APACF) announced today that it will host anevening of singing and dancing to continue raising money for the capital campaignfor the building of a new performing arts center in Anaheim. Theproduction, Broadway Rocks Anaheim 2011 will feature some of Broadway’sbrightest stars.

“Weare very excited about this performance and very appreciative of the generosityof the artists donating their talents and time to support our dream of bringingan arts complex to Anaheim and north county residents”, stated Linda Knohl,President and one of the founders of the Anaheim Performing Arts CenterFoundation.

Theevent will take place on November 5 at 8:00 pm at the Heritage Forum inAnaheim. Tickets range from $30-$250. Patrons will be offered thefollowing ticket options: $250 Level-Dinner at The Muzeo and invitationto post show reception with the cast of Broadway Rocks Anaheim 2011,$125 Level-Invitation to post show reception with the cast of “Broadway RocksAnaheim 2011”. General Admission tickets are $30.00 and $60.00. Allseats are reserved.

Tickets may be ordered online at www.brownpapertickets.com, www.apacf.org or bycalling 714-980-0505 . Any ticket can be upgraded to attend the post show reception for $65 at thetheatre on the day of the performance.

BroadwayRocks Anaheim 2011, will be produced by Ronn Goswick, directed by CalvinRemsberg with musical direction by Ron Abel. Lighting Design is by StevenYoung, Sound Design by Philip G. Allen and Wardrobe by Byron Batista. Afew of the notable performers include:

ShirleyJones – Went from her hometown of Smithton, Pa to Broadway. Atthe age of 18 she was put under a personal management contract to the Rodgers& Hammerstein partners (first and last time ever) and almost immediatelywas screen testing in Hollywood for the super-coveted role of Laurie in thefilm version of the Broadway show – Oklahoma! We all know whathappened next. From Carousel, The Music Man, April Love to herAcademy Award performance in Elmer Gantry to the harried head of ThePartridge Family, Shirley doesn’t know when to stop.

LeaThompson is best known for her roles in Back To The Future andas the star of NBC’s Caroline In The City. Some other filmsinclude All The Right Moves, Some Kind of Wonderful, The BeverlyHillbillies, Space Camp, Dennis The Menace, Article 99, Jaws 3-D, Red Dawn,Splinterheads, Mayor Cupcake, The Convincer and the now infamous HowardThe Duck. Some of Lea’s television films include The SubstituteWife, Stolen Babies, The Right To Remain Silent, The Unspoken Truth, Montana,Nightbreaker the NBC miniseries, A Will Of Their Own, StealingChristmas; A Life Interrupted. Her television series also includeLifetime’s For The People and Hallmark’s Mystery Movie series JaneDoe, where Lea made her directorial debut. The more recent highlights ofLea’s extensive theater work include The Vagina Monolouges, LA RepriseSeries revival of I Love My Wife, Williamstown Theatre Festival’s CarolineIn Jersey, and as Sally Bowles in Cabaret at Studio 54.

ValariePettiford – A graduate of the High School of Performing Arts in NY, shebegan her Broadway career as a dancer for Bob Fosse. She appeared in WestSide Story, Showboat and received a Tony Award nomination for herperformance in Fosse. Other shows include Chicago oppositeChita Rivera in the West End. TV: Half and Half Film: Jumping the Broom, The Wiz, Glitter and Stomp the Yard.

Othercast members were born, raised and some still live in the OC including:

JoanRyan – Raised in Newport Beach – graduate of Newport Harbor HighSchool. TV: Saved by the Bell Stage: Footloose,Ruthless, Little Shop of Horrors and Joseph and the Amazing TechnicolorDreamcoat.

AlliMauzey – Raised in Anaheim Hills. Broadway: Wicked, Crybabyand Hairspray

Jill MarieBurke – Born in Bellflower and raised in LaMirada, Jill is a formerMiss Anaheim. Stage: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Music of the Night,Lovelace: A Rock Opera

Matt Zarley – Raisedall over SoCal including Fullerton, Placentia and Huntington Beach. Currently a recording artist whose theatre credits include Broadway productionsof A Chorus Line, Cats, Kiss of the Spiderwoman and Chicago

MelissaMitchell – Born and raised in Anaheim Hills and still is a resident ofAnaheim. Stage: Summer of Love, Annie and Cinderella

MatthewKoehler – Resident of Irvine. Stage: Glory Days, RayCharles Live, West Side Story and Cabaret

Filling outthe rest of the cast are:

AceYoung – TV: American Idol Broadway: Hairand Grease

Vicki Lewis – Broadway:Chicago, Damn Yankees, TV: News Radio

Will Collyer –Stage: Ovation nomination for Big: The Musical, Bloody Bloody AndrewJackson TV: Melrose Place, Pushing Daisies

PatrickCassidy –Broadway: Assassins, 42^nd Street, Aida Stage: I Love My Wife, The Music Man

DavidBurnham – Broadway: Wicked, Light in the Piazza

JenniferShelton – National Tour: Ragtime, Hot Mikado

Derek Klena – TV: American Idol Stage: Glory Days and the 2012Off-Broadway production of Carrie

DavidHernandez – TV: American Idol Stage: BallroomWith a Twist, Cinderella

James Snyder – Broadway:Cry Baby, TV: Gilmore Girls, Without a Trace, Eli Stone

DanielLeClaire – Stage: Hairspray at the Hollywood Bowl, HighSchool Musical and All Shook Up

KelliProvart – Broadway: Aida Stage: All Shook Up,Cats, Ring of Fire and The Wedding Singer

Julie Garnye –Stage: Les Miserables Concerts: Hair, Chess andHeathers

ValariePerri – Stage: Recording breaking performance in Evita,Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story

DamonKirsche – Stage: Little Shop of Horrors, My Fair Lady, Annie,1776

Alex RobertHolmes – Stage: Glory Days and Cirque du Soleil’s Las Vegasproduction of Love.

IanLittleworth – Stage: Glory Days, The Hasty Heart

For moreticket information visit APACF.org or call 714-980-0505.

THE ANAHEIMPERFORMING ARTS CENTER will be the permanent home for a resident stagetheatre company, the Anaheim Ballet and the Anaheim Symphony as well as theoffices of the Anaheim Performing Arts Center Foundation.

The Eventi, A Kimpton Hotel

2011-09-14T08:35:00.000-07:00

by Richard Brower

In the middle of Manhattan, there is a gorgeous, sophisticated building that celebrates art. It’s not one of the many museums you might be thinking of, it’s the Kimpton Hotel Eventi. Located on 6th Avenue between 29th and 30th Streets, just walking into the lobby envelops you in sophisticated art without the pretense. Just steps from Herald Square, Penn Station and Madison Square Park, you really are in the center of New York at the Eventi.

The lobby of the hotel is sophisticated and playful at the same time. A painting of the sky is mounted to the ceiling above the sitting area to encourage loungers to lay down as if they’re relaxing in a field on a warm summer’s day. Art peeks at you from behind curtains and doors, as if the Metropolitan Museum of Art decided to play hide and seek.

The staff at the Eventi are what you would expect from a Kimpton property, superb and friendly, making sure you feel like they’re your friends rather than service employees. Many larger hotel chains seem to bring staff that exemplify fake, forced friendliness. At the Eventi, people are genuine and it does feel as if you’re being welcomed into a lavish friend’s home. Again, the juxtaposition of sophistication and down-to-earth friendliness abounds.

The 292 rooms, including 53 suites, are exquisite; and if you’re lucky enough to have one facing East, chances are you’ll catch a glimpse of the Empire State Building, which is located a few blocks away. The design is post-modern minimalist, while being comforting and “homey” as well. I must admit, getting up in the morning for meetings is quite a challenge when you’ve spent a night in the extremely decadent beds.
Bar Basque is the hotel’s restaurant and club. There is a retractable all-glass wall and roof that transforms the space for outdoor dining during nice weather. The venue looks out upon the public plaza and Big Screen – a 35 foot high LED screen that showcases visual art, movies and sport events. The food and drinks at this hot spot are incredible and the décor seems out of this world. It simply is a must for any New York visitor.

From the moment you walk into the hotel’s lobby throughout your entire stay, you will sense the juxtaposition between the sophisticated and down-to-earth. The cosmopolitan, artistic feel will consume you and make you feel like you stumbled upon something truly special. During the daily wine hour on their spectacular Midtown terrace, you can mingle, make friends and share in this one of a kind experience. There are countless hotels in New York, but none deliver these experiences like the Eventi.

Special Note: the Eventi is the site of our upcoming LGBT Marketing Conference on April 27, 2012
http://www.communitymarketinginc.com/education-and-conferences/new-york-lgbt-marketing-conference/

LINK: http://www.eventihotel.com/

LA Premier Makes Its Debut in West Hollywood

2011-09-14T06:50:00.000-07:00

Imagine a traditional, Victorian style mirror in a frame of cobalt blue instead of gilt, and ottomans and chairs in classic shapes, re-imagined with unorthodox fabrics and finishes. Above, a crystal chandelier has been given a humorously macabre make-over with a thick coat of melting black rubber that drips like stalactites.

These are just a few of the surprising sights and delights a visitor will find when they enter LA Premier. The brainchild of two young designers, Jay Michael and Joe Balanzar, LA Premier opened on August 21, 2011 as a showcase for the dynamic duo’s unique and sometimes challenging design vision.

Everything in the showroom demands a second look. Blending elements of cyberpunk, Japanese anime, re-imagined Victorian, and the urban brutalism of designers like Frank Gehry with the colorful spirit of Modernist Kelly Wearstler, Joe Balanzar and Jay Michael have created and curated a collection of furniture that expresses their irreverent artistic vision.

Balanzar and Michael, partners in life as well as business, happily subvert all expectations by re-purposing factory and military artifacts and subjecting traditional pieces of furniture to extreme industrial methods and techniques, including the use of high-gloss automobile paint, and occasionally, blow torches. Metallic finishes, both polished and painted are an important part of their hard-edged and hyper-masculine style. They share an unfiltered aesthetic that is unfettered by design convention.

Inspired by the diverse and ever-changing cityscape of Los Angeles, LA Premier, at the intersection of La Cienega and Santa Monica Boulevards, is also at the intersection of noir and screwball comedy, dark glamor and sparkling wit.

Southern Decadence and the new New Orleans LGBT Travel Guide

2011-08-29T10:55:00.000-07:00

Are you coming to Southern Decadence this Labor Day weekend? If so, first of all, there are some incredible parties happening that are MUST ATTENDS for all of you wild bunch out there. First, if you're arriving on Thursday, be sure to come by and see us all at Harrah's Southern Decadence Welcome Block Party. As they say on their Facebook event page, "GET READY TO PARTY. We are turning the corner of Canal St. & South Peters into the hottest outdoor dancefloor you've ever seen. Hit sensation DJ Hector Fonseca will bring the beats and our outdoor bar will keep the drink specials coming so you can keep your cool!"

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=207894609265747

Second, besides all of the out of control craziness happening outside of Bourbon Pub and Oz, be sure to check out some of the parties being held at Bourbon Orleans Hotel... dubbed Envy: Southern Decadence VIP Party, from their website "Party with a purpose this Southern Decadence at Envy, a weekend-long event packed with entertainment, liquor and food geared toward giving back to the New Orleans community. A portion of the ticket sales will go to the It Gets Better Project. GayTravel.com ranked this the #1 event of the Southern Decadence and said Envy was a "must attend event!" This event includes a VIP balcony suite, pool party and dinner show with entertainment. You don't want to miss this and be envious!"

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=140529226029956
http://www.envyvip.com/

If you're looking for a little more "fun on the wild side", I was just tipped off that an old friend from the gay adult world (OK, not THAT old!), Michael Brandon, will be performing at the Phoenix/Eagle New Orleans on Thursday night after midnight... between that and all of their other performers there this weekend, this spot should be high on your list to check out as well.

http://www.neworleansphoenix.com/

And if that doesn't "float your boat", be sure to stop on by Club New Orleans... it'll be open all weekend and loaded with hot men who've had enough of the sun and alcohol but definitely not the men!

http://www.theclubs.com/page.cfm?location=neworleans

So now you know what to do this weekend... so how are you going to get around? Well, the folks at Navigaytour.com have launched their new 2011 Gay New Orleans Guide, with 300+ things listed to do and 21 bars and clubs featured. Not only is the guide available for you to pick up throughout the city this weekend, it's also available online at http://www.navigaytour.com/regions.cfm?regionid=101 and for those of you who are mobile, it's available on iPhone, Blackberry, Android, iPad and more at http://www.navigaytour.com/mobile/guide.cfm?regionid=101

Caesars Entertainment Hosts September Events Inviting the LGBT Community to Come Out

2011-08-22T11:19:00.000-07:00

New Orleans, Las Vegas and Atlantic City Resorts Celebrate Pride with Variety of Entertainment Experiences

It seems that everywhere we turn nowadays, Las Vegas is showing up as high on the radar for the gay & lesbian community, first for travel and now for conferences and conventions as well. Starting with Community Marketing's annual survey of LGBT travel habits, Las Vegas surprised a number of people when it appears as a top LGBT destination for travelers worldwide. Since the gay life in Las Vegas when it comes to bars, restaurants and the like has been rather minimal over the years, it has taken folks a while to realize gays & lesbians travel for other reasons other than to find just another watering hole from which to hang out and meet other guys and girls... it's the shows, the entertainment, the fun, and of course, let's not forget, the gambling!!!!!

And speaking of gambling, it's not just Las Vegas which has this incredible convergence of gay & lesbian life mixed in with the same exciting nightlife, poker, slots and roulette in one! New Orleans, with their strong "laissez-faire" attitudes about gay life in general, have an incredible gay scene going on, and Harrah's New Orleans has played a strong part of that. Atlantic City, pulling in gays & lesbians over the years from both New York City and Philadelphia, has more and more gay & lesbian events converging on this seaside destination as well.

In that train of thought, Caesars Entertainment is uniquely positioned to provide fun and exciting experiences at its resorts across the country. During September, Caesars has created an inclusive three-city event tour that will kick off in New Orleans, continue to Las Vegas and wrap in Atlantic City. The gaming and entertainment company will roll out the rainbow carpets and demonstrate pride from coast to coast, inviting everyone to Come Out with Caesars Entertainment this September.

Harrah’s New Orleans will jump start the celebration this Labor Day weekend with the largest gay event in New Orleans, Southern Decadence, by hosting the Grand Marshall’s dinner and official kick-off extravaganza block party on September 1. Voted as Out Magazine’s Hottest DJ in 2007, hit sensation DJ Hector Fonseca will bring his world-renowned dance beats for a guaranteed good time. In addition, Harrah’s New Orleans is the leading sponsor of Envy, a VIP experience in the heart of the action, and will march through the famed French Quarter in the Decadence parade located in the “Gay Capital of the South.” For more information on Harrah’s Southern Decadence festivities, visit www.gayharrahsnola.com.

In Las Vegas, Caesars Entertainment resorts are participating in the annual Las Vegas PRIDE festivities beginning September 16. The 2011 PRIDE Night Parade will make its way through Las Vegas on Friday, September 16, with floats ready to impress with their over-the-top decor. Caesars Entertainment will participate with a float decked out with a cast of characters from the company’s Las Vegas-based production shows including Frank Marino’s Divas, Donn Arden’s Jubilee! and The Chippendales. Caesars will also have a presence at the PRIDE festival with the iconic Jubilee! showgirls. To cap the weekend, a special cocktail reception will be held at Serendipity 3 at Caesars Palace on Sunday, September 18 at 8:30pm followed by a special performance of Frank Marino’s Divas at the Imperial Palace at 10pm. For more information, visit www.gayparislasvegas.com.

Harrah's Resort Atlantic City will continue the LGBT festivities by hosting its annual OUT in AC weekend from September 23-25. This event will be nothing less than fabulous with Frank Marino, female impersonator and Las Vegas Diva, as this year’s host. The full weekend of LGBT-themed activities includes concerts, body-painting exhibitions, a bull riding competition and much more. For more information, visit www.harrahs.com/getoutinac.

Positive Young People Foundation Partners With Nick Alexander Imports

2011-08-09T07:32:00.000-07:00

Join PYP’s 365 Campaign for only $3.65 Per Month forOne Year and Enter a Chance to Win a Mini Cooper + Gas for One Year, Iphone,Ipad2, Trips and More

Logan Voxx, CEO of Positive Young PeopleFoundation (PYP), announced today that those who sign up for their 365Campaign (www.breakthesilencecampaign.org)will have an opportunity to win a Mini Cooper and a year supply of gasoline.Once the campaign has enrolled 10,000 supporters, a name will be drawn and acar from Nick Alexander Imports of Los Angeles will be delivered to the luckywinner. The money generated from the campaign will fund the handful of servicesand campaigns of the non-profit organization.

“I am thrilledthat we can offer such an amazing incentive for our advocates, especially nowwith the economically challenging times many face today. For as little as $44 ayear, who would not want to: one, support a worthy cause and organization andtwo, have a chance to not only win an incredible car from Nick AlexanderImports but a year supply of gas,” said Voxx. “Supporters will not only feelgood about doing a good deed without hurting their pocketbooks but also have achance to win great gifts. It’s a true win-win for everyone.”

PYP was foundedin 2009 because Voxx felt that he needed to reach young people about theseriousness of HIV/AIDS and more importantly in the southern states of the USwhere he was raised. A Southern California based charity, PYP works tirelesslyto help end the pandemic.

“When we firstmet with members of Positive Young People a month ago, we were not onlyimpressed with such a passionate group of young individuals but blown away thatit’s one that was founded by a then 22-year-old,”said Shep Nelson, General Sales Manager of Nick Alexander Imports. “We areproud sponsors of PYP and we stand behind their mission that hopes to bringback the conversation about the seriousness of HIV and AIDS among the youngerdemographic across the nation.”

Previous 365Campaign Winner includes Anthony Rosania who won a four night stay at a fivestar resort in Costa Rica.

## #

About 365Campaign

Positive YoungPeople Foundation cares for the youth of today and tomorrow 365 days a year.Therefore, it challenges everyday people to care for the cause enough to signup and commit to a $3.65 a month. For less than what it cost for a specialtycoffee, your tax-deductible contributions will go to fuel PYP's educationcampaigns and help provide those who live with HIV/AIDS with the proper carethat they need to live a long healthy life. PYP puts its money back in to thecommunities that need it most and that are sometimes forgotten. For sign up forthe campaign, please visit: www.breakthesilencecampaign.org

About PositiveYoung People Foundation

PYP has beencreated to stop the spread of HIV infections amongst young people from ages18-30 through education and to provide valuable information and services tothose who are infected. We understand that this mission is no small task;however, it is a mission to which we are strongly committed. For moreinformation on PYP, please visit www.pypfoundation.org

QGuide.com Announces Their "Fly Me Anywhere in the Big Gay World" Campaign

2011-05-04T12:22:00.000-07:00

As part of an overall promotion to get more gay & lesbian travelers aware of their new Gay Travel & Social Networking site, the folks at QGuide.com have put together one heck of an incentive for gay & lesbian travelers worldwide to join, create their profiles, discover new gay destinations and meet one another as well.

The lucky QGuide.com winner will receive:

Two Airline Tickets - One for You - and One for a Friend
To Anywhere
From Anywhere
On any commercial airline
Any Itinerary you want
As many stopovers as you want
Up to US$5,000 total value!

Now that's what we call a promotion worth signing up for!

In addition, a new member can increase their chances of winning simply by earning extra entries when they update their profile information under the "My QGuide" tab, or by contributing Tips or Reviews about the favourite places in their local area or simply writing (Blogging) about great discoveries they've made while they were travelling.

Last month's "Favorite Destination" competition was an amazing success; QGuide.com received entries from thousands of new members from all over the world. They'll be releasing the results of the Favorite Destination survey soon, but what they've discovered is that we gays are a very diverse lot and that we love to travel, go everywhere, do everything and have amazing travel experiences!

So let's help promote this FANTASTIC offer! Forward this on to your friends, colleagues, organisations... and don't forget to "Like" their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/QGuide!

Promotion ends 31 May 2011

Winners announced 06 June 2011

Good Luck! Safe travels and Happy travel blogging!

LINK: www.QGuide.com

Civil Unions Will Be Legal In Illinois on June 1, 2011. EnGAYged Weddings Announces Opening Day Civil Union Wedding Celebration

2011-04-06T09:44:00.000-07:00

EnGAYgedWeddings.com in association with, Connextions Magazine, Pink Banana Media, The Event Gallery & Stan Mansion, just announced plans for the Opening Day Civil Union Celebration and Reception at the Stan Mansion in Chicago, IL.

Just announced! EnGAYgedWeddings.com is now offering our couples to sign up for our “True Love Story” Contest. The winner will win a 7 Day trip Kauai, Hawaii.
http://www.rfreedom.com/kauai-acccommodations-studio.htm

Also Each Couple Who signs up Before May 1, 2011 will receive a Four Pack of Tickets to the Brookfield Zoo. http://www.czs.org/czs/Brookfield/Zoo-Home

Join us as we celebrate a giant mile stone and a historic event for the LGBT Community. On Thursday June 2, 2011 we will “Wed Together” and rejoice in the most anticipated victory of legalizing Civil Unions in Illinois.

Our “Birds of a Feather, Wed Together” all inclusive Civil Union Wedding Packages will take care of all your needs from start to finish.

All of our Wedding professionals are either members of the LGBT community or experienced Gay Wedding Professionals and all your expectations will be met.

Your celebration begins when you arrive at one of Chicago’s most sought after wedding venues “The Stan Mansion” http://stanmansion.com/#/
(Voted “Best Wedding Reception Venue in Chicago” 2010).
You and your guests will be welcomed with a champagne greeting and escorted to our intimate and fully decorated ceremony site, you will be surrounded by lavish floral designs and stunning up-lighting effects, where you will have the option to have a quaint private ceremony with just family & friends or join the flock and take part in the mass wedding event.

The entire event will be captured on film by some of the best and most creative photographers in Chicago.

“Rush Video” http://www.rushphotovideo.com/ will also be filming the entire event and will document the day for a future “Birds of a Feather Wed Together” documentary.

As the sun sets over the Chicago Skyline your night heats up with a nighttime wedding reception you won’t soon forget! Enjoy Global Contemporary hors d’oeuvres buffet created by some of Chicago’s finest culinary experts including Special Guest Executive Organic Chef, from Santa Cruz, CA “Chef David” who has cooked for Numerous Celebrities and Political Dignitaries. You can also nibble on tasty treats in our delicious desert lounge.

Enjoy romantic candle lit corners, lose yourself in the illuminated up lighting designs, special effects, lavish linens and draperies. You will sip on exotic signature cocktails from around the world and dance the night away as this momentous opportunity takes flight, with music to satisfy all.

The night will be hosted by the owner of EnGAYged Weddings and nationally know Celebrity Radio Personality Michael Jamrock who has worked at some of the finest radio station in the country from New York to Miami. He has also hosted events from “Fantasy Fest” in Key West, to the “50th Anniversary Walt Disney World Celebration” in Orlando.

Experience surprise guest appearances, and have fun in our specially designed photo booth. For more information, please call (561) 929-9929

Couples that sign up before May 1, 2011 will receive FREE Wedding Planning by
“The Bridal Loft Chicago” http://www.bridalloftchicago.com/
& “The Event Gallery”. http://www.theeventgallery.com/

Also the first 50 Couples that sign up will receive a Four Pack of tickets to the Brookfield Zoo http://www.czs.org/czs/Brookfield/Zoo-Home a $100.00 value.

Also our guests can take advantage of our special rates on transportation, Accommodations, Formal Wear, Salon Services, and Jewelry.

After Party at
VICTOR HOTEL CHICAGO
http://www.victorhotelchicago.com/

(561) 929-9929 info@EnGAYgedWeddings.com
Sponsor positions are still available as well as advertising spaces.

gaytravel.com launches nationwide ‘Why I Like’ campaign

2011-03-30T11:32:00.000-07:00

On April 1st, gaytravel.com will launch the ‘Why I Like’ campaign. For two weeks contestants can post their best local New York, Miami, Las Vegas, Long Beach and San Francisco tips. The creator of the most popular tip (the tip with the most “hearts”- the site’s measure of a tip’s popularity) will win a trip to that city.

Prizes will include a weekend stay at a luxury Loews Hotel, Hotel CURRENT (in Long Beach) or The Opal (in San Francisco) and a free dinner for two. Each hotel room will be stocked with a gaytravel.com deluxe gift basket.

Contestants can create listings for local tips, a bar or club, restaurants or things to do. To win, contestants need to have a member profile on gaytravel.com. www.gaytravel.com/people

Site visitors can vote for tips on gaytravel.com, Facebook.com/gaytravel and Twitter @gaytravel.

The winners of the contest will be named on April 22nd. Contestants will only be eligible to win one prize.

gaytravel.com has provided the LGBT community with expert recommendations on gay-friendly destinations for ten years. In addition to providing invaluable information regarding gay-friendly cities, cruises, accommodations, and round-ups of community events, it also provides a social forum within its “Meet” section where the GLBT community can meet, interact and travel with like- minded individuals across the world. For more information, please visit www.gaytravel.com.

Harrah's New Orleans Becomes One of the First in the Gaming Industry to Hire Director of LGBT and Ethnic Marketing

2011-03-28T10:14:00.000-07:00

Harrah’s New Orleans is pleased to announce the hiring of the newest member of its leadership team.
Richard Brower has been appointed Director of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) and Ethnic Marketing. Harrah’s New Orleans is one of the first in the gaming industry to offer this position.

Brower most recently served as Strategic Development & Marketing Director for the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association. A specialist in new technology, Brower will provide consulting and expertise in Internet marketing and social media to market to various diverse groups.

“The LGBT and ethnic communities make up so much of our customer base,” said LuAnn Pappas, Vice President of Marketing at Harrah’s New Orleans. “New Orleans is regarded as a gay-friendly tourist town so it is important we have someone in this position to make sure we are welcoming to all groups, no matter their sexual orientation or race.”

Brower attended George Washington University School of Business in Washington, DC where he received a Bachelor’s degree in business administration and a Master’s degree in tourism administration, with a concentration in destination management.

Links: http://www.gayharrahsnola.com | http://www.harrahsneworleans.com | http://www.iglta.org/

Positive Young People Founder Logan Voxx to Roll-out “Think Positive” Benefit Series, Starting in Palm Springs April 7th

2011-03-05T07:32:00.000-08:00

Logan Voxx isn’t like most 22-year-olds — growing up in rural South Carolina and Florida and spending time at a school for at risk youth, he’d witnessed drug use, poverty, neglect and friends ravaged by HIV before most teens get a driver's license. But unlike the many who might get knocked down by the hand life’s dealt them, Voxx managed to get out, and now, he’s hoping to give back.

In 2009, Voxx founded the Positive Young People Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to reducing the rate of HIV infection among 18-30 year-olds through education and awareness campaigns aimed at getting young people to talk about “HIV” and “AIDS.” Voxx says he believes HIV prevention begins with visibility, and in rural communities where the nearest free testing facility might be two hours away by car, the more people are talking about HIV, the better.

“Where I’m from, they don’t have the access to care that people in Los Angeles do,” Voxx says. “In L.A., there are billboards and awareness campaigns and clinics, and in [the South], we don’t have those things.”

Voxx also says campaigns telling young people to practice safe sex are well intentioned, but “practicing safe sex is not free. A box of condoms is $14 bucks,” an amount he says he was lucky to see in a week when he was growing up.

Through PYP, Voxx says he hopes to be able to provide care and services to at risk and infected young adults. With assistance from a team of medical professionals and advisors including Jeanne White, the mother of Ryan White, the foundation will kick start its “N-Ur-Face” billboard campaign throughout the Carolinas and Florida in 2011 and is currently accepting public service announcements on its website, PYPFoundation.org.

On April 7, Voxx will introduce PYP to the LGBT community with the group’s first fundraising event at the Hotel Zoso in Palm Springs. Project Runway’s Mondo Guerra will appear as the guest of honor along with guests Darryl Stephens (Noah's Arc), Bryan Safi (Current TV) and Michael Costello (Project Runway). Events in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Atlanta to follow in the summer and fall.

A VIP reception will be held from 6 – 7:30 pm (tickets $150) with the main event kicking off at 7:30 pm (tickets $40). For more information and future events, visit www.PYPFoundation.org/events.

SAS and VisitSweden launch LGBT social media campaign

2010-09-02T10:48:00.000-07:00

SAS Scandinavian Airlines is hoping to host the world‟s first same-sex wedding in the air onboard an Airbus A340 between Stockholm and New York on December 6 this year. To find the couples, the airline today launched its first major social media campaign, Love is in the air, which is aimed at the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) market.

For the US LGBT market, SAS has partnered up with VisitSweden and Stockholm Gay&Lesbian Network to offer one lucky couple the chance to win an unforgettable wedding and honeymoon package to Sweden, including Business class flights with SAS to Sweden, two nights‟ accommodation at the world-renowned ICEHOTEL, where the couple will get married, three nights‟ accommodation at Hotel Skeppsholmen in Stockholm and a VIP Stockholm package organized by the Stockholm Visitors Board. This competition is only open to US-based residents, whilst the European-based winners will win a trip to New York and Los Angeles, as well as be the first to marry in what we hope will be the first same-sex weddings onboard a commercial flight.

At www.flysas.com/us/love couples can create a profile and upload either a video or photos along with a presentation, which others can then vote on. For the best chance to win, couples are recommended to share their profile with as many friends as possible via various social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, in order to increase the number of votes. The US couple with the most votes will win the fantastic wedding and honeymoon package to Sweden.

“Airlines, including SAS, have organized weddings onboard flights for decades, but we are proud to be the first in the world to organize same-sex weddings in the air. SAS is the national airline of three of the world‟s most liberal and progressive countries in the world, especially when it comes to LGBT rights, so we feel this is a natural celebration of love,” says Robin Kamark, Chief Commercial Officer, SAS.

For the world-unique flight on December 6, SAS will turn a part of its Stockholm lounge into a wedding lounge and one of the Business class cabins onboard SK903 on December 6 will be made into an exclusive wedding cabin.

To enter a profile or view other couples, please go to www.flysas.com/us/love.

For more information on gay & lesbian travel to Sweden, as well as a place to join in the community of other liked-minded GLBT travelers to Stockholm and Sweden, be sure to check out www.gaytravelsweden.com as well.

LGBT Travel Industry Gathers in Buenos Aires For Third Annual GNETWORK360 Conference

2010-07-09T10:29:00.000-07:00

In South America July usually signifies the cold of winter, but in Buenos Aires from July 21st to 23rd the temperature will heat up when hundreds of LGBT tourism industry professionals gather together for the third annual GNETWORK 360 conference. This important award-winning FREE event is the major global gathering each year for LGBT travel and tourism networking, educational forums, panel discussions, exchange of ideas, and renewing old acquaintances or making new ones.

Recently the IGLTA (International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association) recognized the GNETWORK360 conference as “The Best LGBT Networking Event” and presented the convention producers, Pablo De Luca and Gustavo Noguera, with an award. The presentation ceremony took place at the IGLTA Annual Convention in Antwerp, Belgium in June 2010. However, this recognition is something which delegates to the two prior conferences are already cognizant. Previous experience may also be the reason why over 300 travel industry delegates have already registered for this year's assemblage in Buenos Aires.

The conference welcome and keynote address will be given by the new Argentina Minister of Tourism, Carlos Enrique Meyer. In June of this year Argentinean President, H.E. Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, announced the action to separate the Ministry of Tourism from the existing Ministry of Industry and Tourism and named Meyer, previously Secretary of State for Tourism, as Minister of this new government department. This recognition of the importance of the multi-billion dollar tourism industry to the Argentine economy may perhaps also lead to a new emphasis on the growing sector of LGBT tourism in this country.

During the course of these three days there will be approximately twenty-four distinguished guest speakers, presenters, and members of discussion panels from eight different countries. Delegates can attend a total of sixteen official sessions and receptions. These global LGBT travel industry leaders will share their knowledge and experiences with delegates. Topics will range from Social Network Marketing Tools, to LGBT Diversity, Distinguishing the Lesbian Tourist, The Economic Impact of Gay Tourism, Equality at IBM, and specific Destination Success stories. The expert presenters will travel from Europe, South and North America to share their stories and discuss issues of importance to anyone connected to the travel industry, whether large or small businesses, or individual entrepreneurs.

In the evening of July 23rd starting at 7PM there will also be a Marketplace and Cocktail Reception followed by the closing festivities.

Throughout the three days coffee and lunch breaks will provide numerous networking moments for delegates to spend time getting to know each other and learn about business or networking opportunities. These individual encounters and sharing of knowledge or experiences has been the main benefit of GNETWORK360 in the past and this year is sure to prove no exception.

Perhaps the most unique highlight of this conference is that it is absolutely FREE for all travel and tourism delegates. Truly a unique opportunity to benefit from this experience without having to pay a high price tag for the privilege of attending. Online registration and detailed schedule information is now available at www.GNETWORK360.com or questions can be directed to: info@gnetwork360.com
for answers.

Also, at this year's conference the GNETWORK360 organizers will present, for the FIRST time, two new awards to an individual and a company who in the past year have made major contributions to the LGBT community in Argentina.

If your daily life involves the tourism industry, whether you are a hotel employee, a tour guide, a travel consultant, or other member of the industry, then this conference has been designed just for you. So be sure to mark your calendar with the dates July 21 to 23 and head to the Axel Hotel, Buenos Aires Auditorium, and Palacio Alsina to share the experience.

Visit www.GNETWORK360.com for Complete Conference Details and Online Registration

Madrid Pride

2010-06-29T03:20:00.000-07:00

Based on what we saw from Madrid Pride 2009, this year's event coming up this week should prove to be an incredible event!

Having hosted Europride in 2008, Madrid Pride 2009 simply took that leap and grew from there, bringing tourists from all over the world and making this one of the largest gay prides worldwide.

The heart of the events then and now are in the Chueca, Madrid's gay district. With street concerts and performances all weekend, along with incredible events held by Infinitamente and Mr Gay World Spain 2010, this will be a weekend not to be missed!

LGBT Americans at Higher Risk for Certain Cancers

2010-04-08T10:27:00.000-07:00

This is something I think all of us should be more aware of - looks like quite an event as well! "One in three people will be diagnosed with cancer within their lifetime, and the LGBT community is affected disproportionately by lung cancer, rectal cancer, and cervical cancer..."

New Research shows that LGBT Americans surprisingly unaware of the risks
American Cancer Society Aims to Raise Awareness of Cancer in the LGBT Community

The LGBT community is affected disproportionately by several kinds of cancer, and the vast majority of LGBT Americans are not even aware of it, according to new findings. Gay and bisexual men are 17 times more likely to develop anal cancer, thought to be caused by the HPV virus, than heterosexual men . Cigarette smoking among gay men, lesbians and transgender people is nearly double that of the general population, and smoking is responsible for 80% of all lung cancers, leaving the LGBT community with a significantly higher than average incidence of lung cancer. Meanwhile, there is a body of evidence that lesbians have a dense cluster of risk factors significantly raising their risk of developing breast cancer. Unfortunately, cancer research in the LGBT population is rarely conducted or published.

Perhaps due to the lack of focus on cancer in the LGBT community, awareness of the risks of cancer within this population is surprisingly low. New national research was conducted in March, 2010 by Community Marketing, Inc., an LGBT-focused market research firm, to gauge awareness of cancer in the LGBT community. The survey reached over 4,300 LGBT community members nationally, and showed that only 10.5% of the LGBT population was aware that certain types of cancer were more prevalent in the LGBT population, despite the fact that 76.4% of respondents personally knew someone in the LGBT population with cancer. Only 30.9% of respondents thought that they might someday develop cancer themselves, even though it is the second leading cause of death in this country and the lifetime probability of developing cancer (in the mainstream community) is 1 in 2 for men, and 1 in 3 for women .

The survey also indicated there is a need for more cancer resources in the LGBT community. The majority of respondents indicated a need for cancer screenings (75.2%), education (71.6%), help with access to medical care or treatment (63.8%).

The American Cancer Society (ACS) has recognized the high incidence of cancer in the LGBT community, and the need for greater services. In 2010, ACS has begun conducting “Cancer Chats” at the LGBT Community Center in New York City and in other locations, focused on raising awareness of cancer in the LGBT community and helping with concrete information such as nutrition therapy.

ACS has also been planning, for the first time ever, to roll out its signature Relay For Life event specifically for the LGBT community. “Relay for Life is an all-day ‘festival of the spirit’ made up of community teams, where we come together to pay tribute to those we have lost to cancer, and celebrate those who have survived, while raising money for cancer education, research and services. We are piloting this event in September, 2010 in New York City, and, if successful, would like to roll these LGBT cancer events out nationally,” said Myrna Duarte, organizer of the ACS’ first-ever LGBT Relay for Life event. The money raised at the Relay For Life event will save lives by funding cutting-edge cancer research, advocacy efforts, patient services, early detection and prevention education. For more information on the LGBT Relay For Life event, go to www.relayforlife.org/lgbt.

"Within the LGBT community, much of the health focus understandably has been on HIV/AIDS, said Matthew Lemer, M.D., a urologist at Beth Israel Medical Center. "I care for many LGBT patients in my practice and I see a high incidence of cancer among them. In the early 1980s some people erroneously called HIV/AIDS the "gay cancer." But LGBT patients do have legitimate cancers, which need to be recognized and treated with sensitivity to the salient needs of the community."

“Whether you are a caregiver, a survivor, or a loved one of someone who has battled cancer, this disease can be devastating. I have felt the effects of cancer firsthand,” said Gina Bonica, 34, a New York City-based attorney and cancer survivor. “As a member of the LGBT community, please join me in helping to raise awareness of the disproportionate effects of certain types of cancer in the LGBT community,” she continued.

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=25541&pg=entry

MassageM4M.com Wins "Best Massage Website"

2010-03-03T09:53:00.000-08:00

EMMedia, Inc., a leading provider of online adult entertainment, is thrilled to announce that its male massage directory website, MassageM4M.com, was awarded “Best Massage Website” of the Year, by the Cybersocket Web Awards organization.

The Cybersocket Web Awards honors the best gay websites each year in both “Surfer Choice” and “Industry Choice” categories. The awards seek to honor GLBT individuals and companies as being technological entrepreneurs and innovators of change in queer online media and entertainment. Industry leaders, executives, porn stars, and celebrities from around the world came out to join Cybersocket in recognizing and rewarding industry achievements .

“We are excited and honored to receive this award, especially since thousands of surfers voted for us specifically,” said Ernie, co-founder and President of EMMedia, Inc. (EMMedia, Inc. owns MassageM4M.com and many other websites). “Our male massage directory has been online for almost 10 years. We are the pioneers of helping men find gay-friendly masseurs online in their local neighborhoods. Our team works hard every day to help the lives and careers of the massage therapists in our directory, as well as connect clients looking for gay-friendly masseurs. We thank Morgan and his team at Cybersocket for adding the ‘Best Massage Website’ category and we’re proud to be the first leaders in this category for 2010.”

Link: www.MassageM4M.com

Our Gay Hollywood Adventures with Out & About Tours

2009-10-23T11:38:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, a group of us had the opportunity to attend the "Pre-Tour" of the upcoming LGBT gay history bus tour that Out & About Tours is putting together here in West Hollywood, making its debut for Halloween 2009!

Offering an in-depth yet entertaining look at LGBT history and its hotspots not found in your average LA travel guide, we undertook one hell of a fun "journey" through LGBT history beginning with LA's pre-Spanish settlement era, continuing through the Golden Age of Hollywood, the gay rights movement of the 60s & 70s and ending in present day.

We began in West Hollywood, continued on through Downtown LA, via Echo Park and Silverlake and then returned through Hollywood. We saw it all... from LA's first gay porn theatre to a Judy Garland performance at The Other Side piano bar in Silverlake. We even had a chance to enjoy a cocktail there as well!

From their website, here are some of the tour highlights:

Join Out & About Tours as they share with guests the first footfalls of the Los Angeles Gay Pride Parade which occurred on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and McCadden Place in June of 1970.
Out & About Tours uncovers LA’s more seedy side of life, as guests tour past Merced Theatre, LA’s first porn theatre from the 1880’s.
Guests will swing by one of the last gay piano bars for a cocktail, a song or two and a fascinating five minute clip from a documentary of the same name, “The Other Side: A Queer History” by Jane Cantillon.
Was “Stonewall” really the first gay uprising? Out & About Tours will ask guests to share a moment of silence at the site of LA’s “Stonewall,” two years before the riots occurred in New York City. The LA incident fueled many things, including the iconic magazine “The Advocate,” one of the world’s oldest LGBT publications, still in publication today.
Many are aware of the phrase “Lipstick Lesbian.” Out & About Tours will take guests past the famous lesbian bar that coined the phrase and changed the way that gay woman dressed and conducted themselves publicly. The patrons of Peanuts on Santa Monica Boulevard put a new twist on the term “liberated woman.”
It’s no secret that LA has a heavy Spanish influence but do Angelenos and tourist a-like really know where it all began? Out & About Tours will stop off at “El Pueblo” just outside of Olvera Street in Downtown LA and pay homage to some of the oldest public structures in the area and share with guests their significance in gay history.
No tour of LA is complete without a jaunt on the world-famous Sunset Strip; Out & About Tours will show guests the location of the first openly gay bar of the area and show how it influenced the feel and shape of all gay bars thereafter.
While the All-American white-boys were building a thriving “Boy’s Town” in the city that is now known as West Hollywood, LGBT Latinos and African American were dancing to the beat of their own drums in other parts of town. Out & About Tours will point out significant venues.
If it’s more dirt that guests are looking for, Out & About Tours will show them LA’s oldest bathhouse that still operates today and once hosted many a closeted movie star.
Out & About Tours will explore the complex gay underground scene during Tinseltown’s Golden Age for those guests who want the skinny on gay Hollywood.
While touring through the eclectic city of Silverlake, Out & About Tours will salute the house high on a hill that hosted the first meeting of the gay movement in America.
Out & About Tours prides itself in the fact that their comprehensive and entertaining tour contains more than 100 points of interest.

The tour itself runs on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as every other Friday. It departs from the ONE Archives Gallery & Museum in West Hollywood (which is a treat unto itself). From Out & About Tours, "the tour enlightens, educates and encourages riders to reflect on how history has shaped today’s gay-experience."

Check out this video we made from our trip, at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaCUPmBGsac

Their most recent article:

http://www.pinkbananaworld.com/content-detail.cfm?id=289144

Their official website:

http://www.outandabout-tours.com/

Tennis Channel Signature Series: Martina Navratilova Give-Away

2009-09-10T15:41:00.001-07:00

Check out our first giveaway featured on the front page of PinkBananaWorld.com

Enter to win an autographed DVD by Martina Navratilova. This DVD documentary, produced by The Tennis Channel, coincides with both the 40th anniversary of Stonewall and the US Open, of which Martina is a commentator. This DVD is a must have - not only is it compelling and moving, but it also captures Martina talking open and honestly about her "Coming Out" process.

http://www.pinkbananaworld.com/

Inviting you to take a 2nd look at PinkBananaWorld.com

2009-08-17T11:36:00.000-07:00

Relaunched with the focus on featuring YOUR GLBT CONTENT to the rest of the world.

We wanted to take this time to invite you to take a look at some of the major feature overhauls we've introduced to PinkBananaWorld.com this month. The site's design is still being worked on, so please forgive some areas where it seems functionality has definitely outweighed design. We'll get to it soon.

We've placed user-generated content front and center... it's like a Facebook News Feed focused exclusively on the gay & lesbian community. We're also featuring some of the best GLBT content feeds from around the world, and we've improved the social network capabilities of commenting on and integrating this content into the social news feed as well.

We're also featuring News Highlights as chosen by YOU, the GLBT Community, on Twitter! Using some of the latest Twitter software available today, we can feature GLBT news and other stories "as it happens," as reported by you, the GLBT world at large.

In the meantime, we invite you to join if you're not a member already, and once joined, tell us more about some of your content you're posting online, including:

Facebook links you've posted recently
YouTube videos
Flickr Photos
Your Blogs
Your Delicious, Digg and Google Reader favorites
Your Twitters

It's all automatic once you let us know just a little bit of information about your accounts online. From this point forward, your content is out there in front of an audience that is now no longer just your friends, but now gays and lesbians worldwide.

So come on by and take a look when you have a chance... we're confident you'll like what you see.
Thanks,
Your PinkBananaWorld.com Team

http://www.PinkBananaWorld.com

Winter in Rio for the Gay Traveler

2009-07-13T11:25:00.001-07:00

So it seems that prior to my arriving in Rio de Janeiro for a week in July, EVERYONE had the same two thoughts on their mind... 1) "it's winter time, how could you possibly go there when it's cold and raining" and 2) "you can't go to Rio, it's too dangerous!"

Well, I can tell you that both myths are just that... myths! First, Rio in their winter is a bit like Miami in winter, but just a tad bit cooler. Most days we were there, it was a gorgeous 80 degrees and sunny. There were two days of cooler winter weather, but that meant it was windy and in the 60s, and that was just really one blustery day.

So why go into all of this about the weather in Rio? Because for the gay traveler, going to a destination such as this "off season" is fantastic. There were so few tourists and the majority of hot men roaming the streets were all locals. And they are HOT! Once in a while you'll hear an occasional English or French word heard, but overall, all Brazilian!

We had the opportunity to stay with friends in Copacabana, very near the Copacabana Palace. We ate like the locals, including one seafood hot spot called Shirley. Strolling the beach boardwalk by day, the scenery both on the beach and walking, rollerblading or biking by, was stunning. Shirts off, eyes lingering just a little longer than they should. Stopping for an occasional coconut made for great walking breaks, and we walked a lot... from Copacabana to Ipanema and then further to Leblon. On Sunday they close off part of the street, so renting a bike and taking that tour from Copacabana to Leblon is a ton of fun... and then biking inland a bit to the lake there in Rio is just a cherry on top for a delightful Sunday afternoon.

Heading into Ipanema, the gay beach is really easy to find as it's highlighted with several rainbow flags right at the foot of Rua Farme de Amoedo. Walking up that street any time of the day or evening is a real delight, as "the gays" are all perched in various eating and drinking spots along that street just enjoying the day and the sites. Some of our favorites were Cafeina, a true delight and reminiscent of Le Notre in Paris, just much more Brazilian! Getting a little chicken at the Galito restaurants in the neighborhood, as well as some acai at one of the various Sucos shops in the neighborhood, make one feel like they're living life like the locals.

Nightlife was over the top, even off season. Le Boy never fails to disappoint, and we went both Thursday and Saturday night to a packed club full of friendly and hot locals. One can only imagine the line outside when Rio is "in season!"

Safety-wise, the entire area felt quite safe overall. There were cleaner areas than others in this small ocean stretch of a rather big city that is Rio de Janeiro, with Ipanema and Leblon being a bit more upscale. The area around Le Boy got a little sketchy, but never really unsafe. As anyone will tell you, it's always about being just the tiniest bit street smart in such scenarios and all should work out fine. Walking along the beach boardwalks at night always feels the safest, as there are lots of people and "tourist police" keeping folks in line.

Overall, winter in Rio is when I would return time and time again... it's like being on the beach in LA on a nice, sunny 70-degree January day and enjoying all of the cafes, the boardwalks and the lunch hot spots without fighting the summer tourist crowd. It's like you found your own little hidden gem in life.

Link to photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattskal/sets/72157621001887841/

Pink Banana World at Gay Days Orlando - June 2009

2009-06-16T11:36:00.000-07:00

We wanted to update you all on what a wonderful weekend we all had at the recent Gay Days 2009 event held in Orlando recently in June. The weather was mood-setting, stormy and crazy, with lightning and thunder all around. As we all arrived at the event to get set up for the accompanying Gay DaysExpo, with this tumultuous weather, lo and behold the power went out. But turning lemons into lemonade, not only did we all have a great time hanging out poolside waiting for the power to come back on, but the folks putting on Gay Days (thanks Chris and Tommy) arranged for free hot dogs and burgers for everyone waiting. Suffice it to say, hanging out poolside with our friends from Bud Light was one of the highlights of the trip... one never knows where some of the best networking can be had!

Of course, the power came back and the event continued on without a hitch. The Expo itself was a success, as it is every year, since it's one of the key GLBT events held in the US where people truly interact with those of us in the booths. Our fellow "booth mates" included IGLTA, the Grand Resort in Fort Lauderdale, Club Orlando, Instinct Magazine, Centaur Music and a whole host of various GLBT and GLBT-friendly companies choosing this event as one of their top events to attend and exhibit at every year.

The poolside activities went on every day and into the evening, with various DJs entertaining us all along the way. Not only was Bud Light (and the new lemon Bud Light, which was my new favorite) flowing, but poolside our friends Sami and Peter of Pistol Pete Menswear were holding a fun "trade in your swimwear for some Pistol Pete swimwear for free" event which had hot boys going in and out of that poolside suite the entire weekend.

There were so many events going on this weekend it would make your head spin if you tried to attend them all. Between film release parties, lesbian comedians and bear events, there truly was something for everyone. Also partying it up in Orlando was One Mighty Weekend's various events including the House of Blues party on Thursday, the Luau on Friday and the big blowout party they held on Saturday night. Other event highlights of this weekend included the Typhoon Lagoon event, which, just like in years past, had boys frolicking on water slides while dancing the night away late in the wee hours of the evening. For the girls, the Girls in Wonderland event was a huge hit, bringing together some of the hottest lesbians from the US South for a night to remember.

That's it for now, but be sure to check out the photos linked below and stay tuned for upcoming photos from some of the various events we attended this weekend, all going up online and being brought to you here on this blog in the coming days.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattskal/sets/72157619241821525/

IGLTA Gay Travel Symposium in Florianopolis, Brazil

2009-04-09T12:22:00.000-07:00

We recently had another fantastic IGLTA Symposium in Florianopolis this past week, March 26th - 28th, 2009. As you can see from the photos, we had a wide variety of attendees (see list below) and we were well taken care of by Clovis Casemiro and locally by Joceli and Martin Desmaras.

Florianopolis is like a mini-Rio... a local summer playground for folks coming in from Sao Paolo and Buenos Aires. Officially, it's a

n island connected to the mainland by two bridges. Gay life there is quite vibrant during this tourist season, with a variety of gay bars and clubs, one of the largest gay Carnival celebrations in the country, and a very cool gay beach at Praia Mole.

I arrived midweek after an incredible overnight flight on TAM Airlines from Miami through to Sao Paolo. Their business class service was over the top and the way the shell seats reclined, I got a good night's rest on the flight down.

We began our tour on the south side of the island, hiking across a mountain trail (and yes, a big black snake did cross our path... how exciting!) and ending at a remote and beautiful beach tucked away amongst the hills. We then took a boat to a remote restaurant in Porto do Contrato and had some fantastic seafood and oysters on the half-shell.

We continued the next day, investigating more of the island and then spending some quality time on the gay beach at Praia Mole. I'm told that during the summer, this beach is packed... off season, it's a very pleasant spot with some hot gay men lounging in the sun and enjoying food and drink from the local beachside restaurant.

The weekend ended with a complete change of pace with a gay travel trade show and a subsequent conference about the state of the GLBT marketplace in southern Brazil as it relates to tourism. Both the trade show and the conference were well attended, with presentations given in both Portuguese and Spanish to over 100 attendees.

It was another fantastic trip, and it has again highlighted a destination in the world that should be high on anybody's list to return to again.

Symposium Attendees:

Tom Nibbio IGLTA Headquarters

Ylan Chrem Lima Tours

Matthew Skallerud Pink Banana Media

Bryan Herb Zoom Vacations

Kenneth Coolen Alpenglow Productions / GayWhistler.com

Dean Nelson Alpenglow Productions / GayWhistler.com

Roy Heale Freelance travel journalist

Walter Rey Vamos Colombia Tour

Mark Chesnut Passport Magazine - Jornalista

Michael Luongo Jornalista

César Maschmann International Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce

Alfredo Ferreyra Bue Gay Argentina

Gonzalo Eduardo Aja Espil Bue Gay Argentina

Rod Stringer Horizons at Peregian

Jay Allen Mercier Horizons at Peregian

Rodney Dean Kruit Horizons at Peregian

Sam Vella Horizons at Peregian

Jonathan Klein Now Voyager Travel

Ed Cosman FLL Hospitality Consultants

Pablo de Luca GMAPS360

Gustavo Noguera GMAPS360

Jered Barclay Journalist - www.jeredtravel.com

Dane Steele Green Steele Luxury Travel

Pablo Casse Andesescape Ski Tours

Federico Garcia Torres Andesescape Ski Tours

Juan Carlos Villafañe Andesescape Ski Tours

André Fischer Mix Brasil / Revista Junior

Augusto Rossi Guia Gay Brasil

Sérgio di Pietro Revista A Capa

José Roberto Sato Revista Aimée

Valdeck Belarmino de Souza Junior Revista DOM

Alex Bernardes Pereira Revista Via G

Marta Dalla Chiesa Brazil Ecojourneys

Lesley Cushing Brazil Ecojourneys

Ricardo Calache Brazil Tropical Travel

Ricardo Saes Moreira Brazil Tropical Travel

José RC Junior Tam Viagens

Clóvis Casemiro Embaixador IGLTA no Brasil / Tam Vacations

Heitor Ferreira Filho Gay Travel Brasil

Oswaldo Luiz Gay Travel Brasil

Joceli Marina Cardozo IBI / Santur

Martin Desmaras IBI / Santur

Link to photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattskal/sets/72157615956568258/

The Pink Banana Shreds @ Telluride Gay Ski Week

2009-03-03T10:54:00.000-08:00

It's been a long time since I've had such a good time on the slopes with a few hundred of my new favorite ski buddies!

I arrived in Telluride on a Saturday, February 21st, just as the Telluride Gay Ski Week was beginning. Flying in direct from LA made it all that much smoother, and after a relaxing evening of getting settled in, I was ready to shred the slopes on Sunday.... and shred I did, from the sunny early morning slopes to the still sunny late afternoon runs. I couldn't believe it... the weather was absolutely gorgeous at 10,000' elevation.

But as they say, no rest for the wicked, and that's the way this week began... as Sunday night was Oscar night, the folks hosting the Telluride Gay Ski Week spared no expense in making sure that everyone there had a great time. With the Oscar party pre-show at the Apres Ski Logo Lounge to the Oscar Ball shortly thereafter, everyone arriving early to Telluride had a great time celebrating Dustin Lance Black's presentation speech for Milk together.

And this is the way the entire week went... ski by day and party by night. On Tuesday night, the first blowout party was held at Tommy's. Everyone was there, including the star of the night, Reichen Lemkuhl, debuting his Fly Naked line of jewelry. Most of us stayed until 2 am, dancing the night away. The hosts of this week also ensured that there was plenty to do during moments of downtime, including recommended restaurants in town for all of us to enjoy, as well as a special Spa Day for that necessary day off of relaxation from the slopes.

Thursday skiing was fun, as there was a very entertaining "Drag Race," with the winner strutting the finest ski drag costume I've seen in years... Miss Harlot O'Scara! Thursday night was the biggest party, by far, however... the legendary White Nights party with the Perry Twins Doug and Derek Perry spinning and getting the entire crowd going strong. This party was a packed house, with locals arriving and mixing with all of us out-of-towners, straight and gay alike.

Of course, like troopers, we were all ready to ski again, and that's the way this entire week went, until by Saturday we were all wiped out but grinning ear-to-ear with big smiles on our faces from having had such a great time and meeting such wonderful people. And Telluride, true to form, made sure we left with a bang... with their annual Telluride AIDS Benefit Fashion Show. I don't think I ever saw a fashion show like this... it was the New York chic of Ugly Betty meets some of the most whacked out looks and styles from the edges of Berlin... and all on display for us in the mountains of Colorado!

And that's how I'd like to wrap up this summary of Telluride Gay Ski Week... the people. I met some of the best people on this trip, and made true lifelong friends along the way. There were so many different "scenes" to remember... like when the timid straight man with his girlfriend and her best friend all meekly came into the Apres Ski Lounge not knowing what to expect. By the time they left, they were all posing for photos, sitting on our laps and having a fantastic evening. That's the way the entire week went, and as the crowd changed day by day with some folks arriving early and others a bit later in the week, the mix of people just got better and better. There was no one type of guy or girl there, either... it was a very healthy mix of some very cool lesbian skiiers... some hot, young skiiers... some older, muscular bear skiiers... and the rest of us in between!

I can't wait to return next year!

Thanks again to Scott Barretto and John McGill of StraightOut Media & Marketing for putting on such a wonderful event!

Photo link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattskal/sets/72157614641015311/

Budapest Trip - Feb 9-12 2009

2009-02-10T07:13:00.001-08:00

My trip to Budapest, although short, has been incredible as it's the first time I've been this far east in Europe. Budapest, one of the true capitals of Europe, is a fascinating reflection of history and the blends of culture that have crossed this land both over the past few millennia and in recent history.

As part of a country which is now part of the European Union and set to adopt the euro shortly, Budapest is an incredible symbol of east meets west, in this case European east meets west, with recent history thrown into the mix. Having emerged from Communism in 1989, the buildings have only slowly been restored to their original grandeur, with some edifices reflecting their original lustor while others are still black from decades of soot and pollution, with others still displaying facades that have continuously decayed over the years and have yet to be touched.

That comparison can also be seen in the attitudes of the people here. With English being spoken more prevalently by the younger Hungarians, the story told quite often is of the clash of cultures between the more westernized youth of today and their middle-aged counterparts who grew up with Communism and have had a tougher time adapting to the more free spirited and customer service-focused social-capitalist culture of today. Thus, it may take generations to pass before this part of Europe reflects the more western spirit now instilled in its youth, and will hopefully always include at least some of the culture inherent in eastern Europe as Budapest serves its role of gateway to the east, at the edge of the Carpathian Mountains and the vast plains of the Carpathian basin, with the Slovakian and Polish borders within site on a clear day.

The history of this city can be seen not only in the various buildings and their state of repair (or disrepair) throughout the city. With some of the most beautiful churches in eastern Europe restored to their original grandeur, the city gleams rooftops with striking colors and patterns, and buildings such as Parliament becoming more and more completed in their restoration and showing a city with ever increasing wealth. In the old city, around the original palace and castle, restoration is still going strong today, yet some buildings can be seen with bullet holes and cannon blasts dating back to 1945!

One part of Budapest famous the world over is the Turkish Bath. With one of the most famous being Széchenyi, the best way to enjoy this natural hot spring is in the outdoor pools heated to various temperatures ranging from warm to perfectly soothing and hot. Going later on in the evening allows for a more exciting crowd that is nicer on the eyes as well.

http://spasbudapest.com/furdo.php?idx=14&menu=8

For one of the most gay-friendly stays in Budapest, check out Kapital Inn. Run by Albert Marton, a trained Hungarian chef and former executive of a 5-star hotel, the Kapital Inn provides for a really comfortable, clean, modern and spoiled stay in the heart of Budapest. I'm not typically a big fan of the B&B-style of inn or guest house, but this one, with its layout along with terrace, won me over!

http://www.kapitalinn.com/

For gay life in Budapest, there are several really good online sources, including:

Budapest is typical of a European city in that gay life is really more focused on clubs open over the weekend rather than gay bars. Budapest has its mix of gay bars, but the ones I popped into were very good if you were looking to rent an escort for the night... not your typical "gay pub" or neighborhood bar where you can meet the locals. My favorite night spot was Szimpla Kert (Simple Garden), a mostly straight multi-room bar set in an old unrestored building. Decorated from that eclectic, unrestored point of view, it was one of the coolest bars I've gone to in years, and the crowd was HOT! My gaydar was on and I could definitely pick out some cute gay boys in the crowd!

http://www.szimpla.hu/

My photos from this trip:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattskal/sets/72157613549045528/

New Gay Ski Social Networking Site

2009-01-09T13:51:00.000-08:00

If you're gay and into skiing or snowboarding, this site is for you... bringing together information on all of the major gay & lesbian ski weekends, as well as gay & lesbian online ski resources, this site goes above and beyond by integrating social networking features including forums, blogs and a great venue from which to meet other gay & lesbian skiiers and snowboarders out there online.

http://gayski.ning.com

Interactive Male Launches Video Chat

2008-12-16T08:39:00.001-08:00

As a leader and pioneer in the GLBT community, Interactive Male knows what men want and need in a gay chat service and has provided it for many years. With a variety of awards and recognitions in the community, Interactive Male continues to consistently provide their customers and members with innovative products. The most recent of these products is the ability to see the person you’re talking to, available at http://www.interactivemale.com.

In order to use the software, members call into the service like they normally would; only now they can logon to Interactive Male’s video chat site as well, found at http://www.interactivemale.com/videochat. When a user connects with somebody on the phone, they can also connect via the website to see that person via webcam. This integrated system allows customers to now meet people the usual chatline way, while providing availability for the video component.

Interactive Male continues to lead the industry as it has for over fifteen years bringing men together through access via 750 local phone numbers in cities across North America, offering Interactive Male in English and Spanish. The addition of video capabilities to the product only strengthens this service to a further degree. Interactive Male boasts that they allow gay men to find what they want, where they want and these new steps make that even more feasible.

Interactive Male’s website , http://www.interactivemale.com, is a starting point to signing up for the service, learning more about the company and getting a free trial to experience the phone chatline with the new video capabilities. Interactive Male definitely continues to provide its members with the ability to find what they want, where they want it.

Our Client, TheClubs.com, Launches New Website

2008-12-05T16:01:00.001-08:00

Be sure to drop on by TheClubs.com to check out their new website we've helped them launch. With saunas in 9 locations around the US, you can now get a better feel for what they are like, inside and out!

Also, check out the new Clubs Locker Room at http://the-clubs.ning.com - a whole new social network just for TheClubs.com fans!

Enjoy the site: http://www.theclubs.com

Gay Day @ LA Auto Show

2008-11-12T11:51:00.000-08:00

Are you into cars? Do you enjoy the annual LA Auto Show?
Cruise the LA Auto Show like never before….
Join Saturn, Cadillac, Saab and Chevrolet at the first-ever LGBT community day at the Los Angeles Auto Show

Gay Day @ the LA Auto Show
http://autoshowgayday.com/

Check out the Facebook event page as well:
http://www.facebook.com/groups.php?ref=sb#/event.php?eid=33887262444

Pride Radio's Swiss Giveaway

2008-09-26T15:28:00.000-07:00

"Hey all... be sure to check this out... it's from one of our partners here online, PrideRadio.com!"
Thanks,
Matt

Switzerland is one of the world's most LGBT friendly vacation destinations. It's our "PrideRadio Destination of the Month" and we're giving away a trip for two just for joining The Pride Party!

From September 8th, 2008 through October 3rd, 2008, enter below to win the Pride Radio Switzerland Trip Getaway that includes:

2 roundtrip tickets with Swiss International Air Lines
7 nights of hotel accommodation
8-day first class Swiss Pass for unlimited travel within Switzerland public transportation system

http://www.prideradio.com/cc-common/radiobase/contest.html?contest=294

PinkBananaWorld.com Promo Video

2008-09-10T16:18:00.001-07:00

Check it out... also, will be running on FuelTheGroove.com video coming soon

2009 Gay Market Report Introduction

2008-09-02T13:42:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the 2009 Gay Market Report, a comprehensive look at various opportunities and media sources for companies wishing to target the gay & lesbian community.

Much of what you will find in this report is a summary of the opportunities available, with website URLs being the primary source of contact. For the media sources that have opted to participate in this guide, you'll find a more comprehensive breakdown of information along with contact details to allow you to make better informed decisions as to which sources may best serve your marketing needs.

This guide is intended to cover the full range of gay & lesbian media sources and opportunities, including Internet, Print, E-mail, Events and more. Each year this guide will be updated with current information and will continue to grow along with the gay & lesbian media marketplace.

Brief History of the Gay Market
The emergence of gay & lesbian media is a somewhat recent phenomenon of the past 30 years. Starting with small garage operations bringing information to a more underground gay community via local newsletters, the gay media marketplace has grown to include very well established print publications, both regionally and nationally.

For readers, access to these publications has typically been reserved for those living in one of several "gay communities" across the US and around the world, including the famous "Castro" of San Francisco and "The Village" in New York City. Even the national publications have had a limit to their overall reach, gaining ground in chain bookstores such as Borders and Barnes & Noble, only reaching an average of 50,000 to 100,000 per publication.

During this time, gay events such as Pride Festivals and Circuit Parties began to grow in popularity, and for many companies had become the primary means in which to reach gays & lesbians directly. Like publications, however, these successful events have been typically for those areas where gay communities are strongest. But over the years, regions in some of the more rural areas have seen a rise in gay pride festivals, albeit still small events compared to those held in some of the more major gay urban areas. Even today, these events, coupled with events such as the Gay Life and Gay Entertainment Expos held in New York, as well as niche events such as Gay Travel Expos, have become a mainstay for many companies wishing to reach the gay & lesbian market on a consistent basis.

In 1995, the rise of the gay & lesbian Internet brought new opportunities and new ways in which to reach gays & lesbians, wherever they may be. Major sites emerged which, over the years, have enabled companies to reach millions instead of thousands of gays & lesbians. In addition, smaller, more niche-oriented sites developed within the gay online community, succeeding in a business environment which may not have supported a full print publication, but could definitely support a smaller-overhead Internet company.

These niche sites, coupled with the reach of the larger gay & lesbian sites, have allowed companies to more accurately target gays & lesbians in ways that were previously unheard of when the Internet first came on the scene in 1995. Riding the trend of marketers away from mass media in general and towards reaching a smaller, more defined demographic, Internet sites have proven a strong and growing part of many companies' marketing efforts. In addition, sites that have developed an opt-in mailing list as well as simply an e-mail list have been able to realize even stronger growth, as marketers have learned that the same "selects" based on zip codes, household income, education and more are equally available for both direct mail and e-mail lists derived from Internet sites.

Trends in 2009
In addition to the continued rise of niche-oriented Internet marketing, via standard banner and e-mail advertising, the world of blogs and social networking opportunities are the hot new growth areas of today. Some of the GLBT blogs like Towleroad.com and OhLaLaMag.com give established GLBT community websites a run for their money, outperforming them on unique visitors, page views and repeat visits time and time again. Social networking in all of its forms, from MySpace to Facebook to niche sites such as Glee.com and DList.com are also becoming online destinations which continually keep their visitors entertained, sometimes for hours.

Gay television networks are the business leaders of the GLBT market today. here! TV and Logo have both independently acquired a variety of print and Internet media properties including the Advocate and Out Magazines and GayWired.com for here! TV and 365Gay.com, AfterEllen.com and Downelink.com for Logo. A few years back it was PlanetOut Partners doing the acquisitions, but times have changed, and between niche cable and satellite TV, along with social networking and blogs, the eyeballs and advertising dollars are taking a distinct shift as companies learn to move from “advertising to” consumers to “speaking with” consumers, a fundamental shift which will continue on for years to come.

Gay and Lesbian Social Networking
Advertising - Marketing - Community

For the full-color PDF version of this story, go here:
http://www.PinkBananaMedia.com/pdf/gmg2009_intro.pdf

To subscribe to the PBM Monthly Gay Business Report, go here:
http://www.PinkBananaMedia.com/BusinessReport/

For the annual PBM Gay Market Report, go here:
http://www.PinkBananaMedia.com/MarketReport/

NOTE: This article is part of the Gay Market Report 2009 and is FREE TO USE as long as byline above, credit, logo and link are included with story. Credit Pink Banana Media, www.PinkBananaMedia.com/MarketReport/, and please use the following logo linked below:
http://www.pinkbananamedia.com/images/pbmlogo_200.jpg

Spotlight on Feast of Fools (plus GLBT Podcasting)

2008-08-25T11:05:00.001-07:00

One of the most popular talk shows on the Internet today, as well as one of the originals in the gay market, Feast of Fools, alternately know as Gay Fun Show or simply FoF, is a mix of celebrity interviews, news commentary, author chats, cocktail recipes, grooming advice, political forum, new artist musical interludes, gift opening, and letter reading.

The show has won Best GLBT Podcast from the People’s Choice Podcast Awards and Best Podcast from the Gay Bloggies. As the most widely downloaded gay podcast, its availability has brought GLBT-themed programming to listeners in cities, towns, and rural areas across the country and around the world.

These Guys Get Social Networking and Web 2.0!

Yes, they may have won some fantastic awards and have created a show with fans worldwide, but one of their greatest strengths is that not only do they keep contemporary with their pop culture and show content they produce 5 times per week, they also stay way ahead of the curve when it comes to using the new tools of social networking and Web 2.0 to keep their audiences informed and in the loop, as well as reaching out to new fans through this viral network of Facebook, Plaxo and more!

First, their use of photos. With the concept of photo tagging launched by Facebook, the world of photos has a whole new lease on life. Combine this with the Photoshop talents these two exhibit with their campy but uniquely branded photos put online each week and you have yourself a powerful form of branding that reaches all of their fans on their Facebook group, as well as all of their fans subscribing to their photo updates on Flickr. By incorporating their Flickr photo feed into Plaxo, they are one of the few businesses out there today using the social networking power of photos to keep their show at the forefront of peoples minds on a daily basis, without ever being too intrusive.

In addition, they understand how to emerge from behind the safety of the computer screen and reach out to their fellow new media peers and their fans, including hosting a meet and greet mixer coinciding with the New Media Expo in Las Vegas recently.

About the Hosts and the Show

Host Fausto Fernós is an Eartha Kitt-stalking, brown-haired (and soul- patched), quasi-former Boricua drag performer who once graced public access television as Faustina. Factoid: Fernós learned how to eat fire from the Lesbian Avengers.

His partner in life and podcasting is Marc Felion, who spends time fielding emails that label him as Chris Noth’s “ting-a-ling” doppelganger, updating the show’s myspace page, and salivating over Czech porn star Pavel Novotny.

The Feast of Fools podcast continually ranks as the top-rated gay & lesbian podcast on iTunes and is frequently listed in the Top 100 list of Comedy podcasts. On average, the podcast is downloaded 40,000 times per week, making it the most downloaded GLBT podcast in the United States.

A typical Feast of Fools show is a round table discussion on unusual news stories, GLBT issues and social trends. Other shows may feature celebrity interviews (live or by phone), cocktail recipes, or “how to” sessions, such as 'How drag queens lip sync and put on makeup.' Celebrities and other notable guests are asked a series of "Breakdown" questions at the end of the show, such as "Describe yourself as a fancy shade of paint" and "What would you like to see Oprah doing in 5 years?" Since 2005, the Feast of Fools podcast has interviewed many celebrities, including Margaret Cho, Kathy Griffin, Teri Garr, George Takei, John Waters and Bruce Vilanch. Occasionally, a show will open with an original cocktail recipe, usually given a name that pays tribute to that episode's special guest. Cocktail recipes feature unique ingredients or put a new spin on classics. Examples include the "Organic Cosmopolitan" (a tarter version of the popular drink made with unsweetened cranberry juice concentrate and all natural ingredients) and the "Dancing Queen,"(an unusual and flavorful combination of pear sake and energy drink).

When not interviewing a special guest, Fernós and Felion are often joined by a rotating cast of regular guests.

Music is an integral part of the Feast of Fools podcast, and the show regularly interviews and features the music of up-and-coming talent, mostly unsigned or signed to independent record labels. Born out of necessity due to copyright and RIAA restrictions on the use of music on podcasts, this feature of the podcast has grown into an important avenue for emerging musicians to reach a previously untapped audience. Musicians whose music is featured on the Feast of Fools podcast realize increased sales on iTunes and Amazon.com. Musicians featured on the Feast of Fools podcast include Calpernia Addams, Gaye Adegbalola, Reuben Butchart, Dangerous Muse, Ferron, Scott Free, Chris Garneau, Robert German, Leslie Hall, Hey Willpower, Eric Himan, Levi Kreis, Mystechs, Jen Porter, Rachael Sage, Jim Verraros, and The Wet Spots.

And how do these guys make it work? Like public radio, Feast of Fools stands on the shoulders of it's listeners, both financially and to stay ahead of the news. (They do have several key sponsors but they also depend on the support of their loyal community to donate money and buy merchandise.)

And why is this show a success? As quoted by Marc, “the show succeeds because of our passion and experience, not because of the technology behind it or the money we invest in it. Our passion for creating a unique show is what we think makes it work. We want to give gay people a smart, humorous and savvy voice. We've observed that when traditional media companies attempt to copy our success they mostly fail because they lose sight of what makes the Internet great- the uniqueness of individuals and the ability to come together to form new communities. “

LINK: www.feastoffools.net

A Note About Podcasting:
Besides the popular Feast of Fools show, there are a small number of similarly popular podcasts online for the GLBT community. One of the most popular is the Josh and Sara Show on here! Networks. Several years running now, hosts Josh and Sara inform and entertain with a variety of notable guests including authors, performers, musicians and activists. Josh’s extensive knowledge of pop culture, entertainment & gay media as well as New York nightlife adds a unique perspective and singular interviewing style to this eclectic show. Sara brings to the table a female perspective, Jersey pride and a love of authors, musicians and people involved with small organizations doing big things for the LGBT community.
LINK: http://www.heretv.com/APodcastDetailPage.php?id=1

Not sure where to start when searching out GLBT podcasts? QPodder.com is an excellent place to begin, featuring a variety of popular podcasts including Oh My Pod!, GoRainbowRadio.com, the Adam and Matty Show, the Twinkleboi Show and the QCast Connection, to name just a few.
LINK: www.qpodder.com

JasonCable.com is a local podcaster out of Pittsburgh who has been putting together a more serious and politically slanted podcast for years now.
LINK: www.JasonCable.com

Gay and Lesbian Social Networking
Advertising - Marketing - Community

For the full-color PDF version of this story, go here:
http://www.PinkBananaMedia.com/pdf/gmg2008-podcast.pdf

To subscribe to the PBM Monthly Gay Business Report, go here:
http://www.PinkBananaMedia.com/BusinessReport/

For the annual PBM Gay Market Report, go here:
http://www.PinkBananaMedia.com/MarketReport/

LA's Same Sex In The City Wedding Show a Great Success

2008-08-19T16:46:00.000-07:00

Just in time for all of those gay wedding bells ringing in the California sunset, the folks at GBK Productions held a very successful event this past Sunday, with the proceeds benefiting The Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center.

Newly engaged Heather Matarazzo and Caroline Murphy at GBK Productions and Rrivre Works’, Same Sexy in the City Wedding Show on Sunday, August 17th.

The Wedding Show, sponsored by BottomLine Magazine, PinkBananaMedia.com and LAGayWeddingGuide.com, offered guests a variety of gay-friendly wedding professionals specializing in an array of helpful areas such as planning, design, photography, catering, cake design, fashion, travel, and more. The show was held August 17th at the sophisticated Sofitel Los Angeles and is coming up in just a few weeks on September 7th at the ultra-chic Parker Hotel in Palm Springs.

GBK Productions, known throughout Hollywood for its preeminent celebrity gift suites and special events has designed a wedding show tailored specifically for same sex couples. The first of its kind in Southern California, Same Sex in the City – The Wedding Show, promised to be extraordinary and it was! Guests browsed through an assortment of the wedding industry’s finest services while sipping complimentary premium martinis, sampling some of the best catering available and listening to a top L.A. area DJ spin.

Jared Jaurequi, Caroline Murphy, Heather Matarazzo and David Rae attending the GBK Productions and Rrivre Works’, Same Sexy in the City Wedding Show on Sunday, August 17th.

With such a vast variety of the city’s leading professionals in the wedding industry at their fingertips, guests were certain to leave the show with confidence that their special day will be one to remember. GBK Productions also had a drawing giving away a grand prize to one lucky couple that entitled them to $10,000 in wedding services. Same Sex in the City – The Wedding show celebrates a time of change in California where on May 15, 2008, the ban on same-sex marriage was overturned by the Supreme Court.

For more information please visit www.samesexinthecity.com or for tickets for the Palm Springs show, please contact Carla Domen at GBK Productions: Carla@GBKProductions.com

About GBK
GBK Productions (formerly GBK Events), founded in 2000 by Gavin B. Keilly, is an event productions company specializing in fundraising for major charitable organizations, celebrity events and upscale weddings. GBK Productions has helped non-profit clients raise millions of dollars and produces the most-sought after gift suites, including EXTRA’s Oscar & Emmy Suites, Lounges for the Golden Globes, as well as various other award shows. GBK has been featured in People Magazine, US Weekly, InStyle, US Today, Front Page of the New York Times and many others. Headquartered in Hollywood, California, GBK Productions serves a variety of multinational charities and corporations throughout the world. For additional information about GBK Productions, please visit www.GBKProductions.com.

About Rrivre Works
Rrivre Works 27,000sq. ft. design studio is filled with unique and stunning furniture, props, chandeliers, drapery, columns, pillars, urns, bars, walls, tables, gazebos, cabana, lounges, pillows and other one-of-a-kind delights. Rrivre Works is not only a prop house full of all kinds of wonders, but a design & construction studio designing, sewing, welding, painting and building new and unique pieces for events, enabling their clients to create even more magical memories & special moments. Rrivre Works has been showcased in Grace Ormonde, Vogue, Hollywood Life, MTV, In-Style Weddings, OC Housewives and numerous other TV shows and publications. For Additional Information please visit www.Rrivreworks.com

About L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center
The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center provides a broad array of services for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, welcoming nearly a quarter-million client visits from ethnically diverse youth and adults each year. Through its Jeffrey Goodman Special Care Clinic and on-site pharmacy, the Center offers free and low-cost health, mental health, HIV/AIDS medical care and HIV/STD testing and prevention. The Center also offers legal, social, cultural, and educational services, with unique programs for seniors, families and youth, including a 24-bed transitional living program for homeless youth. For additional information about the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, please visit www.lagaycenter.org

EGTV - Where E! Entertainment meets MTV meets the Gay World

2008-08-08T10:20:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to sit down recently with Shane Charles, producer and host of the new show, EGTV, which is short for Entertainment Gay Television. After watching their pilot episode and interviewing both Shane and Marcelo Acevedo, EGTV's Executive Producer, I would say that as a cross between E! Entertainment and MTV, but made for a gay audience, this new monthly series is a sure winner as it touches on aspects of gay life that are both current and incredibly entertaining at the same time.

Interviewing Shane Charles at his Hollywood Press Junket

Covering various cities and the gay events that surround them, one might think the focus and scope of this new show is a bit more travel related. Although it definitely will peak the interest of local tourist boards wishing to bring in more GLBT travelers, it's audience is quite a bit broader, appealing both to those wishing to get to know a destination better as well as those who live in the city and enjoy seeing their nightlife through the eyes of this fun and entertaining team. With a tag line of "Where to stay, where to play, what to eat, and who to meet" how can they go wrong!

The show EGTV is designed to be one hour in length, produced monthly to start and more frequently once their distribution increases. They're currently seeking to have the show be a part of here! TV, Logo or Bravo's network, but with the advances in video technology online, as well as the interest from various clubs around the country to air this show as well, their distribution model may well be one that taps into some of the latest in technologies, venues and perhaps even social networking advances we're seeing in 2008.

So keep an eye out for EGTV and check out their website at http://www.myegtv.com/ to keep up to date as this show progresses. Plus, check out their promo video on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx0WyAPKHGA

Photos


EGTV Host Shane Charles Photos by Walter Parada, fashion photographer from San Francisco

Is That Your Vegas Showing?

2008-07-21T12:22:00.000-07:00

You’ve partied it up in P-Town, played hard to get in the Big Easy, and pitted a peach in Hotlanta – but have you ever experienced the homosexual side of Sin City?

Probably not.
That’s because Las Vegas has long been a straight person’s playground. From legalized prostitution and sex shows on the Strip to quickie marriages and even quicker annulments, the desert destination draws in droves of heteros with promises of ‘What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas.’

That recently abandoned motto is hardly true, as most vacationers soon find out, but there is one secret Vegas has managed to keep – where its LGBT community is hidden.

As history reveals, Vegas has never catered to gays and lesbians. Sure, the scandal-laden city’s Broadway-quality shows and other entertainment have maintained an über-queer vibe for decades, but Vegas – truth be told – has all but disregarded its LGBT patrons. In fact, it wasn’t until 2004, when nightclub Krave opened its doors, that Vegas finally acquired an entire complex dedicated to accommodating the downtime of Dorothy’s friends. A testament to Vegas’ still-slow progression, however, is Krave’s four-year-old, mainstay slogan: “The First and Only Alternative Club on the Strip.”

Recently, though, it seems that Vegas business owners have reopened their minds to change – and the cha-ching of cold, hard cash: According to an article in an August 2007 edition of USA Today, LGBT tourism is a $55 billion annual market, and given that Vegas is ranked as the #2 vacation destination among Gen X, Gen Y and Boomer gay men and the #1 destination among Gen X and Boomer lesbians, according to Community Marketing Inc.’s 12th Annual Gay and Lesbian Tourism Study, well, it’s no surprise that Vegas wants a piece of that pie.

So, how is Vegas continuing its slow saunter out of the closet?

Dennis McBride, a long-standing local gay historian, said that he’s noticed a dramatic change in whom advertisers are targeting.

“What’s changed more than anything is the Las Vegas business community’s marketing to gay, lesbian and transgender tourists,” he says. “Take the June 2008 issue of Passport magazine, for instance – there are gay-oriented advertisements from the Luxor Hotel Casino, Paris [Hotel], and from the ‘Zumanity’ production at New York New York.”

In addition, most hotel wedding chapels and several stand-alone chapels are offering same-sex commitment ceremonies, and a social networking organization called Sin City Qs sponsor well-attended martini mixers at a different location every Tuesday evening, encouraging a wide variety of hotel-casinos, restaurants, bars, art galleries, and other businesses to become accustomed to large-scale, openly gay clientele, he continues.

But McBride is quick to note, however, that despite Vegas’ about-face in courting the gay tourist, the state of Nevada still has political debates to resolve.

“That this marketing has been so successful,” adds the 53-year-old Nevada native, “speaks to an interesting disconnect between a relatively enlightened Nevada business community – particularly Las Vegas – and the Nevada electorate, who, in 2002, voted by a large margin to add an anti-same-sex marriage amendment to the state constitution. If you’re a gay tourist, Las Vegas can be heaven; if you’re a gay Nevada citizen, there are problematic issues.”

Politics aside, Cindy Hall, president of Betty’s Outdoor Adventures, a lesbian social group, and chief correspondent for the L Group Newsletter and Las Vegas Night Beat, says that gays and lesbians visiting Vegas shouldn’t relegate themselves to activities located on The Strip. Las Vegas and its surrounding suburbs offer ample opportunities for exploration and excitement – visitors just need to know where to look.

“At the core of our community is our beloved [Gay & Lesbian Community] Center [of Southern Nevada],” Hall says. “It’s the hub for most everything in our community. [It] offers a fun, safe place for new people to connect and others to reconnect.”

R. Darin Hollingsworth, president of the Liberace Foundation, a popular attraction among LGBT tourists that celebrates the life and times of the legendary performer, reinforces Hall’s sentiment that the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada is a valuable resource for those who want to experience the many sides of Vegas.

“Some will enjoy fantastic spas or restaurants, others will want to play into the whole gambling spirit,” he says. “Still others will use Vegas as home base for some excellent outdoor adventures.”

Adventures such as soaring over the Grand Canyon in a helicopter or stepping onto the new Skywalk, a glass bridge suspended 4,000 feet above the Colorado River.

Babs Daitch, tour guide and proprietor of Thanks Babs The Day Tripper, says that she “can keep anyone busy for at least a week” on her queer-geared trips that also include river rafting excursions, kayaking on Lake Mead, and discovery tours of the Hoover Dam.

While the list of alternatives to traditional Las Vegas expands, however, the LGBT tourist shouldn’t forget what’s at the heart of this sand-surrounded city – or why they’ve flocked to it in the first place.

Vegas, at its best, is a desert getaway – the Entertainment Capital of the World – created expressly to drown sorrows in several rounds of blackjack and even more shots of bourbon, spend hard-earned rent money to engage in immoral activity, and barely make it out alive. It grants all of its visitors, regardless of their sexuality, a free pass to indulge in life’s greatest existential pleasures – and the anonymity to lie about it once they return home.

As R. Darin Hollingsworth puts it, “It’s not called ‘Fabulous Las Vegas’ for nothin’”

Michael A. Knipp is a New York City-based freelance writer and the founder of Line/Byline Communications. He can be reached at michael.knipp@gmail.com.

The Sordid Lives Evening Recap by George Carrancho, American Airlines

2008-07-17T14:13:00.000-07:00

Well it was a great evening over at the Sordid Lives Premier in New York City on Tuesday, July 15. Del Shores, the creator of “Sordid Lives: The Series” has done an amazing job in assembling the exceptional cast of stars.

Photo Credit: Justin Nelson
Caption: George Carrancho and Beth Grant, who plays Sissy Hickey in the Series.

The visibly pregnant Caroline Rhea hosted the special evening and was amazing conducting the live auction that raised more than $25,000 for the Trevor Project! Lucky winners bid for lunch with Rue McClanahan and Caroline Rhea as well as a few “Sordid Lives” walk on roles. Leslie Jordan often added to the bidding enthusiasm by offering “personal” services that are best left unmentioned.

The last and best offer was a walk on role with Olivia Newton-John---although the successful bidder would have to pay for her or his own transportation. When I saw the bidding hovering at $6,000, I decided to sweeten the deal by offering round-trip air transportation along with passes for our American Airlines Admirals Club if someone would bid $10,000 for the new offer. Someone leaped to the chance, and raised an additional $10,000 for the Trevor Project.

Photo Credit: George Carrancho Caption: Rue McClanahan, Del Shores, Leslie Jordan, Caroline Rhea and Olivia Newton John have some incredible chemistry on and off camera.

Glowing and newly married Olivia Newton-John told the audience a poignant story about her personal connection with the Trevor Project. Years ago, she was heartbroken that a driver on one of her tours later committed suicide, fearful about disclosing his true sexual orientation and not aware that he had a helpline like the Trevor Project to feel safe and protected to talk about being gay.

Photo Credit: George Carrancho Caption: L-R, Allison Tolman, Del Shores, Jason Dottley, Sharon Alexis, Ted Detwiler

Bonnie Bedelia, exhausted from her train journey from Seattle told us she is thinking about hypnosis to get past her fear of flying! On the screen in “Sordid Lives: The Series,” she was great as Latrelle Williamson, a painfully overbearing mother.

Photo Credit: Sean Franklin
Caption: Lisa Sherman, Executive Vice President and General Manager of LOGO, and George Carrancho talked about American Airlines’ involvement in the series.

Bonnie’s husband embarked on his cross-country American Airlines flight as she at last drove into New York State, and he still beat her to the Manhattan hotel. Once she gets over her fear of flying---she promised that she would be flying American Airlines in the future.

Photo Credit: Justin Nelson Caption: L-R, Beth Grant, Ann Walker, George Carrancho, Charles Robbins, Olivia Newton-John, Del Shores, Bonnie Bedelia, Jason Dottley, Rosemary Alexander

Logo’s executive vice president and general manager Lisa Sherman spoke enthusiastically about several upcoming episodes that will lead Logo to a crossover cable audience--- although they have not yet picked up “Sordid Lives: The Series” for next year.

Photo Credit: George Carrancho Caption: Olivia Newton-John and Justin Nelson, Co-Founder of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce finally lived a childhood fantasy by meeting Olivia!

But you would not know that the way Del Shores already is planning for the second season! All of us at American Airlines are very proud to play a small supporting role on this long-awaited television production.

EDITORS NOTE: The accompanying photographs and comments are available to interested news organizations for editorial consideration and publication.

Press contact: Tim Kincaid
Corporate Communications
American Airlines
Tim.kincaid@aa.com
817-967-9652

Riot Melrose Opening Party - July 10, 2008

2008-07-11T09:53:00.001-07:00

Our team had such a great time at the opening night party for the new Riot store on Melrose.

Seems like everyone turned out this night, and our friend Richard Brower from Ft Lauderdale could only comment "you have some really, really freaky people here in LA!"

We were delighted to hang with Hector Monserratte, Bobby Trendy and Jonathan Chang... our gang included Fabrice Tasendo, Eric Burton, Richard Brower and Frank Mastronuzzi. Ross von Metzke of GayWired Media was also there with us, along with the sweet Charles Romaine.

We then worked our way over Raynard's FLOW party @ Mark's Restaurant, where we wound down the night and hung with our new friend Mike Pingel, author of the Q Guide to Charlie's Angels.

For more great photos from the night, check out:
http://picasaweb.google.com/mattskal/RiotMelroseOpeningPartyJuly112008

Pride Week in Toronto - June 2008

2008-06-29T14:50:00.001-07:00

Whew, what a week... it started with the kick-off Xtra! party last Thursday, over 10 days ago, at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. It was a great way to start Pride Week, as everyone from Toronto was out that night, including all of our friends from the Toronto Pride committee, as well as the folks from Xtra! My friends from the IGLTA (George Carrancho, Richard Brower and Bryan Herb) were all there, as they just had a reception at Ric Tremaine's place over at Gloucester Square Inn for IGLTA members and their friends. Also at the party were Bruce McDonald of TravelGayCanada.com and John Kenyon of ProudFM.com.

The IGLTA gang stayed the weekend (we had board meetings through Saturday evening)... we were entertained with a wonderful dinner at CN Tower, as well as another over-the-top dinner at the nearby Sheraton Centre hosted by Loren Christie. We stayed nearby at the Hilton, host hotel for our 2009 IGLTA Convention in May.

Well, Sunday rolled along and the IGLTA gang departed, leaving me all alone here in Toronto just at the start of Pride. I made the best of it, checking out the shops at Eaton Centre, as well as a few movies as nightlife early in the week was a bit quiet.

By Wednesday evening, though, it was kicking in to high gear... I hung out at O'Grady's with Marc Warman and his bf, Scott. The next night I strolled along and found myself at an wet underwear contest at Zelda's... good times!

Then, the week continued with drinking at Woody's... and then Kevin Barry from LA showed up! Good times!!!!! We met at Woody's where he proceeded to meet both his new bff from Norway and make google eyes at Nate, the bartender.

I also attended a fun business party hosted by Sureflix.com... hung out with Brent as well as Todd and his boyfriend. The next day I was off to the Dundonald House where I met up with Alan Beck from FunMaps.com and was introduced to a new member of his staff, Jeremiah Robinson. Great guy!

From there, it was just partying and drinking on Church Street, meeting up with everyone in Toronto along the way (new friends and old!) Then the parade began on Sunday, where some of the floats were just incredible and over the top. But alas, as Sunday came and is on its way out, the partying will be winding down as well. There's a final party at Circa hosted by Steve Ireson tonight... everyone who is left standing is going. Church Street at this moment (Sunday afternoon) is a complete zoo, but eventually, like little kids high on a sugar rush, the zoo will die down and life here on Church Street will be back to normal again.

Check out all of the photos at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/mattskal/TorontoPrideJune26302008

Pride Idol - Lincoln and Omaha - May 25, 2008

2008-06-16T10:57:00.000-07:00

The PinkBananaWorld.com team drove from Kansas City to Omaha for Memorial Day Weekend, at which point we were greeted with incredibly open arms and warm hearts. This sentiment just continued to grow the entire weekend, as we had a fantastic time with everyone!

Friday night was Pride Idol Lincoln, where we had a great time at Q Club the entire night.

Saturday night was a pre-reception with Thea Austin as our guest. After the reception, we descended on gay Omaha, starting out at a fun country-western bar called DC Saloon and then ended up at The Maxx, a huge nightclub in downtown Omaha, where we proceeded to make new friends every step of the way.

Sunday night was the big Pride Idol Finals, where we were thoroughly entertained the entire night. With acts ranging from "You Spin Me Right Round..." to "I Drove All Night...." performed by some of Nebraska's most talented GLBT performers, we had a great time. Of course the spice added by Omaha's drag personality, Salsa, was over the top, and between our other drag performers including Monroe and Wendy Day and Salsa's witty and crusty humor thrown in along the way (if I had a dollar for every time the word "fabulous" or "anyway" was said, I'd be a rich man today!), it was a night worth remembering!

Oh, and did I say that Troy and Jason Feinhold-Haasis, the pair responsible for this event, were absolutely wonderful?

LINKS:

Pink Banana Party at Sue Ellen's

2008-05-23T14:43:00.000-07:00

After the HX Gay Travel Expo, we had a really fun Pink Banana World Launch Party and after-party for the expo over in the Vixen Room upstairs at the new Sue Ellen's. Interactive Male was our sponsor and Gus Klein worked his tail off to help us make this event a success.

Bob and Gary from the Roundup Saloon came on down, as well as Michael Doughman, Dawn Meifert and a whole host of other folks, including many locals and PinkBananaWorld.com online members.

http://picasaweb.google.com/mattskal/PBWPartyAtSueEllenSInDallasMay202008

PinkBananaWorld.com at the Socket Party at MJ's

2008-04-07T15:30:00.000-07:00

We attended the TLA Releasing party for Socket at MJ's April 2nd, 2008 and had a blast!

Produced by Velvet Candy Entertainment and Dark Blue Films, Socket is an award-winning festival favorite that crosses the genre lines of sci-fi/horror with gay & lesbian characters.

Hosted by promoter Jovy Janolo and producers John Carrozza, Doug Prinzivalli, Matt Mishkoff, and writer/director Sean Abley, there were lots of fun giveaways to be had.

The crowd of well over 200 guests included SOCKET cast members Derek Long, Matthew Montgomery, Rasool Jahan, Allie Rivenbark, Bridgette Wright, Alisha Seaton, Bobaloo Koenig, Mari Marks, Jay Costelo, and Tim Hearl. Cinematographer Ivan Corona, associate producer Krista Pelen, composer Jennifer Kes Remmington, makeup artists Gage Hubbard and Ben Gunther, and set decorators Noah Naylor and Staci Mallet rounded out the crew.

Also on hand were SOCKET editor Dave Kittredge (writer/director of the forthcoming PORNOGRAPHY: A THRILLER), and his PORNOGRAPHY cast members Pete Scherer, Dylan Vox (also of THE LAIR), Jon Gale, Steve Callahan, David Pevsner, Larry Weissman and Mike Justice.

Actor/dancer/singer Kevin Stea (of NAKED BOYS SINGING), Stefan Pommepuy (DARKNESS AWAITS), Steve Gill (BEVERLY KILLS), Stephen Twardokus and Gaetano Jones (3-DAY WEEKEND), and Gabriel Romero (DANTE'S COVE) were there as well. Actress Lisa Wyatt (DONNIE DARKO, SOUTHLAND TALES) and SCREENING PARTY cast members Dennis Hensley, Ossie Beck (of Steven Spielberg's MUNICH), Erin Quill and Nora Burns also made an appearance.

Filmmakers Jeffrey Reddick (writer of FINAL DESTINATION, DAY OF THE DEAD), Michael Simon (GAY ZOMBIE), Michael J. Saul, (TRUE LOVE), Rob Williams and Rodney Johnson (LONG TERM RELATIONSHIP, BACK SOON, 3-DAY WEEKEND), Matthew Mishory and Ed Singletary (the upcoming PORTLAND) mixed and mingled with Mr. Gay LA 2007, Jimmy Waters as dj Shannon Zeta-Jonez spun a fabulous mix.

Photos by Brian Putnam of EdgeLosAngeles.com

Check out Socket at TLAVideo.com

http://www.tlavideo.com/product/2-0-248419_socket.html?sn=1

Cowboys and Cocktails - February 2008 - Round Up in Dallas

2008-03-31T22:04:00.000-07:00

Photos from the Cowboys & Cocktails Party at the Round Up in Dallas.

Two winners were picked to represent Gay Dallas around the world in 2008!

Links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcYOAiAZpE4