Dishing with Mark And Carrie – June 7th 2012

So much in a short period of time, but it was a great win for the showcasing of Tampa’s GLBTA historic community, the GaYBOR District in historic Ybor City. GaYBOR District Coalition is a business coalition and has over 240+ Gay and Gay friendly businesses throughout Florida but the majority are located in the Ybor City and Tampa Bay area. The long special weekend also was coinciding with Memorial Day weekend this year. The past GaYBOR Days have been during the July 4th week but this year was conflicting with St. Pete Pride events

GaYBOR Days 2012… Great Time

So much in a short period of time, but it was a great win for the showcasing of Tampa’s GLBTA historic community, the GaYBOR District in historic Ybor City. GaYBOR District Coalition is a business coalition and has over 240+ Gay and Gay friendly businesses throughout Florida but the majority are located in the Ybor City and Tampa Bay area. The long special weekend also was coinciding with Memorial Day weekend this year. The past GaYBOR Days have been during the July 4th week but this year was conflicting with St. Pete Pride events. A great change with a little cooler weather, each venue was showing off the historic district to party goers, out of state visitors and introduced a great GLBTA tourist destination with hundreds of options to dwell in and experience! From gift shopping to historic sightseeing, Ybor State Museum tours, outside “Best Cuban Sandwich Competition’ in Centennial Park, Muvico Theater TIGLFF Special movie premiere to the great eateries and clubs and bars it was a win, win for GaYBOR/Ybor City.

The Annual White Party at Honey Pot

Beautiful white linen outfits, flowing white sheers from the rafters, an area cascade of white blocks symbolizing ruins set a pace to the imaginary. Local set designer, Mathieu Stonach did it again transforming a large club into an intimate lofty white cloud dimension. White was the motif and the record crowd expounded on the theme of the annual social event. The HP bartenders, doormen and staff all dressed in white perpetuated the party even more. Owners, Stephen Moss, Steve Donahue and Ernie Webb sparkled in the festive White Party benefit scene for the GaYBOR District. To the attendee’s surprises came fire eating contortionists, stilt walkers, jugglers and magicians adding an exciting carnival atmosphere to the already magic. The dancers weren’t bad either!

“Tampa vs Miami: Best CUBAN Sandwich Contest”

It was a war between Miami & Tampa for the best known original sandwich in the Tampa Bay area, the authentically distinct Cuban Sandwich (aka “mixto”) known as the workers sandwich in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. It was in a lot of the immigrant Cuban cafes in Ybor City for the cigar rolling workers. For the competition Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Tampa City Council members Yolie Capin, Harry Cohen and Mike Suarez, Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor, State Rep Janet Cruz, YCDC Manager Vince Pardo, HCC Cuban Sandwich Artist David Audett, Columbian Restaurant owner Casey Gonzmart, GaYBOR’s Carrie West and a dozen others are included as official tasters and judge testing the difference between Miami’s version of the Cuban Sandwich and local Tampa & Ybor City Cuban Sandwiches. A great blindfold test of tastes! 1000’s of people came to taste and experience the Cuban sandwich fight!

The winner of the traditional “Best Cuban” was our good friend Michelle Faedo’s Food Truck and 2nd place went to Stone Soup Company on Ybor’s 7th Ave. There were over 34 entries from all over Tampa Bay, Central Florida and Miami! In the ‘Non-traditional Cuban Sandwich Competition’, Ybor City again reigned with Gaspar’s Grotto winning 1st place!

Tampa City Nightclub Regulation Watch

The GaYBOR District Coalition with its Ybor City family were all out if full force at a recent Tampa City Council Workshop to change Tampa Liquor laws and regulations (i.e.18 and up or 21, regulations on hours, locations, etc). These new regulations that Tampa City Council adopts and passes will affect all of Tampa. Yes, even SOHO district, Fowler Ave and the Westshore areas besides Ybor City! 95% of the people there were from Ybor City. This speaks highly of how GaYBOR – Ybor City businesses work together and communicate together. Another open council hearing is set for June.

Viva La Ybor City!!!