Each Wednesday morning I post a photograph and ask readers to offer a funny caption. Hopefully the caption below inspires you to share a few of your own.
Banana!
Congratulations to BAGLY which received more than $9,000 from last night’s 4th annual Heels for Hope. This ‘unofficial’ Boston Pride event has changed venues three times in four years, and moving the event to Club Cafe afforded the organizers with an opportunity to raise significantly more money for BAGLY: Boston’s Alliance of Gay & Lesbian Youth.
Special thanks to Michael Labrecque who conceived of this idea four years ago and has made H4H one of the most fun events of Boston Pride week. Below are a few photos I snapped while socializing. Apologies there are not more and that some of these aren’t as nice as Sergio’ photo atop this post. I lack his skills.
Thanks to Chris & Dave for throwing another great pre-H4H cocktail party
See you next year
Although the weather in New England hasn’t felt like summer, the season officially kicked off Memorial Day Weekend so I thought I’d share a few gay-themed books for those of you looking for some summer reading. Feel free to add your suggestions for summer reading in the comments section.
Six Neckties is Johnny Diaz newest book. Diaz describes the book as a literary postcard to Ogunquit, Maine where the story takes place, making this a must-read for those of you who love OGT. You can purchase this from Apple’s iBooks, Amazon’s Kindle or better yet, from your local LGBT bookstore.
Call Me By Your Name is a coming of age story that is beautifully written by Andre Aciman. The setting takes place on the Italian Riviera in the 1980s and the main character, Elio, is a curious 18 year old who falls hard for Oliver, a 24 year old postdoc teacher from Columbia who’s spends his summer with his family. The story has been made into a movie that will be in theaters this fall.
John Waters Hitchhikes Across America first came out in 2015 and is perfect for anyone looking for a good laugh. Waters chronicles as only he can his cross-country hitchhiking journey from Baltimore to San Francisco.
For those who prefer non-fiction, I recommend Michelangelo Signorile’s 2015 book, It’s Not Over now available in paperback. His book warns the LGBT community shouldn’t take for granted the progress we made over the past eight years. His comments seem prophetic in light of the current political climate.
If you have a book that you’d like to suggest, please leave the title and author in the comments section of this post. And as I mentioned previously, while all these books are available via sites like Amazon.com, consider purchasing one or more of these books from your local LGBT bookstore (if you still have one).
Shooting has started for the 2018 Red Hot calendar. Now in its fifth year, the organizers of the annual celebration of ginger men shared a video trailer of a shoot in London along with a new Kickstarter fundraiser to make sure it becomes a reality.
This year’s theme is ‘British Boys’ and proceeds raised will help the fight against homophobic bullying by raising money for the Ben Cohen STANDUP foundation. Below I’ve included the YouTube teaser video if you’ve yet to see it.
This week’s photo was shared with me by my Twitter bud, @onerebeldevil and although he’s wearing a kilt I thought this was a better photo for my weekly Temptation Tuesday post than men in kilts. Thanks for sharing!
Each Pride there is that one party or event that exceeds expectations and floods Facebook with photos. For the past three years that event during Boston Pride (in my opinion) has been Heels for Hope.
When Michael Labrecque and his friends started this event / fundraiser to help raise funds for Boston Alliance for Gay and Lesbian Youth (BAGLY) they had no idea how popular this ‘unofficial’ Boston Pride event would be. This year the event has moved to Club Cafe and will take place tonight. You can buy a pair of heels if you’re in a pinch at Dorothy’s Boutique on Mass Ave and head over to Club Cafe. For more information check out the Facebook page, Heels for Hope.
Here are some photos from previous Heels for Hope parties.
Hope to see you at Club Cafe tonight
This week’s photo is from the Scottish “Kilted Coaches“. Here they’ve chosen a rather unorthodox way to wear their kilts. Apologies for the censoring but this is a pg-13 blog and the photo was a little too cheeky. Check out their YT videos to see the unedited clip here.
Strike a Pose: Boston Pride runs through Sunday, June 11th
This week is Pride in Boston and while I’ve not included everything, I’ve done my best to provide you with plenty of options of events happening here in Boston as well as sharing a few events this week in Ptown, Ogunquit and Providence. Feel free to add any events in the comments section.
This week Heels for Hope fundraiser and a great Drag Show (both at Club Cafe) get the week started off. Later in the week, Bear Pride hosts Bear Bare It All as well as the return of DJ Gay Jim at dbar’s annual Stoplight Party, but for sure the biggest events will be Saturday’s parade, the block parties on Saturday and Sunday as well as the Saturday night House of Blues party with DJ Abel.
Heels for Hope is Monday, June 5 at Club Cafe
MONDAY – WEDNESDAY
Men’s Mary Monday Mandarin Meetup is a social group for gay men who will get together on Monday at 6:30PM at Mary Chung Restaurant in Cambridge
Heels for Hope will take place on Monday at Club Cafe starting at 7PM so grab your favorite pair of heels, buy a ticket and see you on Monday evening
Show Girls Weekly talent show hosted every Monday at the A-House celebrates camp and poor taste, starting at 9PM at the A-House in Ptown
Cards Against Humanity starts at 8PM on Monday at the Alley Bar in Boston
7th Annual Drag DIVAS Give Back is hosted by Verna Turbulence is Tuesday starting at 7PM at Club Cafe in Boston
Karaoke Night starts at 9:30PM every Tuesday at Jacques in Boston
Showtune Tuesday PRIDE Ed. hosted by VJ Ryan Grow starts at 9PM every Tuesday at dbar in Dorchester
Geek Trivia is guaranteed fun and has lots of prizes (trivia starts at 8PM) hosted every Tuesday at Club Cafe in Boston
Hard Rock Cafe Drag Show presents their first ever drag show on Wednesday starting at 7PM (arrive early) in Boston
Meet the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus on Wednesday starting at 7:30PM at Club Cafe
Thursday Boston Bear Pride presents Bears Bare It All
THURSDAY
Pride Absolut Lime Tasting is taking place at Cathedral Station from 5-7PM
Watchout! Designs Summer Trunk Show is at Sister Sorel starting at 6:45PM so come and see the summah fashions that have something to say
Pride Kick Off Cocktail Party is at Peggy O’Neil’s starting at 7PM in Dorchester
Boston Bear Pride: Bears Bare It All starts at 8PM at Paradise in Cambridge
dbar’s annual Stoplight Party with DJ Gay Jim
FRIDAY
Out At Fenway watch the Red Sox play host to the Detroit Tigers but before that enjoy a pre Pride cocktail party on the Right Field roof deck
ABC Underwear Party starts at 9PM at the Dark Lady in PVD
Dueling Divas are back for the summer at Mainestreet every Friday night in Ogunquit
Friday Pride Party with Adore Delano starts at 10PM at Machine
Annual Stoplight Party with DJ Gay Jim starts at 10PM at dbar
The Coolidge After Midnite: Twin Peaks: Evil Dead II shows at The Coolidge Theater starting at 11:59PM on Friday, May 12 in Brookline
Starting at 1:30 PM check out the Chandler Street block party
SATURDAY
SoWa Open Market now open every Saturday through the end of October in Boston
Boston Pride Parade starts at 11AM in Copley Square and runs through the South End before ending at City Hall Plaza
Oops We Did It Again: Britney Pride Brunch starts at 11AM at 647 Tremont — this will fill to capacity so plan ahead.
Chandler Street Block Party this outdoor block party goes to benefit the AIDS Action Committee and runs from 1:30 – 7:00PM
Tea Dance at the ‘Slip with DJ MaryAlice from 4-7PM at the Boatslip in Provincetown
The House of Blues with DJ Abel is the night’s biggest party and will sell out so get your tickets – doors open at 9PM
Underwear Party is every Saturday night starting at 9:30 at Club Purgatory in Provincetown
Dueling Divas are back for the summer at Mainestreet every Saturday night in Ogunquit
The Coolidge After Midnite: Twin Peaks: Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors shows at The Coolidge Theater starting at 11:59PM on Friday, May 12 in Brookline
Join The Resistance: Around the country LGBTQ protests are happening on Sunday so come to the Boston Common at 11AM, because we are stronger together.
SUNDAY
SoWa Open Market now open every Sunday through the end of October in Boston
Stronger Together Rally to protest the Trump Administrations disregard for Human Rights is part of a larger national rally happening in Washington DC and around the country on this day so come to the Boston Common at 11AM
Sunday Tea is every week at Mainestreet starting at 4PM in Ogunquit
Tea Dance at the ‘Slip with DJ MaryAlice from 4-7PM at the Boatslip in Provincetown
Goodbye to Pride Party with Katya and DJ Escape starts at 9PM at Candibar
Send me information about your upcoming programs and events in my blog’s comment section or message me the details on Facebook.
After reviewing a number of more expensive restaurants in the South End, I wanted to share a recent experience I had eating lunch at Orinoco. This tiny Venezuelan restaurant with only 30 seats has been a neighborhood favorite ever since it first opened in 2006, and its success here has allowed it to open in two other locations in Brookline Village and Harvard Square. However, it is this cozy neighborhood restaurant that is open Tuesday through Sunday where Sergio and I joined our friend, Alden, for lunch last week.
The Orinico lunch menu includes “Antojitos” (little cravings), Arepas which are traditional Venezuelan corn pocket sandwiches as well as Pepitos which are Venezuelan-style sandwiches served on french bread, Empanadas, salads and a few main plates. Nearly everything on the menu is between $5 -$10 making it one of the most affordable restaurants to grab lunch in the South End.
The marinated ribs in Orinoco’s Pepito de Costillita melt in your mouth
Alden ordered for lunch the Pepito de Costillita. This is a big boneless baby-back ribs sandwich that is slow-cooked with a passion-fruit bbq sauce that is so good it will have you licking your lips after every bite. The sandwich is topped with pickled onions and vinegar coleslaw and fried plantain chips come on the side. I took a bite and can vouch that the ribs melt in your mouth.
Eating Orinoco’s Pepito de Carne is so damn good I struggle to find words to describe it
Sergio ordered the Pepito de Carne. This sandwich was also on the larger side and stacked high with toppings. The sandwich comprises sautéed flank steak, pickled onions and salsa rosa with fried plantain chips on the side. I thought this was also ridiculously flavorful, and I’d be hard pressed to say which choice was better. My only caveat should you order either sandwich would be to think about what you might wear, because they can be messy to eat and will definitely require extra napkins. I think of these as sandwiches you’d have with friends or your boyfriend / spouse – definitely a tough first date meal to enjoy.
I loved my Pepito Medianoche and would definitely order it again
I wish that my sandwich photographed as beautifully as Alden and Sergio’s, because I loved what I ordered (despite enjoying bites of my lunch mates sandwiches – strictly in the name of research for this review). However, I feel like my photograph of the Pepito Medianoche (Cuban-style) lacks the mouthwatering appeal that the other photos evoke. Although you cannot see it, this pressed sandwich which is served warm includes slow-cooked pork with pickled onions, ham, swiss cheese, salsa rosa and mustard and like the other sandwiches is also served with fried plantain chips on the side.
Orinoco disproves the adage, “you get what you pay for” because our sandwiches which ranged from $8.00 – $8.50 taste waaaaay better than a lot of meals I’ve had for twice that price. If you live in the South End and want to grab a bite at a great neighborhood restaurant I’d highly recommend checking out Orinoco – just be patient because this place fills to capacity quickly.
BosGuy Rating: 4 out of 5 stars, Awesome.
Orinoco South End
477 Shawmut Avenue || (617) 369-7075
orinocokitchen.com
Boston Pride || Photo courtesy of Stephen Baumbach
Boston Pride 2017 started on Friday, June 2nd with the raising of the Pride flag over City Hall. For a complete list of official Boston Pride events, pick up a copy of the Boston Pride Guide or check out their calendar online at, bostonpride.org/calendar.
Below I’ve included several events that I enjoy and which I would encourage you to check out. Some of these events are part of the official Boston Pride calendar and others are not, but all are a lot of fun and worth checking out.
Sunday, June 4 – 32nd Annual AIDS Walk & Run
Over the past thirty-one years nearly 350,000 people have participated in the AIDS Walk & Run Boston and helped to raise more than $40 million for the programs and services of AIDS Action.
Monday, June 5 – Heels for Hope
The 4th annual Heels for Hope to benefit BAGLY is taking place at Club Cafe this year. This is a blast and goes to a great organization so head over to Dorothy’s Boutique on Mass Ave and pick up a new pair of heels. As you can see from Keegan and Fabricio, open toe shoes, bright colors and glitter are preferred.
Tuesday, June 6 – Pridelights
This annual tradition in the BCA plaza on Tremont Street is usually a fun way to spend an hour outside socializing, but I’d suggest you make plans to head to Trophy Room after the lighting or over to dbar for Showtunes Tuesday. 
Wednesday, June 7 – Meet the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus
Mix and mingle with the members and volunteers of the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus during Pride week. All are welcome to the free event starting at 7:30PM 
Thursday, June 8 – Pride Kickoff Cocktail Party
Head over to Peggy O’Neil’s pub is hosting a kickoff cocktail party that should be a lot of fun and will attract a fun crowd. Before heading over for a cocktail or two, check out Watchout Design’s summer trunk show at Sister Sorel.
Friday, June 9 – Out at Fenway
Boston Pride and the Red Sox have teamed up to present Pride Night at Fenway Park. After the game check out Adore Delano at Machine Boston or if you have no plans to be in Fenway check out dbar’s annual Pride Stoplight Party.
Saturday, June 10 – Boston Pride Parade & Chandler St. Block Party
Following the parade, head over to the Chandler Street Block Party hosted by AIDS Action Committee as a warm up for the dance party later in the night at The House of Blues with DJ Abel.
Sunday, June 11 – Back Bay Block Party
Each year the Back Bay Block Party is a lot of fun and a great way to end Pride. Prior to the block party head to the Boston Common at 11AM for the Stronger Together Rally which is part of a nationwide protest.
Happy Pride
I’m referring to this week’s post as “incognito”. I love everything about this anonymous pose.
Click on the comic strip to enlarge
ADAM & ANDY is set in the fictional New England town of Woodfield, CT. You can learn more about this strip by visiting, adamandandy.com. To see previous Adam and Andy cartoons link here.
Boston-based sneaker company, Converse, have shared their new LGBTQ-inspired collection “Yes to All” in honor of Pride Month. Proceeds raised from sales of the limited edition collection will go to It Gets Better and The Happy Hippie Foundation, both of which support the mission to create and inspire positive outcomes in the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth.
To see the full collection and to buy one of sneakers and / or t-shirts visit:
BosGuy 