by Russell Poncik
photo by Russell Poncik

They came. They played. They made money. The Summer Sports Classic that was held last month raised more than $5,000 for the San Diego charity PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support) and the organizers were very pleased with the support for their first-ever effort. Additionally, a bunch of pet-related products were donated and all of these will also be given to the charity. Dates have been set for next year, so mark your calendars now for Aug. 8-10, 2009.

Last year, Dyke March coincided with San Diego Pride. Organizers have moved the date this year, and the march and festival are scheduled for Saturday, July 26. Everyone is invited to gather at 11 a.m. at the San Diego Community Center to participate in the free event. The Dyke March festival will be held on Ray Street, in front of the Rubber Rose, from noon-5 p.m. A number of workshops will be presented and live entertainment will greet festival-goers.

Park Manor Suites is hosting a Same-Sex Wedding Expo on Sunday, July 27, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. A number of vendors will be on hand to share information about services and attendees will have an opportunity to check out the historic venue as a place to have a penthouse wedding and ceremony. Jim Harmon is the wedding planner and can be reached at the hotel for more details.

The Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego will present its next concerts on Saturday, Aug. 2, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 3, at 3 p.m., at the Christ Lutheran Church in Pacific Beach. The concerts will feature the San Diego Women’s Chorus, with artistic director Christopher Allen, and the debut of the Gay Men’s Chorus Ensemble. Tickets are still available by phone or visiting the Gay Men’s Chorus website.

Theater fans should note that The Phantom of the Opera continues through Aug. 10 at the Civic Theatre, and the next Out at the Globe event is scheduled for Thursday, July 31, at the Old Globe in Balboa Park. This event features a hosted wine and martini bar and appetizers and is only $19 in addition to your ticket price.

The next Guys, Games & Grub event at the Center is set for Aug. 6, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. This free social event gives gay, bisexual and transgender men (over 21) a chance to play board and card games and throw down some pizza. It is a very cool way to meet new friends and just hang out and relax, too. This program is coordinated by Ken St. Pierre, who has always been very active in our community.

I’d like to take a minute to offer my condolences to the friends and family of DJ Cary Stringfellow, who passed away over the Fourth of July weekend. He was a close colleague of my friend, Big Tom, and had spun at his Aloha White Party in Honolulu earlier this year. Big Tom, as many others, was just devastated at the news and he will be sorely missed.

The Details

Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego
www.gmcsd.com

The Old Globe
www.theoldglobe.org

Park Manor Suites
525 Spruce St.
www.parkmanorsuites.com

The Rubber Rose
3812 Ray St.
www.therubberrose.com

San Diego LGBT Community Center
3909 Centre St.
www.thecentersd.org

Summer Sports Classic
www.summersportsclassic.com