The Gifts of Play
Sat August 07, 2010

Twenty-one years ago, Deb Hunseder was living in Naples when a friend convinced her to tag along on a trip to Clearwater. “I didn’t want to go and changed my mind several times,” says Deb. “But she kept saying ‘you need to meet this girl, Steph. She sings too.’” So Deb finally agreed to go.

“The night Steph and I met, we sat around the pool playing our guitars and the way we harmonized was noticeable,” Deb remembers. “People stopped to listen. We had our first rehearsal that weekend.” The friend who introduced them was the catalyst for creating Halcyon, a group that continues to bring great music and powerful messages to thousands. In fact, Deb doesn’t remember a performance where she hasn’t thought about her outgoing and insistent friend.

Halcyon soon began booking gigs, taking their unique blend of pop, indie and acoustic music all over the world. “We’re very fortunate,” says Steph Callahan. “We’ve toured nationally and internationally and have several albums.”

Now, in addition to performing, they’ve opened Play in Ybor City, and committed to creating a comfortable environment for talented musicians and the people who love listening to them. “We’ve been doing research for the last 20 years,” explains Steph. “We knew we could go in and create a space that was for musicians, run by musicians.”

Their mission to create a “classy, clean, environment for entertainment where everyone is comfortable” and they stress that Play is not a gay bar or a straight bar. “If you love music, music is universal, you’ll feel comfortable here,” says Steph.

Opening a venue had been a dream for years, but they didn’t think they were quite ready until an opportunity presented itself to buy the building that used to house the bar Spurs. ”We played a gig there one Sunday afternoon and the owner approached us and said he wanted us to take over the place,” Steph recalls. “When he followed up a few days later, Deb and I decided to raise the money to buy it.” They took over the building in April of this year and opened Play in May.

Although they admit Ybor wouldn’t have been their first choice, they’re both thrilled with the location. “I like the fact that we’re centrally located to Orlando, Jacksonville and other cities,” says Deb. “There are great hotels right here and the cable car stops right in front of our building. Sometimes they give a little whistle,” she laughs. “It’s an awesome backdrop for what we’re doing.”

“I love the space and the location,” adds Steph. “It’s off the beaten path, but still in it.” She notes that Play is unlike a lot of venues in Ybor because “we’re not a club. We have a great big tiki bar, a huge outdoor space and there’s no smoking inside.”

They agree that one of the other great things about Ybor is the spirit of community and credit GaYbor with creating a sense of collaboration and camaraderie. Says Steph, “There isn’t competition as far as I’m concerned – we all get a piece of it. As we get more people walking around and enjoying it we all benefit.”

Excited about bringing some of the talented acts they’ve met on the road to Tampa, Steph’s wish list includes Patrice Pike, Eric Himan and Ginger Leigh, and Deb would love to book Shelby Lynne. “The main thing for us is that we’re bringing in people we’ve met along the way or top notch quality entertainment that no one’s ever heard of,” explains Deb. “That was us. We were always that band no one ever heard of and people would come away pleasantly surprised and that’s what important – that people walk away saying, we’ve not heard of them, but they’re at Play, so they must be good.”

And what of the friend who introduced them? “She committed suicide,” says Deb. “It was back in the late 80s and I think being gay was just too much for her.” That experience is one of the reasons they’re grateful for the opportunity, first as Halcyon and now at Play, to show others that the best way to be comfortable in their own skin is by being true to you really are. “We’re musicians who are gay,” says Deb. “And I know that we’ve helped a lot of young gay females by writing about our own experiences so they know they’re not alone.” Now at Play, they get to create that environment on a regular basis.

Play has live music Friday, Saturday and Sunday and is building a great karaoke night on Thursdays with over 65,000 songs to choose from. “We also have a money back guarantee – if you pay the cover and it’s not for you, we’ll give you your money back,” says Deb. Sunday nights there is no cover and public parking is free in Ybor. They also occasionally book comedians like Dana Goldberg and see Play hosting other indie stand-up acts in the future.

In honor of the canceled Lilith Fair, Play is hosting Fill-ith Fair on Wednesday, August 11 at 6p. The eight acts who beat out other local bands to play at Lilith will be performing. $10 cover.

For more information on Play or the Fill-ith Fair visit www.playybor.com

To learn more about Halcyon and hear some of their music, visit www.myspace.com/halcyonsince1989

Staci Backauskas
The Language of Light

Photo credit: Courtesy of the Tampa Tribune

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A Gypsy Finds His Calling: The Talents of Trevor Keller
Tue June 22, 2010

Trevor Keller has squeezed a lot of life in since the doctors told him he wasn’t going to live past 30. Through careers as a fitness instructor, dancer, actor, florist, hotel manager and the founder of Gypsy Productions, he hasn’t stopped believing he was here for a reason.

“When I was 24, my partner got infected with HIV and my doctors told me I wasn’t going to live much longer,” Keller, now 45, remembers. “I kept living every year, waiting to die.” After his partner passed on, he ended up in the hospital and doctors told him he wasn’t coming out. “They said there was nothing they could do,” says Keller. But he was determined to survive and a couple of days later, his doctor returned with good news. “You’re well enough to go home.”

He landed a job with Carter Florists in St. Petersburg and while working there got involved with the St. Pete Little Theater. He served as a board member and within six months was elected president. When Bett Lassitter opened Central Stage Theater, the first gay theater in St. Pete, he realized it was time for the next step. “They were having auditions for the show Jeffrey, which I had always wanted to do,” he says. “I had never done professional theater because I believed that if I got paid for it, it would become a job and not my art. But I wanted to audition for the experience. I got the role and that started my professional theater career.”

While in rehearsal, Brett asked him if he’d ever considered owning his own theater company. “I told him I hadn’t,” says Keller, “But by the end of the run he’d asked me to come on board as the development director.” Keller accepted the position.

At the first meeting, Brett told everyone he had cancer that had been in remission, but that it had returned. Within a couple of months, Brett fell into a coma and passed away. “I saw then he was trying to get me in his footsteps so I could continue the theater after he passed,” Keller says. “Unfortunately, it all happened so fast, that his estate basically closed the company.”

With no job and the news that he needed a bi-lateral hip replacement, Keller was again asking, “What am I going to do now?” Having survived the death of two partners and living through his own near death experience, Keller realized that if he had fulfilled his dream of bringing alternative theater to the community, he would want someone to carry it on if he died. “That’s what made me start Gypsy,” he says. “We did our first show in 2003.”

Gypsy Productions had a successful run at the Suncoast Resort for over four years, producing shows like Boys in the Band and Blackout. “What surprised me the most was how we were better known in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles than we were in St. Pete,” he says. “We were profiled on Playbill.com in New York City and we could barely get an article from the dailies here.”

When the Suncoast closed, Gypsy was forced to complete their fifth season using different theaters. Determined not to lose his core audience, Keller chose not do a sixth season bouncing from location to location. He and his partner, Darryl Epperly, who serves as the company’s business manager, decided that it was more important for the theater to have a home and have put everything on hold until they do. “I have feelers out and we’re looking for the opportunity to go where we’re supposed to go.”

In the meantime, Keller has taken on the role of the judge’s coordinator for the national Talent Quest singing competition. The regional contest takes place July 9-11 at the Doubletree on Westshore. He started with Talent Quest as a judge three years ago and still serves in that capacity for the nationals.

Whatever he does next, he plans to do it in Florida. “I came here 17 years ago and cannot imagine living anywhere else,” he says. “This is where I’m supposed to be.”

To contact Trevor with ideas for a new home for Gypsy Productions, e-mail him at Trevor@gypsyproductions.org

For information on tickets for Talent Quest where you can hear amazing singers from the region, visit http://www.talentquestflorida.com/RegionalSchedule.html

by Staci Backauskas - The Language of Light

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Where Fun, Nostalgia & Art Merge: The Work of Andrea Pawlisz
Thu May 27, 2010

Andrea Pawlisz’ metamorphosis to full-time artist is now complete. After several careers, the Chicago native has found her calling. “I’ve gone from owning a coffee and art bar to doing graphic design to creating fine art,” she says.

While the co-owner of Grinder’s Coffee and Art bar, the first lesbian owned coffee house in St. Petersburg, Pawlisz had the opportunity to display the artwork she did in her spare time. Now living her dream of creating pop art with a touch of nostalgia from her home studio, what makes her art unique is the lettering in almost every piece. “I’ve always loved typography and graphics,” she explains. “I almost became an architect.”

The influence of pop artists like Robert Rauschenberg, James Michael, and Andy Warhol, combined with a self-described odd sense of humor, inspire Pawlisz to create what she calls “loose, fun and practical art.” Although she appreciates all pop artists, it’s Jasper Johns who holds a special place. “He really broke it open for me,” she says. “He was way ahead of his time.”

Lately, she’s been putting her artistic talent to use in a new medium – graffiti. She was thrilled when chosen as the only female asked to paint a mural on the Artista Project Building on Central Avenue. At first hesitant, she decided to dive in. “I did the whole front wall by myself and now I’m branching out and learning that these guys who’ve been doing it, whether they’re in Berlin or East L.A., are very talented artists working in a medium that’s misunderstood.”

As Pawlisz, 47, embraces her talent more fully, she has created and sold more art than ever before. “I’ve sold eleven paintings this year, and five of those were commissioned,” she says. “It’s becoming a valid career for me.”

But it’s not just the creating that motivates her. Pawlisz really enjoys conversing with the people who come to see her art at shows and galleries. “I have so many people drawn to my art. I use a lot of nostalgic icons and images. They’re carefree and easy and we’re missing that right now,” she offers. “People relate to it.”

After a conversation with a woman she met at a show at Studio 620, she’s become committed to providing opportunities for artists and art lovers to interact. “I realized I was the only artist there with a name tag,” she remembers. “And the perception was that the artists were not approachable and that’s not true.”

To change that perception, Pawlisz is exploring how to create a co-op space and gallery where everyone can come together in a public forum. “I want to do something modest where myself and others can have a reasonably priced space to work and show our work.

The caliber of artists here is amazing. The more we expose ourselves, the more our work improves,” she says. “Plus, most people want to know the story or background on a piece of art because it helps them to feel the connection.”

Coming up next is an all woman’s show with her friend and glass artist Claudia Stranno. Until then, Pawlisz will continue to create art and enjoy her partner Debra and their two Boston Terriers. “I’m inspired by the artists here,” she says. “What we do brightens everyone’s lives.

See more of Andrea's work at www.thefreshartstudio.com

by Staci Backauskas - www.tlol.org

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In Synch With the Spirit of Ybor
Thu April 08, 2010
Okesene Tilo never thought his experience in corporate accounting would lead to a career producing Tampa art events, but when two friends approached him in 2008 because they were frustrated with the local art scene, it placed him on a path that that utilized both his passion for Ybor City and an appreciation of art.

“I’m an organized neat freak,” laughs Okie. “And they came to me because they wanted to do an event that was an open to all artists, that was free, and friendly for all ages.” The result was a celebration that attracted 32 artists and over 1,000 patrons in February of 2008.

Encouraged by the turnout, Okie and his friends Gary Randall and Jason Moriarty, launched Go!, the first Square One Creative Event, in May 2008 at The RITZ Ybor. “Gary traveled a lot,” Okie says. “He saw events like this produced in other cities and couldn’t believe Tampa didn’t have something like it.”

A festival of talent, Go! included five musical acts and two fashion shows along with the work of 80 artists. “The greatest part of it is seeing new artists display for the first time,” he says. “We’ve had several wives respond to the ‘call for artists’ posts on Craig’s List, who said, ‘my husband needs to show his work.’ And we’ve even had a 13-year-old graphic artist as a participant.”

Now produced twice a year, the Square One Creative Events have become a staple for the RITZ Ybor. “I don’t have an art background, but I considered myself to be creative,” Okie says. In addition to coming up with the theme and name for each show, he highlights local artists every chance he gets. “Each artist who creates a piece revolving around the theme has it displayed in a separate area,” he explains. “That’s the first thing people see as they enter the event.”

Once fodder for the evening news, Okie is thrilled to see Ybor re-establishing itself as a viable destination for people of all ages. “Twenty to thirty years ago, it was pretty much the art capital of Tampa,” he says. “There were a lot of galleries and the artists lived here.”

Although some still squawk when they discover the events are in Ybor, Okie is loyal to the area and is inspired by how everyone works together to improve its reputation. “It’s really pretty non-competitive because we realize that one more person down here is one more person who will help us change the stereotype. When we started the Square One Creative events, it wasn’t just about trying to sell someone art, it was also about getting people to come to Ybor.”

The Square One events have helped build bridges in the Tampa art community as well. “We have an understanding of cooperation,” says Okie. “There are several art event planners and we all keep in touch so we don’t plan events on the same day. We promote each other’s events and keep something going on all year long.”

A Tampa resident since 1991, Okie, now 30, took the next step in his unplanned career last year by becoming the marketing director for the RITZ Ybor. The position dovetails perfectly with his role at Square One Creative Events, which he defines as “a creative collective that advocates art awareness throughout the community by producing large and qualitative art and performing arts events.”

“It’s very exciting and it’s a lot of work,” he smiles. “I think Ybor is the true cultural district of Tampa. I live here. I work here. I’m passionate about drawing attention to the fact that it’s not all clubs and partying. These events are part of that passion and it feels good to be involved in the community. It’s so rewarding.”

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This year’s show, Camille Leon – a play on the word chameleon – takes place at the RITZ Ybor on Saturday, April 17 from 7p-12m. “Camille is an imaginary multi faceted woman who will come to life in the artistic expression and interpretations in each artist,” Okie says. “Eighty different interpretations of this woman will definitely maker her chameleon-like.”

Even the performance artists are creating pieces in line with the theme and include Bella Danza, a local dance collective run by artistic director Maria Capitano Pardo and DYB, a group of 20 local dancers. Tampa band Tenth Concession will play in one of the side rooms all night and there will be two fashion shows as well.

For more information, go to www.squareoneflorida.com

by Staci Backauskas
The Language of Light

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Living Ahead of the Creative Curve
Tue March 16, 2010

Although it’s become more mainstream to have multiple careers simultaneously, Lisa Moody has been out in front of the pack for years. “I keep huge pieces of myself hidden or else I just sound confused,” she laughs. A musician, entrepreneur, philanthropist, educator, and Emmy Award-winning writer and producer, she’s “learned over the years to bring each part out when it’s needed.”

A career that began three decades ago in mental health evolved through stages of education and marketing, and eventually led to combining those skills with her love of wildlife. She wrote copy for Busch Gardens and worked on the Jack Hanna show, which nurtured her love of creativity in a different way.

Lisa’s professional experiences set her on a multi-faceted course of expression that revolves around what’s now called edutainment. “When I decided I wanted to do something in the arts, I did a vision plan for myself. I knew it couldn’t be just pure entertainment; it had to mean something,” she says.

One of the first creations was a screenplay called Paper Airplanes. This 30-minute live-action/animation film became the foundation for a non-profit organization that creates innovative tools to support the emotional health of children with cancer. “Paper Airplanes changed every single aspect of my life,” Lisa admits. “I know that every thing I did prepared me for it. I was being led, or pushed depending on how you want to look at it, and I saw I was the vehicle for it.”

Even though she still helms The Paper Airplanes Project, she enjoys expressing her creativity in other inventive ways, even though being on the cutting edge has its drawbacks. Two years ago, she and her brother, Erick, created a web-based interactive web series. She remembers how people didn’t understand the concept. “We wanted people to interact, not download it,” she says. “When you’re innovative, you end up having to educate your consumer, and that’s a hard thing. Most people are so linear; they’re focused on one thing”

The freedom to focus on several disciplines at a time is something Lisa appreciates about living in the Tampa area. She moved here from Michigan 30 years ago after a serendipitous experience that involved a map, an index finger, and closing her eyes. The choice has enabled her to have a successful career without living in Los Angeles or New York. “In those markets you’re pretty much forced to do one thing,” she says. “If you’re a producer, you have to produce. Here I get to do everything.”

As much as Lisa loves what most would call the creative aspects of her career, she is just as enthusiastic about the business side of things. “I love it all,” she says. “I don’t separate business and art and I approach the business side just as creatively as I do the content side.” Whether she’s developing concepts and writing, or managing business systems and fund raising, Lisa never finds it boring or dull. She also acknowledges that enjoying it all makes it easy to be consumed by work.

Finding the balance between “living a life” and “making a living” is always on her mind. To help her move toward balance, Lisa journals and meditates, and takes time to be creative in ways she doesn’t expect to be paid for, like cooking. She also encourages others to recognize their creativity, even when they believe they don’t have any. “Life is to be lived creatively,” she insists. “We can all see multiple sides of something and find creative solutions. It doesn’t have to be painting or picking up a pencil and drawing.”


Learn more about the Paper Airplanes Project.

Read Lisa’s reviews of Tampa art events.

by Staci Backauskas
The Language of Light

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Redefining Public Relations With Pride And Passion
Mon March 01, 2010

After nearly 25 years in public relations, Scott Taylor has developed a business philosophy that goes beyond media relations and publicity. “For me it’s much more,” he says. “It’s about education and raising awareness about issues. Public relations should be about enlightening people, changing perceptions and discovering how to move forward through dialogue.”

Scott has used this philosophy to build The Taylor Company, a business that works only with socially conscious organizations. During his corporate career, Scott wrestled with how to use his knowledge and experience in a way that felt right. “When I was in Los Angeles, I got the chance to work with the Pediatric AIDS Foundation,” he recalls. “It was so different from promoting consumer products. It’s where I found my passion.”

In 2003, he returned to Florida, blending his desire to be closer to family with one to live in a city with a progressive gay community. Since starting his business, Scott has used his creativity and skills to educate the public about organizations who are contributing to the area in a positive way.

One of the first groups he worked with was the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. With vision, style and a lot of hard work, he helped the festival become an essential and vibrant cultural event that benefits the entire community as a whole, not just the niche of the gay community. “I’m extremely proud of the work I’ve done with the film festival,” he says. “We elevated it to a whole new level and put it on a different path.”

The changes drew mainstream media coverage, and the City of Tampa and the Tampa Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau became supporters. Through this experience, Scott was connected to the Tampa Museum of Art where he and Ken Rollins, then the interim executive director, created Pride & Passion in 2006. “Ken and I were talking about ways to engage the gay and lesbian community, and an event was an obvious thing to do,” he recalls. “We wanted to make it memorable and I think we accomplished that.”

This year, the event will be held for the first time in the new museum and a record crowd is expected. “What’s been so fulfilling and gratifying is that it became something we couldn’t have imagined,” Scott says. “The community has embraced it and it garners attention from all over the state. Seeing how it’s grown from this little idea where we had only two months to plan it that first year . . . it’s like I created something lasting.”

Committed to being on the leading edge, Scott’s work with the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce used stories about the Gulf Coast’s natural assets to produce a nature-based tourism campaign long before the strategy was commonly used in the industry. A native Floridian, he values the beauty and importance of the area’s wildlife and flora, and admits he’d love to have an environmental client in his portfolio.

Scott has also used his expertise to develop the Unexpected Faces, Unexpected Places campaign for the Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County, which raised awareness of the similarities that exist between those who live in houses and those who live on the street. Adhering to his resolve to work only with organizations that look for ways to benefit the world, he has consulted with the Sierra Club, Southeastern Guide Dogs, Cornerstone Family Ministries, the Florida Holocaust museum, and Community Tampa Bay.

Now living in Seminole Heights with his partner David, Scott continues to find new ways to educate clients about the most effective ways to use public relations. “It’s a real joy because I get to take what I’ve honed in this industry and funnel it in ways that I think contribute to bettering the community,” he says. “It’s all about following your passion.”

by Staci Backauskas

The Language of Light

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Edging Out Inequality One Step At A Time
Wed February 17, 2010

The day her son was born, Cathy James started making up for lost time. “I was a lazy lesbian,” she laughs. “I really had my head in the sand on LGBT issues. Now I’m doing double time to make up for it.”

Considered by many to be a leader in the quest to repeal Florida’s discriminatory adoption laws, James’ activist roots are anchored in childhood. She remembers sitting next to her grandmother as a girl, folding campaign flyers and stuffing them into envelopes for her uncle, a Tennessee state legislator.

She and her father spent many Saturdays putting up signs in the yards of her uncle’s supporters. “My dad would hammer the posts in and I would come behind with the signs and a stapler and staple the signs onto the posts,” she laughs.

A CPA by day, James moved to Tampa 25 years ago. She and her partner, Judy Meagley, live in Riverview with their son, Tyler, who is now ten. The veracity of how the law treats GLBT families really hit her when she became a mother. “The moment Tyler was born, I became a second class citizen in the state of Florida,” she says. “I couldn’t adopt him and give him a forever home.”

Tyler is Judy’s biological son. Because of Florida law, James realized that Tyler wouldn’t be eligible for survivor benefits from Social Security if she died. “I had to get an insurance policy to make sure he’d be taken care of,” she says. “Things like that made it very real and very evident how a lack of equality affects our lives.”

Another factor fueling her passion are the thousands of children waiting to be adopted in Florida. “For the state to categorically ban gays and lesbians from adopting is a crime because it limits the available pool of loving families,” she states. “These kids don’t vote and they don’t have strong enough advocates to stand up for them. This is why I work so hard to repeal the ban.”

In 2006, she created SOCR (Secure Our Children’s Rights) Florida, an organization that aims to secure, protect, and preserve equal rights for the children of GLBT parents through lobbying for laws that protect all families in Florida. While the group focuses primarily on repealing the adoption ban, they also monitor lawmakers on all levels regarding issues that affect families.

James isn’t the only one in her family determined to make a difference. Last October, Tyler wrote and presented a speech on the importance of repealing the ban and presented it to a contingent of state legislators.(watch it here)

Her commitment to repealing the current adoption laws includes doing at least one thing a day toward achieving equality for the GLBT community, but James also understands when people aren’t active in the effort. “I let them know there’s no time like the present,” she says. “I remind them of the parable of the workers in the vineyard. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve been here all day or just for the last five minutes. Whenever you get here, it’s OK.”

James encourages members of the community to so something every day to push toward full equality. “If each of us did something in our own little world, whether it’s discussing the issue with one person, accepting a speaking engagement somewhere, or writing a check for $10 to a candidate who will help us, it would keep it on your radar. Then, collectively we would be able to have equality very soon.”

To become more involved or learn more about the effort to repeal Florida’s adoption laws, visit www.socrflorida.org

by Staci Backauskas

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Fred Baldwin Finds Passion and Power Beyond the Pulpit
Fri January 29, 2010

When Fred Baldwin moved to Tampa four years ago, he was confident in his choice. “My partner Derrick and I were looking for a GLBT-friendly city with employment opportunities,” he says, “and we chose Tampa for that reason.” He had no idea the decision would lead him to create a program to help GLBT job seekers discover their own passion.

The pastor of prominent Episcopalian churches in both New York City and Bernardsville, NJ for 30 years, Fred’s parishioners included the wealthy and connected. In the 1980s, when Wall Street collapsed, there were stockbrokers in his congregation who were losing their homes. “They needed a place to go, a reason to get up and get dressed and get out of the house,” he says. “They needed to know they weren’t the only ones going through it.”

Using his connections within the church, he set up a bank of phones and fax machines and offered support to those looking for work. The result was an innovative program that received recognition from the NY Times and a national award from the YMCA. The memories from this experience spurred Fred to take action when the economy in Tampa began to fall apart a couple of years ago, but he needed to wear a different hat.

The Episcopalian diocese of Southwest Florida does not permit priests to be openly gay, so Fred retired when he and Derrick moved to West Chase. He became a certified life coach and got more involved in social justice issues, which is where he learned the power one person has. “I don’t need a collar to be a minister and I don’t need an organization to create change. It’s such a gift,” he smiles.

When the unemployment rates kept growing, Fred investigated the support that was available in the area. He found plenty of job groups and classes at local churches, but saw that none that really dealt with the emotional components of job loss or addressed the importance of job seekers identifying what inspires them. He also knew that most members of the GLBT community would not be comfortable in the sanctuary of a church they wouldn’t attend.

It was clear to him that there was a need for support within the GLBT community for those in employment transition. “Job loss is systemic,” Fred explains. “There’s fear and anger and the whole family is affected.” When he approached Russ Heiland at First Unity in St. Petersburg about creating a job seekers class, Fred found an enthusiastic partner.

They put their heads together and created an eight-week class that begins Tuesday, February 2^nd. “The first three sessions will help people process the emotions they have from being out of work and offer ways to discover what inspires them,” he says. “But we’ll also deal with the pragmatic issues like how long can you survive on the money you have.” Participants will also clarify their strengths, develop personal goals, and learn the best ways to create a resume and market themselves – both in person and online.

The class takes place at First Unity in St. Pete and is open to as many as show up. “We do ask that people make the commitment to the entire eight weeks,” Fred emphasizes. “It’s really not worth it if you don’t commit to the entire program. It’s going to be a very intensive and productive eight weeks.”

Through the process of retiring and finding a new career, Fred has realized that passion and power do not require a title or having an institution behind you. “When I was a priest, I was always kind of overwhelmed by the connections the people in my parish had,” he admits. “This part of the journey has shown me that one person can accomplish an amazing amount of stuff. It’s just about getting people involved.”

For more information or to register for the class, visit www.firstunity.org

~ by Staci Backauskas-The Language of Light

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Getting to Know: Pastor Ricc Rollins
Wed November 04, 2009
Get to know people in the Qmunity!

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GET IN COSTUME - Thrill St. Pete  [Thrill The World 2009] St. Petersburg, Fl
Tue October 13, 2009
Ok Gays! Here is your chance to be a part of this amazing event! Volunteers are needed! They already have 400 dancers, but now comes the work of getting everyone organized to dance, help and WATCH! If you can't help--come out to watch the zombies awaken!

Saturday, October 24, 2009 8:30pm watch hundreds of zombies dancing to “Thriller” and witness a world record. ‘Thrill The World’ is a simultaneous worldwide attempt to break the world record for the largest simultaneous dance with Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” ‘Thrill St. Pete’ is the local event, contributing to the worldwide attempt to break the record.

The event will also include a Food Drive to benefit theSt. Petersburg Free Clinic Food Bank. Please bring food items for our Food Drive barrel located at The Pier. All types of canned and packaged goods are welcome. (No perishable foods or glass containers.)

Thousands of people in cities around the world will learn the “Thriller”, dance and perform it together on the day that Thrill the World takes place. 2007 marked the 25th anniversary of the release of the “Thriller” album. It is still a popular and well-known video that crosses boundaries of language, culture, and geography. We believe that this is largely due to the amazing choreography - do the “roar” move anywhere, at any point, and without fail someone will yell, “Thriller!” because the movements are so iconic and easily recognizable.

GET IN COSTUME - Thrill St. Pete [Thrill The World 2009] St. Petersburg, Fl

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What is myQmunity all about?
Fri September 25, 2009
We created myQmunity for YOU. When you want to know where to go and what to do, you can check out the site and find something that is gay or gay friendly.

We'll have information on politics, entertainment, families, relationships and more.

This project won't work without you, though. Tell us about what is going on. Do you know about an activity, a church, an event or organization we should know about? Is there news about a group or organization that we should post?

Just let us know at feedback@myqmunity.com and we'll make sure that others know about it.

MyQmunity is where it really IS all about you!

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Who Should We Profile?
Fri September 11, 2009
The Tampa Bay gay community is filled with amazing people doing incredible things. Each week we'll give you a glimpse into the lives of the individuals who make our community what it is.

We'll to talk with business people, organization leaders, influencers, social activists and politicians and even the person who goes all out with Christmas decorations!

But we need your help! Send us the names (and contact information) of LGBT people who you think others might want to hear more about.

Send the info to: mailto:feedback@myqmunity.com

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