Has it really begun already?

Good morning, Poppers!!

I know I've been out of touch for several weeks, but I've truly just been worn out.

The busy season has set in and a touch of crazy intensity is in the air. Let's play a little bit of catch up, shall we?

Carl's benefit, as you know went off without a hitch. His surgery took place on 4/21 and went well. His brother was sent home by the following Friday and Carl was discharged on Sunday. Although Carl was readmitted yesterday because of some side effects of the meds he's on, they're releasing him again today...personally, I think he developed a taste for sounding while he was in the hospital and wanted to be re-cathed. He claims that's not the case. I guess I'll believe him. Love you, Carl.

On the stiletto heels of Carl's benefit, the Bag Ladies went right into The 2nd annual Country/Gospel Brunch. What a hoot and a holler! I attended last year, but actually performed in this year's show. I had an absolute ball and even though final numbers aren't in yet, I believe we raised $3000+? I'll update that once it's confirmed.





On the same day as the Gospel Brunch, we turned right back out to Talbott Street to support our own Aurora Diamond as she participated in and stomped it out to win TNT (Talbott's Night of Talent or Talent Night at Talbott...I've heard it called several things). Good job, gal! She'll now be a special guest on I believe Sunday May 17. Good job, baby!

Please remember that this Thursday, April 30, 2009 is Indy’s 15th Annual Dining Out for Life! Area restaurants will participate in the largest restaurant event in the Indianapolis area, benefiting the Damien Center and hundreds of people living with HIV & AIDS throughout our region. Making a difference is as easy as going out to eat! Participating Restaurants will donate 25-50% of your food bill on April 30th to pay for local services in the Fight Against AIDS.

Their generosity coupled with your generous donation will make a very real difference in the lives of thousands of men, women, and children throughout the region living with HIV and AIDS. This year's Premier participating restaurants are: Blu Martini, Cafe Patachou, Adobo Grill, Palomino, Forty Five Degrees, Petite Chou, and Arni's Restaurant! These fine restaurants are contributing 50% of sales this year!

Forty Five Degrees is also hosting the official After Party starting at 10:00 p.m. Come out and celebrate as the reports of funds raised roll in. Forty Five Degrees will continue to donate 25% of all sales to Dining Out for Life. For a list of all participating restaurants, please visit
www.diningoutforlife.com/indianapolis/participating

Also this Thursday, please make plans to attend Miss Shining Star Continental 2009 at Talbott Street. Shawn Batton of Shining Star Productions was generous enough to donate tickets to the pageant for use as giveaway items for "Drink Your Juice, Shelby," and we thank him for his support. Shawn promises this 5 Year Anniversary Celebration will be a tremendous event and the competition will be fierce. Doors open at 8:00 and the pageant starts at 9:00. Admission is $10. For more information, please visit http://www.missshiningstar.com/


Moving on, this Friday and Saturday May 1 and 2, are Grand Finals for Metro Idol 2009. All the way from Louisville, KY The Mistress of Mayhem, Hurricane Summers will be Mistress of Ceremonies for the weekend. Although things have yet to be confirmed, I'm told that Miss Gay Indianapolis, Erica King, Fairrah Flame and Cherilynn Douchey will be performing on Friday night and Summer Clearance and yours truly will be performing on Saturday. Once confirmed, I'll post it either here or on Facebook, if not on both. p.s. If you've not added me as a friend on Facebook yet, please do. Just search for Halle Pino.

Last but not least, May 9 at 10:00 p.m., Cosmos is hosting "Paving the Road to Dallas," a benefit for one of my favorite people in the world, Miss Gay Indiana USofA, Holly Luyah!! Can I get a "AMEN?!?" Performers include (in alphabetical order): Bianca Defy, Halle Pino (haaaaay!), Alana Steele, Britney Taylor, Jazmyn Taylor and Holly Luyah herself. We'll be raising funds to send Holly and her team to Dallas to compete in the Miss Gay USofA nationals pageant, so please come out and support.

Alright, kids...that's a tortilla wrap for this week. Please keep me in your prayers...I'm old and got a ton o'shit coming up. Also, keep your fingers crossed for my sponsorship for the Circle City INPride 2009 Parade...I just resubmitted my request to a local restaurant. If things go well, you might just see Halle in her Crawfish Mobile in the parade.

Keep it spicy, Poppers!

*kiss kiss*

Halle

Long may she reign...

Hola, Poppers!

I'm happy as a chola in sharpie lip-liner and eyebrows to announce that my girl Holly Luyah is your new Miss Gay Indiana USofA!!

If you've read this blog, you know I just adore that gal and I'm proud as Mary of her accomplishments. I just love love love her and can't wait to perform with her again. Holly, You. Go. Gurl!!

Thank you, everyone!

Greetings, Poppers! As I'm sure you can tell by the pictures, "Drink Your Juice, Shelby" was a tremendous night. I'm very proud of everyone who was a part of this benefit and even though I've thanked all of them already, I want to do it publicly:

Because of all of you, $1610 was raised for Carl DeLong and his family. Carl and his family were truly moved by the amount of support and love shown to them and I appreciate your partcipation in this event more than I can say.

Vivian - thank you for donating the bar for the night! Guido, JB, Nate, Sebastian, Bennett and Tim were amazing to work with. I hope I didn't run them ragged. You rock, baby!

Adessah, Asia, Caddi, Caress, Erica, Ginger, Naomi, Regina, Sue and Summer - You girls brought your "A" game and worked, bucked and turned it out!! I hope I never fail to tell you how much I respect and appreciate what you gals do. It was a privilege and a pleasure to share the stage with you tonight. Thanks for being on speed dial.

HR, Nick, Shere and Adam - you kids make Halle's life so easy. I couldn't do it without you. HR - BRAVO!! I think you have a faboo career in drag-handling in your pocket. Shere - thanks for sticking it out in that booth for almost 3 hours. Nick - can't wait to see the photos.

Queen Blossom - gal, I adore you. You continue to turn up and turn it out and I have such admiration for you. Thanks for the gorgeous centerpiece and for running the prize table.

Adam, Dean & Tim at Downtown Olly's, Greg, Sam & Shawn of Shining Star Productions - thank you so much for your donations to the prize table. People were pleased with what they won and I appreciate your generosity.

Donnie - thanks for running the spot, babe. I hope you weren't neglected up there.

Bill, Jeremy & Sam - thank you for your running and accountant work tonight as well as your tips and hints, wig-banging and make-up.

I hope I included everyone. If someone was left off, please know it was purely unintentional. The support you all provided and your selflessness encourage me to do more in the community. I am blessed to know all of you.

*kiss kiss*

Halle

p.s. Just a quick shout-out to a new, self-proclaimed "Popper-Girl": HAY, DARCI!! Hope to see you soon!!

Pictures from Drink Your Juice, Shelby

Below is a slide show from the benefit on Sunday night. If you want to view the Flickr page follow this link.

Morning, Poppers!!



Halle's a wee-bit hungover this morning. The Indy Pride Bag Ladies were on the prowl into the early morning and here are the pictures to prove it.



We were advertising the upcoming Gospel Brunch at Talbott Street on April 19. Tickets are available now, so you'd better get yours soon. We sold out last year!





Please don't forget, "Drink Your Juice, Shelby," a benefit for Carl DeLong, tonight at Talbott Street. Doors open at 6:00, show starts at 7:00.



*kiss kiss*



Halle