Indy Pride Bag Ladies are at it again!!!

Hola, Poppers!

Yes, it's been almost a year since I last posted a blog...would you believe I've been busy? Perhaps busy-ness is no excuse, but I'm running with it.

It's no secret what I've been doing for the past few months and I have to say that I've felt more love and support from this community than I ever imagined I would. It's been like what I remember church being like as a kid...the awe, the wonder, the corporate worship, the pot-luck dinners, the women in fabulous hats and gorgeous shoes and crisp Sunday suits and gloves ~ all the stuff a budding homo would notice.

I've been involved in multiple fundraisers and I'm thankful to everyone who has allowed me to be a part of what I consider to be a ministry to our community.

Before I mention a few upcoming events, I'd like to share just one success story of the many I've seen recently. Friday night a fundraiser took place at Zonie's Closet called Love THY Neighbor. Reserved tables were sponsored by Norma Edwards of FC Tucker; clients and employees/volunteers of the Damien Center; members of TGIF; Great Lakes Productions; Cosmos; Erin Rake of IU School of Dentistry; and Amanda Harris of GayIndy.Com (PLEASE forgive me if I've left you off this list and you were a sponsor) and a $10 cover was requested at the door.


Love THY Neighbor was a fundraiser organized by Jazmyn Taylor for the Damien Center's Coby Palmer Food Pantry and in roughly two hours, almost $2000 was raised. Jillian James, Holly Luyah, Connie Ross, Alana Steele, Angela Stone and Jazmyn provided top-notch entertainment and I, ladies and gentlemen, had the pleasure of emceeing and watching these gals work and watching the funds roll in.


What I mentioned to the audience is that Love THY Neighbor allowed people to see a variety of GLBT organizations all in the same room united in raising funds for the people of their community and it was truly an honor and privilege to be a part of the evening. Thanks again to all the sponsors; Lori and Denice for providing the venue; Jillian, Holly, Connie, Alana, Angela and Jazmyn for giving your time, talents, tushes and ta-tas and special thanks to Jazmyn Taylor for organizing the event. You did a good thing.

Coming up next, Poppers...the Indy Pride Bag Ladies present...the annual Shimmering Shamrocks Show!! This Wednesday March 17 at Talbott Street come see your Indy Pride Bag Ladies laying it all out there to entertain you on the drunkest holiday the United States has to offer. Doors open at 7:00 and the show will start at 8:00. $5 cover and all tips collected by the performers will go to Indiana Youth Group.

On Friday March 26, some of the IPBL will be continuing the Bag Ladies World Tour with our second trip to Zoolegger's in Lafayette!! We were there last November and had a ball with the folks in Lafayette. I believe the show will start at midnight local time. Feel like a road trip? Follow us on up to Lafayette...book a room and stay the night!

And on Sunday April 18, Sequoia Pentecost and Rachel Yoder will host the 3rd Annual Country & Gospel Brunch at Talbott Street. More details to follow but I believe church starts at noon.

Poppers, I'm having the time of my life hanging out with all of you and I can't thank you enough for the love and support you continue to show the Indy Pride Bag Ladies.

Keep it spicy, babies! Amor y besos ~

Halle Pino

Around the world and back snaps to one of my favorite ladies in Indy. "Haaaaay, Miz Young!" If you get the chance, be sure to visit Young's Wig just east of Sherman on 10th Street...she has some of the best hair, boots and jewelry and 301s and 199s are almost always in stock. Tell her Halle axed how she durrin!

All About Alana

Greetings, Poppers!!

I hope you're having a great week so far. The temps are dropping, but the gurls I meet keep getting hotter and hotter! I had the pleasure of seeing performances by Miss Chelsea Pearl at Talbott Street this past weekend. Though I'd heard her name and seen her likeness several times, I'd never actually seen her work it. Two words. Class act. Can't wait to see her in Indy again. Kisses, baby.

Wellllll...as the title suggests, this post is allllll about a guilty pleasure of mine, Miss Alana Steele!! Alana is one of the fiercest faux femmes I've had the pleasure of seeing perform, and on Sunday, October 5 I have the privilege and honor of participating in a benefit show for Alana as she prepares to compete in Miss Gay America 2009 as Miss Gay Midwest America 2008.


Beauty, talent and showmanship are her trademarks and O MI GAWD, I love her hurr!! Pixie or minx, blonde, brunette or powdered, the gurl knows how to bang a 'do!

Alana started doing drag in 1998. Dared by some silly someone, she entered Miss Indiana Cosmopolitan. Everyone told her she would be terrible, but much to their chagrin, she not only placed, but was crowned!! *that'll teach them* After winning her first title, she didn't do drag again for almost 8 months. She was told by many that she had potential, but Alana refused to allow drag to become an occupation.

Alana continued to enter pageants just for fun and, of course, continued to pick up titles including Miss Terre Haute and a few other bar titles...but she still refused to do shows. She was advised to do some non-pageant performances to remain a strong competitor so she picked up spots in Louisville, Terre Haute & Nashville. None other than Miss Kendra Monroe *gasp! clutch the pearls!* asked her to be in the rotation at Club Cabaret and Alana realized *yay!* that she enjoyed performing. When Talbott Street opened, Alana was asked to be a cast member of the Ladies of Legends where she has developed as an entertainer and as a person. Alana states that her experiences at Talbott Street have helped to mold her into who she is today. Our Alana has won sooo many pageants that she has earned the title "Queen of Crowns."

Alana loves performing because it gives her something to concentrate on and something new and adventurous to look forward to. In her estimation, the best thing about performing is all of the friends she has made.

On a personal note, Alana says that her number one pet peeve is "adults who can't control their children." When asked about her hobbies, she replies, "all I do is work and drag," but she still finds time to raise her puppy, Heidi Maintenance, aka Lilly.

The title Miss Gay America is an important goal for Alana as she feels she wasn't up to par *according to her standards* the last time she was vying for the title.

Alana has always been a sweetheart to me and I truly look forward to participating in her benefit and supporting her as she goes on to Miss Gay America 2009. Miss Gay America 2009 is being held at the Millenium Hotel, 200 S. 4th Street in St. Louis, MO, October 8 - 12, 2008. For further information, log on to http://www.missgayamerica.com/ or call 901.603.4838.


If you can't make it to the pageant, please come out and support Miss Alana Steele, Sunday October 5, 2008 at Talbott Street in Indy. Doors open at 7:00. It's a show you don't want to miss! In addition to some fabulous performers, there will also be a silent auction, a raffle, and photos, DVDs, jewelry and other miscellaneous chotchkies available for sale. Good Luck, Alana!! You'd betta work!!
That's it for now, habaneros! I hope you have a great week!

Keep it spicy!

*kiss kiss*

Halle


photos courtesy of and owned by Amy Lawson, Venus Photography

Son of a gun, we had big fun on The Bayou

Buenos tardes, Poppers!!!

O MI GAWD...if you missed A Night on the Bayou, you missed a par-tay!! More importantly, though, you missed an opportunity to be a part of a hugely successful fundraiser!

With the exception of a little bit of rain and a whole lot of lightning threatening the festivities, everything went off without a hitch. The best part of the day came during set-up: I received a phone call from a friend (who wishes to remain anonymous) to advise me that their organization was going to match dollar for dollar up to $1000 everything that we raised. I'll share with you at the end how much we raised, but it was sooo exciting to make that announcement during the show!

I had sooo much help to pull things off and I'm going to give shout outs to everyone right now:

Kevin & Neil ~ it was sooo generous of you to allow your home to be used for the fish fry. I truly appreciate your hospitality. You guys have an original community center right there in your backyard. Thank you for everything you do.

Rob & Nic from Hoaglin's Fine Catering ~ O MI GAWD, babies...huge hugs & kisses to the two of you! It was so awesome of you to order all the food, cutlery and various notions as well as loaning out your fryers, food lockers and chafing dishes. Thank you so much for taking so much weight off of my shoulders. You had my respect before, now you have my respect and adoration!

Prez Scott V and Expo Design ~ thanks for arranging the liquor donation and for providing the blow-job fish visuals. Everyone loved them! I think they had their pictures taken more often than the performers!!

Dannon & Rocky from RockStar Promotions ~ Dannon, thanks for donating your sound system and Rocky, you did a pheNOM job of running it. Love you, boys!

Bill, Cindy & Chad ~ Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!! Working the fryer was probably the hardest job of the night and you folks stepped right up to the challenge. I just can't begin to thank the three of you enough!!

Scott, Brad & Donnie ~ You guys are the best bartenders!! I have a few guys who'd like your phone numbers, but I won't give them out without your permission.

Naomi Divine ~ Gurl, Halle would not exist without you! Thanks for banging mah hurr and beating mah mug! The hostess dress is BEAUTIFUL!! I love Love LOVE you!!

Cadillac Barbie, Summer Clearance, Stella Couture, Aurora Diamond, Holly Luyah, Sequoia Pentecost, Rachael Yoder & Portia Lynn Van Buren ~ I am sooo grateful to all of you for performing Saturday night! You ladies provided a fun show and kept the audience engaged all night.

Jeremy & Jodie ~ Boys, thanks for letting us use your house as a staging area. You made my life sooo much easier! XOXOXO

Anonymous donor ~ You're an angel.

And last but not least ~ Nick, Adam, Shere & HR ...look at what we did!! Think back to last year. 35 people maybe? $25 raised? We're a great team, kids. I know that we don't express our feelings for each other, but I, you know...kinda like you guys and stuff. There are worse friends I could have, I guess. All kidding aside, thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU for all you do to enrich my life. I finally have friends who keep me accountable, hold me up to a higher standard and are interested in doing things for the greater good of our community and our world. I'm sorry I never had that major meltdown you were all expecting. ;-)

Alright, habaneros...are you interested in hearing how much money we raised?

After expenses and with the $1000 match, Halle Pino and Friends Present: A Night on the Bayou raised $4400 to ensure continued dialogue for Indy's GLBT Community Center. It's absolutely amazing what a few people can do to make a difference. I'm tha-RILLED to have been a part of this event and look forward to what we can do in the future!

I hope to add some pictures later, Poppers. If you or someone you know was at the event and have pics to share, please have them forward them to me at HallePino@yahoo.com I'd sure appreciate it!!

Keep it spicy, babies!

*kiss kiss*

Halle

Meet my fascination...

Good MORNING, habaneros!! I am for some reason all bright-tailed and bushy-eyed this a.m. and just ready to face the day! I woke up with a sense of purpose this morning and just bounded out of bed! Part of that is because I've been eating aLOT of fiber and I REALLLLLY had to poo, but let's keep that between us.

So I was out and about last night papering the town with fliers about the fishfry. Prepare yourselves, kids...I will be talking about this lil soiree' aLOT for the next few weeks, but I'll do my best to balance it out with some tiny, tasty tidbits to tease and tantalize. Anyhoo...I hit up Cosmos, Metro, Ivy's, Olly's and Varsity last night and tacked up and passed out fliers to any immovable surface and to anyone who'd take them. Just a heads up...Halle and Handlers will be out and about Friday night passing out palm cards and quite possibly selling tickets and Bag Ladies Calendars. We're doing a mini-bar-crawl from 9:30ish til my feet hurt. The plan is to hit Cosmos, Olly's, Ivy's, Metro, Talbott Street and ending up at Greg's. I hope you get to see me!!

Everyone knows that I just aDORE and am fascinated by Holly Luyah (love ya, gurl!!) on the local level {you know, someone I can actually hang out with and touch and get advice from and see on a regular basis}, but here's my national fascination...meet Jackie Beat!





If you've noticed, I have a link to her official website to the right...that's been there since I started this site so if you haven't checked out this hot-ass chica...shame on yo ass!! I just love everything about this gurl! Her glamour, her paint, her overall look, her humour. I could gush for hours! I just get all giggly and tingly when I see articles about her or hear her latest parody. You must Must MUST check out her site, but I'll leave you with a few more pics and at some point, I'll have my personal IT specialist/handler/dj/music-picker-outer FN post a video. Until then, be sure to check out her site!!






Jackie gurl...you are faboo, fierce, funky & ferosh! Thanks for the inspiration, lady!!

Alright, Poppers...I need to act like I'm working or something. You babies have a fun-filled day! Get out and enjoy the weather if you can. It's GORgeous!!

*kiss kiss*

Halle

Deep in the heart of Texas...

Greetings, Poppers!!

My bestest IT geek-pal FitnessNerd outfitted Halle's Happenings with a lil thing called analytics. I admit that I'm technologically challenged when it comes to most things technological, but I think analytics is a pretty nifty thingy-doodle.

What analytics does (do?) is allows Halle to see where all the visitors to Halle's blog are from. So, I have to wonder...what the heck's going on down in Flower Mound, TX?

I've had 74 page views from Flower Mound since Halle's Happenings was launched and I'd just love Love LOVE to hear from some of you!! Holla at Halle!! Drop me a line and say, "hey, y'all!"

I grew up in Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas. The elementary school I went to in Lawton, Oklahoma was actually called Flower Mound Elementary. You're FA-REAKIN' me out!! Please please please, leave a comment or drop me a line at HallePino@yahoo.com

I look forward to hearin' from y'all!!

*kiss kiss*

Halle

Yes, yes...I know...

it's been almost two weeks since my last post. I'm sooo sowwy. :-( I've just been extremely busy with work. So busy in fact, that I won't have a day off until Friday when I leave for Chi with FitnessNerd, Blanche and Maestro. Friday will NOT get here quick enough.

Before I get too deep into drag droppings, let me set the record str8 on one thing:

Halle Pino is NOT responsible for the recent outbreaks of salmonella reported by the CDC!! You can eat me with absolutely noooo fear. The only thing about me that's contagious is my attitude, poppers!! ;-)


On to sick & sweet sightings. I've had several conversations with some local performers and want to take a few minutes to let you know of what's coming down that feather and fur-lined pike that is drag in Indy.


Let me back up for a minute though...if you read this blog with any regularity, you know I just aDORE Holly Luyah. Sunday, July 27th, Holly worked it OUT at Talbott Street. O Mi GAWD, I was moved Moved MOVED by every performance! I got to spend some time with Holly after the show and gurl admitted she was in the zone. Bette to Babs to Liza? Seriously...three wig changes? Three costume changes? Channelling three Divas? In one number? Holly baby I was either drunk n'dreaming or...YOU KILT IT!! love Love LOVE you!!



I had the pleasure of dining with Naomi Divine and Stella Couture earlier in the week at Scotty's Brew Pub...we had the opportunity to dish & discuss drag and drool over the nasty, naughty northside boys. I think I may have to eat at Scotty's more often. MeOWR!

Stella and I met up with Miss Encompass 2008 Annastacia Demoore recently and she had some tres titillating tidbits to tantalize! If you haven't heard yet, Illusions V(I) has new owners!! According to Annastacia, they're in the process of remodeling (smoke-eaters and ice cold A/C perhaps?) and renaming the bar and are asking for your input. If you have a suggestion for a new name, stop by and drop it in the box they have set up. The remodel is ongoing and they'll maintain their regular hours during the facelift. I'm excited to see the new look, how about you?!?

They still have the familiar faces of Angela Stone, Christina Stone and Aurora Michaels on cast with Gina Thomas and Annastacia herself rounding out the bevy of buxom babes. Get down to 1446 East Washington Street right here in Indy (46201) to check out these ladies and watch as the remodel progresses. I've not had the pleasure of featuring Annastacia before, so here's a pic of the luscious lady:

I've shared the stage with her once before and have nothing but respect for this dancing Diva. In addition to being on cast at Illusions, you can catch Annastacia (honey, I'm just gonna call you Anni on here...my nails keep getting hung up in the keyboard) at Talbott Street on August 14 for a benefit for Miss Gay Indianapolis 2008 Erica King as she prepares to compete at Miss Gay Indiana.

This will most likely be my only post this week (but be sure to check back just in case) before we head to Chi for North Halsted Market Days, so here are a few events coming up this week/next weekend:

Illusions: 8/6/08 ~ 80's Dance Party...8/8 & 8/9 ~ Special Guest Paula Demora

Talbott Street: 8/8/ & 8/9 ~ Special Guest Desiree Demornay...8/10 ~ Special Guest Samantha Lynn

501 (not drag, but HOT): 8/8 ~ Olympic Stud Night...8/9 ~ Rubber/Latex Night

Downtown Olly's : ongoing through August ~ $1 Bud, Bud Lite, Coors Lite and Miller Lite longnecks. That's right...$1 longnecks!! And across the land, the Lesbians rejoiced!! DO Lesbians rejoice? Hmm...discuss.

Get out and do something, babies!!

Congratulations are in order for Aurora Diamond and her fine-azz hubby. They celebrated their 3 year anniversary with a ferosh lil soiree yesterday. Aurora was sportin some sweet ice on her left ring finger courtesy of Steve...that man is destined for sainthood. St. Stephen Aurorae Boreallis. Auspcium mellioris awai...amen. Aurora & Steve have a gorgeous home. (Loved your inner sanctuary, habanero! I'd LOVE to see what "timeless fabric" looks like.) Hoaglin's did a fierce job of catering and it was just a loverly afternoon/evening. *kiss kiss* to the happy couple!

Last but not least, a special shout out to my bestest drag gurlfriend. We've grown up together and I just love her...Happy Birthday, Summer Clearance!!! You know I love you more'n my luggage.

That's it for now, poppers. Halle loves you!! *kiss kiss*

Picture it...Heaven...July 22, 2008...

You'll always be an icon to me, Estelle. RIP

Whew...

Good mooooorning, Poppers!! After a couple of days out and about, your gurl Halle is back for a minute.

I tell you what, I was off from work yesterday and I sooo needed it! Thanks for your faithfulness in checking my blog for updates, babies. I see it every time you pull up Halle's Happenings and I send out major air kisses to you. Love you, babies. *kiss kiss kiss*

I've actually been working this morning since 6:00. Some co-workers and I handed out 600 breakfast bags to an apartment community's residents to advertise our available services. It was nice to see their smiling faces but I tell you what...it is sooo humidity out there already! My hurr products went and failed me, so my coiffe is as limp as Summer's/Aurora's wrist. Love ya, babies!

Anyhoo...another big work day ahead so I'm keeping things short. Wednesday night I was out for a minute and ran into Erica King and Anastasia Demoore. They both have benefits and pageants coming up, so stay tuned for further information.

I want to send out big hugs, kisses and positive energy to my very first drag momma, Carma Blake. Carma (aka Carl DeLong) is having some serious health issues and needs all of us to keep her in our thoughts and prayers. I'm going to do a profile of Carma very soon, but want all my babies to be mindful of Carma. Carma...you got me started. Love you baby!! *hug kiss hug*

Last but not least Poppers, I want to make you aware of a Bag Lady show coming up. Holly Luyah and Cadillac Barbie both asked me to mention the 4th of July Week Kick-Off Show at Cosmos. The show is scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday June 28th at 9:00 p.m. Cover charge is $5 with all cover charges and tips going to benefit Step-Up. You know how I feel about Step-Up and their services, so I would consider it a personal favor if you would come out and support the cause. Featured performers include: Cadillac Barbie, Holly Luyah, Donna Rhea, Audrey Heartburn and Portia Lynn Van Buren.


Hope to see you there, Poppers!

The next few days will be a flurry of activity for yours truly as I and the other Mean Gurls prepare for our trip to Vegas. We leave on July 2 and we'll be there until July 6. We just happen to be out there for Las Vegas Gay Days!! I'm sure we'll all have much to (drunkenly) report while we're out there so be sure to check us out at least every other day.

Gonna close things out for now, babies! I hope you allll have a great weekend!

Keep it spicy!
Halle

Hawaiian Lei'd Edition

Good morning, habaneros! It's your gurl Halle feeling oh so bright-eyed and bushy-tailed on a gorgeous Wednesday! Yours truly is off from work today and looking forward to spending some time sunbathing. I do spend some time in a fake bake, but there is nothing like good ol Sol to put some pep in your step and some rosy in your cheeks. My mamacita asked me once, "Halle...why do joo have to tain? Joo already have such pretty skeen!" I said to her, "Mami, look at it this way...which would your rather eat: a raw pork roast or a cooked one?" It caused her to think just like you. :-)

This is going to be a short post, but I did want to take a moment to introduce you to two DQs I saw out and about last night. I've had the opportunity to share the stage with both of them and I want my Poppers to get to know them.

The first gurl I wanna give a shout out to is Stella Couture. Stella has been performing with the Circle City INPride Bag Ladies and she does a ferosh job. Gurl's a lil dancer and theatric without being over the top. She was a recent contestant in the Miss Hoosier 250 pageant and even though she didn't claim that crown, gurl won the race IMNSHO. I'm of the belief that talent takes all, but alas, I wasn't a judge. You can catch Stella in the Miss Gay Indianapolis pageant at Talbott Street on 6/5/08. Tell her Halle sent you!



The next gurl I'd like to introduce you to is your reigning Miss Gay Indianapolis, Holly Luyah. I've admired this gurl from afar for the past year and I have to say, she is a class act through and through. She's always prepared to give some advice and some support to any newbies and from what I've seen is quite the lil nurturer. I've shared the stage with Holly at two of the last three Bag Lady shows and gurl knows how to work it out! Whether doing some Dixie Chicks or some ghetto-fabulous, ass-shaking, bass-heavy crunk, miss thang always brings her A-game. Holly will be crowning the next Miss Gay Indianapolis on 6/5/08 at Talbott Street. Tell her Halle axed how she durrin'.

So I was out with my gurl Foxxy last night and I inadvertantly invented a new word. You see, Halle had a few adult beverages with some str8s before heading out to meet her gays and was a lil toasty by the time she got to Metro. At some point she was trying to greet someone with the standard, "gurl," but realized she was talking to a str8-acting man who hates that term and tried to save it by saying, "boy," but it was too late and it came out as "Burrl!" Foxxy has decided that "Burrl!" is the new "fetch" and is staging a one-woman campaign to introduce "Burrl!" to all of gaydom. One of the gayelles we ran into last night is all about it and has already started using it. What do you think? Say it a few times and see if you think it'll catch on.

One last tidbit...look for a new addition to Halle's Happenings coming up soon. My gays have decided that I should start an advice column. We'll call it "Holla at Halle." If you need some advice or have some questions, shoot me an email at hallepino@yahoo.com Halle will do her best to address your issue in an upcoming post.

Keep it spicy all you Halle Pino Poppers!

By the way, this is the Hawaiian Lei'd edition because I wanted to remind you to stop and smell some flowers today.

*kiss kiss*