Napa Pride day 9 (final day): brunch, art & poetry, poolside sunset cocktails, Sun, June 19, 2010

How can it already be the last day of Napa Valley LGBTQ Pride? These past 8 days have been incredible, but make sure and make day 9 the true highlight by attending today's events. Bring a group of family, friends and even Dad:

• 10a-1p: Recovery Brunch at Characters, Napa Valley Marriott, Napa
  Relax and recover while enjoying the amazing cuisine of Executive Chef Brian Whitmer...It all takes place outside on the courtyard patio at Characters Bar & Grill at the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa. The menu includes: "The Valley's Other Fruit" Plate, Wine Country Drama Queen Omelet, Marriage Egg-uality Benedict, Napa Guerilla Gay Waffles, Castro Street Croissant & Egg Sandwich, OUTmeal oatmeal.
  **Those 21 and over will receive a complementary "Rainbow" Mimosa or Bloody Mary courtesy of the Napa Valley Marriott**
  
  
• 4p-9:30p: Art Show and Poetry Reading, "Showing Our True Colors" at Bloom, Napa
  Art Exhibition 4-7pm | Spoken Word 7:30- 9:30pm | 10 min intermission with lite food and drink: 8:30pm. What are the true colors of your existence? What colors have made you who you are? What are our society's true colors? The Art Show and Poetry Reading asks artists to present the true colors of their community and their identity through visual art and spoken word. Be present, be heard, and hear the voices of others. If you are interested in sharing your spoken word art come up to the mic during the poetry session! It will be hanged on the wall space. Artists will retain all rights to their pieces.
  
  
• 4p-sunset: Ibiza Chill-Out in the Napa Valley at Bardessono, Yountville
  It will be the perfect ending to a perfect 9 days of Napa Valley LGBTQ Pride 2010...Imagine lounging on the roof pool deck at a fabulous Napa Valley hotel . . .Sipping on an appropriate beverage . . .Watching the sun go down on the longest day of the year . . .Listening to fabulous Ibiza Chill music . . .While recounting the amazing events of the past nine days during Napa Valley LGBTQ Pride 2010
  

Additionally, other local businesses (like Three Twins and C Casa Taqueria in the Oxbow, for instance) are joining in the celebration by offering Pride-themed specials. See a special around town we should know about? Please share in the comments or on the Fruit's Facebook page.

Need a recap of all the fabulousness of the last week? Go here for a list of all nine days, 20+ events that took place to celebrate Napa Valley LGBTQ Pride 2010.

Napa Pride day 8: hike, bowling, Mamma Mia sing-a-long, Sat, June 19, 2010

The 2nd-to-last day of Napa Pride is here and the planners did not let up from planning amazingly fun things for us to do. Hopefully everyone got plenty of rest and water after the movie night and big "Leave Your Hat On" dance, cuz today looks like it's going to be a blast!

• 10:30a-2:30p: Pride Hike at Skyline Park, Napa
  We will start hike at 11am but we suggest you arrive early to meet with the group. We shall have a Rainbow Flag there so you know which group we are. Please bring water and a packed lunch and/or snacks if desired. Wear comfortable walking/hiking shoes and appropriate clothing. The Trail will be at a medium/intermediate skill level.
  No Dogs are allowed on the trail. (park rules) There is a $5.00 parking fee at the park.
  
  
• 7p-10p: Family & "Family" bowling night at Napa Bowl, Napa
  Don't bowl? Don't worry! Just come watch and hang out with us. Don't worry about arriving right at 7 p.m. We'll get you assigned to a lane when you arrive. Trophies will be awarded for highest score and best bowling attire (with maybe a couple more special awards). EVERYONE is welcome!
  
  
• 11p-1a: Mamma Mia sing-a-long at Cameo Cinemas, St. Helena
  Tonight, all seats are just $5.00 at the beautiful Cameo Cinemas! Get ready to sing-a-long with the cast from the 2008 hit movie. You'll be able to "follow the bouncing ball" as the lyrics appear on the screen. It's going to be f-ABBA-lous!
  

Sunday is the last day of planned Pride events in the Napa Valley, make sure you know what's up! For a list of the rest of the week's events for Napa Valley LGBTQ Pride 2010. click here.

Napa Pride day 2: Queer-friendly faith, Family Picnic, Ben & Jerry's, Guerilla Gays at Pancha's

From first hand, I can tell you that last night's youth Pride dance was a hit. With around 100 youth in attendance, a live, local band (In The Know), free food and drinks and DJ Rotten Robbie...a good time was had by all--including the volunteers! I've heard equally enthusiastic reports from the golf event and supper in Yountville. And that was only day 1!

What's in store for today? Hope you're well rested. Get on the phone and get your friends and family rounded up, it's time for:

• 9:30a-10:30a: Reconciling Sunday Service, "Creating Sanctuary for All" at First United Methodist Church, Napa
  Sanctuary should not be limited to a resting place, but a deepening place and a growing place. It is our vision that as GLBT people find safe places, they will share their stories and offer their gifts in ministry. It is our hope that these stories and gifts will cause congregations to open their eyes to a wider vision… a vision that will call for action in creating ever widening sanctuary. Our Reconciling Service features the Oakland/East Bay Gay Men’s Chorus!
  
  
• 12p-4p: Pride Family Picnic at Fuller Park, Napa
  Come have a relaxing afternoon...BBQs will be prepped and ready should you decide to cook your contribution. Also, plenty of fun & games for the whole family to enjoy, like: hula hoop, water balloon toss, bocce ball. There will also be a huge raffle with fabulous prizes to be won! (City regs prohibit alcoholic beverages and smoking. "Four-legged kids" are welcome on a leash)
  
• 4p-5:30p: "Fish Out of Water" film Screening, God and Gays, Some Perspectives at First United Methodist Church
  You might think you know where the Bible stands on the subject of homosexuality, but when was the last time you actually checked? The spirited documentary Fish out of Water explores the seven Bible passages notoriously used to condemn homosexuality and justify marriage discrimination. With the help of a cartoon narrator, animated recollections of Bible passages and witty illustrations, Fish out of Water makes this polarizing subject accessible and non‐threatening.
  
• 4p-9p: Ben and Jerry's Fundraiser, Napa
  To help celebrate Napa Valley LGBT Pride 2010, Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Scoop Shop in the Napa Town Center will donate 20% of your bill to the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life on behalf of Team Napa Valley Unity League! Just visit them on Sunday, June 13, 2010 between 4 and 9 p.m. When you pay for your ice cream be sure to give them a copy of this flyer: click to download.
  
  
• 6p-9p: Panchas of Yountville invaded by Guerilla Gay Bar, Yountville
  Join in for cocktails and camaraderie when Napa's Guerilla Gay Bar crew heads up to Pancha's in Yountville. 

For a list of the rest of the 20+ events for Napa Valley LGBTQ Pride 2010--you know, to plan out the rest of your amazing week to come--click here.

Napa Valley LGBTQ Pride coming June 12-20, 2010; 20+ events planned

[Update, May 28: corrected the location of the youth Pride dance to Kenney (not Fuller) Park.]

The folks behind this year's Napa Valley LGBTQ Pride have outdone themselves and scheduled 20+ events for this year's celebrations. There's bound to be something (if not many things) to get everyone involved, so get these all on your own calendars, now!

There's a "fan page" on Facebook if you'd like to follow the news, or as usual, I'll cover developments, here on The Valley's Other Fruit.

Additionally, Saturday, June 5 (10a-2p) there's a carwash fundraiser at Compadres to bring in money to fund all these amazing rainbow events.

Saturday, June 12

• 4p-9p: Tee Up Your Pride at Vintner's Golf Club
  
• 7p-11:30p: Youth Pride Dance at Pelusi Building/Kennedy Park
  

Sunday, June 13

• 9:30a-10:30a: Reconciling Sunday Service, "Creating Sanctuary for All" at First United Methodist Church
  
• 12p-4p: Pride Family Picnic at Fuller Park
  
• 4p-5:30p: "Fish Out of Water" film Screening, God & Gays, Some Perspectives at First United Methodist Church
  
• 4p-9p: Ben & Jerry's Fundraiser
• 6p-9p: Panchas of Yountville invaded by Guerilla Gay Bar
  

Monday, June 14

• 11a - 10p: Mary's Pizza Shack PFLAG Pfundraiser

Tuesday, June 15

• no events yet planned, visit napavalleypride.com for late breaking updates

Wednesday, June 16

• 2p-9p: Gott's Roadside Tray Gourmet Relay for Life Fundraiser

Thursday, June 17

• The Napa Valley Toy Company 10 & 10 Day, fundraiser for PFLAG
• 5p-9p: Chef's Market Pride Night
• 7:30p-9:30p: Downtown Joe's invaded by Napa Guerilla Gay Bar

Friday, June 18

• 6p-midnight: "You Can Leave Your Hat On!" Pride celebration, dance, food at Made In Napa Culinary Centre
  

Saturday, June 19

• 10:30a-2:30p: Pride Hike at Skyline Park
• 7p-10p: Family & "Family" bowling night at Napa Bowl
• 11p-1a: Mamma Mia sing-a-long at Cameo Cinemas

Sunday, June 20

• 10a-1p: Recovery Brunch at Characters, Napa Valley Marriott
  
• 4p-9:30p: Art Show and Poetry Reading, "Showing Our True Colors" at Bloom
  
• 4p-sunset: Ibiza Chill-Out in the Napa Valley at Bardessono
  

Napa's Guerilla Gays going to Crab Feed, Sat, Jan 23: Boys & Girls Club Fundraiser

Can't make it bowling? Love crab (and pasta and salad)? Want to support the youth of the community and have a great time at a table with fellow gays and gay-friendly folks? The Napa Guerilla Gay Bar will be grabbing a table (or two or three?) at the Boys And Girls Club of Napa Valley fundraiser on Saturday, January 23rd at the Napa Fairgrounds. Here's the details from the Guerilla Gays:

Join the Napa Guerilla Gay Bar when it invades the 18th Annual Crab Feed to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Napa Valley. The event takes place Saturday, January 23, 2010 starting at 6 p.m. in Chardonnay Hall at the Napa Valley Expo (575 Third Street in Napa)

Your $50 ticket includes:

• All-you-can-eat Crab, Pasta and Salad
• No-host bar
• Access to silent auctions, music, dancing and raffles

The organizers said that they have reserved a great table for us and are thrilled that we’ll be joining in the fun this year.

Buy your tickets at https://secureonlinegiving.com/events/site/checkout.asp?qty=2&itemID=260&eventID=135

VERY IMPORTANT:
BE SURE TO PUT "NAPA GAY BAR" IN THE FIELD THAT SAYS "FRIENDS AT YOUR TABLE". That way they'll seat you with the platoon from the Napa Guerilla Gay Bar.

Guerilla Gays go to Napa Bowl, Sat, Jan 16

Napa's Guerilla Gay Bar--that roving party group of Napa gays and friends that picks different places to "take over" each month--has announced its January missions. First up, Napa Bowl, and of course the invitation would have been lacking without its usual punny humor:

Here's a mission that will be right up your ALLEY. We think it will BOWL you over and get your mind out of the GUTTER. If you've got the time to SPARE, you'll be able to STRIKE up conversations with old friends and new acquaintances. We think you'll have a BALL!

Join the troops on Saturday, January 16, 2010 as we invade Napa Bowl (494 Soscol Avenue in Napa) starting around 6:30 p.m.

• Bowl - if you want. Games are $5.00 each. Shoe Rental is $3.00.
• Play pool or video games
• Eat! Bowling alley food is usually great. Napa Bowl features the "Lane 33 Cafe" with pizza, burgers and fries.
• Have a drink (or two). Bowling veterans know that some of the most classic "cocktail lounges" exist in bowling alleys.
• Watch. Don't feel like showing off your skills as a kegler? No problem. Just sit back, grab a beer, glass of wine, cocktail or soft drink and enjoy the fun.
• Bring the entire family. We don't often have events that are open to all ages. Well, this is one that everyone can enjoy!
• We'll even have a prize for the person wearing the coolest bowling shirt/attire.

Never bowled before? It's fun and easy. There'll be folks on hand to explain the game and scoring.

We announce Guerilla Gay Bar happenings here, but if you'd like first word, you can visit their blog anytime at napagaybar.blogspot.com, where you can subscribe to their email blasts, facebook fan page, etc.