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 today: golf & youth dance, Sat June 12, 2010

Today is the first day of nine days and 20+ events for Napa Valley LGBTQ Pride! There's something for everyone, including today:

• Tee Up Your Pride, 4:00pm - 9:00pm
  Vintner's Golf Club, 7901 Solano Avenue, Yountville
  Arrive and register by 3:30. At 4 PM we'll team up in foursomes (for GOLF, people!) and have a shotgun start to play nine holes in a fun "scramble" format which allows golfers of all skill levels to enjoy golfing together. There will be contest holes and prizes to make it interesting for everyone, but it's a golf outing, not a tournament, so it's not competitive...until we get to the clubhouse and start drinking!
  Even if you don't golf, anyone 21 or older is invited to join us sometime between 6 and 6:30 as the golfers will hit the clubhouse for a casual supper and a no-host bar featuring beer, wine and cocktails. Non-alcoholic drinks are included with supper.
  
  
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  Napa Valley Pride (Youth) Dance, 7 - midnight
  2296 Streblow Dr (Robert Pelusi Recreation Building @ Kennedy Park), Napa
  21 and under, substance free event
  By becoming a confirmed guest you are automatically added to our reservation list. By being a part of the reservation you pay $7 at the door to receive a wristband. If you are not a confirmed guest the price will be $10 at the door for the wristband. The reservation list does not include those who are on the 'maybe attending' list.

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.

Win/win: guess the swimmer, enjoy the abs OR How a gay man catches "olympic fever"

NBC thought it'd be fun to have a photo gallery of "guess who's fit stomach this is?" and we couldn't agree more... sorry this isn't as interesting to our full readership, but if you ever find anything that I can post for our lesbian friends, kindly drop me a line and I'd be delighted to share the love.

Play "the game" and guess the abs here.


By the way, these belong to American swimmer Brendan Hansen. Photo by NBCOlympics.com

Everything's gay to do this weekend!

Can you believe that there's actually going to be something to do in Napa this weekend?

I'm hoping that all of our readers understand that this weekend isn't just for our gay visitors...it's for us, too! So clear your calendars, change your hair appointments (or just arrange to go earlier so you can be looking GOOD) and make sure and shave your legs...

The Golden Bear Classic (gay) softball tournament isn't just bringing 1000s of gays to town, it's bringing lots of gay fun as well!

• Friday night the players arrive, so it's check-in, registration and cocktails at the hotel.
• Saturday day, everyone's invited to the fields at Silverado Middle School, Napa College/Kennedy Park, Harvest Middle School
• Saturday night needs a whole post to itself, but basically all of downtown Napa is going to be taken over by the gays for fun, with the hotspots and places to be being Napa Billiards (drag show at 11p, no cover!) and Cuvée Lounge (DJ and full bar!)
  
• Sunday day, back to the fields for more games
• Sunday day/afternoon everyone's invited to Kennedy Park for awards, picnic, barbecue, frisbee and fun
• Sunday night and Monday everyone will be doing their own thing, relaxing, enjoying Napa and the list of The Valley's Other Fruit's best recommendations

I've said it before, but I was talking to managers and owners again this afternoon, so it has me all excited: some shops aren't just welcoming shoppers, they're going to be PROUDLY welcoming with rainbow flags and specials. I'll post a list of which businesses are going the extra mile (and therefore which deserve our money) tomorrow. ;)

You joining us for any of the fun? Know of anything else going on or have any questions we can help clear up? Comment.

Gay softball tournament updates: schedule, after parties and welcoming Napa

Photos by chrisuab, steevil

We have more information and some brief updates on plans for the Golden Bear Classic softball tournament to be held in Napa on Memorial Day weekend, starting first with local news:

• The Valley's Other Fruit is working with the tournament's director & Napa's Downtown Association to roll out Napa's "rainbow carpets" in welcome and to help promote.
  
• Watch for rainbow flags in windows and storefronts of local businesses that want to share in the love that weekend. Some will be offering specials (look for a special post closer to that weekend with a list of supporting businesses and those with special offers).
  
• Napa's Mayor, Jill Techel, has written a letter of welcome to the tournament participants and supporters (way to go, Jill!) which will distributed with the programs (we'll post the letter as soon as we see it).
  

And info about the tournament's events and schedule:

• Friday night: 70 teams of players arrive from around the state and bay area and will be checking in for the tournament and staying at American Canyon's Gaia. Opening night celebration for teams and players at the hotel.
  
• Saturday day: tournament games played at Napa Valley College/Kennedey Park (open B/C div), Silverado Middle (open C div), Harvest Middle (open C div), Fairfield High (women's and open d div) school softball fields
• Saturday night: teams, players, supporters (700+ people, not counting local gays and allies that show up) hit downtown Napa for some gay fun. Local bars, restaurants, lounges and cafes welcome players and supporters and turn momentarily into gay/lesbian bars.
• Sunday day: tournament continues. Awards, recognition, picnic, barbecue, frisbee, etc. at Kennedy Park for most of the day.
• Sunday night: some players, fans, teams stay another night to enjoy Napa. No special events planned (yet?).

Breaking news:

• Already they're making plans to bring back the tournament for next year...and will move the hotel and opening night's celebration to somewhere in downtown Napa.
  

If they're playing with balls... Gay Softball in Napa?

(I hear gay athletes take their sports seriously, so I'll try to avoid any (more) unnecessary puns.)

News came in today that there will be a huge gay softball tournament in Napa on Memorial Day weekend.

I have to admit we're pretty excited (giddy, even?). After lamenting how little gay activities there are in the Valley, this comes our way... Called the Golden Bear Classic, it is hosted by the San Francisco Gay Softball League and will include 70 teams of 18 players each. That will effectively increase Napa's gay out population exponentially--for that weekend at least.

More details:

• Event weekend: May 23-25
  
• Registration on Friday night
• Games on Sat/Sunday at Napa Valley College, Harvest and Silverado ball fields
• Open B, C, D Division and Women's Divisions
• Picnic and Awards Banquet on Sunday
• Tournament website: http://www.sfgsl.org/gbc-08-index.shtml
  

I'm working to get more information about the games, events, etc. Hopefully there's an opportunity for The Valley's Other Fruit to get insider access? We'd definitely be willing to coordinate a tailgate or afterparty...

Updates soon... Special thanks to "Daithi" for the tip.