The last couple of weeks have been interesting.
First, there is an article in a newspaper here talking about the gay scene. Many people think it is very positive and it is a good way of highlighting the positive aspects of the community here. Then, the raid and closing of Arena and all its businesses happens. No one knows for sure what prompted this action, but I think it is safe to say that many people were caught off guard. Arena has been re-opened, but the hotel and spa are still closed. They are still working out getting whatever necessary permits are needed.
I just got off the phone with Kelvin. I told him that I would like to speak (short interview) with him and publish the conversation here. This way, we can get the story direct from him. The stories I have heard are just mind-boggling. Anyway, Arena is returning in a big way. They are having big shows the entire weekend, starting this Friday. Let the battle begin!
Like many places in the States, it has been raining, and raining and raining some more here. Finally, a little sun is starting to peek through.
The July 4th weekend is coming up and many people are expected to come down for a visit. Many more people that I know of wanted to come down this weekend, but the tickets have been extremely high. So, that means you should buy your tickets NOW for Labor Day. Anwyway, for those in town, along with the packed weekend at Arena, you can also should checkout David Lee's blog for what is going on at the Sports Bar. I have not spoken to Jerry, but I am sure that he has something in store for this weekend at Jay-Dee's.
Byron, formerly of Casa New Yorker, is now blogging again. He has some very interesting takes on life in Santo Domingo. I encourage you to checkout his blog and tell him to blog more. Oh yeah, ask him to post more of those photos!
I don't know what is going on with the new Hotel Discovery, near the Parque de Independencia (Independence Park). Everytime I go by I get the story that it will be open in a couple of weeks. I am starting to see some furniture being moved in, but there doesn't seem to be a rush to open. The summer is the slow season here, so I would look for them to be open by the fall, if not sooner. Either way, it looks like it will be a very nice place whenever they decide to get it together.
It is official. Star Jones is leaving the view. I like Star Jones. But, then I also like Kathie Lee Gifford. Love her, or hate her. Star Jones is going to be alright. Give 'em hell, Star!
That's all for now.
UPDATE: (Saturday, July 1 , 12:14am)
I spent a couple of hours with Kelvin, manager of Arena, on Thursday. Very interesting conversation and out of respect for him and the situation going on here, I have decided not to add any gasoline to the fire. I agree with him, let´s let things quiet down a bit and get back to normal. We can see if we can address certain issues in the future.
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24 comments:
akxxrbktHow come no comments. Is the blog working?
How about an update on the protest held last Sunday in Santo Domingo by the gay community? Was there alot of people marching? Was it covered by the press or the news media? Was it successful? Did you attend?
How about Leon's disco opening last night?
Maybe some of us are tired of reading about Arena, Leon, and Star Jones' problems and just don't give a damn anymore.
I too (as the first poster did) wondered why it took so long for someone to post on this topic. Maybe the 4th poster is correct in what he wrote too. Anyway, I would like to know how the gay rally/protest went in the Colonial Zone? Any info on this?
From Puerto Rico,
Rafael
I'm tired of that leon/arena posting as well. People can only say so many things, until they start to repeat. I don't think that rally went very well, I've not heard anyone here in NYC talking about it, not even the dominican gays up here. One of my friends who was in Santo Domingo at the time of the rally say he saw on tee shirt promoting the rally, their ad said that the first 50 people would get tee shirts, did 50 people show up?
The only news I got was from the blabeando blog: http://blabbeando.blogspot.com/
Ah, Okay.
Just got back from the Sports Bar, and boy was the gossip going. Let me say first, that this is what is being said on the street as of this writing. If I find out some information is wrong, then I will correct it.
Here goes:
I heard, and this is according to my very good sources, that the rally was not very well attended. At least not as well attended as some would have others believe. I spoke with a couple of folk who were there. The place where it was held, Parque Duarte, is the hangout for many people on the weekends. That being said, I have not heard about it being discussed in the media. If someone else has some comment on the issue, bring it.
As for the new club opening, I heard that it was full of drag queens from San Vicente (not that there is anything wrong with that). Saturday night there was a hip hop party. I was just informed by someone who worked there that the owner (Not Leon!)of the building (it is being rented) was shot last night because of some drama with the hip hop party taking place there Saturday night. Will get more information as it becomes available.
Lastly. Tired of reading about Arena and things? Then excercise your right and move on.
More as it becomes available ..
I also heard from one of the employees of that new disco, that the owner of the building got shot in a "drive by" in front of the disco and he is still in the hospital, something about hip/hop boys who were put out of Saturday nights concert. The Dominican gays are all talking about the fact that this new "gay" disco is only gay on certain nights and the other nights it is being rented out to hip/hop artist and with that element comes the hate and violence associated with gay hate crimes. I've been down here for two weeks now and I saw the excitement and anticipation of the gay dominicans for the opening night last friday, but as I was in the conde last night, NO ONE was talking about going to the new disco and it was open last night and featured an old Dominican singing performer from way back when. My question is....What happens on the night that the hip/hop boys make the mistake of showing up on "gay" disco/drag queen night? A "Gay" Drive By???
Drag queens from San Vicente are in reality dangerous thugs looking for the unwary tourist... And with the pass-by shooting...forget it! my insurance dont work in the DR neither.
went last night and it was not many people there. place is nice but they were charging 200 pesos for vickiana and no drink! it seems to be a nice place but i don´t think i will go back.
Vickiana is an ole bitch who used to be popular in the late 70s early 80s in SD. Believe me, she is not Cher nor Diana Ross who seem to last forever!
Where is this new club, Fantasy Stars? I would like to run the area by a couple of my Dominican friends and see what they believe the danger level is. I can't get an address or barrio or anything else as to where to find it.
it is in villa consuelo or villa francisca. can´t remember which.
"As for the new club opening, I heard that it was full of drag queens from San Vicente"
KEY WORD FULL!!!
yeah but sunday it was dead. key word DEAD.
Health insurance, as much dick as you suck in the DRama you should be concerned with STDs not a bullet and your creditcard at the hospital. get realz MS
..but where is this new club?
Dear Miss Where is the club, ditts queen, again, the club is in Villa Consuelo, a barrio/ghetto, where the little boys carry guns and will kill you. As for the key word full, the real word is that on Friday night, 90% of the people coming into the new disco, ENTERED FREE, so it sounds like SOMEONE paid to "stack the deck" to give the impression that there really were a lot of people interested in the new disco located in the dangerous area of Villa Consuelo. I've also heard that taxi cabs are being stopped by police, passengers are being removed, and both passengers and cars are being searched for drugs and then being shaken down for bribe money, because they wait in the area of the new bar to see gays coming there by taxi. I also heard that certain taxi drivers are charging between 250 and 300 pesos to move clients from the colonial zone/gazcue to the new disco. The real price girls should be around 150-200 pesos. So if you see a red and white van, which was also seen moving van loads of "non-paying clients" into the disco on friday, don't be taken for a ride, if you know what I mean. Just be aware of all the tricks and bullshit that is going on with this new dangerous disco.
To the anonymous news reporter second to last above:-
Do you live in SD? Do you have all the facts? Do you really know what you're reporting?
Phrases like "the real word" and "I've also heard" (not seen or been there)make me wonder.
You don't have to identify yourself, but at least give us your credentials about the authenticity of what you're telling us.
Do you live in SD?
To the last comment at 2:59am..... you are up pretty late darling. To answer your question, NO, I DO NOT LIVE IN SANTO DOMINGO, but I have many dominican friends both here in New York and in Santo Domingo. I travel to the dr a lot and I want to make sure that I am safe, so I will continue to comment on what I hear from my very good sources of information. If you have other information that disputes my information, lets hear it. I don't make up things to cause conflits, like some other people who comment on this blog.
2:59 is East Coast Time, Dahhhling. Not all of us live in New York or DC (thank God!)
some places should be left for the locals afterall it's still 3rd world, poor,uneducated and limited police oh yeah the corrupted ones.
MS next birthday bash you can show me where you buy your drugs for those bouts with STDs and Scabies.i'll make sure i'll attend one of the parties. I just copy how you post,once as MS and then annonymous watches as you gasp haha
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