TTD in D Fort? This Week: Tues-Sat: Canal Days in New Haven; Thurs: Family Fun Night @Friemann Sq.; Fri-Sun: SUMMERFEST; & Germanfest next week @HWP

Whom Doesn't Love The Follies Of Youth?

It Is Summertime In The Hoosier State! One of the first ways to tell when summer has set into full swing besides the smell of campfires and barbecue in the late night hours is all the hot young men running around shirtless in either board and khaki shorts or their underwear or other various states of nudity. The other way to tell is when grown men embrace their inner child and create a slip and slide in the middle of a dorm hallway, or a ravine, or in the middle of a particularly undisclosed *cough* City park....

Canal Days in New Haven: Shortened but better?

The tough economic times (*see below) that we are in have also affected the small town festivals we all love for that hometown flavour that sometimes gets lost in the big city. New Haven and Adams Township is hosting Canal Days this week @ Shnelker Park on Broadway (aka Trier or Landin Road in Fort Wayne). Proceed on Lincoln Highway East (or the straight road after the O'Daniel Ford Dealer on US930) and go 1 block south on Broadway to get to the Park. The festivities begin 6 p.m. Tuesday, 4 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, and Noon on Saturday, closing @ 11 p.m. each night.

UPDATE: The NEWS SENTINEL posted an article on the issues surrounding festival funding on Thursday.
Please look below this post for relevant excerpts and commentary or go to the above link for the article.

In Fort Wayne we mark the beginning of summer with a jam concert and plenty of face painting to go around and of course alcohol out the ass. This is also the time of year when all the non profits and political hacks try to get their message out to the larger community, and increase their outreach heavily. F6 would like you to remember to drink responsibly and to have a designated driver when coming to events in Fort Wayne and recommend the Yellow Taxi Cab Company phone: 260-422-1010 for your non sobriety relief and assistance. The adage is true, You came to Allen County on vacation! Will you leave on probation? Be Sober, Be Safe!

Unlike last year when the Downtown Improvement District hosted Friemann Family Fun Night this years celebration kicking off to summer is just one night on this first Thursday the 4th instead of the whole month *tears*; however this means, that a whole lot of free fun is packed into three hours for kids of all ages, including: a Mario Kart Contest to win a Nintendo DSI c/o McVan's Video Game Traders (visit website for more details) and a young Hoosier celebrity Marnee August along with the traditional balloon launch and arts and crafts.

SUMMERFEST 2009: Celebrate Summer & Say Bye-bye Hunger!

During this first weekend in June Heartland Communities, Inc along with many others have come together to present SUMMERFEST 2009 on June 5th through the 7th @ Head Waters Park where over 40 original music acts, along with other talented performers and artists as well as a varied slate of vendors, education opportunities, and activities for all ages, will be coming together to begin "Kicking-off Summer and Alleviating Hunger in 09 "! The cost for all three days, is 18 dollars; and for one day admission, 8 dollars; with a 3 dollar discount on either with the donation of a non perishable food item which will be donated to the Community Harvest Food Bank.

We also have some free events and opportunities set up throughout the event for those whom cant afford admission; plus, there are still many ways to VOLUNTEER for SUMMERFEST and earn a free wristband! SUMMERFEST [Music Website] and [Main Website] will include a skate tournament and Punk Rock concert on Friday June 5th, 2009 followed by live music by many of the local Ft. Wayne favorites of all genres of music on a stage inside the West pavilion on Saturday June 6th, 2009 and ending with an a flag football game with participants being the performers and an acoustic concert on Sunday June 7th, 2009. Right click on image and open in a new tab to view the full band schedule for SUMMERFEST.

No, of course it wouldn't be Fort Wayne without Germanfest.....

The week long festival begins @ 11 a.m. Sunday the 7th of June, 2009 with German language Mass presided over by Fr. Chuck Herman @ Saint Peter's Roman Catholic Church on DeWald Street followed by a brat dinner with "German style refreshments".

Grab your steins and learn to slap your jowels when asking your friends whats for dinner. Of course what is for dinner varies from vendor or the particular event during the week long festival but the main attraction has and will always be bratwurst and sauerkraut. Oh yeah ...I almost forgot.... and cold draft beer! There are many events going on during the week long festivities, you can plan your schedule accordingly by visiting the Germanfest Event Calendar.

The beer tent is open 10:30a.m. Wednesday and goes until midnight and opens the next three days @ 11 a.m. until midnight on Thursday and 1:00a.m. Friday and Saturday nights. Admission and meal prices vary based on the events and locations, please check ahead to plan accordingly.

FESTIVAL FUNDING: Interesting Facts To Consider

New Haven Canal Days
1. Turnout expected to be @ 25 thousand, same as last year.
2. They are not competing with GermanFest at the same time.
3. Budget for this year total 8 thousand dollars, a shortfall of 15 thousand dollars
4. Budget for last year just for entertainment 6 thousand dollars (drastic)
5. Went from 8 food vendors to 5 and major attractions/events limited or discontinued.

Three Rivers Festival
1. Currently has 52 sponsors which is only a minor deficit from last year.
2. They are approximately 34 thousand dollars short in making their budget.
3. Introducing first ever Remote Control Vehicle Racing Competition.

Source: Rain doesn't dampen Canal Days by Gina Potthoff News Sentinel 04 June 2009

SUMMERFEST 2009:

All donations are tax deductible. If you wish to donate time, money, or products, which can be either auctioned off or given away you may contact Alex or Grace personally to make arrangements for any level of sponsorship or assistance you or your company wishes to provide:
Alex MacDonald SUMMERFEST Founder
phone: 260-710-2061 email: Alexmacdonald24@hotmail.com or
Grace Strahm Heartland Communities Vice President
phone: 260-422-3853 email: musiclovestarspeace@yahoo.com

Thank you to the following (to be filled in later) for advertising and covering this event.

DISCLOSURE: The EDITOR OF F6 serves on the Board of Stewards of Heartland Communities, Inc.

Signs Of Equality From Iowa 2 Vermont & A Silent Summit City; Fort Wayne: Room For Dreams & Desires To Play Down Town; Remembering Bea Arthur

As marriage equality has been proven victorious in a recent decision by the Iowa State Supreme Court and an major majority vote by the Vermont legislature which overturned a veto by the Governor, another religious right hate group the National Organization for Marriage started to rear its head and put out a commercial citing old cases which have long since been proven inaccurate to stifle the conversation. They also began a campaign Two Million For Marriage (2M4M), which sent Rachel Maddow over the edge of her desk trying to hold back the laughter). Above is a video by Rob Tish which combats the misconceptions presented by NOM's advert.

Meanwhile in the Summit City, a small group gathered on the north side of Fort Wayne @ IPFW on the 17th to commemorate the National Day of Silence with a rally in the afternoon. On the 18th Fort Wayne PRIDE Committee held its 1st all ages PROM. On the 2nd of May United Sexualities of IPFW will be hosting "A Touch Of Pink" Dance Party @ Walb Ballroom starting at 8p with a general admission of $3 and free for IPFW students.

Random Observations: Driving Along Our Three Rivers

I was driving to my secret source for cheap cigarettes this evening and almost hit a jack rabbit that decided to bolt between the Court House and the City County Building. Every time you think Fort Wayne is a bustling metropolitan area you are reminded that no matter how big we get we are still a small farm community town at heart. Even though we have a thriving downtown area that is both dedicated and ready for future expansion to make the Downtown area truly a source of arts, entertainment, culture and diverse expressions, it is also within a fifteen minute bike ride of most of the urban areas of town. Now we just need to make it more accommodating to non vehicular traffic flow as that would improve both the access to and enjoyment by more citizens as a whole.

One of the things I noticed is that the capillary streets like Calhoun between Washington and Jefferson Boulevards should probably have a police officer directing traffic in all lanes as this is the major wrap around for traffic wanting to leave the Embassy Theatre, Grand Wayne Center, and Harrison Square, and head west instead of east. If they simply cut off this one block stretch of Calhoun to southbound traffic as people are leaving these venues and then allowed all three lanes to be used as a wrap around it would reduce congestion after these well attended events.

Room For Dreams But Nowhere To Rest Your Sore Feet

The other recommendations I would give is that as we are becoming more of a pedestrian - non automotive based economy in the Downtown area having a few courtesy officers on duty for out-of-towners and people not familiar with downtown to help guide people to their next destination would be the next appropriate step in improving the Downtown area. We need to establish crossing guards at key side street intersections as people return to their vehicles, which are typically parked a couple of blocks away from the venue they attended.

One of the more refreshing things I saw was that people were just hanging around by the hundreds outside the Grand Wayne and the Embassy Theatre, after the events had ended. We need to do more to install benches and flowers, plants, and fruit trees, along our main thoroughfares and direct arterial streets.

I do agree with City Council President Tom Smith, we need to reestablish a sit down diner or two in the direct area; however we also need to consider, adding City certified street vendor at these locations to provide a quick beverage or sandwich as people linger and enjoy a strangers company or make new friends and reacquaint with olde ones. If the goal is to get people to not just come to the Downtown area but make our inner urban area a lifestyle choice and actually play downtown, we need to be more accommodating to allow people the leisure of staying downtown for several hours after an event and not just saying, "Thanks for coming and spending sixty dollars for a twenty dollar show, now go home where it is safe." by our lack of post event hospitality and recreation opportunities.

Refreshing News; Reminders Of The Little Things

Last week when I was leaving this same secret location I noticed we had a new taxi company in town. The Yellow Taxi Cab Company Phone: 260-422-1010 headquartered off of East Pontiac Street was started approximately 9 months ago which is about the same time that the recession we are currently in hit full swing. So there is yet another sign that no matter how crappy the economy is getting Fort Wayne's entrepreneurial spirit is alive, well, and kicking ass. The reason I bring this up is one thing we seriously lack at most of our entertainment venues, especially the three previously mentioned, is a dedicated taxi lane. Having a dedicated taxi lane and disabled person drop off area and escort service (perfect job duty for the previously mentioned courtesy officers) would better serve guests and people who didn't want to drive to an event personally. On a green note and taxis, the Mayor of Seattle has ordered all taxis in the city to be high mileage hybrids by 2013.


Thank you for being a friend. Traveled down the road and back again. Your heart is true your a pal and a confidant....

As most have heard or read by now the incomparable Bea Arthur, who weaved her way into the fabric of American social political commentary and back in April 2005 graced the stage of the Scottish Rite Theatre with Billy Goldenberg to perform her show "Just Between Friends", has finally greeted her last curtain call at the age of 86.

She was introduced to America on the small screen back in the 1970's as Maude in All In The Family where she challenged America by discussing the issues surrounding abortion and sexuality. Again she would change the hearts and minds of another generation of gay men young and old everywhere as part of the Golden Girls cast for seven years. If you ever witnessed a group of gay bois try to assign each other to their role of Blanche, Rose, Sophia, and Dorothy, you begin to understand the impact one voice and a woman with strong character can have on the hearts and minds of a generation.

Bea Arthur is within her own lifetime a legacy and in her own right a saint. No worries there is one slice of chocolate cheesecake left at the banquet table for you Dorothy.


Star Wars Holiday Special - Cantina Song

TTD In Da Fort: Take your Partner on free date? ART OFF MAIN Opened @ Masonic Temple; Cultural/Community Credit Program to be reformatted in 3 months.

One of the things that F6 is fond of promoting is community events and cultural forums, especially those which are at a greatly reduced cost, or with certain hours where it is open to the public to attend for free. As a typical rule anything over twenty dollars a person F6 does not promote, unless it is just that phenomenal, or GLBT related, and then we must promote it.

The Downtown Improvement District and the Fort Wayne Museum of Art have done exactly that in each category with their latest ART OFF MAIN project hosted by Comcast, Fort Wayne Metals, and WMEE 97.3FM. The event opened last night from 6-9P @ The Masonic Temple on East Washington Blvd. at the intersection of Barr Street with an open reception and fashion show. On Saturday the 14th, St. Valentines Day, there is a $75/per couple Art & Heart Dinner which includes dinner by Club Soda, two drink tickets, live entertainment and admission to the ART OFF MAIN exhibit. Spaces are limited so if this is something that interests you call 260-420-3266 an reserve your table.

Now as for the rest of us who are just trying to get by and have to scrape just to get a double cheeseburger at McDonald's. There are also four opportunities for us to take our significant others out on the town for a romantic date even for just a couple of hours. Today and tomorrow from 12N-4P as well as Wednesday the 11th and Friday the 13th from 4P-8P the exhibit is open to the public for free, yes free! At 2P today there is also a theatrical performance and tomorrow, also @ 2P, there is a Home Grown Bead & Candle Shoppe demonstration.

Take the opportunity to expand your horizons, explore the rich culture that Fort Wayne has to offer. Impress your partners with your astute thinking and frugality all at the same time! And then afterward you can still afford to take them to Subway and split a five dollar foot long or to Wendy's for two chocolate or vanilla frosties and junior bacon cheeseburgers or five piece chicken nuggets, which also comes to about five dollars. Both restaurants are just around the corner from the Temple.

This way you get diner and date all for five dollars and it will only cost you a little bit extra for a baby sitter. If you have no relatives that will give you a break and do it for free, I can recommend a wonderful single mother of two, Grace Strahm, personally (pictured to the right, during the Save Maumee Earth Day Project, last year), and you may contact her via MySpace or email directly. As a reminder, this year the River Cleanup will happen on Divine Mercy Sunday, the 19th of April, from 11A-5P @the Pemberton Dike off North Anthony Blvd.

To follow up on a previous post The Fort Wayne Museum of Art has free admission on Wednesdays and the first Sunday of the month from 12N-5P. As an aside, and please pardon the queening out, but this is for all of my Pagan and spiritually sensitive readers in the regional area, and anybody willing to travel:

HELLO! What a better time then a Friday the 13th to be in the Masonic Temple touring an art exhibit, okay!.

The other thing that I began working on the year before last, is development of a Cultural Studies Community Service Credit Reserve Program, CS3Rivers for short, where someone receives a credit voucher for community service ($1-2/hour), which can then be used for admission and snacks at a local theatre or sports venue to catch play or a game of any one of our many semi professional and professional sports teams and performance troupes along our three rivers. It is a slow process finding the support mechanisms and networking with the different organizations around town. I serve on the Board of a Non Profit that is willing to charter the program; so over the next three months or so, I will be working to flush out the plan and get it in motion. If anyone wants to help with this program contact me via email or leave a comment below. And please note this program is a joint effort headed by my Pastorate, F6 Queer Views Of Life Along Our Three Rivers, and Heartland Communities, Inc.

UPDATE: After visiting the ART OFF MAIN Exhibit @ The Masonic Temple on Friday the 13th, Those whom are 21 and over @8P can stop by After Dark Night Club 1601 South Harrison (5 blocks from the Grand Wayne Center) for "A Legend In My Own Mind" Cabaret Show hosted by DellaLicious with provided accompaniment by Mark Sampson to benefit ATF's Jack Ryan House & Community Harvest Food Bank.