RYAN LEE
| 8.27.2008
THE GUYS BEHIND the nightclub Traxx are legendary for their super-sized Saturday night parties during Labor Day weekend, which began before Black Gay Pride became an official event.
What isn’t so well known is where Traxx organizers are hosting their “101 Degrees” pool party during this year’s Black Gay Pride. What most people have heard is that the Aug. 31 event is set to take place at a “secret mansion location.”
“No one can drive up to the place, so we have to do a shuttle bus thing,” says Homer Hammonds, one of the co-owners of Traxx.
Attendees will gather in the Macy’s parking lot at Perimeter Mall, then board shuttle buses to the undisclosed party spot — adding a James Bond element to Labor Day weekend. The shuttle begins running at 2:45 p.m. and will make trips until 30 minutes after the party ends at 11 p.m.
The pimped-out mansion includes a VIP area and indoor dance floor, so Hammond says weather won’t be an issue.
“Rain or shine, it will still be a party,” he says.
Turning up the heat at the pool party is Alex Castro, who’s better known as Militia from “American Gladiators.” The adult film veteran is hosting a “hot body” contest, where cash and prizes are awarded to the guys who best fill out their swimsuits.
Between 1,500 and 2,000 people are expected to attend the “101 Degrees” party, which is still only about a third of the people who will fill Traxx for its Saturday night party on Aug. 30.
“It seems like it grows every year, and it’s always a day people are looking forward to when they come to the city,” Hammond says.
The R&B group Danity Kane headlines this year’s party, and cast members of the TV show-soon to be-movie "Noah's Arc" are also expected.
“We don’t ever try to give folks a flat party, and I think this year we’ve really gone out of our way to make sure everything to together and on point,” Hammond says.
XTREME ENTERTAINMENT — the masterminds behind the Lion’s Den — team up with Traxx to host a Friday night kickoff party at the Renaissance Downtown, one of the host hotels during Pride. The night includes performances by music veterans like Monifa and Trina, and newcomers like L.A. based singer Cole.
The Lion’s Den’s signature event is its Sunday night party at Club Europe Aug. 31, which is expected to get even bigger than the 4,000-5,000 people who attended last year after Club Europe built an extension tent. The party includes performances by singers Truth Hurts and Anwar Robinson of “American Idol,” a male strip show led by porn megastar Bobby Blake, and a Tyra Banks/Project Runway-inspired top model/design contest.
“Everything is about realty TV right now, and people are inspired by a lot the shows we watch,” says Gregory Allen of Xtreme Entertainment. “It’s really just about trying to keep it exciting each year.”
Xtreme also hosts a Sept. 1 all-white party at WETbar, and is helping produce the second annual State of Black Gay America summit on Aug. 30. The group is also producing a “Noah’s Arc” reunion and marathon viewing party Sept. 1, where cast members will talk about and preview the upcoming movie version of the popular Logo series.
THE “NOAH’S ARC” CREW heading to Atlanta includes creator Patrick-Ian Polk, lead actor and this week's David cover boy Darryl Stephens, Jensen Atwood ("Wade") and Doug Spearman ("Chance").
In addition to the marathon viewing on Sept. 1, the “Noah’s Arc” beauties make appearances at various Lion’s Den and Traxx events throughout the weekend.
Rounding out Black Gay Pride’s activities are workshops and forums hosted by In the Life Atlanta, several house balls, book signings at Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse, and endless parties thrown by groups like WassupNATL and Ozone Entertainment.
For our picks of parties and events during Black Gay Pride, click here.
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