The BRAT PACK

I didn’t mean to bust any cherry blossoms but I just couldn’t help myself! In my best Andrew McCarthy getup fresh from the runways of Treasure Vintage and a ½ a can of hairspray later, I joined Brat Pack SoChilites for the PRETTY IN PINK party @ The SoChi Gallery. OK, I’m an event planner and I dig a theme party! I’ve been wanting to do this particular party for a long time…so I could pass up the timing, heck, the city is washed in Pollen & Pink! Perfect timing!

Brat Packers included “Hostess Gift” bearing Carey Pickard, Betsy Delves in her terrif 80’s Eyebrows, Curtis & MTV’d Jenn Hayslip, Rachel Dobson, Pretty in Pink Anna Payne and husband, Ron “Captain America,” Purple haired punkers Amy & Clayton Hellis, the ever-chic in sparkly pink Priscilla Esser and Jimmy Leg Ned…OH, and the “Isn’t That Nice, Like Miami Vice” Jesse Gertwig-Moore and his Pink Pretty Sarah. The BIG 80’s Hair award goes to BJ Dunwody…whose mile high hair was complimented by the long low-hanging curl! The list goes on, but I promise they were all PRETTY IN PINK! Especially Mitch Kersey was smashing in his prom dress!

The signature PINKtinis went down smooth…so smooth in fact that one guest couldn’t find her way out of the bathroom. Claimed she was locked in .. only the lock was on the inside. “It ain’t a party til something gets broke!” Well that something was the bathroom door at The SoChi Gallery. Girlfriend in a coma, I know, I know, It’s serious! How does it end, you ask? She got busted loose thanks to the brawn of SoChi architect Gene Dunwody, Jr. OH, did I mention to 80’s sled parked at the front door? Thanks Onie Sanders! Did you get a photo of the Drag queen on the hood?

I must give a major shout out to DJ Kevin Nichols of DKH Entertainment & Macon Lights! He ROCKED it old school with the 80’s Tunes & vintage MTV videos & the amazing pink lights! Thanks Man!

OK, what about that Lawnmower Grand Prix in Third St. Park! Were you there? Those lawnmowers flying…literally! One of the professional racers crashed in his best “It ain’t a party til something gets broke” kind of way. Long story short the ambulance took him away in a stretcher amidst great fanfare. I must give props to “Little Miss John Deere” aka Ashley Smith for doing an outstanding job emceeing the event….decked out in a John Deere cap with her best racer fan center-part and cowboy boots!

I’m putting on my PEOPLE MAGAZINE hat for a sec: I had the pleasure giving a MAGA T-Shirt to actor Timothy Olyphant on Sunday. He is the star of THE CRAZIES, which is currently being filmed here. Actor/Director Spike Lee is in town on a scouting mission. Former Maconite & MAGA survivor Carrie Preston is in the new film DUPLICITY starring Julie Roberts & Clive Owen is in theatres now! Go check out Carrie’s Appletini!

Now, I’m off in search of a Cherry Blossomtini!


Future Love Paradise
Artist Stephen Kennedy’s first Macon show at the Contemporaty Arts Exchange First Friday, April 3rd

Correction
Sorry, I made a mistake in last week’s TOAST. I messed up my wife’s recipe for the dip. Here is the corrected version:

JUST PEACHY AND A LITTLE NUTTY TOO DIP

INGREDIENTS

1) 3 16OZ TUBS PHILLADELPHIA CREAM CHEESE

2) 1 18OZ JAR PEACH PRESERVES

3) 1 16OZ BAG PECAN HALVES

3) 1 8OZ TUB SOUR CREAM

4) 1 STICK BUTTER

5) 1 TBS SALT

6) 1 TBS SUGAR

DIRECTIONS

1) PREHEAT OVEN TO 425*

2) LINE A BAKING SHEET WITH PECANS

3) MELT BUTTER IN MICROWAVE

4) POUR OVER PECANS

5) BAKE 20 MINUTES

6) IN A BOWL MIX CREAM CHEESE, PEACH PRESERVES, SOUR CREAM

7) TAKE PECANS OUT OF OVEN WHEN READY. POUR INTO BOWL, MIX SALT AND SUGAR AND THEN SPRINKLE OVER PECANS UNTIL WELL COATED.

8) COOL PECANS, CHOP PECANS WELL. MIX WELL INTO CREAM CHEESE MIXTURE

SERVE WITH BIG WHEAT THINS.

Petit Gently

The Toast of the Town was, well, The Toast of the Town @ this week’s “Peaches, Pecans & Pralines” Fundraiser for The Mentor’s Project, Center for Racial Understanding, Tubman Museum & Volunteer Macon. Ashley Smith & I were “celebrity chefs” representing TOAST OF THE TOWN lifestyle blog. Ashley served her Praline Chicken Salad and I served my wife’s original recipe: Peaches & Pecan dip…which was a hit! I can’t take an ounce of the credit. Here is Kim’s recipe:
JUST PEACHY AND A LITTLE NUTTY TOO DIP

1) 3-16OZ TUBS PHILADELPHIA CREAM CHEESE

2) 1-18OZ JAR SMUCKERS PEACH PRESERVES

3) 1-16OZ BAG PECAN HALVES

4) 1-8OZ TUB SOUR CREAM

5) 1 STICK BUTTER

6) 2 TBS SALT

7) 2 TBS SUGAR
Throw it all in a mixer and push play! Serve with Wheat Thins. Hmm, Hmm, Good!

This past Friday the 13th brought some serious Jazz to Maconga. So what’s a boy to do? Of course, throw a SwankFest. NYC’s George Petit Quartet played a private gig @ The SoChi Gallery on Friday night. The band was utterly amazing and in this intimate setting…life don’t get no better! I was standing there amazed that these World-Class NYC Jazz Musicians were playing in my gallery! It was SO a night to remember, that is if you didn’t have to many of the signature cocktails: the Petit Gently…a swanky red concoction – vodka based, of course! Good To Go Catering provided the munchies. Their hot crab dip rocks!

Saturday night brought the George Petit Quartet to the Cox Capitol Theatre. The event was sponsored by the Jazz Association of Macon and the Macon Film Festival. This was simply the most amazing musical experience that I have ever had in Macon, Georgia! If you missed it….You certainly missed out!

Post Petit was a little late night After Party @ Ned & Priscilla Esser’s for a little mix, mingle & late night Karaoke! The band and select guests were fortunate enough to get an invite….The band boys were so down to earth and were loving the local flava. We were begging them to make another trip down soon. My Toast of the Week go to the Swankiest SoChilite in town, Priscilla Esser. Not only did she bring home the bacon (George Petit Quartet) she also fried it up in a pan (catering the post Petit After Party.) The gal is A-mazing!

The evening however did end on a sour note: I sang Karaoke. OK, it was my first time. Albeit, I murdered John Denver’s “Annie’s Song.” Sanging ain’t my fortay! But, I do sorta see karaoke bars in my future!

Future Love Paradise

“PRETTY IN PINK” Party
Attire: 80’s Retro or just come as your best Brat Packer from the 80’s hit flick. Friday, March 20th. 8pm Admission: $10. Cash Bar. The SoChi Gallery

2nd Annual Lawnmower Grand Prix in Third Street. Watch professional lawnmower racers reach speeds of 60 mph as they race around Third Street Park. Saturday, March 21st Free Event

Middle GA Youth Ballet PINK TUTUS & JAZZY BLUES Sunday, March 29th 2:30pm Grand Opera House $8 Students/Seniors $10 Adults For info: 478-301-5470

I Love Rock-n-Roll, Put Another Dime in the Jukebox, Baby!
Upcoming concerts @ Chastain Park, Atlanta:

HALL & OATES, April 17th SEAL, April 18th HEART & JOAN JETT, May 24th THE FRAY, June 12th BLONDIE w/ PAT BENETAR, August 2nd

7" DOES Make a Difference!

Have you ever been a Playmate of the Month? Well, my tribe is the Family of the Month for the March issue of Georgia Family Magazine. I can only imagine what these Playboy centerfolds go through. It’s a strange sensation knowing that strangers are getting a peak into your personal space and judging you. I have to say it’s been a positive experience much in the way that the Girls Next Door feel towards Hef. I would have to say our “Hef” has been writer Angela Hall Weight who has confessed her desire to be a SoChilite!

Ok, here’s the situation, your co-worker desperately needs a makeover! How do you approach the situation? Well, my right arm Mary Brooke is a peach, a doll – but that hair will stop traffic…and not in a good way! So off to the Amanda Jane Salon she trotted. Stylist Mitch Kersey said, ”We all know Mary Brooke is a hot mess in her own right but when she came in, she gave the term a whole new meaning.” After some caramel & blonde highlights minus 7 inches in length, she went from Nappy to Snappy! And now, we’re all Happy! Thanks Mitch!

It’s First Friday in Macon, Georgia…what to do: dinner at the country club or drag with the Queens downtown? Nobody mixes a Grey Goose & Tonic quite like Val, but my kids chose the Drag Queens and we headed SoChi for First Friday. The art opening at Macon Arts Gallery was our starting point. Dinner at Acapulco Mexican Restaurant was a food fiesta. Try their Avocado Salad with Steak and Italian Dressing & the Raspberry Margarita.

With a full tank we headed down Cherry and ran into a queen in full drag regalia. “Dude looks like a Lady!” One by one they emerged: Tangerine Summers, Raveon, Deonna Sage & Asia - holding court curb-side as their royal subjects applauded and handed them not roses, but dollars. Famed Dragger Charlie Brown was in town for a special performance at Club Synergy. You club kids of the 80’s will remember “Ms” Brown from the late night Atlanta nightclub Backstreet. Don’t deny it….you’ve been there.

Bite of the week: The Seafood Nachos @ The Shamrock! Hey now, even SoChilites have to venture NoChi occasionally.

The economy sucks but we still must SoChilize! Keep your eye on the prize….This Too Shall Pass!
Check Priscilla Esser’s new blog: “The Fabulous SoChi Life!” http://priscyesser.blogspot.com/

Future Love Paradise
The Jazz Association of Macon presents renowned Jazz musician George Petit in concert @ CCT, March 14th. For tickets, contact the Cox Capitol Theatre.

Pretty in Pink Costume Party @ The SoChi Gallery… Attire: 80’s Retro or your Brat Packer. Admission: $10. Cash Bar. Friday, March 20th. 8pm.

Lawnmower Race in Third Street
Saturday, March 21st Free Event

Middle GA Youth Ballet PINK TUTUS & JAZZY BLUES
Sunday, March 29th
2:30pm Grand Opera House
$8 Students/Seniors $10 Adults. For info: 478-301-5470

I Love Rock-n-Roll, Put Another Dime in the Jukebox, Baby!
Upcoming concerts @ Chastain Park, Atlanta:
HALL & OATES, April 17th
SEAL, April 18th
HEART & JOAN JETT, May 24th
THE FRAY, June 12th
BLONDIE w/ PAT BENETAR, August 2nd

The SnowChi Life!

While at a wedding reception at The Hay House on Saturday the buzz was about the snowcast…seriously, it was 72 degrees! I thought of blowing off the reception and going home for a swim and soak up a little sun before the winter storm came. This was a meteorologist’s snowjob, right? Wrong!
Sunday’s “winter wonderland”, as my mom referred to it, was a freaking miracle! The kids of SoChi were in full assault mode….snowballs were flying and snow walls were constructed in the street in hopes that if school wasn’t canceled for Monday then surely cars wouldn’t be able to exit the hood. These kids were like an ant army, working together for a common, yet sinister, goal. It Snowed in SoChi!
Have you ever been the Playmate of the Month? Well, my family is the Family of the Month for the March issue of Georgia Family Magazine. I can only imagine what these Playboy centerfolds go through….it’s a strange sensation knowing that strangers are getting a peak into your personal space and judging you. I have to say it’s been a positive experience much in the way that the girls next door love Hef. I would have to say our “Hef” has been Photographer Steve Shroeder & writer Angela Hall Weight who has confessed her desire to be a SoChilite!
Bite of the week: The Seafood Nachos @ The Shamrock! Hey now, even SoChilites have to venture NoChi occasionally!

Future Love Paradise

The L Word’s Series Finale. Sunday @ 9pm on Showtime. Sadly, it’s time to say goodbye to the hottest lesbians on television.

The Jazz Association of Macon presents renowned Jazz musician George Petit in concert @ CCT, March 14th. For tickets, contact the Cox Capitol Theatre.

I Love Rock-n-Roll, Put Another Dime in the Jukebox, Baby!
Upcoming concerts @ Chastain Park, Atlanta:
HALL & OATES, April 17th
SEAL, April 18th
HEART & JOAN JETT, May 24th
THE FRAY, June 12th
BLONDIE w/ PAT BENETAR, August 2nd