New pastor ushers in MCC/ Cleveland's second year

CLEVELAND-The Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) here celebrated its first anniversary with a new pastor, Rev. Dan Richmond. Richmond comes to Cleveland with an extensive background in the ministry. His last post was with MCC/Philadelphia, and while there he served on Pennsylvania Gov. Shapp's task force on prison reform and was MCC's Director of Prison Ministries for Pennsylvania.

Richmond's plans for MCC/ Cleveland center on a membership drive to build up the congregation to the point where it can more easily support the many projects the present members have initiated. He hopes the church can reach out to a wider variety of groups in the Cleveland gay community and then. to the area community as a whole. "Basically the role of the church is spiritual, but it needs to involve it'self in the total rights of all people.". he said. Richmond announced that the location for future worship services would be 6415 W. Clinton St. (corner of W. 65th and Clinton), Cleveland.

The anniversary, on February 23, was celebrated with a pot-luck. supper and an ecumenical service. Beau J. McDaniels, district coordinator for MCC, preached the sermon, while Rev. Richmond con-

secrated the Host and distributed communion and Fr. Tim T.C.P.M.(of the Greek Orthodox Church of North America) led the general confession and pronounced absolution.. The service was attended by members from a great variety of denominations: "all good gay Christians," in Richmond's words.

Dan Richmond

Richmond expects that MCC/ Cleveland's goal of receiving a charfrom the national MCC organization will be achieved by the end of this year.

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'World's biggest disco party' good show, financial flop

by Nick Danger

What would you think about a dazzling disco concert with several well-known disco performers on stage, a colorful lighted dance floor. and a large variety of mini-acts, not to mention a live DJ spinning the best in disco records? Well, that's what we had last in Cleveland last month when the Coliseum in Rich-1 field threw "the world's biggest disco party."

But even though around 7,500 people showed up on Friday. February 13 to dance, listen to the music, watch the acts, and walk. around "doing their thing." the af fairs' promoters lost a total of $30,000. The party. was big, but not big enough to pay all the bills.

Starring performers were Donna Summer, the "Lady of Love:" Van McCoy, originator of the hustle; Faith, Hope, and Charity: and Jasper, a local band. Summer and her group, Smokes. were particularly good. She appeared on stage dressed as an Egyptian love

goddess and managed to get the audience "high on life." as she called it.

Between the live performances, disco records were played by Carl Griffith, a New York City DJ, to back up the variety acts going simultaneously on several "ministages" around the dance floor. Among the acts were an acrobat, a magician, a juggler, a sharpshooting team, and a procession of "bathing beauties."

Tiffani Middlesexx, well-known Cleveland drag performer from the Bayou Landing, did a fire act (for which accompaniment as provided by fire-baton twirler Keith Baker from Akron ) to the tune of "I'm On Fire." At one point, a couple was chosen out of the crowd for a "spotlight dance."

Richard Nadar, producer of "the world's biggest disco party.". commented that "disco is here to stay." That may be, but perhaps not on this scale-at least not in Cleveland on Friday the 13th.

Gay hotline now 'Switchboard'

CLEVELANDThe "Gay Hotline" here has a new name, office location, and hours-but the same number: (216) 696-5330. Now called the "Gay Switchboard," it will operate out of space leased from MCC/Cleveland at 2999 W. 25th St.... and will be staffed by volunteer phone answerers from 6 pm to 2 am Sundays through Thursdays and from 8 pm to 4 am Fridays and Saturdays. There are plans for a tape answering system to be set up to handle calls at other hours..

The Gay Switchboard is being funded by the Gay Educational and Awarenss Resources (GEAR) Foun-

dation, which will pay all telephone costs and the small rental to the Metropolitan Community Church. It

is hoped that establishment of the Switchboard will be only the first step towards creation of a complete Gay Community center in Cleveland.

David Holleb of GEAR is coordinating the Switchboard, assisted by David Donovan. While around a dozen volunteers have been trained to answer the phones, more are needed-women especially-and. anyone interested is urged to call and inquire.

Page A4-OHIO EAST GAY NEWS-Saturday, March 6, 1976

LANDING

BAYOU

CLEVELAND

1012 Sumner Ave. at East 9th St. (216) 621-6900

BENEFIT

FOR DISCHARGED AF T/SGT.

LEONARD MATLOVICH

TO AID IN HIS LANDMARK COURT BATTLE

APRIL 29

EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT

All drinks only 50¢

In the Bayou's Disco and the Lower Landing

THE TEXAS TORNADO

Tiffany Jones

Thursdays & Sundays 10pm

HOT go-go

จ

HOYA BOYS

WED. FRI. SAT.

Thank you CLEVELAND

FOR VOTING THE BAYOU:

*DISCOTHEQUE OF THE YEAR

*CABARET (Show Bar) OF THE YEAR

*BEST SHOW PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR (Babes in Boyland Revue) *UNITY AWARD (Jerry Batal)

*ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR/COMEDY (Tiffany Jones) *ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR/FEMALE IMPESONATOR (Tiffany Jones)

Ohio

1976

ast

AWARDS

AT THE OHIO EAST LAMBDA AWARDS HELD AT THE BAYOU, MONDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 23

bambda