MARCH 7, 1997 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 21
EVENINGS OUT
Party, while not quite Olympian, was memorable
by Vince Morvatz Cleveland-While Olympus '97 might not have lived up to its Greek namesake, the event was still quite memorable for Cleveland's gay community. More that 1,000 people attended the event, which benefited the Cleveland Lesbian-Gay Center. Those who attended the event will most certainly remember it as an excellent attempt at Cleveland's first-ever circuit party.
The theme of the event was Greek and Roman, which lent itself well in the GrecoRoman style of the Cuyahoga County Courthouse where the party was held. The columns and vaulted ceilings of the building, along with some minimal decor accents such as small decorative columns, statues and a Roman chariot, added to the ambiance of the evening.
There were, however, some complaints among the partygoers about beer and liquor availability. Beer and soft drinks, but not liquor, were served on the main floor, at $3 for beer and $2 for pop. The bars there closed at I am. A second-floor balcony had beer, liquor and complimentary hors d'oeuvres. The admission price to this VIP area was $50, which was not advertised in advance of the event.
Many people I spoke with said they would have had no problem paying more, had they known that mixed drinks were available. Others objected to the no-smoking rule, under a city ordinance banning it in public buildings, especially the landmark courthouse. This, coupled with the drinking restrictions, put many partiers in an ill-tempered mood.
Many partygoers did, however, seem to get into the spirit of the event as they came in outfits in the colors and style of
Olympus. While some of those present should have checked their attitudes along with their coats, most seemed to enjoy the fabulous light and sound presentation on the two-story, columned atrium dance floor. Music was provided by Warren Gluck, a well-known circuit DJ from New York City.
Many people thought that this event was a true circuit party, promoted by a group from outside the northeast Ohio area. That was not the case. Olympus '97 was promoted by Tom Pagi and Cemali Emiroglu, whose P & E Entertainment is located in Cleveland.
John Farina, the Center board member who first brought the idea of co-sponsoring the event to the Center board, said that they hoped Olympus '97 would be the winter equivalent to the Dancin' in the Streets festival held in late summer to benefit the AIDS Task force of Cleveland.
"The event was very well attended, and many of those people were from out of town," Farina said. "It was a good public relations vehicle for Cleveland."
In addition to the Center, the event was sponsored by Kukala's, Clifton Web and
American Express. According to Farina, the Center, received 30 percent of the profit from the event, netting the organization $6,000. The Center also benefited from donations collected at the pre-event kick-off parties at area nightclubs The Grid, Visions, and Metronome, and a wrap-up party at Numbers.
Acknowledging that there were a "few problems," Farina commented, “I think the event went off very, very well. I think this will be a continuing fundraiser for the Center."
John Willaman and Len Kanserski as Miss Lynette Crawford, outside the marriage license bureau in the Courthouse basement.
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