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Merry, Merry Martini Mixer at Mercury Hall
The Merry, Merry Martini Mixer is as guileless as a University of Texas freshman peeking into Oilcan Harry’s for the first time.
Becca Powell and Tim Haney
It’s got martinis. Those boys lubricate social mixing. Nothing more complicated than that.
Michael Thad Carter (working on a photographic project about Lady Ga Ga fans), Michael Gomez and Tim McCabe (leaving for Thailand)
The annual event — now in its fifth year — raises money for Equality Texas, the anti-discrimination advocacy group. I’m guessing it raises a lot of dough, because this baby was sold out way before Saturday, when it returned to the magical Mercury Hall, an easy stroll from our home.
Bobby Levinski, Josh Lodolo and Andrew Knox
I arrived a bit late to find the interior of the converted church already massed with merry-makers. The volume of the music drove me and other slightly older gay men and lesbians (and their allies, as always) out to the white tent stationed nearby.
Adam Ayres (leaving for Odessa) and Jan Patterson (running for Court of Appeals)
After an ugly Friday, weather-wise, this night matched the good feelings shared inside the tent. Conversations overlapped conversations. Martinis were greeted with martinis. It wasn’t formal and it wasn’t entirely casual.
Adam Garner (Trigger Studios) and Danielle Thomas (Big Green House)
Yet it was consummately social. At one point, looking around, I wondered why someone hadn’t opened a downtown lounge for this particular crowd. Clearly, they love the lounge vibe. The side bars at Rain and OCH — even Charlie’s — sometimes feel like this.
Regina Miles and Heather Aidala
Two of my conversation mates told of leaving town. One was a tale of hope: Real estate wizard Tim McCabe (W Hotel and Residence) is off to Thailand to teach orphans English and soccer. Dear, dear Adam Ayres, however, has been banished by the economy to (gulp) Odessa.
Danny Ramon and Kane Hosmer (great name!)
I’m hearing that more and more: People who would really rather stay here, but can’t afford it. The jobs just aren’t here, and those that are, don’t pay well enough to keep up with our area’s cost of living. Drat!
Liz Lurie and Laramie Gorbet
If this situation holds, we are going to lose some of that creative class we’ve nurtured all these years. I have no solutions. One can only downsize so far. All I know is that Odessa is almost never the answer. (Even loving West Texas as much as I do.)
Jason Scheffel and Brandon May
Back to the party: Equality Texas leaders say the Merry, Merry event has outgrown Mercury Hall. Next year, it’s moving to the Sheraton Austin. Well, that will be a different event, but I’m sure just as popular.
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By Greg
January 18, 2010 7:41 PM | Link to this
I wonder if what you think of Odessa came from "Friday Night Lights" the book, and if it's still that way. Would Adam Ayres feel lonely out there, or could he make things better in the land of Mojo?