I’d like to thank everyone that has come together to support the community in so many ways.

This week’s interview is one of those very people. I’m happy to introduce Shannon Bowman of Motley Media.

AltDaily:What do your friends and loved ones call you?

I’ve never really had a nick-name, so really, just Shannon. I occasionally get called the White Tornado at home because I move pretty quickly and I make decisions pretty quickly and act on them right away.

What is your involvement and/or position with the LGBT community of Hampton Roads?

Aside from just being a general member of the gay community, I was a founding member and past President of Hampton Roads Business OutReach (HRBOR), I’ve served on the steering committee for Equality Virginia Legends for the last five years and am currently on the Board of Directors for the state-wide group. I sit as the Marketing Chair for the Advisory BOD for the ODU Gay Cultural Studies - an endowment campaign to raise money so that ODU can create a Queer Studies Program at ODU. I am also currently on the Sponsorship Committee for Out In The Park. Guess I’m just covering all my basis between political, business and social!

Shannon.

Who has been the most inspirational figure in your life, and why?

Carrie Fisher - see the braveness test below.

If you could have lunch with one person in Hampton Roads, who would you choose, why, and where?

Barry Friedman from Birdland Records (in Kempsville). I think I spent about 75% of the money I made in high school and college in that record store. Barry’s knowledge of music and passion for sharing music is awesome! And of course, we would order in at Birdland!

What is your proudest accomplishment?

I’m pretty proud of getting involved in the LGBT community and being a part of the change necessary for equal rights. It’s more of a shared accomplishment of utilizing my business at Motley Media Concepts to work on legislative issues with Equality Virginia, helping to form HRBOR, working with ODU, etc. I’ve met some of the most awesome people in the gay community and supporters of the community. I’ve learned a great deal about advocacy and what it takes to make change!

What is the thing you love the most about Hampton Roads?

I’m starting to really appreciate the sense of community that I am experiencing. I am seeing it more and more – especially in Norfolk, Town Center in Virginia Beach, etc. This feeling of being a part of the area doesn’t just come to those who wait. You’ve got to get out, get involved and be a part of that community and help make the area what you want it to be.

What is the thing you hate the most about Hampton Roads?

I get frustrated when people blast Hampton Roads for not being something else. Whether it’s cultural events, restaurants, politics, etc. Often times the people who do most of this complaining are never involved in the change necessary to make a community thrive.

What advice you would give 16-year-old you?

Don’t sweet the small stuff and enjoy being 16. Don’t be in such a rush to buy a new car, get in debt and be a slave to working – cause you’re gonna be doing it for a long long time! Oh and travel as much as you can. Europe is awesome.

The Braveness Test… What’s the most embarrassing thing the general public could know about you?

Well, most people that know me know that I’m pretty much a goof and pretty open about most things that would be embarrassing to others. I’m an avid Star Wars fan, love Zombies and a horrible dancer – all of these things most people already know about me :)

What’s the place to be in the next seven days?

Hopefully – asleep. I’ve had several major projects that are due this week, plus events such as EV Legends and the Out in the Park fundraiser – I’m beat!

Now for this week’s events…

FRIDAY MAR 11TH

The Hershee bar invites you to a night of drag with your host Jessica Devereaux. “Bring your happy feet” and enjoy a show with special guest your Queen of Pride, Sydney Devereaux, your King of Pride Josh Logan, Naomi Black and more. Show starts at 10pm and will wrap up around 12am. Cover charge is $5.

SATURDAY MAR 12TH

The Virginia Stage Company will host a night OUT for “The Last Five Years,” directed by our very own Patrick Mullins, at Wells Theater. Drinks at 7, curtain will rise at 8pm. There will be socializing and drinks. Tickets are $28. A portion will benefit HR Pride/Out In The Park and can be reserve by calling Janelle at 757.627.6988.

The Virginia Stage Company

The Hampton Roads Men’s Chorus presents Pamela Stanley for one night only of Broadway and dance hits from 8pm to 10pm at the Kaufman Theater in Norfolk. She will be introducing her new album so come out and hear her sing along with the guys. For tickets go here.

The Hebar presents Audrina Adams Deville for the last time from 11pm to 2am. This will be a farewell show for Audrina, who is moving to Tampa, FL. Come out and see Audrina perform for the last time as a local along with an array of other special guest.

Hug a Lesbian

TUESDAY MAR 15TH

Tuesday is Hug a lesbian day. Support your favorite lesbians by wearing orange and hugging ever lesbian you can.

LOCAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Hampton Roads Pride is still looking for volunteers to help with Out in the Park and other fundraisers. If you would like to purchase and/or sale for our Partylite fundraiser, please contact me at 2dmiller6@gmail.com.

Don’t have any open space in your schedule for volunteering, but would still like to help? No problem. To donate, you can contact any of the board of directors or mail checks/money orders to Hampton Roads Pride P.O. Box 1064 Chesapeake, VA 23327 or by PayPal.

A group of firefighters who call themselves The Misfits have come together to spread the word that our friend Sara Jones needs our help. As many of you know, she is a big inspiration in our community and is battling her third fight with breast cancer, which has metastasized to her bones. The former firefighter has been one of our strongest. The Misfits are asking you to start a blizzard of dollars by sending one dollar to Sara Jones P.O. Box 270183 West Allis, WI 53227. This money will go to help pay for the $60,ooo in medical bills that insurance will not cover. Team Jonesy appreciates your support.

ONGOING WEEKLY EVENTS

The Rainbow Cactus Co.- Wednesdays, 18+ (other days 21+). Latin dance lessons 8pm to 10pm; DJ Airrick 10pm till 2am. Thursdays, Karaoke with KJ Jimmy and pool tournament at 8pm. Fridays, two DJs drag racing contest and drag performance at 10:45pm. Saturdays drag show at 10:45pm. Sundays, 18 and up, dinner specials, college ID gets you in for free, Wet-n-Wild contest and drag show at 10:45pm. (Open Mondays 6:30pm-11pm and W-Sun 7pm-2am).

Sarah’s Irish Pub-Tuesdays, LGBT Night from 6pm to 9pm.

Lavender Light Dinner, Williamsburg- Tuesdays, dinner at a different venue every week from 6:30pm to approximately 8:30pm. Contact Terri at baileygurle@yahoo.com.

UNO’s Chicago Grill- Pride night on Wednesdays.

TRANSition your Life Clinic -1pm to 4pm, Free and confidential HIV testing, health screenings, and prescriptions for hormone therapy. ID and Social Security card required for appointment. Call 757-640-0929 or 757-640-0929 to schedule an appointment.

Klub Ambush-Mondays, Hanging out with guys. Tuesdays, Sandra Lopez and Show cast. Wednesdays, The Naomi Black Show. Thursdays, male dancer and different weekly host. Fridays, Dance party host DJ Red man and Noami Black. Saturdays, different Diva Saturday. Sundays, SIN Sundays specializing in service industry night. (Open Mon-Sun 5pm-2am. All shows start at midnight).

The Wave-Tuesdays, Goth night with DJ Danny. Wednesdays, studio Wave disco (TBA for Jan 2011). Thursdays, Throwback Thursdays with DJs Danny and Drew B. Fridays, Indie/New age/alternative/club step night with DJs Danny and Drew B. Saturdays, House night with DJs Stan, Jeff Lube and Danny. (Open Tues & Thurs 10pm -2am, Fri 5pm-2am, Sat 10pm-3am).

The Garage-Mondays, steamed shrimp 5 for $1, or oysters 3 for $1. Tuesdays, 50 cent tacos and Karaoke. Wednesdays, Drag spectacular with Porsche Stephens-Ross and male dancers. Thursdays, Supper specials for $7. Fridays, $5 Crab cake plate or $6 Shrimp plate and men’s night out with DJ Glen. Saturdays, Party with Disc Jockey DJ. Sundays, Karaoke and Tea dance at 4pm, male dancers at 8:30pm and drag show with male dancers at 11pm. (Open 8am-2am M-F, Saturday Noon-2am, and Sundays 10am-2am).

The Hershee Bar/He Bar-Mondays, shoot pool for free. Tuesdays, Steak dinner for $5 and Karaoke with Jimmy. Wednesdays, shrimp night and Wednesday Happy hour. Thursdays, Pool tournament, social pool league. $5 entry and the bar will match the pot. Fridays, show night with DJ John to follow. Saturdays, DJ Dana rocks the house. Sundays, Football and Karaoke with KJ Jimmy. (Open 4pm-2am 7 days).

The Corner Pocket-Mondays, Spaghetti and Salad night with Karaoke at 9pm. Tuesdays, Drag shows. Wednesdays, Happy hour from 5pm to 9pm with DJ and Bartender SONIC premiering movie night. Thursdays, Dinner special 15 cent shrimp and 10 cent hush puppies, Happy Hour 5pm to 9pm and Karaoke at 9pm. Fridays and Saturdays, Drag shows. Sundays, Karaoke with Kay. (Open 5pm-2am 7 days).

Smackwater Jack’s- Wednesdays, that fun loving lesbian Lindsey Hutton from Tootsie’s Karaoke will be your DJ for the night beginning at 8:30pm till 1:30am.

Scooter Sports Bar- Thursdays, every Thursday night come out to Scooter’s to enjoy drink specials and a live performance by that hot lesbian Duo, Undercurrent. Show begins at 9pm.

The Voodoo Lounge-Thursdays, Thirsty Thursday drag show at 11pm, cover charge beginnings at 10pm, must be 18 years or older, and a midnight dance party to Hip Hop and dances hits. Fridays, dance party with a Happy Hour from 7pm to 9pm, dinner special from 6pm to 8pm, and appetizer specials from 9pm to 10pm. Saturdays, speed date at 8pm and dance party at 10pm. Sundays, male review at 11:30pm, and a live DJ all night. 21+ only on Sundays. (Open Wed-Sun from 9pm to 230am).

As always I hope to see you all out and about supporting your community and those that support you. I would also like to wish our fabulous editor Jesse Scaccia a very happy birthday, hope this is your best yet. Till next week remember to always be proud of who you are my friends.

Have an event you would like to see in my article? Email me at 2dmiller6@gmail.com.