Beginning this Friday, Fire Island Black Out returns to Cherry Grove for the eighth awesome year. This time, the beach will sizzle with hot new events, the incomparable Bump & Dip Dance/Pool Party, and many notables from the LGBT community! FIBO 2010 kicks off on Friday with a grand Cocktail Reception at the Hilton Garden Inn of Ronkonkoma, Long Island. Then it's off to Sunny Cherry Grove, Fire Island, for the first of two Days At The Beach.
You'll stop first at the FIBO Hospitality Tent, for your official admission bracelet, and you can even get a temporary, but stylish FIBO tattoo! There's a Beach volleyball tournament from 2-4 PM, with VERY cool prizes for the winning six-person team. At 4, look for GAY-lebrity and creator of the Christopher Street TV series, Dwight Allen O'Neal as he scours the beach for the most fabulous and ornate tent setup! The Tent-Judging contest is fierce, so do your tent up right and win the prize!
It wouldn't be a day at the beach without a good book, so FIBO didn't just bring books, their authors will be there, too! The Writers Panel will melt the Ice Palace beginning at 4:30. Hosted by me, Nathan James, the Panel brings together some of today's finest gay authors: Delvon Johnson, Taylor Siluwe, and J. Omarr. Join us for a provocative discussion about our work, the issues we explore in our books, and how they relate to you, and of course, we'll be signing all of our books for YOU!
After the Writers' Panel at 6:30, the incomparable ButtaFly Soul hosts the FIBO Poetry Slam and Spoken word Contest, featuring FIBO's own Dani. The audience picks the winners, so register to perform, and show us what you've got! Then , it's time to get your dancing and diving on at the Pool Party, beginning at 9, when DJ Calvin gets things pumping. But wait--there's more! Gospel and R&B sensation Tonex will do a "coming out" performance you won't soon forget!
On Sunday, when you wake up, get your grub on at the Hilton Garden with a "real" breakfast--all you can eat--for about $12, then head back to the beach for a relaxing Sunday by the waves. FIBO will conclude with a Sunset party, TBA. I'll be waiting for you in Cherry Grove!
The MTA Long Island Rail Road offers special one-day getaway packages to Cherry Grove from NYC's Penn Station. This includes round-trip train, taxi, and ferry fare. Click here for more details.
