Metro Weekly

Hearsay

Mayor Williams engages constituents in a Fireplace chatÂ…
Apex opens in grand style with hot men and boys aplentyÂ…

Hearsay wasn’t too upset when its annual sacred duties at the Annual 17th Street High Heel Race were relinquished to the Snapshots™ section — it was raining, after all, and as faithful readers know, Hearsay melts whenever it comes in direct contact with water. (Yes, Hearsay knows that explains a lot about its musky, sickly sweet cover-up, but it’s an aroma worn by many a capital city boy, so there.) Hearsay was gratified, however, to learn that many a politician braved the chilly mist up to shake hands and gently pinch the butt cheeks of willing gay men. Mayor Anthony Williams didn’t limit his campaign for the gay vote to 17th Street. He took it to P Street, as well. Yes, that was Sir Anthony last Friday night at the Fireplace. Apparently, he wanted to do a walkthrough at the Grand Opening of Apex (nee Badlands), but arrived far too early, which is tres ironic, considering he’s late for just about everything else. At any rate, the club had not yet opened. So Sir Anthony’s intrepid special assistant, Wanda "I’m So Excited" Alston, whisked His Honor over to the bar that, like most Synagogues, boasts an eternal flame. Sir Anthony made the rounds through the downstairs area but, according to Lady Alston, didn’t go upstairs because he was told "there weren’t very many people up there." Sadly, Mayor Williams didn’t have time to duck into Mr. P’s for a quick press of the flesh, which at that establishment does not mean shaking handsÂ…

Unlike the Mayor, Hearsay arrived at Apex last Friday just as the evening was reaching its — ahem — apex. Hearsay was a little emotionally overcome, considering how many years it spent reporting on Badlands. But Hearsay is happy to report that the renovation of the club, which has been quite extensive, finally makes ingenious use of several previously underutilized areas of the 19-year-old nightspot. The redesign includes a massive disco ball, a new lighting grid, an observation perch/walkway to the left of the expanded dance floor, and a secluded balcony area (blissfully not V.I.P. — not yet anyway), adorned with cozy couches for lounging in comfort. Hearsay is similarly happy to report that plenty of boffo boys came out to play — including some who Hearsay hasn’t seen at the club in eons. FeFe Opulence proved to be the consummate party host, while Dallas-based DJ Blaine "Built for Sound, Ripped for Your Pleasure" Soileau kept the crowd dancing well into the wee, wee, wee hours. Weeeee hours. Hearsay congratulates manager Joey "And Sometimes Jackie" O and the entire staff for revitalizing a club that, in this city, has already earned the status of legendaryÂ…

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