Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013, September 01, 2000, Page 23, Image 23

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    The winningest
team ever
Continued from Page 21
They did it with a daz­
zling, multimedia extrava­
ganza featuring a videotaped
message from Portland Mayor
Vera Katz reciting the commit­
tee’s mantra: “We want you in
2002.” They did it with an extraordi­
nary amount of work by many hands, with a
special nod to Tim Bias, RCSA assistant com­
missioner. And they did it with an exceptional
alliance between members of the gay and les­
bian community, the municipal government
and Portland business people. Melani thinks
this type of large-scale coalition to entice a
major event to Portland is a first.
The RCSA, which heat out Fort Laud­
erdale, Fla., for the hosting privilege, also won
by virtue of its original ideas. Although previ­
ous series have emphasized the social aspects,
Melani wants to bring more dignity to the
event, to emulate the tone of the Olympics—
at least in the opening and closing ceremonies.
“W hat we’re planning to do is focus on the
athlete,” he explains, adding he envisions a
parade of all the participants into the Washing­
ton Park Amphitheater for the opening cere­
mony, where they will take a sportsmanship
oath. He’d like to see the Portland Gay Men’s
Chorus and the Portland Lesbian Choir belting
out the national anthem. And he already is
hustling to Hxik some big-name entertainment
for that night, too.
As a player who’s made it to the series six
times himself, Melani knows well the hard
work involved. Playing for the Storm is no
casual hobby. This year, they also played in the
(straight) Portland Metro League, for a total of
80 games! “I want to honor the athletes that
have made it this far,” he says, still pumped up
over the excitement of winning the bid.
But lest you think it’ll be all pomp and no
fun, check out a rundown of some of the other
proposed events. Here’s plenty of notice to
Oregon’s prolific drag community: Start sewing
those beaded gowns now for the Miss Gay
World Series Pageant. O n another night, par­
ticipating teams will get to enter the
N A GAA A talent show in the Hilton ball­
room, which Melani declares will sell beaucoup
beers for the host hotel. And then there are
the recreational options, including a river
cruise on the Portland Spirit, a trip up the
Columbia Gorge with a ride on the Mount
Hixxl Railway or a dash to the Oregon Coast
to comb the beaches or hit the slots at C hi­
nook Winds Casino.
In addition, so the general public can
attend some games, the RCSA plans an
The West Hollywood Cheerleaders rally support for the RCSA at Grudge
Match 2000 , the annual mano a mano with the Portland Police Bureau
evening of night games at Delta Park. The
closing ceremonies are penciled in for the Ore­
gon Zoo with a catered awards dinner, to be
followed the next day with rounds of farewell
parties at participating bars.
Sounds like a blast—and a lot of hard work
ahead for the organizers. In fact, when Melani’s
partner heard Portland’s bid was accepted, he
sort of joked, “See you in two years!”
But even the hyperorganized workaholic
that is Roy Melani can’t pull this off alone. He
needs volunteers, and he needs some now!
This October, committees will begin the
detailed planning required to stage an event of
this magnitude. “There’s a reason they give you
two years,” Melani deadpans.
One of the most important committees will
orchestrate the fund raising of the estimated
JR 1
$160,000 necessary to prixluce the series. “Our
During the actual week of the series, the
goal is lots of corporate sponsors,” Melani says,
RCSA will need 75 to 100 volunteers to help
adding he’s optimistic that Miller
out with all sorts of things from airport
Brewing and Nike will step up to
greeting to registration to score
the plate in a very big way.
keeping. If you’re inspired, call
The RCSA also will be
the RCSA hot line to help:
But even the hyper-
soliciting smaller Portland
(503) 203-9160.
organized workaholic
businesses, especially ones
that could profit from the
he slogan for the 2002
that is Roy Melani
series, such as bar owners.
JL gay world series
can't pull this o ff alone.
And although he doesn’t
already has been decided:
think of it as coercion,
Takin’ it to the top! That
He
needs
volunteers,
Melani dixîs say that spon­
• I
*
refers to several things,
sors will be clearly identified
ond he needs some now! including the snow-capped
and that players historically
peaks that frame the city of
withhold patronage from estab­
Portland in such an alluring way.
lishments that fail to support the
It also refers to the level of excel­
event.
lence the RCSA aspires to reach, and with
the dynamic Melani leading the charge, this
promises to be an event we all can be proud to
have in Oregon.
So what was the clincher, the real reason
Portland beat out the notorious party town of
Fort Lauderdale? “It was our weather,” Melani
replies with a chuckle at the obvious irony.
W hen’s the last time you heard of Portland
being applauded for its weather? Right.
But the truth is, we have less rain in mid-
August than just about anywhere else in the
country. And here’s what really matters to folks
who are sprinting around bases all day: We
have a heck of a lot less humidity than you’ll
find in Florida.
Join the fun in any way you can, even if it’s
H ^
planning now to root, rixit, root for the home
H 'mm
teams. And don’t forget the sunscreen.
*
The women of the RCSA reverse the meaning of
“You throw like a girl”
Mil
B ORIANA GREEN is the Entertainment Editor
of Just Out, and she remembers pitching for her
junior high school softball team in a criminally ugh
red outfit, but that was a very long time ago.
In 2002 she ll bring the lemonade. Write to her
at onanaiQjxLstout .com.