Your Life - Entertainment - Marquee

Friday, May. 11, 2007

Fun summer ahead for Coast

Welcome once again to Marquee, you’re one-stop-shop for South Mississippi entertainment info. Without further ado, here are a few things coming your way this week.

First up, a call to local rockers. Organizers of the 2007 Summer Fair, scheduled for June 7-17, are looking for local or regional bands that want to showcase their talents in a two-hour set at the “Miller Rocks Café” during the aforementioned Summer Fair. According to a Vicki Miller, special events marketing coordinator for the Mississippi Coast Coliseum, which hosts the fair: “We provide the covered staging, lights, PA system and a sound engineer. There is no additional compensation, but the selected bands will be featured on our giant marquee, on our Web site, and in the printed schedules.”

According to Miller, in order to be considered, bands must submit a demo tape, photos and/or link to their Web site for review. Bands will be scheduled on a first come, first serve basis, and submissions should be mailed to 2350 Beach Boulevard, Biloxi, MS 39531, attention: Vicki Miller.

Next is a heads-up for Coast residents who are single, but looking. Local resident Nicki Lozano has founded a business enterprise, The Coast’s Connection. “It is a speed dating company that focuses on a more relaxed and approachable way of getting to know someone,” according to Lozano.

The events, the first of which takes place Tuesday, will be arranged by age groups: 21 to 30; 31 to 40; and 41 and up (upon request, the company may consider allowing different ages to be in different age groups).

Those interested should e-mail the following info: picture, age, interests/hobbies, city of residence, contact number, highest education, employment title and a brief description of what they are looking for in a mate. According to Lozano, the information will then be compared with others for a pre-connection among individuals (all info is confidential, and Lozano will contact each individual in advance of events).

The first event, for ages 21 to 30, takes place 7 p.m. Tuesday at Opus of Shell Landing (4151 Cobblestone Lane, Gautier). Cost is $20 per person, and interested participants should pre-register by e-mail at the following address: thecoastsconnection@yahoo.com.

Last but not least — and this ain’t for everybody, but . . . The IP Casino’s Quench, a poolside dining venue on the top floor of the casino/resort’s parking garage, is hosting events dubbed Q-After Dark each Wednesday from 6-10 p.m. Q-After Dark kicks off this Wednesday with a doozy: the 4th annual Gulfport Hooters Swimsuit competition, from 7-9 p.m. Sponsored by WCPR, GO FM and Budweiser, the event will feature local Hooters women “competing for a trip to Las Vegas and a chance to compete in the national contest,” according to organizers. The winner of the national contest, meanwhile, wins $50,000, receives a modeling contract and will be featured prominently in Hooters’ magazine and on the company’s Web site.

Have a nice weekend.