How time flies. The traditional, but unofficial, kick-off to summer is here! Yes, Memorial Day Weekend has arrived. The beaches will start filling up during the holiday weekend, and our bars and clubs will throw out the welcome mats to the constant flow of summer visitors. Are you ready?

I asked that very question to a group of friends as we were heading out to Rich’s second installment of their new Saturday night event, Voltage. My friends had a variety of responses, but the consensus was that they needed to get their bodies ready for San Diego Pride. It’s funny to me how so many gay men have this annual ritual that usually begins around March 1, where they start to hit the gyms, change their diet, take vitamin supplements and start a new facial-cleansing routine – months of pain and sacrifice to look their most fabulous for just two days.

If you’re one of these “pre-Pride pumpers,” here is your warning: San Diego Pride is just two months away. The clock is ticking boys – time to hit the gym! And for all of the regular gym goers, especially those at 24-Hour Fitness in Hillcrest, your gym is about to become extra crowded for the next couple of months!

I know that I’m ready for summer! For me, the kick-off to summer is Long Beach Pride. Traditionally held on the third weekend of May each year, our friends in Long Beach always host one of the best Pride events in the West. This year was no exception! The parade was fun; the festival was great, and the best part was the live performance by Jennifer Hudson, who closed out the weekend. Long Beach knows how to throw a party, and most of the clubs and bars around town were packed with hotties from all over California. Most exciting was the Long Beach TRIBE parties held on the beautiful Queen Mary. An awesome line-up of DJs kept the crowds jumpin’ all weekend long! Ahh, yes, for me, summer has begun!

Back in town, one of the best ways to kick-off summer the right way is at Bacchus House on Saturday, May 26. Bacchus House will be celebrating Memorial Day weekend with its Mega Foam Party. This party goes all night long, with after-hours lasting until 10 a.m. Sunday morning. Mixmaster DJ De Leon will be headlining.

Every year, Rich’s hosts one of the biggest Memorial Day parties in town: Fusion. This party typically involves a lot of hot men, great music and glow sticks. With all of the positive changes going on around Rich’s lately, it’s definitely worth going to find out what the Rich’s team has in store for Fusion 2007! Visit www.richssandiego.com for more information.

Club Montage is also a must for your Memorial Day weekend fun! On Saturday, May 26, Montage hosts DJ Bryan Pfeiffer along with resident DJ Dirty Kurty. The evening will be a benefit fund-raiser to sponsor Dirty Kurty as he prepares for his upcoming ride for the AIDS Lifecycle. Definitely a cause worth supporting! And for all of our active duty military friends, Montage will offer free cover all night long. Hint to my friends who love those sailors: the place should be crawling with them that night!

And for the truly fashionable out there, Club Fashion Whore will also be happening on Memorial Day weekend. The May 26 Fashion Whore will be themed “Golden Girls vs. Faster Pussycat Kill Kill” (I couldn’t of made that up if I tried)! The night will include a fashion show by Vaszaro and a costume contest with prizes by Flashbacks. Fashion Whore is not to be missed! If you weren’t aware, this club night is currently operating at a new location in the back dance room of Shooterz on 30th Street in North Park. According to City Beat magazine, the bar that used to host Fashion Whore, the San Diego Sports Club, fell victim to noise complaints, and the city has given the SDSC a cease-and-desist order, basically telling the club to “shut up.” The bar won’t have any live music or general loudness for the time being.

Speaking of noise complaints, remember that if you buy one of those fancy new condos that might happen to be located above or adjacent to a bar/club, restaurant or other after-dark establishment, consider the noise factor before making your purchase. If you wish to live in the hip, urban core, consider the consequences, and don’t put a squelch on the established bars and clubs that liven up our fine city. And for the rest of you, do respect those who live near our clubs and bars. When you leave, especially on these warm, summer nights, when we are not always so quick to rush to the warmth of the car, remember that nearby neighbors might not be as “cracked-out” as you are and might actually be sleeping at 2 a.m. Keep the noise down and don’t congregate (or puke) on a nearby lawn!

Remember boys, just two months to pump up for Pride! I expect to see you at the gym, and, of course, out and about! Contact me via editor@uptownpub.com.