Avery is a Gainesville downtown- socialite that wears a true blue ACR badge. Her spunk and energy fills a room and she is currently rocking some really cool downtown events. I know her extremely well and am just going to write from the heart on this one because I really feel it goes with the interview and who she is. We have all seen her kind of grow up in the 'scene' and she has really blossomed into a face you have to love. Avery's ability to make friends is pretty phenomenal- she has them all over the world. She can book a ticket on a whim and have ten people welcome her in her home- ready to party and live it up. She has a genuine desire to please people and want for them to like her. It took me a bit to understand her social role and niceties but I soon saw that there isn't a malicious bone in her body and she truly wants to be friends with everyone. She carries an energy that is contagious and the social life that many of us wish we could maintain.
"…there's something comfortable about seeing familiar people."
I wanted to interview and highlight her in The Current because she is someone that you can't miss if you go out and should totally talk to if you haven't. When I asked her to do this interview- it came with an expectation on my end to be open and honest- which, as we all know, can come back and bite you in the ass hard with whispers and loose lips. So, in that, I'd like to personally thank you, Aves, for putting yourself out there. It's pretty rad and I am super proud of you for representing what a confident woman IS.
How Long have you lived in Gainesville?
Coming up on 27 years! I was born in Baltimore, Maryland but moved here when I was about 7 weeks old. My memory during those first few weeks is pretty hazy.
What events have you hosted or helped organize? What organization(s) was it for?
Besides being one of the “four horsemen” of running the Fest for the past ten years, I have recently been asked to help organize and put on a lot of events in downtown Gainesville. I'm not sure why, or how I became this “hostess” but I'm so flattered when I get asked. I put on a rockabilly themed night at Spannk where I host pinup and dapper dan competitions. They are a lot of fun and we will most likely have another one coming up in April.
My most recent event was a Single's Auction the day before Valentines Day held in the Backyard of Boca Fiesta and Palomino Pool Hall. It was a charity event for the Lynaee Hottinger ovarian cancer research foundation and also the Civic Media Center. We raised approx. 1,000 dollars! And the event was packed! I've never seen The Backyard so full!
This week I am also teaming up with Loosey's bar and Second Chance Farms to have a fundraiser and awareness night this Friday. Our dear friends Dave and Chelsea recently lost their best friend, Duke, to bloat, which could have been prevented. All the the money raised that night through raffles, the door cover for the bands and crafts/art being sold will 100% go to them to help pay for their outrageous medical bills.
What is your vision for a better downtown? What would you like to see on Main Street…business-wise?
Right now I think that downtown businesses really need to start coming together and putting on events with each other more often. Be supportive of the local businesses instead of competing so much. There is a group called GDOT (www.downtowngainesville.net) that gets together a lot- which includes a lot of the owners/managers of downtown establishments and make sure everyone is on the same page with parking issues, offering deals to help each other out. I love that we have the co-op on Main now! A locally run late night convienence/drug store would be ideal. I hate having to go to Walgreens or Walmart if I just need something really basic, like cat food or dish soap, and I'd obviously like to give my money to someone local.
Tell me about your experience in Gainesville. (Both pros and cons)
Whoa. Well. I find a lot people ending their sentences “You know how that goes.. it's Gainesville”. There are always pros and cons to living in a small town. I still hear shit-talking rumors about things I supposedly did when I was 16 or 17 and that's always hard. Like “that was OVER ten years ago...let it go.” But then again it's also nice to know I can go out solo and know I will always run into someone. So its not really like being out alone. Same with Main Street Publix, there's something comfortable about seeing familiar people.
You are a part of the underground hush hush BDSM scene. I understand that privacy is important but how has your experience been being involved with it? If you feel comfortable opening up about it-
Has it helped you with your individuality at all or comfort levels?
As a bartender, I work with all kinds of people everyday but it's a bit difficult to talk about kinks in a bar without shocking someone or being unprofessional. I joined the BDSM scene in Gainesville fairly recently to be able to explore more and have like-minded conversations and develop new relationships. Its been a lot of fun and has helped me meet a lot of people that I usually wouldn't have. I'm pretty comfortable with my sexually. The New York Times recently did a great piece on BDSM. They described having your friends know about your sexual interests as almost like coming out. I came out as bi when I was about 14, it was really hard for me, and this process has been too. Its really helped me gain confidence with my body and also myself as a strong women.
What's your favorite memory or time downtown?
Easy. Its always Fest. Although it's the most stressful month out of the year for me, it's also always my favorite. Like when I get to take a ten minute break and see a bit of a show. That's when “fest euphoria” finally hits me. Then it is like .. okay back to running around like crazy!
What bands would you like to come to town that never do?
Cocksparrer, Social Distortion, Naam and Alkaline Trio (who I just found out ARE coming, but I will be in Europe!)
Who has the best beard, legs, smile, hair, wardrobe in town?
Ooh. Good question.This is a fun one.
Beard- I'm not really a beard gal. So I like Addison Burns'. Just that short manicured scruff.
Legs- Joan Whittemore. Cabe Criser. A crossfitter and a competitive cyclist.
Hair- Jordan Streetzel. Girl has those victory rolls on LOCK. Jon Gaunt- Ever since he got back from his most recent tour he's been doing this clean cut pompadore thing. I dig it.
Wardrobe- Sean Rozycki. He is always dressed sharp. I don't think you can ever be overdressed for anything. Katie Cousins- She has this goth/ little house of the prairie thing going on. Its rad.
Smile- Sue Mendez. Always smiling! Jonathan Hatfield. That southern charm accent ain't too bad either.
How has your experience Bartending affected your position and view of people and the social scene?
For a little while I became really annoyed with just the general population of drinkers. But that was when I was working in midtown, and every night there were about three people who were turning 21. So, I encountered a lot of binge drinking and a lot of “Who the fuck raised you to act like this?” moments. (pitchers full of piss under booths, kids literally shitting their pants, and even girls being rushed away in ambulances b/c their other friends thought they were dying-not just passed out drunk- and called 911) Now that I am downtown, I am surrounded by a much more chill crowd. And people who know what they like/want to drink and when they need to have a water. Bartending is a really important job. We have a lot of responsibilities and a lot of power as well. It's important to keep the balance. And to take a shot of Jameson at the end of a long night.
If you had financial backing, what business, project or idea would you kick off?
I've always wanted to open a 50's style indoor/outdoor tiki bar, with washer and dryers there too. Not a lot of these old houses we all live in downtown have washer/dryers, and hauling stuff to the wash king on a bike isn't so fun. Come have some drinks with tiny umbrellas in them, do your laundry and watch retro TV shows on long tweed couches. Call it the drunken housewife or something. Who wants to make this happen with me?
Well, at the end of April I am traveling to Europe. Going to see some friends in England, Belgium, Austria and Germany. I will be gone about a month and a half. I'll come back to Gainesville and start working on Fest things. (this year is going to be bigger and badder than ever!) After Fest, I am hoping to move to Israel and work there on an internship for about 6 months. I'm currently learning Hebrew with rosetta stone. After that, who knows! There is that Gainesville “magnet” and Gainesville will ALWAYS be me home no matter how much I travel, but I'd like to explore more.
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