Reply With Quotewhich one?Originally Written by Energyguy
Platinum Record [Level 8]
I was Just wondering which Disco Divas have appeared over the years at the COPA club in Miami?
I have a 12" single by disco/HINRG diva Evelyn Thomas and the photos on the sleeve show her performing live on stage at the club in 1989.
Gold Record [Level 7]
which one?
Underground Hit [Level 5]
Actually THE COPA is in Ft. Lauderdale. Evelyn Thomas lives in Hallandale (which is sort of midway between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale) so she frequently played at South Florida nightclubs. Many, many, many disco performers have played at the Copa over the years.
swerzer
Advance Promo Copy [Level 3]
I LOVE THE COPA...I happen to know the owner very well.Everytime I'm in town I make a stop we always have a few shots together...The place still looks the same...and it still gets crazy...brings back lots of good memories...E.G.
Platinum Record [Level 8]
and the go go boys aren't bad to look at either.
Indie Release [Level 4]
I saw Sharon Redd there during Spring Break in 1983. She was fantastic. She performed bare foot and was as high as a kite.
The bar was great.
Platinum Record [Level 8]
Sharon Redd barefoot & high as a kit !! ?? - bet that would have been worth seeing... :lol:
Test Pressing [Level 2]
Thanks for reminding me of the good times I had at this place over the years.
Dance clubs come and go but the Copa has been here since 1974. 31 years & still going strong!
Gold Record [Level 7]
When I worked there I saw many artists
Grace Jones 3 times..
Linda Clifford..Claudja Barry,France Joli..
Other diva's that performed there were Debbie Jacobs.
Thelma Houston,Gloria Gaynor,Loleatta Holloway,Jody Watley,Hazel Dean,Anita Ward,Bonnie Pointer,Taana Gardner,Martha Wash,Sylvester,Jocelyn Brown,Corey Daye,Madleen Kane,The Village People,Vickie Sue Robinson,Sister Sledge,Jackie Moore
Alicia Bridges,Ami Stewart,
Lime,Sarah Dash,Melba Moore,David Naughton,Miquel Brown,Debbie Harry, Yvonne Elliman,Sharon Brown,Carrie Lucas and many more...
Most artists I ask will tell you they were always treated like royalty at the Copa..and it was one of if not their favorite club to perform in..
Gold Record [Level 7]
:icon_cry:
Sorry to make the mention but...
They finally, tore the building down, last month. All thats left is the wall along Federal Highway.
It's eerie... The concrete entrance steps...leading-up to nowhere.
Was at Gold Coast Roller Rink(next door), a couple weekends ago and walked over for a look-see.
Had a moment of silence... Let out a sigh... In '80 I first walked into the place. In '91 I played there.
Fantastic Dancefloor!!!:icon_mrgreen:
One of the worst DJ booths ever built!!!
American Gypsy's "I'm Okay, You're Okay" and Harlow's "Take Off", are the first records I remember dancing to, at The Copa.
"MUSIC IS AN EMOTION, SEARCHING FOR IT'S VOICE"
...come with me, "BACK TO MUSIC", on DISCOTERIA
http://www.live365.com/stations/cdnbob2
Gold Record [Level 7]
I know.. I actually cried...........
:icon_cry:
Sorry to make the mention but...
They finally, tore the building down, last month. All thats left is the wall along Federal Highway.
It's eerie... The concrete entrance steps...leading-up to nowhere.
Was at Gold Coast Roller Rink(next door), a couple weekends ago and walked over for a look-see.
Had a moment of silence... Let out a sigh... In '80 I first walked into the place. In '91 I played there.
Fantastic Dancefloor!!!:icon_mrgreen:
One of the worst DJ booths ever built!!!
American Gypsy's "I'm Okay, You're Okay" and Harlow's "Take Off", are the first records I remember dancing to, at The Copa.
I had SO many good times there and so many good MEN.:icon_twisted:hehe..
I was this 17 year old blonde twinkie walking around in those short red dolphin shorts with a tray..:icon_eek:
We wont go too far there..lol
Gold Record [Level 7]
I was a "Copette" from October '79 (it was my coming out bar after the army) thru December '82 (when I moved to California).
And I visited many times afterwards. I'm from Hollywood, Florida.
I must have ordered drinks from you Dayna. I saw many of those acts also.
Remember Tiny Tina? I can't remember the cabaret guy's name, but I remember his young lover Adam. We all used to do shows at the Hollywood Playhouse.
And the bathroom attendant, a little guy with a Frank Zappa mustache.
I was at my high school reunion a couple of years ago when I went looking for The Copa. There is a new club right by it and I thought maybe it was a new Copa. But some people told me it was lost during Hurricane Wilma.
Gold Record [Level 7]
He/she's still around.(not performing anymore, tho') As are, Tiffany Ariegus and Nikki Adams.(STILL working it on a weekly basis!) Dana Manchester passed-away about 5 years ago.
It was heavily damaged during Hurricane Wilma. The 3-story high, steel-girdered "COPA" sign, was blown down onto Federal Highway.I was at my high school reunion a couple of years ago when I went looking for The Copa. There is a new club right by it and I thought maybe it was a new Copa. But some people told me it was lost during Hurricane Wilma.
By the time 'Wilma' hit, the COPA's business had been pretty-well killed-off by "Coliseum". The club that was 2 doors down. (It was a Country/Western Bar, back in the early 80's, just beyond the Roller Rink.) The only club with a strong enough draw to actually kill the COPA's weekends. Coliseum was a BIG, multi-level club, with all the newest gadgets and a kick-ass sound-system. It's being backed by A LOT of money, and being on the same street didn't help the COPA, either. 'Wilma' trashed enough of the club, that it wasn't worthwhile for the current owners to re-open it. (Bill Bastiensen and John Castelli's family had sold their interests in the club many years ago.)
'Coliseum' closed a few months back, as well. After a fantastic run. Now that building's falling apart.
The last webpage, before they closed, is still up:
Copa - Weekdays
And I found this on a bar review site:
CLOSED: Copa (Bar or Club in Fort Lauderdale)
The Copa is closed
Posted: March 22, 2006
In major disrepair for years, the hurricane finished her off. The Copa has closed as the owner hunts a way to finish off the insurance company.
"MUSIC IS AN EMOTION, SEARCHING FOR IT'S VOICE"
...come with me, "BACK TO MUSIC", on DISCOTERIA
http://www.live365.com/stations/cdnbob2
Gold Record [Level 7]
Thanks Stephen.
I remember Dana and Nikki too. One of them (I can't remember which) wanted me to choreograph their act, but I was more involved in DJing, college, athletics and the Playhouse. Also, I was a little taken aback by drag queens at first, a feeling I don't share today.
Before The Copa, I wouldn't dream of walking or working in a disco without a tie. I had to be dressed to the nines and wear real nice shoes. After my first night at The Copa, I became a jeans and t-shirt guy with Nike sneakers.
I had thought the other club was The Copa that night, because I had not been home in about 7 years and Federal Highway was changed because of the airport expansion. So I thought they had moved the opening to the west side of the building.
There was also another club in the vicinity called The Flying Machine.
I worked at The Loft on Hollywood Blvd., Traxx on Dixie Highway, and Tops on Pembroke road. I did lights for a month at Backstreet. And loved the Marlin on Ft. Lauderdale beach. And of course the old Limelight on Pembroke that moved to Hollywood beach after it burnt down. And any Big Daddy's.
Before the army, in '75 and '76, I used to go to Bachelors III in Fort Lauderdale. Back then we would see KC, Barry White, George McCrae, Gwen McCrae, Foxy, Betty Wright, Bette Midler.... That was when drinking was 18 and Singapore Slings were the "in" drink.
Gold Record [Level 7]
I remember most all the entertainers from back in the day..I was a "Copette" from October '79 (it was my coming out bar after the army) thru December '82 (when I moved to California).
And I visited many times afterwards. I'm from Hollywood, Florida.
I must have ordered drinks from you Dayna. I saw many of those acts also.
Remember Tiny Tina? I can't remember the cabaret guy's name, but I remember his young lover Adam. We all used to do shows at the Hollywood Playhouse.
And the bathroom attendant, a little guy with a Frank Zappa mustache.
I was at my high school reunion a couple of years ago when I went looking for The Copa. There is a new club right by it and I thought maybe it was a new Copa. But some people told me it was lost during Hurricane Wilma.
Maxine Allen,Jamie Burke, Arieagus of course..Bobbie Lake,Tiny Tina..Dana..Nikki,Racheal Santoni,Sandy Laraunt,and the list goes on..Dana Douglas..Billie Boots..
My fav bartender was Curry Stevenson.. SO HOT~!!!"I had him" lol..Or better yet he had me..wink
Gold Record [Level 7]
Dayna,
Do you remember a male regular who was tallish, blonde, bisexual and very good looking and fairly popular at The Copa? Of course this could be a lot of people (except me).
He was a bed hopper. Again, of course this could be anyone (this time including me).
This guy and I cruised each other for months. I was grooming him for the right moment. And then one time I came in with a very pretty girl and they went off and slept together that night.
I can't remember his name and that girl passed away years ago.
I wonder if you know who I am talking about.
Gold Record [Level 7]
His name was Christian we called him Chris and I know exactly who you are talking about, He was a VERY good tipper..At that time Blonde men held no intrest to me..I was into the dark haired Sam Elliott , Paul Michael Glaser,Eric Estrada, Tom Wopat from Dukes of Hazard type..So I easily resisted his charms..
That was because at that time as Miguel Brown put it there were "So Many Men So Little Time".
Now I dont care what haircolor I go with the personality plus the look..
No Longer Charting
Now that's sad news. "Gone but not forgotten.......the Copa, Fort Lauderdale Florida." Last time I was in Fort Lauderdale, it was just sitting there rotting, and I knew it was just a matter of time before they bulldozed it. Any word on what will be built there?:icon_cry:
Sorry to make the mention but...
They finally, tore the building down, last month. All thats left is the wall along Federal Highway.
It's eerie... The concrete entrance steps...leading-up to nowhere.
Was at Gold Coast Roller Rink(next door), a couple weekends ago and walked over for a look-see.
Had a moment of silence... Let out a sigh... In '80 I first walked into the place. In '91 I played there.
Fantastic Dancefloor!!!:icon_mrgreen:
One of the worst DJ booths ever built!!!
American Gypsy's "I'm Okay, You're Okay" and Harlow's "Take Off", are the first records I remember dancing to, at The Copa.
When Disco was ascending to its throne back in the early 70's (74-75), the Copa was the premier disco in the State of Florida and in the South; regardless of the fact that the clientele at the time was almost 100% gay; but the Copa stood the test of time and became renowned by all sexual genders whether straight, gay or whatever!
My hats, and tears, to the Copa.
Garry
No Longer Charting
You go Ms. Dayna!
Acetate [Level 1]
Too bad the Copa's gone. I first went there in late 1982, and started going regularly in '83. Had a major crush and a short-term relationship with a Puerto Rican guy from Boca named David. Those memories with be with me forever. Finally left Ft Laud in 1985 for NYC. Haven't been back since my family left in 2004. My last time at the Copa was in December 1988. I never realized until now how small a world it was in Ft Laud during the 80s. It seemed as if there had only been a week gone by between 1985 and when I returned in '88. Same people, same waiters, DJs, etc. I wish I had photographed it then, but when you're in your early 20s, you think everything will stay the same forever. I now live in Spfld, MA. Hoping to get to S. Fl. next summer, while there's still some of the old town left. So much is gone already. Anyway, don't wanna get all weepy about Ft-La-Dee-Da (even though I do upon occasion), life goes on, and we have to live it to the max. When I was younger I never knew what "bittersweet" meant. NOW, I do.
Acetate [Level 1]
Hi Stephen,
It's funny you should mention taking a look at what remains of the Copa.
I did the same exact thing just a few weeks ago in the daytime. I drive by there all the time and finally decided to take a look. It was really something trying to make out what was what. It looked like a sunken area where the dance floor used to be. Who knows what that was. Anyway, I saw your remarks about this and thought it interesting that I did the same thing. I am currently a Billboard reporter and DJ and live in the Dania Beach area.
Bobbystoner@bellsouth.net
Gold Record [Level 7]
Acetate [Level 1]
To whom it may concern...In the reference of Tiny Tina (Raymond Fetcho) can be found on face book,he's been fighting diabetes and lost a limb (right leg) and also lost his job as a nurse for Breward(Broward) County http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esrFg-HnB4c he's fine and chat /w me daily.
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