WeHo's Go-Go Appreciation Day Grinds to a Halt

Four years ago, West Hollywood launched an interesting event: Go-Go Appreciation Day. For the gay-centric city squeezed between L.A. and Beverly Hills, go-go dancers are a central part of life and WeHo officials thought it would be fun to honor their achievements. Of course, there was also the added benefit of encouraging patrons to visit Santa Monica Boulevard to enjoy drink specials and prize give-aways, while gawking at nearly-naked men competing in dance-offs.

Sadly, last year's GGAD, the third annual event, was the last — at least for now, reports WeHoville. City officials announced there will be no GGAD this year, not because of an outcry from prim locals, but because local business leaders couldn't come together to form an entity that could market GGAD. Some of WeHo's biggest nightclubs like Micky's and Rage have changed owners, and many of those running nightlife establishments in "Boystown" are fiercely competitive and not prone to collaboration and compromise. Meanwhile, businesses on nearby Melrose Avenue and Sunset Boulevard have joined together to create business-improvement districts that keep the streets clean and promote local businesses.

Some of the LGBT businesses on Santa Monica Boulevard are still trying to coaelsce so they can put together events like GGAD. But until that happens, the go-go dancers will no longer get the appreciation they deserve.