Preston’s Owner Sues Adonis Party Promoter
- April 12th, 2009
- Posted in Gay Bar History
- By Markiss
- Write comment
The club AREA Phoenix has reopened under the name of Stratus just in time to host the 2009 Adonis party.
AREA closed its doors amid scandal during 2008. AREA was a joint venture between Michael Keener and Kevin Andrews. Kevin Andrews was a club promoter and owner of Andrews Lighting for clubs and events. Prior to the AREA venture, Andrews produced many successful events at another venue in downtown Phoenix called Ice House.
Business partner Michael Keener (aka Jessica) is a Phoenix icon, well connected and respected in the community. Many may recall her from door duties at the dance club “Preston’s“, in which she was partial owner.
According to Keener, Andrews disappeared in 2008 without notice. AREA’s were doors locked, leaving Jessica out in the cold. Jessica commented that she never expected Andrews, then a long-time friend to just run out on her like this. Having no other alternative, Jessica filed for and was awarded a civil judgment against Andrews in October of 2008 in the amount of $318,000.
Interestingly, Andrews re-appeared in March 2009, re-opening the club as Stratus just in time for the annual Adonis Party during Phoenix’s gay pride weekend.
Jessica pleaded with Phoenix’s gay community not to attend the event, “The thief, Kevin Andrews, crawled out of his hole. Please, do not support anything associated with him.”
Andrews could not be reached for comment.
From: noemail@willnotpublish.com
Unfortunately, this article does not tell the entire story. Yes, there was a judgement against Kevin, but the person bringing it did also not appropriately deal with the situation before submitting it. Also, Stratus is not owned by Kevin but simply managed and operated by him. He is an upstanding member of this community and I recommend all to support him, just as I do.
You wish to recommend and for us to support him? Yet you hide your identity?
If you really do believe in him, back it up with your name at least.
The facts are that for more than 6 months Kevin Andrews failed to answer repeated phone calls or emails. He ‘disappeared’ from his known addresses, and hid behind false identities. He failed to respond to a Superior Court Summons, and he failed to appear in Superior Court to explain himself. Until Kevin Andrews steps up to meet his obligations, he deserves nothing but scorn from this community.