The Black Banana has arrived to Fort Lauderdale!

This over the top LGBT Hip Hop Club takes over the space formerly inhabited by Manhattan South and fills a void in entertainment options available for the African American, Latino, Hip Hop, R&B loving community and their admirers. Hundreds of thousands of dollars has been spent on the renovation. An opening in early November 2007 is planned.

12% of all revenue will go back to the community.

What will stand out about this club is not only the fact that it will be the premier Hip Hop and R&B Club in S. Florida, but that owner AJ Cross is dedicated to giving back to the community in an unprecedented way by guaranteeing that 12% of the annual revenue of the club will be utilized to offer grants that will be awarded to minority gay artists in South Florida.

Why is the club called the Black Banana?

The Black Banana was a nightclub in Philadelphia. It began as Le Banana Noir at 53 South 4th Street in 1970. It was owned by Garrick Melmeck and his lover Xavier Hussenet.

In the late 1970s it moved to 3rd and Race Street and became a private club for members only ("The Crusaders Community Club"). Cafe Zaza served food while the Black Banana was known as the most decadent after-hours nightclub in town, with glass-walled unisex bathrooms featuring two-way mirrors, a private and exclusive party space on the third floor, and various nooks and crannies where mischievous customers could have their fun.

The club thrived through the 80s being on the cutting edge of fashion, music; styles came and went and the Black Banana's very diverse staff and sophisticated clientele rolled with the punches. The period was marked by such legendary talent as Josh Wink, Robbie Tronco, King Britt, Richie Rosati, Willyum, Stango, local legends like Natasha and Coco, Dozia, Nick London, Nick and Gigi Meoli, Toni Thomas, and uber Philly It-Girl, Kim Kelly.

Founder, Garrick Melmeck died in 1991, shortly after that the Black Banana suffered a devastating fire. The staff worked day and night demolishing and rebuilding the club. All the while, loyal patrons held vigils out on its sidewalks. Kirk Beckman ultimately assumed ownership and management of the club until its demise in 1998, as the Black Banana played its last record and flashed its last strobe.

For more information about the new club, visit www.myspace.com/theblackbananaFL

6890 N Powerline Road,

Fort Lauderdale 33309