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Last Week Wrapped Up |
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There were so many events last week that I have decided to let the
pictures speak for themselves. To see all the pics from
these events use this link:
The
Mad paparazzi.
Closing Party at Former Jackhammer Location
Miss & Mr. North
Miami Beach at Boardwalk
Grand Opening of
Trannie Palace at Steel
Mr. Cupids 2007
Grand Opening of Noche Latina Fridays at
Steel
Snatch Saturdays at China White
Quick Draw
Scandals Grand Opening Weekend
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The Bimini Challenge |
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Cynthia Aguilar
is a 23 years old professional ocean lifeguard for the city of Miami
Beach Fire Department, currently she holds three world records in
competitive paddle boarding, two from the gulf stream challenge (one for
time and one for distance) and one from the United States Lifesaving
Association sprint series. Cynthia graduated from Hialeah-Miami Lakes
Senior High School
 in
2002, and set out to devote her life to helping others, first by joining the
Miami Beach Fire Department, and now by using her talents to help those
living with HIV/AIDS. Cynthia, along with her co-workers at the City of
Miami Beach have created
"The Bimini Challenge"
an event that will test her personal strength and endurance. They have
partnered with Care Resource and the 19th
Annual AIDS Walk to paddle 53 miles from Bimini in the
Bahamas to Miami in hopes of raising awareness for people with HIV/AIDS, to
stress the fact that Miami is now number one in the nation with the highest
AIDS cases followed closely by Fort Lauderdale at number two (CDC report
2/2007), and that most of the new infections are women and teens. "We are
partnering with Care Resource because they are the oldest and largest
HIV/AIDS community service organization in
South Florida.
Currently they take care of over 4,000 Women, Children and Men living with
HIV/AIDS, and are testing all kinds of new drugs including a vaccine, as
well, Care Resource never seems to stop in their commitment to add more to
help my fellow South Floridians, right now they have four full time doctors,
an office in Fort Lauderdale and another in Miami and in the next couple of
months will be adding dental services to both offices, their commitment to
their clients is unwavering and we needed to find a way to help them out" said Cynthia "being a lifeguard and a world record holder
for paddling, I figured I could use my abilities to help others in need,
bring HIV and AIDS back into the forefront of everyone's minds, and get
others to sign up to support my paddle and walk with me on AIDS Walk day.
This agency is so very important to all South Floridians, and we all must
get involved, what I and my co-workers will be doing is only a small part of
what needs to be done, I implore everyone who reads this, or sees what we
will be doing with
"The Bimini Challenge" to log on and donate to our paddling
efforts, or to start their own AIDS Walk team and raise money from their
friends, family and co-workers, you don't even have to walk if you don't
want to. It takes one person to start a revolution and I am hoping that we
are the ones who will start this one for Care Resource". The time it
takes to paddle from Bimini to Miami should be in the realm of approximately
15 hours non-stop and the team has given themselves a window of opportunity,
due to ocean currents and weather, beginning April 1 and closing on April
15th, the press and public will be notified of the exact day the paddle will
happen. As well as asking individuals to donate monetarily to
"The Bimini Challenge"
team, Cynthia and her crew are looking for corporate sponsors to help with
the event. "We have needs ranging from rations and supplies all the way
through logistical support, as well as the donations to our team" said
Cynthia. "We are extremely excited about Cynthia and "The Bimini
Challenge" team and are so appreciative for what they are
doing" said Terry DeCarlo, Public Relations and Marketing Manager
for Care Resource, "People need to realize that HIV/AIDS is still out
there and still infecting at an alarming rate, yes, there are new drugs that
are sustaining life longer than ever before, but that puts an extra strain
on the agency because it is now tasked with providing medical care and
medications for a much longer period of time and the need to keep adding new
services, when the federal dollars coming in all stay the same. Currently
nearly 2.5% of the combined population of Fort Lauderdale
and Miami-Dade now lives with HIV or AIDS, these are staggering figures, and
we need everyone's help".
Care Resource's AIDS Walk is the only AIDS Walk in South Florida that keeps
100% of the money local to provide medical care and services for our
friends, neighbors and family and is sponsored in part by Window Media
Inc, Gay Parade Energy Drink, Transfloridian Motor Coach, The Ritz Carlton
Hotel, U-Haul, Cellular to go, Cafeteria, Nocturnal nightclub, and Starbucks.
Donations can be made to Cynthia and the Bimini
Challenge team by going online to
Http://AIDSWALK.Kintera.org |
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North Miami
Councilman Galvin Weighs-In on Hardaway Controversy |
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In the wake of last week’s bigoted comments by former Miami Heat
star Tim Hardaway, North Miami Councilman Scott Galvin, an
openly-gay elected official, joins legions of others in condemning them. "I'm
a Miami Heat fan," said Galvin, "but I can't be a fan of Mr. Hardaway's
expressions of hate." Galvin in 2004 became the first elected official in
Miami-Dade
County to come out while holding public office. Since then, he has proudly
continued to serve his community without incident. Galvin added, "People
often wonder why there is a need to make sexual orientation an issue. They
would rather it be kept out of view. Hardaway's comments illustrate why the
issue must be discussed. Otherwise, this hatred cements itself as an acceptable
line of thinking. History has repeatedly shown what happens when a majority is
allowed to promulgate hatred of minorities." Galvin continued, "I am
proud of the recent coming-out of former NBA player John Amaechi, and subsequent
support from open-minded players like Shaquille O'Neal. This type of bravery is
representative of the future of this county and the gay civil-rights movement.
Hardaway's mindset is a relic that will eventually go the way of the microfibre
basketball and New Coke." |
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Featured Events |
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 On
Sat. Feb. 24th, Siren at Score will enter
the exotic world of the Orient. Join the girls as they revel in a spectacular
performance from the Chinese Lion dancers, percussionist and girls that kick ass
with their martial arts moves. The club is going to look great and the music
will always keep you on the dance floor.
DJ Meesh with the best in
Dance music and DJ Dezrock
keeping the Escandalo
party jumping with the best in Latin music in the Creme Lounge. For more
info go to
www.icandeeproductions.com
On Sunday February 25th Pride
South
Florida
presents the annual Miss and Mr. Pride South Florida Pageant being held
this year at J’s Bar at 2780 Davie Blvd. The pageant starts at
9pm and features $2000 in cash and prizes.
Categories include Presentation, which is disco and not judged, Evening
Gown/Formal Wear, Talent and Q&A. The night will be hosted by Diva and
star Vegas Dion (Current Reigning Miss Pride), Amanda West, Jose Vega,
and Barbra Brice. Admission is $10 in advance and $12 at the door.
For more information contact Michael or Kayla at
754-368-6350. |
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Other Upcoming Events |
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 On
Friday February 23, Noche Latina Fridays at its new
location at Steel/Jackhammer Multiplex Nightclub presents the Victory
party for Alyssa Kartiar winning Miss Noche Latina 2007. The night
will star house diva’s Alyssa & Champagne as well as special guest
Viva Mirage (Miss Noche Latina Elite 2007).
The night will continue to feature FREE WELL
AND DRAFT
from 9-llpm, the hottest Latin Go-Go Papi’s, DJ George Valdez
spinning the best mix of Salsa, Raggaeton, Merengue, Bachata and Cumbia in the
main room, and DJ Angel Infiniti spinning Hip-Hop and Top 40 in the video
lounge, and FREE PARKING for over 500 cars. There will also be lots of
other surprises which you will not want to miss!!! For more information visit
their website at
www.nochelatinafridays.com
 Evolution at Score
presents DJ Angelo Kortez on Friday February 23 with
Go-Go boys and a free vodka drink with
admission until
12am.
On Sunday February 25th,
Babylon
t dance presents DJ Lydia Prim in the main room, DJ Miik
on the patio playing classic disco and in the sizzling hot Latin Room DJ
Jarel spinning the hottest Latin sounds and hip-hop, with shows by Vegas
Dion and Amanda West. Doors open at
4pm with FREE DRINKS
from
4-6pm
and then again from 9-10pm!! They also have reduced there cover for members and
is now only $5. They feature 3 different rooms of fun!!!
Savor the flavors & wines of
South
Beach
at the
Miami Beach
Garden
Club's fundraiser on Wednesday, February 28th at
7:00 P.M.
at the
Miami Beach
Botanical Garden,
2000 Convention Center Drive,
Miami Beach.
Outstanding local restaurants and distinguished chefs will feature their
Signature Dishes. Call
305-673-7256
for information.
The Pet Project presents a Garden Cocktail Reception
featuring the drums of
Polynesia
on Friday March 2nd from
6pm on being held at 2020 NE 3rd
terrace in Wilton Manors. Donations will be accepted at the door.
 Winterfest
"Tea Cruise"
will be on
Sunday, March 4, featuring DJ Marcio, Deja and Rod Stephens.
Purchase tickets on line at www.GayTeaCruise.com or call
954-649-1107
The Stonewall Library Book Club will meet on Thursday, March 8,
at 7:30 p.m.
Moderator Jesse Monteagudo will lead a discussion of "Gay L.A.: A
History of Sexual Outlaws, Power Politics, and Lipstick Lesbians" by
Lillian Faderman and Stuart Timmons. Admission is free and all are
welcome. The Stonewall Library and Archives is located at the Gay and
Lesbian Community Center of South Florida, 1717 North Andrews Avenue,
 in
Fort Lauderdale.
For more information contact the Stonewall Library at
(954)
763-8565.
The 4th annual Sleazy’s
will be held at Scandals on Monday March 5th. The night
will be hosted by Daisy Deadpetals and Russell from Ramrod
with music by Jeffrey Jacobs and the theme being the sleazy 60’s and
70’s. Doors open at 7:02 pm and the show starts at
8:11pm,
with an admission of $2.44. The night will be benefiting the Names Project
South Florida. |
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The 30th anniversary of Pridefest is scheduled
for Saturday, and Sunday March 10-11, at the very
popular Holiday Park/War Memorial Auditorium.
Pridefest is a celebration and tribute to the LGBT
community and its unique culture. The weekend-long event
includes a special tent and dance floor for your dancing
pleasure! Also featured are over 250 vendors, music,
food, Country & Western dance tent, Games, ArtsUnited’s
(Art Pavilion) and children’s area. This year as part of
their 30th anniversary they will be adding an
exhibit of their South Florida Pride history.
As usual, there will be non-stop entertainment both
days, including both indoor and outdoor stages
highlighted by national recording artists Ari Gold
and God-Des & She,
local DJ’s Miik and Rae Rae, The
Flamingo Freedom Band, The Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s
Chorus and many more surprises!
Official
Pridefest events will be held at
several of the nightclubs and venues in town
starting on Friday, March 2 and continuing
through Sunday night. The Sun-Sentinel newspaper will
be doing a 24-page commemorative 30-year anniversary
insert on Friday March 2. Don’t forget to
purchase the Sun-Sentinel and check it out.
The hours are
Noon – 8 p.m. both days, giving our local gay clubs the
opportunity to continue celebrating Pride well into the
night. Pride South Florida is a 501(c)3 non
profit organization run by unpaid volunteers. They aim
to produce a highly professional Pride Festival that is
not only economically valuable to our community to
promote itself as the
#1 Gay and
Lesbian destination in the U.S.A.,
but also benefiting South Florida GLBT community
organizations: 100% of the Proceeds from Pridefest are
distributed through a grant program each Spring. For
more information on Pridefest events, volunteering and
other activities, please visit their website
www.PrideSouthFlorida.org or call the PrideLine at
(954) 561-2020. |
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Ari Gold Headlining
Pridefest! |
Click Forward Arrow to Listen
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You'll Die Laughing at "Grandma Sylvia's Funeral" |
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Last year audiences became part of a wild wedding party
when
The
Broward Center for the Performing Arts presented
Tony
n' Tina's Wedding
to sell-out crowds. Now audience members get into the
act as mourners in the wildest Jewish funeral ever as
the Broward Center presents the interactive sensation
from Off-Broadway and Los Angeles,
Grandma Sylvia's Funeral
in the
Abdo
New River Room
starting tonight, Wednesday, February 21, and going to
Sunday, March 4.  Grandma Sylvia's Funeral
is written by
Glenn
Wein
and
Amy Lord Blumsack
and the original Off-Broadway production was directed by
Glenn Wein. The comedy became an instant hit as "friends
and family" of the dearly
 departed
interact with ticket holders treating them to fond
remembrances, biographical anecdotes, shameless
bickering and vaudeville-like turns. From the moment the
coffin arrives by rickshaw, it's clear Grandma
Sylvia is not going to
get the usual send-off. There's Rabbi Michael Wolfe
officiating at his first funeral and a funeral director
named after the real Dracula not to mention some
unfinished family business including cheating and
intermarriage. A light mitzvah meal provides a brief
respite in the ongoing hilarity.
WNBC-TV
summed up the Grandma Sylvia's Funeral experience
reporting, "Sing with the Rabbi, schmooze with the
family, or just sit back and enjoy. The festivities are
hysterical!"
Performances are Wednesday through Friday at 7:30 p.m.
and Saturday and Sunday at 3 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are
$45. Tickets and group discounts are available through
the Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Office at
954/462-0222 or select your seat on-line at
www.browardcenter.org. Tickets are also available
through Ticketmaster. The Broward Center for the
Performing Arts is located in the Riverwalk Arts &
Entertainment District at
201 SW Fifth Avenue
in Fort Lauderdale. Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, Mercedes Benz of
Fort Lauderdale, Levinson Jewelers, El Dorado Furniture,
A Family Limousine, Humana, Pepsi and TAM Brazilian
Airlines
are proud supporters of the
Broward
Center. All dates, programs and artists are subject to
change. |
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Winter Party Festival is now less than two
weeks away. As you know, this six-day Festival is not
only one of
South Florida’s largest annual celebrations for the LGBT
community, it is also a vital source of funding for
organizations serving
Miami-Dade
County.
The 2007 theme is “Beyond Borders”, and the
National Gay and Lesbian
 Task
Force has made major strides in ensuring the
Festival includes programming for all segments of our
community. Everyone is invited to attend the Winter
Party Welcome Reception, Departure Lounge, on
Wednesday, February 28, at 7:30 P.M. at the Surfcomber Hotel,
1717 Collins Avenue. Presented by Showtime
Networks, this complimentary event will feature
cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and a preview of the
cultural and community events that will take place
during the Festival, including a wine-tasting at
Pacific Time, a women’s kayaking excursion, the LGBT
Family Picnic and Comedy Spotlight, starring Leslie
Jordan,
ANT
and Michele Balan. Learn more about the entire
Winter Party Festival line-up at www.winterparty.com.
Two-thirds of the net proceeds of Winter Party Festival
benefit organizations serving the Miami-Dade LGBT
community.
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Black History Month at Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival |
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In recognition of Black History Month, Fort Lauderdale
International Film Festival will celebrate the life
and dazzling entertainment career of ‘The World’s
Greatest Tap Dancer’, Bill ‘Bojangles’ Robinson,
with a series of films and lectures at their year-round
art-house theatre Cinema Paradiso. Films
 will
include ‘Stormy Weather,’ where Robinson played
the romantic lead opposite Lena Horne; ‘The
Littlest Colonel’ and ‘Just Around the
Corner,’ co-starring Shirley Temple,
‘Swing Time’, starring another great tap
dancer, Fred Astaire with Ginger Rogers. This
exuberant movie features Astaire paying tribute to
Robinson in a lavish production number entitled
‘Bojangles of
Harlem’.
The schedule will be ‘Just Around the Corner’
at 6:00 p.m. on February 26th followed by
‘Swing Time’ at 8:00 p.m. and the next day,
February 27th, ‘The Littlest Colonel’
at 6:00 p.m. followed by ‘Stormy Weather’
at 8:00 p.m. On hand at each screening will be popular
photo-journalist and lecturer, Kevin Lane; who is
considered one of the world’s leading authorities on
Robinson. Lane will share lively anecdotes about
Robinson’s life and the ‘Golden Era of Entertainment’ in
which Robinson was an absolute super-star. “As a
civil rights pioneer, a breakthrough performer in tap, a
star of Vaudeville, Broadway, movies, night club revues
and radio; Bill was the consummate entertainer,”
Kevin explained. “By taking the hand of Shirley
Temple in teaching her how to tap dance up a flight of
stairs in ‘The Littlest Colonel’, he and Shirley were
credited with being the first interracial team in film.”
Lane spent more than five years in researching
Robinson’s life and has written a book and a
multi-media/docu-musical. Throughout the weekend, Kevin
Lane will show vintage film clips and photos to document
Robinson’s extraordinary life in addition to sharing
little known facts. “During World War II, the common
expression of our air force pilots was ‘Everything is
Copasetic’. In fact, it became part of the vernacular
of the American public and found its way into the
dictionary. Bill Robinson coined the phrase! He was
considered a ‘philanthropist of note’ and over the
course of his career gave over 3,000 benefit
performances to raise money for charitable causes. He
was a self-made multi-millionaire, a role model for
African American youth and adults, and he broke racial
barriers as he danced his way into the hearts and souls
of people around the world! It’s unfortunate that he is
absolutely lost to history,” Lane added. “We’re
excited about this Black History month project in that
it will be the first time in South Florida that such a
Movie & Lecture series is being presented in an effort
to bring to life the career of perhaps one of the
greatest American folk heroes who has been all but lost
to history,” said Gregory von Hausch,
President & CEO of the Fort Lauderdale International
Film Festival. “Kevin has a remarkable passion in
his admiration for ‘Bo’ and in bringing long overdue
recognition to this unique individual and we’re pleased
to be the platform for this revival of interest.” “A
man’s life can sometimes be measured by the people that
attend his funeral. In the case of Bill ‘Bojangles’
Robinson, an estimated million and a half people turned
out on a cold and rainy day on November 25, 1949 to pay
their respects,” Kevin noted. The pall bearers read
like a who’s who of entertainment, politics and sports.
Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. eulogized Robinson at
the overflow crowd gathered at the Abyssinian Baptist
Church, saying he wasn’t “… a credit to his race,
meaning the Negro race, Bill was a credit to the human
race. He was not a great Negro dancer, he was the
world’s greatest dancer. Bill Robinson was Mr.
Showbusiness himself.” Tickets :
$5.00 General Admission, Free for Film Festival Members,
Cinema Paradiso is located at 503 SE 6 Street in
downtown Fort Lauderdale on the South bank of the New
River, just East of Broward County Courthouse. Parking
is free. For information, call (954) 525-3456 or visit
www.fliff.com. |
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Auditions for June Musical Revue Slated by Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus at
Pridefest |
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As you do every year, you’ll see it all in abundance in
the June musical revue of the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s
Chorus. Soon will be your final chances for this season
to audition to join the chorus and to participate in
this high-energy production of sheer fun. Auditions for
“Time to Take Our Place,” the chorus’ June
16-17 revue, will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday and
Sunday, March 10-11 in a private space behind the
chorus’ Pridefest ’07 booth in the Holiday Park War
Memorial in downtown Fort Lauderdale, immediately
after the chorus’ performance both days at approximately
3 p.m. Those persons unable to audition at Pridefest
have a final chance at 6:30 p.m. the following
Wednesday, March 14, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the
music suite on the second floor of the education annex
of the Sunshine Cathedral, 1480 SW 9th
Ave. No pre-registration is required for auditions.
Please bring a piece of sheet music of any style of
music to sing. An accompanist will be provided. The
chorus’ rehearsals are held Wednesday evenings from 7:30
to
10:30 p.m. at the Sunshine Cathedral. “While I’m
pleased to note that all of our shows have been selling
out this year as the chorus and its image in the
community continue to grow, I can also say that our June
show is always one of our most popular,” said
Todd Wiley, FTLGMC director. “The revue features
a rich mixture of musical styles, a lot of ambitious
dancing by chorus members, vivid costuming and staging,
and the sheer fun that’s become the hallmark of the
chorus’ performances. If you’re an entertainer, you
won’t want to miss being in this show. And if you’re
looking to be entertained, you’ll want to buy your
tickets soon!” “Time to Take Our Place” will be held
Saturday and Sunday, June 16-17 beginning at
8 p.m. in the beautiful Amaturo Theatre of the Broward
Center for the Performing Arts,
201 SW 5th Ave., downtown
Fort Lauderdale. “The mission of the Fort Lauderdale
Gay Men’s Chorus is to build community through quality
musical performances that promote a world that accepts
and values diversity,” Wiley noted. “We celebrate
that diversity throughout our concert season and our
many community performances. But probably no other
chorus event spotlights that diversity quite like our
June show. We look at it as a rousing way to end our
season, inviting our audiences to come together from all
walks of life, celebrating the rich diversity of our
experiences, our musical culture, and our lives.”
Tickets for “Time to Take Our Place” are now available
through the chorus’ web site —
www.ftlgmc.org — or through the Broward Center’s
AutoNation Box Office at (954) 462-0222 or
www.browardcenter.org. They will also shortly be
available from chorus members. Tickets are $40, $30 and
$20 plus any handling charges that may apply. |
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FLIFF Annual Oscar Night
Party
Relocated to Cinema Paradiso
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 Fort
Lauderdale International Film Festival's (FLIFF) Annual Oscar Night Party
on Sunday, February 25 has been relocated from
Seminole Paradise at The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel &
Casino to the festival's art-house theatre, Cinema
Paradiso. Come dressed in Hollywood
attire. The evening begins at
7pm
with red
carpet arrivals and a buffet. Watch the Academy
Awards® on
the super-sized, 30 ft screen, beginning at 8pm. Cinema
Paradiso is located at 503 SE 6 Street in downtown Fort
Lauderdale, on
the South Bank of the New River and just east of the
Broward County Courthouse. Parking is free at meters
and in the Courthouse garage. Tickets are $10 for FLIFF
Members / $20 for non-members. Cost includes the
Buffet, and entry form for a chance to win door prizes
all night long. "Pick the Winners" Ballots can be
purchased for $5.00. 14 prizes will be available in the
top categories, including a weekend get-away at
Gallery One hotel, and Gift Certificates for a
variety of retailers including Whole Foods. |
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