On Thursday November 9^th Smarty Pants presented the CD release party for my friend Jennifer McClain’s “Straight Up Country” with performances by Jennifer and lots of special guests. The place was extremely packed and Jennifer was at the top of her game belting out her beautiful voice all night long!!! 

Friday night local artist Tshun opened a new show at One Tea Lounge. The artist creates using the perspective of time. Hand painted and extraordinarily detailed dioramas with objects like cars, light poles and people marking a specific moment in time. There is a working clock built into each piece that keeps moving, leaving the street scenes and cityscapes stuck in time. Stop by One Tea Lounge and snag one of these pieces before their time is up. The artists work shows through November or until sold. 

Also on Friday, Noche Latina Fridays at Elements presented the Birthday Extravaganza for their newest house diva Alyssa Kartiar. The place was extremely busy as usual and featured an all star show by Alyssa (doing a production number), Champagne Bordeaux, Viva Mirage and Francina Holiday. Also notable was the hot Go-Go Papi’s!! We here at Marks List would like to wish Alyssa many more happy birthdays!!

Boom presents a Giving Thanks Food Drive on Thanksgiving Weekend. Bring in a can of food and get a shot for only $1. Stop by any day Thanksgiving Weekend to support this great cause.

Instinct Magazine the largest gay men’s magazine, today announced an exclusive national gay press interview with top female recording artist Beyoncé Knowles! Beyoncé will grace the cover of Instinct’s December 2006 issue and discusses recording her first post-Destiny’s Child album, her role in Dreamgirls, and her thoughts on being a diva.

Instinct has become known for its hip and young audience and as such continues to scoop other gay national press known more for their aging demographics.  It’s this combination of trendy readership and cutting-edge award winning editorial that continues to draw top celebrities to Instinct’s pages. In the interview, Beyoncé comments on her religious faith and the categorizing of gay society. She states, “Well, you know I grew up going to church, but I was raised by my uncle who passed away with AIDS a couple of years ago. He was my mother’s best friend, and my mother’s cousin. He brought me to school every day. He helped me buy my prom dress. He made my clothes with my mother. He was like my nanny. He was my favorite person in the world. And you know, I never really mixed Christianity with how I felt [about him]. I am about faith and spirituality more so than religion. Doing right by others and not judging.” 

Also in the December issue, Instinct calls out the Best And Worst of 2006. The Devil Wears Prada, Quinceañera and Another Gay Movie were all named best flicks, while Miami Vice, Inside Man and When a Stranger Calls were deemed some of the worst flicks of 2006. Additional honors went out to the following: Whitney and Bobby for Best Divorce Filing, George Michael for Worst Gay Driver, Victoria “Posh Spice” Beckham for Best-Dressed Overlord On The Make and Oprah Winfrey for Worst Talk Show Trend (“The Secretly Gay Husband”).  Additionally, the December issue includes a tribute to World AIDS Day, a travel feature on Seattle’s best, our Annual Male Grooming Products Awards and 18 gifts to rival Santa’s bag this holiday season.

MiamiArtZine.com, a biweekly online Arts News Magazine covering the South Florida arts scene, celebrates its one-year anniversary with a cocktail reception presented by the Miami Beach Arts Trust on Thursday, November 16.  The event, entitled “An Evening in the Garden,” is open to the public and takes place in the lush tropical gardens at the Miami Beach home of Sam Carson and Garrett Yebernetsky. The event features entertainment, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and a raffle prizes, with complimentary valet parking available.  Guests will delight in performances by the Miami Contemporary Dance Company and Hanabi Classical Quartet.  Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be provided, courtesy of AMC Liaisons, Finlandia, Amarula, Spris, Catering by Lovables, da Leo and Maggies Cakes. Harvey J. Burstein, Miami Beach Arts Trust Chair, initiated the free, biweekly e-zine to serve as a much-need voice of the Miami Arts scene.  "MiamiArtZine.com is needed to nurture, expose and support the arts organizations and arts community emanating from Miami Beach, South Florida and beyond," says Burstein.  The team includes editor Mary Damiano and aspiring young journalists who lend a fresh voice and knowledge of underground art happenings to the writing.  Volunteer writers and photographers from local colleges and high schools also contribute to MiamiArtZine. Ms. Damiano, a veteran arts and features journalist, pens "Mary's Art Scene," a first-person account of current arts happenings.  "I am determined to keep the tone of the magazine positive, focusing on events that are worthy of the public's attention," notes Ms. Damiano. Now online with its 25th issue, MiamiArtZine.com has experienced great success in its first year, with more than 4,000 subscribers.  Features consist of original articles, including "Artist's Spotlight," which is a Q&A session with local artists, showcasing four to six pieces of their work. The e-zine prides itself on being an informative and innovative voice of support for the local arts scene. An Evening in the Garden takes place on Thursday, November 16 from 6 to 9 PM in the lush gardens of the home of Sam Carson and Garrett Yebernetsky.  Tickets are $50 per person and are available at www.MiamiArtZine.com or by calling (305) 535-8318.

The GLCC will once again host a community potluck on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday November 23. The event is free and open to the entire community.  Guests may bring a potluck dish, but it is not mandatory.  Volunteers are needed from 11am to 3pm.  A Holiday Meal will be served from 12 noon to 2:00pm. “This year we have been very fortunate to receive covered dishes donated by the Church of the Holy SpiritSong, which include: turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes and veggies,” reports Nicole Martin, Operations Manager of the GLCC.  “The Church meets at the Center weekly on Sunday mornings at 10am and we are very grateful for their generosity.” Suggested potluck items are salads, side dishes, beverages and desserts. Anyone interested in volunteering may contact Nicole at 954 463-9005 x227 or via email at nicole@glccsf.org The Center Switchboard, Admin Offices and Group Meetings will be closed on Thanksgiving.

The GLCC Flea Market is now every weekend indoors! Go visit the flea market and see a wide variety of items from antiques to holiday flair! Concessions served! Hamburgers and hotdogs fresh from the grill spaces still available (11/18 and 12/2 are sold out; 11/25 spaces available, 12/9 nearly sold out, 12/16 space available). Go in today to reserve your booth or call them at 954-463-9005 x.227. Get all your holiday shopping done there!

Community members are invited to participate in the GLCC’s “United in our Diversity” campaign. Opportunities exist to connect with LGBT individuals and our supporters across traditional categories of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, health status, political affiliation and physical appearance. The campaign is in its very early stages, during which community input is particularly welcomed. Ideas for the future direction of United in our Diversity include: social and cultural events, educational opportunities, and increased visibility of unity and diversity in our community. In addition to taking important steps in this area— let’s connect, have fun and enjoy the multicultural flavor of our community! Interested individuals are welcome to contact them at: Diversity@glccsf.org or call them at 964 463- 9005.

Actors’ Playhouse in Conjunction with CoralGaybles.com presents a special theater event on Thursday, November 16: This event includes a private pre-show social from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Tickets are $20.00 and include admission to the musical White Christmas plus a complimentary drink voucher and free hors d’oeuvres. All reservations must be made and paid in full prior to show date through group sales only. The special $20.00 price will not be available at the box office. Please redeem drink vouchers before 7:30 P.M. when the house opens to the general public. Call 305 444 9293 ext 613 or email groups@actorsplayhouse.org.