Noche Latina Fridays

On December 28, Noche Latina Fridays  invites you to start your New Years celebration out early with a $500 in cash and prizes balloon drop. The Show will star house divas Erika Norell, and Alyssa Kartiar, and special guest Francina Holiday celebrating her birthday. In the Main Room DJ Juan Carlos  will be spinning the best mix of Salsa, Merengue, Raggaeton, Bachata, Cumbia, Brazilian and the hottest Latin sounds Doors open at 9pm, and they feature FREE DRINKS from 9 till 11pm, FREE Parking for over 500 cars and the Hottest Latin Go Go Papi’s from 11pm till close. Noche Latina Fridays is now held at Steel Nightclub.

The Coliseum presents a spectacular performance by the empress of style Amanda LePore. In addition the will be celebrating the release of Mary J Blige’s new CD “Growing Pains.” The night features DJ’s Miik and T-Promix in the main room and DJ Daisy Deadpetals in the White Room, hostess Mizz Cori, and a performance by TP Lords.

Evolution Fridays at Score presents superstar DJ Ralphi Rosario in the main room and DJ Felix playing Electroclash in the Crème Lounge. The night is hosted by Adriano Martena.

Saturday

The Coliseum presents a NYE Pre-Party starring recording diva Billie Myers, best know for a hit smash single “Kiss The Rain” as well as DJ Hector Fonseca direct form New York City. They also feature Stand Up Drag in the White Room hosted by Mizz Cori and starring Erika Norell and TP Lords, with DJ T-Promix spinning.

Julie G presents a holiday extravaganza party and she invites you to come out and raise a little Hell at Heaven at Purgatory (the old Saint venue).  Special guest performance by Gioia Bruno…lead singer of Expose and featuring Sue Veneer. DJ Kaprah spinning the best house, hip hop, salsa, retro and rock. She will also feature the sexy Hellcat go-go girls.  Drink specials are: 2-4-1 from 10pm – Midnight, $2 Shots, and $4 Three Olive Martini’s.  Doors open @ 10pm 18 and up (proper ID) Purgatory…formerly “The Saint” 1000 State RD 84 Fort Lauderdale. For more info call 305 467 6372.

Georgie’s Alibi presents Angelique Ali performing live in the Manchester room at 7, 8 and 9pm. She will also be performing on Jan 1st at 9, 10 and 11pm.

Dolche West Palm Beach

Dolche, West Palm Beach’s newest club present DJ/Producer Oren Nizri at the turntables and special guest Ebonee Excel singing her hit song “Bitch Beware.”

Lynne Bove of icandee presents Noche Latina Parranda, a party celebrating the Latin tradition of unity and music for the holidays.  Give-aways all night! DJ Dezrock with the best of Latin Music.

Hilton Wolman presents and official NYE 2008 event entitled “BPM” with doors opening at 11pm and featuring DJ’s Manny Lehman and Tony Moran. The event takes place at the Park West Nightclub. Discount advance tickets are available at www.circuiticket.com

Sunday

Gary Santis and Hilton Wohlman present “Last Dance,” an official NYE Miami 2008 event featuring DJ David Knapp and being held at The Fifth. The night will be hosted by Mizz Cori and feature a special performance by south beach royalty Kitty Meow. Tickets are $20 in advance and $30 at the door.

Monday

Rising Action Theatre, Inc announces the official opening of its very own theatrical venue at   840 E. Oakland Park Blvd, Oakland Park, on New Years Eve, with the World Premiere of the Award Winning New York Bound comedy, The 11 O’ Clock Number. The Evening will consist of a 3 course dinner at Primavera Restaurant; a ribbon cutting ceremony with Oakland Park Mayor Larry Geher; the world premiere of the NY Bound Comedy The 11 O’Clock Number and a champagne celebration with the cast. New Years Eve Fundraiser 3 Course Dinner at Primavera Restaurant at 6:30 pm Official Ribbon Cutting and opening of theatre at 8:11 pm Show- The Eleven O’ Clock Number at 8:30 pm. Champagne Celebration with cast after show. Dinner and Show on New Years is $125. Show and Party on without dinner on New Years is $100. The performance schedule for all  other performances of 11 O’Clock Number is Thurs, Fri, Sat at 8 pm and Sun at 3 pm.  Gala Tickets or regular tickets ($30) can be purchased on their website at www.risingactiontheatre.com or by calling the 1-800-595-4849.  Previews Dec 29 and 30 at $25.  Also available is a 3 course dinner at Primavera Restaurant and their show for $55. The 11 O’ Clock Number is about a 45 year old man who gets a Scrabble Set for his Birthday once owned by Ethel Merman. Guess who shows up to grant him his Every birthday wish? Ethel herself!                                                               

Georgie’s Alibi Wilton Manors presents their 11th annual New Years Eve Spectacular with Balloon Drops, Party Favors, a champagne toast at midnight, no cover, and they invite you to watch the ball drop on their big screen TV’s. The on Tuesday the 1st they invite you to their annual New Years Day Recovery Party with $1 Bloody Mary’s from 11am till 4pm.  

Discotekka presents DJ’s Jarell and A Luv with a $25 cover that includes an Open Bar from 10pm till midnight, a Free Champagne Toast at midnight, and Party Favors. They also present the Official After Hours Party with DJ’s Tommy T, Ralphie ad A Luv.  

Score Nightclub South Beach

Score invites you to celebrate the New Years in Style with a theme party entitled “Casino Royale.” The night will be hosted by Bond Girl Alyssa Kartiar and secret service agent DJ Drew Tribe. They will also feature a Champagne Toast a Balloon Drop and a live Times Square broadcast. 

At Coliseum Paul Hugo, Brett Tannenbaum and Gary Santis in association with Alex Infiniti and 305boyz.com present “New Years Eve FTL 2008” starring World Renown Magical Illusionists Kevin and Caruso, as well as Direct from NYC Joe Bermudez in the main room and DJ T-Promix in the white lounge. The night will be hosted by Mizz Cori and feature performances by Vegas Dion, Gina DiAngelo, Daisy D, Erika Norell, Glitz Glamour, TP Lords, and cast. 

Lukas Ridgeston at Boardwalk

Spend New Year's Eve with Bel AMi legend, Lukas Ridgeston at Boardwalk. The evening also features a live times square countdown simulcast on over 20 plasma TVs, free buffet from 9 to 10 PM, champagne toast and noise makers.

Halo Lounge Miami Beach

Halo Lounge invites you to celebrate the New Years with Sophistication in South Beach. They are only selling 170 tickets with the admission being $150 and includes a full open bar from 8:30 till 12:30, hors d’oeurves, party favors, a DJ spinning from 8:30 till close, and Rachel Panay appearing live with 3 shows. Tickets are available now and can be purchased at the bar. At 12:30 the doors open to the public and there is no admission at that time. 

Scandals presents DJ Tim with No cover and a $750 in cash and prizes Balloon drop at midnight with 5 $100 bills, Scandals shirts and hats, Free Champagne at Midnight, and party favors.  

Steel presents “Glow Out With A Bang” a NYE 200 glow stick party with a $1500 Balloon Drop, Free Champagne at Midnight, No Cover, and DJ Larry Monteleone.  

The Black Banana presents their Grand Opening on New Years Eve with a Sean Kingston CD Release party, Music by DJ BEDS, and a special performance by both Angelique Ali and R&B Recording Artist Nikki Matos. Doors open at 9pm, and features a Champagne Toast at midnight.  

Lips present a Disco Inferno New Years Eve hosted by Electra with Dinner, Drag Shows, Dancing, and a midnight celebration. They will feature a 3 course gala Pre Fixe Dinner, Champagne Toast, hats, horns, and party supplies. Early seating is $39 and late seating is $99.  

Bill's presents a no cover New Year celebration with a midnight champagne toast, party favors, and a balloon drop. 

Gary Santis and Hilton Wohlman present One world, One night, One beat NYE Miami 2008, the official Masterbeat 2008 Miami event featuring DJ Abel in concert, and performing live will be Jeanie Tracy (“Cha Cha Heels”, “Party People”). The event takes place at Soho Studios in Miami and tickets are $95 with an optional VIP Upgrade which costs $60 more and includes all your Water, Juices and Energy Drinks. Tickets are available at www.circuiticket.com. This event takes place from 10pm till 10am and features décor by RKM.

Anything goes when Bob Lappin and The Palm Beach Pops present a rousing tribute to this all-American composer, songwriter and musical master in “The Genius of Cole Porter.” Bob Lappin and The Palm Beach Pops welcome back Tony Award winner Lillias White to salute the clever lyrics and sophisticated melodies of Cole Porter with American Songbook favorites “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “I Concentrate On You,” “Anything Goes,” “Blow Gabriel, Blow” and “You’re the Top.” World-renowned trumpeter and singer, Longineu Parsons, makes a special appearance to showcase his highly original compositional and improvisational style. Guest vocalist Lillias White is the quadruple-crown winner of the 1997 Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Award and the People's Choice Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance in the Cy Coleman musical The Life. Longineu Parsons has performed in over 30 countries and is touted by critics to be one of the world’s best trumpet players. Cole Porter’s musical interest began to develop at the age of 10 when composing a song for his mother. His works include the musical comedies Kiss Me Kate, Fifty Million Frenchmen and Anything Goes, as well as songs like "Night and Day," "Begin the Beguine" and "I've Got You Under My Skin". Porter was noted for his sophisticated and sometimes ribald lyrics, clever rhymes, and complex forms…and was probably the most prolific single contributor to the Great American Songbook. Bob Lappin and The Palm Beach Pops bring you “The Genius of Cole Porter” concerts on January 4 and 5 at 8:00 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach. Tickets are $25 to $85 and available by calling 561.832.7469 or visiting www.palmbeachpops.org. The series continues on 7, 8 and 9 at 8:00 p.m. at the Carole and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium at FAU in Boca Raton. Tickets are $27 to $65 and are available by calling 800.564.9539 or visiting www.palmbeachpops.org. For additional information, call the Palm Beach Pops Box Office at 561.832.7677 or visit www.palmbeachpops.org.

In a move that could go a long way toward improving safety along a dangerous stretch of Wilton Drive, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), operator of the ‘Out of the Closet’ Thrift Stores, has paid $90,000 to the City of Wilton Manors for the installation of a crosswalk on Wilton Drive, in front of Hagen Park.  Part of an eighteen-store chain that is the nation’s largest retail fundraising vehicle for HIV/AIDS medical care and research, the Wilton Manors ‘Out of the Closet’ is scheduled to open at 2097 Wilton Drive in January 2008. The $90,000 contribution for the crosswalk comes at a time when Wilton Manors city officials are in talks with the Florida Department of Transportation to improve safety along Wilton Drive.  Area business owners and residents have been lobbying the City for some time to improve safety conditions on that road—the site of numerous serious accidents.  Community efforts for traffic calming in Wilton Manors have intensified in recent months after a pedestrian was struck and killed this past November crossing Dixie Highway at Five Points intersection – just three weeks after another pedestrian was critically injured crossing an extension of Wilton Drive, NE Fourth Avenue. “Particularly in light of recent serious traffic incidents in the area, we are pleased to announce this payment of $90,000 to the City for the installation of a crosswalk on Wilton Drive,” said Matt LaMariana, District Manager-Florida, ‘Out of the Closet’ Thrift Stores.  “As the community has rallied together to address the issue of traffic calming, it is our hope that this much-needed crosswalk will not only help make the area more pedestrian-friendly, benefiting all of the businesses on the south side of Wilton Drive, but also play a critical role in accelerating the process of improving the safety and quality of life for all of those who work in, live in and visit this area.” Though the crosswalk installation falls under the jurisdiction of the City, Wilton Drive itself is a state road and, thus, decisions regarding changes to it rest with the state.  According to a recent Express Gay News article (“Local Gay Resident Killed Crossing Street in Wilton Manors,” By Juan Carlos Rodriguez), in response to community concerns City officials met with the Florida Department of Transportation regarding traffic calming options.  However, officials failed to see eye-to-eye on potential solutions at that meeting.  Since all changes to Wilton Drive are subject to State approval, the traffic safety situation will remain as it is until State and City officials can come to an agreement. “The installation of a crosswalk on Wilton Drive is long-overdue,” said Kate Walsh, owner of We're Everywhere, a clothing store and gift shop located at 2041 Wilton Drive, near the site of the proposed crosswalk.  “I’m excited about any improvements that will make the neighborhood more pedestrian friendly.  With four lanes of traffic and cars flying by at high speeds, Wilton Drive is very difficult—even dangerous—to cross. I’ve long wondered how many more people will be hit or killed before action would be taken. A crosswalk will be 100% beneficial to Wilton Manors business-owners and residents alike.” The Express Gay News article detailed the growing concern in the community about traffic safety issues and solutions proposed by local groups to improve the situation—including installing more crossing signals: “Main Street Wilton Manors, WMBA [Wilton Manors Business Association] and other neighborhood associations met Oct. 29 to present public officials and residents ideas for making the downtown area safer for pedestrians.  Among the ideas proposed was implementing a 90-day pilot program to reduce traffic lanes with traffic cones and barricades from Thursday nights to Monday mornings.  The group also came up with ideas for adding lights to dangerous crossing areas and increasing crossing signals and signage.”

Rabbi Harold F. Caminker, D.D., the spiritual leader of Congregation Etz Chaim, will conduct a course, "Judaism Confronts Contemporary Issues," on Monday nights, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., between January 14 and February 25.  The course addresses the pressing issues of modern life as they impinge upon Jews and Judaism in a broad perspective.  It will discuss the attitudes of Orthodox or Halachic Judaism, along with Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist Judaism, as they wrestle with some of the most challenging ethical issues of our time: abortion, artificial insemination, drugs, euthanasia (mercy killing), homosexuality, organ transplant, and suicide.  Study materials will be distributed one week prior to each session. "Judaism Confronts Contemporary Issues" will be held at the Synagogue, 1881 N.E. 26 Street, in Wilton Manors.  Contact Cong. Etz Chaim at 954-564-9232 and ask for a registration form for the course.  Please sign up no later than January 3, in order to allow for preparation of materials.  The cost for Synagogue members is $50.00 per person or $75.00 for a couple, and for non-members $100.00 per person.

Winter Party Festival 2008

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force invites you to join in one of the most fabulous GLBT celebrations in the world, Winter Party Festival 2008 Festival 2008 which is scheduled from February 27 to March 3 2008. Exhilarating dance parties, upscale cocktail receptions, great fashion shows, family picnics and more, Winter Party Festival 2008 features something for every member of the community and satisfies the most exquisite tastes. In the middle of the winter, you can only party under the sun and at the beach in South Beach. The 15th Annual Winter Party Beach Party is more than just a day at the beach though...for the line-up of events and for more information visit Winter Party Festival 2008

Winter Party Festival 2008 tickets are now on sale at www.winterparty.com!  More than 20 events are planned over the course of six days, climaxing with the 15th Annual Winter Party Beach Party on Sunday, March 2. Save money by purchasing one of their multi-event passes; save even more money by buying your pass during their early bird special, which runs through January 14. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is proud to introduce a new pass for the younger members of our tribe: the New Generation Pass for guests ages 21-25.  (A valid government issued ID is required at all events.)  This pass and their Florida Resident Pass both feature three of our most popular events: the Beach Party, the Pool Party and the Under the Stars dance party at one of their new venues, Karu & Y.  But both of these passes are only available through January 14. What are you waiting for? Go to Winter Party Festival 2008 now! Host Hotel: The Doubletree Surfcomber is the place to be during the Winter Party Festival. Their Welcome Center is located in the hotel, only steps away from the magnificent pool, the site of the ever-popular Pool Party. Hotel guests receive two complimentary tickets per room to this spectacular event. Room rates are $299/king and $319/double through January 29. After that date the rates increase by $20. To reserve your room, please call 305.532.7715, ask for reservations, and mention Winter Party Festival 2008 to receive the special rate or visit the Doubletree Surfcomber.