Hotspots! May 28, 2020 by Hotspots Media Group

CREDITS

05.28 �� Cover Provided by Q Syndicate

Publisher Peter Clark

Peter@HotspotsMedia.com

Associate Publisher Scott Holland

Scott@HotspotsMedia.com

Business Manager Brian Burda

Brian@HotspotsMedia.com

Classifieds Manager Jim Nolen

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Art Director Frank Mendez

Frank@HotspotsMedia.com

Graphics

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Senior Account Reps Anthony Verrico & Rich LoPrimo Tom Gatz-Nibbio National Advertising Rivendell Media

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Hotspots.LGBT | MarksList.LGBT 3500 N.E. 12th Avenue • Oakland Park, FL 33334 Broward Office: 954-928-1862 • Miami Office: 305-775-5265 • Central Florida Office: 813-253-9107 HotspotsMediaGroup.com • Facebook.com/HotspotsMag • Twitter.com/HotspotsFL

Bar/Nightclub Managers and Owners Thoughts for the Future By: Scott Holland I decided to send out a few questions to all our bar and nightclub advertisers to ind out their thoughts about the pandemic and the future. Three responded on time for our deadline, they were: Alex Amarosa (GM Scandals and Tropics), Michael Connell (Co-Owner of the Pub), and Matt Colunga (owner of Johnsons). We will update our website with more responses as they come in.

How are you and your staff holding up during the Quarantine? Alex - I have been very fortunate, I have seen 60 of my 71 employees in the past month, both from Tropics Grille and Scandals Saloon. My staff has always been a family. There is not one person on staff in both places that I am not completely satis ied with. I am blessed to have a dynamite team. All are holding up pretty good. They're always in ine spirits and laughing when I see them. Sure, they're a little broke, stir crazy, sex hungry, and all are in dire need of a crowd, and audience. I have always felt and I teach my front of house staff that bartending and serving is like live improv theater. Every night it's a different show, some the same, and some different characters. Improv is a must for front of house staff, which we have brimming over

in both places. Michael - Happy to report that our associates have all been able to remain healthy during this time. Additionally, our staff have supported each other & our management with them through weekly calls, texts, etc. We continued Alex Amarosa to support our associates through takeout food tips being pooled & several events where we offered free dinners with customer's generous tips being shared with our associates. During the irst two months of closure we were able to distribute just over $21,000 to our Pub associates. Matt - It's de initely challenging and we are very anxious to get back to work. We have done our best to pay our staff a portion of what they would be making so they can survive. We also meet with them every Friday and give them dinner to make sure everyone is doing ok...we are a family after all. A few of them have gotten unemployment but most of them have been doing odd jobs to tide them over. We have also taken this time to deep clean and freshen up the club.

When do you think the south Florida Bars and Nightclub will open? Alex - I personally would not feel comfortable opening until the Fall, but I will see how the

phases are planned out. I will also take notice of phases are planned out. I will also take notice of the community, the the community, the staﬀ, and the staﬀ, and the patrons. If people patrons. If people are uncomfortable are uncomfortable and not ready to go and not ready to go out, which we out, which we should all expect a should all expect a good majority of good majority of those folks, then our those folks, then our establishments will establishments will be empty and no be empty and no one will make any one will make any kind of living. kind of living.

Michael - Sadly, Michael - Sadly, can't predict the can't predict the time. Don't have a time. Don't have a crystal ball, but crystal ball, but based on local and based on local and state government actions to date it likely could state government actions to date it likely could be that phase 2 follows within a month. be that phase 2 follows within a month.

Matt - We are anxious to open but certainly Matt - We are anxious to open but certainly want to be cautious in doing so especially for our want to be cautious in doing so especially for our older clientele...we are planning on taking older clientele...we are planning on taking temperatures of all staﬀ and customers when we temperatures of all staﬀ and customers when we open and make sure we follow all CDC guidelines open and make sure we follow all CDC guidelines for mask wearing. We would be happy to open for mask wearing. We would be happy to open even at 50% capacity. We are hoping to open by even at 50% capacity. We are hoping to open by June 15th since that will have given phase 1 June 15th since that will have given phase 1 three weeks before moving into phase 2. three weeks before moving into phase 2. What's your thoughts for the bar and What's your thoughts for the bar and nightclub industry in the future? nightclub industry in the future? Alex - Completely Alex - Completely changed forever. I changed forever. I cannot see an old cannot see an old fashioned Sunday Tea fashioned Sunday Tea Dance at Scandals Dance at Scandals until next year. The until next year. The majority of my majority of my clientele are 50 and clientele are 50 and over, in both over, in both establishments. From establishments. From speaking to many speaking to many people, it seems to be people, it seems to be a split decision on a split decision on returning to the bars returning to the bars anytime soon. Half anytime soon. Half the crowd are afraid, the crowd are afraid, vulnerable, and vulnerable, and trepadatous. The trepadatous. The other half will come other half will come

as soon as the doors open. These people as soon as the doors open. These people were also the same people that packed the were also the same people that packed the bars on the very bars on the very last day of last day of Michael MichaelConnell Connell business, 2 business, 2 months ago. It months ago. It will take several will take several years to get years to get back to where back to where we once were, we once were, BUT WE WILL, BUT WE WILL, if everyone if everyone abides by the abides by the rules. rules.

Michael - Michael - That's a very That's a very common common question I'm question I'm asked often but asked often but a tough one to answer. The evident science a tough one to answer. The evident science indicates life changes as a new norm are indicates life changes as a new norm are essential and necessary for us all. We will essential and necessary for us all. We will adapt and strive to provide our community a adapt and strive to provide our community a safe and enjoyable place. For owners, the safe and enjoyable place. For owners, the biggest business thought ever looming on biggest business thought ever looming on our minds is Gloria Gaynor's words, “I will our minds is Gloria Gaynor's words, “I will survive.” survive.”

Matt - I believe that this is such an Matt - I believe that this is such an important industry especially in the gay important industry especially in the gay community....these bars are the only social community....these bars are the only social interaction many people have. I have spoken interaction many people have. I have spoken to numerous older customers that have been to numerous older customers that have been home alone for almost 3 months now, and home alone for almost 3 months now, and even to our even to our younger customers younger customers that are working that are working from home and from home and only get virtual only get virtual interaction. People interaction. People need this in person need this in person socialization and socialization and the majority of the the majority of the Matt MattColunga Colunga bars on the drive bars on the drive become the only become the only places people meet places people meet their friends and their friends and “family” in person. “family” in person. We are a social We are a social people and need people and need that interaction that interaction

WHAT’S HOT

By Scott Holland

What’s HOT TO DO DURING QUARANTINE! Last Friday, I went by the Shoppes of Wilton Manors in front of Hunters to see what my friends Howard Andrew (Fabscout), Dawn Holloway

(Pink Sub), and Victor Lords (Lords of Mac) have now become famous for…their biweekly Dinner give-a-way. That Friday, Pride Fort Lauderdale joined them and gave out 150 bags of food and toiletries. This was a huge success and there was a line of people before the starting hour of 6pm. On a personal note, it was so nice to see community members coming together to help out our own! GLSEN Honors Ben Platt with the 2020 Inspiration Award! Known for his Tony award-

winning performance in Dear Evan Hansen, Ben has always been an outspoken advocate, utilizing his platform to speak directly to LGBTQ youth and support countless LGBTQ causes. Since this crisis began, he has shared his gifts to raise money for so many causes as he brought joy and hope to his fans. Check out the presentation and

his acceptance speech at: https://www.glsen.org/take -action/

Spelling The Dream Releases on Netflix An Indian-American competitor has won the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee for the past 12 years straight, making the

trend one of the longest in sports history. Spelling The Dream chronicles the ups and downs of four IndianAmerican students as they compete to realize their dream of winning the iconic tournament. With fascinating perspectives from CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Fareed Zakaria, comedian Hari Kondabolu, ESPN's Kevin Negandhi, 1999 Scripps National Spelling Bee winner, Nupur Lala, and others, the film explores the reasons behind this incredible winning streak and what it means for the community. Netflix will release on Wednesday, June 3. For more information, go to: netflix.com/spellingthedream

Butlers in the Manor Gives back to the Community Butlers in the Manor, a local residential and commercial cleaning company in Fort Lauderdale have never stopped cleaning and sanitizing client's homes. They are always looking to give back to the community, so with the healthcare workers working double time BITM stepped up and donated 14 cleanings to Nurses, Respiratory Therapist and Housekeeping staff...free of charge! Thanks to Holy Cross Hospitals staff for letting them in to find and help the front line heroes. In giving back they have also built an affiliation with Cleaning For a Reason, a nonprofit organization. They are now giving two cancer patients a month a house cleaning for two consecutive month. Positions Available for Upcoming 2020/21 Season at the Lake Worth Playhouse The Lake Worth Playhouse is seeking creative and

passionate Scenic Designers, Lighting Designers, Directors, Choreographers and Music Directors for our 2020/21 Mainstage Season. Positions are also available for upcoming Black Box

productions. Parties seeking employment in Scenic Design or Lighting Design should submit resume and references to Executive Director Stephanie Smith at ssmith@lakeworthplayhous e.org. Parties seeking employment in Directing, Choreography and Musical Direction should submit resume and references to Artistic Director Daniel Eilola at daniel@lakeworthplayhouse .org. All positions are paid (rate may depend on experience).

Tituss Burgess Releases First Dance Track “Dance M.F.” Emmy and SAG-nominated actor, musician and writer, and star of "The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" Tituss Burgess releases his first official dance track "DANCE M.F." Dance M.F. is available on all streaming platforms and digital retailers. Tituss Burgess is quickly emerging as one of the entertainment industry's most versatile and dynamic performers, with his work in television, film and theater, generating both critical and commercial acclaim. Adding to his diverse talents, Tituss is thrilled to be

releasing his first piece of music aimed squarely at the dance music culture and this year's many unstoppable virtual pride celebrations. Dance M.F. is a sultry sexy stomper of a track with an attitude that is certain to bring comfort and escapism to our currently socially distanced souls. This song is a love letter to all the party people who in spite of the pandemic, are still committed to "live their best lives", party on down and celebrate Pride safely while in lockdown.

Space Force – A Netflix Original A decorated pilot with dreams of running the Air

uTituss Photo Michael Fusco

Force, four-star general Mark R. Naird (Steve Carell) is thrown for a loop when he finds himself tapped to lead the newly formed sixth branch of the US Armed Forces: Space Force. Skeptical but dedicated,

Mark uproots his family and moves to a remote base in Colorado where he and a colorful team of scientists and “Spacemen” are tasked by the White House with getting American boots on the moon (again) in a hurry and achieving total space dominance. From co-

uFuller House

creators Carell and Greg Daniels (The Office), Space Force is a new kind of workplace comedy, where the stakes are sky high and the ambitions even higher. John Malkovich, Diana Silvers, Tawny Newsome, Ben Schwartz also star, alongside co-stars Lisa Kudrow, Jimmy O. Yang, Noah Emmerich, Alex Sparrow and Don Lake. Space Force premieres on Netflix on Friday, May 29.

Fuller House – Final Season In Fuller House, life can take you in unexpected directions and also into familiar territory when D.J. Tanner-Fuller finds herself living in her childhood home with younger sister and aspiring musician Stephanie Tanner and DJ's lifelong best friend/fellow single mother Kimmy Gibbler. In Fuller House's fifth and final season, the

Tanner childhood house is fuller than ever with DJ's three boys, Stephanie's new baby, and Kimmy's feisty family as the she-wolf pack prepares for a triple wedding and celebrates all of the memories that have

led them there. Fuller House stars Candace Cameron Bure as D.J. Tanner-Fuller, Jodie Sweetin as Stephanie Tanner, Andrea Barber as Kimmy Gibbler, Juan Pablo Di Pace as Fernando, Soni Nicole Bringas as Ramona, Michael Campion as Jackson, Elias Harger as Max, Dashiell and Fox Messitt Twins as Baby Tommy, Scott Weinger as Steve Hale, John Brotherton as Matt Harmon, and Ashley Liao as Lola. Fuller House Season 5 drops on Netflix on Tuesday, June 2. For more information, go to: netflix.com/FullerHo use

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have been whispers and I'm bad at keeping secrets. Side B for Dedicated is out now babies and I couldn't be more thrilled to share these tunes. I hope it makes yah dance your pants off! Thank you for all the joy you shared with me on this last year of touring. I owe yah one...or like two albums turns out.” For the record, I love all of you….Carly Rae

uSouth Florida Symphony

South Florida Symphony's Movie Night They present Jacqueline du Pré : A Gift Beyond Words on Saturday May 30 at 8pm on their Facebook and Youtube channels. Jacqueline du Pré was one of the greatest cellists of all time; however, her international career was cut short by Multiple Sclerosis – she stopped playing cello at the age of 28 and died at the age of 42 in 1987. Jacqueline du Pré : A Gift Beyond Words, compiled by Christopher Nupen' from the five prizewinning films he made during her lifetime, pays tribute to her on the 30th anniversary of her death.

Community Series: Film Screen - Question One Join SAVE for their Community Series: Film Screen - Question One (A Documentary Film on the Battle for Same-Sex Marriage in America) in

partnership with the OUTShine Film Festival.

RSVP at: https://us02web.zoom.us/ and they will send you access to the film in two waves (Sunday, May 31st, and Wednesday, June 3rd). Then on Friday, June 5th at 5 pm join them for a webinar discussion with the producer of the film and activists that worked on the 2009 No on One Campaign in Maine. Carly Rae Jepsen – Dedicated Side B Carly says……”So, yes there

The Florida Keys will officially re-open to tourism on June 1st

uCarly Rae Jepsen Photo: Natalie O’Moore

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The Best of 2019

Hotel Gaythering

Photos: Hotspots Photo Archives

ArtServe Tackles COVID-Related Mental Health Issues Affecting Creative Economy

For most individuals and businesses, the COVID-19 crisis has put them in a dif icult situation. Those who make their living from the arts have been hit particularly hard, which can lead to feelings of loss, isolation and depression. To help the arts community, ArtServe will tackle the topic of mental health during “Depression is No Joke,” part of ArtServe's highly successful “ArtServe Live” free Facebook series, set for Wednesday, June 3 from 3 to 4:30 pm. Sponsored in part by WLRN Public Radio and Television, Depression is No Joke features clinical psychologist Dr. LaTasha Russell of “Drive-By Therapy” along with popular Miami-based comedian Chris Priester, who lends a lighthearted perspective to the sensitive topic. They will be joined by certi ied Therapeutic Artist and Cognitive Behavioral Therapist Nerissa Balland. From sharing stories to inding solutions, this important ArtServe forum oﬀers insights and perspectives and will deliver much-needed tools to help artists and others work through this dif icult and unprecedented time. President of the South Florida chapter of the Association of Black Psychologists, Dr. Tasha is also host of the “Drive-By Therapy” talk show

series and a licensed clinical psychologist. Native South Floridian Chris Priester is beloved for his mild-mannered humor and lighthearted anecdotes. Artist Nerissa Balland uses therapeutic techniques, together with artful healing, neurolinguistics and neuroscience to help her clients. “With theaters, concert venues, museums and art centers closed, professional artists, working artists and art educators have watched helplessly as their livelihoods have come to a complete standstill,” said ArtServe Board President Jason Hughes. “Facing adversities of income loss, issues with food equity and other major life disruptions leads to emotional, social and psychological turmoil and sometimes people don't know where to turn. This forum is certainly not limited to the arts industry so anyone who may be struggling is welcome to join us.” This is FREE and open to everyone--not just artists. And because it's online, there's no need to travel to attend. To register for Depression is No Joke, visit ArtServe's Facebook Events page at: facebook.com/events/240880493993328

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