HOTspots Magazine: December 21, 2023 (Issue 3826)

38th Year

Hotspots magazine is published alternate Thursdays (26 issues/year).

Jeff Sterling Chief Executive Officer

HOW TO REACH US MAIN OFFICE The Sterling Building 2435 N Dixie Hwy., Wilton Manors, Florida 33305 Phone (754) 200-2979 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Call (754) 200-2979 x 625 or e-mail Classifieds@HotspotsMedia.com

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ADMINISTRATION VP - Development | Jamie Forsythe Business Manager | Alyson omas

WHO WE ARE

Events Manager | Jameer Baptiste DIGITAL & TV VP - TV & Digital | Darren Loli Digital Manager | Troy Maillis ART & DESIGN Art Director | Frank Mendez Designer | Maria Espinal ADVERTISING Account Executives Anthony Verrico — (754) 333-0886 Dale Stine — (754) 333-0849 Cooper Hipp — (754) 200-1581 NATIONAL ADVERTISING Rivendell Media, 212-242-6863 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Chris Azzopardi | Maria Espinal S. Elfman | Andreus Quinones CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Coco Alarcon | Dale Stine Dennis Dean | Robert Hadley | J.R. Davis CELEBRITY HOST Shawn Palacious (“Kitty Meow”) LOGISTICS Juan Manzano & J.R. Davis Copyright 2023, Hotspots Media Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part by any means without written permission by the Publisher is prohibited.

Publication of the name or photograph of any person, living or dead, is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such persons or organizations.

Non-Profit Leader in LGBTQ+ Events and Media

HOTspots! Happening Out represents a dynamic alliance of 501(c)(3) nonpro t organizations united in their commitment to enhancing the well-being of South Florida's LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Through a multifaceted approach encompassing events, television programming, print media, captivating video content, and engaging social media, we channel all resources and funding towards advancing the social, cultural, and educational facets of our mission, serving our wonderfully diverse community.

Our uni ed partnership of non-pro ts include Stonewall Pride, HOTspots Magazine, Happening Out Television Network, Wilton Manors Entertainment Group - WMEG, Pride Fête, Art Walk Wilton Manors, Taste of the Island Wilton Manors, Black Pride Cookout, Queer News Tonight, Pride Skate Night, Happening Out Travel, Sculpture Walk Wilton Manors, The Fay What Show, Pride on the Drive, and Hotspots Happening Out Art Gallery with Dennis Dean.

OUR AUDIENCE Hotspots magazine is available at more than 200 locations from West Palm Beach to Key West and reaches an audience exceeding 300,000 monthly across our print and digital networks.

We offer comprehensive and cost-effective advertising programs on multiple platforms including:

• Print Magazine • Web Advertising • E-mail Marketing

• Streaming Video Advertising • Event Marketing • Social Media Marketing • Television Marketing

WMEG Inc., is a Community Marketing and Events organization incorporating Hotspots magazine and Happening Out Television Network.

Our mission as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit is to promote South Florida, and especially Wilton Manors,as a welcoming LGBTQ+ destination through marketing and events. WMEG produces about 50 events a year, including the annual Stonewall Pride Parade and Festival in Wilton Manors. Other events include Art Walk on Wilton Drive and Vibes On The Drive. Visit WMEG.org for more info.

WMEG also manages the Sculpture Walk project which is responsible for the installation of sculptures in public spaces in Wilton Manors.

u Watch Queer News Tonight streaming live

Monday through Thursdays at 7 p.m. at HappeningOut.com

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By Scott Holland The Sunshine Cathedral Center for the Performing Arts is a non-profit theatre experience supporting the community...

100% of the revenue goes back to their community programing.

The programs are: LGBTQ+ Youth Experiencing Housing Insecurity, (Housing and feeding our future); Race & Identity Education (Educational Symposium 27 states on how to tackle race and identity in schools across the country American Federation of Teachers president, Randi

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Weingarten), LBTQ+ Women's History Month Town Hall (National Lesbian Women's History Month Summit); Food Sharing (Sunshine Cathedral fed 30,000 experiencing food insecurity in 2022); Recovery Programs (Sunshine Cathedral Square Houses over 40 Anonymous Groups weekly).

They present many artists throughout the year and 2 of the upcoming artists are drag icons Varla Jean Merman and Miss Richfield 1981.

Varlas show is “Stand By Your Drag” and takes place on Friday, January 5th at 8pm.

“Stand By Your Drag” features musical Director Gerald Goode and was written by Jeffery Roberson, Jacques Lamarre, and Ricky Graham and Directed by Michael Schiralli. It's been a year since Varla Jean Merman's earth-shaking, knee-breaking “Tic-Taccident” found her flat on her back with her legs in the air. Since that time, our daffy diva has worked hard to get back on her feet, on the stage, and in your pants.

Now with drag bans, anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and a skyrocketing bar tab, America is conspiring to knock Varla off her lucite heels AGAIN! Join this show-biz survivor as she takes a stand for life, liberty, and the pursuit of non-skid breath mints.

Miss Richfield show is “Bad Advice” which takes place on Saturday, February 17 at 8pm. Miss Richfield says: “Good advice is always annoying, but bad advice never is!”

So, join Miss R as she unpacks a healthy heap of advice that promises to leave you entertained & maybe just a little annoyed.

Since they have been long time friends, I thought it would be great to sit down with them together for this exclusive Hotspots interview.

think I met him at a parade. I thought she was brave in the parade as she had a bit of a beard.

Varla – Yes, I was in the Carnival parade. Yes, I had a little beard, but that's the best part of doing a parade, you don't have to shave. I remember meeting Miss Richfield as she was outside her show selling tickets and I remember that voice.

Describe yourself in 3 words?

R– Loud, loud, and loud.

V– Boozy, bubbly and bearded.

Describe each other in 3 words?

Richfield describing Varla – professional, approachable, and persistent.

V describing R– Quick, unwavering, and hard-working.

What do you do for fun?

R– Stay home as I am on the road so much. I do love travelling, but being home is the most fun thing.

V– I also like to stay home as I have travelled for over 20 years. I also love fitness and going to the gym.

Do you have a signi cant other?

R– I have a partner and we have been together 7 years.

V– I have a husband and we have also been together 7 years and married 5.

In your memories, how did you meet each other?

Richfield – When I started, I knew of Varla as I lived in Minneapolis. I wanted to be playing in P Town for years as people would tell me how great P Town was and especially how great Varla's show was. My first year playing there was Varlas 5th year. I

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R– I have done none of that…I mean I took a tour of the opera house, and I walked by Carnegie Hall one day. However, I am really thrilled where I am now in my career and my life. It's not that I am not open to something else, but I am really content!

What does the future hold for each of you?

R– continuing to work and hopefully more of the same.

V– The same, my hubby is retired, and he loves traveling with me to gigs, so it's full steam ahead.

What should our readers expect from your shows at The Sunshine Cathedral?

(They both met their partners while doing drag)

You travel all over the world, do you have a favorite city or venue?

V– I love San Francisco's Oasis. It was my very first gig out of NYC. I have been going there since 1995.

R– One of the places I love was in San Diego but we lost it in the pandemic, but I do also really love the Sunshine Cathedral because the audience is always great and it's a larger venue. In addition, the technical end is exceptional. I look forward to that venue and I don't look forward to many venues.

(They both also said they love PSprings)

In your wildest dreams did you ever imagine you would have such longevity and be this popular?

R– It’s my last time I will be performing “Bad Advice” as I always launch my new show in April. It's a super fun show that is fun and funny. I think they will walk away with something to think about. The good advice is to come to the show and the bad advice is stay home.

V– This whole show was inspired by living in Fort Lauderdale, doing drag and then having the government coming after you.

Not only is it standing up for my profession, and my sisters, but standing up for me after I had my accident last year. I love Ft Lauderdale; I will never move anywhere. I took this show around the country talking about how fabulous Ft Lauderdale and Florida is. Just because our governor has done something completely unconstitutional doesn't mean we should abandon Florida.

Is there something I didn't ask you that you want to talk about?

V– I never thought I would be doing it this long. I really didn't think I could make a living doing this.

R– No!

R- You have to constantly create new material, or the audience will go away, but who doesn't want to be creative…I love it.

I am so thankful as I have a wonderful life.

V– Ditto!

V- I did almost everything I wanted to do. I performed at Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera house. I did want to be the most famous drag queen in the world, but somebody reached that quicker. I would however, like to do more plays…writing and acting.

For more information on Miss Rich eld 1981 go to Missrich eld.com.

For more info on Varla Jean Merman either go to varlaJean.com or Instagram.com/varlajeanmerman To purchase tickets for either show, or for more info, go to: sunshinecathedral.org/sunshinecathedral-center-for-the-performing-arts

Is there something you have not done yet that's on your bucket list?

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Pub On The Drive

Miss, Mr. and At Large Pageants

Photos: Coco Alarcon

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Hunters Nightclub

Glad to Give Gala

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Photos: Coco Alarcon

There's a lot of new music from big name artists coming this winter. Stars including Usher, Green Day, Kali Uchis and Jennifer Lopez all have new music coming out to listen to on your winter walks or when you hit the dance floor.

Hotspots has compiled a list of the most anticipated albums coming out this winter.

So break out the spiked eggnog and crank up the volume.

JANUARY 12

Kali Uchis: Orquídeas Kali Uchi's fourth studio album Orquideas will drop on Friday, Jan. 12. The full-length Spanish-language album from the

Winter Music:

Cool Music Coming Soon

By Leo M. Irving

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Telepatía singer follows her album Red Moon in Venus, which she released in March. She announced the new album in October with a photo on Instagram sporting the tracklist tattooed on her back.

JANUARY 19

Green Day: Saviors On Friday, Jan. 19, Green Day' will release its 14th studio album Saviors. The band dropped the album's first single, “The American Dream is Killing Me” in late October. They announced the album on Instagram and posted, “Saviors is an invitation into Green Day's brain, their

collective spirit as a band, and an understanding of friendship, culture and legacy of the last 30 plus years. It's raw and emotional. Funny and disturbing. It's a laugh at the pain, weep in the happiness kind of record.”

Sleater-Kinney: Little Rope The 11th studio album from Sleater-Kinney's Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker, Little Rope, is dropping on Friday, Jan. 19.

Following 2021's album Path to Wellness, the duo announced they will hit the road to promote the new album. In October, they released the album's first single “Hell.” ”Little Rope is a record that lives close to our hearts and we can't wait to share it with you,” Sleater-Kinney said in an Instagram post.

JANUARY 26

Future Islands: People Who Aren't There Anymore The first single off Future Island's seventh

studio album, The Tower, was released on Oct. 23 and their single “The Fight” came out on Nov. 29. This is their first studio album since As Long As You Are came out in 2020. “People Who Aren't There Anymore” will drop on Friday, Jan. 26.

FEBRUARY 11

Usher: Coming Home Usher is having a good year. Coming off his residency at the Colosseum at Caesars' Palace in Las Vegas, he was announced as the 2024 Super Bowl halftime performer.

His ninth studio album, Coming Home, is dropping the same day as that performance – Saturday, February 11. He released the album's first single “Good Good” with Summer Walker and 21 Savage in August. He hasn't released a studio album since Hard II Love in 2016.

FEBRUARY 16

Jennifer Lopez: This Is Me...Now JLo's answer to her 2002 album This is

an album that brandishes the power of love in the face of inevitable human death and decay, and hopes to encourage

Me...Then is titled This Is Me…Now and it will be available on Friday, Feb. 16. On the same day, she will also release an accompanying film on Prime Video. This is her first studio album in almost ten years, since 2014's A.K.A. Laura Jane Grace: Hole In My Head The former Against Me! singer is releasing her third studio album, Hole in my Head on Friday, Feb. 16. She released the title song in early November and is currently on tour to promote the upcoming album. The punk rock star and one time Florida resident recently received the key to the city of Gainesville.

FEBRUARY 23

MGMT: Loss of Life MGMT's fifth studio album, Loss Of Life will drop on Friday, Feb. 23. Their last album, Little Dark Age came out in 2018. They announced new music on Halloween and posted on Instagram, “We are over the moon about this collection of songs and feel very happy to unleash it onto the world. It is

collective comfort in remembering the universe's inextinguishable yet often brutal desire to find balance and harmony.

Or something. We hope you truly dig it!”

MARCH 8

Bleachers: Bleachers The fourth studio album by Bleachers – fronted by frequent Taylor Swift collaborator Jack Antonoff – will be available on Friday, March 8. The band has released two singles off of it so far – “Modern Girl” and “Alma Mater.” In November, Bleachers also announced a tour to support the album.

MARCH 15

Lenny Kravitz - Blue Electric Light The 12th studio album by ageless rocker Lenny Kravitz Blue Electric Light will drop on Friday, March 15. It's his first album since 2018. He released the first single off of it “TK421“ in early October, the same day he announced the new album. In early December, Kravitz announced he is hitting the road to promote the new album.

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WMBA s Holiday Spectacular

At Richardson Park

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Photos: Coco Alarcon

Photos by: Meredith Mashburn Photography

The Cher Show

Comes to the Arsht Center Jan 2-7, 2024

By Scott Holland

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Ella Perez

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and Broadway Across America are proud to continue the 2023-2024 Broadway in Miami series with the South Florida premiere of The Cher Show kicking off the new year from January 2-7. The Cher Show is 35 smash hits, six decades of stardom, two rock-star husbands, a Grammy, an Oscar, an Emmy and enough Tony Award-winning Bob Mackie gowns to cause a sequin shortage in New York City, all in one unabashedly fabulous new musical that will have audiences dancing in the aisles!

“...Even if you are not a big Cher fan, you will recognize a lot of the songs.

The choreography and ensemble are just so strong, it's incredible. You also learn so much about Cher…and the show is just so fun...”

Superstars come and go. Cher is forever. For six straight decades, only one unstoppable force has flat out dominated popular culture — breaking down barriers, pushing boundaries and letting nothing and no one stand in her way. Tracking the icon's rise to fame and legendary career, three actresses will bring Cher's story to life on stage, marking distinct phases in her life. Ella Perez plays “Babe” – the bright-eyed kid starting out; with Catherine Ariale as “Lady” – the glam pop star; and Morgan Scott as “Star” – the cultural icon.

Mike Bindeman is featured in the roles of Gregg Allman and John Southall, with Tyler Pirrung as Bob Mackie/Robert Altman/Frank, and Lucy Werner as Georgia Holt and Lucille Ball.

Lorenzo Pugliese stars as Sonny Bono.

Rounding out the cast are Emma Alteri, Michelle Arotsky, Neftali Benitez, Charles Blaha, Gary Paul Bowman, Emma Jade Branson, Kevin Michael Buckley, Samantha Butts, Liz Davis, Mollie Downes, Jordan Gold, Nathan Hoty, Tre Kanaley, Drew Lake, Mason Derreck Lewis, and Grace Napoletano.

The 2023-2024 National Tour of The Cher Show is directed by Casey Hushion, with choreography

by Antoinette DiPietropolo, and original Broadway and tour costume design by Bob Mackie.

It was a pleasure to sit down with Ella Perez who plays “Babe” (Young Cher) for this exclusive Hotspots interview:

At what age did you begin performing?

I started dancing when I was 5, and I started musicals in the 6th grade. My first role was in “The Little Mermaid.”

What was your �rst paid gig and how much did you get paid?

My first paid gig was this past summer when I did a local tour of Rent.

When did you know performing would be your career?

It was my senior year of high school. I saw a lot of people around me who were doing it and that's when I decided that it was for me.

Sitting at a desk sounded horrible to me and I decided to do something that made me happy.

Is there extra pressure playing such a cultural Icon?

For sure! I was very nervous because she is such a recognized person and has a specific way about herself. However, as I was getting more comfortable with her and the script, I realized I had a lot more in common with her than I initially thought.

Other than this one, what has been your favorite role so far?

I just did Cabaret and I got to play the MC, and I think its my favorite thing that I have ever done as it was out of my comfort zone. I fell in love with the show even more than I already was. It was such an honor to get to play such an important role. I couldn't have asked to end my college career in a better way.

What's your fantasy role (a role you haven't played but want to)?

It changes all the time when I see new things but right now it's the role of the “Leading Player” in “Pippin.”

How well do you and your castmates get along?

Oh, so wonderfully. Everyone really clicked

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the first week of rehearsals. The director said she cast the show not only based on talent but based on people that are nice and that she wanted to be around. She did a great job, as we all just get along and like each other.

Describe yourself in 3 words?

Loud, intuitive, and empathetic.

What do you do for fun?

I am trying to learn the guitar right now. I am not that good yet, but I do love it. I also love spirituality and tarot reading.

What should our readers expect from this touring company of “The Cher Show”?

Glitter, sparkles, disco lights, and all your favorite Cher songs. Even if you are not a big Cher fan, you will recognize a lot of the songs. The choreography and ensemble are just so strong, it's incredible. You also learn so much about Cher…and the show is just so fun, I promise everyone that attends will have a great time.

Find out more about the lovely Ella, follow her at: Instagram.com/ellaa.perez For more information, visit www.TheCherShowTour.com.

Tickets to The Cher Show are $35-$130 and may be purchased online at arshtcenter.org or at the Adrienne Arsht Center box office by calling (305) 949-6722.

Galleria Mall

Men of Style

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Photos: Coco Alarcon

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Winter is the best time for excellent entertainment. This season, blockbuster films like Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom and Ferrari and musicals like The Color Purple and Mean Girls will be hitting cinemas. In addition, highly anticipated shows and films like True Detective: Night Country, Griselda and Rebel Moon Part 1 will be streaming on TV screens. Plus, it's award show season.

Here is Hotspots' list of shows and films not to be missed.

DECEMBER

Winter 2023’s

TV & Film Preview

By Leo M. Irving

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1. All of Us Strangers – Dec. 22 In theaters “Hot Priest” from Fleabag, Andrew Scott, stars as Adam in this thriller alongside Normal People hottie Paul Mescal as Harry. Adam and Harry begin a romance together as Adam tries to unravel the mystery of his parents' death 30 years prior. Adam goes back to his childhood home to find his parents – played by Claire Foy and Jamie Bell – still living.

2. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Dec. 22 In theaters Jason Momoa is back as Arthur Curry/Aquaman in this long-awaited sequel. Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) continues his quest to defeat Aquaman and avenge his father's death. Aquaman and his half brother, Orm (Patrick Wilson), team up to try to save their family. Amber Heard, Nicole Kidman, Dolph Lundgren and Randall Park also return in their roles as Mera, Atlanna, King Nereus and Dr. Stephen Shin, respectively.

3. Migration – Dec. 22 In theaters This animated film from Illumination (Despicable Me, Sing) features the voices of stars Awkwafina, Carol Kane, KeeganMichael Key, David Mitchell and Danny DeVito. Migration follows a mallard family, who decide to embark on a trip from New York City to Jamaica. While heading South for winter, the mallards' trip goes awry, but they meet new friends and have fun adventures along the way.

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4. Rebel Moon Part 1 A Child of Fire Dec. 22 Netflix Rebel Moon is a science-fiction/fantasy epic that was in the works for decades from filmmaker Zack Snyder (300, Army of the Dead). Sofia Boutella stars as Kora, who lives in the deepest reaches of the galaxy in a colony that finds itself under siege by the tyrannical Motherworld. In an act of redemption she joins with warriors across the galaxy in revolt against these corrupt forces she once was a part of. The film also stars Charlie Humman, Michiel Huisman and Anthony Hopkins.

5. The Iron Claw – Dec. 22 In theaters Iron Claw follows the Von Erich brothers and their life in the wrestling world in the early 1980s. Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White and Harris Dickinson play brothers Kevin, Kerry and David. The brothers experience many tragedies as they strive to rise to the top – and deal with their tough father, former pro wrestler Fritz Von Erich. Maura Tierney and Lily James also star.

6. Ferrari – Dec. 25 In theaters After eight years since his last film, director

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Michael Mann (Collateral, Heat, Manhunter) has finally returned with the high-octane drama Ferrari. Set in 1957 Italy, it is based on the biography of Enzo Ferrari written in 1991. Adam Driver plays Enzo as he's trying to bounce back from the tragedy of his son's death and financial woes that threaten the livelihood of his car factory. To avoid bankruptcy, Enzo decides to have his team enter the 1,000 mile race across Italy known as Mille Miglia. The film also stars Penélope Cruz, Shailene Woodley and Patrick Dempsey.

7. The Color Purple Dec. 25 In theaters Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book

by Alice Walker – later turned into a highlyacclaimed film in 1985 starring Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey – this film is based on the Broadway musical of the book. The star-studded cast includes Taraji P. Henson, Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor. It takes place in the early 1900s and follows the lives and sisterhood of

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three women through the years.

8. Berlin – Dec. 29 Netflix On Friday, Berlin is a prequel to the popular Spanish Netflix series Money Heist. The series follows the younger years in the life of handsome jewel thief, Berlin (Pedro Alonso).

Along with a crew of feisty criminals, Berlin plans a heist to steal $44 million Euros worth of jewels in one night. The show is loaded with romance and thrills.

JANUARY

9. Night Swim – Jan. 5 In theaters The latest horror film from Atomic Monster and Blumhouse – who were behind the hit M3GAN – stars Wyatt Russell (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) as former baseball player Ray Waller. Ray, who had to retire early due to the diagnosis of a degenerative illness, moves into a new house with his wife Eve (Kerry Condon) and their teen daughter and son. The pool behind the new house turns out to be full of terrors in this supernatural thriller.

10. Golden Globe Awards – Jan. 7 The Golden Globes are known as the awards show where the stars let their hair down, drink a little too much and give epic speeches. The show recognizes excellence in film and will air on Sunday, Jan. 7 at 8 p.m. on CBS and stream on Paramount+. Barbie has the most film nominations and Succession has the most TV nominations.

11. Mean Girls – Jan. 12 In theaters Comedy genius Tina Fey is also behind this new film version of Mean Girls, based on the stage musical version of the 2004 film.

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Angourie Rice takes over the Lindsay Lohan role of Cady Heron, who enters high school after years of homeschooling.

Cady learns about high school cliques the hard way. “The Plastics” are led by Regina George, played by pop star and Sex Lives of College Girls star Reneé Rapp. Auli'i Cravalho (Moana) and Broadway star Jaquel Spivy are the new Janis and Damian.

12. The BeeKeeper Jan. 12 In theaters In this bombastic action film by David Ayer (Training Day, Suicide Squad), sexy Jason Statham stars as The BeeKeeper, a man out for revenge. The fun film features a cast of big names – Emmy RaverLampman, Josh Hutcherson, Bobby Naderi, Minnie Driver, Phylicia Rashad and Jeremy Irons.

13. True Detective: Night Country Jan. 14 HBO The fourth installment in the True Detective series, titled “Night Country,” takes place in Ennis, Alaska. Eight men who operate a research station all disappear one night and detectives Liz Danvers (Jodi Foster) and Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis) are brought in to solve the case. Fiona Shaw, Finn Bennett, Isabella Star Lablanc, Aka Niviâna, Anna Lambe, and Joel D. Montgrand, Christopher Eccleston and John Hawkes also star in the series.

14. Primetime Emmy Awards – Jan. 15 The Emmys, which celebrate the best in television, will air Sunday, Jan. 15 at 8 p.m.

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on FOX TV. Succession and The Last Of Us lead with the most nominations.

15. Death and Other Details Jan. 16 Hulu The new Hulu series Death and Other Details follows Imogene Scott (Violette Beane), who becomes the main suspect in a locked room murder mystery. She will need to team up with her nemesis Rufus Cotesworth – played by Mandy Patinkin of Yentl, The Princess Bride and Homeland fame – who also happens to be a detective.

16. Griselda – Jan. 25 Netflix Modern Family star Sofia Vergara takes on a serious role as the title character in Griselda. Miami's own coke queen, Griselda Blanco ran a cartel in the 1970s to 1980s and was known as “The Godmother.”

The series follows the queenpin's rise.

Vergara is said to be unrecognizable in this unglamorous role.

17. Masters of the Air Jan. 26 AppleTV+ From executive producers Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, Masters of the Air is based on Donald L. Miller's novel

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17. of the same name. The thriller series follows the men of the 100th Bomb Group as they do bombing raids over Nazi Germany and try to survive during freezing weather, lack of oxygen and more – 25,000 feet in the air. The cast includes Austin Butler (Elvis), Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who, Sex Education), Callum Turner (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald), and Barry Keoghan (Saltburn).

18. Housekeeping For Beginners Jan. 26 In theaters Housekeeping for Beginners won the Queer Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival. It follows Dita – who never wanted kids – and her relationship with her girlfriend's two daughters – a little mischievous girl and an angry teen. The film is directed by Goran Stolevski (You Won't Be Alone).

19. Feud: Capote Vs. the Swans Jan. 31 FX, FXX and Hulu (the next day) Ryan Murphy's new series, Feud: Capote Vs. the Swans, is based on the book Capote's Women: A True Story of Love,

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Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era by Laurence Leamer. The series follows Tom Hollander as writer Truman Capote, who befriended the women of New York's high society and then went on to betray them in his writings. His “swans” are Barbara “Babe” Paley (Naomi Watts), Slim Keith (Diane Lane), C.Z. Guest (Chloë Sevigny) and Lee Radziwill (Calista Flockhart). The impressive cast also includes Demi Moore, Molly Ringwald, Treat Williams, Joe Mantello and Russell Tovey.

FEBRUARY

20. The Grammys – Feb. 4 The Grammy Awards, which are presented

by The Recording Academy, will take place on Sunday, Feb. 4 at 8 p.m. SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Victoria Monét have the most nominations.

21. Super Bowl LVIII – Feb. 11 CBS, Paramount+ The Super Bowl will take place in Las Vegas this year. Usher will take the stage for the halftime performance.

22. Drive Away Dolls – Feb. 23 In theaters This Ethan Coen (Fargo) comedy stars Margaret Qualley, Geraldine Viswanathan, Beanie Feldstein, Pedro Pascal, Matt Damon, Colman Domingo and Bill Camp. It follows besties Jamie (Qualley) and Marian (Viswanathan) on a road trip to Florida. The duo end up mistakenly renting a car (one intended for some criminals to pick up), which has a mysterious package in the trunk.

Confusion and adventures ensue as the friends try to make their way to Talahasee.

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MARCH

23. The Fall Guy – March 1 In theaters Based on the '80s TV series of the same title, The Fall Guy is an action-comedy film featuring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. In the movie Colt Seavers (Gosling) is a battered stuntman who has spent some time away from the business. He is pulled back in as a double for the star of a high budget film (directed by Colt's exgirlfriend, played by Blunt). When the star goes missing, Colt sets out on a mission to find out what happened to him. Full of wild, over-the-top stunts and non-stop action, the Fall Guy is directed by real-life stuntman David Leitch.

24. BMF Season 3 – March 1 Starz The new season of BMF will air on March 1 much to the delight of its rabid fan base. It continues with the story of “Big Meech” Flenory (Demetrius Flenory Jr.) and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory (Da'Vinchi), two brothers who formed one of America's most infamous black crime syndicates.

Season 3 is set in the early '90s where Meech has gone to Atlanta to expand his criminal empire to the south.

25. The Academy Awards/Oscars March 10 ABC Presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the biggest awards show of the year, the Academy Awards, will take place on Sunday, March 10 at 8 p.m. The awards show honors achievements in film. Oscar nominations will be announced Jan. 23. Jimmy Kimmel will host the show for the fourth time.

Free-up Yuhself

At Pride Center

Photos: Coco Alarcon

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By Maria Espinal

Unit B Eatery + Spirits

610 SW 145th Terrace • Pembroke Pines, FL 33027 954. 367.6896 • unitbeateryandspirits.com • Tues – Thur 4pm 11pm Fri 4pm – 1am Sat 11am – 1am Sun 11am – 8pm A casually sophisticated restaurant located in the Shops of Pembroke Gardens. Both their cocktail menu and food menu, ensure bold and inspiring taste experiences. The restaurant's interior embraces their brand aesthetic with posh lighting, a timelapse mural and chic furnishings. Unit B Eatery + Spirits also encompasses a gorgeous bar, with hand-crafted cocktails and creative libations. If you love seafood, their sesame grilled salmonserved with kimchi fried rice to elevate the dish-makes it a definite.

Benny's On The Beach

10 S. Ocean Blvd. • Lake Worth, FL 33460 • 561.582.9001 bennysonthebeach.com • Breakfast Daily 7:00 am–11:45 am Lunch Daily 11:45 am–5pm Brunch Daily 11:45 am–2pm Dinner Mon–Thu Sun 5pm–9pm Fri-Sat 5pm–10pm If you love the beach like I do, Benny's is right on the Lake Worth beach featuring a great pier. They are famous for their Seafood Bakes featuring whole lobsters, snow crab and some of the freshest Atlantic Coast fish selections. Visit them online for breakfast, lunch, dinner, brunch (served daily until 2pm), dessert and drink menus. At Benny's you can also enjoy live music every day, bingo, trivia and karaoke for complete fun.

Zuma

270 Biscayne Blvd. Way • Miami, FL 33131 • 305.577.0277 zumarestaurant.com • Brunch: Sat 11:30am - 3pm • Sun 11:30am 3:30pm | Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:45am – 3pm • Dinner: Sun-Thur 6pm – 11pm • Fri – Sat 6pm – 11:30pm Zuma Miami is just amazing and yes, it is on the high-end side.

Located in the heart of downtown, brings an internationally acclaimed style of modern Japanese izakaya dining. Their food presentation is as fabulous as their atmosphere. Also available at Zuma are two unique spaces perfect for any event held at their private waterfront dining room/terrace to host corporate or social luncheon, brunch, cocktail receptions, or dinner.

Chilacos Tacos

11917 W. Sunrise Blvd. • Plantation, FL 33323 • 754.701.4940 chilacostacos.com • Mon – Thur 11:30am – 10pm • Fri-Sat 11:30am – 11pm • Sun 1:30am – 9pm Embark on an extraordinary culinary journey and let your taste buds explore the infinite world of Tacos, burritos, quesadillas and other Mexican food. My favorites are the carne asada and pork tacos, as well as the carne asada burrito. You must try their churros with powder sugar on top and dulce de leche quesadilla. Enjoy!

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The Pub

Celebration of Life for Michael Connell

>> For more, visit us at HotspotsMagazine.com

Photos: Coco Alarcon

HOTSPOTS

Hotties

Meet Our Cover Models

David Fernandez

29 • Aries • Santiago de Cuba c /daviolin03

Alexander Zenoz 30 • Sagittarius • Miami c /alexanderzenoz

background image: karolina grabowska-pexels

What city you live in?

David: Homestead Alexander: Born and raise din Miami!

Are you Single or married?

D: Single A: I am in a committed relationship.

What's the perfect person for you?

D: Beautiful, Smart, Caring and a little older A: What I think makes the perfect partner is someone I feel like I could sit with in complete silence.

What's your perfect date?

A: It would be a nice dinner and a show. I spend so much time performing, its nice to be the viewer sometimes.

What do you do for a living?

D: I am a singer and violinist, I teach Violin, and I work and play for the patients at Baptist.

A: I am a professional singer, actor, and musician. I have my first self-

Photos by Dennis Dean Interview by Scott Holland

directed concert coming up on January 27 presented by Arts United. It's called Alexander & The Birds of Paradise. For tickets, you can visit Eventbrite.com.

What do you do for fun?

D: I like going to the beach and working out.

A: I really love to travel and stay active.

Get down and dirty in nature and really ground myself.

What does the future hold for you?

D: I would like my entertainment brand to grow. I am also getting into modeling and would love to see that expand.

A: I think too many things, but in the immediate future, expect to see some original music coming your way.

By Scott Holland

SINGER – LeAnn Rimes

wikimedia.org

The pop singer who first hit the charts at 13 years old (with the country song “Blue”), performs a Christmas concert filled with holiday standards and original music. She has won two Grammy Awards, 12 Billboard Music Awards, two World Music Awards, three Academy of Country Music Awards, two Country Music Association Awards and one Dove Award.

Knight Concert Hall; Thursday, Dec 21; 8pm; $45-$125; Arshtcenter.org

CHINA - Shen Yun

1

Experience a lost culture through the incredible art of classical Chinese dance, and see legends come to life. Shen Yun makes this possible by pushing the boundaries of the performing arts, with a unique blend of stunning costuming, high-tech backdrops, and an orchestra like no other. Be prepared for a theatrical experience that will take your breath away!

Broward Center for the Performing Arts Tues-Thurs, Dec 26-28; Tickets start at $81; Browardcenter.org

+++++++++++++++++

BROADWAY – The Cher Show

Superstars come and go. Cher is forever. For six straight decades, only one unstoppable force has flat out dominated popular culture — breaking down barriers, pushing boundaries and letting nothing and no one stand in her way. The Cher Show is the Tony Awardwinning musical of her story, and it's packed with so much Cher that it takes three women to play her: the bright-eyed kid starting out, the glam pop star, and the icon.

Ziff Ballet Opera House; Tuesday, Jan 2-Sunday, Jan 7; $25-$130; Arshtcenter.org +++++++++++++++++

NYE COMEDIAN # 1 – Fortune Feimster

Fortune is your funniest cousin who isn't afraid to entertain the masses with tales of her good fortune, insecurities and faux pas, including meeting her spouse in a parking lot, falling in love and her extravagant proposal that didn't quite go as planned.

Alexander W. Dreyfoos Concert Hall; Tickets start at $29; 7pm; Kravis.org +++++++++++++++++

NYE COMEDIAN # 2 –Nate Bargatze's

Nate's comedy is characterized by references to his family, comedic encounters, and life anecdotes. His New Year's Eve Extravaganza is hosted by: Julian McCullough, and features Joe Zimmerman, Mike Vecchione, Greg Warren and Stephen Bargatze.

Amerant Bank Arena; 8pm; Tickets start at $46; Amerantbankarena.com

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wikimedia.org - Eva Rinaldi

Il Divo

Drag Queen Christmas

PLAY - To Kill A Mockingbird

All rise for Academy Award winner Aaron Sorkin's adaptation of Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning masterwork. The New York Times Critic's Pick TKAM as “the most successful American play in Broadway history.” Emmy Award-winning actor Richard Thomas plays the role of Atticus Finch in the National Tour.

Alexander W. Dreyfoos Concert Hall; Tues Jan 2 – Sun Jan 7; Tickets start at $39; Kravis.org +++++++++++++++++

Classical Il Divo

This Multi-platinum classical crossover group whose influence resounds in every corner of the globe, brings their “A New Day Holiday Tour,” performing Christmas classics “It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas,” “It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” and more.

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood; Friday, Dec 22; 8pm; $55-$95; seminolehardrockhollywood.com/

10

A DECADE ANNIVERSARY – Hunters

Believe it or not Mark, Patrick and Bruce will be celebrating 10 years of parties, socials, events and +++++++++++++++++ supporting our community.

Performing live will be Maris Corvo of Drag Queen Christmas The Voice fame. The night will also Murray and Peter bring their popular show back to South Florida feature food, an open bar, giveaways, hosted by Miz Cracker and starring Jimbo, Brooke Lynn Hytes, and other performances.

Trinity “the tuck” Taylor, Jessica Wild, Heidi M Closet, and more.

The Fillmore; Wednesday, Dec 27; 8pm; Tickets start at $39; Hunters Nightclub; Thurs, Dec 21; 7Dragfans.com 10pm; No Cover; Hunterswiltonmanors.com +++++++++++++++++

Best known for his raw and unfiltered style of comedy, Carlos has performed on stage, TV and in movies, including starring opposite Ben Stiller and Michelle Monaghan in “The Heartbreak Kid,” and “Our Family Wedding,” alongside America Ferrara and Forrest Whitaker. He has recently gone back to his comedic roots with his No Hate No Fear comedy tour.

Marshall E Rinker SR. Playhouse; Fri and Sat, Dec 29 &30; Tickets start at $37.50 Kravis.org

flickr.com

COMEDIAN – Carlos Mencia

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Hotspots/HOUT Art Gallery with Dennis Dean

Dec. Opening Reception

>> Photos By: Coco Alarcon. For more, visit us at HotspotsMagazine.com

LGBTQ+ Books You’ll Want to Add to Your Shelf This Season

By Sarah Bricker Hunt and Chris Azzopardi

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It's always the perfect time to cozy up with a book, especially ones that celebrate queer stories, queer icons and queer authors. Those still pushing for bans on LGBTQ-inclusive books may say otherwise, so consider supporting a local bookstore or your local library; they need your love and support more than ever.

Fiction

'A Nearby Country Called Love,' Salar Abdoh Publishers Weekly describes Iranian author Salar Abdoh's latest novel, a study of gender and sexuality in modern-day Iran, as “an artful rendering of hope amid despair.” In the book, we meet Issa, who witnesses a woman who has just lit herself on fire — a desperate act of defiance.

Violence and protest ensues. Now, Issa must confront an uncomfortable family history that involves his late brother, Hashem, a prominent queer artist, who defied their father for his oppressive cultural views on traditional masculinity.

This sets Issa on a journey, discovering more people like his brother who are living on the margins. Destruction abounds, but in these hope-filled pages, so do small but powerful acts of love and kindness. - Chris Azzopardi

'Blackouts,' Justin Torres

A book within a book, author Justin Torres's follow-up to “We the Animals” — a beautiful story in its own right, with themes of Latino queerness, masculinity and self-discovery — explores the erasure of queer history.

“Blackouts,” a fact-meets-fiction intergenerational epic, uses real text from the 1941 book “Sex Variants: A Study of Homosexual Patterns,” a doctor's collection of the psychological, physiological and social aspects of sexuality, particularly homosexuality. Torres was drawn to the historical book for being “ahead of its time” when it came to how “frank and straightforward” it was in sex-related subject matter published during the 1940s,” he told The New York Times. The resulting novel, through its use of testimony, illustration and photographs, is ambitious in scope and riveting in content, asking an important question — are missing historical details about queer life lost forever? Already among this year's finalists for the National Book Award, “Blackouts” was described to the Times by gay author Alexander Chee as “the literary equivalent of a PJ Harvey album.”– CA

‘Day,' Michael Cunningham

Ohio native Michael Cunningham is best known for giving contemporary life to Virginia Woolf through “The Hours,” his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel-turned-film about three intergenerational women whose lives intersect on themes of love, hope and despair. Cunningham's new book, “Day,” is

his first in almost a decade. Written during the pandemic, the novel takes place as the threat of coronavirus upends life as we know it, but it is intimate, focusing on a New York family who was already facing challenges. The book is presented in three acts over several years, during the worst of the pandemic, with the familiar themes of abrupt change, grief and loss permeating its pages. “I do have to give credit to Virginia Woolf for helping me understand that a novel can have real scope without being physically large and without spanning a great deal of time,” Cunningham recently told The New York Times. “That there's meaning at the cosmos, but there's also meaning at the subatomic level.” – CA

'We Belong,' edited by William O. Tyler and Viktor Kerney

“We Belong” is a crowdfunded anthology created to fill a significant gap in the scifi/fantasy genre: the Black queer perspective. Every story is written by a Black, queer author and features queer characters and plots. As co-editors Viktor Kerney and William O. Tyler write in press materials, the stories “showcase the fact that, despite what the landscape of popular fiction says, Black queer people have existed and do exist everywhere, in every time and space. Whether we're fighting monsters or becoming superheroes, we belong. From intergalactic adventures to interdimensional exploration, we belong.

As wizards, as mermaids, as witches, fully as ourselves, we belong.” – SH

Gay Icons

'Madonna: A Rebel Life,' Mary Gabriel

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When I first thumbed through what must be the most comprehensive book on Madonna — it is over 800 pages, about two-thirds the size of an average Bible — I couldn't believe some of these chapter names: Chapter 1: Pontiac (1958-1963), Chapter 2: Pontiac (1964-1966), Chapter 3: Pontiac (1967-1969), and then three chapters on Rochester Hills and one on Ann Arbor. That's just the first 51 pages of biographer and former Reuters journalist Mary Gabriel's very heavy book on Madonna, who almost died recently but, like the seemingly indestructible pop warrior she is, recovered and slapped on some knee pads and wrist splints to finally kick off her Celebration Tour. Whether Madonna was bravely parlaying religion and sex into pop

herself, who couldn't read the audio version and enlisted actress Michelle Williams to do so in her place. “It is finally time for me to raise my voice and speak out, and my fans deserve to hear it directly from me,” Spears told People magazine.

“No more conspiracy, no more lies — just me owning my past, present and future.”

The book traces Spears's life from her childhood-star roots on “The Mickey Mouse Club” at age 11 through stardomcatapulting moments in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when she released her first two iconic records, “…Baby One More Time” and “Oops!...I Did It Again.” Of course, behind the scenes, her life was tumultuous and tightly governed — she

music when it was not popular to do so, defending the queer community when few other famous allies did or setting the popmusic stage for the Beyoncés and Taylors of the world, Gabriel's book is a meticulous history of an extraordinary trailblazer, a reappraisal that reminds current and future generations who didn't experience Madonna in real time why we should always celebrate her. In the book, her life and influential career is examined within the context of historical markers that shaped her own personal and professional narrative, from Stonewall to the pill, the Equal Rights Amendment, Roe vs. Wade and the AIDS crisis. “A Rebel Life” is Madonna's history as much as it is our own. – CA

was a constant paparazzi target, she was placed under psychiatric holds and, infamously, in a court-ordered conservatorship. Her father and a lawyer were, until 2021, granted complete control over her financial and personal affairs for 13 years. Her story is finally hers to tell. – CA

'The Woman In Me,' Britney Spears

Britney Spears' much-anticipated tell-all was even too revelation-heavy for the author 108 | HotspotsMagazine.com

'My Name Is Barbra,' Barbra Streisand

If page count is any indication, few stones will go unturned in Barbra Streisand's first memoir, which clocks in at a whopping 1,040 pages. At 81, Babs has done and seen more than most gay icons, with a spectacular six-decade career that spans film, music, TV and the stage. She even has her very own shopping mall right in her house, which, if you ask me, is an accomplishment right up there with her Kennedy Center Honors, EGOT status and

46 Grammy nominations. What I'm saying is, in addition to promising recounts of her early struggles to becoming an actress and her political advocacy, this book is big enough to give us at least a few chapters on what we also hope to find out: what she thought of Lea Michele in “Funny Girl,” being an LGBTQ+ ally mom to gay son Jason Gould and every last detail on eating “frozen yoghurt” with Lady Gaga and Ryan Murphy after casually showing them her “Funny Girl” gowns at her in-home mall. – CA

Memoir

'The Old Gays Guide to the Good Life: Lessons Learned About Love and Death, Sex and Sin, and Saving the Best for Last,' the Old Gays of TikTok When you've lived long enough to be called “old,” surviving AIDS and the plight of queer people during the 1960s gay liberation rights movement, maybe it's time to wear that “old” title just as proudly as the gay one.

Enter Mick Peterson, Jessay Martin, Robert Reeves and Bill Lyons, who call themselves the “Old Gays,” and their book “The Old Gays Guide to the Good Life.” The foursome, who consider themselves the real-life Golden Girls of the social media era, or “grandfluencers,” did just that, amassing 11 million followers on TikTok (by comparison, Beyoncé has 5 million, while Taylor Swift has 21.9 million; the guys know how to work the short-form video format is all I'm saying). In the book's good-humored preface, they draw on their long, enduring histories, “from HulaHoops to hot hookups, through protests and parties, witnessing the chaos of the '60s to the current culture wars.” As current LGBTQ+

generations live through another wave of clamorous anti-queer hate, it's never a bad idea to check in with the elders who know more than a thing or two about surviving and thriving during the worst of it. – CA

'How to Live Free in a Dangerous World: A Decolonial Memoir,' Shayla Lawson Nonbinary author Shayla Lawson's upcoming memoir, "How to Live Free in a Dangerous World," is a lyrical voyage through a world of self-discovery, empowerment and unapologetic queerness that bestselling author Imani Perry called "phenomenal" and "luminously intimate." The memoir embraces the significance of queer community and self-love, emphasizing that "free spirits are never binary.”Lawson reminds us that individuals are more than their gender, offering the mantra: "Trans people do not owe you their gender performance. Nonbinary people don't owe you their androgyny." A powerful revelation unfolds when Lawson is diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

Out Feb. 6. – SH

‘TransElectric: My Life as a Cosmic Rock Star,' Cidny Bullens

Two-time Grammy nominee Cidny Bullens has spent 45 years performing alongside the biggest names in the music industry, from Elton John and Bob Dylan to singing on the “Grease” soundtrack. Now, the singer is charting new ground as a trans man, releasing his first solo album (“Little Pieces”) this month and a candid memoir, “TransElectric: My Life as a Cosmic Rock

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Star” about his storied music career and his long road to feeling whole. The book features a foreword by his long-time friend, Elton, and has the support of musical giants like Lucinda Williams and Beth Nielson Chapman. Elton writes in the forward, “I would never have known that Cidny was so troubled with who he wanted to be, his identity. That night he told me that he wanted to transition to a man, I just cried and cried and cried. I finally kind of understood.” – SH

leaders. Maddow details how both movements have aimed at overthrowing the government in favor of authoritarian rule.

– SH

Cory Allen's “Breaking Free” is a vulnerable and empowering memoir detailing an oftendifficult childhood spent in Pennsylvania and rising through the ranks of a career in law

'Gender Is Really Strange,' Teddy G. Goetz “Gender” might just be the buzzword of the decade. It is dedicated to exploring what it actually means to be trans, nonbinary, gender expansive, or any other label under the ever-expanding umbrella of identity. “Gender Is Really Strange” tackles these big-picture questions in the form of a non-fiction graphic novel geared toward anyone who wants to understand more about their own gender identity.

enforcement as a gay man. Allen doesn't hold back when it comes to detailing his sexual and romantic exploits, including a marriage that ended in divorce and a winding path toward true self-acceptance and the kind of love he's deserved all along. Highlights include exclusive anecdotes about working as a secret service agent for the Obama family. – SH

Here, Goetz considers the nature vs. nurture debate and the inherent messiness of gender alongside intriguing, fact-based information from the fields of biology, neuroscience, behavioral and mental health, balancing scientific fact with the impact of social norms shaped by religion, culture and other influences. – SH

Non ction

Young Adult

'Breaking Free,' Cory Allen

'Prequel,' Rachel Maddow. Our favorite bespectacled queer investigative journalist is back in the stacks with “Prequel,” a deep dive into a WWII-era narrative about a little-reported propaganda campaign waged by the far-right that was thwarted by everyday citizens and committed public servants. Maddow draws parallels between the movement and the modern-day right-wing strategy to undermine democratic institutions, promote antisemitism and destroy public confidence in duly elected 110 | HotspotsMagazine.com

‘Ryan and Avery,' David Levithan “Ryan and Avery” is quintessential high school fare for the modern era. Bluehaired Ryan and pink-haired Avery meet at a queer prom, go on 10 dates and experience the sometimes tumultuous, always dramatic experiences of high school love in this breezy read by New York Times bestselling author David Levithan. - SH

This Month in

LGBT History

December, 1924—Henry Gerber founded the Society for Human Rights, America's first-known gay rights organization. Gerber began publishing a newsletter called Friendship and Freedom in order to spread the word about the work of the Society. Gerber and other members were jailed for three days.

Dec 1, 1988—The World Health Organization (WHO) declared December 1 as the first World AIDS Day. December 3, 1996—Hawaii's Judge Chang rules that the state does not have a legal right to deprive samesex couples of the right to marry, making Hawaii the first state to recognize that gay and lesbian couples are entitled to the same privileges as heterosexual married couples.

December 13, 2022—President Biden signs the Respect for Marriage Act which includes new federal

protections for same-sex and interracial couples.

The new law officially voids the Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as between a man and a woman. It mandates that states honor the validity of out-of-state marriage licenses, including same-sex and interracial unions.

December 15, 1973—By a vote of 5,854 to 3,810, the American Psychiatric Association removes homosexuality from its list of mental disorders in the DSM-II Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

December 21, 1993—"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) policy was issued under Department of Defense Directive 1304.26. Instituted during the Clinton administration, the policy was in effect from February 28, 1994, until September 20, 2011.

December 28, 2022—Undercover agents of Ron DeSantis' administration attended a drag performance in Orlando, FL ("A Drag Queen Christmas," at Orlando's Plaza Live) to determine whether the event was violating state obscenity laws, especially if minors were present.

Sources: CNN, Library of Congress, lgbtqhistory

Jade Jolie Performs at Hamburger Mary s Wilton Manor

Photos: Coco Alarcon

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TO ADVERTISE IN CLASSIFIEDS Call 754-200-2979 Email Classifieds@HotSpotsMedia.com 118 | HotspotsMagazine.com

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HOT PUZZLE We Are All One

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Across 1 Biters of Caesar's girlfriend 5 NG: Get wind of 9 “Come Back, Little ___” 14 French family member 15 Aida solo 16 Eminem's “___ Mile” 17 Achilles' weak spot 18 NG: Omar's “Mod Squad” character 19 Pester, as Albert to Armand 20 More of a Bayard Rustin quote that begins in the title 23 Her funeral was in a recent "The Crown" episode 24 Queer, nongayly 28 Like Robinson Crusoe on the island 32 NG: Support group antithesis 33 Bottoms, to loafers 35 NG: Icy pellets 36 More of the quote 41 NG: City north of Anaheim 42 George, who was Mary Ann 43 Queen Elizabeth II portrayer Staunton 126 | HotspotsMagazine.com

46 NG: Old Greek jars 51 South Beach activity 53 “Riverfinger Women” writer Dykewomon 54 End of the quote 58 Perineum, in slang 61 NG: Track shape 62 Nuts and bolts 63 NG: Poetry muse 64 Barneys event 65 Pick up 66 Transportation for Liberace and Elton 67 “Of ___ I Sing” 68 NG: Cube designer Rubik

Down 1 Sap suckers 2 NG: Deem appropriate 3 Like the beginning of “GWTW” 4 NG: One-named Tejano singer 5 Prop for "Talking to My Angel"?

6 Sinead O'Connor's country 7 NG: Isn't informal

8 They hold balls in pool halls 9 Woman of La Mancha 10 Hero of a Longfellow poem 11 It gets laid only once 12 NG: Dangerous food preservative 13 NG: Long distance company, for short 21 Saint-Saen's "___ Macabre" 22 NG: Unknown degree 25 By songwriter Holly?

26 Express pleasure orally 27 NG: Immigrant's subj.

29 NG: Average name 30 NG: Peace Nobelist Wiesel 31 Queer photographer Grace 34 Like a Muscle Mary who does sit-ups 36 Shirley MacLaine's la Douce role 37 Shirts that say "Hate is not a family value," e.g.

38 NG: Enter 39 Cut 40 NG: Anesthesia of old 41 NG: Lobster eater's wear 44 NG: Says "I agree" 45 “Unhappily Ever After” actor 47 NG: "Ripe" stage of life 48 Tavern with naked dancers?

49 Prop for "I have a headache tonight ..."

50 NG: Refuses 52 Hamlet's father, e.g.

55 Cole Porter's "Well, Did You ___" 56 Hearty partner 57 NG: Toward shelter 58 ___ Aviv 59 Paul Newman role in “Exodus” 60 Helen Reddy's "___ Woman"