from the editor Welcome once again to Hotspots Central! I am so happy to see how much the Central Florida LGBT community has embraced this magazine. Thank you, fromthebottomofmyheart! We Floridians know that LGBT pride isn't just for June anymore, and over 150,000 people are expected to show their pride at Come Out with Pride Orlando from October 6-8. In this issue we'll let you know about the events that you can enjoy on that special weekend. Also, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates will be bringing their workplace summit to Walt Disney World Resorts, as they work tirelessly to ensure all LGBT Americans are protected fromdiscriminationintheworkplace. Hotspots Central is also pleased to present an exclusive interview with the Democratic nominee for President of the United States, Hillary Clinton. As Floridians and proud LGBT Americans, we know that every election is important. In this issue, Secretary Clinton discusses pressing issues on the mindsofmanyFloridavoters. We, as always, are committed to offering you an excellent LGBT publication, and I am so proud to present this issue to you, because make no mistake: Hotspots Centralisallaboutyou!
Central Florida Edition October, 2016
Publisher/Marketing Director Peter Clark Peter@HotspotsMedia.com
Vice-President Peter Jackson PeterJ@hotspotsmedia.com
Associate Publisher Scott Holland Scott@HotspotsMedia.com
Editor Mike Halterman Mike@HotspotsMedia.com
Business Manager Brian Burda & Efrain Grosso-Ortiz Brian@HotspotsMedia.com
Art Director Maria Espinal Maria@HotspotsMedia.com
Digital Media Christine Veiga Christine@HotspotsMedia.com
Cover Photo by Chris Stephenson Chris@snapoutloud.com
Graphics Graphics@HotspotsMedia.com
Maria Espinal Frank Mendez
Sales Team Sales@HotspotsMedia.com
JB Burgos & Russ Martin
Mike Halterman Editor, Hotspots Central
National Advertising Rivendell Media 212-242-6863 • sales@rivendellmedia.com
Feature Writers Mike Halterman
CONTACT US
Scott Holland | Woody Miller | Billy Masters
Central Florida Office: 813-253-9107 11 N. Summerlin Ave., Suite 210 | Orlando, FL 32801
Ian Maloney | Jerry Perez | JB Burgos
South Florida Office: 954-928-1862 5090 N.E. 12th Avenue | Oakland Park, FL 33334 Fax 954-772-0142
Tony Fowler | Snap Out Loud!
Photographers Stephen R. Lang | Pat O’Rourke Mike Halterman
HotspotsCentral.LGBT
Logistics
Info@HotspotsMedia.com • HotspotsMediaGroup.com Facebook.com/HotspotsCentralFlorida
Randy Justice
Hotspots Central is published by HOTSPOTS MAGAZINE OF FLORIDA at 5090 N.E. 12th Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334. Opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinion of HOTSPOTS MAGAZINE or any of its staff. Publication of the name or photos of any living person or organization in articles or advertising in HOTSPOTS MAGAZINE is not to be constructed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such person or organizations. All copy, text, display, photos and illustration in the ads are published with the understanding that the advertisers are fully authorized, have secured proper written consent for the use of names, pictures, and testimonials of any living person, and Hotspots Magazine may lawfully publish and cause such to be made. Advertisers automatically agree by summiting said ad to indemnify and save blameless the publisher from any and all liability, loss and expense of any nature out of the publication. The deadline for Hotspots Central is the 20th of every month at 5pm. In the event that an ad is excepted after deadline, the advertiser agrees by submitting such an ad to indemnify and save blameless the publisher from any andallliability,lossandexpenseofanynaturethatarisefromanyerrorthatmaybemadeinsaidad. Allrightsreserved. Reproductioninpartorinwholeofthispublicationwithoutwrittenpermission isstrictlyprohibited. Hotspotsisaregisteredtrademark.
on the inside
Central Florida Edition October, 2016
Exclusive Interview “...It just shows you that the LGBT community here is loved by the vast majority of people and no one person will destroy the path and progress we have made.”
• • • • • • •
content:
From the Editor Backstage Food for Thought Genre Latino Hit List Hotspots Hotties Small Business Spotlight What’s Hot Central Florida
this month’s features: • Bear Bust XXVI • Coming Out with Pride Orlando eeEvents • Coming Out with Pride Orlando eeEntertainers • Halloween Traditions
hot shots
Southern Nights Tampa Metro Wellness Hamburger Mary’s St. Pete Headdress Ball
What’s
HOT
...everything you need to plan your month
T
There will be lots of entertainers and celebrities coming to Orlando to be a part of the twelfth annual Come Out with Pride celebrations. Keep an eye out for them at many venues around town, including but not limited to Lake Eola Park, Church Street Station and Parliament House Orlando. So who's coming, you ask? Let tell you a littlebitaboutsomeoftheout-oftown guests and where you can seethem. The Pride on Church Street block party (Friday, October 7, 811:30 p.m., Church Street Station) will feature special guests Amy Armstrong and Freddy Allen as well as Ty Herndon. Amy and Freddy, based in Chicago, have been performing together at venues across the country and around the world for the past 15 years.
by mike halterman They sell out each time they perform at Hamburger Mary's Orlando. Ty Herndon is a multi-platinum selling country music artist who can boast three #1 country songs, such as "What Mattered Most" and "Living in a Moment". Recently he announced news of his upcoming eighth album, “HouseonFire,”whichwillbereleasedonNovember11. Many entertainers and celebrities will perform or be seen on Saturday, October 8, either on the amphitheater stage or the Pride stage, both sponsored by Wawa. Michelle Clunie and Peter Paige, both well-known for their roles on Showtime's “Queer as Folk,” will be seen on-stage; Clunie can currently be seen on MTV's “Teen Wolf” and Paige is one of the co-creators of Freeform's “The Fosters.” The cast of “The Fosters,” an award-winning drama currently in its fourth season, will also appear. Singer Brian Justin Crum, who viewers loved on this past season of “America's Got Talent,” will perform on the Pride stage. Other participating entertainers include Michael Cerveris, Tony Award winner for the musicals “Assassins” and “Fun Home”; actor/singer Alice Ripley, Tony Award winner for “Next to Normal”; comedian Matteo Lane, who has been seen on “The Nightly Show, Late Night with Seth Meyers” and “Comedy Knockout”; writer and comedienne Sabrina Jalees (“Transparent,” “Canada's Got Talent,” “AfterEllen”); Eli Lieb and Brandon Skeie, singer-songwriters who penned the emotional musical tribute "Pulse"; and R.J. Aguiar and Will Shepherd, YouTubevloggerswhoareoriginally
Roxxxy Andrews
Peter Paige
fromFloridabutcallCaliforniahomenow. The Verizon "Taste of Pride" area of Lake Eola Park promises a wonderful culinary experience, featuring a number of celebrity chefs, including Elizabeth Falkner, who has been seen on such shows as “TheNext Iron Chefand Top Chef: Masters”; Art Smith, a fellow “Top Chef: Masters” contestant who has served as the personal chef for Oprah Winfrey and former Florida governor Bob Graham; and Cat Cora, competitor on “Iron Chef America” and co-host of Bravo's “Around the World in 80 Plates.” Over a dozen additional chefs are also participating; visit comeoutwithpride.com
for more information on how you can purchasetickets. NeNe Leakes first made a name for herself on Bravo's “Real Housewives of Atlanta,” and has since gone on to conquer Broadway, appearing in both “ R o d ge r s & H a m m e r s t e i n ' s Cinderella” and “Chicago.” She will be
Cat Cora
Michelle Clunie
Amy & Freddy
Brian Justin Crum hosting the Pride celebrations on Saturday, October 8 at Parliament House Orlando. Orlandobased “RuPaul's Drag Race” star Roxxxy Andrews will also be in attendance as she performs with the Footlight Players: Darcel Stevens, Jazell Barbie Royale (your
Michael Cerveris
Art Smith current reigning Miss Continental), Shantell D'Marco (your current reigning Miss Florida F.I.), and Sonique. For
tickets, visit parliamenthouse.com. Many more entertainers will be announced in the run-up to Come Out with Pride Orlando 2016! For more visit comeoutwithpride.com.
NeNe Leakes
Hotspots Central Florida HotSpotsCentral.LGBT
hot shots photos by chris stephenson
Headdress Ball Presented by Hope & Help
what’s hot everything you need to know
to plan your month!
H
Hello, Hotspots Central readers! Welcome once again to the What's Hot column, where we keep you in the loop with lots of important nightlife events in Tampa Bay, Orlando, and points in between. We're also your connection to many activities and events organized by local LGBT service organizations and chambers of commerce. Want to know What's Hot in October? Readmoreandfindout!
Saturday October 1: In case youweren'taware,IvanhoeWineand SpiritsnextdoortoSAVOYOrlandois now TheIvanhoe,asisterbartoSAVOY serving all your favorite libations with allthepeopleyouknowandlovefrom SAVOY and the previous Ivanhoe Wine and Spirits business. "Like" them on Facebook at facebook.com/theivanhoeorlando. Celebrate GaYBOR Days weekend in Ybor City with a Swank Saturday party at Southern Nights
have a great october!
Tampa! Enjoy music by DJ JB Burgos and a drag show at midnight featuring Roxxxy Andrews, Anita Waistline (recently crowned Miss National
Comedy Queen), and Jade Embers! No cover before 10 p.m. forpeopleover21. Parliament House Orlando's semiannual "Thriller" '80s party is a fan favorite, and now it's back! Enjoy three rooms of '80s music all night long, and be sure to take in a Footlight Players show, which will be Thriller-themed! Those shows will start at 10 p.m. and midnight. Also take note of "Breathe", a
cycle of seven musical fairy tales that celebrate gay and lesbian life with humor, passion, magic and joy. Presented as part oftheLGBT Theatre Festival, it will play in the Footlight Theatre Thursdays through Sundays until October 16, with showtime at 7:30 p.m. each night. Buy your tickets ($20) atphouse.ticketleap.com. The Ultra Lounge in Cocoa is getting into the Halloween spirit with a special, spooky Village Follies show tonight at 11:30 p.m.! Enjoy performances from queens AzhiaLiandGingerMinj!Formore, visitmyultralounge.com.
Sunday October 2: Want to do drag...for just one day? You can do just that at the Closet Ball, starting at 6 p.m. at Flamingo Resort in St. Petersburg. Hosted by Stephanie Stuart and Rockell Blu, this pageant is a fundraiser for King of Peace MCC and ASAP/Empath Health. If you'd
liketoparticipate,registrationisat 4:45 p.m. For more, visit flamingofla.com.
Wednesday October 5:
The Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival has brought a special guest to entertain the crowds this evening at The Tampa Theatre! Enjoy an evening with Leslie Jordan, well-known for a multitude of roles, including lead
roles in Del Shores' Sordid Lives and Southern Baptist Sissies, starting at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $35 and all price levels include a meet and greet. Visit tiglff.com for moreinformation.
Thursday October 6: Come Out with Pride Orlando kicks off this evening with a launch party at The A bbey ! F o r m o re , v i s i t comeoutwithpride.com and read ourPridefeaturesinthisissue.
Parliament House Orlando's Footlight Theatre branches out into Spanish-language entertainment with "La Jaula de las Locas", produced and directed by Aleksander Sagrav, which is inspired by "The Birdcage." The production stars Sagrav and Eddie Rodriguez in the lead roles. See it tonight and next Thursday at 10 p.m. Tickets cost $20 and can be bought at phouse.ticketleap.com. Tonight is Gay Bowling Night at Dunedin Lanes! It costs $10 for unlimited cosmic bowling from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., and there is a
special discount for new bowlers! Be prepared for the fabulous Gay Bowling drag show at midnight, featuring Jocelyn Summers, Kenya Black and Esme Russell! Dunedin Lanes is located at 405 PatriciaAve. inDunedin.
midnight for another big block partytocelebratePride!
Saturday October 8: Save the Date! The Come Out with Pride Orlando festival and
Friday October 7: The GLBT Community Center of Central Florida will be hosting their second annual LGBT prom tonight from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Women's Club, located at 501 E. Livingston St. in Orlando. This year's theme is "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". General admission is $35 and includes a meal and cash bar; VIP tickets are available for $50 and include open bar. Tickets a v a i l a b l e a t lgbtpromorlando.eventbrite.com.
Southern Nights Tampa's NeiBEARhood Takeover night this month is an underwear and jockstrappartycalled"DILF"!This special men-only event will feature music by DJ Chomper. Get there shortly after the music startsat10p.m.! Hamburger Mary's Orlando will be throwing a Pride on Church Street block party, featuring music by DJ JB Burgos and such entertainment acts as the Mary's cast, Amy and Freddy, and Ty
Herndon! Read our Orlando Pride features for more information. Also, you can venture down to Church Street Station tomorrow from 4 p.m. to
parade is today! Read all about it in the pages of this month's HotspotsCentral. The Orange County Regional History Center (65 E. Central Blvd., Orlando) is currently running an exhibit, "Pride, Prejudice and Protest", chronicling five d e c a d e s o f change with regard to LGBT rights in Central Florida. The exhibit, which will be presented through January26,canbeseentodayfor free in honor of Orlando Pride. For more information, visit thehistorycenter.org. Noelia, direct from West Hollywood, will be performing live in concert at the official Come Out with Pride after party at The Abbey. For more information on this party, read our Come Out with Pride feature. The Abbey's party is a Latin night organized by Pulse Orlando. "Like" Pulse on F a c e b o o k a t facebook.com/pulseorlando. Don't miss out on seeing NeNe Leakes and Roxxxy Andrews as they will be on hand for the
Parliament House Orlando's Pride after-party! The fun begins at 8 p.m. and goes on until 3 a.m.; visit parliamenthouse.com for ticketing information, and also
Hotspots Central Florida HotSpotsCentral.LGBT
read our Orlando Pride feature forextradetails. Bradley's on 7th in Tampa welcomes former Miss Gay USofA at Large Denise Russell for a live
"Twilight" (Sat. Oct. 15) and "American Horror Story: Coven" (Sun. Oct. 16). Formoreinfo,visit studio26tampa.com.
Saturday October 15: By only: the 40th anniversary of the All Hallows Masquerade Ball in Tampa! This
invitation
vocal performance! She will also be performing in two drag shows this evening (11:30 p.m. and 1:15 a.m.) with show director Joey Brooks, Esme Russell, and Anjila Cavalier.
Monday October 10: The
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
will be playing on Monday Night Football in a matchup against the Carolina Panthers! You can watch the game in the sports bar at City Side tonight,beginningat8:30p.m. It's
a Bucs life, so come on out and showyourteampride!
Thursday October 13:
year's theme is "Ruby Red" (in honor of the 40th anniversary) and invitees are asked to find inspirationintheircostumesfrom any of the past 39 celebrations andtheiraccompanyingthemes. The party will be held this evening at the Museum of Science and Industry near the University of SouthFlorida. The Tracks revue night at Bradley's on 7th in Tampa will feature songs from the '80s and songs from today! Get there early so you will be present at 11:30 to see the retro-tastic '80s show, featuring Joey Brooks, Esme Russell, Felicity Lane and Divinity Everlasting. At 1:15 a.m., enjoy a second show that includes their favorite songs. As always, there isneveracoveratBradley's! Flamingo Resort in St. Petersburg welcomes all (but especially the transvestites from Transsexual Transylvania) to a Rocky Horror Picture Showthemed night of fun! There will be a "Touch-a-touch-a-touch-a touch me" drag show at 11:30 p.m., music by DJ Reagan, and sexy "Rocky" dancers around all nightlong!
Studio 26
in Tampa asks you to come out and meet their resident cast during the month of "Screamtober", featuring spooky themes every night this month! Tonight the theme is "Penny Dreadful", so attend dressed as your favorite monster and meet the crew. Upcoming themes include "The Purge" (Fri. Oct. 14),
Sunday October 16: Hometown queen Alexis Mateo is this year's All American Goddess, and she will be honored this evening at Tropical States AAG, a preliminary pageant which will send representatives to next year's All American Goddess pageant. The pageant begins at 8
p.m. and contestant registration begins at 2 p.m. ($125 entry fee if entering the day of the pageant). You can watch the finals this eveningat Quench Lounge inLargo. For more information, visit quenchlounge.com.
Thursday October 20:
Southern Nights Orlando and Kitana Gemini present a Gaga Night of Horror this evening beginning at 9 p.m. There will be a costume contest (come dressed keeping with the theme of Lady Gaga and/or American Horror Story) and Lady Gaga "Joanne" album giveaways throughout the night! There will be a 10:30 "freshman lineup" show hosted by MrMs Adrien, followed by the main show at 12:30 p.m., with Axel Andrews, Roxxxy Andrews and Kai'ja Adonis, and an American Horror Storythemed production featuring KitanaGemini,BobbyImanandAva Lawhore. MusicbyDJDlux.
Stonewall Bar Orlando will be hosting a live watch party of FOX's adaptation of The Rocky Horror Picture Show! Arrive before the show begins at 8 p.m. and come dressed in your Rocky
demonstrations inside the bar. Bethereat9p.m. Liquid Tampa welcomes the winner of RuPaul's Drag Race season eight, Bob the Drag Q u e e n , fo r a s p e c i a l performance! Power Infiniti is hosting, and there will be additional performances from Derek Dean and Desiree DeMornay. Music by DJ Ace Vedo. Doors open at 9 p.m. and tickets will cost $20 at the door and $30 for VIP, which includes a meet and greet and photograph.
Horror best, because you could be the winner of Stonewall's costume contest! On Stonewall's 65-inch screens, you will have one of the best viewing experiencesinCentralFlorida!
Friday October 21: Come on down to Hamburger Mary's Pub House in Tampa and watch the home team, the University of South Florida Bulls, as they take on Temple. The game will be broadcast at 7 p.m. so pick a seat in front of one of Pub House's manyHDTVs! Saturday October 22: Direct from New York City, largerthan-life queen Lady Bunny will be performing with Parliament House Orlando's Footlight Players! Watch the "Wigstock" mistress of ceremonies perform with Darcel Stevens, Jazell Barbie Royale, Shantell D'Marco and Sonique at 10 p.m. and midnight. Music all nightinthediscobyDJBrianna.
Saturday October 29: The last Saturday of each month is leather night at BarCodes Orlando! Whether you're a leather aficionado or you just like to watch, you will get to see a few live
To buy discounted tickets in advance, learn more at facebook.com/liquidtampa. Club Main Street in Lakeland will be presenting a tribute to Tim Burton tonight as part of their Halloweenextravaganza. Therewill be a costume contest, so dress up as your favorite spooky Tim Burton character! There will also be a Tim Burton-themed show at midnight featuring Kathryn Nevets, Danika Panic, Charlotte Diamond Star, De Delovely, and Ja'Staria Sherrington.
10:30 p.m., featuring Alexis Mateo, Alicia Markstone, Dena Cass and Jasmine International. Stick around for the costume contest for a chance to win some prizes! Reserve your table by calling(727)851-9386. The winner will take it all, and by "it" I mean a $2000 grand prize, tonight at Flamingo Resort in St. Petersburg! All you have to do is dress in the most creative Halloween costume you can imagine, and you might be the one to walk away with the prize! There will be a Halloweenthemed drag show at 11:30 p.m. Music by DJ Reagan. Want to stay over? Call (727) 321-5000 to reserveyourroom. The three nights of Halloween costume contests begin tonight at Parliament House Orlando! Tonight's cashprizeis$4000,Sunday'scash prize is $1000, and the grand prize on Monday is $5000! Tickets are $10inadvanceand$15atthedoor, and you can get in for all three nights for just $18. Visit parliamenthouse.com for more information. If you will be participating in the Making Strides Against Breast
Cancer Walk in downtown Orlando (facebook.com/orlandostrides ), note that it will be ending at Church Street Station. If you're hungry, stop in at Hamburger Mary's Orlando, which will be open and serving breakfast startingat10a.m.
Hamburger Mary's St. Petersburg brings you "Hocus Pocus" and Halloween-themed drag shows three times this evening! Enjoy the shows at 5:30 p.m., 8 p.m. and
Hotspots Central Florida HotSpotsCentral.LGBT
By Mike Halterman
H
Hillary Rodham Clinton has been in the public eye for over forty years, and for nearly twenty-fiveofthoseyears,shehascarvedouther own legacy, refusing to be a mere mention alongside her husband, former President Bill Clinton. She served for eight years as United States Senator from New York, and then went on to represent our country abroad as our third female Secretary of State. In the upcoming presidential election, she will face Republican nominee Donald Trump. With just weeks before
Election Day, polls show Clinton and Trump in a closebattle,witheachcandidateboastingaloyal voting base. Like in past elections, the turnout fromFloridacouldverywelldecidetheendresult thistimearound.
Recently Secretary Clinton sat down with Hotspots' Mike Halterman for an exclusive interview, in which she talks about her proposed policies should she be elected, the legacy of the LGBT rights movement, and her vision for our country's future.
providers in Miami on the front lines of the Zika epidemic. And, of course, I've been so inspired by the community of Orlando, which has shown such braveryandresilienceafterthetragedyatPulse.
You had the chance to visit the Pulse makeshift memorial in Orlando this summer. What were your thoughts when you first heard of this tragedy, and how did you feel when you visited the site?
MH: Thank you for participating in this interview, Madam Secretary. You've visited Florida many times this year. What are some of the things you like the most about Florida and Floridians? HC: Every time I visit Florida, I'm inspired by the diverse, vibrant cultures that have come together. It's a real microcosm of America. I've been so grateful for the ideas and insights Floridians have shared with me – from the brewery owners in St. Petersburg who had excellent advice on how to support small businesses to the community health
I was shocked when I heard the news, and heartbroken – for the lives cut short, for their loved ones, for the city of Orlando, for LGBT people and their allies. At the sametime,Iwasstruckbythecompassionofeveryone whorushedtofindwaystohelp. Visiting the memorial was an experience I'll never forget. Standing there, you can feel the grief of all of the people who were affected by the tragedy. You can also feel the outpouring of love and support from a community that refuses to be defined by hate. It'smovingandinspiring.
Florida is primarily a tourism economy. Under your economic plan, how will the standard of living be improved for Floridians, especially those who work in tourism and the service industry?
Anyone who is willing to work hard should be able to find a job that pays well enough to raise a family – a job that provides dignity, pride, and a bright future. So we're going to raise the minimum wage, strengthen overtime rules, and ensure that workers are treated fairly. We're also going to bring our policies in line with the way families in Florida and across the country actually live and work today. Equal pay, paid family leave, predictable scheduling, earned sick days – these aren't luxuries, they're economicnecessities.
Please outline which steps you would take to improve the lives of LGBT Floridians and other LGBT Americans in your first term, should you be elected. I'll continue President Obama's executive actions on LGBT equality. I'll also work with Congress to pass the Equality Act, to finally guarantee full federal equality for LGBT Americans. I'll fight to end the cruel, dangerous practice of so-called “conversion therapy” – LGBT kids don't need to be “cured” of anything. I'll also ensure that LGBT elders have the support they deserve. And we'll protect the right of
transgender Americans to live safely as themselves – from taking on the crisis of violence against transgender women of color to making it easier for officialdocumentstoreflectyourtruegender.
What was your "evolution" like on the topic of LGBT rights? How do you see LGBT people and think of LGBT rights now compared to years past? My views have been shaped by people I know and love. Two of my parents' closest friends in Little Rock were their next-door neighbors, Dillard and Larry. They visited my father in the hospital at the endofhislife. They're a loving and committed couple. And I came to realize just how deep an injustice it was that they couldn'tbelegallymarried. DillardandLarryhelped shape my views. I'm grateful to the advocates, families and friends who never stopped insisting that what's right is right. They helped change my mind,andI'mverygladtheydid.
How do you envision your future administration's legacy with regard to LGBT rights, and how do you wish to shape the future of the LGBT movement?
“The stakes have never been higher for the LGBT community than they are right now. Donald Trump would appoint Supreme Court justices who will overturn marriage equality...”
There are still too many places where LGBT Americans are targeted for harassment and violence. Too many young people still feel hopeless and alone. As president, I'll do everything I can to protect the progress we've made, build on it, and make it real for LGBTpeopleineverycornerofourcountry,sonooneis leftbehind. IwantfuturegenerationsofLGBTpeopleto growupknowing,withoutadoubt,thattheyareequalin the eyes of the law and in the hearts and minds of their fellowAmericans.
Climate change is a very real issue that state leaders in Florida have not taken seriously. As president, how would you influence the national discussion on this topic, and what policies would your administration have to combat climate change? Climate change is a very real threat, and I refuse to allow our country to move backwards from the progresswe'vemadecombattingthisissue. Tostart, my Administration will take drastic steps, cutting emissions to 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2025. We will launch a $60 billion Clean Energy Challenge, providing our communities the resources to cut
carbon pollution and expand clean energy. We will invest in our clean energy infrastructure and will defend our smart pollution and efficiency standards. We will also commit to cutting methane emissionsby40-45percentoverthenexttenyears.
Many members of our community will be voting for you, but others may still be apprehensive. In short, what would you say to those people to convince them to vote for you? The stakes have never been higher for the LGBT community than they are right now. Donald Trump would appoint Supreme Court justices who will overturn marriage equality, and he's chosen a running mate who tried to write discrimination into Indiana's lawsasgovernorandsaidthatmarriageequalitycould bring about “societal collapse.” If I'm elected, LGBT Americans will always have a champion and an ally in theWhiteHouse. ButIcan'tdoitwithoutyou. I'mgoing toworkhardtoearneveryvote– I'mnottakinganything forgranted!
We know a lot about your professional side, but when you have the chance to unwind, what do you like to do?
What would your "dream day" be like? Lots of uninterrupted time with my family – especially my grandchildren, Charlotte and Aidan. FaceTime is a wonderful invention, but sometimes a grandparentneedstherealdeal!
Which books have been on your reading list recently? Also, have you had the time to take in a movie or play? These days, I have an ever-growing reading list and not much time to read for fun! When I have time in between campaign stops and reading briefing papers, I like to relax by reading mystery novels. As for other entertainment, the “Hamilton” soundtrack hasbeenon“nonstop”sinceIsawitinNewYork!
Finally, what would your parting message be for our readers? Keep fighting – I'm with you. We've come so far from the days of Stonewall. But as Floridians know, we still have our work cut out for us. I know it can feel discouraging. But I'm inspired by your efforts to make our country fairer and more equal – whether you're organizing in your community or simply living openly. And I'll proudly fight alongside the LGBT community in Florida and every state to make sure that every American can live up to their full potential, nomatterwhoyouareorwhoyoulove.
To find out more about the Hillary Clinton campaign, visit hillaryclinton.com. "Like" her on Facebook for real-time updates from the campaign trail at facebook.com/hillaryclinton. Photos By Barbara Kinney, Michael Davidson and Adam Schultz
>>> Hotspots reached out to the Trump campaign multiple times via e-mail in order to extend him the same courtesy we extended to Secy. Clinton. We did not receive a response as of press time.
Jay Arseno
“Where The Bears Are� cast
Glenn Stewart
Bear Bust XXVI at Parliament House Orlando October 20-23, 2016
P
Parliament House Orlando and Bears in the City present the 26th annual Bear Bust, which will be held at the Parliament House Orlando resort from October 20-23. The popular event is growingevenlarger,andthisyear there will be a few fun surprises andnewevents. Bear Bust begins on Thursday, October 20 with registration in the courtyard from 9 p.m. to midnight, with bearaoke in the Bear Den and DJ Ur5o F4cto in the courtyard. There is a full day of events on Friday, October 21, beginning with a seminar at 11:30 a.m., hosted by Dr. David Baker-Hargrove from Two Spirit Health Services. Registrationisopenfromnoonto5 p.m. and from 9 p.m. to midnight. DJ Barry Huffine will be playing poolside from noon to 5 p.m. and DJ Daniel Borrero will spin in the courtyard from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Other events to watch out for: an
Paul M by mike halterman
interactive game show in the Footlight Theatre (3:30 p.m.), the "Uncut Cabaret" hosted by the Orlando Gay Chorus, also in the Theatre (7 p.m.), a cigar social in the courtyard (9 p.m.) and an underwear auction, followed by the Mr. Perky Butt contest, hosted byGidgetGalore(11p.m.). On Saturday, October 22, you canenjoymusicfromDJNeonthe GlowGoBear (poolside, noon to 5 p.m.) and DJ Barry Huffine (courtyard,9p.m. to2a.m.). Inthe afternoon, participate in pool games with Gidget Galore (2 to 4 p.m.) or speed dating (theatre, 3:30to5:30p.m.). Ifyou'dliketobe in this year's group photo, it will be taken at 4:45 p.m. poolside. At 5 p.m., the vendor fair will begin and goonallnight. Jointhebearsfora family dinner in the disco at 5:30 p.m. and see Glenn Stewart in concert! Then, singer Paul M will make his Florida debut in the
Footlight Theatre at 8 p.m. Make sureyouheadtothepoolstageat11 p.m. and watch the Mr. Bear Bust competition, hosted by the legendary drag queen Lady Bunny! Afterwards, you can get your photo taken with Glenn Stewart and the cast of the web series Where the Bears Are. Sunday, October 23 is the final day of Bear Bust and includes a pool party with DJ Daniel Borrero (1 to 6 p.m.), the pool BearlympicswithGidgetGalore(2to 4 p.m.), a concert featuring singer Jay Arseno (6 p.m.), and a farewell tea dance with music from DJ Neon theGlowGoBear.
If you'd like to reserve a room for Bear Bust weekend, visit parliamenthouse.com. Two Bear Bust run passes are given free with each reservation; visit bearbust.org for information on how to redeem those passes. Run passes are also available without a reservation for $75, which includesalloftheweekend'sactivities.
hotspots hotties Nationality Brazilian
City you live in Orlando
Single or married Single
Perfect date A day at the beach, or kayaking, or boating. I like being able to get to know the person in a more relaxed environment, so dinner and a movie doesn't really do it for me.
What do you do for a living? I am a Training Manager at an IT Recruiting agency
What do you do for fun? I like going out with friends. I love being outdoors and being active.
What does Pride mean to you? Pride means being happy with who you are. Not just when it comes to being gay, but in all aspects of life. I think you can kind of tell when someone lives a life that they are proud of. It comes through and it's captivating, because it brings a level of confidence that is beyond anyone else's opinions.
What does the future hold for you? Hopefully a lot of money and lots of trips. I like traveling and seeing new places. Meeting new people. A boyfriend wouldn't be terrible either.
matheus lula age: 26
photos by chris stephenson chris@snapoutloud.com
Pride means being happy with who you are. Not just when it comes to being gay, but in all aspects of life.
Hotspots Central Florida HotSpotsCentral.LGBT
small business spotlight by mike halterman
“The experience is unique, with eclectic decor, an adjoining beer and wine bar, and
excellent customer service.�
T
The first of October is a big milestone for the Ybor City Barbering Company: on that date last year, owner Lisa Harmon opened the business's doors to the public. In the last twelve months, it has become as one of the hottest new
businesses on Tampa's 7th Avenue. The experience is unique, with eclectic decor, an adjoining beer and wine bar, and excellent customer service. An LGBT-owned business, Harmon and her staff wish to give back to the community.
I spoke with manager Curtis Lynch about Ybor City Barbering Company's success and its unique qualities in this exclusive interview for HotspotsCentral.
Has the growth of the business in the pas t year exceeded everyone's expectations? Also, are you happy to see how quickly the community has accepted the business? It has exceeded our expectations, not just with the barber shop, but with the bar as well. We have a steady flow of clients coming in and we've already built up a great customer base with the barber shop. Now the bar is newer, it's only been open about two months, but it's doing very well considering how competitive Ybor City can be. But I am very happy...I
love that Ybor City feels like a family and everyone has supported us, as we all supportoneanother.
What sets you all apart from other barbershops in the area? Apart from the obvious, with the bar in the back, with each haircut we give clients a blow-dry, style, and a shampoo. All of that is standardhere. Somebarbers will just cut your hair, blow the hair off you, and then send you on your way. We like to offer more than that. When you come in, you receive a complimentary drink, whether it's beer, wine, soda or water you prefer. Then of course in the back there is a patio area and various game systems for people to play. We are very serious about customer service here. It's the way we keep our clients comingbacktous.
extra space, and there was a good event space adjoining [this] property. She wanted to combine the barber shop concept with a bar. A barber shop with a similar concept in Fort Lauderdale was her inspiration. We're starting with a few fun events, such as anEDMnightonSundays. Everyoneshouldstopby!
Ybor City Barbering Company 1409 E. 7th Avenue, Tampa
Bar hours:
Barbershop hours:
Mondays-Thursdays
Mondays-Saturdays
How did the idea come about to open a beer and wine bar behind the barbershop?
noon to 9 p.m.
noon to 8 p.m.
Fridays-Saturdays
Sundays
noon to 11 p.m.
noon to 6 p.m.
Lisa [Harmon] was scouting out different spaces that had
Sundays noon to 9 p.m.
Hotspots Central Florida HotSpotsCentral.LGBT
F
For over a decade now, Come Out with Pride Orlando has grown exponentially, becoming one of the largest LGBT pride celebrations not just in the state of Florida, but in the entire Southeast, with over 150,000 people attending the parade and festival portions of the festivities last year. This year's Come Out with Pride events will occur between Thursday, October 6 andSaturday,October8. On Thursday, the official Come Out with Pride Orlando launch party will take place at The Abbey (100 S. Eola Dr.), beginning at 7 p.m. The intimate event, which will have space for about 300-350 people, will be sure to get the community abuzz and ready to celebrate on Saturday. For more information on how
you can attend the Pride launch party, visitcomeoutwithpride.com/events.
by mike halterman On Friday, the Pride on Church Street block party, organized by Hamburger Mary's Orlando, will return to Church Street Station right in front of Mary's. Many entertainers based right here in Floridawillperform,includingsuch talent as the Rock Hard Revue, Hamburger Mary's Orlando Broadway brunch crowd, Mary's female impersonators Leigh Shannon and Crystle Chambers, Miss America 2004 Ericka Dunlap, and DJ JB Burgos. Special guest performers include Amy ArmstrongandFreddyAllen,direct from Chicago, and, from Nashville, multi-platinum country music recording artist Ty Herndon. The freepartybeginsat8p.m. The events on Saturday begin with a "Big Gay Brunch" sponsored by Orlando Weekly, which will take place at The Abbey starting at 11 a.m.
Ticketholders will enjoy a wonderful brunch, mimosas and a Bloody Mary bar, music by DJ Reagan, live entertainment, and performances from several surprise guests! Visit
comeoutwithpride.com/events for more information. The Come Out with Pride festival will begin at noon, with the Marriott Pride Marketplace, featuring 100+ vendors, food, drinks and entertainment, situated on the southeast side of Lake Eola (Eola Dr. and E. Central Blvd.). GoingdownCentraltoward Rosalind Ave. and the amphitheater, you will see "Taste of Pride", sponsored by Verizon, which is a new addition to the Come Out with Pride festivities. For $150 per person, you can enjoy great foods cooked up by over a dozen celebrity chefs, such as Art Smith, Cat Cora, Elizabeth
Falkner, Kevin Fonzo, Liana Robberecht and others. These meals will be paired with drinks from expert mixologists, and the ticket cost also includes great seating for the fireworks display which will end the day. To get your
tickets, visit them online at comeoutwithpride.com/events/taste-ofpride. Walking up the Rosalind Ave. side of Lake Eola, you will see the VIP experience area, sponsored by SunTrust. At the VIP area, there will be an air-conditioned tent, an open bar from noon to 9 p.m., and light bites from 1 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $85 in advance ($95 the day of the event), and guaranteed parade grandstand seating will cost $20 more. To buy tickets, visit
after the sponsor walk and before the Pride Marketplace, there is a secondstage,thePridestage,also sponsored by Wawa, where some entertainerscanalsobeseen. One of the most exciting parts of Come Out with Pride Orlando is "The Most Colorful Parade". The parade will begin at 4 p.m. and will have a longer route this year. Starting at the corner of Rosalind Ave. and Robinson Ave., the parade will go past Eola Dr. to Summerlin Ave., going down Summerlin to E. Central
comeoutwithpirde.com/vip-experienceregister.
The amphitheater, sponsored by Wawa, will be the place to view lotsofentertainmentacts. Someof the names you will see include Michelle Clunie and Peter Paige, both formerly of “Queer as Folk”; the cast of Freeform's drama The Fosters; singer Brian Justin Crum; actors/singers Michael Cerveris and Alice Ripley; comedians Matteo Lane and Sabrina Jalees; singer-songwriters Eli Lieb and Brandon Skeie; and YouTube vloggers R.J. Aguiar and Will Shepherd. On the Eola Dr. side,
Blvd. From there, the parade will go into downtown, taking a right at Orange Ave. and proceeding up Orange before turning right onRobinson. This year's community grand marshals, in honor of the response during and after the Pulse tragedy, include: The Orlando Police Department, including Vehicle #49, Chief John Mina and additional Orlando Police motorcades and walkers; The Orlando Fire Department; The Pulse Float,
including Pulse employees and family members of those affected, followed by additional first responders and Orlando Regional Medical Center staff; Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan; and PNC Bank, as the parade sponsor. The cherry on top of this event is the 9 p.m. fireworks display by Santore, sponsored by Ticketmaster/LiveNation. The fireworks are free to view in countless locations throughout LakeEolaPark. Afterwards, you can enjoy the official after-party at The Abbey, dedicated to Pulse, which is a Latin night experience featuring music by DJ Simon and DJ Infinite and performances by Kenya Michaels, Angelica Sanchez, Chavela Belleza and Jasmine International. Outside, there will be performances by Axel Andrews, MrMs Adrien and Kai'ja Adonis. The pre-party starts at 6 p.m. and the official party starts at 9 p.m., going on until 2:30 a.m. If you're going to Parliament House after Pride, local “RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars” queen Roxxxy Andrews will be performing with the Footlight Players at 10 p.m. and midnight. NeNe Leakes, best-known for Bravo's “Real Housewives of Atlanta,” will be the hostess of the special evening! Tickets are $10 in advance($20theday of),with a VIP option priced at $75 which will include a cocktail reception with NeNe and Roxxxy. To buy your
tickets, visit parliamenthouse.com.
Hotspots Media Group is a proud sponsor of Come Out with Pride Orlando. For more information on Come Out with Pride, visit comeoutwithpride.com. Hotspots Central Florida HotSpotsCentral.LGBT
hot shots photos by mike halterman and russ martin
Metro Wellness
Homecoming Gala
backstage
by mike halterman
Central Florida Arts Entertainment
&
H
Hello, and welcome once again to our arts and entertainment column, "Backstage." October is an exciting time of year to be in Central Florida, because a lot of us are showing our LGBT pride this month and also because a lot of performers are choosing Tampa Bay,Orlandometro,orbothplaces to begin their upcoming tours! From musicals to comedy to pop concerts, I have the dish on what's happening this month. Let me tell youaboutafewofthoseactsnow.
Thu. Oct. 6: The Tony Awardwinning musical RENT has impacted the lives of millions of people throughout the world. With such memorable songs as "Seasons of Love", "Tango Maureen", and "Take Me or Leave Me", RENT is sure to make you
sing along in your seat. The traveling production of RENT, on its 20th anniversary tour, will be performing at The Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach. (7:30 p.m., $39-$55, peabodyauditorium.org)
Thu. Oct. 6-Sun. Oct. 9:
Garth Brooks
is the top-selling male solo recording artist in country music history.
Considering his last Central Florida tour stop was 18 years ago, the Amway Center in Orlando sensed high demand and scheduled him for an impressive four consecutive concert appearances. Country music star Trisha Yearwood, a legend in her own right, will be accompanying her husband on tour. (7 p.m. Thu. and Sat., 7:30 Fri. and Sun, starts at $65, amwaycenter.com)
Fri. Oct. 7-Sat. Oct. 8: Henry
Rollins
has been described as a "renaissance man", and it's hard to disagree! The former lead singer of Black Flag and Rollins Band is a radio host, an author, and a committed social activist (includingLGBTrightsactivism).
rock jams, and lots of bodacious girl attitude! (evening and matinee performances, starts at $29.50,strazcenter.org) Fri. Oct. 14-Sat. Oct. 15: The Second City comedy troupe from Chicago makes a stop at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando to perform some of their greatest bits from their archives, as well as some all-new comedy sketches and improv comedy revolving around The City Beautiful and its inhabitants. The Second City
You'll have the chance to see him perform live twice, at Capitol Theatrein Clearwaterandthenat The Plaza Live Orlando the next night. (8 p.m. for both dates, starts at $29.50, VIP options available, rutheckerdhall.com andplazaliveorlando.org) Wed. Oct. 12-Sun. Nov. 6: Was Lizzie Borden, accused and later acquitted of murdering her parents, one of the earliest feminists? Some think so, and a six-piece all-girl rock band can't wait to tell you the story of the alleged ax-wielder in Lizzie - A Killer Rock Musical, which will play the Straz Center in Tampa. Expect some dark humor, hot
the first female comedian to sell outMadisonSquareGarden,and now she's embarking on a 50plus-city world tour, and one of the stops is Amalie Arena in Tampa. Her #SchumerTour appearance will definitely be irreverent and definitely hilarious. (7:30 p.m., starts at $35.25,amaliearena.com) Tue. Oct. 18 & Fri. Oct. 21: Scott Bradlee' s Postmodern Jukebox
Hits Home, a love letter to cities across America, will make you feel like they "get" you. (8 p.m. both dates, starts at $35, drphillipscenter.org)
makes two stops in Central Florida, at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando and then Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. Bradlee arranges and produces modern pop hits in various musical
Sun. Oct. 16: British actors
Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller star in the National Theatre Live production of Frankenstein, which will be screened for audiences at the Straz Center in Tampa. Directed by Danny Boyle ("Slumdog Millionaire"), this retelling of Mary Shelley's literary classic will keep you on the edge of your seat! (2 p.m., starts at $21.50, strazcenter.org) Sun. Oct. 16: Amy Schumer, star of the film "Trainwreck" and her own Comedy Central series "Inside Amy Schumer", became
styles, such as jazz, ragtime, and swing, with the help of many special guests. No musical boundary is left uncrossed when Scott and his friends put their special touches on the songs of today. (7:30 p.m. for the Dr. Phillips Center appearance, 8 p.m. for the Ruth Eckerd Hall
Hotspots Central Florida HotSpotsCentral.LGBT
appearance, starts from $39.50$43.25, drphillipscenter.org and rutheckerdhall.com) Tue. Oct. 25: After three years, Kesha is returning to the touring life, and she wants Central Florida audiences to hear her "dirty rock and roll/country" sound with her
band The Creepies. Their sevendate August tour has been extended to a full nationwide tour, and they will be stopping at The Ritz Ybor in Tampa, with doors opening at 7 p.m. To p u rc h a s e t i c k e t s , v i s i t ticketmaster.com. VIP packages arealsoavailable. Thu. Oct. 27 & Sat. Oct. 29: Canadian R&B singer Alessia Cara became a viral sensation on YouTube, which led to Def Jam Recordings signing her to a contract last year. Well-known for her hit single "Here", she headlined Coachella earlier this year before going on tour and
stopping twice in Central Florida, first at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater and then at Hard Rock Live Orlando two days later. She will be joined on tour by special guests Ruth B and Nathan Sykes. (7:30 p.m. both dates, starts at $38.75 for Ruth Eckerd Hall and $35 for Hard Rock Live Orlando, r u t h e c k e rd h a l l . c o m a n d hardrock.com/live) Sun. Oct. 30: SeetheU.S. men's and women's gymnastics team fresh from their gold medal placing at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro! Gabby Douglas, Simone Biles, Danell Leyva, and the rest of the team will perform some of their award-winning routines during the Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions 2016, taking place at Amalie
Arena in Tampa. They will be joined by former Olympic gymnasts Nastia Liukin, Shawn Johnson and Jordyn Wieber. (6 p.m., startsat$29,amaliearena.com) Sun. Oct. 30: Five-time Grammy Award nominee Sia released her latest album "This is Acting" to rave reviews this year, and her single "Cheap Thrills" rose to the top of the pop charts in her native Australia and also in the United States. She stops at the Amway Center in Orlando on her worldwide tour to perform hits
from her latest album and also some of her past hits. Opening for Sia are artists Miguel ("Adorn", "Coffee") and AlunaGeorge ("You Know You Like It", "I'm in Control"). (7 p.m., s t a r t s a t $ 3 2 , amwaycenter.com) Sun. Oct. 30: Magic Men Live! is sure to get libidos racing. These extra-sexy men will be showing more than a little skin during their cabaret show this evening at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando. Expect some comedic skits, lots of hot dance moves, and even some audience participation! Maybe you'll get called on to participate! This show is produced by Premier Events Entertainment. (8 p.m., starts at $25.05, drphillipscenter.org.)
genre latino hit list
con scrappy pérez
Carro Nuevo, Chicos en el Baúl y un Poco de Suavizador
L
La verdad es que esta vez me costó mucho trabajo pensar en cosas para hablar con ustedes. Mi vida es tan interesante como ver el parto de un elefante. Las cosas más recientes que me pasaron fueronmiviajeaSanfordenFlorida y la conversación que tuve con mi nuevoamigoaunquenotengamos mucho en común. A él le gusta mucho el festejeo, estar con un chico diferente cada semana y su dieta perpetua de agua, aire y un poquito de culpa al lado. Ya saben el tipo: son los que dicen cosas como “¿recuerdas comer pan”? mientras te hablan de sus momentos difíciles como el estar en las tiendas por horas buscando ropa que le quede bien porque se ve tan bien en todas. Pobrecito...
En realidad no tengo el mismo sentido de aventura tampoco. Para mí el lavar la ropa sin suavizadormehacesentirquesoy unchicorebeldeyconesomeda.. Mi otro amigo fue el que me llevó a Sanford. ¿Alguna vez han estado ahí? Me sentí como si hubiese salido de la máquina del tiempo y me fui al pasado. Todas las casas tenían una fachada que me hacía decir “¡Ay, virgen! Siento como que aquí se murió alguien”. Cada balcón tenía su mecedora que ya ni se ven en mueblerías hoy día. Lo único que le faltaba eran los dos viejitos leyendo el periódico abanicándose y tomando té mientras hablaban de ese nuevo invento volador de metal que lleva a las
personas de un lugar a otro. La gente que me pasaba por el lado me sonreía y me deseaba un buen día y ni siquiera me pedían dinero. Claramente fui a la dimensión desconocida. Comencé a añorar mi barrio y el tráfico y la gente indeseable así que mi amigo me hizo el favor de pegarme en la cara y decirme “te pegué por pendejo” para sentirmemásencasa. Otra cosa que me pasó hace poco es que puedo conducir otra vez. No había podido por un accidentequetuve. OK,laverdad es que me lo tenían prohibido porque me agarraron con tres kilos de cocaína, un mono en peligro de extinción en el asiento de atrás y un prostituto ilegal en el
baúl. Pero bueno, ahora sí puedo guiar y sentirme como todo el mundo con el derecho de beber agua de las mismas fuentes y votarenlaselecciones. Bueno, creo que eso es todo. Así que recuerden, a menos que el gato de tu mamá no sea tu mejor amigo y escuches música del año de las guácaras, no vayas a Sanford. Siempre lava la ropa con suavizador o úsalo de lubricante y asegúrate de que la próxima vez quemontesaprostitutosenelbaúl delcarro,quetengansuresidencia conellos.
New Car, Guys in My Trunk and a Little Fabric Softener
Today I had a really hard time coming up with things to talk to you guys about. My life is as interesting as watching turtle p*rn. Latest things that happened to me would be my trip to Sanford in Central Florida or talking to my new friend. I was having a conversation with him, but at times, it's almost impossible to relate to him. He parties a lot, hooks up with different guys every week and is in a perpetual diet which consists of nothing but air, water and a side of guilt. You know the type: they say things like “remember bread”? and talk to you endlessly about 'hot people problems'. “It's just so hard for me to pick up new clothes because I look good in everything. Ugh! What should I do”?! – I just roll my eyes and say “I know! Don't you hate that? Let's order a pizza”. My life is not as adventurous as theirs. Sometimes, when I do the
laundry, I don't add fabric softener…on purpose! That's the kind of stuff that makes me feel I am a rebel living life dangerously. Another friend of mine took me to Sanford thinking this place would be more my speed. Have you been there? It seriously felt like I walked out of a time machine a few years back in the past. Every single house gave me that eerie feeling that made me think someone died in there, but the spirit is still guarding the place! Every porch had a rocking chair. That is something you don't even see at furniture stores anymore. All it was missing were the 80-year olds reading the paper outside as they fanned themselves sipping on iced tea and talking about that new metallic flying device that is all the rage. People walked by me, smiled and wished me a good afternoon, but did not ask me for money! Clearly, I entered the Twilight Zone. I was starting to feel homesick and missed the sound of traffic and rude people, so my buddy slapped me across the face and called me an a$$hole. I sighed in relief and thanked him. I'm from the big cities. Nobody takes long walks down the beach calmly
greeting passersby. Most of the walking takes place at the mall and we are watchful of everyone because they all want to steal your money. “Have a nice day” – They would say. “B!tch, I don't know you. Get away from me!” would be my response until realizing this is the store's cashier after I made a purchase. Another thing that happened to me recently is getting a new car. I was not able to drive for a whole year due to an accident I had. OK, fine! My license was revoked due to drug possession…and an extinct breed of monkey I had on the backseat…and an illegal alien prostitute I hid in my trunk while he was crossing the border. I can finally drive again and it feels great to be able to say I am just like everyone else! I can even vote and drink from the same water fountains as the rest of you too! I believe that's it. So, avoid Sanford unless your mom's cat is your best friend and you rock to the oldies, always add fabric softener to your laundry or use for lubrication and make sure, the next time you hide a prostitute inside the trunk of your car to take home, that he is in fact a citizen of this country or at least a legal resident!
Hotspots Central Florida HotSpotsCentral.LGBT
food for thought
by chris stephenson
Red Mug Diner
Open 24 Hours
T
The Red Mug Diner, is open a 24-hours diner located on Pine Street in downtown Orlando, is an outstanding place to grab a fresh meal, whether it is a weekday morningbeforeworkor3a.m. after theclub. Whilethedinerexcelsat looking cute and innocent by day, she allows the seductive glow of her red neon lights electrify the post-clubnights. The team behind Red Mug Diner is an Orlando nightclub empire of sorts, featuring the same owners of Club Ono, Tier Nightclub, and other large establishments. Wisely, they have created a utopia for their downtown clubbing patrons to keep the drinks flowing while eating fresh, local food at all hoursoftheday. The Red Mug has two faces. During the day, all of its white lights shine brightly to showcase the spotless interior reminiscent of a diner in a 1950s movie. This
is the diner known to the Sunday morning crowd emptying out of churches and the downtown professionals grabbing a bite to eat before work. After the sun sets, the Red Mug flips off the white lights, steps out of the closet, and the neon red washes acrosstheall-nightoasis. It's this second personality of neon red that boasts the longest happy hour in Orlando, a Saturday and Sunday brunch special that comes with a free mimosa, and, in the future, a Sunday DJ event from 2 to 7 p.m. geared toward the club crowd. Hiding in plain sight of the 1950s quaint diner's innocence, a nightlife powerhouse flickers her seduction. I wanted to check out the quality andserviceanddecidedtogoduring theday,at2:30p.m. RedMugDiner wasbrightlyaglowwithplentyofwhite lights. It felt like our meals were speciallypreparedformylunchdate
and I, which I loved. When the food tasted so freshly made, so “homemade,�Iwantedtoknowhow. I learned that the flaky white biscuits are made fresh from scratch in the kitcheneachmorning. Ilearnedthat not one thing other than the ice creamandfrenchfriesiseverfrozen. I learned that the soul of a club is musicandthesoulofadinerisfood. My guest and I shared plates. The dishes offered by Red Mug make it impossible to resist sampling and sharing! First, iced coffee by Get Roasted (a local roaster) was delivered to the table ($2.59), then biscuits and gravy($8.95). Iquicklyfoundthat Red Mug Diner serves the best biscuits and gravy I had ever tasted! The gravy was perfect; it was pure homemade-fromscratchbliss. We ordered a signature item next, Shakshuka with Brioche ($10.95). The Brioche arrives each morning at 4:30 a.m., fresh
from Douce France, a French bakeryinWinterGarden. Thedish itself is made by creating what reminded me of a hearty marinara sauce and poaching three fresh eggs in it. It is served almost like a soup and that thick piece of toasted buttery white bread is the perfectwaytodiveintoit. Beginningtogetfull,nextupwas Brioche French toast ($7.65), the batter made fresh with vanilla and cinnamon. After grilling, some more cinnamon along with both brown and powdered sugar dust onto the top and arrive at the table with pure maple syrup. Before I could even discover the syrup is pure, I smelled the vanilla and cinnamon, which I could tell was fresh. This was the best French toastI'vehadinrecentmemory. Completing our gorge came the largest plate of all: chicken and waffles ($12.75). Two huge Belgian buttermilk waffles, crispy fried chicken atop homemade
red bliss mashed potatoes, again accompanied by pure maple syrup. Italltastedfantastic. In an almost sadistic glutinous manner, out came a huge slice of carrot cake from the Dessert Lady (a local dessert bakery) and the best cookies-and-cream milkshake I've ever sipped. Blue Bunny ice cream, handmade to order with fresh whipped cream on top…the red neon flickers with delight. Johnny Cash plays softly through the diner's speakers, and in my mind I pay tributetoDavidLynch. Almost every day or night, true to her nightclub owners, Red Mug
brings a theme or a special or both. Tuesday nights are allyou-can-eat pancakes for $8.95. On Wednesdays kids eat free. Fridays are for wings. Every day from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Red Mug Diner offers two for one milkshakes, and most nights carryadrinkspecial. Want to be treated like a rock star, which is how my lunch date and I felt? Ask the host to seat you at a table serviced by Gianna Florsek. She, along with the manager, were attentive, personable, and both made us excited to return to see Red Mug wearingonlyherneonred.
Red Mug Diner 63 East Pine Street • Orlando, FL 32801 (407) 734.5065 • redmugdiner.com
Hotspots Central Florida HotSpotsCentral.LGBT
hot shots photos by tony fowler
Hamburger Mary’s St. Pete Opening
Halloween
Two Central Florida
Traditions Return! by mike halterman
W
Whether you live in Clearwater or Melbourne, Tampa or Orlando, Florida's unique autumn season would be incomplete without a trip tothethemeparkstoparticipatein their Halloween celebrations! As many of you know, Orlando's Universal Studios Florida hosts a multi-week experience called Halloween Horror Nights, and Tampa's Busch Gardens presents their own Halloween event called Howl-O-Scream. I'll let you know what's in store for you this year as youmakeyourplanstoattendone or both of these Central Florida autumntraditions.
HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, and this year the festivities and fright are bothtakentothenextlevel. First,let'stalkaboutthescarezones,where you can be startled at any time by spooky characters in elaborate costumes! This year's scare zone themes include a "Survive or Die Apocalypse", the "Lair of the Banshee", "Dead Man's Wharf", "A Chance inHell",anda"Vamp'55"vampirehomecomingparade. There are a number of fun live shows, such as the perennial favorite Bill and Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure and this year's new addition "Academy of Villains: House of Fear". Then there's the rides everyone looks forward to; this year's rides include "Revenge of the Mummy", "Transformers: The Ride 3D", "Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts", and the "Men in Black Alien Attack". Finally, this year's haunted house selection includes themes from such iconic horror TV shows and films as "The Exorcist", "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre", "Krampus","TheWalkingDead"and"AmericanHorrorStory". Florida residents can buy their tickets online for as low as $55.99 per person. Visit halloweenhorrornights.com for more information.
Halloween Horror Nights is presented WednesdaysSaturdaysthroughOctober31.
HOWL-O-SCREAM Howl-O-Scream is celebrating its seventeenth year at Busch Gardens in Tampa. There are seven different haunted houses to walk through this year. Favorites like "Death Water Bayou" and "Circus of Superstition" are back, alongside two 2016 debuts: "The Black Spot" and "Motel Hell". All of Busch Gardens' normal rides will be open, including the park's newest ride, the spin coaster "Cobra's Curse". Also, be sure to make plans to see Busch Gardens' live-action Halloween "Fiends show", where the evil doctorsandnursesareplanningadanceparty! Ticket prices start at $45.99 per person. Howl-OScream begins at 7:30 p.m. each Thursday-Sunday through October 30, but ticketholders will be allowed admission into the park beginning at 5 p.m. on each of those days. For more information, visit
Universal Studios
Busch Gardens
seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardenstampa/howloscream. Hotspots Central Florida HotSpotsCentral.LGBT
hot shots photos by tony fowler
Southern Nights Tampa Emerald City with Kidd Madonny