Stonewall Pride Guide 2024

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June 2024

Scott Newton

Mayor

Scott Newton

Mike Bracchi

Mayor

Scott Newton Mayor

Vice Mayor

Mike Bracchi

Chris Caputo

Vice Mayor

Commissioner

Chris Caputo

Commissioner

Don D’Arminio

Chris Caputo Commissioner

Scott Newton

Commissioner

Paul Rolli

Don D’Arminio

Mayor

Commissioner

Don D’Arminio Commissioner

Mike Bracchi

Paul Rolli

Commissioner

Vice Mayor

Paul Rolli Commissioner

Commissioner

Leigh Ann Henderson

Chris Caputo

City Manager

Kerry Ezrol

June 2024

Greetings, and Happy Pride Month!

June 2024

Greetings, and Happy Pride Month!

Please accept our warm welcome, we are thrilled you chose to celebrate Pride Month with us, and are proud to be recognized as a destination of progress, acceptance, and equality. Just as the LGBTQ+ Pride Flag flies permanently and year-round here, know that whatever color under the rainbow with which you most identify, you are welcome in our community.

June 2024

Please accept our warm welcome, we are thrilled you chose to celebrate Pride Month with us, and are proud to be recognized as a destination of progress, acceptance, and equality. Just as the LGBTQ+ Pride Flag flies permanently and year-round here, know that whatever color under the rainbow with which you most identify, you are welcome in our community.

Greetings, and Happy Pride Month!

Prepare to be wowed by all that we offer in just under two square miles, including miles of waterfront property, dozens of bars and restaurants, many shops, several art galleries, and acres and acres of parks! Wilton Manors, particularly Wilton Drive’s Arts and Entertainment District, is an important LGBTQ+ tourism destination known around the world, and we take pride in sharing our inclusive neighborhood values and welcome to all.

Please accept our warm welcome, we are thrilled you chose to celebrate Pride Month with us, and are proud to be recognized as a destination of progress, acceptance, and equality. Just as the LGBTQ+ Pride Flag flies permanently and year-round here, know that whatever color under the rainbow with which you most identify, you are welcome in our community.

Whether you are here for work or play, we hope you will join us for Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival along Wilton Drive, June 15. We hope you enjoy all the great things the Festival has to showcase. We also encourage you to consider the many residential and business opportunities available in our Island City.

Leigh Ann Henderson

Whether you are here for work or play, we hope you will join us for Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival along Wilton Drive, June 15. We hope you enjoy all the great things the Festival has to showcase. We also encourage you to consider the many residential and business opportunities available in our Island City.

Prepare to be wowed by all that we offer in just under two square miles, including miles of waterfront property, dozens of bars and restaurants, many shops, several art galleries, and acres and acres of parks! Wilton Manors, particularly Wilton Drive’s Arts and Entertainment District, is an important LGBTQ+ tourism destination known around the world, and we take pride in sharing our inclusive neighborhood values and welcome to all.

“Pride Month is just better here” in the City of Wilton Manors because of our residents, businesses, and visitors like you.

Leigh Ann Henderson

Commissioner

City Manager

Don D’Arminio

Kerry Ezrol

City Attorney

“Pride Month is just better here” in the City of Wilton Manors because of our residents, businesses, and visitors like you.

Sincerely,

Kerry Ezrol

Commissioner

City Attorney

Paul Rolli

Commissioner

Leigh Ann Henderson

City Manager

Kerry Ezrol

City Attorney

Sincerely,

Whether you are here for work or play, we hope you will join us for Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival along Wilton Drive, June 15. We hope you enjoy all the great things the Festival has to showcase. We also encourage you to consider the many residential and business opportunities available in our Island City.

“Pride Month is just better here” in the City of Wilton Manors because of our residents, businesses, and visitors like you.

Sincerely,

Scott Newton Mayor City of Wilton Manors

Scott Newton Mayor City of Wilton Manors

Scott Newton Mayor City of Wilton Manors

Scott Newton

Mayor

City of Wilton Manors

Manors is a Community Wildlife Habitat

Wilton Wilton Manors is a Community Wildlife Habitat Wilton Manors is a Community Wildlife Habitat Wilton Manors is a Community Wildlife Habitat

The Largest Pride Celebration In Broward County Light Ups The Night

at Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival

Saturday, June 15 • 3-11pm

By Scott Holland

“We are extra enthused to be working even closer with the City of Wilton Manors to make this the best Stonewall Pride ever.”

The sun sets, the lights come on, and Wilton Manors ignites with the ﬁrst ever electrifying Glow Night Parade at 8pm. Wilton Drive transforms into a shimmering spectacle of color and creativity in commemorating the 55th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots. Stonewall Parade and Street Festival will begin with a vibrant street festival at 3pm, followed by a spectacular Glow Night Parade at 8 p.m.

The Grand Marshal's for this years Glow Night Parade are Kevin Aviance, Tony Lima, Velvet LeNore and Victor Zepka. All residents, visitors, businesses, and nonproﬁts are welcome to come and show their support for the LGBTQ+ community, both locally and globally.

“This event is about celebrating and supporting the LGBTQ+ community locally and across the globe,” said Mayor Scott Newton “We couldn't be prouder to be a safe space for the more than 50,000 people who come together from all across the country and world to celebrate love, acceptance, and inclusion.”

General admission tickets for the event are currently on sale online until June 14, for $10 per person. These tickets grant

access to the festival through special prepaid lines at the main entrances. Once inside, attendees can enjoy the street festival with over 100 vendors, performances on seven stages, and, of course, the Glow Night parade. On the day of the event, general admission tickets will be available for $13 per person, payable by credit card/debit card only as this is a cashless event at the entriess, VIPs and lounges. Of course, all the bars and businesses will be taking cash. VIP packages and The Women's Lounge and Black Exxcellence lounge are offered, providing access to air-conditioned tents and exclusive premium lounge experiences.

“My team and I are once again excited to produce the annual Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival, which is the largest pride event in the County, and one of the largest in the state," said Jeff Sterling. "We are extra enthused to be working even closer with the City of Wilton Manors to make this the best Stonewall Pride ever. Both the Parade and Vendor booths only have a few spots left, so we know we will, once again, sell out. When I took over producing the festival in 2015, 20,000 people attended and now we are over 50,000 and my team and I are working to make the festival

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bigger and better every year.”

Stonewall Pride prioritizes creating a safe and inclusive space for the LGBTQ+ community. To ensure that everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves freely, we will have security measures in place. This will include collaborating with local law enforcement for a visible presence, as well as having trained security personnel patrolling the parade route and staying up to date on any risks to our community.

“Our team starts working on the next festival in mid-summer and puts in hundreds if not thousands of hours of planning and implementation. However, all of this would not be possible without our generous sponsors who range from mom and pops to big name corporations. You can see them in the sponsor pages ad in this magazine, on our website, or on the banners that will be at Pride. I urge you to support them with your dollars as they

support our community.” Said Scott Holland, Vice President of Operations and Associate Publisher. (ok, ok, that's me…LOL).

I sat down with our celebrity Grand Marshal Kevin Aviance for this exclusive Hotspots interview:

Did you always sing or when did it start?

I started in church when I was a little kid so basically I sang all my life. My whole family sang, and I had 7 brothers and sisters. When did you start doing drag?

I was in 5th grade, and I got dressed up for the talent show. I stole my sisters dress and I did “I will Survive” and I won the competition. The rest is history!

When did you realize singing/performing could be a career?

I started as a club kid, and I got a lot of attention. I knew I would perform but I wasn't sure what it would be, and I found my way through the club world, and it was very intense. A lot of work went into that. When I moved to New York in 1992, I set my mind that this would be my career.

You have met a plethora of famous people. Do you have a favorite and why?

They are all my favorites, but I was so obsessed with Whitney Houston, so performing for her was amazing. She had met me a few years before I performed for her and when I came to the performance she remembered me, that turned my party! Is there one person you would like to collaborate with?

Yeah, it's Grace Jones. She is such a major inﬂuence in my life and seeing her perform and then meeting her was incredible. She is a force of nature and an incredible force in my life. I have learned so much from her and love her so much I think it would be an amazing collaboration. Describe yourself in 3 words?

One-of-a-kind, black, queen.

“Wilton Manors is a little piece of heaven for me.”

HotspotsMagazine.com | 11

What do you do for fun?

Music is my fun place, it's everything. What does the future hold for you?

My future holds the new album coming out in October called “Hippopotamus,” and I am performing with Sasha Velour in her show for Gay Pride in NYC and I am so excited to be sharing a bill with her. Are you excited about being the Grand Marshall and performing during Stonewall Parade and Street festival?

Yeah, I am super excited. Wilton Manors is a little piece of heaven for me. I lived here for a while, and it will always be a part of me. It's super magical. I love Wilton manors!

I also sat down with 2 more of our grand marshals, Dancing With The Stars 2024 winners Tony Lima and Velvet LeNore:

How did you guys meet each other?

Velvet – we know each other from Sunserve, but we met each other for the ﬁrst time on Happening Out TV.

Tony – I have been a fan of Velvet forever. I would see her out and would think what an amazing entertainer she was. When I took the CEO position at Sunserve and we were producing the ﬁrst gala I immediately thought about hiring Velvet to do a Donna Number production.

How did you guys decide to become partners in Dancing with the Stars?

Tony – Well Scott, you asked me to dance, and I said the only way I would dance was if I could dance with Velvet.

Velvet – and when you asked me to dance with Tony, I immediately said yes.

How did the rehearsal process go?

Velvet - The rehearsal process was amazing because not only could Tony dance, but he

“To be able to lead off the pride parade as a duo: a black trans woman and a Gay Latino man united and supportive of each other sends a very powerful message.”

12 | HotspotsMagazine.com

was willing to learn everything that we threw out him, and our chemistry was great.

Tony – We didn't take ourselves too seriously and it was so much fun. Velvet and J Wolf were so patient with me. In the beginning when I would mess up, I stopped, and they taught me to keep going. We were very ambitious with our routine as Velvet wanted to show how great of a dancer she was, and this was incredibly challenging for me, but they made it an amazing learning process.

Velvet – It was an incredible collaboration as we each picked a song. I also wanted to feature Tony in the way he should be featured, but I also wanted to feature myself in a way I never had.

How did the routine go that night?

Velvet – overall I felt we deserved all 10's (and we got 4 out of 5 tens). However, there was a point where I slipped and Tony who we taught to keep going was there for me and no one knew that I slipped. Our chemistry was on point.

Tony – We just had so much fun!

How did it feel to win?

Velvet – Amazing as this was my 7th time entering.

Tony – It was a beautiful moment, and I was so fortunate to dance with a professional like Velvet and she really was the star. She showed our community that she is the epitome of elegance, but she can also thro ugh down! It felt wonderful to be in that moment and share in the victory with her.

Velvet – It was a beautiful moment.

Are you excited about being the Grand Marshal of Stonewall?

Tony – To be able to lead off the pride parade as a duo: a black trans woman and a Gay Latino man uniﬁed and supportive of each other sends a very powerful message. Our Cis Gender community must never forget that our trans and nonbinary family members are a huge part of who we are as a community. Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, both trans women of color were at the forefront of Queer liberation in this country, and we must honor and never forget that! Velvet and I will be the visual representation of our collective trans and

gay cisgender family coming together as ONE. Velvet – I am more than excited as again I am thinking of what Tony said. With what's going on with Trans women, this is a good place for me to be.

Have you coordinated your outfits yet?

Velvet – Not yet, but I am calling to make our outﬁts.

I also asked our last Grand Marshall, Victor Zepka, how excited he and his best friend Madonna was to be our ﬁnal grand marshal and he said: “I have always been involved with pride and Stonewall, mostly by emceeing the parade or having the winning ﬂoat 5 years in a row, and now that I'm in total remission from 4 different cancers, I fell really honored for being the grand marshal of the Stonewall Gay Parade.”

“...now that I’m in total remission from 4 different cancers, I fell really honored for being the grand marshal of the Stonewall Gay Parade.”

HotspotsMagazine.com | 13

Looking to get involved in this year’s festivities? Sponsorship, volunteer, and advertisement opportunities are open to corporations, community groups, and individuals, as well as walking in the parade or riding on a boat. Also, it’s never too early to get involved for next year’s event!

To learn more about the Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival in Wilton Manors, FL visit www.stonewallpride.lgbt

ABOUT STONEWALL PRIDE 1, Inc.

Stonewall Pride 1, Inc. is part of HOTspots! Happening Out which represents a dynamic alliance of 501(c)(3) nonproﬁt 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 uniﬁed partnership of non-proﬁts includes 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.

ABOUT THE CITY OF WILTON MANORS

Wilton Manors was laid out in 1925 by Edward John “Ned” Willingham, a land developer from Georgia, as an upscale residential community. It was recognized as a Village in 1947 and incorporated as a City in 1953. Today, the City of Wilton Manors offers all the beneﬁts of a big city from shopping, to hip restaurants and bars, a burgeoning arts community, and tons of community events, yet still maintains a cozy, community feeling offering miles of natural waterways which is perfect for kayaking, paddle boarding and other outdoor activities. In 2018, Wilton Manors was named the “Second Gayest City” in the United States, celebrating a diverse population of approximately 12,000 residents. To learn more about the live, work, and play opportunities in Wilton Manors call (954) 3902100 or visit www.wiltonmanors.com.

14 | HotspotsMagazine.com

Prouder Together Presenting Sponsor of Hotspots Events and Other LGBTQ+ Events Around the Country

“We must stand up, speak out, and fight for one another. To come together as a queer community collaboratively to not only just survive, but to thrive.”

The Crown & Anchor (“the Crown”) is proud to announce the Prouder Together initiative. Over the past year, The Crown has been building relationships with other venues, brands, and destinations that align with its mission to 'honor, support, celebrate, and elevate' the LGBTQ+ community, queer arts, artists, and performers.

Prouder Together is a collective of individuals, artists, businesses, non-proﬁts, corporations, venues, and destinations that believe in supporting and stabilizing Pride festivals. With numerous Pride celebrations disappearing over the last ﬁve + years, and The Crown's dedication to the queer community at large, Prouder Together, with presenting sponsorship support from the Provincetown Business Guild, was created to both stabilize and empower a community's ability to celebrate Pride and demonstrate the strength in solidarity and collaboration within and across the LGBTQ+ community.

“After touring Florida on our 'Spread Queer Cheer Tour' and getting to know these other LGBTQ+ communities better, it became clear to me that The Crown's

mission and commitment to 'honor, support, celebrate, and elevate' far exceeds our community at the very tip of Cape Cod,” said Jonathan Hawkins, owner of The Crown & Anchor. “We have the opportunity, and more importantly, the responsibility to not only honor and support but to elevate and celebrate each other. We must stand up, speak out, and ﬁght for one another. To come together as a queer community collaboratively to not only just survive but to thrive. To show the strength in our unity and the power in our collective dedication to one another.”

In 2024, the Prouder Together initiative is committed to strengthening and sustaining Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride, which will take place June 12-16. As the presenting sponsor of Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride, Prouder Together has committed to raising funds to support this year's parade and festival in the 'second gayest city in America,' but will also sponsor and program the festival's Black Excellence Stage.

Additionally, The Crown and Prouder Together will produce Pride Fantasia: A Celebration of The Arts beneﬁtting Sunserve on June 12 at The Venue, The Eagle's

Leather & Bear Ball on Friday, June 14, and Flockfest's Splash Pool Party 'Rainbow Edition' on Sunday, June 16.

“I am grateful to witness the inspiring partnership between the newly established Prouder Together project, initiated by Jonathan Hawkins and his team at the Crown & Anchor in Provincetown, and our cherished Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride,” said Chris Caputo, Wilton Manors City Commissioner. “This collaboration is not merely a sponsorship but a profound demonstration of solidarity and shared purpose across the miles. The Crown & Anchor, though rooted in Provincetown, is setting a remarkable precedent by extending its resources and support to ensure the success of our Stonewall Pride in Wilton Manors. This initiative is about more than one event; it's about forging a model of community collaboration that

can signiﬁcantly enhance Pride celebrations in cities nationwide.”

The Crown has been “on the road” supporting queer businesses and destinations of all sizes. The Crown has brought the queer and inclusive spirit of Provincetown and its performing arts community to events in cities across North America, including Mantamar Bear Week, Lauderdale Tropical Bear Week, White Party Palm Springs, and most recently, Miami Beach Pride. The Crown, through Prouder Together and its collective of sponsors and supporters, will continue to raise awareness and funds to support Wilton Manor's Stonewall Pride, as well as its ongoing mission to honor and elevate the queer communities ability to celebrate each other, at events throughout Pride month and beyond.

“The Crown is proud to be a part of these incredible queer events and is honored to ensure Pride festivals around the country (and the world) are stable, accessible, and will continue to be celebrated for many years to come.”

These event partnerships and performances have become the Prouder Together Tour, which started with Puerto Vallarta Pride: May 20-26, Provincetown Pride: May 31-June 2, Key West Pride: June 5-10, and will continue with Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride: June 12-16, NYC Pride: June 29-30, Flockfest on July 6, and culminating with the Prouder Together Week in Ptown: July 7-13 bringing the Prouder Together Family to Provincetown for an epic takover of the Crown!

The Crown & Anchor and Prouder Together will present The 9th Annual FlockFest Beach Party at Fort Lauderdale Beach. The mission of Flockfest, to raise both

critical funds and essential awareness for local non-proﬁt organizations, with a strong emphasis on championing the LGBTQ+ community, is so closely aligned with the genesis of Prouder Together and The Crown's commitment to honor, support, celebrate, and elevate that an ongoing partnership between these three entities is under discussion.

“The Crown is proud to be a part of these incredible queer events and is honored to ensure Pride festivals around the country (and the world) are stable, accessible, and will continue to be celebrated for many years to come,” said Hawkins. “Together, we proudly stand up, speak out, and always honor, support, elevate, and celebrate each other!”

From July 7-14, join Flockfest, Key West, Puerto Vallarta, Wilton Manors, and Miami Beach for Prouder Together Week in Provincetown. Each of these Prouder Together partners and destinations on the 'Spread Queer Cheer Tour' will descend upon Ptown for an epic takeover of the Crown & Anchor with talent and programming, including the Prouder Together Follies, Drag Brunches, Broadway on the Beach, and so much more.

Upcoming Prouder Together 2024 Events:

June 12 - 17 • Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride

June 12 • Pride Fantasia: A Celebration of The Arts, The Venue

June 14 • The Eagle's Leather & Bear Ball

June 15 • Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride Parade & Festival; 3:00 pm - 11:00 pm;

June 16 • Flockfest's Splash Pool Party 'Rainbow Edition’

July 6 • 9th Annual FlockFest Beach Party

11:00 am to 4:00 pm - 1100 Seabreeze Blvd; Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

July 7-14 • Prouder Together Week in Ptown

The Crown & Anchor, 247 Commercial Street Provincetown, MA 02657

About the Crown & Anchor

An iconic and historic institution located in the heart of Provincetown, MA, the Crown & Anchor is dedicated to honoring the tradition, supporting the community, celebrating queer arts, and elevating the LGBTQ+ tourism experience. Featuring an 18-room waterfront hotel, restaurant, six unique bars, a beach club, a gallery, and multiple performance venues, it is Provincetown's premier and largest entertainment complex. From an entertaining cabaret show to live local music and a quiet outdoor dining experience to dancing late into the night, the Crown & Anchor offers so many ways to enjoy your Provincetown experience. At the Crown & Anchor, all are welcome and celebrated. Visit onlyatthecrown.com and on social media @onlyatthecrown.

Pride Through The Years

2023

Photos: Hotspots Archives

Mr. and Miss Stonewall 2023/24

Oscar S. Novva & Rianna Petrone

By Scott Holland

Just a week before they will give up their titles of Mr. and Miss Stonewall 2023/24

Oscar A Novva and Rianna Petrone sat down with us for a small interview.

Oscar

When did entertainment become an interest of yours?

Since I was 5 years old, when my mother was my inspiration and actual first coach as a classical ballet dancer. My first role was in the “Nutcracker” where I had a solo and a partnered performance. For 9 years I was part of the national Panama classic valet team. What was your first pageant?

I was honored to be sashed the title of Mr. Noche Latina 2021 by the organization. I was and will forever be grateful for such a great honor and privilege. My first time competing was Mr. Stonewall 2023. How many times and why did you enter and why did you want to win the Stonewall Pageantry System?

I entered one time. The reason I entered Mr. Stonewall was to create awareness of how important it is for us not to look past the events the took place 55 years ago that helped pave the way for all of us to have a better tomorrow.

How has your reigning year gone? It was full of surprises and great memories

What advice do you have for your successor?

Be proud to carry on the tradition and legacy that stonewall represents What does the future hold for you?

Many beautiful goals accomplished and much deserved happiness joy and national competition. I am planning on doing Mr. EOY this upcoming November God willing.

Rianna

When did entertainment become an interest of yours?

Entertaining has been part of my life since I was a kid. Gymnastics as a little kid, Middle School band, high School marching band, and color guard. I then went to to FSU for music programs. Then one day I saw a drag queen on stage and that was it. What was your first pageant?

Yes, this is the first pageant I competed in, and I won it on my second try. I am a former Miss Palm Beach Pride, but I was appointed by my peers.

How many times and why did you enter and why did you want to win the Stonewall Pageantry System?

As I said this was my 2nd try at Miss Stonewall. The history of our community plus being part of the system has always been a goal for me. So many of my sisters and family are formers: Velvet, Aaliyah, Nicolette, Skye and the Late Deja, just to name a few.

How has your reigning year gone?

It was an amazing year. Being part of the Stonewall Pride Parade and Palm Beach Pride Parade. I also performed in Palm Beach as Miss Stonewall at the Annual Stonewall Ball. I was one of the Emcees for Palm Beach Pride. I also was Crowned Miss Naples Pride back in April. It’s been a year to remember forever. What advice do you have for your successor?

Be professional, be kind, and be humble. What does the future hold for you?

The future, that is a loaded question, but I only plan on going higher and higher. As it pertains to drag\pageants, national pageants are for sure in the future. Traveling will also take a priority. Performing not only in south Florida but north and central, as well as other states.

Everything You Need to Know About Stonewall Pride 2024

Q: When is the Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival?

A: The 2024 Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival takes place on Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors on Saturday, June 15, 2024. The festival and all-day entertainment starts at 3 p.m. followed by a glow night parade at 8 p.m. The event ends at 11 p.m.

Q: Can I park for free?

A: We strongly recommend ridesharing, carpooling and public transportation to get to and from the event as there is limited parking. There is no free parking in

CITYOFWILTONMANORS

Presented by

Wilton Manors. Parking ranges from $10 to $30 depending on where you decide to park. All City of Wilton Manors lots including Hagen Park and meters are $20.

Q: Do I have to buy a ticket to attend?

A: Yes, there is a $10 admission for adults and Children 12 and over if you buy in advance; $13 at the door. DOOR IS CASHLESS. This money is used to pay for public safety and security and the $1,000,000 price tag of producing the event. If you are unable to attend, Happening Out Television Network will be livestreaming from the event. Check their website for more

P l a va r ti a es d F t e e a e n r d St

information closer to the event.

Q: How many stages will there be?

A: There will be 7 stages spread out on Wilton Drive. The center stage, called the Black Excellence stage, will be located at the intersection of N.E. 6th Avenue and Wilton Drive.

Q: Who will be performing?

A: There will be 7 stages and 16 bars all offering a diversity of entertainment throughout the day. More information about specific performers will be announced closer to the event.

Q: If I reserved a booth, do I have to pay to enter the festival?

A: Yes

Q: If I’m in the parade, do I have to pay to enter the festival?

A: Yes.

Q: Does it get dark during the parade?

A: Yes, the parade will be at night. Participants are encouraged to use glow sticks, battery-operated candles, neon fabric and other means of illumination.

Q: Who are the parade Grand Marshals?

A: The Grand Marshals are Kevin Aviance, Tony Lima, Velvet LeNore, and Victor Zepka.

Q: Will Wilton Drive be closed to traffic for the event on June 15th?

A: Yes. Wilton Drive will be closed at 4a.m. Saturday from NE 20th Court to Five Points and will not be reopened until 6 a.m. on Sunday morning.

Q: Are there security precautions - and what is NOT allowed?

A: No weapons, illegal substances or nudity of any kind are allowed at the event. Drones, skateboards and electric vehicles are also prohibited. ALSO…No bags allowed!

Q: Is the event ADA compliant?

A: Yes

Q: Can I bring my own alcohol?

A: No.

Q: Is this a family-friendly event?

A: Yes, we invite the entire community to attend.

Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride is cashless at all entrances, VIP & lounges. It is as easy as... 1. Get Scanned 2. Walk In 3. Go Pride!

to Purchase Your E-Tickets

Scan

in Advance.

Broward Centers Broadway in Fort Lauderdale

2024/25 Season

The Bank of America Broadway in Fort Lauderdale series with presenting sponsor Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is proud to announce its 2024/2025 season at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The season includes three South Florida premieres, MJ, A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical and Shucked, two Fort Lauderdale premieres, Peter Pan and The Cher Show, and the return of Disney’s The Lion King and Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical.

A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical

January 21 – February 2, 2025

Disney’s The Lion King March 6 – 30, 2025

MJ April 8 – 20, 2025

Peter Pan May 6 – 18, 2025

Shucked June 10 – 22, 2025

Subscriber Choice

The Cher Show November 19 – 24, 2024 (Week 1 subscribers)

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical December 18 – 23, 2024 (Week 2 subscribers)

THE CHER SHOW

Subscriber Choice

Nov 19 – 24, 2024

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 Award-winning musical of her story, and it’s packed with so much Cher that it takes three women to play her: the kid starting out, the glam pop star, and the icon. 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!

DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL

Subscriber Choice

Dec 18 – 23, 2024

Discover the magic of Dr. Seuss’ classic

holiday tale as it comes to life on stage. Featuring the hit songs “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas,” The Grinch discovers there’s more to Christmas than he bargained for in this heart-warming holiday classic. Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes too small,” decides to steal Christmas away from the Whos, an endlessly cheerful bunch bursting with holiday spirit. Celebrate the holidays with the show The New York Times calls “100 times better than any bedtime story!”

A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL

Jan 21 – Feb 2, 2025

Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL is the uplifting true story of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chartbusting, show-stopping American rock icon. With 120 million albums sold, a catalogue of classics like “America,” “Forever in Blue Jeans,” and “Sweet Caroline,” an induction into the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and sold-out concerts around the world that made him bigger than Elvis, Neil Diamond’s story was made to shine on Broadway and head out on the road across America. Like Jersey Boys and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical before it, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND

MUSICAL is an inspiring, exhilarating, energy-filled musical memoir that tells the untold true story of how America’s greatest hitmaker became a star, set to the songs that defined his career.

DISNEY’S THE LION KING

• Mar 6 – 30, 2025

On Broadway since 1997, there is simply nothing else like Disney’s THE LION KING. Join the more than 100 million people around the world who have experienced the entire Serengeti come to life as never before with awe-inspiring visual artistry, unforgettable music, and the uniquely theatrical storytelling of this Broadway spectacular – one of the most breathtaking and beloved productions ever to grace the stage. Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, THE LION KING brings together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway. Tony Award-winning director Julie Taymor brings to life a story filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals. THE LION KING also features the extraordinary work of Tony Award-winning choreographer Garth Fagan and some of Broadway’s most recognizable music, including “Circle of Life,” “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” and “Hakuna Matata,” crafted by Tony Award®-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice.

MJ

• Apr 8 – 20, 2025

He is one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Now, Michael Jackson’s unique and unparalleled artistry comes to Fort Lauderdale as MJ, the multi–Tony Award-winning new musical centered around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour, begins a tour of its own. Created by Tony Award-winning Director/Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, MJ goes beyond the singular moves and signature sound of the star, offering a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Michael Jackson into legendary status.

PETER PAN • May 6 – 18, 2025

This high-flying musical has been thrilling audiences of all ages for close to 70 years and is now being brought back to life in a new adaptation by celebrated playwright Larissa FastHorse, directed by Emmy Award-winner Lonny Price and choreography by Lorin Latarro. The adventure begins when PETER PAN and his mischievous sidekick, Tinker Bell, visit the bedroom of the Darling children late one night. With a sprinkle of fairy dust and a few happy thoughts, the children are taken on a magical journey they will never forget. This extraordinary musical full of excitement and adventure features

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iconic and timeless songs including “I’m Flying,” “I Gotta Crow,” “I Won’t Grow Up,” and “Neverland.” PETER PAN embraces the child in us all, so go on a journey from the second star to the right and straight on ‘til morning–your entire family will be Hooked!

SHUCKED • Jun 10 – 22, 2025

SHUCKED is the Tony Award–winning musical comedy The Wall Street Journal calls “flat out hilarious!” And nobody knows funny like economists. Featuring a book by Tony Award-winner Robert Horn (Tootsie), a score by the Grammy Award-winning songwriting team of Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally (Kacey Musgraves’ “Follow Your Arrow”), and directed by Tony Award- winner Jack O’Brien (Hairspray), this corn-fed, corn-bred American musical is sure to satisfy your appetite for great musical theater. SHUCKED is recommended for ages 10+. SHUCKED contains adult themes, moments of adult language and a harvest of corny innuendo.

All programs, artists, ticket prices, availability, dates and times are subject to change without notice. Additional fees may apply. Visit BroadwayInFortLauderdale.com for up-to-date information,

details and performance schedules.

The Bank of America Broadway in Fort Lauderdale 2024/2025 season is made possible with the generous support of title sponsor Bank of America and presenting sponsor Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. Bank of America Broadway in Fort Lauderdale is presented by Florida Theatrical Association in partnership with the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The Broward Center 2024/2025 performance season is supported by the Broward Performing Arts Foundation.

Season tickets for the 2024/2025 Bank of America Broadway in Fort Lauderdale six-show package are now on sale and range from $279 - $1,075.

The subscription packages include five shows plus one additional Subscriber Choice show. Week One subscribers will have The Cher Show as their default Subscriber Choice show, and Week Two subscribers will have Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical as their default Subscriber Choice show. Subscribers may choose to change their Subscriber Choice show or add additional tickets at a later date.

To renew your subscription or purchase a new subscription package, please visit BroadwayInFortLauderdale.com.

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Pride Through The Years

Photos: Hotspots Archives

2022

Ben Platt’s Queer Folk Reverie

The Broadway star on bringing queerness to folk music, what Pride means to him and how his ﬁancé, Noah Galvin, helped him embrace his body hair

By Chris Azzopardi

“...we all need to be looking out for our trans community members and making sure we’re lifting them up...”

The facial hair comes up because it has to. After all, the unofﬁcial rulebook for any Americana artist stipulates somewhere that wherever an acoustic guitar shall go, a full beard must too. And so Ben Platt is all about his furry face, but not just because he's in full-on folk-roots mode for his third solo album, “Honeymind.”

Considering this particular genre isn't necessarily a welcoming platform for openly queer musicians (or even close to one), there is a quiet rebelliousness to Platt simply existing in that space — just ask Beyoncé, who shook up the country community just for being a Black artist releasing her rural-toned “Cowboy Carter,” a nod to her Southern roots. As for Platt, his subtle defiance is front and center on the album's cover, as he queers a classic vintage car-makeout scene while straddling the lap of his fiancé, Noah Galvin, but it is also embedded in its songs of longing, love and more love, too. During a recent April afternoon from his place in New York, I spoke with Platt about the reasons he's especially proud to be an openly queer artist on “Honeymind,” how buying his first home with Galvin inspired

one very special song on the album and how he really feels about being a hairy Jew.

When I saw you in Detroit in 2019, what I noticed was just how loving and loyal your fans are. They really love you. I wondered about that long history, which I'd say definitely dates back to your role on Broadway in “Dear Evan Hansen.” How do you explain the bond you've established with your fans?

It's hard. It's sort of ineffable because the introduction was “Dear Evan Hansen,” and that was something where I was really emotionally burying myself as much as I possibly could, and I think I was able to really forge a meaningful connection without ever necessarily expressing my own perspective. When I started to do that, it was in the same vein of really not trying to create any kind of wall or ﬁlter or version of myself, but rather just continuing to share even more openly, as much as I could, my own experiences and my point of view.

I always try to give as much of myself as I have available to me whenever I'm performing or doing anything for an audience or for fans. I think that mine really recognize that and respect that, and I hope

“I think it’s important to just focus on the humanity and to make sure that they’re as protected and as lifted up as us as gay men are, even though we aren’t always too.”

to keep doing good by them. I think it's that level of transparency and earnestness. There are a lot of great, wonderful artists giving things with a lot more edge, and apathy, and other things that are not natural to me. I can only give what I can give. I'm lucky there's people who really seem to connect to that.

On the flip side, who do you feel this level of love for?

Anyone that is really vocally impressive, I fall in love with, but Beyoncé remains my

number one in the sense that she is sort of guarded, and I think that's been a whole part of her thing — how perfect and pristine she is. Within that, you can see so much unbelievable hard work, talent, vision and experience that she's trying to share and communicate. I just think she's the greatest live performer ever. If we're judging by who leaves it all on the ﬂoor and gives you everything they have in their body, Beyoncé's number one.

With “Cowboy Carter,” Beyoncé also happens to be finding her place in Americana right now. Did you two orchestrate this?

Yeah, we decided on our conference call that we should both stick to the same stylistic world. [Laughs.]

What inspired your shift to folk music?

It was the kind of thing where that's just really very organically what started to come out. I went to Nashville for the ﬁrst round of writing for this record, all the way back in April 2022. I've been working on this record

for a long time, and I knew I wanted to go to Nashville because there's so many writers there that I love, both ones that I have worked with before, like Alex Hope, who's a writer on almost half of the songs on the album. Then a lot that I admired that I wanted to work with, like Natalie Hemby, Hillary Lindsey, Jim Robbins and Laura Veltz. I went with the intention of just working with these people who I knew were very storytelling-forward and emotionally narrative-driven and honest and melodic, and all the things that I wanted, but didn't necessarily have a particular style in my mind of what we needed to accomplish.

When I started to write about where I was at and the experiences I was having, that's just the sound that emerged. As it started to come out, I got really excited because it felt very natural to my style of storytelling and singing. It just felt like an organic landing pad for where I've sort of been wanting to return to. Then also just the idea of the super expressly queer perspective living in that sonic world is not something I necessarily have heard or seen a lot. Most of the artists that I love in that zone write beautiful songs that are very universal, but aren't necessarily like the Troye Sivans and Lil Nas Xs, and the people who are giving us really speciﬁcally queer content, which I love. The idea of doing something like that, but in this much more subdued kind of introspective, emotionally earnest style, was really exciting to me. I know that you'll get this reference because you've covered Brandi Carlile's “The Joke,” but the boy you're singing about in “All American Queen” sounds like he should be friends with the boy in Brandi's song “The Joke.” Absolutely. I feel like hopefully the boy in

“The Joke” grows up to become the boy in “All American Queen.” Because there are so many origin songs, I just wanted it to be like “Sweet Child O' Mine,” and all these songs about just happy upbringings, American images, values and traditionally American terms, and the idea of writing about a queer upbringing in America where it's purely about the joy of it and the fun of it, and there's no talk about tolerance, difference, otherness, oppression or trauma, any of that. It's just this super dirt road, fun, gay narrative, which was really fun and exciting to me. That's another one I wrote with Alex.

Then, of course, for any queer person, your song “Andrew,” the first single, is entirely relatable. Who among us hasn't had an unrequited crush on a straight boy? How did that song come about, and how did you navigate your first Andrew?

The song came about because I was talking to a friend of mine who was one of the writers on the album, a different writer than Alex, who I wrote “Andrew” with, but she was telling me about her child and how he has a best friend who he loves so much, and how she was getting the sense that there was a

little bit of an unrequited infatuation happening and that he felt so much for this friend that she just didn't feel was the same for him.

It just seemed like so many friendships and experiences that I had growing up in elementary school, middle school and high school. The next day during a session, I said, "I really want to write about this ineffable straight boy who is kind and doesn't do anything wrong, and there's no one at fault. It's just a chemical misﬁre, essentially.” I love the song that we wrote, and for me, probably my ﬁrst few Andrews were things I couldn't even really name, like friends who I had that I had feelings for or love for but I didn't know what it was. One of my best friends in high school, who did improv and musicals with me, I just really connected with on every level. Of course, I developed feelings. It was tough, and I had nice friends around me to help me understand that it was no one's fault, and that he's just a good friend. He's still one of my best friends, so it worked out. Apart from the cover image, how else was your fiancé, Noah Galvin, part of this album's creation?

I always run things by him. He's very creatively smart, and he has an excellent aesthetic. He's a great guide and he's a great barometer. I really trust his instincts. In terms of working together on the album, he did do me a solid and star for free in a video with me [“Cherry on Top,” released after this interview] that has some of that same reclamatory vintage imagery and energy through this really nice queer lens. It was really fun to do it with him. What was the whole shoot like for that car-makeout cover photo?

It was really fun. Interscope [Records] has done a great job of just really responding to my ideas and bringing a lot of creativity and authenticity to what I'm trying to do. What was exciting to me in getting on set and seeing th at kind of a car, the diner that we shot in and the open road is all these really bromantic, beautiful American images that we've seen so many times, and just getting to use them for gay stuff for once. It was really fun to just inhabit that world. I

imagined it as a slight utopia of what it would be like if we were in this time period with this sort of imagery, to just have it also be a queer image. It was really fun.

You have me thinking about “Treehouse,” a love song that sounds like it has a special place in your life. And you get to sing it with Brandy Clark, both of you out, queer performers, taking on what is traditionalsounding folk. I'm wondering what all of that coming together felt like for you.

It was wonderful. I wrote it with Brandy and Jimmy Robbins, and it was one of the ﬁrst things we wrote back in April of 2022. It existed for a while as just a song that I would sing alone, and it was inspired by Noah, and I recently found our sort of home-home, like our ﬁrst real joint home, and we've been calling it our “treehouse,” because there's a lot of trees outside the window, and it just felt like somewhere we could hole up together.

The song is really emblematic to me of the safe space that you create with your partner and the idea that no matter how careful you are and how safe it is, it's always going to be a little precarious. You just have to be very protective over it. I think I sat with the song for a little while, and loved it and listened to it, and then it sort of had one of those light bulb moments of like, "Duh, of course I should ask Brandy if she would consider being on it with me," because it came so organically from both of us. She's such an icon in that Americana space, and has so much authenticity in her voice. She just jumped at it and couldn't have been easier and more excited to be part of it. I feel like my intention was not to have necessarily features on the record, but this just seemed like too perfect an opportunity to get to work with her. Talking about folk and looking at you now, I'm glad that we're doing this on camera because I get to see your beard, which if you're going to inhabit this space as a folk singer, I feel like you have to treat the beard right.

Very much so.

Will the beard now become a prominent part of this new era as you go on Broadway and tour?

I'm going to keep it. Anytime I'm allowed to

have the beard, I love the beard. Ever since I ﬁnished “Evan Hansen” in 2017, anytime I'm not playing a role where it's expressly needed that I be shaved, I always want to have my beard. I just feel much safer with my beard. I'm experimenting with some mulletry as well, which I've been liking. I think it just makes me feel like myself, and like I'm not so stripped clean, and I'm a little more organic and easy. I get to put nice oils in it that smell good. Then it's nice when I sing, because then I can breathe them in while I sing. I'm happy to have my beard.

What's your go-to beard oil?

Oh, I don't even know what is in there, but it's like a... [goes into another room to grab it]. It's literally called Best Damn Beard Balm. It's a little wax-y. It's really nice. How do you feel about your body hair in general?

Have you always embraced it?

I honestly always loved it. I'm a Jew, so it's very much common in my community, especially Ashkenazi Jews, to be quite hairy. I didn't really have a choice from puberty onward. It's just been everywhere. I've always really loved my beard and my chest hair. It just makes me feel like a guy. I love to play with femininity and masculinity, and I love getting my nails done and wearing things that feel somewhere in the middle. I think sometimes I do love to lean into my masculinity, and I think the hair lets me do that. The only hair I ever felt self-conscious about was… I have a lot of back hair, because again, I'm a Jew, and that's my genetics, but Noah really likes it. As soon as I started being with Noah, it made me really love it and embrace it too.

How often do you think about being a queer role

model, and what do you think it means to your fans that you are one?

I so don't have answers or expertise that other queer people don't have. I think I always ﬁnd myself underestimating the power of just being forthright about my own relationship and my experiences. I think there are times when I get worried about, as an actor, because I'm doing both things, I experienced pigeonholing, or I experienced casting directors, directors or writers having difﬁculty viewing me as not a queer character, now that I've been so forthright about being a queer person, and I sometimes think, should I be more quiet about it? Should I have not been so forthright?

Anytime I see someone online, or in person, or at a show with their partner, or a queer couple, or just a queer young person who feels seen, or is either really happy because of the music, or crying because of the music, or whatever it might be, it's sort of immediately dustbusts that out of my head, in the sense that it's like, what a more important and special opportunity that I get to do to, just purely by sharing what I'm already excited and happy to share. I can make people feel seen and feel like they are safe to share those things, so I take it very seriously, but I also try to be as clear as possible that I know as little as anybody else.

It feels wonderful. I think everybody has a different role in any ﬁght or any conversation, and I feel like what I have to offer is this music and my art, and just trying to be as transparent as I can. To be able to do that right now, I feel really lucky. I just think any opportunity we have to lean into the joy, complexity and all the things that make us not just equal but superior, I think that is very important.

Speciﬁcally, as a last note, we all need to be looking out for our trans community members and making sure we're lifting them up and sharing stories and art of theirs that is, again, rooted in joy and complexity — how compelling and interesting and beautiful it is, not just the debate about identity or the

trauma or the oppression. I think it's important to just focus on the humanity and to make sure that they're as protected and as lifted up as us as gay men are, even though we aren't always too.

With “Honeymind” out around Pride, and with so much anti-queer rhetoric and legislation this year, what does it feel like to be releasing something so authentic to yourself as a queer person in this precarious moment?

Chris Azzopardi is the Editorial Director of Pride Source Media Group and Q Syndicate, the national LGBTQ+ wire service. He has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Cher, Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter @chrisazzopardi.

Pride Through The Years

2021

Photos: Hotspots Archives

Pride Through The Years

2019

Photos: Hotspots Archives

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