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Dear OMG! Readers, Is it true? Are the gods being kind to Floridians and finally granting us an ounce of warm weather? In what has seemingly been the longest bout of unusually colder weather, it is finally feeling like spring again. Help celebrate the warmer spring season at CAMILLE LEONE, Square One’s spring 2010 event, held at The RITZ Ybor in Tampa on Saturday, April 17th. Our very talented Chris Zenger here at OMG! is also a very talented artist, and will be showcasing his work at the event that will feature live performances of music, dance and fashion along with over 80 local artists. CAMILLE LEONE is a masked event, so I look forward to seeing your faces – er, masked faces, at the show. Until next time… Sincerely,
Okie
Okesene Tilo, Executive Editor
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By Maggie Harbour
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OHNNY DEPP is doing his best to convince his Tourist co-star, ANGELINA JOLIE, to jump on board for TIM BURTON’S upcoming film MALEFICENT. The script, to be penned by Beauty and the Beast, and Lion King Screenwriter Linda Woolverton (who also adapted Burton’s Alice in Wonderland from the book by Lewis Carroll) will tell the story of the Wicked Queen who cast a spell on Sleeping Beauty. Depp, who recently made his mark playing The Mad Hatter in Alice, thinks Angie would make a great Wicked Queen, and we hear JENNIFER ANISTON totally agrees. Okay, we’re kidding, but OMG you just know she does!
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ctor SEAN HAYES has an interesting connection with the late actor, COREY HAIM, who died of an accidental drug overdose last month at the age of 39. Hayes, who played whacky Jack McFarland on Will and Grace, was a 16 year old student at Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn, Illinois in 1986, when a then 15 year old Haim came to his school to film the cult classic, Lucas. “The director was looking for kids to be extras in the film,” says Hayes, now 40. “He wanted us to sit in the bleachers during a football game and cheer on queue. I was one of the first kids to be picked and from that moment on, I knew I wanted to be an actor.” He says watching Haim film his scenes led him to believe he had what it took to be a star, and after attending Illinois State University where he studied film and acting, he headed for LA and the bright lights. He did 187 episodes of Will and Grace before landing roles in such films as The Bucket List and the TV series 30 Rock, so I guess he was right in thinking he had all the right stuff.
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oting Dad Simon Baker loves spending one on one time with his 15 year old daughter Stella. Whenever Simon is in LA – the two cuddle up on the couch and watch Gossip Girl together! The Mentalist star says the bonding time with his teen gives him an opportunity to answer questions about teen sex, drugs and other issues, and he feels the two are much closer since they started watching the CW series together.
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kay, so last week I told you Numerologist GLYNIS MCCANTS, author of Love By The Numbers, discovered both Tiger Woods and John Edwards were in the personal year of 8 when they got caught cheating. And remember she went on to say that if people in the personal year of 8 are lying or cheating, they WILL get caught. Well, are you sittin’ down? Guess what personal year Sandra Bullock’s tattooed hubby Jesse James is in? Yep, you guessed it… he’s in HIS personal year of 8! And even more creepy is the fact that both Woods and Edwards had double 1’s in their charts – meaning they have got to be constantly worshiped by their partners, and if they are not, they will seek the attention they need elsewhere. Well, I don’t have to tell you, old Jesse James also has double 1’s in his chart! A coincidence? I think not!
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OREY MONTEITH plays hunky High School quarterback Finn Hudson on the hit TV series Glee. But in real life, the 27 year old, who’s TAYLOR SWIFT’S latest squeeze, dropped out of school in his freshman year. And not only did he split from his studies when he was just 14 – he moved on to a job as a Wall Mart Greeter. I swear. So when you take everything into account, the fact he is starring in a top TV series, pulling in about $40,000 per episode, and dating the most sought after young chic in show biz… might make us think twice before calling him a dead beat drop out. After all, BRAD PITT dropped out of college and took a job dressing up as a chicken to sell fast food before HE became famous and look what happened to him!
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eidi Klum is closing shop. The 36 year old sexy supermodel, who’s married to singer Seal, 47, once said she’d like to have a half dozen kids, but now she’s changed her mind and says she’s stopping at four. But she’s NOT stopping at four when it comes to the number of times she and her hunky hubby plan to renew their wedding vows. Every year on their anniversary Heidi and Seal repeat their vows. And this year, on May 10th, for their 5th wedding anniversary, they plan to throw a bash where all the women have to dress like brides and the men like grooms. It might sound crazy, but keep in mind Seal proposed to his lady love in Whistler BC, at 14,000 feet, in unchartered terrain, on a glacier, in an igloo built just for the moment! Somebody queue the violins!
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as Jon Gosselin been eating for 8? The father of the world’s most famous sextuplets and a set of twins, says he’s determined to shed the extra 25 pounds he’s packed on since losing his wife Kate. With the former Mrs. G looking great while she dances her way to the stars, Jon is taking a second look at his ballooned - up body and he’s decided to diet. When Kate was around, she always insisted the couple eat healthy fare and she did her best to keep the kids away from fast food joints. But since Kate’s departure, Jon, who turns 33 on April 1, has found his way to Hooters, McDonalds and the local pizza parlor. Now, he’s stocking up on diet drinks, Lean Cuisines, and low call foods in a desperate attempt to slim down. “Jon went on a big time splurge when he and Kate first separated,” says a source. “And then one day he took a look at himself in a mirror and freaked out. The weight creeped up on him, and creeped him out, now he wants to follow in his famous wife’s footsteps and get back in shape. Hey ABC… maybe you can convince Jonny to sign on for the next season of Dancing With the Stars!”
Maggie is a Hollywood journalist who has written for such publications as STAR, In Touch, Life and Style, National Enquirer and OK! Magazine. Now she’ll be keeping OMG! readers up to date on all the latest celebrity dish! We also hope you will e-mail Maggie, at maggie@omgmag.com, with any questions or comments you might have on Hollywood Hot Sheet. And let us know about local celeb sightings or news tips. We’d love to hear from you!
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separated from their partners who accompanied them to the Kodak Theater on the night of their big win. Victims of the curse include Reese Witherspoon, 2005 Best Actress winner for Walk the Line, and her husband Ryan Phillippe (after seven years and two children); Hilary Swank, 1999 Best Actress winner for Boys Don’t Cry and 2004 winner for Million Dollar Baby, and her husband Chad Lowe (after 10 years); and Halle Berry, 2001 Best Actress winner for Monster’s Ball, and her husband Eric Benet (after four years of marriage). More recently, Kate Winslet, last year’s Best Actress winner for The Reader, announced her split from director Sam Mendes after almost seven years of marriage and one child together.
Sandra Bullock’s career could not have been more on Cloud Nine than it had been over the past 12 months. With two blockbuster hit movies and the ultimate career justification of an Academy Award win for her turn in The Blind Side, it appeared that Miss Congeniality was unstoppable. However, just 10 days after her Oscar win came an announcement from Jesse James, reality TV star of Monster Garage and Sandra’s husband of almost five years, confirming press speculation that he had in fact cheated on the actress. What went wrong? How could this happen? While many pointed out Sandra’s ever-busy work schedule as justification for Jesse’s wandering ways, others singled out Sandra Bullock as just the latest actress to fall victim to the curse of the Best Actress win. Almost 75% of the Best Actress award winners since 1995 have either divorced or OMG 12
Is the Best Actress Academy Award win really a curse or is it all just coincidence? “I absolutely think it's cursed. It's sad but true that in this day and age it's a rare treasure of a man who can handle being married to a hugely successful woman -- especially one who's more successful at the current time than they are,” says Bonnie Fuller, editor-inchief of HollywoodLife.com.
Photo courtesy of The Associated Press.
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merica’s reigning sweetheart of last summer’s romantic comedy hit…” “The first woman to ever headline a $200-million grossing movie at the box-office…” “A Best Actress award winner at this year’s Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and Academy Awards…”
While the personal troubles of Sandra Bullock and Jesse James continue to live out loud through all of the media frenzy and commotion, the next batch of Academy Award-nominated actresses might want to have their attorneys double check their existing pre-nuptial agreements.
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CHEESE!
Fashion D don’t even know...and now we are all gagging about it during happy hour.
id you get it? Hold on, two more frames, pose and snap! There is no doubt in my mind that everyone wants to take a flawless picture. Would you ever even think of leaving your home without being armed with your digital camera or Smartphone with whoknows-how-many pixels, video and the ability to record, view, edit and post to any and all social networking websites instantly? Because somewhere in our narcissistic minds, inflated with our own ideas of self importance, somebody somewhere really cares about what you’re doing and how you look right now? That is why we spend countless hours in our bathrooms and gym locker rooms. When no one else is around, we are snapping away, almost leaving no space on our memory cards until you get the winning shot. Then it will be swapped or traded with someone and ultimately be shared online, or end up in someone else’s text messages who you
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My dear dear friends, if you are going to go through all that trouble, then you need to know how you can get the most flash out of your photography! The camera can be your best friend or your bitter enemy. Think about your face. Did you get enough rest? Were you out in the sun all day? Are you a smoker? Do you not like to smile? No problem; this is what you do when the camera is pointed at you: take a deep breath, chest up, shoulders back, and on the exhale tighten the glutes, hold the center solid, make the eyes focus above the lens, drop the chin while elongating your neck and BAM! Nice shot! You have mastered the stare. Think about what you are wearing in the picture. Stay away from patterns and eclectic accessories. All they do is cause distraction. The only time I would say that patterns are acceptable are during the holiday season because you just can’t escape all those tacky sweaters, plus it is a festive time of year. Colors are tricky; try to be photographed in colors that accentuate your skin,
not dissolve it. Black is always slimming. Posing and makeup: If you are doing it to be funny, OK, but if you think you are just letting everyone have it with your overly exaggerated supermodel pose, then just stop. Oh, and gentlemen, we all know what a bicep looks like, so you scratch that one off right away. Relax, it’s not that serious. For those of you in favor of over-the-counter cosmetic enhancement (makeup), I hope you are experienced or have some friends who are. The last thing you want to do is look like is a clown with a traveling mole, I mean, beauty mark. Perfect practice makes perfect! So if your safe picture taking practice zone is still in your bathroom, you could at least clear off the counter top and get a nice shower curtain for a backdrop. I can’t wait to see all of your fabulously updated profile pictures! May the FIERCE BE WITH YOU!
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ot long ago, I found myself delighted by a restaurant in the west end of Ybor City by the name of the Buddha Lounge, which served a cuisine that would soothe the more eclectic palate. Executive Chef Matthew Beilstein, trained at the Pennsylvania Institute of Culinary Arts, is considered to be an influential leader in the Tampa market for sushi. Beilstein certainly lived up to his reputation; the food was amazing on my visit, with a fascinating menu reflecting a multiplicity of cooking styles. The Buddha specialized in noodles, rice and sushi as it menu proclaims in its opening statement. Occupying a sunny corner storefront in the old El Goya/Tracks nightclub building, the Buddha offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Outdoor seating is simple, suburban-style, umbrella-covered wooden tables, allowing patrons to take in the sun and ambience of 7th Avenue if they so desire. Once inside, the restaurant takes on a very metropolitan flare. Immediately, you are greeted by a sushi chef rolling exotic creations to order at the sushi bar. Quaint and intimate, the bar comfortably seats eight. Moving into the dinning room, the space is well-appointed with splashes of rich dark fabrics, candle lighting and overstuffed lounge chairs at each table, hence the name “Buddha Lounge.” You are invited in to relax, dine casually and enjoy the total experience – this is not your local Chinese take-out. With a party of five that night we were guided into an intimate semiprivate space that comfortably seats OMG 22
8 people. We started out with the spicy nachos; marinated tuna over crisp wonton chips drizzled in wasabi mayonnaise and garnished with fresh scallions. I have to admit, at eight chips for $12, this was one of the more pricier items of the night, but then again, my friends reminded my of the market price for fresh tuna these days – so for flavor and presentation alone, I would have to say it’s a must-have at the Lounge. The list of noodle dishes was impressive in its diversity and length, as noodles are one of their specialties; remember, “noodles, rice, sushi” is the theme here. Yaki-udon was a delectable plate of thick Japanese flour noodles stir fried with garlic, onions carrot, cabbage and mushrooms, served with or without broth. Being a bit moist on its own, I’d recommend staying away from the broth, unless you want your Yaki more souplike. Personally, I was more inclined to opt for the pad Thai, rice stick noodles stir-fried with peanut, scallion, and egg with bean sprouts and fresh lime. Just enough zest with the lime to make this dish absolutely delicious. All noodle dishes can be served vegetarian ($7), with chicken or beef ($8) or with shrimp ($9). For the meat eaters in your party, the simple Japanese beefy curry ($9.50) is one of the most satisfying dishes at Buddha’s. Tender chunks of beef with broccoli, carrots and baby potatoes in a traditional Japanese golden curry gravy all gave the dish a strong complex flavor. Generous portion for the right price! Finally, let me stress the “value” of Buddha Lounge. Open for both lunch and dinner, you would be hard-
pressed to find a better value for your dollar than the “Buddha Lunch Box.” Priced at $10, this is a can’t-miss deal for lunch in Ybor City! The lunch box comes with 1/2 of a California roll, fried or steamed Rice, and edamame or ginger salad, served with your choice of teriyaki chicken, spicy tuna roll or assorted sashimi. It is also served with your choice of green tea or iced tea. I dare you to walk away hungry after this lunch! Bon appetit, y’all….
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irst off, I want to thank Joey Brooks for lending me a keyboard to write this article. I accidentally spilled a glass of fruit punch on mine and using the mouse and on-screen keyboard is not the easiest thing to do, lol!
So let's get down to it. As I've done for the last few issues, let's start with RuPaul's Drag Race. As of this deadline, we are on episode six. Our girl from Orlando, Tyra Sanchez, is still in the game, and the softer side of her personality is beginning to shine through. The girls had to find a way to sell themselves, and of course Absolut Vodka. The girls had to do a mock-book cover photo shoot based on their life stories. The bald goddess Raven took the top spot with Puerto Rico's Jessica Wild leaving. My prediction for the next girl leaving is going to be Pandora. I love her and her personality but her age and lack of presence sometimes worries me. Now on to some good ole drag pageants! The Sawmill Resort recently held their annual Miss Sawmill Pageant. After a wonderful year, Crystle Chambers passed on the title in true Crystle fashion, including a 15 minute give-up number. Ginger Ming of Orlando won, with Kamden Wells as her first alternate and Stephanie Stuart as her second alternate. Former Miss Sawmills included myself and Sondra Deluxe. Congrats to Ginger. Welcome to the family! Meanwhile in Orlando, Neema and the Pulse held the Miss Glamourous Pageant. Ten entertainers comOMG 24
peted for the title with Kennedy Davenport taking the top spot. Delores Van Cartier came was the first alternate and Orlando's Shantell DeMarco was the second alternate.
must hide who you are for the sake of your career and life is scary. Hopefully his struggle and story will give strength to others who are suffering the same fate. In other news, local entertainer Robyn DeMornay has also decided to come out of the closet. He has struggled for days and wants everyone to know he is a proud homosexual. Well, that about does it for this week! Remember if you have an entertainer or venue you would like to Robyn Demornay
Crystle Chambers Other contestants included Dorae Saunders, Susan Whitney and Aspen Love. Congrats to all the girls on an amazing competition. Although not girlie, but certainly glamorous, today Ricky Martin finally came out. While we can all say we have known for years, until someone comes out no one can say for sure. I can not begin to understand the pressure he felt to stay closeted. In his press release he discusses people convincing him to stay closeted and to think of his career. He has been in this business since he was a child. All he really knew was the life of an entertainer. What conflicted feelings he must have felt. I know we all as a community we all have felt that, but to feel that you
see profiled, you can always contact me at JocelynSummers11@aol.
com!
Until Next Time...
Jocelyn
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Several years ago, my stable and sane life began to crash around me. While ending a 10-year relationship, my business took a complicated turn and my health wasn’t the best. I had a spiritual awakening. I had a moment of connection with a reality beyond my ordinary state of consciousness. I woke up to a different world where I experienced everything as interconnected - a world that has many invisible unseen layers or realities. Losing everything that I had believed to be important was the best thing that ever happened to me. I began to read and study spirituality, faith, patience and turned inside myself to learn what it meant to find the meaning of life from my own direct experience. Instead of medicating or drugging myself from what I perceived as despair and inner pain, and with the guidance of two dear loving friends, I chose to look directly into myself and explore the dark recesses of my soul. From this place I began a journey of recovery OMG 28
and rebuilding. Looking at my life, I took inventory. As painful as it was, I acknowledged the things I had to. From that I asked myself, “What can I change and what can I throw away?” The journey was about rebuilding my soul back into my body. It has been a very difficult and unusual path where I have traveled far into many realms. Being raised Catholic, I choose to study Judaism, Taoism, psychotherapy, bodywork, energy work, yoga, and many other alternative forms of healing. Through my searching and studies, I learned that like creating a building, the ground is where the foundation of any building begins. The soil is fertile ground and our souls need rich soil as a foundation for the seed of light in our hearts to grow into a green shoot and eventually burst through the soil reaching for sunlight and rain to nourish it. Our past history of pain and trauma acts as an incubator shaping our particular plant or building into its unique form. Our soul in-
cludes something from our spirit beyond this lifetime, as well as, being influenced by the particular “soil” it grows in. Every experience should be celebrated as a unique gift that shapes and informs us. From these experiences, we learn how to choose the way we will respond on this journey of life. During this re-building journey, I also had to learn how to heal and clear the blocks of energy in my body that have held me back. These blocks restricted my soul from being able to grow and develop fully. The blocks would manifest as an intensity of emotions or reactions to others with negative feelings like despair, fear, grief, shame or anger that would throw my mind and body out of balance. I knew I needed to change myself in order to heal. I had to learn to be able to feel my body and not leave it whenever I felt pain. With my spiritual awakening, I was given new gifts of intuition and insight that I never had before. This was
a difficult tool to deal with as it frightened me. I had to learn to allow it and integrate it, so it would enrich my life. This created a total transformation of my intellectual, spiritual, emotional and physical body. In learning how to embrace all of this, I noticed a change in myself. I found the wisdom to accept what I’ve decided to call a state of formlessness. I have learned to recognize the old ways of thinking that no longer work for me and let go of them. In this process, I have learned to put my ego aside, and in turn this allows a new way of being to begin to grow inside me. Now, I have learned how to trust again and reach out and ask for help. I had to learn how to build a whole new support system that would act as a bridge once I left the island of isolation and dysfunction that my ego created and had convinced me was the only way to live my life. Because of the growth that my journey nurtured, I developed the resources from direct experience that allowed me to understand that there was always an-
other possibility to what I understood, even if I could not see it in that moment. It took great courage to face the unpleasant and unknown places my mind, body and spirit took me to. But over and over again the payoff showed throughout my life as I reconstructed my life in a new way – building a new soul. I found myself in a loving, healthy relationship and my massage practice is growing steadily. The pain and suffering of my mind and spirit called out to me to search for something that could bring meaning to why I was here and what was my purpose. Without the pain, I would never have had the will to look elsewhere for understanding or help. What I experienced as my deepest wounds became the ingredients of understanding what my soul came here to do in this lifetime. I find the paradox to be that, as I help others, it in return feeds and nourishes my soul. I easily find excitement and interest in my work, to be able to connect deeply and authentically with others. In turn this enlightens me from the inside. I admit
there are moments when I see the painful beast rear its ugly head to taunt me, and those are the moments when I tell myself to stop and take a deep breath. My journey to rebuild my soul through healing my core trauma has led me to help other reconstruct and rebuild their unique and complex souls. In closing, if you have made it to this point in this month’s MBS column, the question I leave you to ponder is: “What are the changes you can make in yourself to change from within and allow your own soul to grow?” Until next issue, may peace be with you always… Give yourself the gift of happiness today with a massage at TampaProMassage. There are a lot of massage therapists out there, give yourself the massage you pay for. At TampaProMassage, I offer quality affordable massage on your terms. For more information or to schedule your appointment call (813) 368-0532 or check out my website at www.TAMPAPROMASSAGE.com
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hiladelphia-born Jill Scott is a pioneer in the neo-soul movement of popular music. Mixing jazz, R&B, and her signature style of spoken word poetry, Scott first shot up the charts in 2000 with her debut album, Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1, which went double-platinum. She also ventured into acting, with a well-received turn as the lead in the BBC series The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, about a female detective in Botswana. Her most recent project is reprising her role as Sheila in Tyler Perry's romantic comedy sequel Why Did I Get Married Too?, which is in theaters now. Jill Scott talked to OMG! about her career highlights and what to expect from her in 2010.
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OMG!: What musical inspirations are most important to you when you write a song? What is most important in writing a good song, entertaining the audience or entertaining yourself? Jill Scott: When writing a song, I use the message of the song as my inspiration. I think about how I'm going to connect with the listener with my lyrics. More importantly, what do I want the listener to feel when they hear this song? I believe that entertaining both me and the audience is most important when writing a song, of course the song is based off my point of view, but I try to create songs that I believe everyone can relate to as well as be entertained by. OMG!: You have the talent to perform in a mellow atmosphere with unassuming vocals as well as being able to push the upper register. What is more fun for you? Do you feel comparisons between your upper register and Minnie Riperton's are apt? JS: To be completely honest, I have fun with both. I enjoy pushing my upper register because the audience really responds to it however; I can’t pick a particular favorite. Its truly based on what I feel the song calls for and how I want my voice to connect with the audience. The comparisons to Minnie Riperton are flattery, I can’t say if they are appropriate or not, but I will say they are much appreciated because Minnie Riperton is one of my favorites. OMG!: Do you consider yourself a trailblazer in 21st century neo soul? What do you bring to the table that other artists in the genre don't? What do you feel in your heart that becomes most evident in song? JS: Trailblazer is such a powerful word, I do however consider myself to be an inspiration to music in general not just the neo soul genre, but all genres of music. In particular
what I feel I bring to table to the table is honest, soulful and experimental music that I hope and believe connects to the feelings of a large audience of both men and women. What becomes most evident in song for me is the emotion behind the song. If I’m singing a song about heartbreak I want the audience to truly believe that I am heartbroken and if I’m singing a song about love, I want them to feel that same emotion and remember how it feels to truly be in love with someone. OMG!: What did you like most about your starring turn in the TV series The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency? Was it a struggle to get into the role of a Motswana woman? Will there be any more episodes of the series? JS: I enjoyed everything about the experience from filming on location in Botswana to playing such a powerful character. It was no struggle at all to play a Motswana woman because I believe I prepared so much for the role, but more importantly I believed so much in the character that I truly started to embody everything I believed her to be. I can’t confirm if there will be any more episodes, but I can say there has been talk of it. OMG!: How did you get involved with the film adaptation of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf? What specific parts of the subject matter spoke to you and make you think, "I have to be a part of this"? JS: I can’t say how I specifically got involved with the film adaptation; however I can say that anyone who has ever seen the Broadway play or read the book knows why I had to be a part of this film. It’s such a powerful story that I for one felt it needed to be seen by all generations both young and also by those who saw it on Broadway in 1976. I believe it will be a experience to all who come to see it. OMG 33
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ello, OMG! It's St. Pete out and about diva here, Alexis de la Mer, letting you know what's going on across the bay! Just to let you guys know who I am... I'm originally from New York City and now reside in St. Petersburg. I travel this great state of Florida and call the Flamingo Resort my home bar. I'm the current Miss Nature Coast 2010; I was crowned last year on my birthday (August 17) at Waterside Landing in New Port Richey. I'm also known as St. Pete's Plus-Sized Barbie. My friends call me "Big Girl" or "Queen with the BIG Hair," lol! I just got home from Fort Lauderdale where I represented the Flamingo Resort at Pride Fest. I had the pleasure of meeting CeCe Peniston, who sang "Finally", and I also had the honor of being onstage with Pepper Mashay while she sang her hit "Dive in the Pool"! I work every Thursday, where I host the amateur strip contest and perform alongside HOT male dancers and special weekly guests. I also perform every Sunday at the Alexis T-Dance from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. alongside DJ O; I perform poolside and host different weekly contests, such as "Sexiest Tan Lines", "Drag Pool Races", and booty shaking contests. On Saturdays we have the current Miss Gay America 2010, CoCo Montrese, on cast, alongside Bobby York, Iman, and a special guest every Weekend (past guests have included Kori Stevens, Phoenix Taylor, Divinty Everlasting, Kamden Wells, and Daphne Ferraro, to name a few). Also in St. Pete, there is a new bar in town called Partners. The owners have transformed the building into a comfortable bar/restaurant where on Wednesdays they have all-you-can-eat chicken wings...so you know this fat girl will be there EVERY Wednesday!
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St. Pete has the fun Georgie's Alibi, where celebrities perform monthly, such as RuPaul's Drag Race diva Tyra Sanchez, Pepper Mashay ("Dive in the Pool") and Robin S ("Show Me Love"). On April 22 and 23, Chanel from RuPaul's Drag Race will be there. You can also see Tampa Legend Esme Russell every other Wednesday with Cherry Poppins and Robyn DeMornay. Former Miss USofA Natasha Richards hosts the shows on Mondays and Thursdays. Club Nautico is another show bar in St. Pete where you can see Esme, Alexis Mateo, and Alicia Markstone every Friday and Saturday. If you guys LOVE karaoke, Detour in St. Pete has KJ Aaron five days a week. In Gulfport, right next to St. Pete, we have the Penninsula Inn and Spa, a gay owned-and-operated historic bed and breakfast where they have monthly shows with hostess Lady O and her cast. Also in Gulfport, we have the Oar House, where you can find Vanessa Del Rey and Ciarra Michaels hosting and performing every Saturday night. There's also Sporters in St. Pete where you can find the local bear groups having their meetings;, they also have drink specials if you "bare" your chest...a REAL man's bar. Another peek into The Flamingo this month...there will be the Pink Party on April 23, where we will be having an underwear fashion show. I'm opening the show wearing my pink leopard dress with two dancers in matching underwear! We're also planning a Latin weekend soon. On Friday have the hottest male dancers such as porn star Hunter Vance (my FAVE), my lil' brother Drew, Dean, Danny, Paul, and Steven Law. GOOD TIMES! Well, boys and girls, that's a look into St. Pete from my eyes... For more information about me, check out www.alexisdelamer.com or www.facebook.com/alexisdelamer.
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Yep, I’m back again, ready to give you another MACAViTi reading. So gather 'round, grab a drink, shut the world out and get into it. This is The Goings On! My views with a tad of attitude.
Sunday Sushi Social
On Sunday, instead of loafing it on the couch, recouping from tipping the night before, I decided to meet up with some of my best manpanions and brave the elements. Regrettably my first stop was at the Italian Festival in Ybor. I know, I know, if you were there you already know what a mess it was. The rain was relentless as the wind and lightning threatened to bring the plastic-tented metal rod shanty town crashing down. After huddling under rather intimate covered quarters to escape rain drops the size of small Indonesian children, I could no longer take it. I slung back my wine and headed for the Sunday Sushi Social.. Put on by the Tampa Bay Social Club at the newly famed Buddha Lounge, located on the corner
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of 7th and 15th in Ybor, it was a well needed calm after the storm. Buddha Lounge is yet another gay-owned and operated restaurant that has popped up in the gleeful GaYbor district. However, don’t sleep on this newcomer. In an area of town flogged by raucous barflies and chaotic clubs lies the ambiguously gay, casually elegant cousin of the infamous GaYbor stretch. As you step in, the serene décor offers instant tranquility. With just a smidgen of pretentiousness without being off-putting, the warm, intimate seating near the front creates a humbling social mood. Coupled with noodles, rice and sushi, no establishment in the gay ghetto can ever let you completely forget you’re in Ybor. As you press on past the sushi bar and dining area, you’re greeted by ingenious marketing in the form of Jim Beam bottles adorning the wall behind the bar. Nevertheless, the staff is friendly, the food is fresh and appropriately priced for your yen. Yep…If the continuous quaint crowds are any indication, zen is definitely in.
Cavalia? Don’t Worry About It! I’m sure you have seen the millions of commercials about the “internationally acclaimed equine extravaganza” called Cavalia at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Ever since Cavalia had been deemed “a magical encounter between Man and Horse,” that immediately sparked my homoerotic interest, all the while thinking, “Is that legal?” Just as I am with any show, I was tremendously anxious to see what kind of masterpiece the creators of Cirque du Soleil had fashioned. Seeing that I was able to dig in my bag of tricks and (BAM!!!) make two complimentary tickets materialize, avoiding a minimal $50 ticket fee, made me exceptionally joyous. Unfortunately, all that anticipation and joy went right through that matchbox-tented theater as the show opened with a horse giving birth on giant Megatron screens. Yeah, so much for stopping at Mickey D’s on the way home. The last thing I was expecting to see was the sight of some mare’s placenta being cleaved open as what looked like a giant lizard escaped from her womb.
Yeah…the birth of anything is beautiful until you've actually seen it in HD. Sadly, this magical encounter between man and horse was more like Swan Lake for horses or a live action My Little Pony. I guess I went thinking I was going to see a horse do a back flip or something; however, the only thing that flipped were my eyes in back of my head as I was struggling to stay conscious. I totally understand horses don’t have fingers or opposable thumbs but if Siegfried and Roy can make a tiger balance on a sphere, Cavalia needs to step it up or keep it in the stables. In the words of Michael Kors, “I was a tad bit underwhelmed.” I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love artistic expressions as much as any Oscar Wilde-reading friend of Dorothy, and the horses were beautiful, but I could’ve had a V-8. If you missed it, don’t worry about it. If you love horses, save your money for Arabian Nights or Medieval Times; at least there is a meal included. Anywho, that’s all for now, peeps, but remember, if you're feeling rosy and just a little nosy... if your mind wanders….let it lead you here. OMG 41
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Models: Will Ottaviani (left) Steven Ballard (right) Photographer: Chris Zenger Style Coordinator: Michelle Loucks OMG 43
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Last month, the “We Can Do It!” campaign unveiled its first celebrity photographs nationwide. In the spirit of the “NO H8” campaign, “We Can Do It!” is a send-up of the Rosie the Riveter posters from the 1940s, emphasizing that the GLBT population is more than capable of serving in the United States military. Photographer John Ganun started off the campaign with a set of celebrities, such as actor Wilson Cruz and former reality show contestant Reichen Lehmkuhl, flexing their uniformed muscles in front of the camera. Brad Bilanin with the Open Artist Movement started this campaign, and he talked with OMG! about its beginnings and why he feels it will make a difference. OMG!: How do you feel about the campaign being compared to “NO H8” in the media? Brad Bilanin: Many are comparing it to NoH8. I think that NoH8 is wonderful. It came from a moment when many people were in a great deal of pain. I think it has helped. But, I am interested in creating something broader in scope and focused more on the strength that we inherently carry. OMG!: How did you come up with the new “We Can Do It!” concept? Brad Bilanin: It actually started with an interest in looking at different movements and their iconic natures. Rosie the Riveter is still iconic to this day. You can find her in kitchens, restaurants, on refrigerator magnets, all a symbol of the women’s movement. She was meant to signify a woman that was able to show us a strength that we didn’t know she had. She was rolling up her sleeve to show us her power. I felt that our movement is still lacking these types of iconic power. That us, as everyday GLBT people, have a great deal of strength, courage, and even abilities that have been yet unseen. And they should be our iconic rallying cries to be able to reach out to our international brothers and sisters in need. This first series was intentionally set in the military fashion. I knew that DADT was coming to a head. I also knew that Rosie was still powerful to many women, so it felt like a perfect idea to have a lesbian represent her. To bridge the gap. The future phases do incorporate other celebs, and non-celebs, to address a variety of issues. We photographed two lesbian mothers, one pregnant. An Iranian gay man who fled Iran many years ago. An GLBT political figure here in in Los Angeles. All to be able to show solidarity to others, both nationally and internationally, of the types of struggles that we might be involved in... and say that we have the power to overcome. There are other phases to come that are currently in production, but those are under wraps at the moment. The goal is to tie the GLBT equality movement to other iconic movements in history. We have all been, and are, people involved in the same struggle for equality. OMG!: What else would you like to say about the campaign or today’s GLBT movement? Brad Bilanin: We are not victims. We have powers that we have not even come to understand. Sometimes it just takes even seeing it in someone else first. The campaign is meant to be open to the public. It is my intention to have them wheat-posted around major metropolitan areas. To give the feel of, for lack of better words, an uprising. OMG 48
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Hola! The bitch is back! I had an awesome vacation in beautiful, warm Puerto Rico. I toured the historic forts of Old San Juan, hiked in the El Yunce rainforest, visited Spanish Michael’s 106-yearold great-grandmother, partied at the gay clubs, but didn’t go parasailing. Why not? I ran out of time; next visit I’ll go flying in the sky for sure. The people of Puerto Rico were gracious, welcoming, and spoke great English; I had no problem communicating any of my needs. On Day 1, I had dinner at a popular restaurant that served traditional Latin food (all fried), located near the only gay hotel in San Juan and for dessert... lots of hot steamy local eye candy, yummy! Later that night, I headed to Crash Night club where, to my OMG 52
surprise, a pageant was taking place. Unlike pageants in the States, where all judged categories are completed in one evening, contests in Puerto Rico present one judged category a month. On this particular night, talent was being judged. Apparently this pageant is a huge island event; Club Crash was packed...wall-to-wall sissies everywhere. As for the contest, I was thoroughly impressed with the level of competition; contestants spared no expense presenting their talent selections. The level of costuming, choreography, and set designs were like none I’ve seen in all my years of competition, wow! Check out snippets from the pageant at http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=s_qlPAPHRWI On Day 2, we headed to El Yunce rainforest, where I felt such a strong spiritual connection to nature/God, or whatever you call a higher power.
I lie to you not, seeing the wonder, beauty, and majesty of it all was so powerful, it touched my inner spirit. Being of Christian faith and having a personal relationship with God, I never felt such a spiritual awakening than I did while at El Yunce. That experience alone made the trip worthwhile. You can check out my El Yunce rainforest visit by logging onto http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=8gDcAG_hZg0 Day 3, we hit Club Stars, Club Circa, and three other clubs. At Club Stars we were the guest of Jessica Wilds, contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 2. Their cast tribute to Lady Gaga was fantastic, especially Jessica’s; she was stunningly awesome! With beautiful Latin men everywhere and after downing several Grey Goose/cranberries, I thought I was about to pick up a hot man. He approached me only to ask, “Aren’t
you Darcel Stevens?” There went that hookup (lol)! Nevertheless, I met new friends and had a great time bar-hopping, though one thing that bugs me about the night life of Puerto Rico; clubs don’t starts hopping until 2 in the morning. I truly tried to hang until the sun came up, but your momma tired and dragging; I had to sleep. Day 4, went shopping at the Mall of Americas; damn, that place is BIG! Later that evening Spanish Michael and I had dinner with Jessica Wilds; we are excited that she’ll be performing at the Parliament House on Saturday, May 29 along with Juju Bee. It’s going to be wild! I want to thank my friend Spanish Michael for his wonderful companionship and for showing me his beautiful home. You’re one special person, Michael, and I love you deeply. Congratulations to Kennedy Davenport, the new Miss Parliament House 2010! 1st Runner-up went to Alicia Markstone; 2nd Runner-up, Selena; and 3rd Runner-up, Dominique Taylor. Congratulations to all the girls!
Saturday, April 17 is Orlando’s White Party! Everyone, please wear white clothing to represents AIDS awareness. The Runway for a Cure Fashion Show, hosted by Josh Evans and myself, starts at 7 p.m. in the Disco. You don’t want to miss this professionallyorchestrated fashion show, featuring top designers and retailers from the Orlando area. To purchase your ticket (VIP $50.00, DIVA $20.00 and Standing Room $10.00), check out the volunteer sales team at Parliament House in the breezeway every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. 100% of ticket sales go to the Hope and Help Center of Central Florida, a full service local charity that’s dedicated to helping Central Floridians who are affected/ infected with HIV or AIDS. Runway for a Cure tickets also include FREE ENTRY into the Orlando White Party later that evening. Guest entertainers include: From Atlanta, the Grand Empress of the South, Charlie Brown; from Jacksonville, Santa Cruize; from Tampa, Robyn Demornay; from Fort Lauderdale, Kitty Meow; and from Miami, Chyna Girl. This diverse cast will join the award-winning Footlight Players for a gigantic White Party
pool stage show at midnight. Monday, April 26, at 9 p.m. is the Miss and Mr. Metropolitan Continental Pageant and Contest, hosted by Danielle Hunter and myself. With a $15.00 cover, this event will feature Miss Continental, Armani; Mr. Continental, Christopher Iman; Miss Continental Plus 2009, Coco Van Cartier; Miss Metropolitan Continental, Shantel DeMarco, and a host of special entertainers. The winner will head to Chicago to compete in the annual Miss and Mr. Continental Pageant and Contest 2010. You don’t want to miss this contest; it’s sure to be a bloodbath! That’s all for now. Oh, yeah, I need to correct something. Vanessa Mitchell’s new single is not “Rejoice”; it’s “Rise”! Until next time,
Ms. Darcel Stevens
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media firestorm has descended on the small town of Fulton in northeast Mississippi. Fulton, population 3,882, has been the center of attention in recent weeks after the county’s high school, Itawamba Agricultural High School, banned 18-year-old Constance McMillen from attending her senior prom. McMillen, a lesbian, wished to attend the prom with her girlfriend, a sophomore at the school who has been unnamed in media and court documents. In addition, McMillen wanted to eschew her prom dress in favor of a tuxedo. Both decisions sent teeth chattering in the small Southern town, and after an initial fight, the school board in Itawamba County decided to cancel prom altogether for everybody, making McMillen more of a social pariah than she already was. Little did they know, however, that she had just begun to fight.
McMillen had originally asked for clearance to bring a female date to her prom back in December. She was told that she couldn’t, with the reasoning being that two female friends could easily try the “the same excuse” and get a discounted couple’s ticket when they are not actually a couple. McMillen rejected the answer, saying to her principal, “you can’t pretend like there’s not gay people at our school, and if you tell people they can’t bring a same-sex date, that is discrimination to them.” In March, McMillen gained the representation of Kristy Bennett from the American Civil Liberties Union, who sent a letter to the school district asking them to reconsider their decision. Less than a week after receiving the letter, the prom had been canceled. The school board has since denied
any correlation between the receipt of the ACLU’s letter and the prom’s cancellation. Press coverage of the school board canceling prom had picked up at such a rapid pace that McMillen and the small town of Fulton were now being discussed internationally. As of last week, over 414,000 people joined a Facebook group wishing McMillen could take her date to the prom; only 79 people were signed up for the group holding the contrary opinion. Newspapers as far away as Europe and Asia reported on the resulting court case in Mississippi, which McMillen and the ACLU fuled against the Itawamba County School District. The court’s decision would need to be made swiftly, as the nowcanceled prom would be held in less than two weeks, and if the court were to make the school re-open their prom to everybody, it would need to happen before the end of the year if not when it was originally scheduled. Time was of the essence, and the court’s response was indeed swift. On March 23, a U.S. District Court judge ruled that McMillen’s First Amendment rights had been violated, but also ruled in favor of the school district, allowing them to cancel their prom as a private prom had been organized. As of this writing, McMillen has not been told where and when this alternate prom will be held. The Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition has organized another prom just for GLBT students in Mississippi; McMillen and her girlfriend have already been invited. As for her future, she has a lot of good options; Ellen DeGeneres gave her a $30,000 college scholarship and the new media company Tonic.com offered her an internship in New York City this summer. Like most college seniors, she
hasn’t fully decided whether to go to her dream school, UCLA, or to go to the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, which she also likes. But one thing is for sure: she’ll never be looked at the same way in Fulton again. She returned to school for the first time in two weeks on March 26 to an environment she described as “hostile”. Many students don’t approve of her homosexuality and still countless others see her as “the girl who ruined prom,” which McMillen is quick to say was not her intention. She does not apologize, however, for standing up for her rights. In an interview with CNN, McMillen said, “[The outside support] means a lot to me... The amount of support helps me to continue with the fight.” She still finds it funny that she can be so reviled in her hometown but celebrated on a national scale. If you’d like to find out how you can donate to the Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition, the group described in the article who will be throwing a GLBT-friendly prom (in addition to trying to change general antiquated attitudes toward GLBT people in the state), please contact communications director Matthew Sheffield at (601) 460-0506. Also, if you’d like to let the people at Itawamba Agricultural High School know just how YOU feel about this situation, you can call them at (662) 8623104. Ask to speak to Trae Wiygul, the principal. If he is not available, leave a message and make your voice heard anyway. Hopefully one day the Constance McMillens of Mississippi won’t have to live in a society permeated with ignorance, hatred and fear.
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or a month that starts with a Fool’s Day, I thought we might blast a little light and mirth on my column and salute “The Songs DJs LOVE to HATE”. Hysterical, goofy novelty nuggets that make DJ’s go slightly insane while playing them but the listeners gobble up like Halloween candy.
Barbie Girl – Aqua Mattel sued over this depiction of Ken’s main squeeze but the quirky Danish song endures as a great summer hit and drag pageant presentation number. Plastic, poseable limbs and sugar sweet vocals made this a screamer in the late ‘90s. Bad Touch – Bloodhound Gang Possibly the most suggestive song of all time. Google the lyrics if you doubt me... “You and me baby ain’t nothin’ but mammals. So let’s do it like they do on the Discovery Channel”. It goes “down”hill from there. There are nuts, Prince, Waffle House hash browns, Mister Coffee, small craft advisories, X-Files and a golly good “Tool Time”! Gettin’ horny now… I’m Too Sexy – Right Said Fred He’s too sexy for his shirt, his cat, his car, Milan, New York and Japan. A discohating model that loves his little turn on the catwalk, this one plays out like the greatest homophobic ode to denial and a tongue-incheek swipe at “Project Runway”. Auf wiedersehen…you’re out! Tik Tok – Ke$ha She brushes with a bottle of Jack Daniels…'nuff said! Then follows it with “Blah, Blah, Blah”….just another sign that the Mayans were right about 2012! OMG 60
I’m In Miami, Bitch! – LMFAO Another party anthem for the masses. The male version of “Tik Tok”, these hysterical guys have brought us other classics like “I Am Not a Whore” and “Shotz”. Drink all day and play all night…. She Wolf – Shakira Next time you hear this one in a club listen for it… …”Aaah Whooo”! That would be all the closet Shakiras howling their favorite line. Then again…maybe they just saw “Twilight: New Moon” for the first time. Pussy – Lords Of Acid Think of it as the lesbian national anthem. As a cat lover, I respect and identify with the lyrics of this strip-club alternative monster. Meow Baby! Party In The U.S.A. – Miley Cyrus Speaking of anthems…this hillbilly one won’t go away. Jay-Z and Britney get a nod, she does the good Country thing and mentions our homeland, and hands and spirits lift. Queens will be singing this one every July 4 from now on. Electric Boogie – Marcia Griffiths The 1989 song that started the line-dance craze “The Electric Slide” and spawned the “Macarena” and “The Cupid Shuffle”. It ranks as the highest-selling
single by a female reggae singer of all time but that doesn’t keep me from going postal whenever it’s requested. I guess that just comes from having to play it a least three times a night at that lesbian mega club back in the ‘90s. It took me 10 years of circuit boybar therapy after the bar closed for good to even type this! LOL! We love to put the HOTTEST TRACKS in your head at MyFlexRadio.com. Listen to us while you work, work out, relax, drive or play. We’ll bring you cutting edge imports, mash-ups and the hottest buzz records via laptop, iPhone/iPod Touch, iTunes Radio or smart devices, 24-7. Get the info at MyFlexRadio.com Click the tab called "smart devices". Follow us: facebook.com/myflexradio twitter.com/myflexradio Dance-House-Circuit-Tribal-Chill and more. YOUR MUSIC.
DJ JOANIE
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hen you type the terms "gay Saint Lucia" into a search engine, you'll get many results which are tourism-oriented. Saint Lucia wants your spending power. They want your gay dollar. The ads tempt you with nice hotels on the beach and luxurious cruise ships docking in the Port of Castries. They say, "Come for a romantic Caribbean holiday!" They don't say "If you're gay and live here, we hate you and we want you dead." But that's the reality of being gay in the tiny Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia.
Saint Lucia's two-faced history as haven for tourists and nightmare for GLBT residents is not unique. In fact, it's like quite a few Caribbean nations, such as Jamaica, Dominica, and to a lesser extent, Trinidad and Tobago. Tourism is a big reason these economies stay afloat, and they'll stop at nothing to get you to spend your money there, even if you're not the kind of people they would desire or even respect as nationals. In Saint Lucia, punishment for homosexuality (rooted in the British colonial "buggery laws" widely discussed in past columns) sends an offender to prison for 10 years upon its strictest implementation. Perhaps unbelievably, Saint Lucia is considered by some organizations to be "progressive" to GLBT rights, as in 2005 they downgraded their maximum sentence to 10 years from an original 25. Don't let the rhetoric fool you, though; homosexuality and same-sex relations are still illegal in Saint Lucia and if you're on the wrong side of the law, as most GLBT citizens of the island nation are, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. That's not "progressive" by any means. The most damning reports come from the United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR). Saint Lucia has experienced massive "queer flight" in past
decades; however, having the money and resources to move to another, more accepting, nation is a privilege only enjoyed by the higher classes. The majority of Saint Lucians, who are working-class and without tertiary education, are more or less forced to deal with the anti-gay climate the only way they know how. A national GLBT organization, Proud and Strong, tells the UNHCR that life in Saint Lucia is "a daily reality of fear, stigma, discrimination and persecution... threats of verbal abuse, assault, sexual assault and even death." The UNHCR writes that due to this anti-gay sentiment, few people are open about their sexual orientation, if any, due to fear of reprisals. In the last five years, at least two highly-publicized lynchings of gay Saint Lucians have occurred, with no police action taken against the killers. The GLBT population is afraid to report anti-gay violence to the police, as they feel that the police often engage in such violence themselves. In an unprecedented national discussion on homosexuality, the St. Lucia Star published an interview with a gay man in his early 30s, identified only by his first name, "William." "William" said, “As a gay Saint Lucian I have always been aware that I am legally defenseless against discrimination, harassment, and violence. Neither my government, nor my church nor any other social welfare organization is even willing to acknowledge my natural existence, far less support my right to live a safe, healthy and fulfilling life. I am disappointed in my country and like so many of my other gay countrymen and women, will probably end up making my real home somewhere else.� They may not have a voice, but you do. Boycott Saint Lucia; don't vacation or spend money there. Don't aid a country that tortures people simply because of who they are.
PRESENTS.... AEVENINGUNDERTHESTARSWITH
DEBRAHAMPTON
THURSDAY,APRIL8,2010
Galanga review
LiveonStage 7:30PM
$3 Lycheetini’s
AdvanceReservations 954.202.0000
2389 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954-202-0000 | www.galangarestaurant.com
LUNCH IS ON US....
Buy one lunch entree and receive the second one free with the purchase of any two beverages. Must be of equal or lesser value and present this ad.
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954.202.0000 | 2389 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 www.galangarestaurant.com OMG 65
Miami Beach's gay pride parade is back for another year! After a very successful initial outing last April, the residents of Miami Beach will be welcoming the parade back on Saturday, April 17.
"main stage" is where the special musical guests will be performing, starting at 2 p.m. Headlining performers include past OMG! cover story and R&B legend Crystal Waters, as well as fellow R&B/soul singer Robin S.
The idea of a gay pride parade in Miami Beach was started by mayor Matti Bower in the hopes of offering a gay pride event that is free and open to everyone. Although Miami Beach has a well-deserved reputation for its openness and tolerance for its GLBT residents, there was no gay pride event in its city limits that catered to everyone until last year. There is an event called "Miami Beach Bruthaz" which caters to black and Latino gay men, held in July, but nothing for the entire GLBT community regardless of race. That is, until Mayor Bower's vision; the first Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade was held last year with singer Patti Labelle and fashion designer Richie Rich of Heatherette as the inaugural grand marshals.
The pride celebration doesn't end with the last performing artist or final float, though. This year there will be a Pride Cruise which leaves on Monday, April 19, for a fiveday excursion to the Bahamas. Norwegian Cruise Lines is the company that owns the ship, named "Norwegian Sky," which will be taking partygoers to Nassau on Grand Bahama and to Great Stirrup Cay. If you'd like to reserve your place, call (305) 672-9779 as soon as possible to see if there are any vacancies.
This year is expected to follow in the vein of last year's successful march. Starting at 12 p.m., the first parade floats will make their way down Ocean Drive in Miami Beach's famed Art Deco district, starting at 5th Street and Ocean Drive and continuing to an ending point on 15th Street. The gay pride festival, with tents rented out by community businesses, starts at the same time and runs until 8 p.m. between 10th and 14th Streets. The pride festival
Perhaps the most-awaited news has been the announcement of the new grand marshals. This year, discharged Army lieutenant and Don't Ask, Don't Tell opponent Dan Choi will be presiding over events with actress Sharon Gless, best known for her roles on the television series Cagney & Lacey and Queer as Folk. So if you're in Miami Beach around Tax Day, be sure to stay a little while longer and experience a pride parade that Mayor Bower hopes, just like last year's event, will be fun for everyone.
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ot surprisingly, the number of small claims actions being filed in Broward County is on the rise. Small claims court is the legal forum where a judge decides any dispute where the amount of money does not exceed $5,000 excluding costs of suit, interest and attorneys’ fees. Before filing a small claims action, you should try to informally settle the matter yourself and keep a written record of your efforts to do so. If this fails, you must ask yourself whether filing your claim is worth the effort. There are filing and service of process fees, and sometimes losing in court is worse than doing nothing since there is a chance that you may be countersued and the loser may have to pay damages to the winner. You do not necessarily need a law-
yer in small claims court, but you do need a legal theory under which to file and collect on your claim. You may want to consult a lawyer on an hourly basis about your legal strategy and your likelihood of winning before filing. Say, for example, that you are owed more than the $5,000 small claims court limit. It may be a good idea to abandon your claim for the higher amount or, if possible, to break it into separate claims to avoid having to pay a lawyer to file suit for you in county court where the claim limit is up to $15,000. In Florida, there are exemptions from garnishing the wages of a head of family among other debtor protections, so you should make sure you can collect your money before filing your claim. A lawyer can help plan your strategy, even if you do not hire one to go to go to court for you, especially since the judge cannot give legal advice to the parties. When you do consult an attorney, be prepared to add his or her bill to your claim. If you are sued, the one thing you should never do is ignore the summons that orders you into court
because any judgment against you will damage your credit rating. Very few lawsuits are a sure thing, and there are many possible defenses and countersuits to any claim. For example, under the Statute of Frauds, many agreements must be in writing or they are just not enforceable in court -- even when money is owed. The Broward Clerk of Court will provide forms for your Statement of Claim and a Notice to Appear for Pretrial Conference. The clerk will help you prepare these forms but they will not give legal advice. You must attend the pretrial conference or your lawsuit will be dismissed if you are the plaintiff and a judgment will be entered against you if you are the defendant. At the pretrial conference, any requests to dismiss the case will be heard by the judge. A common mistake made by many claimants is that they wait too long to file their claim and the Statute of Limitations runs out. If the time for filing under the statute of limitations is close to running out, you must either file your claim before it runs out or try to obtain a promissory note from the
debtor to create a new agreement. Another common mistake is that the wrong party is often sued. A person using a fictitious name, a corporation’s registered agent, the individuals who formed a partnership, the guardian for a minor or a trustee or fiduciary, any of these must be properly identified in the claim. Corporate records and fictitious name registrations can be found by calling the Florida Secretary of State (800) 4889000 or by using the state’s website -- www.sunbiz.org. If the case is not dismissed at the pretrial conference, a trial date will be set and the witnesses and evidence will be discussed. If you appear for trial without
your witnesses or enough evidence to prove your claim, you will lose, so follow the judge’s orders carefully. At the pretrial conference, you will also be directed to meet with a court appointed mediator to see if you can resolve the matter. When a final judgment is issued by the court, it should be recorded immediately as a lien against any real property the debtor may own. In addition, a debtor may have to appear at a deposition or a hearing to provide information about their assets so they can be levied or seized by the sheriff and sold at public auction to pay the judgment. There are forms
and limitations on all of these types of execution of judgment you must become familiar with. If all of this sounds a bit complicated, it’s probably the reason why most lawyers will tell you that a good settlement is better than a great lawsuit any day.
Courtyard Cafe
PRIDE MONTH & SUMMER TIME WHAT’S GOOD, LADIES AND READERS? Well, for some who aren't paying attention, Gay Pride Month is coming up in just two short months, and I notice there’s going to be a lot of events going on around the USA for the south Floridians, we’re getting ready for the time where we can enjoy GLBT gatherings in some of our areas and hopefully not the drama! So I advise some of the people who love causing drama to go somewhere else on that day and not make the officers ruin Pride Fests for the families. Thank you! My Palm Beach Dykes! My Lesbians, My Lady-Licking, Colorful Rainbow Ladies! I hope you get to go out there and celebrate your lifestyle, your pride, and your true colors with the new people you meet and the supporting families that are there to lend a hand. Forget about last year! This year is going to be awe-inspiring and that can happen if you believe in yourself; don't hide in the closet. If you get to meet a very interesting drag by the name Velvet Lenore at the Lake Worth Pride Fest, don't be surprised; you’re going to be seeing a lot of her. She is one of the most dedicated entertainers I ever met. She goes out there and performs with her dancers, showcasing to everyone the passion of our lifestyle. I wish you the best, girl, and to her crew! One of the events that I can’t wait to see begin is Gay Days at Disney. You have people from around the world going to this awesome event and visiting the Mouse Man while celebrating Pride Fest at the big castle. Now that I've announced that summertime is around the corner, I know a good decent amount of us are going to be busting our asses to make those extra few dollars so we can take off somewhere. Lately I haven’t been planning huge trips due to the lovely bills and insane schooling expenses. Maybe there’s a 20% chance I might take off with my love and disappear for a bit. It’s one of those vacations where you need to get away and have some type of crazy adventure so you can step away from your chaotic life.
I advise you this: if you want to escape, take a cruise! If you went on one before, let me know how that goes, because I have never stepped foot on a huge boat... maybe the one at Disney; that’s about it. Lol! With a bit of luck, I hope soon I'll get to have the benefit of going on those nice getaway vacations and hopefully I can get a little wild on a boat. A few of the best spots to go to on Florida’s hot summer days are Daytona, Cocoa Beach, Miami (of course), Fort Myers, and there are good times to be had at the Keys as well. A lot of us are waiting to hit the beaches; our bodies are screaming for some tanning, like, now! I’ll see your sunglasses-tanned face at the beach!
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riginally called Edo, "the door to the bay," the city of Tokyo has grown to become one of the largest cities in the world and a gateway to the Far East. With the arrival of the recession, trips to Tokyo became more affordable than ever, with round-trip airfare dropping below $1000 for the first time in a decade, and the price of lodging falling safely out of "exorbitant" range and surprisingly landing in "agreeable." Let us fill you in on the great places to stay, things to see and do, and the best gay nightlife. You can arrive in Tokyo in as little as two stops thanks to American Airlines, who has partnered with airline All Nippon Airways to help American tourists with a more convenient chance to visit Japan. Excluding waiting time at these stops, a flight from Tampa to Tokyo would take approximately 18 hours, with near-mandatory stops in both Atlanta and Los Angeles. You will be flying into Narita International Airport, a good two hours east of the city center. A high-speed train can take you into Tokyo. Now that you've arrived, don't
worry about the language barrier. Tokyo is a very cosmopolitan city and you should not have trouble finding people who speak English at an intermediate level at the very least. In the event that you're in a jam, however, it's recommended that you brush up on basic Japanese phrases before you arrive. If you're lost and need the help of a local, they will be more than happy to help you and practice their English skills if you're willing to make an effort with their language first. When it comes to accommodation, I could name quite a few hotels that are affordable and gay-friendly, but one in particular stuck out especially. The Shinjuku Prince Hotel, located at 1-30-1 Kabuki-cho in the Shinjuku ward, currently has rooms from less than $100 a night, with all the amenities of a three or four-star hotel. Also on the premises is the Seibu Shinjuku train station, which you can use to get to various sightseeing spots around the capital. Here are a few I recommend. The Taito ward in eastern Tokyo is home to Ueno Park, which houses the Tokyo National Museum (housing a stunning collection of art from throughout Japan's history) and the National Museum of Nature and Science (with multiple exhibits and floors detailing Japan's scientific progress), among other things. This time of year, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and Ueno Park has a lovely promenade lined with the iconic trees;
it is not a sight to be missed. If you're a shopaholic, there are two places for you to go. The first is the Ginza district in the Chuo ward. World-renowned for its designer shopping, the main northsouth street is closed off to cars on Sundays just for the wandering shopper. There are lots of options to choose from, such as the Japanese stores Wako and Mituskoshi, foreign designers such as Giorgio Armani, Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Salvatore Ferragamo, and even a 12-story Abercrombie & Fitch superstore, the flagship of operations for that chain in Japan. For a more cultural pursuit, Kabuki-za, the national kabuki theater, is also located in Ginza, and shows are performed year-round. The heart of Japanese fashion, however, is located in Harajuku, in the Shibuya ward. Many Japanese design houses call Harajuku home, and there are plenty of opportunities to shop in the boutiques in this area, especially on Omotesando, which after spending one minute there, you will realize why it is called "Tokyo's Champs-Élysées." Don't miss Omotesando Hills, the new threestory upscale shopping mall. If you're at home in shopping mode, Tokyo is your heaven. For an experience you just can't get anywhere else, make sure to visit the Tokyo Tower, Japan's an-
swer to the Eiffel Tower, in Minato ward, or the Asakusa Shrine and Sensō-ji Temple in Taito ward. The Imperial Palace in Chiyoda ward is the permanent residence of the Japanese imperial family; tours of the premises can be made via a somewhat laborious process at their website (http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/guide/koukyo. html). If you’d like to make day trips outside the city to see other sights, the Shinkansen (bullet train) takes people from Tokyo Station in Chiyoda to the central part of the country, where people can tour the temples in Kyoto and Nara while staying overnight in Osaka. Other trains give travelers the opportunity to visit Nagano, northwest of Tokyo, where the 1998 Winter Olympics were held, Hakone, home of Japan’s most famous hot springs, and Mount Fuji, the apex of the Japanese Alps and an icon all by itself. When it comes to gay nightlife, you will find over 300 gay bars in a five-block radius at Shinjuku Nichōme, close to your hotel lodging. Boasting the highest concentration of gay bars in the world, Shinjuku Ni-chōme's best bet for the foreign traveler includes such places as the Advocates Café (the place to be in the district), Arty Farty (with live DJs and cheap drink specials), Kinsmen (a mixed trendy crowd), and Rehab
(a friendly place where nearly the entire staff speaks English). If you want gay karaoke, go to Fuji. All of these places are in the same area; Utopia Asia has made a map of the Shinjuku Ni-chōme bars at http://www.utopia-asia.com/pix/ tokyomap.gif. There are so many things to see and do in Tokyo, and no doubt I’ve left off quite a few things. The most important thing is to have fun and experience the Japanese culture. It may be a shock at first, but it’s a rewarding experience like no other and you’ll be glad you went.
FLORIDA
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YBOR CITY
6 CHELSEA NIGHTCLUB 1502 N. Florida Ave 7 813-228-0139 8 CITY SIDE 3703 Henderson Blvd. (813) 350-0600 9 VALENTINES 7522 N. Armenia Ave 813-936-1999
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Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Ybor Historic District
1700 East 9th Ave. Tampa, Florida 33605 813-769-9267
11 TRIBECA
920 W. Kennedy Blvd.Tampa, Florida 813-250-0208
JOFFREY'S COFFEE & TEA COMPANY
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1600 East 8th Ave. Tampa, Florida 33605 813-247-4600
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2924 5th Ave N. St. Pete 727-827-2831
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PENINSULA INN & SPA
2937 Beach Blvd. Gulfport (727) 346-9800
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BG’S BAR
10387 Gandy Blvd. St Pete FL 33702
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MANILOWS NIGHTCLUB
1148 U S 19 N. HOLIDAY FL 34691 727.940.5854
BUSINESSES TRIBECA SALON South Tampa 920 West Kennedy Blvd 850-250-0208 www.tribecasalon.com Centro Ybor 1600 East 8th Avenue 813-242-4080 www.tribecasalon.com
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WEST PALM BEACH BARS HG ROOSTERS 823 Belvedere Rd. (561) 832-9119 HOTEL NIGHTCLUB 700 South Rosemary Ave. (561) 651-1110 MONARCHY 212 Clematis St. (561) 835-6661 THE LOUNGE 517 Clematis St. (561) 655-9747 WILTON MANORS ATOMIC/BOOM NIGHTCLUB 2232 Wilton Dr. 1 (954) 630-3556
BILL’S FILLING STATION 2209 Wilton Dr. 2 (954) 567-5978 EDEN 3 2387 N Dixie Hwy. (954) 630-3556 GEORGIE’S ALIBI 4 2266 Wilton Dr. (954) 565-2526 5 GIGI & GAVIN’S GOURMET CHOCOLATES 2041 Wilton Dr. Wilton Manors, FL 954-626-0629 THE MANOR 2345 Wilton Dr. (954) 626-0082 ROSIE’S BAR & GRILLE 6 2449 Wilton Dr. (954) 567-1320
GAYMART 2228 Wilton Dr. (954) 630-0360 ROCK HARD ADULT STORE 2301 Wilton Dr. 2000 Wilton Dr. Wilton Manors (954) 318-7625 (954) 537-6000 RUFF RIDERS 2043 Wilton Dr. BUSINESSES (954) 318-7625 TINY TREASURE 10 BALL PUPPIES 2252 Wilton Dr. 2043 Wilton Dr. (954) 537-4120 Wilton Manors, FL BOTTOMS & TOPS (954) 630-1751 2258 Wilton Dr. GIGI & GAVIN’S (954) 562-6670 GOURMET CHIC OPTIQUE CHOCOLATES & 2228 Wilton Dr. COFFEES (954) 567-3937 954.626.0629 DENNIS DEAN GALLERIES 2041 WILTON DR. 2440 B. Wilton Dr. TO THE MOON (954) 530-2789 2205 Wilton Dr. (954) 564-2987
SCANDALS SALOON 7 3073 NE 6th Ave. (954) 565-3084 TROPICS 8
VERTIGO SALON 2420 Wilton Dr. (954) 530-0946 VILLA VENNICE 2900 Terramar St. (877) 284-5522 TOLL FREE (954) 564-7855
LIPS RESTAURANT 1421 E. Oakland Park Blvd TROPICS 2004 Wilton Dr. (954) 463-4269
RESTAURANTS
BOARDWALK 8 1721 N. Andrews Ave. (954) 463-6969 9 COZMOS 2674 E. Oakland Pk Blvd 954-616-8239 CLUB OZ 2674 E Oakland ParkBlvd. (954) 616-8239 10 THE DEPOT 1243 N.E. 11th Ave. (954) 568-7777 JOHNNY’S BAR/ 11 11 NIGHT CLUB 1116 West Broward Blvd (954) 522-5931 12 LIVING ROOM 300 SW 1st Ave. (888) 992-7555
COURTYARD CAFE 2211 Wilton Dr. (954) 563-2499 GALANGA THAI KITCHEN & SUSHI BAR 2389 Wilton Dr. (954) 202-0000 HUMPY’S PIZZA 2244 Wilton Dr. (954) 566-2722 ISLAND CITY BISTRO 2037 Wilton Dr. (954) 563-2266 JAVA BOYS 2230 Wilton Dr. (954) 564-8828 JUICEBLENDZ 2248 Wilton Dr. (954) 358-0772
FT. LAUDERDALE CLUBS
SEA MONSTER 13 2 S New River Dr. West (954) 767-6200 14 TORPEDO BAR 2829 West Broward Blvd. (954) 587-2500 VOODOO LOUNGE 15 111 SW 2nd Ave. (954) 522-0733 BUSINESSES CLUB FT. LAUDERDALE 110 NW 5th Ave. (954) 525-3344 LEATHERWORKS 501 NE 13th Street (954) 761-1236 PRIDE FACTORY 850 NE 13th Street (954) 463-6600 TROPIXX VIDEO 1514 NE 4th Ave. (954) 522-4749 PRIDE Center 2040 N. Dixie Hwy. Village of Wilton Manors, Fl. 33305 954-463-9005
MIAMI AZUCAR Too! (new location) 427 Jefferson Ave. (305) 502-2096 CLUB AQUA 2991 Coral Way (305) 448-2214 CLUB SUGAR (formerly Azucar) 2301 SW 32nd Ave. (305) 443-7657 DISCOTEKKA 950 NE 2nd Ave. (305) 371-3773 HALO LOUNGE 1625 Michigan Ave. (305) 534-8181 PALACE BAR & GRILL 1200 Ocean Drive (305) 531-7234 SCORE BAR 727 Lincoln Road (305) 525-1111 TWIST 1057 Washington Ave. (305) 538-9478
D>R P>LM CLUBS/BARS
INNS/GUESTHOUSES
ASSOCIATIONS
Mar 20 - Apr 19 You've been absolutely fraught with nerves for the past few weeks...your results are finally in! The doctor intones in a husky voice, "Your current life-threatening condition was entirely preventable. Isn't that funny?"
Sept 22 - Oct 22 Springtime is for lovers. You can feel the love, smell it, and you're this close to tasting it. Romance is very definitely in the air...wait, that's doughnuts. Don't eat any chocolate crullers; I already called those!
Apr 20 - May 19 A stranger will be coming into your life. Sorry, it's nobody from the Publisher's Clearing House! This person actually may mean you harm this week. To prepare, greet everyone with a blood-curdling shriek.
Oct 23 - Nov 21 Remember that Twilight Zone episode where the pretty girl woke up in pig land and she was ugly because she wasn't a pig and pigs were pretty? That's you this week. You're not crazy; you're just not fitting in. Do something about it!
May 20 - Jun 20 Do you like to be watched? If you don't, move on; I'm not talking to you. If you get a thrill out of it, you're in luck. Someone has their eye on you. But don't get too flattered yet...they're just really bored.
Nov 22 - Dec 21 Drunk times at the club can be embarrassing enough to think about during the customary morning-hangover-reflection period. What you don't know is that there's a video of you on YouTube that you should probably investigate.
Jun 21 - Jul 21 The bouncer eyes you up and down suspiciously. He thinks you have a fake ID. You protest, saying you've been legal to drink for quite a while. But it's not about that. You're just not as attractive as your driver's license indicates.
Dec 22 - Jan 19 Everything will be going your way this week, and you definitely deserve some happiness...you've known quite a few disappointments and trainwrecks in recent times! You will experience great joy. Feel free to run in place like a child.
Jul 22 - Aug 22 The planetary influences will irritate your bowels this week. Jupiter will be aligning with Mars and after that they will be going through Uranus, so my advice is to stock up on Imodium.
Jan 20 - Feb 17 Carly Simon once sang about not having time for the pain. I don't have time for it either! Quit whining; it only makes it worse for everyone else. There's a reason why Marcia Brady was more popular than Jan: she wasn't a whiner!
Aug 23 - Sept 21 What's that nasty bite you have there? A spider bit you in your sleep? It's not a brown recluse, so that's good. Even better? The spider that bit you in your sleep was radioactive and you now have super powers. Go try them out!
Feb 18 - Mar 19 You will be asked to dance by a stranger wearing a sandwich board. Why? You should know better than to argue with fate. Plus, if he's wearing a sandwich board, he needs that job; don't refuse and get him fired.
Note: precise dates vary slightly from year to year, and from source to source. These are not meant to be definitive.
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