Volume 5, Issue 4 March 2021
Stephen R. Lang
Photographic Ethnographer SunServe Revival Brunch Parker Playhouse Source Events Travel Trends
Anna Sui
NSU Art Museum
Abercrombie HRC Score Cooper’s Hawk
Steven O. Evans, PhD
Publisher and Editor in Chief Steven@OutClique.com
Arthur Wood III
Senior Associate Editor Arthur@OutClique.com
Connie Evans
Chief Copy Editor Mother of the Publisher
Sach AD Group
Director of Graphic Design
Mike Ritzi
Executive Director of Sales
Chandler Scott
Director of Social Media Assistant to the Publisher
Chris Lodge
Director of Special Projects Assistant to the Publisher
Irv Scott
Sales Manager
Rivendell Media
National Advertising
Gregg Shapiro
Senior Entertainment Writer
Denny Patterson
Senior Lifestyle Writer
Contributing Writers
Andy Armano, Rod Davis, Fr. Jamie Forsythe, John M. Hayden, Marty Kiar, On Mekahel, Patrick Rogers, Eric Noel Roman, Cory Sanders, Fr. Rich Vitale
A publication of OutClique, LLC (954) 998-6429 www.OutClique.com www.Facebook.com/OutClique OutClique@gmail.com OutClique, LLC is not responsible for statements or opinions expressed in advertisements or articles.
One Year Later
Photo by Michael Murphy Photographic
By Steven O. Evans, PhD March of 2020 was when the world all started to change. Our calendars and inboxes were full of events, parties, concerts, and nights out at the clubs. Then seemingly overnight, the global pandemic took over. My inbox and phone were full again, but with cancellations from all of our dear friends in the arts, entertainment, travel, food, and other similar organizations. My heart began to break for all these cancellations, closings, and postponements, as I know them both on professional and personal levels. What started was one of the most difficult times to come. We all watched and endured the uncertainty of 2020. The financial and emotional toll was difficult. Businesses, events, and gatherings ceased. We were forced to be home alone, isolated from our emotional support networks of friends and family. We relied on takeout meals, video chat, working from home, unemployment, food stamps, and many other ways to just “make it.” One year later, we have a new president and vaccines are being implemented. There is hope. Many of our clubs and restaurants are open with appropriate social distancing. Our theaters have been offering online shows and are starting to offer social-distanced in-person events. We have heard of some silver linings. Real estate trends in South Florida have seen an increase. We have learned much about online production of musical and theatrical shows. Businesses, such as insurance, have proven to be sustainable. The travel industry is seeing a return to normalcy. I believe 2021 is going to be a year of abundance. I am excited for the new opportunities, fresh ideas, and what possibilities will come. All the best, Steven O. Evans, PhD Editor in Chief
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Dreamscapes for 2021 and Beyond Travel in a Post COVID-19 World
By Craig Smith, President of Source Events | Photos Courtesy of Source Events
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n 2020 we had time to reflect on what we missed. Travel gives us more than new experiences and Instagram pics. Travel builds empathy, sparks connections and creates new friendships. We learn about remote cultures and different ways of life. As we explore faraway lands, we learn more about ourselves.
pandemic to spark a positive outlook on life, whether that’s a day trip to a museum or a journey abroad. During recent COVID-19 restrictions, 65% of travelers reported being excited about traveling in the future, while 61% suggested they are more appreciative of travel and won’t take it for granted when they can do so again.
This year we’ll see travelers looking to recoup these benefits as quickly as possible, making up for lost time. Traveler’s wanderlust will be stronger than ever. It will be a year of renewal and reconnection.
In between napping, working from home, and watching Netflix, many of us spend our free time scrolling through old vacation pics and ‘liking’ any image of a beach on Instagram. Almost all of us – 95% – have been spending much of our free time looking for travel inspiration, with over a third – 38% – looking for a potential destination as often as once a week!
Anticipating and Planning Travel Makes You Happier Even though you may not be traveling now, it doesn’t mean that trip planning is canceled too. There’s good news for globe-trotters: According to researchers, planning and anticipating a trip can be almost as enjoyable as going on the trip itself. A 2014 Cornell University study showed that the anticipation of an experience such as a trip can increase a person’s happiness substantially- much more so than anticipating the purchase of material goods. If traveling was previously considered a luxury, it’s now going to become a necessity post8 | OutClique.com
Travel Trends for 2021 and Beyond Travel Advisors: Don’t Leave Home Without One The pandemic only served to highlight the critical role of travel advisors – anyone who didn’t have an advisor in 2020 probably regretted it. As a result, in 2021 we will see travel agents having the required knowledge. Want some great travel inspiration? Check. Looking for the best deals? They have you covered. Need an update on the latest health and safety standards. Done.
Celebrating 20 Years of Gay Luxury Travel Around the World
Full Moon Dreams of Tahiti Cruise September 16-23, 2021
Private Charter of Windstar’s Wind Spirit
Papeete - Moorea - Raiatea - Taha’a - Bora Bora - Huahine
Splendors of Morroco
Heart of the Black Sea
May 19-29, 2021
August 4-13, 2021
Casablanca - Tangier - Fez - Atlas Mountains Marrakesh
Odessa - Novorossiysk - Sochi - Amasra - Istanbul
Visit SourceEvents.com for information on all of our journeys. For more details and to reserve, call us at 305-672-9779 or email us at Reservations@SourceEvents.com Mention OutClique at the time of booking for special
Looking for the latest news on trip insurance? You got it. If you’ve had to change a trip or manage a big travel disruption on your own, you probably understand why it’s helpful to have a travel advisor in your corner. Going Big: Bucket List Adventures That Make Travel Dreams Come True Go big or stay home. That’s the theme we’re seeing. Amadeus surveys found that 55% of travelers said they would travel for 14 days or more, and 60% expected to take only a few trips a year – which suggest that if people travel, they may want to go all out. To make up for lost time, people are gravitating to once-in-a-lifetime adventures. After being restless at home with time to fantasize about their next adventure, travelers want to make up for lost time, looking for unique experiences. Understanding the Impact of Travel: Smaller Footprints and Bigger Hearts Pre-COVID, there was a growing understanding of the impact, good and bad, that travel has on the world around us. The enforced pause has given travelers and the wider travel industry time to think deeply about how we move around the planet. Travelers also want to make a difference while exploring the world. A recent survey found that 68% of travelers want the money they spend on travel to go back into the communities they visit. What is a Vaccine Pass or Passport? While negative COVID-19 tests are required before traveling to most international destinations as well as before returning to the
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U.S., as vaccines become more widely available, it’s expected that many destinations will require a vaccination pass or passport documenting that you have been vaccinated. The versions being worked on now by airlines, travel industry groups, and technology companies will be something that you can pull up on your mobile phone as an app or part of your digital wallet. Travel Trends and Destinations As a travel advisor and tour operator, Source Events recently is getting more requests for remote destinations far away from crowds, such as Tahiti, Hawaii, and the Greek Islands. One trend we’re seeing is that travelers want more luxury, and if they cruise they are looking for more intimate luxury vessels. Our Source Events Dreams of Tahiti Cruise this September 2021 has been popular with luxury LGBTQ+ travelers looking for an intimate, fun getaway. We are also getting many requests for our small group trips to exotic bucket-list destinations, like our Wonders of Egypt this December 2021. We are getting requests for private trips for birthday celebrations that were put on hold as well as special anniversaries and family reunions. Many small groups are requesting luxury private villas for beach vacations in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Costa Rica. Travel is going to look different post-COVID. Cities that were once crowded will suddenly be enjoyable again, though many travelers will opt for more isolated escapes. But, no matter what, we will be back in the skies later this year. So, the question becomes, “What’s your dreamscape for 2021 and beyond?”
The World of Anna Sui at NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale February 28 through October 3, 2021
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Installation view of The World of Anna Sui at the Museum of Arts and Design, New York, 2019. Photo by Jenna Bascom; courtesy the Museum of Arts and Design
ith over 100 looks, The World of Anna Sui explores the glamorous and eclectic world of one of New York’s most acclaimed designers. The exhibition invites viewers to step inside Sui’s imagination to discover her creative process and the diverse influences that contribute to her signature aesthetic sensibility. The World of Anna Sui is organized by the Fashion and Textile Museum, London and is curated by Dennis Nothdruft. Since her first catwalk show in 1991, Anna Sui has become known for creating fabulously original clothing inspired by intensive research into vintage fashion and popular culture. The exhibition ranges from early looks such as the exuberant Carnaby Street schoolgirl outfits worn by supermodels Linda Evangelista and Naomi Campbell in Sui’s first runway show in 1991, to the cowgirl and cheerleader modeled
by Gigi and Bella Hadid in her Spring/Summer 2017 Americana-themed collection. Born in the suburbs of Detroit, Sui joined New York’s cultural underground at an intensely creative time in the 1970s, forming important relationships in the worlds of fashion, photography, art, music, and design. The exhibition looks at Sui’s artistic journey through her creative process, collections, interiors, and collaborations. Thematically arranged, the exhibition explores Sui’s lifelong engagement with an array of ‘archetypes’ including the rock star, the schoolgirl, the punk, nomads, and surfers — motifs that are featured throughout her work. From fairy tales and fables to Victoriana, Sui researches her current cultural obsessions in minute detail to create a different story with each collection. OutClique.com | 11
Hallmark outfits include Sui’s “Silver Peruvian Ensemble” and iconic sequined silk organza “Babydoll Dress” from Spring 1994. Featured looks will be displayed in context with the original backdrops used in Sui’s arresting fashion shows. Items on view will also include fashions worn by Sui’s personal style icons who include Anita Pallenberg and Jane Holzer. Ticket Information Advance timed tickets are required for this exhibition. Tickets can be reserved at www. NSUArtMuseum.org or by calling (954) 5255500. Tickets are limited for each time slot in order to maintain reduced building capacity and comply with COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. More About Anna Sui and the Exhibition Anna Sui is known for the richness of her printed textiles, combining a complex layering and mixing of patterns, texture, and colors. The show highlights Sui’s own distinctively graphic textiles as well as those created with high-profile Anna Sui Portrait by Joshua Jordan
partners such as Ascher Studio, Zandra Rhodes, Jeffrey Fulvimari, and Barbara Hulanicki. In addition, the exhibition explores her design processes through mood boards, photographs, sketches, runway shots, and cultural ephemera. A section on collaborations documents her longterm creative partnerships with models such as Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, and Naomi Campbell, as well as with make-up artists Pat McGrath and Francois Nars, jeweler Erickson Beamon, knitwear designer and milliner James Coviello, and hairstylist Garren. The influence of music is seen throughout the exhibition, from Sui’s continuing love of Bohemian chic to her seminal 1993 grunge collections.
Installation view of The World of Anna Sui at the Museum of Arts and Design, New York, 2019. Photo by Jenna Bascom; courtesy the Museum of Arts and Design
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The range of different styles on display emphasize Anna Sui’s consistent design approach as she incorporates her current passions into every garment. As it celebrates American fashion, the exhibition also provides a fascinating guide to the history of American pop culture, and an inside look into the creative process and unique world view of this iconic designer whose daring and experimental approach to design has become a mainstay of the international fashion scene. “Originally displayed at the Fashion and Textile
Copyright Fashion and Textile Museum
Museum, London in 2017, The World of Anna Sui continues to highlight a fresh and engaging cultural perspective. The exhibition showcases a fashion designer who is not only highly creative and entrepreneurial, but also playful and positive,” said Dennis Nothdruft. “I’m delighted that as the exhibition continues to tour internationally, the joyous and influential work of Anna Sui will be celebrated among ever-greater audiences. After successful runs in Shanghai, Tokyo, and New York, I’m very much looking forward to another exciting incarnation of The World of Anna Sui at NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale.” “NSU Art Museum’s exhibitions explore the full range of visual culture as expressions of contemporary life,” notes Bonnie Clearwater, NSU Art Museum Director and Chief Curator. “Anna Sui shares with other artists of her generation a renewed interest in storytelling and an exploration of societal archetypes. Throughout her career Sui has inventively blended global art history, music, and popular culture for each new collection. Her designs are inspired by extraordinary and creative women and her embrace of collaborations across disciplines keeps her at the forefront of fashion, art, and design. We are delighted to present this compelling exhibition.”
Anna Sui said, “I am delighted to partner with NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, and to be able to once again see The World of Anna Sui exhibition come to life starting this February [2021]. I can’t wait to share all my treasured designs, collections, inspirations, and more from shows past. See you soon, Fort Lauderdale!” Pop-Up Store and Online Store The World of Anna Sui Pop-Up Store at NSU Art Museum will feature a selection of ready-towear, accessories, and beauty products along with the hardcover book, The World of Anna Sui. Exclusively for the exhibition Sui is reissuing two styles in her Florida Sunshine print from the Spring 2017 collection: a long-sleeve, buttonfront shirt dress and a tiered maxi dress. Items may also be purchased at NSU Art Museum’s new online store at www.NSUArtMuseum. org/Visit/Store. All purchases support NSU Art Museum exhibitions and programs. Organization and Sponsors The presentation of The World of Anna Sui at NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale is generously sponsored by The Douglas A. Hirsch and Holly S. Andersen Family Foundation in honor of Jane B. Holzer, and additional support provided by The David and Francie Horvitz Family Foundation.
About NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale Address: One East Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 | Phone: (954) 525-5500 Website: www.NSUArtMuseum.org | Social media: @NSUArtMuseum Content and other images courtesy of Broward Cultural Division.
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Set Sail Aboard Argo Navis in Key West, FL By Steven O. Evans, PhD & Dalton Vilhena Photos Courtesy of Wonderdog Studios & MJP Films 14 | OutClique.com
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enturing to Key West, FL? Don’t just tour this historical city, view it from the sea. The best way is aboard Argo Navis Key West Sailing Charters. Be sure to take this relaxing and luxurious voyage on this one-of-a-kind luxury catamaran. No, Gilligan and the Skipper won’t be aboard, but instead their personable and attentive staff will make sure that your every need is taken care of while out on the water. Going out on their Key West Sunset Sail? Be prepared for a relaxing time that includes fine wines and craft beers. The sunset at Key West is like none other, so be sure to pack your smartphone or camera. Our cruise aboard the Argo Navis was their
signature Sunday Brunch Sailing Charter. It was a fantastic day to relax, kick off our shoes, enjoy some sailing time, and have some amazing food. We started with a Bloody Mary that included Prairie Organic Vodka. This isn’t any like you’ve had before. It’s a skewer of Key West pink shrimp, bleu cheese, meatballs, maple syrup, Yorkshire pudding, prime rib parcel with homemade horseradish cream, pepper jack cheese, bleu cheese olive, pimento olives, peppered bacon, and a stick of celery. We also enjoyed a batch of fresh fruit from the Key West Farmer’s Market, seafood quiche made from scratch from a Louie’s Backyard recipe, and fresh coffee and doughnuts from Glazed Donuts & Red Bout Coffee Company (www.GlazedDoughnuts.com).
Be sure to book your time aboard the Argo Navis in Key West, FL. Go to www.SailArgoNavis.com or call (305) 509-1771 for more information. OutClique.com | 15
Photo Courtesy of Historic Tours of America
Ghosts, Gravestones, and Gasps - Oh My! A Spooky and Historical Tour of Old Town Key West By Steven O. Evans, PhD and Dalton Vilhena
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ou may already know Key West, FL for its snorkeling, sailing, and dining. OutClique magazine was able to uncover the dark, underground, and scary side of Key West. Yes, travelers, there is more there than just Duvall Street and Old Town Key West. We saw first hand the sordid and eerie backdrop that so many miss. Be ready for the hauntings, the tragic deaths, and ghastly residents that still walk the halls of centuries old wooden buildings. Beware! You may become the doomed!
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How did we mere mortals unearth these ghastly stories from beyond the grave? How did we find the legends of Robert the Doll that still spooks Fort East Martello, the haunting of the Marrero Guesthouse by Enriquetta, or the mysterious body found one cold-chilly night at the Key West Shipwreck? We took a step of sheer bravery and boarded the Ghosts and Gravestones haunted trolley. As it took us through the backstage history of Key West, we saw and heard the stories of the disembodied voices.
Photo Courtesy of Historic Tours of America Photo Courtesy of Historic Tours of America
If you go to Key West, walk the line of the living and the dead. For more information, if you dare, go to www.GhostsAndGraveStones.com or call (866) 955-0668. But, don’t emerge as one of the doomed!
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Rosie’s Bar & Grill
Photos Courtesy of SRL Media 20 | OutClique.com
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Wine and Dine at Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant By Steven O. Evans, PhD & Dalton Vilhena Photos Courtesy of Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant
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f you get invited to a special party, do you go? If you have the opportunity to experience the same event at a higher level, do you choose that option? What steps can you take to enjoy a better life? Search and find some of the fabulous options available right here in our own backyard in Fort Lauderdale, FL. OutClique magazine has already done some of that research for you. We found a fabulous night out on the town that includes wine, appetizers, dinner, and dessert at Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant.
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Step right inside the front doors of our amazing Galleria at Fort Lauderdale and be welcomed by the majestic wine archway that leads you to your own private elevator. We had window seating with a city view. If you prefer, ask for a private booth for that intimate night with your special someone. Relax in the blend of modern, masculine, and elegant textures, fixtures, and touches that make for the perfect atmosphere. Cooper’s Hawk redefines the modern casual
dining experience. Each dish on the menu is listed with a bin number, guiding guests to their selection’s perfect wine pairing. The menu also includes gluten-free selections, as well as a kids’ menu, carryout, and catering. The menu has a wide range of options from Thai Lettuce Wraps, Chicken Potstickers, Smoked Chili Roasted Salmon, and Parmesan-Crusted Shrimp Scampi. Overseen by Senior Area Culinary Operations Manager Chef Stephen Puhr, each dish is hand prepared from their own unique recipes. To make it even better for the wine lovers, you’ll find the perfect harmonious blend between wine and food. There’s something for every palate. Going as a novice? Their knowledgeable staff are able to give you their advice on the perfect selection. Taking it one step further, Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant also offers an all inclusive wine club membership (www.CHWinery.com/WineClub/Overview). Cooper’s Hawk is among the top 30 wineries in the USA, has won over 500 awards, and is home to the USA’s largest Wine Club. It’s a lifestyle-driven monthly affiliation, offering limited production Wines of the Month, unique travel and dining experiences, events, insider rewards, and more privileges to its members. With options of sipping, savoring, and other perks each month, add this to your must have list. About Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants
Founded in 2005 by CEO Tim McEnery, Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants are built upon the belief that food and wine hold the power to forge lasting connections. Cooper’s Hawk is a lifestyle brand centered around wine and focused on creating memorable moments that enrich lives. The concept is a fusion of familiar elements ― modern casual restaurant, Napa-style tasting room and artisanal retail market ― that has combined to create an entirely new hospitality experience. As part of the restaurant’s commitment to health and safety, it is offering contactless curbside pick-up with dedicated spaces at each location. COVID safety guidelines, including social distancing and mask requirements, will be consistently observed. For more details about the company’s commitment to guests’ health, visit www.CHWinery.com/COVID-19. Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants are open, daily, for dine-in, carryout, contactless curbside, and delivery services from 11:00AM to 9:00PM. Reservations for dine-in service can be made via phone or online by visiting www.CHWinery.com. Partial content courtesy of Goodman PR. Chef Stephen Puhr discovered his unshakable passion for cooking and warm hospitality at the tender age of 15 while working in a small pizzeria on the south side of Chicago. As a graduate of Chicago’s Le Cordon Bleu, Puhr landed his first position as executive chef for Redstone American Grill at the age of 26. Puhr went on to serve as the Luxury Suite chef for the Utah Jazz, as well as lending his talents to the 2002 Winter Olympics. In 2012, Puhr joined the Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants team, where, today, his role as senior area culinary operations manager has him overseeing scratch kitchens at 10 Cooper’s Hawk locations.
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Photos Courtesy of Bar Rita Photos Courtesy of SRL Media
(954) 990 - 6658 1401 South Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Photos Courtesy of SRL Media
The Staff
dean
jason
dan
tommy
Feeling Lucky By Eric Noel Roman
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he wind is so calming, cooling, and refreshing. I feel it flowing through my four leaves and brushing against my skinny stem. I could not ask for more; I have a wonderful life. Now, I might be small in stature, but I also am pretty darn resilient. I get stepped on, overlooked, and I tend to get my food on my own. I am glad most of my nutrients come from the sun. I am one happy clover. I have everything I could ever ask for. First, the rain is abundant and I can drink all I like. My neighbors in this garden like to share their resources. For the most part, I am able to soak up the sun everyday. When it is cloudy I still enjoy some rays, if not it is raining. To be honest rain is awesome. It washes away the soil of impurities and keeps my stems full and sturdy. I sprouted in the perfect place. I am one lucky lifeform. In my lifetime, I have had many neighbors like me sprout and become friends of mine. Sometimes, these enormous beings come around and pluck my friends. These same giants are the ones that step on me and seem to ignore me. These giants uproot us and stick us in a dark place, away from the sun and air. I
hear them always say to each other how lucky they are to have found us, that we bring them good fortune. I question this ability. How can I bring luck to anyone or anything? I am just a four-leaf clover. I am a small green plant. I prefer to say that individuals create their own good fortune by surrounding themselves with people and situations that create fulfilling emotion. Luck is a feeling when goals are accomplished. Sometimes the work is easy and feels lucky, other times that same luck requires hard work and the person ends up saying, “I’m lucky to have accomplished this.” As a person grows, that individual learns skills and lessons that allow them to guide to a path of success or failure. In failure, there is a lesson and a new skill is tested and reworked, until perfected. As the skills improve so does the ability to use the skill for gainful growth. With these gains come the feeling of accomplishment and reward. These are the rewards we deem as lucky. If a person is willing to put in the work, then the rewards will be seen. There is no luck involved. Only drive.
Eric Noel Roman DJ, obstacle racer, motivational writer from North Miami Beach, living life one day at a time, and making a difference one person at a time. 28 | OutClique.com
e z O o B with a musical dragaret
@ Matty's 2100 2100 WILTON WILTON DRIVE DRIVE WILTON WILTON MANORS, MANORS, FL FL
Fridays 8:00 pm to 11: 00pm
Miss Bouvèé at The Pub
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The Eagle
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Georgie’s Alibi Monkey Bar
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Stephen R. Lang SRL Media, Inc.
Written and photographed by Andy Armano | www.AndyArmano.com Cover Photo by Andy Armano 42 | OutClique.com
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fixture at LGBTQ+ community events, fundraisers, clubs, restaurants, and shops, Stephen R. Lang has documented 16 years of life in South Florida through his photography. His seemingly endless energy propels him forward as he has made a name for himself as a leader in event photography. Recently, he has weathered the COVID-19 pandemic and emerged stronger, more skilled, and ready to continue his legacy. Andy Armano: photography?
How
did
you
get
into
Stephen R. Lang: It was a step by step process. I had a roommate (Misty Eyez) who was a drag queen at the time (now identifying as trans). She wanted me to take pictures of her before she went out. I started going out with her, so I used her camera taking pictures of her with her friends. My friend introduced me to Mark Haines who had noticed my photography. He had a gay website called Mark’s List. One day he asked me, “Hey, do you want to work for me?” That’s how it all happened about 16 years ago. At the time, Mark’s List was the number one gay and lesbian entertainment website, and I ended up doing much more than photography for the business. Unfortunately, the owner passed in 2014 while on The SMART Ride. Mark’s nephew merged Mark’s List into another publication. I worked for them for a while, but soon started my own company, SRL Media, Inc. It’s amazing to go from being an employee to being a business owner, seeing the power shift and change.
AA SRL
How has being in business for yourself impacted your life?
Oh, it’s amazing. I went from low self-esteem, to a better selfesteem; it’s still not great. I’m still working
on that. I get to bring my own dreams to my company. My company model is to help other people and businesses grow. I love doing headshots to help people in their careers, show people a different outlook on their lives, and give someone a perspective they might not have seen before.
AA
Tell me about your involvement with the gay community. I mean, you’re out and about all the time.
SRL
I have amazing relationships with pretty much every nonprofit in the area, big and small. I have a great history with the AIDS Walk, Broward House, and The Pride Center at Equality Park, for example. I know so many good people from my involvement with their events.
AA SRL AA
What is something about you many people don’t realize? I love doing weddings.
It takes a special set of skills and a lot of guts! I could never do it. You can’t reshoot a wedding.
SRL
I did my research, so I understood what was needed from a wedding photographer, and I had all the on-the-job training I would ever need. So it was natural for me. Weddings can keep me occupied for hours. There is so much to photograph, the cake alone! I will take 300 pictures of just it. Different angles, different lighting. Then there is the bride and the family. I take a lot of pride in my work so I am not afraid to take charge. I will happily move your grandmother and put her into the right position so I get the shot I need. And, I’m going to make sure that everything looks amazing.
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AA SRL
It must be really gratifying to give those memories to people.
Yes, when someone comments back on my photographs and says, “Oh, my God, you got that. That is amazing. Thank you,” it means I have done a good job. Some people down-grade event photographers or wedding photographers, saying something like, “Well, my nephew could do it on his phone.” And I say, “No he couldn’t. He can’t go out for hours and get a whole event’s worth of great shots.”
AA SRL
Do you sometimes feel a conflict between being on the job when everyone around you is socializing?
Yes, I try really hard to be a nice guy, even though I have a reputation sometimes being somewhat difficult [laughs], but people don’t understand when I am out, I am working. I am counting shots, thinking about what my clients need, figuring out technical parts of photography, paying attention to time or cues so that I am in position. It’s a lot. I don’t always have the time to socialize. It’s not personal to anyone else.
AA SRL
What are some of your challenges you’ve overcome over the years?
At the start, I wasn’t really a fan of doing club and event photography. I was shy. And some people aren’t always the nicest to you. But, I learned not to let that bother me. I learned to love it and make it work for me.
AA SRL
That’s surprising to hear that you didn’t like it at first, but discovered your talent for it.
Another thing is that I choke up so hard and fast. I have a really hard time overthinking things. I know this sounds so cheesy, but I did The Secret, which I really needed to do at the time. I still believe certain things. I’m a complete believer in The Universe and the power of positive thinking. It doesn’t happen overnight, and you have to put in the work, but I have seen so much come to pass that I am grateful for.
AA
When the pandemic hit events suddenly ceased to exist. That must have been very hard. How did you handle
that?
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SRL
At first I was just looking at a wall for an hour and then laughing about the fact that I was looking at a wall for an hour. Then Iaughed for realizing that I’d been laughing for half an hour about the fact that I’d been looking at a wall for an hour. Eventually, I got out of the fog and learned new skills from YouTube videos and taking tutorials. Things are just starting to pick up again and I am back working for my clients.
AA
This brings me to the point that you are really a cultural documenter, a photographic ethnographer. You preserve memories. As time passes, these shots carry more meaning and value. People take them for granted in the present, but a decade or further down the road they have unexpected value.
SRL
Like this past year in 2020, in March, I did Winter Party, and that was the last major event that I did. Basically, I documented the last major event before the pandemic shut things down.
AA
Have you ever shot a photograph that ended up having very special value to you or others?
SRL
On more than one occasion, I have taken the last picture of someone who suddenly passed away. Sometimes, that photo was used at a memorial or online and that means a lot to me, that I could have provided that as a way to comfort people in their time of loss. I usually get genuine smiles from people and now they have a lasting memory.
AA
That is really moving. Thank you for talking with us and for being such a constant presence. I know as time goes on, your photographs will be important reminders of our gay community.
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Support Social Impact Businesses: BBB4Good By Rod Davis
E
CEO of BBB serving Southeast Florida and the Caribbean
ach of us knows a business in our community that has contributed to local programs, developed initiatives in response to disasters to people or neighborhoods, and made a positive impact on the lives of their customers. Research is finding that all consumers, and especially those in the Generation Z or Millennial age groups, want to find and support socially conscious businesses. According to Cone, 89% of consumers are likely to switch brands to one that is associated with a good cause, given similar price and quality. In response to this new socially conscious capitalism movement, organizations and businesses are reshaping economies and reinvigorating communities. By choosing a higher purpose, businesses can make significant social and/or environmental impacts in their communities. For more than 100 years, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has been recognizing businesses that demonstrate
integrity and performance and promote the value of their products and services truthfully. As an example, when a business makes a claim to deliver the lowest price or the fastest service, BBB requires documentation from a reputable study to substantiate advertised superiority claims. If a business is not able to document a claim, they must either remove the claim or their BBB report will be marked to indicate the advertising is not substantiated and consumers can take that information into account before making a purchase. This incentive to be honest and substantiate claims with valid data/studies is effective since consumers in southeast Florida checked 20,000 BBB reports on local businesses each day in 2020. Since the new social impact oriented businesses are making claims about their purpose driven goals, the industry and consumers will benefit from a system that validates claims and helps consumers find and support businesses OutClique.com | 51
aligned with causes important to the individual consumer. To address this growing new sector of the marketplace, BBB Institute partnered with local BBBs to launch the BBB4Good initiative to support and elevate purpose-driven businesses. BBB4Good works to: •
Empower consumers to identify purposedriven businesses that substantiate their social impact claims,
•
Spotlight, recognize, and support organizations that integrate social impact into their business plans, and
•
Expand the growth of this powerful new marketplace sector via new research and partnerships with like-minded organizations that are providing critical support to purpose-driven businesses.
How will BBB4Good work? Businesses or organizations with a social impact goal will be able to engage BBB4Good to review and validate the claims so that consumers will not be
led by false claims to support a business failing to deliver on its social impact commitment. This program will be phased in over the coming months, but we already have an example of a local business with a social impact cause. 4Ocean is a local business with an environmental goal to clean our oceans and waterways. Since 4Ocean’s initial goal was to pull a pound of trash from our oceans and waterways for every bracelet sold, BBB met with the 4Ocean staff to receive information about their business and develop a way to monitor compliance with the advertised social impact goal integrated into their commitment to customers. BBB put into place a system to receive data about the number of bracelets sold and reports from the weigh stations used by 4Ocean to collect data on the poundage pulled from waterways. BBB was able to validate the claim with objective data and continues to monitor claims so that consumers supporting 4Ocean can have confidence their dollars are being used to support the claim used to solicit their business/support.
BBB4Good will be integrated into the www.BBB.org/SEFL website in the months ahead. To learn more about BBB4Good, whether you are a consumer or social impact business/organization, visit www.BBBMarketplaceTrust.org/Story/42427725/BBB4Good-Prototype. Businesses have always played a key role in our local communities and BBB4Good will provide a spotlight on our local businesses making a clear and documented impact. OutClique.com | 53
DIMITRI LIVING WITH HIV SINCE 2018 REAL BIKTARVY PATIENT
KEEP ASPIRING. Because HIV doesn’t change who you are. BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.
Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you. Featured patient compensated by Gilead.
Watch Dimitri’s story at BIKTARVY.com
IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®
This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.
MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including: Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months. ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults and children who weigh at least 55 pounds. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains: dofetilide rifampin any other medicines to treat HIV-1 POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:
(bik-TAR-vee)
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY. Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY. Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “teacolored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. The most common side effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%). These are not all the possible side effects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY.
Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections.
Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY. Continued on next page.
Please see Important Facts, including important warnings, continued on the next page and at BIKTARVY.com.
REAL
BIKTARVY
PAT I E N T S
ZACH
D’EVA
HUGO
CHAD
NIKKI
DIMITRI
Meet a few of the extraordinary people who take BIKTARVY.
Watch their stories at BIKTARVY.com Featured patients compensated by Gilead.
IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY® (CONTINUED) BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY Tell your healthcare provider if you: Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis infection. Have any other health problems. Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY. Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.
BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect each other. Ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist about medicines that interact with BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all your other medicines. HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food. GET MORE INFORMATION
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:
This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more.
Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.
If you need help paying for your medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.
Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5
Please see Important Facts, including important warnings above and at BIKTARVY.com. BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, KEEP ASPIRING, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Version date: February 2020 © 2020 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BVYC0247 05/20
Care Resource Observed National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2021 We’re in This Together
N
ational Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) is observed annually on February 7 to increase awareness and showcase the work being done to reduce HIV in Black and African American communities in the United States. This year’s theme was “We’re in this Together” which speaks to the importance of raising awareness and showing support for the community, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. We can connect virtually to remain engaged and focused on our collective goal: ending the HIV epidemic on a regional, national, and global scale. The first step is to have the necessary conversations to end stigma. Studies show that stigma, discrimination, and homophobia can prevent many Black and African Americans from seeking routine HIV testing or receiving HIV preventative care and treatments due to fear of judgment from family and peers. Care Resource creates a safe space for individuals to receive essential information about biomedical HIV prevention options through PrEP and PEP hotlines. In addition, the health center’s digital series, “The Health Connection,” enables the community to receive essential information from healthcare professionals. The latest episode, in observance of NBHAAD, featured Melvin Fort, Access & Retention Supervisor for Project Dare at Care Resource, and Lorenzo Robertson, Executive Director at Ujima Men’s
Photo Courtesy of CDC
Collective. Guests discussed stigma around HIV/AIDS, health disparities in communities of color, and more. Be sure to watch the episode at www.YouTube.com/CareResource. The need for affordable HIV testing within South Florida remains essential. According to a 2018 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the South accounts for both the majority of Blacks newly diagnosed with HIV (63% in 2018) and the majority living with an HIV diagnosis at the end of 2017 (58%). At the end of 2017, Florida topped the list of 10 states with the highest number of Blacks living with an HIV diagnosis, with a total of 49,943. Care Resource introduced an at-home HIV testing program to address the needs of communities within South Florida. Access to HIV testing is healthcare. Individuals living in Broward and Miami-Dade counties can receive a no-cost HIV test to take in the privacy of their home. In case of a reactive result, they can receive support from behavioral health and medical providers, as well as linkage to HIV care.
In the spirit of NBHAAD, get tested and encourage a partner, friend, or loved one to get tested, too. This year, we’ve learned that individual health builds the community’s health. Let’s continue to build healthy, strong, and resilient communities. PrEP hotline: (347) 919-8904 PEP hotline: (786) 322-1503
About Care Resource Care Resource is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with four locations in Midtown Miami, Little Havana, Miami Beach, and Fort Lauderdale. The health center provides comprehensive health and support services to address the full health care needs of South Florida’s pediatric, adolescent, and adult populations. Content provided by Care Resource.
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WOW! Fort Lauderdale Executive to Marathon and Key West Why drive when you can fly? Aztec Airways is flying taxi service to and from Marathon and Key West to the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport for only $249 round trip! At FXE you'll check-in at our private terminal with no TSA or crowds and offering free parking.
Book online at www.aztecairways.com or call 954-601-3742 for more information.
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Achieves Perfect Score for 15th Consecutive Year on the HRC’s 2021 Corporate Equality Index Global retailer is once again designated as a best place to work for LGBTQ+ equality
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bercrombie & Fitch Co. (A&F), a leading, global specialty retailer of apparel and accessories, announced it has received a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) 2021 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) for the 15th year in a row. The CEI is the nation’s premier benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality. The CEI evaluates LGBTQ+-related policies and practices, including non-discrimination policies, employee benefits, demonstrated organizational competency, and accountability around LGBTQ+ diversity and inclusion, public commitment to LGBTQ+ equality, and responsible citizenship. A&F’s efforts in satisfying all of the CEI’s criteria resulted in another 100% score, as well as the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality. “From the previously unimaginable impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, to a long overdue reckoning with racial injustice, 2020 was an unprecedented year. Yet, many businesses across the nation stepped up and continued to prioritize and champion LGBTQ+ equality,” said Alphonso David, HRC President. “This year has shown us that tools like the CEI are crucial in the work to increase equity and inclusion in the workplace, but also that companies must breathe life into these policies and practices in real and tangible ways. Thank you to the companies that understand protecting their LGBTQ+ employees and consumers from discrimination is not just the right thing to do, but the best business decision.”
For more information on the 2021 CEI or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.HRC.org/CEI. Content and images courtesy of A&F Management Co.
SunServe Announces New Leadership Team and Re-Aligns Goals for 2021 South Florida’s Leading LGBTQ+ Social Service AgencyTakes a Fresh Look at Meeting the Community’s Needs
W
ith a new executive leadership team in place, SunServe is reinvigorated to effectively meet the needs of the LGBTQ+ community with compassionate and progressive care. As the leading social service agency serving South Florida’s LGBTQ+ community, SunServe announced the non-profit plans to enhance programs and strengthen relationships both with supporters and those it serves in 2021. Helping between 2,500 and 5,000 community members each week, SunServe has differentiated itself from other LGBTQ+ nonprofit organizations in Broward County by the level and scope of comprehensive services and programs it provides. Its mission is to provide critical life assistance and professional mental health services with an emphasis on economically disadvantaged, marginalized youth, adults, and seniors in the greater South Florida area. The newly formed executive leadership team consists of Director of Development Terry Dyer, Executive Director of Operations Gary Hensley, and Chief Human Resources Officer James Hipps. The triumvirate will lead the organization toward a comprehensive, unified retooling and path towards continued growth. Their action plan includes strategies and tactics to better connect with donors and community partners, as well as team building, refreshing workspaces, and rebranding. As Director of Development, Dyer will build upon current relationships and create new ones, while pursuing grant and funding
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Terry Dyer opportunities which account for the majority of SunServe’s budget. “I am focused on building our collaborative partnerships with individuals and agencies to ensure that this valuable community resource has the strong financial foundation necessary to meet the unique needs of South Florida’s LGBTQ+ community,” said Dyer. In 2019 SunServe was awarded accreditation as a service provider by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities to offer mental health outpatient treatment services and case management coordination for children, adolescents, and adults, as well
as outpatient substance abuse counseling for alcohol and other addictive drugs for adults. Programs include housing and case management assistance for those living with HIV, a senior day care center, online support groups, parent support, case management and services for the transgender community, women’s services, with an emphasis on health in lesbian community, and extensive outreach and resources for youth. “We are devoted to developing cutting edge programs and providing services of the highest quality which improve the health, well-being, and quality of life for our valued community members, regardless of their ability to pay,” said Hensley. Founded in 2002, SunServe employs a fulltime staff of 37 LGBTQ+-competent therapists, life coaches, and case managers who help people whom, in many cases, would have nowhere else to turn. Programs are reinforced by skilled staff who host educational and cultural competence trainings throughout the community. “We will provide all the resources necessary to train and certify our hard-working staff and assure their well-being and career fulfillment,” said Hipps. “We will assure that they are prepared to meet the evolving needs of the thousands of people we serve.” As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a devastating impact on the physical and emotional health of our community, in addition to an economic toll, SunServe remains committed to mindfully and compassionately serving the LGBTQ+ community’s most vulnerable. Donations of any amount will help countless members of South Florida’s LGBTQ+ community.
Gary Hensley
James Hipps
For more information and to donate, please visit www.SunServe.org, email Info@SunServe.org, or call (954) 764-5150. Content and images courtesy of Pierson Grant PR.
OutClique.com | 73
Demonstrating Kindness By Lois Margaret Nora, MD, JD, MBA
A
s so
leaders, many
we
have
competing
priorities that it can be
easy to lose sight of fundamentals. Kindness is fundamental at all times and particularly in times of great stress.
Demonstrating
kindness
is not difficult, but it does require intention and authenticity.
Live A Better You & Make 2021 Your Year By Steven O. Evans, PhD
A
fter a year of the effects of a pandemic and quarantine, it’s time for a fresh mental and physical tune up. We were not meant for a sedentary life, but rather one of energy and positive outlooks. No matter what the last 12 months have been like, don’t wait for change. It may be time for adjustments in your life, behaviors, attitudes, or relationships. It’s to not necessarily change you, but to become a better version of yourself. For me, I began a journey with Genesis Health
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Institute, located in the heart of Wilton Manors, FL. I started with a fasting lab panel. Dr. Cabrera sat down with me and took an indepth look at each item and came up with a plan for a better and healthier lifestyle. Once you meet with him, you’ll quickly discover his passion for helping patients treat symptoms of aging. To assist patients with age management, Dr. Cabrera utilizes functional medicine to optimize functioning of various systems of the body. As we age, our bodies don’t work as well
as they did when we were youthful. We talked about a better diet and plan for creating the necessary meals and the nutrition a healthy body needs. Of course, exercise is also on my to do list. Movement is necessary to keep us functional.
Another important element is testosterone therapy. As we age, our bodies do not always produce enough to keep us at our optimum levels. Dr. Cabrera and the staff at Genesis Health Institute can guide you on this option, should it be necessary for you.
Let’s start with more energy. That was number one on my list. Dr. Cabrera is working with me on the necessary supplements to not only increase energy, but also to improve blood quality, maintain my correct sugar levels, and increase lean muscle mass.
Their friendly and helpful staff will guide you on your path to a healthier life. Don’t just wait for change, make a commitment in 2021 to take advantage of the knowledge and experience at Genesis Health Institute. Join me, as I take this journey.
For more information, go to www.GHInstitute.com or call (954) 561-3175. OutClique.com | 79
Florida Medical Center
Tele-ER Ribbon Cutting
More photos at www.Facebook.com/OutClique 82 | OutClique.com
Tele-ER
Now at Florida Medical Center
Emergency care is just a call away. Emergencies can’t wait, so please do not delay care. Because your safe care is our #1 priority, we are now offering Tele-ER visits so you can speak with an ER physician without leaving home. It only takes two steps:
F
lorida Medical Center celebrated the grand opening of its Tele-ER. This telehealth option is for patients who are unsure of whether to come to the emergency room and allows anyone to speak directly to a physician or nurse 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All that is needed is a smartphone, tablet or computer, with a camera. The Tele-ER at Florida Medical Center is dedicated to serving all patients in the community in need of medical assistance. “It is important for our patients to know that we are here for them 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to care for their medical needs,” said Jeffrey M. Welch, CEO.
1. Call 1-833-4-TELE-ER to schedule an appointment. A nurse or member of our emergency team will ask you about your health problem and complete your registration. 2. Prepare your smartphone, tablet or computer for the Zoom call. You will be sent a link at the time of your appointment. Using a laptop or desktop, click on the link or enter the meeting ID at https://zoom. us/join. If using a smartphone or tablet, please download the Zoom app and enter the meeting ID at the time of your appointment.
To schedule a Tele-ER visit, call
1-833-4-TELE-ER (8353-37) For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest ER.
Trust Him Before You Don’t On & Dave Mekahel Cederberg
T
rust is complex and fickle. Trust is like the personal assistant to love. It’s necessary for any relationship, carrying love along, but it doesn’t quite come with all the glory and feel good accolades that love receives. No matter who you are, trust is definitely an issue worth exploring in your life. If you can hash out and understand where you fall in relation to it (i.e., how do you live it), trust can be something that you navigate in a safe and productive way. Once you have trust figured out for yourself - the next most important place that you will need to instill it - your partner and your relationship. In some cases trust is earned, but that is usually pertaining to an individual or institution that loses it within an existing relationship; or if they have been previously labeled untrustworthy. In your romantic relationship, however, this approach is toxic if your partner has never done anything to violate trust. Testing your partner in order to see if they are worthy of your trust is bonkers. And it probably means the relationship is doomed. If you don’t trust your partner, then you never really trusted yourself to pick them in the first place. Crap flows downhill. To the opposite effect, instilling full blown trust in one another from day
|
Photo Courtesy of Julian LB
one, no questions asked, is where the bountiful harvest lies. This concept is something to keep on simmer in your mind, as it will be necessary to re-visit from time to time as life presents its imminent challenges, and you or your partner are faced with situations where trust might be challenged, or even come into question. When those instances pop up, in order to arrive at the healthiest emotional juncture for yourself and your relationship, implementing trust just because you trust your partner is a totally valid rationale. Getting to this place is like holding the black AmEx card of trust. It knows few limits. The bond of two people engaging in wholehearted trust between each other will only grow the love between them, strengthening the relationship, helping to clear the pathway toward forever. Trust holds every relationship intact. Some feel that it is earned, while others give it willingly. No matter the approach, the end result is the same - someone (or thing) is trustworthy, until they’re not. The best way to conquer trust and use it to your advantage is to give it without condition and in good faith. After all, the world is much more palatable when we assume the best in each other, even if sometimes it has the potential to hurt a little. OutClique.com | 85
March is Women’s History Month
History Fort Lauderdale and The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale Present Women Trailblazers: Champions of Change - Broward County Photography Exhibit March 4–31, 2021
The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale exhibition opening will include a recognition ceremony of six prominent women who impact our community to benefit History Fort Lauderdale.
I
n honor of Women’s History Month, History Fort Lauderdale (www. HistoryFortLauderdale.org/Museum) and The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale (www. GalleriaMall-FL.com) will present Women Trailblazers: Champions of Change - Broward County, a photography exhibition, March 4–31, 2021. The exhibit, to be displayed at The Galleria (2414 East Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL), will showcase six prominent women of today who are proponents of change along with historical female predecessors who helped to pave the way for our community. A ticketed exhibition preview and recognition ceremony honoring the women of today and benefiting History Fort Lauderdale will take place on Wednesday, March 3, 2021, at 5:30PM at The Galleria with support from Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants.
Kareen Boutros 86 | OutClique.com
This engaging 40-image exhibit will celebrate the contributions of outstanding women of today including Kareen Boutros, Executive Director of Broward Workshop; Lori Chevy, Market President of Bank of America; Heather Havericak, CEO of Broward Health Medical Center and Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital; Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, PhD, President and CEO of The Community Foundation of Broward; Stacy Ritter, President and CEO of The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau; and Burnadette Norris-Weeks, Esq of Austin Pamies Norris Weeks Powell, PLLC and Founder of The Women of Color Empowerment Institute, Inc. “It is an honor and a privilege to celebrate the women in our community who not only fought for women’s rights and equality in the past, but who continue to foster a love for business,
Lori Chevy
Heather Havericak
Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, PhD
Stacy Ritter
philanthropy, culture, and the arts,” said Patricia Zeiler, Executive Director of History Fort Lauderdale. “Women’s History Month places a timely spotlight on female contributions and we’re proud to showcase these leaders of yesterday and today in collaboration with The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale.” Past pioneering women to be highlighted include Betty Mae Tiger Jumper, Author and Founder/ Publisher of Seminole Tribune; Dr. Susie Holley, prominent philanthropist; Edee Green, awardwinning journalist and one of the founders of Kids in Distress in Broward County; Ivy Cromartie Stranahan, prominent suffragette, first school teacher in Fort Lauderdale, philanthropist, and part founder of the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society (now History Fort Lauderdale); and Easter Lily Gates, Broward County’s first woman President of the State Supervisors of Elections,
Burnadette Norris-Weeks, Esq
among others. “The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale is pleased to support History Fort Lauderdale and our incredible network of women leaders, present and past, who have tirelessly championed the issues and ideas that impact Broward County,” said Melissa Milroy, Senior Marketing Manager of The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale. “We are thrilled to host this inspirational exhibit and we invite our loyal shoppers and visitors to come and learn more about these influential women trailblazers.” A special recognition ceremony will honor the six local women of today on March 3, 2021 at 5:30PM. Attendees will be the first to see the exhibition and enjoy a ceremony to individually recognize each honoree. Opening ceremony tickets are available at bit.ly/HFLWomenTrailblazers.
For more information about Women Trailblazers: Champions of Change - Broward County please call (954) 463-4431 or visit www.HistoryFortLauderdale.org. Additional information about The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale is available at www.Facebook.com/GalleriaFtLauderdale or www.GalleriaMall-FL.com. In compliance with local and state health guidelines, visitors viewing Women Trailblazers: Champions of Change - Broward County exhibition at The Galleria will be required to wear a mask and practice safe social distancing of six feet apart. Content and photos courtesy of Goodman PR.
OutClique.com | 87
1, 2 & 3 BEDROOM CITY FLATS & LOFTS IN DOWNTOWN FLAGLER VILLAGE
RESORT-STYLE POOL & SUNDECK TWO-STORY 24HR FITNESS CENTER YOGA, SPINNING, & AEROBIC STUDIO PRIVATE DOG PARK & PAW WASH
Bring Your Puppy!
440 NE 4th Ave. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(954) 799-6000
liveataviah.com
Photo Courtesy of Marty Kiar’s office
File Now for the 2021 Senior Exemption
P
roperty owners who are 65 years or older may qualify for an additional exemption on their Homesteaded property. This additional exemption, which applies only to the county’s portion of the taxes and city taxes for residents of cities that have adopted this exemption, saves the average Broward senior nearly $300 each year in taxes. To qualify for this valuable tax-saving exemption, an applicant must be 65 or older as of January 1, 2021 AND have a combined HOUSEHOLD adjusted gross income for 2020 not exceeding $31,100. If you believe you qualify for the exemption, you can apply online at Web.BCPA.net/BCPAClient/#/ SeniorsAppForm.
Index (CPI) regardless of increases to the just value of the property.
You can also renew this exemption online at Web. BCPA.net/BCPAClient/#/SeniorsRenewalForm. If you have any questions regarding property tax exemptions, please call (954) 357-6830. The
Important: SOH cap begins the year after you receive Homestead Exemption and automatically renews each year. This cap does not cover new construction or construction that was not taxed before the SOH limit applied to a particular property. Many owners will face a significant increase in property taxes when they purchase a property as the previous owners’ exemptions will be removed and the SOH value reset. Florida law requires the SOH value be brought up to the just value of the property when Homestead Exemption is added or removed from the property. For this reason, our office offers a New Home Buyers’ Tax Estimator on our website at Web.BCPA.net. This estimator allows prospective buyers the ability to plan ahead when purchasing a new home.
2021 Homestead Exemption/Save Our Homes Cap Set by the State
If my office can ever be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at (954) 357-6904 or by email at MartyKiar@BCPA.net.
absolute filing deadline for any 2021 exemption is September 20, 2021.
The Florida Department of Revenue has set the 2021 Save Our Homes (SOH) cap at 1.4%. This SOH assessment cap limits increases to the Assessed/SOH Value for properties receiving Homestead Exemption to no more than 3% per year or the increase in the Consumer Price
Take care, Marty Kiar, CFA Broward County Property Appraiser
Marty Kiar is the Broward County Property Appraiser and longtime advocate for LGBTQ equality. The Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office is located at 115 S Andrews Avenue, Room # 111, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 Follow our office at: facebook.com/MartyKiarBCPA and twitter.com/MartyKiarBCPA 92 | OutClique.com
Bonds of Blue, Black & White, Sealed in Love
I
By Cory David, Mr. Eagle Wilton Manors 2020/2021
Photo credit: Sabino Paulicelli Photography
was invited to judge the Sawmill Leather Sir and Boy competition in January 2021. The pandemic canceled most leather title competitions in 2020. Sawmill Campground decided to hold their competition, with their added advantage, to host outdoor activities for social distancing. The sprawling property features four bars, a pool, lake, nature walk, outdoor pavilion with stage, and a general store. It is an LGBTQ+ community and a melting pot of amazing people from around the country. Our group that attended from Wilton Manors, FL enjoyed ourselves and our great hosts. Richard Raske and Blake Sie (a married couple, the event producers, and our hosts), asked me to be a judge. This was my first visit to Sawmill and I was excited to be judging. The event was a phenomenally produced weekend of social events, poolside afternoons, and evening competitions. My title has awarded me a platform for my causes and also the opportunity to meet amazing people along the way. Finding out Rick was a Chicago leatherman and proud Midwest guy like myself was amazing. We found ourselves talking about the Eagle, Gold Coast, Man’s Country, and many more. Rick mentioned my article about leather history and how it raised memories of his coming out in Chicago in 1977, his first leather bar, Gold Coast, and the times that followed. Nervous with adrenaline, he walked in not knowing what to expect. Gold Coast (owned by Chuck Renslow, Founder of IML) had the reputation of being cruisey, exciting, and filled with hot leathermen. His other place to hang was Redoubt, another venture by the owner of the famous Baton Show Lounge, world famous for its female impersonators since 1969. Rick’s first big event was in color guard for the Pride Parade 1978, which ended up showing him on the local news. “‘Hi, Mom; hi, Dad.’ That’s my coming out story,” said Rick as he chuckled. I had to tell him, “That was quicker than mine. I
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had to let it build up for years!” While he told his experiences, I noticed many smiles, eyes sparkling, and yes, tears for one too many lost. I could feel his love and the strong bond he felt for our community. Shortly into his stories of love and community there was a pandemic. It hit our community like no other. I asked him, “How do you recover that everlasting bond of love and then unspeakable loss?” Rick replied, “With LOVE, right where we started; love.” Rick’s sparkle continues on for Blake and their 18 amazing years together. He’s right. Look at today. What heals, what feels, what do we all need to get through and begin again? Love. Once again, I’m blessed by the people and places this title awards me to meet. I hear stories from the ones that came before me. And, I am able to share with those that will come after.
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She’s Still the One That We Want an interview with Olivia Newton-John
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By Gregg Shapiro
ow in her seventh decade as an entertainer, Olivia Newton-John has proven herself to be a versatile artist.
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First, of course, as a five-time Grammy Awardwinning singer. Then as an actor in the wildly successful movie adaptation of the musical
Gregg Shapiro: Olivia, I’d like to begin by congratulating you on the success of “Window in the Wall,” your duet with your daughter Chloe Lattanzi which hit #1 on its release date (January 22, 2021) on the iTunes Pop music video chart. What does such an accomplishment mean to you? Olivia Newton-John: I’m just thrilled that the song resonated, because I had no plans to record and I didn’t go out of my way to look for a song to record. This song came to me and it had purpose. This lovely woman who I’d met at a health clinic a few years ago and whom I didn’t know very well, wrote to me and said, “I had this calling and I know that you should record this song. My cousin wrote it …” And, of course, when
you hear that my ears went uh-oh! This is family, so how good can it be? The song came on and it was beautiful. It made me cry and it touched something in me. I just had this knowing that I had to record it. That’s what I did! The first person I thought of was Chloe because it was so personal.
GS ONJ
Are there more duets with Chloe in the works?
Could be! We’re talking about something. It’s still in the talking phase, but, yeah, we have a fun idea. Nothing I can tell you yet though [big laugh].
GS
You have a history of duets, including “You’re the One That I Want” and “Summer Nights” from Grease sung with John Travolta and “Suddenly” from Xanadu sung with Cliff Richard. What do you enjoy most about the process of singing a duet?
ONJ
I love harmonizing. I’ve always done that, according to my parents, since I was a little girl. I would always sing harmonies to songs I heard. It was just lucky for me that I was able to do that. I love to do that. I enjoy that and I enjoy bouncing off somebody else, rather than just being the only person there. It’s fun to exchange energy when you’re singing. I’ve had some wonderful singing
Photo By Michelle Day
Grease, as well as the camp classic Xanadu (directed by Gene Kelly). She also displayed her serious acting side AIDS drama It’s My Party, which re-teamed her with Grease director Randal Kleiser. Olivia also made her mark as a writer with her 2018 memoir Don’t Stop Believing, newly available in a paperback edition. More recently, Olivia returned to her first love of singing, teaming up with her daughter Chloe Lattanzi (from her first marriage to actor Matt Lattanzi) for the best selling single “Window in the Wall.” Olivia was kind enough to take time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions.
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partners. I learned so much from Cliff (Richard) because he had me on his show. Then I was a double act with Pat Carroll for many years: Pat and Olivia. I’ve always loved that part of performing, and you get a chance to work with all these amazing people.
GS
“Window in the Wall” was cowritten by a trio of Nashville-area songwriters (Tom Paden, Eddie Kilgallon, and Tajci Cameron) which reminded me that your earliest career hit singles were contemporary country tunes, including “Let Me Be There,” for which you received the 1973 Best Female Country Vocal Performance Grammy. Can you please say something about your attraction to that style of music?
ONJ
It’s really interesting because I never thought of myself as a country artist. My manager at the time, Peter Gormley, had managed Frank Ifield, who was a country star, an Aussie guy. He thought my voice really suited that kind of music. I thought of myself as a big balladeer [big laugh]. But really, I started out singing folk music. That was my entrance into singing. Singing folk music, Joan Baez and those songs. They brought those (country) songs to me. I wasn’t even sure I liked “If Not For You.” Of course, I’ve learned to love it. It’s my husband’s favorite song. Isn’t that amazing! Initially, it was really the idea of my producers, that style for me.
strong gay following and I’m very grateful for that because I feel they’re very loyal fans and very sweet. I’ve always enjoyed the company of gay people. I think they’re so much fun. One of my best friends, Gregg Cave, who runs Gaia (Resort and Spa) is gay and he was my mother’s friend also. It’s just natural to me. They’re funny people; I don’t know why that’s so [laughs]. I like that. I like to be able to laugh a lot.
GS
Your 2018 memoir Don’t Stop Believing was just released in a paperback edition with a new foreword. Why was this the right time to tell your story?
ONJ
The truth is that they were going to make a movie about my life in Australia. I didn’t really know how accurate it was going to be. I thought I better write my version because I don’t know what they’re going to say. It turns out that they did quite a nice job. Delta Goodrum did a wonderful job of playing me, I thought. That’s really what spurred it to be. Then I thought, “This is quite interesting!” It’s made me remember a lot of things I hadn’t thought about and a lot of things since then, too. That was really the instigation. It wasn’t the perfect time or the right time, it was just that I wanted to write it so that the record was straight [laughs].
GS
ONJ GS
[Laughs]
Both Grease and Xanadu are musicals with strong queer appeal, and It’s My Party and Sordid Lives, are more directly gay films. Do you remember when you first became aware of having a gay following and what does that LGBTQ+ following mean to you?
ONJ
I just think of gay people as people [laughs]. I have had a wonderfully
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Photo Courtesy of Caprio Media Design
One of your biggest solo hit singles, “I Honestly Love You,” was written by Peter Allen, a gay man. The music video for “Physical” oozes gay subtext.
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Kylie Releases Real Groove Remix Package Photo Courtesy of Mighty Real Agency
‘DISCO’ is the 15th studio album from the pop icon, and the first new music since her number one album ‘Golden’, released in 2018. It features lead single ‘Say Something’ which received global critical acclaim - deemed ‘sparkling’ by NME and ‘an introspective dance track with lyrics that feel pertinent for our quarantine days’ by Rolling Stone. Other tracks included on the album are ‘Magic’ and ‘I Love It’. For ‘DISCO’, Kylie worked with collaborators Skylar Adams (with whom she worked with on Golden), Teemu Brunila (David Guetta, Jason Derulo), Maegan Cottone (Iggy Azalea, Demi Lovato), plus regular collaborator Biff Stannard, alongside others. The album was largely recorded in lockdown with each team member recording and working from a separate location, leading to Kylie having a vocal engineering credit on all but two of the sixteen tracks on the record. ‘DISCO’ is available now via BMG across all streaming platforms. ‘DISCO’ is also available in a number of physical formats. Connect with Kylie Kylie ** Twitter ** Instagram ** Facebook
Photo Credit: Sin Mordaza
Argentina Pioneers COVID-HIV Testing Combo
“Active Search,” a locally adapted provincial and municipal version of the national “Detect-AR” plan, was designed to lower the coronavirus contagion curve and limit congestion in hospitals. The actions resulted in testing 324 people for COVID-19, along with 217 for HIV. “This campaign was vital, both to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to restart HIV testing after months of lockdowns,” said AHF Argentina
Country Program Manager Dr. Miguel Pedrola. “Many of the people we contacted wanted to be tested for HIV but didn’t know how to proceed, as they didn’t typically visit clinics. Of those found to be HIV positive, it was their first time accessing testing, and they were immediately linked to treatment.” At the request of the provincial government, AHF will also provide counseling on effective testing practices as the initiative is expanded to other areas. In addition to testing, all COVID-19-related medical materials, including personal protective equipment (PPE) for all staff, was provided by the government. The HIV tests were supplied by AHF, which has been working in Argentina since 2013 and currently provides HIV care and treatment to 20,402 registered clients.
Photos Credit: La Capital
A
HF Argentina recently joined its government and NGO (nongovernmental organization) partners for an innovative initiative to reach community members with COVID-19 and HIV testing – operation “Active Search.” The effort spanned two weeks and reached more than 4,500 families throughout 12 neighborhoods in Venado Tuerto, a city in Santa Fe province.
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The SMART Ride Re-Imagined Raises over $700,000
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he SMART Ride 17 happened and it looked different, according to founder Glen Weinzimer. “We had to reimagine everything; the need to provide the agencies we benefit and ultimately the individuals needing services remained great. NOT doing an event was out of the question.” Traditionally, The SMART Ride (Southern Most AIDS/HIV Ride) is a two-day, 165 miles bicycle ride from the University of Miami to Key West. In a normal year we would have seen over 250 individuals supporting the efforts of the over 500 cyclists as they travel south to Key West. In 2019, this event, which guarantees that 100% of the funds raised by its participants goes to the benefiting agencies, raised over $1.4 million. This year, with the help of riders and volunteers, the ride was reimagined and individuals were encouraged to ride in their own backyards, to do their metric of 1-6-5 in whatever form that took. “We had participants fly in from California and ride their usual 165 miles, as well some participants chose to do stationary biking because of COVID-19, and others spent the weekend cleaning the beach for 165 minutes. They even had one person paddle board for 16.5 miles over the weekend,” added Weinzimer. The SMART Ride is the largest HIV/AIDS ride in the eastern United States and second largest in the country.
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Aiming to raise $500,000 in 2020 due to the economic impact of COVID-19, the event exceeded its goal by raising over $700,000 to support six HIV/AIDS organizations throughout Florida. The SMART Ride has now given back over $12 million dollars to support programs and services for people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS throughout its 17-year history. The SMART Ride is the only HIV/AIDS ride in the country that gives back 100% of all the funds raised. On Sunday, January 17, 2021, the event organizers hosted a virtual Check Presentation Ceremony. Instead of the usual 300 people that attend this festive event there were only 14 people and everyone was super vigilant about safety. All donning their masks, keeping social distance, and broadcasting through social media the amounts raised and distributed. The SMART Ride 18 will take place on November 18–20, 2021, and organizers believe that the vaccine distribution will allow for a safe inperson ride. “We anticipate selling out early this year because of the unprecedented demand,” Weinzimer said. “We believe this will be a record breaking year.” The ride is so important to so many in our communities throughout Florida where we currently have the highest rate of new HIV infection in the United States.
Direct beneficiaries of this years and next are: •
Miracle of Love, Inc., the oldest and largest non-profit minority AIDS Service Organization in Central Florida
•
Metro Wellness & Community Centers, a multi-faceted agency in Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas Counties, serving the HIV+ community via medical case management, eligibility, minority aids initiative, mental health, substance abuse, and prevention/ testing/outreach services.
•
Compass Community Center, Palm Beach
•
Broward House, improving the quality of life
•
Pridelines, which for more than 30 years has provided safe space, social support, skills building, leadership development, HIV testing and support services, referrals to competent mental health, health care, and support for LGBTQ+ youth, their straight allies, and the community; Pridelines is Miami-Dade County’s LGBTQ+ community center
•
AIDS Help, Florida’s oldest continuously
County’s LGBTQ+ center that aims to diminish stereotypes by challenging long-standing misconceptions about the character of the LGBTQ+ community; Compass promotes awareness of the caring nature of our diverse community
for individuals impacted with chronic health challenges, including HIV, by providing pathways to wellness
operating AIDS service organization and the only agency in Monroe County that serves individuals with HIV and AIDS
If you are looking to register to ride, crew, or volunteer please visit The SMART Ride website at www.TheSMARTRide.org. If you would like to become a sponsor or become more involved contact the organizers directly from the website. About TSR Adventures & The SMART Ride TSR Adventures, Inc., dba “The SMART Ride,” is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. TSR Adventures, Inc. is committed through the combination of individual contributions and public/private partnerships to creating, producing, and/or overseeing community based events in which 100% of what the participant raises is returned to benefiting non-profit organizations. In so doing, the organization acts as an avenue for change in the non-profit fundraising community. Content and images courtesy of The SMART Ride.
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The 30 Million Dollar Renovation of the Iconic Parker Playhouse is in the Homestretch
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he Parker Playhouse, one of Fort Lauderdale’s most iconic venues, is in the homestretch of a $30 million renovation with the installation of its classic red seats in the Lillian S. Wells Hall. The beloved theater will offer new and improved hospitality experiences for guests and continue to serve as one of the city’s most treasured venues. Throughout the reimagining many of the original architectural features, as well as the original continental seating configuration, have remained intact. Guests will enjoy new features including private donor and premium lounges and a signature bar area while, behind the scenes, upgraded systems and technology that deliver advanced
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acoustics will make the experience at the Parker even more entertaining and special. For more than 30 years, the Broward Performing Arts Foundation has been instrumental in providing support for the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The Foundation was established in 1985 to deliver the required private funding to build the Center and create an endowment to sustain its operations. Over the years, the Foundation has successfully raised funds to support the Broward Center’s innovative and diverse programming, arts-in-education initiatives, community engagement activities, and capital projects. Prior to the Campaign for the Parker, the Foundation raised $60 million to complete the Encore! capital campaign to renovate, renew, and revitalize the Broward Center.
For more information about the Broward Performing Arts Foundation, call (954) 468-3284 or email Foundation@BrowardCenter.org. About The Broward Center for the Performing Arts One of America’s premier performing arts venues, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts presents more than 700 performances each year to more than 700,000 patrons, showcasing a wide range of exciting cultural programming and events. Guest experiences at the Broward Center include the all-inclusive JetBlue Flight Deck on the Club Level, special events in the Huizenga Pavilion, waterfront dining at Marti’s New River Bistro, and innovative classes and workshops for all ages at the Rose Miniaci Arts Education Center. With one of the largest arts-in-education programs in the United States, the Broward Center serves more than 130,000 students annually. The Broward Performing Arts Foundation, Inc. receives and maintains funds to sustain, develop, and secure the future of the Broward Center. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located at 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. For more information, visit www. BrowardCenter.org. Content and images courtesy of Pierson Grant PR. Broward Center’s Road to Recovery Fund The Broward Center is on the Road to Recovery. While the theaters are dark and staff is at a minimum, the hard work continues. Faced with the loss of 90% of its revenues, the Center depends on contributions to sustain its operations as it prepares for the day when the doors reopen, the curtain rises, and the lights return to the Broward Center stages. Donations to the Road to Recovery Fund can be made at www. BrowardCenter.org/R2R. THE BROWARD PERFORMING ARTS FOUNDATION, INC., REGISTRATION NUMBER SC-00882, MEETS ALL REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIED BY THE FLORIDA SOLICITATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS ACT. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE 1-800-435-7352 OR CONTACTING WWW.FLORIDACONSUMERHELP.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. 100% OF YOUR CONTRIBUTION IS RECEIVED BY THE FOUNDATION.
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CARRiNGTON MacDUFFiE
Releases New Single “Sweet Little Mystery” Music Video Premieres Exclusively by The Josie Network
S
tandout Indie singer-songwriter CARRiNGTON MacDUFFiE released her latest single “Sweet Little Mystery” on Friday, February 12, 2021. Taking fans on a transcendent journey inspired by newfound love, MacDUFFiE’s single inspires the heart of all hearts and was available just in time for Valentine’s Day. CARRiNGTON’s creativity flows through music and magic available only when one is present enough to draw wonder out of every situation. This release ignites hope that 2021 will surpass 2020 in unthinkable ways, and the music video paints a perfect picture, detailing how the“Sweet Little Mystery’’ of life keeps MacDUFFiE curious. The “Sweet Little Mystery’’ music video was exclusively premiered by The Josie Network on multiple platforms
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including www.JosieShow.com and available on all streaming platforms at www.Ingroov.es/ Sweet-Little-Mystery-RO. “This is really a love song to the mystery of love itself. The ten thousand reasons you could give for feeling strongly attracted to a person still don’t explain the phenomenon. Remaining awake to that sense of mystery naturally invites fun and delicious encounters with all kinds of people, and also goes a long way towards doing justice to whoever you’re intimately involved with. No matter how well you think you know a person, you can never ever know what it’s like to be them, and in this sense, they will always remain a mystery to you. This sense of wonder is available to
you all the time, if you lift your head out of your phone or your thoughts and have a look at the sky every once in a while,” shared MacDUFFiE. “CARRiNGTON has a unique voice that quickly captures an audience. Her new song and video are incredible and really show her range of talent. We are thrilled to be featuring CARRiNGTON on our shows and stations,” said The Josie Show. MacDUFFiE has continuously proven herself as a highly engaged artist despite current conditions and various levels of social distancing
by consistently releasing new content, creating lockdown videos, and recording covers. MacDUFFiE’s vision is persistent as she refuses to let the times define her unique style and charismatic soul. “Sweet Little Mystery” is the title track and first single to be released off of her upcoming album due out in the Spring of 2021. Over the last year, MacDUFFiE has taken the time to reflect on the things that matter most, and that is love and compassion for those around us, and above all for the spirit of the life force itself, with the understanding that in the end, love conquers all. Fans will not want to miss what this brilliantly evolving entertainer has in store for this Spring!
To keep up with CARRiNGTON MacDUFFiE, visit www.CarringtonMacDuffie.com and follow her social channels. Listen/Stream/Buy “Sweet Little Mystery” at www.Ingroov.es/Sweet-Little-Mystery-RO. To watch “Sweet Little Mystery” on The Josie Network visit www.JosieShow.com/Carrington-MacDuffie-Premiere.html. About CARRiNGTON MacDUFFiE In life and in art, CARRiNGTON MacDUFFiE is an adventurer. A New York native who now splits her time between Austin and Seattle, after a decade beachside in Los Angeles, she travels the globe and joyfully explores diverse universes of thought and practice. Whether making music, writing poetry, voicing works of literature, piloting a fixed-wing airplane, or savoring the Zenlike concentration of target shooting, she is led by her passion for creativity, and her endless fascination with exploring both the world outside and her inner muses. As a singer-songwriter, CARRiNGTON first released work in 2014. Content and images courtesy of 2911 Enterprises, Inc.
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Broward County Library Wins Awards in Excellence By Denny Patterson
You’re a winner, baby!
Award by the American Library Association.
The Florida Library Association (FLA), a statewide organization that promotes excellence in Florida libraries by advocating strongly for libraries and providing high quality professional and leadership development for a diverse community of library staff, volunteers, and supporters, recently announced the 2020 FLA Award winners.
“Awards are a way of recognizing excellence,” said Public Information Officer Stephen Grubb. “For Broward County Library, these particular awards let us know we are on the right track as we continually strive to serve the needs of our community. There are many great libraries throughout the state and throughout the country providing outstanding services. We are proud to be recognized among all of these fantastic libraries and that recognition keeps us moving forward.”
The Broward County Library was honored to be the recipient of: • Library of the Year for their host of new initiatives and projects that are bringing the library’s services and resources to unusual and unexpected places, including an airport, parks, and ports. •
Library Innovation for Project Welcome, which was created to welcome newcomers and English language learners, inform them of Broward County Library’s important resources, and support them on their path towards literacy, economic prosperity, and a sense of belonging.
•
Excellence in Marketing and Public Relations for the library’s collaboration for the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to open the Broward County FLLibrary (www.Broward.org/Library/Pages/ Visitor.aspx), a satellite library location in the airport featuring the latest in streaming media technology.
•
Outstanding Scholarly Contribution provided by librarian Makiba Foster whose “Navigating Library Collections, Black Culture, and Current Events” article was published in the summer 2018 issue of Library Trends which creatively and concisely examines the importance of library archives and collections in preserving and documenting the Black experience in the U.S.
Broward County also won the Library of the Future
Leading a team of six that coordinates all of the marketing efforts for the library system, Grubb has been with Broward County Library since 2001. “That was so long ago, the job listing was in the classified ads of a print newspaper,” Grubb said. “The heading of the ad was for a ‘Lifelong Learner.’ Those two words perfectly describe my experience here at Broward County Library. This is an institution that values knowledge and access to information not only for our community, but for library staff as well. We are all continually learning as the library profession, needs of our community, and technology continually evolves. I am grateful every day to be a part of it.” Residents and visitors are encouraged to check out the library’s extensive collection of books, music, movies, and online materials. Curbside service is also currently being offered. “You can either come into the library or have your reserved materials delivered to you in your car outside the library,” Grubb said. “No matter what your passion or interest happens to be, we can find resources to support you. Our librarians absolutely love helping customers find the resources that make them smile.” Residents can get free immediate access to all online library resources by signing up for an Instant eCard. A free library card number will be emailed to them, and they can instantly start enjoying all the library has to offer online with no waiting.
For more information, visit www.Broward.org/Library. To check out the full list of 2020 FLA Award winners, visit www.FLALib.org. 114 | OutClique.com
Palm Beach Symphony 2020 Instrumental Music Teacher of the Year Victor Fernandez, Beacon Cove Intermediate Music Director Photos Credit: IndieHouse Films
(L to R) Palm Beach Symphony CEO David McClymont, Victor Fernandez, and Symphony Director of Education and Orchestra Operations Olga M. Vazquez
V
ictor Fernandez, who leads schoolwide general music instruction at Beacon Cove Intermediate in Jupiter, is the Palm Beach Symphony 2020 Instrumental Music Teacher of the Year. The honor recognizes K-12 educators in Palm Beach County who take an active role in the community as performing arts educators and demonstrate an ability to teach and inspire students. Nominees were judged by a panel that includes musicians, industry professionals and other educators in Palm Beach County. “Although I wasn’t involved in the judging, Victor Fernandez is my son’s music teacher and he absolutely loves him,” said Palm Beach Symphony CEO David McClymont. “I see first-hand the positive impact Victor has in encouraging students and nurturing their interest in music.” Fernandez has also been recognized as the 2017 School District of Palm Beach County Dwyer
Victor Fernandez
Award Winner, the 2016 Palm Beach County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year, and the 2016 Teamwork USA Teacher of the Year. In addition to his work in the classroom, he created the String Pedagogy YouTube Channel to provide underserved students with additional free opportunities to improve. The honor comes with a “Basket of Indulgences,” containing gift items and gift certificates to local retailers, as well as with many educational opportunities with the Symphony, which will be scheduled at a time in accordance with the guidance of local, state, and CDC officials. Those opportunities include coaching sessions by Palm Beach Symphony musicians and complimentary tickets for the winner’s classes to attend a Palm Beach Symphony concert. Nominations for the Instrumental Music Teacher of the Year Award open in the fall. Complete details are available in the programs tab under Music Education at www.PalmBeachSymhony.org.
About Palm Beach Symphony Palm Beach Symphony is South Florida’s premier orchestra known for its diverse repertoire and commitment to community. Founded in 1974, this 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization adheres to a mission of engaging, educating, and entertaining the greater community of the Palm Beaches through live performances of inspiring orchestral music. The orchestra is celebrated for delivering spirited performances by first-rate musicians and distinguished guest artists. Recognized by The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County with a 2020 Muse Award for Outstanding Community Engagement, Palm Beach Symphony continues to expand its education and community outreach programs with children’s concerts, student coaching sessions and master classes, instrument donations, and free public concerts that have reached more than 50,000 students in the past five years. For more information, visit www.PalmBeachSymphony.org. Content courtesy of Pierson Grant PR.
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THE PORCH IS THE TREE IS THE WATERING HOLE
Where We Gather - Black in Sistrunk
This dynamic exploration of space and community within the African Diaspora uses art, architecture, photography and poetry to examine concepts of community and life in Sistrunk, a historically Black neighborhood in Broward County, with works by Germane Barnes, Darius V. Daughtry, David I. Muir, Adler Guerrier, Olalekan Jeyifous, Adrienne Chadwick, Marlene Brunot, and George Gadson. Curated by Dominique Denis. Free admission. Open to the public Thursdays and Saturdays 11AM - 2PM, on view through May 2021 with reservations.
African American Research Library & Cultural Center @BrowardArts ArtsEvents.Broward.org 2650 Sistrunk Blvd, Fort Lauderdale Reservations required: ArtsCalendar.com/Sistrunk #WhereWeGather
NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale
LIGHT THE NIGHT
MARCH 1-7 Spectacular 3D Video Displays
Lighting Up Downtown Fort Lauderdale For locations and details visit ArtsCalendar.com/LighttheNight Free and open to the public with social distancing maintained Light The Night is presented by Broward Cultural Division #LightTheNightBroward @BrowardArts
Aztec Airways Announces Direct Flights to Marathon, FL
T
he Scheduled Flight Department at Aztec Airways has announced they will begin direct flight service three times weekly from the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) to Marathon, FL beginning March 4, 2021. Flights will depart from the airline’s convenient private terminal at FXE which features a VIP passenger lounge and free parking. “We see a new demand for more local travel due to the current health crisis and believe we are positioned perfectly for those who would rather fly than drive to the Florida Keys. We launched scheduled service to Key West last October and feel that adding Marathon was a natural next step,” said Captain Stuart Hanley, owner and
COO of Aztec Airways. “To accommodate new routes, we recently acquired three additional Piper Chieftain aircraft, bringing our total number of passenger planes to six.” Contact Aztec Airways for more information on scheduled flights at (954) 601-3742 or visit their website www.AztecAirways.com for schedules and to book.
About Aztec Airways
Aztec Airways is a Florida based airline offering certified on-demand charter and cargo flights to the Bahamas, Florida, and surrounding states. Scheduled flights currently serve Eleuthera, Abaco, and Bimini islands in the Bahamas, as well as Key West and Marathon, FL. For more information, please contact Stacy Horachek at (954) 601-3742 or Reservations@AztecAirways.com. Content and images courtesy of Aztec Airways.
Disney On Ice presents Dream Big at BB&T Center March 25–28, 2021 Now Introducing Guest Wellness Enhancements and Tickets Starting at $20
J
oin the fearless Moana and the greatest demigod that ever lived, Maui, on an action-packed voyage to restore the stolen heart of Te Fiti. Explore the Land of the Dead as Miguel from Disney Pixar’s Coco brings the festivities of Día de los Muertos to the ice. Get tangled up in Rapunzel’s hairraising quest to see the floating lights. Travel to the kingdom of Arendelle with Anna, Elsa, and Olaf in a dramatic retelling of the sisterly love that saved a kingdom. Discover the strength, bravery, and kindness that inspired generation after generation with Jasmine, Ariel, Aurora, Belle, and Cinderella. Courage leads the way for Disney’s most
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adventurous heroes when Disney On Ice presents Dream Big comes to Sunrise, FL on March 25–28, 2021, at BB&T Center, continuing a multi-city tour. Dream Big features favorite Disney friends such as Mickey, Minnie, Miguel, Moana, Elsa, Belle, Genie, and more highlighting all the magic and adventure of Disney’s tales through world-class figure skating. Audiences will be transported to exciting worlds where heroes of every kind seek to fulfill their dreams at a live experience families will never forget! While delivering the same magical experiences guests expect from Disney On Ice, Guest Wellness Enhancements are helping to keep
families safe at its live events. Additionally, “pod seating” has been created for family and friends to safely enjoy Disney On Ice while social distancing from other groups that are also in attendance. Seating capacity at BB&T Center for Disney On Ice will be reduced with the pod seating structure in place. As an additional precaution, face coverings are required for guests ages 2 and older except when eating or drinking in their seats, unless otherwise exempted by law. Full details on Guest Wellness Enhancements can be found www.DisneyOnIce.com/Guest-Wellness. Guests looking to purchase Disney On Ice souvenirs will find the process easier than ever thanks to a new contactless shopping experience with touch-free payment and digital purchasing options. Guests can preorder items prior to arriving at BB&T Center or from the comfort of their seats. Once ordered, guests can pick up their purchases at a convenient, contactless pickup station during the show. Additional information can be found www.DisneyOnIce.com/Dream-Big/SunriseFL-BB&T-Center. To order tickets online, visit www.TheBBTCenter.com or purchase at BB&T Center Box Office. *Ticket pricing is subject to change based on market demand. Disney On Ice Preferred Customers can purchase advance tickets starting now to get the best seats available. Fans can still sign up to become a Disney On Ice Preferred Customer and get exclusive access to the presale offer code at www.DisneyOnIce.com/#SignUp. About BB&T Center Home to the Florida Panthers Hockey Club and leading international concerts and events, the Broward County-owned BB&T Center is one of the top ranked venues of its kind in the world, servicing Broward, Collier, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Palm Beach Counties and beyond. BB&T Center recently became the first NHL hockey arena to achieve the International WELL Building Institute’s (IWBI) WELL Health-Safety Rating for Facility Operations and Management, in recognition of the arena’s stringent guidelines and protocols to combat COVID-19, and its preparedness to safely accommodate fans upon reopening. For the latest info about upcoming events, visit www.TheBBTCenter.com and follow BB&T Center on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Content and images courtesy of BB&T Center.
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The 2021 Florida AIDS Walk and Music Festival Has a New Date Saturday, April 24, 2021 Content and image Courtesy of AHF
I’m sure you understand that we could all use a little more time to prepare. We are working very hard to make a safe and fun event, and we hope you can join us. We’re looking forward to seeing you on April 24, 2021, for a fantastic Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, FL! We wanted to remind you that your participation and fundraising would help these organizations provide lifesaving medication and services to people in need right here in South Florida. So, we need you to join us and support them more than ever. No matter when the Florida AIDS Walk takes place and what form our gathering takes, these amazing organizations still benefit from your participation and depend on your fundraising. If you’re on a team representing one of our official beneficiaries, 100% of your fundraising dollars goes directly to benefit your organization. So, if you are affiliated with a beneficiary and you’d like to support directly, join their team. Learn the Facts An estimated 1.1 million people in the US are living with HIV, and 15% of them don’t even know it. Florida is disproportionately affected, and while progress has been made, the rate of new HIV diagnosis is back on the rise. Funds raised support HIV/AIDS services for our friends and neighbors throughout Florida. The benefiting organizations are: • • • • • • •
AIDS Healthcare Foundation Equality Florida Latinos Salud The Pride Center at Equality Park SAVE SunServe World AIDS Museum
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Light the Night to “Light Up” Fort Lauderdale’s Downtown On Display March 1-7, 2021, 6:30-11:00PM Get ready for Light the Night, when buildings in downtown Fort Lauderdale, FL will come alive with spectacular video projection displays. A collaboration of Broward Cultural Division’s Public Art & Design Program and the creative solutions firm MAD, Light the Night is the first event of its kind in Broward County, incorporating innovative 3D projection mapping technology to project new sitespecific artworks by South Florida artists onto three buildings in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Featuring artworks by Agustina Woodgate, Jen Clay, Edison Peñafiel, and Monica Lopez de Victoria, Light the Night’s nightly activations of light, color, sound and motion, some spanning 10 stories high, will be displayed March 1-7, 2021, from 6:30-11:00PM on the facades of Broward County Government Center (115 South Andrews Avenue), NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale (One East Las Olas Boulevard), and Society Las Olas (301 Southwest 1st Avenue). The buildings are located within walking distance of each other, providing a unique outdoor art experience for the public in a low-density and safe environment. Health and safety reminders will also be projected onto the buildings. The nighttime projections will also feature video art from the collections of NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale and the Francie Bishop Good and David Horvitz Collection at Girls’ Club. Rather than using a conventional screen, projection mapping, also known as video mapping, uses a physical space or object as a surface for the projection. The pieces produced are adapted to each space, and are then mapped to its surfaces, giving the projection architectural dimensionality that transforms flat surfaces into dynamic art filled with moving patterns, lights, and animations.
For more information, visit www.ArtsCalendar.com/LightTheNight.
The South Florida Symphony Orchestra Education Program By Denny Patterson
W
hen Maestra Sebrina Alfonso founded the South Florida Symphony Orchestra (SFSO) in 1997, a cornerstone of the organization’s mission was dedicated to arts education. The Symphony in the Schools Program was created, which includes thoughtfully curated, compelling, and fun classical music programs, specifically to engage children who most likely have not been exposed to the artform in the past. Recently, the SFSO was invited to collaborate with Carnegie Hall and its Link Up Program, providing a free, high quality, year-long curriculum that teachers can easily implement. The resources have been digitally enhanced and made available for both in-person and remote teaching settings. SFSO President and CEO Jacqueline Lorber talked more with OutClique about the education program. Denny Patterson: Hi, Jacqueline! Thank you for taking some time to chat with me about the SFSO Education Program. Can you tell us more about it? Jacqueline Lorber: Since the inception of our transformative program, we have reached more than 85,000 underserved students in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe counties. During the 2019-2020 school year alone, over 10,000 children attended a free Symphony in the Schools multimedia-infused concert. We have strong community partnerships with the school districts in South Florida, The Kennedy Centers’ Turnaround Arts Program, and now Carnegie
Hall’s Link Up Program to serve culturally and economically disadvantaged children who would otherwise have little to no access to orchestra music. In addition to children’s programming, we also perform these programs for the community. On March 14, 2021, there is a free livestream concert of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, in partnership with the Rhythm Foundation and City of Miami Beach, as part of the Arts in the Park series. We hope music lovers both young and old will join us for this family friendly virtual concert. The symphonic fairytale of a brave, young boy who captures a big, bad wolf, comes to life through the narrator and the instruments that illustrate it. This is a great introduction to the orchestra for children. Their imaginations come alive when they connect the various instruments of the orchestra and Peter and his animal friends.
DP JL
What do you hope participants take away from this program?
We hope that music enriches their lives. In addition to the benefits mentioned previously, classical music just makes you feel good. Listening to music lowers stress, aids in relaxation, and boosts memory.
DP JL
How will this program benefit the SFSO as a whole?
SFSO’s mission is to entertain, inspire, and educate the communities we serve. Enriching the lives of students is just part of our DNA. We are always thinking creatively and strategically about how we can expand this impactful program and reach more and more children.
To read the full interview, visit www.OutClique.com. For more information on SFSO, visit www.SouthFloridaSymphony.org. 124 | OutClique.com
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