OutClique Magazine March 2024

Alan Cumming

Steven O. Evans, PhD1

Publisher and Editor in Chief

Leadership Team

Connie Evans (Chief Copy Editor / Mother of the Publisher)

Sach Advertising Group (Senior Director of Graphic Design & Information Technology)

Will White (Senior Associate Editor)

Chandler Scott (Director of Social Media & Assistant to Dr. Evans)

Jan Mitchell (Director of Public Relations / Jan Mitchell PR)

Writers

John M. Hayden (Senior South Florida News Journalist); Denny Patterson (Senior Lifestyle Writer & Assistant Editor)

Megan Fitzgerald, PhD (Senior Writer, Associate Professor, Nova Southeastern University,. Halmos College of Arts and Sciences)

Rod Davis (Senior Writer; CEO, Better Business Bureau®); Charles Baran (Art, Music & Theater/ Brand Ambassador) Eric Swanson (Miss Bouvee); Jessica Graves (Yacht TV); Brickey Lane; Tony Adams; Tony Lima (CEO, SunServe)

Cinthya Lavin (VP of Communications & Community, Engagement, Better Business Bureau®); Savannah Whaley (Executive Vice President, Pierson Grant); Diana Hanford (Senior Vice President, Pierson Grant); Stephen Fallon, PhD (CEO, Latinos Salud) John Marler (SunServe, Director of Communications; Social Sciences Writer)

Brand Ambassadors

Jorge Perez; Charles Baran; Tim Bowman; Arnie Cuarenta

Distribution

Jason Eakin (Director); Nick Coltharp (Assistant Director)

Photography

Stephen Lang (Director / Editorial Consultant); Jason Sapp (Brand Ambassador); Keans LLamer

PR Company Affiliates

Goodman PR; Kip Hunter Marketing; Pierson Grant PR; Welcome to Aqua; Blue Daisy Media; Kay Renz Public Relations M Network; Gary Schweikhart, PR-BS

Legal Oversight

Provided by Trantalis & Associates

Accounting & Finance

Doug Turner (Best Books and Taxes)

Spiritual Counsel & Wellness Advisors

Rev. Dr. Robert Griffin (SunShine Cathedral); Rev. Dr. Durrell Watkins (SunShine Cathedral)

Rev. Dr. Anne R. Atwell (SunShine Cathedral); Rev. Jill Auman (First United Methodist Church, Fort Lauderdale)

Advisory & Consultation to Dr. Evans

Lois Margaret Nora, JD, MD, MBA

Rivendell Media

National Advertising

publication of

Nourishing Our Well-Being

Dear Friends,

As we embrace the arrival of March, a month that heralds the promise of spring and renewal, let’s focus on a topic of paramount importance - health.

March is not only a time of seasonal transition, but also an opportune time to reflect on our well-being and make conscious choices that contribute to a healthier and happier life. Our health is an invaluable asset, and our community offers a plethora of various aspects of wellness.

The Florida AIDS Walk & Music Festival on March 9, at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, is a great way to start your fitness plan by walking, and at the same time raising your spirits and funds for a worthy cause. Proceeds are donated directly to AIDS service organizations in South Florida including Sun Serve, Latinos Salud, Broward House, and Aids Healthcare Foundations (AHF), among others beneficiaries.

CAN Community Care also focuses on the health and well-being of those affected by HIV, Hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted diseases. Care Resources provides general medical services, dentistry, and support services.

Mental Health is also an important service that the health centers above provide.

Genesis Health Institute offers a Functional Medicine approach to chronic diseases, stress management, medical aesthetics, various therapies, stress management, and even insomnia.

Thank you for being part of the OutClique Family. We hope you enjoy this months’ issue and that it inspires you to embrace the opportunities for growth, self-care, and community support that contribute to a sense of wellness.

Warm regards,

Dr. Steven Publisher and Editor in Chief OutClique Magazine

A Look at City Priorities for the Coming Year

In mid-January, the City Commission and staff gathered to come up with its priorities for the new year. This commission is energized and committed to building upon the successes of the past while forging ahead with ambitious goals for the future.

Our mission is to improve public safety, tackle the growing prevalence of homelessness, address the affordability of housing, continue to improve our infrastructure, find ways to ease traffic congestion, and promote public spaces and our neighborhoods.

We have made major progress in improving public safety recently. We broke ground on the new police headquarters and are nearing the end of a program to upgrade our fire stations. Between the last budget and the current one, we will have increased the size of the police force by 35 officers and the Fire Department by 26 positions.

With this year’s budget, we will increase the number of rescue units staffed by three firefighters, thus allowing fire engines and rescue units to respond to separate calls if necessary. We also authorized a first-of-its-

kind pilot program to have police officers certified as medical EMTs.

Under the leadership of our new police chief, William Schultz, we are planning citywide gun violence prevention projects and will have outreach initiatives to promote gun safety. We also plan to strengthen neighborhood relationships with our officers, address concentrated crime through prevention efforts, and partner with the Bloomberg-Harvard City Leadership program to better understand residents’ concerns and develop innovative solutions.

With homelessness, the commission plans to expand the work of our homeless outreach teams in targeting hotspot areas to offer temporary housing and assistance to those willing to accept it and to combat the serious public safety issues that often arise such as aggressive panhandling.

These efforts will be citywide, including homelessness in our residential areas. The city has increased the number of police officers assigned full time to homeless outreach and added the Fire Department to

the initiative through its mobile healthcare program. We’ve also doubled the money for our housing navigation program. This is a unique collaboration with the TaskForce For Ending Homelessness to reduce the number of displaced individuals.

We are looking for collaboration with other agencies in our efforts. For instance, we are in discussions with the Broward Sheriff’s Office about jail discharge procedures. As a county seat, we bear an unequal burden in addressing homelessness because anyone arrested anywhere in the county is discharged from the main jail in our downtown.

The city has led the region in efforts to ensure the affordability of housing — that we have a housing stock that supports families of all levels of income.

In the next year, we plan to look for ways to utilize community redevelopment money to expand housing opportunities that are more affordable than the marketrate products under construction. We also are creating an affordable housing master plan.

We must ensure we remain a diverse community open to all income levels – a place where workers from nurses and teachers to bank tellers and waiters can afford to live, a place where someone fresh from college can launch a career, and a place where a senior citizen can retire comfortably.

Regarding our transportation and traffic priority, the commission is committed to improving transportation infrastructure and promoting alternative modes of transportation, such as biking and walking. We will address conditions on problematic roadways, enhance our micro-mobility efforts and complete an analysis of sidewalk needs citywide. We want to enhance connectivity, reduce traffic congestion, and improve the overall mobility experience for residents and visitors alike.

Of course, a centerpiece of this priority is to continue to explore options for the New River crossing if the county proceeds with plans to launch a commuter

rail service along the Florida East Coast Railroad tracks. Our consulting team is making great progress in assessing the best and most cost-efficient way to build a tunnel for the rail service through downtown, and we expect to be able to provide a detailed update very soon.

Infrastructure continues to be an important priority for Fort Lauderdale. We are continuing our efforts to upgrade water and sewer lines citywide and expand flood management projects in low-lying areas. Our new water treatment plant is now under construction.

In addition, though, our 2024 goals include planning for future capacity needs at our sewage treatment plant, enhancing waterway quality, improving the cleaning stormwater drainage, encouraging commercial recycling and finalizing our tree canopy ordinance.

Our final goal of the year surrounds public spaces and our neighborhoods.

We want to undertake more neighborhood-specific masterplanning initiatives, make it easier for people to preserve historic properties, restart a program to boost neighborhood-driven improvements, and enhance median maintenance and street cleanliness. In addition, we plan to continue to look for ways to better mitigate the issues created by vacation rentals despite the restrictions imposed on the city by the state Legislature. We also plan to work on expanding broadband connectivity and work with the School Board to prevent neighborhood school closures.

As we embark on these priorities, I invite you to join us in shaping the future of Fort Lauderdale. Your input, ideas, and feedback are invaluable as we work to build a stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive community for all.

Thank you for your continued support.

Yours, Dean

www.OutClique.com/Mayor-Dean-Trantalis

Content Courtesy of Mayor Dean J. Trantalis | Photo by Dennis Dean, Courtesy of Office of Mayor Dean J. Trantalis

The All-New 2024 Lexus GX

There’s a fresh presence in the world of luxury SUVs — the 2024 Lexus GX. An invigorating blend of refinement and robust capability, the three-row utility vehicle is a boundless ticket to travel. For urban explorers and nature-lovers alike, the GX is meticulously engineered to elevate driving experiences, no matter where the road leads.

Join the Celebration: LGBT+ Events Await in Paradise

Nestled amidst the beauty of pristine beaches, meandering waterways, and the allure of Everglades eco-tours, Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida, emerges as a beacon of inclusivity and diversity. While our sun-kissed paradise boasts stunning natural wonders, it also stands as an ideal refuge for LGBT+ travelers seeking a harmonious blend of exciting adventures.

Visitors will find many LGBT+-operated businesses, hotels, and cultural attractions here. From nightly karaoke and drag show events to food and music festivals, there's always something exciting happening in this lively tropical playground. With a vibrant community spirit, our sun-kissed paradise invites you to join us for unforgettable events that ignite your passion and leave you with lasting memories.

Experience the Magic of Stonewall Pride

Prepare to be dazzled as the Stonewall Pride Parade & Street Festival kicks off June 15. Featuring celebrity entertainers, show-stopping musical performances, and interactive artistic experiences, Stonewall Pride is a

testament to our commitment to the LGBT+ community. The street festival is an 8-hour spectacle with three stages of live music, dazzling performances, and DJs. Vendors and organizations will be offering special pride deals and free giveaways.

The legendary Stonewall Pride Parade is the highlight, a colorful spectacle not to be missed. Typically attracting 50,000 spectators, this celebration honors our vibrant community and contributes significantly to the City of Wilton Manors.

Escape to Flockfest: Your Passport to Fun, Sun, and Memories

In a radiant display of inclusivity and jubilation, the highly anticipated Flockfest will take center stage from July 4 to 7 and make waves at the picturesque Fort Lauderdale Beach Park. With an expanded venue that promises more space, ample parking, and the convenience of complete bathrooms, this five-day celebration offers a sun-soaked experience like no other. Gather your friends and prepare to make a splash as you bring your creatively decorated winged floaties to the shores of Fort Lauderdale.

By day, indulge in Flockfest beach parties that pulse with infectious energy. As twilight descends, the rainbowdrenched streets of Wilton Manors come alive with the beats of music, the laughter of friends old and new, and the shared sense of belonging.

An Evening of Unforgettable Cinematic Revelry

Film enthusiasts can immerse themselves in the love of movies at the OUTshine Film Festival (October 19 to 29). This annual event offers a diverse array of films that captivate hearts and minds, from gripping narratives to thought-provoking documentaries. The festival, a testament to the profound impact of storytelling, unites movie lovers in an unforgettable celebration of the art of film. It offers a splendid tapestry of world premiere film screenings, intimate filmmaker discussions, and engaging actor talk-backs, all framed by the enchantment of cinema.

Prepare to Be Amazed

So, mark your calendars and make some memories at these must-attend events. Explore Greater Fort Lauderdale’s diverse programming, welcoming accommodations, and vibrant lineup of happenings that reflect the true spirit of our community at VisitLauderdale. com/lgbt. And follow us at @VisitLauderdale.

Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center is the First in North America to

Adopt

the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program

Visit Lauderdale, the official destination marketing organization for Greater Fort Lauderdale, has expanded its partnership with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program as the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center signs on as the first convention center in North America to adopt the program.

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a simple tool for people with non-visible disabilities to voluntarily share that they may need extra assistance while traveling. Hidden disabilities can range from temporary cognitive conditions to physical, visual, sensory, and processing difficulties, to chronic health conditions such as arthritis and diabetes, chronic pain and sleep disorders.

“Visit Lauderdale is committed to providing everyone a safe and supportive environment and has long championed inclusion and accessibility tourism by removing all barriers to a quality experience for everyone,” said Richard Gray, senior vice president of Inclusion and Accessibility at Visit Lauderdale. “We embraced the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program as soon as we learned of it and couldn’t be prouder that our newly renovated and expanded convention center is the very first on the continent to implement the program.”

The sunflower has become an internationally recognized symbol for raising awareness for people with hidden disabilities. As part of the program, the sunflower is displayed on lanyards, name badges, pins, wristbands, or a retractable sunflower ID card holder to let staff know that additional traveling support is needed.

All convention center employees will receive Hidden Disabilities Sunflower training and there will be a permanent space in the convention center dedicated to providing a person with a hidden disability or a traveling companion with the support they need.

The program adds another welcoming dimension to the Greater Fort Lauderdale area, as the program has been incorporated into Visit Lauderdale’s accessible tourism marketing and has been adopted by the Fort LauderdaleHollywood International Airport.

Increasing Demand for Accessible Travel Conferences

According to the World Health Organization, 15% of the world’s population has some sort of disability and Gray believes there is a considerable untapped market for accessibility travel. Within a year after launching its specialized Accessible Tourism microsite, which makes trip planning for people with visible and nonvisible disabilities easier, an increased number of event organizers determined Greater Fort Lauderdale was the ideal location to host a conference.

In June 2023, Visit Lauderdale hosted the Deaf Seniors of America 17th Biennial National Conference at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino & Hotel in Hollywood, Florida. In October 2023, Visit Lauderdale was proud to host the Abilities Expo Fort Lauderdale at the convention center, where attendees from around the nation convened to network and learn about the latest products, technologies, and resources available for the disability community.

“We believe accessible tourism enables all people to participate in and enjoy vacation experiences,” said Gray. “Whether they have a hidden or unhidden disability, we want them to feel acknowledged and valued when they visit Greater Fort Lauderdale. Hopefully, they will return time and time again to discover new places and have great experiences.”

Introduces 21 New Incredible Ports for 2025

Fresh off its epic Australia debut and winning Cruise Critic’s best new cruise ship of the year for 2023, Virgin Voyages is inviting Sailors to experience the world’s No. 1 cruise brand for themselves. As Virgin’s newest travel company – one that has already smashed industry records and regularly sees Sailor rebooking rates of more than 50% – Virgin Voyages is introducing 21 awe-inspiring new ports for the summer of 2025 across Iceland, Italy, Scotland, Ireland, the Caribbean and more.

Highlights will include Reykjavik (Iceland), Naples (Italy), Dublin (Ireland), Istanbul (Turkey), Porto (Portugal), George Town (Grand Cayman) and Muscat (Oman) to name a few.

● Scarlet Lady will sail around Europe, offering an incredible combination of six- to 15-night voyages. After traveling around southern Spain, Morocco, Florence, Rome and Mallorca, she’ll return to the brand’s original home in Portsmouth and offer a series of voyages that include Reykjavik, Norway, Bordeaux, Ireland, Scotland and Cannes.

● Valiant Lady will continue to sail the brand’s popular four- and five-night Caribbean routes, while incorporating a couple of longer options to the beautiful, white-sand islands of Grand Turk and Grand Cayman.

● Resilient Lady, currently based in Australia and New Zealand, will embark on the long-haul journey back to Athens while stopping in the iconic destinations of Bali, Singapore, Phuket, Oman, Dubai and Santorini. Once back in the home of Olympus, Resilient Lady will sail her high-in-demand, seven-night voyages while incorporating new 10- and 11-night itineraries that call on Istanbul, Mykonos, Dubrovnik and Crete.

As the only brand to have ever swept Cruise Critic’s Cruisers’ Choice Awards and as Condé Nast Traveler’s No. 1 large cruise line as voted by readers, Virgin Voyages has amassed a fan base of both experienced cruisers and discerning travelers seeking a vacation option with unrivaled value. Frequently asked why he decided to build a cruise line, Sir Richard Branson describes wanting to create a class of vessels fit for his mates. The result: an award-winning fleet of high-tech Lady Ships with Michelininspired culinary options, brilliant Virgin service, unrivaled wellness amenities and distinct, immersive entertainment that could only be derived from a Virgin brand.

Next year, in addition to its signature shows like Persephone, Virgin Voyages is bringing new laughs on-board with its LOLz Supper Club comedy show, debuting first on Scarlet Lady. Additionally, Duel Reality, the acrobatic tale inspired by fabled, star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, is making waves as one of the first cruise ship productions brought to land.

New Parking Lot Open On the Beach

Say hello to the newly opened North Beach Parking Lot!

The new public parking lot along the beach provides an additional 77 spaces just south of Sunrise Boulevard at Vistamar Street and A1A. Located at 725 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard, the lot offers space for both metered and mobile payments. The new beach lot, which is ADA compliant and features ample lighting and walkways, is open 24 hours a day and costs $4 per hour for non-residents and $1.50 for those with the approved residential rate. Parking enforcement began February 1, so make sure to feed the meter!

The parking lot is located in a great spot, right next to Sunrise Lane, Breakers Avenue, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, the beach, and much more.

This lot provides greater accessibility for all, designed with the community in mind. Space is limited, and the city is working diligently to provide parking opportunities in all parts of our community, including the ever-popular beach area.

Thank you to the surrounding community as we worked to make this parking lot a reality.

City of Wilton Manors Collaborates with Broward County Cultural Division Public Art & Design Program

The City of Wilton Manors, in partnership with Broward County Cultural Division Public Art & Design Program, is seeking the public’s input for a survey that will inform its new Public Art Plan. This major initiative is part of the City's overall Strategic Plan, and underscores Wilton Manors' dedication to fostering a vibrant arts and culture community.

The Public Art Plan will serve as a pivotal starting point, shaping the City's arts and culture policy, and establishing the process for selecting public art for the City. By adopting a strategic approach to public art, Wilton Manors aims to create inclusive and engaging artistic experiences throughout the City.

Envisioned by the Wilton Manors City Commission, the public art program aims to elevate the quality of life for residents and drive economic prosperity for local businesses.

Embracing creativity and innovation, new public art installations will appeal to residents and attract visitors, enhancing the City's reputation as a thriving cultural hub.

Community comment and engagement are vital to the public art planning process. Recognizing this, and the important role that residents and stakeholders of Wilton Manors play in shaping the City's artistic landscape, the survey provides an opportunity to share valuable insights, preferences, and ideas about desired locations for public art, types of art installations, and elements of Wilton Manors that hold special significance.

"We are thrilled to collaborate with Broward County Cultural Division's Public Art & Design Program to bring this Public Art Plan to fruition. The collective voice of our residents and community members will be a driving force behind creating a vibrant and culturally enriched Wilton Manors," said Mayor Scott Newton.

To take part in the survey and be an integral part of shaping the City's artistic vision, visit https://bit.ly/ WMartsurvey2024. The survey will remain accessible until April 30, 2024.

Content Courtesy of City of Wilton Manors

Content and Photo Courtesy of the City of Fort Lauderdale

Photos

Photos

Photos

Ramrod Stud Gayzette

ST PATRICK’S DAY IS ENFORCED DRESS CODE (EDC) MEN IN KILTS GET

EDC is at the Skull & Boner Patio Bar. 9p-Midnite | March 17

Leather/Gear Only, Including Kilts!

HEAVY=DUTY CRUISING

EASTER SUNDAY

San Francisco holds Hunky Jesus & Foxy Mary Contest!

2•4•1

Saturday Night, March 9

Start your festivities early because Daylight Savings Time begins!

Zak says, “Drink Fast!”

WHAT IS WORN UNDER A KILT

What’s under my kilt?

How warm are your hands?

Saturday, March 2 at Heritage Park, Plantation hosts the SCOTISH FESTIVAL & HIGHLAND GAMES

Hosted by Sister’s of Perpetual Indulgence

You never saw so many HOT MEN IN KILTS.

Rugby! Sheep Dogs herd Mutton and Lambchops

Kilts… Because balls like these don’t fit in trousers. Nothing but a c-ring and a b*tt plug! Socks and shoes. My furry pouch. Oh, wait, that’s on top. Nothing is worn–everything is in perfect working order. A fine set of accessories. My used beer dispenser. To identify tartans, if it’s a quarter pounder underneath then he’s a McDonald. Kilt: it’s what happened to the last person who called it a skirt!

DJ Mark DeMarko

Can You Find a Good Contractor or Business in a Chat Room?

Many of us are part of online groups to keep up with what is going on in our community or in areas of interest. I routinely see questions on the Wilton Facebook group asking for advice to hire a contractor, find the best restaurant or find a reliable pet sitter. There are always responses, some helpful, som is e sarcastic and a few from individuals offering to provide the service directly.

While a referral from a trusted friend can be helpful, should we rely on feedback from online chats to make important decisions? The more complicated and costly a project is, the more research you should undertake before making a decision. Is the person properly licensed and insured? How long have they been in business? Do they have the financial resources to take on a significant project? BBB receives complaints every day from consumers who wish they had taken the time to more thoroughly evaluate the business hired.

According to the Florida Department of Professional Regulation (DBPR), while hiring an unlicensed contractor may provide a quick fix in the short term, it could result in many serious and lasting consequences. DBPR receives varying cases of alleged unlicensed construction activity including those alleging substandard work not up to building code, instances of homeowners paying for a job that is not completed as well as contractors abandoning the project. By hiring a licensed contractor, you will have peace of mind knowing that the project will be done by someone who has taken the time to acquire the appropriate education and the proper workers’ compensation and/or liability insurance and who possesses the necessary experience. BBB Accredited

Businesses are evaluated to confirm they possess the proper license.

It is also important that contractors have insurance coverage. If the contractor does not have insurance, you can be held liable for injuries/accidents related to the project. At BBB.org you can find and get quotes from businesses that are licensed and insured. The combination of price, quality, and good service combine to create value. The BBB site makes it easy to get quotes from businesses with a track record and proper credentials to do the job well. Use seflorida.app. bbb.org/connect? to obtain three quotes so you may compare options, experience, and to find a business for your project with whom you have a positive interaction. You want a partner on your project with whom you can easily communicate since some issues may arise even in the best of circumstances. No matter where you find your business, always confirm the license and insurance before moving forward to signing any agreement/contract.

A written agreement with payments connected to milestones for the project provides the checks and balances to keep the project moving while also requiring a sign off that steps have been properly completed. A reputable contractor/business understands the need for this approach and also has sufficient funds to work within this “pay as you succeed” model.

At the end of the project, don’t forget to go to BBB. org and share your feedback about the business. Your experience is added to those of others in the community to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the business to prospective clients.

Author: Rod Davis, CEO BBB serving southeast Florida and the Caribbean

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 e ects, including:

 Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. Your healthcare provider will test you for HBV. 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, and may give you HBV medicine.

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

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.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:

 Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-thecounter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

 BIKTARVY and other medicines may a ect 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.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side e ects, including:

 Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section.

 Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that may have been hidden in your body. 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 “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.

 The most common side e ects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%).

These are not all the possible side e ects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY. You are encouraged to report negative side e ects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY.

HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY

Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.

GET MORE INFORMATION

 This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more.

 Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5.

 If you need help paying for your medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.

#1 PRESCRIBED

#1 PRESCRIBED HIV TREATMENT*

*Source: IQVIA NPA Weekly, 04/19/2019 through 01/20/2023.

No matter where life takes you,

ELIAS SWITCHED TO BIKTARVY

Listen to REAL STORIES being told by REAL VOICES.

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.

Person featured takes BIKTARVY and is compensated by Gilead.

Please see Important Facts about BIKTARVY, including important warnings, on the previous page and at BIKTARVY.com.

Please see Important Facts about BIKTARVY, including important warnings, on the previous page and at BIKTARVY.com.

Jackson Breaks Ground on New Emergency Room at Jackson Memorial Hospital

On Tuesday, January 23, 2024, Jackson Health System and Jackson Health Foundation, joined by dignitaries, philanthropists, and members of Jackson’s clinical care team, broke ground on Jackson Memorial Hospital’s new emergency room. The event highlighted Jackson's remarkable progress over the past decade and unveiled key features that will distinguish the new emergency room as a state-of-the-art facility.

The reimagined emergency room will be a role-model facility in quality, efficiency, and experience. Key enhancements include more than 200 patient rooms, a fast-track triage to reduce wait times, 50 observation rooms, six resuscitation rooms, and family lounges and waiting areas that allow loved ones to be near patient care areas. The expansion will also provide additional

diagnostic rooms and separate care spaces for those with special needs, such as behavioral health patients.

The existing emergency department will undergo renovations to match the aesthetic of the new facility. Notably, the new space will offer separate entrances for adult and pediatric patients; plus, a private car and rideshare drop-off lane.

“Jackson couldn’t do what it does without the support of our community. We are at the front lines of health care right here in South Florida, and the fact that we have an institution that is world-class in our backyard, open to everyone, is essential,” stated Flavia Llizo, copresident and chief development officer of Jackson Health Foundation.

The Four Rs of Facial Rejuvenation

Pillars for addressing the visible signs of aging

Facial rejuvenation is a comprehensive approach to restoring the skin’s youthful appearance, focusing on revitalization, relaxation, replenishment, and refinement. According to Dr. Ferdinand Cabrera with Genesis Health Institute, “these four Rs represent the pillars of a holistic strategy that addresses the visible signs of aging, environmental damage, and stress effects on the skin.”

Revitalization is the cornerstone of facial rejuvenation. It involves stimulating the skin to renew itself more vigorously. Treatments under this category, such as Halo laser therapy which reverses aged DNA cells, and Broad Band Light (BBL), aim to enhance the skin’s natural luminosity. By encouraging the skin to revitalize from within, these methods help to diminish wrinkles, fine lines, and uneven skin tones, leading to a more radiant complexion.

Relaxation of facial muscles is crucial in combating the dynamic wrinkles formed by years of facial expressions. Techniques such as Botox or Dysport injections temporarily paralyze the muscles responsible for the formation of expression lines, smoothing out the skin and giving it a more relaxed appearance. This process helps in preventing new lines from forming while softening the look of existing wrinkles.

Replenishment focuses on restoring lost volume and hydration. As we age, our skin loses collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, leading to sagging and hollowed features. Dermal fillers like Juvederm and hydrating facials like Hydrafacial can replenish these essential components,

restoring facial volume and promoting a supple, hydrated look that radiates health.

Refinement is about enhancing the skin’s texture and clarity. Targeted treatments, like Halo for spot removal and Ultherapy for pore-minimizing, refine the skin’s surface, reducing the appearance of scars, large pores, and pigmentation spots. This step polishes the rejuvenation process, ensuring the skin not only feels but also looks smooth and flawless.

Dr. Bethany Berrios, also with Genesis Health Institute, adds that “together, the four Rs of facial rejuvenation offer a multi-faceted approach to anti-aging, combining treatments that work synergistically to restore, protect, and enhance the skin’s natural beauty.” Whether you’re starting to notice the first signs of aging or seeking to maintain your skin’s youthful glow, Genesis Health Institute supports these principles and can provide a roadmap to a radiant, rejuvenated complexion.

For more information, contact Dr. Cabrera and Dr. Berrios at (954) 561-3175 or ghinstitute.com.

Dr. Bethany Berrios, DNP and Dr. Ferdinand Cabrera, MD. RScP

Investing in Community

On March 9th, the Florida AIDS Walk will raise awareness, while also bringing vital funding to support fourteen local non-profits working in HIV and STD services, LGBT rights, and social justice.

Latinos Salud is a returning beneficiary to AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s annual Walk. That means that all funds donated to Latinos Salud’s Florida AIDS Walk team–even after the Walk is completed– through April 30th will be doubled

OutClique magazine sat down with Latinos Salud’s leaders to ask how these annual fundraising walks help sustain the agency’s investments in expanding services to the community.

“When we first opened in 2009, Latinos Salud only offered safer sex workshops and free condoms. We had to refer out for every other service,” said Dr. Stephen Fallon, Executive Director. “Today, Latinos Salud is a true community clinic: we treat STDs and HIV in each location; we pay the monthly health insurance premiums for our patients in greatest need; and we’re offering 100 free cultural and community events each year.”

As the agency’s reputation has grown, so has the number of community members Latinos Salud serves each year: more than 12,000 with direct services,

and tens of thousands more through its community outreach. To keep up, Latinos Salud has invested in enlarging their staff and expanding their locations, all to ensure that community members can get the services they need, when they want them, without long wait times.

Fallon tabulated some of the major investments the agency had made just last year to provide these increased wrap-around services: an increase of $700,000 in payroll; $300,000 in lab screening fees, $400,000 in insurance premiums, and more.

Latinos Salud’s co-founder, Rafaelé Narváez, emphasized how far the community’s support goes to support these efforts: “Whether someone is a major supporter, or just shows their appreciation with a $10 donation on their way out the door, the fact that these gifts are matched increases our ability to plan for more services.”

Narváez added that this year an “angel donor” has stepped up to make this month the best time to donate to Latinos Salud. “Our donor has offered to match up to $50,000 in contributions to our Walk team. That means a $100 donation will become $400. And a $1,000 donation becomes $4,000. Think of how many people you are helping with this leveraged giving.”

Dr. Fallon also noted that last month, Latinos Salud re-opened the application portal for its “Health and Support Service Pride Scholarships,” offering a lifeline to students who are pursuing careers in nursing, psychology, social work or public health. In its first year offering the $2,500 - $5,000 scholarships to South Florida LGBT students, Latinos Salud selected three recipients. “We hope to award twice as many scholarships this year,” Fallon said, noting that many applications they receive are from young people who will be the first in their family to be able to go to college.

Probably the most visible investment the agency has made in recent years is in upgrading and expanding its facilities. Juan Buch coordinates programs in Latinos Salud’s North Miami location, which opened in 2022. “Our North Miami building is in a great location, just steps from downtown and the Museum of Contemporary Art. But it sure needed a facelift! When we went in, it wasn’t nostalgic—it was just musty and dingy. Our leadership said that the community deserves clean and welcoming facilities, and they made the investment to make that a reality.”

Today, the North Miami location is thriving, with satisfied testing and PrEP clients referring their friends. Events such as dance classes and holiday costume parties fill the group room many evenings, and Latinos Salud also opens their space for other nonprofits such as The Our Fund Foundation, Equality Florida, and the OutShine Film Festival to hold meetings there.

Johnathan Medina, the agency’s senior health program manager, has been with Latinos Salud for 13 years, and has seen the agency’s growing impact. He was instrumental in setting up the SW Miami location that originally opened in Kendall in 2016: “We had a little suite up on the second floor at the back of a complex,” Medina said. The community seeking services in Miami’s SW kept growing, now 10 times as many as when Latinos Salud first opened that SW location. “Last month, we moved into an upgraded 7,000 square foot location in Olympia Heights, with plenty of parking,” Medina noted.

Latinos Salud already stays open later than any HIV/ STD agency or clinic in the state, to 9 PM nightly.

Beginning this month, investing in the community’s wellness, both its North Miami and Miami SW locations are now open Saturday half days, too.

Latinos Salud is investing in the community. Will you invest in their mission?

Donate to Latinos Salud’s Florida AIDS Walk team before April 30th, and your gift will be matched twice over.

Author: OutClique Staff Writer | Photos Courtesy of Latinos Salud

The 8th Annual Pride Center Rainbow

Photos Courtesy of SRL

EAGLE MR

Ignite Broward

Photos Courtesy of SRL

The Fifth Annual South Florida LGBTQ Philanthropy Awards

The Our Fund Foundation and Presenting Sponsor Bank of America Private Bank hosted the Fifth Annual South Florida LGBTQ Philanthropy Awards which celebrated outstanding philanthropy, volunteerism and emerging leadership.

The sold-out event, which included a cocktail reception and awards ceremony, was held at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts’ Mary Porter Riverview Ballroom on Saturday, February 3, 2024.

“We were honored to recognize these uniquely inspiring and generous leaders who lift up our community and truly make a difference,” said David Jobin, president and CEO, The Our Fund Foundation. “They epitomize our mission of advocating for philanthropy to make South Florida the most livable and energetic community in the country for LGBTQ people.”

The 2024 class of South Florida LGBTQ Philanthropy awardees includes:

MICHAEL KALB

Philanthropist of the Year

Michael’s philanthropic journey with The Our Fund

Foundation began with a conversation about his vision to establish a bricks-and-mortar LGBTQ-owned and managed facility to protect and uplift unhoused LGBTQ youth in South Florida. From that conversation, Michael drove a 3-year exploration of research, including a oneyear trial 6-bed facility, that resulted in the development of the Sunshine Pride House, a 12-bed house in Fort Lauderdale slated to open in January 2024 and is owned by the Sunshine Cathedral Foundation with programs and services provided by local non-profits, FLITE Center and SunServe. Donating more in a single year than any philanthropist in Our Fund’s 13-year history, Michael’s vision attracted philanthropist Terry Merlin, who was on a tandem journey to create a shelter for LGBTQ unhoused youth. Michael’s leadership and leadership gift, along with Terry’s extreme generosity and leadership, made the Sunshine Pride House a reality. It is the intention with this $1M+ investment that the Sunshine Pride House will serve as a model to be replicated in South Florida for LGBTQ marginalized youth.

NIKI LOPEZ

Commitment to a Cause Award

An artist, teacher, mentor and healer, Niki Lopez is known by many for the passion project she founded in 2014 –

What’s Your Elephant – that uses the arts to create a safe space for life’s unspoken topics, including gender discrimination, sexual and emotional abuse, and other traumas. Her creative activism includes being a cofounder for Artists for Black Lives Matter, as well as 1310 Bandits, a nationally recognized, award-winning visionary team of female-led, predominantly LGBTQ filmmakers. Her extensive work has impacted LGBTQ and Afro-Latina communities, women/feminist groups, people of color and sexual abuse survivors.

FLOATARAMA

Next Generation Philanthropy Award

Spontaneously originating in 2020 during the height of the Covid lockdown, the volunteer-led FLOATARAMA, the country’s largest pride event on the water, has granted $125,000 to LGBTQ youth-serving agencies in South Florida. As importantly, FLOATARAMA has initiated a dialogue and awareness about the importance

About The Our Fund Foundation

of philanthropy among a new generation of LGBTQ individuals. Founders Scott Schramm and Roderick MacKenzie are committed to expanding FLOATARAMA’s reach and influence, and along with it, the circle of donors and supporters that make their work possible.

LARRY HYER

Dick Schwarz Award for Lifetime Achievement

Larry Hyer’s lifetime of support of LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS causes and his personal involvement as a volunteer and leader of numerous agencies have cemented his reputation as one of South Florida’s leading philanthropists. He supports a variety of LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS organizations, including SAVE, YES Institute, Equality Florida, the AQUA Foundation, Communion, and the University of Miami’s LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS programs. Larry’s work leading and supporting OUTShine Film Festival has been instrumental to the organization’s success as one of the country’s leading LGBTQ film festivals.

Established in 2011, The Our Fund Foundation has grown into the third largest LGBTQ foundation in the nation. As South Florida’s only LGBTQ+ community foundation, The Our Fund Foundation promotes philanthropy, manages enduring investments and conducts meaningful grant-making to improve the lives of LGBTQ people in South Florida.

For more information or to make a donation of any size, please contact The Our Fund Foundation at

SunServe’s Tony Lima has Equality in his DNA

“I need to be on my A-game tonight,” Tony Lima confesses with a smile as we sit down to chat. Tonight, Lima is guiding a private tour of potential donors at the Sunshine Pride House, one of the newest programs at SunServe. “We just opened the LGBTQ+ focused safe space for unhoused youth between the ages of 18 and 24,” he explains. “The program is funded by just two donors and The Our Fund Foundation, so we have to do everything we can to keep it running. Our youth need us”.

As the CEO of SunServe, it’s one of Lima’s many responsibilities to regularly engage with prospective donors. “In order for us to not have to turn anyone away, we have to be able to fundraise. Our grants only cover so much,” he said. This means that most of Lima’s workdays extend well into the night. Todd Tedrow, SunServe’s recent past Board Chairperson who now oversees the organization’s therapy programs, has known Lima since his early days at the non-profit, SAVE (Safeguarding American Values for Everyone, Inc.). “He’s always been a transformational leader,” says Tedrow, a licensed LCSW and the Director of the MSW program at Barry University. In his role at SunServe, Tedrow oversees therapy programming. “He is able to make change through active engagement with all the players, employees, donors, grantors and the community,” he says of Lima. “He amazes me because he’s tireless. His days sometimes go from 8am until midnight and he goes to every event.”

David Jobin, President and CEO of The Our Fund Foundation, knew SunServe well and he knew it would take a big presence and an even bigger talent to lead them to success. Fortunately, he had just the guy for the job. “I was the Executive Director of Stonewall National

Museum and Archives when he was the Executive Director of SAVE,” explains Jobin. “I was already familiar with the kind of passion that Tony brings to the organizations he works for, so I knew he was the right candidate.”

“As soon as Tony got there,” says Tedrow, “he took command of the culture. For a lot of leaders, that takes months and sometimes years.” He adds, “He’s had incredible success in a pretty short amount of time. The organization is really transformed.”

“Whenever I’m around SunServe,” Jobin concurs, “I’m really inspired by the staff and their commitment and Tony has a lot to do with that. He has a team whose professionalism, dedication, experience, and training are really incredible. When you’re in the presence of that staff, you are overwhelmed by the commitment they have to this Mission.”

Thinking back to his first week on the job Lima recalls, “I didn’t have time to think, I just had to go!” Lima delivered on his promise. Within months of joining SunServe, the non-profit hosted its first gala. The annual event has become so popular, they sold out the 3rd Annual Shine Gala on April 5th at the kick-off party held last November. As the largest mental health provider for the LGBTQ+ population in South Florida, SunServe now stands head and shoulders above the rest. “There are plenty of organizations that do non-clinical work,” Tedrow says. “They’ll do housing. They’ll do non-therapeutic substance abuse work. They’ll address women’s issues through groups or programs. But we do therapy. We do therapeutic groups, individual therapy, so that positions us uniquely.”

We've added two LGBTQ+ focused Sober Houses and are able to provide comprehensive care with the help of our Project SOAR partnership," Lima proudly adds. "We're now providing services to over 8,000 people each year." The organization has also expanded into MiamiDade and is looking to serve Palm Beach County in the near future. "We've achieved a 25% increase in our grant funding," Lima states. "This growth is partly due to securing new corporate donors such as Gilead Sciences, ViiV Healthcare, and the Miami Dolphins. These are all organizations with which I had established relationships prior to my tenure at SunServe."

As beneficiaries of Florida AIDS Walk, every dollar they raise between October and April comes back double from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. “This past year we were the top fundraisers,” he said. Showing no signs of doubt that he plans to beat his personal best this year.

So, what’s next on Lima’s “to-do” list? In addition to adding more beds to the SunShine Pride House, there are costs associated with wraparound services. “Our partnership with FLITE Center brings a wealth of knowledge to the project,” explains Lima. “It’s not just a house, you have to be in care with us. Whether it’s therapy, life coaching or substance use support, you’re offered comprehensive treatment and support.”

New programming, new corporate partners and fostering a trusting and transparent office culture is all part of Lima’s master plan for SunServe. “We’re up to 44 employees, and through this we’ve been able to expand our services, and our programs, with a particular focus on gender expansive youth and their families,” he said.

Thanks in part to Lima’s tireless fundraising efforts, SunServe is now able to attract professionals with Masters and Doctorate degrees. He says, “Some even have multiple degrees. We’re getting more people from great schools and attracting the best of the best.” Tedrow agrees, adding, “Sunserve is an incubator. People come there to build skills to challenge themselves to engage in ways that they haven’t before, to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom, to live real life experiences.”

Lima has spent the majority of his career working as an LGBTQ+ advocate, political operative and nonprofit executive throughout Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. He’s led award-winning advocacy initiatives, leveraged governmental support, developed effective fundraising strategies for building and expanding nonprofits. Among his achievements, Tony helped lead the charge to make marriage equality a reality in the state of Florida in 2015 and led the charge to establish transgender rights in Miami- Dade County. In 2018, the Miami Dolphins honored him with the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award and the following year he received the Diversity Leadership Award from the national Harvey Milk Foundation. In 2021 Lima was recognized by Honor 41 as one of the “National Top Latino Leaders,” the same year that the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce named him to the “50 Most Influential Hispanics in Florida” list.

“I’ve done really exciting and personally rewarding work in my life,” Lima says. “I’ve always felt a need to have a job that helps make the world a better place. I know it sounds trite but it’s true. Equity is important. Equality is important. It’s just in my DNA.”

www. SunServe.org

Author: Jessica Graves

Ivy Charity Celebration

Hosted by Oliver Chen and Richard Wang

Photos Courtesy of Richard Briggs-Price, Lawrence Lim, John Fernando da Luz Camacho

2024 Homestead Exemption Save Our Homes Cap

Set by the State

The Florida Department of Revenue has set the 2024 Save Our Homes (SOH) cap at 3%. 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 Index (CPI) regardless of increases to the just value of the property. This cap results in considerable property tax savings over time for properties with Homestead Exemption. It is important to remember this is not a cap on the actual taxes, but rather a cap on the amount the Assessed/SOH Value of the property may increase annually. Properties without Homestead Exemption receive the benefit of a 10% cap on the Assessed/SOH Value beginning the year after the property is reassessed at just value.

Important: The Save Our Homes cap begins the year after you receive Homestead Exemption. This cap does not cover new construction or construction that was not taxed before the "Save Our Homes" limit applied to a particular property. When buying/acquiring real estate, do not assume the property taxes will remain the same as the current owner’s taxes. Under Florida law, a change in ownership will reset the assessed value of the property to full market value, which could result in higher property taxes. To help property owners better prepare, our office offers a New Homebuyer’s Tax Estimator on our website at https://web.bcpa.net/bcpaclient/#/Tax-Estimator.

Your Homestead Exemption automatically renews each year provided there is no change in the ownership or use of the property. If you are already receiving Homestead Exemption on your current home, you do not need to reapply. If you have not yet applied for your 2024 Homestead Exemption, Low-Income Senior Exemption, or any other exemption, you can still late file until September 18, 2024. To apply for any of these exemptions, please visit https://web.bcpa.net/ bcpaclient/#/Homestead.

Please do not hesitate to contact me directly at 954-357-6830 or by email at martykiar@bcpa.net.

Marty Kiar, JD, CFA Broward County Property Appraiser

Photo

Latinos Salud Miami Gala

Latinos Salud Miami Gala

ArtServe’s “New & Improved” Exhibit Opening Reception

Photos Credit: ArtServe

Calendar of Events

March 2024

TBD Sea Men! Play of Wilton / Ronnie Larsen / The Foundry

Now4/21 Sharks Exhibition Frost Science

Now3/22 ArtServe's “New & Improved” interactive art exhibit on the dichotomy of technology ArtServe

1 Historias de un Flamenco / Antonio Rey and guest dancer Irene Lozano la Chiqui Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts

1-3 Ballet Nacional de España Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts

1-10 Clue On Stage Lake Worth Playhouse

1-14 Flamenco Festival Miami XV Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts

2-3 Le Papillon, Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida Aventura Arts & Cultural Center

2 Charles’ Birthday Event LeBoy

2 Third Annual Palm Beach Gala Honoring Dionne Warwick and Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger Palm Beach

2 Mi Esencia Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts

2 Miradas Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts

2 Caroline Rhea SunShine Cathedral for the Performing Arts

3 Beethoven's Ninth - South Florida Symphony Orchestra Broward Center for the Performing Arts

3 Plaza Vieja / José del Tomate and guest dancer Karime Amaya Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts

3 iLuminate The Parker

4-10 A Woman's Voice Inter-American Choreographic Institute

5-10 Lauderdale Tropical Bear Week www.LauderdaleTropicalBear.com

5 VIP Welcome Party

Lauderdale Tropical Bear Week Solstice at Wilton

5-17 Moulin Rouge! The Musical Broadway in Fort Lauderdale - Broward Center for the Performing Arts

6 Emanuel Ax, Piano Palm Beach Symphony - Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts

7-24 1,000 Miles New City Players

7 Nicole Henry-I Wanna Dance with Somebody: The Songs of Whitney Houston Amaturo Theater at The Broward Center for the Performing Arts

8 Wine & Culinary Celebration Museum of Discovery & Science (MODS)

Larry Feuer Community Foundation of Broward Legacy Society Member

“ I Locked In My Legacy”

Like many people, I wasn’t sure how to use my estate plan to give back to the community I love – to establish my own legacy of philanthropy.

The team at the Community Foundation of Broward showed me how easy it is to use my estate plan to create an endowed charitable Fund in my name that will live on forever.

I now have peace of mind knowing that when I’m gone, distributions from my charitable Fund will support the things I care about in Broward for generations to come. It feels good to be bold!”

Read more about Larry’s Legacy at cfbroward.link/LarrysLegacy

954.761.9503 | cfbroward.org

8

8

9 Children’s Harbor 11th Annual Harbor Lights Gala Bergeron’s Green Glades Ranch

9 Florida AIDS Walk Fort Lauderdale Beach

9 Diversity Honors Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

9 Bears in the Park Lauderdale Bear Week / Gay Ocho / Richardson Park / Wilton Manors

12

12-17

14

15

15

16

16

20-24

21-24

March 2024

21 Equality Park After Dark - A Fun Artisan Market

22 Hooray for Hollywood

22 Funny Women of a Certain Age, Aventura Stand Up Comedy Series

23-24 Palm Beach Pride

The Pride Center at Equality Park

Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida / The Parker

Aventura Arts & Cultural Center

Compass GLCC - Palm Beach County

23-24 Amy Armstrong SunShine Cathedral for the Performing Arts

23 Absolute Queen Aventura Arts & Cultural Center

23 Island Rhythms Are Calling Gold Coast Jazz Society, Coral Ridge Yacht Club

23 Tampa Pride Tampa

23 Full Moon Party / DJ Tdon Eagle Wilton Manors

3/234/7 Slow Burn Theatre: The Prom Broward Center for the Performing Arts

24 Kemal Gekic, Miami International Piano Festival Aventura Arts & Cultural Center

25 Bernstein / Stravinsky / Ravel / Zwilch

26-31 Mrs. Doubtfire

South Florida Symphony Orchestra New World Center

Barbara Mann Performing Arts Hal (Ft Myers, FL)

26-31 SIX Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts

27 Bernstein / Stravinsky / Ravel / Zwilch

29 Bernstein / Stravinsky / Ravel / Zwilch

South Florida Symphony Orchestra / The Parker

South Florida Symphony Orchestra

Tennessee Williams Theatre

30 Rise / Drew G Eagle Wilton Manors

Now4/21 Sharks Exhibition

April

April 2024

Frost Science

5

5

5-7

5-14

5-21 Ragtime Lake Worth Playhouse

6 Alan Cumming: Uncut The Parker

6 Free Family Concerts: Meet Mr. Mozart Master Chorale of South Florida

6-7 Orchid Festival Bonnet House

13

May TBD

Daniel’s Husband

May 2024

Play of Wilton / Ronnie Larsen / The Foundry

1-5 Pulp Island City Stage

2-4 La bohème

2-12 Betrayal

Florida Grand Opera - Broward Center for the Performing Arts

A Black Box Theatre Production - Lake Worth Playhouse

3-5 SunFest’s 40th Anniversary Festival Downtown West Palm Beach

8 Brian Lynch Quintet: The Songbooks

Gold Coast Jazz

11 Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to the Beatles Broward Center for the Performing Arts

15 Kathy Griffin The Parker

16 Equality Park After Dark - A Fun Artisan Market

The Pride Center at Equality Park

23-27 Miami Pridechilla Summit & Music Festival Miami

30-6/3 Gay Days Orlando Orlando

30-6/3 Girls in Wonderland – LGBT Orlando Festival Orlando

31 Considering Matthew Shepard

June TBD

A Shonda

Master Chorale of South Florida

June 2024

Play of Wilton / Ronnie Larsen / The Foundry

5/306/3 Gay Days Orlando Orlando

30-6/3 Girls in Wonderland – LGBT Orlando Festival Orlando

1 Considering Matthew Shepard

Master Chorale of South Florida

11-16 Clue Broadway in Fort Lauderdale Broward Center for the Performing Arts

15-22 Eastern Mediterranean Cruise Adventure Bears

15 Stonewall Pride Parade & Street Festival Wilton Manors

29 Pride: Then, Now, & Forever

Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida / The Parker

Hailing from Leesburg, Florida, Ginger Minj first gained international recognition as a finalist on Season 7 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and subsequently returned to compete on All Stars 2 and 6. The Emmy Award-winning series has catapulted the careers of several drag artists, and Ginger is unquestionably thriving in the limelight, showcasing a diverse array of talents including acting, singing, and writing.

OutClique had the opportunity to catch up with the drag superstar and talk about her latest endeavors including a brand-new tour titled The Broads Way, where she and longtime collaborator Gidget Galore take audiences on a musical journey through some of the best Broadway shows to ever grace the Great White Way, her recently published memoir/cookbook, Southern Fried Sass, and her perspectives on the anti-drag sentiments prevailing in the Sunshine State.

Denny Patterson: Ginger, I’d like to begin by asking about The Broads Way. How has the show been going, and can you tell us what it’s about?

Ginger Minj: It’s been going great! The Broads Way is an hour long show, and it’s chaotic. It’s 24 Broadway hits that everybody knows and loves, 20 costume changes, and there’s something for everybody. They always say make them laugh every 30 seconds, but we're doing it every 10. It’s unhinged, ridiculous, and if you love Broadway and showtunes, you're going to love this. If you don't like Broadway and showtunes, we found a way to make you love them.

Denny Patterson: Out of all the productions you explore in The Broads Way, which one is your absolute favorite?

Ginger Minj: Gypsy is probably my favorite. I accidentally played Mama Rose when I was 18 years old, before I ever even started drag. I was costuming a production of Gypsy at our local community theater, and the night before opening, our Mama Rose got into a knockout fist fight with the director and quit. We were like, what do we do? We opened in less than 24 hours, and I was like, well, I fit the costumes and know the show. They laughed, but then were like, maybe! I’ve never done drag a day in my life at this point, and they said, put on the costume and sing a couple songs. I did, and they’re like, okay, it’ll work (laughs). It wasn’t like, oh, a star is born! It was more like, maybe this will help us out of this jam. I ended up playing Mama Rose for a week and a half until they

brought the new actress in from New York to take over, but I loved doing it, and I would love to purposefully do it at this point in my career. Rose, to me, is the pinnacle of musical theater. It’s that moment where everything has led up to it, and it encompasses every emotion possible. It runs the full gamut, so I knew I wanted to put that into the show for myself.

Denny Patterson: In November, you released your memoir/cookbook, Southern Fried Sass. How has it been received?

Ginger Minj: Better than I ever hoped!

Denny Patterson: What inspired you to write it?

Ginger Minj: I wrote the book because when you're blessed to be on something like RuPaul’s Drag Race, people feel like they get to know you. They do, but it's on a very surface level because you're sharing screen time with all these other people for an hour to an hour and a half every week. Audiences get little breadcrumbs of who we are or what our stories may be, and it was so strange for me to be out on the road and have people either come up to me or post online things about my life that had never happened or couldn't be further from the truth. They were like, in order to get from this point to this point, this is probably what had to have happened. And I said, no, this is what actually happened. I started telling bits and pieces of my actual story and there was such a power in that communication. People started going, oh my God, my mind is blown. That could be my story. I didn't do that, but I went through this and that's kind of led me to this point. So, I decided I wanted to tell my life story and fill in those gaps for everybody else.

Denny Patterson: What are some future goals you hope to accomplish with your career and platform?

Ginger Minj: There's just so much. I'm one of those queens who likes to have their hand in every pot. I always like to keep things fresh and look at what else I can sink my teeth into. There are a couple TV things coming up, such as a short film I did called Stan Behavior, which is like a comedic drag queen version of Misery. It stars myself and Yvonne Zima, who’s been in soap operas and movies. Her sister, Madeline, played Gracie on The Nanny, so we bonded over our love of Fran Drescher. The movie is so fun, and it's making the circuit this year through all the film festivals. It’s getting a lot of good buzz already.

Author: Denny Patterson | Photo Courtesy of Ginger Minj

Elevate Your Brand With Promotional Breezes

Are you looking for a way to build and sustain your business?

Whether you’re a large corporation, a small company, or a not-for-profit organization, it’s important to leave a lasting impression on clients, partners, and event attendees. Promotional Breezes can help put your business in the spotlight with a specially curated selection of exquisite gifts, quality apparel, personalized office accessories, and eyecatching giveaways that effortlessly elevate your brand. Add your logo, messaging, choose custom colors, and let your brand shine in every detail.

You’ll also receive personal attention at Promotional Breezes. “We take pride in our attention to detail and quickly respond to our customers’ needs, assisting with cost effective ways to market and brand your business, and make sure your order arrives on time,” says Steven Lazarus, VP of Sales and Marketing.

The experienced long-time, local family business sets a new standard in the world of promotional products, offering a diverse range of thousands of customizable items to meet your needs.

With upcoming Pride events, Promotional Breezes has sourced rainbow products from buttons and wristbands, to cooling towels and drink koozies, flags to fanny packs, and more. They even have colorful caps for your four-legged, furry family members.

Are you sponsoring or taking your business to a community event, trade show, or festival? Promotional Breezes has everything your business needs to draw attention to your company, including customized pop-up tents, banners,

displays, table covers, right down to lanyards, name badges, and giveaways.

How about showing appreciation to your staff and clients with a trophy or plaque? Or, perhaps you’re looking for that special holiday gift your clients will remember. You might select something from Promotional Breezes drinkware line, tech or office accessories, or travel items. They also offer Healthcare items, apparel, and hats and caps to show your team spirit.

The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

Whether you're expressing gratitude to clients, acknowledging the hard work of your team, or celebrating a successful partnership, Promotional Breezes is your ultimate source for gifting excellence.

Promotional Breezes is celebrating their 20th anniversary this year. Founder, William Lazarus, started the company in 2004. His son, Steven Lazarus, joined the business in 2008 after 8 years working on the supplier side. Their experience and personalized attention is second to none.

In celebration of their 20th Anniversary, Promotional Breezes will deduct $100 from your order of $500 or more through November 20, 2024. To receive our gift to you, just email a link to this article to steven@promotionalbreezes.com

Visit Promotional Breezes website at PromotionalBreezes. com to explore their collection and make a lasting impression with your next gift, giveaway items or event display. Call 954.567.2664 to place your order.

Author: Jan Mitchell | Photo Courtesy of Promotional Breezes

THE OUR FUND FOUNDATION is South Florida’s LGBTQ community foundation. We help individuals plan their estates, so that their philanthropic giving can continue for years—even generations—after passing away.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW THE OUR FUND FOUNDATION CAN HELP YOU ESTABLISH A LEGACY PLAN, EMAIL LEGACY@OUR-FUND.ORG.

NSU Art + Design

Presents Senior Showcase Art Exhibition “Identity”

The Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts and the B.A. in Art + Design program at Nova Southeastern University present “Identity,” its 13th exhibition highlighting work by senior Art + Design majors with a focus on graphic design and studio art.

The exhibition is available for viewing through March 15, 2024.

• Location: Gallery 217, 2nd floor of the Don Taft University Center on NSU’s main campus

• Gallery Hours: Tuesday/Thursday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Wednesday: 9 a.m. – 3p.m.

• Free and open to the local community

For more information, contact Gallery Manager L'nique Noel at ln507@nova.edu

Author: Whitney Lehmann

Photo Courtesy of NSU Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts

Turning the Tide

Ocean and Shark Conservation

The Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is more than a Museum; it's a dynamic hub connecting people to the wonders of science and fostering a deep bond with the environment. With a commitment to education and an emphasis on Environmental Sustainability, MODS is leading the charge in bringing together communities to promote environmental stewardship and resilience through its Hub for Resilience Education.

At the forefront of MODS' efforts is the collaboration with the Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF), a non-profit organization based in Geneva, Switzerland dedicated to protecting and preserving the world's oceans. SOSF focuses on addressing pressing issues such as overfishing, plastic pollution, habitat destruction and climate change, with an emphasis on shark and ray conservation and research.

Over two decades, SOSF has funded more than 480 projects across 91 countries, established three research centers and played a pivotal role in protecting more than 140 species of sharks and rays under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). In partnership with MODS, SOSF is now extending its impact through innovative education initiatives that reach both in-person and virtual Museum guests.

One such initiative is the SOSF Distinguished Speaker Series, a free, enormously popular monthly virtual program hosted live by MODS via Zoom. Presentations are then posted to YouTube where the series has been viewed

more than 1.6 million times and more than 14,200 hours watched. The SOSF Distinguished Speaker Series brings together leading shark and ray researchers, educators and conservationists from around the world, creating an interactive platform for guests to engage in conversations at the forefront of ocean research and education. From tracking Whale Sharks with satellite tags in the Galapagos Islands to understanding Lemon Shark populations in the Turks and Caicos using genetics, the topics covered are diverse and captivating.

But the engagement doesn't stop there. In partnership with the SOSF, MODS introduced the Shark Cart in 2022—an immersive experience located outside the EcoScapes exhibit on the first floor of the Museum. Guests can dive into the science of sharks with hands-on activities, touch shark teeth and examine models of these incredible predators. Educators are on hand to answer any biting questions and share the latest research, including insights into environmental impact and sustainability for sharks, which are now threatened by extinction.

MODS and SOSF invite everyone to become advocates for the oceans and champions of sustainability. Stay connected through visits to the Museum, explore Mods. org and SaveOurSeas.com, follow their initiatives on social media and share newfound knowledge with friends and family. As we embark on this journey of exploration and conservation together, let us amplify the message of environmental stewardship and create a world where our collective efforts make a lasting impact on the health and sustainability of our oceans.

Author: Lance Cutrer

Celebrate 50 Years with a new library card, sticker and button!

Free, “Peace, Love and Libraries” limited-edition library cards, stickers and buttons at all Broward County Library locations.

Inside the Perfectly Perfect World of Ronnie Larsen

When describing South Florida theater impresario Ronnie Larsen, the word “zen” doesn’t usually come to mind. Yet, backstage at The Foundry, amid the hustle and bustle of the actors and stagehands arriving for the evening performance of Ronnie’s big hit play—aren’t they all a big hit?—10 Naked Men, a show first produced over 25 years ago in California and New York, there was a decidedly relaxed atmosphere which made Ronnie’s use of the word during our sit-down chat seem surprising, yet appropriate.

Charles Baran: Hello Ronnie! You are just about the busiest person I know in the South Florida theater scene. Not only are you the founder and producer of POW (Plays of Wilton), but you also write many of the productions and star in several. How do you juggle all those balls?

Ronnie Larsen: Hi Charles. Really, I’m not that busy, although I guess I shouldn’t be saying that. (he laughs)

Charles Baran: How would you describe a typical Ronnie Larsen day?

Ronnie Larsen: This is going to sound very Pollyanna, but everything is perfect. Like today, in the past 48 hours we got a check for $5,000 in the mailbox, we had a meeting about taking one of our plays (The Actors) to New York in May, and we have a sold-out show tonight. I feel like I’m living this dream nirvana experience. All the greatest artists in town are working here. We’re doing these low-

brow community things, which I love, then we’re doing things with Stuart Meltzer and Michael McKeever. I just put another project together with Bruce Linser, Family Tree, which I’m very excited about. I really feel like everything is perfect. But when everything is consistently up . . . well, it’s so weird. It’s not life anymore.

Charles Baran: You’ve been doing this for quite a while now. What changed?

Ronnie Larsen: What I didn’t understand as a young person is that when you treat people really well all the time, it comes back to you. It’s like producing by zen. (there’s that word) If you don’t try to push the rock up the hill, it all works out. The most powerful thing we are doing here at the Foundry is that we are living in the moment.

Charles Baran: What’s up next?

Ronnie Larsen: We have a new show going into rehearsal called Sea Men! It’s a gay retelling of how Captain James Cook discovered Hawaii. It’s hilarious! You’ll laugh and you’ll get a history lesson!

Charles Baran: You must be extremely pleased to see the fruits of your labor.

Ronnie Larsen: It is not about me, I facilitate it, yes, but it’s about the community. It’s not the Ronnie Larsen Playhouse. It’s we. Not me. I learn that every day.

Author: Charles Baran | Photo Courtesy of Dennis Dean

Lauderdale Tropical Bear Week Arrives

From sunny pool parties to late night action in a dark club to Dad’s Cabaret featuring an adult entertainment legend, Lauderdale Tropical Bear Week is out of hibernation and bigger than ever. Eagle Wilton Manors and its partners bring the spring fling back Tuesday, March 5 - Sunday, March 10, 2024.

The party, formerly known as Bears in the Alley, brings the best of bear culture and gives it a beachy, South Florida Vibe. Here’s a day-by-day look at all of the events.

Tuesday, March 5

The VIP Welcome Pool Party starts at 2pm at Solstice at Wilton. A limited bar, music, and lots of wet fun are promised.

The general welcome party is co-hosted by Gym Bar and Pub On the Drive. The joint party runs 8pm-close and is open to the public.

Wednesday, March 6

Bears get a Queen . . .the Jungle Queen. The party sets sail on the VIP Bear Cruise at 2:30 at 801 Seabreeze. The exclusive event traverses the Intracoastal while you enjoy beverages, a breeze, and gorgeous views of the Atlantic and Fort Lauderdale

That night is a new, special addition to the calendar: Dad’s Cabaret featuring adult movie star Drew Sebastian. He showcases his musical chops which are just as impressive as his other ‘talents.’

“My first career was in musical theater,” he told OutClique “On porn sets, in between takes, I’d sing songs like Grease Lightning.”

Dad’s Cabaret is at Hunters Nightclub and hosted by Bears of South Florida. The event is included in VIP packages, but regular pass holders will need to buy a ticket for Dad’s Cabaret.

Thursday, March 7

Drew Sebastian isn’t going anywhere. He’s hosting the

Tropical Splash at The Easton Rooftop Pool in Courtyard Downtown FTL presented by FlockFest. VIP passes include valet.

The legendary Chi Chi LaRue is taking over Eagle that night. She’s hosting the Bare With Me Harness Party starting at 9pm.

Friday, March 8

Bearish Weekend Vibes will be in full effect on Friday at noon. Beach at Birch State Park hosts the Camo Beach Party. VIP includes some of South Florida’s best barbeque, provided by Smoke BBQ.

Once that wraps up at 5pm, get changed, get some food, and get to Scandals Saloon. They’re hosting the Sunset Tea Dance from 7pm-midnight.

Saturday, March 9

There will be plenty of bear sightings in Richardson Park during Bears In the Park, from 2pm-9pm. Crystal Waters will headline the party. This event is hosted by Gay Ocho, the largest LGBTQIA+ Latin inclusion festival in the country.

Circumstances and a series of unfortunate events led to this year’s Gay Ocho being canceled. Chuck King and his team at Eagle want to support the community and help keep Gay Ocho in the public consciousness.

Jonathan Casañas, a Gay Ocho producer, is grateful for the opportunity to participate. “I was concerned about ‘staying on the map.’ Sometimes you fall off for one year and you’re not relatable. They reached out to us and wanted the same Latin party.”

That night, Eagle hosts Back Alley Dance Party, starting at 9pm-close.

Sunday, March 10

If you have any energy left, wrap up the weekend at Ed Lugo Resort for Tsunami Pool Party. The closing party runs from 1pm-6pm.

Author: John Hayden

Award-Winning

Actor, Singer, Director, Producer and Playwright

Billy Porter Added to the Roster of Honorees for Diversity Honors

Diversity Honors, the globally renowned celebration that benefits Harvey Milk Foundation and The Pride Center at Equality Park, exclusively hosted by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, is thrilled to announce the fabulous, out and proud Emmy, Tony and Grammy Award-winning, and Golden Globenominated, actor, singer, director, composer, playwright and activist Billy Porter will be receiving a Harvey Milk Champion Medal. The foundation will also bestow Harvey Milk Medals to honor music pioneer, multiple Grammy Award-winner and LGBTQ+ activist Belinda Carlisle and Native American (Seminole/Choctaw) award-winning singer/songwriter, producer and actor Spencer Battiest. Entrepreneur Mark Hunter Seymour will receive The Pride Center at Equality Park Alan Schubert Award. Tatiana Williams and the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida will receive Diversity Honors awards on Saturday, March 9, at 7 p.m.

Billy Porter is an award-winning actor, singer, director, producer, composer, and playwright. He won an Emmy Award for Lead Actor for his appearance in FX’s Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated drama Pose and earned three Emmy nominations total for his role in the series. A Hollywood Walk of Fame inductee, Porter has numerous theatre credits including the role of ‘Lola’ in the Broadway musical Kinky Boots, which he originated in 2013 and for which he won the Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle awards, as well as the Grammy for best musicaltheatre album. He won his second Tony Award in 2022 for “Best Musical” as a producer on A Strange Loop. Currently,

he is performing in an off-Broadway musical, Jelly’s Last Jam as Chimney Man, a musical portrait of legendary jazz pianist Jelly Roll Morton. In 2023, he directed an episode of Fox’s anthology series Accused. Upcoming, he will cowrite and star in a James Baldwin biopic. Porter released his first literary project, Unprotected, in October 2021, which was published by Abrams Press. As a recording artist, Porter most recently released his album Black Mona Lisa, under his record deal with Island Records (UK) and Republic Records (US).

The cocktail chic event will be a night to remember beginning with an elaborate cocktail reception featuring entertainment by Miss Bouvee. A seated dining experience in the Grand Ballroom will immediately follow with musical entertainment by international singer/songwriter Debby Holiday presented by STOLI and the awards presentation. The celebration continues with the STOLI “Spirit of Change” after-party poolside at The Guitar Hotel where guests can look forward to STOLI espresso martinis, mermaids, magicians and more.

Diversity Honors is a collaborative effort that will continue to keep South Florida on the international stage of LGBTQ+ rights and activism in honor of Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States who was assassinated shortly after winning a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and has since gone on to become an icon and beacon of light for the global LGBTQ+ community. This year marks the 46th anniversary of Harvey Milk’s historic election.

Cocktail Reception

Seated Dinner & Awards

Stoli After-Party at The Guitar Hotel

Live Music

Saturday, March 9 • 7pm

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood Grand Ballroom

Honoring those who are transforming lives by living authentically and advancing inclusiveness.

Belinda Carlisle Harvey Milk Medal

Billy Porter Harvey Milk Medal

Mark Hunter Seymour The Pride Center at Equality Park Alan Schubert Award

Tatiana Williams Diversity Honors Award

Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida Diversity Honors Award

Spencer Battiest Harvey Milk Medal

MODS’ 27th Annual Wine, Spirits, and Culinary Celebration

Downtown Fort Lauderdale’s premier gourmet fundraiser returns to dazzle and delight palates on Friday, March 8, from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., as the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) hosts its 27th annual Bank of America Wine, Spirits & Culinary Celebration. Foodies and philanthropists will enjoy the best of South Florida’s restaurants and international spirits during this epicurean evening to benefit MODS’ mission of connecting people to inspiring science.

“Once again, we are gearing up for an exceptional evening of fine wine, spirits, gourmet creations and great company to benefit MODS’ innovative, educational and inspiring STEM-based programming,” said Joseph P. Cox, president and CEO of MODS. “We are grateful to our long-standing partners at Bank of America, Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, supporting sponsors, and dedicated team for bringing this 27th delectable celebration to life.”

The event’s legendary Grand Tasting will feature scrumptious bites, small plates, and desserts from more than 30 of South Florida’s leading restaurants and a sampling of more than 50 wines and spirited libations courtesy of exclusive beverage sponsor Southern

Glazer’s Wine and Spirits. A variety of craft beers will flow from Florida favorite breweries and beyond courtesy of Gold Coast Beverage in our Beer Garden.

This year’s restaurant participants include Lobster Bar Sea Grille, Another Fare to Remember, CrepeMaker, Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop, John Knox Village, Nikki’s Foods, Ann Marie’s Pizza and Wine, Baoshi Food Hall + Bar, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Ten Palms Restaurant at Gulfstream Park, Zona Fresca and more.

Guests will also have the opportunity to bid on an array of luxury items including travel getaways, local entertainment packages, celebrity sports memorabilia, and more during the silent auction.

“Bank of America is committed to supporting MODS’ community programs, exhibits and outreach through its ongoing sponsorship of the 27th Annual Wine, Spirits & Culinary Celebration,” said Lori Chevy, president, Bank of America Fort Lauderdale. “MODS is an integral part of South Florida’s educational landscape and we’re pleased to do our part to help fund initiatives that allow underserved members of our Broward County community to experience the joy of discovery and learning.”

CHEERS TO 27 YEARS! Dine, drink, dance and discover at an event like no other at the 27th Annual Bank of America Wine,Spirits and Culinary Celebration. The event’s legendary Grand Tasting will take place from 6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. VIP access starts at 5:30 p.m.

WHEN: March 8, 2024

WHERE: Museum of Discovery and Science

This ticketed event includes a grand tasting of cuisine from South Florida’s premier restaurants, an array of wine and spirits from around the world, a beer garden, music & dancing and a silent auction.

HOST PACKAGES:

• $2,850 Group VIP Platinum Package (12 people)

• $1,100 Group Grand Tasting Package (10 people)

• $300 Individual VIP Platinum Ticket* - Includes early admission to the event beginning at 5:30 p.m. and access to the Platinum Lounge

• $150 Individual Grand Tasting Ticket*

*Save 10% on “Early Bird” Individual VIP Platinum and Individual Grand Tasting Tickets through February 9 with code early10!

For sponsorship opportunities or additional information, please contact Hillary Wallace at 954.713.0918 or hillary.wallace@mods.org.

New City Players and Abre Camino Collective are proud to announce their upcoming world premiere co-production of Vanessa Garcia’s play, 1000 Miles, an interactive production that invites audiences to The City; a fictional world of Garcia’s making with striking similarities and differences to our own.

Solis arrives in The City looking for a better future from 1000 Miles Across the Sea, a place that has been ravaged by wars, civil and global. The City is a conflation of cultures, citizens, migrants, immigrants, and refugees. It’s teeming with life, possibility, and a punk energy . . . but with a rapidly growing population, nationalistic impulses are starting to form. The very skills Solis brings with her could either save or destroy this new place she’s beginning to call home. Will The City take her in or wall her off?

Beyond the other-worldly but also our-worldly feeling of play, audiences can also expect to engage in multiple choice points throughout the production involving and even implicating them in the play’s unfolding story. What does that mean? It means this is not your typical sit back and enjoy the show experience.

Abre Camino Collective founders Victoria Collado and Vanessa Garcia made waves in South Florida and beyond with their wildly successful immersive show, The Amparo Experience, in 2019. Their commitment to innovative forms of storytelling will serve a new experience to New City Players’ audiences. “We love to involve the audience in the show whether that’s through compelling promotional visuals, a free drink table, and our community engagement events connected to the play, but this will be a whole new experience for all of us and we can’t wait to share it,” commented Producing Artistic Director, Tim Davis.

Content Courtesy of Tim Davis, New City Players

Tina - The Tina Turner Musical

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is delighted to announce that Tina - The Tina Turner Musical will take the stage as a part of the Kravis On Broadway series for eight performances on March 12 – 17, 2024.

The North American touring cast is led by Ari Groover (Tina Broadway, Head Over Heels, Holler If Ya hear Me, Little Shop of Horrors) and Parris Lewis (Hairspray) who will evenly share the role of Tina Turner, each playing four (of eight) performances a week. Also starring are Deon Releford-Lee as Ike Turner, Roz White as Zelma Bullock, Wydetta Carter as Gran Georgeanna and Sarah Bockel as Rhonda.

“The North American tour of Tina - The Tina Turner Musical is one of eight productions that have opened around the world since the show began in the West End in 2018, which is testimony to Tina’s extraordinary legacy,” the producers, Tali Pelman from Stage Entertainment and Jimmy Nederlander said. “We can’t wait for America to see

the two megawatt superstars who share the role of Tina, Deon Releford-Lee in the role of Ike, and the incredibly talented company who are on the road in this tour!"

An uplifting comeback story like no other, Tina - The Tina Turner Musical is the inspiring journey of a woman who broke barriers and became the Queen of Rock n’ Roll. Set to the pulse-pounding soundtrack of her most beloved hits, this electrifying sensation will send you soaring to the rafters.

One of the world’s best-selling artists of all time, Tina Turner won 12 Grammy Awards and her live shows were seen by millions, with more concert tickets sold than any other solo performer in music history.

Featuring her much loved songs, Tina - The Tina Turner Musical is written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Katori Hall and directed by the internationally acclaimed Phyllida Lloyd.

March 12 – 17, 2024

Raymond

Content

Mark Hayes at Sunshine Cathedral

Palm Beach International Boat Show

Ship ahoy, mates! Find all things nautical, from megayachts to maritime swag, at one of America’s premier yachting events. Showcasing more than a billion dollars’ worth of boats, yachts and accessories from the world’s leading manufacturers, this waterfront event is “shore” to impress!

If you need a boat, want a boat, or just fantasize about boats, the Palm Beach International Boat Show is where you need to be. An unprecedented number of vessels are on display. Be it Cigarette, Comanche or Super Cat; inflatable, cruiser or runabout; fishing, high performance, or yacht. They’re all here. You can also find nautical themed everything. Pick up special trinkets for your own boat or an accent piece for the family room. Don’t forget to see the clothing and sailing paraphernalia. Best of all, the balmy breezes and water views of downtown West Palm Beach make for the ultimate backdrop.

Content

Photos

Taylor Dayne, Sheena Easton and Tiffany Come to The Broward Center

With moves and talent that shimmer like a disco ball, three pop icons are ready to rock as Taylor Dayne, Sheena Easton and Tiffany perform in the Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.

These ladies have done it all from being ranked as the Number 18 Female Dance artist of all time by Rolling Stone (Dayne) to shaking it with Prince (Easton) to setting a record as the youngest female artist to top the Billboard charts (Tiffany).

The trio has crossed genres as they released singles in pop, dance, R&B, adult contemporary, country and rock. They’ve even starred on Broadway and voiced a cartoon. Now they are bringing the hits to Fort Lauderdale.

With 17 Top 20 singles that include "Tell It To My Heart," Love Will Lead You Back," "Prove Your Love" and "I'll Always Love You," Dayne has earned three Grammy® nominations, an American Music Award, multiple New York Music Awards and received New York Music Hall of Fame honors. She wrote many of her own hits as well as Tina Turner's "Whatever You Want."

The first, and still only, artist to have top five records on five major Billboard charts in addition to having taken

home two Grammys, Easton topped the charts with hits including “Strut,” “Sugar Walls,” “Morning Train (Nine to Five)” and the James Bond theme “For Your Eyes Only.” She’s also held more than her own in duets with superstars Prince (“U Got the Look”) and Kenny Rogers (“We’ve Got Tonight”).

Tiffany earned two number one hit singles with “I Think We're Alone Now” and “Could’ve Been,” and her The Color of Silence was ranked by Billboard among the ‘Top Ten Best Albums” of 2000. Songs from Tiffany's most recent albums have appeared on such hit TV shows as The Good Wife (“I Luv How U Feel”), Switched at Birth (“Crazy Girls”) and Intervention (“History”) with The Umbrella Academy returning “I Think We’re Alone Now” to the iTunes Charts and topping the Billboard TV Songs Chart.

These three ladies have also excelled on Broadway, in film and on television. Dayne has co-starred in Denis Leary's TV drama Rescue Me as well as the HBO film STAG and Showtime's Rude Awakening . On Broadway, Easton starred opposite Raul Julia in Man of La Mancha and as “Rizzo” in Grease . Tiffany made her acting debut voicing "Judy Jetson" in Jetsons: The Movie and has more recently starred two highly rated and campy SyFy Channel original movies: Mega Piranha and Mega Python vs Gatoroid .

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Academy of St Martin in the Fields with Joshua Bell

Joshua Bell and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, artists much loved by Arsht Center audiences, make their eagerly awaited return to the Knight Concert Hall with a program of favorite works by favorite composers. Audiences around the globe have cheered the phenomenal violinist Bell as soloist and conductor, and in the Knight Concert Hall, Bell will play both roles in Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto. With its irresistible melodic verve and rhythmic drive, this essential masterpiece of Romantic music is a dazzling showcase for Bell’s trademark emotional depth and unstoppable virtuosity.

Schumann’s Symphony No. 2 opens with a heroic introduction, followed by a thrilling scherzo, a gorgeous adagio and a gloriously triumphant finale. In other words, it is the quintessential Romantic symphony, and one of the composer’s grandest orchestral creations.

First but not least, Bell and the Academy launch their

program with Mozart’s sparkling The Marriage of Figaro Overture, a breathless, four-minute delight that previews the scintillating and sardonic humor of Mozart’s operatic masterpiece.

Since its founding in 1958, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields has been one of the world’s finest chamber orchestras, renowned for fresh, brilliant interpretations of the world’s greatest orchestral music. When the virtuoso Bell was named the ensemble’s music director in 2011, it was a marriage ordained by the gods of music. The winning combination has produced a dazzling ensemble that retains the collegial spirit and flexibility of the original small, conductor-less chamber orchestra with playing that is marked by “propulsive energy” ( South Florida Classical Review ), “glowing interpretations” ( The Washington Post , and a “precision that is staggering from the first downbeat” ( Palm Beach Daily News ).

LGBTQ+ Ally Amy Armstrong at Sunshine Cathedral

Sunshine Cathedral Center for the Performing Arts is proud to present an upcoming musical concert by cabaret icon and LGBTQ+ ally Amy Armstrong on March 23, 2024.

OutClique had the opportunity to catch up with the diva and talk more about her anticipated South Florida visit, staying positive during times of darkness, and what more she hopes to accomplish as an artist.

Denny Patterson: Amy, what can we expect from your upcoming performance at South Florida’s Sunshine Cathedral?

Amy Armstrong: Well, this will be my second time performing at Sunshine Cathedral, and I have to brag a bit because when I performed the first time, they asked me back that night, which I thought was incredible. It’s amazing for a performer to be asked back that quickly. I’m also excited because I now work with a lot of musicians here in Mexico, so I’m trying to bring my one friend that’s a violin player to come with me, and I’ll have a piano as well. So, we're going to do a lot of stuff from the 70s and 80s. I've been doing this for 30 years, so my spectrum of music is pretty broad, and I used to do a lot of show tunes and standards. I’ve been in Mexico for the last 10 years though, so I’ve really broadened my horizons. I do two shows here in Mexico. One is an 80s show, and then the other is a show that I call Old School, which has a lot of showtunes and standards with a guy named Mark Hartman, who is a fantastic piano player from New York. I love to do different stuff, and I think what I’m going to bring to Sunshine Cathedral is great. Plus, I do a lot of comedy. I have a great heart, but a dirty mind. I call myself the poor man’s Bette Midler (laughs).

Denny Patterson: What do you always hope audiences take away from an Amy Armstrong show?

Amy Armstrong: I want them to forget about their troubles

and have a good time for a couple hours. Personally, I've had a tumultuous five years. I went through ovarian cancer, survived it, but then had a lot of stuff happen to me where I was in the hospital for five months over the summer. So, I want them to come and enjoy themselves, forget their troubles, and sing along.

Denny Patterson: Even though you were going through cancer and medical treatments, you never lost your drive and joy to entertain. How did you maintain such a positive outlook?

Amy Armstrong: Because I kept thinking about music, which is the love of my life. Music has been there for me since I was a little girl. When you’re the tallest, biggest girl in second grade, you have to find something to deflect negativity, and for me, it was comedy and singing. I just kept thinking, I don’t want to go yet. I have a lot of stuff to do. I want to continue singing and traveling, and I've been very blessed in the 30 years I’ve been performing. I’ve seen around 40 different countries, I’ve been on 100 different cruise ships, and I’ve seen the world in a way that I never thought I could because of my music. So, it’s a blessing.

March 23, 2024

Sunshine Cathedral Center for the Performing Arts

Pictured: Elijah Word and Lindsey Corey.

Photo: Chris Headshots.

GMCSF Celebrates Hollywood . . . And Minneapolis, Too

A fireman carrying a person out of a burning building is pretty dramatic. But it’s nothing without a string section crescendoing to a musical climax. Cinematic songs and scores are the soundtrack of our lives. Imagine Jaws without the iconic ‘duh dun . . . duh duh dun dun.’ The James Bond franchise has given us plenty of hits and earned an Oscar or two.

Now, the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida (GMCSF) is taking on Hollywood’s greatest hits. Their Hooray For Hollywood show is Friday, March 22, 2024 at The Parker.

The set will include classics like “Singing in the Rain” along with instant favorites like the 2023 Golden Globe winner “What Was I Made For” from Barbie “Our Hollywood-themed concert promises a musical experience and a journey through time, evoking memories of silver-screen legends and modern-day masterpieces,” the chorus said.

Of course, productions of cinematic scale aren’t cheap, and the GMCSF is grateful to Amazon, The Grand Resort and Spa, Holman and Tropical Financial Credit Union for their support.

For Pride last June, the chorus tackled the challenge of the Disney Songbook. That concert was joyful, toetapping fun. Now that GMCSF is taking on a century of songs, expectations are high for this month’s show.

As artistic director, Gabe Salazar has spent his tenure curating music that will be impactful for the LGBTQIA+ community. His passion is palpable every time he talks about his work.

Taking Their Show on the Road

This summer, the group will head to Minneapolis for GALA Chorus Festival, a quadrennial event bringing

together some of America’s best LGBTQIA+-centric choruses. The event is five days of wall-to-wall concerts and is an opportunity for choruses to share ideas – and music – to strengthen all the groups.

Recently, many leaders came to South Florida for a pre-festival meet up. Executive directors from choruses in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Kansas City, and more spent a weekend renewing ties and founding new ones.

Pandemic canceled the 2020 festival, so this is the first time in eight years they’ve been able to gather. A lot has changed over that time, and choruses are no exception.

“We’ve had a big shift,” Donovan Jones of the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus told OutClique. “We’ve always been welcoming, but in the last few years about a third of our chorus doesn’t identify as gay men. We have lots of women, straight people, trans.”

Emphasizing that shift is Sarah Shoffner, executive director of the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus. She is neither male nor LGBTQIA+. “I’ve been with the chorus for nine years, and we jokingly say ‘I’m Mom.’ No one cares, which is the beauty of the chorus.”

Shoffner is married and was pregnant during her trip to Fort Lauderdale. That led the group to examine their time off, as most employees don’t/won’t have children.

GMCSF Board Chair Fred Boykin and his husband, Dr. Jack Killen, graciously hosted the executive directors at their downtown Fort Lauderdale home. The atmosphere was simultaneously relaxing and electric.

Though they come from different backgrounds and regions, they gathered in unity of spirit and of mission. GMCSF will steal the show, and Twin Cities hearts, when they take the stage in Minneapolis in July.

March 22,

2024

Palm Beach Pride

"Painting Our Future" is the vibrant theme for this year's Palm Beach Pride, where over 30,000 attendees from South Florida and the Treasure Coast gather to celebrate diversity and inclusion within the LGBTQ+ community. For more than two decades, Palm Beach Pride has stood as the beacon of LGBTQ+ visibility and unity in Palm Beach County, showcasing the resilience and progress of the community. Over 140 inclusive businesses proudly support the event, recognizing the value of LGBTQ+ patronage.

Mark your calendars for March 23 & 24, 2024, from 12:00 to 6:00 PM, as Bryant Park in Lake Worth Beach, FL, transforms into a hub of joyous festivities. The highlight of the weekend is the Palm Beach Pride Parade on Sunday, March 24, 2024, starting at 11 am. The parade route winds its way through the streets, emanating a spirit of unity and celebration before culminating at Bryant Park.

In an exciting announcement, Compass reveals Brooke Eden as the Sunday headliner for Palm Beach Pride. Hailing from Palm Beach County, Brooke Eden is a rising star in the realm of Country Music, garnering nominations for "Outstanding Breakthrough Artist" at prestigious events like the CMT Music Awards and the 2023 GLAAD Media Awards.

Join us in welcoming Brooke Eden home at Palm Beach Pride on Sunday, March 24, 2024, for an extraordinary celebration of community. Alongside Brooke, an array of incredible artists, vendors, and organizations will converge, making Palm Beach Pride the premier, family-friendly Pride event in South Florida.

Of course, Palm Beach Pride wouldn't be complete without our phenomenal Mistresses of Ceremonies, who add their own flair to the festivities. Joining us on stage are the talented and captivating Emcees:

• First Lady of the Palm Beaches, Melissa St John

• Queen of the Palm Beaches & Miss Naples Pride, Velvet Lenore

• Ms. Stonewall 2023/2024, Rianna Petrone

• The always fabulous Ariel Rimm

Come one, come all, and let's paint a brighter future together at Palm Beach Pride 2024! Content

March 23 - 24, 2024

Monday, March 25: New World Center

Wednesday, March 27: The Parker

Friday, March 29: Tennessee Williams Theatre TCHAIKOVSKY

| BRUCH

Wednesday, April 17: The Parker

Thursday, April 18: Temple Israel of Greater Miami

SIX The Musical Comes to South Florida

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is delighted to announce that the Tony Award®-Winning electrifying new musical phenomenon SIX by Tony Award® winners Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss makes its Kravis Center premiere for eight performances March 26 – 31.

The cast features Gerianne Pérez as Catherine of Aragon, Zan Berube as Anne Boleyn, Amina Faye as Jane Seymour, Terica Marie as Anna of Cleves, Aline Mayagoitia as Katherine Howard, and Adriana Scalice as Catherine Parr. The cast also includes Aryn Bohannon, Wesley Carpenter, Jana Larell Glover, Taylor Pearlstein, Cassie Silva and Kelly Denice Taylor. All casting is subject to change.

From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five

hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over!

SIX won 23 awards in the 2021/2022 Broadway season, including the Tony Award® for Best Original Score (Music and Lyrics) and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical.

The New York Times says SIX “TOTALLY RULES!” (Critic's Pick) and The Washington Post hails SIX as “Exactly the kind of energizing, inspirational illumination this town aches for!"

The SIX: LIVE ON OPENING NIGHT Broadway album debuted at Number 1 on the Billboard cast album charts and surpassed 6 Million streams in its first month.

March 26 - 31,

March 19 – 24, 2024

NSU Art + Design

Presents Annual Juried Exhibition

NSU’s Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts and its B.A. in Art + Design program present its annual Juried Exhibition featuring original works of art from students focusing on studio art and graphic design.

• Opening Reception: Wednesday, March 27, 2024, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

• Location: Gallery 217, second floor of the Don Taft University Center on NSU’s main campus

• Exhibition available for viewing through April 19, 2024.

• Free and open to the local community.

• Gallery Hours: Tuesday/Thursday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Wednesday: 9 a.m. – 3p.m.

For more information, contact Gallery Manager L'nique Noel at ln507@nova.edu

Author: Whitney Lehmann

The 2024 Pride Prom

Pride Prom held at the Orlando Science Center promises to be a dazzling celebration of diversity, inclusion, and love. Set against the backdrop of one of Orlando’s most iconic venues, this event is scheduled for April 12, 2024, at 8 pm, offering an enchanting evening that merges science, glamour, and the vibrant spirit of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Attendees can anticipate an atmosphere filled with exuberance, as the Orlando Science Center transforms into a kaleidoscope of colors and music. The Pride Prom serves as a testament to the city’s commitment to fostering an environment of acceptance and unity. With its unique blend of science-themed decorations and a dance floor pulsating with energy, the event is poised to create lasting memories and reinforce the importance of embracing one’s true self in an environment that celebrates love and individuality.

From the dazzling lights to the laughter-filled dance floor, Pride Prom at the Orlando Science Center on April 12, 2024, promises to be an unforgettable night of joy, empowerment, and community.

Photo Courtesy of NSU Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts

Bonnet House Museum & Garden’s 15th Annual International Orchid & Garden Festival

One of South Florida’s most picturesque and iconic attractions, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens located in Fort Lauderdale, will be hosting its 15th Annual International Orchid & Garden Festival on Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. The festival welcomes orchid enthusiasts and plant lovers alike to vividly experience and purchase diverse, colorful, and fragrant varieties of orchids, tropical plants, herbs, and fruit trees sold by local and international vendors.

During the festival, guests can enjoy orchid and tropical plant displays, food vendors, libations, garden art, orchid care & general gardening lectures, live music, and a newly added Tropical Luau Lunch. Local growers will also present Orchid & Garden Care Lectures in the lovely Island Theater and vendors will offer all the supplies that customers need to plant and grow orchids. A vast array of food and beverage vendors will offer delectable bites, Bloody Marys, Mimosas, wine, beer, and other refreshments. All will take place on the 35-acre historic Bonnet House Estate on Fort Lauderdale Beach.

New this year, guests can enjoy a Tropical Luau Lunch (for an additional cost) on the beautifully decorated waterfront veranda on both days from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. The fully catered affairs by Hugh’s Catering will include a delicious tropical buffet, unlimited Mai tais, wine and

beer, live music, and access to the house for a stroll through the rooms and Orchid Display House.

Built in 1920 as the winter retreat of the Birch/Bartlett family, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens is a fanciful blend of art, architecture, history, and ecology, providing a charming destination for vacationers or day trips for visitors of all ages. The grounds contain the Main House, which features a whimsical collection of decorative and fine art, as well as a nature trail that is ideal for families. Exuding the true essence of Southern charm, Bonnet House was once the winter residence of Evelyn Fortune Bartlett and her husband, Frederic Clay Bartlett. Orchids play an important part in Bonnet House’s history as growing them was a favorite hobby of Evelyn’s. Many of Mrs. Bartlett’s plants are still at Bonnet House and form the heart of the museum’s collection. This shows that with the right care, these plants can live for many years.

If you want to visit Bonnet House Museum & Gardens outside of the festival events, the grounds, house and museum are open for self-guided tours on Tuesday –Friday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; and guided tours on Tuesday through Saturday. Bonnet House is closed on Mondays, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Saturday, April 6th & Sunday, April 7th 9AM – 4PM

Saturday, April 6th & Sunday, April 7th | 11AM – 2PM

Enjoy a catered lunch by Hugh’s Catering on the beautifully decorated waterfront veranda during the Festival. Lunch tickets include a delectable buffet, Mai tais, wine & beer, live music and access to the house for a

Alan Cumming

“Uncut” and Unfiltered at

If you know Alan Cumming, you know that where he goes, hilarity follows.

Dubbed by Time Magazine as one of the three most fun people in show business—alongside Cher and Stanley Tucci, of course—Cumming takes his new show, Uncut, to “the next level” at The Parker on Saturday, April 6. And, if you’re wondering, why yes, Uncut does explore all the unfiltered and unadulterated definitions of that term.

Although best known for his acting, Cumming is also a singer, writer, and director. Having won several awards for his performances on screen and stage, including an Emmy, two Tony Awards, an Oliver Award, and a BAFTA Award, Cumming describes the new show as a “cabaplay”, combining the two things that he’s connected most with audiences on over the years.

“I’ve done these solo performances in the theater, these plays or concerts, and then there are these cabarets that I do. I’ve tried to combine the two and make a show that’s a bit more formed,” he said. “I’ve always loved the form of cabaret because it means you can talk about serious things one second and then be hilarious the next. And flitting around kind of fits my character quite well.”

In the show, Cumming explores what it means to be an outsider and to be uncut and unfiltered. He also teases that he tells some stories that he’s never told before.

“I talk honestly and openly about things that I think are important and things that I find hilarious, too,” he said. “So, in this, I’m actually doing that even more. I’m probably being more revealing about things and I’m talking about this theme of being an outsider and of what a good place it is to be an outsider ultimately.”

Another change is that Uncut will include more contemporary songs than his previous shows.

“I’m using songs that I’ve always wanted to sing,” he said. “And I think, you know, why can’t I sing a Rihanna song?”

The Parker

The actor says that what he likes about his live shows is that people feel like he’s chatting with them.

“It seems like I’m just kind of telling stories and I am, but obviously that is quite structured. I like the fact that people think I’m just making it up as I go along. But, in this one, it’s a little more tightly scripted. I weave the stories in and out of songs a bit more. It’s not just songs, story, song, story. The songs kind of go underneath. I’m taking it to the next level in this form.”

For Cumming, the beauty of performing in a theater is that it is this shared experience.

“I love the connection I make with an audience. I think it’s almost a holy thing that you can only get when it is a live thing, and we are all there and we see the entirety of it and we see the flaws and the vulnerability of it. Any sort of theatrical experience is just one of the best things that you can do for your soul.”

And Cumming won’t be offended if you hold your applause until the end.

“I’m sort of hoping that it will be one of these things where the audience won’t clap until the end. I’m trying to not let them clap so that by the end of each song I’ll start speaking on something else. That’s my aim. I don’t know if it will happen, but I want it to be one whole piece, you know. It’s got one kind of overall point.”

Cumming promises that the show will run the gamut of things, saying that you get to laugh, you get to think, you get to cry, and you get to be provoked. He hopes that everyone comes away from it having changed a little or having seen a different viewpoint.

“You see other people. You engage with other people, and you feel yourself a part of something. That’s why I love walking on stage, and everybody is there for a good time and up for the ride that I’m going to take them on,” he said. “It’s very exciting.”

Author: Megan Fitzgerald Dunn | Photo Credit Danny Kaan

Nicole Stodard

Talks Island City Stage’s Pulp

As an educator, scholar, and practitioner in the performing arts, Nicole Stodard is driven by a mission to create a positive impact. Audiences will have the opportunity to experience her directing work firsthand during Island City Stage’s production of Pulp

Set in 1956 Chicago, a hot and humid July, the play revolves around Terry Logan, a tough-talking, rebellious, and seductive woman. When she takes up residence at The Well, a club run by women who love women, the trouble really begins. Nominated for four Joseph Jefferson Awards including “Best New Work,” Pulp is a heartfelt, comedic love letter to lesbian pulp fiction and the Barbara Stanwycks of the world.

Pulp is scheduled to play at Island City Stage from April 11-May 5, 2024, and Stodard took some time to answer some questions for OutClique

Denny Patterson: Hi, Nicole! Let me begin by asking, how excited are you to direct Island City Stage's production of Pulp?

Nicole Stodard: I am stoked to be directing and designing for Island City Stage! I have followed their work for years. Over the past decade, Andy, Michael, and Marty have really put LGBTQ+ theater on the map in Fort Lauderdale and South Florida more broadly.

Denny Patterson: As director, what is your ultimate vision and approach for the show?

Nicole Stodard:: The smart, sexy play is set in 1950s Chicago in a clandestine lesbian bar called The Well. No connection to the newly opened one on The Drive, but a lovely coincidence! I want audiences to feel like they've traveled back in time to a sacred and seductive underground where butches and femmes go to feign, flirt, and fall in love.

Denny Patterson: Have you worked with Island City Stage before?

Nicole Stodard: This is my first time collaborating with Island City Stage, and I believe Pulp may be the first lesbian-focused play Island City Stage has programmed.

Denny Patterson: What are you looking forward to the most about this collaborative partnership?

Nicole Stodard: I am excited to help Island City Stage deliver a quality production that spotlights the midtwentieth century lesbian experience, showing us how far we've come and how far we still have to go.

Denny Patterson: Can you talk more about how you like to incorporate feminism in your works and why it's so important to you?

Nicole Stodard: Feminism is my way of life. I go to church (shout out to Sunshine Cathedral); I also practice feminism religiously. In my work as a theater artist and leader, my feminist values guide me in my hiring and casting practices, in my script selection, and in my rehearsal process. My work intentionally centers on women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ voices, and feminism is important to me because inequality (gender, racial, sexual, etc.) remains an unsolved problem here in the U.S. and around the world. Daily, in my tiny sliver of the theater world, I'm working with all my heart to thoughtfully chip away at this.

BREAKFAST OTTERS

WITH OUR

SATURDAY, APRIL 13 • 9 A.M.-10 A.M.

River otters are MODS' most beloved Animal Ambassadors because of their playful and charismatic nature. Don't miss your chance to experience Peach and Toosie before the Museum opens with our Life Sciences team. Find out what River otters eat for breakfast! Croissants or fish...what do you think? Don't forget to bring your camera to capture this unique event!

Breakfast with our Otters features:

•Breakfast Spread

•An Otter Talk

•Training Session

•Special guest appearance by Joey, the Museum’s otter mascot

•Mingling with MODS Animal Ambassadors

•Creating enrichment activities for the otters

•and MORE!

Breakfast with the Otter also includes Museum admission, an IMAX® documentary and an original otter painting.

WHEN:

TIME:

COST:

April 13

9 a.m. - 10 a.m.

$50 per person (early bird rate until March 31)

$75 per person (starting April 1)

Space is limited. Pre-registration required.

To register, please visit mods.org/otterbreakfast

Second Annual ArtServe Impact Awards on a Mission to Show How Art Enriches the World

When ArtServe created the Impact Awards last year to formally recognize people and organizations making a difference in the South Florida community through arts and culture, the program was purposely designed to reach out beyond the ArtServe universe to identify unsung heroes most deserving of the honor.

With its second annual Impact Awards now set for Friday, April 19, 2024, ArtServe has assembled an inspiring, diverse slate of transformative, influential artists, and arts and culture supporters widely seen as long overdue for celebration.

The event, which takes place at ArtServe from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., will include cocktails, a handcrafted international culinary feast prepared by 2023 Impact Award recipient Marc Martorana, a silent auction and entertainment. ArtServe is located at 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Tickets are $125 per person or $400 for four people.

“Especially at this juncture in time, it’s more important than ever to clearly show how artists make an immense contribution to the economy that’s often overlooked,” ArtServe CEO Jason Hughes explained. “In fact, artists are everywhere we look, enriching our lives in valuable and unexpected ways.”

The 2024 Impact Award winners are:

Artist of Impact: Puppet Network Founder and Civic Leader Jim Hammond, best known for creating the beloved Florida Day of the Dead Celebration

Community Partner of Impact: Leadership Broward Foundation Executive Director Andrew Zullo

Media Advocate of Impact: Riverwalk Trust President and CEO Genia Duncan Ellis and Go Riverwalk Magazine Publisher Mark Budwig

Legacy of Impact: Thaddeus "THAD" Hamilton, Chair of the Tuskegee Airman of South Florida; Also United Negro College Fund, South Florida Leadership Council Chair

Educator of Impact: Jessica Swanson, Master Teacher and Technology Magnet Program Coordinator; Dillard School for the Arts

ArtServe inspires, supports and advances its diverse members, artists and community by promoting artistic development, education and prosperity through the exploration and presentation of the visual and performing arts.

a season of beauty, art & culture

20 larger-than-life sculptures

highest-quality growers & speakers

Beach County’s tropical oasis

25 display gardens

7,000 species of tropical & subtropical botanicals

www.mounts.org

@mountsbotanicalgarden

Palm

on exhibit thru May 12, 2024

Apr 27 & 28, 2024

531 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach

Slow Burn Theatre Company Announces 2024/2025 Season

Slow Burn Theatre Company has announced its incredible 2024/2025 Season. Supported by American National Bank, the season in the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts features five musicals with enduring stories that have captivated audiences in movie theaters and on stage.

Slow Burn Theatre opens the season with The Witches of Eastwick October 19 – November 3, 2024. In the tiny New England town of Eastwick, three modern day witches innocently plot and conjure over a heady brew of weak martinis and peanut butter brownies. But when their shared desire for “all manner of man in one man” arrives in the form of charismatic stranger Darryl Van Horne, all hell breaks loose.

The season unwraps Anastasia The Musical during the holidays December 21, 2024 – January 5, 2025. The musical transports audiences from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family.

Parade reminds us around Valentine’s Day (February 8 – 23, 2025) that to love, we must truly see one another. The musical follows a newlywed Jewish couple who are struggling to make a life in the old red hills of Georgia. When Leo is accused of an unspeakable crime, it propels them into an unimaginable test of faith, humanity, justice and devotion.

Slow Burn Theatre delivers two weeks of April foolishness with Something Rotten! March 29 – April 13, 2025. This hilarious smash journeys back to 1595 as brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom compete to write a hit play against the popularity of the insufferable superstar Shakespeare. When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, they set out to write the world’s first musical.

Slow Burn Theatre’s 2024/2025 Season culminates with a sizzling summer production of the West End hit The Bodyguard The Musical June 7 – 22, 2025. This breathtakingly romantic thriller features a host of irresistible classics including “Queen of the Night,” “So Emotional,” “Saving All My Love,” “Run to You,” “I Have Nothing,” “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” and “I Will Always Love You.”

Is taking PrEP to prevent HIV good idea for you?

Take care of yourself, take PrEP. PrEP is a medication that can greatly reduce your risk of acquiring HIV by up to 99% when taken as prescribed.