SEPTEMBER 2016 • Vol. 5 Issue 5
ARTS and
ENTERTAINMENT THEATER FILM MUSIC DANCE and MORE themirrormag.com September 2016 THE
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SEPTEMBER 2016 | VOL 5 | ISSUE 5 2520 N. Dixie Highway | Wilton Manors, FL 33305 Phone: 954.530.4970 Fax: 954.530.7943
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
OPINION Publisher's Message 10 How I Got These Scars 26 - 31
FEATURES Buenos Aires – Gay Capital of South America 12, 13 Is BDSM a Sexual Orientation? 14, 15 Hollywood, Fla – A New Gay Destination 32, 33
NEWS FEATURES Jamaica – A Hotbed of Hate 16, 17
Publisher NORM KENT norm.kent@sfgn.com Chief Executive Officer PIER ANGELO GUIDUGLI Associate Publisher/ JASON PARSLEY Executive Editor jason.parsley@sfgn.com
EDITORIAL Art Director BRENDON LIES artwork@sfgn.com News Editor JOHN MCDONALD
john.mcdonald@sfgn.com
Staff Photographer J.R. DAVIS Senior Features Reporter CHRISTIANA LILLY A&E Editor / Design J.W. ARNOLD Webmaster BRITTANY FERRENDI
CORRESPONDENT REBECCA JURO
Progress in Belize 18
HISTORY The Johns Committee – Florida’s Shameful Past 20 - 24
CALENDAR Broward 88, 89 Palm Beach 90 Miami 94
SPECIAL SECTION ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Headlines – News Briefs 36 First Look – Cirque Du Soleil 38, 39 Fall Arts Preview 40
SALES & MARKETING Director of Sales MIKE TROTTIER & Marketing mike.trottier@sfgn.com Sales Manager JUSTIN WYSE justin.wyse@sfgn.com Advertising Sales Assoc. EDWIN NEIMANN edwin.neimann@sfgn.com Advertising Sales Assoc. TIM HIGGINS tim.higgins@sfgn.com Distribution Services J.R. DAVIS TIM HIGGINS Printing THE PRINTER’S PRINTER National Advertising RIVENDELL MEDIA 212-242-6863 sales@rivendellmedia.com Accounting Services CG BOOKKEEPING
10 Hot Fall Tickets 52, 53 A Look at Art Basel 60, 61 Entertaining – Sake 70 DIY – Blacksmithing 74 Downloads – Books, Music & More 76 Fall Festivals 78 Destination – Virginia City, Nevada 82 Quotable – Harold Dioquino 98
The Mirror is published quarterly. The opinions expressed in columns, stories, and letters to the editor are those of the writers. They do not represent the opinions of The Mirror or the Publisher. You should not presume the sexual orientation of individuals based on their names or pictorial representations in The Mirror. Furthermore the word “gay” in The Mirror should be interpreted to be inclusive of the entire LGBT community. All of the material that appears in The Mirror, both online at www.themirrormag.com, and in our print edition, including articles used in conjunction with the Associated Press and our columnists, is protected under federal copyright and intellectual property laws, and is jealously guarded by the newspaper. Nothing published may be reprinted in whole or part without getting written consent from the Publisher of The Mirror, Norm Kent, at Norm@NormKent.com. The Mirror is published by the South Florida Gay News. It’s a private corporation, and reserves the right to enforce its own standards regarding the suitability of advertising copy, illustrations and photographs. MIRROR Copyright ©
2016, South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.
Associated Press 8 THE
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Florida Press Association National Gay and Lesbian Journalists Association
KICKS OFF
nOrM KEnt
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FaLL aRtS SeaSon
he magical and majestic Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale opened its 50th anniversary season this month with a nostalgic performance by the legendary singer Donovan, showcasing a 50th anniversary tour. The Hurdy Gurdy man, grayer and older, was a long way from Glasgow. Right away you could tell his voice was not the same, but who am I to complain? Neither is my pitching arm as strong as it was once. I don’t run as fast as I used to. I don’t look as good as I once did, either. But I’m here and I’m happy. Still, I can’t deny it, the twang in Donovan’s voice that once sent a visceral chill down my spine was gone. The audience was nevertheless respectful and receptive. We all had something in common. We are survivors. Donovan was alone on stage with his guitar in a theater exceptionally set up for a solo artist. But this was a theater once also made grand by Zev Bufman and his production company; a stage graced by many talented winners of Oscar and Tony Awards. Welcome then to this year’s arts and entertainment issue, the Mirror’s annual tribute and salute to outstanding musicals, live performances, and marvelous actors. From ballet dancers to dramatic plays, there is something somewhere for everyone. There is a song that will capture your heart, a scene to reawaken a memory, and a plot line to share with a friend. As I have written before, for me, there m will always be an empty seat next to me on d i rk d opening nights. It’s an evening I always shared pa d with mom, who passed away at age 90, five years n a ago. She was a Broadway dancer in the 1940’s but made the cover of the Sun Sentinel in 1995 as a hoofer for the Lime Bay Tappettes. Oh, did mom ever love the theater! And Parker Playhouse in particular. How can you not? It’s an easily accessible, historic, intimate venue, a place where the Broadway Center 20 years ago debuted its own run by hosting ‘The Phantom of the Opera.’ There is nothing like live theater. The lights go on, and the actors are alone on stage with their bodies and their minds, remembering their lines and finding their spots. They are painting a canvas with no second chances- for our pleasure and enjoyment. But don’t forget their spontaneity arose only from oh so many daily rehearsals. Donovan took an early break after only thirty minutes of song. He says he had to respect the many people in the audience his age that may need to use the ‘facilities.’ I am guessing the concerts he gave in Trafalgar Square in 1966 did not have such an interruption. But then, most of his audience then was not taking heart and water pills, or medicine for high cholesterol or low blood sugar. Ever a political activist, Donovan shared a story about how he got busted once for possession of pot. He received loud and approving
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publisher’s editorial • season of the witch
DonoVAn
September 2016
applause from the sold out crowd of 1,200 when he remarked “it’s taken us 50 years to realize there is nothing dangerous about pot.” He then related an episode about John Lennon’s near arrest in Great BritIn six months after his own. “Lennon called me up when he heard the bobbys were coming to raid his house,” Donovan said “then he asked ‘what do I do?,’ you’re the expert!” The vocals were not what they used to be, but a seasoned performer kept his audience captivated, singing songs of love and social responsibility, playing with the past and tugging at memories of days gone by. All of us, at every age, are trying to catch the wind, find our Juniper, and sway comfortably in the breeze. From Palm Beach to Key West, there is a show and a stage advertised on these pages of The Mirror that will take you there. Buy a ticket and take a seat. There is a performance with your name on it coming to a stage near you. It’s a beautiful noise, and it will make you feel good. It’s a production that will capture your imagination, leave you breathless and inspire you to new horizons. Maybe there is a sunshine superman out there awaiting you. Enjoy reading the Mirror today and SFGN every week. Join us in the journey to make each day special and every evening mystical. Theater can do that for you. I know it has for me.
travel • south america
BADiversa Opening Session at Usina Del Arte.
7 Reasons Buenos Aires is the
GAY CAPITAL of South America aarOn DraKE
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GNETWORK 360 (gnetwork360.com) celebrated its 9th year this year as the premier conference for LGBT tourism in Latin America with more than 1,400 attendees coming to discuss business opportunities within the market and listen in on education sessions about the changing world of LGBT tourism. Fifty speakers, made up of a collection of professionals in tourism, marketing, tour operators, airlines, international journalists, bloggers and even officials from Argentina’s local and national governments, presented about the strong state of LGBT tourism.
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here’s a reason the capital of Argentina is a top destination for LGBT travelers from all over the world. From gay-friendly places to stay to international cuisine (to say nothing of the beautiful men that make up the city’s gay community), Buenos Aires is unlike any other city in the world. Seasoned travelers might say the city is reminiscent of Paris, with its exquisite European-style architecture, or New York City with its bustling theater-lined city streets. But there’s a definite Latin American influence that separates it into its own class. No matter what corner of the city you’re in, you will find the people of Buenos Aires are warm and the city is welcoming of diversity. Here are the top reasons why this city is the number one place to visit for the gays traveling South of the equator.
Hostel at San Martin Cultural Centre.
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Same-sex marriage became legal here in 2010. To put that in perspective, it was the second country in the western and southern hemispheres to allow same-sex couples to tie the knot. The country’s government grants all of the same rights to gay couples as it does to straight ones, including the right to adopt. Argentina is still years ahead of the U.S. on that front. And there’s even a welcoming culture for Argentina’s transgender community - the country has in place a gender identity law, allowing citizens to define their own gender.
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The cuisine in Buenos Aires makes it one of the top cities for international cuisine in the world. With a clash of cuisine from just about every major country in the world—early immigrants that populated the city came from Italy, Spain and Russia after all—so from empanadas to pasta, you can find just about anything you’re craving (and numerous pizza spots throughout the city, just like NYC!). For those interested in trying authentic Argentinian cuisine, prepare yourself for a lot of BEEF— it’s an important staple in the country’s dishes (and a must for many gay men, no?). Lastly, don’t get us started on wine from Argentina’s Mendoza region. Many porteños (locals) will swear it is the best in the world. It is reason enough to visit. Performer on Pink Bus Tour of Buenos Aires.
Photos by Aaron Drake.
The third annual Buenos Aires Diversa Week (http://bit. ly/2bjqNqK) paired up with GNETWORK this year. The city’s week-long LGBT winter festival (yes, an excellent excuse to beat Florida’s summer heat!) brought tourists and locals alike out to experience art installations, live music, film noir, drag shows and sports tournaments, just to name a few. Signs of the community’s pride and celebration of the festival were reflected throughout the city with even major landmarks cascaded in rainbows.
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The city’s nightlife isn’t for the faint of heart. Its already late (late) culture of eating dinner after 9 p.m. means the city’s clubs don’t get started until the early morning hours. You can forget about sleep here because you’ll still be drinking and dancing when the sun comes up. Gay bars and clubs are spread throughout the city, but Palermo and San Telmo neighborhoods are a good place to start. Sitges (http://www.sitgesonline.com.ar/) is a local favorite for cocktails and drag shows.
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Buenos Aires’ art scene rivals that of other top cities in the world, with performing arts and art museums a prominent focus in the city. The Teatro Colón (http://www. teatrocolon.org.ar/en) is proof—listed as one of the top opera houses and overall performance venues in the world, it’s easy to fall in love with the building’s mix of Italian and French architecture. The city just finished a four-year restoration and it’s hands down one of the most beautiful buildings you will see during your travels. And of course there’s the Argentine tango; this popular form of dance originated in the city and became popular worldwide. Here in Buenos Aires, tango is also proudly danced by same-sex couples—which I encourage every visitor to seek out a performance to experience it in person, or better yet, learn it for yourself with a queer tango lesson. There’s nothing sexier than two men (or women) locked in the seductive embrace.
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If you’re still questioning the queer kitsch and culture of Buenos Aires, you might be lucky enough to experience the Pink Bus Tour. By special reservation only (badiversa@buenosaires.gob.ar) during Buenos Aires Diversa Week, you can board a double decker bus (accompanied by fabulous tour guides in drag of course) to traverse the city’s gayer side. You’ll see performers pay tribute to some of the country’s traditions mixed in with a bit of popular culture. We highly doubt you’ll go a whole trip to Buenos Aires without someone bursting into a rendition of Evita’s “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina”! September 2016 THE
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feature • fetish
JILLIAN KEENAN. PHOTO BY MARION ETTLINGER.
IS BDSM A
Christiana LiLLy
SEXUAL ORIENTATION? the mirror interviews the author who is making the case 14 THE
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WHAT WAS YOUR MOTIVATION TO WRITE THE PIECE? There is a lot of misunderstanding about kink and, in my case especially fetishism or paraphilias. I wrote that article for the same reason that I write a lot of the articles that I do about fetishism or paraphilia, which is to open up conversations that we’re not really having and to help people like me who struggle with the same questions about minority sexuality that I did throughout my life to feel less alone. EXPLAIN YOUR ARGUMENT. Certainly there are some people for whom kinky sexual practices are just that, a practice. It’s something they do, it’s not something they are. But I think this is one of the misunderstandings. People do often in the mainstream tend to think of kink as a practice, not an identity, but the fact is for a lot us it is an identity and it is absolutely as deeply rooted as any sexual orientation. I didn’t have the vocabulary to describe it, I just thought I was really fucked up. The good news is that when I write articles like this, I get emails from other fetishists, people who grew up with the same paraphilia that I have or others, and say thank god someone finally said it. I got an email with the subject line, “You just saved my life.” Not talking about the diversity of human sexuality is not only an omission, it’s a threat. When we don't have these conversations, we put lives in danger and that’s why I like to have them. WHAT RESPONSE DID YOU GET? Certainly a lot of my friends in the fetish community were glad someone said it in the mainstream. However, that’s a conversation that we’ve been having in the fetish community for decades. Within the community people are excited to see these discussions getting more mainstream. Outside the community … there’s certainly a lot of confusion, and I understand why. We’ve settled into a place in national dialogue where we’ve really put the diversity of sexuality into some very small boxes. If you think about the vast range of options and identities and experiences and questions and practices, it really is rather remarkable that we have chosen to define seuxal orientation exclusively by our genitalia when there is so much more to sexuality and sexual identity than just our junk. I understand the confusion and I was excited to have those conversations. I really value it when people push back at my ideas because it helps me with recognizing the weakness in my own ideas or it helps train me to have the conversations necessary to defend my ideas.
HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY YOUR SEXUALITY? I identified as bisexual for a long time because I am deeply attracted to both men and women, I play with both men and women, and so I just sort of assumed that I was bisexual because that is the best vocabulary that I could access. That is a term that society exposed me to that I could apply to myself. But then as I started to write and think more critically about my paraphilia, about my fetishism, I realized that it’s not quite accurate to say that I’m attracted to men as a group or women as a group. I’m attracted to thinking, I’m attracted to the object of my paraphilia, and gender is just irrelevant. My husband is normative in every way that he can be . . . He has told me that he has thought about things and reconsidered ideas in ways that he never would have if he weren’t married to me because being in such a normative space, it never occurred to him to ask these questions whereas I’ve been asking myself these questions my whole life.
feature • fetish
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s BDSM a sexual orientation? Jillian Keenan thinks so. Two years ago, the New York City freelance journalist wrote a piece for Slate arguing just that. The fetish and paraphilia community cheered, while others were confused or even angered that she would suggest such a thing. “When I try to tell [my] friends that I was a fetishist by the time I was age 5, that my sexuality was so deeply rooted in my paraphilia, then they start to get uncomfortable, they say, ‘Wait, hold on,’” she said. “I think we need to talk about this because children do have emerging sexual identities, including nonnormative sexual identities. I certainly did.” Since the article, she has written more pieces on kink and BDSM, including the book “Sex and Shakespeare,” which delves into how the Bard helped her understand her sexuality.
DO YOU STILL HEAR FROM PEOPLE ABOUT YOUR ARTICLE? Sometimes, every once in awhile letters do trickle in from people. I think that the issue of whether kink can be a sexual orientation is really politically and legally critically relevant. This is a perspective that I’ve gone after in other articles and certainly I dive really deep into this argument in my book. AS SOMEONE WHO ASSOCIATED SPANKING WITH SEXUALITY AT AN EARLY AGE, YOU’VE WRITTEN AGAINST SPANKING CHILDREN. I have a big, big problem that this is legal in our country. There’s one demographic that’s it’s legal to assault and that’s children. When I say assault, I’m using the term that the law has already applied to this act. If an adult non-consensually spanks another adult, it’s assault. If we talk more aggressively about the possibility that these non normative sexual identities can be orientation as well, it frees those people of the feeling that something is wrong with them, the feeling that they had an extreme or absurd reaction to something traumatic in childhood and I am trying to free people of that shame. There’s nothing wrong with having a non-normal sexual identity. There is something very, very wrong with a culture in this country that allows us to do these things to children. I’m just trying to focus everyone’s attention on what is really disturbing and what is really damaged, because it’s not kink. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT BOOKS LIKE “FIFTY SHADES OF GREY?” I think it’s a really wonderful thing whenever a female writer has great success and as a female author myself, I want to support other women writers. I will say that “Fifty Shades of Grey” is a fantasy, it is a fiction book, and it doesn’t purport to be a nonfiction, researched guide into the world of BDSM. It doesn’t claim to be a how to manual and it is not. It’s not a user’s guide to BDSM and because it is a fantasy, is it a very unrealistic depiction of the reality of this thing we do. But, I do trust that readers are smart enough to recognize the difference between a fiction fantasy and the many, many wonderful nonfiction books about the reality of BDSM that are in the market. September 2016 THE
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travel • caribbean
JamaIca Christiana LiLLy
Still a Hotbed of Hate against LGbt people
Grace Marie Gomez Immigration Attorney Miami, FL
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it’s an island paradise, splashed Since then, she has represented more people seeking asylum to across television ads, billboards stay in the U.S. because they come from countries where being and brochures, promising a vacation that one will never forget. LGBT is illegal. Now, 25 percent of her practice is representing However, many are trying to get away from the white sand LGBT people, namely from Jamaica but also from Ukraine, Saudi beaches, rum, and reggae tunes: LGBT people. Arabia, and Ghana. In May, two men were shot and killed at a home they were Asylum is “very difficult” to get, Gomez said, because it staying at and rumors circulated that the two were gay. In 2015, a requires so much documentation and testimony. For her LGBT video was released of a young gay man tied up as a crowd stoned clients, she has to prove that they are gay as well as show that they him to death, all the while yelling homophobic slurs. In 2015, a would experience harm should they return home. For people 16-year-old transgender girl was stabbed, shot, who were in heterosexual marriages, proving that and run over by a car after she attended a party they are gay is even harder. in a dress. She was buried in a suit and tie. “If you understand Jamaican culture, they because oF Because of these horror stories, many would not pretend to be gay,” Gomez said. “It’s Jamaicans make their way to the U.S. in hopes so frowned upon over there. They wouldn’t take these horror of seeking asylum. When they arrive, many of the risk of alienating their family and friends.” storIes, them meet Grace Gomez, a Miami immigration Despite the country’s egregious human rights attorney. violations, the Caribbean nation continues to be a many “Jamaica is definitely the worst in the western top tourism destination. According to the World hemisphere,” she said about the country’s Factbook, tourism accounts for 30 percent of JamaIcans treatment of LGBT people. Jamaica’s gross domestic product (GDP). make theIr A graduate of Florida State University and Last year, President Barack Obama was Stetson Law School, Gomez knew she wanted criticized for making a visit to Jamaica, but was way to the to specialize in immigration law, which sent her also applauded when he hosted a town hall and u.s. In hopes back to her hometown of Miami. She opened invited LGBT activists and called for equality. This her practice in 2008 after a stint as a public included telling the story of Angeline Jackson, oF seekIng defender, and shortly after was introduced to the executive director for Quality of Citizenship asylum. the reality of life in Jamaica for LGBT people. Jamaica, who as a lesbian was kidnapped and It seemed like a normal case of meeting a sexually assaulted when she was 19. potential client at Krome Detention Center “You’d think as a country that depends on in Miami. Gomez went through her normal list of questions, tourism, they’d be worried about giving the public this persona,” receiving the same answers until she asked the man, “Do you fear Gomez said. “They hide it well. They don’t attack foreigners who going back to Jamaica?” are homoseuxal. They reserve that hatred for their own people.” She was shocked when he said, “Yes, I’m gay.” Well known within the LGBT Jamaican community, she has “To be honest with you, I didn’t believe him. How is this on also experienced part of the hatred. When asked if she would the world stage and I’ve never heard about this?” she remembers, ever travel to Jamaica for vacation or otherwise, the answer is no. sending her back to her office to research his claims. “I have very much a death threat on my head,” she said. Homosexual acts are illegal in Jamaica under the island’s 1864 “I’ve received quite a bit of hate mail from Jamaicans from Offences Against the Person Act, which illegalizes anal intercourse organizations saying I’m a gay lover and hurting their communities. and is punishable up to 10 years of hard labor. Jamaica’s Charter All anonymous, nothing is ever attributed to anyone, but I’m sure of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms was passed in 2011, but it it’s gotten out.” does not include protections for LGBT people. “Thank you, but no thank you. I would not go to Jamaica.” “I actually went back to that guy and apologized,” Gomez said.
travel • caribbean
Jamaica –
THERE ARE STILL NINE COUNTRIES IN THE CARIBBEAN WHERE SAME-SEx ACTIVITy IS ILLEGAL despite being so close to the u.S. the caribbean is not known for its LGbt inclusiveness. nine countries still consider same sex activity to be a crime; same-sex marriage and adoption are not legal in any independent nation. only one independent nation, bahamas, allows LGbt people to serve openly in the military, and only one independent nation, cuba, has laws in place banning discrimination based on sexual orientation/gender identify. Since many of the islands are not independent and are considered overseas territories, some of the laws reflect that of their mother country such as puerto Rico and the u.S. Virgin islands. Jamaica continues to be seen as the most anti-LGbt island whereas curacao (a country of the Kingdom of the netherlands) is seen as bright spot for LGbt travelers regularly holding LGbt-friendly events including celebrating pride.
Jamaica
Antigua and Barbuda Saint Kitts and nevis dominica Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Grenada trinidad and tobago September 2016 THE
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progress In belIZe Supreme court strikes down anti-sodomy law; ruling may impact Jamaica as well DEnisE rOyaL
In a groundbreaking decision that could have far-reaching This is the same group involved in helping write soconsequences, the Belize Supreme Court ruled in August that a called “religious liberty” laws in the U.S. that would legalize law that punishes sex between homosexuals is unconstitutional, discrimination against LGBT people. The group is also pushing making the country the first former British colony in the anti-trans school policies by targeting schools that include transCaribbean to do so. inclusive gender-affirming language in existing policies. A lawsuit challenging the law was filed in Belize’s highest court, Tomlinson said the decision in Belize will be hard for Jamaican in 2010 by Belize native Caleb Orozco and officials to ignore. “All the rights that the judge the group he directs, United Belize Advocacy ruled were violated by the Belize law are the same as Movement (UniBAM). UniBAM’s attorneys those that I have cited in my own case,” Tomlinson the human argued current law violated provisions of told SFGN. “So it will be very hard for a court in the Constitution of Belize that recognize Jamaica to ignore such a decisive judgment from rIghts individual rights to human dignity, to be free a similar court in a sister Commonwealth and commIssIon from arbitrary or unlawful interference with CARICOM nation.” one’s privacy and to equal protection under CARICOM, known as the Caribbean notes the law. Community, is an organization made up of “While it is not legally binding to any belIZe Is Caribbean nations and dependencies for the national judiciary, the ruling has a precedence purpose of promoting economic integration and the thIrd value in that it can offer an interpretation of cooperation and to coordinate foreign policy. The the law where rights are similar for judges fifteen members include Antigua and Barbuda; natIon to to consider in their decision,” Orozco told Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Dominica; Grenada; decrImInalIZe SFGN. “The ruling offers activists to study Guyana; Haiti; Jamaica; Montserrat; Saint Lucia; the process of non-legal strategies that St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Suriname; and gay sex complement strategic litigation. It motivates Trinidad and Tobago. thIs year. others in the other 10 Caribbean countries Orozco agreed. “Whether in Belize, St. Lucia, that criminalizes same-sex activity.” Guyana, Grenada, Jamaica activists are slowly Jamaica is one of those ten countries scaling up their advocacy to advance rights in the that still has colonial-era anti-sodomy laws. Lawyer/LGBT region about CARICOM member states, in spite of American activist Maurice Tomlinson was forced to leave the country after Fundamentalism, are prepared to carry the burden of advancing receiving death threats. He filed a closely-watched lawsuit last dignity and rights concerns,” he said. December trying to overturn those laws. Both Tomlinson’s case The Human Rights Commission notes Belize is the third nation and the one in Belize have been opposed by religious groups to decriminalize gay sex this year. Aside from Belize, the others – most notably the fundamentalist Christian legal powerhouse are Nauru, a small island state located in the Pacific Ocean, and Alliance Defending Freedom. Seychelles, an island state in the Indian Ocean.
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feature • history
The Johns Committee State Sanctioned Homophobia Before Anita there was Johns, an in-depth look at Florida’s shameful past
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Art Copleston at the University of Florida in 1958. 20 THE
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Christiana Lilly
or many people, their memories of their college years are filled with football games, parties, and cramming for exams. For others, it’s horrific flashbacks of being stalked on campus, hours of interrogation, and questioning if everyone they interacted with was an investigator. For students and teachers at some of the top universities in the state, this is a part of their history, the harassment of the Johns Committee. “While generally speaking we live in a society that’s accepting of people and their private lifestyles, the Johns Committee left us a legacy of intolerance,” said Jim Schnur, the special collections librarian at USF St. Petersburg. “It was just how abhorrent they were, how many lives they attempted to destroy.” It was 1956 when the state formed the Florida Legislative Investigation Committee, or better known as the Johns Committee, as it was headed by Sen. Charley Johns, a Democrat from Starke, Fla. who had also served as governor for a year-anda-half. The country was in the midst of the Red Scare, and the committee was out to find civil rights activists and integrationists, namely settings its sights on the NAACP. Soon, however, the committee decided to go after a target that wasn’t so strongly represented: LGBT people. Art Copleston was one of them. Growing up moving from city to city in Florida, he graduated high school in in 1950 and joined the Air Force. After serving nearly four years, he was able to use the GI Bill to attend the University of Florida, his first day of school on his 25th birthday in 1957. He had plans to study industrial management and move ahead in life. However, the Johns Committee would try its best to knock him down. Copleston was “a disastrous closet case” and only told a select few friends at his school that he was gay, knowing they were too. “I had no money and the family had no money and I had to get a source of income and I knew I was gay. I had to hide it because at the time, you didn’t dare mention that to anyone,” he said. During a summer semester, he was hanging out with some gay friends at a bar across the street, The Burger House, when a friend leaned in to whisper in his ear. “One of the gay guys whispered to me that there was a guy sitting at the bar watching me,” he remembers. “My tipster said, I hear that there is some sort of a gay investigation going on by possibly the state officials and maybe this guy is from that group.” The man was John Tileston, a police officer with the university. ▶
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Continued
The very next day, the same friend told him in the cafeteria that he had been pulled from class and interrogated. Being proudly out, he said he was excited to stand up to them. A few weeks later, when the fall semester started, it was Copleston’s turn. He was pulled out of class and met by officers in standard Johns Committee uniforms -- light blue uniforms with a matching hat, a holster with a pistol, and knee-high, shiny black boots. Copleston was thrown in a squad car and taken into an interrogation room in the administration building with covered windows, a table with three wooden chairs, a light bulb dangling from the ceiling, and a tape recorder. This was years before Miranda rights, and he had no legal representation. For hours, Tileston questioned Copleston about his homosexuality and who he knew to be gay. He refused to give them the answers they wanted. After the interrogation, Copleston noticed that his mail was taking longer to get to him and discovered it was being intercepted by the committee. Later, he discovered his roommate was actually an informant planted by the Johns Committee -- one night after a party he undressed in their dorm and touched himself, coming onto Copleston and asked if he had ever been with a man before. When asked about it later, he proudly admitted he was getting paid by the committee, which helped him with college tuition. “I never knew where one of the investigators was going to suddenly appear in my daily life. It could be in walking down a sidewalk, in a classroom, outside my dorm door, at any time in the day or night, I never knew when they were going to be there watching me,” he said. “That was, I think, one of the most debilitating things that came out of this whole thing or me. It was exhausting as well as terrifying.” Copleston said his friends didn’t socialize on campus, out of fear of
In the pamphlet, the committee claimed that 60,000 Floridians were “active homosexuals” with “an insatiable appetite for sexual activities and find special gratification in the recruitment to their ranks of youth.” the goal was to “keep their hands off our children.”
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being seen together. To keep any semblance of a social life, they would escape to Daytona Beach or Jacksonville for the weekend. Even so, he was interrogated two or three more times, he said, including being pulled out of class while he was taking his accounting final exam. “It was the same crap every time,” he said. “I want people to know what happened.” Despite the fear and stress, Copleston graduated from the University of Florida with honors and a 3.8 GPA. He immediately left the state. It wasn’t just students who were targeted -- it’s believed 15 professors at the university were also targeted, including Professor Sigismond Diettrich, who served as the esteemed chairman of the geography department. He was called to a hotel in Gainesville for an interrogation, where he discovered a colleague told the committee that Diettrich tapped his foot in the bathroom sometimes, and he believed it was to encourage sexual advances from men. After the interrogation, Diettrich was so embarrassed and ashamed that he took 85 aspirin pills and attempted to jump out the window of his office building. He didn’t go through with the suicide attempt, but resigned from the university. “I have lost all I had, all I lived for in my proud vanity,” he said, according to special collections librarian Schnur’s thesis. “If I’ll have to leave my beloved Florida … I shall go forth in humility.” The committee also set its sights beyond Gainesville, interrogating students and professors at Florida State University and University of South Florida. Ironically enough, it was the committee itself that would be its own downfall. In 1964, the committee published “Homosexuality and Citizenship in Florida,” nicknamed “the purple pamphlet” for its coloring, with the intention of warning the public about the dangers of gay people. ▶
feature • history
Continued
Instead, people were outraged with the content and photos of the pamphlet – photos of a man receiving fallatio in a bathroom stall, a man tied up with rope while wearing a g string, and a glossary of “homosexual terms and deviate acts” such as “fairy,” “butch,” “69,” “71,” and more. In the pamphlet, the committee claimed that 60,000 Floridians were “active homosexuals” with “an insatiable appetite for sexual activities and find special gratification in the recruitment to their ranks of youth.” Finally, the goal was to “keep their hands off our children.” Reacting to the public outcry that taxpayer money was used to create “state-sponsored pornography,” the committee was not given funding to continue its witch-hunt. “[Johns] asked fellow lawmakers to ‘close the office, lock up the records and save the taxpayers of Florida the remainder of the $155,000 appropriation,’” according to John Howard, author of “Carryin’ on in the Lesbian and Gay South. “Claiming that the FLIC operated exclusively under the ‘executive session’ provision of the 1885 constitution, the legislature sealed all public records of this agency from inspection until 31 December 2028.” For nearly three decades, the Johns Committee was buried in history, its reign of terror forgotten by Floridians, committee members’ names still remaining on some school buildings to this day. But in 1991, Schnur, the special collections librarian, would be instrumental in unearthing the truth. A graduate student at the time, he was coming up with a thesis on Florida history when he came across the Johns Committee. He requested records on the committee, but discovered that the 30,000 pages of records were sealed until 2027 due to an archaic amendment in Florida’s 1885 constitution. “Long story short, after some battles that took place where a lot of us were very involved, the records were finally opened in July of 1993,” Schnur said. “They were heavily redacted and they damaged the original
Art Copleston in 2014.
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September 2016
“tHiS WAS ALLoWed to HAPPen. tHiS WAS A CLeAR RePReSentAtion oF MASS tHinKinG tHRouGHout tHiS SoCietY duRinG tHe ‘50S. HoMoSeXuALitY in tHe 50S WAS ReALLY An ABeRRAtion … We WeRe ConSideRed ReALLY diFFeRent And ReALLY SiCK, SiCK PeoPLe. PeoPLe need to KnoW tHAt tHiS Went on, tHAt tHiS HAPPened.”
documents, they mutilated the original documents. My thesis came out in 1995 and I wrote basically the first institutional history of the Johns Committee.” “We have a lot of great records about the Sons of the Confederacy, but we don’t have very much on the LGBTQ experience.” Poring over the documents, Schnur read transcripts of interviews, with investigators asking students and teachers “intimate, humiliating questions.” He said the investigators were especially interested when they were interrogating someone about lesbian relationships. However, they didn’t seem concerned when straight men admitted to having thoughts of pedophilia or had touched young children. “Instead of making a copy and making up the copy but preserving the originals, they destroyed them. Why did the state of Florida do that? The state of Florida was put into a tough predicament because the they had destroyed people’s lives,” Schnur said. “There were lots of lists of names.” In 1995, Schnur completed his thesis. Four years later, Allyson Beutke DeVito was a student at the University of Florida and was assigned a documentary project. Her professor encouraged her to research Virgil Hawkins, the first African American to be admitted to the university’s law school after a Supreme Court battle; he withdrew his application exchange for a court order to desegregate the university's colleges. As Beutke DeVito looked into Hawkins’ history, she discovered he was forced to travel to Miami and wait for hours in a hot, humid basement to be questioned by the Johns Committee. One thing led to another, and she discovered Florida’s dirty secret, starting with its hunt for African Americans, and later, LGBT people. While compiling data, she came across Schnur’s Master's thesis. Over the next year, she produced “Behind Closed Doors.” In her documentary, she interviews those who were terrorized by the committee, and also attempting to reach out to those in the committee itself. Beutke DeVito reached out to Johns’ son, who kept postponing the interview until finally canceling. She also discovered communication between the university’s president during the witch-hunt, J. Wayne Reitz, and Johns -- he happily allowed him on campus. Today, the student union is named after Reitz. “We would eat lunch at the Reitz Union,” she said of her days as a student. “You realize all the things that kind of happened during that time period. It was definitely not something that I had expected to find when I first read about Virgil Hawkins.” In 2011, another documentary was made on the Johns Committee, this time at the University of Central Florida. After the attack at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, killing 49 people, the film was revived and broadcast on more than 100 PBS stations across the country. Today, Copleston lives in Palm Springs, Calif. and volunteers for the Democratic Party. He has done a few speaking engagements about the Johns Committee, and most of the audience’s reaction is surprise that it happened. “This was allowed to happen. This was a clear representation of mass thinking throughout this society during the ‘50s. Homosexuality in the 50s was really an aberration … We were considered really different and really sick, sick people. People need to know that this went on, that this happened.” It’s been so buried, in fact, that the University of Florida’s alumni magazine named Johns to its list of distinguished alumni in 2005 (he was quickly removed when the Alumni Association was told of his legacy). “It definitely has taught me to know your history, to question the past, to look at things with a critical eye,” said Beutke DeVito, who is now a faculty lecturer at the University of Kentucky.
September 2016  THE
25
column • transgender
How I Got These Scars BrEnDOn LiEs
COLOr
PhOtOGraPhy By Char Pratt
The human journey of my surgery as a trans man
26 THE
September 2016
T
he whole week seemed a lot more picturesque before it happened. I had envisioned our meeting would be captured on camera as a teary façade for all of YouTube to fawn over. Instead, my shaking hands must have hit record twice – possibly four – times as I stumbled around the airport, frantically searching for a face I hadn’t seen in four years. As I stood at the Fort Lauderdale airport on the two-year anniversary since I had started testosterone injections, I was sincerely afraid that my own mother might not recognize me. It was the day before my approaching surgery, and my mother would be meeting her son for the first time. At this point I should really back up for a moment and point out that any sort of sex reassignment surgery isn’t necessary, nor is it for everyone. If I chose not to get surgery, I would still be Brendon. However, self-doubt had rocked me from the chest down since puberty, and once I found out top surgery (the masculinization of my chest area) was an option, it became the only option. After living a barebones lifestyle for over a year, I had finally saved enough to pay for my surgery. Like many, my insurance wouldn’t cover this surgery. To say I’m one of the lucky ones for making it this far is putting it lightly, as the self-harm statistics against trans people who are held back from transitioning are nothing short of horrific. I have nothing to thank but chance itself in many regards that I somehow had the strength to continue. Yet in this moment, all I could think about was introducing myself as Brendon for the first time to my own mother, who had made the expensive journey from North Dakota to be my personal caretaker during my first week of recovery. I’m grateful that I had my mother’s full support after I came out and that she too managed to save up enough for her first trip to our sunny shores. However, the Broward transgender community is also fortunate to have the incredible New Beginnings Retreat, which is a recovery center specifically run for post-operative transgender patients in recovery. Had a snowstorm struck the Midwest and cancelled all seven flights out of Fargo, I would have had to make a last minute arrangement with the loving team at New Beginnings, and I was thankful to still have that option in case my mother became permanently lost in the tides of people at Terminal C. Thankfully, luck was on my side. By the time I found her, we managed to take one or two selfies focused blurrily at the ceiling before I began to rush her eagerly to my car. There was no doubt she was glad to see me, but both of us were too overwhelmed to show it much. We still had to stop for groceries that would have to last us a week before we could check in with our Airbnb hostess. Everything was a blur.
Somehow despite all the chaos, my mother had not only made it to Florida, but we both somehow made it to my appointment at noon the next morning. Like mother, like son.
column • transgender
“From every wound there is a scar, and every scar tells a story. A story that says, ‘I survived.’” - Unknown
“I’m off to see the Wizard.” It had all started with a free consultation at Take Shape Plastic Surgery. Dr. Russell Sassani, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, graduated with Highest Honors at Rutgers University, where he began his specialized training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. As an open member of the gay community himself and an advocate for transgender rights, Dr. Sassani was the recipient of the Trans Equality Award in 2014, presented by the Pride Center in Fort Lauderdale. The award sits in a glass case in his waiting room, where all his patients are welcome to view it. Just recently, Dr. Sassani welcomed Jazz Jennings for a consultation at his practice, a moment that was filmed for Jennings’ popular television show on TLC. On it, he stated that about a third of his patients now consisted of transgender patients in search of greater authenticity. By the time my mother and I arrived, we were long past that original consultation phase. I had already talked with Dr. Sassani about my options, paid a grueling sum that was the result of my life being on hold for a year, and successfully weaned myself off of nicotine. All that was left was the surgery itself. ▶ The first ever (properly focused) photo that my mom, Jennifer Lies, and I took together as mother and son.
September 2016 THE
27
Continued
column • transgender
Rather than enjoy the comfort of the waiting room with its glistening awards like I had in my previous consultations, my mother and I were taken through a well-protected back door the moment I arrived. Inside the surgery center, we were greeted by a gleeful Wizard of Oz theme. All the nervousness that had been carving itself prematurely through my chest was washed away. For a brief moment, it felt more like a trip to a spa than to a surgeon’s office. The Nurse Manager Tammy was nothing short of a delight, making sure that my mother and I had a few genuine laughs and selfies. Dr. Sassani sat with me himself as I described my ideal end results and he carefully traced the incisions on my chest to suit my ideal aesthetic, something that not all surgeons are willing to do. I was given one last consent form to sign, which I scribbled on as if it were the iTunes Terms and Conditions. Before I knew it, I was being guided towards a door in my white button-up with an I.V. dangling sharply from one wrist. Next to the entrance was a little sign that caught my eye moments before the surgery table itself was revealed through the open doorway. “I’m off to see the Wizard.”
“This surgery isn’t going to make you a man.” Going back several months before my surgery, my mother had a fine piece of advice for me during one of our many long phone calls. “This surgery isn’t going to make you a man.” It would have been easy to mistake that as transphobia, but I know my mother, and she knows me. “I know… I’m already a man,” I had replied sharply. “I’m doing this to feel more comfortable with myself, but it doesn’t change anything.” That was exactly the answer she had been looking for. Nonetheless, as I finally lay there after the surgery while slowly allowing the anesthesia to release its foggy grip, I was still surprised by how little I felt had changed. The only real difference at that moment was a vague feeling of helplessness settling in. Up until this day, I had worn a binder to manually flatten my chest, which in itself was terribly uncomfortable. The only thing that Hours after surgery. felt different was a pair of drainage tubes now lodged into the flesh of my arms, woven securely through a compression top that would help keep my bandages firm. The surgery itself had gone wonderfully, Dr. Sassani comforted. Deep in the comfort of a very expensive nap, I had undergone a double incision – a bilateral masectomy with trimmed nipples and areolas grafted onto a more masculine location. Two temporary drainage tubes were woven through my chest, which would need my mother’s somewhatcareful touch to monitor. In some ways I had finally made it, but the finish line was still a long way off. At the time, I attributed my lack of utter euphoria to the drugs left in my system. Still, the knowledge of this checkpoint in my life was enough to usher me onto my feet and even say a few sweet compliments to the nurses which I know my mother disapproved of. That part I’ll always blame on the anesthesia. ▶
28 THE
September 2016
@VISITLAUDERDALE | #HELLOSUNNY
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Sunny.org
column • transgender
Continued
I felt my first glimpse of real fear. While I hardly remember the first few hours once we arrived back at our cozy air bnb studio, I was soon bright-eyed and bushytailed with restlessness that lasted for the first few days. Never in my bright mind did I think the adrenaline that had gotten me this far in life might be betraying my own healing process. This was my mistake. That weekend, less than 40 hours after surgery, I had a sudden increase in bleeding. To top it off, the moment I sat up from a nap and noticed deep red drains, my head began to spin and I could barely move. Within minutes, my mother was on her phone, frantically explaining the situation to Dr. Sassani who was currently tucked in the comfort of his home. The doctor’s orders were to get me to his office, where he would meet us as soon as possible. My mother was reassured that I would be fine, and that the worst case scenario would only involve me going back into surgery until they stopped the bleeding. I had the entire Uber ride to bite back nausea and think about my life up to this
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September 2016
point. Everything felt immobile, and my thoughts felt less clear. For possibly the first time in my young life, I felt my first glimpse of real fear. However, unlike so many incredible souls before me who had suffered far worse fates, there was no regret. As I stared at the nauseating sight of cars zipping by, I didn’t for a moment wish my life were any different. This surgery was the birth of two scars, but the healing of many others. I let this thought sink into my mind as Dr. Sassani and the Nurse Assistant Rosie led us inside through the Surgery Center, which was normally inoperative during weekends. I’m grateful to say that despite the potential urgency of the situation, everyone was incredibly calm and patient with my frightened mother, which for once I couldn’t be. In order to check the bleeding, the doctor opted to remove all bandages much earlier than usual, only to reveal good news… all was well, it was just a false alarm. Likely a result of me overstraining myself. In fact, I was told my healing up to this point looked miraculous. I did, however, receive a firm wave of a finger from Dr. Sassani. Moments before I was about to be
rebandaged, Rosie was kind enough to break tradition of the full-mirror reveal and give me a small glimpse of my chest in a hand mirror so I could see for myself that all was well. Usually, the grand reveal is like a ceremony; the patient is slowly undressed after a full week of healing, and as the bandages come off for the first time, they turn to face a mirror and stare at their own reflection for the first time. For me, though, this tiny glimpse was proof that it was over, as though I was afraid the bandages would come off and I would be stuck with the same awkward lumps. In that tiny smudged reflection, I could see I was beautiful. I was me. For the rest of the week, I treated my recovery with new light. No longer did I pace back and forth recklessly, cleaning up the hotel room or even trying to cook. I finally allowed my mother to watch over me, which still proved to be much different and even a bit more frustrating than I remembered from the days before I left for college. Yet somehow, we made it. After a very quiet but anxious week, it was almost time for my proper reveal. In the two years since I had come out, I had met countless trans people like myself, and many of them had shared their own
Dr. Russell Sassani as he removed the bandages, one week following surgery.
Your smile should leave a great impression.
$69 New Patients journeys with me. What I learned is that everyone who opts for surgery reacts differently for their own reason. I witnessed several friends grieve with tears of loss after spending years trying to normalize their bodies, while I had seen others spare not an ounce of joy. Keeping this in mind, I had spent the rest of the week telling myself that, whether or not my chest would look nearly as good as the foggy glimpse I had gotten did, I wouldn’t force myself to feel joy. That, if some piece of myself felt like it was missing simply from years of its awkward presence, I wouldn’t stop myself from mourning or even feeling anger. This reveal would be about my own authenticity, nothing else. The removal of the bandages was much more complicated the second time, as it also involved removing the drains – easily the most painful moment of my entire recovery, although this is different for everyone. The stitches also had to come out, so at one point I had a nurse on each side with Dr. Sassani himself standing over my face, all of whom were thirty meters too close to me considering I hadn’t been allowed to shower properly for a full week. Once the last stitch was snaked away from my chest (or it might have been a very thick hair, I’ll never really know), I was guided towards the mirror even as the room filled with staff members from throughout the building who were eager to see my face light up. As I stepped in front of the mirror, I sure smiled. But I kept my promise, and allowed myself a few moments to pinpont what I really felt inside. It took several breaths for it to sink in… relief. There was a literal burden that had been lifted from my chest.
The scars that run skin deep... It’s been almost five months. No longer do I have to contort into a pressurized vest every morning in a crude and often painful attempt to flatten my chest, nor do I have to hesitate when other men around me begin to whip their shirts off. Sure, I definitely haven’t earned a six-pack, and even now I could use a few healthy days in the sun to gain some color. And sure, if you catch me shirtless while walking my dog along the sidewalk in a quiet little neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale, you’ll notice two scars that will take several more years before they begin to fade away. But I’m worth more than the scars that run skin deep.
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1946 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors • FL 33305 www.IslandCitySmiles.com September 2016 THE
31
food • hollywood, florida
Hooray For Hollywood Downtown Hollywood is charming, but LGBT people could make it fabulous
W
riCK KarLin
hy isn’t there a greater LGBT presence in downtown Hollywood? Hollywood’s main thoroughfare, Hollywood Blvd., runs a few blocks between the train tracks (20th St.) and Young Circle (Federal Hwy.). There are a few streets crossing and running parallel that are characterized by brick-lined walks, unique boutiques, shops, art galleries and dozens of excellent restaurants. It’s even on the National Register of Historic Places. There is some development, but nothing like it would be if it were a gathering spot for the LGBT community. So why isn’t it hopping with LGBT life? It’s only 15 minutes south of downtown Fort Lauderdale, at most a half-hour from Wilton Manors. The area also features plenty of FREE parking along the main drag. If Wilton Manors wants to see how to reconfigure its main drag, they need look no further than this pedestrian friendly area. There’s even a convenient trolley service running seven days a week, which not only circles the downtown area, but makes runs out to the beach and Hollywood’s other dining and entertainment district, the Boardwalk. ArtsPark at Young Circle, situated between the two areas is the perfect spot for festivals and celebrations. In fact, every Monday, food trucks from across South Florida congregate in the park for a unique dining experience. If the LGBT community is looking to spend some of its pink dollars, they’ll have plenty of variety available in downtown Hollywood. Asian options alone include Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and Asian fusion at the following restaurants: GO BISTRO 2035 Hollywood Blvd., 754-263-2826 HUANG'S MANDARIN HOUSE 2031 Hollywood Blvd., 954-923-1688, helensmandarinhouse.com IRON SUSHI 1805 N. Young Circle, 954-927-1735 NAKORN THAI & SUSHI 1935 Harrison St., 954-921-1200, nakorn.us PHO VI 1933 Hollywood Blvd., 954-367-7786 RED THAI & SUSHI 1924 Hollywood Blvd., 954-921-1988, redthaisushihollywood.com
For those craving French fare, the options range from simple bistro fare to haute cuisine: BISTRO 1902, 1902 Hollywood Blvd., 954-689-2229 FACE 2022 Hollywood Blvd., 754-263-2811 LA FLAMBÉE 2051 Hollywood Blvd., 954-613-5726 LE COMPTOIR 1902 Harrison St., 954-399-9519 MONACO 2033 Harrison St., 954-589-5744
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TAKITOS RESTAURANT
There’s only one place serving up authentic Irish fare; Mickey Byrne's, 1921 Hollywood Blvd., 954-921-2317, mickeybyrnes.com. But there are so many places specializing in Italian cuisine that diners can visit a different one every day of the week and still have a few to sample for lunch. CINQUECENTO 1931 Hollywood Blvd., 954-927-1815 FASCINO'S 1900 Harrison St., 954-589-0200, fascinos.com LA VENDETTA 1909 Hollywood Blvd., 954-404-6321, vendettarestaurant.com LINO'S PIZZA 1817 N. Young Circle, 954-929-7575 MAMA MIA 1818 S. Young Circle, 954-923-0555, miagrill.com MAURO'S PIZZA 1904B Hollywood Blvd., 954-929-4001 PERRONE'S 1885 Hollywood Blvd., 954-921-7009
Unlike the real Middle East, the dining establishments representing that region co-exist peacefully in Hollywood. Among them are: A LA TURCA 1848 Harrison St., 954-925-5900, myalaturca.com CARAVAN GRILL 1719 E. Young Circle, 954-246-0770 THE GREEK JOINT 1925 Hollywood Blvd., 954-929-9966, thegreekjoint.com
For Latin American cuisine, diners may select from a number of countries representing South and Central America, as well as Spain, the Caribbean, American Tex-Mex and Latin fusion: ANGUS BAR & GRILL (Argentine) 1917 Hollywood Blvd., 954-920-8118 BULERIA (Spanish) 2051B Hollywood Blvd., 954-362-7026 CABO BLANCO (Peruvian/Cuban) 1936 Hollywood Blvd., 954-251-2230, caboblancorestaurant.com KUSSIFAy (Argentine) 2050 Hollywood Blvd., 954-842-2396 LA HUACA (Peruvian) 2000 Harrison St., 954-239-8722 LAS DELICIAS PERUANAS (Peruvian) 2023 Hollywood Blvd., 954-923-2999 LOS PINCHOS (Colombian) 1940 Hollywood Blvd., 954-923-0200 RUNAS PERUVIAN CUISINE (Peruvian) 219 N. 21st Avenue, 954-614-2094 SANSUSHITO (Peruvian Sushi) 121 N. 20th Avenue, 954-703-4770 TAKITOS RESTAURANT (Mexican) 1926 Hollywood Blvd., 954-921-1946, takitos.com
Those looking for a sweet dessert to top off your evening may want to stop in at ATELIER 3, 1901 Harrison St., 954-505-3843, LA BONNE ADRESSE, 2003 Harrison St., 954-927-6458 or the legendary CHOCOLADA, 1923 Hollywood Blvd., 954-920-6400. Or if you prefer to dance off all those calories, there are a number of clubs, including:
food • hollywood, florida
TARDES CALENAS (COLOMBIAN) 2025A Hollywood Blvd., 954-391-7542
SHABO'S BARBECUE 1840 Harrison St., 954-921-6667 GINGER BAy CAFÉ 1908 Hollywood Blvd., 954-924-1844, gingerbaycafefl.com and R.E.D. STRIPE CAFÉ 2001 Harrison St., 954-818-0885 represent the Caribbean.
HOLLyWOOD VINE 2035 Harrison St., 954-922-2910, hvine.com MySTIC WATER KAVA BAR 1820 S. Young Circle, 954-496-6090 PRL EURO CAFÉ 1904A Hollywood Blvd., 954-980-8945 SOCIAL ROOM 1916 Harrison St., 954-248-6950 SPICE RESTO-LOUNGE 1934 Hollywood Blvd., 954-923-3888 WHISKEy TANGO 1903 Hollywood Blvd., 954-925-2555, whiskeytangofl.com
This list is by no means inclusive; it doesn’t feature a number of sandwich shops and places only open for lunch. Nor does it include chains and franchises such as Pizza Rustica, Starbuck’s etc. As always, customers should call and check before visiting a specific location. Many of the places listed above don’t have a web site, but may have a Facebook page. It’s about time the LGBT community made its presence known in downtown Hollywood. Let’s spend some of those gay dollars and show them how to take the place from charming to fabulous.
The consumer survey company, Community Marketing & Insights, recently released the results of its latest survey and revealed that, no big surprise here, the LGBT community loves to dine out! Gay men tend to dine out more often than lesbians. The surprising result was that there was not much of a difference in the number of meals dined out when comparing generations. Millennials and Gen Xers dine out at about the same rates, although there was a slight decline in the numbers for those in the Baby Boomer generation (see chart below). In the past 7 days, how many meals did you eat out in the following categories? GAy & BI MEN MiLLenniALS
Gen X
LESBIAN & BI WOMEN
BooMeRS+
MiLLenniALS
Gen X
BooMeRS+
BReAKFASt
1.28
1.33
1.07
0.85
1.05
0.92
LunCH
2.91
2.85
2.23
1.93
2.10
1.79
dinneR
2.90
2.74
2.19
2.15
2.26
1.86
CoFFee out
1.83
1.80
1.42
1.59
1.60
1.27
Source: Community Marketing & Insights
The amount our community spends when dining out far exceeds that of the mainstream community. Eater.com recently reported that mainstream Millennials spend, on average, $43 per week dining out and that others in the community at large (the study did not offer a breakdown between Gen X and Boomers) spent only, on average, $34 a week. Compare those results with the chart below and you’ll see that gay men spend far more than that amount when dining out. Lesbians tend to match the spending habits of the population at large. How much have you spent on all meals and drinks at restaurants, fast food, cafes, etc. in the past 7 days? GAy & BI MEN all lgbt
MiLLenniALS
LESBIAN & BI WOMEN
Gen X
BooMeRS+
MiLLenniALS
Gen X
BooMeRS+ 35%
$0 to $49
32%
30%
23%
30%
42%
28%
$50 to $99
26%
27%
22%
23%
32%
26%
24%
$100 to $149
16%
18%
17%
16%
12%
17%
16%
$150 to $199
11%
11%
13%
12%
7%
12%
11%
$200
16%
15%
26%
20%
7%
17%
13%
Source: Community Marketing & Insights
September 2016 THE
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34 THE
 September 2016
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
2016
GUIDE
September 2016  THE
35
arts & entertainment • headlines
HEADLINES
Symphony Adds Arsht to Masterworks Season
Newsbriefs
M
PERFORMING ARTS CENTERS CELEBRATE
During the 2016 – 17 season, the Kravis Center, pictured, in West Palm Beach and the Arsht Center in Miami will mark major milestones: The Kravis Center celebrates 25 years and the Arsht Center will be 10 years old. Both centers are planning star-studded galas to celebrate. For more information, go to Kravis.org and ArshtCenter.org.
iami audiences will have the opportunity this season to enjoy the music of the South Florida Symphony, announced symphony president and CEO Jacqueline Lorber. Until this season, the symphony performed its classics series in Key West, Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton. According to Lorber, the symphony’s critically-acclaimed performance last season of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the Master Choral of South Florida generated interest from the Miami-Dade arts community. “There’s a lot more knowledge of the symphony since that performance and with knowledge comes interest,” she said. Lorber is not daunted by the challenge of filling such a large venue: “Wherever we are (performing), we’re doing well.” As the symphony prepares for its 20th anniversary season in 2017, Lorber is working hard to build support. “We have 45 concerts and events planned this year. Everything is happening at a much higher level,” she said.
For a concert schedule and ticket information, go to SouthFloridaSymphony.org.
Gay Filmmaker Risks Imprisonment, Death to Stage Festival in Uganda We may have won the right to marry in the U.S. and receive some limited legal protections, but it’s easy to forget that LGBT people in other many countries— particularly Africa, the Caribbean and parts of Asia—often face persecution, imprisonment and even execution because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Mirror was recently contacted by Kamoga Hassan, a young filmmaker from the central African nation of Uganda. Hassan hopes to start an LGBT film festival in the nation’s capital, Kampala, and has been seeking financial support via social media and crowdfunding sites. Hassan spoke with Mirror about his hopes and dreams and the dangers he and others face as they pursue the project: What inspired you to pursue the festival in such an LGBT-hostile country? Being a Ugandan and a filmmaker, I was raised to always aim higher in life, so after my film “OUTED” received several international recognitions and screenings, I started to think of ways how, as a filmmaker, I could support other film makers who are passionate about voicing the plight of the LGBT communities in the world. The sole purpose of filming “Outed” was to shed a light on the way LGBT’s are treated in Uganda, but through it something
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even bigger has been born. The Queer Kampala International Film festival starting December 9 16, 2016 will bring together various filmmakers, each with a unique story worthy to be screened and heard. Aren’t you risking physical harm or even imprisonment for promoting homosexuality in your country? Thinking of risks only fills the mind with fear and, honestly, I am not afraid to take risks as they make life worth living. I think about the gay rights activists who have been killed and tortured and those who have gone into hiding. I agree it’s not safe, but my passion and cause surpasses all fears. As along as I am alive, I will continue to do what I can in the best way I know how to create dialogue, freedom and wellbeing for the LGBT community in Uganda and around the world. What do you want LGBT people in the U.S. to know about your efforts on the festival? I want them to know that the main goal of the festival is to increase awareness and tolerance of sexual identity issues through increased public exposure using films. We would like to spread correct information on sexual identity to the public and promote equality. People in the
U.S.A. who care about LGBTQ rights around the world can help make this happen. Homosexuality is a capital crime in Uganda, that’s why starting the country’s first LGBTthemed film festival is a big deal. I hope they will stand against oppression and violence by helping the festival financially with a any contribution.
To learn more about the Queer Kampala International Film Festival and support the efforts of Kamoga Hassan, go to QueerKIFF.com. Kamoga Hassan
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arts & entertainment • first look
FIRST LOOK
Quebec-based Cirque du Soleil returns to South Florida with its newest production, “Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities,” Dec. 10 - Jan. 8. Audiences inside the company’s signature blue and yellow grand chapiteau at Hard Rock Stadium will be transported to a Victorian steampunk carnival created by Cirque du Soleil’s newest visionary, Michel Laprise. The Chicago Tribune promised, “If you’re the kind of person who likes clockwork, toys, wacky gadgets, old amusement machines, arcades and pianolas, then ‘Kurios’ will land right in your wheelhouse. Tickets start at $39 at CirqueDuSoleil.com/Kurios or at Ticketmaster.com.
Martin Girard, ShootStudio.ca Costumes by Philippe Guillotel © 2014 Cirque du Soleil
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arts & entertainment • preview
FALL ARTS PREVIEW Fall is the season of “storybook” ballets: Arts Ballet Theatre opens with scenes from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet and Cinderella, followed by Miami City Ballet’s classic Giselle and two exciting productions of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. Program I – Prokofiev and Ravel Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida Oct. 8 – 16 Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, Aventura Broward Center, Fort Lauderdale Vladimir Isaaev’s Arts Ballet Theatre celebrates the 125th anniversary of Russian master Sergei Prokofiev’s birth with excerpts from his ballets, “Romeo and Juliet” and “Cinderella,” as well as Maurice Ravel’s iconic masterpiece, “Bolero.” ArtsBalletTheatre.org. Giselle Miami City Ballet Oct. 21 – Nov. 15 Arsht Center, Broward Center, Kravis Center Miami City Ballet performs won of the most cherished of all 19th-century ballets, “Giselle.” The full length production, with its own romantic score by Adolphe Adam, is the ultimate dance statement about the centrality of dance to life. MiamiCityBallet.org
The Nutcracker Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida Dec. 9 – 18 Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, Aventura Based on E.T.A. Hoffman’s book, “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” this holiday ballet has become a cherished holiday tradition. Vladimir Isaaev’s Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida offers an unique interpretation of the classic 1891 score by Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. ArtsBalletTheatre.org.
Spring to Light Peter London Global Dance Company Dec. 29 – 31 Arsht Center, Miami The opening performance of the company’s fifth season includes Stravinsky’s rhythmic The Rite of Spring and Rachmaninoff ’s Piano Concerto #2 in c minor. The dancers will be joined on stage by baritone Angel Refuse and pianist Felix Spengler. ArshtCenter.org
Cinderella State Ballet of Russia Dec. 29 Parker Playhouse, Fort Lauderdale Set to the music of Prokofiev and inspired by the timeless fairy tale, “Cinderella” is one of the most magical and hopeful of the “storybook” ballets, choreographed by Vladimir Vasiliev, former principal dancer with the Bolshoi Theater Ballet. ParkerPlayhouse.com
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker Miami City Ballet Dec. 9 – 30 Broward Center, Arsht Center, Kravis Center George Balanchine’s Iconic production of Tchaikovsky’s classic holiday ballet, “The Nutcracker,” is a perfect Christmas treat for the entire family. Miami City Ballet will transform stages into a wonderland of dancing snowflakes and sugar plum fairies. MiamiCityBallet.org
Miami City Ballet
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arts & entertainment • concerts
CONCERTS Pop, Rock, Smooth Jazz. South Florida venues continue to attract the biggest names on tour. Looking for laughs? You’ll find them, too.
melissa etheridge John Tsiavis
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Sarah Silverman oct. 15 Hard Rock Live, Hollywood Emmy Award-winning comedian, author, actress, writer, producer and political activist Sarah Silverman comes to Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and she’s not holding back. Tickets start at $40. MyHRL.com
Pet Shop Boys nov. 16 Fillmore miami beach Over the past 20 years, Pet Shop Boys have created an original and influential style of pop musical theatre, collaborating with directors, designers and artists and becoming musical icons for the LGBT community in the process. FillmoreMB.com
Celtic Thunder Legacy oct. 19 broward center, Fort Lauderdale Formed in 2007, Celtic Thunder performs a mixture of traditional Celtic folk songs with more contemporary numbers. Their talent, not to mention their boy-band looks, has won them fans from around the world. BrowardCenter.org
Melissa Etheridge nov. 28 Kravis center, West palm beach In a very special holiday show, Grammy Award winner Melissa Etheridge performs festive songs from her new holiday album, “A New Thought For Christmas,” along with her most popular hits, “Come to My Window” and “I’m the Only One.” Kravis.org
Bonnie Raitt nov. 1 broward center, Fort Lauderdale After nearly five decades of combining blues, country and folk into her daring signature mix, Bonnie Raitt shows no signs of slowing down. Dont miss your chance to see this global superstar named one of the 100 best singers of all time. BrowardCenter.org
Kenny G dec. 1 parker playhouse, Fort Lauderdale Take a joyous ride through the smooth sounds of jazz with the one-and-only Kenny G this holiday season. With a recording career that spans almost three decades, Kenny G is the premier saxophonist in contemporary jazz. ParkerPlayhouse.com
Bianca Del Rio nov. 2 parker playhouse, Fort Lauderdale Famously described as the “Joan Rivers of the Drag World,” Bianca Del Rio, season six winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race, returns to the Parker Playhouse on her “Not Today Satan” tour. Tickets are $35.50. ParkerPlayhouse.com
Donny & Marie dec. 5 Hard Rock Live, Hollywood She’s a little bit country and he’s a little bit rock n’ roll. On Dec. 5, the famous siblings Donny and Marie Osmond sing their favorite holiday classics at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood. Tickets start at $40. MyHRL.com
Pat Benatar nov. 3 Kravis center, West palm beach Four-time Grammy Award-winning rock and roll power couple Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo deliver an intimate evening of classic hits, opening the show with a brief video of how they met followed by “All Fired Up” and “We Live for Love.” Kravis.org
My Big Funny Peter dec. 28 broward center, West palm beach The world’s only gay muscle bear comedian is back at the Broward Center with his new act, “Stuff Me for the Holidays.” Give the gift of laughter and stuff your hubby’s stocking with tickets to the most talked about LGBT comedian in the country. BrowardCenter.org
COMEDy September 2016
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arts & entertainment • feature
“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, America’s Oldest Professional Musical Ensemble, returns to South Florida on its national concert tour.
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STRIKE UP THE BAND September 2016
For more than 200 years, the musicians of “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band have played a role in American history. This September, South Florida audiences will get a rare opportunity to hear the music performed at the White House.
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ounded on July 11, 1798 by an Act of Congress signed by President John Adams, “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band is America’s oldest professional musical ensemble. Since that day, the band has held a special place in the ceremonial life of our nation: In 1800, the Marine Band presented its first public concert in the new capital city of Washington “on a hill overlooking the Potomac” near the future site of the Lincoln Memorial. Residents reportedly “thronged to hear the ‘Marines’ band of music.” The band made its White House debut in the unfinished executive mansion at a New Year’s Day reception hosted by President and Mrs. Adams in 1801. On March 4, 1801, the Marine Band performed for Thomas Jefferson’s inaugural ceremony. Jefferson, an avid music lover and violinist, is credited with giving the band it’s title, “The President’s Own.” Since then, the band has provided music for every presidential inaugural. In 1863, the band accompanied Abraham Lincoln to Gettysburg, Pa., for the dedication of the national cemetery and delivery of the president’s famed Gettysburg Address. Since then, the band has played for the dedication of nearly every major monument in Washington, D.C., and provided ceremonial music for state visits of countless world leaders. The annual Marine Band concert tour is a tradition begun by the band’s most famous leader, “The March King,” John Philip Sousa, who served from 1880-91. Today, the band rotates its itinerary regionally, returning to South Florida every five years. “In the style of the band’s 17th Director John Philip Sousa, Director Lt. Col. Jason K. Fettig has chosen a diverse mix of programs—from traditional band repertoire and marches to instrumental solos,” said MSgt Kristin DuBois. “By the end of October, the Marine Band will have performed a total of 28 concerts in 30 days on its 2016 tour.” Marine Band concerts are free and tickets may be requested by contacting the following venues:
John Philip Sousa took the band on its first tour 125 years ago. U.S. Marine Band
Bass trombonist Gunnery Sgt. Karl Johnson
U.S. Marine Band
Thursday, Oct. 13, 8 p.m. Kravis Center, West Palm Beach Kravis.org Friday, Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m. Bailey Hall, Broward College, Davie BaileyHall.org Saturday, Oct. 15 Miami-Dade College, Kendall MarineBand.Ticketleap.com To learn more about “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band, go to MarineBand.Marines.mil. Lt. Col. Jason Fettig conducts “The President’s Own.”
U.S. Marine Band
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arts & entertainment • classical & JaZZ
CLASSICAL Not In My Town Opera Fusion Sept. 24 – oct. 1 Fau, broward center “Not in My Town,” an opera by Fort Lauderdale composer Michael Ross about slain gay Wyoming colelge student Mathew Shepard, will receive its world premiere. OperaFusion.org
Mozart’s Requiem Master Chorale of South Florida oct. 23 – 25 Fort Lauderdale, coral Gables, boca Raton Artistic Director Brett Karlin leads the chorale in the most endearing and lasting works of Mozart’s vast repertoire, the haunting Requiem mass. MasterChoraleOfSouthFlorida.com
The Four Elements South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble oct. 8 broward center, Fort Lauderdale The Pride Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and Steel Drum Band take the stage of the Amaturo Theater to perform a fascinating program of music representing the elements of earth, sea, air and fire. PrideWindEnsemble.org
Celebration of the Great American Songbook South Florida Symphony nov. 11 – 13 broward center, Fau Maestra Sebrina Maria Alfonso leads the symphony and guest artists in a pops concert celebrating the brilliantly sophisticated and timeless melodies of the Great American Songbook. SouthFloridaSymphony.org
From Puccini to Piazzolla Symphony of the Americas oct. 11 broward center, Fort Lauderdale The Symphony of the Americas celebrates Argentina’s 200th anniversary with a spirited program in this musical tribute to Italian and Hispanic heritage. SymphonyOfTheAmericas.org The Genius of Philip Glass Seraphic Fire oct. 19 – 23 miami, coral Gables, Ft. Lauderdale The professional vocal ensemble opens its 15th season with selections from Glass’s opera, “Einstein on the Beach,” and premieres by Patrick Dupré Quigley and Christopher Theofanidis. SeraphicFire.org
Gil Shaham Plays Barber Cleveland Orchestra Miami nov. 11 – 12 arsht center, miami Superstar Gil Shaham tackles Barber’s Violin Concerto, once thought impossible to play due to its fiendishly challenging finale. The program concludes with Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony. ClevelandOrchestraMiami.org Carmen Florida Grand Opera nov. 12 – 19, dec. 1 – 3 arsht center, broward center Florida Grand Opera opens its season with the beloved “Carmen,” George Bizet’s tuneful and familiar story of seduction, love and betrayal. FGO.org
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Gershwin and The American Journey Symphony of the Americas nov. 15 broward center, Fort Lauderdale Ted Rosenthal joins Maestro James Brooks-Bruzzese and the Symphony of the Americas to perform George Gershwin’s jazz-infused Concerto in F and other classics. SymphonyOfTheAmericas.org
Messiah Sing-A-Long Master Chorale of South Florida dec. 11 First presbyterian church, pompano beach Bring your score or borrow one and join the Master Chorale. Don’t sing? No problem. They’ll seat you among the chorus, so you can enjoy the power and majesty of this timeless work. MasterChoraleOfSouthFlorida.com
brett Karlin master chorale of South Florida
Lavay Smith and her Red Hot Skillet Lickers Gold Coast Jazz Society nov. 9 broward center Enjoy a jumpin’ jazz show featuring classic jazz and blues from the 1920s to ‘40s, with an emphasis on swing and the birth of R&B. GoldCoastJazz.org Jon Faddis Quartet Gold Coast Jazz Society dec. 14 broward center Renowned jazz trumpeter Jon Faddis returns to the Amaturo stage with a 100th birthday tribute to Dizzie Gillespie, his close friend and mentor. GoldCoastJazz.org
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arts & entertainment • 10 hot tickets
10 ticKetS 1 2 3 4 H ot FALL
The Hunchback of Notre Dame Slow Burn Theatre Company oct. 20 – nov. 6 broward center, Fort Lauderdale Slow Burn presents the Southeast regional premiere of the stage adaptation of Disney’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” featuring music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Peter Parnell. Carbonell-winner Patrick Fitzwater directs. SlowBurnTheatre.org
Kurios Cirque du Soleil oct. 20 – nov. 6 Hard Rock Stadium, miami Gardens Cirque du Soleil is setting up its signature blue and yellow tents in South Florida again and this time the company has gone all steampunk with a new production, “Kurios – Cabinet of Curiosities.” CirqueDuSoleil.com
Dolly Parton nov. 27 bb&t center, Sunrise It’s not polite to ask a lady her age, but let’s just agree that singer, songwriter and actress Dolly Parton is a living legend. She brings boundless energy and signature spunk to the BB&T Center in Sunrise this fall on her 60-city “Pure and Simple” Tour. Dolly will perform your favorites along with songs from her new album. DollyParton.com
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Kravis on Broadway nov. 15 – 20 Kravis center, West palm beach Fifteen-year-old Christopher is exceptionally intelligent, but illequipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion for killing his neighbor’s dog, he sets out to identify the true culprit, leading to an earth-shattering discovery. Kravis.org
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Ina Garten The Barefoot Contessa nov. 3 broward center, Fort Lauderdale The culinary icon will share stories of life in the Hamptons, filming her RV show, writing bestselling cookbooks and enjoying food with friends and family. Broward Center.org
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Roslyn Kind oct. 25 the Wick theatre, boca Raton Straight from New York’s 54 Below, Barbra Streisand’s little sister and her band take the stage at Boca Raton’s Wick Theatre to sing pop and novelty songs, showtunes, jazz classics and vintage “Rozzie” tunes. in concert. TheWick.org
arts & entertainment • 10 hot tickets
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Naked Boys Singing Ronnie Larsen Presents nov. 3 – dec. 4 empire Stage, Fort Lauderdale The long running Off Broadway hit returns to Empire Stage this fall. The cast take it all off to perform hilarious ditties like “The Bliss of a Bris,” “Fight the Urge,” “Perky Little Porn Star” and “Muscle Addiction.” RonnieLarsenPresents.com
A Celebration of the Great American Songbook South Florida Symphony nov. 11 – 13 broward center, Fort Lauderdale Florida atlantic university, boca Raton Maestra Sebrina Maria Alfonso leads the symphony and guest artists in a pops concert celebrating the brilliantly sophisticated and timeless melodies of the Great American Songbook. SouthFloridaSymphony.org
Bianca Del Rio nov. 2 parker playhouse, Fort Lauderdale Famously described as the “Joan Rivers of the Drag World,” Bianca Del Rio, season six winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” returns to the Parker Playhouse on her “Not Today Satan” tour. Watch out for this diva’s legendary foul mouth and razor sharp wit. ParkerPlayhouse.com
Perfect Arrangement Island City Stage nov. 11 – dec. 11 abyss Stage, Wilton manors In Topher Payne’s biting comedy, “Perfect Arrangement,” it’s 1950 and new colors are being added to the Red Scare. Two U.S. State Department employees have been tasked with identifying sexual deviants within their ranks, but there’s a twist. IslandCityStage.org September 2016 THE
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arts & entertainment • regional theatre
REGIONAL THE The Normal Heart Outre Theatre Company Sept. 22 – Oct. 9 Showtime Performing Arts Theatre, Boca Raton Based on Larry Kramer’s own experiences as a gay man in New York in the early 1980s, and recently adapted for film by Ryan Murphy, “The Normal Heart “serves as a haunting reminder of the AIDS epidemic, which, 30 years later, still has no cure. OutreTheatreCompany.com
South Florida boasts one of the most vibrant regional theater scenes in the country. This fall, audiences can enjoy classic American plays at Palm Beach Dramaworks, hit musicals at Actors Playhouse and The Wick and world premiere comedies at Zoetic Stage and Island City Stage. But, there’s more....
They’re Playing Our Song The Wick Theatre Oct. 13 – Nov. 6 The Wick Theatre, Boca Raton Broadway’s Andrea McArdle stars in the Marvin Hamlisch musical about a composer and his relationship with an aspiring young lyricist. Professionally, their relationship works beautifully, but there’s conflict at home. Don’t worry, there’s a happy ending. TheWick.org. The Hunchback of Notre Dame Slow Burn Theatre Company Oct. 20 – Nov. 6 Broward Center, Fort Lauderdale Slow Burn presents the regional premiere of the stage adaptation of Disney’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” featuring music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Peter Parnell. Carbonell Award-winner Patrick Fitzwater directs. SlowBurnTheatre.org After Zoetic Stage Oct. 27 – Nov. 13 Arsht Center, Miami Reeling in the aftershocks of an American tragedy, a victim’s loved ones come face to face with the family of the accused in this topical and moving world premiere by local gay playwright and multiple Carbonell Award-winner Michael McKeever. ZoeticStage.org Avenue Q Slow Burn Theatre Company Nov. 10 – 20 Broward Center, Fort Lauderdale This Tony Award-winning Best Musical is a heartfelt, if irreverent spin on Sesame Street, offering musical life lessons for adults, including “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist,” “The Internet is for Porn” and “If You Were Gay.” SlowBurnTheatre.org TRU Palm Beach Dramaworks
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Perfect Arrangement Island City Stage Nov. 11 – Dec. 11 Abyss Stage, Wilton Manors In Topher Payne’s biting comedy, “Perfect Arrangement,” it’s 1950 and new colors are being added to the Red Scare. Two U.S. State Department employees have been tasked with identifying sexual deviants within their ranks, but there’s a twist. IslandCityStage.org
Night of the Iguana Palm Beach Dramaworks Oct. 14 – Nov. 13 Don and Ann Brown Theatre, West Palm Beach In Pultizer Prize-winning playwright Tennessee Williams’ last major work, a defrocked and spiritually bankrupt minister takes refuge at a Mexican hotel and connects with a kind, lonely artist who could hold the key to his salvation. PalmBeachDramaworks.org Million Dollar Quartet Actors Playhouse Oct. 19 – Jan. 1, 2017 Miracle Theatre, Coral Gables Million Dollar Quartet is the high voltage Tony Award-winning musical inspired by the phenomenal true story of the famed 1956 recording session that brought together rock ‘n’ roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for the first and only time. ActorsPlayhouse.org
arts & entertainment • regional theatre
EATRE
Naked Boys Singing Ronnie Larsen Presents nov. 3 – dec. 4 empire Stage, Fort Lauderdale The long running Off Broadway hit returns to Fort Lauderdale’s Empire Stage this fall. The cast take it all off to perform hilarious ditties like “The Bliss of a Bris,” “Fight the Urge,” “Perky Little Porn Star” and “Muscle Addiction.” RonnieLarsenPresents.com Sweet Charity Broward Stage Door Theatre nov. 4 – dec. 11 broward Stage door, coral Springs While working at the seedy Fan-Dango Ballroom, Charity Valentine is often exploited and been strung along in a series of bad relationships. Nonetheless, she always holds out hope, and now she seems to have finally met a decent fellow. StageDoorTheatre.com An Act of God GableStage nov. 19 – dec. 18 the biltmore, coral Gables this sinfully funny and critically acclaimed new play has the Almighty and His devoted Angels answering some of the deepest questions that have plagued mankind since Creation. He’s returned to set the record straight… and He’s not holding back! GableStage.org Sister Act the Musical The Wick Theatre nov. 25 – dec. 23 The Wick Theatre, Boca Raton When wannabe disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a crime, the cops hide her in the last place anyone would think to look, a convent! Under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow “sisters” find their voices. TheWick.org TRU Palm Beach Dramaworks dec. 2 – Jan. 1, 2017 don and ann brown theatre, West palm beach Abandoned by the high society friends who recognize themselves as the characters in a published excerpt from his unflattering, unfinished novel, Truman Capote humorously dishes, ruminates on his life and self-medicates as a solitary Christmas approaches. PalmBeachDramaworks.org
Shenise nuñez and bobby cassell star as esmerelda and Quasimodo in Slow burn theatre company’s upcoming production of disney’s “the Hunchback of notre dame” at the broward center.
BEHIND THE CURTAIN
Hunchback: For Whom the Bell Tolls
B
ells are tolling for Slow Burn Theatre Company, but not the ominous bells that inspired Ernest Hemingway’s classic novel. Instead, the company is recreating the massive tower bells of the famed Notre Dame cathedral at the Broward Center for the southeast regional premiere of Disney’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” Unlike recent theatrical adaptations of animated films like “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Lion King” and “Aladdin,” “Hunchback” didn’t go directtly to Broadway after tryouts La Jolla Playhouse in California and Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey, executives with Disney Theatricals decided instead to make the musical available to leading regional theaters. “As soon as I heard (“Hunchback”) wasn’t going to go to Broadway, I immediately began ‘stalking’ Disney,” admitted Slow Burn’s co-artistic director Patrick Fitzwater. Fitzwater’s diligence paid off, making Slow Burn one of the first companies granted rights to mount a production. “The musical is much closer to Victor Hugo’s novel,” said Fitzwater. “It’s darker and I think that’s one reason Disney decided not to take it to Broadway.” The show will be the largest in the company’s eight years. Fitzwater, co-artistic director Matthew Korinko and their dedicated team of designers , actors and musicians have developed a critical and audience following for their productions of quirky, sometimes commercially unsuccessful Broadway shows. “There’s a large cast, a chorus of 21 and the largest pit (orchestra) we’ve ever used,” explained Fitzwater. “There are so many more moving parts to this show, I really have to be on my game from day one (of rehearsals).” Even before the scripts and scores arrived just weeks ago, Fitzwater and his team were studying the original novel, watching the animated film, listening to the soundtrack and speaking to the handful of other companies that had undertaken the enormous challenge. Unlike their other shows, Disney does not allow companies to replicate the animated film in any way, other than the musical score. During the interview, Fitzwater was assisting designer Rick Pena, sewing medieval choir robes, just a handful of the original, historically-accurate costumes required. “It’s going to be amazing,” he promised. September 2016 THE
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2016 2017 SEASON
Urinetown October 6-23, 2016
Reasons to Be Pretty Oct. 20-30, 2016
Evita Jan.19-Feb. 5, 2017
Death by Design Nov. 17-Dec. 4, 2016
with Music by: Marvin Hamlish and Carole Bayer Sager
New Country Feb. 2-12, 2017
The Sugar Bean Sisters March 2-19, 2017
Good People Apr. 27-May 7, 2017
They’re Playing Our Song April 13-30, 2017
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At Sea Nassau am TOTAL 2:00 pm RATE Total Rate USD: SINGLE7:00 At SeaThomas St.
10:00am 7:00 pm
$1,609.29 de Stateroom $749. $111.29 Wed $860.29 St. Thomas 7:00 pm Thu Philipsburg, St. Maarten 10:00am8:00am 5:00 pm $1,629.29 de Stateroom $759. $111.29 Thu $870.29 Philipsburg, St. Maarten 8:00am 5:00 pm At Sea an view $839. $111.29 FriFri $950.29 $1,789.29 At Sea $1,929.29 At Sea rdwalk Central Park Balcony $909. $111.29 Sat $1,020.29 Sat At Sea $1,969.29 rdwalk Central Park Balcony $929. $111.29Category: Sun $1,040.29 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 6:15 am6:15 Sun Fort Lauderdale, Florida Cruise Fare Taxes Total am Rate USD: SINGLE RATE TOTAL SINGLE RATE TOTAL Cruise Fare Taxes Total Rate USD: $1,609.29 Stateroom $749. $2,109.29 $111.29 $860.29 an View Balcony $999. $111.29N Inside$1,110.29 Please note itineraries may change as conditions warrant. M $1,629.29 Inside Stateroom $759. $111.29 $870.29 $1,609.29 warrant. $749.note itineraries $111.29 $860.29 Please may change as conditions SINGLE RATE TOTAL an View$759. Balcony $1,009. Total $111.29 Cruise$111.29 Fare Taxes Rate USD:G Ocean$1,120.29 view $839. $2,129.29 $111.29 $950.29 $1,789.29 $1,629.29 $870.29 C1 $1,929.29 Boardwalk Central Park Balcony $909. $111.29 $1,020.29 $839. $111.29 $950.29 $1,789.29 er Categories available Call us for pricing B2 $1,609.29 $749. $111.29 $860.29 $1,969.29 Boardwalk Central Park Balcony $929. $111.29 $1,040.29 $1,929.29 ark Balcony $909. $111.29 $1,020.29
Prices start at $749** Jan 29 to Feb 5, 2017
2017 Gay Journey
includes Port$759. Charges of 225.00. - Govt.$870.29 Fees and taxes D7 are$1,629.29 extra at $111.29 $111.29 $2,109.29 Ocean View Balcony (subject $999.to change) $111.29Other $1,110.29 $1,969.29 ark Balcony $929. $111.29 $1,040.29 $2,129.29 D6 $1,789.29 Ocean View Balcony $1,009. $111.29 $1,120.29 $2,109.29 $999.available. $111.29 $1,110.29 may also be $839.Our $111.29 $950.29 cruise is designed for mature and younger gay men who want to share the company of other older or younger gay men. But we’re not $2,129.29 Other Categories available Call us for pricing $1,009. $111.29 women $1,120.29 excluding and we’ve had$1,020.29 women join us in previous years. This cruise will bring together younger and older men (and women) for $1,929.29 Park Balcony $909. $111.29 Fare includes Port Charges of 225.00. - Govt. Fees and taxes are extra at $111.29 (subject to change) Other ilable us for amazing pricing camaraderie and friendship. For some of youCruise this want cruise become a yearly event to together withorold friends and to men. make But we’re not OurCall cruise is designed for mature and younger gay men who toalsoshare the company ofget other older younger gay categories mayhas be available. $1,969.29 Park Balcony $929. $111.29 $1,040.29 ges of 225.00. - Govt. Fees and taxes are extra at $111.29 (subject to change) Other new ones. Our group has private gay mixers as well as nightly get-togethers in the lounges. Each night you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy Our cruise is designed for mature and younger gay men who want to share the company of other older or younger gay men. But we’re not excluding women and for SINGLE RATE TOTAL le. excluding women andCategory: we’ve had women join inTaxes previous years. Thisare cruise will bring together younger and older (and women) are person, based on fellow double occupancy. Single cabins available at aBE 200% surcharge. Cruiseus Fare Total Rate USD: SPECIAL PRICED OFFERS MAY AVAILABLE, ASKmen US FOR DETAILS! $2,109.29 y per $999. $111.29 $1,110.29 dinnerjoin with your cruise mates, as we will be seated as a group close to one another in thewomen) main dining room. Incamaraderie addition we and will friendship. have we’ve had women us in previous years. This cruise will bring together younger and older men (and for amazing For N $1,609.29 Inside Stateroom $749. $111.29 $860.29 All prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Single cabins are available at a 200% surcharge. OFFERS MAY BEspecial AVAILABLE, ASK FOR DETAILS! amazing camaraderie andInside friendship. of $111.29 you thisLawson cruise hashis become a yearly event to getto together withwinning old friends and to make bins are on request and subject toUSFor availability. cruise line reserves the right limit the entertainment exclusively forsome our group, by The Bob and partner Mark, who willtobe performing their award show M has $1,629.29 Stateroom $759. $870.29 $2,129.29 some of you this cruise become a yearly event to get together with old friends and to make new ones. Our group has private gay mixers as well as nightly y $1,009. $111.29 $1,120.29 Single cabins are on request and subject availability. The cruise line reserves the right to limit based on double occupancy. Single cabins are available at a 200% surcharge. Ocean view $839. $111.29 $950.29 $1,789.29 G new ones. Our group has private gay mixers as well as nightly get-togethers in the lounges. Each night you’ll have the opportunity to the enjoy Mind Gaymes, the world’s first all gay mind reading show. This show is with amazing and fun to watch or be part ofofwill as abe volunteer. This willavailable. number of single cabins. There are also aavailable. limited number triple and quad cabins Please ask single cabins. There are also a limited number of triple and quad cabins Please ask get-togethers in the lounges. Each night you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy dinner your fellow cruise mates, as we seated as a group close to one C1 $1,929.29 Boardwalk Central Park Balcony $909. $111.29 $1,020.29 est and subject to availability. The cruise line reserves the right to limit the th ailabledinner with Callyour us pricing be for their 9B2 cruise performing us, sowill you be know thisus is as great entertainment. Join for 7 fabulous days on theare largest most In exciting fellow cruise mates, as we$929. seated adetails. group close to one another in the main dining room. addition we will have $1,969.29 Boardwalk Central Parkfor Balcony $111.29 $1,040.29 for Group dining isusfor Late Sitting. Gratuities extra.and DEPOSIT: $500 per stateroom. Final
AL PRICED OFFERS MAY BE AVAILABLE, ASK US FOR DETAILS!
There are also a limited of triple and In quad cabinswe available. ask another thenumber main dining room. addition will havePlease special exclusively our group. Join us for seven days theWOW largest and most ails. Group dining is for Late Gratuities are extra. DEPOSIT: $500 per Final D7 $2,109.29 Ocean ViewSitting. Balcony $999. $111.29 $1,110.29 rges of 225.00. -inGratuities Govt. Fees and taxes are extra at $111.29 (subject change) Other ship onare the high seas, the Royal Caribbean’s Allure ofentertainment theto Seas. This ship is justfor back from a multi-million dollarfabulous andonaward will payment isand due on October 31, 2016. All prices are subject tomakeover change without prior notice and cannot g is for Late Sitting. extra. DEPOSIT: $500 per stateroom. Final special entertainment for our group, by Bob Lawson his partner Mark, who willstateroom. bedollar performing their winning show be $2,129.29 D6exclusively Oceanthe ViewRoyal Balcony Caribbean’s $1,009.Allure $111.29 $1,120.29 exciting ship on the high seas, of the Seas. This ship is just back from a multi-million makeover and will WOW during during every nautical mile. ready tosubject enjoy the Broadway Show In without the Amber Theater, complimentary Aqua Theater shows, icecruiseyou until a firm reservation with payment is received and confirmed by the line. r 31, 2016. All October prices areyou subject to2016. change without priorBe notice and beconfirmed sble. due on 31, All prices are to change prior notice and cannot be Otherfirst Categories available Call us for cannot pricing Mind Gaymes, the world’s all gay mind reading show. This show is amazing and fun to watch or be part of as a volunteer. This ® Theater, complementary Aquatheater shows, ice shows and other live entertainment.will every nautical mile. and Be ready tolive enjoy the In Royale the Amber shows other entertainment. Casino , Bars, lounges and nightclubs that never have a cover, including rvation with payment is received and confirmed by the Broadway cruise line. Show th ® OFFERS MAY BE AVAILABLE, ASK US FOR DETAILS! until aCasino firm9Royale reservation with payment is received and confirmed by the cruise line.days be their cruise performing for us, so you know this is great entertainment. Join us for 7 :fabulous onParties the of largest and most , Bars, and nightclubs thatComedy never have a cover, including jazzwebsite club, karaoke bar and Comedy Club. and parades on theexciting Royal www.Gay-Travel-by-MIM.com Check out our forRoyal details live jazzlounges club, karaoke bar and Club. Parties andlive parades on the Promenade. Variety name-brand, Cruise Fare includes Port Charges of 225.00. - Govt. Fees and taxes are extra at $111.29 (subject to change) Other categories may also be available.
SPECIAL PRICED OFFERS MAY BE AVAILABLE, ASK®US FOR DETAILS!
Variety ofRoyal name-brand, duty shopping inthe Central and Royal including Coach and more. ship the high seas, Caribbean’s Allure Seas. This issurcharge. justPromenade back a multi-million makeover and will WOW based onon double occupancy. Single cabins are at aarePark 200% surcharge. ®available ® the GUESS dollar :Promenade. www.Gay-Travel-by-MIM.com ebsite for details Allthe prices are per person, based on free double occupancy. Single cabins available atship athe 200% duty free shopping in Central Park and of the Royal Promenade including the from GUESS Store, Coach®Store, and more. Single cabins are on request and subject to availability. The cruise line reserves the right to limit the RESERVATIONS: 954-735-8108 – Outside Florida, tollshows, free 1-866-749-7354 yousubject during every nautical mile. Be ready to enjoy the Broadway Show In the Amber Theater, complimentary Aqua Theater ice uest and to availability. The cruise line reserves the right to limit the number of single cabins. There are also a limited number of triple and quad cabins available. Please ask or E-Mail: sales@mimktg.com RESERVATIONS: 954-735-8108 – Outside Florida, toll free 1-866-749-7354 us for details. Group dining is for Late Sitting. Gratuities are extra. DEPOSIT: $500 per stateroom. Final ® SPECIAL PRICED OFFERS MAY BE AVAILABLE, ASK US FOR DETAILS! Thereshows are also a limited payment number of triple and quad cabins available. Please ask MEETINGS & INCENTIVE MARKETING is due on October 31, 2016. All prices are subject to change without prior notice and cannot be or E-Mail: sales@mimktg.com 6805 W. COMMERCIAL BLVD - 307 ®
®
Check out our website details: www.Gay-Travel-by-MIM.com and other livefor entertainment. Casino Royale , Bars, lounges and nightclubs that never have a cover, including
**Prices based on double occupancy per person. Price does not include tax. All prices are subject to change without prior notice. EETINGS & INCENTIVE MARKETING confirmed until a firm reservation with payment is received and confirmed by the cruise line. FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33319 05 W. COMMERCIAL BLVD - 307 : www.Gay-Travel-by-MIM.com Check out our website for ® details Mailing Address: 6805 W. Commercial Blvd – 307, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33319 ® RT LAUDERDALE, FL 33319
ng is for are and extra. $500 per stateroom. Final &DEPOSIT: INCENTIVE MARKETING – MIM TRAVEL – TRAVEL NETWORK liveLate jazzSitting. club, Gratuities karaokeMEETINGS bar Comedy Club. Parties and parades on the Royal Promenade. Variety of name-brand, er 31, 2016. All prices are subject to change954-735-8108 without prior notice and cannot be RESERVATIONS: – Outside Florida, toll free 1-866-749-7354 duty free shopping in Central Park and by the Royal Promenade including the GUESS Store, Coach® and more. Tel: 954-735-8108 – Toll Free 1-866-749-7354 Tel: 954-735-8108 or toll free 1-866-749-7354 ervation with payment is received and confirmed the cruise RESERVATIONS: 954-735-8108 – Outside line. Florida, toll free 1-866-749-7354 or E-Mail: sales@mimktg.com or E-Mail: sales@mimktg.com E-mail: info@gaytravelbymim.com
Tel: 954-735-8108 or toll free 1-866-749-7354
MEETINGS & INCENTIVE MARKETING MEETINGS & INCENTIVE MARKETING 6805 W. COMMERCIAL BLVD - 307 FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33319 : www.Gay-Travel-by-MIM.com website for details6805 W. COMMERCIAL BLVD - 307 MEETINGS & INCENTIVE – MIM TRAVEL – TRAVEL NETWORK Tel:FL 954-735-8108 1-866-749-7354 FORT LAUDERDALE, 33319or toll freeMARKETING E-mail: info@gaytravelbymim.comNOTE: Meetings & Incentive Marketing/MIM Travel, claims no credit for any images featured on this flyer unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyright to the respective owners. If you ownBlvd rights to any the images and do not wish for them to appear here,33319 please contact us and they will be promptly removed. The appearance Mailing Address: 6805 W. Commercial – of307, Ft. Lauderdale, FL RESERVATIONS: 954-735-8108 Outside of photosfree here does1-866-749-7354 not indicate the person or models sexual orientation M Travel, claims no credit for any images featured on this flyer unless otherwise– noted. All visual contentFlorida, is copyright to the toll y of the images and do not wish for them to appear here, please contact us and they will be promptly Tel: removed. The appearance 954-735-8108 – Toll Free 1-866-749-7354 or E-Mail: sales@mimktg.com n or models sexual orientation
E-mail: info@gaytravelbymim.com
For other gay cruises and tours, check out our website www.Gay-Travel-by-MiM.com
Tel: 954-735-8108 or toll free 1-866-749-7354 EETINGS & INCENTIVE MARKETING 805 W. COMMERCIAL BLVD - 307 E-mail: info@gaytravelbymim.com ORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33319
NOTE: Meetings & Incentive Marketing/MIM Travel, claims no credit for any images featured on this flyer unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyright to the respective owners. If you own rights to any of the images and do not wish for them to appear here, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. The appearance of photos here does not indicate the person or models sexual orientation
Tel: 954-735-8108 or toll free 1-866-749-7354 E-mail: info@gaytravelbymim.com
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arts & entertainment • art basel
ART BAS For one week each December, Miami becomes the center of the contemporary art universe, thanks to the phenomenal growth of Art Basel Miami Beach, an exclusive annual show for collectors, Dec. 1 - 4 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
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rt Week Miami, featuring dozens of satellite fairs and special events from Coral Gables to Miami Beach, Midtown, Wynwood and the Design District draws even more art lovers. This year, Art Week Miami is being celebrated Nov. 30 – Dec. 4. When the doors close at the convention center and exhibition tents, the action is just getting started as galleries, hotels and studio spaces across the city host receptions, parties and late night exhibits. DJs spin tunes well into the wee hours of the night at the most popular venues. Here’s your quick guide to Art Basel Miami Beach and major Art Week Miami shows: Art Basel Miami Beach miami beach convention center $50 one day/$105 multiple days with advance online purchase Art Basel Miami Beach is among the most important art shows in the U.S., drawing exhibitors from North America, Europe, Asia and Africa and specializing in contemporary and modern art, as well as works by emerging artists. MiamiBeach.ArtBasel.com
ART WEEK MIAMI SATELLITE ART FAIRS AQUA Miami AQUA, held at one of SoBe’s toniest Art Deco hotels, is one of the most popular fairs for emerging art during Miami Art Week. AquaMiami.com Art Miami Known as Miami’s premier anchor fair, Art Miami kicks off the opening day of Art Week - the first week of December when thousands of collectors, dealers, curators, and artists descend upon Miami. Art-Miami.com ArtSpot Miami International Art Fair ArtSpot International is a stand-alone art fair that showcases innovative and alternative contemporary and modern art. ArtSpotMiami. com CONTExT Art Miami CONTEXT is dedicated to the development and reinforcement of emerging and midcareer artists and serves as a platform for the presentation of cutting-edge talent by emerging and established galleries. ContextArtMiami.com
Design Miami DesignMiami is dedicated to a global forum for design and, in its second decade, celebrates growing interest in the work of the ‘70s and ‘80s. DesignMiami.com Fridge Art Fair (“Mini-Fridge”) Eric Ginsburg’s famed Ney York Fridge Art Fair moves to Miami Beach this year to the Betsy Hotel on Ocean Dr. “Mini-Fridge” offers a curated show and sale, open 24/7 from Nov. 27 – Dec. 4. FridgeArtFair.com INK Miami Art Fair INK is unique among Miami’s fairs for its focus on contemporary works on paper by internationally renowned artists and sponsored by the International Fine Print Dealers Association. InkArtFair.com Miami Project Miami Project will again present a selection of historically important and cuttingedge contemporary work side by side in Wynwood, with a unique emphasis on the strength of individual exhibitors’ programs, irrespective of their primary focus. Miami-Project.com
art basel
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arts & entertainment • art basel
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Miami River Art Fair Miami River Art Fair is providing a unique experience, featuring both an indoor booth setting at the Riverfront Hall of the Miami Convention Center and the one-of-a-kind Riverwalk Sculpture Mall, featuring works from around the world. MiamiRiverArtFair.com NADA Art Fair Founded in 2002, the New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA) is a not-for-profit collective of professionals working with contemporary art and is recognized as a much needed alternative assembly of the world’s youngest and strongest art galleries. NewArtDealers.org PULSE Miami This fair is divided into two sections and is comprised of a mix of established and emerging galleries vetted by a committee of prominent international dealers. Pulse-Art.com RedDot Miami Building upon its reputation as a diverse fair, Red Dot will once again offer a unique selection of approximately 60 galleries exhibiting painting, sculpture, photography and fine-art objects. RedDotFair.com Scope Miami Beach Over 100 exhibitors and 20 selected breeder program galleries will present groundbreaking work, alongside SCOPE’s special programming, encompassing music, design and fashion. ScopeArt.com SPECTRUM Miami SPECTRUM, a juried show, is where contemporary meets extraordinary in the heart of Miami’s Performing Arts District, featuring live music and plenty of parties. Spectrum-Miami.com Superfine! House of Art & Design One of the newer satellite fairs, Superfine! is the first to set up in Miami’s emerging Little Haiti neighborhood. Superfine.world Untitled. This fair presents a selection of international galleries and not-for-profit spaces, positioned side by side to create a less segregated fair installation. Art-Untitled.com For more information about Art Basel and Art Week Miami events, go to ArtBasel.com/Miami Beach and MiamiAndBeaches.com. Locations are announced and tickets for individual Art Week events generally go on sale after Oct. 1 or later.
The Betsy Hotel
Where the Arts Stay in Miami Beach
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here are plenty of “boutique” hotels in South Beach, but The Betsy is the boutique hotel that is also an art gallery and lierary salon. And unlike those boutique hotels that host exhibits and parties during Art Basel and Art Week Miami, the Betsy makes the arts a focus year-round. Owner Jonathan Plutzik said there are two reasons for this emphasis: “First, our family has always cared deeply about the arts. My father was a poet and, although he died relatively young, the influence was significant. My mother always had the view that creativity and the arts trump everything else.... It’s very much in our DNA,” he explained. “The second piece of the puzzle is the brand of Miami Beach. It’s all about sparkly, shiny things—all of that is true— but that only describes 50 percent of why Miami Beach is special. It’s actually filled with a surprising number of interesting and interested people who care about the arts.” Plutznik, a retired Wall Street banker, jumped at the opportunity to plant his flag in Miami Beach and purchased the Betsy, an Ocean Drive landmark since 1942. The hotel had been host to many historic events over the decades and got a huge boost as the location for a 1985 photo shoot for fashion designer Calvin Klein, beginning the golden era for the neighboring Art Deco district. As part of a major renovation in 2009, Plutnik sought to capitalize on the revitalized art scene in Miami: “In addition to ensuring a luxurious experience, we asked if it was possible to bring these interests into the hotel environment.” Pluznik’s guiding philosophy was to incorporate PACE (philanthropy, arts, culture, education) principles into the design and activities at the hotel, and his sister, Deborah Briggs, a conservatory-trained musician, took on the role of vice president, responsible for programming hundreds of concerts, art exhibits, literary and cultural events each year. The hotel hosts a writer-in-residence program, welcoming poets and authors at all stages of their careers for free stays. More than 450, including Pulitzer Prize winners and U.S. poet laureates, have called the hotel home for a week. The hotel’s new restaurant, Poeti, opening during Art Basel, will incorporate the words of 13 local poets into the design, creating a public art experience, and an adjoining property will soon increase the exhibit and event space. And, of course, the hotel will host several special exhibitions—24/7—during Art Basel, as well as a new collaboration with the famed Fridge Art Fair, “MiniFridge.” “In so many ways it’s exceeded our expectations, especially in how much has grown out of the vast number of partnerships we have with local institutions— both big and small—who share this enthusiasm,” said Plutznik. For more information about art events at The Betsy South Beach and reservations, go to TheBetsyHotel.com. September 2016 THE
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arts & entertainment • movies & television
Storks Sept. 23 Warner bros. Junior (Andy Samberg) is a stork delivers packages for an Amazon-like company. Chaos ensues when he accidentally reactivates the baby-making machine.
Boo! A Madea Halloween oct. 21 Lionsgate Tyler Perry is back on the screen in another gender-bending portrayal of Madea. This time she faces off with supernatural forces at Halloween and it’s pretty scary.
Trolls nov. 4 dreamWorks animation First, there were Gnomes. Now, the Trolls, those adorable dolls of your childhood, are moving the big screen. Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake star.
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children Sept. 30 twenth century Fox Eva Green, Allison Janney and Asa Butterfield star in Tim Burton’s big screen adaptation of Ransom Riggs’ fantasy novel.
Inferno oct. 28 columbia pictures Professor Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) is once again on a race across Europe to save the world in this big screen adaptation of Dan Brown’s thriller.
The Late Bloomer oct. 7 eclectic pictures Here’s a twist on those adolescent coming-ofage films. A young man (Johnny Simmons) finally experiences puberty a few years late after a benign tumor is removed.
Doctor Strange nov. 4 marvel Studios/disney Benedict Cumberbatch launches the latest Marvel Comics franchise as the iconic Doctor Strange. He’s no Spiderman, but other lesser known heroes have fared well at the box office.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them nov. 18 Warner bros. Harry Potter and his classmates have graduated. Now, author J.K. Rowling makes her screenwriting debut in this spin-off, set in America during the Roaring Twenties.
MOVIES & Designated Survivor Sept. 21 abc Kiefer Sutherland returns to TV and this time he’s not saving the president, he is the president. This ABC drama is one of the most anticipated series of the new television season. MacGyver Sept. 23 cbS We always had a soft spot for MacGyver, the resourceful guy who could escape any life-anddeath situation by rigging together paperclips, rubber bands, a can of soda and box of matches.
Allied nov. 23 paramount Marion Cotillard and the ever hunky Brad Pitt star in this true story of spies who fall for each other while plotting to kill a german official during World War II. Star Wars: Rogue One dec. 16 Lucasfilm/disney The first of the stand-alone “Star Wars” movies, “Rogue One” bridges the gap between Episodes 3 and 4, revealing how rebel fighters successfully stole the original plans for the Death Star.
TELEVISION Yours, Mine or Ours oct. 3 bravo Bravo debuts its own version of HGTV’s hit, “Love It or List It,” starring flamboyant gay real estate agent Reza Farahan (“Shahs of Sunset”) and interior designer Taylor Spellman.
Marvel’s Luke Cage Sept. 30 netflix Mike Colter stars as a former convict with superhuman strength and unbreakable skin who now fights crime. Netflix’s hit “Daredevil” has raised the expectations for this series.
Supergirl oct. 10 the cW ABC may have dumped “Supergirl,” but the fun series finds a more fitting home on The CW as part of a DC Comics line-up that includes “The Flash” on Tuesdays, “Arrow” on Wednesdays and “Legends of Tomorrow”on Thursdays.
Westworld oct. 2 Hbo Michael Crichton’s 1973 sci-fi/western thriller gets a big-budget update in this highly-anticipated HBO series, starring Anthony Hopkins, Thandie Newton, James Marsden and Luke Hemsworth.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show oct. 20 Fox Time for the time warp! We’re not sure if a remake was really necessary—or wise— and the casting certainly raises eyebrows: Laverne Cox (Dr. Frank-N-Furter), Adam Lambert (Eddie) and Ben Vereen (Dr. Everett von Scott).
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arts & entertainment • broadway
BROADWAy With three world-class performing arts centers within a 70-mile stretch, South Florida audiences always get to enjoy the best in Broadway touring productions and the Fall season is no exception. Kick off the performing arts season with the 20th anniversary tour of Rent, the magic of The Illusionists and timeless musicals. Rent w in Fort Lauderdale oct. 7 – 9 broward center, Fort Lauderdale This 1996 original rock musical from a little-known composer opened on Broadway and forever changed American theater. Two decades later, Jonathan Larson’s Rent, based on Puccini’s “La Boheme,” continues to speak loudly and defiantly to audiences with the story of young artists who struggle to follow their dreams without selling out. BrowardCenter.org The Illusionists Broadway in Miami oct. 11 – 16 arsht center, miami This mind-blowing spectacular showcases the jaw-dropping talents of seven of the most incredible illusionists on the planet. Straight from Broadway, The Illusionists is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic tricks, leading critics to dub the company “Magic’s Cirque du Soleil.” ArshtCenter.org
the illusionists
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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Kravis on Broadway nov. 15 – 20 Kravis center, West palm beach Fifteen-year-old Christopher is exceptionally intelligent, but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion for killing his neighbor’s dog, he sets out to identify the true culprit, leading to an earth-shattering discovery. Kravis.org Dirty Dancing Broadway in Miami nov. 29 – dec. 4 arsht center, miami Featuring the hit songs, “Hungry Eyes,” “Hey Baby,” “Do You Love Me?” and the heart-stopping “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” this stage adaptation of the hit 1987 film has been thrilling audiences across the country. The show makes another stop in South Florida at the Arsht and then returns to West Palm Beach in January. ArshtCenter.org
An American in Paris Kravis on Broadway dec. 6 – 11 Kravis center, West palm beach Acclaimed director/choreographer Christopher Wheeldon brings the magic and romance of Paris into perfect harmony with unforgettable songs from George and Ira Gershwin in the show that earned more awards than any other musical in the 2014-15 season. This production moves to Miami’s Arsht Center, Dec. 27 – Jan 1. Kravis.org Cinderella Broadway in Fort Lauderdale dec. 13 – 25 broward center, Fort Lauderdale You already know the story. Catch this production just to see the amazing Tony Award-winning costumes by William Ivey Long. Talk about magic on stage. Oh, and the music is very nice, too. Rediscover the gems, “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It’s Possible” and “Ten Minutes Ago,” by Rodgers and Hammerstein. BrowardCenter.org
We’ve come too far, for your special night not to be
Magnificent!
1-866-592-5926 WEDDINGS | PARTIES | SPECIAL EVENTS www.ladyofharp.com
- International Performing Harpist, Lady of Harp
September 2016 THE
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Steven Shires Photography
On Exhibit
Brush Up On Your History
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he Stonewall National Museum and Archives Wilton Manors Gallery features a number of permanent and traveling exhibits. The Fall 2016 schedule includes three exhibits chronicling diverse aspects of the LGBT experience in America: I Am Here: The Lesbian Portraits Sept. 22 – Nov. 6 Since the untimely death of his lesbian sister, photographer Robert Kalman has sought a way to create a tribute to her memory and her personal struggle. In this series of photographs, Kalman made formal street portraits of lesbian community members using a large, 8x10 view camera while asking them the very same question: “What’s life like for you right now?” Their handwritten responses which are paired with their portraits. First Comes Love: Photography by B. Proud Nov. 10 – Dec. 11 The goal of “First Comes Love” is to provide a glimpse into the “everyday” lives of LGBTQ couples who have been in their relationships for 10, 20, 30, 40 and even 50 years. Proud’s photographs show diverse, LGBTQ couples and create an expressive portrait to represent in each relationship the depth, the seriousness, and the love between two people who have made a commitment to one another. Retreat – Gay Destinations of the Northeast Where We’ve Found Solace Dec. 15 – Jan. 22, 2017 This fascinating historical exhibit chronicles the rich culture and history of Fire Island/Cherry Grove, N.Y., and Provincetown, Mass., long popular vacation destinations for the LGBT community. Guests to the gallery will experience a multisensory atmosphere featuring photography, personal archives, video, and sound art.
The Stonewall National Museum & Archives Wilton Manors Gallery is located at 2157 N. Wilton Dr. in Wilton Manors. For more information, go to StonewallMuseum.org.
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arts & entertainment • entertaining
ENTERTAINING MIx IT UP @HOME
Mixology
“Sake” It To Me.... Chances are, the last time you tried sake, it was in a “bomb.” The traditional Japanese liquor is making a big comeback in craft cocktails and a Miami-based brand is leading the way.
M
ost people are aware that sake is made of fermented rice, but it’s not technically rice “wine,” explained Hernan Valverde, marketing director for Hiro Sake, a new luxury brand. The process is more similar to the brewing of beer here in the U.S. Valverde is well known in South Florida. A longtime brand ambassador for Brown Forman brands, he is also the vice president of both Fort Lauderdale and Miami Beach Gay Pride. Hiro Sake is handcrafted by a toji (sake master) at a kura (brewery) that was founded in 1635. The entire process is guided by the philosophies of the revered samurai and sake connoisseur, Hiroemon Takeda. The rice used to brew Japanese sake is called shuzo kotekimai (sake rice) and is larger and stronger, and contains less protein and lipids than the ordinary rice commonly eaten
in Japan. The rice used in the production of Hiro Sake is harvested in the Murakami plain, in the Niigata prefecture, which produces the best quality rice in Japan. The rice grains are polished to remove the bran, and get to their center, which has a starch component called shinpaku. Water quality is also important. Hiro sake is produced using natural ground water that originated from the melted snow located in the mountains of Bandai-Asahi national park. Koji is the name for the steamed sake rice that has had a benign fungus introduced onto it for the first stage of the brewing process. This delicate mold creates several enzymes that break the starches in the rice into sugars, which are then fermented by the yeast, creating the alcohol.Sake yeast (shubo) completes the fermentation process by converting the sugars into alcohol. For generations, Americans have generally consumed sake warmed, said Valverde. After World War II, the military stationed on the islands made the slightly sour liquor more palatable by heating it and drinking it as shots. Ideally, sake should be served cold or at room temperature, he said. Since assuming his new position, Valverde has traveled up and down the East Coast, reintroducing sake to restaurants and retailers and demonstrating its versatility in a wide range of designer cocktails. Because sake has a much lower alcohol content than most spirits, it works well in lighter, fragrant cocktails, popularly called “saketinis.” Sake can be used to make exotic variations on margaritas, fruit and champagne cocktails, Old Fashioneds and Moscow Mules. Hiro currently offers two types of sake: Hiro Junmai (Red) and Hiro Junmai Ginjo (Blue), their luxury and super-luxury brands. Hiro Red is brewed to be served warm. Depending on personal tastes, the ideal temperature ranges between 85 and 130 degrees. Japanese sake should never be heated above 140 degrees or boiled. To learn more about Hiro Sake or find more sake cocktail recipes, go to HiroSake.com.
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Super Hiro 2 1/2 oz. Hiro Blue sake 1 oz. vodka 1 cucumber, cut into rounds for garnish Pour sake and vodka in a cocktail shaker over cubed ice and shake well. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a slice of cucumber. Hiro Sunrise 2 oz. Hiro Red sake 3 oz. orange juice 1/2 oz. grenadine Fill a rocks glass with ice. Add sake and fill with orange juice; stir. Slowly pour in grenadine and let it settle before serving. Hiromasa 1 1/2 oz. Hiro Blue sake 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice 1/2 cup ginger beer lime wedge for garnish Combine the sake, lime juice, and ginger beer in an ice lled glass. Stir, and garnish with the lime wedge. Hiroshi 1 thick slice of ripe peach 1 1/2 oz. Hiro Red sake 1 oz. vermouth 3/4 oz. lemon juice In a cocktail shaker, muddle the peach slice then add the remaining ingredients. Shake with ice until well chilled then strain through a mesh strainer into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a thin slice of peach. Hiroyuki 2 oz. Hiro Blue sake 1 oz. Cointreau 1 oz. lime juice 1 tsp. simple syrup Shake all ingredients with ice until chilled. Dump the cocktail along with the ice into a salt rimmed glass (salt rim optional), and serve. Hirohito 6 – 8 mint leaves 1 1/2 oz. Hiro Blue sake 3⁄4 oz. simple syrup 3⁄4 oz. lime juice 3 oz. champagne (or other dry sparkling wine)chilled sprig of mint for garnish Muddle the mint leaves in a cocktail shaker. Add the sake, simple syrup, and lime. Fill the shaker half full with ice and shake until well chilled. Strain into a wine glass and top with the champagne. Garnish with a sprig of mint.
paid content • broadway
BLENDING ART AND SCIENCES:
The Life of DANIEL MAN, M.D. Written by Brittany Ferrendi
HE’S A BOARD-CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON WITH AN ARTSY TWIST. Daniel Man, M.D., has a private practice in Boca Raton where he offers laser cosmetic surgery, liposuction, facelifts and more. But when his hands aren’t busy crafting the ideal look for his patients, he’s taking a paintbrush to a canvas to create his latest illustration. Born in Afulla, Israel, Dr. Man is known for being an author, inventor, artist and surgeon. But what may not be obvious is the way he blends his passion for cosmetic surgery with his love for drawing and painting, using elements of artistry to complement and improve his work as a surgeon. Dr. Man’s mixture of love for art and medicine came in part from his parents — both holocaust survivors. His mother, Ludwika Man, taught woodworking classes straight out of her home, allowing Man to experiment with creating olive woodcarvings. While he got his artsy side from his mother, his love of science came from his father. A general vascular surgeon, Boris Man brought his son to the operating room before he reached his teenager years, Both of these experiences of his youth — art and sciences — came together in his future. “I had the ability to see how art connected to science and science connected to art,” he said. And they connect in a few different ways. Before the easy accessibility and availability of video imaging, Man turned to drawing to show new patients how he would alter them through his cosmetic surgery. Once he realized that depicting his augments to his patients would improve communication of surgical plans, Dr. Man taught himself to draw and paint by studying other artists and reading books on the arts. Highlighting his artistic talents, Dr. Man illustrated a painting of the handshake between Former Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization Yasser Arafat and the late Prime Minister of Israel Yitzhak Rabin, following the signing of their peace accord in 1993. The painting remained at the White House — where the signing took place — for three years.
arts & entertainment • blacksmith
DIy blacksmithing
Dark Angel Armory & Forge 2600 Hammondville Rd., Bay #20 Pompano Beach, FL 33069 DarkAngelArmory.com CLASS / WORKSHOP SCHEDULE Introduction to Blacksmithing Learn about safety in a metal workshop, basic metallurgy, proper hammer-technique and the fundamentals of blacksmithing. With these skills students will taper, scroll and twist metal into a decorative and useful S-hook, that can be taken home at the end of the day. No experience necessary. Saturday, Sept. 24, 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, 11 a.m. COST $150
If You Can’t Stand the Heat... T he old proverb goes, “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” Well, I’ve taken several cooking classes, so a hot oven isn’t necessarily a deterrent. In fact, I’ve also taken glassblowing and pottery classes over the years, so the thought of breaking a sweat seemed annoying at best. Then I saw an offer on Living Social for blacksmithing classes in Pompano Beach. Yes, blacksmithing classes. The kind of blacksmithing where an artisan heats metal until its white hot and then hammers and shapes it into horseshoes and fireplace pokers. How hot could that get? I would soon find out. I arrived at Dark Angel Armory & Forge on a hot Saturday afternoon. The metal shop is tucked away into a bay at a small industrial park. Master blacksmith Shaun Williams and his partner Sylvia Andrassy greeted me and about a dozen other eager beginners. As the class began, we were introduced to basic safety precautions (If you remember one thing: Burning human flesh smells like bacon). Shaun gave us a tour of the shop and demonstrated the tools we would utilize, including a variety of hammers, anvils and tongs, and of course, the forge. No, we wouldn’t be making horseshoes.
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We would be crafting 12-inch decorative hooks, perfect for holding a hanging plant... or something. In the course of making this simple hook, each of us would be required to utilize four basic techniques—cutting, drawing out, twisting and shaping. Shaun warned us an experienced blacksmith might whip out a hook with just four to six pauses to reheat the metal in the forge to 1400 degrees (with a big “F” for Fahrenheit). He wisely allows four hours for beginners like myself to complete the same tasks. But, how hard could it be? I would soon find out. While waiting for my piece of steel to glow, I struck up a conversation with one of the artists who was working at the shop, a lesbian real estate attorney who told me many of the other members at Dark Angel were also LGBT. As much as I was tempted, I wasn’t about to make any jokes about lesbians and tools because, as I toiled away later, hammering my hook but making little progress, she generously came to my rescue. Not that I’m afraid of a little hard work, but I was starting to develop blisters and that girl really knew how to use a hammer! Even with extra help, it took more than
three hours to complete my project. After drawing my 10-inch section to 12 inches and hammering the ends to a point, I reheated the steel and then quickly placed it into a special vice. With a tight grip, I then twisted the glowing metal. That’s right, I twisted solid steel. The next step was to shape the curved hooks on either end and create a decorative curl on the ends. Again, what would take an experienced blacksmith a few whacks turned into an exercise in patience. In some ways, the metal is like clay. No mistake is permanent. Just as a potter might wet the clay and start again, a few minutes in the forge makes the steel pliable again. After the last strikes with my hammer, I heated the entire hook one last time and brushed any residue off with a metal bristle brush. After cooling the hook one last time in a nearby bucket of water, I placed it in a metal tray filled with beeswax. The wax would protect it from oxidizing, what laymen call rust. I’m still not sure I’m cut out to be a blacksmith. My arms ached and all I wanted was a cold shower. But, as I drove away with my trophy, I couldn’t help but feel a little pride with the experience. — J.W. Arnold
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arts & entertainment • downloads 76 THE
DOWNLOADS Books, Music and More
I Wanna Be a Producer John Breglio Applause Books, $29.99 hardcover
The Secret Life of the American Musical Jack Viertel Macmillan, $28 hardcover
Get a good lawyer. That’s the central piece of advice seasoned Broadway producer John Breglio offers in this howto guide to putting on a show. With the price tag on a new musical realistically starting at $10 million, getting that show to Broadway is harder than ever, and, even then, it may still lose money. While we may never have that chance, this guide makes for an interesting read.
For more than 30 years, Jack Viertel has been a major figure in the Broadway theater world. As senior vice president at Jujamcyn Theaters, he helped create shows like “Hairspray,” “Angels in America” and “Into the Woods.” This compelling book takes the reader through the various phases of development and shares many of the keen observations he’s made over a long and successful career.
Razzle Dazzle: The Battle for Broadway Michael Riedel Simon and Schuster, $27 hardcover
Encore: Movie Partners Sing Broadway Barbra Streisand Columbia Records, $9.99
Acid-tongued New York Post theater columnist Michael Riedel’s volume offers the definitive history of Broadway, a juicy insider’s tale of ambition, greed, stardom, profits and losses from the Shubert/Nederlander feud to the British invasion of the ‘80s and Disney’s rise in the ‘90s. The book will be coming out soon in paperback and has been optioned for a movie.
Barbra Streisand’s third “Broadway” album, “Encore” teams the diva up with a diverse group of box office stars, including Hugh Jackman, Melissa McCarthy, Anne Hathaway, Daisy Ridley, Antonio Banderas and Alec Baldwin. The results are a mixed: Who picked Jamie Foxx for “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” of all songs? The album also features many forgotten Broadway gems, all with lush orchestrations.
September 2016
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arts & entertainment • datebook
DATEBOOK Fall Festivals
LIGHT THE NIGHT
The Morikami Museum and Japanese Garden in Delray Beach celebrates the annual autumn Lantern Festival on Oct. 15. According to tradition, the festival pays homage to ancestors who return that day for a brief visit to the living. Morikami.org
‘Tis the Season for a Festival in South Florida... Celebrate Orgullo Sept. 15 – Oct. 16 Miami, Miami Beach, Wilton Manors South Florida’s diverse Latin LGBT community celebrates Pride in a big way with a month of cultural festivities, including musical and literary performances, film screenings, walking tours and culinary events. CelebrateOrgullo.com Oktoberfest Sept. 30 – Oct. 2 Oakland Park Jaco Pastorius Park in Oakland Park is transformed into the mountains of Bavaria for two days of German bands, beer, wiener schnitzel and the famous dachshund races. Admission is $5 and parking is free. OaklandParkFl.org MiFo LGBT Film Festival October 7 – 16 Fort Lauderdale The MiFo LGBT film festival features more than 50 films from a dozen countries screened over two weekends. Don’t miss guest appearances and filmmaker panels featuring actors, directors and producers. MiFoFilm.com Las Olas Art Fair Oct. 22 – 23 Fort Lauderdale Hundreds of artists and craftsmen display their works in the middle of downtown Fort Lauderdale’s trendy Las Olas Boulevard. Enjoy a meal at one of the many sidewalk cafes after enjoying the art. LasOlasBoulevard.com
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Wicked Manors Oct. 31 Wilton Manors Tens of thousands of costumed ghosts and ghouls make their way to the Island City for some ghastly glee every Halloween. Enjoy performances on the stages or visit the many local bars and restaurants. WickedManors.org Miami Book Fair International Nov. 13 - 20 Miami Sponsored by Miami-Dade College, the annual fair features dozens of author panels, book signings and discussions, culminating in a huge street fair. Each year, several LGBT authors are always featured. MiamiBookFair.com Christmas on Las Olas Nov. 29 Fort Lauderdale It may be 80 degrees outside, but winter arrives in South Florida at Christmas on Las Olas. Take a sled ride on the manmade snow hill, listen to carolers and pick up some gifts for that special someone. LasOlasBoulevard.com Winterfest Boat Parade Dec. 10 Intracoastal Waterway The Winterfest Boat Parade is a South Florida tradition as dozens of brilliantly lit vessels travel along the New River in Fort Lauderdale and up the Intracoastal Waterway to Pompano Beach and back. WinterfestParade.org
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Nite Life Law If you drink, don’t drive. If you drive, don’t drink. If you do both, call us.
Kent & Cormican Criminal Defense Law Center
954.763.1900
Norman Elliott Kent & Russell Cormican 12 S.E. 7th Street, Suite 709 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 www.NormKent.com
arts & entertainment • destination
DESTINATION Virginia City, Nevada
Photo credit: Virginia City Tourism Commission.
Take a Step Back in Time to the Old West take a short drive from Reno and you’ll discover Virginia city, nevada. at the peak of the silver rush on the comstock Lode in the mid-1870s, more than 25,000 people called the bustling city home. Hundreds of boarding houses, bars and brothels lined the streets of Virginia city, catering to the needs of the hopeful miners. the locals will tell you the wealth discovered here helped build San Francisco. even mark twain settled here for a short time, writing for one of the local newspapers. today, a trip to Virginia city is a trip back in time to explore the exquisitely preserved churches, opera house, school and more. ATTRACTIONS
ACCOMMODATIONS
DINING
Take your pick: Hitch a ride on the Virginia & Truckee Railroad, rebuilt in 1974. Go deep below the surface on the Chollar Mine or Ponderosa Mine tours and then pan for gold at the 1860s Comstock Gold Mill. Tour the Mackey Mansion, Piper Opera House and historic St. Mary’s in the Mountains Catholic Church. Virginia City’s most notorious residents can still be found at Silver Terrace and Gold Hill cemeteries. Explore The Way It Was Museum. VisitVirginiaCityNV.com
Are you afraid of ghosts? The 134-year-old Silver Queen Hotel has been featured on Travel Channel’s “Ghost Adventures” more than once! The 28-room hotel gets its name from a stunning historic painting of a woman adorned with thousands of real silver dollars. Grab a drink in the saloon or get hitched in the adjoining wedding chapel. The Captain & Tennille were married there in 1970 and renewed their vows in 1995. (They recently divorced.) SilverQueenHotel.net.
The best barbecue in town can be found at Virginia City Beef Jerky Company. In addition to the signature strips of savory jerky, the house speciality is a smoky beef tri-tip sandwich. After a long day, enjoy a juicy steak at the world famous Mustang Ranch Saloon and wash it down with a cocktail from the Red Light Bar downstairs. Now a pizza parlor, the Red Dog Saloon was the birthplace of the LSD-fueled psychedelic rock scene in 1965. VisitVirginiaCityNV.com
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paid content • broadway
E T R N On April 29, 1996, a musical opened on Broadway that looked and sounded unlike anything that had come before it. It told a powerful, moving, heartbreaking and ultimately uplifting story of young, impoverished New York artists who were seeking to make their way in the world, longing to connect, and trying to survive the looming specter of AIDS. The actors were black, white and brown; the characters were straight, gay, bisexual and transgender. Although the show was famously inspired by Puccini’s opera, La Bohème, it was also a reflection of the life of its creator, Jonathan Larson, who wrote the book, music, and lyrics. His score brilliantly melded Broadway savvy with contemporary rock, and the show captured the zeitgeist of a particular place at a particular moment in time. The show, of course, was RENT, and it became a phenomenon. A few weeks before the musical’s Broadway premiere, Larson, who died of an aortic aneurysm the night before RENT was scheduled to open Off-Broadway, was posthumously awarded the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The show would go on to win the Tony Award for Best Musical, and run for over 12 years. It also attracted legions of fiercely devoted young theatergoers affectionately known as RENTheads, who returned to the show again and again because it spoke to them so personally. RENT was a life-changing experience for them and everyone connected with the show, and a game-changer for Broadway. To celebrate the musical’s 20th anniversary, key members of the original creative team have reunited for a national tour of RENT, enabling a new generation to discover why the show is so special – and why it continues to have a profound effect on audiences.
“It has enormously valid things to say about the ways in which we all seek out community and form families, and how we take care of one another in very difficult times,” says Michael Greif, who directed the original Off-Broadway and Broadway productions. “The message of the musical is to truly appreciate the time that we have and to truly appreciate each other, because you don’t know when someone will be gone from your life.” Melissa Anelli, a co-founder of BroadwayCon, is a proud RENThead who saw the show for the first time when she was 16. “I had never seen so much youth and vibrancy onstage before, and the music just blew my mind,” says Anelli, who has seen RENT more than 50 times. “The show reflected the way I felt about civility in the face of sickness, and civility regardless of sexual preference. RENT is about living and loving and caring and treating people with respect. The show teaches you so much about humanity and dignity and friendship, and that will always be relevant.” Anelli is one of countless thirtysomethings who can trace their involvement in theater directly to RENT. Lin Manuel Miranda is another. “I was taken to see the show for my seventeenth birthday, and it was seminal for me,” says the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer of Hamilton. “I’d never seen a musical that took place in present day, and in the Village. I knew I was going to be in the arts, and it meant so much to see these kids struggling with how to survive and make a living, and not sell out their principles. It hit me like a ton of bricks.” Greif adds, “In the past five years, so many young composers and theater talents have told me that RENT enabled them to begin to see themselves as part of the American theater. It’s been very gratifying and moving to me and everyone associated with RENT to know the impact that the show has had on this next generation.” Two decades after RENT premiered, the show’s legacy is boundless. It continues to inspire a generation of creative artists that is expanding the scope of musical theatre and, in turn, reaching young audiences. All these years later, RENT retains its immediacy, imparting ideas that resonate with our humanity and reminding us to measure our lives with the only thing that truly matters—LOVE.
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paid content • conference
DREAM WITH US
How ‘Gay and Sober Men’ Brings Support, Love and Safety
G
ay and Sober Men is a safe and fun community—and 2017 looks to be their biggest year yet. In recent years, a question seemed to keep coming up—are special interest gay friendly meetings and LGBTspecific treatment centers relevant or even necessary in society’s current age of progressiveness, tolerance, and acceptance? Marriage equality is now the law of the land and family-friendly companies like Disney even showcase gay and lesbian characters from time to time. Then came the recent, tragic events in Orlando. And it became clear that now, more than ever, we need to provide a safe, affirming place—as well as events—for people in the LGBT community. At the Pride Institute, a treatment center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, one can go to rehab in an allLGBT setting. Thus creating a safe space for absolute, un-edited honesty by its clients and further fostering an atmosphere of recovery. Pride opened its doors in 1986, at the height of the AIDS epidemic. The institute not only addresses client’s drug and alcohol issues, but critical problems that plague the community such as discrimination and homophobia. Surprisingly, Pride is currently the only treatment center of its kind in the United States to offer this kind of immersive experience. However, more and more rehabs across the country offer an LGBT-friendly track to those clients that seek it. June is national Pride month. Nearly every city has events and activities that celebrate the LGBT community. In New York City—where the modern gay rights movement started—they have a week packed with events, circuit parties, and parades. But along with Pride come lots of opportunities for drinking, partying, and indulgences. The highest admittance time of year at the emergency room of the former St. Vincent’s Hospital in Greenwich Village is not New Year’s Eve, but actually Gay Pride Weekend. Studies even suggest that up to 33% of the LGBTQ+ population have difficulty controlling their alcohol and drug use. That number is even higher in the transgender community. Taking this into account, a group of sobers from all over the country have decided to mobilize, and have committed to making a difference for the sober or sober curious members of the gay community. What started out as a small private group of sober guys on Facebook in 2009 has mushroomed into the largest recovery group of its kind on social media. Last year, the private Facebook group—known as Gay & Sober Men (GSM)—polled its 6,000 online members, and it was decided that they all
Jean Sullivan wanted to meet one another—in person, in real time! During next year’s Pride weekend, these people will come together to celebrate recovery with the first annual international Gay & Sober Convention, a unique four-day men’s conference in New York City. The mission, according to Kori, Mathew, and Brandon—Gay & Sober’s nonprofit board members—is borrowed from classic AA literature: “to watch people recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow about you, to have a host of friends. We are doing this in the spirit of brotherhood, friendliness, fellowship, and adventure.” This type of event has been done before, but it was held in Palm Springs and was known as Hot ’n Dry— another men’s only roundup. This conference is different in that it’s on the east coast and that it welcomes people that are not only in AA. People in NA or CMA will find programming specific to them, and even people that aren’t in “12 step” but just love a sober lifestyle will be welcomed with open arms. Activities will include health and wellness workshops, big speaker meetings, spiritual growth forums, and dance parties under the Pride fireworks. Thanks to social media and to enthusiastic sober “cheerleaders” from New York to Los Angeles, to London and even Tokyo, hundreds, perhaps thousands of fellows are expected to attend. It’s a big undertaking to financially pull off a conference like this in a city like New York. It will also take a village to make it a success. But the organizers and volunteers have high hopes. Mathew, from Edmonton, Canada, believes that “enthusiasm is contagious” and he is convinced that using social networking platforms will help get the word out as never before. GSM seems to be doing the right thing and is aware that some may even criticize its efforts. Speaking to that, one of the founding members who came up with the idea of the conference said, “Yes, there will be critics, but we aren’t doing it for the critics. We are doing it for the community.” The team is steadfast in its vision of encouraging unity and enhancing one’s sobriety. Fittingly, the theme for 2017 is “Dream With Us!” Some of the event details are still in development. Most sober conventions and roundups are held at a host hotel where everything happens on property. At GSM, they are using a host hotel in Chelsea, aptly called The Dream. A sunrise guided meditation could be held in a park on Roosevelt Island or at the observation deck of One World Trade Center—both with inspiring vistas of the
city. Several talented performers have also been invited to entertain at the Saturday night banquet meeting and concert near Columbus Circle. To close the weekend of sober events, the conference has several options— one is a float during the annual Gay Pride march down Fifth Avenue. The other is a dance cruise with two DJs on two floors of the Circle Line Cruise. The floating, rocking dance party will sail down the Hudson, through the harbor to the Statue of Liberty, and the climax of the beautiful evening will be a spectacular show of pride with the a fireworks display—all with the skyline of Manhattan as its backdrop. This experience is a first time trial run for GSM. But if it all goes well, the possibilities are endless. The conference may even travel from city to city each year. After all is said and done, and in the spirit of giving back, Gay & Sober is putting any surplus revenue to good use by sponsoring up to three people within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender community that are in need of financial aid for inpatient treatment services. Pride month started off on a very dark note with the Florida tragedy. But as we can all see, the rainbow colors are brighter and more visible than ever before. People in the LGBT community are coming together, and even sober fellows like the ones at Gay & Sober want to make this world a better, more loving place—because in the end...there is way more good than bad. On a personal note, being a straight woman in recovery, I have been surrounded by and helped tremendously by sober fellows of the gay community. My numerous stints in rehabs taught me that I have an unhealthy need for male attention. This behavior would lead to a definite relapse if I were to continue it at outside AA meetings. I am fortunate enough to have found true friendship and love within the rooms, particularly from the gay members. For me it’s attraction, not distraction, that keeps me coming back. The conference dates are June 22nd - 25th, 2017. More information on volunteering & donating is available at www.gayandsober.org
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arts & entertainment • DATEBOOK
DATE
Broward County Christiana Lilly
Opera Fusion: Not In My Town Sept. 30 to Oct. 1 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. A musical drama telling the tragic story of Matthew Shepard. Tickets $35 to $55. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.
The Haitian Music Industry Awards Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at Parker Playhouse, 707 NE Eighth St. in Fort Lauderdale. A tribute to the best in the business, hosted by TJo Zenny. Tickets $41.50 to $101.50. Call 954-462-0222 or visit ParkerPlayerhouse.com.
The Choreographers’ Ball Oct. 2 at 3 p.m. at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. The best of the best dancers, producers, and choreographers come together for the annual dance showcase. Tickets $20 to $55. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter. org.
Montgomery Gentry Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at The Amp, 1801 NE Sixth St. in Pompano Beach. The country duo are known for hits “Hillbilly Shoes,” “Headlines,” and “Runaway.” Tickets $28 to $98. Call 954519-5500 or visit TheAmpPompano.org.
Cock Tales: Shame on Me! Oct. 6 to 30 at Empire Stage, 1140 N. Flagler Drive in Fort Lauderdale. Debra Ehrhard tells the story of her encounters with the opposite sex. Tickets $20 to $35. Call 954-678-1496 or visit EmpireStage.com Sum 41 Oct. 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Revolution Live, 100 SW Third Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. The punk rock band returns with Senses Fail and As It Is. Tickets $26.50 in advance, $28 the day of. Call 954-449-1025 or visit JoinTheRevolution.net. Rent - Season Option Oct. 7 to 9 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. A year in the life of seven bohemians living in New York City. Tickets $35 and up. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org. Symphony of the Americas: Celebrating Argentina’s 200th Anniversary Oct. 11 at 7:45 p.m. at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. The Italian and Hispanic Heritage Tribute perform music by Puccini, Ginastera, and Piazzolla. Tickets $50 to $75. Call 954-4620222 or visit BrowardCenter.org. NEEDTOBREATHE Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. at The Amp, 1801 NE Sixth St. in Pompano Beach. The South Carolina rock band has performed on “Good Morning America, “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon,” and more. Tickets $30 to $51. Call 954-519-5500 or visit TheAmpPompano.org.
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September 2016
Celtic Thunder Legacy Oct. 19 at 8 p.m. at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. The Irish singing group performs both traditional and contemporary Celtic songs.. Tickets $50 to $75. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org. The Hunchback of Notre Dame Oct. 20 to Nov. 6 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Based on the classic novel by Victor Hugo and performed with music from the Disney adaptation, Quasimodo is enamored by the beautiful gypsy, Esmeralda. Tickets $47 to $60. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org. Foals Oct. 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Revolution Live, 100 SW Third Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. The British indie band is joined by Bear Hands and Kiev. Tickets $23.50 in advance, $25 the day of. Call 954-449-1025 or visit JoinTheRevolution.net. Anthony Hamilton with Lalah Hathaway and Eric Benet Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Hamilton’s repertoire is a wide array of music, from hip hop, gospel, funk, and dancehall. Tickets $49.50 and up. Call 954-4620222 or visit BrowardCenter.org. Radio Theater Presents: Dracula Oct. 28 to 29 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Entertainment the old fashioned way in the style of radio theater to tell the story of the vampire, Dracula. Tickets $25. Call 954462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.
Sia Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. at the BB&T Center, One Panther Parkway in Sunrise. The Australian singer has topped the charts with her unique voice and performance style, including “Chandelier,” “Plastic Heart,” “Titanium,” and most recently, “Cheap Thrills.” She is joined by Miguel and Aluna George. Tickets $30.75 to $120.75. Call 954-835-7000 or visit The BBTCenter.com. The Phantoms … Unmasked! Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. at the Miramar Cultural Center, 2400 Civic Center Place in Miramar. Three of the men who have played the phantom come together to perform classics from “Les Miserables,” “Man of La Mancha,” “Miss Saigon,” and more Tickets $50 to $250. Call 954-602-4500 or visit MiramarCulturalCenter.org. Peter Cetera Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. at The Amp, 1801 NE Sixth St. in Pompano Beach. THe frontman for Chicago, Cetera went solo in 1986 and has since recorded 10 albums. Tickets $40 to $100. Call 954-519-5500 or visit TheAmpPompano. org. Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Benatar is joined by her husband to perform classic hits like “Love is a Battlefield,” “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” “We Belong,” and more. Tickets $45 to $117.50. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org. The Pretty Reckless Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. at Revolution Live, 100 SW Third Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. The Pretty Reckless returns for its third album, opening with the hit “Take Me Down.” Tickets $26 in advance, $28 the day of. Call 954-449-1025 or visit JoinTheRevolution.net. Stevie Nicks Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. at the BB&T Center, One Panther Parkway in Sunrise. Formerly of Fleetwood Mac, Nicks began her solo career in 1981 and is considered by Rolling Stone to be one of the best singers of all time. Call 954835-7000 or visit The BBTCenter.com.
CARRIE UNDERWOOD Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the BB&T Center, One Panther Parkway in Sunrise. Since “American Idol,” Underwood has become a country sensation with seven Grammy Awards. Tickets $45.25 to $75.25. Call 954-835-7000 or visit The BBTCenter.com.
FITZ AND THE TANTRUMS Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m. at Revolution Live, 100 SW Third Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Summer’s hottest new band shot through the charts with its debut hit, “Out of My League.” Tickets $26 in advance, $28 the day of. Call 954-449-1025 or visit JoinTheRevolution. net. MAGIC MEN LIVE! Nov. 4 to 5 at Parker Playhouse, 707 NE Eighth St. in Fort Lauderdale. Did you love the movie? See the gyrating bodies of oiled-up sexy men for yourself now! Tickets $33.50 to $114. Call 954-462-0222 or visit ParkerPlayerhouse.com. SWITCHFOOT AND RELIENT K Nov. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at Revolution Live, 100 SW Third Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Switchfoot came onto the scene in 2003, mixing religious and secular rock music. Tickets $31.50 in advance, $35 the day of. Call 954-449-1025 or visit JoinTheRevolution.net. AVENUE Q Nov. 10 to 20 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. In this coming of age musical, Princeton moves into an apartment on Avenue Q in New York City, where he meets a host of characters. Tickets $45. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.
PERFECT ARRANGEMENT Nov. 10 to Dec. 11 at Island City Stage, 2304 N. Dixie Highway in Fort Lauderdale. It’s the Red Scare and Bob and Norma are assigned to find “sexual deviants” at the State Department. In reality, they’re both gay and have married each other’s partners! Tickets $35. Call 954-5192533 or visit IslandCityStage.org.
LUCIE ARNAZ Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. at the Miramar Cultural Center, 2400 Civic Center Place in Miramar. The daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, she will perform music as a tribute to her Latin roots. Tickets $50 to $75. Call 954-602-4500 or visit MiramarCulturalCenter.org.
ELLE KING Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. at Revolution Live, 100 SW Third Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. King released the hit “Ex’s & Oh’s” from her debut album and is now featured on the “Ghostbusters” soundtrack. Tickets $28.50 in advance, $30 the day of. Call 954-449-1025 or visit JoinTheRevolution.net.
CLASSIC ALBUMS LIVE: PRINCE “PURPLE RAIN” Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. at Parker Playhouse, 707 NE Eighth St. in Fort Lauderdale. Classic Albums Live performs favorites from the late and great Prince. Tickets $21 to $38. Call 954-462-0222 or visit ParkerPlayerhouse. com.
SARA AND TEGAN Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. at Revolution Live, 100 SW Third Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. For 13 years, the indie duo has been covered by The White Stripes and worked with DJs Tiesto and David Guetta Tickets $28.50 in advance, $31 the day of. Call 954-449-1025 or visit JoinTheRevolution.net.
yELLOWCARD Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. at Revolution Live, 100 SW Third Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Come out and watch Yellowcard one final time as they release their final album and go on their final tour. Tickets $27.50 in advance, $29 the day of. Call 954-449-1025 or visit JoinTheRevolution.net.
SANDy HACKETT’S RAT PACK SHOW Nov. 13 at 3 p.m. at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive in Coral Springs. A musical celebration of the Rat Pack and the golden age of music. Tickets $28.62 to $76.32. Call 954-344-5990 or visit CoralSpringsCenterForTheArts.com.
BOB DyLAN AND HIS BAND Nov. 23 at 8 p.m. at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. A true Americana artist, Bob Dylan has been the poster boy for rock and roll for 50 years. Tickets $63.75 to $450. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter. org.
KANSAS Nov. 17 at 8 p.m. at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. Celebrate the band’s 40 years of great music, including “Carry On Wayward Son.” Tickets $25 to $125. Call 954-462-0222 or visit BrowardCenter.org.
arts & entertainment • datebook
BOOK DOLLy PARTON Nov. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the BB&T Center, One Panther Parkway in Sunrise. Parton tours in support of her latest album, “Pure and Simple.” Tickets $45.25 to $125.25. Call 954835-7000 or visit The BBTCenter.com.
OPERA FUSION: NOT IN My TOWN Photo: Facebook.
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arts & entertainment • DATEBOOK
DATEBOOK Palm Beach County The Mystery of Love & Sex
Oct. 1 to 30 at Arts Garage, 180 NE First St. in Delray Beach. Charlotte, a Jewish college woman, starts dating her childhood friend Johnny, a black man. In this comedic play, two generations battle with the changing norms in relationships. Tickets $35 to $40. Call 561-450-6357 or visit ArtsGarage.org.
Prophets of Rage
A’la Ella!
Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. Ella Fitzgerald would have been 100 years old in 2017, and jazz crooner Yvette Norwood-Tiger performs a tribute to the music icon. Tickets $35 and up. Call 561832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.
Daryl Hall and John Oates
Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. at Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre, 601-7 Sansburys Way in West Palm Beach. Comprised of members of Rage Against the Machine, Public Enemy, and Cypress Hill, Prophets of Rage have created a unique sound all their own. Tickets $39 and up. Call 561-795-8883 or visit WestPalmBeachAmphitheatre.com.
Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. at Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre, 601-7 Sansburys Way in West Palm Beach. On the second leg of their tour, the duo perform favorites like “Maneater” and “I Can’t Go For That.” Tickets $47 and up. Call 561-795-8883 or visit WestPalmBeachAmphitheatre.com.
Urinetown the Musical
Nov. 11 to 13 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. In this ballet, Giselle goes mad and dies when her lover rejects her. She returns with ghostly Wilis to haunt the men who wronged them. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.
Oct. 6 to 23 at Lake Worth Playhouse, 713 Lake Ave. in Lake Worth. A city has been in a drought for 20 years, and private toilets have been banned. One man is fed up when the city starts charging its residents to use public amenities. Tickets $35 to $72. Call 561-5866410 or visit LakeWorthPlayhouse.org.
Leonard Nimoy’s Vincent
Oct. 21 to 23 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. The one-man play by Nimoy investigates the life of artist Vincent van Gogh through the letters between him and his brother, Theo. Tickets $35. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.
The Secret Comedy of Women: Girls Only
Oct. 26 to 30 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. A night of sketch comedy, music, videos, and audience participation celebrating all things girls. Tickets $35. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.
Lake Worth Has Talent II
Oct. 30 at 6:30 p.m. at Lake Worth Playhouse, 713 Lake Ave. in Lake Worth. Show off your talents, with proceeds benefiting the Children’s Miracle Network. Prices for first, second, and third place winners! Tickets $30. Call 561-5866410 or visit LakeWorthPlayhouse.org.
Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo
Nov. 3 at 8 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. Benatar is joined by her husband to perform classic hits like “Love is a Battlefield,” “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” “We Belong,” and more. Tickets $25 and up. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.
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Program One: Giselle
Casting Crowns
Nov. 12 at Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre, 6017 Sansburys Way in West Palm Beach. The Christian rock band brings a night of ministry and music. Tickets $60 and up. Call 561-795-8883 or visit WestPalmBeachAmphitheatre.com.
Cuddles
Nov. 13 to Dec. 11 at Arts Garage, 180 NE First St. in Delray Beach. Eve is a teenage vampire who feasts on her sister Tabby’s blood — until one day Tabby tires of being her sister’s meals. Tickets $40. Call 561-450-6357 or visit ArtsGarage.org.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Nov. 15 to 20 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. Christopher, 15, is accused of killing his neighbor’s dog, so he sets out to find the real villain. Tickets $27 and up. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.
Ron McCurdy’s Langston Hughes Project “Ask Your Mama: 12 Moods for Jazz”
Nov. 15 to 20 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. McCurdy narrates the jazz performance exploring the search for freedom and equality in the 1960s. Tickets $32. Call 561832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.
Death by Design
Nov. 18 to Dec. 4 at Lake Worth Playhouse, 713 Lake Ave. in Lake Worth. It’s 1932 and Edward Bennett’s play bombs, so he and his actress wife Sorel head to the countryside for a reprieve — until guests arrive nonstop and the night ends in a murder! Tickets $35 to $72. Call 561-586-6410 or visit LakeWorthPlayhouse.org.
Melissa Etheridge’s Holiday Trio
Nov. 28 at 8 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. Etheridge performs holiday favorites from her album, “A New Thought For Christmas” as well as her hits. Tickets $20 and up. Call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.
Melissa Etheridge’s Holiday Trio, coming Nov. 28 to the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. Photo: Facebook.
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arts & entertainment • DATEBOOK
DATEBOOK Miami-Dade County Thalia
Sept. 30 at 8 p.m. at the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Mexican popstar tours in support of her latest album, “Latina!” Tickets $45 to $105. Call 305-949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter.org.
Why Not? With Richard Nixon
Everybody Drinks the Same Water
Oct. 26 to Nov. 20 at the Miami Theater Center, 9806 NE Second Ave. in Miami Shores. Three teens of different religious backgrounds come together to solve a murder caused by someone poisoning their water supply in Cordoba, Spain. Tickets $25. Call 305-751-9550 or visit MTCMiami.org.
Sept. 29 to Oct. at the Miami Theater Center, 9806 NE Second Ave. in Miami Shores. Richard Nixon hosts a late night club access radio show with his best friend and his daughter in this comedy. Tickets $15 to $30. Call 305-751-9550 or visit MTCMiami.org.
After
Hand to God
Alessia Cara
Oct. 1 to 30 at GableStage at the Biltmore, 1200 Anastasia Ave. in Coral Gables. A student in a religious town in Texas finds his talents working with puppets, until one of them takes on an evil life of its own. Tickets $57 to $60. Call 305-445-1119 or visit GableStage.org.
Charlie Puth
Oct. 27 to Nov. 13 at the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. A look into the lives of a grieving family and the one of the accused. Tickets $50. Call 305-949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter.org. Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m. at Fillmore Miami Beach, 1700 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach. With a variety of influences, the 20-year-old chanteuse is a musical chameleon. Tickets $37.50 to $50.50. Call 305-673-7300 or visit FillmoreMB.com.
Mana
Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m. at Fillmore Miami Beach, 1700 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach. Puth is known for hits “One Call Away,” “Marvin Gaye,” and “See You Again.” Tickets $26 to $39.50. Call 305-673-7300 or visit FillmoreMB.com.
Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. at the AmericanAirlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Known for their theatrical shows, the Mexican rock band performs as a part of their Latino Power Tour. Tickets $46 to $251. Call 786-777-1000 or visit AAArena.com.
Chance the Rapper
Carmen
The Illusionists
Evanescence
Oct. 10 and 11 at 8 p.m. at Fillmore Miami Beach, 1700 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach. In a two-night special, the breakout rapper got his start by producing his debut album during a 10-day suspension from school. Tickets $49.50 to $86.50. Call 305-673-7300 or visit FillmoreMB.com. Oct. 11 to 16 at the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Seven of the best illusionists on one stage. Tickets $27 to $89. Call 305-949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter.org.
Program One: Giselle
Oct. 21 to 23 at the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. In this ballet, Giselle goes mad and dies when her lover rejects her. She returns with ghostly Wilis to haunt the men who wronged them. Tickets $27 to $89. Call 305-949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter.org.
Adele
Oct. 25 and 26 at the AmericanAirlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Back on the road for her first tour in five years, the British chanteuse performs songs from her latest album “25.” Tickets $36.95 to $146.50. Call 786-777-1000 or visit AAArena.com.
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Nov. 12 to 19 at the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Carmen is a gypsy girl who can get any man she wants, moving onto the next at the drop of a pin. When one man, who drops everything to be with her, is scorned, she’s Carmen has met her match. Tickets $16 to $88. Call 305-949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter.org. Nov. 13 at 8 p.m. at Fillmore Miami Beach, 1700 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach. The American rock band’s hits include “Bring Me to Life,” “My Immortal,” and “Going Under.” Tickets $39.50 to $55. Call 305-673-7300 or visit FillmoreMB.com.
Pet Shop Boys
Nov. 16 at 9 p.m. at Fillmore Miami Beach, 1700 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach. In over 30 years of entertaining, the duo has produced 42 top 30 singles in the United Kingdom. Tickets $49.50 to $64.50. Call 305-673-7300 or visit FillmoreMB.com.
Marc Anthony
Nov. 18 and 19 at the AmericanAirlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. The Latin superstar will be in town for not one, but two nights! Tickets $61 to $201. Call 786-777-1000 or visit AAArena.com.
MISO Chic
Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. at the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. A program that encompasses music, art and sculpture. Tickets $35 to $122. Call 305-949-6722 or visit ArshtCenter.org.
Maxwell and Mary J. Blige
Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. at the AmericanAirlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. The two RnB singers tour together for the first time in the King + Queen of Hearts World Tour. Tickets $35.50 to $175.50. Call 786-777-1000 or visit AAArena.com. Marc Anthony Photo: Facebook.
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arts & entertainment • Quotable
QUOTABLE Harold G. dioquino
Earlier this year, the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida named Harold G. Dioquino artistic director of the 175-voice critically-acclaimed ensemble. Born and trained in the Philippines, Dioquino had served for five years as associate artistic director and then one season as interim artistic director while the chorus initiated a nationwide search. Mirror spoke with Dioquino about the experience and his vision for the chorus: ON THE CONTINUING RELEVANCE OF GAy MEN’S CHORUSES Besides performing great music, gay choruses around the world demonstrate acceptance to the young and scared gay person. In fact, to some members of the chorus, we’re the only family they’ve got. ON THE NATIONAL SEARCH PROCESS The audition and interview process were intense. In fact, it was grueling because I was acting as the interim conductor at the same time and my major concern was the task of creating three concert programs a few weeks before the season started. I really didn’t expect to get the job, especially after seeing the qualifications of the other candidates on audition day. ON HIS FIRST SEASON AS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR I’m a firm believer of quality over quantity. We started (this season) by tightening the audition process, requiring our current members to undergo vocal evaluations and musical assessments so we can determine best placement and how to support our members with individual vocal coaching. ON HIS SINGERS Their hard work and dedication is very inspiring but the brotherhood and love that we all share for each other is deeply appreciated. That might sound corny but there’s a strong bond in a gay chorus.
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