13th ANNUAL MIAMI GAY AND LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL
From October 1 to November 1 at various locations. To enrich, entertain and educate the public, encourage a sense of community through international and culturally diverse film, video and other media that offer historical and contemporary perspectives on the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience. For a complete schedule; www.mglff.com.

HEAT MIAMI BLATINO EXPLOSION
Friday, October 7, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. in downtown Miami. Columbus Day Weekend will never be the same because The Heat is On! More information is available at www.thevaultmiami.com or by calling (954)336-3197.

“HAIRSPRAY”
On Thursday, October 13, the Miami Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. in association with the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, presents Theater Night at the Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Mile Theatre (280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables). The Chambers will join forces for the last preview performance of “Hairspray” with a pre-performance reception with wine and hors d’oeuvres in the theater lobby at 7 p.m. $30 for the reception and the performance. “Hairspray” is Broadway’s hottest musical-comedy phenomenon and a joyous tribute to the ‘60s. RSVP required at mdglcc@bellsouth.net, 305-673-4440. hair spray, blatino explosion

TASK FORCE MIAMI RECOGNITION DINNER
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force announced that straight rugby star Ben Cohen will receive its Humanitarian Award on October 15 at the 15th annual Miami Recognition Dinner at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Cohen is the first straight sports star to dedicate his philanthropic efforts to the benefit of LGBT people. Cohen recently founded and serves as chairman of The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation, the world’s first foundation dedicated to raising awareness about the long-term, damaging effects of bullying.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force produces the event and donates the majority of the net proceeds to other nonprofit organizations serving the Miami-Dade LGBT community.

HELLROTIKA
SAVE Dade’s 17th annual Halloween extravaganza, Hellrotika will be held on Saturday, October 29 from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail in Miami. For a limited time, buy specially-priced advanced-sales tickets at www.hellrotika.com. Amazing music by renowned deejays, top-shelf liquor, costume contest, celebrity appearances, special performances and over 1,000 of Miami’s spookiest partygoers. General admission is $40 in advance, $60 if purchased after October 21 and at the door.