FORT LAUDERDALE–The GLBX Council of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce’s will present its third annual ARTOPIA at NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, September 24 at 7 p.m. The gala evening will feature Broadway singer-actor Jonathan Hawkins, DJs PJ DeBoy and Paul Dawson and photographer M. Sharkey, plus many surprise elements that will captivateGLBX supporters in attendance.
“The GLBX is thrilled to once again transform NSU Art Museum into an extravaganza of performance and visual art that will benefit several deserving artistic and cultural endeavors” said Andy Perrott, event chair for ARTOPIA. “Now in its third year, ARTOPIA is a proud celebration of the diverse array of arts and culture in South Florida.”
The event is sponsored by AUDI Fort Lauderdale and Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood.
Portraits from M. Sharkey’s “Queer Kids,” an exhibit made possible by Stonewall National Museum and Archives, will be on display during the event. M. Sharkey is an award winning portrait photographer and filmmaker living in NYC. For the past 8 years, he has been documenting queer youth across the US and in Europe. Sharkey’s photographs are intimate testaments to his subjects’ powerful self-awareness; at once empathetic and opulent, they are the visual counterpart to the voice these young people have struggled – and lately succeeded – to find.
Island City Stage will “Make America Great Again” with a selection of scenes from “Shorts Gone Wild 4: Election 2016,” the company’s newly debuted, politically-themed comedy. “Shorts Gone Wild” are tailored to explore the values, issues and humor that are relevant to the LGBT and Progressive communities, while providing an opportunity for theatergoers to address social issues through a creative process.
In addition to the roster of performance artists, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will present a surprise performance combining music, dance, lights and illusion. Guests will also explore select exhibits, currently on display at the NSUArt Museum.
Event doors will open at 7 p.m. with VIP guests ushered to an exclusive reception that includes an intimate performance by Jonathan Hawkins, along with hand-served specialty drinks and hors d’oeuvres. All other guests can indulge in an assortment of culinary delights and specialty drinks fromTastebuds while exploring the plethora of artistic offerings.
