Tag Archive | "Benefit"

SNAP SHOT: The SMART Ride 2012

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By DALE MADISON

The SMART Ride is a two-day bicycle ride that spans 165 miles from Miami to Key West, with this year’s ride scheduled the weekend of November 16 and 17. What began in 2001 as the Walgreens Red Ribbon Ride has grown to one of the state’s premiere events, expected to attract over 600 participants this year. “Since 2004, the ride has raised over $3.3 million,” says longtime participant Carmine Martorilli. “We will start in Pine Crest at Morning Star Catholic Church, and head South for 100 miles, and then overnight at Hawks Cay Resort. Next morning, following breakfast, the teams head out to Key West.”

“That first year, I pushed my partner, Robert [Poster], into getting involved, and now he has not only done the ride, but is also involved in helping with the team that supports the riders,” Martorilli recalls. “As of now, there are 560 people registered. That includes riders and crews. Last year, there were 399 riders, and 219 in the support crew. Oh, and by the way, Mr. Madison, you are going to be on the team this year,” he adds. Well, I guess I know where I will be that weekend.

The group has a doctor who travels with them, to make sure that any potential injury is handled immediately. “Our physician is Dr. Marah Lee, from Imperial Point Hospital.

She actually closes her office and pays her staff for the weekend so that she can be with us,” Martorilli notes with a mixture of pride and affection. “That is the sort of dedication that we have for the SMART Ride. Once we get into Key West, we take over the White Street Pier for the closing ceremony.”

The ride attracts all kinds of supporters. “Last year, Leslie Jordan from ‘Will and Grace’ showed up to please the crowd. Once the ‘Riderless Bike’”—which represents riders who have fallen from the scourge of HIV/ AIDS—“shows up, there is not a dry eye on the pier,” Martorilli adds.

“This year we have so much help with feeding the teams. The Olive Garden will feed everyone on Friday night. On Saturday morning, Cliff Mulcahy and John Zieba from Rosie’s on Wilton Drive will provide breakfast, and then send their staff on to Key West to provide dinner. This is one of those events that is really supported by the community, and it is so gratifying to see that kind of support from a community that has lost so many to this disease,” he notes. “In addition, for Labor Day weekend, Shawn and Nick from Courtyard Café will hold a benefit, with a percentage of their total sales going to the SMART Ride. On August 22, Fort Lauderdale’s California Pizza Kitchen will hold a benefit all day, with a percentage of sales benefiting the ride,” Martorilli’s partner, Poster, adds.

As usual, the SMART Ride will give back 100 percent of the funds raised by participants to HIV/AIDS service organizations in Florida. The organization recently announced the beneficiaries for this year’s ride: Metro Charities in Tampa, Miracle of Love in Orlando, CAAPS in West Palm Beach, the Pride Center at Equality Park, the Children’s Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Fort Lauderdale, the Center for Positive Living in Miami, and the AIDS Help in Key West. The SMART Ride is truly the gift that keeps on giving.

For more information, visit thesmartride.org.

A NIGHT OF A 1000 DIVAS Impressive Cast to Show Diva Support

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OAKLAND PARK —Diva is more used to throwing the party than being
the reason for one, but the nationally-renowned entertainer will be
the cause for celebration this month as “Lips” rolls out the red carpet for
“A Night of 1,000 Divas” on Monday, Feb. 27. The event will celebrate
Diva’s recent “Miss State Of Florida Continental Elite” title victory, as well
as raise funds for her chance to bring home the crown from the national
pageant in Chicago.

Diva, known to thousands as the lead hostess of Lips showcase every
weekend, won the title of Miss State Of Florida Continental Elite in
December, and now she will “lip-synch for her life” in April to win the
coveted national title.

“It takes a lot of money to look as cheap as we do,” says Diva as she
entertains guests at Lips, the ultimate in drag dining. The reality is that to
compete for a national pageant requires an investment to look the best,
perform the best, and be the best to win.

“I am much honored to represent Florida at the Miss Continental Elite
pageant and I am going there to win,” said Diva. “’A Night of 1,000
Divas’ will be a great way for the community to embrace the best of
drag in South Florida, while at the same time it will help me to compete
to the best of my ability.”

Miss Continental is an annual female impersonator beauty pageant
founded in 1980. The Miss Continental Elite Pageant is held every year
during Easter weekend in Chicago, and is one of the most coveted titles
in the art of female impersonation for entertainers who’ve reached the
age of 40 years of age and older.

“A Night of 1,000 Divas” at Lips will be the talk of the town with
good friends, abundant spirits, non-stop music, and show-stopping
entertainment featuring an incredible cast of characters in support of
Diva. Hostess Elaine Lancaster with Champagne Bordeaux will lead The
Ladies Of Lips, Latrice Royal and Lashauwn Beyond of “RuPaul’s Drag
Race (Season 4),” Noel Leon, T P Lords, Nikki Adams , Erika Norell Misty
Eyes, Twat LaRouge, and Philip Alexander, Mr. Continental 2011.
Adult entertainment will be provided by FabScout Entertainment. Power
Infinity, Kevin Aviance and Kitty Meow will also debut their new hit single
“FreakWhenSee.” DJs Daisy Deadpetals and JC of Mobile Mixologist will
get the party started for dancing and a show to remember.

“It takes a village and we are very fortunate here to have such wonderful
giving talent. I am grateful to Lips and everyone who is supporting this event
and can’t wait to see my friends and fans there,” acknowledged Diva.

A NIGHT OF A 1000 DIVAS Impressive Cast to Show Diva Support
The doors for the event open at 8 p.m. Thesuggested donation at the door is $10.

WolfCuff Presents Benefit for Grateful Paws

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WILTON MANORS, FL – WolfCuff custom handmade leather wrist cuffs, arm bands and, body wear will celebrate their second anniversary with a benefit for Grateful Paws, Wednesday, Feb. 15, starting at 8 p.m. at Georgie’s Alibi on Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors.

Grateful Paws is a local, not-for-profit, no-kill rescue organization providing much-needed services for cats and dogs in South Florida.

“Grateful Paws is the animal rescue that I prefer most,” said Uwe Schroeder, founder of WolfCuff. “They step in when other rescues – for financial or other reasons – cannot help. When they take on an animal, they take it their vet, the Hollywood Animal Hospital, and if after medical treatment it is determined the animal will have a quality life, they’ll do whatever is necessary and possible to get the animal healthy and find it a forever, loving home. Grateful Paws is my favorite because it’s the last hope for the most hopeless cases.”

“Over Christmas, they took in a nine-month old pedigree husky that was hit by a car and the owner couldn’t afford the medical bills. Grateful Paws took him on and the surgery to save his leg was $1,800,” Schroeder said. “Grateful Paws found the husky a home, but the adoption fee is $300, which left a balance of $1,500.”

An animal lover, Schroeder founded Wolf Cuff two years ago, producing custom leather wrist bands which were well-received by friends and customers. All of his cuffs are handmade using basic tools, and are made of quality materials utilizing hand-applied color, along with a unique interlocking design, metal work and polish. Each WolfCuff is one-of-a-kind.

Schroeder said the he adopted his own “boys” from Grateful Paws. “That’s why I’m trying to get as much money together as possible,” he said. “There is nothing better than rescuing a dog.”

The Feb. 15 fundraiser at Alibi will begin with a “Gold Sponsor Cocktail Reception” being held in the Manchester Room from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets for the special reception will be $20 and will include food, drinks and a preview of the silent auction items.

The public main event will be run from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. with hostess Nikki Adams a 9 p.m. show featuring Florida’s Own Dame Edna, lavish silent auction, 50/50 raffle and special pricing on WolfCuff leather crafts.

Alibi is providing the space, Alibi Catering is providing the food and Schroeder is covering all additional expenses. 100% of the proceeds collected at the benefit will go to Grateful Paws including money raised from all WolfCuff sales. For more information on WolfCuff, visit www.WolfCuff.com.

Foundation Proudly Announces “Dancing with the South Florida Stars”

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The Brian Neal Fitness & Health Foundation is delighted to announce “Dancing with the South Florida Stars,” a holiday fund-raising extravaganza, which will take place on Monday, December 12, 2011.

The “who’s who” of the community, including business superstars and government officials, will be on stage in the Epic Theatre at The Manor, 2345 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors, to compete for your entertainment and for a good cause. Each contestant will be paired up with a local celebrity entertainer.

Each celebrity team will contribute $300.00 by filling a ten-seat table.

Every penny of the tax-deductible donation will go to the Brian Neal Fitness & Health Foundation, a 501(c) 3 corporation, offering health club memberships, group workout sessions, nutritional advice, as well as diet and mental awareness programs to financially challenged, HIV positive, and/or terminally ill patients.

VIP tickets are available at $40 each for special table seating on the nightclub floor and fans and admirers of the celebrity contestants can also purchase $10 general admission tickets to gain access to a prime balcony viewing spot!

An opening cocktail reception and silent auction will kick off the event at 6 p.m. The Manors’ award-winning kitchen will be open, serving an extensive menu throughout the show.

“Dancing with the South Florida Stars” is the perfect way to begin to celebrate the holiday season!”

Locations to purchase event tickets will be announced November 3rd.

For event sponsorship opportunities, please contact Bobby Blair, at 954-336-0436 or via e-mail at bobby@bobbyblair.com.

Fort Laudedale Gay Events – October 27, 2011

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RBC BUSINESS LUNCHEON

Grab your share of the billion “pink” dollars on Wednesday, November 2 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon at The Manor Entertainment Complex, 2345 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Join the RBC for their first business luncheon. Gina Campaz, Senior V.P. of Barcardi will be sharing critical financial and demographic information that directly impacts how all businesses, not only food and beverage establishments should operate in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area. She will be sharing Bacardi research on how social media also plays a critical role in today’s Broward business environment. Email jason@rainbowbusinesscoalition. com for more details. $30 per person.

AN EVENING IN PARADISE

An Evening in Paradise, a benefit for the Pride Center at Equality Park, will be held on Saturday, November 5 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Paradise Point in Fort Lauderdale. Open bar, great food, deejay and other entertainment, valet parking. Tickets are $100 per person (limited to 300 people so get your tickets early). For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.glccsf.org.. Tickets will not be sold at the event. Special guests include Michael Holtz (Mr. Gay USA 2011) and Logan Voxx (Out 100 for 2011).

“STAND UP AND RIDE IT”

Six hysterical and critically-acclaimed comedians will take to the stage November 7 for “Stand Up and Ride It: A Night of Comedy to Fight AIDS,” the first of its kind, red carpet event to benefit this year’s SMART Ride 8.

The event begins at 8 p.m. and takes place at Lips restaurant, 1421 E Oakland Park Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. All proceeds from the event will go to SMART Ride, a two-day, 165-mile bike ride from Miami to Key West. The “Stand Up and Ride It” comedy show will feature local and nationally-recognized comedians Lisa Corrao, Forrest Shaw, Jessica Gross, Adrian Mesa, Daniel Reskin and Will Watkins. An open cash bar and $1,000 in raffle items and giveaways will be available at the show. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $30 for VIP. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.RideItShow.com.

STONEWALL SPIRIT OF PRIDE AWARDS

The Stonewall National Library and Archives will honor Elaine Noble and Joel Burns with their Stonewall Heritage of Pride and Stonewall Spirit of Pride Awards at their Our Stars event on November 11. Library patrons will gather for a private reception with Noble and Burns. Stonewall will present the Stonewall Heritage of Pride Award to Elaine and the Stonewall Spirit of Pride Award to Joel at the reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information on how you can join the celebration, please visit www.stonewallnationalmuseum.org and click on the “Our Stars Tickets” link.

 

Wet, Plump and Freshly Glossed The Ladies of Lips Restaurant & Nightclub are Dragalicious!

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By Richard Hack

Photo: The showgirls of Lips: (top row) Twat, Velvet, Alexis, April, Chocolatta, Jennifer
(middle row) Nicolette, Diva, Misty, (bottom row) Nicole, Charlize, Deja, and Franchesque.

To enter the queendom of Lips, the restaurant, nightclub and show palace, is to enter a place that lavishes enchantment right along with its signature knock-you-on your-ass frozen cosmos. It’s not just the chandeliers shaped like stiletto pumps or the gauzy drapes in fuchsias and limes and the occasional tangerine. Nor is it the stage no larger than a postage stamp decked out with more tinsel than the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center. It’s not even the food, though the menu, heavy on large portions and sauced dishes, is quite good.

No. This queendom is special because of its royalty – the multi-talented assortment of drag stars and their transsexual equivalents who perform Tuesday through Sunday in an ever-changing kaleidoscope of feathers, sequins, push-up bras, and wigs the size of Cincinnati. With names like Velvet, Deja, Franchesque, Charlize, Nicole, April, Chocolatta, Jennifer, Charity, Martina and Champagne, they sweep, wiggle, and saunter their way through numbers that are bawdy, brazen, and cosmically comic mixing generations, genders and polite bodily movements in a ratatouille of wit and wisdom, all girdled in bustiers.

This mélange of crowns, tiaras and rhinestone excess is the responsibility of Yvonne Lamé – the Southern Belle who created the concept over thirteen years ago in New York, where all things are apparently possible, opening the first Lips in Greenwich Village.

Several years later, an off-spring sprouted like a wild orchid in San Diego, to equal critical acclaim. Four years ago next month, Lips Fort Lauderdale was born.

In a city where drag is as common as seashells, the unique collection of talent at Lips brought gays, straights, and other unidentified lifestyles and whipped them into a fricassee of excitement, themed to various nights of the week. Each has a hostess who reigns over their evening, shedding joy like confetti on New Year’s Eve. And it is to these four super-drags, if you will, that we pay homage with a curtsey and bow. After all, royalty they are and royalty they shall always be.

DIVA

The Queen Bee of the bunch reigning supreme on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings is the blonde and bejeweled Diva – no last name necessary.

“I started out as a window dresser at Marshall Field’s in Chicago in the 80s,” Diva remembers. “It was really the dream job for a budding drag queen, having access to every department in this enormous department store that had a little of everything. The drag part came as the result of a dare – when friends coaxed me into entering a talent contest at a Chicago bar called Off Broadway. It wasn’t a drag talent contest per se, but I dolled up in full ensemble, and ended up winning the show!

“I’ve never been good at reading the fine print, but as it turned out, in order to collect my $100 prize money, I had to make a second appearance at the place the following week. For some reason, the hostess for the evening was a no-show. The club’s owner asked me to fill in, and I had such a good time, I stayed on for the next two years – hosting the event every Monday night!

“When Marshall Field’s got bought out by Macy’s, I got transferred to Florida to do the windows in a new store being built at Broward Mall in Plantation, and ended up supplementing my income by doing drag at the old Boardwalk in North Miami Beach. At the time, I never thought of it as a career. That happened the moment I realized that I was earning more money doing drag on the weekends than I was Monday-Friday at my day job,” Diva reveals.

There were pit stops in Miami, Opa-Locka, and Hialeah, before Diva became a Fort Lauderdale fixture at the original Trannie Shack show at Elements, housed in the building where the current Scandals bar is located.

“The owners of Lips saw me at Elements, offered me a job at their club—then under construction and I’ve been working the room ever since.”

Friday and Saturday nights, birthday and bachelorette parties abound with audiences that get so enthusiastic that the word “wild” becomes a p.s. for the night. A third show on Saturday night called “Taboo” is Diva’s favorite since it allows the girls to reveal a bit more skin and push the envelope to just this side of naughty.

“During the week, we’re the Disney of Drag,” says Diva. “The late show on Saturday night is where we get sexual. We even have a different menu.” And the way she says it, you just know Diva is licking her lips.

MISTY EYEZ
The always upbeat Misty Eyez is a big woman with a big story. She was raised to be a pastor and graduated from Oklahoma’s Oral Roberts University.  But it wasn’t the pulpit that turned out to be her eventual calling. All that changed on one fateful Halloween, when Misty dressed in drag to celebrate the holiday.

“Anything is possible on Halloween, and since I was struggling to come out of the closet while living with my very conservative Christian family, I dressed up as this gorgeous woman for a contest, which I was absolutely convinced I would win. Looking back at the pictures now, I was a hideous mess, but at the time I thought I looked gorgeous. While I didn’t win, it did make me more comfortable with myself and my sexuality, and eventually I just began to dress up more… and well, one thing led to another,” she says, fluttering lashes that seem poised to fly right off of her eyelids and across the room.

“My drag career began in 2003 at a bar called Trixies in Hollywood, but it wasn’t until two years later, when I moved to Elements, that my drag career really exploded. It’s funny, ‘cause I’m really very sweet,” she says, flashing a grin as sly as it is witty. “They called me  the South Florida Sweetheart. I’m just nice by nature,” she says.

Hard to believe that this is the woman chosen to host Lips’ Wednesday night Bitchy Bingo, where cattiness is queen right along with

Misty Eyez. “It’s really funny,” she says, “but sometimes I’m half-way through the show and I have to remind myself to be nastier. It really doesn’t come naturally to me. I’m all about peace and harmony.”

It’s easy to feel the love from this drag star whose chosen career has caused a seeming unmendable rift with her family. “Oh, they think of me as a backsliding homosexual who’s going to burn in hell. Now, I still think of myself as a good Christian. Yet, they won’t even consider talking to me until I return to Jesus.”

And that’s not the only struggle that keeps Misty Eyez busy, separating the personas while hoping to heal what she sees as segregation within the gay and lesbian community itself. “Here we all are fighting for equality, and we can’t get along among ourselves. Gays don’t talk to lesbians who don’t talk to trannies. The circuit boys don’t talk to the bears who don’t talk to the twinks.

The leather queens don’t talk to anyone. We need to respect ourselves, before we can expect the rest of the world to respect who we are. I will never give up my fight to bring us all together. Never,” she says. And she means it.

NICOLETTE

Nicolette is a tiny bundle of talent known for her ability to transform into famous superstars, Reba McEntire among them. Hosting Lips on Thursday nights’ Dinner with the Divas, Nicolette rotates the spotlight between Barbra, Judy, Lisa, Tina, and Marilyn among
others.

“Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined doing drag for a living,” she says. “The first time I tried it, I was 22-years-old in Monroe, Louisiana, and entered a drag contest in a club called Hot Shots. I had never seen a drag show, so needless to say, I didn’t win. However,” she pauses, hoisting a well-manicured finger into the air, “two months later, I returned with a new look, a new song, and a new attitude about the whole business. This time, I won, I’m happy to say.”

At the time, the bar didn’t have a regular drag night, but the events proved so popular that they turned their Tuesday nights into an all-drag event with Nicolette getting her first regular paid engagement.

“I worked there for several years before moving on to Nashville, where I worked for several more years. Then about 10 years ago, I moved to Florida and began working at the old Madame’s Restaurant & Cabaret in Sunny Isles with Franchesque and Nicole. When Lips opened, we all moved here, and each of us developed our own celebrity impressions.”

Diana Ross, Cher, Madonna, Bette Midler – all get their moments on stage most Thursday nights as the lookalikes threaten to outdo the originals with costumes and creativity.

Nicolette returns on Sunday afternoons for Gospel Brunch, leading the always-irreverent Sisters of Sequins to raise their voices in joyful song. It’s the only standing ovation where the audience is on its knees.

“My mother is so supportive of what I do,” Nicolette smiles in appreciation. “My twelve-year-old sister too,” she adds. “My father… well, not so much. He knows what I do, and once he saw  me on television. Never said whether he liked it, but… maybe some day,” she says still smiling. Talent has a way of making the impossible happen.

TWAT LaROUGE

Tuesday nights at Lips is Dragalicious, the new game show evening when strangers become the best of friends in impromptu contests that involve gags, props, and prizes galore. The game show night is the creation of Twat LaRouge, and it’s only fitting that this multi-talented costume and jewelry designer-turned-showgirl should keep the fun rolling with a $16.95 prix fixe menu and $5.00 frozen cosmos.

“I got dressed in drag for the very first time in 1999 in Kansas City Missouri, at a club called Cabaret,” she says. I was getting my BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute and created this character for my senior thesis. She was a mother figure, with no breasts, no hips, a flattened face – downtrodden and emotionally abused by her family.

“During the show, the woman makes a trip to a store and comes out transformed! She went from brunette to blonde, had a huge head, huge eyes, and these giant hips that have since become my signature look. It was like nothing anyone had ever seen… and it’s still unique today,” Twat says.

The following year, on January 2, 2000, Twat, now a regular at the Cabaret, met a kindergarten teacher named Johnny, a graduate of Marymount Manhattan College, a theater and dance school in New York City. It was one of those love-at-first-sight kind of things, and the pair have been together ever since. (They were officially married a few years back.)

Since Johnny moonlighted as an actor in an underground drag show called Late Night Theater, it took only a small leap of networking before Twat was designing their costumes and sets. And when both of these lovebirds lost their jobs unexpectedly, a leap of faith (and Twat’s ailing step-mother) brought the pair to South Florida where fame (and Lips) awaited.

Both Twat and her Johnny, now working in drag as Chocolatta, were hired by Her Majesty Yvonne. And the rest, as they say, is history.  The pair have this remarkable ability to finish each other’s sentences. Such is the stuff of true love. And they can often been seen together on stage in Lips.

For Dragalicious, while Twat runs the show, Game Show Johnny is out of drag and by her side. It’s a one-two punch not to be missed.
“We’re together for the long haul,” says Twat, who Chocolatta happily announces is the “creative one.” “We’ve had so many great times together it more than makes up for the occasional bitchy drag queen we’ve come across.

“We’ve had cigarette holes burned in our costumes, and drinks poured into our suitcases,” says Chocolatta. “But for the most part, drag queens are sweet. That’s how we always try to be, welcoming the scared newcomers and extending a helping hand.”

But that’s hardly the only thing that sets this team apart. “We sew all our own costumes, make our own jewelry, mix our own music,”says Twat. “Nothing in our acts are ever duplicated anywhere. We always give a positive, embracing, creative show.”

As a way of giving back, Twat and Chocolatta volunteer at Drag It  Out, a not-for-profit organization that teaches drag to both men and women. “From ages 19 to over 50, they just want to have fun.” Sign us up for some of that.

 

Dinner with the Divas A Special Benefit for Neighbors4Neighbors

The Ladies of Lips bring their  special divas to life in support of Neighbors4Neighbors to help South Florida children and families in need. Hosted by Diva and CBS4 News Anchor George Estevez, the evening showcases songs by Madonna, Cher, Diana Ross, Tina Turner and illusions newly created for the show. Michael Goodman and  Jen Klaassens co-chair the event, Wednesday, November 9, starting a 6 p.m. with a VIP reception. Dinner and show follow at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person. VIP tickets are $75, including a champagne reception and premium seating. To purchase tickets, call 305-597-4404 or www.neighbors4neighbors.org.

Lips is located at 1421 E Oakland Park Blvd. in Oakland Park, FL. For information or reservations, please call 954-567-0987.

Relay for Life

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OAKLAND PARK, FL – Relay For Life is a celebration of life in honor of those touched by cancer.

Relay For Life also raises funds for the American Cancer Society’s programs of research, education, advocacy and service – programs that can reduce cancer deaths and cancer incidence, and improve the quality of life for those touched by cancer.

Relay for Life will be held at Northeast High School on Friday and Saturday, May 20 and 21 with opening ceremony on Friday at 6 p.m.

For more information, contact Victoria Motola at (954) 200-7522.

Florida Gay Events – May 19, 2011

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Fort Lauderdale

 

THE RICHARD CORTEZ SHOW

Wollenberg Records and the Manor Entertainment Complex proudly present The Richard Cortez Show on Thursday, May 19, from 9 p.m. to midnight. The Manor is located at 2345 Wilton Dr. in Wilton Manors. No cover. Join award-winning singer, songwriter and recording artist, Richard Cortez for a vaudeville-inspired variety show. Introducing the mean girl of Wilton Manors, comedian and master of ceremonies, Robert Marks. Returning: the star of “Blood Brothers” at Slow Burn Theatre Company, Lisa Braun, and the winner of the 2011 Bushman World Ukulele Video Contest, Eric Jaffe, plus special guest as seen on Logo, award-winning and critically acclaimed Washington, D.C.-based singer-songwriter and gay activist, Tom Goss.

”VALUING OUR FAMILIES”
SunServe’s eighth annual conference, Saturday, May 21st, 9 a.m.to 5 p.m.
at 1480 S.W. 9th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale.

For more information or to register, call (954) 764-5557 or visit www.Sunserve.org.

BUNCO TO BENEFIT JUDY SHEPHERD
An afternoon of Bunco to benefit Judy Shepherd on Sunday, May 22, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Pride Center at Equality Park, 2040 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. Bunco is easy to learn, fast-paced and a great way to meet and make new friends. You can win prizes, too. Everyone is welcome. Donation is $10, and all proceeds go to Judy. Please bring a dessert to share.

Please RSVP to Ellen Slavin, (954) 854-4513, or email: monday4women@gmail.com.

FUNDRAISER FOR JAPAN

On Wednesday May 25 from 8pm to 1am, Convict Promotions brings you Diana Kramers Dinka Designs Fashion Fundraiser for Japan. Proceeds from this event goes to the Clemente Bornacelli fund which helps directly with this crisis. The fundraiser will be held at Delux Nightclub, 16 E Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach. Music provided by D.J. X and the emcee of the night is Chuck Dogg of the X102.3 and Studio 202. The fashion show part of the event begins at 10pm and goes until 11pm so be there early for free. Visit www.clementebornacelli.com.

WIN EPICUREAN DINNER CLUB

Women in Network’s Epicurean Dinner Club and The Pride Center Present: Brunch and T-Dance on Sunday, June 12th, from 12:30 to 2:30 pm for brunch and 3 pm for the Patio T-Dance at The Manor Entertainment Complex, 2345 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Prix Fixe menu includes two drinks. For further information please contact: Joyce Schweitzer at 954-558-3657 or Toni Hadi at 954-565-0094.

 

Miami

Nina Flowers Returns to Club Sugar

Friday, May 20, from 9:30 p.m. to 3 a.m., at Club Sugar, 2301 SW 32nd Ave in Coral Gables. Back by popular demand after her electrifying performance last time, she’ll set the stage on fire. House Music in the Main Room with D.J. Jarell. Hip Hop & Latin in the Spice Lounge with D.J. Dave. Shows by resident divas resident divas TP and Sasha Lords. Hosted by Alex Infiniti. $5 house drinks and $4 domestic beer all night long, 2 for 1 drinks ‘til 11:30.

House Music Cruise 2011

The Sistah Sojourn Travel Club Presents the second annual  Old School House Music Cruise  sailing from Saturday, May 21 to Thursday, May 26, and cruising from Miami, to Jamaica, to Grand Cayman  back to Miami. Featured deejays will include: Farely Jackmaster Funk, Gene Hunt, Melvin Gentry, Omar Abdullah and more. If you haven’t already booked your spot, do so today at www.housemusiccruise.com or call (708) 374-7824. Use promo code “JACKIE” for special prices. This will sell out so reserve your spot today. Just $50 holds your spot.

SIZZLE MIAMI
May 26 – 29, 2011, in Miami. Party-seekers from around the world  convene in sunny Miami, Florida, celebrating life, pride and liberty. Originally a one-day occurrence, Sizzle Miami has evolved into a  5-day smorgasbord of captivating day-time events and pulsating nightlife. Although Sizzle participants are mostly comprised of African-Americans and Latinos, all races are welcomed and encouraged to participate. For more info, visit www.sizzlemiami.com.

TASTE FOR CHANGE WINE TASTING FUNDRAISER
Abzyme Research Foundation and Joel Santos invite you to this very special wine tasting. The vaccine for Polio was developed with grassroots fundraising through the March  of Dimes. ARF is funding a promising new therapeutic HIV vaccine through a series of charity wine tastings. Join them and support hope for a future without HIV/AIDS. All proceeds will go toward the continued development and advancement of HIV-EVAC, a revolutionary therapeutic HIV vaccine candidate. To learn more about
ARF and HIVEVAC, visit www.endhiv.com. Friday June 17, from 7 to 9 pm at Bar 721, 721 Lincoln Lane on Miami Beach. RSVP by Friday June 3 via Host Joel Santos: joel@sobeteethwhitening.com, (786) 267-0404. Suggested donation of $40, 21+ to attend this event.

BRITNEY SPEARS AT AMERICAN AIRLINES ARENA
See Britney Spears live on the Femme Fatale Tour with special guest Nicki Minaj and opening performances by Jessie and the Toy Boys and Nervo. Tickets now on sale at Ticketmaster.com. Get your tickets now if you’ll be a part of this epic Britney Spears Femme Fatale Tour. The concert will be held on Friday July 22, 2011 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the American Airlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Boulevard in Miami.

Bay Area

HOT PINK SPY PARTY
Hot Pink brings you Drum and Bass vs. Dubstep — a la spy v spy. Dress up as your favorite spy (pink/black spy or black/pink spy) and come party down and watch the mayhem ensue as Dubstep and Drum and Bass go head-to-head under our very own D.J. Vague E. Nueman. Free vodka for the ladies from 10 to midnight. guys drink 2-4-1 all night long with the lovely and blonde Katie behind the bar taking care of you all evening long, plus their very own dancing diva, Miss Natalie and friends. Don’t miss Alexis De La Mer hosting “Flamingo’s Got Talent” at 9 pm. No cover. Thursday, May 19, from 10 pm to 3 am at the Flamingo Resort, 4601 34th St. S, in St. Pete.

FIRE AND ICE WEEKEND AT ST. PETE PRIDE
Florida’s only Gay beach party of the summer with world renowned deejay, Luis Perez spinning Saturday. Fire & Ice Weekend represents what is so hot about a party on the beach and what is so cool about supporting St. Pete Pride. The very retro Postcard Inn (6300 Gulf Blvd.) on St Pete Beach will play host to the private gay party for the largest pride celebration in Florida on Friday, June 24 from 1 to 7 p.m. Highlights of the weekend include Friday’s Fire Party that includes the hottest pool and beach event of the summer. Friday also includes St. Pete Pride’s Kick-Off Party at Georgie’s Alibi. Saturday will bring the parade and promenade at St Pete Pride. The highlight of the weekend will be the Saturday Ice Party with D.J. Luis Perez. Sunday will focus on a festival Beach Party including our pool party and beach pavillion, dancing on the beach, and the beautiful Gulf of Mexico open for business all day. Later attend the St. Pete Pride Closing Party at Flamingo Resort.

Visit www.alandchuck.travel.com to book a room.

THE SUNDAY BBQ IS BACK
Ybor Resort and Spa, 1512 8th Ave. (15th Street) in Ybor City. Every Sunday at 5 p.m. Lots of hot flavorful guys here lining up for some buns, wieners and other tasty items. Come on down and put some sun on those buns in our open-air tropical Asian-themed patio with Jacuzzi.

FLAMINGO BINGO
Thursdays hosted by Kevin Johnson. Win free drinks and prizes from 8 to 10 pm. Code Bar opens at 7 pm, the Video Bar opens at 10 pm and don’t miss Girl’s Night in the Blu Room, which opens at 11 pm with $3 Miller Lite longnecks. The Flamingo Resort is located at 4601 34th St. S in St. Petersburg.

For more information, visit www.flamingofla.com.

Central Florida

 

CUCA LA RACHA @ CAMP DRAG
Wednesday, May 25, from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at Parliament House, 410 N Orange Blossom Trail (W Livingston St) in downtown Orlando. Come see Cuca drag it up at Camp Drag. You never know what this crazy girl is going to end up doing so come out to be surprised and entertained.

ELECTRIC DAISY CARNIVAL
Friday, May 27, and Saturday, May 28, from 1pm to 11 pm. North America’s largest electronic music festival comes to Orlando for the first time. Expect a wide array of attractions, full-size carnival rides, art installations and performers. World-class deejays, artists and performers, thousands of beautiful people, massive stages and full-size carnival rides. At Tinker Field, 1610 West Church St. in Orlando.

For more information, visit www.electricdaisycarnival.com.

THE RED BALL
At the Parliament House (410 N Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando) Saturday, May 28, from 7 pm to 2 am. The ticket also gets you into the club for the night to see RuPaul Drag Race Runner Up Manila Luzon and the number one queen from Puerto Rico, Queen Bee Ho joining the Footlight Players. Every room will be decorated with a different style. See Judy Tenuta then enjoy the
rest of the night with all the Red Ball glory included in the price of your Judy Tenuta ticket. Judy, the self described “Love Goddess” and “Aphrodite of the Accordion,” is appropriately described  as “Outrageous Mind-Blowing Comedy”. Don’t forget to wear red!

ORLANDO BLACK PRIDE
May 31 to June 5, 2011; Orlando Black Pride brings thousands of LGBTers together for a long weekend of events and entertainment.

There are parties for the fellas, the ladies and everything in between and you can find all the great events on the official website. So head out to Orlando and get ready to party… www.orlandoblackpride.com.

A NIGHT OF PERPETUAL COMEDY
The Orlando Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence present a night of perpetual comedy on Thursday June 2. featuring the talents of improv comedians formerly of the Comedy Warehouse at Disney’s Pleasure Island and benefitting The Sister Claire Annette Blowood Memorial Granting Fund. Show times are 8 and 10 p.m. Cover: $7 suggested donation. To be held at the Parliament House, 410 N Orange Blossom Trail (W Livingston St) in downtown Orlando.

GAY DAYS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD
June 2 through 5, 2011 in Orlando
The long standing Gay Day at Disney has morphed into a week-long celebration at the theme parks of Orlando. The days are focused on the parks and pool parties, the nights are packed with dance parties at various venues. One point of confusion, two promoters run events during the week, each with their own events and their own host hotels: Gay Days – the original group is still quite popular, especially among folks more interested in the park-focused events and connecting with others.

For a more detailed Gay Disney Events Schedule go here: http://floridaagenda.com/2011/05/19/a-beginners-guide-to-orlando-gay-days/

BACK DOOR BUMBY
Revolution Nightclub (375 S. Bumby Ave (408) in Downtown Orlando) along with GRINDR and MyFlexRadio presents: “Back Door Bumby: Enter Through the Back” every 3rd Thursday of the month. This is Orlando’s premier college night as you’ve never seen it before. No cover when you show your GRINDR or MyFlexRadio App. No cover ‘til 11pm for those 21+ (18+ welcome) and no cover ‘til 12 midnight with college or theme park ID. Free drinks 11 to 11:30 p.m. Drinks specials throughout the night. Performances by: Shantell D’Marco and Macaviti. D.J. Joanie on the decks in the disco area and V.J. J.B. Burgos in the Hydrate Video Bar.

 

 

Beauty Bash U.N.I.T.E. Fashion & Entertainment Benefit for Susan G. Komen

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MIAMI BEACH, FL – May 14 there will be a benefit for Susan G. Komen for a Cure Miami at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Special guest Master of Ceremonies will be Emmy Award-winner Jo Blackwell-Preston with a live performance by “American Idol” Tiffany Miranda. Special fashion presentation by N.Y.C.-based designer Jacqueline Quinn utilizing renewable resources.

Hair and makeup done by Fort Lauderdale-based Pyure Aveda Team under the direction of Luca Boccia.

The Beauty Bash U.N.I.T.E. Beauty Fashion and Entertainment Benefit is in its 6th year and will be held at the Pink Room, 739 Washington Avenue on Miami Beach, and is part of the Miami Beauty Show being held at the Miami Beach Convention Center on May 15 and 16.

The show starts at 9:30 p.m. with a Pink Carpet Celebrity Meet and Greet and photos. Doors open at 10 p.m.
Tickets are $15, of which 100 % of the proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

For tickets and more information, visit www.beautybashunite.com.

The Pet Project Holds 3-Day Fundraiser

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WILTON MANORS, FL – The Pet Project is holding a three-day fundraising weekend from May 6 through May 8.

On Friday, May 6, from 6 to 10 p.m., there will be a “Dine and Donate” at the Courtyard Café, 2211 Wilton Drive with a portion of the checks being donated to

the Pet Project. On Saturday, April 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be a “Dogwash” at the Gelato Station, 3031 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Donation is $10 per dog.

Finally, also at Gelato Station on Sunday, May 8, from 10 a.m.to 2 p.m., there will be a car wash.

The mission of The Pet Project is to do what needs to be done to keep the human/animal bond intact for people living with life threatening or terminal disease through pet care services and education.

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