Florida Agenda

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – The Broward Center for the Performing Arts presents the Kinsey Sicks as part of its 2011-12 Pride Series.

Giving new meaning to the holiday lyric, “Don we now our gay apparel,” America’s favorite Dragapella Quartet, The Kinsey Sicks, performs “Oy Vey in a Manger” on Saturday, December 3 at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. in the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

Combining acappella singing, over-the-top drag and plenty of Jewish angst, the four-member satirical troupe turns its considerable talents to the global effort to stamp out holiday cheer.

Featuring what the Kinsey Sicks describes as Christmas carols and other Jewish music, the show includes such holiday anthems as “Jews Better Watch Out,” “I’m Dreaming of a Vanna White Christmas,” “A Lay in a Manger” and the dreidel-spinning classic, “I Had a Little Facial.”

The 2011-2012 Pride Series concludes with theater icons Leslie Jordan and Varla Jean Merman on April 7.

Tickets are $35 and are available through the Broward Center AutoNation box office at 954-462-0222 or visit www.BrowardCenter.org. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located in the Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District at 201 SW 5 Ave. in Fort Lauderdale.

By BOB KECSKEMETY

After a long, hot summer, fall is approaching and so is South Florida’s theater and culture season. Broward County has one of the largest and most diversified theater seasons south of Broadway itself, and why shouldn’t it? With so many New Yorkers migrating to

South Florida every year, our “snowbirds” deserve a little New York even when it’s December and 80 degrees.

The Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Parker Playhouse, Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center, Aventura Arts and Cultural Center and “Broward Presents” at Miramar Cultural Center/ Artspark have been busy all summer putting together one of the best and most diverse theater seasons to date. But heed this warning: plan ahead and get your tickets early because sell-outs can be expected.

“Broadway Across America” at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts “RAIN – A Tribute to the Beatles” (Oct. 4-16), Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” (Nov. 15-27), “Jersey Boys” (Jan. 11-29), “Billy Elliot: The Musical” (Feb. 29-Mar. 11), Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “South Pacific” (Apr. 10-22) and “La Cage Aux Folles” (June 12-24). The series also features a special offer for tickets to “Cirque Dreams Holidaze” (Dec. 27-Jan. 1). Season tickets for the six-show package range from $145 to $540 and may be renewed or purchased any time at www.broadwayacrossamerica.com or by calling (800) 764-0700 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

Broward Center for the Performing Arts’ “Classical Series”

Violinist Hilary Hahn with pianist Valentina Lisitsa (Nov. 6); New York Pops, (Dec. 8); Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Pinchas Zukerman, (Jan. 3); Tchaikovsky St. Petersburg State Orchestra (Jan. 31); Denyce Graves with pianist Louis Salemno (Mar. 16) and Chanticleer (Apr. 18). Ticket prices include pre-show lectures which are offered at all concerts. Full series subscriptions are priced at $161.30 – $339.80 with a three-orchestra series available from $108 – $216. Season ticket holders may add “From Villa-Lobos to Samba” for $20. Tickets are available through the Broward Center AutoNation Box Office at (954) 462-0222 and BrowardCenter.org.

Broward Center/Parker Playhouse “Off-Broadway Series”

The Capitol Steps in “Desperate Housemembers” (Jan. 12-15); “Love, Loss, and What I Wore” (Jan. 17-22); Marc Salem’s “Mind Games” (Jan. 21); “Improvised Shakespeare!” (Feb. 11); “Forbidden Hollywood” (Mar. 11) and Seth Rudetsky’s “Big Fat 70s Show” (Apr. 1). Flexible subscriptions of any four of the six shows offer a savings of 20 percent on each ticket. Single tickets to individual productions will go on sale throughout the season. Subscription packages and single tickets may be purchased through the Broward Center AutoNation Box Office at (954) 462-0222 and BrowardCenter.org.

Broward Center/Parker Playhouse “Pride Series”

“Jon and Juan’s Wedding” (Oct. 12-23), The Kinsey Sicks’ “Oy Vey in a Manger” (Dec. 3) and Leslie Jordan and Varla Jean Merman (Apr. 7). Subscriptions range in price from $114.50 to $123 and, if purchased prior to Oct. 23, offer a savings of 15 percent on each ticket.  Subscribers to the full three-show series also may purchase single tickets prior to public sale to “La Cage Aux Folles” (June 12-24). Subscription packages and single tickets may be purchased through the Broward Center AutoNation Box Office at (954) 462-0222 and BrowardCenter.org.

Aventura Arts & Culture Center’s “Melodies & Memories Series”

The Melodies & Memories Series features the gold standards of the American songbook. “How Lucky Can We Get? The songs of Kander and Ebb” (Dec. 14-18); “The Song is You: The Songs of Jerome Kern” (Jan. 18-22); “At Last: The Songs of Harry Warren” (Feb. 8-12) and “Thanks for the Memories: the Music of the Paramount Pictures Era” (March 7-11). Four show subscriptions are available for $112 offering a $16 savings. Subscription packages and single tickets may be purchased through the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center box office at (954) 462-0222 or go online to AventuraCenter.org.

Aventura Arts & Culture Center’s “Foreign Film Series”

The Aventura Foreign Film Series of four internationally acclaimed films consisting of “Kawasaki’s Rose” (Jan. 31), “The Piano in a Factory” (Feb. 28), “Revanche” (Mar. 27) and “My Afternoons with Margueritte” (May 1). Subscriptions to the four-film series are $36 and represent a savings of 10 percent on individual tickets. Subscription packages and single tickets may be purchased through the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center box office at (954) 462-0222 or go online to  AventuraCenter.org.

Aventura Arts & Culture Center’s “Comedy Series”

Michele Balan (Dec. 3), Cory Kahaney (Jan. 7) and Sarge (Feb. 18). Subscriptions to the three concert series are $96 and represent a savings of 10 percent on individual tickets. Subscription packages and single tickets may be purchased through the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center box office at (954) 462-0222 or go online to AventuraCenter.org.

For more information on the Broward Center’s “Family Fun Series,” “Smart Stage Matinees,” on-site hospitality options, pre-show dining, Sunday brunches, membership options, educational  programming, sponsorship options and more, visit www.BrowardCenter.org.

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – Next Step Dance returns to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts with “Evolution”. Next Step Dance has been described as “powerful,” “lively” and “breathtaking”. This will be the eighth consecutive year of Next Step Dance and begins on Saturday, July 23rd,at 8 p.m.

The show is under the direction of Artistic Director William Charles Crowley, who has worked as a dancer and choreographer with the dance troupe for the full eight years.

The show is part of the Broward Center’s Arts Access program, which assists community-based organizations aspiring to present professional-level arts and cultural performances at the Broward Center. The program provides technical assistance and marketing support to local community groups enabling them to develop and build their audiences. Arts Access has collaborated with nearly 50 performing arts companies, non-profit organizations and cultural and community groups to present all genres of the performing arts, including music, dance, theater, poetry and comedy.

Tickets are $26.50 and are available through the Broward Center’s box office by calling (954) 462-0222, or go online to  www.BrowardCenter.org. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located in the Riverwalk Arts and Entertain-ment District at 201 SW Fifth Avenue in Fort Lauderdale.

By DALE MADISON

On Dec. 15, the South Florida Pride Jazz Ensemble, a component organization of the South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble, and the Ft. Lauderdale Women’s Chorus took the stage in the New River Room at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts for their “Holiday Treasures” concert.

The New River Room, a 200-seat performance space, which regularly hosts the comedy dinner show “Laffing Matterz,” was the perfect space for this concert.

“The intimate setting and relaxed atmosphere was new for us. Our whole goal was to have fun and get people in the holiday spirit,” said Dan Bassett, director of the Pride Jazz Ensemble. The banter between Women’s Chorus Director Todd Wiley and Bassett instantly set the mood for the evening. Keeping the bar open throughout the show helped with the cabaret-style, relaxed atmosphere.

The Pride Jazz Ensemble opened the concert with a swing version of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” accompanied by a video describing the parent organization South Florida Performing Arts, which includes the Pride Wind Ensemble, Ft. Lauderdale Women’s Chorus and Ft. Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus.

Definite highlights of the evening’s program were soloists James Perkowski singing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and Sara McMillan singing “White Christmas.” Perkowski, who is usually featured as a tenor, showed off his sultry baritone range beautifully while McMillan’s silky voice fit “White Christmas” perfectly.

The Women’s Chorus brought the house down with “12 Days After Christmas,” which explained the fallout of receiving 12 days worth of Christmas gifts. More than a few of the birds from the original song met some horrible ends.

The groups of the South Florida Performing Arts take the holidays to give back to the community. The Ft. Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus and Women’s Chorus adopted six families from The Broward House, gave them a Christmas dinner, gifts and a special visit by Santa Claus. On Dec. 16, all three groups performed and caroled at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, and the Women’s Chorus sang at two retirement facilities on Dec. 18.

Future events by South Florida Performing Arts will include a presentation of “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” at the Parker Playhouse with an all-male cast in March, 2011 and both the Pride Wind Ensemble and Ft. Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus’ 25th Anniversary concerts in June .

Broadway star, former Chicago singer showcases new CD

By DMITRY RASHNITSOV

Matt Zarley’s career began as an actor with Tony the Tiger in a Frosted Flakes commercial. He’s come a long way baby! Now an acclaimed singer, Zarley is coming to Fort Lauderdale as the latest installment in the ArtsUnited concert series. He is performing Tuesday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m in Broward Center’s New River Room, 201 SW 5th Ave in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets for  are $15 general admission and available by calling 954 462-0222 or online at www.browardcenter.com.  After the commercial exposure, Zarley took a long and heralded turn on Broadway, appearing in Joseph The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Cats and Chicago among others before touring as one of the singers with the iconic 70′s band Chicago. Zarley spoke to the Florida Agenda about his new album, the partner who can steal his heart, and what it takes to look as handsome as he does.

1. Tell me a little bit about your new CD, While You See a Chance (Part 1), whats new compared to your previous songs?

- Well, this is a cover first of all. It’s the classic Steve Winwood song from 1980. It was recorded with the intent of being a dance single. Most of my songs start as pure pop songs; then we remix them afterwards.

2. Have you ever performed in Fort Lauderdale? What are you most excited for about coming to South Florida? What can audiences expect from your show?

- I played Miami w/ CATS about 20 years ago….and CHICAGO about 5 years ago.

3. Who are some of you biggest influences? Which of today’s popular artists speak to you?

-My biggest influences were prob Whitney Houston, George Michael, Kenny Loggins, and Babyface. They were the most influential when I was trying to discover my own my style. Today, my favorite artist is probably India.Arie. I think she is BRILLIANT and highly underrated. I also love this new Australian artist, Ricki-Lee and Daniel Merriweather.

4. Tell me a little about your personal life, are you single? If taken, tell me about your partner, if single tell me about the type of guys you are into?

- I am currently single. Been single for the past year. I’m really attracted to guys that are passionate about something, kind, thoughtful, and romantic. I’ll take sexy over pretty any day. I have a penchant for scruffy guys these days. A cute guy w/ an edge. Don’t ask me why.

5. Do you think gay artists should stay in the closet for fear their albums won’t sell? (IE Ricky Martin)

- I think they should do what feels authentic to them. For me, it wasn’t an option. I think one’s sexual identity is THEIRS. They should treat it the way they see fit. For me, honest living is the best living.

6. How do you relax? Whats your recommendations for people to get inspired in their life (just like how you are inspired to write your songs)?

- I relax at home w/ my dogs, go hiking, spend time w/ friends and family. A perfect day is lounging by my pool with good friends while sipping on a margarita. Inspiration comes from living. I think a nice hike by yourself or a long car ride by yourself have been ideal places for me to clear my mind in order to write. I’ve wrote many songs en route from LA to Las Vegas.

7. What are some tips for gay men to achieve a handsome man of mystery look similar to yours?

- HAHA. Take care of yourself physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Be good to yourself. Surround yourself w/ good energy and people who help make u a better person. And if u have thick, wavy, annoyingly course, get it cut every 3 weeks.

For more information visit http://www.artsunitedonline.org/PerformingArtSeries.html