Florida Agenda

By Dale Madison

It’s hard to believe that Wilton Manors Art Walk is now turning seven years old. What began as an art gallery owner’s vision to entice residents to stroll along “the Drive” for an evening of art, wine, and cheese has become a call to action to explore everything that Wilton Manors has to offer, with a new group of owners having plans to grow Art Walk into a citywide event.

Those new owners will look awfully familiar to many locals, as the event was purchased by the Wilton Manors Development Alliance (WMDA) President and CEO, Krishan Manners, and his right hand, WMDA Vice President, Tony LoGrande.

“We would like the Island City Art Walk to expand to encompass the whole city of Wilton Manors, not just Wilton Drive,” says Manners, the event’s new co-owner. “We want to encourage other businesses across the city to get involved in ‘the Walk,’ particularly along Dixie Highway.’” “Over the past six years, it has grown consistently, and we want to see it grow even more,” adds LoGrande.

Art Walk started as a way to expose people who were walking along the Drive to the street’s many art galleries. But just as the Walk kicked off, so did the economic collapse. That didn’t influence the new owners, whose fervor and “drive” is bound to make a difference.

“We don’t want this to be a craft fair but a chance for local artists to come out and show their talents,” Manners explains. “We want to showcase local talent, and we want to sustain this for the community and show the diversity of art.”

Says LoGrande, “We were concerned that if Island City Art Walk were to end, it would be one of those monthly events during season that so many people look forward to, and it is truly a networking event for so many, and also a social event where neighbors get out at a time when the weather is so nice.”

The first Island City Art Walk is scheduled for November 16, and then on the third Friday of every month through April. Galleries or individual artists can get more information by emailing Info@islandcityartwalk.com, or visit Facebook, Island City Art Walk.

“This is a real call to action,” LoGrande says. “We really want to reenergize those talented people in the area to come on board. We want to see more galleries on the Drive, but we also want to see other businesses get involved and host showings of local artists.”

“Through our work at WMDA, we are in the process of finding sponsors to bring the Full Sails Fort Lauderdale project into Wilton Manors,” says Manners. “These boats are 7’ high and 5’ long, and we will have local artists paint them with their special talents and they will be displayed, similar to the ‘Cow Parade’ in Chicago. It would be great to have these lining Wilton Drive – they would benefit the community with art and the businesses with another attraction for visitors.”

Fort Lauderdale

GARDEN OF LIGHTS

Flamingo Gardens, 3750 S Flamingo Road, Davie, presents Garden of Lights beginning Nov. 26. The botanical gardens and historic Wray Home are decked out with thousands of lights, decorations, and holiday music fills the air. Each Saturday and Sunday in December, the Gardens will remain open until 6 p.m. so guests may enjoy the lights at dusk. Each weekend will also bring concerts and performances and visits from Santa, which are all complimentary with admission to the Gardens.

“STARS THRU MY LENS”

Photographer Bob Deutsch’s exhibit “Stars Thru My Lens,” will be presented at Dennis Dean Galleries Nov. 19 through the end of December. There will be a Meet the Artist reception on Friday, Nov. 19, from 7 p.m.to 9 p.m. at the gallery, 2440-B Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors. Deutsch began shooting photos of movie stars in the ’60s. As a resident of New York City, he was able to get up close and personal with many stars by hanging around Broadway theatres. He later began freelancing for Time, Newsweek and People magazines. His exhibit includes photos from this time period with shots of Barbra Streisand, Carol Burnett, Bette Midler, Tony Danza, Kevin Bacon, Liz Taylor and many more.

 ISLAND CITY ART WALK

 Island City Inc. announces the fifth season of the Island City Art Walk. The art walk will resume on Nov. 19 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and takes place the third Friday of each month through April. The Art Walk takes place along Wilton Drive, with participants including galleries, eclectic stores, cafes, boutiques and upscale restaurants, which will host over 40 local artists. This is a grassroots collaboration bringing culture and business together for the public to enjoy

Miami

GAY & LESBIAN WALKING TOURS OF SOUTH BEACH

The Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (MDGLCC) and the Miami Design Preservation League present a 90-minute guided Gay & Lesbian Walking Tour of South Beach on Friday, Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. The tour departs from the MDGLCC offices at Historic City Hall, 1130 Washington. Ave., Ste. 100, Miami Beach and ends at TWIST, 1057 Washington. Ave. Reservations are not required. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at MDGLCC or at MDPL’s Art Deco Welcome Center at Ocean Dr. and 10th Street. The tour is free to MDPL and MDGLCC members. For more information, call (305) 531-3484 or (305) 673-4440.

 MIAMI-DADE GAY & LESBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS BUILDERS LUNCHEON MDGLCC

presents their monthly networking program for the Upper Eastside/Midtown area membership group on Thursday, Nov. 18. The event will take place at Soyka’s, 5556 NE Fourth Court, Miami. Dr. Gregg Pizzi will be the moderator. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. with luncheon/networking from noon to 1 p.m. Cost: MDGLCC members $30 per person, potential members $40 per person ($10 credited toward new MDGLCC membership) including sitdown luncheon. The event is limited to 20 people and RSVP is requested. For more information, call (305) 673-4440 or e-mail mdglcc@bellsouth.net

KOOZA — CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

 Cirque du Soleil returns to Miami with its latest big top touring production, Kooza. LGBT Community Night (15% off Tickets; excluding VIP) will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 23 under the trademark blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau (Big Top) at Miami’s Bicentennial Park, 1075 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. Kooza is a return to the origins of Cirque du Soleil. It combines two circus traditions – acrobatic performance and the art of clowning. Cast Party follows across the street. For more information, call (305) 358-7750.H

Bay Area

SAWMILL CAMPING RESORT

 A “Taste” of Sawmill with tasting and auction on Saturday, Nov. 19 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The resort is located at 21710 U.S. Highway 98, Dade City. Cost is $5 per person.

 HOLIDAY HOOPLA!

Don’t get your tinsel in a tangle. It’s time to get your holiday cheer in gear. Feeling Scrooge-y? A fun-filled festival will do the trick. The Gulfport Merchants Association presents the Second Annual Holiday Hoopla on Dec. 11 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event is sponsored by Bright House Networks, the City of Gulfport and The Gulfport Chamber of Commerce. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit Operation Santa, The Gulfport Senior Center Foundation, and Get Rescued. Admission is free. Brighten your holidays with a visit to Beach Boulevard in Gulfport at the Holiday Hoopla. For more information, call (727) 322-5217 or visit www.gulfportma. com.

 MR. ULTIMATE ILLUSIONIST PAGEANT

Come to this year’s Mr. Ultimate Illusionist Pageant on Friday, Nov. 19 from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. at the Flamingo Resort, 4601 34th Street S., St. Petersburg. For more information about this exciting event, call (727) 321-5000.

FLAMINGO TURNABOUT

The first-ever turnabout at the Flamingo Resort. All the money raised will go to benefit A.S.A.P. See the staff dressed up and performing. Thursday, Dec. 9 from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. at the Flamingo Resort, located at 4601 34th St. S. in St. Petersburg 

Central Florida

“PENNIES FROM HEAVEN” EVENT

This Friday, Nov. 19 is the biggest red carpet event of this year, “Pennies from Heaven.” Kick off the holiday season with us.

Tickets for sale at the door or you can purchase tickets at Oakwood Mortgage, 811 N Orange Ave., Orlando, or at any McDonald’s Orlando locations. The event will feature Circus Solei acts, hosted by Angel Models. All proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida. Dress code is Hampton’s Style White Party. The event takes place from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at House, 110 Osceola Court, Winter Park.

NICE JEWISH GIRLS GONE BAD & THE FLORIDA SUNSHINE TOUR

Nice Jewish Girls Gone Bad is a refreshing mix of comedy, music, spoken-word and show-stopping burlesque, featuring the gals who learned to smoke at Hebrew School, got drunk at their Bat-Mitzvahs and would rather have more schtuppa than the chupah, featuring performers seen on Comedy Central, HBO and Late Night TV. The event takes place on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. at Vain, 22 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. Tickets are $17 in advance and $20 at the door. For more information, call (407) 835-3590.

SATURDAY NIGHT GAY & LESBIAN BOWLING LEAGUE

Saturday, Nov. 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Colonial Lanes, 400 N. Primrose, Orlando. For more information, call (407) 896-1443 or e-mail Donnie1962@aol.com.

 “SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER”

Nov. 19 – Dec. 19 This boisterous comedy of mistaken identities has delighted audiences for over two centuries with its gorgeous language, elegant costumes, and outright hilarity. Sparks fly when young urbanite Charles Marlow arrives at a country estate to court Kate Hardcastle, only to take her father for an innkeeper and her for a saucy barmaid. Performances at the Mad Cow Theatre, 105 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. Tickets are $24 regular and $22 for seniors/students. Call (407) 297-8788.