Florida Agenda

By RICHARD DAVID CHAMBERLAIN

We admit it. We’re an absolute sucker for pupu platters—the kind of nibbles that come sized for two or four, and we end up eating all by ourselves. In some places, these are called “tapas,” but at Wilton’s Bier Garden, that just-on-the-bend dive of merriment and sex appeal, these are called “bites.” The Deutsche Sausage Platter is square in size and filling in content, with two German Bratvurst, two Bavarian Weisswurst, and a giant soft pretzel that’s baked to perfection and is pull-apart delicious.

The entire temptation comes with sauerkraut (ask for it heated) and spicy brown mustard for dipping with any and all of the above. For the uninitiated, German Bratvurst is the four-inch long dark sausage that is made of pork, veal, or beef, depending on the city of origin. As for Weisswurst, it’s the sausage that’s lighter in color, a result of the spices more than the meal, and is still typically made of veal or pork. In Germany, there’s a saying that Weisswurst should never be allowed to hear the church bell’s noon chime.

Translation: they are made in the morning, and eaten in the morning. In the Bier Garden version, they are served all night, church bells not withstanding. And at $12 for the platter (that’s supposed to serve two), it’s worth every penny. The bar & grill suggests downing your platter with a bottle of König Ludwig Weissbier Dunkel, a Bavarian Dunkelweizen beer by Schloßbrauerei Kaltenberg brewery, which is always a safe bet where beer is concerned. Ordering it may take some rehearsal, but the results are superb.

The sandwich selection is quite large, and we can safely recommend any of the Garden’s specialty versions, made on an incredible rye bread. When toasted, it has a crunch and texture that delights the palette, regardless of what’s stuffed inside. In our case, we opted for the Bavarian Ruben ($8.00), which should actually be spelled “Reuben,” but who’s keeping track—in this case, with dark Bavarian bread. It involves a deliciously thin-sliced corned beef with aged Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing. Ask for extra dressing, double toasted, and hold your squeals of delight until out of shouting range, lest you embarrass yourself.

That, of course, is hard to do at Wilton’s Bier Garden, which opened a few months back, and has been an instant hit on the Drive. Special events pack the place on a regular basis—our favorites being Sunday night’s “Divas on the Drive,” starring Amanda Austin, and “Super Mug Thursdays,” on the Alfresco Patio. It is at times like those that you want to order the Jumbo Hot Dog with sauerkraut and brown mustard ($7.00). This masterpiece is a showstopper to eat, since it is a tasty foot-long all-beef frankfurter with a six-inch sour-dough roll—giving you six-inches of overhang, and endless material for puns and comments.

The Bier Garden also makes a wonderful tuna melt called the Fisherman ($8.00), which is layered with light tuna salad, sliced tomatoes, and Swiss and Provolone cheese, melted to a brown fresco over artisan bread. The real glory of Wilton’s Bier Garden is its selection of 100 bottled beers and 16 draft favorites, with a selection of unique wines from Europe, North and South America, and Africa, of all places. There are four rooms in the joint: The aforementioned Alfresco Garden Patio , the WBG Bar, the Sky Terrace Lounge, and the VIP Video Lounge. Check them all out, and remember to tell them Agenda sent you.

WILTON MANORS – A heavy morning downpour did nothing to dampen the festivities on Sunday, as Stonewall Summer Pride heralded the first weekend of Summer 2012 into the gay village of Wilton Manors. The street festival—named to honor the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City, which marked the dawn of the modern LGBT rights movement—gave tribute to both the past achievements of LGBT advocates, and to more recent accomplishments, such as the repeal of the Pentagon’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, and the recognition of marriage equality in places across the U.S. A Who’s Who list of business and community leaders, and worldclass performers participated in Stonewall Summer Pride, which kicked off at noon, in spite of heavy rains and the appearance of Tropical Storm Debby, which drenched most of the Sunshine State on Sunday.

The event featured entertainers including Tony Award®-winning singer Jennifer Holliday, entertainer Jonny McGovern (the “Gay Pimp”), performer Tiffany Arieagus, and headlining entertainer Andy Bell, the lead singer for 80s British pop duo Erasure. The Twilight Parade, which capped off the day, kicked off shortly after 7 p.m. It included 70 floats, a pink Broward Sheriff ’s Office (BSO) cruiser, 30 BSO horses, a mile-long rainbow flag sponsored by Jackson Padgett, Mark Negrete, and the staff of Georgie’s Alibi, and Emmy Award®-winning writer Bruce Vilanch, who served as Grand Marshal.

Officials closed Wilton Drive from Dairy Queen at the south end to Wells Fargo Bank at Five Points, and attendees lined both sides of the Drive to observe the spectacle. The evening’s events ended around 11 p.m., with live performances from Bell and others at the main stage near Wilton’s Bier Garden, at the corner of Northeast 6th Avenue. Al Cicotte, President of American Tax and Insurance Services, who attended Stonewall Summer Pride with his partner of 25 years, Kevin Palombo, said that—rain or shine—the event was a huge success, and made a larger point. “Rain or not—thinks are looking very sunny for gay rights,” said Cicotte. “Kevin and I have been coming to these for years all over the country, and hands down, we had the best time today.”

WILTON MANORS 

STONEWALL STREET FESTIVAL

Sunday, June 24, on Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors’ main thoroughfare. The 13th annual Stonewall Street Festival, from 12 to 10 p.m. This year will feature a parade, over 125 exhibitors, activities, and A-List main stage entertainment, all through the day—including Andy Bell from 1980s pop group Erasure, who takes the stage immediately after the Summer Pride Twilight Parade, performing such hits as “A Little Respect” and “Chains of Love.”XXX The street festival will highlight local businesses, and include merchants and sponsors from the fields of health and wellness, recreation and entertainment, travel, community resources, and others. At 7 p.m., the parade kicks off on Northeast 20th Street and will follow Wilton Drive north to its Five Points finale. For more information, visit stonewallsummerpride. org.

 MIAMI 

“THE DONKEY SHOW”/THE ADRIENNE ARSHT CENTER

Described by The New York Times as “Passion. Sex. A Rollicking Cool Party,” “The Donkey Show” opens on Friday, July 13, at the Adrienne Arsht Center’s Ziff Ballet Opera House. The celebrated smash hit is described as “the ultimate night fever—a crazy fun house of disco mirror balls and feathered divas, of roller skaters and hustle queens, enchanted by an ever-so-light sprinkling of Shakespearean magic.”

MIAMI BEACH BRUTHAZ

Thursday, July 19 through Sunday, July 22. Founded in July 2006 as an annual summer lifestyle event for gay men and women from around the world, Miami Beach Bruthaz includes a series of social, educational, and personalized activities that promote unity, camaraderie, and a sense of belonging. The event is focused around central themes of Knowledge, Culture, and Fashion. Miami Beach Bruthaz features an upscale White Party with a celebrity guest, a serious hip hop party, a rooftop pool party, and a men’s fashion show. The Saturday night party features the sounds of Brazil, and Sunday brunch at the Palace on Ocean Drive is surely not to be missed.

For more information, visit shop. miamibeachbruthaz.com.

ST PETE

ST. PETE PRIDE

The 10th Annual St. Pete Pride Street Festival and Promenade returns Saturday, June 30. The diversity of Southwest Florida’s LGBT community and visitors from around the world join local allies, business and community leaders, and supporters for a day of food, fun, dancing, music, and fun. St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District transforms into “Carnivale,” with an attendance estimated near 100,000.

Following in the great tradition of the Stonewall Riots and the start of the modern gay rights movement, St. Pete Pride has grown into one of the country’s largest Pride events. In 2011, the number of attendees topped 90,000.

For more information: stpetepride.com.

KEY WEST

WOMENFEST

20th Annual Womenfest will be held in Key West from September 4 through 9. Parties, dancing, film festival and outings for women.

For more information: womenfest.com.

WILTON MANORS – On Friday, the Florida Diversity Council will hold its inaugural Diversity Summit at The Pride Center at Equality Park, on North Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors, for four hours, beginning at 1:30 p.m. The event’s three interactive sessions will include moderators and seminars that address topics of relevance to the future of the LGBT community, including Equality and Fairness in the Florida Workplace, Gender Identity and Expression in the Workplace, and Creating a Strong Ally Culture and Diversity Supplier Relationships. The latter session will be moderated by Keith Blackburn, President and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (GFLGLCC). Registration for the half-day event is $49.

The non-profit Florida Diversity Council was established in 2008, with a mission to establish and disseminate best practices, and to establish and promote policies that foster diversity and inclusiveness. It has regional chapters in Jacksonville, Orlando, Southwest Florida, Tampa Bay, and South Florida. The GFLGLCC is a 501 C (6) Non Profit organization, which promotes business and economic opportunities for the LGBT and LGBT-friendly community.

For more information and online registration, visit glbtsummit.com.

By Cliff Dunn

(SEE GUIDE  BELOW ARTICLE)

This Sunday, a tradition begun more than four decades ago—one that sparked and continues to energize the modern LGBT Rights movement—returns to South Florida and Greater Fort Lauderdale’s Gay Village, Wilton Manors. The Stonewall Summer Pride 2012 Street Festival kicks off at noon—sharp!—on Sunday, June 24. (For a complete schedule of acts, events, and other important information, visit stonewallsummerpride.com.)

The Gayborhood’s main “drag,” Wilton Drive, will be in all is festive—and savage!—splendor, with live entertainment, world-class DJ/Producers, delicious food and drink, over 125 exhibition booths, and an exclusive Children’s Pride Park. Later, the Stonewall Summer Pride Twilight Parade commandeers the Drive, with fabulous floats, decorative displays, and epic, eye-catching costumes. Immediately after the Twilight Parade, internationally-renowned performers take the stage for the Stonewall Summer Pride Concert, featuring headliner Andy Bell, the lead singer of Billboard Hot 100 act Erasure—called by Insound.com “the definitive synthpop superstars”—whose Top 20 hits include “A Little Respect,” and “Chains of Love.”

The event commemorates the Stonewall riots that took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn, in New York City’s Greenwich Village neighborhood. The demonstrations are frequently cited as the first instance in American history when people in the LGBT community fought back against what they perceived as a government-sponsored system that persecuted sexual minorities, and they have become the defining event that marked the start of the gay rights movement, both in the U.S., and around the world. Today, Gay Pride events are held annually throughout the world toward the end of June to mark the original Stonewall riots.

Six-time Emmy® award-winning comedian Bruce Vilanch serves as Grand Marshal of the Stonewall Summer Pride Twilight Parade, which begins its spectacular cavalcade promptly at 7 p.m., with a parade route running along Wilton Drive, beginning on Northeast 20 Street, and running north to finish at Five Points. Vilanch’s appearance coincides with his starring performance in “Standing on Ceremony,” a collection of eight short plays dealing with the subject of marriage quality. (Performances run from June 21 to 24, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Equality Florida.

Stonewall Summer Pride 2012 is presented by the Rainbow Business Coalition (RBC), and the City of Wilton Manors. Reece Darham, co-chair of the RBC and managing director of Island City Health and Fitness, says that attendees to the event will be entertained by dozens of guest performers, including DJs Maximus 3000 and D-Stu and Maximus 3000. Champagne Bordeaux will showcase a tribute to Donna Summer, and Tiffany will offer a tribute to Whitney Houston. Other performances will feature Alyson Thomas, Asheeria Iconic Pryce, Ashiria, Estehania St. Lords, Krystal K, Mica Parish, Nicole Philips, and Vashai Avionce as well as the wonderful Jennifer Holiday (from the original Broadway cast of “Dreamgirls,” among numerous other international performances).

Immediately after the Twilight Parade, guests will be treated to exciting performances by Johnny McGovern— The Gay Pimp—and Mary Griffin, Patti Labelle’s Secret Weapon, followed by headlining performer Bell. Local favorite Misty Eyes serves as emcee for the concert.

BY RICHARD DAVID CHAMBERLAIN

Galanga Thai Kitchen has been an established haven of gastronomic delights on Wilton Drive for years. And as a result, it’s hardly unusual to find the free valet parking lot full, and patrons, dressed date fancy, waiting to be seated. But on a recent raining Thursday night, we stopped by again when business was light, and discovered what Galanga Restaurant is really about. Without the din of loud clientele and clattering dishes, Galanga becomes an oasis of zen, a tranquil embrace whose touch is feather light, like lying inside a lotus blossom.

The Sushi Bar is backed by an aquarium that sweeps full length across a wall. The splash of color—bright blue and yellow and brilliant red—on fish that glide more than swim in a rhythmic pattern of movement, dance to the sound of jazz that flows rather than pulses its way across the room.

The food has always been wonderfully consistent and while it never arrives at your table with the kind of speed you would like, it’s only because we’re anxious to get to the taste treats that await. Our standard favorites include the always crisp, surprisingly delicate Thai Glazed Chicken Lettuce Wraps ($9.00), with ground chicken, ginger, basil, bell peppers, onions, chestnuts and a plum sauce; as well as the Crab Cake ($12.00), the real deal heaped with lump crabmeat, Thai spices, and served with a piquant aioli.

Recent additions to the menu from the Sushi Bar include the Kobi Tuna Roll ($11.00), a combo of rare tuna wrapped with seaweed, then lightly dusted with tempura and quick fried, topped with tempura flakes, spicy mayo, wasabi cream and masago. Both visually tempting and the kind of roll that makes for dueling chopsticks at the plate, as even the best of friends fight for the last piece.

The Healthy Lobster Wrap ($20.00) brings joy to the table in the form of steamed lobster, spring mix, and avocado, wrapped with a thin rice paper, but no rice. That’s where the “Healthy” comes in. If you’re in the mood for something with a kick, set your mouth on fire with the Cronic Roll ($14.00), an inside out roll, with tuna, masago, green onion, garlic, avocado, asparagus, tempura jalapeno, and aonori. Moving away from the sushi bar and back into the kitchen, the house specialty has always been the Unbelievable Seabass ($28.00), a perfectly grilled Chilean seabass, sauteed with mixed vegetables, and a drizzle of Thai chili sauce.

Try it and become an instant convert. For duck lovers, the Delightful Duck ($23.00) is prepared in a crispy confit, with sauteed mixed vegetables, and a tamarind sauce. For the more traditionalists among us, the various curry dishes available include R ed Curry, with bamboo shoots, red peppers, green peppers and carrots; Green Curry , with green beans, snow peas, zucchini and green peppers; Panang Curry , red and green peppers, green beans and ground peanuts; or Masaman Curry, which adds potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and peanuts.

The Curries are priced according to your entrée selection: Tofu ($14), Chicken, Beef Or Pork ($15), Squid ($16), Shrimp ($16), Mixed Seafood ($19), Scallops ($20)—and all are served with jasmine rice. This particular Thursday we asked our waiter Erik for Three Best Friends ($19.00), a flavorful blend of beef, shrimp and chicken, sautéed mixed vegetables, in a light peanut sauce. The portion is easily enough for two, plus some for the dog, who thought she had died and gone to heaven. Come to think of it, so did we.

WILTON MANORS – Under Florida law, it is unlawful for any person who has HIV, with knowledge of such infection, and having been informed that he or she may communicate it to others through sexual intercourse, to have sexual intercourse with any other person, unless the other person has been informed of the presence of HIV and has consented to the sexual intercourse.

Across the country, as well as closer to home, HIV criminalization laws are becoming of increasing concern to persons living with HIV/AIDS, and their advocates. According to these, fear of legal reprisals has been linked as a factor in preventing people from getting tested for HIV, as well as seeking medical treatment for the condition.

It also fuels the societal stigmas for people living with HIV/AIDS. On Wednesday, a roundtable discussion was held at Wilton Manors’ Hagen Park Community Center, in conjunction with Positively U and the Positive Justice Project, as well as other LGBT rights groups and advocates, including Michael Rainier, executive director of the Florida Democratic LGBT Caucus, and chairman of the Redistricting Steering Committee for the School Board of Broward County.

“HIV Criminalization Laws: How They Hurt the Health of Floridians” was made possible, in part, through the financial support of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, and the Law Offices of George Castrataro.

By RICHARD DAVID CHAMBERLAIN

There once was a Labrador Retriever named Bailey. While Baily died a little over a year ago at the ripe old age of 17, rumor has it that this faithful pet provided the kind of unconditional love that gives the dog breed its reputation as friendly, energetic, good-natured, and smart. You can add to that “wellmeaning,” ‘cause occasionally a Lab will tramp through the garden, root through the garbage or otherwise make a mess of things, while all the while giving you that “I’m really, really sweet” look that insists on forgiveness.

So too is it with Bailey’s Bistro, the new restaurant named after the aforementioned Lab. Able to feed about 40 in comfort, this small and feisty bistro had been open for several months before its recent Grand Opening party a few days back. The place was packed with mostly gals who all seem to know one another and the two female co-owners, and from the noise level being generated—this group knows a great party when they find one.

The menu is basic bistro food, with everything prepared with organic ingredients to order. Translation: expect a wait for the food, and expect it to be harvest fresh. There’s a small bottledbeer menu; an even smaller wine list; and bottled soda and water. The house specialty is sirloin tips. You’ll find it in its Sirloin Tip Marinade ($14), a tasty tender portion served over housemade mashed potatoes, and includes a side salad or soup, plus beans, broccoli or corn. (A lunch portion is $10 without a side dish).

The sirloin tips are back in the bistro’s excellent Hot Cheese Steak Sandwich ($7) with grilled onions, green peppers, mushrooms and cheese (a choice of provolone or mozzarella). Making this entrée extra tempting is the side of housemade potato chips….very crispy and very good. Less exciting is the Turkey Sandwich ($7). While the turkey tasted freshroasted, there wasn’t enough of it to really tell. Ditto, the Italian Sub ($7) with a minimum of Genoa salami, capicota, proschutto and provolone. A foot-long from Subway, this ain’t. The most expensive dish on the menu is the $16 Beef Stroganoff.

We’re Stroganoff fans and would give the version served at Bailey’s Bistro an A for effort, but a C for taste. While the cream sauce is wonderfully flavorful, there’s simply too much of it in proportion to the sirloin beef. We were impressed by the inclusion of Shepherd’s Pie on the menu. At $13, it’s one of Bailey’s best bargains as well as its biggest mystery. Classic Shepherd’s pie is a ground lamb dish. Here the selection is made with ground sirloin (with corn and beans) and topped with mashed potatoes and cheddar cheese. That would officially make is a Cottage Pie in anyone’s cookbook.

Call it what you will, it’s an excellent choice, particularly if you’ve got a hearty appetite. The walls at Bailey’s Bistro are hung with musical instruments—all played by the place’s co-owner Kelly, occasionally on the stage set on the sidewalk side of the restaurant, from which karaoke belts every Friday night.

On Saturdays, Bailey’s is home to various live performances, with the stage available to local musicians who care to have a venue for their talents. Bailey—the lab—has its portrait hung front and center on the north wall, in memory of the Bistro’s namesake. The lab has been replaced by another rescue these days, a mix known as Mocha.

Tell him the Agenda sent you.

WILTON MANORS – Celebrity Chef Art Smith made a surprise visit to Humpy’s Pizza on May 18, stopping by with partner of a dozen years Jesus Salgueiro. The two, who tied the knot in 2010, enjoyed a couple of slices of Humpy’s internationally famous pizza, and sampled the restaurant’s cupcakes that Smith had heard so much about.

Smith, who was private Chef to Oprah Winfrey until 2007, is currently working on a new venture with Lady Gaga— Joanne’s, an Italian trattoria in midtown Manhattan. Smith and his artist spouse were in South Florida to deliver the commencement address at Johnson and Wales University, for its 2012 graduating class. During their sojourn at Humpy’s, Smith logged on to Twitter, and tweeted praise for the restaurant’s garlic shrimp pizza and carrot cupcakes.

WILTON MANORS – On Thursday, June 7, Mayor Gary Resnick will host the Second Annual City of Wilton Manors Small Business Roundtable Breakfast, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at Hagen Park Community Center. Topics will include a discussion of the city’s economic development plans, and questions and answers with Resnick and Wilton Manors Community Development Director Heidi Shafran.

Also in attendance will be local business and networking groups, a small business lending expert, and representatives from the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward Alliance Small Business Assistance Program. A light breakfast will be served. To RSVP, contact to Gina Ray at (954) 390-2120.