Grand Opening

Dynasties of Asia, June 9^th 

Friday, June 9^th will be the Grand Opening of Dynasties of Asia, Inc. a gallery of fine Asian antiques and furnishings.  Even though this gallery will be normally an Appointment Only Gallery, this event is open to the public.  RSVP is required by either calling 954*463-5550 or registering online at www.DynastiesOfAsia.com. 

What Is This?

Cell Phone Art Now Frame-able 

What are you supposed to do with all those great cell phone pictures?  There’s only sooo many that you can send to friends and annoy family with.  Look no further—Parrot now has your solution!  The Parrot Photo Viewer has a 3.5 LCD screen with a variety of different frames such as:  Faux Crocodile, exposed wood, and many more.  The frame can hold up to 100 phone-sized photos with 32 megabytes of memory.  The frame is due out in July and is estimated at $280 and will be available at most retailers.  Don’t fret dirty picture takers—you can freeze it on one picture when your Mother comes to town.  www.parrot.biz/index.php 

Coming to Town

Il Divo

I remember the first time that I was blown away by the music of these four Opera singers.  George’s Alibi had a promotion and giveaway of their CD and my roommate won one.  We LOVED it and you will too!  Their latest CD Ancora and latest DVD Encore is now available in stores and online at www.ildivo.com.   

They will be in concert June 13^th & 14^th at 8pm at the Mizner Park Amphitheatre and is a Fantasma Productions Concert Event— www.fantasma.com.  You can also charge by phone at:  561*966-3309, 954-523-3309, or 305-358-5885.

Do You Have a Heart of Glass? June 15^th 

He Wasn’t Man Enough for Me, June 21^st 

Toni Braxton will be at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise Wednesday, June 21^st.  Tickets are available through www.ticketmaster.com. 

There’s a Redneck Woman Coming! June 29^th 

Gretchen Wilson’s dramatic rise to stardom is well known to fans of her signature country-rock blend.  Come and see her perform her breakthrough single “Redneck Woman” in her Redneck Revolution Tour at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, FL.  Tickets are now on sale, go to www.ticketmaster.com or call 954*523-3309 or go to the Hard Rock Live Box Office which is open from noon to 7pm daily. For more info on Gretchen, visit her fan club website, www.gwfans.com

Who’s Your First Idol?

Kelly Clarkson will be live, onstage Friday, June 30^th at the Sound Advice Amphitheatre.  As part of her Addicted Tour, her Special Guest will be Rooney.  The Amphitheatre is located at 601-7 Sansbury’s Way, West Palm Beach.  Tickets are $25-$75 and can be purchased through www.ticketmaster.com www.livenation.com, or by phone at:  561*966-3309, 954*523-3309, or 305*358-5885.  To get more Kelly info, go to www.kellyclarkson.com. 

Jersey Boys are Back!

Yes, we all survived the BIG HAIR of the 80’s.  If you know that “You Give Love a Bad Name” and feel like you are “Living on a Prayer”—yes Virginia, there is a Bon Jovi!  All four members (John Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Tico Torres, and David Bryan) will be onstage at Hard Rock Live July 10^th  at 8pm.  Tickets are now on sale.   

For further information, call 954*523-3309, www.ticketmaster.com, or stop by the Hard Rock Live Box Office—they are open from noon to 7pm daily.

The Queen of Miami, July 15 

The undisputed Queen of Miami, Gloria Estefan, along with her band the Miami Sound Machine, will be at the American Airlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, Saturday, July 15^th at 10pm.  Tickets are $30-$85 and are available at www.ticketmaster.com. 

Hide Your Fur, July 24^th 

Pink will be performing her latest songs at Revolution, 200 W Broward Blvd, Ft. Lauderdale Monday, July 24.  Tickets are $25 and are available at www.ticketmaster.com. 

Mimi Does Miami, Aug 5^th 

Mariah Carey will be launching The Adventures of Mimi, her first US tour since 2003, Saturday, August 5^th at the American Airlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd, Miami.  Tickets range from $19.50 to $129.50 and go on sale Friday, June 2^nd.  Tickets will be available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or 305*358-5885. 

Calling All Azzmastahs, Friday, August 11^th 

The one and only Margaret Cho will be in concert Friday, August 11^th at 8:30pm at the Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts in Melbourne, FL.  LISP, the greatest gay rapper in the world, will be her Special Guest.  Tickets go on sale THIS FRIDAY [June 2^nd] at 10am so call the Ticket Office at 321*242-2219 or www.ticketmaster.com.

Melissa Etheridge Live Saturday, August 19^th  8pm 

New Greatest Hits CD “The Road Less Traveled” in stores now!

Tickets available at Ticketmaster locations or you can charge by phone:  305-358-5885 / 954-523-3309 / 561-966-3309 or www.ticketmaster.com. 

Mizner Park Amphitheater is in Boca Raton and this is a Fantasma Productions Concert Event.  For further information go to www.fantasma.com or www.melissaetheridge.com

Her Hips Don’t Lie, Sep 16^th 

Shakira and Wyclef have added a second show 7:30pm on September 16^th at the American Airlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd, Miami.  Tickets are $19.50-$87 and you can get them through www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 786*777-1250. For more info about Shakira: www.shakiraheaven.com

The Chicks Will be in Town, Oct 7^th 

Local Theatre Buzz

I’m Scared, Until June 11^th 

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf a story about a married couple living in a faculty house of a small New England college invite the new professor and his wife over for a nightcap and fun and games.  This play is being performed at Dreamworks on 322 Banyan Blvd in West Palm Beach.  Tickets are $35-$38 and can be purchased by phone at 561*514-4042 or on the web at www.palmbeachdramaworks.org. 

Beehive Found at Stage Door Theatre, May 26^th thru June 25^th 

Beehive, the 60’s musical sensation, will be at The Stage Door Theatre May 26^th thru June 25^th with big hair and bigger hits. 

The Stage Door Theatre is located on 26^th right across from Wilton Station in the Old Florida Seafood House Plaza.  For times and tickets, call 954*344-7765.

Things on Display

ArtsUnited's United and Proud Exhibit Opens June 7

The 2006 United & Proud Exhibit will open this Wednesday, June 7^th at the Gallery Six in the Broward County Main Library on 100 South Andrews Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale.  United & Proud will feature over 50 artists and will include: paintings, watercolors, photography, mixed media, and three-dimensional works.  South Florida’s Lambda Chorale’s Tropic Harmony will perform at around 7:30pm.  For more information, call 954*530-2723 or to find out more about ArtsUnited go to www.artsunitedonline.org. 

Queens & Kings, Until July 17^th 

June is Gay Pride Month.  Art Center South Florida is hosting an exhibit of gay iconography through:  photographs, paintings, and a variety of different mediums.  This will be on exhibit through July 17^th at the Miami Beach City Hall Public Gallery, 4^th Floor, at 1700 Convention Center Drive.  For further information call 305*674-8278 or 305*538-7887. 

ARTe ABSTRACTo, May 27^th thru June 29^th 

Art Expression Gallery is hosting an ARTe ABSTRACTo exhibit and there will be an opening reception at 7pm Saturday, May 27^th at the gallery that is located at 1212 NE Fourth Ave, Ft. Lauderdale.  For further information call 954*527-7770.   

Signals/Senales, Until June 11^th 

The Art and Culture Center of Hollywood offers a timely and spirited exhibit of works by more than 30 contemporary Mexican artists.  Some of the artists are schooled, but many are self-taught, such as the factory workers who, under the guidance of photojournalist Adrian Caldera, have learned to fashion pinhole cameras from boxes and other found objects.  This exhibit runs through June 11^th.   

The Art and Culture Center of Hollywood is located at 1650 Harrison Street, Hollywood.  For more information call 954*921-3274 or go to www.artandculturecenter.org. 

China Change, Until June 18, 2006 

On exhibit at the Boca Raton Museum of Art is now showing Documenting China:  Contemporary Photography and Social Change.  The exhibition is a collection of 57 dramatic works by seven contemporary Chinese photographers that reveal the essence of that nation from an insider’s point of view.  This show is organized by the Bates College Museum of Art and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service.   While you are there, check out Edward Burtynsky:  The China Series that contain 20 new large-scale color photographs from recent trips to China and Pop Prints that are works from the permanent collection of Andy Warhol, Roy Lichetenstein, Jim Dine, and others.   

The Boca Raton Museum of Art is located at 501 Plaza Real, Mizner Park and you can contact them at 561-392-2500 or www.bocamuseum.org.  

 Titanic:  The Artifact Exhibit, Until October

This exhibit chronicles the journey of RMS Titanic from its design and construction through its fateful maiden voyage and sinking, to the scientific recovery efforts.   

The Miami Museum of Science and Space Transit Planetarium is located on 3280 South Miami Avenue, Miami.  You can contact them at 305*646-4200 or www.miamisci.org. 

8^th Annual Native American Music Awards, June 8^th 

Tickets are now on sale for the Eighth Annual Native American Music Awards, which will be held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL on Thursday, June 8^th.  It is Hosted by Comedians James and Ernie and there will be musical performances by: Arvel Bird, Douglas Blue Feather, Eagle & Hawk, Wade Fernandez, and many more with Special Guests Rita Coolidge and Little Steven.  Tickets are available at the Box Office, www.ticketmaster.com.  For further information go to www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com or www.nammys.com. 

Batwoman is Lipstick! 

DC Comics is changing the Lesbian stereotype and going mainstream and Politically Correct.  Batwoman has been resurrected as a Lipstick Lesbian who fights crime.  She first appeared in 1956 but then was killed off in 1979.  Alex Ross, designer of the new Batwoman, says that DC Comics is changing with the times.  Blue Beetle will be Latino instead of White, and The Great Ten will be crime-fighting Asians.  Just in time for the next Batman movie—Angelina Jolie comes to mind [I don’t see Alicia Silverstone tonguing another girl, even if she is bad.]

Illustration provided by DC Comics

Final Bows

Katherine Dunham, a dance pioneer known for melding Afro-Caribbean and classical styles died May 21^st in New York at the age of 96.  She was a Civil Rights Activist that started the Dunham School of Dance & Theatre.  Students included James Dean and Marlon Brando.  “People appreciate that I opened doors.”—Dunham in People 2005. 

Photo Courtesy of Nic Paget Clarke

Ambigrams on Display at Drexel University

John Langdon created the ambigrams for both the book and the movie The DaVinci Code that are stylized symbols that read as mirror images of themselves and loosely based as Tom Hanks character in the movie.  Langdon, a mild-mannered Professor at Philadelphia’s Drexel University, is an expert on typography who met author Dan Brown years ago when they worked together on an album cover.  Both men share an interest in religious history and zymology.  The ambigrams are in the book and movie and are now on special exhibit at Drexel University now through June 23^rd. 

Skintight, Thursday, June 8^th 

Greg Thompson Productions is holding auditions Thursday, June 8^th at 1pm at the Paradise Theatre at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL.  Skintight is direct from Las Vegas, and they are looking for strong and professionally trained dancers and singers.  Female Dancers are at 1pm, Male Dancers are at 2pm, Female Singers are at 3pm, and Male Singers are at 4pm.  Females must audition in heels and dress in your hottest look and Men need kneepads and look hot as well.  Singers bring two selections, preferably Rock or Pop tracks. For more information contact Connie Corrick, Casting Director at 206*281-0885.  If you make it, make sure I get tickets!

Shakespeare in the Park 

The Color Purple 

This is a sentimental musical retelling the story of Alice Walker’s novel about what it was like growing up poor, black, and female in the South in the early 1900’s.  The Oprah has the honor, since not being in the performance, to be Lead Producer and has LaChanze as the star role.  You can catch this at the Broadway Theatre at 1681 Broadway at 53^rd Street and can call 212*239-6200 for further information.  Pictured: Felicia P. Fields and La Chanze in a scene from The Color Purple (photo © Paul Kolnik)

E. Robert Dunn Does It Again! 

E. Robert Dunn, creator and writer of the series Echelon’s End has just published his latest book PlanetFall.  Click here to read my interview with Mr. Dunn and learn more about this interesting and unique individual. To read Stephen's interview with E Robert Dunn, Click Here.

Sing Me A Song

Paris Wants to Know If You Think I’m Sexy 

Paris Hilton, known for such things as her catch phrase “That’s Hot” wants to know if you think she’s sexy—then just let her know.  Paris has a debut album arriving shortly that will be a mix of: Reggae, Pop, Hip-Hop, and the first single titled, “Stars Are Blind.”  She also remade the infamous Rod Stewart disco song “Do You Think I’m Sexy?”  She says that she wants the album to have something for everyone and that she wrote the lyrics for seven of the songs, but do we need night vision goggles for the videos?

She IS The Talk of the Town 

Beverly [Bev] McClellan and Billy, the amazing vocalists who perform Saturdays at New Moon will be on hand to talk, sing, drink, and take you on a journey.  At first glance you see what Avril Lavine sings about in “Skater Boy”—but don’t let looks fool ya—she can sing like Melissa Etheridge.  After listening to her CD Talk of the Town, I’m a fan!  Carol from New Moon says, “…catch these guys for free while you can, chances are they will be up on a national stage soon!”

We Are Family, June 17^th & 18^th

The Ft. Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus will be onstage Saturday, June 17^th and Sunday, June 18^th [Stonewall Street Festival] at the Amaturo Theatre at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.  The Chorus is celebrating their 20^th Anniversary with a concert “We Are Family” which will contain poignant ballads to Rock & Roll, Ballroom Dancing to a Country Hoe-Down.  You will see that they come from all walks of life, each walking this journey together as one family.  Tickets are now available thru Box Office at 954*462-0222 or online at http://www.fortlauderdalegaymenschorus.org/concert_tickets_new.htm

Museum of the Week

Morikami Museum 

The Morikami Garden is one of the largest Japanese gardens outside of Japan.  It features rare 16^th and 17^th century armor and 17^th and 18^th century folding screens and also offers classes in flower arranging, ink painting, The Tea Ceremony, bonsai care, Origami, and lessons on the Japanese language.  The Morikami Museum is located at 4000 Morikami Park Road in Delray Beach.  For further information you can call them at 561*495-0233 or at www.Morikami.org. 

Turkey Hill Asking $9M 

Domestic Diva Martha Stewart is selling her famous Westport, CT estate, Turkey Hill and asking $9M [her and ex-husband paid $50,000 in 1971.]  Newly renovated [yearly], sits on four acres, and has a heated pool, and party barn—just not her furniture.  I would imagine if she could spend months on House Arrest there it must be a good thing.  

Editors note: We couldn't find a pic of the house that it would be legal to use, so you get to look at the Diva herself. Photo from www.marthastewart.com

At Java Boys one of my favorite new friends Bubba of Bubba Clicks Digital Photography is on display.  To see his work and read my review of his last show down in Hollywood at The Gallery of the Unknown Artist click here.  While at Storks Wilton Manors check out Angela Farinelli who’s famous now for her comic style cowboys and latest…cowgirls!  Click here to read my review and bio of Angelina.  Click here and see the New Moon and check out my review of owner Carol’s Wine & Art Nite with artisans Debbie Forsmith and Karen Friedman (aka Weavegrrl).  Don’t forget to go and stop in at Items 2 Envy and see owner Keith Myers who has Miami’s own Rosello.  Click here to see some of Rosello’s work from the store.