On Display

Shock Treatment 

At The Art and Culture Center of Hollywood you can catch their latest show entitled Shock Treatment.  This is a site-specific installation by Pepe Mar to be shown in the new Project Room as part of the Focus South Florida series.  This provides a new exhibition space for emerging regional talent.  This will run through October 14^th and for more information go to www.ArtandCutlureCenter.org or call them at 954-921-3274.  The Center is located at 1650 Harrison Street in Hollywood

Fire and Ice 

At the Leche-Vitrines Art Alliance you can catch their latest show entitled, Fire and Ice.  The show, is a one-man exhibit of Miami artist Keith Smith that contains more than 30 new pieces from his collection.  The Leche-Vitrines Gallery is located at 3038 N Federal Highway, Times Square Design Plaza, in Fort Lauderdale.  For more information and directions, call them at 954-563-2993. 

Guillermo Trujillo 

Currently, at The Boca Raton Museum of Art in Mizner Park, you can find Panamanian  Master Guillermo Trujillo’s work on display.  Guillermo, born in 1927 in Horconcitos, has been a leading artist of their Modern Movement.  He always strives for a harmony between humans and nature and works towards a universal vision.  His work is on display until November 4^th.  For more information, go to www.bocamuseum.org. 

Sylvester Q at Storks 

Currently, at Stork’s Bakery & Café in Wilton Manors the ArtsUnited Artist of the Month is photographer SylvesterQ.  This exhibit is at the 2505 NE 15^th Avenue location and will be up until September 29^th and is free and open to the public.  SylvesterQ has been featured in the prestigious Leslie Lohman Art Foundation, a variety of magazines, and catalogs and recently has been displayed at many charitable events for such organizations as:  The Pet Project, Stonewall Library and Archives, Shadowland, and Bound South.  For more information about him, go to www.SylvesterQ.com. 

Glen Mitchell at Stonewall  

The ArtsUnited Artist of the Month for the Stonewall Library and Archives this month is Glen Mitchell.  Glenn, a longtime South Florida resident, has been featured in many exhibits locally and around the world and has received high acclaim for his sensual portraits and provocative male nudes.  Some of his black and whites have been used in Fit Together, Male Nude Now, Naked, Male Nude Index, Male Nude Next, and The Romantic Male Nude.  Glen has a background in modeling, dance, and the arts and uses the camera to create sensual images of the human form.  The Stonewall Library and Archives is located at 1717 North Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale and the show will be on display until September 29^th.  For more information about Glenn, go to www.glenmitchell.com or his blog site www.miamiglen.com. 

Pride Factory Now Open!

If you haven’t heard by now, Pride Factory has moved to it’s home now at 13^th and Dixie Highway location.  Within it’s new location, you will find a great array of designers—however, more are to come!  With ample amount of space now, they are able to focus on more of the sections they had limited space for before—until now!  Watch, within the next couple of weeks, you will see an expanding clothing line that will compete with anything around.  Expect more variety, styles, and labels from your very own Pride Factory within the weeks to come!

The Beloved Son 

Imagine the thought of having to take care of your parents when they get old.  What do you do when they realize it and want to move into a senior community?  Within the pages of The Beloved Son you will see the struggles there are from the married with a family perspective as well as the single and gay and obligated to take care of the parents.  I know from first-hand knowledge what it is like being around a family member with growing dementia, and the struggles and stress it can take on a family but who has the biggest strain?  Is it the son who lives far away and visits or the son who is there day-in and day-out?  Jay Quinn weaves a story that portrays a family’s ability to cope with life’s ever-changing moments, both delicate and momentous.

Skull & Rock

Do you like the Ozzie Osbourne motif as far as a decorating style?  Are you sometimes called “unconventional?”  Well, do I have a product for you!  At www.megmathews.co.uk or www.urbanlifestyles.co.uk you can custom order personalized wallpaper.  These made-to-order prints come in a variety of gothic skull motifs that will make your Grandmother cringe!

Stella Vine 

Ok, imagine an ex-stripper who now has pieces at the Modern Art Museum at Oxford?  Interested?  Well, Stella Vine has been painting since 2003 and has a wide variety of pieces including a painting of Princess Diana.  She apparently has alienated the art world with her edginess but is on display until September 23^rd.  Sometimes bad press is better than no press!

Soweto Wine 

No, that is not a typo for Sweeto Wines, this is a company that fosters and promotes black wine growers, harvesters, and sellers out of the Soweto Township in South Africa.  Imagine the town that Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu battled against apartheid is now getting recognition for The Soweto Wine Festival!  After a business trip to Johannesburg, Selena Cuffe, a California native and no stranger to wine events, heard about the Festival—a festival of black wine aficionados!She was saddened to learn that the wines she tasted were barely distributed within South Africa and almost never heard of in the United States. From that an idea was born and her husband Khary launched Heritage Link Brands, which has a family of ten wines from the Western Cape all of which are produced by blacks who own the land or facilities or brand.  Just to let you know, their projected 2007 revenue is $1.2M and there are plans in the works for adding another eight brands to its portfolio.  For more information about them and this amazing company, go to www.HeritageLinkBrands.com.  

Local Theatre Gigs

Sweeney Todd, January 1^st 

Tickets are now on sale for the January 1^st performance of The Demon Barber of Fleet Street—Sweeney Todd.  This musical thriller will take you places you don’t want to go with catchy songs and amazing performances.  You can purchase tickets online at www.carnivalcenter.org or www.broadwayacrossamerica.com.  This show runs Janurary 1^st through January 6^th. 

Two Boys in Bed 

The local Sol Theatre Company is proud to host Two Boys in Bed Together on a Cold Winters Night.  This is the story of two guys, Daryl and Peter who meet up and see if they are compatible if what they really want is something else.  Featuring the likes of Angel Perez and newcomer John Santos, The Sol Theatre will be steaming this season!  Previews begin on Friday, September 14^th, so call 954-801-9207.  The Theatre is located at 1140 N Flagler Drive (around the corner from Bill’s Filling Station) and you can go to www.SolTheatre.com for more information. 

Romeo & Juliet, October 10^th through 13^th 

Rising Action Theatre Has Some Men, Opening September 28^th 

Locally owned and recently housed Rising Action Theatre will have a Grand Opening on September 28^th for their latest production entitled Some Men.  This will be their first production their own space at 840 East Oakland Park Blvd in Fort Lauderdale.  The space, which can accommodate 100 seats, is the brainchild of troupe leader David Goldyn.  Some Men tells the story of a gay wedding  and will run through November 9^th.  For tickets or more information, contact them at 800-595-4849. 

South Park Meets Desperate Housewives 

The Great American Trailer Park Musical features a cast of saucy characters that spoof the lives and loves of Florida’s most “exclusive” trailer park community—Armadillo Acres.  With an appealing and sparkling score this musical runs the gamut from Country balladry to Pop, R&B, and Rock & Roll.  Some of the characters include:  Pippi who is a saucy stripper with a heart of gold, loony Duke, Norbert the toll booth collector, as well as Jeannie the agoraphobic.  The show begins on February 21^st and runs through February 24^th, 2008 and tickets are available online at http://www.browardcenter.org. 

David’s Café 

You know those places that you walk past all the time and never go in?  Well, in South Beach, just a block away from Lincoln Road is a treasure known as David’s Café.  As I was told years ago, Don’t eat at a Chinese restaurant unless there are Chinese eating there.  I did not have to worry about this—for it seems the perfect long-time establishment that is known for its Cuban Sandwiches.   

As you sit you automatically feel The Fishbowl Effect—everyone passing by is watching you.  Even though they have a wonderful full menu, it would be crazy NOT to get a Cuban Sandwich—but don’t fret, they won’t look down on you for ordering something else!  The Cuban, is literally amazing, fresh and topped off with Shoestring Potatoes—just to clog your arteries. 

David's Cafe 1654 Meridian Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139 • (305) 672-8707 and 1058 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139 • (305) 534-8736

Boys Night Out at Melting Pot, Wednesday, September 19^th

On Wednesday, September 19^th, The Melting Pot of Fort Lauderdale will be holding their monthly Boys Night Out.  For only $25, you will receive a three-course fondue dinner, fashion show by Dillard's, door prizes, and gift bags with products from Clinique and Paul Mitchell, coupons from Michael Leigh Salon and much more!  Reservations are required and the price does not include tax and gratuity.  This happens every month on the third Wednesday.  The Melting Pot is located at 1135 N Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale and can be contacted at 954-568-1581.  Dip into something different! 

Spoken Word Café, Wednesday, September 19^th 

The Spoken Word Café at The Art Center of South Florida will be hosting a free event on Wednesday, September 19^th starting at 7:30pm.  This is an even that helps foster community and promotes local talent. The Art Center of South Florida is located at 800 Lincoln Road in Miami Beach.  For more information go to www.flcenterlitarts.com or call them at 305-237-3940. 

Gold Coast Opera 

It was recently released the dates of three upcoming Operas that will be performed for The Gold Coast Opera and their three-show season.  First will be Tosca opening January 22^nd, followed by Madame Butterfly opening February 19^th, and finishing up with La Travisata on March 18^th.  The GCO will play at various venues such as:  The Broward Center’s Amaturo Theater, Palm Beach Community College Eissey Theatre, and The Florida Atlantic University Kaye Auditorium.  For more information, go to www.browardcenter.org.

Palm Beach Opera 

The Palm Beach Opera has announced their line-up for the upcoming 2007-2008 Season.  Beginning on December 7^th will be Giacomo Puccini’s Turnadot, followed by Beethoven’s Fidelio on January 25^th, then Donizetti’s L’Elisir D’Amore on February 22^nd and finishing up with Verdi’s La Traviata on March 28^th.  Single tickets are available starting at $23 and are available www.pbopera.org or by phone at 561-833-7888. 

Tickets for the international sensation Stomp are on sale.  For anyone that has never seen any of their shows or caught any of their countless specials on HBO/Showtime, you will have no idea what I am talking about.  Imagine this, people making music out of anything and everything.  This show will have people using 55-gallon drums as stilts, hubcaps and metal garbage can lids as cymbals, and my favorite, large straw Janitor brooms as both snare drums and sticks, this is a show not to be missed!  For tickets go to www.carnivalcenter.org or www.broadwayacrossamerica.com   

Water Water Everywhere…. 

Have you noticed the new funky white and green store on Wilton Drive?  Well, the owners of URB Market at 2163 Wilton Drive have got some water for you!  While boasting the fact that they have the largest and most extensive bottled water collection, this is something you have GOT to check out!  They have VOSS from Norway, Gerolsteiner from Germany, Cape Karoo from South Africa, Badoit from France, and I personally had Speyside Glenlivet from Scotland.  I didn’t get a Broage afterwards, but I was quite happy.  As part of their Grand Opening on Saturday October, 20^th, they will have a Water Station set up with comparison tastings, information, and of course—free water!    URB Market is also your home for current magazines, organic fruits and vegetables, as well as imported organic products not found around town. 

Kelly’s Back

I guess things have been smoothed out between American Idol Kelly Clarkson and her management team because now they have announced the November 29^th concert date.  Starting at 7:30pm you can catch Kelly in all her glory at the Mizner Park Amphitheater in Boca Raton.  She will feature Special Guest Jon McLaughlin and will be singing off her latest album My December as well as her other two albums to bring you to your feet and scream Never Again!!!!!  For more information go to www.kellyclarkson.com. 

Miami Symphony Orchestra, Friday, October 5^th 

On Friday, October 5^th, at 8pm, The Miami Symphony Orchestra will have their Grand Opening Gala Concert.  This will be the first performance of the year for the MSO and will be highlighted by Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.  This will all take place at the Knight Concert Hall of the Carnival Center for the Performing Arts.  Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased through www.miamisymphony.org, www.carnivalcenter.org or by phone at 305-275-5666.  The Carnival Center is located at 1300 Biscayne Blvd in Miami. 

Rhythm Nation, Friday, October 5^th  

On Friday, October 5^th, beginning at 8pm, The Rhythm Nation will present Federico Britos & Esperanza Spalding Trio.  This violin virtuoso is well versed in all forms of jazz as well as Cuban music, Tango, Bossa Nova, Candombre, and Classical music.  This will also feature Special Guests David Sanchez and others.  This will all take place at The Manuel Artime Theatre which is located at 900 SW 1^st Street in Miami and tickets are available at all Books & Books locations and is a featured part of their 25^th Anniversary celebration month! 

Tegan & Sara, November 13^th  

On November 13^th, the Lesbian twin duo Tegan & Sara will take to the stage at Fort Lauderdale’s very own The Culture Room. For those who do not know, The Culture Room is located in the plaza that is in the Southwest corner or Oakland Park Blvd and US1/Federal Highway that has Fernanda’s.  I definitely suggest going with a friend or three, and if you want, you can always email me! 

Havana Abierta 

On Saturday, October 27^th, the Miami-Dade County Auditorium will be the setting of the return of Habana Abierta.  Tickets are now on sale for their 8pm performance and tickets are available online at www.ticketmaster.com an start at $34.  For further information call 305-358-5885.

Mrs. & Mr. Lopez, November 2^nd & 3^rd  

Isn’t it wonderful when one person is a star and the other is a star (but not SOOO big) and the big one helps out the little one?  Well, after marrying, then acting, and singing, dynamic Latin duo Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony will be on tour together!  Jennifer has a new album coming out and the foirst song below. On November 2^nd and 3^rd, the couple will take the stage at The American Airlines Arena at 8pm and sing her—I mean their songs.  Tickets can be found at www.ticketmaster.com. 

Queer Riot 

Edison Farrow of South Beach Social Group is proud to announce the arrival of a night of comedy now called Queer Riot on Saturday, October 13^th.  This show will have funnyman Bruce Vilanch, the hysterical Judy Tenuta, and Drag sensation The Lady Bunny taking The Guzman Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets will be onsale starting September 8^th at www.ticketmaster.com at 10am.  For more information about Lady Bunny, go to www.ladybunny.net or Judy Tenuta at www.judytenuta.com.   

Albita, October 4^th 

For those of you that missed the amazing live two-hour performance of Cuban sensation Albita at Score on South Beach last Tuesday, you can now catch her as she takes the Knight Center stage on Thursday, October 4^th.  Be forewarned—she no speak English!  (I met her!) You could have paid $20 and been within 50 feet of her—but I guess you can now pay $48- $70 and use binoculars!

Maná, Friday, October 12^th 

On Friday, October 12^th, Maná will take the stage at The American Airlines Arena in their Amar Es Combatir World Tour.  Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 305-358-5885. 

Celtic Woman, October 18^th 

On Thursday, October 18^th, one of my favorite female groups, Celtic Woman will take the American Airlines Arena stage for a One Night Only concert not to be missed.  Click here to read my review of their March 2006 visit to The Broward Center. Tickets are on sale at www.ticketmaster.com or the Box Office at 786-777-1250. 

Anúna, November 28^th 

The Parker Playhouse is proud to announce their latest production of the singing troupe Anúna in their latest show entitled Celtic Origins.  This show promises to be both magical, mystical, as well as emotional and will bridge the gap between Classical, Pop, and World Music.  Known as the original vocal group for Riverdance, Anúna have  performed ethereal harmonies with the likes of:  Sting, Elvis Costello, and The Chieftains.  For tickets or more information, go to www.parkerplayhouse.com or call them at 954-462-0222. 

She’s Baaaaack, October 7^th

If you missed the one and only Broadway Diva Patti LuPone a couple of months ago, you can join your friends who did go when she returns to the Carnival Center for the Performing Arts on October 7^th.  The one-woman show titled Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda has gotten rave reviews and is worth the acclaim.  After ending this summer as Momma Rose in the City Center’s Encores production of Gypsy, Patti will continue touring around the country.  For tickets and more information, go to www.carnivalcenter.org. 

Tori Amos, Wednesday, November 21^st

On Wednesday, November 21^st, famed singer and influencer of lives Tori Amos will take the Kravis Center’s Dreyfoos Hall stage at 8pm.  Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster locations and online at www.ticketmaster.com.  For more information about the concert go to www.fantasma.com, www.kravis.org, or www.toriamos.com.  If you get the chance, ask Daisy Deadpetals how she got her name!

The Neville Brothers 

The infamous group of the 80’s who gave us great hits such as Lady in Red will take the stage at Hard Rock Live on October 11^th.  They will be singing other favorites as well as tracks off their latest album Walkin’ in The Shadow of Life—which is in stores now! Tickets are now on sale at the Box Office or at www.hardrocklive.com  

Live, Sept 25^th 

Tickets are now on sale for the September 25^th appearance of famed rockers Live who will take the Mizner Park Amphitheater stage along with Collective Soul.  For tickets and more information go to www.ticketmaster.com or www.fantasma.com.  

Henry Rollins, September 25^th 

Ok, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a Slamming Heavy Metal Rocker fan by any means.  I will give them credit as a genre of music that plays an important role somewhere in society.  With that being said, one of my earliest crushes is coming to town, famed scream rocker now talk show host Henry Rollins will be at The Theatre on September 25^th in West Palm Beach.  This performance is called Provoked:  An Evening of quintessentially American Opinionated Editorializing Storytelling.  Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com or call 561-833-7305 for more information. 

Twelve Girls Band, October 16^th 

On October 16^th, the Asian sensation sweeping the world, Twelve Girl Band, will take center stage at The Broward Center for the Performing Arts.  Recently named International Artist of the Year, they have crafted a unique niche in world music playing such songs as:  Coldplay, Enya, Dve Rbrubeck, as well as others on classic Chinese instruments!  For tickets and further information, go to www.browardcenter.org or call their Box Office at 954-462-0222.