Island City Art Walk, Friday, October 19^th, 7pm 

Island City, Inc. is pleased to announce the second season of the Island City Art Walk, which will resume on October 19, 2007. The Island City Art Walk will be held on the 3rd Friday of each month, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m., between October and April, along Wilton Drive, in the Wilton Manors Art and Entertainment District. The official participants include galleries, eclectic stores, cafes, boutiques and upscale restaurants, which host over 40 local artists. Come and enjoy an evening of fun in one of South Florida’s most eclectic neighborhoods. The Island City Art Walk is free to the public. Have an early dinner in Wilton Manors then take a stroll or ride the free Sun Trolley up and down “The Drive.” View the art, people watch, and make new friends. Wine and cheese and other treats will be served in many of the participating businesses.  For more information, go to www.islandcityartwalk.com.

Jamaica Vintage Music Festival, Saturday, October 20^th 

On Saturday, October 20^th, there will be the Jamaica Vintage Music Festival at the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds at 4271 Davie Road in Davie.  This will be a day full of Raggae, Rock, Steady, Ska music as well as authentic Jamaican dishes including Jerk, Curried Goat, Bread Pudding, and much more.  Tickets are $47 in advance and $55 at the gate.  For more information go to www.jamaicavintagemusicfestival.com or call 954-321-0882 or 305-778-7228.  The gates open at 12:30pm and the first show starts at 2pm. 

Art & Jazz on the Avenue, Thursday, October 18^th 

On Thursday, October 18^th, beginning at 6pm, you can check out some great art and Jazz on Delray Beach’s Atlantic Avenue and be a part of their Gallery Stroll and Open House.  You will stroll, mingle, dine, and dance under the stars.  There will be live entertainment, open house specials, artists to meet, and fine art galleries to check out.  For more information call 561-279-1380.

Bang Music Festival 2007, November 10^th & 11^th 

Tickets are now on sale for The Bang Music Festival 2007.  Taking place on November 10^th & 11^th, this will feature such groups as:  The Smashing Pumpkins, kanYe West, Riverboat Gamblers, The Bravery, Spoon, Explosions in the Sky, Automatic Loveletter and many more!  For a complete listing, tickets, or directions to the Bayfront Park Amphitheater in Miami, go to www.BangMusicFestival.com. 

On Display

Silent Witness at Broward Library

The Broward County Main Library is proud to host their latest display entitled, Silent Witness which is a collection of photographs of people that have lost their lives to Domestic Violence last year in Broward County.  The show will run until October 31^st.  The Library is located at 100 South Andrews Avenue in downtown Fort Lauderdale and can be reached at 954-332-3445.

Rock Opera, Through November 10^th 

Currently, at The Florida Atlantic University’s Gallery, you can catch their latest show entitled, 2007 Biennial Art Faculty Exhibition, which is going on through November 10^th.  Rock Opera, a video installation by Diana Shpungin, is one of the highlighted pieces.  The Gallery is located at 777 Glades Road in Boca Raton and you can go to www.fau.edu/galleries or call them at 561-297-2966 for more information. 

One Voice, Through November 17^th 

Right now, at The Coral Springs Museum of Art, you can see their latest show entitled, One Voice, which is a collaborative exhibition of:  paintings, mixed media, performance photography, and video pieces by Scherer and Ouporov.  Drawing on Russian iconofy, figurative realism, and medieval manuscript illuminations as well as Russian Symbolist and Futurist poetry—this is a show not to be missed!  The Coral Springs Museum of Art is located at 2855 Coral Springs Drive in Coral Springs and can be found at www.csmart.org or by phone at 954-340-5000. 

Keith Clark in Lake Worth

Cheryl Turner At Stonewall

Stop by The Stonewall Library and Archives to check out the latest exhibit.  The ArtsUnited Artist of the Month is Cheryl Turner.  Cheryl has been in many shows around town and has a unique vision on femininity and romantic vision of the Lesbian Bar Culture.  With such works centering on this and a few gays, she gives an almost Art Deco feel to Lesbianism, homosexuality, and transvestitism.  Cheryl’s work will be on display until October 31^st and the Stonewall Library is located at 1717 North Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. 

Peter Aymonin at Storks 

Right now, at Stork’s Bakery and Café in Wilton Manors, you can catch the latest exhibit by Peter Aymonin.  A second generation Floridian, this Miami native was encouraged by his maternal grandmother to explore his artistic side.  He graduated from the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design where he studied Architecture, Ceramics, Glass, Industrial Design, Jewelry, Light Metals, Photography, and Sculpture.  His current show reflects his exploration into society’s view on love, politics, and religion as they exist today and the possibility of what they might become.  He says, In my photography, I aspire to reveal the essence of my subject through a particular moment captured in time.  Storks Bakery and Café is located at 2505 NE 15^th Ave in Wilton Manors.

Deborah Landis is the President of The Hollywood Costume Designers Guild and Academy Award nominated costume designer who researched and is now able to showcase more than 100 yrs of the most tantalizing costumes and the characters they helped bring to life.

There is a treasure trove of previously unreleased drawings and sketches as well as insightful and entertaining anecdotes to the costumers world. This book provided an eye-popping, behind the scenes account of evolution of costume design and its contribution to character development-from black and whites to current computer-generated images.  With Halloween right around the corner, you might get and idea or two and make something classic or it just might inspire you to create something new!

A Hint of Homosexuality

Imagine a time before Logo.  Think of what it would have been like not to have the option of going to an Alibi or Rosie’s and picking up three or more gay publications.  For the time before Stonewall, most of Middle America was in the closet.  We all know that “sex sells” and that there is always hidden agendas and subconscious meanings in covert advertising, so why not let it be gay?  Within the pages of Bruce H. Joffe’s book, A Hint of Homosexuality:  Gay and Homoerotic Imagery in American Print Advertising, you will see such examples of themes and messages that were almost explicitly gay or gay friendly—yet not picked up on by hetero-America.  He has a collection of advertisements that date back to 1905 that would definitely be a “Must See” among many gay historians.  For more information about this book, available through Xlibris Publishing, go to www.2xlibris.com. 

Local Theatre Gigs

Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus and Barbara Cook 

The Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus is proud to announce that they will be sharing a stage with the legendary Tony Award Winning Barbara Cook on Monday, October 22^nd beginning at 8pm.  This will all take place at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts’ Au-Rene Theater at 201 SW 5^th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets start at $30 and www.ftlgmc.org. 

Judy’s Back, November 6^th through 11^th 

Starting November 6^th, famed funny woman and Lesbian mother Judy Gold is returning to the area with her one-woman show entitled, 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother.  This will be taking place at The Coral Springs Center for the Performing Arts and running through November 11^th.  For tickets or more information, go to www.coralspringscenterforthearts.com or call them at 954-344-5990. 

Urinetown, Through November 11^th 

Opening this week at The Actors Playhouse in Coral Gables, is Urinetown.  This three-time Tony Award winning Broadway musical revolves around a town suffering from a 20-year drought.  There are not any private toilets in this town and a corporation forces the citizen to pay to use the public amenities.  This leads our young hero into a revolution against the establishment.  The Actors Playhouse is located at The Miracle Theatre at 280 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables.  For more information about the play, tickets, or directions, go to www.actorsplayhouse.org or call them at 305-444-9293.

Don’t Cry for Me

On Thursday, October 18^th, The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts  is proud to host Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Evita.  This tells the timeless story of the rise of a dirt-poor girl to the most beloved icon of fashion and power in Argentina who changed a nation.  You will Cry for her…  Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased online at www.kravis.org or by phone at 561-832-7469.  

525,600 Minutes 

How do you measure a year?  Well, for those of you not familiar with this infamous song from a Tony Award winning show, Rent will be at The Carnival Center for the Performing Arts starting November 2^nd and running through November 4^th.  Tickets are on sale at www.carnivalcenter.org or www.broadwayacrossamerica.com or you can call 305-358-5885.  For more information about the show, go to www.siteforrent.com.  I prefer to Howl at the Moon….   Moooooooooo!

Eliza’s Back, December 18^th 

Starting December 18^th, Eliza Doolittle will take The Carnival Center for the Performing Arts center stage in her production of My Fair Lady.  This will run from December 18^th through December 23^rd and is part of Broadway Across America.  For tickets and more information, go to www.carnivalcenter.org or www.broadwayacrossamerica.com. 

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. 

Rising Action Theatre Has Some Men

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. 

Van Gogh At The Morgan 

Presently, at The Morgan Library and Museum, they have 19 letters that Vincent Van Gogh wrote to friends and family.  Painted with Words:  Vincent Van Gogh’s Letters to Emile Bernard has personal correspondence from Van Gogh in the final years of his life.  Alongside them are the sketches and paintings they describe—drawn from a dozen museums around the world and the letters have been literally and unabashedly translated from the French.  When Van Gogh says f---ing, we say f----ing.—Curator Jennifer Tonkovich.  Also within the letters are also the pigments he planned on using on the paintings.  Sadly, he ended his life only two years later in July 1890 after shooting himself in the chest.  Did you know that he only sold one painting in his lifetime?  This exhibit will run through January 6^th at The Morgan Library and Museum, which is located at 226 Madison Avenue at 36^th Street.  For more information go to www.morganlibrary.org or call them at 212-685-0008. 

Margaret Cho 

Currently, at The Zipper Factory in New York City, the infamous and notorious Margaret Cho has an off-Broadway burlesque-style variety show entitled The Sensuous Woman.  She recently admitted that “…during one belly dance gig at a Middle Eastern restaurant, my bra came undone in the beginning and I had such good posture it stayed up the whole time.  My dancer friends were so impressed!”  The Zipper Factory is located at 336 W 37th St in New York and can be found at www.thezipperfactory.com or by phone at (212) 695-4600. 

Boys Night Out at The Melting Pot, Wednesday, October 17^th 

On Wednesday, October 17^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 Dillards, 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! 

Who loves a hot dog?  Well, as a big fan of them, I am in love with Fort Lauderdale’s newest secret—Dogma!  Imagine a restaurant devoted to the dog, with a wide variety of options and suggestions, you will take about ten minutes to look over the menu.  With locations in Miami, North Miami, and now North Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale, you will rediscover the dog you might have forgotten about.  While you’re there, don’t forget about their homemade French Fries!  Just remember one thing at Dogma Grill; it’s a frank philosophy! Fpr more info, use this link, http://frontpage.jumponmarkslist.com/restaurants/dogma.htm

2008 Men on a Mission Calendar

How did you feel about the movie Latter Days?  Did you know that more than 50,000 missionaries are currently serving full-time missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, otherwise known as the Mormon Church? Their two-year missions have taken them around the globe to third-world countries to help the poor, feed the hungry, teach English, build schools and homes and teach people about Mormonism. Most are young men and women under the age of 25, serving in nearly 350 missions throughout the world. Missionaries pay their own expenses for their service, and after two years of work, return to their home countries and their ordinary lives. During their mission, they are required to dedicate all of their time to missionary work and are not allowed to read newspapers, listen to popular music, surf the Internet or watch TV or movies. They can only call home twice a year on Christmas and Mother's Day. Along with the restrictions the missionaries face, all Mormons are forbidden to drink alcohol, coffee or tea, smoke cigarettes or have premarital sex.  Sounds like fun—sign me up!  Well, to raise money for their cause, they decided to come up with a calendar to help out their expenses, and have gotten some very well needed attention.  Check out such boys as Kenneth, Brandon, Mathew, Dustin, and Casey in some provocative solo scenes at www.mormonsexposed.com.  The calendar costs $14.99, and Christmas is right around the corner!

Pride Factory

If you haven’t heard by now, Pride Factory has moved to it’s new 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!  They will be having their Grand Opening this Friday beginning at 6pm!

Urb Market

Also having their Grand Opening this weekend is URB Market at 2163 Wilton Drive.  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. 

Miami City Ballet, October 19^th through 21^st 

Beginning on Friday, October 19^th, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts will host The Miami City Ballet’s latest performance of Jewels.  From there, it will move on up to the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts starting November 16^th through the 18^tth and be held at their Dreyfoos Hall.  For tickets and more information go to www.miamicityballet.org or www.ticketmaster.com or you can call 877-929-7010. 

Ballet Gamonet 

Famed gay Choreographer Jimmy Gamonet de los Heros will take center stage this week in their kick off celebration of their Third Season.  The company, named Ballet Gamonet, will have performances in Davie and Miami and their lineup consists of such challenging and intriguing productions as:  Play on Hearts, Reus, Divertimento Espa, Grand Pas Classique, Pan Nuit Suite, as well as full staging of Carmen.  Their Production I kicks off on Saturday, October 20^th at 8pm at The Bally Concert Hall at 3501 SW Davie Road in Davie and then later at The Gusman Center for the Performing Arts at 174 E Flagler Street in downtown Miami.  For more information or to reserve tickets, go to www.balletgamonet.com or call 866-629-3262. 

History in the Making 

A reproduction of the minutes of trials against the Templars, Processus Contra Templarios -- Papal Inquiry into the Trial of the Templars is a massive work and much more than a book -- with a $8,333 price tag.  According to Professor Barbara Frale, a medievalist at the Vatican’s Secret Archives, she says that it is a milestone because it is the first time that these documents are being released by the Vatican, which gives a stamp of authority to the entire project and nothing before this offered scholars original documents of the trials of the Templars.

The epic comes in a soft leather case that includes a large-format book including scholarly commentary, reproductions of original parchments in Latin, and, to tantalize Templar buffs—replicas of the wax seals used by 14th-century Inquisitors.  There are only 799 numbered copies made.  One parchment measuring about half a meter wide by some two meters long is so detailed that it includes reproductions of stains and imperfections seen on the originals.

Within my mass amounts of emails in my In Box I came across a wonderful British Trio called The Enemy.  Their latest video, You’re Not Alone, is amazing—but wait for the chorus, it’s purely infectious! 

The Best Cellar Wine Tasting, Wednesday, October 17^th 

The Grape Escape 4, Wednesday, October 24^th 

On Wednesday, October 24^th, The Mack Mixer will present its Fourth Annual Grape Escape Wine Tasting.  This will take place at The Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale and tickets are $40 in advance or $55 at the door.  A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Broward House.  For more information or to purchase tickets go to www.mackmixer.com.  The Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale is located at 1 East Las Olas Blvd in Fort Lauderdale.  

Sarah Silverman, October 28^th 

The ever offending and especially crude Sarah Silverman will take The Fillmore stage at The Jackie Gleason Theater on October 28^th.  If you are a fan of her show The Sara Silverman Project, her stand up Jesus Is Magic, or just her ranking on Brittany Spear’s parental skills (oops—is she a fortuneteller?) at the VMA’s this year, you will love her in person.  Think about it, who else but Sarah can have a One Night Stand with Black God and then turn around and try to give him the wrong number and think she can get away with it?  Tickets and more information is available at www.ticketmaster.com

Sweet Dreams, October 31^st 

For one night only, the legendary songbird Annie Lenox will take The Ziff Ballet Opera House stage of The Carnival Center for the Performing Arts on October 31^st at 7:30pm.  She will have Special Guest Carina Round and will be featuring not only her classics but songs off her latest album Songs of Mass Destruction.  Tickets are available at the Box Office or online at www.carnivalcenter.org or by phone at 305-949-6722. 

Queen of the Goth Children, October 23^rd

The undisputed Queen of the Goth Kids Amy Lee who is the lead singer of Evanescence will take center stage at The Bank United Center on October 23^rd at 7:30pm.  Let me just tell you, as a person that went to their last concert, the most amazing part of the entire show was her, alone on stage, with the piano.  This show should not be missed!  For tickets, go to www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 305-358-5885 or 954-523-3309.  For more information about Evanescence, go to www.evanescence.com or www.evfanclub.com.   

James Blood Ulmer, Saturday, October 20^th 

On Saturday, October 20^th, for one night only, you can catch the Jazz & Blues Legend James Blood Ulmer at The Colony Theatre.  Hailed by The Village Voice as “…the missing link between Jimi Hendrix and Wes Montgomery on one hand, between P-Funk and Mississippi Fred McDowell on the other.”  James, along with his electrifying trio that includes Mark Peterson and Aubrey Dayle, will open Tigertail’s season with this rare performance.  Having played with pioneering Jazz great Ornette Coleman, The Bonnaroo Music Festival, he will certainly mix it up with raw power of The Blues, R&B, and funk to create an indelible and unique sound.  To check out video clips and hear an NPR interview with James, go to http://tigertail.org/events_ulmer_p2.html.   The Colony Theatre is located at 1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, Tickets start at $35 for General Admission, $25 for Seniors/Students with I.D., and $50 VIP ticket gets you the best seats and priority entrance.  To secure Online Tickets and more information at http://tigertail.org/home.html or by phone 305 545 8546. 

Kelly’s Back, November 29^th

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.   

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, October 27^th

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. 

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. 

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!

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.