Wine Barrel Chic 

If you did not know, wine is made in both barrels and casks made of wood.  With that being said—wood has a lifespan.  When that time is over and done with, what do you do with it?  As anyone who knows me knows that I love recycled objects, especially if it’s into funky furniture.  While watching a program called In Wine Country: The New Napa I was introduced to Whit McLeod who takes these normally trashed items and makes the casks and tanks into fabulous furniture.  Out of one wine barrel, he can make two folding chairs and he even used the brands from the wineries to mark the furniture so you know where it came from!  As a long-time fan of the Arts and Crafts movement, his furniture reflects the style and function of simple elegance with a history.  Check out more of his work at www.whitmcleod.com. 

Taste of the Nations, May 1^st 

On May 1^st, The Taste of the Nations will be at The Broward County Convention Center located at 1950 Eisenhower Blvd.  The event will kick-off at 6pm and will feature tastings from over 50 of the top restaurants from Broward to South Palm Beach, over 100 wines from around the globe, as well as live entertainment and live as well as Silent Auctions.  This will benefit End Childhood Hunger in America and Fort Lauderdale Share Our Strength chapter, Daily Bread Food Bank, Florence Fuller Child Development, as well as the Sun-Sentinel Children’s Fund.  Tickets start at $85 and can be purchased at http://www.localwineevents.com/Fort-Lauderdale-Wine/event-122135.html or at their website, www.shareourstrengthsouthflorida.org.

Las Olas Wine and Food Festival, May 10^th

The annual Las Olas Wine and Food Festival 2007 is now approaching and will take place on May 10^th.  Get ready to stroll the streets of one of Fort Lauderdale’s most famous and unique streets sampling both hundreds of wines and cuisine from all over the world.  This event is presented by Premier Beverage and will benefit The American Lung Association of Florida, Inc.  For tickets and further information, go to www.lasolaswineandfood.com or call 800*LUNG-USA.  Tickets are advance purchase only and there is a limited quantity so buy now to avoid disappointment!

On Display

Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water 

The Broward Art Guild will be doing an In Take for their May show entitled Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water on Sunday, April 29^th between 12pm and 4pm.  The criteria is works that relate to the environment and is open media and also open to members and non-members as well.  There will be an Opening Reception on Friday, May 4^th starting at 6:30pm.  For more information go to www.browardartguild.org. 

Gay Pride Exhibit Wants Your Work 

ArtsUnited wants your work.  The non-profit organization that uses the arts to present a positive message about the gay and lesbian community, is accepting submissions for its annual gay pride visual art exhibit entitled United and Proud. The selected art work will be on display at Gallery Six, Main Branch of the Broward County Library in Fort Lauderdale during June 2007. There will be an Opening Reception on June 6, 2007 where you will be able to meet the artists.  This is an ArtsUnited members only exhibition, and it’s not too late to become a Member and applications are available online at http://www.artsunitedonline.org/. Entries are not limited to a theme, but rather the exhibition is designed to showcase local gay and lesbian artists to the general public. Works will be judged for $1,000 in prizes, but submissions will not be juried for acceptance or rejection. Prizes will be awarded for Best of Show, People's Choice and Best of Class for Photography, Painting, 3-D/Mixed Media, and Drawing/Print.   Interested artists must complete and submit a Visual Artist Application on or before May 30, 2007 to be considered. Applications are also available at ArtServe, 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, Stonewall Library and Archives, 1717 N. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale.

World Day of Design, Friday, April 27^th 

The American Institute of Graphic Artists Miami had a call out for all artists, designers, students, and the public in creating a display for The World Day of Design.  This, in conjunction with The New World School of the Arts joined together in celebrating an international event for creations that represented the creative spirit that underlies all facets of humanity through design.  The goal was to make a statement through art, that celebrates preserving our magnificent planet.  This international holiday, celebrated on April 27^th, is also celebrated in such countries as:  Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Italy, Iran, Japan, Mexico, Spain, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, and Turkey.  There will be an Opening Reception at 6pm that night at The New World Gallery, which is located at 25 NE 2^nd Street in Miami.  All of the artwork exhibited will be donated to NWSA and become part of a fund raising effort to support the Visual Arts Division.  For more information you can go to www.miami.aiga.org or call them at 305-237-3375. 

Dance Sets as Art 

Have you ever considered the sets at Dance shows art?  Well, there is a show going on right now at The Museum of Contemporary Art that features sets and costumes created by contemporary artists for productions by The Merce Cunningham Dance Company entitled Dancing on the Cutting Edge Part I.  This will be on view until April 28^th, and is located at 770 NE 125^th Street in North Miami.  For more information go to www.mocanomi.org or call them at 305-893-6211. 

Richard Serra 

Currently, at The Rosenbaum Contemporary Gallery Center in Boca Raton, they are featuring Richard Serra’s collection The Art of the Curve. This show contains etchings by the noted 20^th century sculptor.  The gallery is located at 608 Banyan Trail in Boca Raton and can be found at http://www.gallerycenter.org/rosenbaum.shtml  or by calling 561-994-9180. 

Wolfsonian Goes Free on Fridays 

I don’t know if you know, but South Beach’s very own Wolfsonian is FREE on Fridays!  Located at 1001 Washington Avenue, they will not be charging admission between 6 & 9pm.  For further information and a listing of current exhibits, go to www.wolfsonian.org or call them at 305*535-2622. 

Georgia O'Keeffe: Circling Around Abstraction through May 6, 2007

Organized by the Norton Museum of Art, Georgia O'Keeffe:  Circling Around Abstraction is the first exhibition to highlight this renowned American painter's individual approach to the issue of abstraction, a stylistic strategy which in many ways preoccupied artists throughout the 20th century.

The exhibition brings together fifty-one of O'Keeffe's works to illuminate the various and evolving ways she used circular forms and motifs as the means whereby she organized, simplified, and even energized her compositions.

Both the exhibition and its catalogue, with every work illustrated in color, will enhance both popular appreciation and scholarly understanding of the artist's significant contribution to the development of American modernism.
 

Bass Goes Vietnamese 

At the Bass Museum of Art in Miami, they are featuring The Private Jade Collection of Her Imperial Highness Princess Thi-Nga of Vietnam.  Well, this contains approximately 80 sculptures from the 19^th and early 20^th Centuries made from Jade—considered the most precious stone during Imperial Times.  Did you know that it symbolized the link between human beings and the spiritual world?  The Princess collection will be on display until April 29^th.  The Bass Museum of Art is located at 2121 Park Avenue in Miami Beach and can be found at www.bassmuseum.org or reached at 305*673-7530.  

Chihuly is Back! Until May 31^st 

Right now, at the Fairchild Gardens, you can get a second chance this year to see the amazing blown-glass objects mixed in with the natural flowers and botanicals in Chihuly at Fairchild Part II.  On Sunday, December 10^th, Dale Chihuly will be visiting the garden from 11am to noon for a book signing.  The Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden is located at 10901 Old Cutler Road in Coral Gables and you can go to www.fairchildgarden.org or call them at305*667-1651. 

Starbucks Goes Open Mic, Sunday, April 29^th 

On Sunday, April 29^th,  the Starbucks at 750 NE 125^th Street in North Miami will be the scene of their current Open Mic Poetry Night which begins at 7pm and is hosted by HBO’s Def Poet Will “Da-Real One.”  Just remember that it is not a Censored Mic—but a Respectful Mic. You can bring out the whole entire family but get there early, the crowd keeps getting bigger and bigger!

This takes place every Sunday and for more information go to:  http://www.myspace.com/stagetherapy_starbucks. 

Local Theatre Buzz

Broward On Broadway’s Pajama Game, Saturday, April 28^th 

Starting Saturday, April 28^th, Broward on Broadway will present Pajama Game which tells the story of employees of the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory and their unhappiness and how they want a $0.075 pay raise or they else they will strike!  This will take place at The David Posnack JCC Brickman Family Foundation Theatre which is located at 5850 South Pine Island Road in Davie.  For tickets or more information go to www.browardonbroadway.com or call them at 954-747-7589. 

Sister Ignatius Explains It All

The Sol Theatre Project is proud to announce the opening of their latest production, Sister Ignatius Explains It All which David Tarryn-Grae will star as the tired yet insatiable Sister May, along with other Sol regulars will be holding court like you have never seen before!  Expect camels, Bethlehem attire, Samuel Beckett, Noel Coward gone wild, and executioner with as sharp axe to grind, guns, queers, castrati, and the Little Baby Jesus.  This play is a satire on religion, faith, education, and the human animal penchant for masochism.   Previews for Sister Ignatius begin on Thursday, April 26^th and will run through June 2^nd.  The Sol Theatre Project is located at 1140 North Flagler Drive in Fort Lauderdale and can be reached at sol_theatre@comcast.com or www.soltheatre.com or by phone at 954-801-9207. 

Melt 

Opening Saturday, April 14^th, the Coral Gables New Theatre is proud to host Melt, a new play by Michael McKeever about three different South Florida families.  For tickets or further information go to www.new-theatre.org or call them at 305-443-5909. 

The Clean House 

Previewing Sunday, April 15^th, The Caldwell Theatre Company will have its spring show entitled, The Clean House by Sarah Ruhl which comically tells the story of a successful couple who hire a Brazilian Maid who does not like to clean and tells jokes in Portuguese. This runs through May 20^th and you can get more information at www.caldwelltheatre.com or by calling 561-241-7432.  

Nine Parts of Desire. Until May 5^th 

The Mosaic Theatre in Plantation is proud to announce their latest show entitled Nine Parts Desire which depicts the realities of life in Iraq both under Saddam Hussein and after told through the lives of several unique women whose individual worlds have been frayed and fractured—sometimes beyond repair, all by their country’s history.  The Mosaic Theatre is located at 12200 West Broward Blvd in Plantation and for tickets you can go to www.mosaictheatre.com or call them at 954-577-8243.  Tickets are $29 and the show run until May 5^th. 

Your Blood, My Blood, April 27^th 

The Miami Contemporary Dance Company is proud to announce their latest venture, Your Blood, My Blood that is a multimedia dance event that examines the harsh reality of AIDS in Africa.  With discrimination as a daily occurrence to millions of Africans, this performance combines physically-demanding movements with human rights speeches and lullabies into a jaw-dropping experience that must be seen to appreciate.  This will take place on Friday, April 27^th at The Colony Theatre which is located at 1040 Lincoln Road in Miami Beach.  Tickets are $25-$30 and can be found at www.ticketmaster.com or their Box Office at 305-647-1040.  For more information about the Dance Company, go to their website www.miamicontemporarydance.org.  Did you know there is an estimated 29.4 million people in Africa with HIV or AIDS?  

The Stone Flower, May 4^th 

Beginning May 4^th, Ballet Florida will bring us The Stone Flower which tells the story of the young stonemason Danila who must choose between his village sweetheart Katerina and a magical temptress.  See if true love prevails in this timeless masterpiece. For tickets go to www.balletflorida.com. 

http://balletflorida.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=pages.PERFORMANCES%200607%20Eissey%20II%20STONE%20FLOWER&x=6487743

The Lord Is Coming 

Just kidding, I know it’s the week before Easter and all…but famed showman Michael Flatley will be at The Jackie Gleason Theater on Sunday, April 29^th at 3pm as The Lord of the Dance.  They will also be at The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts on April 26^th through April 28^th.  The Jackie Gleason Theater is located at 1901 Convention Center Drive in Miami Beach and The Kravis Center is located at 701 Okechobee Blvd in West Palm Beach.  Tickets are available through www.ticketmaster.com or at www.kravis.org.

Free Wine Tasting, Friday, April 27^th 

There will be a complimentary wine tasting on Friday, April 27 sponsored by Culture in the City, Focaccia Rustica, and World of Wines.  Starting at 7pm, this monthly event will feature the favorites of Luis Montejo, Wine Expert, who has been in Italian vineyards so see what discoveries he has made!  It will be held at Focaccia Rustica which is located at 3111 Grand Avenue in Coconut Grove.  For more information, go to www.cultureinthecity.org. 

Sake Wine Tasting, May 18^th 

On May 18^th, The Saki Room will have The Ultimate Sake Tasting Experience starting at 6pm.  You will learn, taste and be able to purchase premium sakes from this event as well as be able to taste over 40 filtered and unfiltered Sakes from throughout Japan.  There will be complimentary sushi and appetizers but only 50 tickets will be sold so go to  www.livingfla.com/rsvp or call them at 561-637-4441.  The Saki Room, Delray Beach is located at 401 West Atlantic Ave #R9 in Delray Beach. 

A Wine By Any Other Name… 

You know you have made it when you can put your name on a bottle.  Coppola wine is found at Cheesecake Factory and even now there is Trump Vodka, but be on the look out for the latest wine—Depardieu Wine.  Famed French actor and spokesman Gerard Depardieu now has a collection that comes from vineyards all across:  France, Italy, Spain, Morocco, Algeria, and has a predictably roguish full-bodied taste you would expect from him.  For more information about this wine, go to www.depardieuwine.eu. 

Chambao, Saturday, April 28^th 

On Saturday, April 28^th at the North Beach Bandshell at 725 Collins Avenue on Miami Beach will feature Chambao.  This will feature Spanish Flamenco chill-out sensations in the US debut concert.  Along with the magic of La Mari, this group manages the unique sound that combines the earthy gritty elements of Flamenco with the cool lounge sounds of Chill-Out and have been selling out chic lounges all across Europe and are among the top selling artists in Spain!  Chambao will take the stage with special guest Ecomusica at 7pm.  For more information about this go to http://www.witpages.com  and for information about the program go to www.chambao.es or www.ecomusica.com.    

Free Chopin Festival, Sunday, April 29^th  

Starting at 3pm the winner of the 1^st Prize Winner of the 2006 National Chopin Piano Competition will perform at The Broward County Main Library and The Granada Presbyterian Church.  The competition was held in Poland and the winner was 17 year old Piotr Rozansky and he will be performing FREE at both places.  The Broward Library is located at 100 South Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale and will take the stage at 7pm and the church is located at 950 University Drive in Coral Gables and begins at 3pm.  For more information, call 305-868-0624 or visit www.chopin.org.

Amy Winehouse 

There is a new soulful singer on the rise coming out of Britain these days, her name is Amy Winehouse and for those of you with Logo, her video for Rehab is on all the time.  With the same amount of black hair as Madonna had in her Frozen video with a Mod 60’s look with make up, she almost looks like Gina Gershon—until you year the voice!  Her look is fierce with a No-Holds-Barred/I Don’t Care attitude.  Amy has a new album out and in the states and it’s called Back to Black and is amazing. 

Save Khakis 

You know you just simply can’t wear jeans to everything.  Sometimes you need something that is “more appropriate.”  Well, let me introduce you to Save Khaki.  With this pant you can have the look of sophistication yet the comfort of soft pants.  Khakis, unlike jeans, are made to sit loosely on the hips and are not supposed to be cinched at the waist.  They carry a version that is slim-yet comfortable along the leg and is slightly washed so that it is soft and moveable and makes you look like you didn’t try too hard.  Prices range around $120 and can be found at http://mens.style.com/print/slideshow39709/type/STANDALONE/photo/16 or by phone at 212-925-0134.  

Anna Karenina Starting April 28^th 

Beginning April 28^th, The Carnival Center for the Performing Arts will proudly host the World Premier of Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina.  Many have remembered that in 2004 The Oprah championed to make Tolstoy a household name when she made Anna one of her Must Read books and talked about it non-stop about this 130-year-old story and helped it go to the top of The New York Times Best Sellers List.  The Florida Grand Opera had commissioned this opera about how love in 19^th century Russian society has its constrains and complications.  Anna tried to follow her heart, but she, along with everyone she loves, is overwhelmed by the terrible choices she is forced to make and their bitter consequences while her tragic descent comes to a famously shattering conclusion.  For non-Opera lovers, do not worry, it is in English with Spanish subtitles!  For tickets, go to www.fgo.org. 

The South Beach Party Girl 

This past week marked the whirlwind book-signing tour of my new friend Gwen Cooper and her tell-all style novel Diary of a South Beach Party Girl which has been climbing the charts and selling out all over Southern Florida and causing a commotion on Amazaon.com as well as countless bookstores in Florida.  She premiered at the South Beach Social Club’s weekly Martini Tuesday this past week where she made a splash and mingled and drank, and then mingled and drank some more—all the while giving snid-bits of stories about her life and trying to covertly go smoke while hiding from her parents—who have yet to read the book!  Anyone within a five foot radius felt welcomed and charmed by this storyteller whether they were there for her or the martinis.  On Wednesday, she hosted a reading and signing at Lincoln Road’s Books & Books where throngs of people crowded around to listen to her read and tell behind-the-scenes information about what life was like in South Beach in the mid-to-late 1990’s.  Be on the lookout for this book, grab it while you have the chance, and read it like you watch American Idol.  And Gwen, I will lick before I toss!  Click here to see the photos from Martini Tuesday. 

Alfred Hitchcock’s Master of Suspense 

Those of you who loved the pop-up book about celebrity mishaps and misfortunes titled The Pop-Up Book of Celebrity Meltdowns will love this next creation from Little Simon entitled Alfred Hitchcock’s Master of Suspense.  This book features pop-ups from seven of his famous movies such as the shower scene from Psycho, a well-orchestrated moving staircase from Vertigo, Saboteur, The Birds, Marnie, Torn Curtain, and Frenzy. 

http://www.amazon.com/Alfred-Hitchcock-Master-Suspense-Pop-up/dp/0689875959

Call Her Miss Ross, April 30th 

On Monday, April 30^th, legendary songbird Diana Ross will take center stage at The Seminole Hard Rock & Casino in Hollywood.  For tickets go to www.ticketmaster.com, call them at 954*523-3309, or drop by their Box Office at One Seminole Way in Hollywood. 

Gwen, May 9^th 

On May 9^th famed pop singer and L.A.M.B. designer Gwen Stefani will take the stage at 7:30pm at the Sound Advice Amphitheatre.  The Amphitheatre is located at 601-7 Sansbury’s Way in West Palm Beach.  Tickets range from $10 to $69.50 and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 561*966-3309. 

Earth Wind & Fire, April 27^th 

On Friday, April 27^th, famed 70’s grove group Earth Wind & Fire will take center stage at The Mizner Park Amphitheater at 8pm sharp.  The Amphitheater is located at 590 Plaza Real in Boca Raton and tickets can be purchased through www.ticketmaster.com. 

ize="3">Be Björn Again, May 12 

Tickets are now on sale for Björn Again:  The ABBA Experience!  This will take place at The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, May 12^th and will feature such classics as:  Fernando, Dancing Queen, and Mamma Mia.  Ticket are only $15- $5 so catch this one-time performance before it leaves!  For tickets go to www.kravis.org or call 561-832-7469. 

Mr. Heidi Klum (Seal), Thursday, May 24^th 

Supermodel and host of Bravo’s Project Runway Heidi Klum’s husband, singing sensation Seal will be onstage at The Jackie Gleason Theater on Thursday, May 24^th.   Tickets are now on sale and are available at www.ticketmaster.com.  The Theater is located on Convention Center Drive in Miami Beach  www.gleasontheater.com  or 786-276-2633.

Clay Aiken, August 18^th 

On August 18^th American Idol runner up and amazing showman Clay Aiken will take the stage at The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts at 8pm.  He will take the stage with a full Orchestra and will perform hits from his debut album Measure of a Man—which went Number One on Billboard’s 200 Chart and then Triple Platinum as well as This is the Night/Bridge Over Troubled Water that won the 2003 Billboard Music Award for Best Single.  For tickets, which go on sale Saturday, April 14th go to www.kravis.org.

Joss Stone, Saturday, June 16^th 

Recently featured British singer Joss Stone will be at Fort Lauderdale’s own Revolution on Saturday, June 16^th at 8pm. At only 19 years old, she will perform songs from her first album XXX as well as her recently released Introducing Joss Stone.  Revolution is located at 200 West Broward Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale.  For tickets, go to www.ticketmaster.com.  Tickets are only $33.50. 

Shake Your Bon Bon, Saturday, May 19^th 

Grab your Cup of Life and get ready to shake your Bon Bon to the one and only Ricky Martin as he takes the stage at the American Airlines Arena on Saturday, May 19^th.  Tickets are available online at www.ticketmaster.com or any TicketMaster locations.  Tickets start at $46. 

SunFest, May 4^th through May 6^th 

Three new names have been added to the lineup of entertainers to take the stage at this year’s SunFest:  Rihanna will be on May 4^th,  Ne-Yo on May 5^th,  and Robin Thicke on May 6^th.  The festival site is along Flagler Drive near the Intracoastal Waterway in downtown West Palm Beach.  Tickets range from $23 to $45 and can be purchased either at the event or at www.sunfest.com or by calling either 561*659-5980 or 800*786-3378.  

The Police, Tuesday July 10^th 

On Tuesday, July 10^th famed singer and songwriter Sting will team up with bandmates and tour as The Police Live in Concert at Dolphin Stadium in Miami.  They will feature Fiction Plane and tickets are available through www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 305*358-5885. 

Mr. Broadway 

Finally, there is a pageant for all the Chorus Boys you just love and adore—but know so little about.  Enter Mr. Broadway 2007.  This is a inaugural pageant benefits The Ali Forney Center and the male Broadway performers will represent their current shows in competing in:  talent, Question & Answer, swimsuit as well as face a panel of celebrity judges but the final vote comes from the audience!  Tickets start at $100 and all proceeds go to help the homeless GLBT teens get off the streets and back into life.  The pageant will be on Monday, April 30^th and for more information, go to www.mrbroadway.org.  

The Pirate Queen

Currently, on Broadway, is the swashbuckling adventure story of Grace O’Malley—otherwise known as The Pirate Queen.  This exciting Irish historical figure is the only woman to raise through the ranks to Clan Chieftain during the 16^th century.  As the story goes, when Grace was young she sailed with pirates and then later raised to power and warred with Queen Elizabeth.  This musical, written by Alan Boubu and Claude Schonberg are known for composing Les Miserable and Miss Saigon.  For more information about this musical, go to www.thepiratequeen.com and to see her actual castle you can go to www.clareisland.info/getting.htm. 

Boys Just Wanna Have Fun

On Broadway right now is Boys Just Wanna Have Fun by the creators of My Big Gay Italian Wedding which is the story, set in the late 1980’s and two people go undercover to infiltrate an alleged drug ring.  During their investigation at a local Staten Island gay bar populated by a mix of zany club regulars.  One falls in love with the local heartthrob which becomes the relationship is soon tarnished as disturbing truths are revealed by both men.  The show is recently extended until June 9^th and is located at The Actors Playhouse at 100 7^th Avenue South in Manhattan.  Tickets available through www.telecharge.com or 212-239-6200 and for more information about the play go to:  www.boysjustwanna.com. 

[http://www.playbill.com/news/article/105966.html]

Some Men

Imagine a play set in a gay bathhouse in the mid 1970’s and contains four actors but fifteen different characters?  Got your attention now!  This Terrence McNally play opened last week at the Second Stage Theater and was in a setting where men were known to ask men to do all sorts of things—but marriage definitely was not one of them.  Taking place during eight decades, Some Men is a series of breezy sketches about gay American life from The Hamptons to a Harlem nightclub in 1932 to a preppy piano bar in Greenwich Village during the Stonewall uprising in 1969 and also a waiting room in an AIDS ward in 1989.  The Second Stage Theater is located at 307 West 43^rd Street in Clinton and for tickets and further information, call them at 212*246-4422.  Catch it if you can, it only runs until April 15^th.  For further information go to http://www.secondstagetheatre.com/somemen/index.html