On Display

American Royal Arts 

Huong Wants to Think Peace 

At Miami’s Art Palace, you can go and check out Huong’s latest show entitled Let’s Think Peace which is an emotionally evocative collection of paintings with nightmarish themes of war and hopeful symbols of peace.  The Huong is located at Miami Art Palace at 7900 SW 77^th Avenue in Miami and can be found at www.huong.org or by phone at 305-275-8547.   

Stonewall Library Gets Eve McBride 

On Monday, July 2^nd, The Stonewall Library and Archives will feature their July Artist of the Month Eve McBride.  Eve’s solo exhibit starts with an Opening Reception at 6:30pm and will be on exhibit throughout the month of July, until August 3^rd.  The Library is located at 1717 North Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. 

Art of Asia 

Currently, at The Coral Springs Museum of Art they are hosting a show that offers a peek into the innerworkings of Japanese life and culture.  Art of Asia features not only photographs of Mount Fuji by Kazuhide Takda and Japanese gardens by Haruzo Ohashi but also features such things as:  a helmet and military sword, a complete Samurai, and also a display of Timmu Tennu—Japan’s mythical first Emperor.  All of these items are on loan from the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach.  This exhibit will run though August 18^th.  The Coral Springs Museum is located at 2855 Coral Springs Drive and can be found at www.csmart.org or by phone at 954-340-5000. 

Boca Has Thy Brothers’ Keeper 

Right now, at The Boca Raton Museum of Art their latest show is entitled, Thy Brothers’ Keeper and features over 140 images by renowned international photographers who explore the issues of global justice and human rights.  The Boca Raton Museum of Art in Mizner Park is located at 501 Plaza Real in Boca Raton and can be found at www.bocamuseum.org or at 561-392-2500. 

Gallery of the Unknown Artist 

Currently, at Hollywood’s Gallery of the Unknown Artist, they have a show in conjunction with ArtFlorida entitled ArtFlorida Soln des Refuses Exhibition.  The Gallery is located at 116 South 20^th Avenue in Hollywood.  For more information go to www.gotua.com or call Ceci at 954-921-5551. 

ArtFlorida at ArtServe 

Beginning on Saturday, June 23^rd, the JM Family Enterprises Gallery at ArtServe is proud to present the ArtFlorida Competition and Exhibition with awards and refreshments.  For more information call 954-396-3213.  The ArtServe Gallery is located at 1350 East Sunrise in Fort Lauderdale. 

ArtsExpressions Opening 

On Friday, June 22^nd Fort Lauderdale’s own ArtExpressions gallery is going to be having a Grand Opening beginning at 7pm.  The ArtExpressions Gallery has now found a home at 1438 NE 26^th Street in Fort Lauderdale. For more information call them 954-527-7700.  

Mulry Fine Art has Junk Mail 

Ronald Lusk, a Boca Raton artist is the focus of the Mulry Fine Art collection right now with a collection entitled Junk Mail.  This is a recent abstract work that is on paper that will be available free to the public, until July 14^th.  Mulry Fine Art is located at 3300 South Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach and can be found on the web at www.mulryfineart.com or by phone at 561-228-1006. 

Tigers at Norton 

Right now at The Norton Museum of Art they are featuring Walton Ford’s collection of watercolors entitled Tigers of Wrath.  The Norton is located at 1451 South Olive Avenue in West Palm Beach and can be found at www.norton.org or by phone at 561-832-5196.

Storks Has Cheryl Turner 

I remember meeting Orlando native Cheryl Turner about a year ago at a show at ArtServe which featured some charactures of women that were amazingly similar to the cast of The L Word.  Amazed, I talked with her for a little while and she told me about the fact that all of the women are literally friends of her.  Well, she is now the featured Artist of the Month at Wilton Manor’s very own Storks Bakery and Café.  This collection has women in bar scenes that are from her fantasies and Cheryl can identify with these scenes and the characters and is intrigued by the sexual energy of the role of bartenders and their perspectives.  She glamorizes them while depicting the sexual attraction between the Barkeeps and the swanky patrons.  In her day, these local watering holes were the centers of gay life and she would observe the connections and lack there of, between patrons and employees.  Storks Bakery and Café is located at 2525 NE 15^th Ave in Wilton Manors and the show is produced by ArtsUnited and they can be found at www.artsunitedoneline.org or by calling 954-530-2723. 

Brooke Trace Gallery 

Opening June 22^nd, The Brooke Trace Gallery will present an exhibit featuring a collection of modern masters including Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol, Peter Max, and Pablo Picasso.  The Opening will feature entertainment as well as a Silent Auction.  There is a $5 Suggested Donation with proceedes going to benefit The Abandon Pet Rescue.  The Gallery is located at 1098 NE 4^th Street in Oakland Park.  For more information www.gallerycaf.com or call them at 954-667-0660. 

Bass Museum Has Celia Cruz 

Currently, at The Bass Museum they are featuring a Smithsonian organized show entitled ¡Azūcar! The Life and Music of Celia Cruz.  The touring show will feature items such as her outlandish wigs and costumes as well as music and concert footage by the Latina legend and will be on display through August 19^th.  The Bass Museum is located at 2121 Park Avenue in Collins Park, Miami Beach.  For more information go to www.bassmuseum.org or call them at 305-674-5475. 

A Day Without Sunshine through June 30th

The Broward County Main Library will is hosting a collection of local gay artist’s work entitled, A Day Without Sunshine:  Anita Bryant’s Anti-Gay Crusade. Presented by The Stonewall Library and Archives, this exhibit revisits singer Anita Bryant’s “Save Our Children” campaign who thought that gays were immoral, corrupt, and evil.  Oh, did I forget to mention she was the Queen of Florida Orange Juice at the time?  Yeah, one Queen I can live without!  This event is free to the public and the Library is located at 100 South Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale and the Stonewall Library and Archives can be reached at www.stonewall-library.org or at 954-763-8565. 

Journey to India, through June 30^th

Currently, at The Hip and Humble Home Showroom they are hosting a show entitled Gartel India:  The Exotic Journey which will feature digital media and collage by Laurence Gartel who has documented his travels across India after the Tsunami disaster of 2005.  This show will run through June 30^th and the gallery is located at 251 North Federal Highway in Boca Raton and can be reached at 561-549-0345. 

National Archives Photographs, through July 14^th

Right now at The Sunrise Civic Center Art Gallery they have a current display of National Archives pictures.  The show, entitled, Picturin the Century:  One Hundred Years of Photography from the National Archives is directly from The Smithsonian Institution contains more than 100 color and black-and-white photographs that are not only momentous but simple and ordinary moments throughout the 20^th century.  It runs through July 14^th and is located at 10610 Oakland Park Blvd in Sunrise.  For more information go to www.sunrisefl.gov/2civccc_art.html.   

Hanky Sheets 

As I have featured the online store Mind Fetish, the one with the naughty word sheets, the shower curtains with unique and interesting patters, candles for those who like the scents, their latest creation is Hanky Sheets!  They currently only have two colors, Rosebud Red and Sixty-nine Denim Blue—but there are definite plans for next Season to have additional colors.  For more information about these and other products, go to www.mindfestish.com.  Now the question is, does the side of the bed determine Top or Bottom?  

New Theatre 

The New Theatre is auditioning actors who bring two contrasting monologues that total three to four minutes, headshot, and resume.  It is a Professional Attire audition and is strongly recommended.  Audition times are:  2-10pm on Monday, July 9^th and 16^th.  The New Theatre is located at 4120 Laguna Street in Coral Gables.  For more information call them at 305-443-5373 at Ext. 305.

Local Theatre Gigs

Noises Off 

Noises Off is an action-packed comedy that will depict the misfortunes of a traveling theatre company’s production in front of and behind the scenes.  Performances are 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays and an additional performance at 8pm on Saturdays.  They are planning on extending the production until July 28^th.  This all takes place at The FAU’s One Theatre at 777 Glades Road in Boca Raton.  For tickets and information, go to www.fauevents.com or call them at 800-564-9539. 

A Love Lost Life and Zoo Story 

All this month, you can go to The Edge Theatre in Miami and check out two of their current productions, A Love Lost Life and Zoo Story.  If you are a fan of Marlon Brando, then A Love Lost Life is perfect for you because it is a penetrating look at the life of him while Zoo Story is a drama lace with humor by Edward Albee.  Performances are 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays, while it’s 7pm on Sundays.  The Edge Theate is located at 3825 North Miami Avenue in Miami and can be found at  www.southfloridatheatre.com or at 786-355-0976. 

Shout! 

Tickets are now on sale for Shout!  The Mod Musical.  This will take place at the Parker Playhouse and tickets are available at or call 954-462-0222.  The Parker Playhouse is located at Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale.

City Theatre’s 12 Summer Shorts 

Currently, at the Carnival Center’s Studio Theatre and the Broward Center’s Amaturo Theatre, they are hosting The 12^th Summer Shorts, which is a showcase going on through mid July with such plays as The Sons of Mickey, 96 Stiches, Foul Territory, The Wizard of Oz.  For tickets and further information go to www.carnivalcenter.org or call 305-949-6722 or for the Broward Centre go to www.browardcenter.org or call them at 954-462-0222.  

The Taffetas, Through July 29^th 

The Stage Door Theatre at 26^th Street is currently hosting a musical review called The Taffetas which is a musical journey through the fabulous Fifties.  This tribute is to the girl groups of the 1950’s and pays tribute to the sounds of The McGuire Sisters, Fontaine Sisters, and the Chordettes.  This makes nostalgia what it is today!  The Stage Door Theatre is located at 26^th Street across the street from Wilton Station in Wilton Manors.  For tickets go to www.stagedoortheatre.com or call them at 954-344-7765.

From Door to Door, Until July 1^st 

Currently, at The Stage Door Theatre is bringing us From Door to Door which tells the story of three generations of women in the same family which span 65 years from 1935 to the present.  It’s title is referenced to a phrase in the Hebrew prayer book that means “From generation to generation” and examines how we take what we get from our parents and then make choices about what we will and won’t and then finally pass on to our children.  The Stage Door can be contacted at 954-344-7765 or at www.stagedoortheatre.com. 

LipSync, June 8^th through 24^th 

Beginning June 8^th, LipSync will take the Hagan Park Community Center stage and will star Sandy, Allen, Eston Dunn, Lucia Gaglioni, Nick Rashid, and introduces Chuck Valanis, Andre Azercot, and Alfredo Breito.  Tickets are $25 and are available at Wilton Manor’s own Chic Optique at 2228 Wilton Drive and also by calling the Truck Theatre at 954-918-9414.  This performance is written by two local playwrights:  Eston Dunn and Mario Locicero and is performed by local talent before going off to Toronto in July!

6^th Annual Miami International Wine Fair, Sept 8^th through Sept 10^th 

Tickets are now on sale for The 6^th Annual Miami International Wine Fair.  Guests will have the opportunity to taste 1,000 different wines from all over the world including Argentina, Spain, Italy, California, France and Portugal. If that is just not enough wine to go around, a connoisseur’s dream come true is defined by the fair’s Collector’s Club, an exclusive section of crème de la crème wines.   If you did not know, the Miami International Wine Fair is the largest wine expo in Florida and showcases more than 400 wineries from 18 countries. Roughly 20 local restaurants will be offering samples of their menu. Please visit www.miamiwinefair.com for tickets and more info.  Tickets are $65 presale and $75 at the door.   

Hippiefest, August 2^nd 

Return to the flowery days of 1960 and embrace your inner flower power with the star-packed HippieFest 2007! This celebration of the `60s features some of the top names of the era together with high energy sounds to bring you back to the days of peace, love and happiness.  There is an auction online on premium tickets to see the likes of The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie, Felix Cavaliere's Rascals, The Zombies featuring Colin Blunstone & Rod Argent, Mountain featuring Leslie West & Corky Laing, Mitch Ryder, Badfinger featuring Joey Molland & Country Joe McDonald.  Tickets are available online at www.ticketmaster.com or at the Hard Rock Live Box Office at 1 Seminole Way in Hollywood. 

Manuel Artime Theatre Shows Images 

Florida Dance Festival 

Beginning Wednesday, June 20^th, the 29^th Florida Dance Festival will begin with 10 days of stage action that will welcome artist from Africa and Asia.  Some of the featured companies will be Guinea’s Sidiki Conde’ Tokounou Company which will dance up a storm in the DanceAble  Program as well as Taiwan’s Tsoying Dance Theatre will join forces with Miami’s New World Dance Theatre and show that we can blend styles.  Also joining together are Tampa’s Moving Current Dance Collective and Philadelphia’s Aiken/Hauser to present different takes on contemporary dance.  Performances begin June 30^th at 8pm at The Colony Theatre at 1040 Lincoln Road in Miami Beach as well as New World Dance Theatre, New World School of the Arts at 25 NE Second Street in Downtown Miami.  For tickets and further information go to www.floridadancefestival.com or call them at 305-547-1117.   

White is In for Summer! 

Ok, I don’t want to sound like an old Bitty, but yes, White is in for summer.  There are a host of things to choose from, you don’t have to get everything, but just so you know some things to add to your Summer Wardrobe: 

Right now, at www.aertex.com you can check out their classic revamping of a Fifties shirt that is short sleeved and has signature aeration and a curved neckline.  This shirt is perfect with jeans or a pair of khakis and has a curved neckline which is unusual on a modern polo shirt.   

Also, Mrs. Butterfield 1989 is back in fashion with white sunglasses!  Such companies as:  Ray Ban, Dior Homme, Next, Fendi, and Yves Saint Laurent all are currently stocked with white framed sunglasses that are right now.  Don’t forget to check out other companies such as:  Emporio Armani, Gucci, Chanel, and how do you spell Gabanna?   

Music

Enrique Iglesias is Insomniac 

Ring My Bells

South Beach Party Girl Gets Second Printing 

Amistad Maupin Signing, Thursday, June 28^th  

On Thursday, June 28^th, at The Coral Gables Congressional Church you can catch the famed author of Tales of the City:  Michael Tolliver Lives that I featured last week’s book.  This book deals with the issue of Growing Gay Gracefully, with the center of the book, Michael Tolliver, formerly the young spry and randy gay man, is now in his 50’s and dealing with HIV, Arthritis, and a 21 year younger boyfriend.  The Congregational Church is located at 3010 De Soto Blvd in Coral Gables and for more information call Books & Books at 305-442-4408.  This starts at 7:30pm so don’t be late!

Bubba’s Bear Men Calendar 

Local artist and photographer Bubba Clicks has just released a 16-Month calendar entitled Bear Men with some of South Florida’s hunkiest bears!  I have had the opportunity to see two of his Gallery of the Unknown Artists shows in Hollywood as well at ArtServe.   and you can order and preview the mens of the month!  For more information or to contact him, go to www.bubbaclicks.net.  Also, if you are a fan of Bubba’s Bears, and you happen to be in New York City, then check out his latest show, ask him as well for all the information.

The calendar is available right now just go to
http://www.10percent.com/shopping_cart/products/index.cfm?product_id=105013&adult_verification=1 

Los Angeles Has The Thousandth Night  

Right now at The Colony Theatre Company you can catch their latest performance entitled, The Thousandth Night.  This play, by Carol Wolf, tells the story of a French actor in Paris in 1943 who has one chance at freedom before his derailed train to a concentration camp begins moving again.  The storyteller spins the tales of 1001 Arabian Nights as though his life depends on it—and it does!  Ron Campbell gives a virtuoso solo performance playing all 38 roles in this play that was written especially for him.  For more information about the play, to get tickets, or times, go to www.colonytheatre.org or call them at 818-558-7000. 

Wine Time Vegas Style 

If you happen to be in the vicinity of Las Vegas any time soon, you might want to check out the MOST AMAZING Wine Cellar…if you want to call it that!  At the Aureole in Las Vegas, you will not find a Wine Cellar—more like a Wine Tower!  Yes, this bar features a Wine Tower that is a centerpiece to the establishment that is four stories high and 14 feet around and is a skyscraper-esque fixture in the middle of the room that holds 9,865 bottles and has sandblasted plexiglass wine racks.  The entire fixture is maintained at a cool 55 degrees and 70 percent humidity.  What’s amazing is the fact that it is inspired by Mission Impossible and the Wine Stewards are hoisted up and around the fixture complete with a:  printer, intercom, and wine bottle holster and can reach the top of the 42 foot tower within ten seconds!  To see more about this amazing restaurant and wine bar, go to http://www.aureolelv.com/wine.html.   

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. 

B.B. King’s Blues Festival, Tuesday, July 24^th 

On Tuesday, July 24^th, The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will host B.B. King’s Blues Festival which will feature not only B.B. King but a host of other celebrities such as Al Green, Etta James and her Roots Band.  Tickets are available online at www.ticketmaster.com or at their Box Office at 1 Seminole Way in Hollywood.  For more information go to www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com or for upcoming events and special entertainment sign up at www.hardrocklive.com. 

I Love Rock & Roll, June 30^th 

Infamous Rocker Chick and Lesbian Icon Joan Jett will take the stage at Dolphin Stadium on Saturday, June 30^th.  Expect to hear I Love Rock & Roll as well as her latest bi-ditty AC/DC that features hottie Carmen Electra dating both boys and girls—hot!  For tickets go to www.ticketmaster.com. 

The Police with Maroon 5, July 10^th 

Mary J, July 19^th 

Tickets just went on sale for the singer of one of my favorite songs from Waiting to Exhale, ”Ain’t Gonna Cry” Mary J. Blige will take the stage at the Hard Rock Casino on July 19^th.  Come spend a special breakthrough evening with the Queen of Soul.  Tickets are available online at www.ticketmaster.com or at their Box Office at 954-523-3309. 

Beyoncé, Sunday, July 22^nd 

On Sunday, July 22^nd, South Florida will be swept away by the iconic Beyoncé as she takes the stage at The Bank Atlantic Center.  Tickets are available through www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 954-523-3309. 

Morrissey, Saturday, July 14^th 

On Saturday, July 14^th, satin crooner Morrissey will take the stage at Mizner Park Amphitheater.  Tickets are available at the Box Office at 561-966-3309 or at www.ticketmaster.com. 

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.