Do you love Michael Bublé?  Well, openly gay Shawn Ryan will definitely enjoy being your substitute.  This semifinalist for America’s Got Talent series has been receiving rave reviews from critics and audiences for his show at the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco.  For more information, go to www.cityboxoffice.com.   

If you happen to be in the Orange County California, you might want to catch this limited run exhibit of those wacky nuns that you see at every major fundraising event.  Called The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, they have a photo show named Perpetual Indulgence:  Warped Wicked & Wonderful that chronicles the past 15 years of their existence.  For more information about the show go to www.occca.org. 

The Ruins 

I have always asked people, What would be worse for your kids?… Have Stephen King tell them a Bedtime Story or have Anne Rice explain the Birds and the Bees?  I love the reactions I get.  Well, with that being said, a book that is called, by Stephen King himself, The Best Horror novel of the new century… it must be good!  Enter Scott Smith’s The Ruins.  This is the story of two 20-something couples that have an ill-fated Mexican vacation that leads to the jungle.  Recently out in paperback, this book will give you the heebie-jeebies.  For more information, go to www.randomhouse.com/kvpa/ruins. 

"The Ruins does for Mexican Vacations what Jaws did for New England Beaches" - Stephen King

Petals Panache’s One Year in WilMa 

Anyone that knows anything about flowers in the Wilton Manors area knows about Petals Panache.  Well, to help celebrate their one-year anniversary, Bobby and the boys will be having an auction and party at Island City Part Preserve on August 31^st.  There will be a Silent Auction of more than 10 floral art pieces and other donations that will benefit both The Poverello Food Bank and The Pet Project.  Festivities begin at 8pm and there will be both cocktails and hors d’oeuvres served. 

On Display

Steven Sylvester at Joe Picasso’s, Opening Reception Thursday, August 23^rd 

Pink Ghost Gallery 

Wouldn’t you just love to see a cute rocker panda?  Well, if this is interesting to you, then you will love The Pink Ghost’s latest show entitled Eat Up which features not only that, but other works by Helena Garcia including music-loving monkeys.  This show runs through August 29^th.  For more information go to www.pinkghost.net or call them at 954-616-1304.  The Pink Ghost Gallery is located at 21 West Las Olas Blvd in Fort Lauderdale.

Cintas Exhibition 2007 

The Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum in West Miami is currently working on their Cintas Exhibition 2007. The art museum has been awarding Fellowships since 1963 to fine art students of Cuban Descent.  This biennial exhibit features artwork of the Cuban Diaspora by Cintas grant recipients.  For more information about this go to www.frostartmuseum.org or call them at 305-348-2890.   

It Started in the Garage

The Antikulture Gallery in Miami is proud to announce their latest show entitled It Started in the Garage.  This exhibit features R. Grimes’ richly patterned silk-screens that were an inspiration from his roots in the local punk and skateboard scene that later form the visual vocabulary and creation of his art.  His work has been seen all over the country and as far as Australia using powerful iconography that has even been used in Juxtapoz magazine and even featured at last year’s Art Basel.  The Antikulture Gallery is located at 169 NW 36^th Street in Miami and can be found at www.myspace.com/antikulture or at 305-573-3133. 

Dawn Rosendahl at Stork’s 

 Orlando native Dawn Rosendahl has brought to us the images of her childhood imagination through very clever and interesting pieces that almost look like lost civilizations, ancient rituals, and the basic dance of dreams.  This show can be viewed at the Wilton Manors location of Stork’s Bakery and Café.  By combining human and animal forms she has created a metamorphosis to create Social Surrealism to question socially accepted beliefs about the human condition.  Storks Bakery and Café is located at 2505 NE 15^th Avenue in Wilton Manors and for more information about ArtsUnited, go to www.artsunitedonline.org or call them at 954-530-2723.   

Julio Green Is At Stonewall 

Local artist and staple of the art community of Fort Lauderdale, Julio Green is the current Artist of the Month for Stonewall Library and Archives.  Through the help of ArtsUnited The Stonewall Library is able to highlight one of its members with a solo art show for many months of the year.  Drop by the Library and see his work or check out who was there for the Opening on August 6^th! To view photos from the opening: Julio Green Opening at ArtsUnited / Stonewall Library

Tamayo at MAM, Through September 16^th

Rufino Tamayo, a Mexican artist has his first posthumous show entitled A Modern Icon Reinterpreted in nearly 30 years.  This retrospective brings together approximately 100 of the best canvases made by Tamayo over a long a productive career that spanned seven decades.  The largest section profiles the most notable period of Tamayo’s career, the 1940’s and 1950’s where he discovered and developed a new form of abstract figuration that made him one of the most recognized and respected modern painters.  This seeks not only to present a careful collection of his work but also to offer a contemporary reinterpretation of this artist.  For more information about this show go to http://www.miamiartmuseum.org/exhibitions-current-tamayo.asp. 

Local Theatre Gigs

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

Rising Action Theatre Has Some Men, Opening September 21^st 

Locally owned and recently housed Rising Action Theatre will have a Grand Opening on September 21^st 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. 

Feed Me….Feed Me! 

Last week the Main Street Playhouse in Miami Lakes opened with Little Shop of Horrors, which features a geek, ditz, unrequited love, financial woes, and a very hungry plant.  It has been coined “Broadway meets Motown” and is a wildly funny, irreverent musical that will make you talk to your plants when you get home.  For more information go to www.mainstreetplayers.com or call them at 305-823-1545. 

Helen’s Back 

The Mad Cat Theatre Company is hosting something interesting and new in it’s annual Summer romp of life this month with Everything Will Be Different:  A Brief History of Helen of Troy.  As the Mark Schultz play goes, Helen is a teenage girl who is grieving over the lost of her mother and through bringing fantasies to reality, brings her mom back and punishing the world with a sordid reality show.  The show runs through August 26^th, so go catch it now at Miami’s Light Box.  For tickets or more information, call 305-576-6377.    

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. 

Awesome ‘80s Prom 

Anyone that is a fan of John Water’s The Breakfast Club and Pretty In Pink movies will get a kick out of the latest musical creation hitting New York and Chicago, The Awesome ‘80s Prom.  This is an interactive play that features such ‘80s archetypes as the:  Slutty Cheerleader, pensive Nerd, Captain of the Football team… and how they are all vying for the titles of Prom Royalty.  Best part…the audience chooses!  I have been told that if you play your cards right you just might be able to slow dance with the Captain of the Football team!  (I personally enjoyed the Soccer team myself…)  For more information about this show go to www.awesome80sprom.com. 

W&G’s Karen in Young Frankenstien 

It is now announced that famed drunk Megan Mullally who played Karen Walker in the hit TV show Will & Grace has been slated for the Bernadette Peters role in Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein.  This will be at The Hilton Theatre at 42^nd at 7^th and previews being October 11^th.  Tickets are available online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 212-307-4100.

Fania All-Stars at Siren, Saturday, August 25^th  

The Fania All-Stars was an illustrious and widely distinguished musical ensemble established in 1968 by composer Johnny Pacheco as a showcase for the leading musicians and singers of the record label Fania, the leading salsa record company of the time. Some of the greatest talents performed in this group such as Celia Cruz, Hector Lavoe, Tito Puente, Willy Colon, Johnny Pacheco, Ruben Blades and many more.  It was an era of true musical talent and Latin music was never the same!  Check out Celia & Johnny doing there thing. Get ready to dance! 

Siren is a party at The Crème Lounge which is located upstairs in Score, 727 Lincoln Road in Miami Beach. 

The Last Kiss Goodnight, August 24^th  

For fans of such music as Sting, The Police, Maroon 5 and the sort, you will just love The Last Goodnight.  They will sing songs off their debut album Poison Kiss at The Culture Room this Saturday which is located at 3045 North Federal Highway in the shopping plaza at the corner of Oakland Park Blvd and US1 in Fort Lauderdale.  For more information, go to their website www.thelastgoodnight.net  and tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com. 

Foo Fighters New Album & Video 

Fans of The Foo Fighters have something to rejoice—they have a new album coming out September 25^th titled, Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace but the best part is that if you preorder it on iTunes worldwide, [excluding France where the album will be available on September 24^th] the single The Pretender will download immediately!   Also, preordering makes you eligible to purchase up to four concert tickets through www.Ticketmaster.com for the Foo Fighters upcoming North American tour before they go on sale to the General Public. All of these details are available from iTunes upon preordering the album.  The Pretender is also currently available as a stand-alone single for purchase from iTunes and other digital retailers in select countries.   

Stomp, September 25^th through 30^th   

The international sensation Stomp has just gone on sale this past week.  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   

Replica Viking Ship Finishes 1,000 Mile Journey 

Last week, a replica Viking ship pulled into Dublin, Ireland that attempted to re-enact a treacherous 1,000-mile journey made more than a millennium ago.  The Stallion of the Sea completed it’s six week voyage that crossed the waters of northern Europe from Scandinavia, around Scotland, and finally into the Irish Sea.  The exact route was taken, onboard a 100-foot ship that was manned by 65 international crewmembers made up of:  British, Irish, American, German, Australian, and Scandinavian sailing and history buffs that wanted to take the history making journey.  The Stallion is a replica believed to have been built in 1042 in Glendalough, Ireland, and was made by craftsmen who built it using Viking-era tools.  This will be on display at The National Museum of Ireland which has dedicated a special space for it until it sails back to Denmark next year. 

Quick Draw Las Olas, September 1^st 

On September 1^st¸ The Broward Art Guild will once again have their very successful Quick Draw competition!  The last one was in the Alibi parking lot through Hagan Park and featured many local artists painting whatever they wanted for a specific amount of time, then time for framing and clean up, then judged and auctioned off for charity!  Highly successful and be sure to check out the photo gallery here.  For times, entry process, procedures call 954-396-3213.

Spady Cultural Heritage Museum 

Currently, at Delray’s Spady Cultural Heritage Museum they are hosting a very important show entitled Fort Mose.  This show contains artifacts and images that feature the history of Fort Mose in St. Augustine and was the first free community of ex-slaves.  This also explores the African-American experience in the Spanish colonies.  This show runs through September 30^th and the Museum is located at 170 NW Fifth Avenue in Delray.  For more information, go to www.spadymuseum.org or call them at 561-279-8883. 

Bookfest Expo, Sunday, September 30^th 

On Sunday, September 30^th,  The Broward County Library will feature Over the Rainbow:  GLBT Bookfest Expo that will help support local GLBT writers.  During the expo, there will be an opportunity for authors to discuss their genres and for local panelist to talk about publishing as well as future authors to discuss the challenges encountered by first-time writers and getting their works published.  They are currently accepting entries for the expo so contact the library ASAP.  Anyone interested in entering, contact Lorraine Woods at lwoods@browardlibrary.org or call 954-357-7348.   

Womanfest Line Up Announced 

Key West’s very own Womenfest has announced it’s featured performers for two nights.  Suzanne Westenhoefer will take the Tropic Cinema sate on September 7^th and has been noted as possibly the very first openly gay comedian in New York.  Her A Night at the Village can be seen on both LOGO and Bravo.  Also, back by popular demand, the dance sensation Lori Michaels will return and has been earning national recognition including performances at NYC’s Madison Square Garden and this year will headline the Womenfest Street Fair and will be dancing on Duval with a public performance at 7pm on Saturday, September 8^th to which she will take it to Aqua Night Club and will perform her popular Me and The Girls.  For tickets go to www.keystix.com. 

CGCC Summer Concert Series, Through Aug 30^th 

The Coral Gables Congressional Church (CGCC) has been presenting their annual concert series that features music from some of the most accomplished jazz and classical artists in the world.  The series, which I have been featuring from week to week, will finish on Thursday, August 30^th with trumpet player and Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra Music Director Jon Faddis and his quartet.  However, this Thursday, August 16^th, pianist Taylor Eigsti  will take the stage performing jazz from his 2006 album Lucky To Be Me  as wells as others.  Eigsti’s original material displays strong melodic sensibilities as well as a great sense of Swing with the likes of Red Holloway and Ernestine Anderson.  Did I forget to mention he’s 22 years old and hot? 

For more information about this series and directions, got to www.communityartsprogram.org or call them at 305-448-7421 X33. 

Fairchild Goes Bananas! July 21^st through September 8^th 

Beginning on July 21^st, The Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens is going Bananas!  This summer’s exhibition is entitled No End to the Banana and will explore the diversity and conservation of bananas for those who use them and various ways they are used.  For more information go to www.fairchildgarden.org or call them at 305-667-1651 X3301 or 3362. 

Epcot Food & Wine Festival

Celebrated Disney theme park Epcot is now taking reservations for their specialty dinning events this fall such as The Party for the Senses which will be part of their 14^th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival that will take place from September 28^th through November 11^th.  You must call 407-939-3378 for reservations and information can be found at www.disneyworld.com/food.  

Viva España , Tuesday, August 21^st

On Tuesday, August 21^st, The Hollywood Vine will have a tasting of five Spanish wines  in an event called Viva España.  They will bring out handful of specialty bottles that feature only small or family label wines from the Spanish countryside.  They will have a sparkling Spumante called Flare, a full-flavored cabernet rosé, crisp Rueda Verdehlo, a Ribera del Duero red, as well as a complex Meritage blend called Abadal Reserva 3.9.  The tasting is free and the bottles start at a very reasonable $13.99 so make sure you arrive at 6pm sharp.  For more information, go to www.hvine.com or call them at 954-922-2910. 

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

Beginning September 8^th guests of the 6th Annual Miami International Wine Fair will have the opportunity to taste 1,000 different wines from all over the world including Argentina, Spain, Italy, California, France and Portugal.  This is the largest wine expo in Florida showcasing more than 400 wineries from 18 countries and 20 local restaurants will also be offering samples of their menu. This will be at The Miami Beach Convention Center which is located at 1901 Convention Center Drive in Miami and for more information go to www.miamiwinefair.com or call 305 777 2255. 

Galanga Wine Festival 

Wilton Manor’s very own Galanga Restaurant is celebrating their Five wonderful years by offering 50% off bottles of your favorite wines.  This will take place on each and every Monday until further notice so get in there and get yourself a bottle!  Galanga is located at 2389 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors.  Call 954-202-0000 for reservations and directions. 

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 

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.