The second of the monthly networking events presented by GLAAD, Thank GLAAD It's Friday (TGIF) took place at

Score and on hand were several members of the media including representatives of 411 Magazine, Express Gay News and Mark's List as well as the guys from Gay South Florida. Next month's event takes place on October 19th at Rosie's on Wilton Drive and I look forward to seeing all of you there! 

The finals for the Main Street Gym Calendar Cover model search took place at Coliseum. In addition to the packed crowd they had 30 qualified contestants who were a nice mixture of all types of hot men. The judges had a very hard time picking the winner but in the end Justin Hooper, was the winner!!!

Cupids Queen B, Brandy reopened her nightclub. Gone is the center stage and in its place are three smaller, more intimate stages for the world famous Cupids dancers. There are also pool tables, foosball and other games along with flat screen TVs for viewing your favorite sports games. And what would Cupids be without lap dances? Yes, the lap dances are back! Judging by the first night's turnout it looks like Cupids is off to a great start. So if you're in West Palm Beach or make a trip up there and you're looking for hot guys, Cupids is the place!!

Calling all Movie Buffs and Star Gazers … The 22^nd Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF 2007) will host the Martinis & Movie Madness Membership Party at Blue Martini (Galleria Mall, East Sunrise Blvd), on October 2, from 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m.  The party provides an opportunity to learn about some of the festival films, events and celebrity guests to attend, before the 26 day-long cinematic event begins.  Annual FLIFF memberships provide discounts and free screenings at FLIFF’s year-round art theatre, Cinema Paradiso.  Memberships begin at $70. Admission to the party is $10 and includes beer, wine, or premium drink and hors d'oeuvres. $7 Martini Happy hour prices will be extended through 8pm for all FLIFF guests.  And, if you become a member at the party, you’ll receive some passes to the 22^nd Annual Film Festival and the party admission fee will be deducted from your membership cost.  For a complete list of membership levels and perks visit  www.FLIFF.com or call  954-525-3456. For a complete list of films and ticket links please use Mark's List: /events/fliff/2007/index1.htm

The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of South Florida (GLCC), Wilton Manors Business Association, Wilton Manors Main Street and the City of Wilton Manors announced today a combined effort in putting on a Halloween extravaganza. The GLCC, already known for hosting a successful Halloween event join forces for the Wicked Manors Block Party to be held on Wilton Drive between 7^th and 11^th Avenues.  This year’s event will start at 7:00pm with lots of festivities planned throughout the evening. Co-chair Bobby Kyser, owner of Petals Panache said “Not only will this be a very fun evening but the proceeds of this event will benefit the programs and services of the GLCC and the revitalization of Wilton Manors.” The GLCC serves the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender community providing information, education, advocacy, support, human services, cultural experiences and social opportunities. The center works to foster personal development and quality of life for the entire community embracing individuality and diversity, promoting awareness, acceptance, celebration and pride.  Wilton Manors Main Street is a nonprofit group made up of residents, business owners, property owners and organizations that creates an environment on Wilton Drive where commerce, art and housing enthusiastically coexist. “This event will benefit the community and all the businesses on the drive with much needed exposure.”  Co-chair Doug Cureton, owner of What’s the Scoop went on to say, “we are hoping to establish this into an annual block party to rival that of other cities nation-wide.” This year’s theme “HELL ON HEELS” will feature businesses along the drive in a storefront decoration contest voting will take place online beginning on Wednesday, October 24^th and lasting until Halloween Night; informal trick or treating for youth and adults from 5-7pm; music by G.I.R.L. (GayInternetRadioLive.com); Mistress of the Dark – Misty Eyez as hostess/emcee; street food vendors, bars and Halloween themed booths and souvenir items for sale, including an official event T-shirt. The evening will include a Lord and Lady of Wicked Manors contest.  Participants must submit an application on the website www.wickedmanors.com by Tuesday, October 23^rd and voting will begin on Wednesday, October 24^th lasting until Halloween Night. The Lord and Lady will preside over the evening’s event. All winners will receive fabulous cash and prizes. Other contests that evening include a Pet Costume and Pet/Owner Look-a-like Contest; a Tattoo and Body Art Contest; a Celebrity Look-a-like Contest; a FIERCE WALK OFF Contest called “Drag on the Drive”; and a Costume Contest with Scariest and Overall Best Costumes.  Cash and Prizes will be awarded. Would you like your business and logo listed on the website, on the promo cards, in all press releases and receive an ad in the event program, or be listed as an “official site location for a pre-party/event” and receive a booth on the street that night? The committee is looking for sponsors to assist in underwriting the expenses such as decoration, printing of the Hallo-Guide, security, lighting, permits, advertising and more.  For information on how you can be an event sponsor, contact Bobby Kyser at (954) FLOWERS (356-9377). Volunteers interested in helping with the event before, during and after should contact Nicole at the GLCC at 954-463-9005 or nicole@glccsf.org.  For more information please use Mark's List: events/wicked_manors_block_party/2007/index.htm

Books & Books, the locally-owned, independent bookstore founded by Mitchell Kaplan in 1982, will celebrate its 25th Anniversary in October.  The store has designated the month of October as its anniversary month and has planned a number of events to mark the occasion, including a community-wide Anniversary Party on Saturday, October 20, from 7-midnight, a tribute to South Florida-based music legend Federico Britos, and a commemorative publication, Twenty-Five, which will be posted online, with thoughts and reflections from authors, publishers, customers, and cultural partners. 

After two years in Palm Springs, the US Mr. Gay Competition has been moved to Los Angeles, California, for 2007. The three day ‘Survivor-type’ contest is set for the October 25 - 28,  and will feature twenty US Finalists competing for the titles of US Mr. Gay, Mr. Gay Fitness and Mr. Gay Congeniality. These 20 Finalists will have won contests in their home city before traveling to LA to complete. US Mr. Gay Competition Executive Producer, Don Spradlin, announced the Grand Finale will be topped off with an exciting stage show at the Music Box at the Henry Fonda Theater on Saturday night, October 27th. The Finalists begin their three days with Judge’s Interviews and an outdoor test of their leadership and intellectual skills conducted by leading expedition guides. There will also be rehearsals, photo shoots and fund raising events to round out the weekend. This is the first year that the US Competition will be held on a different weekend from the International Mr. Gay (IMG) Competition. Previously, the US contest selected the US Delegate just hours before the IMG. This year, the US event will be three months before the IMG, which will also be produced in Hollywood over the MLK Weekend of January 17 – 20, 2008, and feature 20 international Delegates. About the US Competition Certification Committee Chair and Associate Producer, John Michael Beck, said that “Producers from 20 US cities will be sending Finalists to compete in this year’s Mr. Gay Competition. We are in the process of licensing additional cities, and as of this week we have already signed New York City, Sacramento, Denver, Atlanta, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Kansas City, Houston, Palm Springs, Chicago, Anchorage, Providence (RI), Boston, San Diego, Baton Rouge, Columbus, Honolulu and Phoenix. Exciting competitive events are planned for both the three day event to test their intelligence, team building talents and character.” Arriving on Wednesday, October 25th, the competitors will run through a series of events to earn points and avoid early elimination. The first contest will be a yoga exercise class in one of Hollywood’s many city parks, followed by a team building game that tests cooperation and leadership. The mission of the Mr. Gay Competitions is to feature non-stereotypical gay or bisexual men in an exciting and entertaining manner. During the Competition, a panel of celebrity judges will conduct individual interviews with each of the contestants. The event’s tag line is ‘gay is not a stereotype’ and the judges will be searching beyond looks for someone who is genuine and can be a successful role model for the non-stereotypical gay man. These same judges will be seated for the Grand Finale stage show on Saturday night at the Music Box when the audience will observe them asking each Finalist their on-stage questions. The Grand Finale ends with the popular swimwear presentation. Grand Finale tickets go on sale in September. Photos of Finalists including photos of the current US Mr. Gay, Grant Ermis from Sacramento and the 2007 International Mr. Gay, Nathan Shaked from Israel, City Contest schedules and last-minute Competition updates are posted online now at www.MrGayCompetition.com, where you may also sign up for the monthly eNewsletter for more information and new Finalist’s photos.

Chef Kal Abdalla, of Prezzo Restaurant and Martini Bar in Aventura, will present a culinary demonstration at Bloomingdale’s Aventura on Saturday, September 29 at 1 PM.  Chef Kal, a 20-year veteran of The Forge, will prepare items from Prezzo’s international menu fare, followed by a tasting for attendees.  Admission is free, and open to the public.  The demonstration takes place in the Main Course Kitchen at Bloomingdale’s, 19555 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura.  For further information, please call (305) 792-1288.

Centaur Entertainment, New York's premiere dance music record label, is thrilled to rejoin Miami's White Party Week (November 21-26) as an Official Sponsor in 2007.  Centaur will once again produce the Official White Party benefit CD and veteran Centaur DJs Warren Gluck and Wendy Hunt have signed to mix the new White Party CD, due for release in November 2007. "Our sponsorship of White Party in 2007 is a homecoming of sorts this Fall," says Centaur's Chief Operating Officer Jamie Baxter.  "Our roots run deep with this amazing fundraising event, to date contributed over $135,000.00 in cash from White Party CD sales alone.  Centaur is excited about the opportunity to further support White Party and Care Resource in their ongoing efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS." Since 1998 Centaur has been producing benefit dance albums to help raise money for some of the most worthwhile causes in the gay and lesbian community.  The White Party CDs which benefit Care Resource are among Centaur's first, boasting critical acclaim for the mixes by DJs David Knapp and Tracy Young.  The new White Party CD will also benefit Care Resource - Florida's One Source for HIV/AIDS services. To further build awareness and excitement for White Party Week, Centaur has also organized a month full of Pre-parties planned for October.  Every Pre-party will offer White Party CD give-a-ways and the chance to win tickets to the ocean-side Muscle Beach party, taking place during White Party Week.  A complete list of Pre-parties is available at www.centaurmusic.com.

 Scratching the Surface, an exhibition of over 40 new works by 3 female artists will be on view at Lèche-Vitrines Art Alliance from October 11 through November.  Ranging in size from 5" x 7" to 5' x 5', the entire exhibition of mixed media work is primarily on canvas, some work constructed on cork, stone or wood panels. Although each artist explores different concepts and themes, they all share the expression of their ideas through the creation of highly textural and complex surfaces. The artists also choose unique and unconventional materials to create intricately sculptural surfaces, taking two-dimensional works into the realm of three dimensions, from the purely visual to the tangible and sensual. Materials as diverse as gauze, sand, rocks, gravel, dirt, furniture paste, glue, Popsicle sticks and toothpicks are incorporated within their paintings, creating a visceral, and sensory experience during art making, and for viewers.  By combining natural materials into (wo)man-made works, using canvases with earthy palettes and touchable surfaces, these works evoke a deeper nature.  Though preconceived in the artists' imaginations, the works appear organic and uncontrived.  Each artist is presenting an individual series of works; while all using nature, in motif and substance, to unearth deep, spiritual, and collective feelings from within. Artist Carla E. Reyes talks about her work and also accurately describes the common theme of the Scratching the Surface exhibition, "My work is about the basic need to create and using the senses we are given to mirror and interpret the world around us and express our unconscious- to leave something tangible behind to know we are real and that what we experience has substance and a context.  The natural elements are used as a way to physically connect with our purest origin- which is nature. Sometimes being reconnected with nature- however contrived or limited can bring us back to who we really are in a primal way. The textures allow for a more sensual experience for the artist and the viewer- encouraging the use of all the senses through feel, touch, depth, as well as visual absorption. We only know we exist through our sensory experiences." Lèche-Vitrines Art Alliance is located at 3038 North Federal Highway, Times Square Design Plaza, Building F, 2nd floor, Ft. Lauderdale, FL  (Southeast corner of Federal Highway (US 1) and Oakland Park Blvd).  Gallery hours are Monday-Saturday, 11am-7pm.  Sunday and evening hours are available by appointment.  For more information on an individual artist or artwork images, please contact gallery owner and director Danielle Lanteigne at T: 954.563.2993/ F: 954.563.5658/ email: lechevitrinesart@mac.com/ web: www.lechevitrinesart.com.   The Opening Reception is October 13, 7-10pm.   All artists will be in attendance.  All events are free and open to the public.

Pride Factory – at its new location at 850 NE 13^th Street presents a meet and greet with Ricky on Saturday September 29^th from 3 to 5pm. What a perfect time to stop in and check out all of the new gifts, clothing, household accessories and of course, DVDs that are available in this expanded location.

Boardwalk presents Ricky performing on Friday, Saturday & Sunday September 28, 29 & 30. They will also have movie give-a-ways on all those nights, and the availability of VIP tickets for a meet and greet with Ricky.