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Born and raised in Miami from a Puerto Rican family, Jesse Merced attended Hialeah Senior High School where he was intricately involved and excelled in the swim team, marching band and as the lead American Sign Language interpreter for school functions and plays.

Upon graduating from high school, Jesse attended Digital Media Arts College where he sought a degree in graphic design.  He began working at a business to consumer firm where he immersed himself in the industries of Public Relations and Event Planning. 

With his heart at the core of his motivations and drive, Jesse continuously volunteered with charitable fundraisers including AIDS Walk, the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Special Olympics.

As a young man, his background in competitive swimming and community involvement encouraged him to join a gay-friendly swim team called “Nadadores”, which not only grants him peace and serenity, but also the chance to share goals with a strong network of friends and like-minded individuals.  Additionally, his talents and experience in graphic design enabled him to work closely with event promoters to develop advertising materials for a plethora of parties and community functions.

As the Executive Assistant to Palace General Manager Ivan Cano, Jesse is a dynamic member of the Palace team, working closely with all staff members, where he grants a distinctive and fresh perspective to all facets of the venue’s event productions.

Most recently, Jesse has been distinguished as a leading finalist of the “Inferno Puerto Rico Model Search” competing for fashion shows, print ads and the opportunity to continue to set himself aside as a successful gay model, dancer and community activist.

Palace, Ocean Drive’s First and Only Gay Bar/Restaurant, Celebrates 23^rd Anniversary by Thanking the Community:  Thursday, February 3

Highlights of the Celebration:

- Presentation of a rainbow Pride flag to City of Miami Beach

- Launch of “Palace Boys,” the first LGBT Online Reality Show,         announcing the 10 semifinalists!

- Introduction of Palace’s USTREAM Channel, where viewers may watch the activities on live streaming video.

Now in its 23^rd year as the first and only gay bar/restaurant on Ocean Drive, Palace is saying “Thank You” to the community -- in a big way!  On Thursday, February 3^rd beginning at 7 pm, get ready for non-stop entertainment, complimentary cocktails until 8:30 pm and a few surprises.

Located at 1200 Ocean Drive in the heart of the Art Deco District, Palace has entertained countless men and women for decades.  Their legacy of infamous weekend drag shows, luscious libations and mouth-watering burgers prevails today.  Whether gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual or straight, it is the place to be on South Beach.

When asked why they are having a “23^rd” Anniversary celebration, Palace general manager Ivan Cano responded by saying, “We didn’t want to wait another two years – our 25^th year – to thank the community for their support through the years.  The past year has been an especially challenging one for many, and Palace has continued to be a place to just get away from it all; to laugh with friends, enjoy the show and, of course, enjoy a few cocktails!”

February 2011 also marks the 3^rd anniversary of Palace’s acquisition by Thomas J. Donall, a Miami Beach resident who has continued to maintain and enhance Palace’s place as one of the most successful gay-owned establishments on South Beach.

In commemoration of the anniversary, Palace has commissioned the creation of a Rainbow Pride flag, which will be presented to the City of Miami Beach GLBT Business Enhancement Committee.  The 50-pound flag, measuring 20 feet by 80 feet, will be made available for use in citywide events, including Miami Beach Gay Pride, of which Palace is a major sponsor. 

“Miami Beach is such a diverse and welcoming community, that it is only appropriate that the city should own their own piece of the rainbow,” adds Cano. 

In addition to complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from 7 to 8:30 pm, Palace will have an extraordinary showcase of drag queens strutting their stuff, singing and dancing.

The event will also mark the launch of “Palace Boys,” Palace’s unprecedented online reality show, found at www.PalaceBoys.com.  For the past several weeks, nearly 100 young men from all over the country have submitted videos and profiles in order to be considered for one of 10 spots in the Palace Boy competition. 

 The 10 semifinalists will be announced and introduced to the crowd that evening, as well as to a worldwide audience watching the live broadcast on www.PalaceBoys.com and on USTREAM at http://www.ustream.tv/user/palaceboys.

                                                                        
Created by Ivan Cano and produced by Palace, Andrew Richardson Creative and Toni Gonzalez, Palace Boys will combine a wide range of innovative and interactive technology, including all social media platforms, USTREAM, Skype, Stream Box and live mobile broadcast.  More than 16 live cameras will be focused on the contestants for the entire world to see.  Tiffany Fantasia and Noel Leon, Palace’s legendary drag queens, will host the show, in which participants will live together, play together and work together at Palace, while competing for votes in challenges.  They will use social media, provide video updates and live video chats, even recording and broadcasting each other.

On February 12, the kingdom (or queendom) will be whittled down to six finalists, based on votes from the online community and a panel of judges.  Palace Boy 2011 will be announced on April 30, and the winner will receive the opportunity to continue working at Palace for the next year.  The winner also will receive more than $8,000 in cash and prizes, including an electric bicycle, a professional photo shoot by Image 1^st and a cover story on a local LGBT publication.

Palace Boys sponsors include Absolut, Patron Tequila, Bud Light, Image 1^st, NY20 Water, Passport Magazine, The Electric Bicycle Store and more.

Palace Boys is introducing their own USTREAM channel on PalaceBoys.com, where viewers can log on and watch segments with the Palace Boys contestants, along with live streaming video of the action taking place direct from Palace every Saturday evening.

The 23^rd Anniversary Celebration begins at 7 pm on Thursday, February 3 at Palace, 1200 Ocean Drive. Watch the celebration live on PalaceBoys.com!

To learn more about Palace, go to www.PalaceSouthBeach.com; for Palace Boys, www.PalaceBoys.com.  305.531.7234.

You know those places that look or make you feel like you're in part of the backdrop for a movie? Well, at The Palace on South Beach you're right in the middle of one of the funnest parts of Miami Beach's famed Ocean Drive. You’re also right on the corner by the 12^th Street Gay Beach and what sights you will see as the boys and girls come and go.

The Palace’s food features a lot of healthy wraps and fun finger foods like Edamame, quesadillas, nachos, and burgers as well as a line of entrees that include Baby Back Ribs, a 12oz NY steak and grilled Chilean Salmon. I had the Steak Wrap that has grilled fillet, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, and an herb mayo that is then rolled in a tortilla of flour, wheat, tomato-basil, or spinach and also includes sides like fries, baked or mashed potatoes, cole slaw, brown rice, onion rings or grilled vegetables.
Are you in the mood for breakfast food?  Well, they also feature an All Day/Every Day Breakfast with pancakes, eggs Benedict, eggs your way, omelets, yogurt and fresh fruit.

The presentation of the wraps makes you feel like it is more than a sandwich in a tortilla and the taste mixed with the fresh ocean air will make the perfect "Happy Spot" for your mind when you are stressed out at work.  Did I forget to mention there are two beach volleyball courts right across the street? Yummm!