Wednesday night, the South Florida community came out in support of “A Toy’s Story 2: A Night for Giving.” By the end of the evening, the community raised more than $25,000 in proceeds for many local charities (SunServe, Broward House, Kids in Distress, SMA, Pet Project, Kids in Distress, Dental Program, Knock Out Cancer, and The Covenant House). The event was hosted by Marc Silverstone of Equilibrium Events (also a writer for Hotspots Magazine) at The Manor. On Thursday, the Miami Dade GLCC hosted the annual Holigay Toy Drive at the Welcome Center in Miami Beach. A record number of attendees were greeted my Santa himself as they donated hundreds of toys and gifts for needy children. A special thank you goes out to everyone at the MDGLCC for your hard work in creating such a magical evening.
Last Week in Review
Wednesday night, the South Florida community came out in support of “A Toy’s Story 2: A Night for Giving.” By the end of the evening, the community raised more than $25,000 in proceeds for many local charities (SunServe, Broward House, Kids in Distress, SMA, Pet Project, Kids in Distress, Dental Program, Knock Out Cancer, and The Covenant House). The event was hosted by Marc Silverstone of Equilibrium Events (also a writer for Hotspots Magazine) at The Manor.
On Thursday, the Miami Dade GLCC hosted the annual Holigay Toy Drive at the Welcome Center in Miami Beach. A record number of attendees were greeted my Santa himself as they donated hundreds of toys and gifts for needy children. A special thank you goes out to everyone at the MDGLCC for your hard work in creating such a magical evening.
Dubbed as the ‘not to be missed’ holiday party of the year, Victor Vepka and Jim Kolkana of Boardwalk fame outdid themselves again this year as hundreds of “who’s who” attended their annual penthouse extravaganza Thursday night in Fort Lauderdale. The question on everyone’s mind was “how did they get that giant Christmas tree up to the penthouse?”. We think the answer is simple, Jim must have used his private helicopter!
On Saturday night, Jeff Sullivan and Alan Holt hosted their fourth annual Red Hot Christmas Party in support of the South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble at their lovely home in Fort Lauderdale. Members of the ensemble greeted us with renditions of holiday favorites in their elaborately decorated home. Sunday was Score’s annual family Christmas party and featured music, hors d’oeuvres and a special performance by Maryel Epps. Thanks to Billy and Luis for inviting the Hotspots & Genre Teams.
LGBT Events for South Florida
Thursday, December 22
Matty’s 2012 Calendar Release party takes place from 9 pm until close. Calendars are just $10 and 100% of the calendar proceeds go to Shadowood II, Inc. They will be featuring giveaways all night and they invite you to meet the Calendar models.
Friday, December 23
Filthy Gorgeous Fridays at Score presents a pre party to Matinee Miami where you can be the lucky winner of tickets to Matinee La Leche on Sunday, December 25.
The Boardwalk presents Jessie Colter live with 2 shows starting tonight and going through Sunday December 25th.
Bubble Gum Fridays (18+) at The Manor presents Boys in Toyland with performances by Estephania Lords and Taina Norell with DJ JPS n the main room and DJ Daisy in the hip-hop room.
Saturday, December 24
Santa visits The Manor tonight and they invite you have your picture taken with Santa. They will also feature a special Christmas Show with Erika Norell and special guest recording star Aiden Leslie performing his hit “Trying To Leave Now.” The night will also star DJ Oren Nizri in Epic and DJ Larry Larr in the Latin Lounge and patio.
Soul Doctor, the exhilarating, riveting and hilarious new Broadway-bound musical, tells the true story of the beloved and controversial father of popular Jewish music, Shlomo Carlebach. Steve Margoshes, the legendary composer/orchestrator has woven together 30 of Carlebach’s timeless hit songs into a show. Soul Doctor, takes us on a musical odyssey through the challenges and triumphs of this cultural phenomenon: his childhood escape from Nazi Germany, becoming a rabbinical prodigy in America; discovering Gospel and Soul music during his unlikely friendship with Nina Simone; his meteoric rise as a “Rock Star-Rabbi” in the 1960s, performing with Bob Dylan, Jefferson Airplane and The Grateful Dead; his struggle to reconcile his deep traditional roots with his desire to reach people of all backgrounds in the “free-love generation;” and his personal conflicts trying to keep his family together while traversing the globe as a “Soul Doctor,” bringing joy and song to the lonely, the searching and the brokenhearted. Soul Doctor, (shlomomusical.com) runs December 24 – January 8 at the Colony Theater, 1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach (305.674.1040). It continues January 10 – 29 at Fort Lauderdale’s Parker Playhouse, 707 NE 8th Street (954.462.0222). Tickets can be purchased at theatres or through TicketMaster.com
Bigger Saturdays at Score presents a Christmas Party featuring DJ Jalil Z and hosted by Alex Prieto.
Sunday, December 25
The Matinee Group in association with Hilton Wolman and Score productions presents La Leche Miami at Cameo from 10 pm to 5 am. The night will star DJs Javier Medina and Theresa and of course spectacular productions. For more information or to purchase tickets go to MatineeFlorida.com (or see the feature in this week’s Hotspots).
Scandals Saloon presents a very special Christmas Gospel Jubilee with Lady Fancy and the Scandals Jubilette’s choir at 6 pm sharp.
The Depot presents Christmas Day T dance with dueling DJ/boyfriends Scott Mann and Mike and as always no cover!
Monday, December 26
Mona’s 14th annual “Left Over” Christmas Grab Bag takes place today with over 500 wrapped presents.
Hot Stuff
The Stonewall National Museum & Archives is offering a cash award for the best college creation of an exhibition on any aspect of American lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) history and culture. The Our Faces exhibition will tour the country in corporations, schools, nonprofits and other locations. The college proposals for submission will be reviewed by a panel of national judges from community and corporate life. These same individuals will determine the finalists. Exhibitions that are accepted for the competition can consist of Videos, PowerPoint Slides, Panels and other creative Audio-Visual means. The expense of the final traveling exhibit will be covered by Stonewall National Museum & Archives. Notification of this Call for Entries will be broadcast through January 2012, and finalists will be selected by Monday, January 30, 2012. Each College/University/School may submit up to five (5) proposed exhibits. Three cash awards will be presented to the three top finalists; one $1,000 award and two $500 awards. All proposals and materials will be archived and become part of the permanent collection of Stonewall National Museum & Archives. For further information, contact Bryan W. Knicely, President, at bryan.knicely@stonewallnationalmuseum.org. Proposals should be submitted to: Stonewall National Museum & Archives, 1300 East Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304.
Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce will be hosting their 3rd Annual “Taste of Miami,” a culinary experience, on Saturday, January 14, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Proceeds raised will benefit the MDGLCC Foundation’s Scholarship Program and the LGBT Visitor Center. Guests will enjoy signature cocktails provided by Bacardi and Grey Goose Vodka, along with small bites from restaurants like City Hall the Restaurant, Season’s 52, David’s Café and Centerplate.
I put Adele’s “Live At The Royal Albert Hall” under hot stuff a few weeks ago as I knew it would have to be great, but what I didn’t know was how it would affect me personally. It’s one of the few concerts that I have ever watched that made me feel 2 things: 1) that I was actually in the audience and 2) that I really have a better idea of what kind of person the artist is. The DVD made me laugh, cry, smile and touched me in places I was unaware a DVD could. It has been an incredible year for Adele, starting with her #1 album “21”, her #1 single “Someone Like You”, the global smash “Rolling In The Deep” and her spellbinding live appearance on The Brits. Her album “21” has become the biggest selling album in the world this year -12 million copies sold and counting – and “21”and “19” remain the UK’s 1st and 2nd highest selling albums so far. She has received rave reviews for her live shows and “Live At The Royal Albert Hall,” recorded at the height of this amazing year, showcases exactly why Adele has become one of the most sought after live performers in the world. “Live At The Royal Albert Hall” is available on DVD and Blu-Ray and features the full 90 minute performance, plus behind the scenes footage shot throughout that day. The package also contains an exclusive live CD of the entire show. This is the first time fans will be able to hear all of Adele’s hits and best loved songs on one CD plus her stunning covers of Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” and The Steeldrivers’ “If It Hadn’t Been For Love.”
It has been an unbelievable year for Adele, both in the US and everywhere around the world. “21” has topped the charts in 20 countries and sold over 13million copies so far. Adele is the most nominated artist at this year’s American Music Awards as well as recently receiving 4 nominations for the 2012 People’s Choice Awards and 6 Grammy award Nominations (Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Short Form Music Video).
