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In Issue 27

What’s hot around town, what to do, where to go and the hottest toys and gifts! This past weekend the Hotspots crew, including Mike Trottier, Peter Clark and even Howard Marr of FabScout fame, was on hand in St. Petersburg celebrating St. Pete Pride. This is arguably the largest pride event in the state as tens of thousands of people lined Central Avenue electrified by one of the most spectacular parades by any measure on Saturday. Following the parade the streets were flooded by revelers and onlookers alike as blocks were filled with exhibitors and vendors getting caught up in the commotion. From rainbow flags hung from almost every light standard to SunTrust’s giant office tower being lit up in moving rainbow colors, it was an awesome sight to see and experience. Even representatives from the extreme right shouting excerpts from the Bible over loud speakers and carrying their usual anti-gay rhetoric on placards virtually went unnoticed in all of the excitement. Well done St. Pete, you make us all very proud!
The Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce’s eighth annual gala awards celebration, “Red, Simply Red!” was held at the Hilton Miami downtown with over 500 attendees. The 2 major honorees were Michael Aller (Mr. Miami Beach) who received the prestigious Hilton Miami – President’s Award and Jason Loeb (Sudsies) as recipient of AT&T – Business Person of the Year Award. The event was simply red, and simply marvelous. Please put this on your calendar as a must attend event for next year.

Thursday – July 2
Sean David and AJ Cross proudly supports Kids in Distress (KidsInDistress.org) by bringing together some of the biggest celebs in S. Florida to celebrate AJ’s 43rd birthday from 9 pm to 2 am. AJ has been an active part of the nightlife, entertainment and non-profit arena in S. Florida for over 10 years. “The all-star cast for the event will be headed up by Toni Barone, owner of the legendary Sea Monster with special performances and appearances by Misty Eyez, S. Florida’s own Dame Edna, TP Lords, Erika Norell, Jennifer McClain, MTV’s Real World JD, over 30 beautiful Johnny’s dancers and many more. There will be a 50/50 raffle, silent auctions and other raffles with prizes and gifts provided by Bottoms & Tops, Java Boys, Sea Monster, Gay Tea Cruise, Joshua Tree and Beatnix Miami. This event is free and open to the public with complimentary bar bites and midnight champagne toast. For more information on this event please email MontrealBoyInFL @aol.com or call 754-367-6366.

Starting today and going through July 8th the Pride Factory presents the Red, White and Blue sale where they are taking 15% off all clothing!

Friday – July 3
The Boardwalk features Mason Wyler live in the flesh tonight through Sunday, July 3rd through July 5th.
The Depot presents Bear Dance at 8 pm with DJ Sol.

Steam Fridays in Tampa Bay presents Men Are From Mars, a themed party, starring DJ Manny Lehman and featuring a Pistol Pete Fashion Show. There will also be a free goodie bag featuring items from Instinct Magazine, Cruzazur, AtomicMen.com and Zummin.

Johnny’s presents a live show from the Broke Straight Boys tonight Saturday and Sunday (July 3rd through the 5th at 11pm nightly. They will also be giving away DVDs, t-shirts and moe.
Noche Latina Fridays at Sea Monster celebrates Independence Day by giving away over 100 free CDs of “Hot Latin Nights of Summer” produced by resident DJ Bill Hallquist. The CD will consist of the hottest Latin music of summer 09’.
In a two-for-one theater event, Fort Lauderdale’s ArtServe (1350 East Sunrise Blvd Fort Lauderdale) is hosting the one-act plays “Mr. Charles, Currently of Palm Beach” by Paul Rudnick and “Mexico City” by David Leddick. Both plays will star Mr. Leddick, Merry Jo Cortada and Stefan Pinto. Funny and sad, sexy and sinister, the two plays promise an exhilarating emotional experience for the audience.  With plays ricocheting between Palm Beach and Mexico City, this is a completely new adventure for theatergoers. The show is directed by David Kingery and the incidental music is by Andrew Sargent.  V.J. Colonna is producing with stage management by Jamie Cooper. David Leddick is known worldwide for his novels and homoerotic art books; he has published no less than 19 works. His latest book is the acclaimed “The Nude Male.” Merry Jo Cortada is a native Miamian (Yes! They do exist!) and has worked as a dancer, singer, actress and voiceover artist.

Audiences this past season will remember her as Anita Bryant in the critically acclaimed production of Michael Yawney’s “1000 Homosexuals,” and as the Queen of Broadway herself – Ethel Merman – in Rising Action Theatre’s premiere of “The 11 O’clock Number.”  Model and actor Stefan Pinto once worked on Wall Street. He was discovered on the beaches of Miami and got his start modeling swimwear and was the August 2007 Playgirl centerfold. Recently he performed at the Rising Action Theater in “Say You Love Satan” and “Escorts.” Tickets available on-line at BrownPaperTickets.com/event/66956. The play runs Friday, July 3rd at 8pm Saturday, July 4th at 3 pm; and Sunday, July 5th at 3 pm General Admission Tickets: $25/VIP Tickets: $100.

Score presents Red, White and Filthy Gorgeous starring DJ Miss Honey Dijon and celebrating the birthday of Tony Ferro (Penny Back Boys)

Saturday – July 4
Discotekka presents Independ-ence Day with the sounds of DJ Eddie Baez, with opening set by resident DJ Jarell, and DJ Carlos G in the Forbidden Room.
G-Bar in Tampa Bay presents Derrick Barry of America’s Got Talent as Britney Spears. They also feature a live appearance by BangBang Boys.com and Raging Stallion Studios model Thiago Santos. The music will be spun by resident DJ Greg Anderson in the main room and VJ Blake in the video  lounge.

Gay Fireworks Cruise takes place on Saturday, July 4th aboard the 87 ft Musette Yacht sailing from 7:30 to 10:30 pm. The cruise features an open bar, an appetizer bistro, music and great Ft Lauderdale fireworks! Admission is $85 by calling Peter (Tea Cruise) 954-649-1107.

Score and Hilton Wohlman invite you to celebrate your independence with their monthly Salvation Saturday party starring DJ/Producer Stephan Grondin.
The Ramrod presents Pig Dance XI where they invite you to celebrate the 4th with a big bang. The night stars DJ Lee Majors.
Smarty Pants invites you to join them poolside all day and night as they feature a Wet T Shirt Contest and Jockey Contest hosted by Electra. They will also feature an early show starring Electra at 6 pm. Their Saturday Showcase at 9:30 and 11 pm stars Veronica Daniels and special guest.

Sunday – July 5
The Fourth of July weekend Gay Tea Cruise takes place today where they invite everyone to come celebrate our Independence aboard the Tea Cruise. The boat will be decked out in red white and blue as they welcome back DJ Izzy spinning your favorite dance vocals. Enjoy sparkling entertainment by Nikki Adams, Erika Norell, explosive Rod Stephens and the boys. Admission is $25 in advance and $30 day of cruise. Call Peter 954-649-1107.

For the first time ever, US 99FM “Kiss Country” will be at Scandals from 6 to 8 pm with lots of giveaways, including tickets to see Kenny Chesney in concert in Tampa plus a $50 gas card to help the winners get there. Scandals will also be celebrating some birthdays in the coming week: General Manager Howard Merritt on the 4th, owners Lloyd Pagels on the 7th and Ken Kelley on the 13th. Please go by and wish them all a happy birthday.

Monday – July 6
The Alibi presents Lady Bunny on the main stage tonight and Wednesday, July 8th, at 9:45 pm. For those of you who have not seen Lady Bunny get ready for a fabulous and fun time, but leave all your sensitivities at home….LOL!!

Hot Stuff
This fun and unique home decor item – a fine art “chocolate box” hanging wall tapestry is by the acclaimed blind painter Ketra Oberlander. This 53″x53″ woven tapestry of Oberlander’s painting humorously titled “My Future Thighs” graces a room with visual interest and whimsical sensibility. Its neutral, natural color scheme complements most homes. Based on one of Ketra’s “Chocolates” series fine art paintings now in a private collection in the U.K., the quality of this tapestry will enrich and enliven a living, dining or bedroom area. This “luxe for less” tapestry is available for $179.00 at AOPStudios.com /store_tapestry.php. Through her ground-breaking artwork licensing brand Art of Possibility Studios (AOPStudios.com), Ketra is helping herself and other disabled artists on her roster break through and earn an autonomous, independent living through their craft.  

Stonewall Library & Archives, the country’s largest private circulating gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) library, archives, and museum has launched a national summer fundraising drive to support its educational programming and activities.100 DAYS, 100 PEOPLE, 100 DOLLARS is the organization’s latest effort to reach out to GLBT and GLBT-friendly supporters to reach Stonewall’s $10,000 summer fundraising goal. “I believe this campaign is essential because through our collections, programs and services, we honor and explore the past while striving to engage, inform and inspire the next generation of leaders,” said Director of Development Chad Thilborger. Everyone who contributes $100 in the next 100 days will receive an embroidered Stonewall baseball cap. Donations are accepted on-line at StoneWall-Library.org/Get Involved.html
The Poverello Center Food Bank announced today that it will offer greeting cards from the late photographer Ray Vino of The Blue Door Collection.  The packages of 10 greeting cards have a retail value of $22-$25 and will be sold for only $10.00. “These cards are so very well done and are extremely sensual,” stated Dale Madison, Poverello Fundraising Coordinator.  “The great thing about this effort is that 50% of all money collected will go to the Poverello Center to assist our clients living with HIV/AIDS,” he continued.  There initially are 3 assortments of cards which include birthday, blank, anniversary and love sentiments.  The cards are available Monday through Friday at the Poverello Office located at 2292 Wilton Drive in the Shoppes of Wilton Manors.  Office hours are 9 am too 4 pm.  The cards will also be available at all Poverello fundraising activities, including the Poverello Bowl-A-Thon on August 8th at Manor Lanes.

This Is Hot

Satin, wool, silks and tweeds are just a few of the fabrics used to create Tumbler & Tipsy’s hottest new addition to their line the “Tipsy Tie.” This new must-have unisex accessory is hip, versatile, and right on the cutting edge of green fashion today. Comprised of a select, interchangeable piece of recycled fabric with a stylish gold chain strung through it, Tipsy Ties can be worn formally or casually, ready for a dinner party or dance party. In any setting, they’ll always turn heads.  Handmade and exclusive, Tipsy Ties are 100% environmentally friendly, and in keeping with Tumbler & Tipsy’s philosophy. “My goal was to take a traditional wardrobe staple such as the tie, and revamp it into a hip and playful accessory.  It has never been done before, and with the new line, I feel that the Tipsy Tie definitely achieves this as a new trend for the fashion conscious individual,” said Michael Kuluva. Now available online or at select stores across the country, Tumbler & Tipsy offers a wide range of reconstructed vintage clothing that has a casual yet fashionable feel. Stitched together from hand-selected vintage clothing and fabrics, each item is one-of-a-kind. With one eye towards the environment and the economy, a finger on the pulse of the current industry, and a playful sense of humor, Tumbler & Tipsy looks to be the forerunning innovator of today’s fashion scene. TumblerAnd Tipsy.com.