Last Wednesday was the annual Miss Azucar Pageant which coincided with the last day of Azucar at the old location (see the Azucar update for more info). They had 8 contestants and a packed house. In the end the judges decided that the 2nd runner up was Tangela Arman, the first runner up was Noel Leon and the winner and new Miss Azucar is Cynthia Dietrich, Congrats to Tony, Arturo, Giovanni and the entire Azucar staff on another success- ful pageant. On Thursday I went to dinner at the old Florida Seafood House on 26th Street with my friend Rose of Boca. Believe it or not, this was my first time eating there and what I heard is true, the food is delish! Afterwards we headed to New Moon for a few cocktails and then ended the night with Andy and Ricky (2 Guys on a Mic) at Bill’s for karaoke in the Mustang Lounge, which was so much fun I did not leave there till 1:15 (on a school night….UGH!).
Last Saturday the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) hosted the annual Red Carpet Gala at the beautiful home of John Evans and Steve Wozencraft located directly on the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale. The evening started out with a VIP reception on the motor yacht Waterford (moored dockside) and moved into the magnificent home to continue with the festivities. Alibi Catering sponsored the event led by Chef Vincent and his incredible team. Everything was flawless and the hosts could not have been more proud of the outcome. Congratulations to everyone at GLADD for continuing your good work in raising the nation’s media standards for fairness, accuracy and inclusion relating to LGBT issues. Following the GLAAD event I went to Sea Monster, where Gone By Dawn Productions presented the international casting call and party for Bazaii, an extravagant Vegas-style cabaret. The event was produced extremely professionally and after 10 auditions the winner of Miss Ladyboy USA was Jennifer Grant. Congrats to Dawn and her entire staff on such a successful event!
Thursday, November 12th
Sidelines Sports Bar will host an exclusive private party for charity from 6 pm to 8 pm. The bar’s owners, Laurie and Marty, have decided to close the club so that guests can enjoy a truly exclusive experience. Doors will open after 8 pm and Sidelines will resume their regular bar operating hours until 2 am. The event is one of the fundraising efforts of Team Sidelines, the 17 member group of cyclists riding in the two-day, 165 mile bicycle ride from Miami, FL to Key West, FL for the SMART Ride, also known as The Southernmost AIDS/HIV Ride. Tickets to Sidelines’ party for charity are $40 (advance) and $50 (door) and can be obtained from any bartender or manager on duty at Sidelines Sports Bar. Guests will enjoy a two hour open bar of all of their favorite cocktails (excluding champagne), an open buffet of light menu items graciously donated by Galanga Restaurant, Hi-Life Café and Humpy’s (all in Wilton Manors) and J. Mark’s Restaurant of Pompano Beach. A special silent auction with many items such as sports memorabilia, travel vacations, local merchant’s gift certificates, a 50/50 Raffle and other prizes and giveaways will be part of the night’s festivities.
Friday, November 13th
The Depot presents Chumley’s Bear Cruise Pre Sail Party starting at 7 pm with DJ Sol and a special appearance by Ray Boltz. In addition they will be featuring contests for Hairiest Chest, Best Butt, and Hottest Bear Couple along with a free buffet for cruise members and a chance to win a fabulous bon voyage grand prize package.
Thank God it’s Friday, presented by Absolut Vodka to benefit the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), takes place from 10 pm to midnight at the Eden Roc Hotel. Tickets are $35 and include complimentary Absolut Vodka cocktails, delectable hors d’oeuvres, luxury raffle items and one year membership to GLAAD. The night will be hosted by David Bromstad of HGTV’s Color Splash and feature music by DJ D-Rizzo. For more information or to purchase tickets go to GLAAD.org/tgifsouthflorida2
Saturday, November 14th
Come to the Pride Factory to meet hottie Bo Dixon from 12 to 2 pm. While you are at Pride Factory don’t forget to purchase Bo’s HOT new calendar and he will sign it for you.
Bigger Saturdays at Score presents DJ/Producer Mike Cruz celebrating the release of his Masterbeat Vocal Therapy CD.
Stylus gay speed dating features an event for the trans community and their admirers at 2:45 pm in the Manchester room at the Alibi. Pre-register at MyStylus.com and use the voucher code HS25 to save 25%.
Voodoo Lounge Saturdays presents DJ Roland Belmares in the main room with performances by Erika Norell, DJ Nena in the Latin Lounge and DJ Miik on the Patio playing Hip Hop.
Sunday, November 15th.
The Equality Florida Broward Gala takes place from 5 to 7 pm at the beautiful Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale. The event will feature delicious hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and 100% of the proceeds directly benefit Equality Florida, our statewide LGBT rights organization. The special guest for the evening will be Alex Sink, Florida’s CFO and candidate for governor. Alex is the 2009 Voice for Equality winner.
Stylus gay speed dating features their next event for gay men at 5:15 pm in the Manchester room at the Alibi. Pre-register at MyStylus.com and use the voucher code HS25 to save 25%.
Tuesday, November 17th
The Depot presents a turnabout event entitled Gone to the Dogs and will be a benefit for the Pet Project with 50/50, raffles and door prizes. Catch all your favorite Depot bartenders in drag starting at 8 pm!
Wednesday, November 18th
The Melting Pot presents the next Boys Night Out, this time benefiting The Poverello Center. Your $35 admission includes a 3 course dinner, models with fashions from Dillard’s, the latest from Clinique for Men, Paul Mitchell products presented by the Michael Leigh Salon, Cookies by Design, Victoria Park Flowers Studio, door prizes and much more. For those of you who haven’t been, this is a night of fun and delicious food!
Scandals Saloon, in partnership with Bacardi, presents The Saloon Revue, “A Variety Show Like None Other” every Wednesday starting at 8pm. Live performances, comedy, skits, dances and karaoke with cash prizes & bar tabs
Azucar Nightclub Update
Azucar had to close its doors in the space it called home for 10 years and will be moving all its nights to Sandals temporarily. I say temporarily, because they already have a new location for Azucar and are in the process of fixing it up. According to Tony and Arturo (owners) the new location, which will open in about 4 weeks, will give their customers everything they have come to expect plus additional surprises. Stay tuned to this column for more details as they become available.
This is HOT
Gay author Mike Pingel has taken his passion for 70s TV with his new book “The Brady Bunch: Super Groovy After All These Year” through BearManor Publishing now available in stores and online at Amazon.com & BN.com. It was 40 years ago when The Brady Bunch family hit the airwaves and still today is seen around the world. The Brady Bunch was the story of a lady with three girls and a man with three boys who got married and lived under one roof and solved life’s problems within 24 minutes! Currently TVLand is celebrating the shows 40th anniversary with airing the series nightly and a special Happy 40th Brady! webpage where fans can watch free episodes and has interviews with some of the cast members. 
The shows star, Susan Olsen (Cindy Brady) has also just released her book “Love to Love the Bradys” a fun look back at The Brady Bunch Variety Hour to celebrate the shows 40 years! Author Mike Pingel’s new book shares the history of the series, fun facts, Brady extended family tree and full episode guides. The book includes new interviews with actors Ann B. Davis, Susan Olsen, Robbie Rist, Geri Reischl and producers Sherwood Schwartz and Lloyd Schwartz, plus so much more. Plus foreword written by “Dallas” star and “Brady Bunch” fan Charlene Tilton. Mike Pingel has penned three books, “Angelic Heaven: A Fan’s Guide to Charlie’s Angels” (BearManor); “The Q Guide to Charlie’s Angels” (Alyson Books) and “The Q Guide to Wonder Woman” (Alyson books). He lives in Los Angeles and when not writing books he works as an actor, publicity and webmaster.
