What’s HOT! South Florida June 10 , 2010

June 10, 2010

Gay Disney (not an officially sanctioned event) is organized by a few different event coordinators all to bring hundred of thousands of people that descend on Orlando for one weekend of the year. From an expo to recovery meetings, comedy shows, pool parties, film festivals, top named entertainers, circuit parties and everything in between there is virtually an event(s) going on every minute of the day 24 hours a day.

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Gay Disney (although not an officially sanctioned event) is organized by a few different event coordinators all to bring hundred of thousands of people that descend on Orlando for one weekend of the year. From an expo to recovery meetings, comedy shows, pool parties, film festivals, top named entertainers, circuit parties and everything in between there is virtually an event(s) going on every minute of the day 24 hours a day.

Thanks to Gaydays.com (registered trademark used with permission), the Parliament House, the Lets Go Play people and Mark Baker for producing a weekend I will never forget. Some of the highlights were Taylor Dayne at P-House, The Lazy Lake a Typhoon Lagoon, The Pool parties at the Doubletree Hotel, applying the “I Love Hotspots” temporary tattoos to tons of cute boys, Arabian Nights on Saturday night, and the Fascination party which not only featured fierce productions, music by the talents of DJ Abel, but a light show by the one and only Ross Berger, who took it all to a new level and made us all understand that lights are just as an important part of the party experience. The bad news is Gay Disney is over, but the good news is that Gay Disney 2011 is only 358 days away… 🙂

Thursday, June 10

Jeffrey Solomon’s award-winning play Mother/Son, which starts today and goes through June 27th at the Rising Action Theatre, was inspired by his Jewish mother’s poignant and often hilarious, journey out of the closet as the parent of a gay son. The story traces her evolution from grief stricken mother turning up at a support group for parents of gays, to marching with her son in a pride parade. Critically acclaimed on both sides of the Atlantic, Emmy-nominated writer-performer Jeffrey Solomon plays both mother and son in this award winning play. The play was the hit of the Leeds International Performing Arts Festival in London, at the Dublin Gay Theatre Festival and won the Audience Favorite and Best Male Solo Performer Awards at the Columbus National (U.S.) Theatre Festival. Mother/Son plays Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 3 pm, with two additional shows on Saturday June 26th at 10:30 pm and Sunday June 27th at 7 pm. To purchase tickets go to RisingActionTheatre.com or call 1 800-595-4849.

Cuchifrito at Johnny’s presents Puerto Rican Pride Party and, as always, their underwear contest at midnight hosted by TP Lords.

Key West Pridefest starts today and goes through the 13th. For information on all the events that are happening go to PrideFestKeyWest.com

Cozmos Lounge premieres their new Thursday party that is 18 and over entitled Retro 80’s College Night starring DJ Maximmus 3000 and rotating guest DJs and surprise performances.

Friday, June 11

Milancita presents the grand opening of Lets Mambo, her new Friday night party at Waterfront (3615 NW South River Drive). For more information go to Milancita.com

Starting tonight and every Friday thereafter the Epic nightclub at the Manor presents the Cotton Club featuring live big bands sound; and in the Windsor Lounge from 8:30 pm they feature the beautiful sounds of Leesa Richards and the all star band.

Bear Nation, a new monthly dance party, presents their grand preview tonight in the Ivy Lounge and Patio inside the Manor. Bear Nation was designed to emulate the grand Bear events in Europe (XXL in London and MadBear and Bearcelona in Spain) that combine the traditional bar/cruise setting with a high energy dance party. Tony Lima and main DJ Barry Huffine (Ramrod, Vlada Miami) wanted to give Bears something more to do in South Florida that was a bit more hip and that will attract a more diverse Bear crowd. The night will also star DJ Pannik with no cover and hot bear go-go dancers. This party will have a private entrance only through the rear. For more information e-mail Tony at lim.aa@hotmail.com

Sunday, June 13

The Jackhammers T Dance 1 year anniversary at Boom is tonight and starts directly after the Market Bazaar. Go by and wish Chris and Russ (owners of Jackhammer) and Tim and Craig (owners of Atomic/Boom) a big congratulations and while there listen to the sounds of DJ Marc Scott.

It’s back! Rain or shine, the Market Bazaar at The Shoppes of Wilton Manors takes place from 9 am until 2 pm. There will be a huge variety of vendors, tropical plants and orchids, antiques, jewelry, artists, collectibles, food, drinks and fun. They will also feature discounts and specials at participating businesses and the music will be provided by DJ SOL. The event is sponsored by Chic Optique, City Credit Union, Java Boys, Alibi, Humpy’s, Atomic, Poverello Center, Bottoms & Tops, GayMartUSA and Island City Health & Fitness. Meet your friends , walk your dog, hunt for treasures, enjoy cafe style seating and people watching. The Market will be the third Sunday of every month.

Bill’s presents Mighty T starting today at 5 pm starring Billboard reporter DJ Bill Hallquist. They will also feature a complimentary buffet at 5 pm. Later that night is Trannie Palace featuring the Mr. & Miss Stonewall pageant.

Monday, June 14

Georgie’s Alibi and Ultimate Vodka cordially invite the entire community to the 13th annual Miss Alibi Turnabout Pageant. The red carpet starts at 8 pm with the show time at 9 pm sharp. This battle of the bitches will be a benefit for the Poverello Center and Broward House.

Wednesday, June 16

Taste the culinary power on the seventh season of the No. 1 food show on cable, Bravo’s Emmy and James Beard Award-winning series “Top Chef: Washington D.C.,” premiering tonight at 9 pm. The 17 new chef’testants come face to face in the nation’s capitol for the ultimate power play that will determine just who has the chops to become Top Chef.

They’ve traded their suits for farm boots – “The Fabulous Beekman Boys,” premiering at 9 pm on Planet Green delves into just what happens when you combine a former Martha Stewart Vice President with an ad exec, New York Times bestselling author and a former drag queen with the dream of running a farm and lifestyle business. Produced by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato’s World of Wonder, “The Fabulous Beekman Boys” is Modern Family meets “Green Acres:” a funny and irreverent peek into the world of Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridge, a fish-out-of-water couple who are reviving a farm in upstate NY in order to create a new organic lifestyle brand, Beekman 1802.

Georgie’s Alibi celebrates Judy Garland’s birthday with a special performance starring Ann Marie Olson at 9:45 pm.

Hot Stuff

Controversial new comic Spandex has been nominated for an Eagle Award – the comics equivalent of the Oscars! The comic – about a group of gay superheroes – is nominated in the category for Best British Colour Comic Book. Spandex creator Martin Eden commented on the nomination: “I’m completely shocked and I really didn’t expect it! I’m so proud of my comic and I’m really trying to do things that have never been done in a comic before. I’m up against some big titles in my category, so it’d be so exciting if the independent guy won! I have some amazing plans for the next few issues of Spandex, and I can’t wait to unleash it all on the comic-reading world.” Spandex hit the headlines back in November – not just in the UK, but in Australia, Russia, America, Germany – all over the world – too. Spandex comic #2 is on sale now and is available from the Spandex website, selected comic shops and via online download. Each reader will receive a special Pink Ninja badge (while supplies last!).

History will be made on June 27th when for the first time a Speaker of the House will address a Gay Pride Celebration. Speaker Nancy Pelosi will make a video address in San Francisco’s Civic Center at the nation’s largest LGBT Pride event.

Congratulations to Michael Tatton at Thai Spice Restaurant for receiving Five Star Diamond award for 2010 from The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences. This award is the highest honor in United States and worldwide. Visit Thai Spice at 1514 E. Commercial Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale. For reservations please call 954-771-4535.

Statement by the President on the Extension of Benefits to Same-Sex Domestic Partners of Federal Employees: “Last year, I issued a Presidential Memorandum that instructed the Office of Personnel Management and the Secretary of State to extend certain available benefits they had identified to gay & lesbian federal employees and their families under their respective jurisdictions. Among those benefits were long-term care insurance and expanded sick leave for civil service employees and medical care abroad, eligibility for employment at posts, cost-of-living adjustments abroad and medical evacuation for domestic partners of foreign service members. In that same Memorandum, I called upon the federal agencies to undertake a comprehensive review and to identify any additional benefits that could be extended to the same-sex domestic partners of Federal employees under existing law. That process has now concluded, and I am proud to announce that earlier today, I signed a Memorandum that requires Executive agencies to take immediate action to extend to the same-sex domestic partners of Federal employees a number of meaningful benefits, from family assistance services to hardship transfers to relocation expenses. It also requires agencies that extend any new benefits to employees’ opposite-sex spouses to make those benefits available on equal terms to employees’ same-sex domestic partners to the extent permitted by law. While this Memorandum is an important step on the path to equality, my Administration continues to be prevented by existing Federal law from providing same-sex domestic partners with the full range of benefits enjoyed by heterosexual married couples. That is why, today, I renew my call for swift passage of an important piece of legislation pending in both Houses of Congress—the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act. This legislation, championed by Senators Joe Lieberman and Susan Collins and Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, would extend to the same-sex domestic partners of Federal employees the full range of benefits currently enjoyed by Federal employees’ opposite-sex spouses. I look forward to signing it into law.”