What’s HOT! South Florida July 8 , 2010
In my travels out and about in the state of Florida I felt that I may be a little neglectful of Miami, so this past week I tried to spend a lot of time there. Wednesday night I met our new Miami Sales Representative, Jessica, at Palace for a late night dinner. Afterwards we met up with Josue Santiago (Editor of Latino Boys Magazine) and went to Twist for their 17th anniversary and, as is the case in all of their entire anniversaries, the bar was packed with well wishers. 
Friday I went down to Vlada for their monthly Bear Party and ran into my friend George B., who I used to work with and haven’t seen in years. Love you, Georgie! Lots of bears…Oh my!
Saturday night I went to Gallery One where my friend Jorge Rondon was having a showing of his photography. Afterwards I headed over to the Manor and as is the case every Saturday both the main room and the Latin Lounge and Patio were packed.
Sunday was Miami, Miami and more Miami. I started at Klutch for the grand opening of Wonderland T, which was WONDERFUL, with DJ David Knapp and performances by Kitty Meow (work that prop, girl), Noel Leon and Geraldine and hosted by the lovely Elaine Lancaster. Afterwards I headed to Club Sugar to see my friends Marytrini and the Divas and they are packing them in there every Sunday. Special hello to my buddy Steven at the cashier (yes, that is Steven who used to be the cashier at O’Zone). Then I was off to Waterfront for Milancita’s foam party and boy was that fun. I think a new holiday weekend tradition has begun. I ended the night by going downtown first to the Freedom party at Club 90 Degree and then to the Insomnia party, which was packed with beautiful men, at Nocturnal. Congrats to Hilton, Score and Omar for a great party. Needless to say this holiday weekend exhausted me!
Friday, July 9
The Manor presents Bear Nation, their monthly dance party for guys who want to drink, dance and be hairy. The night will star DJs Barry Huffine and Pannik and will be hosted by Tony Lima.
The Ramrod invites everyone to come and meet International Mr. Leather Tyler McCormick live and in person.
Saturday, July 10
Join the Miami Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce for Babalu at the Adrienne Arsht Center. This will be a special night with Lucie Arnaz as she celebrates the music of her father, Desi Arnaz with special guest appearance by Desi Arnaz, Jr. Ticket purchase includes a private meet and greet champagne toast with Lucie Arnaz following the live performance of “Babalu” at 8:00 pm. When ordering tickets, at ArshtCenter.org, enter promo code: Tropicana. This offer and invitation to reception is only available with advance ticket purchase using the promo code and is not available at the box office. If you have trouble accessing the promo code online, please contact Group Sales at 786-468-2358.
Noche Latina Saturdays in the Ivy Lounge and Patio at The Manor presents Erika Norell’s birthday extravaganza. In addition they will be celebrating the movie release of “La Mission.” They will be giving away movie passes and posters. NLS is from 10 pm to 3 am and features the hot Latin sounds of DJ Larry Larr.
Bigger Saturdays at Score presents DJ/producer George Figares along with the CD release party of Kelis’ “Fleshtone” which features the huge club anthem “Acapella” and the next smash “4th of July.”
Sunday, July 11
The Voodoo Lounge presents a birthday bash for Daisy Deadpetals and Erika Norell. The staff at Voodoo is too cheap to get them a present so all cover, donations and gifts will go to Daisy and Erika. For table reservations call 410-207-9932.
Wonderland T at Klutch, brought to you by Iceman, Michael M and Tony Lima, presents DJ Daisy D and a tag team set by DJs Joey Se and Lazaro Leon. In addition they will be giving away the Kerli “Tea Party” remix CD.
Monday, July 12
The Alibi presents the Jazz sounds of Rich Hernandez live in the Manchester Room tonight and next Monday at 7, 8 and 9 pm.
Tuesday, July 13
The Fort Lauderdale monthly Mack Mixer takes place tonight at the Ritz-Carlton, 1 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard, from 6:30 to 9 pm. Entry is $10 and includes a complimentary cocktail. For more information visit MackPlanet.com
The Manor presents the grand opening of their College Night. The night will start at 9 pm and feature DJ Rene and the Body Wars contest at 11 pm with MC Misty Eyez.
Tropixxx Video presents an Undie Fashion Show at Ramrod at 11:30 pm.
Wednesday, July 14
The Boardwalk presents the incredibly funny Shirley Q. Liquor tonight and tomorrow. This show always sells out, so buy your tickets in advance at the Boardwalk.
Lady Fancy’s Country Jamboree starts at 8 pm. This show will take place the second Wednesday of each month and features opening monologue by Lady Fancy as Miss Minnie Pearl and will feature Lady Fancy’s “Stable of Country Greats” appearing as Dolly Parton, Sugarland, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Rogers, Patsy Cline and many more. Admission is FREE and plenty of FREE parking.
Hot Stuff
The Pride Factory has already stocked loads of 2011 calendars. Check them out to see some of the hottest men 365 days a year.
A new academy for leathermen will hold its first sessions in Fort Lauderdale from October 7 to 11, 2010. Leathermen’s Academy 2010 is geared to hands-on training in leather related techniques and relationships for men who are into the leather lifestyle or who wish to explore leather. The Academy’s faculty will include well known specialists who will pass on their knowledge and expertise to participants. The learning experience will be held in small group classes. It will cater to different levels of participants, from beginners to experienced players, for both dominant and submissive men. Full dungeons will be available at the hotel on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with very few limits as to the level and intensity of play – only those that are usually applied in similar men’s-only dungeons (including SSC and RACK). The event will occur during the Fort Lauderdale Leather Pride Weekend and is coordinated with the Mr. Ramrod Contest (an IML feeder contest). It will be held at a premium hotel with a convenient location. The hotel has full gym facilities and, of course, a large pool – after all this is Ft Lauderdale in the fall, an ideal time to visit. A meal plan will be available to participants in the hotel. Leathermen’s Academy 2010 is a non-profit organization. Any excess funds will be donated to the Leather Archives & Museum, Hearing from the Heart, and CARE Resource. 
In a two-for-one theater event, Rising Action Theatre, 840 E. Oakland Park Blvd, is hosting the one-act plays “Mr. Charles, currently of Palm Beach” by Paul Rudnick and “Mexico City” by David Leddick from July 9 – July 25. 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. Leddick has also written three musicals with Andrew Sargent as composer: “The Secrets of the Chorus”, “Quentin and I” and “Presenting Gilda Lilly.” He starred in the musical “It’s A Fabulous Life.” He has appeared in the world premiere of the “11 O’clock Number”, as well as Terrance McNally’s “Some Men.” He most recently recreated his starring role in “Escorts” at Rising Action Theatre. David Leddick is known for his novels and homoerotic art books. The author of the Lambda Award-winning books: “Naked Men” and “The Male Nude,” David Leddick has published no less than 20 works. Merry Jo Cortada is a native Miamian and has worked as a dancer, singer, actress, and voiceover artist. Audiences 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’s premiere of “The 11 O’clock Number.” Merry Jo is very proud to be a founding member and past President of The Women’s Theatre Project. Stefan Pinto, model and actor, once worked on Wall Street building websites for Fortune 500 companies. He was “discovered” on the beaches of Miami and got his start modeling swimwear. He has worked on television shows including Telemundo’s “Pecados Ajenos,” and “La Loteria” as well as “Burn Notice,” and “CSI Miami.” Stefan recently shot an advertisement for “Ultimate Push Up.” Check him out at PintoFactory.com. Recently he performed at Rising Action in “Say You Love Satan” and “Escorts.” The shows play Fridays at 8 pm; Saturdays at 3 and 8 pm; Sundays at 7 pm.
From writer/director Peter Bratt comes the new movie “La MISSION,” a 5 Stick Films, Inc. and TomKat Films production. Produced by Benjamin Bratt, Peter Bratt, and Alpita Patel and executive produced by Tom Steyer, Kat Taylor, and Dan Nelson, “La MISSION” stars Benjamin Bratt, Erika Alexander, Jeremy Ray Valdez, Jesse Borrego, and Talisa Soto Bratt. The supporting cast includes Kevin Michael Richardson, Patrick D. Shining-Elk, René A. Quiñonez, Ruben Gonzalez, and Max Rosenak.
Growing up in the Mission district of San Francisco, Che Rivera (Benjamin Bratt) has always had to be tough to survive. He’s a powerful man respected throughout the Mission barrio for his masculinity and his strength, as well as for his hobby building beautiful low-rider cars. At the same time he’s also a man feared for his street-tough ways and violent temper. A reformed inmate and recovering alcoholic, Che has worked hard to redeem his life and do right by his pride and joy: his only son, Jes, whom he has raised on his own after the death of his wife. Che’s path to redemption is tested, however, when he discovers Jes is gay. In a rage, Che violently beats Jes, disowning him. He loses his son – and loses himself in the process. Isolated and alone, Che comes to realize that his patriarchal pride is meaningless to him, and to maintain his idea of masculinity, he’s sacrificed the one thing that he, cherishes most – the love of his son. To survive his neighborhood, Che has always lived with his fists. To survive as a complete man, he’ll have to embrace a side of himself he’s never shown.
