Lords South Beach at Nash Hotel, on 1120 Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, celebrated their grand opening the Wednesday before Thanksgiving with its new owner, Brian Gorman. Lords is a boutique gay hotel with over 50 rooms, each having a picture of Elizabeth Taylor in an Andy Warhol motif. The hotel is bright, airy and totally remodeled. World AIDS Day was celebrated everywhere on Wednesday December 1st. Broward House held their annual candlelight vigil starting at Hagen Park and ending at Shoppes of Wilton Manors with performances by the Lambda Chorale and David Meulemans. The event drew over 1,500 people. Later that night Boom held their annual Wreath Auction to benefit Poverello which raised thousands of dollars. When you have a chance, check out the over the top Christmas decorations at Boom produced by Chris Burdekin and Diego. That night was also their Turn-A-Bout night which was hilarious!
Last Week in Review
Lords South Beach at Nash Hotel, on 1120 Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, celebrated their grand opening the Wednesday before Thanksgiving with its new owner, Brian Gorman. Lords is a boutique gay hotel with over 50 rooms, each having a picture of Elizabeth Taylor in an Andy Warhol motif. The hotel is bright, airy and totally remodeled.
World AIDS Day was celebrated everywhere on Wednesday December 1st. Broward House held their annual candlelight vigil starting at Hagen Park and ending at Shoppes of Wilton Manors with performances by the Lambda Chorale and David Meulemans. The event drew over 1,500 people.
Later that night Boom held their annual Wreath Auction to benefit Poverello which raised thousands of dollars. When you have a chance, check out the over the top Christmas decorations at Boom produced by Chris Burdekin and Diego. That night was also their Turn-A-Bout night which was hilarious!
I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season. At Hotspots and Genre Latino magazines, we have been working nights and weekends to give the publications a fresh new look, especially as the company enters into its 26th year. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank the entire staff for their dedication and commitment to the company and to you, the gay community of Florida that we love!
Gay Events in South Florida
Thursday – December 9
From today until December 15th the Pride Factory will feature 25% off all 2011 calendars as well as holiday cards and December diamonds.
“Wishing You A Very Gilda Christmas,” starring David Leddick as Gilda and Kley Tarcitano as the Naked Elf, starts tonight and also plays Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm at The Manor. Gilda just couldn’t stay away any longer. She’s back for Christmas at The Manor with new holiday songs and some new dresses (thank God!). She’ll tell you all about her years in Hollywood, on Broadway and on television. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you won’t believe a word of it! General admission tickets are $20 and VIP tickets are $35. You can purchase tickets online at BrownPaperTickets.com/event/136281 or by calling 1-800-838-3006.
Friday – December 10
Living Room presents the “A-List” Derek vs. Austin with no cover all night.
Sugars in association with Alex Infiniti and Milancita presents their annual toy drive where they invite you to bring an unopened toy for a chance to win a VIP gift bag which includes VIP tickets for Margaret Cho and her “Cho Dependant Tour” on December 11th.
Saturday – December 11
Score presents Hilton Wolman’s Salvation Holiday Party starring DJ Brett Henrichsen on the main floor and Ricardito and his hot dancers on the 2nd floor.
The Manor presents a visual and musical journey with International DJ sensation Kidd Madonny plus the movie release event for “I Love You Phillip Morris” with ticket giveaways, tickets and more. In the Latin Lounge and patio DJ Larry Larr spins some of the hottest Latin sounds with hostess Erika Norell and special guests Victoria Grantty and Sheena Devine.
Sunday – December 12
The monthly Market Bazaar takes place at the Shoppes of Wilton Manors from 9 am to 3 pm with a special appearance by Santa.
Jump Sundays! at Lux presents “Dancelicious” CD Release Party featuring re-mixes of Lady Gaga, Beyonce and Kelly Roland with free download cards for everyone! Performances by WildChildWorld.com and TP Lords! Doors open at 10 pm and stars DJ Jarell and DJ Bryan Zero!
The Bay’s T for 2000 presents DJ Mike Cruz from 4 to 10 pm. The party is hosted by Larry Candelario, Maiko Xavier, Adora and Asia Aviance.
Tuesday – December 14
The monthly Fort Lauderdale Mack Mixer takes place at Timpano’s at 450 East Las Olas Blvd from 6:30 to 9 pm.
Wednesday – December 15
Bill’s presents their annual Christmas Toy Drive and customer appreciation party which will be an evening of entertainment, food and friends. Ra Productions will be presenting Believe, A Christmas Dream live on the Bill’s stage at 8 and 10 pm. The party begins at 5 pm with a complimentary holiday buffet at 7 pm. Please bring a toy for the kids. There will also be a silent auction and raffles.
You and a guest are cordially invited to attend The Manors first year anniversary party featuring the Reinvention Launch of their restaurant where if you buy one food item, you receive the second item free (of equal or lesser value) from 8 pm to close! They will also feature entertainment by the Leesa Richards Band.
Hot Stuff
Mona’s Canned Food Drive was a huge success. Mona’s and all her customers turned in a whopping 974 pounds of canned food for Sanctuary House. Jerry and the entire staff of Mona’s would like to thank all who participated.
Once again this year Scandals Saloon is proud to sponsor a stocking stuffer for the Pantry of Broward County. Buy a stocking for $5 as all proceeds will be donated directly to the Pantry. Your generous donations last year helped 3 families and their children have a very special Christmas.
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) National proudly announced the election of Rabbi David M. Horowitz of Akron, OH, as its new board president this week. Rabbi Horowitz has been married to his wife, Toby, since 1963 and has two children, Wendy (married to her life partner, a transgender man, Julian) and Daniel and three grandchildren.
Annie Lennox, one of the most successful, iconic and talented artists of the late 20th century, is back like you’ve never heard her before. Lennox releases her sixth solo album and first-ever holiday recording, “A Christmas Cornucopia.” A stunning collection of new and inspired interpretations of eleven traditional festive songs, the disc is rounded out by her new composition and first single, “Universal Child.”
Katharine McPhee laughs and exclaimed “This feels so wrong” as she recorded a Christmas album on a scorching hot July day in Los Angeles. Yet nothing could be more right than for the sensational singer to record some of her favorite Christmas songs for her third album, titled “Christmas Is The Time…To Say I Love You,” released by Verve Forecast. “Christmas really is my favorite time of year,” says McPhee. “It takes a little imagination to be recording right now but I don’t need a ton of Christmas lights in the studio to inspire me. I know these songs so well. These are the songs I listened to growing up. Hopefully my versions will be unique but at the same time timeless; full and rich yet simple and intimate.” Though the title track to “Christmas Is The Time…To Say I Love You” is a rarely-covered song originally recorded by rocker Billy Squier in 1981, the album is filled with familiar classics, whether traditional or contemporary, from “O Holy Night” and “This Christmas” to a medley of “Away In A Manger”/”O Little Town Of Bethlehem.” McPhee also wrote an original song for the album.
Jackie Evancho, the 10 year old who should have won “America’s Got Talent,” and has the voice of an angel has come out with her first album (OK, it’s a mini album) and it is dedicated to Christams songs. Her mini-CD “O Holy Night” – four songs, four clips from the TV show, a YouTube clip and an interview debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Holiday Chart. The four songs, including “Silent Night,” clock in at 15 minutes.
Susan Boyle, the international sensation from “Britain’s Got Talent,” comes out with her first Christmas Album, “The Gift,” featuring several traditional Christmas songs, including “Do You Hear What I Hear?” with Amber Stassi, “The First Noel,” “O Holy Night,” “Away in a Manger,” and “O Come, All Ye Faithful.” It also features her current single, “Perfect Day,” and includes covers of such classics as Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” (one of my all-time favorite songs) and Crowded House’s “Don’t Dream It’s Over.” “Auld Lang Syne” is usually reserved for bidding farewell to a year gone by, but for Boyle, she’ll cherish these times. She’s living her dream — what a gift.
