Last Wednesday, June 22nd was the VIP opening of the much anticipated Johnny’s Miami. Sean David did a beautiful job renovating his new club which is directly across the street from Vagabond in downtown Miami. Virtually all the club and movers and shakers of the Miami scene were in attendance as well as a tremendous amount of Fort Lauderdale business owners. Congratulations to Sean for making his dream a reality! Friday Night had 2 big events happening in Miami; the opening of Marytrini’s Wet Bar Friday’s and Club Sugar featured Raven of RuPaul’s Drag race Season 2. Both events drew in big crowds. Saturday afternoon Richard Gray presented the Grand Opening party of The Royal Palms in a lavish way that only Richard can. It was just a fabulous event that was very well attended. Sunday night The Manor presented Jai Rodriguez …
Last Week in Review
This weekend was also the annual St Pete Pride Festival and although I couldn’t attend this year, a lot of the Hotspots staff was there to represent. According to Scott Spar (Hotspots Central Florida Advertising and Marketing Manager) “The attendance was one of the best ever, the parade amazing and the festival top notch. Thousands of on lookers were there to cheer on those in the parade in hopes of catching some of the beads that the Saint Pete Pride Parade is so well known for. The Hotspots booth seemed like the place as this was the first year that we used our “Winnie”, our brand new special events vehicle, as our booth, where we were giving visitors a chance to sign up to win tickets to see the upcoming Rihanna concert. The day ended wonderfully as crowds dispersed to the many pride celebrations between Saint Pete and Tampa. Happy Pride Bay Area!”
LGBT Events in South Florida
Thursday, June 30
The Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce presents its Chamber Networker Mixer from7 pm to 9 pm at the “Red Room” of the Shore Club located at 1901 Collins Avenue, Mingle and network with fellow members and guests. FREE hors d’oeuvres and Grey Goose Vodka. Complimentary admission for MDGLCC members and $10 for all others. RSVP requested at mdglcc@bellsouth.net or 305-673-4440.
The Pride Factory features their annual Red, White and Blue savings event with 15% off all clothing, including Swimwear.
Friday, July 1
The Boardwalk in association with FalconStudios.com present video star Roman Heart live in the flesh for 2 shows tonight, Saturday and Sunday.
Local author/inspirational public speaker, Micheal Humphries will speak and have a book signing at the Pride Center located at 2040 N. Dixie Hwy, at 8pm. “It’s All Good” by Michael Humphries intends to help readers achieve a worry-free state. Humphries focuses on the positives in his life: love, happiness, faith, family and friends. Through self-reflection, he opens his heart and soul to readers. “It’s All Good” emphasizes the importance of being happy in the present, as it’s impossible to change yesterday and tomorrow might never come. Humphries credits total forgiveness as an essential step in the process, and shares the many circumstances he found that can block happiness. Additional book signing will happen on Saturday, July 2nd at the Alibi from 2 to 5 pm. For more information go to MHPeaceOfMind.com
Bubble Gum Fridays at The Manor presents Baby, You’re a Firework party with a $500 in cash and prizes Sexy Firecracker contest.
To honor the 4th of July weekend and our community, Bill’s Filling Station presents a special appreciation concert starring recording artist Debby Holiday. There will be a meet and greet, CDs and other giveaways and no cover.
The Ramrod presents Pig Dance XXXV with DJ Chris Racine back by popular demand.
The Manor presents American Cutie Pie, a themed event starring DJ Kidd Madonny with a performance by Erika Norell. The Latin Lounge and patio celebrates the Independence of the USA and Venezuela starring Venezuelan diva’s Viva Mirage and Justice Divine as well as DJ Larry Larr spinning. The room kicks off at 10 pm and there is no cover at the Manor.
Scandals invites everyone to see their staff in their patriotic boxers and boots to kick off the 4th of July holiday.
Score Productions and Hilton Wolman presents URGE at Dream (1532 Washington Avenue) starring DJ Abel with imported dancers from Europe and Brazil. For more information visit UrgeMimami.com and to buy discount tickets go to ShowClix.com.
Boom presents Independence Eve Dance starring DJ’s Marc Scott and Richie Rich with no cover.
The Manor presents Picnic T Dance starring Grammy award winning DJ/producer Chris Cox starting at 7 pm with no cover.
Monday, July 4
Mona’s presents PHD (Pizza Hut Dave) day, their annual fun-raiser & benefit for the Pet Project. The event which goes all day will feature raffles, a cook-out, 50/25/25 raffle, and a fabulous auction with Toni Barone and Russell of Stable from 5 to 7 pm.
Scandals will be celebrating its GM’s, and my good buddy Howard’s Merritt’s birthday.
Hot Stuff
Press release from Pride South Florida: “Even though the economy has limited or completely canceled other Pride events; thru the support of our wonderful sponsors, and dedication of our selfless volunteers and board members, Pride South Florida wishes to announce the success of PRIDEFEST 2011, “Our Past, Present, Future.” PSF Grants will be awarded to the following Broward Non-Profit organizations for their service and projects enhancing the lives of Broward’s LGBT population. As the ONLY Florida Pride organization that grants event proceeds back to the community, Pride South Florida is delighted to Celebrate: Red Hispana Florida $1000, Gilda’s Club So Florida $1000, Names Project (AIDS Memorial Quilt) $1000, Lambda Men’s Brotherhood $1000, South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble $1000, Church of the Holy Spirit Song $1000, and KP Productions $1000. Proceeds from PRIDEFEST serve as the primary income producer for various grant programs and public benefit opportunities bestowed throughout the year. Please join us for our 35th Anniversary PRIDEFEST 2012 on March 10 & 11.”
Bill’s is proud to be hosting the Annual Bartenders’ Boxers and Briefs Auction benefiting Tuesday’s Angels again this year on Monday, July 18 at 8 pm. The generous support and participation by the community has raised over $56,000 for this very deserving organization in the past few years. Tuesday’s Angels is a non-profit organization that provides funding on an emergency basis to men, women and children who have HIV / AIDS. All dollars (100%) received by the organization go to clients who have little or no income and are often unable to work. For more information on Tuesday’s Angels visit their web site, TuesdaysAngels.org. Anyone wanting to participate, donate or requesting additional information contact: Don Clark, Bill’s manager at Don@BillsFillingStation.com or by calling 954-567-5978 office or 954-563-2144 cell.
A big congratulations goes out to Aaron Kline who was just appointed to the position of President of Aces Entertainment, Inc. Aaron was an early investor in and mentor for Aces Entertainment, Inc.
Last Friday, June 24th, a bipartisan majority of the Republican-controlled New York Senate approved a bill securing the freedom to marry for all couples in the state. Governor Andrew Cuomo has promised to promptly sign the bill into law, and to make New York the sixth—and most populous—state to afford gay and lesbian couples the same marriage rights available to heterosexual couples. Below are quotes from some of the Leading Gay advocacy groups:
– Rea Carey, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
“We applaud Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State legislature for their historic vote in favor of marriage equality. This step towards equal civil rights — in one of the largest states in our nation — affirms recent polls that most Americans are now in favor of marriage equality for our LGBT loved ones. PFLAG mothers and fathers all over the state of New York will be celebrating with their sons and daughters, who can now legally marry the people they love in their hometowns,” – Jody Huckaby, Executive Director of PFLAG National.
“At the heart of this vote are loving and committed New Yorkers who simply want the same thing all Americans want: the ability to take care of the people they love and to protect their families,” – GLAAD’s Senior Director of Programs Herndon Graddick.
It is my sincere hope that Florida follows in New York’s footsteps in the very near future!
