What’s Hot South Florida 03/20 – 03/26

On Tuesday, March 11^th the Mack Mixer held their monthly Fort Lauderdale networker at the beautiful Atlantic Hotel. As always, the mixer was packed! Wednesday night, Solare Coliseum presented their first annual Miss Coliseum Classic and Plus pageants. With 5 contestants in each pageant the well-deserved winners were Lady Charisse (Classic) and Olga Dantelly (plus). The Pride Center at Equality Park presented their 2^nd annual Tropical Plant Fair this past weekend to a great crowd. It grew so much since last year I can’t even imagine how busy next year will be.

On Sunday there were many events. The day started with the gay softball league (SFAAA) having their opening week games…yum, guys in uniform. At the same time the Impulse group presented a Pool Party at The Palm Plaza Guest house…even yummier, guys out of clothes…hehe! Later that night Equality Florida presented their annual Miami Gala at the Perez Art Museum. The Voice of Equality Honorees this year were Multiple Emmy and Golden Globe winner, and longtime advocate for the LGBT community, Sharon Gless (who Nadine Smith, Chief Executive Officer of EQFL admitted she had a crush on growing up) and the six courageous couples who joined Equality Florida to sue the state of Florida for the right to marry. Once again Nadine was Eloquent and delivered a wonderful State of the State speech. I always look forward to Nadine speeches and always feel optimistic and pumped up when she is finished. Let’s go Florida!

Thursday, March 20

The Village Pubs Jump Start Thursdays presents Sexual Healing at 9:45pm starring Shardee Ross with special guests Vanity Flair, Tonna McKenzie and Alexis Couture.

Its NCAA March Madness catch all the action starting tonight and going through the championship on April 7 at Sidelines Sports and Video Bar.

Zoetic Stage and the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County are proud to present the world premiere of CLARK GABLE SLEPT HERE, a hilarious Hollywood satire by multiple Carbonell Award-winning playwright and Zoetic Stage co-founder Michael McKeever (South Beach Babylon, Moscow). Playing March 20 – April 6, 2014 in the intimate Carnival Studio Theater (Ziff Ballet Opera House), CLARK GABLE SLEPT HERE continues the Arsht Center’s highly acclaimed 2013-2014 Theater Up Close Series which features artistic collaborations from stellar local theater ensembles and nationally acclaimed theater companies.

Tickets to CLARK GABLE SLEPT HERE are $45*, and may be purchased now through the Adrienne Arsht Center box office by calling (305) 949-6722 or online at www.arshtcenter.org.

Friday, March 21

The Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus will be presenting its Spring concert “Totally Awesome,” a tribute to the music of the 1980s. The concert will highlight some of the most popular pieces from that gnarly decade, including Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, George Michael, Dolly Parton, the B-52s, and more! The concert will be held tonight and tomorrow at 8 pm at the Museum of Art, Fort Lauderdale. Tickets are $40 Premium Seating and $25 General Admission. You can RSVP by visiting theftlgmc.org or by calling (954) 832-0060.

Saturday, March 22

Discotekka in association with Milancita.com and Danny Villar productions celebrates their 7^th anniversary starring DJs Renn and Carlos G along with house divas Poizon Ivy, Sasha Lords, Gina D’Angelo, La Radisson, Serena ChaCha and Lola Lotus. The night will also include free champagne and Hors D’oeuvres and a VIP Card drive.

Epic Saturdays at The Manor presents Winter Music Conference star Sariah singing live in the Ballroom along with DJ Terrance Lalley. In the Ivy Lounge and Patio, Noche Latina Saturdays celebrates the birthday of Velvet LeNore with hostess Viva Mirage and DJ Nena. 11pm to 4 am with no cover.

The Ramrod presents Studs and Spurs, a fundraiser to help send Mr. Ramrod, Kirk Ruben, to International Mr. Leather. The night will include raffles and give-a-ways.

Tuesday, March 25

My TropiXXX presents a 40% off sale for Ruby members until March 21.

Latinos Salud invites the entire community to raise their glass to raise awareness, a pre-AIDS Walk fundraiser at Chill Wine Lounge from 5:30-7:30. Your $20 donation includes first select wine pour.

Wednesday, March 26

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is proud to present the return of PINK MARTINI, the beloved Portland-based “little orchestra” led by founder and artistic director Thomas Lauderdale. As part of the Center’s 2013-2014 Live at Knight Series, PINK MARTINI will celebrate its 20^th anniversary with South Florida fans and perform hits such as “Sympathique” and new songs with The von Trapps from their new collaborative effort Dream a Little Dream on March 26, 2014 at 8 p.m. inside John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall. Tickets to PINK MARTINI are $35, $55, $75 and $95*. Tickets may be purchased through the Adrienne Arsht Center box office by calling (305) 949-6722, or online at www.arshtcenter.org

Hot Stuff

Banana Republic unveiled a new look with its Spring 2014 campaign – a heartfelt nod to the modern day adventurer who appreciates the journey, not just the destination, and is perfectly outfitted every step of the way. Inspired by the brand’s heritage and the pioneering spirit of its San Francisco roots, the campaign celebrates authenticity with style and the California state of mind – core qualities that define Banana Republic, the true outfitters of modern American style. The campaign champions true relationships, true style and true emotions, illustrating life’s most precious and authentic moments shared between loved ones. Real-life couples and families were cast in the campaign, including New York City-based partners and interior designers Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent and many others.

My Friend Lee, dancer extraordinaire and dancing teacher will be celebrating his 60^th birthday at Scandals as he teaches his weekly line dancing class on Thursday March, 27^th starting at 7:30 pm. I will be there, who wants to dance with me?

This Is HOT

Anyone who know me, knows I am all about Broadway or any kind of live theater. I am an arts junkie, so to speak…LOL! However, my favorite show of all time is Les Miserables, which I have seen more times then I will admit to and have listed to the original CD hundreds of times. It will be of no surprise to you then that I saw the movie the day it came out and that the live 2010 recording of the 25th Anniversary of Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of Alain Boublil & Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical masterpiece featuring brand new orchestrations in a re-imagined production that proves Les Misérables is as contemporary as ever is something I hold near and dear.

As Les Miserables is now in previews for its Broadway revival at the Imperial Theatre where the original production ran for 16 years, I thought this CD would make a good This is HOT!

Les Miserables Live! Dream The Dream is available now from First Night Records and RED Distribution.