Orlando’s Iconic Parliament House Resort Celebrates Its 39th Anniversary

Parliament House Resort, well-known to gay revelers and travelers across Florida and around the world, celebrates its 39th anniversary in business this month. The management and employees at the Parliament House will be celebrating the resort’s birthday in style, and they want all of you to attend so it will be a birthday to remember!

The week kicks off early on Wednesday, July 23 with the employees’ annual turnabout show! Watch your favorite bartenders and resort staff switch it up and present their drag personas for a very good cause! The tips and proceeds raised by this turnabout will benefit the food drive at the Joy Metropolitan Community Church here in Orlando. The show starts at 9 p.m. at the Footlight Theatre, and a $5 cash donation benefiting Joy MCC’s food pantry is requested.

On Thursday, enjoy Gidget Galore’s My Big Gay Game Show, featuring Gidget Galore and Addison Taylor, during Happy Hour, followed by Latin night in the disco and Bears in the City Bearaoke in the Bear Den. On Friday, be sure to see the acclaimed Footlight Players, headed by Darcel Stevens, in shows in the Footlight Theatre at 10 p.m. and midnight. DJ Scott Robert will be spinning in the disco all night long!

Finally, the big anniversary party will be held on Saturday, July 26. The special guests on hand this evening are RuPaul’s Drag Race season one winner BeBe Zahara Benet, Drag Race seasons two and three fan favorite Shangela, and legendary Orlando performer Armani. They will be performing with Darcel Stevens and her Footlight Players in a special anniversary show just after midnight. DJ Brianna Lee in the disco will make sure the party will be cranked up to ten all night long with Top 40, electronic and hip-hop dance mixes.

I was lucky to speak to the owner of the Parliament House, Don Granatstein, about this past year and what the future holds in store for the Orlando landmark.

Last year there were so many memorable events. Which ones were your favorites? 

It was hard to choose, but White Party, LeAnn Rimes, Pride with Taylor Dayne, Mardi Gras, Halloween, Light up the Courtyard, and New Year’s Eve were highest on our list.

The Gay Days lineup was wonderful. How does the planning process work, putting together such a great entertainment roster? 

We have five-hour management meetings every Tuesday throughout the year!

Last year you told me that you wanted to open a gay country club on The Gardens property. When can people buy their memberships?  

We’ll be coming out with our website and advertisements in the next two weeks – get ready!

Have you already given thought to Parliament House’s 40th anniversary celebrations? How do you want to see Parliament House turn 40? 

I’d like to bring back all the previous Footlight Players, build our new all-suite hotel next door and finish our renovations to the Parliament House.

Find out about upcoming entertainment acts and be the first to read announcements about the new country club by staying connected to Parliament House online! Bookmark their website at parliamenthouse.com, like them on facebook at facebook.com/ParliamentHouseOrlando, and follow them on twitter @PHouseOrlando.

Mike Halterman

Mike Halterman has been the editor of Hotspots Central since its launch in July 2016. He joined the Hotspots Media Group family as editor of Hotspots' South Florida magazine in June 2013. A former "40 Under 40" honoree in The Advocate magazine, Mike lives in the Tampa Bay area.

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