Thursday, Feb 21
Starting today and going all weekend long is the annual Pride Fort Lauderdale Pride Celebration. This year they have expanded, and feature a parade and many more events. For more information see the feature in this issue or go to: PrideFortLauderdale.org.
Friday, Feb 22
Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami (MOCA…770 NE 125th Street) is pleased to present Mojo Ike and Val as part of its monthly “Jazz at MOCA” series. GRAMMY-nominated artists Mojo Ike and Val Woods completed their most recent CD, “Movin’ Up,” after returning from an 18-city European Tour where they electrified audiences with high energy yet soulful Blues performances. Jazz at MOCA performance begins at 8 p.m., and is free and open to the public.
The Pub presents Sir Ari Gold performing live from the soundtrack to Freedom Concert at 9:30pm.
The Courtyard by Marriot (440 Seabreeze Boulevard) presents 2 parties in honor of Pride. The first is today at 11am on the Upper Pool Deck starting at 11am, and the second is a parade viewing party (they are directly on the parade route) on Saturday starting at 12pm (parade at 5:30pm). Reserve a room at the hotel at: Pridefortlauderdale.org/hotels.
Saturday, Feb 23
The Manor Complex presents the official Fort Lauderdale Pride Parade After Party entitled Carnaval, and starring international DJ/Producer Leo Blanco (Madrid) in the new Empire Room. In the Ivy Dance Room and Patio, Noche Latina Saturdays celebrates Pride Latin Style with hostess Lana Novva Lanudde and special guest Champagne Bordeaux, along with DJ Larry Larr and sexy Latin Go-Go papi’s. Tonight doors open 1 hour early at 10pm, and feature NO COVER before midnight (FL Res) and only $7 for members after midnight and $10 for non-members (18-20 – $12 all night).
Sunday, Feb 24
The Pub presents Lady Fancy’s Gospel Jubilee, which is a church of a different kind and features good old fashioned Southern Gospel music at 7 pm. At 9pm, they become the official Pride Fort Lauderdale closing party.
The South Florida Pride Youth Band presents Season 8 – an evening with Robert Sheldon at 7pm at the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. For more information, or to order tickets, go to: Pridewindensemble.org.
Outshine Film Festival presents a Big Night Out as they invite the community to celebrate Hollywood’s biggest night – the 91st Academy Awards watch party event. The night will feature a red carpet, complimentary valet, passed appetizers, full sit down dinner, 3 hour open bar, and will honor Scott Greenberg, De Palazzo, Jacqueline Lorber, Emery Grant and Julian Cavazos. Performing will be Joe Posa as Joan Rivers, Tony Tripoli, Angeliki Tasic and Cindy Curtis. The event which will benefit the Outshine Film Festivals Education Initiative starts at 7pm and will be held at the Venue (2345 Wilton Dr. Fort Lauderdale); Tickets are $150, and can be purchased at Outshinefilm.com.
Tuesday, February 26
Broadway Across America brings the Broadway sensation Waitress, to the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts starting tonight and playing through March 3. Inspired by Adrienne Shelly’s beloved film, Waitress tells the story of Jenna – a waitress and expert pie maker. Jenna dreams of a way out of her small town and loveless marriage. A baking contest in a nearby county and the town’s new doctor may offer her a chance at a fresh start, while her fellow waitresses offer their own recipes for happiness. But Jenna must summon the strength and courage to rebuild her own life. Tickets start at only $34 at ArshtCenter.org.
Thursday, February 28
Twist (25 outrageous years) presents the premiere of their new Thursday promotion “Doll Brawl” with hostess and referee Athena Dion. The show starts at 12 am sharp and will feature 3 dolls in one epic brawl every week with the winner being decided by the audience. DJ Aulden Brown will be spinning.
This is HOT
The Queen of Funk Chaka Khan made a phenomenal return with her latest single ‘Like Sugar’. Initially launched as a limited edition release for Record Store Day, it earned airplay from Annie Mac, Nick Grimshaw, Pete Tong, Benji B, Danny Howard and Gilles Peterson before receiving a full release in the summer. It immediately captured the imagination of fans with countless entries from all over the globe for her #LikeSugarChallenge and numerous bootleg remixes. The accompanying Kim Gehrig-directed video extended that love with two wins at the UK Music Video Awards, while live sets at Bestival and the Pitchfork Music Festival were widely heralded as highlights of the summer. The track has become one of the year’s biggest club anthems with support from Mark Ronson, The Magician, Horse Meat Disco, The Black Madonna and many more.
Now the 10-time Grammy Award winner continues the reemergence of the year with the news that her new album ‘Hello Happiness’ which was released last week via Diary Records / Island Records, the new label formed by Major Lazer founder and Grammy-nominated producer Switch with artist/songwriter Sarah Ruba Taylor.
‘Hello Happiness’ is an album which sets Chaka Khan’s timeless vocal to an empowering collection of songs with cutting-edge production. With an eye on the future and a respect for the past, Chaka Khan has delivered an album with the contemporary edge to entice newcomers to her world class talent and the quality to excite long-term fans.
After forty years in music, ‘Hello Happiness’ celebrates a lifetime in music and proves that Chaka Khan is as inspiring as ever.
For more information on the iconic Chaka Khan or to purchase her album go to: Chakakhan.com.
