Thursday, November 23
Pub on the Drive opens at 9am and features Thanksgiving Dinner all day from 12 noon till close. For only $19.99, you get Turkey, Cornbread stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy, green bean casserole or creamed corn with peppers and onions, Yukon gold mashed potatoes or candied sweet potatoes, a dinner roll and a slice of pie. They will also be streaming the Macy’s Day Parade.
Friday, November 24
The annual URGE Miami Festival returns tonight for three massive nighttime events and two sizzling daytime fetes including the Royal Palm Pool Party and the legendary Beach Party on the sands of South Beach. Produced by Luis Morera, Billy Kemp, and Hilton Wolman. For more information or to purchase tickets go to Urgemiamifestival.com (you can also see the 5-page feature in this issue).
Each year, in partnership with the GMCSF, BOSFL collects teddy bears for the Broward Health System. Every child admitted to the hospital receives one of their bears, and the family is told that the bears come from those two organizations. They will be collecting new bears at Hunters from 5-8pm. They will also purchase bears on your behalf with donations; the cost of each bear is $5. Hunters is supporting the bear drive with free drink tickets for a beer, glass of wine or well drink to help encourage donations. Hunters is also generously donating hot teddy shots to sell with all proceeds going to the cause.
Saturday, November 25
Georgie’s Alibi/Monkey Bar presents a Hurricane Showdown Glow Block Party from 8 to 11pm, starring DJ Gusttavo and Go-Go’s Ever and Luis.
The Inter-American Choreographic Institute presents the 4th annual “Men Who Dance” festival taking place today and tomorrow at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. For more information, or to purchase tickets, go to: Browardcenter.org.
Twist presents, one of their original DJs back for one night only, legendary DJ Bugie taking you back and forth and upside down and as always, no cover!
As part of the RESIST FESTIVAL weekend, the Manor presents DJs Aaron Aanenson and Karsten Sollors in the Main Room, along with novelty acts and beautiful dancers. The night will also feature The Latin Dance Room and Patio with Latin Divas and Sexy Go-Go papi’s performing and DJ Gio in the Windsor Lounge. For this special event festival cover is $15 from 11pm to Midnight and $20 after.
Thursday, November 30
Galleria Fort Lauderdale’s BBX Capital Men of Style presented by Signature Grand and CAN Community Health, presents one of the most fashionable social events of the season, taking place today from 6 to 9 pm, and hosted by WPLG Local 10 Anchor Jacey Birch. This premier high energy fundraising event showcases a stellar roster of 12 prominent leaders who will rock the runway to make a positive impact in our community. For the past 16 years, Galleria Fort Lauderdale has proudly hosted this sold-out event. Tickets are $150 per person including complimentary valet parking and are available through the participating charities and online at www.galleriamall-fl.com/events/men-of-style-2023. Online voting is $25 per vote.
Shops at Merrick Park, Coral Gables’ pristine destination for fine shopping and dining, is thrilled to usher in the holiday season with “Santa on the Green.” Beginning today, and continuing every Thursday evening until December 21, from 6 – 9pm, the center’s garden area will be filled with lively music and Santa himself, ready for photo opportunities. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early with a blanket or chair to reserve the perfect spot on the green and indulge in the variety of dining and shopping options. For more information about Shops at Merrick Park, call (305) 529-1215, or visit: Shopsatmerrickpark.com.
Friday, December 1 (World AIDS Day)
CAN Community Health and Galleria Fort Lauderdale have joined forces to commemorate World AIDS Day through an official public event aimed at raising awareness and providing a collective voice for global health. The public is invited at 8:30 am, to participate in “Rock The Ribbon,” an official kickoff ceremony in honor of World AIDS Day at Galleria Fort Lauderdale (2414 E. Sunrise Blvd.). For more information, call 941-300-4440 or visit Cancommunityhealth.org.
Compass presents a World AIDS Day ceremony and a chance to view the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt from 6-8 pm. This is the 35th anniversary of the largest folk art in the world and in addition to the 20 panels you will see at Compass there are another 15 panels located at partner locations around the county.
Hamburger Mary’s Wilton Manors presents from RuPaul’s Drag Race and from The Boulet Brothers Dragula, the #1 Taylor Swift impersonator in the world, Jade Jolie with two seatings at 7:30pm and 9:30pm. If you can’t make it on Friday, no worries as she will be performing on Saturday as well, same seatings. Book your reservations by going to: Hamburgermarys.com/wiltonmanors.
Saturday, December 2
A tribute service for Michael Connell (Co-Owner of Pub on the Drive) will be held at United Church of Christ Fort Lauderdale (2501 NE 30th St, Fort Lauderdale) at 2pm. Following the service, Pub on the Drive will feature a Celebration of Life for Michael at 3:30pm featuring special guest performers.
Aqua Foundation presents their annual Aqua Affair celebrating their scholars and mentors from 7-9pm at a home on Fort Lauderdale beach. The returning scholars are Jett Porter, Misty Alicea, and Steph Frosch and the new scholars are Peyton Sibert, Ryan Hires, Cass Zangwill, and Nia Williams. To purchase tickets for this very important event, go to: https://tinyurl.com/aquaaffair23.
The Rapha Center presents the 5th annual “Code Red Gala: The Promise Of Healing” starting at 7:30pm at The Venue Fort Lauderdale. The night will be honoring DJ Gavin, Latonya Hopson, Adrianna Tender, Terry Dyer, Thomas Donall, DJ Dias, Richard Johnson, and David L. Jackson. The attire is formal rainbow and tickets are available at: Theraphacenter.org.
The Miami Gay Chorus presents the “Big Gay Holiday Show” featuring music, dancing, sing-alongs and love at Sandrell Rivers Theater (6103 NW 7th Avenue) at 7:30pm. Tickets are $30 in advance at Unitycoalition.org and $40 at the door.
Bears of South Florida presents their last Pool Party of the year, being held at Solstice at Wilton from noon to 4pm. BOSFL events raise money to help support LGBTQ+ organizations. For more information, or to purchase tickets, go to: Bosfl.org.
Sunday, December 3
Dance NOW! Miami’s Program I is called “Random Patterns of Falling Leaves. Performances take place today at the Broward Center’s Amaturo Theater, and again on Sunday, December 10 at Coral Gables Sanctuary for the Arts both at 6pm. These evenings also include the world premiere of Tethered and a trademark classic piece, “Chronicles.” Dance NOW! Miami (DNM) is one of Florida’s leading contemporary companies. For more info or to purchase tickets, go to: dancenowmiami.org.
Monday, December 4
Start off Miami Art Week at WEAM with the opening reception for their new show, “Bettina Rheims: Everything All At Once,” today at 7pm, produced in collaboration with the Kinsey Institute! Bettina Rheims, born in France in 1952, is a contemporary fine art and commercial photographer known for her portrayals of the nude body and her exploration and transformation of ideas about femininity, the male gaze, sexuality, and power in her work. For more information or to RSVP, go to: Weam.com.
Tuesday, December 5
Ronnie Larsen presents “Jennifer McClain’s Quirky Christmas Cabaret Sing-A-Long” (a Christmas show you will not forget filled with fun sing-a-longs) tonight and tomorrow at 8pm. The show will feature musical direction by Eric Alsford with special guests. For tickets, go to Ronnielarsen.com.
Wednesday, December 6
Fridge Art Fair is pleased to announce The Rainbow Popsicle Edition, celebrating 10 years of the Miami edition of Fridge from today through December 10 at Courtyard Miami Coconut Grove.
The “little fair that could” first landed in Miami from New York’s Lower East Side in December of 2013. The 10th anniversary edition will bring back many Fridge Favorites such as The Imaginary Fridge Art Fair Marching Band, Rainbow Popsicles, and more. Artist submissions are ongoing and members of the LGBTQ+ community are specially encouraged to apply. For further information, contact Eric Ginsburg at 202-590-1357or go to fridgeartfair.com.
Artechouse, a pioneer in innovative, experiential art and the leading contemporary art space dedicated exclusively to technology-based art, is proud to announce its upcoming collaboration and digital art exhibition in Miami Beach titled “Future Sketches / Code Poems” by renowned artist, researcher, and educator Zach Lieberman. The exhibition marks the next chapter in Lieberman’s journey, exploring the poetry within computation and pushing the boundaries of creative coding as an expressive medium. The exhibition will open to the public during Miami Art Week today and remain on display through May 2024. For tickets and more information, visit Artechouse.com.
Thursday, December 7
Tonight, is the monthly Pride Skate (first Thursday of the month) at Xtreme Action Park (5300 Powerline Road, Ft laud) from 7-10pm. The night will star Velvet LeNore, Rianna Petrone, DJ Tpro, and a full liquor bar and lots of fun! Pride Skate Nights are a benefit for Stonewall Pride.
Pig Week
The 10 days of events starts today and goes through December 3. With tons of events, many of them taking place at the Ramrod (including the 195th Pig Dance on Saturday, Dec 2…check their ad in this mag for more events), they also have events at: Slammer 321, Alibi, Pool Parties, Clubhouse II, Wilton Social, Tropx, Gym Bar, Ed Lugo Resort, Eagle Wilton Manors, The Manor, Leather Werks, and Crunch Gym. Congrats to Chad and his team for taking a small 3-day concept into a 10-day super successful festival. For more info, go to: Pigweek.com.
Hot Stuff
The Pride Center at Equality Park announced the appointment of Rebecca D’Amico, MPA as director of development. D’Amico has more than two decades of experience helping nonprofits raise funds and build strong donor relationships. She has held development positions with Covenant House Florida and the Leadership Broward Foundation. Most recently, she was director of operations, programs, and events for the Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. I have been lucky enough to meet Rebecca and am excited to see all the great things she is going to do for the Pride Center!
Last month, The World Luxury Awards announced the 2023 winners of the top hotels, spas, restaurants, and travel establishments. Rock Spa & Salon at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood earned three World Luxury Spa Awards including Best Luxury Casino Hotel Spa – Global, Best Luxury Hotel Spa in North America, and Best Luxury Resort Spa in North & Central America. Rock Spa & Salon is one of the spa’s we featured in this years Spa Edition and is a state-of-the-art facility and luxury oasis that spans 42,000 square feet, redefining tranquility for guests seeking relaxation and rejuvenation. The picturesque co-ed atrium includes three 800-square-foot couples treatment suites and a Himalayan salt room, perfect for guests to bring friends and family. For more information about Rock Spa & Salon or Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, visit HardRockHolly.com.
