Annual White Fort Lauderdale Festival
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Thursday, May 23

Plays of Wilton (POW!) and Ronnie Larsen Presents will present the revival of Michael McKeever’s award-winning play, “Daniel’s Husband,” at The Foundry from today through June 16. Daniel and Mitchell are the perfect couple. Perfect house, perfect friends – even a mother who wants them married. A turn of events puts their perfect life in jeopardy, and Mitchell is thrust into a future where even his love may not prove to be enough. “Daniel’s Husband” is a bold reflection of love, commitment, and family in our perilous new world. “Daniel’s Husband” had its world premiere at Wilton Manors’ Island City Stage in 2015, and won three Carbonell Awards, including Best New Work. In addition to writing the play, McKeever will be directing the new production. The play stars a long list of notable award-winning performers, including Ryan DiDato, Robert Koutras, Barbara Sloan, Jordan Armstrong, and Kevin Veloz. “Daniel’s Husband runs Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 3pm and 7pm. Tickets are available at Ronnielarsen.com.

Friday, May 24

Starting today and going through Monday, MAY 27 is the 26th Annual White Fort Lauderdale Festival. Pre-Sale Discounted Nightly & Main Event Tickets At whiteftl2024.eventbrite.com. Pool Parties Tickets At pridefortlauderdale.org/2024whiteftl. Some of the featured entertainment throughout the weekend at The Manor and The Sand Inn are: DJ Abel Aguilera, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, DJ Isaac Escalante, DJ Karsten Sollors, DJ Cesar Hernandez, DJ Ana Paula, and the main event on Sunday (Matinee Group’s Laleche) features Nina Flowers and Las Bibas From Vizcaya.

Saturday, May 25

Kick off the summer on Memorial Day weekend at the Great American Beach Party from 11am – 6:30pm at Las Olas Oceanside Park. This is a tradition in the City of Fort Lauderdale. Celebrate with family and friends as a portion of Fort Lauderdale’s world-famous beach transforms into an entertainment mecca. Highlights from this free, family-friendly event include live bands, water slides, a kid’s zone, a classic car show, an art show, a sand sculpting contest, a SOCOM Para-Commandos parachute jump, a military tribute, the Walk of Fame ceremony, vendors, exhibitors, and so much more! For more info, go to: Parks.fortlauderdale.gov/.

Starting today and going through the whole summer, Pub on the Drive presents Summer Kick Off T-Dance at 4pm with performances by Erika Norell and Vauz Allen with music by DJ Don.

The Hyundai Air and Sea Show is back and is now FREE to the public this Memorial Day Weekend – today and tomorrow, Sunday May 26, on Miami Beach! Bring the whole family and enjoy two days of military fighter jet demonstrations, bombers, parachute teams, air sea rescue demonstrations, five city blocks of displays, food, music and more. This free to the public patriotic, family-friendly event has something for everyone! For more details visit Usasalute.com.

Monday, May 27

Hunters Nightclub and Harmony Waves presents a Memorial Day Cookout from 3pm to 11pm with DJ Drew (food from 4-8pm). Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 day of, and include: 2 drinks, Hotdogs, Hamburgers, Veggie Burgers, chips, pasta salad, baked beans, corn on the cob, and cookies. The event will also feature a celebrity dunk tank and cornhole.

Thursday, May 30

History Fort Lauderdale and the Galleria Mall presents “Take Pride” a 100-year retrospective of LGBTQ+ Milestones. Tonight is the opening reception from 6-8pm which is also the official Stonewall Pride Month Kick Off event. The host will be Hotspots Happening Outs very own Fay What and the guest performers are Velvet Lenore, and Vauz Allen with DJ Jay McCracken. The night will recognize their 2024 take pride 10 honorees. The exhibition which will run through June 30, also includes the Miss Florida F.I. Pageant Wall of Fame. Tickets are available for the opening reception at Historyfortlauderdale.org.

Bow Tie Kids presents the 4th annual Courage & Confidence Awards hosted by Nik Harris and Major Ty Shaw-Williams and features their welcome reception at 5pm with the program beginning at 6pm at The Venue Fort Lauderdale. The event will include an awards ceremony, a fashion show, dinner and cocktails and live performances.  To purchase tickets or for more info, go to Bowtiekids.org.

Friday, May 31

The Master Chorale of South Florida (Brett Karlin, Artistic Director) presents Craig Hella Johnsons “Considering Matthew Shepard” today and tomorrow at 8pm at the Sunshine Cathedral for the Performing Arts. Purchase your tickets at Masterchoralesouthflorida.org.

Saturday, June 1

June marks the 55th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, and the Stonewall National Museum, Archives, & Library is taking that historic event and creating an immersive experience by recreating the Stonewall Inn as it was on that fateful night in 1969. Stonewall “Inn” will begin its 10-year national tour here in Fort Lauderdale before moving on to all 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. You are invited to be amongst the very first to see the world from the viewpoint of those who were there in the wee hours of the morning on June 28, 1969. The opening is tonight at 6pm for a Private VIP Reception before they open this historic exhibit to the public at 7pm. Also, plan to join them on Saturday, June 29th at 4:30pm when Stonewall will be presenting a re-enactment of the Stonewall Uprising.  If you are interested in playing a role in the re-enactment, please e-mail them as soon as possible. There you will join Peabody and GLAAD Award winner, Kristen Lovell, star, and director of the award-winning HBO/Max film, “The Stroll” who will represent the legendary activist, Marsha P. Johnson. 

Hurricane season starts today. Are you ready? Join the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS), the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) and Florida International University’s (FIU) International Hurricane Research Center (IHRC) today from 10am – 5pm, for “Eye of the Storm,” an electrifying all-ages FREE day of education, Museum exploration and weather preparedness.  To register, please visit mods.org/eyeofthestorm or onsite at the Museum box office upon arrival.

Claudia Castillo ART studio (NEW LOCATION: 2180 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors) presents “Seductive” by Javier Trelis, showing today through Aug 2 on Sun, Wed & Thurs from 4-10pm; Fri and Sat from 4-11:55pm or by appointment by calling 954.274.7047. Visit the studio exhibit or shop online at ClaudiacastilloARTstudio.com |

The Ramrod presents their monthly Pig Dance (first Sat of every month) from 10pm to 3am with this month’s guest DJ Rent Boy and as always no cover.

Thursday, June 6

Tonight, is the monthly Pride Skate (first Thursday of the month) at Xtreme Action Park (5300 Powerline Road, Ft laud) from 7 to 10pm with a PRIDE THEME. The night will star Velvet LeNore, Rianna Petrone, DJ T-pro, and a full liquor bar and lots of fun! Pride Skate Nights are a benefit for Stonewall Pride. Tonight, every person who comes will be entered into a FREE Raffle to win 2 VIP tickets to Stonewall Pride. The winner will be picked during the 2nd drag show.

CONGRATS Holy Cross Health

Holy Cross Health announced their “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer” designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC). The designation was awarded in the 16th iteration of HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). A record 1,065 healthcare facilities actively participated in the HEI 2024 survey and scoring process. Of those participants, 462 received the “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer” designation. This year’s HEI comes as LGBTQ+ adults are twice as likely as non-LGBTQ+ adults to be “treated unfairly or with disrespect by a doctor or healthcare provider” in the last three years, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. The impact of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation combined with a history of discrimination in healthcare settings has the potential to cause even more LGBTQ+ people to delay or avoid seeking healthcare, which makes the HEI even more salient for those looking to find LGBTQ+-inclusive care.

HOT Stuff

NSU Art Museum is happy to announce that they will join museums nationwide in the Blue Star Museums initiative, a program that provides free admission to currently serving U.S. military personnel and their families this summer. The 2024 program starts now and goes through Labor Day, Monday, September 2. The free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States Military—Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force, members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and up to five family members. Qualified members must show a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), DD Form 1173-1 ID card or the Next Generation Uniformed Services (Real) ID card for entrance into NSU Art Museum or any of the participating Blue Star Museums.

This is HOT

Tony, GRAMMY, and Emmy winner Ben Platt releases the tender new single “Treehouse” featuring GRAMMY-winning Americana icon — and songwriter of the Tony-winning Broadway musical Shucked — Brandy Clark via Interscope Records. The delicate ballad is the third single, following the dreamy “Andrew” and the anthemic “Cherry on Top,” from Platt’s hotly anticipated new album Honeymind.

“Treehouse” is destined to be one of the highlights of Platt’s upcoming The Honeymind Tour — after all, Clark is joining him as the tour opener. The collaborators hit the road on June 18.  For more information, and to purchase tickets and VIP packages, visit benplattmusic.com.

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Scott Holland