Two events happened on Friday June 19, the first was R House Wynwoods Turn It Out Fridays presented special guest, from RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 11, Semi Finalist Crystal Methyd. Crystal turned it out for the packed crowd!!
The second was The Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida’s “Invincible” at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts with special guests Orlando Gay Chorus, The Gay Men’s Chorus of Tampa Bay, and Symphony of the Americas. Emerging from tragedy to triumph is a trademark of the LGBTQ+ community. In one spectacular evening, the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida joined by the state’s most powerful choral groups paid tribute to the 10th anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub shootings and our community’s incredible ability to push forward with courage and strength. Featuring over 200 voices, dance, and spoken word, this concert was one of the most significant cultural event of the year.
On Saturday, June 20 was the 26th annual Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival down Wilton Drive, and although Mother Nature did not play fairs, tens of thousands of people still came out to celebrate!!
Also on Saturday, June 20 Compass presented their annual Stonewall Ball with a Lavender Lounge theme at the Cohen Pavillion at the Kravis Center. The Ball was once again sold out and honored 3 important people. Rob Long, Florida State Representative for District 90, received the Compass Leadership Award; Ramsay MacLeod received the Michael Brown Faces of the Community Award, and my friend of many years Melissa St John received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Congrats to Julie and her entire team on another incredible event!
On Sunday, June 21, Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale participated in the worldwide Make Music Day celebration, with a free afternoon of live music at Tunnel Top Plaza on Las Olas Boulevard from 2 to 5 pm. The program included three local artists and the opportunity for many drop-in musicians of all types and experience levels. Part of a global movement spanning more than 120 countries and thousands of cities, Make Music Day is the world’s largest annual music celebration, held each year on the summer solstice. Unlike traditional music festivals, all performances are free and open to the public, inviting musicians of all ages, genres, and skill levels to share their talents in public spaces. I love events that are all inclusive!
On Sunday, June 28, The Stonewall National Museum Archives & Library presented their annual reenactment of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising at 4pm, which is a living tribute to the night that changed the world. This immersive community event honors the courage of those who resisted oppression and demanded dignity, not with speeches or distance, but by placing ourselves inside the story.
