Hotposts! March 12, 2020

5 3 1 46 2 7

The Frivolist

CREDITS

By Mikey Rox

03.12 ��� �

7 Things That re Getting on MyLGBTQ Nerves Right Now FLORIDA From the PUBLISHER

Publisher Peter Clark

Peter@HotspotsMedia.com Peter@HotspotsMedia.com

DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS IN TheORLANDO high price of underwear underwear

Like any other red-blooded g ed-blooded gaay American male, I Welcome to this week’s edition of line of work.” care about the underwear I put on m ear I put on my juicy booty y juicy booty Hotspots. I just returned from I was especially proud to have – but there's a limit to how much I'll pa o how much I'll pay y. Ha . Have you attending the Florida LGBTQ met Dr. Jill Biden who reminded us Democratic Caucus in Orlando where that “our best days are ahead of us” seen these prices lately? A pair of MeUndies brief y? A pair of MeUndies briefs Hotspots Media Group was proud to be and that “Joe Biden is the only will set you back $24; $28 f ou back $24; $28 for a pair of Mack or a pair of Mack the official LGBTQ Weldon AIRKNITx boxer brief er briefs; and a w s; and a whopping hopping candidate that is media partner. Our ready to lead, $30 for one pair of 2(X)IST’s gr T’s graphic micr aphic micro noHotspots Live crew show trunk. Sexy, comfortable underw ortable underwear doesn ear doesn't ready to get to was on location work and turn this have to break your budget, how , howeever er. My secr . My secret is nation around on where we shopping the underwear section of Calvin Klein day one.” She interviewed many of Clearance outlet stores – hard to come by, but you wrapped up by the special guests can locate them on the Simon Premium Outlets thanking us for including Dr. Jill Peter Clark Misty Eyez Jill Biden website – where I recently copped a dozen pair of our “courage and Biden, Senator Bill conviction to live Nelson, Cynthia Nixon butt-hugging, package-plumping, moisturewith pride.” and US Representative Val Demings, wicking boxer briefs for about $4 each.

who is a strong LGBTQ advocate and was Impeachment Manager during Donald Trump’s senate trial. Demings stated “there is no place like home and Florida, that state that keeps us up all night during the election is my home!”

She further went on to thank the LGBTQ Democratic Caucus and “especially the work they do to level the playing field.” Demings is often asked what it was like moving from being a former Police Chief in Orlando to Congresswomen, and she says; “in this congress, with this president and the cast of characters around him, many days I feel like I am in the same

Associate Publisher Scott Holland

Scott@HotspotsMedia.com Scott@HotspotsMedia.com

Business Manager Brian Burda

Brian@HotspotsMedia.com Brian@HotspotsMedia.com

Classifieds Manager Jim Nolen

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Art Director Frank Mendez

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Graphics

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Maria Espinal

Digital Content Manager

roy@HotspotsMedia.com Troy@HotspotsMedia.com

Troy Maillis eam Sales Team

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Senior Account Reps Anthony Verrico & Rich LoPrimo Tom Gatz-Nibbio

National Advertising Rivendell Media

Please go to Hotspots.LGBT and 212-242-6863 • sales@rivendellmedia.com sales@rivendellmedia.com click on Hotspots Live to see video coverage of this wonderful event. I riters Writers would like to congratulate the Carlos Marrero | Troy Maillis W eddings organizers and especially the Scott Holland | Ian Maloney I recentl I r ecently att y attended a w ended a wedding that f edding that featured ed President of the Florida LGBTQ itkowski D'Anne Witkowski a pre-cer a pr e-ceremon emony w y welcome r elcome reception Caucus, Stephen Gaskill and Chris Azzopardi | Oscar Ambulo follow ollowed b ed by the cer y the ceremon emony f y followed by a Michael Albetta for inviting us to icente Mikey Rox | Romeo San Vicente participate. I would also be remiss post-ceremon post-cer emony cocktail hour f y cocktail hour followed by a not to mention the great job done seated dinner f seat ed dinner follow ollowed b ed by dancing y dancing Photographers

by Misty Eyes, John Marler and my Stephen R. Lang | J.R. Davis follow ollowed b ed by an end-of-e y an end-of-evvening snack husband, Cleto Beuren, who Scott Holland | Juan Saco Mironoff reception. An eig eception. An eight-hour aff ht-hour affair that left me worked hard to produce the video fat at, angry and e , angry and exhaust xhausted. Enoug ed. Enough already.

Logistics segments and interviews. Stay What happened to good old-f What happened t o good old-fashioned Bobby Neal Furedi | Oscar Ambulo tuned and enjoy this week’s eloping that didn't r 't requir equire anyone to give Hotspots Magazine! eloping that didn

up their hard-earned lazy Satur up their har d-earned lazy Saturday? My one resolution this y one r esolution this year is t ear is to attend zero Hotspots.LGBT | MarksList.LGBT w eddings. So far eddings. So f ar, so good. , so good.

3500 N.E. 12th Avenue • Oakland Park, FL 33334

al Florida Office: 813-253-9107 Broward Office: 954-928-1862 • Miami Office: 305-775-5265 • Central Florida Office: 813-253-9107 HotspotsMediaGroup.com • Facebook.com/HotspotsMag • Twitter.com/HotspotsFL

Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and LGBT lifestyle expert whose work has been published in more than 100 outlets across the world. He spends his time writing from the beach with his dog Jaxon. Connect with Mikey on Instagram @mikeyrox

4

Parents bringing their kids to breweries

Boy did I open a can of worms w orms when I ask hen I asked ed Facebook w acebook whether or not hether or not children should be en should be allowed at br ed at brew eweries. eries.

Sides wer ere tak e taken; mud en; mud was slung. Unsurprising as slung. Unsurprisinglly, most parents agr most par ents agreed that eed that bringing children t bringing childr en to o family-friendl -friendly br y brew eweries eries was acceptable w as acceptable while hile those of us of higher those of us of hig her evolution – the L olution – the LGB GBT TQ people and other nonbreeders – thoug eeders – thought it ht it appropriat opriate t e to dr o dropkick opkick anything under three-feet eet tall that came near our micro-IPAs.d does happen, you will not risk ou will not risk losing your home.

Random andom people accepting who I am

How many times have y e you hear ou heard, “I just w d, “I just want t ant to let y o let you ou know I accept you”? Happened t ou”? Happened to me the other da o me the other day at a y at a restaurant while having a con ving a convversation with a perf ersation with a perfect ect stranger after I told a st old a story that included m ory that included my bo y boyfriend. I yfriend. I mean, I guess it's a nice sentiment, but also f mean, I guess it's a nice sentiment , but also f*ck y *ck you, ou, Karen.

People crossing the street in green slow as f*ck

You slow down because you'r decent human being and these ingrates move at a glacial pace and then have the nerve to look y in the eye as they do it. Is it considered vehicular manslaug my foot slips?

Politics on social media

Is it nevver _not_ election season on social media? Republicans on social media? Republicans sharing wildly inaccur sharing wildl y inaccurat ate e information; democr ormation; democrats bit ats bitching, ching, moaning and complaining about every per ery percei ceivved injustice under the sun. Ridiculous. Meanw the sun. Ridiculous. Mean while, everybod body's in debt w y's in debt while our hile our elected officials laug ed officials laugh all the w h all the waay to the bank. My ad o the bank. My advice? Hoar vice? Hoard as d as much cash as you can and go offmuch cash as y ou can and go offgrid. That's the only w grid. That's the onl y waay y y you'll ou'll ever feel true peace and eel true peace and happiness.

Websites that advertise adv ertise sold out items

I fall in lo all in lovve with an it e with an item that em that Instagram thinks I ha Instagram think s I havve t e to ha o havve just to be t just t o be told that it's sold out old that it's sold out when I try t hen I try to put it in m o put it in my cart y cart. .

Why is it still li Wh y is it still livve online if it's no longer in stock?? I understand longer in st ock?? I understand why some people go on y some people go on rampages now ampages now. .

HOT ADVICE

By Andreus Quinones

/ miamibeachpride

ON TH E INSIDE www.miamibeachpride.com

March 12, 2020

38

MARCH 28 - APRIL 5, 2020

First Wives Club

Rogelio H. Dear Rogelio, It is always unsettling and sometimes hurtful to disagree with someone that you love. Unfortunately, sometimes people grow in different directions for many reasons.

Sometimes life takes us down different paths that change us. If communication is not working, you might need to distance yourself. It will be hard, and it will most definitely hurt. Sometimes, you must do whatever is necessary to remove yourself from negativity. I have learned in my own experiences that sometimes absence causes people to have realizations. Best of luck to you.

98 | Hotspots.LGBT

Dear Andreus, One of my friends is dying. It has been a long journey and he is slowly fading away. He has asked me repeatedly to come and visit him, but I don't know that I can handle seeing him this way. Every time I speak to him on the phone, he asks me again, and tells me that he doesn't have much time. I don't think I can do it.

What would you do?

Sincerely,

Gary P. Aiden R.

Dear Gary, It is a very difficult thing to see someone you love or care about dying. Death is a very uncomfortable reality for both. However, you must think about things from his perspective. He clearly needs you at this point. He is at the end of his life, which he is expressing to you repeatedly. Put yourself in his shoes and think about how you would feel if the people most important to you were not there. Also, think about how you will feel if he is to die, and you did not have the chance to say goodbye. As difficult as this may be, going to see him can bring closure for you both.

Cover Photo Supplied by Outlandish 14 u

What’s Hot | Scott Holland’s Guide to Events in SoFla

26 u

Feature | Jake Shears Finds His Roots

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Deep Inside Hollywood

44 u

Genre Latino | Conexiones: Dominican Republic

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Feature | Second Annual Food and Wine Fest

60 u

The Hot List | Top 10 Happenings in South Florida This Week

66 u

Creep of the Week | Scott Lively

70 u

Hot Bodies | A Mindful Morning Routine

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Feature | Come Out! Come Out! Musical

Join usAdvice for a| Innine-day celebration featuring a two-day Dying Need 98 u Hot The Frivolist | 7 Things Getting on my Nerves Right Now and much more.

100 u festival, parade, entertainment

89

BEACH PARTY & FESTIVAL | APRIL 4 & 5 PRIDE PARADE | APRIL 5 DIRECTORY OF LGBT & LGBT-FRIENDLY BUSINESSES

HOT SHOTS: Photo: Luke Jones

IN DYING NEED

Dear Andreus, I have recently had a falling out with my brother. We have always been super close, especially since we are both gay and depended on each other for support.

In recent years, he has been in a toxic relationship, as well as growing into a bitter, unhappy person. I have tried repeatedly to reach out and smooth things over, but it always results in anger or discomfort. Is it okay to let him go, and cut off communication? Please help.

Sincerely,

LET'S HAVE Martha Wash A BALL! 84

PRESENTED BY

Flip Flops Dockside Eatery • Miami Beach Pride • Taste of Oakland Park • Twist • Your Patio Store Justin Flippen Celebration of Life WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE MIAMI BEACH VISITOR AND CONVENTION AUTHORITY. All confirmed sponsors as of December 16, 2019.

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Everything you need to plan your week

uTHURSDAY MAR 12 The Pride Factory presents the new Andrew Christian styles. In addition, they are featuring 30% off select styles from today until March 18. u FRIDAY MAR 13

Twist presents, in honor of Friday the 13, “Blackout” starring DJ Bill Hallquist.

Starlet Skye presents “The Rocky Horror Picture Show Live” at 10pm at The Pub. Miami Beach's only residential Garden Tour returns with many

10am - 4pm. Visit six private gardens, each with a distinctive characteristics.

This self-guided tour begins and ends at the Garden for check-in, ticket purchase and tour map pick up.

Round out the weekend with a special performance by Miami Symphony Orchestra, on Sunday, March 15th at 4pm.

Purchase Tour Tickets at Mbgarden.org/calendar/tick ets. u SATURDAY MAR 14

ThePetprojectfl.org There will also be a silent auction, with all monies benefitting the Pet Project for Pets.

The Manor Complex presents JOY Florida Buzios Weekend starring DJ Eudes Freire in the Ballroom. In The Ivy Dance Room and Windsor Lounge, Noche Latina Saturdays features the Official Victory Party for Velvet Lenore and Hamed Novva winning Miss and Mr. Noche Latina. The

The Ramrod presents their monthly “Underground

event will be hosted by Kalah Mendoza., and also star DJ Larry Larr and sexy Latin Go-Go Papi's.

Invasion,” where it's all Saturdays at the Manor are 3/2 Ocean, Beach, 4/3 Pool 2CG. 3/2 Ocean Access 2/2 Ocean View 3/2 Lake Front about the music starring DJ from 11pm to 4 am and Remodeled $309k Impact Glass $359k Pool 2CPT. $679k Impact glass. $465k Port View $399k VleXXX. feature NO COVER before extraordinary opportunities to explore, enjoy and walk‐through video link midnight (FL ID) and only $7 The Pet Project presents for members after midnight celebrate our love for the “Hoops 4 Hounds” from 2 and $10 for non-members “I care deeply that LGBTQ buyers & sellers are provided the best South Florida beauty of nature, floral to 4pm at The Pub. Get (18-20 – $12 all night). design, music...oh yeah, and choices for places to live where they’ll feel comfortable and welcome.” treasure hunting at Susan u SUNDAY MAR 15 Rothchild's Gems & Junque The Ramrod presents EDC Bazaar. Kick of the weekend (Enforced Dress Code) from with the VIP Reception 9pm to 12am on the Patio tonight at 6:30pm featuring h o s t e d b y t h e n e w M r. cocktails & lite bites, Flower Florida Rubber Spirit Onyx.

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Hotspots.LGBT | 15 91

and funny thing is, we were two large women who could sing. And up until that That's a big deal. I can't imagine how the time, you never saw a large woman out in industry might take advantage of artists now if of Commerce presents their the front, a front vocalist, until you saw us. he hadn't gone through with that litigation.

After you vote, got out and March Mixer from 5:30-7pm That's true. And look, I think some of that stuff a t P l u n g e B e a cThink about it: The only other person I h Re s o r t celebrate ST Patty's day at the could think of would've been Mama Cass still goes on today, you know what I'm saying? venue of your choice, just (4660 El Mar Dr., Lauderdalefrom the Mamas & the Papas. You have to go is remember to be responsible By-The-Sea). Admission all the way back to the '70s and the '60s.

What do you think of Auto-Tune? complimentary and don't drink and drive. with early Look: If it makes me sound fabulous, then I'm registration and $5 within 24 A friend wanted me to ask you if your OK (with it). (Laughs.) But I mean, when your Georgie's Alibi/Monkey Bar h o u r s o f e v e n t ; F u t u r e performance of “You Are My Friend” with whole show is Auto-Tuned – the true test comes presents a St Patrick's Day m e m b e r s $ 1 0 w i t h e a r ly Sylvester was really the insanely with a piano and a vocalist and that's it. The event with LeNore Jaye's registration and $15 within 24 transcendent performance moment it thing is, in the previous decades, you had real Groove Session at 8pm. They hours of event, and features a sounds like it was? singers. will also be featuring Corned c o m p l i m e n t a r y w e l c o m e Yeah, that place was rockin'. It was so bad Beef & Cabbage dinner for drink, cash bar with happy that I have to tell you this story: It was the Regarding the Black Box controversy: only $12.99. h o u r p r i c e s , a n d second time, I think, that – I'm not gonna Because fashion model Katrin Quinol was c o m p l i m e n t a r y H o r s say a rock 'n' roll band, but a band like seen in videos lip-syncing to your vocals, it T h e G r e a t e r F o r t D'oeuvres.

Sylvester had performed at the San seemed the record label didn't think your Lauderdale LGBT Chamber Francisco War Memorial Opera House. I body type would appeal to music consumers. think the irst one was The Pointer Sisters.

Now, we have artists like Lizzo, a plus-size And so when we did it, the place was sold black woman who's at the top. What do you out and people just wore whatever they think of that shift when it comes to body wanted to wear. I saw so many different positivity and the way more people seem to out its (laughs). One guy had both of his ass be embracing full- igured women now? cheeks out – seriously. I saw another woman I think it's a good thing. First of all, we're all u THIS IS who was in a full ball gown. It was just a individuals: We're all not built the same way, we all don't look the same way, we all don't act the cross section of people. Everybody was same way. So I think it's great that Lizzo has got having a great time, and it was (the song) this platform now, and she's doing what she's “Dance (Disco Heat)” we were doing and the doing very well, and she's the kind of person place was just going up, to the point that the A slice-of-life comed A slice-of-lif e comedy about a y about a who doesn't give a shit about what you think of last balcony started shaking because there woman on the edge with now oman on the edge with nowher here t e to o her. She's doing her thing, whether you like it or were so many people up there. The building go but ovver go but o er, Lazy Susan is a st , Lazy Susan is a story ory not. And everybody has their own preference, was moving and, you know, San Francisco is about a spectacularly unmoti about a spectacularl y unmotivvat ated ed but my thing would be: I don't think size should prone to earthquakes, so the people of the cisgender woman f cisgender w oman for w or whom doing hom doing ever come into play. But we're such a visual opera house were not too pleased (laughs). I nothing is exhausting. Opening in nothing is e xhausting. Opening in society, especially nowadays with the invention don't think there's been another act up in select theaters nation select theat ers nationwide and On wide and On of technology and the internet. Embrace what there like that ever again.

Demand evveryw Demand e erywher here April 3, fr e April 3, from om they do, because everybody's talent doesn't Shout! Studios, this charminglly quirky Shout! Studios, this charming come in the same-sized package. comedy f comed y featur eatures an all-star cast es an all-star cast

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(Stranger Things) with A (Str anger Things) with Academ cademy y Awar ard winner Allison Janne d winner Allison Janney (I, y (I, Register at www.MarksList.LGBT Ton onyya), and T a), and Ton ony A y Aw war ard winner d winner Matthew Broderick (The Matthew Br oderick (The Producers). Lazy Susan is dir Pr oducers). Lazy Susan is direct ected ed

by Nick P y Nick Peet and writt eet and written b en by Carrie y Carrie Aizleyy, Sean Ha Aizle , Sean Hayyes and Darlene Hunt.

Hunt .

In Lazy Susan, Susan has alw In Lazy Susan, Susan has al ways been the self-center been the self-cent ered oddball in ed oddball in her famil her f amilyy, w , who lazil ho lazily sk y skat ated ed increasing incr easinglly estr y estranged f anged famil amilyy. She finall . She finally decides t y decides to o throug thr ough lif h life with their grudging e with their grudging take char tak e charge and turn things ar ge and turn things around, but ne ound, but nevver ha er having ving support until one day she w support until one da y she wak akes up es up done an done anything herself bef ything herself befor ore, the strugg e, the struggle is r le is real (and eal (and to r o realize she ealize she's middle-aged with 's middle-aged with hilarious) as Susan becomes the woman she al hilarious) as Susan becomes the w oman she alw ways no job, no relationship, and an no job, no r elationship, and an want anted t ed to be, all on her own. o be, all on her own.

uSpotlight Ad of the Week

including Emmy A including Emm y Aw war ard winner Sean d winner Sean HaSo you do recognize that people are Hay yes (Will & Gr es (Will & Grace), Carrie Aizle ace), Carrie Aizley y embracing a wider range of body sizes more (Trranspar (T ansparent), Emm ent), Emmy A y Aw war ard winner d winner now than they were in the '70s during the Margo Martindale, A Mar go Martindale, Academ cademy A y Aw war ard d Black Box controversy? winner Jim Rash (Community), Kiel winner Jim R ash (Community), Kiel Oh yes – going all the way back to Two Tons O' Kenned ennedy (R y (Robot Chick obot Chicken), Dann en), Danny y Fun and singing background for Sylvester, I want Johnson (Darede Johnson (Dar edevil), Darlene Hunt (I vil), Darlene Hunt (I to say the record label didn't necessarily know Heart Huckabees), Skipp Suddthh Heart Huck abees), Skipp Suddthh how to market us. We were two large women – (Madame Secretary), J.R. R (Madame Secr etary), J.R. Ramir amirez ez (Manifest), and Matty Car (Manif est), and Matty Cardar darople ople

As editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBTQ wire service, Chris Azzopardi has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. Reach him via his website at www.chris-azzopardi.com and on Twitter (@chrisazzopardi).

88 | |Hotspots.LGBT Hotspots.LGBT 16

uEmail WhatsHot@HotspotsMedia.com to have your items considered for What’s Hot Hotspots.LGBT | 17 89

Has that always been your motto?

Yeah, especially more so over the years. I've always believed that the higher power was always love, and there's scripture in the Bible about love covering a multitude of sins, so the bottom line is love encompasses all.

When did you feel like you'd irst been embraced by the LGBTQ community? Do you recall a speci ic moment?

No, because in school I had gay friends and some of my teachers were gay. It was never a big thing to me. And then when I started singing background for Sylvester, it just continued on but just as a larger group of people. The gay community was always behind Sylvester, and with Izora and I singing background for him there was never any problem, and it just continued over the decades. And I'd have to say that the gay community has always been the biggest fan base for me.

Not even the president at the time, Ronald Reagan, would acknowledge that AIDS was an issue.

And information wasn't being put out correctly. So there became this big stigma regarding that and the gay community, like they weren't Christians and this was the wrath of God, that whole kind of madness.

I remember a newspaper article about a black woman who wound up with AIDS, and I'm reading the article and I'm saying to myself, “OK, what you're saying is this is a gay

86 | Hotspots.LGBT

Were you trying to correct that misconception?

“

Embrace what they do, because everybody's talent doesn't come in the same-sized package.

Yeah. I'd have conversations with my friends: “Well, now they're saying this in the media but this is happening to somebody who's not gay so it cannot be just a gay disease, I don't believe it.”

And you're no stranger to the Pride circuit. Is that a special experience for you?

Well, (laughs) I think because I've been at this for so long it's just become a natural thing.

Can you share a story with me of you and Sylvester that illustrates just how close you were then?

Oh god, we would have a lot of fun on the road, between him and Izora and myself and the band. Sometimes we'd all get together and have dinner or just hang out and it would just be madness. (Laughs.) We did have a lot of fun, and then talking and kidding each other and all this other kind of stuff.

Martha Wash Wash Photos Photos credit: credit: Luke Luke Jones Jones Martha

You lost a lot of friends during the AIDS epidemic, including Sylvester. How do you re lect on that period of time?

Sad. So many people were lost because of fear and ignorance, and I want to say putting a death sentence on the gay community during that time, because everybody was pointing ingers. And all the ingers were pointing to the LGBTQ community, you know.

And then on the other side of that, people that were winding up HIV positive, some of them didn't pay attention, some of them did not listen.

disease but this woman was not gay, so how did she wind up with AIDS?” In the media it was all geared toward the gay community and gay men. That was the frustration.

“

how we decide to deal with things. I irmly believe that love always trumps con lict. Love always wins in the end.

Several icons passed on “It's Raining Men,” including Cher and Diana Ross, and even you and Izora were reluctant to record it. After you did, when did you know the song had become an LGBTQ anthem?

When they snatched it! Absolutely snatched it! (Laughs.)

How did it become apparent that we snatched it?

Well, I think maybe in my mind, in the way back of my mind, when (the song's writer) Paul Jabara initially said that he wanted us to record the song, I looked at Izora and we said, “You gotta be kidding” and he said, “No, I need

to hear you record this song.” I said, “Nobody is going to buy that song.” And I wasn't particularly thinking at that time of the gay community, I really wasn't. I was thinking broader. And I said, “Nobody is going to buy that song.” He said, “I need you to record this song.”

He said, “This song is going to be a hit,” and he was right. And I remember sometimes when Izora and I were doing shows he would wind up at the club and he was giving the DJ the acetate of that record. There's a 12-inch, almost no label on it, and he'd say, “Play this song.” So it became a hit long before radio ever picked up on it.

So it was a hit in the gay clubs irst, and that was instant .

Oh yeah…For them. (Laughs.)

In 1990, you famously iled lawsuits against producers and record labels for credit and compensation on hit songs you had sung, which resulted in federal legislation that made vocal credit mandatory. This stemmed from your lead vocal being uncredited on several songs

by Black Box, including “Strike It Up” and “Everybody, Everybody.” What was the lasting impact of those lawsuits?

Well, just to that end, I'd have to say my attorney, Steven Brown, argued some kind of way that became lawful, that any person that is featured on a project has to have their name credited.

Hotspots.LGBT | 87

Martha Wash

dance-pop music mold, singing about dating apps dance-pop music mold, singing about dating apps but being t but being too leery to use them, and that time she and iconic g and iconic gay singer Sylvester literally shook the San F San Francisco War Memorial Opera House.

How have you kept your voice intact all these y years? What are your tricks?

I have no tricks! And look, I think over time don't w we all kind of change a bit? (Laughs.) While I am gr grateful to still be able to sing, you know, the voice changes o changes over time – and I've been doing this a long time! (Laug time! (Laughs.)

Interview By Chris Azzopardi

the the Martha Martha Wash Wash Photos Photos credit: credit: Mike Mike Ruiz.

Ruiz.

On her new album, Love & Con lict, Martha Wash is far removed from her disco days, when she became known as half of The Weather Girls. With the late Izora Rhodes-Armstead, the duo began their career as Two Tons O' Fun. They shot to stardom in the early '80s as The Weather Girls, after releasing one of the biggest gay anthems, “It's Raining Men.” During her solo career in the 1990s, Wash's booming voice was infamously used without her permission on dance-pop touchstones like Seduction's “(You're My One and Only) True Love” and Black Box's “Strike It Up” and “Fantasy,” as well as C+C Music Factory's No. 1 hit “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now).” In 2014, Rolling Stone called Wash “the most famous unknown singer of the '90s.”

Released on her own independent record label, Purple Rose Records, Love & Con lict is a fusion of funk, blues and R&B – “another departure from what people are used to hearing me sing,” she says. But, perhaps more importantly, the record represents Wash's artistic freedom.

The 66-year-old disco queen recently spoke about breaking out of

On “Never Enough Money,” you sing, “Sugar's w waiting in the back, you're lirting on a dating app app…” Are you on dating apps, Martha?

No, I am not!

So you're not speaking from personal experience?

No, no. But you hear so much about especially young … well, not even young people anymore!

Everybody's doing it. It doesn't matter the age anymore. People are trying to ind love wherever they think they can, and there's so many different (apps) out there. You see people, their heads just down in their phones with the email, or the dating apps, and things like that.

(Sighs.) Hey, technology.

Say hypothetically you did have a Tinder pro ile. What would you say about Martha Wash in your Tinder pro ile?

Oh god. Goodness. I like lowers. (Laughs.) Con ident.

What would you look for in another person's pro ile?

Let's see: A guy that likes to laugh or can make me laugh.

Sense of humor's always good 'cause I don't always have one.

(Laughs.) Sense of humor and can deal with my madness. Also somebody who has a strong spiritual background. I'm a homebody, but I also like to travel.

Somebody who's adventurous.

How about TV shows? What do you binge?

Oh god, there's too many of 'em to count! I have so many TV shows in my library that I have to keep deleting them because I'm almost at 100 percent. Seriously! And there's still a whole lot of shows and movies that I have not even seen on Net lix or Hulu at all.

You know, I have subscriptions but I haven't used 'em! So I just have my favorites. I like crime shows, I like medical shows.

How did “Never Enough Money” come about?

It has to do with greed, power, attention and a lot of things we see in the world today, and it's a right-in-your-face kind of situation; it's like you wanna turn your head away but can't. The situations will not let you turn your head away and, for the most part, I want to say it's negative.

You're the kind of artist who seems to relish continual artistic evolution. How is Love & Con lict an evolution for you as an artist?

It's just another avenue of the kind of music that I want to be able to record. I've always said I never wanted to be pigeonholed into one particular genre of music. Everybody knows me for the most part as a dance music artist. I came from R&B and disco and that's what I listened to as a teenager. But also growing up, I listened to all kinds of music, so I was able to appreciate all different genres of music.

So when I didn't have a record label, I decided to create my own to put out the kind of music that I felt I wanted to put out. That's grown so much over the years, in fact. I'll talk to my manager and he'll say, “What do you think you wanna do this time?” So he reached out to (producer) Sami Basbous and all the music, the musicians and everything are Canadian. And we recorded in Montreal.

So it's basically a Canadian-based album, and he just had some great songs that we put together. And what we came up with was Love & Con lict because we all have or have been through love and con lict, and sometimes it's on a daily basis, but it's about

Hotspots.LGBT | 85

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Come Out! Come Out!

New Song and Dance Musical Premiers at Wilton Theatre Factory-The Foundry through March 29 Jacob i b is a y s a yo oung m g maan wh n who w o waants i s it a t alll. H . He e wants l s lov ovee, a h , a ho ouse, a s , a sp pouse, a c , a caare reeer, k , kiids.

But J t Jaacob i b is G s Gaay, a , an nd i d itt's 1 s 19 929. A t . A tiime wh e wheen enga gagging i g in h n ho omosexu exuaal a l acctivity c y co ould g d geet y t yo ou arre resste ted d, b , beeate ten n, ev , eveen k n kiilled. D . Deespite t te th he dangers, ga , gay m y meen fo n fou und a d are reaas wh s wheere t re th hey could m d meeet fo t for c r cllandestine t e trrys ystts. M . Mo ost s t seettled for fo r leeting p g ph hys ysiical g l grrati ication. B . Bu ut s t so ome wante ted m d mo ore re. S . So ome l e lo onged fo d for a r aff ffection. J . Jaacob just w t waants to b s to be k e kiissed... by a . by an nother m r maan.

Jacob l b liives i s in t n two wo wo worrlds. T . Th he irst i t is t s th he d e drrab day to d y to daay wh y wheere h re he c e caannot b t be h e hiimself a f an nd t d th he second i d is a c s a co olorful fa l fan ntasy wo sy worrld wh d wheere h re he e tap d p daances i s in t n th he P e Paark w k wiith m h meen a n an nd h d hiis fan fa ntasies c s co ome t e trrue.

S e e t e th h i s h s hii gh e h en n e rg y, l , lii gh t h t hee a r te d , y , yee t p o i g n a n t n t nee w m w mu u s i c a l i l l e d w d wii t h m h mu u s i c f c frro m t h e R e Ro o a r i n g 2 g 20 0 s a s an n d j d jo oyo u s t s taa p d p daa n c i n g .

T h i n k E k Ed d d i e C e Caa n to r m r mee e t s F s Frre d A d Ass t a i re i e in n C e n t ra l P l Paa rk .

This new musical, creat This new musical, cr eated b ed by a y aw war ard winning d winning local playwrig local pla ywright ht, R , Ronnie Larsen, Come Out! onnie Larsen, Come Out! Come Out! will run throug Come Out! will run thr ough Mar h March 29th. ch 29th.

Perf erformances ar ormances are W e Wednesda ednesdayy-F -Frida riday at 8:30, y at 8:30, Saturda Satur day at 4:00 and 8:30 and Sunda y at 4:00 and 8:30 and Sunday at 3:00 y at 3:00 at The Foundry at The Wilt at The F oundry at The Wilton Theatr on Theatre F e Fact actory ory, ,

2306 North Dixie Highway, in Wilt 2306 North Dixie High , in Wilton Manors. on Manors.

The cast is composed of NYC act The cast is composed of NY C actor/dancers or/dancers including Greeyson W including Gr son Wade (All Shook Up, The Dr ade (All Shook Up, The Drow owssy owsy Chaperone), Chris Carr Chaper one), Chris Carranza (New anza (Newsies, W sies, West Side est Side est Side Story), Dom Gio St ory), Dom Giovvanni (Singing In The R anni (Singing In The Rain, Charlie ain, Charlie ain, Charlie Brown Christmas) and Zac S Br own Christmas) and Zac Sw wart artout (Nick out (Nickelodeon, elodeon, elodeon, Holiday Inn ). The pr Holida y Inn ). The production is co-dir oduction is co-direct ected b ed by y y Ronnie and NY onnie and NYC Pr C Producer/Dir oducer/Direct ector Michael Mills. or Michael Mills. or Michael Mills.

Austr ustralian Chor alian Choreogr eographer K apher Kurt Phelan and NY urt Phelan and NYC and C and C and now Ft. Lauder now Ft . Lauderdale Music Dir dale Music Direct ector Bobb or Bobby P y Peaco eaco eaco round out the cr ound out the creati eativve t e team. eam.

“I wrot “I wr ote this piece as a r e this piece as a reminder that our new eminder that our newlly eminder that our newly found rig ound rights and fr hts and freedoms cannot be tak eedoms cannot be taken f en for or grant gr anted” sa ed” say ys author Larsen, “The things our main s author Larsen, “The things our main charact char acter w er wants ar ants are w e what w hat we all w e all want ant. He w . He was just as just as just way ahead of his time. y ahead of his time.” Dir ” Direct ector Mills adds, “Ther or Mills adds, “There e or Mills adds, “There are 12 vintage songs in this musical. T ar e 12 vintage songs in this musical. Tap, soft-shoe, ap, soft-shoe, ap, soft-shoe, waltz and o altz and ovver-the-t er-the-top v op vaude audevillian numbers bring villian numbers bring villian numbers bring this heart-warming show t this heart-w arming show to lif o life. The r e. The reality of w eality of what hat eality of what Gay men w Ga y men want anted in the 1920's still rings true 100 ed in the 1920's still rings true 100 ed in the 1920's still rings true 100 years lat ears later er..

Tickets for C Tick ets for Come Out! C ome Out! Come Out! ar ome Out! are $35 for e $35 for gener eneral admission, and $50 for the fr al admission, and $50 for the front r ont ro ow VIP w VIP experience. Tick xperience. Tickets ar ets are available at e available at RonnieLarsen.com along with mor onnieLarsen.com along with more information, e information, e information, picturees, and video clips of the sho pictur s, and video clips of the show w.

deep HOT inside BODIESHOLLYWOOD

by Tom Bonanti

By Romeo San Vicente

over the new HBO Max reality competition series Legendary, which will enter the world of ballroom and judge contestants on their voguing skills. The controversy arose due to, among other things, the hiring of The Good Place actor Jameela Jamil – who is queer but not from the world of ballroom – as host. But mostly missing from this conversation has been something just as important: the show's inclusion of ballroom veterans who aren't as famous as Jamil but whose names deserve to be centered. So let's talk about Leiomy Maldonado, the first openly transgender contestant on MTV's America's Best Dance Crew, who's additionally a choreographer for FX's Pose, and who'll be a Legendary judge.

A MINDFUL MORNING ROUTINE:

Photo: Wikimedia.org - Btvway

Photo: Wikimedia.org - Greg2600 - Flickr

The Key to Your Best Day Ever!

Weetzie Bat's queer L.A. love-blast

Filmmaker Justin Kelly has forward momentum and a MALDONADO cool young cast: Anya Taylorspent his growing body of Joy (The Witch) as Weetzie, work exploring the darker Let's also talk about Dashaun Nick Robinson (Love, Simon), fringes of queer life in movies Wesley, a Pose, Magic Mike XXL Sasha Lane (American Honey), and Hit The Floor dancer who'll like JT LeRoy and King Cobra. hat if I told you that smoothie and store it in the fridge with Keiynan Lonsdale (The Flash) So it was time for a little bit of serve as Legendary by taking a few tomorrow's lunch. Jot little reminders and and Thé odore Pellerin (On joy. And there's nothing quite commentator. And let's also talk steps, you could st encouraging mantras on post-its and stick Becoming a God in Central as joyful as Francesca Lia about DJ MikeQ, who's spent f eliminate tons of eliminat them on the fridge or bathroom mirror.

Florida). We're guessing this Block's classic 1989 YA novel years working in ballroom stress and feel like a str Even before you climb out of the sack, will be set in the New WaveWeetzie Bat. The candy-coated making music and scored the million bucks all day long? Here are some make sure to stretch and limber up your iest version of '80s Los story of a punk-rock girl in Los documentary feature Kiki and easy things you can do every morning and body and mind. Extend your arms over your Angeles, just like the book, so Angeles named Weetzie Bat, the Viceland documentary series even the night before to help the rest of your head and to your toes. Bring your knees to if nothing else, we're probably My House. We'll reserve her friends and family, her day feel calmer and run smoother!going to be gagging over the your chest and do hip-overs to stretch lower Secret Agent Lover Man, and judgement on the final product Every successful event requires planning. back. Take stock of your body by checking costumes and sets. the three wishes she's granted, when we see it, of course, but we This is true about each day of your life. A for aches and pains and areas that are overly has been a beacon of glittery still have high hopes for calmer morning and a productive day start tight. Take a couple of minutes to this and Legendary's literary hope for queer kids for something “truly real.” with a little preparation the night before. the past 30 years. Years ago ballroom make sure to breathe deeply on each stretch.

Lay out tomorrow's clothes. Make nutritious there was talk of a Tim Burton credentialsHitting the snooze button on your alarm choices beforehand. Prepare an easy If you're like us, you and rolling over ruefully is no way to tackle version that never materialized, Romeo San Vicente has an breakfast like cut fruit, whole grains or a an important day. Instead, get up 10-15 but this time around there's followed the Twitterstorm attitude and wants to Vogue!

W 70 | Hotspots.LGBT 34

minut minutes earlier, turn on the coffee, check the w weather, feed the cat, and get going without f feeling pressured for time.

Avail yourself to a hearty breakfast every day y you can. It will fuel you with the energy to surmount an surmount any hurtle or challenge that comes y your way. Eating well each morning also incr increases mental sharpness and focus. It even impr improves your mood and prevents you from getting cr getting cranky and short with cronies and clients. Fill y clients. Fill your tummy with fresh fruits and v veggies, low-fat dairy, whole grains and lean pr protein.

Often all it takes to tank your mood is a rudimentary g rudimentary glimpse at the morning news and e-mails. While y e-mails. While you may not be able to avoid these all da these all day, why not put them off for just a bit w while you meditate? Find someplace comf comfortable to sit. Use music, an app or even a book t book to get started. Focus upon controlling your br breath and when your mind wanders bring it back t back to a serene place.

There's no better way to get those feel good endorphins pumping than t endorphins pumping than to commence your

day with exercise. It may not be realistic for you to get to the gym for a full workout, but

you can still walk or do a few laps in the pool. Try a 5- minute routine that includes some push-ups, crunches, or a few yoga poses.

Stress weighs heavily upon most of us, but why not take a more positive approach to life? Utilize a few moments each morning to life? Utilize a f o life? Utilize a f o lif e? Utilize a few moments each morning e? Utilize a f ew moments each morning to think of someone or something that makes you happy and grateful. Call or text friends to say thanks or share a laugh.

T Tom Bonanti is a certified personal trainer and massage therapist (MA#40288) with his own one on one f on one facility Pumpnincgym.com in Ft. Lauderdale. Contact trainertomb@aol.com with questions or t or to make an appointment today!

SCOTT LIVELY

O

OF THE WEEK

BY D'ANNE WITKOWSKI

Photo: Wikimedia.org - Tim Pierce

Anyway, Lively writes in a Feb. 21 nce upon a time in a land far, WorldNetDaily column that he is concerned far away — aka Germany — that “the hero we're rallying behind to fight there was an ambassador from the progressive agenda has embraced one of the United States. That man its most insidious and "represented destructive tenets.” And by our country exceedingly “hero,” yes he means Trump. well” according to Donald And by “insidious and Trump, and so he was named destructive” he means a gay acting director of national man. intelligence.

Grenell should have “kept And that man was gay. Is his sexual proclivities to gay. This is actually present es. But he himself,” Lively writes. But he tense. Richard Grenell is didn't. And by being an out acting director of national gay man “he crossed the line intelligence and also is gay. from expecting reasonable Reuters describes Grenell y tolerance from our genuinely as “a strong supporter of magnanimous live-and-let[Trump's] policies,” which life society to demanding explains why Trump was public acceptance.” willing to look past the gay ention And Lively has no intention thing. Loyalty to Trump, of ever accepting trumps all. homosexuality, something he Rumor has it that Grenell claims is an attack on “the natural family of was known in Germany to be kind of a jerk. one man and one woman united in life-long According to Reuters, a German lawmaker told monogamous heterosexual marriage.” them, “His actions have an audience of one: the In fact, Lively claims that “acceptance” of U.S. president.” ced homosexuality will eventually lead to “forced Anyway, as you might imagine, there are Experience a live, musical parody mashparticipation in LGBT culture” and the people upset with Grenell's new gig. And they up of the now-cult-classic lms, First Wives ives “punishment of dissenters.” should be. After all, Trump's policies are cruel, Club and Fight Club.ou've You'venever neverseen seen(or(or And by that I think Lively means that men short-sighted, woefully uninformed and serve anything like it. Starring the e on one thing, and that thing is Trump's ego. So, heard!)like him will one day be forced to compete on and indelible talents of Nina "RuPaul's Drag Race" and will ultimately be since Grenell is a big fan of these policies: boo.gorgeous Brooke Lynn Hytes (fan favorites punished by having to “sashay away.”

Ah, but you might imagine that there are West and But don't get Lively wrong. some who have a problem with Grenell simply from RuPaul's Drag Race Season 11), as “I'm not saying that a homosexual can't be because he is gay. well as Varla Jean Merman & Peaches Scott Lively calls Grenell a “homosexual Christ,a conservative, The rst rule of the First Wives " he wrote. “I've known many.”

Trojan horse.” I'm not sure what that is, but I'd Fight Club is to TELL EVERYBODY! The problem is the “openly declaring like to think it is a giant wooden horse that, Below you will nd a short Bio on each oneself homosexual instead of keeping one's instead of being filled with Greek soldiers, is and then they each answered filled with nothing but condoms and dicks. performer sexual issues private” part, which kind of Honestly kind of shocked the Trojan condom the question: makes me skeptical about his “I've known How did you get involved in company hasn't already done this as a giant First Wives many” claim. If these gay conservatives were club and are you excited about promotional event. If they ever do, I want out to him, then they are by Lively's the performance in Fort Lauderdale? credit. definition an unwitting arm of the

The First Wives Club

38 | Hotspots.LGBT 66 | Hotspots.LGBT

And by that I think Lively means that men like him will one day be forced to compete on "RuPaul's Drag Race" and will ultimately be punished by having to “sashay away.”

progressive movement, “carrying the pr progressive agenda behind enemy lines.” pr Like, you know, a horse filled with condoms and dicks. and dick “Richard Grenell is a Trojan Horse,” Lively wrote. “President Trump should not trust him wr and neither should we Deplorables.” and neither should w Interesting that he should mention that, because you may recall that Trump pretty because y much hates the national intelligence much hat community because they have facts that community because the conflict with Trump's alternative universe. conflict with T Lively is telling his followers that they Li shouldn't trust Grenell even though Trump shouldn literally chose him because he's a yes man, lit living in the same alternative universe as living in the same alt Trump.

Trump.

I agree, no one should trust Grenell. No one should trust Trump, either, but you'll recall that Lively referred to Trump as a “hero.” So. Gays? No. Adulterers and accused rapists? AOK. It's all in God's plan.

Meanwhile your plan should be to vote.

Vote this entire corrupt administration out.

Check to make sure you're registered to vote at vote.org/am-i-registered-to-vote right now. And if you're not, register, damn it.

D'Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and comedian living in Michigan with her wife and son. She has been writing about LGBT politics for over a decade. Follow her on Twitter @MamaDWitkowski.

L to R: Nina West, Varla Jean Marman, Peaches Christ, Brooke Lynn Hytes.

Brook Br ookee Lynn L Hyt ytees - Equal parts ballerina, show showgirl, and 90's supermodel, Brooke Lynn Hyt Hytes is drag perfection - personi ied. The T Toronto native received her dance training at the National Ballet School of Canada and in the National Ballet School of Canada and in 2008, she tr 2008, she traveled worldwide performing as a principal ballerina with Les Ballets principal ballerina with Les Ballets T Trockadero de Monte Carlo - an all-male drag ballet compan ballet company. Brooke Lynn then set her sig sights on the world of drag, winning multiple Canadian pageants and the co Canadian pageants and the coveted Miss Continental cr Continental crown in the US in 2014. Brooke L Lynn was honored to be the irst Canadian to appear on cultur appear on cultural phenomenon, RuPaul's Dr Drag Race.

Hytes has cemented her place in history as the irst dr the irst drag queen to be tweeted by Canada's icial T of of icial Twitter account, and has also been f featured on The Social, The Morning Show, ET ETalk, ET Canada, Vogue.Com, Re inery29,

Huf ington Post, Global News, Now, Dance Magazine, Billboard, MTV News and the cover of New York Magazine, to name a few. 2020 shows no sign of slowing down with Brooke Lynn being announced as a permanent judge on Canada's drag race.

“I was irst approached by Peaches Christ to be in FWFC last year and I JUMPED at the opportunity! I'm so lucky to be working alongside such legends and I'm so excited to get my ight on in Fort Lauderdale.”

Nina We West - West hosts the annual "Heels of Horror" show at Axis Nightclub, and has also hosted the competition "So You Think You Can Drag?" In 2008, she won the Entertainer of the Year award; her ensemble later inspired the singer Sia's out it at the 2016 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. West was included in Columbus Business First's "40 Under 40" list in

Hotspots.LGBT | 39

2018. Levitt worked as a social media strategist for Axis Nightclub as of 2018 and has done social media and marketing for Union Cafe since 2013.

West competed in the eleventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race, and a Street in Columbus has been "The Nina West Way" in her honor.

She starred in Coaster, an animated short ilm directed and produced by Amos Sussigan and Dan Lund, and attended the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards, where she became the irst person to walk the purple carpet in full drag.

West was announced as part of the cast for the irst ever season of RuPaul's Celebrity Drag Race, a Drag Race spin-off where Drag Race alumni transform celebrities into Drag Queens, premiering in 2020.

“Brooke Lynn had already done First Wives Fight Club with Peaches in San Francisco. So when Fort Lauderdale came up, Peaches asked Brooke Lynn if I would be interested. I didn't even have to think about it, and I said YES!!! To be part of a Peaches Christ show is a great honor! And this one has Varla Jean Merman in it too! Fort Lauderdale has the greatest audiences, so I can't wait to come out ighting!”

Var arla la Jean Merman Merman - Jeffery Roberson (aka Varla Jean Merman) starred in the new musical Lucky Guy opposite Leslie Jordan in NY at the Little Schubert in spring 2011 prompting The New York Times to rave, “If Carol Burnett and Harvey Korman had stood in front of the right pair of funhouse mirrors, they might have resembled Ms. Merman and Mr. Jordan in

40 | Hotspots.LGBT

stature as well as comedic talent”.

He guest starred as Varla Jean on Ugly Betty, was also featured on Bravo's Project Runway ole of Mary Sunshine Season 5, and played the role of Mary Sunshine . He made in the revival of Chicago on Broadway. He made en his network television debut on All My Children in the recurring role of lady of the evening Rosemary Chicken. He shared the Outfest Film d and the Aspen HBO Festival “Best Actor” Award and the Aspen HBO Film Festival “Best Actress” Award with his costars Jack Plotnick and Clinton Leupp for his featured performance in the cult classic ilm y Girls Will Be Girls (Sundance 2003) directed by Richard Day. Varla Jean has illed cabarets and concert halls across the world including the Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall, the New York Public Theater, London's Soho Theatre and LA's Renberg Theatre.

“I've known who Peaches was for many years and have been a huge fan of her outrageous and successful movie parodies. wn a few years After working together in Ptown a few years ago, we decided to collaborate on our own parody. We came up with "The Whining," based on Stephen King's "The Shining" but about two queens who spend the winter in Provincetown. It was such a huge success that we decided to do another parody.

Peaches has such an incredible knack for inding movies that have a huge cult following and thus appeal to a huge s audience, and we discussed "The First Wives ching, we focused on a scene Club." While watching, we focused on a scene where Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, and Diane Keaton get into a huge physical ight, including slapping, punching, and Oscars

being thrown. "The First Wives Fight Club" being thr was born. was born.

The challenge was inding a way to "mashup" a frothy, campy chick- lick romp with a dark, d disturbing, testosterone-fueled psychodrama.

But we loved every minute of writing d it. iWe share the same comic sensibilities, so it was w easier than it may sound!

I am so excited to share the stage with Peaches in this show, because we did P separate productions, one west coast, one separ east coast, that year. Fort Lauderdale allows east coast us to share the piece we wrote with each us t other, but also include the amazing talents other of Brooke Lynn Hytes and Nina West. These of Br girls may be "new school" queens, but they gir both have years of training as "old school" both have years of tr hoofers, and have the chops to put on a full hoofers, and have the chops t play with one day of rehearsal. Outlandish play with one day of r usually does solo shows, so we are so thrilled usually doe they decided to do something different and they decided t have a play as part of their season!” have a play as part of their season!”

Peaches Christ - Peaches Christ is a ilmmaker and a cult leader living in SF. Her infamous movie events are self-produced at the Castro Theatre and a regularly draw over 1,000 attendees to each new production before they tour. Events have h featured special guest stars John Waters, Cloris Leachman, Bruce Campbell, Barry Bostwick, Pam Grier, and more.

Peaches is the alter- ego of Joshua Grannell, the writer and director of the feature ilm All the writ About Evil. The award-winning dark comedy A gore gorilm stars Natasha Lyonne, Thomas Dekker, Cassandra Peterson, Mink Stole, and Peaches Christ. Peaches has been featured in

the ilms Milk, I Am Divine, Diary Of A Teenage Girl, Mans ield 66/67, Tura!, and more. Visit peacheschrist.com to stay up to date on her latest projects and upcoming shows.

“Varla Jean Merman and I had previously co-written and co-starred in a parody of The Shining called The Whining, which ended up being a big success in both Provincetown and San Francisco so we decided we wanted to co-write another theatre piece together and came up with this mash-up idea. I really love working with Varla and think we make a great writing team, but what's odd about this particular show is that we've both appeared in different versions of it, never together. I was in the show that played San Francisco and Los Angeles and Varla did the show that had a big Provincetown run. So, for me, this Fort Lauderdale show at Outlandish is super special because it will be the irst time that she and I have been able to be in the show together- which was our original intention. We have a bunch of scenes together and in a weird way play the same character. It will also be the irst time I've been able to work with Nina West and I'm huge fan. I can't wait!”

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BROADWAY – AN AMERICAN IN PARIS In post war Paris, romance is in the air and youthful optimism reigns. Hoping to start a new life, World War II veteran Jerry Mulligan chooses newly-liberated Paris as the place to make a name for himself as a painter. But Jerry’s life becomes complicated when he meets Lise, a young Parisian shop girl with her own secret – and realizes he is not her only suitor.

Marchpermanecer 15; 8pm; Kravisen Center for the Performing “...pero si aúnSun, deseas la isla durante la Arts (701 Okeechobee Boulevard noche, la organización dispone de tiendas de campaña para West Palm Beach); Tix: start at $32; Kravis.org

isla saona, rep. dominicana aquellos que quieran alargar su visita”.

CROONER - HARRY CONNICK, JR While Harry is the virtual definition of a multi-talented star, with conanOscar Ambulo notable triumphs as a television personality and actor, the foundation of his art remains his music. Join Harry for an intimate performance of songs from True Love (his sensational new record), 17 as well as classics Isla Saona está rodeada de from his remarkable costas encareer. bote Tues, paraMarch conocer at the Arsht Center Biscayne Blvd. Miami) and Wed, hermosas playas e historia, es (1300sus misterios.

Sólo unos 1.200 March 18 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts (201 uno de los lugares más solicihabitantes viven en la isla.

Southwest 5th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale); Tix: ArshtCenter.org tados del sureste de República or BrowardCenter.org Estos lo hacen en cabañas

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Dominicana, por lo que es visita construidas con hierbas y – RAGTIME obligada en tu MUSICAL viaje. palmas, ya que está prohibido Presented by the Slow Burn Theatre Co, this Broadway was written Situada al sur del parque construir allí, yphenomenon cuya ocupación by the está award-winning composer/lyricist team of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn nacional del Este, principal es el turismo y la Ahrens (Once on This Island, Seussical and Lucky Stiff), noted playwright Terrence habitada por numerosas aves, pesca.

McNally, and based on E.L. Doctorow’s distinguished novel, Ragtime is the tortugas, delfines, y Awards for Best IslaScore, Saona esOrchestrations. rocosa y tiene winnerballenas of the 1998 Tony Book and A truly manatíes, y esunique destino cadaportrait of America! bastantes y cavernas en Fri Marchgrutas 20 through April 5; Amaturo and powerful día de turistasTheater que llegan a susCenter for at The Broward Performingde Artssu (201geografía, Southwest 5thy el the noroeste 44 60 | Hotspots.LGBT

Avenue , Fort Lauderdale); Tix: $49-$65; BrowardCenter.org.

COMEDIAN JAYdurante MOHRla noche, la aúnaún deseas permanecer en la- isla Actor, comedian, and de bestselling author, Jayaquellos has beenque organización or dispone de tiendas campaña para performing stand-up comedy since he was sixteen years quieran quier alargar su visita. old. With a career that has spanned over three decades, Jay Isla Saona forma parte del nacional del Este se encuentra has become an parque artist that is very difficult toydefine.

Never protegida p oficialmente, norest permitiéndose edificaciones wanting to on his accomplishments, Jayde hasningún alwaystipo en esu litoral. Laspushed embarcaciones salen la playa Bayahibe, aunque himself to be moredethan just a comic.

March 19 through March 22; The Comedy Club cualquier c resortThurs, de Punta Cana o PlayaSun, Bávaro ofrece esta excursión. at the Seminoledirectamente Hardrock Hotelenand Casino Hollywood También T se puede organizar Santo Domingo.

El (1 Seminole Way, Hollywood); Tix: Start at $36; Seminoletrayecto t dura unas tres horas desde La Romana.

Photo: Wikimedia - Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com

ICON – PAUL ANKA SINGS SINATRA A note from Paul: “Back by popular demand! The Anka Sings Sinatra tour will honor a great artist who has influenced me more than anyone else throughout my career, Frank Sinatra. It will also feature the hits that have spanned my career on this 60th anniversary year. It will be a night filled with his songs, my songs, my way!” Mon, March 16; 8pm; Broward Center for the Performing Arts; (201 southwest 5th avenue, Fort Lauderdale); tix: $40-$150; browardcenter.org.

es una zona muy interesante debido a la gran cantidad de reliquias indígenas que se han encontrado allí. La costa presenta bordes rocosos bajos con ensenadas arenosas, y es donde se encuentra el -único >>>>> Mar 15 Mar 21 lugar de la isla que presenta una ligera elevación sobre el nivel del mar, al que llaman Punta Roca.

Fue en esta parte de la isla donde se refugiaron los indígenas que, en los tiempos de Cotubamaná, tuvieron que huir de las tropas de Juan de Esquivel bajo las órdenes de Nicolás de Ovando. Las cuevas, cuevas, bien protegidas y de difícil acceso, les sirvieron de cobijo y y guardaron sus enseres hasta que, en 1912, el arqueólogo norteamericano Teodore de Booy las encontró.

En el resto de la isla, una sucesión de playas interminables de finas arenas blancas y aguas cristalinas muestran distintos tonos de azul en combinación con el sol en sus preciosos atardeceres.

Numerosos tipos de aves pueden ser vistas en la isla.

Cotorras, cuervos, gaviotas, perdices gallaretas, gallitos, yaguazas y palomas silvestres tienen en esta isla su esidencia residencia habitual.

La isla tiene una gran riqueza riqueza piscícola también, pudiendo encontrar grandes bancos de langostas y de moluscos, como el lambí.

A modo de restaurante, un chamizo hace las veces de comedor y, allí, los turistas toman un almuerzo compuesto por platos de pescado y arroz cocinados con coco.

Por la tarde, los viajeros regresan a sus hoteles, pero si Photo: Wikimedia - Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com

1 2 3 4 5

VOTE – TUESDAY, MARCH 17 It’s voting day in Florida, and I urge everyone to do their civil duty and get out and vote, it’s the only way change will happen.

By Scott Holland

6

hardrockhollywood.com.

Isla Saona is surrounded by beautiful beaches and history, DISNEY ON ICE – DREAM BIG and is one of the most requested places in the southeast of the and is one of the most r Believing is just the beginning for your favorite Disney heroes as Dominican Republic, so it is a must on your trip. Located to the Dominican R Miguel aspires to be a musician and journeys through the Land of south of the National Park of the East, it is inhabited by south of the National P the Dead to unlock his family’s history. Moana and Maui bravely numerous birds, turtles, dolphins, whales and manatees, and is numer restore the stolen heart of Te Fiti. Anna and Elsa save their kinga destination every day for tourists who arrive by boat to know a destination e dom while the Disney Princesses inspire with stories of strength, determination and kindness. Share every magical moment filled its mysteries. Only about 1,200 inhabitants live on the island. its m with breathtaking ice skating and beloved songs and stories that They do this in cabins built with herbs and palms, since it is The give you a reason to believe!Thurs, March 19 through Sun, March 22; The BB&T Center (1 Panther Pkwy, Sunrise); Tix: start at $15; thebbtcenter.com

7 8

ST PATTYS DAY – TUESDAY MARCH 17 Saint Patrick’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick is a cultural and religious celebration held on 17 March, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick, the foremost patron saint of Ireland. The day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, and celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general. Celebrations generally involve public parades and festivals, and the wearing of green attire or shamrocks, and drinking. There will be celebrations everywhere, but please be safe and don’t drink and drive!

GREATER FT LAUDERDALE FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL This 2nd Annual Festival is presented by Visit Lauderdale and features culinary creations and libations from more than 100 local restaurants, leading spirit brands, wineries and breweries. Led by the Festival Host Committee, GFLFW will once again showcase Broward County’s renowned and emerging chefs, restaurateurs, and local food and drink establishments. Wed, March 18 through Sun, March 22; ArtsPark (1 North Hollywood Circle, Hollywood); Tix: $49 to $225; GFLfoodwine.com

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FLORIDA AIDS WALK AND MUSIC FESTIVAL This is a great way to give back to your community, and forbidden to build there, and whose main occupation is tourism f come together for a 5K walk, food trucks, bars (with alcoand fishing. and fishing. hol and non-alcoholic options), and an epic concert with Lil’ Kim, Casper Magico and more! Proceeds raised from Isla Saona is rocky and has many caves and caves in the the walk and festival go to local AIDS service organizanorthwest of its geography, and it is a very interesting area due north tions who fight to end the epidemic in their communities to the large number of indigenous relics that have been found t every day. Saturday, March 21; FloridaAIDSwalk.org there. The coast has low rocky edges with sandy coves, and is ther where the only place on the island that has a slight elevation w above sea level, which they call Punta Roca. abo It was in this part of the island where the natives took refuge,

who, in the days of Cotubamaná , had to flee from the troops of Juan de Esquivel under the orders of Nicolá s de Ovando. The caves, well protected and difficult to access, served as shelter and kept their belongings until, in 1912, the American archaeologist Teodore de Booy found them.

In the rest of the island, a succession of endless beaches of fine white sands and crystal clear waters show different shades of blue in combination with the sun in its beautiful sunsets.

Numerous types of birds can be seen on the island.

Cotorras, crows, seagulls, partridges gallaretas, roosters, yaguazas and wild pigeons have their habitual residence on this island.

The island has a great fish wealth as well, being able to find large lobster and shellfish banks, such as lambı.́ As a restaurant, a chamizo serves as a dining room and, there, tourists take a lunch consisting of fish and rice dishes cooked with coconut.

In the afternoon, travelers return to their hotels, but if you still want to stay on the island during the night, the organization has tents for those who want to extend their visit.

Isla Saona is part of the National Park of the East and is officially protected, not allowing any buildings on its coast. The boats leave from Bayahibe beach, although any resort in Punta Cana or Bavaro Beach offers this excursion. It can be organized directly in Santo Domingo.

The journey takes about three hours from La Romana.

Hotspots.LGBT | 45 61

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Celebration of Life

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The 2ndAnnual AnnualGreater GreaterFort FortLauderdale Lauderdale

Food & Wine Wine Festiv Festival al al

Presented by Visit V isit isitLauderdale LauderdaleMarch March18-22 18-22

The 2nd Annual Gr The 2nd Annual Great eater F er Fort Lauder ort Lauderdale dale Food & Wine F ood & Wine Festi estiv val al (GFLFW), pr (GFLFW), present esented ed by y V Visit Lauder isit Lauderdale dale will tak will take place fr e place from om Wednesda ednesday y, Mar , March 18 – Sunda ch 18 – Sunday y, Mar , March 22 ch 22 throug thr oughout Br hout Brow owar ard County d County. The F . The Festi estivval will featur eature culinary cr e culinary creations and libations fr eations and libations from om more than 100 local r mor e than 100 local restaur estaurants, leading ants, leading spirit brands, wineries and br spirit br ands, wineries and brew eweries. Led b eries. Led by y the Festi the F estivval Host Committ al Host Committee, GFLFW will ee, GFLFW will once again show once ag ain showcase Br case Brow owar ard County's d County's renowned and emer enowned and emerging chef ging chefs, r s, restaur estaurat ateurs, eurs, and local food and drink establishments. and local f ood and drink establishments.

GFLFW is also pleased to announce that GFLFW is also pleased t o announce that Joe Joe DiMaggio Children DiMaggio Childr en's Hospital 's Hospital will be the will be the Festi estivval's Charity P al's Charity Partner this y artner this year ear. .

The Festi The F estivval will kick off on al will kick off on W Wednesda ednesday y, March 18, Mar ch 18, with with C Cocktail C ocktail Con on idential at a idential at a Downtown F Downt own Fort Lauder ort Lauderdale v dale venue t enue to be o be announced, and and GFL on the Rise GFL on the Rise will tak will take e place F place Frida riday y, Mar , March 20, ch 20, at at The A The Atlantic tlantic Hotel & Spa Hot el & Spa. The F . The Festi estivval will also include a Grand T Gr and Tasting E asting Ev vent ent on on SSatur aturda day y, Mar , March ch 21 f 21 featuring f eaturing food and be ood and bevver erage tastings, age tastings, cooking demonstrations, li cooking demonstr ations, livve ent e entertainment ertainment as well as a as w ell as a FREE F FREE Famil amily Da y Day y pr present esented b ed by y Joe DiMaggio Children Joe DiMaggio Childr en's Hospital 's Hospital ((JDCH) on Sunda on Sunday y, Mar , March 22 ch 22. Both e . Both evvents will tak ents will take e place at ArtsP place at ArtsPark Holl ark Hollyw ywood ood. .

52 | Hotspots.LGBT

"Wee'r "W 're e e exxcit cited t ed to be hosting the Gr o be hosting the Great eater F er Fort ort Lauderdale Food & Wine F Lauderdale F ood & Wine Festi estivval once ag al once again this ain this year and show ear and showcasing the w casing the wonderful culinary onderful culinary delights and spirits that the Gr delig hts and spirits that the Great eater F er Fort ort Lauderdale ar Lauder dale area has t ea has to offer our local r o offer our local residents esidents and out-of-town visit and out-of-t own visitors, ors," said " said Gr Great eater F er Fort ort Lauderdale F Lauder dale Food & Wine F ood & Wine Festi estiv val F al Founder ounder Kate R Kat e Reed eed. "W . "We look f e look forw orwar ard t d to pr o presenting a esenting a fabulous e abulous evvent e ent experience that brings our xperience that brings our community together w community t ogether while also gi hile also giving back t ving back to a o a great local or gr eat local orgganization. anization.””

The Festi The F estiv val Host C al Host Committ ommittee ee includes an includes an eclectic mix of standout nationally acclaimed and eclectic mix of standout nationall y acclaimed and y acclaimed and local chefs, including local chef s, including Shaun O Shaun O'Neale 'Neale, winner of , winner of

Food Netw ood Network's F ork's Mast MasterChef Mast erChef Season 7, Season 7, Chi Chan, Ex Chi Chan, Chi Chan, Executi ecutivve Chef at Mastr Chef at Chef at Mastro o's Ocean Club Oc ean Club in F Oc in Fort ort Lauderdale, Lauder Lauder dale, F Ful ulvio vio Sar ardelli Jr Sdelli Jr., ., Chef/Owner of Chef/Owner of Sar ardelli Italian Sdelli Italian Steakhouse St eakhouse in in Hollyw Holl ywood, ood, Josie SmithMalav Mala ve, Chef/CoOwner of Bubbles & P Owner of Bubbles & Pearls earls in Wilt in Wilton on Manors, Oli Manors, Oliv ver S er Saucy aucy, , Ex Executi ecutivve Chef at Café Maxx in P Café Maxx in Pompano Beach, and ompano Beach, and Gianpiero Cangelosi Gianpier o Cangelosi and and Kar Karen en Cangelosi, co-owners of Cangelosi , co-owners of Capric Capriccio cio's 's Ristor Rist orant ante e in P in Pembr embrok oke Pines and e Pines and Tar arant antella Rist ella Ristor orant ante e in W in West eston. on.

Rounding out the Host Committ ounding out the Host Committee is ee is Crystl Hort Cry stl Horton, Wine Dir on, Wine Direct ector or at Del at Del Frisco risco's Double Eag 's Double Eagle le and 5 Star Sommelier Heath P Sommelier Heath Port orter er of of Heathen Heathen Wine Tours.

Wine T ours.

Heath will pro Heath will pr ovide guests with tips and ad vide guests with tips and advice vice for pairing their f or pairing their fa f avorit orite f e food samplings with ood samplings with fantastic wines. f “I'm looking forw “I'm looking f orwar ard t d to m o my int y inter eracti activve cooking demo at the Grand T demo at the Gr demo at the Gr and Tasting and seeing man asting and seeing many y friendly f friendl friendl y faces fr aces from the South Florida community om the South Florida community and culinary scene,” said and culinary scene, and culinary scene, ” said Chef Chi Chan, Chef Chi Chan, Executi Ex ecutiv Ex ve Chef at Mastr e Chef at Mastro o's Oc 's Ocean Club ean Club. “Plus, . “Plus, it's alw it's al it's al ways gr s great t eat to be in o be invvol olvved with an e ed with an evvent that givves back t gi es back to the community gi o the community. I'm pleased t . I'm pleased to o support JDCH and the Great support JDCH and the Gr support JDCH and the Gr eater F er Fort Lauder ort Lauderdale dale Food & Wine F ood & Wine Festi F estivval. al.””

The iv ive-da e-day Epicur y Epicurean F ean Festi estivval's charitable

partner will be Joe DiMaggio Children's partner will be Joe DiMaggio Children 's Hospital with a portion of all proceeds being Hospital with a portion of all pr oceeds being donated t donat ed to their F o their Foundation. Joe DiMaggio oundation. Joe DiMaggio Children Childr en's Hospital is one of the r 's Hospital is one of the region egion's 's leading pediatric hospitals, offering a comprehensi compr ehensivve scope of healthcar e scope of healthcare services e services and progr and pr ograms in a child-friendl ams in a child-friendly y

atmosphere. It is a full-service hospital that atmosphere. It is a full-service hospital that treats minor illnesses, tr tr eats minor illnesses, trauma-r auma-relat elated ed accidents and some of the most complex accidents and some of the most comple x medical conditions. While Sunday's F medical conditions. While Sunda y's Famil amily y Day is FREE t Da y is FREE to att o attend, the suggest end, the suggested ed donation for admission is one donation f or admission is one new/unwr new/un wrapped t apped to oy that will go t y that will go to the o the children at Joe DiMaggio Childr childr en at Joe DiMaggio Children en's Hospital. 's Hospital.

“The Great “The Gr eater F er Fort Lauder ort Lauderdale dale Food & Wine F ood & Wine Festi estivval is a fantastic e antastic evvent ent, w , which is helping hich is helping to ele o elevvat ate and r e and rede ede ine the destination's destination 's lourishing culinary scene,” said culinary scene, ” said Stacy Stacy Ritter Ritt er, pr , president and CE esident and CEO of O of the Great the Gr eater F er Fort Lauder ort Lauderdale dale Con onv vention & V ention & Visit isitors Bur ors Bureau. eau.

“The success of the inaugural “The success of the inaugur al event w ent was no doubt a t as no doubt a testament estament to our epicur o our epicurean offerings and ean offerings and re lects the transf lects the transformation ormation that's happening throug that's happening thr oughout the hout the destination.” destination. ”

Justin Flippen

Celebration of Life

Photos: J.R. Davis

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BROADWAY – AN AMERICAN IN PARIS In post war Paris, romance is in the air and youthful optimism reigns. Hoping to start a new life, World War II veteran Jerry Mulligan chooses newly-liberated Paris as the place to make a name for himself as a painter. But Jerry’s life becomes complicated when he meets Lise, a young Parisian shop girl with her own secret – and realizes he is not her only suitor.

Marchpermanecer 15; 8pm; Kravisen Center for the Performing “...pero si aúnSun, deseas la isla durante la Arts (701 Okeechobee Boulevard noche, la organización dispone de tiendas de campaña para West Palm Beach); Tix: start at $32; Kravis.org

isla saona, rep. dominicana aquellos que quieran alargar su visita”.

CROONER - HARRY CONNICK, JR While Harry is the virtual definition of a multi-talented star, with conanOscar Ambulo notable triumphs as a television personality and actor, the foundation of his art remains his music. Join Harry for an intimate performance of songs from True Love (his sensational new record), 17 as well as classics Isla Saona está rodeada de from his remarkable costas encareer. bote Tues, paraMarch conocer at the Arsht Center Biscayne Blvd. Miami) and Wed, hermosas playas e historia, es (1300sus misterios.

Sólo unos 1.200 March 18 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts (201 uno de los lugares más solicihabitantes viven en la isla.

Southwest 5th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale); Tix: ArshtCenter.org tados del sureste de República or BrowardCenter.org Estos lo hacen en cabañas

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Dominicana, por lo que es visita construidas con hierbas y – RAGTIME obligada en tu MUSICAL viaje. palmas, ya que está prohibido Presented by the Slow Burn Theatre Co, this Broadway was written Situada al sur del parque construir allí, yphenomenon cuya ocupación by the está award-winning composer/lyricist team of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn nacional del Este, principal es el turismo y la Ahrens (Once on This Island, Seussical and Lucky Stiff), noted playwright Terrence habitada por numerosas aves, pesca.

McNally, and based on E.L. Doctorow’s distinguished novel, Ragtime is the tortugas, delfines, y Awards for Best IslaScore, Saona esOrchestrations. rocosa y tiene winnerballenas of the 1998 Tony Book and A truly manatíes, y esunique destino cadaportrait of America! bastantes y cavernas en Fri Marchgrutas 20 through April 5; Amaturo and powerful día de turistasTheater que llegan a susCenter for at The Broward Performingde Artssu (201geografía, Southwest 5thy el the noroeste 44 60 | Hotspots.LGBT

Avenue , Fort Lauderdale); Tix: $49-$65; BrowardCenter.org.

COMEDIAN JAYdurante MOHRla noche, la aúnaún deseas permanecer en la- isla Actor, comedian, and de bestselling author, Jayaquellos has beenque organización or dispone de tiendas campaña para performing stand-up comedy since he was sixteen years quieran quier alargar su visita. old. With a career that has spanned over three decades, Jay Isla Saona forma parte del nacional del Este se encuentra has become an parque artist that is very difficult toydefine.

Never protegida p oficialmente, norest permitiéndose edificaciones wanting to on his accomplishments, Jayde hasningún alwaystipo en esu litoral. Laspushed embarcaciones salen la playa Bayahibe, aunque himself to be moredethan just a comic.

March 19 through March 22; The Comedy Club cualquier c resortThurs, de Punta Cana o PlayaSun, Bávaro ofrece esta excursión. at the Seminoledirectamente Hardrock Hotelenand Casino Hollywood También T se puede organizar Santo Domingo.

El (1 Seminole Way, Hollywood); Tix: Start at $36; Seminoletrayecto t dura unas tres horas desde La Romana.

Photo: Wikimedia - Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com

ICON – PAUL ANKA SINGS SINATRA A note from Paul: “Back by popular demand! The Anka Sings Sinatra tour will honor a great artist who has influenced me more than anyone else throughout my career, Frank Sinatra. It will also feature the hits that have spanned my career on this 60th anniversary year. It will be a night filled with his songs, my songs, my way!” Mon, March 16; 8pm; Broward Center for the Performing Arts; (201 southwest 5th avenue, Fort Lauderdale); tix: $40-$150; browardcenter.org.

es una zona muy interesante debido a la gran cantidad de reliquias indígenas que se han encontrado allí. La costa presenta bordes rocosos bajos con ensenadas arenosas, y es donde se encuentra el -único >>>>> Mar 15 Mar 21 lugar de la isla que presenta una ligera elevación sobre el nivel del mar, al que llaman Punta Roca.

Fue en esta parte de la isla donde se refugiaron los indígenas que, en los tiempos de Cotubamaná, tuvieron que huir de las tropas de Juan de Esquivel bajo las órdenes de Nicolás de Ovando. Las cuevas, cuevas, bien protegidas y de difícil acceso, les sirvieron de cobijo y y guardaron sus enseres hasta que, en 1912, el arqueólogo norteamericano Teodore de Booy las encontró.

En el resto de la isla, una sucesión de playas interminables de finas arenas blancas y aguas cristalinas muestran distintos tonos de azul en combinación con el sol en sus preciosos atardeceres.

Numerosos tipos de aves pueden ser vistas en la isla.

Cotorras, cuervos, gaviotas, perdices gallaretas, gallitos, yaguazas y palomas silvestres tienen en esta isla su esidencia residencia habitual.

La isla tiene una gran riqueza riqueza piscícola también, pudiendo encontrar grandes bancos de langostas y de moluscos, como el lambí.

A modo de restaurante, un chamizo hace las veces de comedor y, allí, los turistas toman un almuerzo compuesto por platos de pescado y arroz cocinados con coco.

Por la tarde, los viajeros regresan a sus hoteles, pero si Photo: Wikimedia - Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com

1 2 3 4 5

VOTE – TUESDAY, MARCH 17 It’s voting day in Florida, and I urge everyone to do their civil duty and get out and vote, it’s the only way change will happen.

By Scott Holland

6

hardrockhollywood.com.

Isla Saona is surrounded by beautiful beaches and history, DISNEY ON ICE – DREAM BIG and is one of the most requested places in the southeast of the and is one of the most r Believing is just the beginning for your favorite Disney heroes as Dominican Republic, so it is a must on your trip. Located to the Dominican R Miguel aspires to be a musician and journeys through the Land of south of the National Park of the East, it is inhabited by south of the National P the Dead to unlock his family’s history. Moana and Maui bravely numerous birds, turtles, dolphins, whales and manatees, and is numer restore the stolen heart of Te Fiti. Anna and Elsa save their kinga destination every day for tourists who arrive by boat to know a destination e dom while the Disney Princesses inspire with stories of strength, determination and kindness. Share every magical moment filled its mysteries. Only about 1,200 inhabitants live on the island. its m with breathtaking ice skating and beloved songs and stories that They do this in cabins built with herbs and palms, since it is The give you a reason to believe!Thurs, March 19 through Sun, March 22; The BB&T Center (1 Panther Pkwy, Sunrise); Tix: start at $15; thebbtcenter.com

7 8

ST PATTYS DAY – TUESDAY MARCH 17 Saint Patrick’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick is a cultural and religious celebration held on 17 March, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick, the foremost patron saint of Ireland. The day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, and celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general. Celebrations generally involve public parades and festivals, and the wearing of green attire or shamrocks, and drinking. There will be celebrations everywhere, but please be safe and don’t drink and drive!

GREATER FT LAUDERDALE FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL This 2nd Annual Festival is presented by Visit Lauderdale and features culinary creations and libations from more than 100 local restaurants, leading spirit brands, wineries and breweries. Led by the Festival Host Committee, GFLFW will once again showcase Broward County’s renowned and emerging chefs, restaurateurs, and local food and drink establishments. Wed, March 18 through Sun, March 22; ArtsPark (1 North Hollywood Circle, Hollywood); Tix: $49 to $225; GFLfoodwine.com

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FLORIDA AIDS WALK AND MUSIC FESTIVAL This is a great way to give back to your community, and forbidden to build there, and whose main occupation is tourism f come together for a 5K walk, food trucks, bars (with alcoand fishing. and fishing. hol and non-alcoholic options), and an epic concert with Lil’ Kim, Casper Magico and more! Proceeds raised from Isla Saona is rocky and has many caves and caves in the the walk and festival go to local AIDS service organizanorthwest of its geography, and it is a very interesting area due north tions who fight to end the epidemic in their communities to the large number of indigenous relics that have been found t every day. Saturday, March 21; FloridaAIDSwalk.org there. The coast has low rocky edges with sandy coves, and is ther where the only place on the island that has a slight elevation w above sea level, which they call Punta Roca. abo It was in this part of the island where the natives took refuge,

who, in the days of Cotubamaná , had to flee from the troops of Juan de Esquivel under the orders of Nicolá s de Ovando. The caves, well protected and difficult to access, served as shelter and kept their belongings until, in 1912, the American archaeologist Teodore de Booy found them.

In the rest of the island, a succession of endless beaches of fine white sands and crystal clear waters show different shades of blue in combination with the sun in its beautiful sunsets.

Numerous types of birds can be seen on the island.

Cotorras, crows, seagulls, partridges gallaretas, roosters, yaguazas and wild pigeons have their habitual residence on this island.

The island has a great fish wealth as well, being able to find large lobster and shellfish banks, such as lambı.́ As a restaurant, a chamizo serves as a dining room and, there, tourists take a lunch consisting of fish and rice dishes cooked with coconut.

In the afternoon, travelers return to their hotels, but if you still want to stay on the island during the night, the organization has tents for those who want to extend their visit.

Isla Saona is part of the National Park of the East and is officially protected, not allowing any buildings on its coast. The boats leave from Bayahibe beach, although any resort in Punta Cana or Bavaro Beach offers this excursion. It can be organized directly in Santo Domingo.

The journey takes about three hours from La Romana.

Hotspots.LGBT | 45 61

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2018. Levitt worked as a social media strategist for Axis Nightclub as of 2018 and has done social media and marketing for Union Cafe since 2013.

West competed in the eleventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race, and a Street in Columbus has been "The Nina West Way" in her honor.

She starred in Coaster, an animated short ilm directed and produced by Amos Sussigan and Dan Lund, and attended the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards, where she became the irst person to walk the purple carpet in full drag.

West was announced as part of the cast for the irst ever season of RuPaul's Celebrity Drag Race, a Drag Race spin-off where Drag Race alumni transform celebrities into Drag Queens, premiering in 2020.

“Brooke Lynn had already done First Wives Fight Club with Peaches in San Francisco. So when Fort Lauderdale came up, Peaches asked Brooke Lynn if I would be interested. I didn't even have to think about it, and I said YES!!! To be part of a Peaches Christ show is a great honor! And this one has Varla Jean Merman in it too! Fort Lauderdale has the greatest audiences, so I can't wait to come out ighting!”

Var arla la Jean Merman Merman - Jeffery Roberson (aka Varla Jean Merman) starred in the new musical Lucky Guy opposite Leslie Jordan in NY at the Little Schubert in spring 2011 prompting The New York Times to rave, “If Carol Burnett and Harvey Korman had stood in front of the right pair of funhouse mirrors, they might have resembled Ms. Merman and Mr. Jordan in

40 | Hotspots.LGBT

stature as well as comedic talent”.

He guest starred as Varla Jean on Ugly Betty, was also featured on Bravo's Project Runway ole of Mary Sunshine Season 5, and played the role of Mary Sunshine . He made in the revival of Chicago on Broadway. He made en his network television debut on All My Children in the recurring role of lady of the evening Rosemary Chicken. He shared the Outfest Film d and the Aspen HBO Festival “Best Actor” Award and the Aspen HBO Film Festival “Best Actress” Award with his costars Jack Plotnick and Clinton Leupp for his featured performance in the cult classic ilm y Girls Will Be Girls (Sundance 2003) directed by Richard Day. Varla Jean has illed cabarets and concert halls across the world including the Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall, the New York Public Theater, London's Soho Theatre and LA's Renberg Theatre.

“I've known who Peaches was for many years and have been a huge fan of her outrageous and successful movie parodies. wn a few years After working together in Ptown a few years ago, we decided to collaborate on our own parody. We came up with "The Whining," based on Stephen King's "The Shining" but about two queens who spend the winter in Provincetown. It was such a huge success that we decided to do another parody.

Peaches has such an incredible knack for inding movies that have a huge cult following and thus appeal to a huge s audience, and we discussed "The First Wives ching, we focused on a scene Club." While watching, we focused on a scene where Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, and Diane Keaton get into a huge physical ight, including slapping, punching, and Oscars

being thrown. "The First Wives Fight Club" being thr was born. was born.

The challenge was inding a way to "mashup" a frothy, campy chick- lick romp with a dark, d disturbing, testosterone-fueled psychodrama.

But we loved every minute of writing d it. iWe share the same comic sensibilities, so it was w easier than it may sound!

I am so excited to share the stage with Peaches in this show, because we did P separate productions, one west coast, one separ east coast, that year. Fort Lauderdale allows east coast us to share the piece we wrote with each us t other, but also include the amazing talents other of Brooke Lynn Hytes and Nina West. These of Br girls may be "new school" queens, but they gir both have years of training as "old school" both have years of tr hoofers, and have the chops to put on a full hoofers, and have the chops t play with one day of rehearsal. Outlandish play with one day of r usually does solo shows, so we are so thrilled usually doe they decided to do something different and they decided t have a play as part of their season!” have a play as part of their season!”

Peaches Christ - Peaches Christ is a ilmmaker and a cult leader living in SF. Her infamous movie events are self-produced at the Castro Theatre and a regularly draw over 1,000 attendees to each new production before they tour. Events have h featured special guest stars John Waters, Cloris Leachman, Bruce Campbell, Barry Bostwick, Pam Grier, and more.

Peaches is the alter- ego of Joshua Grannell, the writer and director of the feature ilm All the writ About Evil. The award-winning dark comedy A gore gorilm stars Natasha Lyonne, Thomas Dekker, Cassandra Peterson, Mink Stole, and Peaches Christ. Peaches has been featured in

the ilms Milk, I Am Divine, Diary Of A Teenage Girl, Mans ield 66/67, Tura!, and more. Visit peacheschrist.com to stay up to date on her latest projects and upcoming shows.

“Varla Jean Merman and I had previously co-written and co-starred in a parody of The Shining called The Whining, which ended up being a big success in both Provincetown and San Francisco so we decided we wanted to co-write another theatre piece together and came up with this mash-up idea. I really love working with Varla and think we make a great writing team, but what's odd about this particular show is that we've both appeared in different versions of it, never together. I was in the show that played San Francisco and Los Angeles and Varla did the show that had a big Provincetown run. So, for me, this Fort Lauderdale show at Outlandish is super special because it will be the irst time that she and I have been able to be in the show together- which was our original intention. We have a bunch of scenes together and in a weird way play the same character. It will also be the irst time I've been able to work with Nina West and I'm huge fan. I can't wait!”

Tick ickeets to to the Outlandish Outlandish

Performance Series “The First Wives Club,” start at as low as $35, but for $65 you can get a VIP ticket which includes front and center seating plus post show meet and greet with all four artists.

SCOTT LIVELY

O

OF THE WEEK

BY D'ANNE WITKOWSKI

Photo: Wikimedia.org - Tim Pierce

Anyway, Lively writes in a Feb. 21 nce upon a time in a land far, WorldNetDaily column that he is concerned far away — aka Germany — that “the hero we're rallying behind to fight there was an ambassador from the progressive agenda has embraced one of the United States. That man its most insidious and "represented destructive tenets.” And by our country exceedingly “hero,” yes he means Trump. well” according to Donald And by “insidious and Trump, and so he was named destructive” he means a gay acting director of national man. intelligence.

Grenell should have “kept And that man was gay. Is his sexual proclivities to gay. This is actually present es. But he himself,” Lively writes. But he tense. Richard Grenell is didn't. And by being an out acting director of national gay man “he crossed the line intelligence and also is gay. from expecting reasonable Reuters describes Grenell y tolerance from our genuinely as “a strong supporter of magnanimous live-and-let[Trump's] policies,” which life society to demanding explains why Trump was public acceptance.” willing to look past the gay ention And Lively has no intention thing. Loyalty to Trump, of ever accepting trumps all. homosexuality, something he Rumor has it that Grenell claims is an attack on “the natural family of was known in Germany to be kind of a jerk. one man and one woman united in life-long According to Reuters, a German lawmaker told monogamous heterosexual marriage.” them, “His actions have an audience of one: the In fact, Lively claims that “acceptance” of U.S. president.” ced homosexuality will eventually lead to “forced Anyway, as you might imagine, there are Experience a live, musical parody mashparticipation in LGBT culture” and the people upset with Grenell's new gig. And they up of the now-cult-classic lms, First Wives ives “punishment of dissenters.” should be. After all, Trump's policies are cruel, Club and Fight Club.ou've You'venever neverseen seen(or(or And by that I think Lively means that men short-sighted, woefully uninformed and serve anything like it. Starring the e on one thing, and that thing is Trump's ego. So, heard!)like him will one day be forced to compete on and indelible talents of Nina "RuPaul's Drag Race" and will ultimately be since Grenell is a big fan of these policies: boo.gorgeous Brooke Lynn Hytes (fan favorites punished by having to “sashay away.”

Ah, but you might imagine that there are West and But don't get Lively wrong. some who have a problem with Grenell simply from RuPaul's Drag Race Season 11), as “I'm not saying that a homosexual can't be because he is gay. well as Varla Jean Merman & Peaches Scott Lively calls Grenell a “homosexual Christ,a conservative, The rst rule of the First Wives " he wrote. “I've known many.”

Trojan horse.” I'm not sure what that is, but I'd Fight Club is to TELL EVERYBODY! The problem is the “openly declaring like to think it is a giant wooden horse that, Below you will nd a short Bio on each oneself homosexual instead of keeping one's instead of being filled with Greek soldiers, is and then they each answered filled with nothing but condoms and dicks. performer sexual issues private” part, which kind of Honestly kind of shocked the Trojan condom the question: makes me skeptical about his “I've known How did you get involved in company hasn't already done this as a giant First Wives many” claim. If these gay conservatives were club and are you excited about promotional event. If they ever do, I want out to him, then they are by Lively's the performance in Fort Lauderdale? credit. definition an unwitting arm of the

The First Wives Club

38 | Hotspots.LGBT 66 | Hotspots.LGBT

And by that I think Lively means that men like him will one day be forced to compete on "RuPaul's Drag Race" and will ultimately be punished by having to “sashay away.”

progressive movement, “carrying the pr progressive agenda behind enemy lines.” pr Like, you know, a horse filled with condoms and dicks. and dick “Richard Grenell is a Trojan Horse,” Lively wrote. “President Trump should not trust him wr and neither should we Deplorables.” and neither should w Interesting that he should mention that, because you may recall that Trump pretty because y much hates the national intelligence much hat community because they have facts that community because the conflict with Trump's alternative universe. conflict with T Lively is telling his followers that they Li shouldn't trust Grenell even though Trump shouldn literally chose him because he's a yes man, lit living in the same alternative universe as living in the same alt Trump.

Trump.

I agree, no one should trust Grenell. No one should trust Trump, either, but you'll recall that Lively referred to Trump as a “hero.” So. Gays? No. Adulterers and accused rapists? AOK. It's all in God's plan.

Meanwhile your plan should be to vote.

Vote this entire corrupt administration out.

Check to make sure you're registered to vote at vote.org/am-i-registered-to-vote right now. And if you're not, register, damn it.

D'Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and comedian living in Michigan with her wife and son. She has been writing about LGBT politics for over a decade. Follow her on Twitter @MamaDWitkowski.

L to R: Nina West, Varla Jean Marman, Peaches Christ, Brooke Lynn Hytes.

Brook Br ookee Lynn L Hyt ytees - Equal parts ballerina, show showgirl, and 90's supermodel, Brooke Lynn Hyt Hytes is drag perfection - personi ied. The T Toronto native received her dance training at the National Ballet School of Canada and in the National Ballet School of Canada and in 2008, she tr 2008, she traveled worldwide performing as a principal ballerina with Les Ballets principal ballerina with Les Ballets T Trockadero de Monte Carlo - an all-male drag ballet compan ballet company. Brooke Lynn then set her sig sights on the world of drag, winning multiple Canadian pageants and the co Canadian pageants and the coveted Miss Continental cr Continental crown in the US in 2014. Brooke L Lynn was honored to be the irst Canadian to appear on cultur appear on cultural phenomenon, RuPaul's Dr Drag Race.

Hytes has cemented her place in history as the irst dr the irst drag queen to be tweeted by Canada's icial T of of icial Twitter account, and has also been f featured on The Social, The Morning Show, ET ETalk, ET Canada, Vogue.Com, Re inery29,

Huf ington Post, Global News, Now, Dance Magazine, Billboard, MTV News and the cover of New York Magazine, to name a few. 2020 shows no sign of slowing down with Brooke Lynn being announced as a permanent judge on Canada's drag race.

“I was irst approached by Peaches Christ to be in FWFC last year and I JUMPED at the opportunity! I'm so lucky to be working alongside such legends and I'm so excited to get my ight on in Fort Lauderdale.”

Nina We West - West hosts the annual "Heels of Horror" show at Axis Nightclub, and has also hosted the competition "So You Think You Can Drag?" In 2008, she won the Entertainer of the Year award; her ensemble later inspired the singer Sia's out it at the 2016 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. West was included in Columbus Business First's "40 Under 40" list in

Hotspots.LGBT | 39

deep HOT inside BODIESHOLLYWOOD

by Tom Bonanti

By Romeo San Vicente

over the new HBO Max reality competition series Legendary, which will enter the world of ballroom and judge contestants on their voguing skills. The controversy arose due to, among other things, the hiring of The Good Place actor Jameela Jamil – who is queer but not from the world of ballroom – as host. But mostly missing from this conversation has been something just as important: the show's inclusion of ballroom veterans who aren't as famous as Jamil but whose names deserve to be centered. So let's talk about Leiomy Maldonado, the first openly transgender contestant on MTV's America's Best Dance Crew, who's additionally a choreographer for FX's Pose, and who'll be a Legendary judge.

A MINDFUL MORNING ROUTINE:

Photo: Wikimedia.org - Btvway

Photo: Wikimedia.org - Greg2600 - Flickr

The Key to Your Best Day Ever!

Weetzie Bat's queer L.A. love-blast

Filmmaker Justin Kelly has forward momentum and a MALDONADO cool young cast: Anya Taylorspent his growing body of Joy (The Witch) as Weetzie, work exploring the darker Let's also talk about Dashaun Nick Robinson (Love, Simon), fringes of queer life in movies Wesley, a Pose, Magic Mike XXL Sasha Lane (American Honey), and Hit The Floor dancer who'll like JT LeRoy and King Cobra. hat if I told you that smoothie and store it in the fridge with Keiynan Lonsdale (The Flash) So it was time for a little bit of serve as Legendary by taking a few tomorrow's lunch. Jot little reminders and and Thé odore Pellerin (On joy. And there's nothing quite commentator. And let's also talk steps, you could st encouraging mantras on post-its and stick Becoming a God in Central as joyful as Francesca Lia about DJ MikeQ, who's spent f eliminate tons of eliminat them on the fridge or bathroom mirror.

Florida). We're guessing this Block's classic 1989 YA novel years working in ballroom stress and feel like a str Even before you climb out of the sack, will be set in the New WaveWeetzie Bat. The candy-coated making music and scored the million bucks all day long? Here are some make sure to stretch and limber up your iest version of '80s Los story of a punk-rock girl in Los documentary feature Kiki and easy things you can do every morning and body and mind. Extend your arms over your Angeles, just like the book, so Angeles named Weetzie Bat, the Viceland documentary series even the night before to help the rest of your head and to your toes. Bring your knees to if nothing else, we're probably My House. We'll reserve her friends and family, her day feel calmer and run smoother!going to be gagging over the your chest and do hip-overs to stretch lower Secret Agent Lover Man, and judgement on the final product Every successful event requires planning. back. Take stock of your body by checking costumes and sets. the three wishes she's granted, when we see it, of course, but we This is true about each day of your life. A for aches and pains and areas that are overly has been a beacon of glittery still have high hopes for calmer morning and a productive day start tight. Take a couple of minutes to this and Legendary's literary hope for queer kids for something “truly real.” with a little preparation the night before. the past 30 years. Years ago ballroom make sure to breathe deeply on each stretch.

Lay out tomorrow's clothes. Make nutritious there was talk of a Tim Burton credentialsHitting the snooze button on your alarm choices beforehand. Prepare an easy If you're like us, you and rolling over ruefully is no way to tackle version that never materialized, Romeo San Vicente has an breakfast like cut fruit, whole grains or a an important day. Instead, get up 10-15 but this time around there's followed the Twitterstorm attitude and wants to Vogue!

W 70 | Hotspots.LGBT 34

minut minutes earlier, turn on the coffee, check the w weather, feed the cat, and get going without f feeling pressured for time.

Avail yourself to a hearty breakfast every day y you can. It will fuel you with the energy to surmount an surmount any hurtle or challenge that comes y your way. Eating well each morning also incr increases mental sharpness and focus. It even impr improves your mood and prevents you from getting cr getting cranky and short with cronies and clients. Fill y clients. Fill your tummy with fresh fruits and v veggies, low-fat dairy, whole grains and lean pr protein.

Often all it takes to tank your mood is a rudimentary g rudimentary glimpse at the morning news and e-mails. While y e-mails. While you may not be able to avoid these all da these all day, why not put them off for just a bit w while you meditate? Find someplace comf comfortable to sit. Use music, an app or even a book t book to get started. Focus upon controlling your br breath and when your mind wanders bring it back t back to a serene place.

There's no better way to get those feel good endorphins pumping than t endorphins pumping than to commence your

day with exercise. It may not be realistic for you to get to the gym for a full workout, but

you can still walk or do a few laps in the pool. Try a 5- minute routine that includes some push-ups, crunches, or a few yoga poses.

Stress weighs heavily upon most of us, but why not take a more positive approach to life? Utilize a few moments each morning to life? Utilize a f o life? Utilize a f o lif e? Utilize a few moments each morning e? Utilize a f ew moments each morning to think of someone or something that makes you happy and grateful. Call or text friends to say thanks or share a laugh.

T Tom Bonanti is a certified personal trainer and massage therapist (MA#40288) with his own one on one f on one facility Pumpnincgym.com in Ft. Lauderdale. Contact trainertomb@aol.com with questions or t or to make an appointment today!

Come Out! Come Out!

New Song and Dance Musical Premiers at Wilton Theatre Factory-The Foundry through March 29 Jacob i b is a y s a yo oung m g maan wh n who w o waants i s it a t alll. H . He e wants l s lov ovee, a h , a ho ouse, a s , a sp pouse, a c , a caare reeer, k , kiids.

But J t Jaacob i b is G s Gaay, a , an nd i d itt's 1 s 19 929. A t . A tiime wh e wheen enga gagging i g in h n ho omosexu exuaal a l acctivity c y co ould g d geet y t yo ou arre resste ted d, b , beeate ten n, ev , eveen k n kiilled. D . Deespite t te th he dangers, ga , gay m y meen fo n fou und a d are reaas wh s wheere t re th hey could m d meeet fo t for c r cllandestine t e trrys ystts. M . Mo ost s t seettled for fo r leeting p g ph hys ysiical g l grrati ication. B . Bu ut s t so ome wante ted m d mo ore re. S . So ome l e lo onged fo d for a r aff ffection. J . Jaacob just w t waants to b s to be k e kiissed... by a . by an nother m r maan.

Jacob l b liives i s in t n two wo wo worrlds. T . Th he irst i t is t s th he d e drrab day to d y to daay wh y wheere h re he c e caannot b t be h e hiimself a f an nd t d th he second i d is a c s a co olorful fa l fan ntasy wo sy worrld wh d wheere h re he e tap d p daances i s in t n th he P e Paark w k wiith m h meen a n an nd h d hiis fan fa ntasies c s co ome t e trrue.

S e e t e th h i s h s hii gh e h en n e rg y, l , lii gh t h t hee a r te d , y , yee t p o i g n a n t n t nee w m w mu u s i c a l i l l e d w d wii t h m h mu u s i c f c frro m t h e R e Ro o a r i n g 2 g 20 0 s a s an n d j d jo oyo u s t s taa p d p daa n c i n g .

T h i n k E k Ed d d i e C e Caa n to r m r mee e t s F s Frre d A d Ass t a i re i e in n C e n t ra l P l Paa rk .

This new musical, creat This new musical, cr eated b ed by a y aw war ard winning d winning local playwrig local pla ywright ht, R , Ronnie Larsen, Come Out! onnie Larsen, Come Out! Come Out! will run throug Come Out! will run thr ough Mar h March 29th. ch 29th.

Perf erformances ar ormances are W e Wednesda ednesdayy-F -Frida riday at 8:30, y at 8:30, Saturda Satur day at 4:00 and 8:30 and Sunda y at 4:00 and 8:30 and Sunday at 3:00 y at 3:00 at The Foundry at The Wilt at The F oundry at The Wilton Theatr on Theatre F e Fact actory ory, ,

2306 North Dixie Highway, in Wilt 2306 North Dixie High , in Wilton Manors. on Manors.

The cast is composed of NYC act The cast is composed of NY C actor/dancers or/dancers including Greeyson W including Gr son Wade (All Shook Up, The Dr ade (All Shook Up, The Drow owssy owsy Chaperone), Chris Carr Chaper one), Chris Carranza (New anza (Newsies, W sies, West Side est Side est Side Story), Dom Gio St ory), Dom Giovvanni (Singing In The R anni (Singing In The Rain, Charlie ain, Charlie ain, Charlie Brown Christmas) and Zac S Br own Christmas) and Zac Sw wart artout (Nick out (Nickelodeon, elodeon, elodeon, Holiday Inn ). The pr Holida y Inn ). The production is co-dir oduction is co-direct ected b ed by y y Ronnie and NY onnie and NYC Pr C Producer/Dir oducer/Direct ector Michael Mills. or Michael Mills. or Michael Mills.

Austr ustralian Chor alian Choreogr eographer K apher Kurt Phelan and NY urt Phelan and NYC and C and C and now Ft. Lauder now Ft . Lauderdale Music Dir dale Music Direct ector Bobb or Bobby P y Peaco eaco eaco round out the cr ound out the creati eativve t e team. eam.

“I wrot “I wr ote this piece as a r e this piece as a reminder that our new eminder that our newlly eminder that our newly found rig ound rights and fr hts and freedoms cannot be tak eedoms cannot be taken f en for or grant gr anted” sa ed” say ys author Larsen, “The things our main s author Larsen, “The things our main charact char acter w er wants ar ants are w e what w hat we all w e all want ant. He w . He was just as just as just way ahead of his time. y ahead of his time.” Dir ” Direct ector Mills adds, “Ther or Mills adds, “There e or Mills adds, “There are 12 vintage songs in this musical. T ar e 12 vintage songs in this musical. Tap, soft-shoe, ap, soft-shoe, ap, soft-shoe, waltz and o altz and ovver-the-t er-the-top v op vaude audevillian numbers bring villian numbers bring villian numbers bring this heart-warming show t this heart-w arming show to lif o life. The r e. The reality of w eality of what hat eality of what Gay men w Ga y men want anted in the 1920's still rings true 100 ed in the 1920's still rings true 100 ed in the 1920's still rings true 100 years lat ears later er..

Tickets for C Tick ets for Come Out! C ome Out! Come Out! ar ome Out! are $35 for e $35 for gener eneral admission, and $50 for the fr al admission, and $50 for the front r ont ro ow VIP w VIP experience. Tick xperience. Tickets ar ets are available at e available at RonnieLarsen.com along with mor onnieLarsen.com along with more information, e information, e information, picturees, and video clips of the sho pictur s, and video clips of the show w.

28 | Hotspots.LGBT

26 | Hotspots.LGBT

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Martha Wash

dance-pop music mold, singing about dating apps dance-pop music mold, singing about dating apps but being t but being too leery to use them, and that time she and iconic g and iconic gay singer Sylvester literally shook the San F San Francisco War Memorial Opera House.

How have you kept your voice intact all these y years? What are your tricks?

I have no tricks! And look, I think over time don't w we all kind of change a bit? (Laughs.) While I am gr grateful to still be able to sing, you know, the voice changes o changes over time – and I've been doing this a long time! (Laug time! (Laughs.)

Interview By Chris Azzopardi

the the Martha Martha Wash Wash Photos Photos credit: credit: Mike Mike Ruiz.

Ruiz.

On her new album, Love & Con lict, Martha Wash is far removed from her disco days, when she became known as half of The Weather Girls. With the late Izora Rhodes-Armstead, the duo began their career as Two Tons O' Fun. They shot to stardom in the early '80s as The Weather Girls, after releasing one of the biggest gay anthems, “It's Raining Men.” During her solo career in the 1990s, Wash's booming voice was infamously used without her permission on dance-pop touchstones like Seduction's “(You're My One and Only) True Love” and Black Box's “Strike It Up” and “Fantasy,” as well as C+C Music Factory's No. 1 hit “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now).” In 2014, Rolling Stone called Wash “the most famous unknown singer of the '90s.”

Released on her own independent record label, Purple Rose Records, Love & Con lict is a fusion of funk, blues and R&B – “another departure from what people are used to hearing me sing,” she says. But, perhaps more importantly, the record represents Wash's artistic freedom.

The 66-year-old disco queen recently spoke about breaking out of

On “Never Enough Money,” you sing, “Sugar's w waiting in the back, you're lirting on a dating app app…” Are you on dating apps, Martha?

No, I am not!

So you're not speaking from personal experience?

No, no. But you hear so much about especially young … well, not even young people anymore!

Everybody's doing it. It doesn't matter the age anymore. People are trying to ind love wherever they think they can, and there's so many different (apps) out there. You see people, their heads just down in their phones with the email, or the dating apps, and things like that.

(Sighs.) Hey, technology.

Say hypothetically you did have a Tinder pro ile. What would you say about Martha Wash in your Tinder pro ile?

Oh god. Goodness. I like lowers. (Laughs.) Con ident.

What would you look for in another person's pro ile?

Let's see: A guy that likes to laugh or can make me laugh.

Sense of humor's always good 'cause I don't always have one.

(Laughs.) Sense of humor and can deal with my madness. Also somebody who has a strong spiritual background. I'm a homebody, but I also like to travel.

Somebody who's adventurous.

How about TV shows? What do you binge?

Oh god, there's too many of 'em to count! I have so many TV shows in my library that I have to keep deleting them because I'm almost at 100 percent. Seriously! And there's still a whole lot of shows and movies that I have not even seen on Net lix or Hulu at all.

You know, I have subscriptions but I haven't used 'em! So I just have my favorites. I like crime shows, I like medical shows.

How did “Never Enough Money” come about?

It has to do with greed, power, attention and a lot of things we see in the world today, and it's a right-in-your-face kind of situation; it's like you wanna turn your head away but can't. The situations will not let you turn your head away and, for the most part, I want to say it's negative.

You're the kind of artist who seems to relish continual artistic evolution. How is Love & Con lict an evolution for you as an artist?

It's just another avenue of the kind of music that I want to be able to record. I've always said I never wanted to be pigeonholed into one particular genre of music. Everybody knows me for the most part as a dance music artist. I came from R&B and disco and that's what I listened to as a teenager. But also growing up, I listened to all kinds of music, so I was able to appreciate all different genres of music.

So when I didn't have a record label, I decided to create my own to put out the kind of music that I felt I wanted to put out. That's grown so much over the years, in fact. I'll talk to my manager and he'll say, “What do you think you wanna do this time?” So he reached out to (producer) Sami Basbous and all the music, the musicians and everything are Canadian. And we recorded in Montreal.

So it's basically a Canadian-based album, and he just had some great songs that we put together. And what we came up with was Love & Con lict because we all have or have been through love and con lict, and sometimes it's on a daily basis, but it's about

Hotspots.LGBT | 85

Has that always been your motto?

Yeah, especially more so over the years. I've always believed that the higher power was always love, and there's scripture in the Bible about love covering a multitude of sins, so the bottom line is love encompasses all.

When did you feel like you'd irst been embraced by the LGBTQ community? Do you recall a speci ic moment?

No, because in school I had gay friends and some of my teachers were gay. It was never a big thing to me. And then when I started singing background for Sylvester, it just continued on but just as a larger group of people. The gay community was always behind Sylvester, and with Izora and I singing background for him there was never any problem, and it just continued over the decades. And I'd have to say that the gay community has always been the biggest fan base for me.

Not even the president at the time, Ronald Reagan, would acknowledge that AIDS was an issue.

And information wasn't being put out correctly. So there became this big stigma regarding that and the gay community, like they weren't Christians and this was the wrath of God, that whole kind of madness.

I remember a newspaper article about a black woman who wound up with AIDS, and I'm reading the article and I'm saying to myself, “OK, what you're saying is this is a gay

86 | Hotspots.LGBT

Were you trying to correct that misconception?

“

Embrace what they do, because everybody's talent doesn't come in the same-sized package.

Yeah. I'd have conversations with my friends: “Well, now they're saying this in the media but this is happening to somebody who's not gay so it cannot be just a gay disease, I don't believe it.”

And you're no stranger to the Pride circuit. Is that a special experience for you?

Well, (laughs) I think because I've been at this for so long it's just become a natural thing.

Can you share a story with me of you and Sylvester that illustrates just how close you were then?

Oh god, we would have a lot of fun on the road, between him and Izora and myself and the band. Sometimes we'd all get together and have dinner or just hang out and it would just be madness. (Laughs.) We did have a lot of fun, and then talking and kidding each other and all this other kind of stuff.

Martha Wash Wash Photos Photos credit: credit: Luke Luke Jones Jones Martha

You lost a lot of friends during the AIDS epidemic, including Sylvester. How do you re lect on that period of time?

Sad. So many people were lost because of fear and ignorance, and I want to say putting a death sentence on the gay community during that time, because everybody was pointing ingers. And all the ingers were pointing to the LGBTQ community, you know.

And then on the other side of that, people that were winding up HIV positive, some of them didn't pay attention, some of them did not listen.

disease but this woman was not gay, so how did she wind up with AIDS?” In the media it was all geared toward the gay community and gay men. That was the frustration.

“

how we decide to deal with things. I irmly believe that love always trumps con lict. Love always wins in the end.

Several icons passed on “It's Raining Men,” including Cher and Diana Ross, and even you and Izora were reluctant to record it. After you did, when did you know the song had become an LGBTQ anthem?

When they snatched it! Absolutely snatched it! (Laughs.)

How did it become apparent that we snatched it?

Well, I think maybe in my mind, in the way back of my mind, when (the song's writer) Paul Jabara initially said that he wanted us to record the song, I looked at Izora and we said, “You gotta be kidding” and he said, “No, I need

to hear you record this song.” I said, “Nobody is going to buy that song.” And I wasn't particularly thinking at that time of the gay community, I really wasn't. I was thinking broader. And I said, “Nobody is going to buy that song.” He said, “I need you to record this song.”

He said, “This song is going to be a hit,” and he was right. And I remember sometimes when Izora and I were doing shows he would wind up at the club and he was giving the DJ the acetate of that record. There's a 12-inch, almost no label on it, and he'd say, “Play this song.” So it became a hit long before radio ever picked up on it.

So it was a hit in the gay clubs irst, and that was instant .

Oh yeah…For them. (Laughs.)

In 1990, you famously iled lawsuits against producers and record labels for credit and compensation on hit songs you had sung, which resulted in federal legislation that made vocal credit mandatory. This stemmed from your lead vocal being uncredited on several songs

by Black Box, including “Strike It Up” and “Everybody, Everybody.” What was the lasting impact of those lawsuits?

Well, just to that end, I'd have to say my attorney, Steven Brown, argued some kind of way that became lawful, that any person that is featured on a project has to have their name credited.

Hotspots.LGBT | 87

and funny thing is, we were two large women who could sing. And up until that That's a big deal. I can't imagine how the time, you never saw a large woman out in industry might take advantage of artists now if of Commerce presents their the front, a front vocalist, until you saw us. he hadn't gone through with that litigation.

After you vote, got out and March Mixer from 5:30-7pm That's true. And look, I think some of that stuff a t P l u n g e B e a cThink about it: The only other person I h Re s o r t celebrate ST Patty's day at the could think of would've been Mama Cass still goes on today, you know what I'm saying? venue of your choice, just (4660 El Mar Dr., Lauderdalefrom the Mamas & the Papas. You have to go is remember to be responsible By-The-Sea). Admission all the way back to the '70s and the '60s.

What do you think of Auto-Tune? complimentary and don't drink and drive. with early Look: If it makes me sound fabulous, then I'm registration and $5 within 24 A friend wanted me to ask you if your OK (with it). (Laughs.) But I mean, when your Georgie's Alibi/Monkey Bar h o u r s o f e v e n t ; F u t u r e performance of “You Are My Friend” with whole show is Auto-Tuned – the true test comes presents a St Patrick's Day m e m b e r s $ 1 0 w i t h e a r ly Sylvester was really the insanely with a piano and a vocalist and that's it. The event with LeNore Jaye's registration and $15 within 24 transcendent performance moment it thing is, in the previous decades, you had real Groove Session at 8pm. They hours of event, and features a sounds like it was? singers. will also be featuring Corned c o m p l i m e n t a r y w e l c o m e Yeah, that place was rockin'. It was so bad Beef & Cabbage dinner for drink, cash bar with happy that I have to tell you this story: It was the Regarding the Black Box controversy: only $12.99. h o u r p r i c e s , a n d second time, I think, that – I'm not gonna Because fashion model Katrin Quinol was c o m p l i m e n t a r y H o r s say a rock 'n' roll band, but a band like seen in videos lip-syncing to your vocals, it T h e G r e a t e r F o r t D'oeuvres.

Sylvester had performed at the San seemed the record label didn't think your Lauderdale LGBT Chamber Francisco War Memorial Opera House. I body type would appeal to music consumers. think the irst one was The Pointer Sisters.

Now, we have artists like Lizzo, a plus-size And so when we did it, the place was sold black woman who's at the top. What do you out and people just wore whatever they think of that shift when it comes to body wanted to wear. I saw so many different positivity and the way more people seem to out its (laughs). One guy had both of his ass be embracing full- igured women now? cheeks out – seriously. I saw another woman I think it's a good thing. First of all, we're all u THIS IS who was in a full ball gown. It was just a individuals: We're all not built the same way, we all don't look the same way, we all don't act the cross section of people. Everybody was same way. So I think it's great that Lizzo has got having a great time, and it was (the song) this platform now, and she's doing what she's “Dance (Disco Heat)” we were doing and the doing very well, and she's the kind of person place was just going up, to the point that the A slice-of-life comed A slice-of-lif e comedy about a y about a who doesn't give a shit about what you think of last balcony started shaking because there woman on the edge with now oman on the edge with nowher here t e to o her. She's doing her thing, whether you like it or were so many people up there. The building go but ovver go but o er, Lazy Susan is a st , Lazy Susan is a story ory not. And everybody has their own preference, was moving and, you know, San Francisco is about a spectacularly unmoti about a spectacularl y unmotivvat ated ed but my thing would be: I don't think size should prone to earthquakes, so the people of the cisgender woman f cisgender w oman for w or whom doing hom doing ever come into play. But we're such a visual opera house were not too pleased (laughs). I nothing is exhausting. Opening in nothing is e xhausting. Opening in society, especially nowadays with the invention don't think there's been another act up in select theaters nation select theat ers nationwide and On wide and On of technology and the internet. Embrace what there like that ever again.

Demand evveryw Demand e erywher here April 3, fr e April 3, from om they do, because everybody's talent doesn't Shout! Studios, this charminglly quirky Shout! Studios, this charming come in the same-sized package. comedy f comed y featur eatures an all-star cast es an all-star cast

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(Stranger Things) with A (Str anger Things) with Academ cademy y Awar ard winner Allison Janne d winner Allison Janney (I, y (I, Register at www.MarksList.LGBT Ton onyya), and T a), and Ton ony A y Aw war ard winner d winner Matthew Broderick (The Matthew Br oderick (The Producers). Lazy Susan is dir Pr oducers). Lazy Susan is direct ected ed

by Nick P y Nick Peet and writt eet and written b en by Carrie y Carrie Aizleyy, Sean Ha Aizle , Sean Hayyes and Darlene Hunt.

Hunt .

In Lazy Susan, Susan has alw In Lazy Susan, Susan has al ways been the self-center been the self-cent ered oddball in ed oddball in her famil her f amilyy, w , who lazil ho lazily sk y skat ated ed increasing incr easinglly estr y estranged f anged famil amilyy. She finall . She finally decides t y decides to o throug thr ough lif h life with their grudging e with their grudging take char tak e charge and turn things ar ge and turn things around, but ne ound, but nevver ha er having ving support until one day she w support until one da y she wak akes up es up done an done anything herself bef ything herself befor ore, the strugg e, the struggle is r le is real (and eal (and to r o realize she ealize she's middle-aged with 's middle-aged with hilarious) as Susan becomes the woman she al hilarious) as Susan becomes the w oman she alw ways no job, no relationship, and an no job, no r elationship, and an want anted t ed to be, all on her own. o be, all on her own.

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including Emmy A including Emm y Aw war ard winner Sean d winner Sean HaSo you do recognize that people are Hay yes (Will & Gr es (Will & Grace), Carrie Aizle ace), Carrie Aizley y embracing a wider range of body sizes more (Trranspar (T ansparent), Emm ent), Emmy A y Aw war ard winner d winner now than they were in the '70s during the Margo Martindale, A Mar go Martindale, Academ cademy A y Aw war ard d Black Box controversy? winner Jim Rash (Community), Kiel winner Jim R ash (Community), Kiel Oh yes – going all the way back to Two Tons O' Kenned ennedy (R y (Robot Chick obot Chicken), Dann en), Danny y Fun and singing background for Sylvester, I want Johnson (Darede Johnson (Dar edevil), Darlene Hunt (I vil), Darlene Hunt (I to say the record label didn't necessarily know Heart Huckabees), Skipp Suddthh Heart Huck abees), Skipp Suddthh how to market us. We were two large women – (Madame Secretary), J.R. R (Madame Secr etary), J.R. Ramir amirez ez (Manifest), and Matty Car (Manif est), and Matty Cardar darople ople

As editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBTQ wire service, Chris Azzopardi has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. Reach him via his website at www.chris-azzopardi.com and on Twitter (@chrisazzopardi).

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any events happened around town this past week including Uwe's annual u RENTALS - FORT LAUDERDALE Grateful Paws benefit, Ramrods Pig Dance, Mayor Justin Flippen's Celebration of Life (a special double truck pic page in this issue), but most of the events MIDDLE RIVER TERRACE. 1BED/1 BATH $1175 Brand new new kitchen. kitchen. Close Close to to the the Drive.

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Everything you need to plan your week

uTHURSDAY MAR 12 The Pride Factory presents the new Andrew Christian styles. In addition, they are featuring 30% off select styles from today until March 18. u FRIDAY MAR 13

Twist presents, in honor of Friday the 13, “Blackout” starring DJ Bill Hallquist.

Starlet Skye presents “The Rocky Horror Picture Show Live” at 10pm at The Pub. Miami Beach's only residential Garden Tour returns with many

10am - 4pm. Visit six private gardens, each with a distinctive characteristics.

This self-guided tour begins and ends at the Garden for check-in, ticket purchase and tour map pick up.

Round out the weekend with a special performance by Miami Symphony Orchestra, on Sunday, March 15th at 4pm.

Purchase Tour Tickets at Mbgarden.org/calendar/tick ets. u SATURDAY MAR 14

ThePetprojectfl.org There will also be a silent auction, with all monies benefitting the Pet Project for Pets.

The Manor Complex presents JOY Florida Buzios Weekend starring DJ Eudes Freire in the Ballroom. In The Ivy Dance Room and Windsor Lounge, Noche Latina Saturdays features the Official Victory Party for Velvet Lenore and Hamed Novva winning Miss and Mr. Noche Latina. The

The Ramrod presents their monthly “Underground

event will be hosted by Kalah Mendoza., and also star DJ Larry Larr and sexy Latin Go-Go Papi's.

Invasion,” where it's all Saturdays at the Manor are 3/2 Ocean, Beach, 4/3 Pool 2CG. 3/2 Ocean Access 2/2 Ocean View 3/2 Lake Front about the music starring DJ from 11pm to 4 am and Remodeled $309k Impact Glass $359k Pool 2CPT. $679k Impact glass. $465k Port View $399k VleXXX. feature NO COVER before extraordinary opportunities to explore, enjoy and walk‐through video link midnight (FL ID) and only $7 The Pet Project presents for members after midnight celebrate our love for the “Hoops 4 Hounds” from 2 and $10 for non-members “I care deeply that LGBTQ buyers & sellers are provided the best South Florida beauty of nature, floral to 4pm at The Pub. Get (18-20 – $12 all night). design, music...oh yeah, and choices for places to live where they’ll feel comfortable and welcome.” treasure hunting at Susan u SUNDAY MAR 15 Rothchild's Gems & Junque The Ramrod presents EDC Bazaar. Kick of the weekend (Enforced Dress Code) from with the VIP Reception 9pm to 12am on the Patio tonight at 6:30pm featuring h o s t e d b y t h e n e w M r. cocktails & lite bites, Flower Florida Rubber Spirit Onyx.

Show Preview – meet the winning designers and Gems u TUESDAY MAR 17 sponsors and shoot hoops 4 & Junque Vernissage (You get hounds. Individuals and Please go out and VOTE first dibs on the treasures!) teams are welcome, and you TODAY and make your voice The Garden Tour is can register or donate at: heard!! tomorrow, March 14th, from First Atlantic Realty, Inc. 1881 NE 26th St # 212 Wilton Manors, Fl 33305 Licensed Real Estate Brokerage

Hotspots.LGBT | 15 91

Mark’s List Marketplace

Mark’s List Marketplace

TAX PREPARATION HAROLD J BLOTCHER, EA

Tax Preparation and Resolution for Individuals and Small Business. Help With Same Sex Marriage Issues and IRS Issues. Call 781-363-5519 or 561-429-3592 or visit our website at www. haroldjblotchertaxes.com

u REFLEXOLOGY

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Body Body shaving shaving and and trimming trimming in in the the comfort comfort of of your your own own home. home. Friendly, Friendly, no no attitude, attitude, Broward Broward only. only.$50.00 $50.00per persession session9AM-9PM, 9AM-9PM,call callMichael Michael at 754-222-6623

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Waxing, Waxing,facials, facials,trimming, trimming,shaving shavingand andbody bodyscrubs scrubs at atits itsbest. best.Very Veryfriendly friendlyand andrelaxing relaxingexperience. experience.Visit Visit me metoday. today.For Forappointment appointmentplease pleasecall call954-649-9905.

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Mark’s List Marketplace

Mark’s List Marketplace u BODY CONTOURING

HELPMEERIC.COM ! TECH SUPPORT

Your Personal Tech Assistant. BEST RATES in the tri-county area. Specializing in Android & iPhones.

PC/Mac-Training, Installation, Clean-up & Repairs.

Friendly, In-Home Srvc. Call/Txt 954-903-4383.

u CLEANING SERVICES PANE IN THE GLASS

WINDOW CLEANING, PRESSURE CLEANING, GUTTER CLEANING AND WINDOW TINT REMOVAL. CALL SCOTT 954-608-7625 CELL

***CLEAN IT RITE*** THE BEST CLEANING FOR YOUR BUCK!

u COMPUTERS **OPTIMA** COMPUTER REPAIR 954-817-3883

IN-HOME SERVICE. Cell phones, printers & Internet issues. Proudly serving our community for over 20 years. *Get the BEST performance, protection & value from your computer investment. *A+ Hardware & OS certified. *Friendly, professional, RELIABLE service. Reasonable rates. Call: Mike 954-817-3883

ADVERTISE IN MARKS LIST MARKETPLACE Call Jim at 954-928-1862 Ext. 14 or Email Jim@HotSpotsMedia.com

1BD $60, 2BD $70, 3BD $80. Excellent rates and references. 10 years in the business. Serving Broward, North Miami and South Palm Beach. Also pet sitting and window cleaning avail. Call Manny at 954-371-8920

BRAZILIAN HOME AND OFFICE CLEANING

Let the Brazilian Man do it. Your Home or Office Cleaning. In business since 1998. 1BD/$50 and Up, 2BD/$60 and Up. Weekly, bi-weekly. Free quote available. Call or Text 954-861-7617

u HOME REMODELING

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Thank you for taking the time to read our ad. We are very responsible company looking to help you with anything and everything from cleaning, shopping, preparing meals and laundry. You name it we do it no job to big or small. If we can be of service to you please call us at 508-353-5061, we are happy to meet with you and discuss your needs and answer any questions that you may have. We Look Forward To Hearing From You!!!

u AIR CONDITIONING *** EXPERT AIR ADVICE *** AIR CONDITIONING REPAIRS **

Cooling is what we do best. FPL rebates, insured, CACO 36862. FREE estimates on replacements. $95 tune up, Call 954-764-1990. www.ExpertAirAdvice.com

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Repairs, installations, indoor air quality. Residential/ Commercial. Proudly serving the tri-county area.

Quality and experience. Free service calls for all A/C makes and models. Lic/Ins CMC1249558 Call 954-274-8287 for your free estimate. **10% off your first repair**

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Also, all size generator service and installation.

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Additions, renovations, service upgrades, breaker panels, FPL undergrounds, code violations, A/C wiring, ceiling fans, recessed, security & landscaping, lighting, pools, pumps, Jacuzzis, water heaters, FREE PHONE ESTIMATES 954-522-3357 Lic & Ins. www.harryelectrician.com

u LAWN MAINTENANCE/IRRIGATION LAWN MAINTENANCE - LANDSCAPE

Make your home a showplace. INTEGRITY LANDSCAPE SERVICES, LLC specializes in property clean up, tree and shrub pruning, sodding and landscape design & installation.

We also do lawn maintenance. Call Mike 561633-7419 or 954-812-5434 our website at www. integrityLandscapingService.com

IRRIGATION SYSTEM REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE

30 Years experience, excellent work, referrals upon request. Call Roberto at 954-383-8980 94 | Hotspots.LGBT

Hotspots.LGBT | 95

Mark’s List Marketplace

Mark’s List Marketplace u PLUMBING

ONE-STOP SHOPPING AND ASSOCIATES HANDYMAN/REMODELING AND MORE WITH OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN ALL PHASES OF...

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Lic. CGC1514441 and insured. 954-253-4650

u PERSONAL SERVICES WWW.WEEGOLLC.APP

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We are hiring local delivery drivers. Text: 954.531.4631 to order or apply.

ADVERTISE IN MARKS LIST MARKETPLACE Call Jim at 954-928-1862 Ext. 14 or Email Jim@HotSpotsMedia.com

u MOVING | STORAGE RED BOX MOVING COMPANY OWNER IN TRUCK ON EVERY MOVE

Call Norbert directly. Affordable, Reliably and Careful.

Insured & Licensed MV#567 www.RedBoxMoving. com (954)305-9176

u HANDYMAN KENNY & JAY REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE

Bathroom, kitchen, microwave, plumbing and electric, outlets, switches, breakers. Time clocks, Upgrade breaker box, repair or replace sprinkler & pool motors, replace & remove hot water tanks & install tankless water heaters. Vanity. sinks, faucets, dishwasher & garbage disposals. K&J 954-260-9940 BEST PRICES IN TOWN! 32 Years Experience.

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Carpentry - Plumbing - Electrical. 20 years experience in Ft Lauderdale. Projects done on time and clean. Call 786.348.3598

96 | Hotspots.LGBT

Hotspots.LGBT | 97

HOT ADVICE

By Andreus Quinones

/ miamibeachpride

ON TH E INSIDE www.miamibeachpride.com

March 12, 2020

38

MARCH 28 - APRIL 5, 2020

First Wives Club

Rogelio H. Dear Rogelio, It is always unsettling and sometimes hurtful to disagree with someone that you love. Unfortunately, sometimes people grow in different directions for many reasons.

Sometimes life takes us down different paths that change us. If communication is not working, you might need to distance yourself. It will be hard, and it will most definitely hurt. Sometimes, you must do whatever is necessary to remove yourself from negativity. I have learned in my own experiences that sometimes absence causes people to have realizations. Best of luck to you.

98 | Hotspots.LGBT

Dear Andreus, One of my friends is dying. It has been a long journey and he is slowly fading away. He has asked me repeatedly to come and visit him, but I don't know that I can handle seeing him this way. Every time I speak to him on the phone, he asks me again, and tells me that he doesn't have much time. I don't think I can do it.

What would you do?

Sincerely,

Gary P. Aiden R.

Dear Gary, It is a very difficult thing to see someone you love or care about dying. Death is a very uncomfortable reality for both. However, you must think about things from his perspective. He clearly needs you at this point. He is at the end of his life, which he is expressing to you repeatedly. Put yourself in his shoes and think about how you would feel if the people most important to you were not there. Also, think about how you will feel if he is to die, and you did not have the chance to say goodbye. As difficult as this may be, going to see him can bring closure for you both.

Cover Photo Supplied by Outlandish 14 u

What’s Hot | Scott Holland’s Guide to Events in SoFla

26 u

Feature | Jake Shears Finds His Roots

34 u

Deep Inside Hollywood

44 u

Genre Latino | Conexiones: Dominican Republic

52 u

Feature | Second Annual Food and Wine Fest

60 u

The Hot List | Top 10 Happenings in South Florida This Week

66 u

Creep of the Week | Scott Lively

70 u

Hot Bodies | A Mindful Morning Routine

74 u

Feature | Come Out! Come Out! Musical

Join usAdvice for a| Innine-day celebration featuring a two-day Dying Need 98 u Hot The Frivolist | 7 Things Getting on my Nerves Right Now and much more.

100 u festival, parade, entertainment

89

BEACH PARTY & FESTIVAL | APRIL 4 & 5 PRIDE PARADE | APRIL 5 DIRECTORY OF LGBT & LGBT-FRIENDLY BUSINESSES

HOT SHOTS: Photo: Luke Jones

IN DYING NEED

Dear Andreus, I have recently had a falling out with my brother. We have always been super close, especially since we are both gay and depended on each other for support.

In recent years, he has been in a toxic relationship, as well as growing into a bitter, unhappy person. I have tried repeatedly to reach out and smooth things over, but it always results in anger or discomfort. Is it okay to let him go, and cut off communication? Please help.

Sincerely,

LET'S HAVE Martha Wash A BALL! 84

PRESENTED BY

Flip Flops Dockside Eatery • Miami Beach Pride • Taste of Oakland Park • Twist • Your Patio Store Justin Flippen Celebration of Life WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE MIAMI BEACH VISITOR AND CONVENTION AUTHORITY. All confirmed sponsors as of December 16, 2019.

5 3 1 46 2 7

The Frivolist

CREDITS

By Mikey Rox

03.12 ��� �

7 Things That re Getting on MyLGBTQ Nerves Right Now FLORIDA From the PUBLISHER

Publisher Peter Clark

Peter@HotspotsMedia.com Peter@HotspotsMedia.com

DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS IN TheORLANDO high price of underwear underwear

Like any other red-blooded g ed-blooded gaay American male, I Welcome to this week’s edition of line of work.” care about the underwear I put on m ear I put on my juicy booty y juicy booty Hotspots. I just returned from I was especially proud to have – but there's a limit to how much I'll pa o how much I'll pay y. Ha . Have you attending the Florida LGBTQ met Dr. Jill Biden who reminded us Democratic Caucus in Orlando where that “our best days are ahead of us” seen these prices lately? A pair of MeUndies brief y? A pair of MeUndies briefs Hotspots Media Group was proud to be and that “Joe Biden is the only will set you back $24; $28 f ou back $24; $28 for a pair of Mack or a pair of Mack the official LGBTQ Weldon AIRKNITx boxer brief er briefs; and a w s; and a whopping hopping candidate that is media partner. Our ready to lead, $30 for one pair of 2(X)IST’s gr T’s graphic micr aphic micro noHotspots Live crew show trunk. Sexy, comfortable underw ortable underwear doesn ear doesn't ready to get to was on location work and turn this have to break your budget, how , howeever er. My secr . My secret is nation around on where we shopping the underwear section of Calvin Klein day one.” She interviewed many of Clearance outlet stores – hard to come by, but you wrapped up by the special guests can locate them on the Simon Premium Outlets thanking us for including Dr. Jill Peter Clark Misty Eyez Jill Biden website – where I recently copped a dozen pair of our “courage and Biden, Senator Bill conviction to live Nelson, Cynthia Nixon butt-hugging, package-plumping, moisturewith pride.” and US Representative Val Demings, wicking boxer briefs for about $4 each.

who is a strong LGBTQ advocate and was Impeachment Manager during Donald Trump’s senate trial. Demings stated “there is no place like home and Florida, that state that keeps us up all night during the election is my home!”

She further went on to thank the LGBTQ Democratic Caucus and “especially the work they do to level the playing field.” Demings is often asked what it was like moving from being a former Police Chief in Orlando to Congresswomen, and she says; “in this congress, with this president and the cast of characters around him, many days I feel like I am in the same

Associate Publisher Scott Holland

Scott@HotspotsMedia.com Scott@HotspotsMedia.com

Business Manager Brian Burda

Brian@HotspotsMedia.com Brian@HotspotsMedia.com

Classifieds Manager Jim Nolen

Classifieds@HotspotsMedia.com Classifieds@HotspotsMedia.com

Art Director Frank Mendez

Frank@HotspotsMedia.com Frank@HotspotsMedia.com

Graphics

Graphics@HotspotsMedia.com Graphics@HotspotsMedia.com

Maria Espinal

Digital Content Manager

roy@HotspotsMedia.com Troy@HotspotsMedia.com

Troy Maillis eam Sales Team

Sales@HotspotsMedia.com Sales@HotspotsMedia.com

Senior Account Reps Anthony Verrico & Rich LoPrimo Tom Gatz-Nibbio

National Advertising Rivendell Media

Please go to Hotspots.LGBT and 212-242-6863 • sales@rivendellmedia.com sales@rivendellmedia.com click on Hotspots Live to see video coverage of this wonderful event. I riters Writers would like to congratulate the Carlos Marrero | Troy Maillis W eddings organizers and especially the Scott Holland | Ian Maloney I recentl I r ecently att y attended a w ended a wedding that f edding that featured ed President of the Florida LGBTQ itkowski D'Anne Witkowski a pre-cer a pr e-ceremon emony w y welcome r elcome reception Caucus, Stephen Gaskill and Chris Azzopardi | Oscar Ambulo follow ollowed b ed by the cer y the ceremon emony f y followed by a Michael Albetta for inviting us to icente Mikey Rox | Romeo San Vicente participate. I would also be remiss post-ceremon post-cer emony cocktail hour f y cocktail hour followed by a not to mention the great job done seated dinner f seat ed dinner follow ollowed b ed by dancing y dancing Photographers

by Misty Eyes, John Marler and my Stephen R. Lang | J.R. Davis follow ollowed b ed by an end-of-e y an end-of-evvening snack husband, Cleto Beuren, who Scott Holland | Juan Saco Mironoff reception. An eig eception. An eight-hour aff ht-hour affair that left me worked hard to produce the video fat at, angry and e , angry and exhaust xhausted. Enoug ed. Enough already.

Logistics segments and interviews. Stay What happened to good old-f What happened t o good old-fashioned Bobby Neal Furedi | Oscar Ambulo tuned and enjoy this week’s eloping that didn't r 't requir equire anyone to give Hotspots Magazine! eloping that didn

up their hard-earned lazy Satur up their har d-earned lazy Saturday? My one resolution this y one r esolution this year is t ear is to attend zero Hotspots.LGBT | MarksList.LGBT w eddings. So far eddings. So f ar, so good. , so good.

3500 N.E. 12th Avenue • Oakland Park, FL 33334

al Florida Office: 813-253-9107 Broward Office: 954-928-1862 • Miami Office: 305-775-5265 • Central Florida Office: 813-253-9107 HotspotsMediaGroup.com • Facebook.com/HotspotsMag • Twitter.com/HotspotsFL

Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and LGBT lifestyle expert whose work has been published in more than 100 outlets across the world. He spends his time writing from the beach with his dog Jaxon. Connect with Mikey on Instagram @mikeyrox

4

Parents bringing their kids to breweries

Boy did I open a can of worms w orms when I ask hen I asked ed Facebook w acebook whether or not hether or not children should be en should be allowed at br ed at brew eweries. eries.

Sides wer ere tak e taken; mud en; mud was slung. Unsurprising as slung. Unsurprisinglly, most parents agr most par ents agreed that eed that bringing children t bringing childr en to o family-friendl -friendly br y brew eweries eries was acceptable w as acceptable while hile those of us of higher those of us of hig her evolution – the L olution – the LGB GBT TQ people and other nonbreeders – thoug eeders – thought it ht it appropriat opriate t e to dr o dropkick opkick anything under three-feet eet tall that came near our micro-IPAs.d does happen, you will not risk ou will not risk losing your home.

Random andom people accepting who I am

How many times have y e you hear ou heard, “I just w d, “I just want t ant to let y o let you ou know I accept you”? Happened t ou”? Happened to me the other da o me the other day at a y at a restaurant while having a con ving a convversation with a perf ersation with a perfect ect stranger after I told a st old a story that included m ory that included my bo y boyfriend. I yfriend. I mean, I guess it's a nice sentiment, but also f mean, I guess it's a nice sentiment , but also f*ck y *ck you, ou, Karen.

People crossing the street in green slow as f*ck

You slow down because you'r decent human being and these ingrates move at a glacial pace and then have the nerve to look y in the eye as they do it. Is it considered vehicular manslaug my foot slips?

Politics on social media

Is it nevver _not_ election season on social media? Republicans on social media? Republicans sharing wildly inaccur sharing wildl y inaccurat ate e information; democr ormation; democrats bit ats bitching, ching, moaning and complaining about every per ery percei ceivved injustice under the sun. Ridiculous. Meanw the sun. Ridiculous. Mean while, everybod body's in debt w y's in debt while our hile our elected officials laug ed officials laugh all the w h all the waay to the bank. My ad o the bank. My advice? Hoar vice? Hoard as d as much cash as you can and go offmuch cash as y ou can and go offgrid. That's the only w grid. That's the onl y waay y y you'll ou'll ever feel true peace and eel true peace and happiness.

Websites that advertise adv ertise sold out items

I fall in lo all in lovve with an it e with an item that em that Instagram thinks I ha Instagram think s I havve t e to ha o havve just to be t just t o be told that it's sold out old that it's sold out when I try t hen I try to put it in m o put it in my cart y cart. .

Why is it still li Wh y is it still livve online if it's no longer in stock?? I understand longer in st ock?? I understand why some people go on y some people go on rampages now ampages now. .

3050 N. FEDERAL HWY, FT. LAUDERDALE, FL 33306 SE CORNER OF OAKLAND PARK BLVD & N. FEDERAL HWY 954.356.2774 • INFO@YOURPATIOSTORE.COM