Hotspots Magazine: Issue 4019 by Hotspots Happening Out

City Bar & Grill presented their monthly “Open Mic Night,” a night of creativity, artistry, poetry, inspiration, idealism, and unapologetic truths. As usual there was some great talent on display.

Also on Thursday, the Seminole Hardrock Hotel and Casino Hollywood presented blink-182 at Hard Rock Live in their “Missionary Impossible Tour.” As usual, they put on a great concert!

On Saturday, August 30, Hunters Nightclub presented Pop Royale Tea, their new monthly Saturday afternoon Tea Dance (last Saturday of every month) featuring iconic music, and fun vibes starring DJ Drew and TP Lords. This Tea Dance is a beneﬁt for Sunserve!

On Sunday, August 31 there were 2

great parties: one in Miami and one in Fort Lauderdale. URGE Miami took over Rooftop 440 in Wynwood which was a high-energy rooftop celebration under

Blink-182

Chocolate City Bar & Grill

Cesar Hernandez and the Brazilian Power that is Anne Louise. The event featured cutting-edge music, breathtaking views, and URGE’s signature production that has made it a leader in Miami’s nightlife scene. Gary Santis Events produced the biggest gay fetish party with Black Fort Lauderdale at The Manor Live. The night starred sexy DJ Erik Vilar and featured erotic shows, dancers, and a VIP Gear Room.

Cesar Hernandez and the Brazilian Power that is Anne Louise. The event featured cutting-edge music, breathtaking views, and URGE’s signature production that has made a leader in Miami’s nightlife scene. Gary Santis Events produced the biggest gay fetish party with Black Fort Lauderdale at The Manor Live. The night starred sexy DJ Erik Vilar and featured erotic shows, dancers, and a VIP Gear Room.

Miss and Mr. Continental 2025/26

Every Labor Day weekend Jim Flint and his incredible staff produce the Miss and Mr. Continental Pageants in Chicago. This year both the Miss and Mr. Florida current winners decided to enter and we are excited to announce they both won this prestigious title, so join me in CONGRATULATING Gadfrie Arbulu and Isaiah Sanchez Hilton.

Every Labor Day weekend Jim Flint and his incredible staff produce the Miss and Continental Pageants in Chicago. This year both the Miss and Mr. Florida current winners decided to enter and we are excited to announce they both won this prestigious title, join me in CONGRATULATING Gadfrie Arbulu and Isaiah Sanchez Hilton.

Urge

Black Fort Lauderdale

Continental Pageantry

Isaiah Gadfrie

Friday, September 12

Voss Events and World of Wonder present RuPaul’s Drag Race “Werq The World” tour at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts at 8pm. The show is hosted by Jimbo and stars Onya as Beyonce, Vanjie as Rihanna, Kim as Celine Dion, Daya as Lady GaGa and Jorgeous as Ariana Grande. To purchase your tickets, go to Browardcenter.org

The World Exotic Museum will host an evening of conversation to explore how artistic expression has shaped our understanding of intimacy, desire, and human connection throughout history. “Pleasure Through the Ages” will bring together a panel of experts in the ﬁelds of sexology, therapy, and coaching to discuss the evolution of erotic and sensual art (from

September 11 - 24

ancient cultures to modern media) and how these expressions continue to shape our confidence, relationships, and identity. Panelists include Marla Renee Stewart –Sexologist, intimacy educator, & author; Paola Rodriguez – Certified sex therapist; and Lucia Gabrielle – Sex & relationship coach. Hosted & moderated by: Gwen “Gigi” Washington, Founder of Luv Talk, certified intimacy & relationship coach. For more information, go to Weam.com

Sunserve’s September SilverServe Luncheon will be a special Healthy Aging Month edition and takes place from 11am to 1pm at Hagen Park Community Center. Here’s what’s in store: Guest Speaker is Susanne Veder, author of Baseline Balance: Live a Happier, Balanced Life, sharing insights on living a more balanced and

Photo:

The World Exotic Museum

fulfilling life. Move & Smile: A Broadwayinspired mini dance class by the Slowburn Theatre Company. Lunch You’ll Love: Healthy food that proves nutritious can also be delicious and a raffle. Yes, Tiffany Arieagus will be calling the raffle tickets for giveaways! Registration helps give their catering partners an accurate count—so please take a quick moment to RSVP (its free) here: SunServe.org/SilverServe

Saturday, September 13

Aventura Arts and Cultural Center invite everyone to feel the Rhythm of "Havana Night" with Salsabor All Stars at 8pm. This dynamic 15-piece band, based in South Florida, delivers an unforgettable tribute to Cuba's rich and vibrant musical heritage. Let the infectious rhythms of salsa, son cubano, mambo, and more sweep you away as 12 talented musicians and 3 powerhouse vocalists bring the golden era of Latin music to life. "Havana Night" is an exhilarating celebration of Cuban passion, culture, and rhythm! For more information or to purchase tickets, go to: Aventuracenter.org

Join Area Stage at the Garden from 6 to 9pm for live musical theatre entertainment set against the lush beauty of nature. This special edition of Broadway in the Botanical features a lineup of beloved Broadway hits from across the decades, performed by Area Stage’s talented theatre artists. From timeless show tunes to modern favorites, this one-of-a-kind outdoor concert celebrates the music that has inspired generations. Designed for all ages to enjoy, it’s the perfect way to spend an afternoon surrounded by nature, music, and community. Bring a blanket, pack a picnic, and experience the joy of live

Arts and Cultural Center

tickets, go to: Areastage.org

Sunday, September 14

J Cohen’s Day Spa is featuring a Botox Extravaganza today from 11am to 6pm. If you would like to schedule your appointment (cost is $350) and be included in the event, please give them a call at: 754-2064687 so you can be on the list.

Join the Bears of South Florida at 1pm at AMC Coral Ridge in their all-reserved auditorium as they say "Cheers and farewell" to the beloved Downton Abbey saga. An entire theater is reserved for them! Tickets are $17 and must be purchased in advance. Guests are encouraged to participate in cosplay. An afterparty will follow, location TBD.

Monday, September 15 (Start of Hispanic Heritage month)

Celebrate “My Rhythm. My Flavor. ¡Mi Gente!” this Hispanic Heritage Month at

Aventura

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Hollywood from today through Wednesday, Oct. 15. Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures of Hispanic and Latin Americans and learn about their history and contributions to the U.S. Rare and iconic pieces from some of the biggest Hispanic artists from Hard Rock’s Memorabilia Vault Collection will be on display at the corner of Hard Rock Live and Hard Rock Cafe. Hard Rock Live features Héctor Acosta: Dos Leyendas Una Tarima Tour, Willie Colόn & Jorge Celedόn, Alleh y Yorghaki, La Arrolladora, and Olaga Tañόn for exact dates, more information or to purchase tickets, go to myHRL.com. For more information about the resort’s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations, visit DescubreTuRitmo.com/Hollywood or HardRockHolly.com.

realization. For more information or to schedule an audition, go to Lakeworthplayhouse.org

Tuesday, September 16

Join Broward House and their team “Give a Shift” for the Joy Ride for a special social at Rosies from 5:30-7pm. Meet the team and ﬁnd out how you can be a part of the Joy Ride this November.

The Lake Worth Playhouse features auditions for “Our Town” today through Wednesday, September 17 (production run is Nov 14-30). A landmark in American drama, Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prizewinning Our Town tells the story of a small town, Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire, to tell us the story of every town, the whole world over. Narrated by the “Stage Manager,” we follow the Gibbs and Webb families, residents of Grover’s Corners, through twelve years of life and its changes. Wilder delivers universal truths about what it means to be human. With humor, wit, and exceptionally powerful storytelling, Our Town offers a unique opportunity for audience members to make precisely that

Photo:

Reynaldo Brito

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood

bites as you expand your network, build meaningful relationships, and discover new opportunities within the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBTQ+ business community. Parking is free and admission is $5 for members and $15 for nonmembers, but $25 within 24 hours of the event, so register early at GFLGLCC.org

Thursday,

September 18

The Dania Improv presents Carlos Mencia today, tomorrow and Saturday. Comedian Carlos Mencia is best known for his raw and unﬁltered style of comedy, which he has showcased to great success on comedy stages, and in television shows and movies. He has recently gone back to his comedic roots on his No Hate No Fear comedy tour, sharing his newest material with smaller, more intimate audiences. As a comedian who ﬁnds hilarious irony in both the day-to-day and the newsworthy events, Carlos is never lacking in material. To purchase tickets which are $35.90 (GA) and $60.90 (VIP) go to Daniaimprov.com

Saturday

September 20

Arts United Gallery presents their Artist Showcase for Hispanic Heritage Month “Canvas de Cultura” featuring singing sensation Ellie Lei performing live at 8pm. They are also featuring 50+ visual artworks on exhibit. For more information go to Artsunitedﬂorida.com

browardartguild.org

The Broward Art Guild Gallery transforms into a vivid stage of drama, glamour, and unapologetic expression with Dramatica, a new joint exhibition by mixed-media collage artist Enrique Cirino and conceptual photographer Michael Craft though September 26. Cirino and Craft are bringing a show that is as vibrant and colorful as it is emotionally

Join the Kravis Center for National Dance Day- a day ﬁlled with dance classes and workshops, free performances and much more from 11am to 4pm. This is a FREE event! Kravis Center Parking in the garage is free for this event. All ages, abilities, and levels are welcome to join. For more information or to register for workshops, go to Kravis.org.

The Dania Improv

Arts United

Nickelodeon, GEA Live and Senbla bring Avatar: The Last Airbender In Concert – The 20th Anniversary Tour to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

HOT Stuff

Wicked Manors, South Florida’s most iconic Halloween block party, is thrilled to announce that multiplatinum singer and LGBTQ+ advocate David Archuleta will headline the Hunters Nightclub Stage at this year’s celebration on Friday, October 31, on Wilton Drive. The performance is presented in association with HarmonyWaves.

"I’ve heard so much about the energy of Wicked Manors. I’m excited to join Hunters and Harmony Waves to celebrate community, acceptance, and a Halloween we’ll all remember. I can’t wait to see everyone’s colorful costumes—and I’d better start working on mine now!” said David Archuleta on his return to Wilton Manors.

“Hunters is proud to support Wicked Manors and The Pride Center,” said Bruce Howe, General Manager of Hunters Nightclub. “This event showcases the creativity and spirit of our

Audiences will be immersed in a two-hour performance with a live orchestra that brings the show’s iconic musical score to life in perfect harmony paired with visual highlights and favorite moments from all three seasons of the series. To purchase tickets, go to Browardcenter.org

Sunday, September 21

The Ramrod celebrates their 31st Anniversary starting at 10pm with no cover. There will be a balloon drop at midnight with many prizes including a Sky

city, and we can’t wait to share an unforgettable Halloween night with David at the center of it.”

Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert

Stonewall National Museum, Archives, & Library honors

The South Florida’s Gay Amateur Athletic Association

LGBTQ+ legacy and sports history will be colliding this September 12th, as Ft. Lauderdale’s Stonewall National Museum, Archives, & Library (SNMAL), one of the nation’s oldest LGBTQ+ institutions, prepares to honor South Florida’s Gay Amateur Athletic Association (SFGLAA) through an inspirational exhibit bridging identity, resilience, and camaraderie.

“It’s no secret that our community is under attack, with many LGBTQ+ organizations battling discrimination and bigotry directed at us by state and national ﬁgures,” said Robert Kesten, the Museum’s President and CEO. “This exhibit is a vibrant tribute to community members who used sports as a tool to engage and overcome historic obstacles foisted on us by the outside world. Sports has always been a great uniﬁer in the United States, and it has helped build comradery between diverse groups of people that otherwise may have never met."

Opening Friday, September 12th and running through Sunday, November 2nd, the ‘Bats Balls and Family: The History of the South Florida Amateur Athletic Association’ exhibit will recognize LGBTQ+ leaders who turned the softball ﬁeld into a space for empowerment, belonging, and, most of all, pride across the Sunshine State. Founded in 1994 originally as the South Florida Softball League, the SFGLAA has welcomed more than 500 members over the course of 30+ years, providing an accepting space for athletes of all skill levels while building national and international relationships with

numerous organizations (including International Pride Softball and United States of America Softball).

“The SFGLAA is proof that when our community comes together, amazing things happen,” added Kesten. “These athletes, many of whom felt unwelcome by mainstream sports, built a place where teamwork, visibility, friendship, and healthy competition were the priority, quickly becoming a lifeline. Their efforts transformed South Florida into what it is today. Now we celebrate their efforts and cheer on the future which is sure to be even more amazing."

The Bats Balls and Family: The History of the South Florida Amateur Athletic Association Exhibit Opening Reception will be held on Thursday, September 12 at 6pm at the Hester and Ross Galleries, 1300 East Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. To RSVP, contact: Monique@stonewall-museum.org

Stonewall National Museum will also be welcoming star athlete Diana Nyad Wednesday, November 5th at 6pm ET for a special sports world announcement and intimate dinner.

To learn more about SNMAL, visit: https://stonewall-museum.org/

Gay Men’s Chorus Hosts The Chic & Unique Ball on Saturday, November 1

The Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida (GMCSF) will set the stage for one of South Florida’s most glamorous nights on Saturday, November 1, at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, GMCSF’s Ampliﬁed Sponsor for Season 16, with its signature fall fundraiser, The Chic & Unique Ball: Step Into Burlesque. This burlesque-inspired evening, presented by CAN Community Health, combines dazzling entertainment, high-energy fundraising, and community celebration, all in support of GMCSF’s mission to inspire audiences, open minds, change hearts, and afﬁrm our common

gmcsf.org

humanity—tickets with full event details at om. red by Erick cial Events for tel & Casino of the GMCSF event is a shining South Florida munity that knows give back at the urlesque is about our truth, supporting one another, and having a fabulous time doing it,” said dridge, phasizing the Ball’s it of conﬁdence and inclusivity.

The evening will feature a special VIP reception featuring performances by GMCSF Artistic Director Gabe Salazar and award-winning singer-songwriter Matt Alber. The main dinner show will showcase the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida, delivering a powerful and entertaining program that celebrates artistry and community. Guests will enjoy a red-carpet welcome, silent auction, open-bar cocktails, and a three-course dinner before an exhilarating live auction hosted by Whitney Dutton. The night concludes with a spectacular poolside after-party beneath the iconic Guitar Hotel, complete with cocktails, live entertainment, and the dazzling Guitar Light Show.

I have known Edward Otto Zielke, Director of Marketing and Sponsorship, for many years, so I asked him about his thoughts on the ball, and he said "The Chic & Unique Ball is where artistry meets advocacy. Every performance, every note, and every smile in the room fuels our mission to inspire and afﬁrm

the remarkable resilience of South Florida’s LGBTQ+ community and the allies who stand in solidarity with us. "

This year’s Ball will also honor our community partners. The Bears of South Florida will receive the Douglas Jackson Pew Community Leadership Award, presented at the annual gala to individuals and organizations recognized as mission champions for the Chorus, strengthening communities and advancing GMCSF toward achieving its vision. When I asked BOSFL president Brock Boyd his thoughts on this honor, he said: "The Bears of South Florida are deeply honored to receive the Douglas Jackson Pew Community Leadership Award from the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida. This recognition afﬁrms the power of community, volunteerism, and collective generosity. GMCSF is not only a grantee of BOSFL but also a valued partner—we have proudly collaborated on events together that uplift and connect our community. To be recognized by an organization whose music inspires and strengthens South Florida’s LGBTQ+ community is both humbling and inspiring. This award belongs to every member, volunteer, donor, and supporter who helps us

Erick Eldridge

Gabe Salazar

The second honor will be to CAN Community Health, their Diamond Sponsor as Mainstage Concert Series Sponsor and Annual Ball Presenter for Season 16, who will be presented with GMCSF’s Corporate Crescendo Award, given to corporate partners who are making a signiﬁcant impact within the organization and the broader community. I spoke to my friend Kal Gajraj, PhD, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Ofﬁcer, at CAN Community Health about this honor, and he said: "We believe that just like in a chorus, every voice matters. When we come together, we create something powerful, a community united for a common purpose. Because when every voice is uplifted, our whole community grows stronger together, healthier, and more connected.”

VIP admission is $500 per person or $5,000 per table of ten. It includes the VIP reception, prime dinner seating, exclusive performances, luxury table gifts, premium open bar, and private cabana access at the after-party. Premium admission is $300 per person or $3,000 per table of ten and includes red carpet arrival, premium dinner seating, open bar, and access to the after-party. Guests will also have the chance to bid on spectacular live auction experiences, including a Panama to Belize luxury cruise for two donated by Brand g Vacations

and an Iceland adventure for two donated by Impact Encounters Luxury Tours. GMCSF’s new Board Chair, Kerry Waldee, shared, “The music, performances, and creativity on display will not only entertain but also remind everyone of the power of the arts to bring people together and uplift LGBTQ+ voices.”

Proceeds from the evening directly support GMCSF’s performances and outreach programs, amplifying LGBTQ+ voices through music and community engagement. .

For tickets and event information, visit thechicanduniqueball.com

Brock Boyd

Edward Otto Zielke

Kal Gajraj

When Queens Clash, Culture Wins

launches a gritty new chapter for these longtime sisters-in-drag who have clashed like siblings, reconciled like best friends and who have now transformed that ﬁery dynamic into a full-blown tour.

The Knockout Tour, their ﬁrst co-headlining North American outing, is more than pure spectacle — it's protest-meets-pageant, a deﬁant statement that drag isn't going anywhere despite persistent attacks on the art form.

During our recent conversation, the pair opened up about the inspiration behind “TKO,” why queer power remains vital in 2025 and how being loud, proud and unapologetically visible — whether on a tour stage or the Met Gala red carpet — is still a radical act.

How did you know “TKO” had to be your debut music collab?

Gottmik: It started from the reality of us ﬁghting. [Both laugh.]

Violet: We are deﬁnitely a chosen family. And just like any family, you ﬁght. Sometimes you make up; there's love. We really are ride or die for each other, and we've been through so much already. And there’s a bit of crossover with our drag

aesthetics, a juxtaposition of me being more rock-’n’-roll and Gottmik more classic glam. So we thought, what better way to showcase that than highlight our differences and play it up?

Gottmik: Battle it out. And let the audience decide.

Is there a champ in the end? Will we have to wait till the end of the tour to ﬁnd out?

Violet: The audience is going to have to let us know September 28th in Detroit. I mean, that's really what it's all about.

Majestic Theatre, darling, that's where it's all gonna happen.

All the queens should be working their shit out in music, right? Because there's some shit to be worked out.

Violet: There really is, especially these days.

It’s good to see two queens battle it out and still remain friends and collaborators. In the “Drag Race” world,” there’s no shortage of iconic feuds, including the infamous 2013 beef between Alyssa Edwards and Coco Montrese and the latest clash

Gottmik

between past contestants Mistress Isabelle Brooks and Willam.

Violet: I don’t even keep up. I don't see everything that goes on. I just hear people are talking about Mistress and Willam a lot right now. I don't know what's going on.

Gottmik: [Laughs.] Zip it! Yeah, we feud in a very family way.

Violet: Maybe they should have a song?

Gottmik: Nah. [Laughs.] What was the most challenging aspect of working together?

Gottmik: We both are such insane perfectionists that sometimes what we think is perfect isn’t for the other person. We do have an extremely similar vibe, and we always want the same end goal. But the process is extremely different.

Violet: The reason I love drag to begin with is: I get to choose the song. I get to choose the makeup. I get to choose the outﬁt. It's not a team sport. And even the group challenges on “Drag Race,” I hate them. I do not think drag is a group challenge thing. So collaborating with someone like this who is an equal, and we're both sharing the spotlight, you do have to be like, “OK, we want the same goal.” A lot of times we ﬁnd ourselves talking in circles and we get a bit frustrated. But we do, at the end of the day, have the same goal. And so every artist just has their own approach, and sometimes one of us is right and sometimes the other one's right, and sometimes we're both right.

Violet, you've said that “TKO” feels like “walking into a club and taking over a room.” Gottmik, you called it “queer power.” Why were those the feelings that you wanted to bring to the surface of the song?

Gottmik: I said it feels like queer power because I think it's just that energy of being strong, entering the ring and gearing up for the ﬁght — training for this like it’s a big moment. I feel like that's what being queer is like. We're constantly being thrown crazy stuff every day. I feel like when I wake up, there's a new bill. There's a new thing that's telling me that I'm not the person that I know that I am. Sometimes it feels really tiring. But you have to look at yourself in the mirror and be like: I know me. I know I'm not going anywhere, no matter what anybody says, and I am entering the ring to show people that I'm not going anywhere. I'm gonna win this.

How do you deﬁne “queer power” in 2025, Violet?

Violet: I've always thought of drag as escapism and as a form of therapy for myself, personally. That's kind of how it started. Since, it's really evolved into taking up as much space as possible, usually in spaces that drag queens or drag artists don't get necessarily the opportunity to go to – places like the Met Gala, or other spaces that are reserved for cis heteronormative people.

Violet Chachki

You both walking the Grammys red carpet in 2023 is another example of that.

Violet: That’s a good example. We were there when Kim Petras won her Grammy. Just existing in those spaces is an act of rebellion, an act of progress. And so I do like to revisit that kind of escapism. This show is 90 minutes, and you can just come and look at something really beautiful and fantastical and forget about all the chaos and troubles happening in the real world. Just with the imagery that we're using as very strong ﬁghters — aggressive, queer, loud, proud people — we want to relay to the general population: We are intimidating, strong, queer people, and we're not going anywhere.

Did the sound of “TKO” come ﬁrst, or or did you build the track with the visual world already in mind?

Violet: The visual world was ﬁrst — it always is with us. I've been doing drag for so long that I feel like I've been every character and done every outﬁt, except for athletics. So I'm checking off the boxes of all the characters I could be. And so now I'm a boxing star.

Who’s your dream collaborator for a “TKO” remix?

Violet: My dream collaborator of all time, like I would cry to work with her or do a song with her, would be Kylie Minogue. Someone more realistic would be Slayyyter, Cobra or Kim Petras.

Gottmik: Deﬁnitely Rob Zombie would be my number one. I would just die.

Violet: That should make so much sense for the tour in general. Rob Zombie versus Kylie Minogue. That basically sums up

the tour. [Laughs.]

Given your platform, do you think of yourselves as role models during an era in which trans people and drag queens are being attacked?

Gottmik: I mean, I love being able to have this platform and standing up for what I believe in and being able to take what's going on politically, research it, digest it, give my opinion and have an impact. It’s just so beautiful to me. I love getting to travel the world and meet other queer people that I've inspired and helped, and then I get to know them, and their journeys inspire me, and that whole process inspires me. The fact that I opened doors for someone that was inspired who then pushed and opened another door that inspired other people.

It’s just never-ending, the stories of queer people telling their stories and making a difference. It's just really crazy because it feels really hard right now, especially. But no matter what happens, that's not going to change who we are or who any of us are. And so we're not going to go anywhere, and we just have to come together and band together and learn from our queer elders and make sure that we are constantly ﬁghting and showing everyone that

anywhere. And we are. We're queer, and we're here to stay,

It’s literally about crushing the system. Somebody created the rules that we follow in society and who’s to say we have to follow those rules? If you know you're you, and society is telling you different, it's up to you to soul search and ﬁnd yourself and share that story and inspire others. Crash the system. Change the world.

In this political era, The Knockout Tour feels like more than a show — but a space for joy, love and community. As the ones leading that, what does it mean to you to create that kind of environment, and how do you imagine it will feel on stage?

Violet: I never set out to be a role model per se. I started out doing drag as a form of therapy, just really embracing the feminine side of myself that I was repressing as a child. I got to a point where I was going to be whoever the fuck I wanted to be as loudly as I wanted, and on purpose. I got

together, supporting each other. And there is this love I cannot wait to feel in those rooms. Sometimes I do get a natural high and it is very emotional. I hope this will be that for everyone who comes.

It might be too soon to say, but who will take longer to get ready on tour?

Violet: Me. Mik is a professional makeup artist and was a professional makeup artist for many, many years. I don't know how you do it. Sometimes we'll get ready and your makeup will be done and you’re having a cocktail, and I'm still gluing my

political things going on.

It feels like a responsibility in a way. A lot of queer elders have shaped me, and now I feel like there's a new generation coming up, and I almost feel the need to pass the baton. It feels like such an important role to get the facts right and position the new generation. Even what you were just saying about being in a room of people where it’s almost like a protest: We're all here

you’re really fast. You jab my eye and I'll start crying. I'm just a little more sensitive in the eye.

Gottmik: It’s like, “Gotta go! We don’t have time!”

Everyone needs a boss in their life. It sounds like you’ve found yours, Violet.

Violet: Yeah, I think that people have perceptions of our relationship. It ﬂip-ﬂops. We switch. We're very versatile.

Every city on the tour will feature queer talent. Why was that important to you? And how does the community element shape these shows?

Gottmik: It's just so important to go to every city and really just engulf ourselves in the vibes of the city. We love traveling every time we go on tour. We love to make sure we set time aside to go out and see the bars and see the vibes and shop. I literally was talking to Violet earlier about how sometimes I'll be like on a bus tour in Middle America, and I'll just be in the smallest town ever thinking, I'm moving here.

Violet: I worked many, many years as a local entertainer in Atlanta. I miss it. I miss those drag queens in the dressing room, and I really miss what that was like — the

local chosen family. It’s so nice to travel and meet queens and other queer entertainers that have that sort of punk, “no-fucks-given” mentality that I almost feel like we're missing a bit in the mainstream. Older queens who have been doing this for a long time resonate with me, and to see how they do drag regionally — because it is different — is inspiring.

Chris Azzopardi is the Editorial Director of Pride Source Media Group and Q Syndicate, the national LGBTQ+ wire service. He has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Cher, Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter @chrisazzopardi.

will run through October 19

History Fort Lauderdale, proud steward of our community’s past by making our heritage accessible and engaging to residents and visitors, will present its fourth annual “Viva Fort Lauderdale: Celebrating Hispanic Art & Culture” exhibit showcasing creativity from our Latin community. The ﬁne art exhibit, running from now through October 19 during Hispanic Heritage Month, will feature work from local award-winning artists-in-residence including Oscar Montoya (Colombia) Isabel Perez Salazar (Venezuela), Florencia Clement de Grandprey (Spain), and Lifrancis Rojas (Venezuela). The exhibit will be at the New River Inn (231 Southwest Second Avenue).

“History Fort Lauderdale is thrilled to present its fourth year of ‘Viva Fort Lauderdale: Celebrating Hispanic Art & Culture,’ showcasing the vision and talent of our local Latin creators,” said Patricia Zeiler, executive director of History Fort Lauderdale. “From rich colors and textures to modernist landscapes to street life portraiture, this curated exhibit embodies the vibrant inﬂuences our neighboring nations have on our daily life and culture. We welcome guests of all ages to show support for our inspiring Latina and Latino artists and their compelling, evocative works.”

History Fort Lauderdale’s “Viva Fort Lauderdale” is sponsored by the following funds at the Community Foundation of Broward: Jan and Ed Crocker Unrestricted Fund, Leo M. and Alice J. Rutten Fund and The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation Broward Community Fund. Additional funding is provided, in part, by Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward County Cultural Council and Visit Lauderdale.

History Fort Lauderdale hosts a variety of engaging multicultural experiences, year-round. It seeks to bring awareness to the community through both traveling exhibits and multiple permanent exhibits including “Women Trailblazers,” “Fort Lauderdale – the Early Years,” “Roots of Resilience: The Journey of Black Broward,” “Fashion & Musical Theatre,” “From Dugouts to Dream Yachts: the story of boatbuilding along the New River,” Seminole Arts & Culture,” “New River Archaeology,” “Viva

Culture,” and “Take PRIDE, a retrospective on LGBTQ life in South Florida.”

History Fort Lauderdale is open ﬁve days a week from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. with docent guided tours, daily, at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. (closed Tuesday and Wednesday). Group walking tours are available upon special request.

Admission is $15 for adults; $12 for seniors and $7 for students (through age 22 with a valid student ID). Admission is free for members, military and children ages six and under. Tickets are available online at HistoryFortLauderdaleTickets.

For more information about History Fort Lauderdale, please call (954) 463-4431 or visit historyfortlauderdale.org.

Colt of Personality

COLT SPENCE Takes the Crown as King of Kink

Colt Spence has quickly risen to become one of the most popular and recognizable stars on KinkMen.com, and it’s not hard to see why. A genuine fan of the platform long before he ever stepped in front of the camera, Spence brings an unmistakable passion and authenticity to every scene he films. His journey began in 2022, when he left behind the familiarity of Chicago for a bold new adventure in Las Vegas, where he filmed his first scene with the legendary kink studio. Since then, he’s appeared in over a dozen high-intensity scenes, earning a devoted fanbase drawn to his raw enthusiasm, work ethic, and deep respect for fetish performance. As Spence himself puts it, “I’ve wanted to be an adult film performer for a very long time,” and that hunger, combined with his eagerness to learn and push boundaries, has made him a standout figure in the world of BDSM erotica.

What do you love most about being part of the kink community?

Colt Spence: I’ve always had a particular fondness for people who aren’t afraid to be

themselves unapologetically. I think it takes a lot of nerve to be different in our society and the kink community is a great example of that. Once I became a practicing member myself, I was surprised by how unaccepted it generally still is even among queer people. Despite this, you still see the kink community representing themselves at pride or even hosting their own events which speciﬁcally showcase their wants and desires. I think having that kind of attitude for the things we love is exactly what we all need, especially with everything going on in the world today. Some people outside the community have misconceptions about BDSM and kink. What would you say to those who don’t “get it”?

Colt Spence: I would explain to those people that although BDSM isn’t for everyone, there’s nothing wrong with learning new ways to connect with one another. BDSM requires a massive amount of trust in your partner and it’s a great way to connect on a deeper level. If you’re at all curious, I highly recommend doing some

experienced and reputable sources like KinkMen.com.

Do you have a favorite KinkMen scene?

Colt Spence: There are so many scenes that I’ve filmed with KinkMen that have a special place in my heart for different reasons. If I had to choose one, I would pick “Payback” starring myself and Heath Halo, directed by Christian Wilde. The scene was filmed out in beautiful North Carolina at a recently demoed nursing home. I worked in Construction before getting into adult film, so it all felt very familiar and understanding the characters was easy for me. Not to mention I got to work with Heath who is such a beautiful man and someone I’d been wanting to work with for a long time. Everything just fell into place so perfectly and the final product is one of my highest rated scenes yet. Is there a particular scene or partner that stands out as especially intense?

Colt Spence: My scene with Derek Kage. I can’t help but smile every time I watch or even just think about it.

How do you maintain trust and boundaries during a shoot?

Colt Spence: It is much easier to create and maintain trust than it is to ﬁnd and rebuild it. It’s important to connect with your partner ahead of time and feel out their energy and comfort level. As a Dom performer, I know my scene partners are putting a lot of trust in me to respect their limits. I always make sure right from the start that they know I take this very seriously and that I’m genuinely looking out for their wants and needs while we perform. Once that relationship is established you can really have fun with each other and start to push some buttons. What’s your preparation process like before ﬁlming?

Colt Spence: I exercise regularly, eat fairly clean and always get plenty of sleep leading up to the day. The most challenging part is making sure my mind is prepared. I don’t think people outside of the industry understand how much of a mental balancing act performing on camera can be. I’ve seen so many performers get in their own way over the years by overthinking their every action. The trick is to keep yourself calm, stay focused on the goal and just have fun with

Colt Spence

Are there any kinks or dynamics you've discovered through ﬁlming that you now genuinely enjoy off-camera?

Colt Spence: You know, I was shocked to find out how much I enjoy flogging! It’s not easy to do in my personal life due to the amount of space it requires and all the noise it makes, so I never got into it much before working with KinkMen. Now, after practicing and performing it in a majority of my scenes, it’s safe to say I really enjoy it and even look forward to it every shoot. I’m definitely going to keep following that path in the near future and see where it takes me. What’s something fans would be surprised to learn about you outside of your on-camera persona?

Colt Spence: I think the fans would be surprised to learn that I am a pretty huge gamer. I honestly play about 1-4 hours every single day and lately I’ve been playing a lot of Fortnite, Overwatch and World of Warcraft. Recently I’ve been thinking about streaming online while I play so I can share this side of myself with fans, but I also have this bad habit of turning all of my hobbies into jobs so I may just keep it for myself.

What advice would you give to someone considering working in adult entertainment, especially in the kink space?

Colt Spence: As cliché as it may sound, my best advice to new performers is to show up and have fun! You would be surprised by how many times performers come to set in a bad mood or are just completely stuck in their own heads the entire day, plagued by worry or nervousness. If you arrive with great energy and a positive attitude, you are already miles ahead of the pack. We really have such a cool job and although it can deﬁnitely be challenging sometimes, you have to enjoy the whole ride and every turn it takes.

What’s next for you?

Colt Spence: I am currently preparing to launch my new website coltspencexx.com, where fans will be able to subscribe to my content directly and watch all of their favorite Colt Spence classics. I also have a bunch of new studio projects I can’t wait to share with everyone, including two great scenes with KinkMen coming soon!

PUSH IT ‘TIL YOU FAIL

THE POWER OF TRAINING TO FAILURE

If you’ve ever wrapped up a set at the gym and thought, “I probably had a few more reps in me,” then you’re leaving some serious gains on the table. One of the best-kept secrets in strength training and muscle building? Pushing your sets to failure.

No, not failure in the “give up and go home” sense. We’re talking about muscular failure. That glorious moment when your muscles physically can’t crank out another rep with good form. That’s where the magic happens.

Why Train to Failure?

1. Maximum Muscle Fiber Recruitment

Your body has different types of muscle ﬁbers (fast-twitch and slow-twitch). When

you push to failure, you recruit all of them, ensuring maximum growth. Stopping early only taps into part of your potential.

2. Progressive Overload on Steroids

Muscle growth thrives on challenge.

Leo Harley

3. Mental Toughness

Going to failure isn’t just physical—it builds grit. That extra rep (or two) teaches you how strong you really are and pushes your discipline through the roof.

4. Time Efﬁciency

If you’re short on gym time, pushing sets to failure means you don’t need endless reps or multiple accessory sets. You’ll get more bang for your buck in fewer sets.

Fun Examples

• Bicep Curls:

Instead of stopping at 10 when it burns, keep curling until your arms literally refuse to lift. That “last shaky rep” is the one that sparks growth.

• Push-Ups:

Pro Tips for Training to Failure

• Save It for the End: Don’t hit failure on every set. Use it strategically on your last set of an exercise.

• Form First: Always maintain proper form. Failure doesn’t mean ﬂailing.

• Use Spotters or Machines: Safety matters! Machines or a good workout buddy can help you push without risking injury.

• Balance Recovery: Training to failure is intense. Make sure you’re sleeping, eating, and recovering properly to let your muscles repair and grow.

Final Rep

Training to failure isn’t about ego, it’s about growth. Those last impossible reps are where your body transforms.

Je rey Wright and Octavia Spencer buy into ‘Death of a Salesman’

Playwright Tony Kushner (“Angels in America”) has a new project in the works, a new ﬁlm adaptation of one of the great works of the American theater, “Death of a Salesman.” He’ll co-adapt Arthur Miller’s legendary 1949 Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning play with ﬁlmmaker Chinonye Chukwu (“Till,”

award season release for Focus Features/Amblin, probably in 2026/27. More casting and production news will follow as it develops.

Legendary gay artist

Keith Haring comes to TV

“Clemency”), who’ll direct. Mounted on stage and brought to screens big and small many, many times featuring some of acting’s great names, in this remake, Jeffrey Wright — Emmy winner for HBO’s version of “Angels in America” — will play titular salesman Willy Loman, an aging man whose career, family and life haven’t gone as planned. Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer will play his beleaguered wife Linda. This is certain to be a big

It’s rare today for an art world star to become a recognized name in mainstream popular culture, but Keith Haring, whose bold, graphic, cartoon-like illustrations went from subway station grafﬁti to high-end galleries and, after his untimely AIDS death in 1990 at age 31, to museum retrospectives, achieved it both before and after he died. Now

ﬁlmmaker Andrew Haigh (“All of Us Strangers”) will take Brad Gooch’s

Bernard Gotfryd

biography, “Radiant: The Life and Line of Keith Haring,” and adapt it for television as writer and director. It’s in the early stages, so there are no details besides the deal, but Haigh is a great choice to adapt the story of the young artist who personiﬁed the cool, post-Warhol, downtown New York art, fashion, music and ﬁlm world of the ’80s, a saga deeply connected to that era’s terrifying AIDS crisis. Now, who’ll play him? And Basquiat? And Madonna? And Andy? More to come…

Queer ‘Boots’ on the ground at Net ix

“The Pink Marine” is the name of Greg Cope White’s memoir of being young, gay and a U.S. Marine in the late 1970s, a time well before the nominal Clinton-era compromise of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (a measure that, for the record, didn’t work at all to protect LGBTQ+ service members). Now his story ± ﬁctionalized and updated to the early 1990s — is coming to Netﬂix in the limited series “Boots.”

Adapted from the book by series creator Andy Parker (“Tales of the City”), the project stars gay actor Miles Heizer (“Love, Simon”) in the lead, alongside Vera Farmiga (“The Conjuring” franchise) and “Vampire Academy” co-star Kieron Moore. Meanwhile, the supporting cast includes up-and-coming queer actors Max Parker and Angus O’Brien. Expect a lot of era-speciﬁc f-slurs when it hits Netﬂix in October.

‘Christmas Karma’ is when Boy George ghosts you

Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” is everyone’s favorite public domain IP, and its inﬁnite adaptability will get another variation this year with “Christmas Karma,” courtesty of “Bend It Like Beckham” ﬁlmmaker Gurinder Chadha. Set in contemporary London and starring Kunal Nayyar (“The Big Bang Theory”) as a Scrooge-alike who encounters the traditional ghosts — played here by “Downton Abbey” patriarch

Hugh Bonneville, Eva Longoria, Billy Porter and, as the threatening Ghost of Christmas Future, Boy George — it’s being described as a drama in spite of the cast’s potential for camping it up. Another twist? It’s a musical, stepping into the tradition of 1970’s “Scrooge” and 1992’s “The Muppet Christmas Carol.” Big cinematic shoes to ﬁll, but when Christmas is concerned, one lives in hope. “Karma” comes to theaters in November.

Romeo San Vicente is your Santa Baby.

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By: Scott Holland

If you’ve spent any time around queer performance, alt-cabaret or downtown New York City nightlife over the past few decades, chances are you’ve come across Murray Hill — the iconic drag king, comedian, actor, emcee and now TV host, known for his razor-sharp wit and impeccably tailored suits. A true drag trailblazer, Hill has been commanding stages since the 1990s with his signature mix of old-school vaudeville, gender-bending brilliance and biting satire — in fact, when I called him, I could practically hear the wink as he exclaimed, “Showbiz!”

Audiences might recognize Hill from his scene-stealing role as Fred Rococo in HBO’s tender found-family drama “Somebody Somewhere,” or touring with legends like Le

Tigre and “Somebody” co-star Bridget Everett. In 2022, he starred in Amy Schumer’s comedy-drama "Life & Beth," then hosted the 2023 Hulu comedy competition "Drag Me to Dinner," which saw teams of successful drag queens go head-to-head to throw the most fabulous, drag-inspired dinner parties of all time. Most recently, he’s the host of Revry’s “The King of Drag,” the ﬁrst-ever reality competition series focused entirely on drag kings — giving long-overdue visibility to trans masc and nonbinary performers in drag. In a moment when drag and LGBTQ+ rights are increasingly politicized, Hill is helping carve out spaces where drag kings can be seen and celebrated on their own terms. That includes writing his own memoir, slated for release in 2026 by Simon & Schuster’s Gallery Books imprint.

From queer nightlife pioneer to HBO breakout, Murray Hill reflects on laughter as resistance and the fight to put drag kings center stage

Recently, Hill opened up about the ﬁght to bring “King of Drag” to TV, embracing trans visibility, rejecting cattiness in drag culture and why, for him, it’s never been about the crown — it’s always been about the community. How are you surviving this challenging political era and also, at the same time, killing it?

I really don't have a choice, especially as an elder. I'm still recovering from Sunday night, honestly. I just started seeing some of the photos from Sunday night’s ﬁnale of “King of Drag,” with most of the kings and the winner's ﬁrst performance as the king of drag. It was something I personally needed, but so did all the kings and the community, and I'm telling you, it was a love fest. You all leaned so hard into creating such a joyful experience during a traumatic political era.

That's what gay people have done to survive forever. We can wallow or we could just show each other what community

divide us, it's very easy to get in that frame of mind because if you're only looking at social media, if you're only looking at the news, all you hear is hate, hate, hate, hate. And I really do believe that there's more good than hate and that hate’s the loudest.

So when I see the “King of Drag” show, the actual TV show, the six episodes, and then the show from Sunday night, with 500 people in there — so loud with joy and love — it felt like everyone in that audience, including the kings and me, were so desperate to feel safe. So because of social media and the way our society is right now, we're not always gathering in such strong numbers. And the only time that we do is for a protest. So this wasn't a protest, it was a celebration. It kind of recharged my hope, which I needed, and I know a lot of the kings and the audience felt seen and accepted, and they were desperate for that. This is a great reminder to gather not just to protest, but also to be together and show love to each other.

Well, and also the C word: Community. There's been a lot of feedback about the show saying it's not catty. The contestants weren't bringing each other down, trash talking; they liked each other. It almost felt British, honestly.

Well, I wanted “The Great British Bake Off” version of a drag king show. Did you want it to feel more lighthearted and warm than “RuPaul’s Drag Race”?

Well, first of all, the drag queen and the drag king scene, it's apples and oranges, right? It's not a catty environment; it's just different. I think my philosophy, which is not everybody's, is that things are hard enough. This community is already disenfranchised and underrepresented. So, they're not going to battle each other because they're just trying to fight to survive and to fight for representation. So it's not like, “I'm going to win. I'm the best.” It's like, we need this. I think everybody understood that the competition aspect of the show is entertainment.

Murray Hill

I noticed there wasn’t a strong sense of one being pitted against the other. Because why do that? There's plenty of that in the world. And I think when I read comments — and they were very similar comments on Reddit and socials regarding “Somebody Somewhere” — they were about showing authenticity, kindness and three-dimensional characters. It wasn't just the artiﬁce of drag. It was, you really learned about the whole person. The casting was open to trans masc people, cis women, drag of all kinds. How does that reﬂect how drag has evolved and where drag might be heading?

I think that's something that's unique to our show too — that we really did, and I was part of the casting, to make a point to try to represent as many different types of drag as possible. I am an old timer, so I started in the ’90s. And to watch the show and see, ﬁrst of all, anybody, any drag person, talking

about their art, their history and how it impacted them, and the vulnerability that the kings showed and the trans men, I was blown away as an old timer. This is going to sound crazy, but people didn't say transgender when I was starting for the ﬁrst 15 years. So to see these guys embracing their transness, and we all accepted them, it was beautiful.

Lisa Rinna was one of the guest [judges] in the ﬁnal episode. I don't think they put this in the edit, but she is obviously from a very different world in many ways, to put it nicely. And after the episode, she was ﬂabbergasted by how much joy was in this community and acceptance because all everyone is hearing is hate. “These people are degenerate, groomers” — all this negative shit. She'd never seen a drag show before. So she walks into this community that she knows nothing about and has preconceived notions because there's no visibility. And then she was like, this is what everybody's scared of?

Comedy can be disarming, and drag is often rooted in humor. How do you think that humor helped bridge the divide — especially in Lisa’s case, where experiencing it for the ﬁrst time felt like a breakthrough?

You said disarming. I talk about this a lot in my book: When I was a kid, I grew up in a religious-right, Catholic household. I can't even say people were homophobic and transphobic. They were just phobic of anyone who was different. So back then, I would say around sixth grade, I was made fun of a lot. I looked like a boy and I've always had a big personality, but I had developed a sense of humor to survive elementary school, junior high school and high school. I say in my act, you can't hate and laugh at the same time. It's physically impossible. So, to me, comedy and camp have always been a speciﬁc choice to disarm people and let everyone know that we're all the same. And I always lead with the heart, and with Fred on “Somebody Somewhere,” that was the same thing. I really led with that. And people see that ﬁrst, rather than saying, “Oh, there's the trans person. I'm scared. I hate you.” So I think for me, it's just been a huge part of my career and my life strategy. And I think I tried to bring that to “King of Drag” too. It makes everything accessible to everybody.

That makes me think of what you said when you opened the show: “Ladies and gentlemen… and I can say that again, since there are only two genders now, and I'm both of them.” Why did that feel like the perfect opening?

Well, because it's saying we know what's going on. We know it's absurd and baseless and divisive. Queer people from the beginning of time have used humor to deal with really difﬁcult stuff. A joke like that everyone gets. It points out the ludicrousness of it, and then we all come together and laugh at how stupid it is.

Is it true that you had the idea for “King of Drag” for a long time, but it was a really hard show to get made?

Oh, absolutely. I've been doing this for a long time, and the term “gatekeepers” is disintegrating very fast because of people making their own content for social media, like TikTok. But before that, even two years ago when I was pitching this, TV networks didn’t know what drag kings were. Everything's about money and numbers.

“It's too niche.” I've heard that about me for my entire career. So from an economic standpoint, TV people, producers and networks are like, how can I make money off

You mentioned Fred on “Somebody Somewhere,” which just ended with its third season. I’m going to miss it. With Fred, was it refreshing to play a character who wasn't really performing gender, but just living it?

Well, it’s pretty much the ﬁrst time ever that a trans guy got to be, ﬁrst of all, a regular character and did get to just be himself. I think the character is based on me because I've been friends with Bridget [Everett] for 20 plus years, and I think she's always known my struggle: I never want people to say, “Murray Hill, trans, queer… blah, blah.” I just want to be Murray Hill. They really adopted that with Fred and how it's written, because that's how trans people live. I just talk with the person at the coffee shop, and I have two little nephews I play with and babysit. I'm living in the world, and my whole life isn't about being trans. I want to live just the way you do. That's my thing. So I think Fred had his own problems. He was part of that community. Nobody questioned him or asked him what he was. He had the same treatment as everybody else. And that went for Jeff [Hiller] too. Jeff wasn't like, “I'm gay. People are discriminating against me.” It was just a

snapshot of people's regular lives. I think that's what made people respond to it so much. We're going to try to do a movie or something. We're trying to ﬁgure it out. What would East Village-era Murray — fresh into drag, still building something out of nothing — say if he saw where you are now?

Well, I would've said, I'm glad you didn't give up. And that's what I tell the young kids. I think a lot of people just see what’s on social media. It's the optics, right? But believe me when I tell you, I have been rejected and shut out for 25 years, still today. So what people see is the resilience to that. They don't see the hardship, but they see what happens when you stay the course. You keep getting out there in mainstream spaces and in the face of hate and discrimination.