On Thursday, July 17, What’s the Tea Thursdays at the Alibi, hosted by TP Lords, started a new showtime:10pm and Noche Picante hosted by Teresita La Caliente in the Monkey Bar also started a new showtime: 11pm. Its so great to have earlier showtimes on a Thursday evening!
On Saturday, July 19, there were a few events. The first was the Pet Project for Pets presented their annual Bowl-A-Thon Fundraiser at Manor Lanes and once again this annual event was tons of fun and raised lots of money for this important organization.
That afternoon the third annual Riverwalk Tacos & Tequila Festival at Esplanade Park in downtown Fort Lauderdale from 2 to 6pm. More than a dozen of South Florida's best taco vendors and purveyors were on hand to sell their offerings to South Florida taco lovers, while tequila cocktails from El Tequileño were available!
Later that evening, Arts United Gallery presented a fundraiser event, “Provocative #2: Full Frontal,” which was a nude visual art juried exhibition with performances. Lets just say, this was a popular event (if there are no photos, did it really happen…hehe).
On Friday July 25, R house Wynwood presented a birthday and farewell for her annual Greece adventure to Athena Dion. The event was a Roast, and it was tons of
Georgies Alibi Monkey Bar
Pet Project
fun and featured performances and roastings. Some of the special guests were Plain Jane, Morphine Love Dion, Juicy Love Dion, FKA Twink and many more. One thing is for sure…South Florida loves Athena Dion!!
fun and featured performances and roastings. Some of the special guests were Plain Jane, Morphine Love Dion, Juicy Love Dion, FKA Twink and many more. One thing is for sure…South Florida loves Athena Dion!!
Also, that night Pandora Events and Girl, the party presented “Brat Rave” at The Manor Live. The club was packed with women who want to party and their male friends and featured a performance by les vixens burlesque featuring bianca x dani gumi hosted by ivy les vixens.
Also, that night Pandora Events and Girl, the party presented “Brat Rave” at The Manor Live. The club was packed with women who want to party and their male friends and featured a performance by les vixens burlesque featuring bianca x dani gumi hosted by ivy les vixens.
Congrats to Alison, Yesi and Amy on 25 years of successful events!
Congrats to Alison, Yesi and Amy on 25 years of successful events!
On Saturday, July 26, LIT presented the undefeated champions of spring, THEE “Sweet16” FELICIAS as they turned-out sickening performances and opened their fundraising campaign for this year’s #iPrideSoftball World Series in Houston. They featured jaw-dropping performances, a 50/50 raffle, syringe Jell-O shots, which all made for a fun evening!
On Saturday, July 26, LIT presented the undefeated champions of spring, THEE “Sweet16” FELICIAS as they turned-out sickening performances and opened their fundraising campaign for this year’s #iPrideSoftball World Series in Houston. They featured jaw-dropping performances, a 50/50 raffle, syringe Jell-O shots, which all made for a fun evening!
R House
Pandora Events
JULY 17-31
Thursday, July 31
Chocolate City Bar & Grill presents “Open Mic Night,” a night of creativity, artistry, poetry, inspiration, idealism, and unapologetic truths from 7 to 9pm. Tonio Ellison of Hotspots Happening Out will Emcee. Submit your talent at hotspots.click/openmic
Friday, August 1
The Seminole Hardrock Hotel and Casino Hollywood presents Shania Twain tonight and tomorrow, Saturday, August 2 both at 7:30pm at Hardrock Live. Global superstar, celebrated songwriter, and style icon Shania Twain is a five-time GRAMMY winner and one of music and fashion’s most renowned trailblazers. With six albums released and more than 100 million albums sold worldwide, Twain remains the
top-selling female country pop artist of all time. Her hits include “Any Man of Mine,” “That Don’t Impress Me Much,” “You’re Still the One” and “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!”
This year, Shania returned to Las Vegas for her third residency entitled “Come On Over - All The Hits!” To purchase tickets, or for more information, go to: https://casino.hardrock.com/hollywood/events
The Miami Improv presents Nicole Byer tonight and tomorrow, Saturday, August 2, with 2 shows each night. Nicole Byer is one of the most versatile voices in the comedy landscape today. An actress, comedian, writer, author and podcaster, she is perhaps most well-known as the host of Netflix’s Emmy nominated competition baking series Nailed It!, which has gained a cult following of viewers since its premiere on the stream-
The Miami Improv
Photo:
Photo: wikimedia.org
The CW Network
The Seminole Hardrock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
ing platform in 2018. Nicole can currently be seen in her debut solo stand-up special for Netflix Nicole Byer: Big Beautiful Weirdo and the NBC comedy Grand Crew. The show follows a group of Black friends who unpack the ups and downs of life and love at a wine bar. For GA or VIP tickets go to Miamiimprov.com
Saturday, August 2
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts invites everyone to experience this powerhouse night of pop, freestyle, and dance hits with Taylor Dayne & Lisa Lisa live in concert at 8pm! Taylor Dayne is an American pop icon with a career spanning three decades, Taylor’s groundbreaking debut single “Tell It To My Heart” turned her into an overnight international star in 1987. Lisa Lisa's wide-ranging body of work as a naturally versatile singer, one who paved the way for fellow Latina American stars is highlighted by freestyle, dance-pop, and salsa floor fillers along with impassioned adult contemporary ballads. She broke through with partners Cult Jam and the production team Full Force in 1985. Their effervescent "I Wonder if I Take You Home," the first of five gold hits they scored together, led to the platinum success of Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force.To purchase tickets go to Browardcenter.org.
The Amerant bank Arena presents Monster Jam today and tomorrow, Sunday, August 3. Experience Monster Jam live and become a fan for life. With awesome trucks, amazing stunts and action-packed excitement, it’s the definition of fun for everyone! You’ll be close to the action watching the world’s best drivers tear up the dirt and show off crazy skills and all-out racing in fierce head-to-head battles of speed and skill.
Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Monday, August 5
Georgie’s Alibi Monkey Bar has a new Monday night promotion at 8:30pm called “Drink, Draw, Dine” starring Daisy Deadpetals and some of the hottest models for you to draw.
The GFLGLCC presents their Quarterly Luncheon from 12 to 2pm at The Tower Club (100 SE 3rd Avenue in Ft Laud). The
The
La Mexicana Taco Bar. Admission is $25 in advance for members, and $35 for future members at Business.gogayfortlauderdale .com and $40 at the door (if available).
Tuesday, August 6
Georgie’s Alibi Monkey Bar has a new Tuesday night promotion at 10pm called “Drag Bingo” hosted by London Adour.
Friday, August 8
Lily Tomlin: Ladies Night Live” (Netflix) earning Fonda’s admiration, and subsequently, hosting Fonda’s star-studded 85th birthday celebratory fundraiser. McMahan is currently developing a half-hour pilot based on her life for NBC. For GA or VIP tickets go to Daniaimprov.com.
The Dania Improv presents Heather McMahan tonight and tomorrow, Saturday August 9, with 2 shows each night. Heather McMahan is an actress, stand-up and podcaster (Absolutely Not! with Heather McMahan) whose first special, “Son I Never Had!” (Netflix) debuted in October 2023 at Number 4 and held a top 10 position for 7 days. Described by The Hollywood Reporter as an “auditory David Sedaris for the millennial set,” McMahan is known for her authenticity and broad humor. Named to Variety’s 2022 Comedy Impact Report, Heather was one of the featured female comedians to perform on “Jane Fonda &
Miami-raised Venezuelan-Cuban American director Miguel Angel Ferrer, an alumnus of the University of Miami’s film school and Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, brings home his award-winning film The Shadow of the Sun for the U.S. theatrical release. The film will open today exclusively in South Florida theaters. “This is not just a Venezuelan film, or a Latino film,” Ferrer added. “It is a universal story about achieving impossible dreams, regardless of the everyday obstacles we may encounter. And that is something that crosses borders, language, and creeds.”
The Dania Improv
Club Escape (300 SW 1st Ave in Ft Laud) presents the Kick Off Pridefete party from 11pm to 4am
Saturday, August 9
Hotspots Magazine/Happening Out
Television Network presents the 4rd annual Pridefete: An LGBTQ+ Caribbean Festival at Richardson Park from 6-11pm featuring Caribbean music, food and entertainment. The last three years over 1,000 people attended and this year it’s expected that there will be even more in attendance. This year the Title Sponsors of the event are CAN Community Health and Midland (powered by CAN Community Health), and the other sponsors are: The City of Wilton Manors, Holy Cross Health, iHeart Radio, Sunserve, Sterling Accounting, and Viiv Healthcare. New this year is the Carnival Fit Costume Contest at 6:30pm, where the winner gets $1,00 prize and the is chosen by audience applause. General admission tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door and VIP tickets, which include 5 drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and an air-conditioned space are $55 in advance and $75 at the door. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to Pridefete.lgbt.
The official after Pridefete event takes place at Violet’s and Zen’s (2010 Wilton Drive…directly across the street from Pridefete) from 11pm to 3am. The after party is produced by Rails Marketing Group and is entitles “House of Zen: Rooftop Dream” and features free entry with festival wristband, Deejay AC and is hosted by the Fete Boyzz.
Tuesday, August 12
Tonight is the monthly Pride Skate, NOW the 2nd Tuesday of Every month.
Pridefete
Club Escape
Pride Skate
Pride Skate is a benefit for Stonewall Pride and takes place at Xtreme Action Park from 7-10pm and stars DJ T-Pro with performances by Velvet Lenore and Rianna Petrone. Buy your tickets online at Xtremeactionpark.com or purchase them at the door. REMEMBER, it is now the 2nd Tuesday of every month!
Wednesday, August 13
The GFLGLCC presents Lunch and Learn: Moving Forward with Coach Kitty (Coaching for inspiration, motivation and change) at 12pm in person at their office (2300 NE 7th Ave in Wilton). Admission is only $5 and registration is required in advance by email Admin@gflglcc.org or calling 855-435-4522.
Hot Stuff
Wilton Manors Animal Hospital introduces their second location: Premier Pet Care (1301 NE 7th
Avenue/Dixie Highway in Ft Lauderdale). For more info call 954-900-9041.
Stonewall National Museum, Archives, & Library (SNMAL), one of the nation's leading historical institutions fighting to protect LGBTQ+ rights, proudly showcases an iconic addition to its expansive collection of LGBTQ+ memorabilia- the Broadway ‘Torch Song Trilogy’ robe worn by award-winning actor, playwright, screenwriter, and recent 2025 Lifetime Achievement Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein. “As one of the first openly gay celebrities in the U.S., Fierstein has helped transform how Americans see LGBTQ+ life. He helped make it recognizable, not exotic. His contemporary storytelling, enjoyed by millions globally, made us seem like relatives, friends, and neighbors,” said Robert Kesten, SNMAL’s President and CEO. “His work proves that our community is very much like other communities in our society, and his unabashed acceptance of his identity serves as a reminder of community strength during our ongoing battle with people elected to protect us.” To learn more about SNMAL, visit: https://stonewall-museum.org/
Wilton Manors Animal Hospital
Stonewall National Museum, Archives, & Library
By Jameer Baptiste
PrideFête is back – 4 Years Strong! It’s been a journey but we’re still here bringing a safe space of Caribbean love and joy to the LGBTQ+ community. And we’re not going anywhere. Because we’re here for you, the Caribbean community and the LGBTQ+ community.
Our PrideFête Festival brings together the LGBTQ+ community with the spirit and flavor of Caribbean culture. A match made in heaven that rarely gets to see the day of light. A culture that celebrates the human form and body positivity with seductive skintight, barely-there costumes garnished with elaborate feathers and sparkling gems is right up our (gay) alley – wouldn’t you say?
It’s Carnival me PrideFête Style
where our community can bask in the festive culture that is Caribbean Carnival. LGBTQ+ people are still looked down upon by the majority of the Caribbean community, leaving LGBTQ+ Caribbeans ostracized from enjoying their own culture as their own true selves.
But unfortunately, overwhelming love from the Caribbean community for LGBTQ+ folx still hasn’t reached a palatable level to
Luckily, here steps in PrideFête to the rescue, Florida’s only LGBTQ+ Caribbean Festival and 1 of only 2 in the nation –actually, currently it’s the only LGBTQ+ Caribbean Festival in the nation. That’s some big feathers to fill. But we’re prepared to fill them with Caribbean music, food and entertainment at the cherished Richardson Historic Park and Nature Preserve in Wilton Manors on Saturday, August 9, 2025, from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
The Caribbean culture will be on full display that exhilarating day. Festival goers will get to taste different cultural dishes from the Caribbean like oxtail and fried plantains, and dance to the array of Caribbean music like Soca from Trinidad and Tobago, Kompa from Haiti, Reggie from Jamaica, and Salsa from Cuba, to name a few. The festival will also showcase Caribbean LGBTQ+ performers along with a mini parade as the sun goes down.
carnival costume 10 minutes before the contest start time at 6:30pm to get free entry into the festival along with a chance to win $1,000. We’re letting the crowd decide the winner, the competition is by audience applause. To learn more and register for the contest visit Hotspots.Click/FeteContest
Get ready for a majestic display of titillating masqueraders gyrating down our vendor row up to the festival stage with an invigorating beat from our Bomba drummers followed by festival goers that want to partake in the action. The alluring spectacle that has become part of the fabric of the PrideFête Festival that has taken place for the past 2 out of the 3 years of the event ends with a nightfall fire dance on the stage.
We have mixed this year’s Caribbean festival with our honored traditions like the mini parade and fire dance performance with a new attention-grabbing activity. This year we debut our costume contest, the Carnival Fit Contest. Come dressed in your store bought or handmade Caribbean
Join us for an amazing evening of excitement, joy and fun celebrating the cultural Caribbean carnival experience in a safe space environment welcoming to all.
At the Kaseya Center in Miami and the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise
By: Scott Holland
Created 15 years ago, the famous show OVO (“egg” in Portuguese) by Cirque du Soleil will be making 2 stops in town with a renewed version! After several months of work, the OVO team will be presenting the new iteration of the show: a reimagined set design, new acrobatic acts, original characters, reimagined costumes, and reinvented music. OVO dazzles more than ever with its fascinating insect colony, bringing together 53 acrobats and musicians in a show that delights both adults and children!
After captivating audiences in 40 countries and enchanting crowds in the Europe, the Middle East and Egypt, OVO is returning to North America and will be presented at Kaseya Center in Miami from
August 14th to 17th and at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise from August 20th to 24th. Tickets available at www.cirquedusoleil.com/OVO.
From mighty crickets bouncing off trampolines to a hypnotic spider contorting inside her web, OVO exudes extraordinary showmanship to tickle the imagination. Funny and chaotic, yet adorable and wonderful, OVO charms our inner child with its sweet exuberance. Comprised of 100 people from 25 different countries, including 53 artists, OVO brings to the stage high-level acrobatic acts redefining the limits of the human body. Since its opening in Montreal in 2009, OVO has thrilled more than 7 million people.
It was a pleasure to sit down with one of their acrobats, Ernesto Lea Place, just a few weeks prior to them coming to South Florida.
At what age did you start ballet?
I started dancing when I was 13 in Daytona Beach Florida. I was born in Argentina, and immigrated to Florida. I didnt speak English and doing Theater and dancing was a way to express myself. When did you start taking ballet/dance seriously?
When my teacher took me to Orlando Ballet it sparked an interest and I started professional lessons. What made you switch from focusing on ballet to Acrobatics?
I think it was because ballet can become a short career if you have injuries, but this was a way to continue dancing. Now I dance in the air.
At what point did you realize performing could be your career?
I always leaned into it, but in a summer program I had a music coach ask
us if we could picture yourself doing any else, do it, and I couldnt.
Do you remember your first
Yes, it was in Orlando when I saw La Nouba with my mom and definitely made a connection
Cirque Du Soleil and how long I got into the data base like 5 years ago, and then they saw my partner and I dance in a festival in talking with us and we have been with Cirque a little
Is it hard being on the road all the
Like any job it has its ups and downs, but switching beds every week can be hard but its great to be in different cities with different audiences from diverse backgrounds.
Ernesto Marcos Lea Place
Where is home for you?
I am based in Boston, but also Buenos Aires Argentina.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Kind, quick and honest.
What do you do for fun?
I do a lot of arts and crafts. Lately I have been pressing flowers in hotel rooms.
Are you excited about coming to Florida?
Yes, when I first moved to Florida I was brand new in this country, and coming back now its like coming home.
Why should our readers expect from this production of Cirque Du Soleil’s Ovo?
I think coming to Ovo you can expect hi level acrobatics and a beautiful story told through insects. The costumes, the lighting, the acrobatics are all magical, and everyone who comes to see it walks away a little bit happier then when they came.
For more information on Ernesto Lea Place you can follow him on Instagram.com/ Pasdedeuxstraps PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
OVO will perform in Miami at Kaseya Center from August 14th to 17th.
Thursday, August 14th at 7pm
Friday, August 15th at 7pm
Saturday, August 16th at 11am, 3pm and 7pm
Sunday, August 17th at 1pm and 5pm
OVO will perform in Sunrise at Amerant Bank Arena from August 20th to 24th.
Wednesday, August 20th at 7pm
Thursday, August 21st at 7pm
Friday, August 22nd at 3pm and 7pm
Saturday, August 23rd at 11am, 3pm and 7pm
Sunday, August 24th at 1pm and 5pm
For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/ovo.
Salvo’s Osteria Romana
Photos: Dale Stine
Dine Out Lauderdale’
Returns with Bold Flavors and Can’t-Miss Deals
August 1–September 30
Get ready to feast – Dine Out Lauderdale is back! Visit Lauderdale, the official destination marketing organization for Greater Fort Lauderdale, has announced the highly anticipated return of its Dine Out Lauderdale restaurant months.
From August 1 through September 30, locals and visitors are invited to savor specially curated, three-course prix fixe menus available for lunch at $35 and for dinner at tiers of $45, $60 or a luxe option for $75 at participating restaurants throughout the destination.
“Dine Out Lauderdale is a celebration of the incredible culinary talent that
makes Greater Fort Lauderdale a rising star on the global food scene,” said Stacy Ritter, President & CEO of Visit Lauderdale. “This program invites locals and visitors alike to discover new favorites and experience the warmth and creativity that define dining in our destination. From beachside bites to globally inspired cuisine, there’s something for every palate.”
During Dine Out Lauderdale, foodies can embark on a global culinary journey without leaving the destination. Mediterranean flavors come to life at Theos Estiatorio, featuring authentic Greek dishes such as chargrilled octopus and filet mignon souvlaki, while Bistro Mezzaluna offers classic Italian fare such as veal scallopini saltimbocca and lobster mac & cheese with truffle oil. Le Bistro brings French-inspired elegance with dishes including steak frites au poivre, and Lona Cocina Tequileria highlights modern Mexican flavors with offerings like tacos de cochinita pibil, plus a complimentary margarita with its Dine Out Lauderdale menu.
Waterfront dining highlights include Boatyard, with standout dishes like lemon parmesan cod and pan-roasted Scottish salmon and OCEAN2000, where diners can take in Atlantic Ocean views over pan-seared snapper and grilled seafood paella. For a rooftop dining experience with sweeping views of the Intracoastal, Olive & Sea is serving favorites like the Olive & Sea Salad and Faroe Island salmon.
This year’s Dine Out Lauderdale also features immersive offerings, including a cake decorating class at Lovelee Bakeshop, where guests can learn piping techniques from pastry chef and owner Lee Mazor. At Baoshi Food Hall + Bar, a hands-on mixology class invites participants to master the art of cocktail creation.
For those seeking a truly luxe experience, Daniel's, A Florida Steakhouse — recommended in this year’s
MICHELIN
Guide Florida — offers a caviar or wagyu flight as an optional upgrade to the three-course meal. Also featured in the MICHELIN Guide, Heritage presents an exclusive Dine Out Lauderdale menu showcasing its acclaimed Italian-inspired cuisine. At Catch & Cut, diners can choose from a filet, branzino or sushi platter with the option to upgrade to a New York strip steak. As a final highlight among the luxe dining selections, Mastro’s Ocean Club stands out as a can’t-miss destination for fresh seafood and prime steak.
Greater Fort Lauderdale’s culinary reputation continues to rise, marked by its recent debut in the prestigious MICHELIN Guide Florida for the first time ever, further solidifying the area as a must visit destination for discerning diners. Dine Out Lauderdale highlights this award-winning food scene, giving everyone the chance to discover new flavors, talented chefs and hidden gems
Tropicana is 30, a Cancer and is originally from Miami.
What city do you live in now?
I live in Palm Beach
Are you Single or Taken? Taken
Why makes them the perfect person for you?
I look for someone who is kind, ambitious, smart and they have goals that they want to achieve. I am pan-sexual so gender doesn’t matter.
What’s your perfect date?
Some kind of adrenaline activity, followed by the beach and then some food.
What do you do for a living?
I do three things: I work in health care, I am a personal trainer and I am a multi-talented artist/dancer.
What do you do for fun?
Pole dance, go to the beach and exercise.
What does the future hold for you?
I am working on completing my second degree, and I would like to do more traveling and artistic adventures.
For more information on Tropicana, go to Instagram .com/Tropicana.69 and Tropicana.69backup
Photos: Robert Hadley
THE FST-7 PUMP
What Is FST-7?
NO! It’s nothing to do with fisting! Sorry to disappoint… FST-7 (Fascia Stretch Training -7) is a muscle-building protocol created by celebrity trainer Hany Rambod (IG:@hanyrambod) known for working with top-tier physique athletes like former Mr. Olympia Phil Heath and Jeremy Buendia. The “7” refers to seven sets of an isolation exercise, performed at the end of your workout, with short rest periods.
The goal? Stretch the fascia from the inside out by using heavy volume, maximum blood flow (aka “the pump”), and time-under-tension to expand the muscle’s “container.” Think of fascia as the skin of your muscles, the tight capsule that keeps them together—FST-7 helps bust that capsule wide open to create room for growth.
How Does FST-7 Work?
• You pick one isolation movement (e.g., cable flies, leg extensions, dumbbell curls).
• At the end of your workout, perform 7
sets of that exercise.
• Rest only 30–45 seconds between sets.
• Focus on squeezing the muscle, controlled reps, and maximum blood flow.
• Between sets, some people flex the target muscle to increase mind-muscle connection and stretch the fascia even more.
It’s not about ego-lifting. It’s about going deep, controlled, and deliberate for a monster pump.
(Optional: hold a deep stretch between sets or flex your pecs)
Benefits of FST-7
• Insane Muscle Pumps: That “skin-tearing” pump helps stretch the fascia and floods the muscle with nutrients.
• Improved Muscle Growth: Great for
Leo Harley
breaking through plateaus, especially in stubborn areas (arms, calves, delts).
• Enhanced Mind-Muscle Connection: Isolation focus improves your ability to target weak points.
• Time Efficient: High volume and intensity without needing tons of extra exercises.
Challenges and Considerations
• Fatigue Is Real: Those 7 sets will burn—mentally and physically. Push through the lactic acid, but don’t sacrifice form.
• Not for Beginners: FST-7 is best used by intermediate to advanced lifters with a good base and control.
• Recovery Demands: High-volume training like this can tax the nervous system and muscles, so prioritize rest, sleep, and nutrition.
• Best Used Sparingly: use FST-7 for every muscle group, every workout. Use it strategically to target lagging areas.
Pro Tips for FST-7 Success
• Stay Hydrated: Muscle pumps rely heavily on water. Drink throughout your workout.
• Use Controlled
works well—slow down for maximum tension.
• Pre-Fuel Your Workout: Carbs and aminos help with muscle fullness and endurance.
• Log Your Weights: Tracking progress helps you see growth and improve performance.
Final Rep
FST-7 is like finishing your workout with a firework show—high volume, high focus, and high pain, all for serious gains. If you want to unlock your muscle-building potential and push through a plateau, this protocol might be the missing stretch (literally and metaphorically) in your training arsenal. I can attest to the success of this technique, having used it since my bodybuilding days to transform some of my weak areas into
Use it smartly, recover properly, and watch your physique pop in ways it never has before.
Let me know your results by sharing your story and help me inspire more readers into shaping their HOTBODIES. Get in touch with me at Hotbodies@hotspots.lgbt and/or check out my
Hany Rambod
Leo Harley Leo Harley
DROPS THE EP “THIRSTY” DROPS THE EP “THIRSTY”
Out now on all Streaming Platforms
By: Scott Holland
Our Hot Bodies writer, Leo Harley, who is also one of South Florida’s hottest dancers and Body Builders, recently dropped a new EP entitled “Thirsty.” We thought it appropriate to sit down with one of our own and let you know about his new EP. Were you a singer even as a child or when did start?
Yes, I was actually a much better singer as a kid. I always loved music, always wrote songs, but I was also shy to sing them in front of people. So, for a long time I made music just for myself, as a hobby. But now that I’m more confident I feel that it’s time to share them with whoever resonates with my sound.
At what point did you decide to release music?
When I realized I don’t care what people think. I have nothing to lose, and a lot to share. It wouldn’t be fair to these songs not to be heard. I think they’re pretty good, and there might be others who think so too. It’s about raising the vibe, making you dance and have fun, and that’s what I do wherever I go.
Tell me about your new EP “Thirsty?”
This EP is my gift to my fans this summer. Written and produced by yours truly ‘Thirsty’ was inspired by the Florida summer and everything that makes it hot—sun, skin, rhythm, and freedom. It blends hip hop, pop, and steamy club energy into a high-voltage soundtrack that introduces not just my sound, but my whole persona. After teasing you with the viral single Peanut Butter & Jelly, I’m back quenching
your cravings. Thirsty is raw, sexy, and built to make you move because I don’t make music just to be heard—I make it to be danced to. It’s all about freedom, fun, and letting your body take over.
Anything more you want to say about “Thirsty?”
Thirsty isn’t just music, it’s a full-body experience. Shtick is the intro - My anthem. A hip hop track about being bold, imperfect, and 100% authentic. No fear, no filter. Just raw, real energy like a diamond in the rough. Underwear is a club banger that makes you wanna take your clothes off. It feels like a party in your pants… but for your ears. Send Nudes is more than a song - it’s a sexy little dare. Play it to someone, say nothing, and see what happens. Peanut Butter & Jelly first dropped as a single on Valentine’s Day, it makes a comeback as a sweet snack to leave you wanting more. It’s about that sweet chemistry two people can have… but let’s be real - it’s also about a really good BJ. So yeah, Thirsty will get you hot. It will make you wanna move. You might take off your ‘Underwear’, show your ‘Shtick’ and ‘Send Nudes’. Now - streaming everywhere. What does the future hold for You?
I like to think I’m on the right track. For so many years I’ve been inspired to create these songs, and I’m sure it’s for a reason, all I can do is share. I’m open to whatever they lead to, but whether or not they get played, I know I will keep on making music for as long as I can because I love it, and that’s enough for me.
What to Look for in a
New Grill
Key features that will help elevate your barbecue game
Whether you’re purchasing your first backyard grill or upgrading an existing one, there are a few key features and elements to consider before deciding.
“A grill isn’t just a cooking tool – it’s the heart of your backyard gatherings,” says Garry Scott, Vice President of Marketing at Napoleon, a leader in grill design and manufacturing. “A great grill should offer the perfect balance of performance, convenience and longevity to enhance your outdoor cooking experience.”
Here are some important factors to keep in mind when searching online or walking down the barbecue aisle at your local distributor, courtesy of Napoleon:
Fuel – The first question to ask is what kind of barbecue suits your needs. A classic charcoal grill offers that smoky flavor. A propane grill is known for its portability and ease of use. If your home has an outdoor natural gas connection, a natural gas grill provides ultimate convenience – no more worrying about running out of fuel mid-cook. Or consider an electric grill as a modern, eco-friendly option that’s perfect for smaller spaces or areas with restrictions on open flames.
Heat – The core purpose of a grill is to cook, and heat plays a critical role. Grill heat is typically measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units), and higher numbers
generally mean higher cooking temperatures. But other factors also influence performance: airflow, for example, impacts how evenly and consistently heat is distributed. Too much airflow reduces retained heat, while too little can cause food to burn.
Size – Consider both the space you have for your grill and the size of your usual audience. A smaller grill might be perfect for singles or couples, while larger families or those who enjoy hosting gatherings will benefit from a bigger model with more burners and a great cooking surface.
Materials – The materials used in your grill affect both its durability and performance. A cast aluminum firebox heats up quickly and retains heat efficiently. Heavy-gauge stainless steel burners and cooking grids are built to last and perform well under consistent use, while stainless steel hoods help retain heat effectively.
Features – Modern grills go far beyond basic cooking. Infrared side burners offer restaurant-quality searing to lock in flavor. Back rotisserie burners provide consistent, even heat for spit roasting. Smoker tubes add new dimensions to flavor in your dishes. Built-in lighting makes nighttime grilling easier, and charcoal trays add versatility to gas grills, letting you enjoy the flavor of charcoal when desired. Safety knobs are another essential feature, providing better
you to control and check your grill remotely, adding unparallelled convenience.
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We yearn for a new film from Pope of Trash John Waters, 79, but until then it’s clear that he has no intention of slowing down. He writes books, is seemingly always on a speaking/stand-up tour, and is about to co-star in a
horror movie set in his hometown. “Baltigore: Maryland Horror Anthology” will unspool a series of strange stories, all taking place in Baltimore, from writer-director-editor Tony Savero. Waters’ presence is a teaser, the lone piece of information leaked to the press, suggesting that he will star in the segment titled
“Baltigore” as a pawn shop owner called The Broker. Besides that, it’s all a big spooky secret. Currently in production with no stated release date yet, let this whet your appetite for its eventual Halloween-approximate arrival — in 2025? 2026? — somewhere.
hitmen are trying to find the family, and not for a nice cup of tea and a sitdown. The shoot will take place in Scotland later this year, with air dates (and, one safely presumes, North American streaming outlets) to follow.
Watch Kori King and Lydia B Kollins watch TV
If you know your “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alumni then you know Kori King and Lydia Butthole Kollins, legendary wild things of Season 17 who fell in love during production. And if you follow them online, you know their outsize personalities cannot be contained. Which is how they wound up hosting their own weird TV series called “Binge Queens: Absolutely Fabulous.” For World of Wonder’s WOW Presents Plus, the couple will be watching the first season of raucous queer '90s Brit-com, “Absolutely Fabulous,” on camera in their home, “Mystery Science Theater 3000”-style, minus the puppets. Fans of queens with best-friend energy reminiscent of Trixie and Katya are encouraged to join the meta-proceedings. And if you like that, stay tuned, because this is only the first WOW TV project lined up for the pair. More on that when it breaks.
‘Fucktoys’ is the movie you’re not ready for
“Fucktoys,” the debut feature from writer-director Annapurna Sriram, is a scandalous, explicit sex comedy that’s already dividing audiences, and it’s just getting started. Starring Sriram, with a supporting cast that includes queer dance music artist Big Freedia and “13 Reasons Why” co-star Brandon Flynn (as a familiar character named “James Francone”), it concerns a young dominatrix reuniting with her just-out-of-prison lover (Sadie Scott) as they try to reverse a curse. It’s a colorful, demented, horny
joyride through a fantastical placed called Trashtown that recalls the wild abandon of early John Waters and Pedro Almodovar films, and it just took its bow at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, where its kink-based world and occasionally scatological humor apparently offended some humorless people. North American streaming distribution was picked up by Filmhub, but if you need your sex comedies on the biggest screen you can find, it’s probably going to hit the queer film festival circuit, too. Prepare.
Romeo San Vicente insists on the biggest screen.
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The genre-defying artist opens up about coming out, standing up to anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and how fully embracing herself changed her music
By Chris Azzopardi
When Maren Morris headlined OutLoud Music Festival during West Hollywood Pride in May, she reveled in the “very ceremonial” moment. It had been a year since she came out publicly as bisexual, and taking the stage — this time as someone embraced from within the LGBTQ+ community — brought a new emotional weight.
“Doing it in West Hollywood was perfect,” she says. “It felt very official, but really just so beautiful.”
That performance was one of many markers in what has been a deeply personal and creative shift for Morris over the past few years. She’s released the cathartic and emotionally rich album “Dreamsicle”; she’s opened up about her queerness, motherhood and healing; and she’s fielded an endless stream of questions from journalists about whether or not she’s “left” country music.
Her publicist even gently suggested we avoid the topic altogether — and honestly, it’s easy to understand why. The conversation around Morris’s place in the genre has often missed the point. “Leaving country music” and doing country music your own way is not the same thing. Morris hasn’t turned her back on anything — she’s simply refusing to shrink inside a system that doesn’t always make space for the full complexity of who she is and what she has to say. Her current tour showcases the full range of the sound she’s developed throughout her career.
In our conversation, Morris reflects on the support she’s received from the queer community, her ever-evolving identity, and how “Dreamsicle” became a kind of coming-out record — one that captures her voice at its most unfiltered. She also revisits her headline-making moment at the 2023
Love Rising benefit in Nashville, where she said, “I introduced my son to some drag queens today, so Tennessee, fucking arrest me,” in protest of anti-drag and anti-trans legislation. Two years later, that spark remains — but it’s been sharpened by lived experience and a clearer sense of who she’s always been.
At WeHo Pride this summer, what did it feel like to receive that kind of love and support from a community you're now officially a part of?
It was just such a beautiful night. Since a year ago, the support has meant so much to me, and I was at the GLAAD Awards in L.A. a couple months back. But yeah, it just feels like I've always felt the love and acceptance and support from that community, but then once you sort of enter it and aren't just an ally, it does feel like a shift. It just makes it easier, I guess, knowing that there's open arms awaiting. So yeah, that meant a lot to me.
hard to visualize what it would look like once you do come out, but it kind of exceeded any expectation I had because I think there was just already such a groundwork, especially in my crowd at shows — of acceptance and love and non-judgment. So having that backdrop of a fan base that is just so open-hearted and kind made it easier. It's probably more difficult for those who don't have a platform the way that I do or who are growing up in the South and don't feel like they have a community to welcome them into or it's harder to find. That has to be just excruciatingly difficult. So I feel
Was the experience of coming out what you expected it to be? So many of us wonder what it will actually feel like when the moment comes — especially in an industry like country music, where there's the fear of potential backlash. Did it unfold the way you had imagined, or did it take a different shape?
I was pleasantly surprised by the positivity that came from it. There's always a risk of backlash or negativity, but I was really bowled over by the response being so light. So yeah, that was a relief. But no, I think, it is
And you are now that representation for young communities who might not have someone to look up to. I’m not in your shoes, so I can’t fully understand what that feels like — but as someone who loved country music growing up, I remember representation there was for people like me. That must feel pretty meaningful to you, I imagine?
Yeah, I think as a woman, I always had these idols that I looked up to in country music. I think about Dolly Parton. She's been a gay icon for decades, and [she] just feels so intrinsically gay. So drag. You're an amplified version of yourself. You're the most confident version of yourself. Nothing defines that more than the queer community and these flashes of it that I've seen in country music. In recent years, there's been a little more representation. Not enough, but it gives me hope, for sure.
What were some specific cultural moments in country music that allowed you to really come into yourself?
I think about the women that I idolized, especially in the early 2000s and late ’90s. It was just The Chicks. They were just so ballsy. I loved that they were also from Texas and wrote all their songs, played all the instruments. Natalie Maines is just one of the greatest vocalists on earth, still, and they were so brash and unapologetic and funny, and also style icons. Also, Shania was this country superstar, but also this pop star. I loved that she was subverting [expectations of country women performers]. It was also a time during which we were getting out of the era of long hair, hairspray, bangs, prairie skirt and denim vest. We were culturally shifting in fashion too, but seeing just these sexy, funny women breaking boundaries made me feel like, wow, someday I would love to do that in my own way. In country music, those people made me feel like, OK, these are rock stars and I am so inspired and I can't wait to be just like them. And now you are among them.
Now I've toured with both of them. Full circle!
I’d love to talk about “Dreamsicle.” It feels like such a healing piece of work — not just for you, but for listeners. What was it like putting something out into the world that still felt so fresh and close to what you were experiencing at the time?
It's crazy. It's been out for just over a month, but I've lived with some of these songs for years; it's the first album I've put out that the most recent song added was six months prior to the record dropping. It was that closely aligned with headspace I was still in.
and headspace of it, and healing from it. Sometimes you write a body of work and then the album comes out a year later, then you tour it six months later, after you've processed a lot of that emotion.
With this record, you want to be in the emotion still?
Yeah, I still want to be sitting in it while it's fresh. A really exciting element of this whole album release is the fact that, with these songs, I'm still inside them.
Fans have been calling this your coming out album. Do you see it that way?
Yeah, in all the ways. I think it was such a leaf turn from my previous album and work and, just personally, everything in my life is different from the first record. I've got a 5-year-old son, I'm divorced, I'm in this new chapter of dating, and also creating in step with that and then just working on, still… there's no linear or end point to healing from past grief, there's just never a period. So I’m processing, and it has been really wonderful for me.
I'm a more secure person than I was just a few short years ago. I don't take myself as seriously. But then, also, this is the most producers I've had on any given project, just because I wrote it over three years. I was working with Jack Antonoff, Greg Kirsten, Naomi McPherson from Muna, Evan Blair, Joel Little. There's a lot of people I was having sessions with over the years. But each song that came out of those sessions
But I wanted to put this record out as I was still in the heart
chapter of the bigger picture. So I didn't need it to all be under one umbrella. I just and figuratively, is
chatting with the crowd before my song, “Because, Of Course.” I wrote that song a couple years back about my son from a motherly standpoint; he's getting older and I'm still touring, and sometimes he can come out with me and sometimes he has to stay back. But that was my promise of, wherever I am in the world, I'm always going to love you because of course, duh. But then as I was speaking to the crowd at Pride. That song, for some reason that night, was hitting me in a way that felt like the chorus lyrics were just really resonating with me on stage with that crowd: “If you need a place to land, I'll be the floor. If you need an easy out, I'll be the door. I'm always going to love you because, of course.” It just really hit me emotionally, and the crowd emotionally and unintentionally, even though I wrote it about my son. Over the last few weeks, I've seen fans online just take it and share their stories about their coming out experience.
Back in 2023, you took the stage at the Love Rising benefit concert in Nashville — a night of resistance in response to Tennessee’s anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, including efforts to restrict drag performances. When you said, “Tennessee, fucking arrest me,” after introducing your son to some drag queens, it was a bold, defiant stand in support of drag artists and trans rights during a particularly hostile moment.
Two years later, with many of these issues still unfolding — now on a federal level — how do you reflect on that moment?
It meant so much to me that we came together so quickly to put that show in place at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Bridgestone Arena is on Broadway, so there's tons of foot-traffic tourism, a lot of country music bars, and our state legislator is just acting a fool and trying to rile up division and scare tactics to achieve absolutely nothing. There was no productivity or even a way of enforcing a drag ban, and they knew that they were just trying to fuck around.
I think it was really important to show the state of Tennessee, but also the world, that this is a progressive artistic creative hub that, yes, is a beautiful place to come write songs and make music, but also we pay a lot in taxes. People make music here and live here, and a lot of people have moved here, especially during Covid, and you're going to enforce these ridiculous,
homophobic, bigoted, transphobic bills into the legislature that will never pass. Just proving to the town that this isn't what we stand for, that was the most beautiful part of the night. I brought my son and all the local queens that were getting ready in the big dressing room; they've got their wigs, their costume changes, they're like mid-beat, and I went and introduced my son to some of them. So I was just enamored. My son always loves watching when I'm in hair and makeup. So I was like, he will love this. This is that on steroids.
There is such a transformation of self there, but also an exercise and discovery of self there. Drag is the most modern-day form of what that is. And it's beautiful and it's brave, and I just love a Southern drag queen. After I had introduced my son to them and walked away with him from the dressing room, I was like, wow, it's crazy that this is what we're condemning — we're trying to legislate out of a very genuine, pure interaction of just someone being their truest self. What a waste of time to try to outlaw that.
I’m thinking about your influence on aspiring queer artists. What would you say to someone who’s trying to break into country music?
Tell your story. What I love about country music is you can be so specific. Some of these traditional country songs were so specific about something that you did not go through personally, but the emotion is ringing true. And through that, you're like, I completely identify with this. So I think expressing whatever makes you feel closer to yourself and your craft. You can't write for an audience. You can't write for public consumption because that's going to be completely out of your control. You have to do this to excite yourself, to feel closer to you, to heal something inside of you. And if that is authentic and true, people are going to hear it and it’s going to resonate with them.
And that is a gift. It's a superpower. I mean, anything in the public eye, there's going to be downsides. Just criticisms, having to grow a thicker skin; there’s not a pill you can take. It is something that has to thicken over time.
Everything you’ve said feels like what you wished you would’ve told young Maren.
Oh, girl, yes. I should have written it down. It's true. But I guess I don't give that to just any new artist or child that wants to get into songwriting or get a record deal. But those are ancillary goals. It all just still has to come from the same hub of, I was put here to say this in a different way than any other human being on this planet. I feel like every time I write with someone new, I just went somewhere else. I got to walk through the cobblestone streets of someone else's memories.
Chris Azzopardi is the Editorial Director of Pride Source Media Group and Q
