Hotspots! Central FL December 2016

from the editor Happy holidays,readers!With this issue, we finish our inaugural year as a monthly magazine. We are already planning fun features and themes for our first full year.

Let me know if you have any ideas for 2017! You can emailmedirectlyatmike@hotspotsmedia.com.

The biggest news in the month of November, by far, was the surprise election of Donald Trump to the presidency. Even though many of us in the LGBT community feel afraid, or even angry, we should unite and channel our feelings into advocacy work. If they want a fight, we will give them one. We're out of the closetnowandwe'renotgoingbackin!

Inthisissuetherearemanyfunfeaturespresentedfor your reading pleasure. Whether you're focused on being the queen of the holiday party, or looking for gift ideas for friends and family, we have you covered. We also have some exclusive interviews in this issue that I'm sureyou'lllove.

From all of us at Hotspots Media Group and Hotspots Central, we wish all of you a happy holiday season and a fabulousnewyear!

Central Florida Edition December, 2016

Publisher/Marketing Director Peter Clark Peter@HotspotsMedia.com

Vice-President Peter Jackson PeterJ@hotspotsmedia.com

Associate Publisher Scott Holland Scott@HotspotsMedia.com

Editor Mike Halterman Mike@HotspotsMedia.com

Business Manager Brian Burda Brian@HotspotsMedia.com

Art Director Maria Espinal Maria@HotspotsMedia.com

Digital Media Christine Veiga Christine@HotspotsMedia.com

Graphics Graphics@HotspotsMedia.com

Frank Mendez

Sales Team Sales@HotspotsMedia.com

JB Burgos & Russ Martin

Mike Halterman Editor, Hotspots Central

National Advertising Rivendell Media 212-242-6863 • sales@rivendellmedia.com

Feature Writers Mike Halterman

CONTACT US Central Florida Office: 813-253-9107 11 N. Summerlin Ave., Suite 210 | Orlando, FL 32801 South Florida Office: 954-928-1862 5090 N.E. 12th Avenue | Oakland Park, FL 33334 Fax 954-772-0142

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Scott Holland | Woody Miller | Billy Masters Ian Maloney | Jerry Perez | JB Burgos

Photographers Tony Fowler | Snap Out Loud!

Russ Martin | Pat O’Rourke Mike Halterman

Logistics Brett Yancey

Hotspots Central is published by HOTSPOTS MAGAZINE OF FLORIDA at 5090 N.E. 12th Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334. Opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinion of HOTSPOTS MAGAZINE or any of its staff. Publication of the name or photos of any living person or organization in articles or advertising in HOTSPOTS MAGAZINE is not to be constructed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such person or organizations. All copy, text, display, photos and illustration in the ads are published with the understanding that the advertisers are fully authorized, have secured proper written consent for the use of names, pictures, and testimonials of any living person, and Hotspots Magazine may lawfully publish and cause such to be made. Advertisers automatically agree by summiting said ad to indemnify and save blameless the publisher from any and all liability, loss and expense of any nature out of the publication. The deadline for Hotspots Central is the 20th of every month at 5pm. In the event that an ad is excepted after deadline, the advertiser agrees by submitting such an ad to indemnify and save blameless the publisher from any andallliability,lossandexpenseofanynaturethatarisefromanyerrorthatmaybemadeinsaidad. Allrightsreserved. Reproductioninpartorinwholeofthispublicationwithoutwrittenpermission isstrictlyprohibited. Hotspotsisaregisteredtrademark.

on the inside

Central Florida Edition December, 2016

Exclusive Interview “When I expressed interest in dancing and not soccer, my mother was enthusiastic. "Oh, yes, you should do it.

But my father...he just thought to himself, "Oh, no, what's going on with my son?"

content: • Backstage • Food for Thought • • • •

From the Editor Genre Latino Hit List Need Wood What’s Hot Central Florida

this month’s features: • An American in Paris • Dancing With The Stars: Live • Drag Queen Christmas • Holiday Party Tips • Metro Wellness

hot shots Orlando Pride Parade Orlando Pride Festival Punky’s Bar/Dunedin Bowling Barcodes/G2H2

2016 Holiday Gift Guide

hot shots

Orlando Pride Festival

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By Scott Holland

The Holiday Season is upon us, and if you are like me, you like to get suggestions on what to purchase. Therefore, I compiled a list of things I believe will be big hits with your loved ones. I have 15 suggestions designed not to break your bank. I hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday Season and Happy New Year!

//// clothing ...................................

King & Stone - $25 per month - kingandstone.com Capitalizing on the massive growth of subscription services for men's fashion and lifestyle products, King & Stone debuted a subscription shoe service last year.

They present subscribers with a highly-curated selection of on-trend designs to choose from, delivering four pairs of shoesperyear(oneperseason).

Blade + Blue - bladeandblue.com Dismayed by the reality of the modern point-and-click wardrobe, Peter Papas, a 20-year fashion industry veteran, created his vision after finding himself lost in the sea of uniformity in men's fashion. Inspiredby theclothingofhisfatherandhisgrandfather, Papas works with families who have been making shirts since the 1950s to create designs based in the classic style, but ones that fit perfectly and add flair. The shirts feature slim collars made for today's workwear, and an interior cuff trim – a perfect accent for rolling up your sleeves and getting the job done. Blade + Blue createstimelessclothingforthestylishman.

Snoozies! - $14.99 - snoozies.com Snoozies are a cross between socks and slippers, made withabrushedfleeceexteriorincolorfulandfunprinted patterns and lined with a soft Sherpa fleece inside.

There is nothing better after a long work day than to come home and slip your feet into a pair of Snoozies!

They can also be purchased at Hallmark and other fine giftstoresnationwide.

//// wines ...................................

The Dreaming Tree Wines Holiday Gift Pack - $69 dreamingtreewines.com This is an eco-friendly, affordable, and approachable wine portfolio from worldrenowned musician Dave Matthews, and award-winning winemaker Sean McKenzie. Dreaming Tree offers a holiday gift pack including three favorite varieties (Chardonnay, Crush and Cabernet Sauvignon) and a $50 gift card toTicketmaster.

//// health & beauty ...................................

Mavericks getmavericks.com Face Kit ($89 for 90-day supply) is a total skincare solution in a box. Three items – a sunscreen, a face wash, and a nighttime moisturizer – complete a daily regimen of protecting, cleansing, and repairing skin.

Savoring SIMI: Since 1876 Cookbook & Cabernet Sauvignon $39 - simiwinery.com

Shave ($25 per 4 oz. tube) is a new category of "shaving moisturizer" which combines moisturizer, shave cream, and aftershave, all three into one. It's engineered from the skin-up so your skin can give babies' bottoms everywhere a run for their money.

Inspired by SIMI's food-friendly wines and rich history in Sonoma County, Savoring SIMI: Since 1876 Cookbook is the ultimate gift for the food and wine lover on your holiday gift list this year.

The cookbook features a collection of classic recipes from past and present SIMI Winery chefs including Chef Kolin Vazzoler, as well as palate-pleasing wine andfoodpairingsforeveryoccasion.

Hotspots Central Florida HotSpotsCentral.LGBT

Caviar Hair Products - $28 each alternahaircare.com Every Caviar product contains caviar extract sourced from France. 100%freeofparabens,sulfatesandsyntheticcolor.

Caviar Style Luxe Shape Versatile Crème Gel is a medium hold crèmegelthatshapesandtransformsthehaireffortlessly.

Caviar Style Grit is a flexible texturizing paste with medium hold in styling that creates high-definition silhouettes, separating layers and providing just the right amount of hold youneed.

Scentbird Trendsetter $59.95 (over $85 value) scentbird.com/giftboxes.

The gift that keeps on giving, for men! It's a designer cologne subscription site that delivers a different 30-day supply of cologne each month from brands such as Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein, Dior, Hermès, and over 350 others.

They are launching two gift boxes just for the holidays. The perfect gift for anyone on your list, these gorgeous gift boxes feature three cases in limited edition colors. Plus, each gift box includes a free monthofScentbird.

//// miscellaneous ...................................

Pecs and Pups - $19.95 - louieslegacy.org/pecsandpups Louie's Legacy Animal Rescue collaborated with photographer Mike Ruiz to create the 2017 calendar entitled “Pecs and Pups.” Each month features jaw-dropping chiseled hunks paired with a rescue dog in ways you have never seen andinwaysyouwillneverforget.

Shore Projects shoreprojects.com/collections/watches Shore Projects is a watch brand inspired by the beauty and fun of the British seaside.

Started by a group of friends who one day noticed that none of them actually wore watches, their ambition was simply to create a timeless, quality product that could be worn every day. One of the most exciting features of the watches is the innovative strap mechanism that makes it easy to swap straps on a daily basis, so the look of the watch can change in just a few seconds.

Hungry FanÂŽ Pumpkin Spice Spice Blend - $6.99 hop.hungryfan.com Enjoy the flavor of fall all year long!

Use this organic pumpkin spice blend for homemade pumpkin spice lattes and chai, add it to your pancake or waffle mix, make pumpkin spice cookies, add it to vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, or dissolve it into beer to enjoypumpkinspicebeerallyear!

Limelens - $49.99 - limelens.com These lenses capture intricate detail that a smartphone camera can not achieve on its own. Lenses boast incredible framing capabilities, removing the limitations of the smartphone camera to produce stunning photographs with a greaterchoiceofphotoangles,framingandcomposition. The Limelens introductory set includes The Thinker (a dual macro/wide lens), The Captain (a 190 degree fisheye lens), and the Limeclip attachment that fits over 40 devices includingleadingsmartphonesandtabletbrands.

Orlando Merman - $50.00 MojoMan Swimwear & Clothing (Maguire location: 653 Maguire Blvd Suite # 800 or Ivanhoe Location: 1909 North Orange Ave, Orlando) offers this thoughtful new Merman that captures the spirit, love and hope within the LGBT community after the mass shooting at Pulse. This Limited Edition of 2,500 pieces and each box will be hand numbered. December Diamonds donated a portion of the proceeds to the One Orlando Fund. MojoMan Swimwear & Clothing will also be donating a portion of theproceedstothePulseEmployeeFund.

Hotspots Central Florida HotSpotsCentral.LGBT

what’s hot everything you need to know

to plan your month

H

Hello, Hotspots Central readers! Welcome once again to the What's Hot column, where we keep you in the loop with lots of important nightlife events in Tampa Bay, Orlando, and points in between. We're also your connection to many activities and events organized by local LGBT service organizations and chambers of commerce. Want to know What's Hot in December?

Readmoreandfindout!

Thursday December 1: Metro Wellness and Community Centers just received an anonymous donation of $100,000! The donor wishes the community will match their donation through gifts of any size. If you'd like to donate to Metro as they continue their renovation and expansion plans, e-mail James Keane at jamesk@metrotampabay.org.

The Hope and Help Center of Central Florida is also raising money to

Happy Holidays! provide Central Florida with its services in the next year! Their donation drive lasts through the entire month of December and there are many fun ways to give.

To read more about them, visit hopeandhelp.org/give.php.

To reserve your room for this weekend,call(727)321-5000.

Saturday December 3: Joe Mannetti presents Warm Fuzzies, a holiday fundraiser and

Friday December 2: Flamingo Resort inSt. Petersburgofficiallygets into the holiday spirit with "Light Up the Flamingo"! The Mistletones will performdirtycarolsat8:30p.m. and 9:30 p.m., followed by "A Dr. Seuss Christmas" drag show at 10 p.m., hosted by Iman and featuring AshleeBangkx,LadyLiemont,Anita Waistline and Isiah Sanchez Hilton.

toy and food drive for Hannah's Homeless. Bring an unwrapped toy and/or canned food to help the homeless have a happier holiday. There will be a Mr. Sexy Santa Bear Chest contest, raffles, performances, and more! It all starts at the Flamingo Resort in St. Petersburgat9p.m.

Balance Tampa Bay's sixth annual Party 4 Presents will take place tonight at 9 p.m. at Southern Nights

Tampa. The three beneficiary charities to which Balance Tampa Bay will be donating Christmas toys are Champions for Children, TGH Foster Angel, and Community Pride Child Care Center. For a list of toys re q u e s t e d , p l e a s e v i s i t facebook.com/balancetampab ay and click on the Party 4 Presentsevent.

Parliament House Orlando, in partnership with SunTrust, presents the Light Up the Courtyard!

event. The evening includes the arrival of Santa Claus and a performance by the Central Florida Sounds of Freedom band.

Be sure to enjoy "A Very Mary Christmas Cabaret" at the Footlight Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be bought at phouse.ticketleap.com. Music thiseveningbyDJBrianna.

need, and of course the new, unwrapped toys are donated to Toys for Tots of Pinellas County.

For more information, call (727) 235-0876.

Tuesday December 6: Southern Nights Tampa's second annual turnabout show will go on tonight, with doors opening at 8 back to Central Florida audiences once again. The show will be presented starting tonight and all through the month of December. To buy tickets, visit phouse.ticketleap.com.

p.m. and the show starting at 9.

Hosted by Jade Embers, the female staff will become men and the male staff will strut their stuff as ladies! Tips and proceeds raised this evening will be donatedto Francis House.

Thursday December 8: SAVOY Orlando, in partnership with Hunks Orlando, celebrates Central Florida's rich LGBT nightclub

Sunday December 4: Kori Stevens presents her sixth annual Toys for Tots benefit, which this year will be held at Enigma in St. Petersburg. Enjoy a special drag show at 9 p.m., followed by prizes, a 50/50 raffle, and more! Money goes directly to help families in

Sunday December 11: Hamburger Mary's Daytona Beach hosts the Gulf States All American Goddess pageantaswellastheAt-Largeand Gent pageants. The pageants beginat8p.m. andcontestantsare free to enter at 2 p.m. with a $100 entry fee. For more information, call(386)256-2564.

Monday December 12: Have you heard the vocal stylings of Miss Anjila Cavalier? She is a nightclub songbird in the tradition of Gloria Loring and you will fall in love with her treatment of standards and ballads tonight at 6 p.m. at City Side in Tampa. If

history

with "Epic Backspin Thursday", with music provided by former Coliseum resident DJ Joanie. Dance the night away beginningat9p.m.

Friday December 9: The musical Naked Boys Singing, which was all the rage at Parliament House Orlando earlier this year, has just returned from a limited nationwide tour to bring the show

you're polite, you might even be abletorequestasong!

Tuesday December 13: Everyone knows there is always something happening at Hamburger Mary's Orlando. What you

Hotspots Central Florida HotSpotsCentral.LGBT

might not know is that the new Mary's Side Bar Cafe is open for business and is located right next door. It's got a cool new vibe with 10 large flat screen TVs, the NFL Sunday Ticket, a huge outdoor patio, and "The Lounge" area which connects the Side Bar with Hamburger Mary's. Tell 'em Mary sentya!

Thursday December 15: Punky's Bar and Grill in St. Petersburg will be celebrating their first anniversary through the end of the weekend! Artists John Gascot

whitey" contest this evening! The rules: you must only be wearing white brief underwear, socks and shoes are required, and the best form-fitting underwear wins! For more information, call (863) 3709146.

Sawmill Resort in Dade City will be hosting the first of their two Christmas weekends beginning today with the "Holigay Weekend".

Friday December 16: Pulse Lakeland will be hosting a "tighty

Sunday December 18: Land O'Lakes Winery sponsors a special holiday wine tasting event today at Quench Lounge in Largo.

From 4 to 6:30 p.m., enjoy wines hand-selected for the holiday season as well as a potluck dinner. You can contribute by bringing your favorite dish to

There will be hayrides, toy drives, a "Grinch" Sawmill Divas production, and more! Stick around next weekend for the "Christmas Bear Weekend", which includes family-style dinners, an ugly sweater contest, caroling, and other naughty bear fun!

Reserve your cabin or RV space bycalling(352)583-0664.

Saturday December 17: and Derek Donnelly are working on a mural on the western facing roof, and it will be completed by today; we hope you enjoy! To find out more about anniversary specials,visitpunkysbar.com.

even behind the bar! Enjoy the special decor by Mathieu Stanoch, music by DJ T-Quest, and a show starring Amy DeMilo, Alisa Summers and Amanda D'rhod. Doorsopenat10p.m.!

Celebrate Christmas with those cute "Minions" at Honey Pot in Tampa! The Minions are everywhere, hanging from the lights, creeping on stage, and

share! If you like a wine, you can buy bottles of it right there at the winetasting.

Friday December 23: At Enigma in St. Petersburg, the halls are decked with boughs of holly and lots of holiday cheer! There

will be special Christmasthemed drag shows presented at 10 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. Come back tomorrow and enjoy a Christmas Eve Dance Party, with music byDJBlakeBlaze!

Saturday December 24: Enjoy Christmas Eve with a Christmas-themed revue show at

Parliament House Orlando!

Darcel Stevens, Jazell Barbie Royale, Shantell D'Marco, Sonique, and

the Footlight Player men will perform two holiday-tastic shows, one at 10 p.m. and one at midnight.

The last Saturday of each month is leather night at BarCodes Orlando! Whether you're a leather aficionado or you just like to watch, you will get to see a few live

demonstrations inside the bar.

Due to New Year's Eve, this theme night is pushed up one week this month. Bethereat9p.m.!

at midnight! Tickets are $20 in advance and $75 for VIP. Visit parliamenthouse.com for more information!

Enigma in St. Petersburg will be hosting a New Year's Eve Bash, beginning at 9 p.m., with a complimentary champagne toast at midnight and giveaways going onallnightlong!

Southern Nights Orlando , in partnership with "Girl The Party", plans to bring the house down on New Year's Eve! Doors open at 9

p.m. You can find out more i n fo r m a t i o n b y v i s i t i n g facebook.com/southernnightso rlando. They will be unveiling more details throughout the monthofDecember!

Flamingo Resort in St. Petersburg will host a themed party called "One Night Only in Rio". There will be a Copacabana pool party during

Saturday December 31: Two popular RuPaul's Drag Race winners, Bianca Del Rio and Bob the Drag Queen, will be joining the Footlight Players for two special New Year's Eve shows at Parliament House Orlando. Showtimes are at 10 p.m. and just after the ball drops

the day with DJs Xplicid, Luis Martinez and Reagan, and a show on the Cabana Stage with Iman and the Blu Theater Players. At midnight, enjoy a fireworks display!

Stonewall Bar Orlando wants you to visit "Orlando's most unique club" (they do have a merman, after all!) for tonight's New Year's

Eve celebrations! Toast the new year with all your friends at Stonewall.

Remember, there's never a cover here!

Club Main Street in Lakeland will ring in the New Year with a tribute to the film Grease! This fun musical

journey will star Kathryn Nevets, Ja'Staria Sherrington, De Delovely, Charlotte Diamond Star, Danika Panic, Crystle Chambers, Amber Waters, and Jacqueline St James. The show will begin at 10:30 so be there in timetogetagoodseat!

Liquid Tampa presents a special New Year's celebration with a special midnight performance by singer and actor Alex Newell, who has previously performed on TV in Glee and locally at St. Pete Pride.

Tickets(includingmeetandgreet packages) are on sale now at liquidnye2017.eventbrite.com.

Doorsopenat9p.m.!

Hotspots Central Florida HotSpotsCentral.LGBT

Mike's

Overthe past few years, I've written various advice columns, each time giving my tips that pertained to entertaining during the holidays. These tips are personal to my life yet also in-tune to the way each holiday season is poised to "feel". My first holiday column, in 2013, stressed the importance of unity. In 2016, I think what we need most from a holiday gathering are two things: love and understanding. Then,wewillnaturallybecomeunited.

Below I've outlined three steps to a party that will foster feelings of closeness and love. It's important to plan the mood of the partyyouwant,thenfigureoutwhoyouwanttoinviteandhow intimate you want the setting to be. Finally, let your guests have the option of giving you a few tips with regard to what they want to see in a party. Incorporate some of those elements, and everyone will be happy, having enjoyed the most fabulous holidaygatheringoftheyear!

Holiday Entertaining Tips

By Mike Halterman

STEP ONE: PLAN THE MOOD What does "planning the mood" mean? In my mind, it involves making decisions that will set the toneofthecelebration. Askyourselfsomebasicquestions:Isitgoingtobemoreintimateorless?(We will discuss levels of closeness later.) Will it be a blow-out or will it involve only family? The responses to these questions are key to the success of the party. Keep in mind, however, that outside variables canchangetheoutcome.

For example, this year's election season brought out the worst in many, and people left feeling that they weren't truly heard. This season, I recommend that you ask your friends and family what kind of party they want. Listen to everyone, and then plan accordingly, including physical elements that would appeal to each partygoer. It will make them feel like you truly cared about them, because you took the trouble to go the extra mile. We definitely need to feel like people care during this holiday seasoninparticular.

STEP TWO: DECIDE THE SCOPE Everyone has different ideas of who they want to see and spend time with during the holidays.

Some people only celebrate with family; others bring friends to celebrate with them at home.

Deciding how intimate you want the party to be, in quantity and quality, will help you decide which kind of party you want it to be. A more intimate party can sate partygoers with an elaborate dinner, which can either be cooked by you (either partially or fully), or just ordered in from a restaurant.

Goodfood,goodcompanyandgoodfunshouldbethegoalsallthetime.

A larger party could feature a buffet-style arrangement, or even a potluck where you cook the turkey, ham, or both, and your guests could bring a side they'd like everyone to try. That will cut down on a lot of the time you'll have to spend in the kitchen, and it also lets the guests take some of the spotlight if their dish is particularly well-received at the party. Your turkey can be a big hit, and so canyouraunt'smashedpotatoes!

STEP THREE: KEEP IT INTERACTIVE Back in step one, I discussed the importance of making sure people are being heard, especially considering the contentious year we've all had. You can ask your guests what kind of color scheme they like for the decorations (if this is something you can't decide on your own), and also how they would like to be entertained. A lot of people like conversation set to the soft sounds of holiday music. I know that's how our parties were held in my house growing up. Other people may want something a little less traditional, like karaoke, or a dance party, or even a cocktail party. Include as many specific details that you know your partygoers will like, while still keeping a healthy balance to ensureyougetwhatyouwantoutofthisparty.

Another way to increase interactivity at the party is to ensure that everyone speaks to everyone else. Make a note of the people coming to your party who don't normally interact with one another.

Introduce them during the party and find an interest that you know the two of them share. From there, these former strangers will quickly become acquaintances, on the path to becoming friends whotrulyunderstandoneanother. Again,somethingweneedthisyearmorethananyother.

What tips do you have for optimizing your own annual holiday party? Write them on our wall at facebook.com/hotspotscentralflorida

Hotspots Central Florida HotSpotsCentral.LGBT

hot shots

Punky’s Bar

Election Night

photos by russ martin

Dunedin Bowling Gay Night

A

An American in Paris, the most awarded new musical of 2015 and winner of four Tony® Awards, comes to Central Florida this holiday season. The Orlando engagement will play the Dr. Phillips Center's Walt Disney Theater from December 13 -18, while the Tampa engagement will playtheStrazCenter'sCarolMorsaniHallfromDecember20-25.

Tickets start at $33.75 (Orlando) and $48 (Tampa) and may be purchased online at drphillipscenter.org or strazcenter.org, by calling (844) 513-2014 or (800) 955-1045, by visiting the box offices (445 S. Magnolia Avenue, Orlando; 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa).

Onlineandphoneticketpurchasesaresubjecttohandlingfees.

Inspired by the Academy Award-winning film, An American in Paris is the romantic story about an American soldier named Jerry, a mysterious French girl named Lise and an indomitable European city, each yearning for a new beginning in the aftermath of war. Directed and choreographed by 2015 Tony Award-winner Christopher Wheeldon, the show features the music and lyrics of George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin, andabookbyCraigLucas.

An American in Paris won four 2015 Tony Awards, four Drama Desk Awards, four Outer Critics Circle Awards, the Drama League Award for Best Musical, three Fred and Adele Astaire Awards and two Theatre World Awards. The musical was included on the “Year's Best” lists of The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Entertainment Weekly, The New Yorker, Associated Press, The Hollywood Reporter and The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The Masterworks Broadway Original

Broadway Cast recording of An American in Paris was nominated for the Best Musical Theater AlbumGrammy® Award.

The score of An American in Paris includes the songs “I Got Rhythm,” “Liza,” “'S'Wonderful,” “But Not for Me,” “I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise,” and orchestral music including “Concerto in F,” “Second Prelude,” “Second Rhapsody/Cuban Overture” and“AnAmericaninParis.”

You'll be able to see Ryan Steele in the lead role of Jerry when An American in Paris plays in both Orlando and Tampa.

Steele, formerly part of the casts of Newsies and Matilda on Broadway, joins the traveling production of An American in Paris, his first-ever nationwide tour. I asked him about the experience and about the musical adaptation of the beloved film in this exclusive interviewforHotspotsCentral.

connecting to it is so beautiful to me. A couple will hold hands when a certain song came on, or after the show you see young couples walk off to their cars, almost in a cuddle. The message of love is noted by people youngandold.

How much practice and memorization went into preparing for the role of Jerry?

We went through about five weeks of work sessions, reading scenes and singing songs and working on all the dance moves. After we were all cast, I started rehearsals two weeks before everyone else so I could note allthemajormoments,becauseIhavetobeawareofeveryoneandwhat they're doing since my character is central. It was pretty difficult having to learn everything, but the team I work with is amazing, and Christopher Wheeldon is so great to work with. It's been challenging but it's so rewardingtoo.

Which number is your favorite to perform as Jerry, and which one is your favorite to observe?

My favorite to perform is the "American in Paris" ballet at the end. The routine is romantic, sexy and fresh...I feel so honored to be able to perform it. In terms of watching the show, I love the opening. It's

Ryan Steele

This is your first national Broadway tour. What are some of the things you like most about touring?

We've been to three cities so far, and by the time we get to Florida it will be more, but I have really enjoyed getting to know the crews in each theater. It's really special. I also love seeing each audience soak in the performance and have so much fun. It's really uplifting to see that spark there as we share the storywiththem.

This musical was preceded by a well-loved film. How do you see younger audiences relating to the musical?

The first time I had the chance to watch the show as a spectator, I immediately felt inspired. The Gershwin songbook is classic.

The emotions people feel when

Hotspots Exclusive Interview by Mike Halterman absolutely amazing. The metaphorical sunrise of Paris after the SecondWorldWarissuchabeautifulsequencetowatch.

One of the tour's stops will be Orlando. Is there anything you'd like to convey to our community?

I'd like to say that art really brings out beauty and love. [voice breaks] I think An American in Paris is very relevant right now. Art showcases the beauty and love that's in this world, and if we continue to spread it, and weliveourtruelives,wewillalwayswin.

What would you say to people to convince them to buy a ticket for An American in Paris?

World-class artists were involved in the making of this show, from beginning to end. The Broadway production was not scaled down when it moved to national touring, so this truly is a one-of-a-kind show, a true sliceofBroadway,comingtoacitynearyou!

Formoreinformation,visitAnAmericanInParis.com.

Hotspots Central Florida HotSpotsCentral.LGBT

food for thought by mike halterman

at The Straz Center

I

I've been attending Broadway shows at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa for a few years now, and even though I've seen many stellar performances, I haven't had the pleasure of dining there...until now, that is.

Maestro's Restaurant is the jewel in the dining and catering crown at the Straz Center, offering premier tableside service to you before youenjoyaneveningoftheatre.

Recently I confirmed a reservation for two at Maestro's and anxiously awaited a very special dinner. The night reserved was November 8, the beginning of the Straz Center Broadway season. My friend Amanda and I were ready to see "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time", and of course we were ready to sample the food atMaestro's.

Once we were seated at our table, our waitress, Missy, told us

about the menu setup at Maestro's, which is a little different from other restaurants we've profiled. There is an antipasti buffet area where one can partake in salads, soups, an extensive fruit tray as well as a special tray for cheeses, meats and crackers. Ordering the buffet alone (which also includes dessert) is priced at $24.95 per person. It costs $43.50 per person to include an entrĂŠe with thebuffetanddessert.

We selected our soups and salads, and we enjoyed everything that we brought back. My friend chose the garden minestrone soup, which she thought was very flavorful, while I chose the seafood bisque, which had just the right amounts of seafood flavor and creaminess. My salad was a basic garden salad with grilled eggplant, and my friend's was more elaborate, including fresh fruits, in particularlotsandlotsofgrapes.

Finally, we took a look at the entrĂŠes on offer. Missy let us know that the chef, Edward Steinhoff, designs the menus for Maestro's based on the show playing at the time. The menu, as a result, was "Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time"themed, with dishes called "The Dog in the Night" and "Christopher's Mind" -Christopher being the lead character of the play. To view current and upcoming menus, visit strazcenter.org/DiningCatering/Menus.

Amanda ordered the "Curious Incident",thedishthatwasvegan and gluten-free: bell peppers stuffed with red quinoa and black beans, served with cilantro chimichurri, wilted baby spinach and roasted beets. I ordered the "Memories of Judy Boone", certified Hereford tenderloin medallions seared with a brandy peppercorn cream sauce, served

with gorgonzola mashed potatoes and green beans almandine.

We couldn't wait to dig in to those delectable entrées! My medallions were cooked medium and the cream sauce tasted very tangy, almost giving off the taste sensations of curry powder. I am not a fan of vegetables, but the way the green beans almandine were prepared made them so flavorful and so expertly prepared with the beef. Then there were the gorgonzola mashed potatoes, which were the highlight of the dish. The creamy cheese paired with the mashed potatoes, mashed skin-on, were absolutely heavenly. If only thosewereonthebuffet!

Amanda's dish was also very flavorful. I definitely wanted to judge the vegan dish for myself. I found that the combination of the black beans and the quinoa in the bell peppers gave off such a hearty texture that if the pepper was presented to me as having meat stuffed inside, I would not have questionedit. Amandaparticularly liked the roasted beets, which were a genius addition to the plantbasedentréeplate.

Finally, we were given four different options for dessert. As soon as I heard Missy mention a trio, I knew I had to pick it. The trio plate included a mini-cup of mint

chocolate mousse, complete with diced After Eight dinner mints from start to finish. Also included was a strawberry tart, a fresh strawberry atop a tart with strawberry-flavored whipped cream, and Bailey's Irish Cream bread pudding. Amanda chose theflourlesschocolatecake.

Amanda tasted all of my desserts and I tasted hers. Her flourless chocolate cake had the texture of fudge and felt so decadent to eat; it was an absolute joy. I loved the level of mint in the mousse, as did Amanda. She particularly took to the flavors in the Bailey's Irish

Cream bread pudding, saying it was the best way to end a meal.

While she finished my bread pudding, I devoured the tart, with its fresh strawberry and crisp bakedtartshell.

OurexperienceatMaestro'swas wonderful. Missy was very accommodating and we both expressed our compliments to the chef on his great dishes. I'll have tomake another reservation very soon. I hope to see you there!

Reserve your table online at shop.strazcenter.org/Shop/Reservati ons.aspx • Read about the Straz's other dining exper iences at strazcenter.org/Restaurants

Maestro's Restaurant at the Straz Center 1010N. W.C. MacInnesPlace• Tampa,FL33602• (813)222-1078 2ndFlooroftheStrazCenter(abovetheJaebTheater)

Hotspots Central Florida HotSpotsCentral.LGBT

Murray & Peter Present “A Drag Queen Christmas" Performances in Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville

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Murray & Peter, the masterminds behind the summer tour "Season 8: The Queens Live Across America", featuring the season eight queens from Logo's RuPaul's Drag Race, has returned with an all-new production. This production, called "A Drag Queen Christmas",willfeaturefanfavorite drag queens from past seasons of Drag Race, performing numbers that will get Sunshine State audiences into the Christmas and NewYear'sspirit.

The final three tour dates on the "Drag Queen Christmas" tour will take place right here in Central and North Florida.

Tampa audiences will get to see the queens on Tuesday, December 27 at 8 p.m. at the Straz Center. The next night, the production moves on to

by mike halterman Orlando, where they will be playing The Plaza Live at 8 p.m.

Finally, Jacksonville fans will get to see the queens at the TimesUnion Center the next night, with showtimeat8p.m.

Season 8 winner Bob the Drag Queen will host "A Drag Queen Christmas" for the Tampa and Jacksonville tour dates, and Thorgy Thor, playing her violin, will host the Orlando show (she will also perform in Tampa).

Tampa audiences can expect to see the talents of queens Milk, Naomi Smalls, Trixie Mattel, Pearl, Roxxxy Andrews, Chi Chi DeVayne and Tatianna, in addition to Bob the Drag Queen and Thorgy Thor. Orlando fans can expect to see Milk, Naomi Smalls, Trixie Mattel, Chi Chi DeVayne, Pearl, Roxxxy Andrews

and Tatianna in addition to Thorgy Thor. For the Jacksonville l i n e u p , v i s i t facebook.com/mppresent. Be aware that the lineup in each city canchangeatamoment'snotice.

Tickets for the Tampa show start at $24.90 per person and can be bought online at strazcenter.org.

TicketsfortheOrlandoshowstartat $29 per person and can also be bought online, at plazaliveorlando.com. For the J a c k s o n v i l l e s h o w, v i s i t ticketmaster.com. All three tour dates have VIP meet and greet options,pricedaslowas$84,which include photo ops with the queens beforeorafterthemainshow.

For more information on A Drag Queen Christmas and Season 8: The Queens, visit dragfans.com.

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Orlando Pride Parade

Metro Wellness and Community Centers is Expanding

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Here’s how you can help!

M e t ro W e l l n e s s a n d Community Centers has served the Tampa Bay community for the past 25 years with a range of services, such as LGBT health and wellness programs, primary care, HIV testing and counseling, and much more. Now the good people at Metro Wellness are calling on the community to help them reach an ambitious goal of raising $1 million in a 30-day donation drive, running from November 9 through December 8. The money will be used mainly toimprovetheflagshiplocation.

M e t ro W e l l n e s s a n d Community Centers, in partnership with the Community AIDS Network, now owns their flagship building, at 3251 3rd Avenue N. in St. Petersburg. now named for donors Kate Tiedemann and Ellen Cotton.

James Keane, interim director of LGBT community center services

at Metro Wellness, told Hotspots Central. "The extra space will increase our primary care exam rooms from eight to sixteen, and it will give more space to the community center. It will allow us tostreamlineoperations,because before we owned the building, we would expand and plan out the new spaces with just a few thousand square feet at a time in mind. Nowwecanreconfigurethe entire space and make it much more cohesive." The amount of space dedicated to Metro Wellness programs and services will increase from the current 17,000 square foot layout to over 35,000squarefeet.

James Keane asks the community to stop by anytime between November 9 and December 8 to talk about the upcoming changes and to bid on special silent auction items. The proceeds raised will be added to

by mike halterman

the fundraising total from the community. There are a number of funauctionitemsreadyforbidding, including getaways to the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay and dinner at Seasons 52, an Orlando getaway with passes to the Aquatica theme park, tickets to the Museum of ScienceandIndustrynearUSF,and much more. There are also some surprises, so be sure to stop by, place your bids, and see those surprises for yourself! Don't forget to donate online by going to metrotampabay.org/product/ca pital-campaign.

On December 8, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., there will be a gathering at Metro Wellness's flagship location to reveal auction winners and to inform attendees of the amount raisedbythecommunity.

For more information on Metro Wellness and Community Centers, visitmetrotampabay.org.

backstage by mike halterman

&

Arts Entertainment

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Hello, and welcome once again to "Backstage." The holidays are upon us! I have a few holiday-specific selections for you, designed to get you into the spirit. Some very big concerts are coming to Central Florida as well, as are many fun musical productions, ranging from Into theWoodsto Fame: TheMusical.

Let me tell you about those, plus many more exciting acts performing in our area this month.

Fri. Nov. 25 & Tue. Nov. 29: We

interviewed

saxophonist

Dave Koz for our November issue, and he gave us the scoop on his nineteenth annual Christmas show, featuring performers Jonathan Butler, Kenny Lattimore, and the legendary Valerie

country music singer of all time, Dolly Parton, arrives in Central Florida today for her next stop on her Pure & Simple Tour, her first North American arena tour in 25 years! She will perform new songs and all your favorites at Amalie Arena in Tampa. (7:30 p.m.; starts at $45.75; amaliearena.com)

Simpson. They first stop in Central Florida at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota, and then at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater four days later. (8 p.m. Sarasota, 7:30 p.m. Clearwater; starts at $35 and $56 respectively; vanwezel.org and rutheckerdhall.com) Sat. Nov. 26: Here she comes again! The most popular female

Tue. Nov. 29-Sun. Dec. 4: The Fiasco Theater production

ofStephenSondheimandJames Lapine's Into the Woods, extended twice on Broadway, is now making its way across the United States on tour. Next stop is the Straz Center in Tampa, where you will get to see the unique theatrical reinvention of the Tony Award-winning musical. (2, 7:30 and 8 p.m. appearances; starts at$39;strazcenter.org)

Sat. Dec. 3-Sun. Dec. 18: It simply isn't the holiday season if you don't see The Nutcracker!

Local performers will be putting on the classic show at the King

Fri. Dec. 9: Country music powerhouse Martina McBride has released thirteen albums throughout her career, with her most recent album giving her an up-to-date contemporary edge.

She brings her Love Unleashed Tour to Central Florida with a performance at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. She will be joined

won't soon forget! Who knows...we may get to see his wife Kim Kardashian there too!

Keep your eyes peeled for any extra celeb sightings! (9 p.m.; starts at $26.50; amwaycenter.com)

Tue. Dec. 6 & Wed. Dec. 7Thu. Dec. 8: "I'm gonna live

Center

in Melbourne on Dec. 3 (Space Coast Ballet, $19.50, kingcenter.com); the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando from Dec. 8-11 (Orlando Ballet, starts at $29, drphillipscenter.org); the Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach on Dec. 10 (The Civic Ballet of Volusia County, starts at $10, peabodyauditorium.org); and the Straz Center in Tampa from Dec. 17-18 (Next Generation Ballet, starts at $30, strazcenter.org).

Kanye West is currently on his "Saint Pablo" worldwide tour, and he will be making one of his next tour stops at the Amway Center in Orlando.

The ultimate artiste, Kanye pledges to give the Central Florida audience a show they

forever! I'm gonna learn how to fly!" Talented singers, dancers and composers all converge on one special high school for the performing arts in New York City, where they pay their dues in sweat! Fame: The Musical arrives in Florida for a one-night-only show at The Lakeland Center, and then for two extra nights at Van

by opening acts Hailey Whitters and High Valley. (7:30 p.m.; starts at $45; VIP meet and greet option p r i c e d a t $ 19 9 ; rutheckerdhall.com)

Sun. Dec. 11: You will absolutely love the uproarious comedy One Man, Two Guvnors!

This filmed version of the N a t i o n a l T h e a t re L i v e production revolves around a

Tue. Dec. 6:

Wezel Performing Arts Hall

in Sarasota. (7:30 p.m. Lakeland, 7 p.m. Sarasota; starts at $45 a n d $ 4 6 , re s p e c t i v e l y ; thelakelandcenter.com and vanwezel.org)

Hotspots Central Florida HotSpotsCentral.LGBT

man who accepts two new jobs, but the bosses may not know about each other! James Corden, host of CBS's Late Late Show, stars in the role that won him a Tony Award. You can see this humorous production at the Straz Center in Tampa. (2 p.m.; startsat$21.50;strazcenter.org)

puts on a show that comprises equal parts magic and humor!

Carbonaro, with his winsome personality, can convert even the most hardcore of skeptics with his talents. His latest Central Florida show will take place at The Mahaffey Theater i n S t .

Sat. Dec. 17: iHeartRadio presents their annual Jingle Ball Tour, brought to you locally by Tampa Bay's hit music station 93.3 FLZ. This year's event will be

up before our eyes, she brings a newfoundgravitas tohercurrent tour, which stops at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. (7:30 p.m.; starts at $39.50; rutheckerdhall.com)

Tue. & Wed. Dec. 27-28: Central Florida enjoyed Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella when it played in Tampa and Orlando a coupleofyearsago,andnowthe

held at Amalie Arena in Tampa, and the list of headliners is very impressive! The Chainsmokers, who topped the charts this year with "Closer", will perform, as will

Pitbull, Fifth Harmony, DNCE, Lukas Graham, Martin Garrix and Daya. (7 p.m.; starts amaliearena.com)

Tue. Dec. 20:

at

$20;

Jackie Evancho

rose to stardom as a child on America's Got Talent, and since then she has released five albums, including her platinum debut, and gained millions of fans around the world, who enjoy her angelic voice and crossover range. Now 16 years old, growing

wondrous musical, based on the beloved fairy tale, is back, with all the standards you love like "In My Own Little Corner" and "Ten Minutes Ago". Relive the magic of Cinderella at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota.

(7p.m. bothnights;startsat$56; vanwezel.org)

Thu. Dec. 29: I had the opportunity to see Michael Carbonaro live in concert earlier this year, and his show completely blew me away! The charming host and producer of truTV's The Carbonaro Effect

Petersburg. (7:30 p.m.; $29-$59; VIP meet and greet option $100 extra;themahaffey.com)

Fri. Dec. 30 & Mon. Jan. 2: The American Dream comes to life on-stage in 42nd Street, the musical comedy classic based on the novel and the Busby Berkeley film. Who can forget such classic Broadway tunes as "42nd Street", "Shuffle Off to Buffalo", "I Only Have Eyes for You", "Lullaby of Broadway", and "We're in the Money"? You can see this fanfavorite show at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota and The Lakeland Center three days later, after the New Year! (8 p.m.

Sarasota, 7:30 p.m. Lakeland; starts at $66 in Sarasota and $45 in Lakeland; vanwezel.org and thelakelandcenter.com)

genre latino hit list

con scrappy pérez

¡es un niño... y hoy es martes!

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¨Detesto los lunes¨ - es lo que dijo el gato Garfield. Creo yo que los martes son peores que los lunes. El martes es como que la vida nos dice: ¨ No creo que hayas sufrido lo suficiente ayer en el trabajo.¨ Si lunes es como un accidente de coche, martes es cuando el seguro te dice que no tienes cobertura. Si lunes es una caja de bombones, el martes es el doctor diciéndote que los bombones estaban envenenados y solo te quedan tres días de vida. El lunes es este tipo que entiende que te estás recuperando del fin de semana y te pregunta si estás bien. Te acaricia la espalda diciéndote que todo estará bien mientras te ofrece un café. El martes es cuando él te pregunta: ¨¿te

“No sé si te queda claro o no, ¡pero a mí no me gustan los martes, para nada! sientes bien? Y después te mete el puño en el trasero como si estuviera buscando un anillo perdido en el basurero. Claramente, el martes es nada más que el lunes con un toque de venganza. No sé si te queda claro o no, ¡pero a mí no me gustanlosmartes,paranada!

Por otro lado, ya se acerca el día de Acción de Gracias; espero que hayas hecho mucho ejercicio en preparación para la orgia de comida que vas a tener dentro de tu barriga. Tengo muchísimas ganas de entrar en un coma inducido después de una buena comida. Es la única manera que puedo soportar las disputas familiares sobre temas importantísimos como quién votó por Trump o quién se

divorcia. Estoy casi seguro que me van a preguntar de cómo me dí cuenta que soy gay. Pensé que había quedado clarísimo las 100 veces anteriores que nos juntamos para cenar o las veces que he cenado con casi todos los miembros del elenco de un parque de Disney, pero no...mi salida del closet será el tema de conversaciónunavezmás.

Norecuerdomuchodecuándo me di cuenta que soy gay. Tengo unos recuerdos, no muy claros… mi mamá llorando y gritando y mi papá y otros familiares con máscaras quirúrgicas pasándose unos puros. El doctor me puso en confinamiento solitario y de vez en cuando alguien me mostraba su cara y me gritaba ¨¡es un niño!

Nací con un iPod en la mano y los

audífonos puestos escuchando ¨Holiday¨ de Madonna, creyendo que cada uno en sus batas necesita un makeover. Estoy casi seguro que fue entonces que me di cuenta que soy ¨un gay.¨ Inmediatamente después de que el médico me dio una palmada, en lugar de romper en lágrimas, volví mi cabeza hacia él y le di un gran guiño y un beso. Qué horripilante,¿no? ¡Es una broma! Sin embargo, espero que todos tengan un gran Día de Acción de Gracias con sus seres queridos...Al menos no será un martes. Sean buenos los unosconlosotrosmuchachos!

It's a Boy!…on a Tuesday “I hate Mondays” – is what Garfield, the cat is known for saying. I think Tuesdays are worse that Mondays. Tuesdays are life's way of saying “I don't think you suffered enough yesterday at work…here, have a crap-load of Tuesday”! If Monday is a car accident, Tuesday is the insurance company saying you're not covered. If Monday is a box of chocolates, Tuesday is the

doctor saying that the candy was poisoned and you have three days to live. Monday is that guy who understands you are recovering from the weekend and says “are you ok? I know it's hard, but we'll get through this” as he hands you a cup of delicious coffee. Tuesday is the dude who says to you “That felt good”? in the middle of foreplay and then jams his fist up your ass moving it around as if searching for a lost ring inside a garbage disposal because Tuesday is clearly a Monday with a vengeance. I'm not sure if I made my point clear but I freaking hate Tuesdays!

Thanksgiving is here so I hope you have been hitting the gym to make room for the food orgy you are about to host inside your stomach during the many Thanksgiving dinners you will be invited to. I cannot wait! It has been a while since the last time I had a self-induced coma. Not to mention the ever unavoidable family disputes about critical important issues such as who voted for

whom on the last election or which friends of the family are getting a divorce. I am pretty sure they will ask me (once again) how I knew I was gay. You'd think it would've been clear the last 100 dinners or interactions with just about every cast member at a Disney park, but no…my coming out will be the topic of conversation once again.

I am not sure I remember the first time I realized I was gay. I think I remember my mother crying and my father and others around them wearing surgical masks and handing each other cigars.

Then this doctor ushered me off to a place where I spent my days in solitary confinement and showed my face to her yelling out “It's a boy”! I was born wearing an ipod and headsets on as I listened to Madonna's Holiday and kept thinking how everyone wearing a scrub needed a serious makeover. I'm pretty sure that's when I found out I was gay. To most people, it was at the time of their teenage years or first crush. Immediately after that doctor spanked me because, instead of bursting into tears, I just turned my head to him and gave him a big wink and a blown kiss.

That's kind of creepy if you think about it.

Nah! Just kidding! I do, however, hope you all have a great Thanksgiving with your loved ones. At least it won't be on a Tuesday so yay for us!

Be good to one another, folks.

Hotspots Central Florida HotSpotsCentral.LGBT

I

It has become a winter tradition of sorts in Florida: when it's wintertime, that means the cast of ABC's hit dance competition series Dancing with the Stars makes a trip down south and performs live for the show's many fans. This year, A Faculty Production and BBC Worldwide present an all-new live show, called "Dancing with the Stars Live! - We CametoDance".

According to BBC Worldwide and Faculty, "Dancing with the Stars Live - We Came to Dance" "showcases every type of ballroom and modern dance seen on ABC's hit show, including sizzling group performances, romantic duets, contemporary numbers and original pieces created specifically for the nationwide tour." The roster of professional dancers taking part in the production includes Lindsay Arnold, Artem Chigvintsev, Sharna Burgess, Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Emma Slater, Hayley Erbert, Gleb Savchenko, Keo Motsepe, Alan

Bernsten, and Jenna Johnson, among other special surprise guests which will be announced at a later date. Formoreinformation,visitdwtstour.com.

Central Florida performances include the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando on Wednesday, December 28 at 7:30 p.m., as well as Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater on Friday, December 30, with two performances, at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Other Florida performances include stops in Fort Myers and Hollywood. Ticket prices start at $35 for the Orlando show and $38.75 for the Clearwater show.

Visit drphillipscenter.org and rutheckerdhall.com to buy your tickets. VIP packages, including meet and greet,areavailableforpurchaseatvipnation.com.

One of the aforementioned professional dancers is Keo Motsepe, originally from South Africa, where he was one-half of the nation's top ballroom dancing duo eight years in a row. Motsepe was introduced into the cast of Dancing with the Stars in

season nineteen. He has been partnered in the pastwithOlympianLoloJones,modelCharlotte McKinney, music diva Chaka Khan, and former childactressJodieSweetin.

Keo Motsepe talks to Mike Halterman about the live show coming to Central Florida, and what performing on the weekly TV show is like, in thisexclusiveinterviewforHotspotsCentral.

Welcome back to Florida! How excited are you to spend the last week in December in the Sunshine State?

I'm very excited because I've worked and stayed before in Tampa on another show. I love Florida, I lovethepeoplethere,andIcan'twaittobeback.

Hotspots Exclusive Interview

by Mike Halterman

“...I knew that soccer wasn't something I was passionate about. Going home, after soccer practice, I saw people dancing in someone's house, and I thought, "That looks fun!�

Tell us about Dancing with the Stars Live. What exactly will audiences get to see in this show that they haven't had the chance to see on TV? Theliveaspectofthetouringproductionisalotlike my role on the TV show this season. After being partneredwithanumberofcelebrities,thisseason I'm dancing with the other troupe members. It's so differentintermsofhowyoucreateyournumbers.

With the celebrity, you want to craft a number that youcandobutalsoonethatshecando. Thereare no limitations on the live performances. Being at homeandwatchingthenumberonTV,andactually beingthereintheballroom,it'stotallydifferent. So showingaudiencesthenumberslivegivesatotally differentfeelingthatwecanletthefansinon.

Are there any numbers in this production that you're really excited to show off to the audience?

Lastseason,therewasanumberwedancedonthe show was completely spoken-word, a monologue from all of the dancers, and it let viewers know who we are as people apart from just being "the professionaldancers". Whenwepresenteditlive,it made the audience connect with us closer than ever. There will be similar numbers like that on this tour and I can't wait to unveil what we have. It's goingtoblowyourminds.

How did you first pursue dancing, and when did you realizeyouwantedtobuildacareeraroundit?

When I started, dancing in South Africa was very big. It was almost elevated to the status of a sport. When I expressed interest in dancing and not soccer, my mother was enthusiastic. "Oh, yes, you should do it." But my father -- I am the only son -- he just thought to himself, "Oh, no,

what'sgoingonwithmyson?"[laughs] But even from a young age, I knew that soccer wasn't something I was passionate about. Going home, after soccer practice, I saw people dancing in someone's house, and I thought, "That looks fun! I want to try that." I stopped by one day and told them I wanted to start dancing too. The instructor remarked that I had natural rhythm. I didn't even know. I said, "Oh, you think so? Great!" I took to dancing immediately. There wasneveraquestioninmymindafterthat.

Tell us how you became a pro dancer on Dancing with the Stars.

I was doing a show calledBurn the Floor,and I was performing in Japan at the time, and my manager

Hotspots Central Florida HotSpotsCentral.LGBT

received an e-mail from the people at Dancing with the Stars. They were looking for new dancers and they wanted to know if I had time for an interview. My manager said yes, because after Japan I was going to Tampa to rehearse and get ready to perform on a cruise ship. We flew out to L.A. and I decided to just be myself. The interview happened, and I left, and I didn't hear anything for weeks. Finally, in the fourth week, they said "Would you like to be a part of the show?" It was a whirlwind after accepting. I put my bags down in my apartment and within a week I was practicing withLoloJones.

show, I've been to their houses, we go out for coffee.

Chaka Khan's next projects involve South Africa and I reallywanttobeinvolvedwiththose.

Then there's Jodie. We've become such great friends.

If I am in L.A. and rehearsing, she'll call me and ask when my break is. I'll say, "Okay, I have one coming up foranhour."

"Thenlet'sgogetsomecoffee!"shewouldrespond.

Being far away from my own family, she's become a part of my extended "family" here in the U.S. I would do anythingforher.

Out of all four celebrity partners you had, which one did you have the closest connection with? Do you still talk to any of your past dancing partners?

Obviously, work hard, be yourself, and believe in yourself. That's the most important thing. Dancing in the spotlight, it's important to focus on your craft and let your inner happiness and confidence shine through, because people will see that in your dancing.

Ilivebythatadviceeveryday!

Wow, you're getting personal! [laughs] I talk to Chaka Khan, Charlotte McKinney and Jodie Sweetin. I'm close in particular with Jodie Sweetin because we made it very far in the competition. Even though I didn't go far with CharlotteandChaka,they'vesupportedmeinthe

What advice would you give to aspiring dancers who wish to excel and shine?

For more information on Dancing with the Stars Live!, visit dwtstour.com.

hot shots

G2H2

Monthly Mixer

photos by russ martin (G2H2) & tony fowler (bar codes)

Bar Codes

Saturday Night

need wood

by woody miller

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Hey, Woody!

I keep hearing about exercising your “penis muscles.” Hell, I thought I was doing that every time I entered my partner. What am I missing?

---Too busy playing to exercise DearBusy: Just as every team exercises before playing the game, every member should exercise before playing the field. If you really want to get good at sex you have to master the domain between your legs. Strictly speaking, your penis isn'tamuscle,soyoucan'texercise it. You can take it for a swim in the tunnel of love or make it do pushups and pull-ups with your hands but it's not the same thing. It's the muscles around your penis that need exercising. Namely, the pubococcygeal--“PC”--muscles, whicharelocatedinthelowerpelvis and form a horizontal sling betweenyourlegs.

Didsomeonesay“sling?”

Yes, but not the kind that makes you scream “Mount Me, Hercules, I am your mare!” This sling is filled with muscles crucial to putting the flex back in sex.

Experts agree that regularly exercising your PC muscles (also

called Kegels) can increase the strength of your erection, give you more control of your ejaculations and deliver more powerful orgasms. Daily exercising gives you more contractions when you ejaculate. And who doesn't want that?

Finding your PC muscles is easy. Next time you're taking a p-ss, start and stop the flow of urine, unless your partner insists you pee on him without interruption. No, wait. That's another column. Anyway, the muscles you use to stop pissing are your PC muscles. The basic exercises are the “Flutter” (tighten and let go quickly) and the “Pinch & Hold” (tighten and don't let go till you count to 15).

You need to work up to a couple of hundred reps a day for a few

“Daily exercising gives you more contractions when you ejaculate. And who doesn't want that?”

weeks before you notice the effects. To get the best of your Kegel exercises, don't do them all while sitting or standing. Try Kegeling while lying on your back or side or while squatting.

Different positions help give your PCmusclesbettertone.

Try doing “Kegels” when you're hard, too. Squeezing the PC muscles after you've pitched your pup tent makes your penis jerk up. Have your partner hold a finger about an inch above your penis and flex hard enough to touch it 10 times in a row. Or go for the bonus round by placing your partner's mouth an inch away.

Now that's what I call homefitnesstraining.

Of course, my favorite Kegel exercise is what I call “Lift & Separate.” Enter your partner, flex, and watch him separate.

Your partner can do it, too. It'll feel like your penis is getting massaged. Sticking to an exercise regimen will help you stick it to your partner but good.

Now hit the floor and give me a hundredKegels.

Hotspots Central Florida HotSpotsCentral.LGBT