OutClique Magazine April 2022

Volume 6, Issue 5 April 2022

Jason Hughes ArtServe Cats The Musical

Mayor Dean Trantalis

OUTShine Film Festival

Lexus and University of Miami

Mercedes VISION EQXX

Stonewall National Museum & Archives

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Every Moment

By Steven O. Evans, PhD Dear friends and readers, This past weekend was very tough for me personally.

I’ve decided to write more about it in detail in next month’s issue when I’ve had more time to process it.

But I am reminded of an old hymn that says, “Count Your Blessings, Name Them One by One.” Take nothing or no one in your lives for granted.

We are oh so privileged for all that we have here.

Take moment to pause and think about what’s really important in life.

What speaks to you? What gives you joy? who in your life makes you smile?

What or

Spring is here and a time for new beginnings. Yes even in South Florida we have Spring.

So take time to paws (spelling intentional) and be ready for any storm or what blessing may come your way.

Thank you for reading and being part of what we at OutClique means to me.

Dr. Steven

O UTC LIQUE Steven O. Evans, PhD

Publisher and Editor in Chief Steven@OutClique.com

OPEN DOOR. OPEN MIND.

Connie Evans Chief Copy Editor Mother of the Publisher

Sach AD Group

Director of Graphic Design

Chandler Scott

Director of Social Media Assistant to the Publisher

Will White

Director of Special Projects

Jason Eakin

Director of Distribution

David DeBlase Distribution

Mike Ritzi

Sales Manager

Rivendell Media

National Advertising

Denny Patterson

Senior Lifestyle Writer & Assistant Editor

John M. Hayden Writer

A publication of OutClique, LLC (954) 998-6429 www.OutClique.com www.Facebook.com/OutClique Info@OutClique.com

Real Estate Bankruptcy Wills & Trusts Landlord / Tenant Probate & Estates Foreclosure Defense Business Transactions

Dean J. Trantalis, ESQ Attorney at Law 2301 Wilton Drive, Suite C1-A, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 954.566.2226 Dean@trantalis.com | TrantalisLaw.com

OutClique, LLC is not responsible for statements or opinions expressed in advertisements or articles.

The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not only be based on advertisements. Before you decide ask the lawyer to send you free written information about their qualifications and experience.

Photo Courtesy of Scott Newton

Wilton Manors Mayor Scott Newton on City’s Future

By John Hayden

M

ayor Scott Newton has big dreams for the small city of Wilton Manors. Taller buildings, better water, and a secure future are part of his plan. Now in his second stint as mayor, he’s running for re-election this November in what he says will be his last term. “I want to continue to make sure it’s easy for residents to understand what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.

That will make the city of Wilton Manors a better place.”

Newton grew up in and around Wilton Manors. He graduated from Fort Lauderdale High School, and owns a local business, Quality Interiors. He lives here along with his wife, Cindy. Together, they’ve seen the city change. “I enjoy all the people. I enjoy my city. From where it was when I was a little kid and drove my bike down Wilton Drive, from the west side of town where I grew up to where it is today.”

He believes the city has become more vibrant, especially over the last ten years. “It’s amazing the community that has come around in the last few years. It is totally different.” He’s especially glad to see the revitalization of a community spirit. “When I grew up people knew each other and their neighbors. When new neighbors moved in you would say, ‘Hello,’ or bring them pies and cookies or something.” That’s a spirit he saw fade and now wants to bring back. “When I moved into my new house in [the mid-80s] on the east side here, no one said hello. They might wave but I didn’t know my neighbors at first. That’s changed now.”

proportionally. Over the past few years, he’s worked with city commissioners to update zoning rules and regulations that could make modest, but impactful, changes to the Wilton Manors skyline. “It’s a balancing act. We’re not trying to be Fort Lauderdale and build 30 story buildings. The highest we’ll go is eight.”

Newton wants to bolster Wilton Manors’ reputation as a progressive city by making it greener. Buildings need to be ‘certified green’ in order to maximize the new height limits. That can be expensive to the point of being cost prohibitive. Newton wants to ease red tape associated with being green and lowering the cost of doing the right thing.

One thing that hasn’t really changed much since Newton was a kid in Wilton Manors is the infrastructure.

Many complain about the yellow water that comes out of the taps. He knows it’s safe to drink, but knows it looks completely unappetizing. “It’s drinkable, I get it.

There’s a difference between drinkable and ‘lookable’ and ‘smellable.’ It’s tough to tell residents that yellow water is easy to drink. It’s fine when you put it in a cup, you don’t see it much. But you put it in a bathtub, and it changes color.”

He wants to work with Fort Lauderdale to fix the problem and says Wilton Manors tests the water every week.

There is also a 20-30 year master plan to update the sewer system, and $4 million has already been spent on the project.

Newton says he sees people stop by to welcome new people to the neighborhood and go out and socialize.

“It’s nice to see that closeness. It doesn’t matter if you’re gay or straight or whatever.” He also says Wilton Manors is a more secure community. “It’s about being in Wilton Manors for a reason. It’s because you feel safe, you’re comfortable, and you want diversity. Nobody wants to be all of one thing and that’s what’s so cool about Wilton Manors. I want to make sure that progress continues.”

Newton also wants to see Wilton Manors expand its downtown by developing the stretch of Dixie Highway south from Five Points. The area is already a burgeoning theater district with several small venues lining the street. “I’m hoping whoever comes in and buys some of that property that they incorporate those, because they are part of the culture of our city, the heartbeat of our city. Without that we lose some of our identity of who we really are.”

However, change doesn’t always equal growth. While the entertainment district along Wilton Drive and Dixie Highway has boomed over the last two decades, residential growth has not seen the same increase

He’s running for a final two-year term this November and says after that he’ll hand off the job to a new generation of leaders. “I’m running for re-election and then I’m going to pass that on to someone else.”

OutClique.com | 7

Photo by Dennis Dean, Courtesy of Office of Mayor Dean J. Trantalis

More Jobs & More Fun Mayor Dean Trantalis Talks the Future of Fort Lauderdale

By John Hayden

W

hile Broward County’s two million residents are spread across dozens of municipalities, the city of Fort Lauderdale, FL is the largest and the most well-known nationally. From the skyline to events, to attitude, the past few years have seen numerous changes. Mayor Dean Trantalis talked with OutClique about current happenings, Tallahassee’s assault on equality, his views on the city, and where our LGBTQA+ community will go from here.

John Hayden: In the early 2000s, Wilton Manors was

8 | OutClique.com

just becoming an LGBTQA+ hub. Fort Lauderdale was the home of local gay life, including clubs like Cathode Ray, Johnny’s, The Copa, and more. Now the community revolves more around the Wilton Manors area. What is Fort Lauderdale’s role in Broward’s LGBTQA+ future?

Mayor Dean Trantalis: Wilton Manors has the most visible gay population, but there are more LGBT households in Fort Lauderdale than in Wilton Manors. Wilton Manors could not survive on its own. Fort Lauderdale draws

upon all communities that surround it. But the LGBTQ community has made its way to Wilton Manors. There’s something about the community taking ownership of the small-town atmosphere and opportunity to call it their own. I’ve lived here almost 40 years. We used to call Victoria Park our own. Then we cashed out and moved on to other neighborhoods. That’s how the gay community has evolved in the Broward County area.

I’d love to see [LGBTQ] clubs and restaurants in my city but it doesn’t have to be concentrated like it is now. I’d anticipate within the next five years you’re going to see a couple of gay bars open up in Fort Lauderdale again, especially in the Flagler Village area because there’s a higher concentration of members of our community moving into this area.

JH: It seems like Fort Lauderdale has almost as many

cranes dotting its skyline as it does existing high-rises.

What is the future for businesses and residents?

DT: Fort Lauderdale is bursting at the seams. We’ve seen so much interest in South Florida overall. In particular, Fort Lauderdale residents like the excitement, vitality, and new dynamics they’re witnessing all around. The growth is bringing a lot of excitement. New restaurants, ideas, and entertainment creates an exciting urban environment.

So, my mood is one of optimism. I feel there’s a lot of excitement here in the city. Everyone’s just having a good time.

However, I know some people that have lived here for several years that are not too excited about the growth.

They don’t always appreciate the new developments.

What we’re learning is that housing prices are very expensive right now. The only way to balance that out is to grow and provide more opportunities for people to choose and entice housing, single family homes or condos. To do that we need more buildings. The commission and our staff came up with the idea of concentrating that growth in certain areas so it does not impact the single family home communities. What you see now is a lot of new construction but concentrated in downtown.”

JH: The LGBTQA+ community is under attack again by

lawmakers in Tallahassee. What can Fort Lauderdale do to stand up against discrimination in bills like “Don’t Say Gay”?

DT: They’re offensive to everybody. Every time you try

to restrict a person’s freedom of speech it’s a first step in encroaching on individual rights. The first amendment is every bit as powerful as the second amendment and all the other amendments. I doubt the Bill is enforceable to begin with. Unless you have cameras in the classrooms and monitors in the hallways, I don’t know how you’re going to prevent people from talking about it. If you have a young kid whose parents are a same-sex couple and they talk about Parents’ Day and that subject comes up, you can’t avoid it, nor should you.

It’s a black mark on who we are as Floridians. We must continue to reach out to other members of our community and connect with them. In the last 20-25 years, the gay community has achieved all of its rights. They’re whittling down our rights little by little. Don’t Say Gay is the beginning of that process. Efforts to overturn Marriage Equality is another effort to chip away at rights we’ve already gained.

JH: Economically we were hit hard by COVID-19. You say

you have been addressing the issue of economic diversity.

What are your goals?

DT: My goal when I first ran for Mayor was to diversify the

job base here in the city. We’re too reliant on the marine and hospitality industries. While we still love both of them, COVID has taught us that relying on one or the other has a really negative impact.

Having a balance is really important. When I finish my term I hope that we have a more diverse community, not just in terms of demographics but in terms of employment so people come here feeling that their job is secure.

JH: What will we be talking about when I interview you one year from now?

DT: This time next year you’re going to see not a different Fort Lauderdale, but a more exciting Fort Lauderdale.

We’re trying to continue to build institutions, resources, and infrastructure that’s going to make Fort Lauderdale a sustainable city.

We have underground infrastructure that we’re continuing to grapple with because it’s been neglected for so many decades. Stadiums, the aquatics center, and a skating rink that’s projected to open up by the end of this year.

We have learning opportunities and diversification of jobs.

We’re hoping to bring a major motion picture studio to Fort Lauderdale.

Mayor Trantalis’ comments have been edited for space and clarity.

OutClique.com | 9

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Broward House and AHF Join Forces to Fight Against HIV

By Denny Patterson

B

roward House, an organization committed to providing hope and healing to the South Florida community while combating stigma and increasing knowledge and prevention, is in the beginning stages of becoming an affiliate of the highly-respected AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), a nonprofit organization focused on addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in local communities across the globe.

The affiliation will allow Broward House to expand critical services and streamline key care aspects, such as case management and medical services, thus availing their clients and others throughout the greater Broward community to have increased access to the continued patient care needed to live with HIV. “Both Broward House and AHF have been in the community for quite a long time, serving right next to each other and working together,” Stacy Hyde, CEO of

Broward House says. “This affiliation allows us to really strengthen our collaboration. It’s not beginning one, it’s absolutely strengthening one. AHF has amazing medical care throughout our community, both with prevention and HIV care, and Broward House does a great job at the behavioral health and case management components in housing. So, this allows us to better serve our clients more cohesively so they will be able to get all of that care in one spot. They’ll only have to tell their story once, and it will be easier for clients to be better served.”

Initially beginning its mission by providing housing, which remains a core component of Broward House, the agency directly impacts over 3,000 individuals in Broward County and provides other services including case management, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment.

“I think Broward House and AHF have really complimented each other over the years,” Hyde says. “Our focus is

OutClique.com | 11

the same as far as caring for those living with HIV and preventing new infections.”

Although Broward House and AHF have been working together for many years, Hyde feels that now is the right time to officially join forces.

“The world is changing,” she says. “More and more, we are recognizing the importance of collaboration. We are stronger together, and nonprofits are realizing that as well. Grant funding for Broward House is also changing, so this allows us to strengthen our infrastructure, which allows us to care for everybody who walks through our doors. There are no limitations. As the world changes, we are recognizing how much we need each other to serve people the way they deserve to be treated.”

According to recent statistics, Broward County continues to rank as one of the top five counties nationally with the highest rates of new HIV diagnosis.

“We have saved so many lives, and we have worked to chip away at the stigma that surrounds HIV,” Hyde says.

“Over the past 30 years, Broward House and AHF have both been able to open the conversation with people, where maybe the conversation wasn’t there before. We have also made it easier to access care.”

As for long-term goals, Hyde hopes this collaboration will accomplish so much more.

“We can always look at new ways of doing things,” she says. “It’s just more brain power at the table, right? We will be able to combine our resources and ideas. Anytime you kind of break the way you’re doing something and do it differently, I think it allows for change to happen in a good way. We are both committed to our mission, we are just combining our efforts.”

Photo Courtesy of Graciela Valdes, CPP | www.gracielavaldes.com

The Florida Department of Health has indicated that two

key components to the state reducing new cases of HIV transmission are providing rapid access to treatment and ensuring retention in care, and providing patients access to care services.

For more information and to connect with Broward House, visit BrowardHouse.org.

Do the same with AHF by visiting AidsHealth.org.

12 | OutClique.com

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VISION EQXX

Taking Electric Range and Efficiency to an Entirely New Level

Photo Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz USA

R

ange and efficiency are set to define the electric era. Exceptional range will make electric cars suitable for every journey and help to increase overall adoption. Reduced battery size and weight will improve efficiency, allowing us to go further with

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less. Mercedes-Benz is are already leading the way in terms of real-world range with the EQS with 245 kW, as evidenced by the recent Edmunds test where an EQS 450+ traveled 422 miles on one charge, 77 miles further than any other car tested.

However, Mercedes-Benz is not stopping there. Driven by the idea of zero impact on our planet and a highly responsible use of green energy, we encouraged our engineers to go above and beyond. They are working

intensively to take range and efficiency to a completely new level. The VISION EQXX is the result of a mission we set to break through technological barriers and lift energy efficiency to new heights.

Content and Images provided by Mercedes-Benz USA

OutClique.com | 17

Lexus Unveils ‘ON/’ at Design Miami

Photo Courtesy of Lexus

L

exus has unveiled ‘ON/’ at Design Miami/, presenting a vision by Germane Barnes and his team at the University of Miami that is inspired by the power of Lexus’s LF-Z Electrified Concept car, which introduces new electrification principles to the brand’s ethos. The immersive installation embodies the human-centered, future-oriented approach to design that the automotive brand and Barnes share, its title alluding to an on/off switch as a vision of a carbon-neutral future powered by electric technology. ‘ON/’ creates an environment that is designed to provide an experience that is visually dynamic and interactive while offering an inviting space to recharge and reflect.

The installation is centered around a precisely-to-scale, three-dimensional sculptural rendition of the LF-Z Electrified Concept car rendered in steel and illuminated with embedded LED lighting; the frame of the car glows and is suspended just above the ground, a vision of a more sustainable future coming into focus. Two swings anchor the display, each suspended within illuminated arches in a nod to the classical architecture that is foundational to the design of civic infrastructure and central to UM’s curriculum, alluding to a gateway between our present and future. This arch is echoed in furniture with embedded LED lighting designed by Barnes specifically for the installation, providing discrete areas for rest, repose and recharging.

The entire installation is unified by a unique lighting scheme, designed to enable engagement from users

around the world via an interactive virtual model unveiled online alongside the physical display. Participants will create their own lighting designs for the display, altering the color of various features including the walls, car, and furniture.

“As a global brand with commitment to the Japanese design principles of takumi (expert craftsmanship) and omotenashi (exceptional hospitality) and a mission to build towards a carbon-neutral future, Lexus embodies elements that are essential markers of high-quality design.

Designing for a future that is collaborative and prioritizes the unique experiences of individuals is a driving force of my practice and my work with students here at the University,” commented Germane Barnes, assistant professor at UM. This concept reflects a commitment to next-generation design and was developed by Barnes, principal architect at Studio Barnes, assistant professor at the UM School of Architecture and director of the CHIL Lab, in coordination with his team at the University and Studio.

“We’re thrilled to bring this incredible project from Germane Barnes and the University of Miami to Design Miami/ in our fourth year of partnership with the fair,” commented Brian Bolain, Lexus’ global head of marketing. “As we look towards next generation design, this project has given us a chance to highlight Lexus’ commitment to electrification while working with the students who are incredibly talented and represent the future of design and innovation.”

Content and Images Courtesy of Lexus

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Rosie’s Bar & Grill

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An Eagle Rises Again

By Cory David Mr. Eagle WM 2020 / 2021

T

The win of Mr. Eagle WM was one of the most ultimate experiences in my life. I know Kevin Bubba has shared the same feelings. The energy from the Eagle management, staff, and our community embracing your achievement overwhelms you in love. Ideas flowing, excited emotions, and adrenaline pumping, keeps you on that emotional rollercoaster. There is one thing that hopefully will be different for him.

March 2020, “shelter in place,’’ our new normal, with the world suffering, not seeing our community, and feeling lost, thinking as most, “What do we do?”

My professional, title, and social lives were at a standstill and I seemed to be consistently glued to CNN. Finally saying, “This isn’t going to define me.” I asked several Leather Brothers for help. We formed a committee, planning our post pandemic world.

Next, I met with OutClique’s publisher Steven Evans in hopes he would allow me to write the Leather Almanac.

Without hesitation, he said yes, giving me an opportunity to educate, and bring you stories about our community.

The article launched, the Eagle opened and the events fell into place. And through the ashes came light.

There aren’t words to express the gratitude and love I feel for my Eagle Family, Management and Staff, the greatest team anywhere, so blessed! And to my amazing friends, for your support, love and laughter, what would I have done without you!

Marty, Erich, Kent, Chris, DeMarcus, Speyder, James,

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Photo credit: Sabino Paulicelli Photography

he Eagle tradition continues, a new Mr. Eagle rises from the ashes of a pandemic. Congratulations Kevin Bubba, Mr. Eagle 2022, a well-deserved win through a truly competitive race. Kevin Bubba will represent Eagle, the Leather and Wilton Manors, FL community very well. His passion for service and pride for leather is a perfect match. The leather title is passed yearly, with the past Mr Eagle stepping down, but gaining a title “Son.” I am the proud Title Dad of my newly crowned Mr. Eagle WM.

Skye, Cody, and Sandy Mama. We all grew together during this moment in time. You realize who has your best interest at heart, during a once in a lifetime moment.

When that obstacle or challenge seems too large, or unmanageable, tell someone. Your friends and community are here. This message is directed to everyone that feels overwhelmed or lost, we are here for you.

Because of the Pandemic, I now get to attend and compete at International Mr. Leather this May alongside my Title Son. I am so excited for us to experience this together, it’s an honor for us both, a history breaking moment in time, and the largest amount of Leather Men competing this May in Chicago.

Eagle Wilton Manors

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Georgie’s Alibi Monkey Bar

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Photo Courtesy of Richelle Boatright

One-on-One with Dee Dee Van Carter

By Denny Patterson

A

proud member of the South Florida drag community, Dee Dee Van Carter is an old school gal that hosts a variety dinner show every Wednesday at Spencer’s Corner Bar in Wilton Manors. Going steady for three years and almost always sold out, the production features local

talent with live vocals and plenty of SHEnanigans.

“As an entertainer and host, my job is to take three minutes of your time to make you smile,” she says. “If I’ve done this, I did my job.”

Hailing from New Mexico, Van Carter is an avid traveler and decided to stay in South Florida after finding herself in Key West. In addition to performing, she works profusely to support local charities benefiting the LGBTQA+ community.

DDVC: Alternative styles of drag, as well as drag kings

OutClique caught up with Van Carter and asked her some questions.

DP: What are some of your interests outside of drag?

Denny Patterson: Can you begin by telling us when and how you discovered your passion for drag?

all students have equitable access, feel safe, and accepted.

As an equity liaison, I’m able to ensure all my students are included regardless of race, sexual orientation, or status.

Personally, I enjoy my marriage to my husband and what we share to include our fur babies, Tico and Bijou. Ask me to an on-or-off-Broadway musical, I’m in.

Dee Dee Van Carter: I became interested in creating a cabaret style show for newcomers at Monkey Business Bar. I wanted the show to have the feel of the Jewel Box Review, and even though that was ambitious, I studied the show’s history and entertainers who paved the way.

DP: In addition to your variety dinner show at Spencer’s Corner Bar, where else can we see you perform at?

and trans performers, are finding their niche. Drag doesn’t have to be all sequins all the time. If your heart is in entertaining patrons where you give and risk, there is a place for you.

DDVC: Professionally, as a teacher, I want to ensure that

DP: What makes the South Florida drag community so special to you?

DDVC: I have had my share of positive and not so

you can catch me doing a monthly Mix & Mingle at Wilton Collective benefiting our LGBTQ Youth Work & Career Development Program. As Ms. Gay Florida, Emeritus Imperial Sun Court of All South Florida, you will see me at The Pub, Matty’s, and Lilo’s in Lake Worth.

positive interactions with the drag community, but luckily, mostly positive. I gravitate and hold dear drag performers and entertainers that put forth effort, supports this gal, and have the passion for the drag art. Specifically, my drag mother, Cathy Craig, has been there for me as a true mentor and support mechanism. All drag mothers have and continue to play a major part in our drag community.

DP: What makes Dee Dee Van Carter stick out from the

DP: What are some future goals you would like to

DDVC: My heart supports our local LGBTQ charities, so

hundreds of other South Florida drag queens and female impersonators?

DDVC: As a professional performer, my performance is

not only what you see on stage. It’s important to me to arrive performance-ready and connect with the audience before and after my show. As a drag queen that hosts and directs a variety show, it’s vital to stay fresh with new and seasoned talent.

DP: What is your favorite number to perform and why?

DDVC: My favorite number is a compilation of songs by

Carol King including “Beautiful,” “One Fine Day,” and “You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman.” I was inspired by the Broadway musical Beautiful, which tells her story.

DP: Your style of drag is old school. What are your

thoughts on the newer and more alternative styles of drag?

accomplish with your drag?

DDVC: I would like to continue supporting current local

charities, and create an inclusionary drag entertainment organization that gives back to our local talent in need of support.

DP: For anyone wanting to start a career in drag, what motherly advice can you offer?

DDVC: Study the craft and don’t be afraid to risk being

different. Show up performance ready, greet your audience before the show, and thank them for their support as they leave.

DP: Before we wrap up, is there anything else you would like to mention or add?

DDVC: I would like to thank OutClique Magazine for keeping this gal in mind!

Stay up-to-date and connect with Van Carter by following her or Spencer’s Corner Bar on Facebook.

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Pub on the Drive

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The Queen with the Golden Voice

Ada Vox

By Denny Patterson Photos Credit: Julián P. Ledezma

B

orn and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Ada Vox is an accomplished vocalist, songwriter, and drag queen who found tremendous success by pushing boundaries as a contestant on hit singing competition series. In 2018, she became the first drag performer to land a spot in the Top 10 on American Idol, and, most recently, she competed on World of Wonder’s Queen of the Universe, the first-ever drag queen singing competition. Although she did not win the crown, she did win the hearts of fans worldwide.

With a powerful voice and dynamic stage presence, Vox continues to stun crowds with her live performances, and she has sparked several conversations about LGBTQA+ representation and the readiness to see a drag performer on a mainstream television program. Cultivating a resounding sense of self-love, acceptance, and community in everything she does, Vox lends her voice to numerous fundraisers and charity events including the Human Rights Campaign and San Antonio AIDS Foundation.

Vox took some time to answer some questions for OutClique.

Denny Patterson: I would like to begin by talking more about your appearance on World of Wonder’s singing competition, Queen of the Universe. How incredible was that experience for you, and what did you take away from it?

Ada Vox: Truly, the experience on Queen of the Universe was everything that I wanted it to be and more. Just the fact that I had always dreamt of a platform where I could do what I do as a singer, which of course now includes being Ada as my artist presentation, I had been waiting for this platform to come along, and I never knew if it would.

Suddenly, I heard about this competition, and I said, this is going to be my new home. As soon as I got to London to film, that’s exactly what I felt.I felt at home every step of the way.

DP: I read that your spot on Queen of the Universe offered

there’s more to me. I feel like I got to show that on Queen of the Universe.

DP: Have you always had a passion for singing?

AV: Yes! Singing has always been what I do. I was raised

by a mom who had a passion for singing, and my grandma was always singing. I was raised with 8-tracks and CDs being played to absolute death, to the point where they would not play anymore because they were worn out. I was constantly surrounded by the positive influence of music and the feelings that it brought, and all of that led me to not just singing, but pursue it as a professional career later down the line.

DP: When did drag come into play?

AV: Drag came into play seven years ago just after my

21st birthday. My birthday is May 17, and my first show was June 1. That was Ada’s birth, and drag came into play because it offered me new opportunities to sing and share my music in front of new audiences. It also allowed me to be understood and represent the LGBTQ community as a leader. I was like, I think I found my power. It’s not something that I was ever lacking internally, but it was something that I couldn’t see a lot of the time. It made me put this powerful diva to the forefront, and it allowed me to give a real life personification to this diva.

DP: You skyrocketed to fame by competing on American Idol in 2018. This was your 13th time auditioning?

AV: Yes, and that wasn’t the only show I auditioned

for either. As of 2021, I officially hit 13 times as well for America’s Got Talent and The Voice. I’ve tried out for The X Factor, The Glee Project, Rising Star - every single show that there has been that has offered a platform for singers, I have auditioned for it. I’ve even submitted auditions overseas for shows like Britain’s Got Talent and such. I don’t give up.

you a chance to get the redemption you were seeking.

What redemption is that?

DP: What made you audition for American Idol as Ada?

AV: I felt like I didn’t get to really prove everything that I

been doing drag for about three years or so at the time, I kind of felt comfortable enough to say, maybe this is what’s going to turn the dial a little bit. I was never told anything like you’re not a good enough singer or you’re not talented enough. However, I was always told you’re not attractive enough, you’re not marketable enough, we don’t know what to do with your sound because it doesn’t match the

had while competing on American Idol, and this was an opportunity for me to show this fully developed version of what I do and who I am as an artist, both visually and musically. I actually got to be proud of what I did for the very first time in a very long time. So, the redemption I was seeking was the opportunity to say I wasn’t done yet and

AV: I have auditioned so many times as me, and I have

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way you look. I was like, if I go in drag, they cannot turn me away. I’m a great singer, that’s never been in question, but now that would have a storyline, and shows cannot turn down a storyline! I told myself, I’m going to make it if I go in drag, but am I ready for this? I was used to being me, but being Ada on this public of a platform, am I ready for this? I had in mind the things I would be told and the things I would be presented with, but after assessing everything, I was ready. I could do this. First time as Ada, let’s make it to the top!

DP: It clearly paid off because you became the first drag

going to take. I have a good roadmap of where I want to go and a lot of music is ready, but it’s just a matter of making it happen. We’re working on it slowly but surely.

DP: Will you be performing in South Florida anytime soon?

AV: Off the top of my head, I don’t know if there are any

tentative dates. However, I am hoping so. I have done Florida quite a few times, so I’d say there’s a 100 percent chance of me being back this year. Maybe twice.

performer to advance to the show’s finals, making the Top 10 of your season. How significant and meaningful was that for you?

DP: Before we wrap up, are there any other upcoming

AV: That landmark in itself, with or without Ada, was a

AV: I do have some expected release dates, so stay

dream of mine from the show’s inception. I can’t even explain the sense of accomplishment that I felt upon finally hearing my name, or Ada’s name, being announced. I finally felt like I was on the right track to achieve dreams that I had been working on for so long.

projects or anything else you would like to mention or plug?

tuned to my socials and my website, and I’ll make sure to post everything all the time!

DP: Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

AV: My thing with creating Ada was the idea that I could

create a personification of the diva that I had within, so my biggest influences have always been the divas. The Patti LaBelles, the Aretha Franklins, the Melba Moores, all those divas out there that are known for being powerful and vocally slaying. The Mariahs, the Christinas, just because they’re so fearlessly using their voices to be incredible and to spread a message. I don’t think there’s anything more that I could have ever hoped for other than to become Ada and pay tribute to those divas who have inspired me.

DP: You have already released three singles. Do you have any music projects in the works?

AV: I actually have so much music written, but I’m just

waiting for the right moment, the right resources, and the right team for us to be able to put it out into the world and make it as big and impactful as possible. These next steps are going to be some of the most important in mapping out the rest of my career. We’re taking this very seriously and very carefully so that we know exactly what road we’re

Stay up-to-date and connect with Vox by following her on Twitter @#TheVoiceOfDrag, Instagram and TikTok @AdaVox, or visit her website, AdaVoxOfficial.com.

52 | OutClique.com

Photo Credit: Reprinted with permission from Stoli®

Stoli® Group Announces Major Rebrand Stoli® Group has announced a major rebrand and the end of the use of the Stolichnaya name. In direct response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the vodka will exclusively be sold and marketed as Stoli®. The three driving factors behind the decision are the founder’s vehement position on the Putin regime, the Stoli® employees’ determination to take action, and the desire to accurately represent Stoli® roots in Latvia.

“While I have been exiled from Russia since 2000 due to my opposition to Putin, I have remained proud of the Stolichnaya brand,” Stoli® Group Founder Yuri Shefler says. “Today, we have made the decision to rebrand entirely as the name no longer represents our organization.

More than anything, I wish for Stoli® to represent peace in Europe and solidarity with Ukraine.”

Since Shefler was exiled, Stoli® Vodka’s production facilities have been located in Latvia where blending, charcoal column filtration, bottling, packaging, and distribution are handled. In March it was announced that after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Stoli® would engage exclusively with Slovakian sources to further ensure 100 percent non-Russian alpha grade spirit.

Damian McKinney says. “As a former Royal Marine Commando, I know all too well the horrors of war. We have employees, partners, and distributors in the region directly impacted. They are asking that we take a bold stand. This is one actionable, meaningful thing we can do to make it clear that we support Ukraine.”

To further support Ukraine, Stoli® has made a financial commitment to World Central Kitchen (WCK), a non-profit organization that is first to the frontlines, providing meals in response to climate, humanitarian, and community crises. The support will go directly to relief in Ukraine. As the company continues to work with partners in the region, further initiatives to address the humanitarian crisis will be announced.

Scan the QR code to learn more on how to get involved:

“This is very personal to us,” Stoli® Group Global CEO Content provided by Stoli® Group

OutClique.com | 53

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Navigating the Rental Process in 2022

By Cinthya Lavin, Better Business Bureau Serving Southeast Florida and the Caribbean Realtor.com revealed that rent in South Florida rose about 50% in 2021. Median rent is now $2,800 a month. The increase means that many renters are looking for more affordable rental options and facing a lot of competition in a market with low supply and high demand.

The following tips should be kept in mind when you are ready to start the search for a new rental.

Research the area where you want to live- Research neighborhood characteristics that are important to you whether it is walkability, good schools, or proximity to major highways, these are things you should consider when choosing where you want to live.

Be careful when doing your own property search- Sites like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist will make it easy for you to search for rental properties. Although the majority of the listings on these sites are placed by landlords, realtors and property management companies there are also scammers who post fake listings.

Learn to spot a fake rental listing- A fake rental listing will usually offer you a wonderful and spacious property for an unbelievable price. If a listing looks too good to be true that is a red flag of a possible fake listing. Another red flag is listings with out-of-state phone numbers typed on the photos. Scammers are looking to get you on the phone to try and obtain personal information or get you to wire them money for a rental that doesn’t exist.

Obtain a copy of your credit report- Most landlords will require a copy of your credit report along with your rental application. You’re entitled to one free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies. Order online from annualcreditreport.com, the only authorized website for free credit reports, or call 1-877-322-8228.

Contact a trustworthy realtor- According to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), there are 195,647 active Realtors in Florida as of February 2021. Visit BBB.org and search for an accredited realty firm that can pair you with a great realtor that can work with you. Understand that not all realtors work with rentals and those who do, should help you find a rental that fits your needs and budget. You will be sharing a lot of personal information with your realtor when

applying for a property, this is why it’s important to work with a realtor you can trust.

Be wary of realtors who ask for money in advance- The realtor’s commission is paid by the landlord or property management who listed the rental property once a lease has been signed. Realtors will do a search based on your specifications and will send you a link with all the available properties. Don’t work with any realtor charging you for doing a property search.

Be timely- There’s a high demand for rental properties, if you see a rental you like, schedule a showing as soon as possible and have your landlord submit an application that same day.

Don’t pay for a property you haven’t seen- Scammers know just how competitive the market is and how eager renters are to secure a property. Don’t send money to someone you’ve never met for an apartment you haven’t seen. If you can’t visit an apartment or house yourself, ask someone you trust to go and confirm that it is what was advertised. Scammers will create a false sense of urgency by claiming that whoever sends the money first will win the bid, don’t fall for this tactic.

Do a general online search- When considering applying to an apartment do a general search of the building and property management. Various sites will have tenant reviews that can give you an idea of the conditions of the building and how responsive the management company is.

Take the time to read the rental offer and lease contractThoroughly review all documents that your realtor asks you to sign. If there are any discrepancies on the rental offer or lease, ask for the changes to be made prior to signing.

Do a final walkthrough of the property- Your realtor should be present when you receive the keys to your new rental to do a final walkthrough of the property with you. Check that all appliances, light fixtures, faucets and air conditioning work properly.

Monitor your credit report after your search is overInevitably you will submit more than one application to a property, applications contain a lot of personal information that can be used for identity theft. Monitor your credit report for any unusual activity.

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IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®

This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.

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MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:  Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section.  Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that may have been hidden in your body. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY.  Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY.  Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.  Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.  The most common side effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%).

 Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. Your

healthcare provider will test you for HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months, and may give you HBV medicine.

ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults and children who weigh at least 55 pounds. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements.

BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains:  dofetilide  rifampin  any other medicines to treat HIV-1

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Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY.  Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed.

Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.

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counter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

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Ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist about medicines that interact with BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all your other medicines.

These are not all the possible side effects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY.

HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.

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BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, GSI, and KEEP ASPIRING are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Version date: February 2021 © 2022 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. US-BVYC-0008 01/22

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ArtServe Helping to Create a Thriving South Florida Cultural Arts Scene Cover and article photos credit: SRL Media

A

merica’s artists have persevered through some tough times. Just a decade ago when the financial crisis prompted hard looks at local government budgets, many questioned if the arts were even necessary at all. Now, as ArtServe marks two pandemic years, the organization is feeling energized because COVID also brought a silver lining as Broward County’s cultural community underscored its strong support for the work being done there.

“Imagination, connection, community, creativity and inspiration.” The essence of both ArtServe’s mission and the fundamentals of human self-actualization, these same words were recently permanently emblazoned on the side of its Fort Lauderdale headquarters in an uplifting, forward-facing mural to mark the building ArtServe has called home for nearly 35 years as one of America’s most prominent and award-winning arts incubators.

ArtServe helps artists of all kinds find their place in the world. Then, it shows them how to make the world a better place. Whether it’s visual or performing arts, dancers, theatrical actors, producers, musical composers or any sub-genre in between, ArtServe offers artists of all types a chance to learn, collaborate, display, perform and grow, with the goal of helping them earn a living doing what they love most. For funders and supporters, the joy of watching artists create brings satisfaction on yet another level.

Indeed, art is universal. From package design to CGI movie graphics, to our favorite music and the promotional designs that entice us to buy it, to the gallery artworks that enrich a sense of culture at home . . . someone, somewhere who creates these seemingly everyday items was once a budding young artist just like those whom ArtServe helps on a daily basis.

But when COVID struck, many ArtServe graduates like fashion accessories designer Erin Bassett had built thriving nationwide businesses that literally evaporated overnight. Creative people were hit especially hard with feelings of loss, isolation and depression.

ArtServe didn’t miss a beat to help them recover. Pivoting in response, it launched a lively, upbeat virtual show called “ArtServe Live” that focused on giving artists the tools to get back on their feet conveyed through a series of events focusing on the business management and professional

development skills imperative for navigating through COVID’s uncharted economic turmoil. Even the difficult topic of depression and how to cope with it was tackled.

Importantly, artists also got virtual space to do what they do best—create, display and perform. The response was resounding.

“The stereotype of the struggling artist is real, but COVID brought a paradigm in which those who had actually transitioned into successful businesses were struggling once again,” explained ArtServe Executive Director Jason Hughes, who formerly chaired the ArtServe Board during the virtual transformation to ArtServe Live. “Whether we’re online or in person, ArtServe provides a forum where those who have been successful can pass along their skills to those who need it, whether they’re starting from scratch, or they need some fine tuning.”

ArtServe Live became so popular so quickly that the organization gave it a permanent home on its website, ArtServe.org, so anyone, anywhere can always access the now-robust library of lively discussions, demonstrations, workshops and concerts to consult with for their own creative inspiration.

Most recently, ArtServe was nominated as one of 211 Broward’s Community Choice nonprofits.

Broward County Cultural Division, ArtServe Helped Restart Local Arts “What has been a devastating year for the arts has also been a time of opportunity as we’ve reexamined the essential role of arts and culture in our community,” said Broward County Cultural Division Director, Phillip Dunlap, as local leaders distributed COVID relief funds to nonprofit arts organizations in Broward County like ArtServe late in 2020. That funding helped preserve jobs and support organizations forced to limit operations due to the pandemic.

After first covering public health costs, the Broward County Board of County Commissioners approved the allocation, led by arts advocate, Broward Cultural Council member and then-Mayor Steve Geller.

“Broward’s arts and culture sector is an essential component for our community’s public health and for our local economy,” Geller said. “People look at support for

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arts and culture as an optional luxury, but it is so much more than that. This significant allocation solidifies the County’s ongoing support of the impact of arts and culture in our community.”

In 2021, Broward County re-affirmed its commitment to the arts, allocating more than $5 million to Cultural Division grant programs like ArtServe that enrich the area’s diverse cultural life and thus make it a welcoming and accessible destination. The impetus for the funds focused on flexibility and accessibility to encourage individual artists’ career advancement through creativity, innovation and their sustained commitment to artistic work.

“Arts and culture are critical for a healthy economy, and they are a key driver for a successful economic recovery. This funding ensures our arts and culture sector continues to thrive and provide the public with enriching and enjoyable cultural experiences in Broward,” Geller noted in his affirmation.

Once Broward’s COVID protocol allowed in-person gathering to resume, ArtServe partnered with Florida’s Small Business Development Center in the recovery to offer free workshops for emerging South Florida artists seeking to go professional. The intensive, sixhour course included education on how to start a business, as well as building and growing a marketing plan, securing grant funding and general professional development and business management skills.

Reaching Out As Recovery Grows It’s often said that the smart Art Basel scouts know ArtServe is a great place to spot new talent.

Also knowing this, ArtServe’s new board chair, Julie Williamson-Bresset, is working this year to expand ArtServe’s reach by connecting West Broward to East Broward through supporting up-and-coming artists and their growing small businesses, as well as staging countywide art displays in the most unexpected places.

The Parkland mom, bank executive and youth sports coach is using her network to bring America’s northeastern arts community to South Florida and cement ArtServe in its role as a conduit for converging the arts, while expanding their reach and availability.

She is also working to return some of ArtServe’s

62 | OutClique.com

signature events and create ways to both recognize artists and the patrons who support them.

“The ability ArtServe has to go across all modalities of art is incredibly powerful,” explained WilliamsonBresset, who joined ArtServe three years ago and has worked to amplify its message since then. “In these challenging times, it’s important to serve, and the arts are something that creates discussion and connectivity.”

As Williamson-Bresset’s term as chair gets underway, the ArtServe building was renovated with new flooring, ceiling tiles, a new kitchen and the new external building mural entitled “Inspire, Create, Relate” painted by ArtServe protégé and resident artist Lori Pratico along ArtServe’s eastern entrance wall facing the newly refurbished parking lot and landscaping.

“I hope that it will make people feel inspired and that they will see themselves within the mural. My impact as an artist is to create a possibility for people,” Pratico said about her work. “For one person it might be an ‘I can do that’ or ‘I can be that’ moment. For someone else it might be a word they see that later in their day they’re reminded of, and it gives them motivation or inspiration.”

With images and words inspired by the mission and vision of ArtServe interconnected by strokes of paint and hard lines to represent the convergence of art, society and well-being, the mural’s abstract imagery is intended to be gender-neutral and inclusive, thus allowing all people to feel a sense of relatability.

Pratico rose to national prominence with the completion of more than 35 murals in 15 states. Her artwork has appeared on the wrapper of Hoffman’s Chocolate candy bars to raise funds for the arts alongside the work of acclaimed artists Guy Harvey and Clyde Butcher.

“Some Fort Lauderdale residents used to refer to our building as their local voting precinct. We set out to change that by branding it with this energizing, prominent mural that reflects what Artserve represents,” Hughes added.

Creating a Cultural Scene Another popular initiative in progress is ArtServe’s

year-long public art project partnership with the Hallandale Beach Community Redevelopment Agency that incorporates many talented, local street artists.

Designed to enrich local color and culture by turning blank local business walls into giant canvases, the project is expected to increase business retention and create more opportunities for community engagement.

“Something magical happens when opportunity meets progress and innovation,” explained Hallandale Beach City Manager/CRA Executive Director Dr. Jeremy Earle.

“Public art can bring a community to life. It can help cultivate a cultural identity and increase feelings of belonging, while also helping with the overall economic growth and impact.”

The project is moving quickly with two murals already completed on Hallandale Beach Boulevard. ArtServe Curator of Exhibitions and Public Art Sophie Bonet is directing the initiative, identifying emerging talent, planning the designs and collaborating with participating businesses.

Bonet explains, “It takes passionate artists, forwardthinking business owners and support from cities like Hallandale Beach to get a project like this off the ground.”

In conjunction with National Coming Out Day last year, ArtServe collaborated with the Art and Culture Center/ Hollywood and Miami-based filmmaker Freddy Rodriguez to screen the award-winning documentary, “Open Dialogues: Stories From the LGBTQ Community.” Local community leaders interviewed in the emotional film revealed in intimate detail how the LGBTQIA+ community is often marginalized within families, schools, churches and public spaces and how they learned to empower themselves in these spaces.

welcomed Broward County Mayor Mike Udine to open its 2022 artistic season with a re-imagined “Su·i ge·ne·ris” exhibition that traditionally features artistic works transcending conventional genre boundaries.

This year’s version, entitled “Su·i ge·ne·ris - Converging Visions of New Identities,” runs through Saturday, March 26, 2022. Admission to the exhibit is free.

“Su-i-ge-ne-ris, a Latin term that means ‘of its own kind and therefore unique,’ will touch upon politics, migration, belief systems, self-analysis and self-preservation,” explained Hughes. “Guests are invited to reflect on our ever-changing society, with artwork prompting questions of who determines what is normal, how do we establish new value systems and how do we move from analysis into action.”

Through an experimental curatorial approach that welcomed multidisciplinary works in photography, video and interactive pieces, Su·i ge·ne·ris artists were invited to present their expressions of identity and sociopolitical discourse.

“Social issues are driven by currents of cultural transitions,” noted Bonet, who curated the exhibit in conjunction with another ArtServe protégé, Carol-Anne McFarlane. “At the core of this project lies the desire to understand how contemporary structures mold and transform individual lives, gender, social power and the ideologies of class systems.”

McFarlane, an international speaker who focuses on social critique, gave her perspective on Su·i·ge·ne·ris, noting that its thrust is “. . . a response to our environment, our living conditions and the political structures around us. (Artists) looked inward, longed for connection . . . and many of us desired to escape.”

After the screening, ArtServe held a panel discussion with celebrity guests against the backdrop of its “Stories From Within” exhibit, which explored LGBTQIA+ culture, history and experience through the presentation of multidisciplinary works inspired by the LGBTQIA+ social movement, its resilience, sense of community and artistic expressions.

ArtServe continues to encourage social distancing and face coverings and provides hand sanitizer stations throughout the facility.

Kicking Off 2022

Looking Ahead

While the world grapples with the evolution of what “normal” actually looks like in the COVID era, ArtServe

For its upcoming environmentally themed exhibit, “Pa hay okee: The Land of “Grassy Water”, planned to coincide with

64 | OutClique.com

Su·i ge·ne·ris is supported by grants from Truist Foundation, Broward Cultural Division and Culture Builds Florida.

Earth Day, ArtServe is seeking multi-disciplinary works and performances conveying meaningful exchange, inspiring public understanding and appreciation for the Everglades.

Until March 18, creators of installations and engagements that promote ecological awareness are invited to submit their work for consideration. Artists’ works that explore threats to local environments while drawing a sense of urgency to the human impact in South Florida’s fragile ecosystem are encouraged.

Last year as part of its environmental exhibit, “Changing Landscapes,” ArtServe convened Audobon Florida Everglades Science Coordinator Dr. Paul Gray, Muck City Black Lives Matter Founder Robert Mitchell and Friends of the Everglades partner and Knight Challenge grant recipient ArtSail to discuss how artists could contribute positive messaging solutions to the Everglades’ complex ecological impasse, as well as the social and ecological issues impacting the local communities and natural ecosystem.

About ArtServe Named a “2020 Top-Rated Nonprofit” by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews of charities and nonprofits, Fort Lauderdale-based ArtServe is an awardwinning arts incubator that is advancing the arts for social good as a creative laboratory and hub for experimental artists committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Now in its 35th year, ArtServe has won several awards for innovation in the arts and is supported in part by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council and Florida’s Department of State and the Division of Cultural Affairs. Each year, ArtServe programs contribute tangibly to the region’s economy, helping 2,000+ artists sell their work, build businesses and engage the community. To do that, ArtServe secures financial support through donations, sponsorships and memberships.

Become a member of ArtServe as either an artist or community member at www.ArtServe.org/member/ or become a founding member of Friends of ArtServe at www.ArtServe.org/friends.

Requests and questions about the ArtServe facility or programs can be emailed to information@ArtServe.org.

Content Courtesy of Pierson Grant

OutClique.com | 65

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Get to the Root Cause Genesis Health Institute is the intersection of nextgeneration medicine and medical aesthetics. Medical diagnosis and treatments are traditionally focused on symptoms, but Genesis Health Institute thinks differently. We treat illness as part of the whole body, not just an isolated set of symptoms. This is called functional medicine. By shifting the traditional diseasecentered focus of practicing medicine to a whole-body approach, functional medicine looks at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence complex chronic disease and long-term health.

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Midland Medical Promotes HIV Prevention

By John Hayden

Photos Courtesy of Midland Medical

P

rEP has been around for a decade and has

maintain their health. “We have a successful retention

undoubtedly saved thousands, if not millions, of

of patients, due to our follow up process. Once a patient

lives. But many people who should be on treatment

has started PrEP, the next step is to be seen every 3

aren’t. Some believe it is very expensive, and to an

months for labs and a follow up. Midland takes pride

extent, they’re right. A prescription costs thousands of

in our patient care. Even when life happens, there

dollars a month without health insurance.

are processes in place to ensure our patients remain adherent and receive high quality healthcare tailored to

What most people don’t realize is that even people

their needs.”

without health insurance can get on PrEP. Midland Medical has a program that can get you on PrEP as

To help stay in touch with clients, Midland Medical offers

soon as today. “The start up and intake process is fairly

telehealth services, and helps connect Broward County

simple. Whether the patient is in the Tri-County area or

patients with transportation services.

not. New Patient Forms can be found on our center’s website, MidlandMed.com,” Armando Lozada, Midland

While sexual health is important, Midland Medical offers

Medical’s PrEP Program Manager told OutClique.

broader health care as well. “Our center is unique in the

“Upon your new patient appointment, Midland Medical

fact that we offer comprehensive primary care services,

offers ‘Same Day PrEP,’ this means you will leave the

along with Treatment and Prevention. We have multiple

office the same day with medication and be started on

primary care providers that also specialize in PrEP and

PrEP.”

HIV Treatment.” In fact, it’s the PrEP treatment that can help get people in the doors more often. “Given the

A PrEP regimen is generally one pill, once a day, with

patient having blood work and a visit every 3 months,

quarterly blood work to spot any side-effects. It’s easy

paves the way for our providers to be able to offer high

to stop taking the pill or skip a check-up. Lozada says

quality, personalized healthcare for our community and

Midland Medical has a plan to keep clients in care and

allows our patients to live their best lives.”

For more information on getting PrEP and other insurances and programs offered by Midland Medical, visit MidlandMed.com.

OutClique.com | 81

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Seven Tips for a Healthier Spring Season

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ay goodbye to winter by soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the warm spring air. This is the best time to get a fresh start by creating healthy habits that will last throughout the year. Take charge of your health by trying these simple tips for a healthier spring.

1. Get a Physical Examination Being informed about your health is essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Getting a yearly physical exam can provide vital insights like blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, temperature, and weight. A comprehensive physical exam can provide a great general overview of your current health status.

2. Check Blood Work Getting your blood tested can reveal important information about your internal health. Early detection of certain diseases and health conditions can greatly improve health outcomes. According to Douglas Steele, MSN, RN, Director of Medical Care Services, “Yearly blood panels can detect certain markers of diseases and health conditions like diabetes, HIV, anemia, cancer, and coronary heart disease which may not be apparent during a physical exam.”

3. Get Vaccinated Protect yourself and others by getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Vaccinations help prevent disease and save lives.

4. Manage Stress Stress has been shown to impact physical and/ or behavioral health. If you feel stressed out or overwhelmed, make sure to give yourself a break and find healthy ways of managing stress. Some of

the best ways to manage stress are to find support, connect socially, and get plenty of sleep.

5. Start Exercising Spring is a great time to enjoy the outdoors and get your daily exercise. Exercising regularly is a key strategy to preventing obesity and heart disease.

Prioritizing daily physical activity can help support your immune system and improve mental health.

6. Stay Hydrated It can be easy to forget to stay hydrated when you’re having fun in the sun. Remember to drink plenty of water, and to limit or observe moderate alcohol consumption. It is recommended that the average adult drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily.

7. Prioritize Your Behavioral Health Many people struggle with feelings of sadness and depression. While these feelings can sometimes go away on their own, it’s important to seek support from friends, family, or licensed behavioral health professionals. Maintaining positive behavioral health is beneficial to your overall well being.

Take charge of your health this spring by visiting your local Care Resource health center today! Regardless of your legal status, ability to pay, gender, or age, Care Resource makes high-quality health care available to everyone.

Our medical services include routine adult and pediatric health maintenance visits, dentistry, neurology and podiatry, physical examinations, immunizations, wellness screenings, nutrition consultations, chronic disease management, and more.

About Care Resource Care Resource is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with four (4) locations located in Midtown Miami, Little Havana, Miami Beach, and Fort Lauderdale. We provide compassionate, competent, and committed healthcare and support services to address the full health care needs of our pediatric, adolescent, and adult populations.

Learn more at CareResource.org.

Content provided by Care Resource

OutClique.com | 85

5 Tips to Beat Burnout

By John Hayden

M

ore than 47 million Americans voluntarily left their jobs last year. Some to maximize new opportunities, others chose to reset their work-life balance, while still others left to change careers entirely.

But what many of them all have in common is a growing feeling of burnout.

Millions of people keep the same job, even while everything else in their lives (relationships, housing, financial obligations, etc.) changes. UnitedHealthcare’s Dr. Marigene Hartker says burnout is a specific type of work-related stress. So with that simmering in the background, it was easy to grow to a full boil when compounded with the stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic. From quarantines, learning to work from home and losing office interactions, to the general unpredictable nature of COVID, it can be a shock to the system. “It’s normal to feel checked out or to struggle with your job from time to time, but when it turns into a daily issue, it may be something more,” Hartker says.

The World Health Organization defines burnout as a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed, characterized by three dimensions: feelings of exhaustion, increased mental distance from your job, and less professional efficacy. These aren’t things that happen overnight, where you wake up one day just overloaded. They build up gradually and, if left untreated, can lead to physical and mental health issues.

UnitedHealthcare’s Dr. Hartker has five helpful tips to deal with burnout:

86 | OutClique.com

1. Communicate with your boss: Discussing your concerns with a supervisor may help you find solutions to things that are causing ongoing stress.

2. Reach out to your social circle: Co-workers, friends and family may be able to offer the encouragement or ideas you need to help overcome feelings of burnout.

Spending time with people you care about may help boost your mood and counteract the negative feelings you might be having at work.

3. Take advantage of your health benefits: Workrelated risk factors for burnout may also be predictors of depression. Consider accessing other resources available through your health plan, such as virtual behavioral therapy 4. Stick to healthy routines: Well-balanced meals, regular exercise and quality sleep all help to reduce stress and can improve how you feel and perform at work.

5. Find ways to calm your mind: Consider trying yoga, meditation or breathing techniques to improve your mental health.

Dr. Hartker says it may be helpful to think of burnout as a wake-up call. It’s a strong sign that something in your life is not working, so it’s important to take it seriously. Use it as an opportunity to reflect, rest and, perhaps, create a new plan for professional happiness.

After 2+ years of pandemic and uncertainty, now is a chance to recognize anxiety and turn it into opportunity, and these tips could be a foundation for a fresh start.

© Steven Shires

Latinos Salud’s Gala Event Raised Funds and Spirits Soaring songs and circus performers thrilled community members who joined Latinos Salud for its “Gala al Fresco” weekend. For its annual fundraising event, the non-profit HIV agency staged two events, an evening cocktail party and a brunch, both under tents on the agency’s front lawn at its Wilton Manors flagship location.

Jimmie Herrod, a golden buzzer winner in last year’s America’s Got Talent, wowed the crowd with his signature song, “Tomorrow,” from the musical Annie. Guests at the Saturday performance included South Florida community leaders decked out in formal attire. The Sunday brunch had more of a family and friends feel, with many guests sipping mimosas while they mingled in shorts and sun hats.

In a video postcard recorded especially for Gala participants, the LA retro-funk band Soul Scratch spoke directly to gala participants, encouraging them to support Latinos Salud: “All the great services that they provide make the world and the community of South Florida a much better place and that’s why they need our support now more than ever.”

Board Chair Dr. Franco Chervalier told attendees that he was proud to serve Latinos Salud because it is “A place where young and young-at-heart individuals are able to walk in and be empowered about their status and their health.

A place where client-centered and culturally appropriate care is delivered day in and day out. But most importantly, a place where you’re welcome and treated like family from the moment you walk in.”

Remarking on the agency’s efforts to increase health

88 | OutClique.com

access for everyone, Latinos Salud’s Executive Director, Dr. Stephen Fallon, introduced a major program expansion. “So many of our community members without health insurance use the emergency room as their primary healthcare and we all end up paying for that. So, we decided to invest in the health of the community.” Fallon announced that the agency launched a new program late in 2021, through which it pays the health insurance premiums for its patients in greatest need.

The agency presented two awards to agency leaders, bestowing the 2022 “Corazones Award” to the Our Fund Foundation, for “passionate efforts to improve community health, and its “Community Pride Award” to NBC6 weatherman Stephen MacLaughlin “for dedicated efforts to create a unified South Florida community.”

Front and center both days were several dozen members of the agency’s new “Youth Services” and “Health & Culture” programs. Both programs offer a wide variety of social activities to promote community connection and build resiliency. Fallon observed that by not pushing a hard-sell on youth to use condoms or get on PrEP, the programs create a safe space through which many participants end up getting services they need, at their own stage of readiness.

New member, Jeffrey Guzman, commented, “I moved to the South Florida area two months ago, and the Youth Services program has been like a home for me. The gala provided a great space to meet and thank the folks behind this incredible program.”

Content and photo Provided By Latinos Salud

Slow Burn Theatre Company’s Matilda the Musical Photo by Ian Ibbetson

Latinos Salud Gala

Now through April 10, 2022 Amaturo Theater, Broward Center for the Performing Arts Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, the Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical is the captivating masterpiece from the Royal Shakespeare Company that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life.

With book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin, Matilda has won 47 international awards and continues to thrill sold-out audiences of all ages around the world. Packed with high-energy dance numbers, catchy songs, children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.

Tickets at BrowardCenter.org.

Photos Courtesy of SRL Media More photos at www.Facebook.com/OutClique

Content Courtesy of Broward Center for the Performing Arts

Hi I’m Springy

By Eric Noel Roman

Boing! Boing! Boing!

Hi everyone, I am Springy, and I am happy to be here to tell you about how high I can bounce. That’s right, I bounce. Wait! Before you dismiss what I am saying let me borrow your attention for just a few moments.

Let me explain. I am a spring, and I am designed to perform my best under great pressure.

As my things push down on me I push back. No matter how hard objects press down on me I find a way to push them back up. Sometimes I need help from my other springy friends, but we manage the weight. The teamwork helps us manage the heavy load and hold up our end of the workload.

There have been times where I get flung around causing me to fly across the air and land hard on the floor. It does not bother me because as hard as I hit that floor I bounce back up. The harder I land the higher I bounce. See what I mean?

I bet you are asking yourself why I am telling you my life story. Let me explain, no matter what happens, how heavy the pressure is, or how hard you get thrown around in life, you are resilient. Do not give into the pressure. Do not be afraid to accept help from others to get you through those tough times. You are just like me, a strong spring ready to bounce back.

Eric Noel Roman DJ, obstacle racer, motivational writer from North Miami Beach, living life one day at a time, and making a difference one person at a time.

Photo credit: OPIS Zagreb _ Shutterstock.com

Israel is Open to All Tourists Once Again

As of March 1, 2022 Israel began welcoming all tourists, vaccinated and unvaccinated, with an ease of entry restrictions.

The decision came as a result of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz and Tourism Minister, Yoel Razvozov, studying the steady decline in morbidity data and based on this information decided to open the borders to all incoming foreign travelers and ease entry requirements.

Now travelers of all ages can enter the country with two negative PCR tests (one prior to departure and the second after landing in Israel). All entering will be required to quarantine in their hotel until they receive the result of a negative PCR or 24 hours – whichever comes first. With the announcement, Tourism Commissioner Eyal Carlin shared: “We are thrilled that the government has taken steps to fully reopen Israel to all travelers around the world.

This ease in restrictions allows for more travelers to enter our country while also ensuring the health and wellbeing of all. Despite the country’s closure over the past two years, we are back and better than ever and travelers can expect refurbished historical sites with increased accessibility, new hotels, new museums and more.”

Content courtesy of Israel Ministry of Tourism

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Be kind, stay safe and have an amazing April!

Celebration of Life

A Celebration of Life for Mr Robert De Benedictis was held on Sunday February 27, 2022 at Tropics Grille in Wilton Manors.

Many people visited between 6 pm and 10 pm to celebrate the life of Bob and pay their respects to Khan. Amazing hors d’oeuvres and champagne were served.

Because of his support for the LGBT Community, both in New York and Ft Lauderdale, the city of Wilton Manors honored him by a proclamation naming February 27th “The Robert De Benedictis day”.

Photos Courtesy of Randy Abendschein

Photos Courtesy of Randy Abendschein

History Fort Lauderdale Women Trailblazers

Photos Credit: Michael Murphy Photography 106 | OutClique.com

Photo courtesy of Latrice Royale

History Fort Lauderdale to Present “I Am What I Am: A Tribute to South Florida’s Drag Pioneers” At Galleria Fort Lauderdale in honor of Pride Month

H

istory Fort Lauderdale, celebrating 60 years of being the proud steward of our community’s past by making our heritage accessible and engaging to residents and visitors, is proud to present “I Am What I Am: A Tribute to South Florida’s Drag Pioneers,” in honor of PRIDE Month (June 2022). This exciting and interactive free experience at Galleria Fort Lauderdale will pay tribute to the drag community who tirelessly entertain and support philanthropic endeavors. The retrospective kicks off with an official Stonewall PRIDE Month event celebration on

108 | OutClique.com

Tuesday, May 31, at 6 p.m., at Galleria Fort Lauderdale featuring a special pioneer presentation, an opportunity to meet the pioneers and surprise guest performances.

Six drag pioneers – South Florida’s own Nikki Adams, Tiffany Arieagus, Cathy Craig, Daisy Deadpetals, Electra and Latrice Royale - who, based on their longevity, entrepreneurship, roles on local television and international fame, will be spotlighted. Images from the past and present, plus videos, costumes and artifacts will

Photo Credit: Just Toby! @justtobyme

be shared to highlight their success. A photo wall of fame will showcase many other amazing local performers who currently grace the stages in bars, nightclubs, casinos and theater productions.

“History Fort Lauderdale is thrilled to pay homage to these endearing, enthralling and larger-than-life personalities who make our community a more colorful, creative and inclusive place to live and visit,” said Patricia Zeiler, executive director of History Fort Lauderdale. “The LGBT+ community has been dedicated supporters of

and contributors to the vibrant fabric of Fort Lauderdale’s world-class arts scene and we’re excited to celebrate their contributions during PRIDE month and beyond.”

“I Am What I Am: A Tribute to South Florida’s Drag Pioneers” is sponsored, to date, by Our Fund, HotSpots Media Group, Lips Fort Lauderdale, Galleria Fort Lauderdale, OutClique and GPR | Goodman Public Relations. Tickets to the May 31 “I Am What I Am: A Tribute to South Florida’s Drag Pioneers” Stonewall PRIDE Month kick off will be available for sale at a later date.

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

Follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/ftlhistory, on Instagram @ftlhistory and on Twitter @FTLHistory.

Subscribe to us on YouTube at YouTube.com/user/FTLhistory.

Content Courtesy of History Fort Lauderdale

OutClique.com | 109

Living History at Stonewall

By John Hayden Nothing predicts the future better than the past.

At a time when the LGBTQ community is fighting against being erased, preserving and telling our history is more important than ever. Stonewall National Museum & Archives in Fort Lauderdale is the keeper of our history. The LGBTQ equivalent of Egypt’s Great Library of Alexandria, the site has a thorough collection of knowledge that can easily be lost if not cared for.

Stonewall has more than 28,000 books as well as a treasure trove of media that chronicles our stories stretching back decades before the Stonewall Riots of 1969.

Photo Courtesy of Carina Mask

“It’s very important for organizations like this to continue to fight for LGBTQ rights,” Hunter O’Hanian, Stonewall’s Executive Director, told OutClique. “But also, to make sure that this history, work, and 50 years of activism have not gone away. There are people that are continuing to fight for it.”

The Museum is in the midst of its membership drive, which is as focused on raising awareness of our history as it is on raising money.

“Membership is important because we are a small, nonprofit organization,” O’Hanian explains. “We only have three employees and only a half million-dollar budget. We have a university-sized library and archive here.”

Members get access to the materials and are allowed to check out books. They also get discounts at area businesses and, most importantly, help keep our history alive, loud, and proud.

“Florida is a great example,” O’Hanian says. “In the late 1950s and early 1960s, there was something known as the Johns committee. The state legislature tried to remove every homosexual from teaching in any of the state’s colleges. They even entrapped young males in men’s rooms and public places to prove that they were homosexuals.”

If the story of trying to silence LGBTQ voices seems eerily familiar and modern, that’s because things like the “Don’t Say Gay” and “Stop Woke Act” are really history repeating.

Stonewall’s focus is the LGBTQ communty, and it is working to get their wealth of materials into the hands of people who can make a difference.

“We’ve done several things,” O’Hanian says. “Number one is the board has adopted a very proactive statement in opposition to the [‘Don’t Say Gay’] bill. The idea that you can’t say gay, we’re going the exact opposite and telling everyone to say gay. The other thing we’re doing is we’re ratcheting up the disbursement of materials that we have.

Making those materials available to teachers who want to teach an LGBTQ curriculum about history and how you can talk about gay leaders in sports or music or literature.”

Stonewall National Museum & Archives is located at 1300 E. Sunrise Blvd in Fort Lauderdale.

For more information on membership and their exhibits, visit Stonewall-Museum.org.

110 | OutClique.com

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY! MEMBERSHIP STARTS AT ONLY $50!

Membership Benefits Include Discounts at

EXHIBITIONS Our exhibitions are curated from our Library and Archives to offer the public the opportunity to learn, engage and share historic and contemporary ideas relating to the LGBTQ community.

LIBRARY

The largest lending library of LGBTQ materials in the United States with more than 28,000 books, CDs and DVDs. Our collection incorporates most winners of gay literary awards including the prestigious Lambda Literary Award.

PROGRAMMING

ARCHIVES

With a focus on the last quarter of the 20th Century to present day,TheArchivescontainsitemsdocumentingLGBTQpolitical, cultural and social history. A resource to scholars, historians, researchers and writers, the Archives preserve our existence for future generations.

VISIT!

1300 E. Sunrise Blvd.

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 954.763.8565 | stonewall-museum.org

WITH SUPPORT FROM Stonewall’s nationally-renowned virtual programming series features LGBTQ artists, writers, thinkers, curators, and advocates. Past guests have included Jeffrey H. Jackson, Allen Ellenzweig, and Sarah Shulman.

Zoetic Stage and Adrienne Arsht Center present

Features music from Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Anyone Can Whistle and Pacific Overtures, along with classics written with musical theater giants Leonard Bernstein, Jule Styne and Richard Rodgers.

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arshtcenter.org • 305.949.6722 The Theater Up Close series gratefully acknowledges the founding support of

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CATS Prowling Into Broward Center

ne of the biggest hits in theatrical history, CATS will come to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale from Tuesday, April 5, to Sunday, April 10, 2022, as part of a new North American tour. Tickets are on sale now.

Composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the recordbreaking musical spectacular has captivated audiences in over 30 countries and 15 languages and is now on tour across North America! Featuring new sound design, direction, and choreography for a new generation, experience CATS for the first time as it begins a new life, or let it thrill you all over again!

The creative team for the new production of CATS includes John Napier (Scenic & Costume Design), Natasha Katz (Lighting Design), Mick Potter (Sound Design), choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, based on the original choreography by Gillian Lynne, and direction by Trevor Nunn. Kim Craven is the associate choreographer and Chrissie Cartwright is the associate director/choreographer.

Since its world premiere, CATS has been seen by more than 75 million people worldwide. Originally directed by Trevor Nunn with choreography and associate direction

by Gillian Lynne, scenic and costume design by John Napier, lighting design by David Hersey, and sound design by Abe Jacob, CATS opened in London’s West End in 1981.

The original Broadway production opened in 1982 at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre, where it ran for 7,485 performances and 18 years. CATS was originally produced on Broadway by Cameron Mackintosh, The Really Useful Company Limited, David Geffen, and The Shubert Organization. The Tony Award-winning Best Musical held the title of longest-running musical in Broadway history until it was surpassed in 2006 by Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. The original Broadway production closed on September 10, 2000 and is currently the fourth longest-running show in Broadway history.

CATS returned to Broadway in July 2016 in a stunning revival at the Neil Simon Theatre, where it ran through December 2017.

For more information on tickets and health protocols, visit BrowardCenter.org Content and photos courtesy of Broadway In Fort Lauderdale

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PA HAY OKEE: THE LAND OF ‘GRASSY WATER’ EXH I BIT IO N D AT ES : AP R I L 14TH - JUN E 26TH 2022 OPE N IN G RECEPTI ON : AP R I L 14TH 6P M- 9P M

Curated by Ombretta Agró Andruff

V isit ar t serve.org f or more infor mation

JOIN

04 23 SATURDAY

for Slow Burn Theatre’s 2nd Annual

An evening of cocktails, dining, live entertainment and dancing.

Tru by Hilton | Pompano Beach | 6PM Emcee: Steve MacLaughlin, NBC 6 Meteorologist, Special Guest Artist: Carla Bordonada

Get your tickets today at slowburntheatre.org Sponsorship opportunities email jvalent@slowburntheatre.org

In Opera, Love is Love.

Fellow Travelers by Gregory Spears: April 23-28, 2022 Lauderhill Performing Arts Center | Agrippina: May 14-19, 2022 www.fgo.org Fellow Travelers photo © Dan Norman 2018 Minnesota Opera production

Fellow Travelers An Opera by Gregory Spears Photos by Dan Norman

F

lorida Grand Opera is traveling back in time to the not-so-distant past for its upcoming production of Gregory Spears’ Fellow Travelers. Based on the bestselling novel by Thomas Mallon, it is set during the Lavender Scare, a lesser-known but longer-lasting byproduct of Senator Joseph McCarthy’s Red Scare.

In 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed Executive Order 10450, prohibiting homosexuals from holding government positions. Encouraged by McCarthy, who said, “The pervert is easy prey to the blackmailer,” the policy subjected hundreds of suspected gay and lesbian government employees to investigation, interrogation, persecution, resignations, and firings.

Between 5,000 and 10,000 gays and lesbians quietly resigned or were fired. Many others managed to stay closeted, but curtailed their professional ambitions in order to stay under the radar. Some killed themselves.

The policy remained in place until 1995, when President Bill Clinton rescinded it by executive order.

Fellow Travelers explores the romance and heartbreak between two men during this fraught era. CubanAmerican tenor Andres Acosta, a Miami native, is young college graduate Timothy Laughlin, who takes his first

job working in a senator’s office after a chance meeting with State Department official Hawkins Fuller. “Hawk” is played by New Zealand baritone Hadleigh Adams, returning to the FGO stage after his triumphant turn as Stanley Kowalski in January’s A Streetcar Named Desire.

Metropolitan Opera soprano Adelaide Boedecker makes her FGO debut as Hawk’s assistant and best friend, Mary Johnson. Part love story and part political thriller, the plot follows Tim and Hawk’s budding romance and their efforts to avoid detection and persecution during the Lavender Scare.

The opera was co-commissioned by Cincinnati Opera and film/theatrical producer G. Sterling Zinsmeyer. It premiered at Cincinnati Opera in 2016 and since has been staged at Chicago Lyric Opera, Minnesota Opera, and Boston Lyric Opera. FGO’s production will be the Florida premiere of the piece.

“We are proud to stage this important and moving piece of contemporary opera,” says FGO CEO and General Director Susan T. Danis. “Via the medium of the musical human voice and the stories of these men, we revisit a critical time in American history with new eyes and understanding.”

Content provided by Florida Grand Opera

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Claiming Our Voice Sunday, April 24, 2022, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm at The Pelican Grand Beach Resort, Fort Lauderdale Karen Kelley and Frankie Mendez , Event Co-Chairs

RESERVATION TICKETS $135 *Includes Complimentary Valet Parking Join us as we claim our voice and “Say Gay” at the Pelican Grand Beach Resort featuring old Florida grandeur and elegant beachfront dining.

Your Reservation Includes...

• Cocktails and Silent Auction on the beautiful Oceanview Terrace featuring breathtaking views.

• Three-course plated brunch in the Oceanview Ballroom including unlimited Mimosas, Bellinis and Bloody Marys, Program Live Auction, and Call to Heart.

• Complimentary valet parking for all guests.

This lovely event raises funds to support the mission and programming of the Stonewall National Museum & Archives.

Sponsored by: EMERALD SPONSORS RUBY SPONSORS MEDIA SPONSORS

Maria Lescano & Jean Willey Hunter O’Hanian & Jeffry George

Gary Carlin & Brian Weiss Jim Doan & Brad Zuckerman

Theresa Caputo Returns to South Florida with The Experience

By Denny Patterson

F

or Theresa Caputo, being a practicing medium is not just her job - it’s her life.

Best known for her long-running TLC show Long Island Medium, Caputo has been interceding with the dearly departed to offer solace to their grieving families on earth for over 20 years. She recently launched her new series, Long Island Medium: There in Spirit, on Discovery+, which combines the essence of the original show with the realities of life during the COVID-19 pandemic, and she also started a weekly podcast called Hey Spirit!, which drops new episodes each Thursday at 12:00PM. OutClique caught up with Caputo to talk more about The Experience, ongoing projects, and her special gift.

Denny Patterson: We are very excited that you are bringing The Experience to South Florida. Is this your first time touring since before the pandemic?

Theresa Caputo: No, I was doing live events outside during 2021, and then in the fall, I went back out and did all the shows that were postponed in 2020. However, this is my first tour where we are starting from scratch. We put together a fresh route, and it’s such a big improvement from last year. That’s a good sign that things are coming back.

DP: For those who have never been to one of your live shows, what can they expect?

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Photo Credit: Richard Marchisotto

On April 25, 2022, she will bring her brand new live show entitled The Experience, to the Coral Springs Center for the Arts. In addition to sharing personal stories about her life and explaining how her gift of communicating with the dead works, she will deliver healing messages to audience members and give people comfort knowing that their loved ones who passed are still with them, just in a different way.

TC: The thing that I love about The Experience, and the reason why I call it an experience, is because it truly is a life changing experience. I come out onstage, I give a little speech on how I reconnect with the souls of the departed, because believe it or not, there are some people that come to the show and have no idea who I am [laughs]. I kind of explain what they can expect for the next two hours, and then once I start sensing and feeling Spirit, I walk the stage, Spirit will guide me around the space, and I will start delivering messages right in front of people. The thing that I love about that is, even though you might be in a theatre with 2,000

people, I feel like we’ve created something special.

It’s still an intimate moment. I’m down in the crowd, cameras are following me, so no matter where you’re seated in the theatre, you will be able to witness it up close and personal.

DP: You discovered your gift of communicating with the other side when you were four years old?

TC: Correct, that’s when I remember seeing the first souls. I remember saying to babysitters and people around me things like, tell that woman to get out in front of the TV. They’d be like, there’s no one standing in front of the TV. As I got older, I kind of blocked it because I thought it was normal. I thought everyone could sense and feel the things I was, but as I got older, I realized people weren’t feeling the same things I was. Then I kind of suppressed my gift. I didn’t acknowledge it, and I kind of ignored it in a sense. That’s when I started to struggle with my anxieties. I didn’t realize that I was also empathic, which means I would take on other people’s emotions and feelings, and after I had my daughter Victoria, I could hardly leave my house at that point. It was so bad. I went to a spiritual awareness class to kind of learn how to meditate and quiet my mind, and through that, I discovered not only was I able to connect with my own departed loved ones, but everyone else’s. I try to really express to people why I do what I do. I want people to know that they have that connection with their own loved ones. That soul bond can never be broken.

All those things that go on around them that they might think are a little odd or weird, or remind them of their loved ones that have died, I say those are little hellos from heaven. That’s them letting you know that they are with you at that exact moment. As a medium, I’m able to validate. We’re not crazy. We’re not trying to make ourselves feel better. I mean, how would I know some of these things?

DP: Last year, you launched your spinoff series Long

Island Medium: There in Spirit on Discovery+. How has it been received by viewers?

TC: Some people just complain because they can’t watch it on TLC [laughs]. I’m not in charge of that, I just talk to the dead. The great thing about There in Spirit, we filmed during the pandemic and did it virtually. Before that, I started my podcast Hey Spirit! It’s great because not only now am I able to meet people in the Tri-State area, but I’m meeting people all over the world. Hong Kong, Australia, it’s just incredible, and there’s still that intimacy, even though it’s through a computer. The other special that we did was on 9/11, 20 years later. It’s hard to celebrate anything after the loss of a loved one. Their birthday, the anniversary of their death, but the thing that I think a lot of people realized, and I most certainly did, was that these families have to relive their loved ones’ deaths in detail minute by minute, second by second every year. Even after 20 years, how they were still searching for peace and comfort, that special was one of the most important things, besides having my children, that I feel I’ve ever done with my life. That’s how powerful it was.

DP: Have you been connecting with a lot of spirits lately that have died from COVID?

TC: I have, and I think what brought a lot of peace to people who lost loved ones to COVID or just during that time, there were readings where souls would come through and say, tell them I heard them say goodbye over FaceTime. Tell them the nurse did come in and tell me that she called everyday. I’ll never forget this one woman who was wondering if the nurse really went in, held her mom’s hand, and told her that she called. The spirit said to me, tell my daughter that the nurse would come in, hold my hand, and give me a kiss from my daughter every day. I just got the chills telling you that. I think this brought comfort to a lot of people because they couldn’t be there with their loved ones when they passed.

Stay up-to-date and connect with Caputo by following her on Twitter and Instagram @TheresaCaputo, or visit her official website, TheresaCaputo.com.

Visit TheCenterCS.com to purchase tickets for The Experience.

Visit OutClique.org to read the full interview.

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Photo by Yuki Tei

Masterworks V Featuring David Shifrin

By Denny Patterson

T

he South Florida Symphony Orchestra’s 20212022 season is coming to an end, and its finale concert will include Gustav Mahler’s fourth movement of his Fifth Symphony, a love note to his future wife, and Aaron Copland’s Clarinet Concerto, featuring acclaimed clarinetist and artistic director David Shifrin.

Making his debut on the SFSO stage, Shifrin is an Avery Fisher Prize recipient who is in constant demand as an orchestral soloist, recitalist, and chamber music collaborator. Appearing and playing with orchestras all over the world, and receiving several awards and accolades for his work, he has been instrumental in broadening the repertoire for clarinet by commissioning and championing the works of 20th- and 21st-century American composers.

Shifrin caught up with OutClique to talk more about performing with the SFSO and his love for the clarinet.

that included Bartók, Hindemith, and many others, but probably the most successful and often performed larger piece is this Copeland concerto that Copeland wrote for Benny Goodman in 1948. He tried to capture both his own signature voice and the qualities of jazz that would feature the specialty of Benny Goodman, and it’s that kind of dual edged approach to this piece that really makes it unique.

DP: Have you always had a passion for music?

DS: I have. I grew up hearing music in my home. I’m not from a family of professional musicians, but there were always opera recordings, violin recordings being played, and I wanted to play an instrument. What inspired me to be a clarinetist was seeing a movie from the 1950s about Benny Goodman.

DP: What do you hope audiences take away from your performances?

Denny Patterson: This will be your first time playing with the SFSO. What are you looking forward to the most about it?

David Shifrin: It’ll be a new experience. I don’t know anyone in the orchestra, but I’ve heard very good things.

I heard a recording of the orchestra, and I always love playing Aaron Copland’s Clarinet Concerto, so it’ll be a pleasure to play it again. I haven’t done very many concerto concerts during COVID. I’m looking forward to getting out there with them.

DP: Can you tell us more about Copland’s Clarinet

DS: I hope they get a taste of the very, very special approach to music making that Aaron Copland had. It’s been described so often as distinctively American, and whatever that means, you’ll hear in the juxtaposition his use of harmony, his use of very open phrasing and long lines in expressive passages, and his very frequent use of jazz idioms. You’ll hear how it all comes together right in the middle of the piece when the clarinet plays all alone for a couple minutes after an extended, expansive, expressive, slow introduction. The clarinet is left all by itself, and it gradually heats up and transitions to the more frenetic, energetic, quirky, jazz-influenced section.

Concerto and what makes it so special?

DS: It was written for the superstar clarinetist Benny Goodman, who did more for our instrument in the 20th century in every way than anyone else. Everybody knew him as the “King of Swing” and probably one of the biggest celebrities of the mid-20th century, but he took a very serious interest in the classical repertoire and notably performed Mozart and played chamber music with the Budapest Quartet. Most importantly, he commissioned all the leading composers of the time that he could persuade to write music for the clarinet, and

DP: You have already achieved so much throughout your life and career, but are there any future goals you would like to accomplish as a clarinetist and artistic director?

DS: As a clarinetist, it’s always a self improvement course. You have to work very hard just to keep the level that you may have already achieved. So, staying in shape and practicing regularly is important. For me, the goals are to keep the highest level of performance in the repertoire that I know, continue to learn new pieces that I have not done before, and in the great tradition of people

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like Benny Goodman, try to influence composers of our time to write new works.

DP: For any aspiring clarinetist, what advice can you offer?

DP: You have also received Grammy Award nominations for three different recordings. Do you have any upcoming projects or albums in the works?

DS: It’s funny you should mention that. I have a real

only three wind players to have been awarded the Avery Fisher Prize since the award’s inception in 1974. What an honor that must have been for you.

affection for an album that was just released this year, music of Francis Poulenc, and coincidentally, the anchor work on that recording is his Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, which was premiered by Benny Goodman. It was a seminal work for the clarinet in that Poulenc was supposed to play the premiere in Carnegie Hall with Benny Goodman, and unfortunately, he became very ill and never performed again. They had to get a young, talented pianist composer to take his place, and that was Leonard Bernstein, who has also written for the clarinet.

Not for Benny Goodman, but the mid-20th century was a really good period for recognizing the different qualities of the clarinet. So many great composers wrote for clarinet.

DS: It was a great thrill, but I must add that since that

DP: Before we wrap up, is there anything else you would

DS: Practice and listen to great music. Not just clarinet music. Listen to opera, great symphonic repertoire, chamber music, and composers like Bach, who is one of the great geniuses of all time, but unfortunately, he never wrote anything specifically for the clarinet. However, I encourage all musicians to learn his music and transcribe it for the clarinet or play it on the piano.

DP: One of your biggest achievements is being one of

like to mention or plug?

DS: I’m just very happy to be coming down there to play for your audience in South Florida.

Photo by Steven Shires

was put in my bio, we’ve welcomed another clarinetist.

The great Anthony McGill, who is the principal clarinetist of the New York Philharmonic. He was awarded the Fisher Prize last year, so we are in good company.

To connect and stay up-to-date with Shifrin, visit his official website, DavidShifrin.com.

Masterworks V will be performed at The Parker on April 27, 2022 at 7:30PM. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit SouthFloridaSymphony.org, or call (954) 522-8445.

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Broward House Presents Dining Out For Life®

O

n Thursday, April 14, 2022, Broward House is proud to present the tenth annual Dining Out For Life® in Broward County hosted nationally by Subaru of America, Inc. They are especially excited to join with their partnering restaurants this year to invite people to come out and have a meal together. A meal that will in turn nurture the programs of Broward House.

On April 14th, participating restaurants – covering everything from breakfast, lunch and dinner to ice cream and cocktails – will donate a generous percentage of their sales to Broward House, supporting their mission to provide HIV prevention, education, and care to those living with HIV. You are key to the restaurant’s generosity and Broward House’s ability to meet the needs of those living with HIV. Your role is simple, bring the people you enjoy to dine out at participating restaurants on April 14th: The more food you enjoy, the greater the contribution given back to Broward House.

Broward House President and CEO Stacy Hyde states, “Unity is what overcomes stigma, people are what make

change. We are grateful to have the support of our local restaurants in raising funds for the care and awareness of HIV. Supporting our businesses that demonstrate social compassion makes our community stronger. You showing up will make a difference for those we serve and combat stigma. Your dining let’s our restaurants know we support local businesses that support us. We all have missed being together the past couple of years. We are excited to see familiar and new smiling faces back out enjoying each other and supporting Broward House.”

Restaurant partners include the “Legacy Restaurants,” which have supported Broward House every year for the event’s ten year run in Broward County: Rosie’s Bar and Grill, The Over Easy Café, Georgie’s Alibi, and Wilton Creamery. Additionally, several restaurants have committed to donate an impressive 50% of their gross event sales to Broward House: Apt. 9f, American Icon Brewery, Cucina Caruso Italian Market & Pizza, Voo La Voo, and Wilton Creamery. For additional information and to see a full list of local participating restaurants including addresses, visit Browardhouse.org/DOFL.

Content provided by Broward House Photos by Stephen Lang | Courtesy of Broward House

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IT’S TIME TO DINE OUT Dine at our favorite restaurants all donating a portion of sales on April 14th!

ACY +

LEG

RA

TAU

RES

NTS

Rosie's Bar & Grill ♦ The Over Easy Café ♦ Apt. 9F ♦ Pink Sub Hunters Nightclub ♦ Wilton Creamery ♦ Georgie's Alibi

Cafe’ Seville ♦ Voo La Voo ♦ Burgers & Beers ♦ American Icon Brewery Cucina Caruso Italian Market & Pizza ♦ Bona Italian Restaurant Milk Money Bar & Kitchen ♦ The Pub Wilton Manors ♦ Tatts & Tacos ♦ Tropics Grille Holy Mackerel Small Batch Beers ♦ Legends Tavern & Grille Pompano Beach The Alchemist Café ♦ Temple Street Eatery ♦ Bubbles & Pearls ♦ Papa Duke’s Deli Lips ♦ Cielito Lindo Oakland Park ♦ Cielito Lindo Pompano La Mexicana Taco Bar ♦ Tulios Tacos & Tequila Bar ♦ Palmyra Lounge & Hooka Bar

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR SMILING FACES!

THURSDAY

APRIL 14

Browardhouse.org/DOFL

Why We

Sing!

A 35th Anniversary Musical Celebration

Join us as we celebrate our 35th Anniversary with some of our favorite songs we’ve sung over the years.

Saturday, May 7, 2022 8 p.m.

UCC Fort Lauderdale

2501 NE 30th Street, Fort Lauderdale

For Tickets: FTLGMC.ORG or 954-832-0060

Funding for this organization is provided in part by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council

ONE NIGHT OF QUEEN PERFORMED BY

GARY MULLEN & THE WORKS Generously underwritten by Mary and Dean Middleton and The Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. Foundation

THURSDAY, MAY 12 Back by popular demand! Recreating the look, sound, pomp and showmanship of Queen and its flamboyant front man Freddie Mercury, this amazing tribute band showcases rock royalty’’s greatest hits with amazing authenticity. You’’ll relive all the classics you love with songs like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Killer Queen,” “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” “We Are the Champions” and many more. Known for their staggeringly convincing shows, Gary Mullen and the Works perform a complete two-hour Queen concert that is guaranteed to rock you!

WELLS HALL

TICKETS at ParkerPlayhouse.com • Ticketmaster | 954.462.0222 The Parker Box Office • Group Sales | 954.660.6307 The 2021/2022 performance season at the Broward Center and The Parker is supported by the Broward Performing Arts Foundation.

George LeMieux, Kurt Zimmerman, Brooke Lochrie, Robert Lochrie, Patty Hooley Zimmerman, Richard Welch (Photo: Ryan Pinder)

Harry Connick, Jr.

Lights Up the Broward Center Stage for the Broward Performing Arts Foundation Annual Celebration

I

t was an evening of highlights, and the brightest of all was Harry Connick, Jr. who lit up the stage at the Broward Performing Arts Foundation’s Annual Celebration. The event, presented by Dr. Lee and Brigitte Mandel and the South Florida Sinus and Allergy Center, raised $678,000 for the education and enrichment programs of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

There were enough special moments to keep guests entertained all evening long. They started with a preshow cocktail reception on the Wendt Terraces at the Huizenga Pavilion before moving into the Au-Rene

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Theater for Connick’s spectacular performance. Once in the theater, it was like old times with a full house and an audience eager to celebrate the return of live performances. It had been two long years, and people were ready to party.

After the performance, as the stage was being transformed into an elegant supper club, guests were served champagne at their seats and Broward Performing Arts Foundation chair Richard Welch, Foundation president Lisa Kitei and Broward Center president & CEO Kelley Shanley spoke to them from the stage. Welch proposed a toast to the return of live

theater and the resiliency of the Broward Center staff.

“Congratulations to everyone who made this possible,” he said. “Let’s have some fun tonight.”

Kitei and Shanley both recognized the supporters of the Center. Kitei thanked the Celebration sponsors, underwriters and guests. “The people in this room are the people who kept us going every night, not just tonight, and for that we are very grateful,” she said.

Shanley, too, spoke of the important role played by the Center’s supporters and staff in getting through the pandemic. “We got here with the help of our friends,”

he said. “We are able to enjoy this evening together because of all the people who believed in us and did what they needed to do in order to bring us to the other side.”

At the conclusion of his remarks, Shanley announced dinner by saying, “We are coming down to pick you up and take you on stage with us.” And to the cheers of more than 350 guests, the thrust of the stage was lowered, the curtain was raised, and everyone stepped onstage to enjoy dinner and dancing for the rest of the evening.

Shivani Patel, Linda Haller, Sherri Hill (Photo: Ryan Pinder)

Ann Burris, James Blasius (Photo: Ryan Pinder)

Kelley Shanley, Lisa Kitei, Richard Welch (Little’s Photography)

Jodi Peck, Micki Peck, Karen Katz Peck (Little’s Photography)

Content Courtesy of The Broward Performing Arts Foundation and Pierson Grant PR

OutClique.com | 145

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