OutClique Magazine March 2019

Volume 3, Issue 4 March 2019

LGBTQA+

SPORTS TEAMS OF SOFL GAY POLO J. MARK’S

GAY KEY WEST TRULUCK’S

Florida's LGBTQ Lifestyle Magazine & Destination Guide

Steven O. Evans, PhD

Publisher and Editor in Chief OutClique@gmail.com

Arthur Wood III

Associate Editor Arthur.OutClique@gmail.com

Sach AD Group

Director of Graphic Design

Arvin Bielen Cindy Curtis Zach Kane JoAnn Marchese Mike Ritzi Sales Managers

Connie Evans Chief Copyeditor

Tom Pence

Distribution Manager

Chris Brown

Director of Orlando Outreach

Connor Wilkinson Photography

National Advertising Rivendell Media

Senior Lifestyle Writer Denny Patterson

Senior Entertainment Writer Gregg Shapiro

Contributing Writers

Tony Adams, Joey Amato, Andy Armano, Chris Brown, Rod Davis, Mike Jeknavorian, Marty Kiar, Dr. Beau Nelson, Steve Pike, Patrick Rogers, Eric Noel Roman A publication of OutClique, LLC (954) 998-6429 www.OutClique.com OutClique@gmail.com Facebook.com/OutClique OutClique, LLC is not responsible for statements or opinions expressed in advertisements or articles.

TABLE OF

CONTENTS Volume 3, Issue 4 | March 2019

26

Cover Story 26

LGBTQA+

SPORTS IN SOUTH FLORIDA

Photo by Sach | www.SachAdGroup.com

10 J. Mark’s 36 Truluck’s 95 Special Events Section 126 Gay Polo 148 Guide to Gay Key West

110

150

吀 䤀䴀伀吀䠀夀 匀⸀ 䠀 䄀刀吀Ⰰ 䌀倀䄀 䴀 䄀一䄀䜀䤀一䜀 倀 䄀刀吀一䔀刀

㈀㤀㈀㤀 䔀䄀匀吀 䌀伀䴀䴀䔀刀䌀䤀䄀䰀 䈀伀唀䰀䔀嘀䄀刀䐀Ⰰ 倀䔀一吀䠀伀唀匀䔀 䐀 䘀伀刀吀 䰀䄀唀䐀䔀刀䐀䄀䰀䔀Ⰰ 䘀䰀伀刀䤀䐀䄀 ㌀㌀㌀ 㠀

㤀㔀㐀ⴀ㈀ ㈀ⴀ㤀㜀㜀 簀 㤀㔀㐀ⴀ㈀ ㈀ⴀ㤀㜀㜀㜀 䘀䄀堀 吀栀愀爀琀䀀刀㌀䄀挀挀漀甀渀琀椀渀最⸀挀漀洀 簀 眀眀眀⸀刀㌀䄀挀挀漀甀渀琀椀渀最⸀挀漀洀

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J. MARK’S

A SOUTH FLORIDA ORIGINAL

By Steven O. Evans, PhD

D

o you have the one place you go to when you’ve had a long day, and you just want your comfort food, guaranteed great service, and that professional but still cozy atmosphere? Or your local favorite restaurant you take your business partners, friends, and visiting family members? For me, both of those have always been J. Mark’s restaurant.

Locally owned, couple Steve & Ariel take great pride in their restaurants. They see that each guest is taken care of personally. “One complaint is too many,” were their words.

They are a delight as people, but serious when it comes to food, service, and providing the perfect dining experience to each and every guest at both their locations: 1245 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 or 1490 NE 23rd Street, Pompano Beach, FL 33062.

Just drinks? They have them. Relax after a long day or spend time with your friends over J Marks signature Cosmopolitan which uses a mild crop-organic vodka to accomplish the flavor infusion, a Pineapple Brown Sugar Mojito refreshing like a piña colada atypical of a sugary mojito, or Chili Pineapple CilantroRita. Also, the J Marks Mojito uses a coconut

11 | OutClique.com

rum to add a twist to a classic drink.

I have my typical go to dishes. The New York Strip medium rare, Orange Chicken, J. Mark’s Tender Salad, or Hickory Chicken Sandwich are ones I order without even looking at the menu.

However, J. Mark’s offers one of the most diverse menus, with a flavor and dish for any palate.

Seafood your thing? The Miso Style or Scottish Salmon are both ones to try. Pan seared with caramelized miso glaze or grilled and brushed with their signature lemon herb butter, both are light but enough to satisfy. Need more?

Try the fresh caught Maryland Wild Blue Crab Cakes served up with their fresh (yes, fresh) blue crab.

Taking a date? Get something to share. The Prime Rib, Buffalo Chick and Green Tomato BLT (where is Kathy Bates and Jessica Tandy when you need them?) Sliders are fun to swap out with your table mate(s). Take a group and get plenty to pass around. Check out their slider happy hour where you can mix and match all of the styles.

How about a slice of the French Quarter?

The Shrimp New Orleans Pasta offers up blackened shrimp, Andouille sausage, sauteed mushrooms, peppers and onions, with a cajun cream sauce. Gumbo fans must try. Ca c’est bon!

Love me tender? The skirt steak is immersed for 24 hours in lime and garlic marinade and topped with Chimichurri sauce. It’s a slice of beef that makes my mouth water just writing this sentence.

But wait. The J. Mark’s boys, Steve and Ariel, also serve up breakfast. This isn’t your typical ham and eggs. Steak Tips and Eggs, Breakfast Eggroll, and Bacon Benedict are just a few of the options. But the Seafood Benedict is their signature dish. Made with their fresh Maryland Wild Blue crab (see above), this is complete with toasted Tuscan ciabatta bread, poached eggs, and homemade hollandaise sauce.

Set your clock for Saturdays and Sundays, 11:00AM to 3:00PM. What’s left? Ah, dessert. You’ll take a short venture to Key West with their signature Key Lime pie. Made fresh daily, the fresh graham cracker rough cut candied pecan and cinnamon along with the sweet tart custard will make you want the crust first. So turn it over and start bottoms up.

My motto this year has been, “Make 2019 iconic.” Enjoy every day. Choose where to spend your gay dollar. J. Mark’s has the trifecta of dining, atmosphere, service, and food. Steve and Ariel will personally make sure that you have the perfect experience.

If you go, look for me and say hello. I will probably be there.

Visit www.JMarksRestaurant.com or call (954) 390-0770 in Fort Lauderdale and (954) 782-7000 in Pompano Beach.

OutClique.com | 11

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MAKE YOUR JOURNEY YOURS

By Ty Dorce

O

n your everlasting journey to fitness, pushing yourself is key. This isn’t a journey to last a month, it is for a lifetime. There are some key factors that cannot be ignored. Balance. Do you have a balance between your physical health and your mental health? Personal advancement.

Are you setting new goals in your life?

Training. Is your trainer or coach helping you reach new levels?

As a society, we are focused on our outer appearance. It is important to look and feel our best for ourselves. Of course, keeping our body healthy is a key component but how about your mental health? What are we doing to maintain a healthy space between our ears?

It is just as, if not, more important than any journey we are on. Once we get out of balance, we sway the pendulum too far to the other side, which forces us to lapse on the whole.

Spend as much time exercising your brain to be strong as we do our bodies. Do not believe the negative stuff you tell yourself when you are involved in an internal battle, fight, and conquer positive thoughts that benefit you.

Along your fitness routine, are you pushing yourself to another level? Your body will get used to doing the same thing. You must set 18 | OutClique.com

goals for your personal advancement. Whether your goal is to build muscle, lose fat, strength or overall performance, you must do more.

Don’t focus on other’s goals as they do not pertain to you. It is great to have a camaraderie in your group fitness class. That does not mean to lose sight of your personal journey. If you can’t swing a 20 pound kettlebell, pick up a 10 pound. No one is judging you. Each of us is there to focus on themselves. And if there is judgment, who cares. That’s on them.

There is not a good coach or trainer in the world that is going to lambaste you. There is a science to this fitness thing. Your body does not get better by just training alone, the push is to get better by recovering from training.

Your muscles cannot take a constant beat down. As we train, your muscles are worked to the point of exhaustion. It is in the recovery period that we build. The recovery period is key, your body then develops a new baseline which allows you to take your fitness journey to a new, higher level.

In closing, you are in charge of your thoughts, take control to live a healthy life. We may not always be happy but we can always be content where we’re at, that is a choice only you can make.

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ASH WEDNESDAY

ON THE MARK, GET SET, GO!

By Rev. Patrick Rogers, MDiv.

S

eems like Christmas just ended, but the act of the earth revolving around the sun brings us yet again to our “journey towards Easter.” And what liturgically marks the beginning of this Christian seasonal quest is Ash Wednesday, which occurs this year on March 6, 2019. Ash Wednesday is known as the first day of the Lenten journey of the forty days leading to Easter Sunday. Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, and spiritual discipline.

It is traditional to save the palm branches from the previous year’s Palm Sunday service to burn to produce ashes for this tradition. The sign of the cross is made with ashes rubbed onto the foreheads of believers. The use of ashes as a sign of mortality and repentance has a long history in Christian worship.

Ash Wednesday is a special day when others recognize Christians by an outward symbol of an inner faith. The symbol is the black mark shaped in the sign of the cross on a person’s forehead.

The ashes are a mark shaped as a sign of the cross-symbolizing repentance and mortality.

In my Christian denomination when I was growing up, we didn’t observe Ash Wednesday or the Lenten season, but I have come to embrace and treasure this annual spiritual journey. I remember twenty years ago, my first Ash Wednesday and leaving the church service to eat at Lester’s Diner and make a couple of stops before heading home for the evening. I forgot that I was walking around in public with this very prominent display of my faith right on my forehead. I encountered others and saw their marks and it reminded me of my own and we acknowledged one another and our unspoken bond. That felt good.

But this year it will be different. As people observe my mark I will experience in their eyes their questions. “I wonder if he is conservative or liberal?” “Does he judge others?” “Is he one of those spiritual terrorists who condemns me when he should look for the log in his own eye?” “If his son or daughter came out as gay or lesbian would he disown them?” “Would he love me as I am or would I have to change to meet his interpretation of scripture?” Or they may remember, “I was spiritually wounded by people like you because of your beliefs!”

So part of my Lenten spiritual discipline this year will actually begin before Lent. I will be purchasing a piece of rainbow-colored attire to wear for the remainder of the day after imposition of my ashes and receiving my mark on March 6th. Those I encounter on the way home will experience two sides of who I am.

My symbols will reflect that I love God and also that I embrace and love who God created me to be. I don’t have to be concerned about others judging me, I will share with them proudly who I am, a Christian who is gay. No questions needed. This will be a very special Ash Wednesday, Lenten season and Easter.

Enjoy the Journey.

Rev. Patrick Rogers is a Community Activist and also the Senior Pastor at United Church of Christ Fort Lauderdale www.UCCFTL.org 24 | OutClique.com

THE SOUTH FLORIDA

LGBTQ SPORTS SCENE

By Denny Patterson Photos By Sach | www.SachAdGroup.com

J

oining a sports team comes with numerous benefits. Not only will it increase and improve your overall fitness, but it will help your emotional state of mind. It simply feels great to be a part of a team. Making new friends and having a sense of community is something we all strive for. Fortunately, sports are no longer viewed as a “straight world activity.� More and more cities across the country are creating sporting leagues and activities for their LGBTQ communities. Listed below are some of the several LGBTQ teams you can find right here in the heart of South Florida.

Gay Polo League The Gay Polo League (GPL) promotes the sport of polo as a means to provide equality, pride, inclusion, and confidence for individuals who

26 | OutClique.com

face discrimination simply due to the fact that they are members of the LGBTQ community. In addition to promoting goodwill and camaraderie, the GPL works to create an atmosphere that affirms and supports the understanding and acceptance of individuals, regardless of race, sex, or sexual identity.

This is a community that shares a love for adventure, fun, and the challenging sport of polo and is committed to providing members with an enjoyable, supportive, and competitive experience. The GPL represents a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and skill levels and they actively train and compete in mainstream matches and events. For more information, visit www.GayPolo.com.

Gay Kickball Fort Lauderdale The National Gay Kickball League prides itself

in creating a fun, competitive, and organized experience for all plays of every skill level.

Founded in 2017, this organization has already expanded to 14 cities across the country, including Fort Lauderdale. Welcoming of all genders and sexual orientations, the National Gay Kickball League’s mission is for players to be in a safe, judgment free zone. Just be yourself. There will be four annual national tournaments. For more information, visit www.GayKickball.com.

Hammerhead Aquatics and Nadadores Swim Team It does not matter if you are gay, straight, young, old, male, female, experienced triathlete, or just beginning - South Florida has two swim teams for you to check out.

Hammerhead Aquatics in Fort Lauderdale and the Nadadores Swim Team in Miami.

Hammerhead Aquatics began in 2004 with only five initial members. Now, it has grown to over 100 full time members. Under the direction of founder and head coach John Grzeszczak, the Hammerhead’s Masters Swim Team competes at the highest level and has won seven International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics World Championships. The Nadadores has coached practices, beginning and intermediate lessons, ocean open swims, and meet support. They do it all, and they have a blast while doing it.

Coach led pool practices are held three times a week (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday), and swimming lessons are held every Saturday.

On Sunday, the Nadadores offers a sponsored ocean swim. If you are new to South Florida or just passing through, you should still come and meet some amazing people. They welcome short term visitors to join in as their guests, and your first three practices are free. For more information, visit www.HammerheadAqautics. com and www.NadadoresSwimTeam.org.

Front Runners & Walkers Fort Lauderdale Front Runners & Walkers Fort Lauderdale is a group of people who enjoy running and walking.

This group creates a positive atmosphere through planned activities where members

Gay Polo League

Gay Kickball

Hammerhead Aquatics and Nadadores Swim Team

Front Runners & Walkers Fort Lauderdale OutClique.com | 27

of the LGBTQ community can be themselves.

Formed in 1989, Front Runners & Walkers Fort Lauderdale encourages members to set their own pace. Different exercise routes are available depending upon your availability.

In addition, other activities include special runs, monthly socials, recreational activities, weekend trips, and exclusive members-only events. If you cannot participate in a run or walk, join the group afterwards for a bite to eat. This group also schedules at least one social event a month. For more information, visit www.FrontRunnersFortLauderdale.org.

Gay Flag Football

South Florida Tennis Club

Women’s Softball 28 | OutClique.com

South Florida Flag Football League The South Florida Flag Football League (SFFFL), and members on the National Gay Flag Football League (NGFFL) and the International Women’s Flag Football Association (IWFFA), has grown from a handful of individuals tossing a ball around in 2007 to a league with over 100 active members and several national touring teams. Through the promotion of diversity, inclusion, competition, and friendship, this group has built a family of footballers from the Fort Lauderdale and Miami areas. As an LGBTQ organization, they encourage players of all skill levels to participate, while also testing their elite athletes on the national stage. The SFFFL strives to put on a competitive, but fun league that stresses camaraderie and personal growth. Your skills, shape, and size does not matter. All are welcomed, so don’t be shy. For more information, visit www.SFFFL.org.

South Florida Tennis Club The South Florida Tennis Club (SFTC) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1987 to develop and coordinate tennis activities for the South Florida LGBTQ community and friends. Dedicated to supporting competitive and social tennis activities, membership is open to players of all skill levels. The offer a competitive spring and fall Tennis Ladder for singles and doubles, team tennis, tennis socials, regional tournaments, and two annual Gay and Lesbian Tennis Alliance (GLTA) sanctioned tennis tournaments. The

SFTC also contributes to charities within the South Florida community each year. There is no shortage of events to participate in, and even if you are not playing, all are welcomed to come out and watch. For more information, visit www.SFTC.us.

F.L.I.R.T. Bowling F.L.I.R.T. is affiliated with the International Gay Bowling Organization and is a LGBTQ and invitational bowling tournament that welcomes all bowlers. Held on Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend in beautiful Fort Lauderdale, F.L.I.R.T. has sold out for 12 consecutive years, so it is best to register by November to secure a spot. $500 is guaranteed to all first-place finishers, and you may register as a single bowler, a partial, or a full team. For more information, visit www.FlirtBowl.com.

Gay Dodgeball Fort Lauderdale Dodgeball is the ultimate high energy, action packed competitive sport. The gay dodgeball league in Fort Lauderdale falls under the Varsity Gay League (VGL) umbrella, and their mission is to bring people together with a fun of the sport. The team has three seasons: Spring (February-May), Summer (June-Aug), and Fall (September-November). Each season runs eight weeks, with six weeks of play and two weeks of playoffs. Everyone is welcome, regardless of experience. This is a great group with which to socialize. For more information, visit www.VarsityGayLeague.com.

South Florida Amateur Athletic Association for Softball The South Florida Amateur Athletic Association (SFAAA) is a LGBTQ softball league located in Fort Lauderdale that is committed to providing an opportunity for gay and non-gay participants to compete in an environment welcoming and open to the gay community.

Founded in 1994 as the South Florida Softball League, this organization has emerged as the premier softball league for gay and lesbian athletes with over 25 teams and almost 400 members. Annually, there are two seasons,

F.L.I.R.T. Bowling

Gay Dodgeball

Men’s Softball OutClique.com | 29

late February and the beginning of September.

A draft and tryout clinic is held prior to each season to help new members find teams on which to play. Four competitive levels afford the opportunity for anyone to play, regardless of athletic ability or skill level. The SFAAA also puts on the annual Hurricane Showdown which draws hundreds of LGBTQ softball players to Fort Lauderdale over Thanksgiving weekend.

For more information, visit www.SFAAASoftball.com.

Softball Tournament

Oakland Park Pickleball Team Combining the elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis, the Oakland Park Pickleball Team welcomes all people. It does not matter what your sexual orientation or skill level, if you want to play, you better come and join this team. They meet at the Collins Community Center on NE 3 Ave in Oakland Park every Saturday at 9:00AM and Wednesday evenings at 6:00PM. Their sole mission is to have fun, make new friends, and be merry.

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BOTTLES NEVER BREAK

By Eric Noel Roman

Bottles keep your beverages contained.

Sometimes, bottles can be used to send a message, or become a creative decorative vase. As humans we sometimes think it is good to keep emotions in bottles. Does bottling in feelings help protect you from the moment?

Absolutely. It protects an individual from exposing one's true feelings and ideas. It does help in creating a socially safe environment.

We like to hide our feelings in little glass coffins thinking they will disappear, whether a good or bad emotion, it does not matter.

F

or many years of my life, I enjoyed the task of not causing tension within my core friends. I would stay quiet and never create an argument, even if it was legitimate to the conversation. I kept all of my opinions and ideas to myself. I would grab those bottles off the wall, stuff my feelings in them, and toss them away into the vast ocean of lost memories. Remember what bottles are for? Keeping things safe, right? Eventually these bottles would not get passed around, broken, or washed away in the tides of life.

Instead they accumulated. After years of not talking about how I felt or celebrating major accomplishments, I became very unstable. I did not give myself praise for reaching goals and I overemphasized my downfalls. I was becoming very self-destructive. I isolated myself and made all my situations awkward. I pushed everyone away, until I was alone.

In a state of loneliness I began to openly write about my depressed feelings on social media.

Each post was morbid, angry, and spiteful.

I wrote just to get reactions, all negative.

After sometime, I opened up and let loose my emotions and started feeling better. I would write how angry I was at myself, or how sometimes I was alone and lonely. I felt

better. My posts evolved from how upset I was at the world to how grateful I was to have experienced the hate. Wait, what? Thankful?

Yes, I am thankful I was able to learn that expressing my anger allowed me to release it. I stopped reaching for bottles and just celebrated positive accomplishments.

All things are accomplishments now. If I fail or feel angst, I express it. I placed well in a race, guess that it's time to celebrate. I realized that the bottles were never being used and I regularly expressed how I felt, I noticed my expressions eventually helped others get past their feelings of depression, because they felt they were not alone.

Remember when you reach for the bottle to place your tiny sadness in it, or the fact that you reached a small goal in life and did not celebrate, you will end up filling your ocean with resentment toward others and yourself.

By vocalizing your feelings, you are allowing for anger and sadness to escape. The bottles can stay on the shelf and decorate your walls with flowers. Your ocean of emotions stays clear. In the end, you will have an ocean where you can see far into the horizon. A horizon that is full of light and life.

As a Dj by trade, fitness lover by hobby, FIU graduate, and simply trying to be happy, I am your writer, Eric Noel Roman.

34 | OutClique.com

TRULUCK’S

A TRULY UNIQUE DINING EXPERIENCE

By Steven O. Evans, PhD

Someone once said, “Don’t just eat. Dine.” And that is true at Truluck's Seafood, Steak and Crab House located at the Galleria at Fort Lauderdale.

Bread I had the pleasure of dining there, personally.

Let me first reveal a truth about myself that was penned by a well-known celebrity, “I love bread.” If you have just the garlic bread at Truluck’s, you’ll go home happy. “Melt in your mouth,” does not begin to describe these little drops of heaven. Light, airy, and just the right amount of garlic and butter, you’ll be tempted to make these morsels your entire meal.

Drinks Voila! If you favor a drink with flair and pizazz (who doesn’t?), order this uber unique drink of dry ice vapor, vodka, cava, Chambord, pineapple juice, and raspberries. That’s right, dry ice. The flavorful mix is light and refreshing, but the presentation is one you’ll want to Snap, Insta, and tweet. Send a video to your family back home or that cute guy you’ve been flirting with for months. Even better, bring him and dazzle him with this frothy libation.

Appetizers Start your meal with the Lobster Bisque. You haven’t had this dish before, until you have tried it here. The other appetizer not to miss is Truluck’s Salt & Pepper Calamari. Not the typical, this crisp dish is served with sweet Vietnamese chili sauce.

Main Entree If you go, go for the stone crab. Cracked and ready to eat, this delicacy is one you’ll talk about with your friends. You can’t go to a seafood restaurant and not try their house specialty. Choose from medium, large, or jumbo size crab claws. I know you’ll go for the 36 | OutClique.com

jumbo. Go big, or go home. The dipping sauce is a house recipe created to complement the rich flavors of the crab.

The Chef’s Filet is an excellent choice to order.

If the two of you share it with the crab, you will have a fabulous surf and turf dinner. Since I was raised on a cattle farm in Kentucky, a good steak is the prime focus of a meal (pun intended). Medium rare is the only way to go tender, full of flavor, and cooked to perfection.

Dessert If you’re not stuffed, yet, select the Chocolate Bag Cake. It’s a unique blend of chocolate malt icing, macerated berries, and warm chocolate sauce. Or want to take that new boy out for a quick get-to-know-ya date? He’ll be impressed with just coffee and dessert at Truluck’s. The atmosphere is just right for conversation.

Due to popular demand for its incredible dining, service and atmosphere, Truluck’s recently launched lunch service. Now, you can fulfill that craving for the restaurant’s signature seafood and steak dishes, daily from 11:30AM to 3:00PM. For those seeking a quick in-andout, Truluck’s also offer a power punch threecourse meal for $30.

Life is short. Treat yourself. Make your dates, afternoons,and dinners divine. And add Truluck’s as one of these experiences.

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MARLIN BEACH 2.0 TEA DANCE

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CELEBRATE LENT

By Fr. Jamie Forsythe

G

et out the sackcloth, prepare the ash heap, Ash Wednesday is March 6, 2019.

And so begins another season of Lent, a time of fasting and self-mortification; a time to put away the nice things in life and make yourself miserable. At least, so we have been taught.

Many Christians will observe Ash Wednesday by having ashes placed on their forehead, usually in the shape of a cross. As the minister is tracing the cross on the forehead, they will usually say “Remember man that you are dust and to dust you shall return” (pretty morbid for my taste), or “Turn away from sin and believe in the good news” (my preference).

For the “dust people,” Lent can be a time of penance and gloom. They perform acts of penance and self-sacrifice, to perhaps grant them extra graces for judgment day. On the positive side, it reminds them that they are mortal and that they should be focusing on the afterlife.

I am a “turn person.” I believe that Lent is a time of growth and conversion. A time to remind ourselves that our true nature is spiritual, and for awhile we exist on earth. We turn away from the things that hold us bound in this world (power, money, self-satisfaction,

and instant gratification) to believe in the most basic of all good news, God loves us. We see ourselves not as isolated individuals, but members of a larger family. We reach out in love to help those who are in need, sometimes making a small sacrifice in our lives for the greater good of the world.

Lent is not just about giving up, it is about also giving out. People who only give up something for Lent are going through the season halfashed. Hear the second part of the admonition; “believe in the good news.” Believe that you are loved by God. Use this season to grow spiritually and let that growth be reflected in loving actions towards others, especially those in need.

May the season of Lent be a wondrous time in your life, a time when you get to know your true self more intimately. Enter the season with a open heart, and you will leave with a heart filled with love.

Holy Angels invites you to join us for the celebration of Ash Wednesday and the Distribution of Ashes on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at 7:00PM. Following the Mass, we will share in a simple meal of soup and bread. ALL are invited.

Holy Angels National Catholic Church 2917 NE 6 Avenue, Wilton Manors, FL 33334 www.HolyAngelsFL.org 48 | OutClique.com

THE SPA CABANAS A LEGACY IN VISION AND SERVICE

A

fter 11 years at the helm of the Spa Cabanas, located at The Cabanas Guesthouse, Norman Lachance is announcing his decision to transition ownership and day-to-day operations to Mr. Carlos Rodriguez over the next month. Mr. Rodriguez is a trusted friend of over 35 years to Norman, a mainstay in the LGBTQ community and Fort Lauderdale, and a frequent visitor to the Cabanas Guesthouse and Spa. W ith this lifelong foundation of friendships and an intimate familiarity with the community and services the spas offers, Norman invites you to continue expecting not only the gold standard services and professionalism embodied under his management, but also to welcome Mr. Rodriguez and his team in bringing fresh and new perspectives with levels of innovation that will continue to make the Spa Cabanas the best in Fort Lauderdale.

You can still visit the spa to find your favorite masseurs, receive the best skin care technologies, and experience the spa’s excellent customer service.

Norman would like to say a special, “Bon Voyage!”

To Oscar, Gabriel, Brett, and all the Spa staff, and to Tim, Cabanas Guesthouse manager, thank you. What a team we have made.

Each of you with your individual talents, strengths, and unique personalities have been a bewitching potion, without which the valleys could not have been navigated, nor anything achieved, big or small You’ve earned and have my trust and friendship. I hope I have earned and have yours.

A personal note of thanks to Fort Lauderdale, 54 | OutClique.com

Norman Lachance the LGBTQ community, and the many guests of the Guesthouse and Spa. This decision to transition and begin a new chapter in my life could not be more bittersweet. It is only with the warmth, courage, and support of this community that I can pass on what has been my passion for the past 11 years to the most capable hands of Mr. Rodriguez.

This experience of allowing me and my team to deliver our best in massage and skin care services, while contributing to successes of the LGBTQ community, has been a poignant and thrilling ride. You have my heartfelt thanks and continued support in all the ways I will endeavor to carry on as a proud member of this wonderful community.

And last but not least, to my friends John and Bill, owners of the the Cabanas Guesthouse.

With this and many other decisions I’ve had to make in my life, from launching the Spa 11 years ago, to painstakingly making this decision to move on, the two of you have been there every step of the way. I can honestly say, I would not have had it any other way.

Even more, I don’t think we would have seen the successes we experienced, were it not for the support, mutual respect, and enduring friendship we enjoyed. It is from the bottom of my heart and with endless appreciation that I thank you! I thank you for considering me when I approached you years ago with this idea. I thank you for partnering with me and for your efforts in taking care of our relationship as we grew to be the best Fort Lauderdale could offer both the LGBTQ local community and travelers. While this is certainly not goodbye, I want you to know you are loved and precious to me. You are one of the best “La” chance encounters I have enjoyed throughout my years. Again, thank you.

Tim, Cabanas Guesthouse Manager

Carlos, New Owner of the Spa

John & Bill, Cabanas Guesthouse Owners OutClique.com | 55

WHAT MAKES US CLIQUE

ELIMINATION ONYX

By Andy Armano

This series focuses on individuals who give to our community and make a positive impact on the lives of others. Often it is through our personal adversities that we discover who we are and transform the challenges into strength.

His mother taught him resilience and to believe in himself. Now Elimination Onyx, Mr. Ramrod 2018, carries on her legacy as he builds bridges within our community.

Photos by Andy Armano

Andy Armano: Tell me about your name.

Elimination Onyx: Elimination Onyx is the name given to me by Onyx, a brotherhood of people of color who enjoy the leather lifestyle. It has become my family here in Fort Lauderdale. It is true brotherhood of always having a friend and a place where you belong. That's a blessing.

AA EO

Tell me where you're from and how you got to here to Florida.

I'm originally from Baltimore, Maryland.

Fort Lauderdale was a dream of mine since the early 2000s, but personal circumstances kept me there for many years.

After watching 12 Years a Slave, I realized that I was holding myself hostage in Baltimore. So, I picked up and moved here in March 2014.

AA EO

How did your childhood shape you into the man you are today?

I know I'm a mama's boy. I'm happy to be a mama's boy and I'm blessed because I was a mama's boy. My mother was a single mom, and she worked three jobs to take care of us. We had the best of everything because of her hard work. She sacrificed a lot 64 | OutClique.com

and she was a great provider. Had it not been for her example, I'm not sure I would've been ready for the opportunities that life has brought to me.

My mom was a a great example for me. She worked her way out of Section 8 housing to a great, wonderful neighborhood. Once we made it out to the other side, she continued to have that aura of success, of never settling for less.

I am the the oldest and there were two other siblings under me. The pressure was on to make sure that I supported my mom in everything that had to be done at home. As the oldest sibling, I made sure my siblings ate and did their homework.

AA

At the time, was that role of caretaker for your younger siblings something you embraced, or was it something that was you rebelled against?

EO

I embraced the role, definitely. My mom taught about taking care of family. She took care of her children, her brother and she took care of my grandparents.

She passed that down to me. And when the time came, I took care of my mother.

AA

That must have been difficult to lose your mother. I just lost my mother in November.

EO

My mom will have been gone five years and it is still fresh. I still talk of her in the present tense. I miss her every day. It took me a long time not to get angry at Mother's Day or when people posted pictures of their mother. I still get angry when people say bad things about their parents.

It continues to be hard, but I found peace here in Fort Lauderdale. I found peace here within my community. I found peace within my leather brotherhood, and because of that peace, I'm able to make a difference, hopefully, in someone else's life. And, I'm able to live my life happily.

I firmly believe in giving people roses. I gave my mom all her roses while she was here. You reap what you sow, here on earth and in heaven.

AA EO

Tell me a little about your journey with your leather brotherhood.

I actually started in leather in the nineties at the Baltimore Eagle. That experience was unique because Baltimore was very segregated and there weren't many people there who looked like me. At that time, I was living two lives. I was living my vanilla life, and my gay leather life. Here in Fort Lauderdale, I have been able to really dive into leather. I'm unapologetically me and I'm unapologetically Mr. Ramrod. That title is something that I wanted, I earned, and I feel that I can do a lot with it for the community.

AA

Have you seen an evolution in the leather community? I know that racism's been a problem. Toxic masculinity has been a problem. What's your experience been with that and has that changed?

EO

A change is coming because we're going to make a change come. There has been time, here within my own bar that people were not very hospitable. But the great thing is that I continued to come, and together

we're going to change that mentality.

As Mr. Ramrod, I say that the gay community comes in so many different flavors, and, just like ice cream all those flavors are good.

Shame on anyone who chooses not to try to taste, to feel, to allow themselves to be open enough to experience all the diversity within this community, because it's beautiful.

AA EO

Where do find your strength today?

AA EO

Tell me about “Enough.�

The community. The positives that I see. The smiles that I see. My brotherhood in Onyx. your

movement,

My movement is the Enough Movement. Enough hate, enough racism, erasure, walls, ageism. Enough of killing of people who are black and brown.

Then, on the plus side, we all need to know that we are enough. I am enough. My body is enough. You are enough.

AA

That's beautiful. I love that word because what I'm hearing is both enough, like that's enough of that old way of thinking, old way of those attitudes. It's also enough, like I am enough.

EO

Absolutely. That's the great thing about that word, I can use that same sword to fight my enemies, but then use that sword to cut the fruit of the tree and feed myself.

AA

If there were words of encouragement you would give to somebody you just met, what would that be?

EO

Pursue your authentic self, whatever that looks like, whoever that may be.

I would encourage everyone to not allow the naysayers to push them away. Naysayers should be the gasoline to fuel them to keep pushing, and that fire within them to fight the good fight.

If they don't have that gasoline, I got it for them.

OutClique.com | 65

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION } Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your What is the most important information healthcare provider right away if you ® I should know about BIKTARVY ? get these symptoms: skin or the white BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects: } Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV and stop taking BIKTARVY, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health.

Who should not take BIKTARVY? Do not take BIKTARVY if you take: } dofetilide } rifampin } any other medicines to treat HIV-1

What are the other possible side effects of BIKTARVY? Serious side effects of BIKTARVY may also include: } Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections. 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.

part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomacharea pain.

The most common side effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (5%), and headache (5%). Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or don’t go away.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking BIKTARVY? } All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis virus infection. } All the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements. BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect each other. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all of your other medicines. } If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY. } If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed.

HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.

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.

Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you.

Please Please see see Important Important Facts Facts about about BIKTARVY, BIKTARVY, including including important important warnings, warnings, on the on following the following page. page.

KEEP LOVING.

Because HIV doesn’t change who you are.

What is BIKTARVY? BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults. 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.

BIKTARVY.COM

IMPORTANT FACTS (bik-TAR-vee)

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.

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. 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.

ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults. 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

BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY Tell your healthcare provider all your medical conditions, including if you: • Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis infection.

• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

• Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

• Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that interact with BIKTARVY.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY BIKTARVY can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section.

• Changes in your immune system.

• New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure.

• 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 (5%), and headache (5%).

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. 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.

GET MORE INFORMATION

• This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more.

• Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5.

• If you need help paying for your medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.

BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.

Version date: February 2018 © 2018 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BVYC0051 06/18

divas wanted

LIPS Nightclub, Fort Lauderdale

In Greater Fort Lauderdale, we welcome everyone who shares our spirit of inclusion. Discover a colorful collection of cultures and activities as unique and individual as you. Visit sunny.org/lgbt @VisitLauderdale | sunny.org

SPA SEACRETS SPRING CLEANING!

By Brian David Douglas

A

re you a beauty product hoarder? Is your shower lined with half empty bottles of body wash, shampoos and various facial cleansers? Let’s talk about what’s in your drawers. Not those! Can you even close the drawers in your bathroom vanity?

So many people come into the spa for a facial and then proclaim that skin care products don’t work. They then rattle off their list of all the products they have at home. Here’s an inside secret for you: beauty products cannot change the condition of your skin from the inside of a jar in your medicine cabinet. The products only work if you actually use them.

Out with the old and in with the new!

My challenge for you is to do an inventory of your bathroom. I mean literally empty out all the cabinets and drawers. Most professional skin care products have a shelf life of 1-2 years. If it’s close to a year old just throw it out. Run a total in your mind of how much money you’ve wasted on all these inferior products. I bet you’ll be amazed!

Simplicity is key Ever go in a restaurant and the menu has so much on it that it’s overwhelming? That’s how it goes with beauty products too. There are so many options out there and it’s easy to be overwhelmed. Try to scale down to a simple regimen that is easy to commit to.

Professionals know best For those of you (unlike myself) lucky enough to have hair, have your stylist recommend a professional shampoo, conditioner and styling product and stick to those.

Photo by Michael Murphy

Lose that bacteria and mold infested loofa or week-old washcloth in your shower. Instead, just use a good-old fashioned bar of soap,

preferably one that’s ph balanced and fragrance free.

Lastly, if you are ready to commit to a skin care regimen, here are my favorites for a spring clean for your skin. Visit David Douglas Spa for these great finds.

1. Hydra Refine Cleansing Mousse. This soap free formula contains Marine Seaweed with astringent Lemongrass and fresh, cooling Cucumber.

2. Hydra Refine Astringent Marine Seaweed, astringent Lemongrass and fresh Cucumber help to reduce appearance of oiliness.

3. Fusion Matcha Lemongrass Scrub Exfoliates with Matcha Green Tea, Lemongrass & Seaweed.

4. T-Zone Shine Control Serum. This lightweight, pore refining serum leaves skin fresh, clean and shine-free.

5. T-Zone Moisture Complex with Green and White Teas to smooth and hydrate skin.

Brian David Douglas is the owner of David Douglas Spa. His Global Award winning spa was named "Top Spa for Men" by American Spa Magazine. Douglas is an International Educator for Repechage and was named the "Rising Star" in skin care.

This article is paid for and sponsored by David Douglas Spa. 76 | OutClique.com

SALVO TURNS SILVER HAIR INTO SILVER DOLLARS AT CLUB SILVER

By Tony Adams

A

n introduction to Salvo Mule must begin with an Italian lesson. Salvo, born in Palermo, Sicily, and raised in Rome, Italy, tells us that his last name is pronounced MOO-lay. With that out of the way, Salvo welcomes questions about how he started the new piano bar and lounge called “Club Silver” on the Drive in Wilton Manors. He says, “The business found me. I have owned the building for a few years. It had housed a bear bar whose owner suggested I become his partner rather than just his landlord. This evolved to the point where I became sole owner.

Before this, the closest I ever came to being a bar owner was a dream I’ve had for years of starting a gladiator-themed nightclub to be called ‘Spartacus.’ That is still only a dream because I’ve always been too busy making money, which is what I do best. I am also a real estate broker which is my primary source of income.”

When the City of Wilton Manors asked Salvo about his plans for the space, he answered, “I want to give a home to the homeless.” By homeless, Salvo meant the elder gays who no longer had a venue of their own. Through sheer determination, Salvo jumped through all the regulatory hoops challenging him when he acquired the business on December 5, 2018, and managed to open the doors to Club Silver on New Year’s Eve of the same year.

Because Salvo’s real estate ventures involve gay and straight associations, he follows some words of wisdom given to him by his father regarding his sexual identity. “Don’t volunteer, but don’t deny.” Salvo is proudly gay, but he doesn’t make that a part of every business transaction. In addition to real estate, he also owns an AC company and runs a newspaper. At one time he owned a business called “Salvo’s Love Boat,” organizing cruises for older gay travelers. An experienced entrepreneur, Salvo 78 | OutClique.com

studied theology in Rome before deciding that the priesthood was not for him, and that he was better suited to business. If Club Silver is any indication, Salvo definitely knows how to attract the silver dollar.

With his very active mind, Salvo fends off boredom with more plans than will ever become real. He would like to start a non-profit fund for isolated older gay folks who cannot afford the rent in housing communities. Salvo would like his fund to help gay elders enjoy the benefits of living in supportive communities.

Will Club Silver continue its success? He says, “Competition is the essence of business, so I can’t just sit back. I’ve got expansion plans.”

Salvo has just finished renovating an adjoining room for smaller parties, birthdays, weddings, and according to the sign on the door, even for divorces! This elegant space is naturally called, “The Silver Room.”

Hanging over Salvo’s desk is a sign saying, “Always Smile.” This is the guiding instruction adhered to by the Club Silver team welcoming and celebrating older clients and their admirers. The excellent live entertainment is different every night. Check https://www.facebook.com/ClubSilverFTL/ or www.ClubSilverFTL.com for your favorites.

A CALL FOR LGBT HEROES APRIL 4-7, 2019

By Christian De La Huerta Photo Courtesy of Soulful Power

W

hat does it mean to be a hero, to live heroically, in these times, when we don’t have a horse hitched outside, armor to wear, and demons to slay, except the ones within?

We associate heroism with those of great courage who accomplish extraordinary feats or selflessly place themselves at personal risk for the sake of another, a larger community or a cause. What if we expanded the way we think of heroism to include everyday struggles and challenges that lead to our own personal growth and spiritual transformation, in service to something greater than ourselves? Perhaps in so doing we do not place ourselves at risk of physical survival in the way a warrior hero does, but being willing to look within, face ourselves and do the necessary work of selfhealing is no less heroic. Freeing ourselves from our conditioning, healing our wounds and transcending our past traumas is an act of tremendous courage and selflessness that is truly the stuff of heroes.

Perhaps the “s word” trips you a bit. It’s no wonder, because many of us confuse spirituality with religion, and given the way we have been treated and continue to be treated by many religions in the world. But, as I put forth in my book, Coming Out Spiritually, that many LGBTQ people reject spirituality is tragic and unnecessary. In fact, people we today call lesbian, gay, bi, trans, or queer have a long

tradition of fulfilling spiritual roles such as teachers, healers, scouts of consciousness, mediators, and keepers of beauty throughout history and all over the world.

Part of my work over the last 30 years has been to help our community reclaim and redefine that spiritual heritage. As far as I am concerned, trying to reject our spirituality is as ludicrous as attempting to do the same with our sexuality, something many of us tried to do as we struggled with self-acceptance and internalized homophobia. They are both intrinsic parts of being human.

But what does it mean to come out spiritually?

Have you known or even suspected that you had a role to play as teacher, healer, or spiritual activist? How are you giving expression to those roles in your life? Are you ready to step things up a bit? It’s time.

Come spend a weekend with an intimate group of like-minded committed seekers. Identify, and release, whatever obstacles may have been holding you back from stepping fully into your power and purpose. Let’s explore what we may do together that we may not be able to do separate and alone. We will enjoy inspiring dialogue, soul-nourishing camaraderie, deep healing, rituals, four life-changing breathwork sessions, and exquisite meals as we break through beyond past limitations to unleash our true potential. And, we will have fun!

A CALL FOR LGBT HEROES

April 4-7, 2019 | Coconut Grove, FL | www.SoulfulPower.com OutClique.com | 81

QUESTIONS FROM OUR COMMUNITY Rod Davis President, BBB serving Southeast FL and the Caribbean

H

aving worked for BBB since 1984, I have been around long enough to remember when all questions and information were provided to callers. The internet was not yet providing information to consumers and Google was years away. When I moved to Florida and became the CEO for BBB serving Southeast Florida and the Caribbean in 2015, it became clear that to serve our community well, we had to provide various communication platforms to receive and share information.

Most BBB information is currently accessed by consumers visiting our website (www.BBB. org/SEFL). Last year alone we received and processed over 40,000 complaints, received over 148,000 calls, posted 20,000 verified reviews, were visited by 4.2 million different consumers and shared over 6 million reports on businesses to help consumers decide where to spend their dollars. In the mix of information going to and from consumers are thousands of questions each year. Since your neighbors are asking these questions, I thought many of you might have the same questions. Here are a few of the questions and answers we have received recently.

82 | OutClique.com

Question: Are there are any legitimate opportunities to work from home? (Paula B.) Answer: It is always good to check on work at home opportunities since there are many scams in this space seeking to obtain your personal information or banking information.

With internet and voice over IP phones, there are many more legitimate options for individuals seeking to work at home. Some well-known companies provide options to work from home like JetBlue: www.Work-Here.

JetBlue.com/#Modal-Title-286.

Additionally, there are businesses that create virtual call centers and offer services to multiple companies. Some of these include: www.Arise.com andwww.GreatVirtualWorks. com/Become-An-Agent/.

It is always good to check out the businesses before you contact them about work opportunities and especially before providing any personal information. Don’t just respond to a phone number or email that comes to you with job offers as these can be phishing

scams. Check to make sure the business is legitimate, review their BBB Business Profile (www.BBB.org) and check to see that any phone numbers or email address is connected to a valid business. If you can’t verify their email or phone number using other sources (e.g. business directories) don’t provide your personal information.

GlassDoor.com also provides a resource to see what employees have to say about a potential employer. Most of the opportunities to work from home also impose requirements (e.g. high-speed data line, computer.). Find out about any requirements, and whether you are paid for training and of course, detailed information about compensation and benefits so you can make an informed decision about whether the opportunity is one that works for you.

Question: Any complaints on Sea Breeze Roofing? (Ted A.) Answer: Dear Ted, you can obtain a full report on Seabreeze Roofing on www.BBB.org/SEFL. The BBB report will provide any complaints BBB has received in the last three years on a business, a rating based on many factors (e.g. how many complaints relative to the size of the business, how complaints are answered and resolved, whether the business has any government actions, whether the business is properly licensed, etc.). BBBs report on each business will also include any reviews filed by

consumers about the business. Based on their marketplace activity Seabreeze has an A+ rating, with 7 positive reviews and 1 complaint that was resolved to the customer’s satisfaction. While the BBB reports on all businesses, only businesses with a B or better rating may apply to be BBB accredited. A BBB accredited business must continue to meet the BBB Code of Business. The business's accreditation will be revoked and have their rating negatively impacted should they not live up to that commitment.

Question: I am looking for a financial advisor to manage my retirement account. Any advice?

(Gina P.) Answer: Investment scams and brokers and firms with problematic records can put your retirement in jeopardy. FINRA is a not-forprofit organization authorized by Congress to protect America’s investors by making sure the broker-dealer industry operates fairly and honestly. On the FINRA website (www.FINRA. org) you will find guidance and resources to help find an ethical partner to help you prepare for retirement. BrokerCheck is a free tool on the FINRA site to research the background and experience of financial brokers, advisers and firms. The tool helps verify licensing and provides information about any complaints or disciplinary actions filed by FINRA. Additionally, it is wise to talk to friends and family and also check the applicable report on BBB before making a final decision.

If you have a question you would like more information about, please send an email to me at AskRod@BBBSEFL.org.

If you are thinking about it, someone else is as well and I will share the question and answer in a future column.

84 | OutClique.com

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VIVACIOUS AND FULL OF LOVE RAJEE

By Denny Patterson

R

ajee Narinesingh is a trans activist, actress, reality television personality, and the best friend you never knew you had. Mostly known for her appearances on E! Entertainment’s hit program, Botched, the show documented Rajee’s struggles to remove cement from her face, breasts, hips, and buttocks after receiving black market injections from a fake doctor. When Rajee’s story came to light, she received a tremendous amount of love and support. Now, with most of the substance removed from her face, Rajee is living life to the fullest. She recently participated in two film projects that will be released later this year, and I had the absolute pleasure of chatting more with her about these films, in addition to her appearances on Botched and her overall love for life and others.

Trust me, her heart is as big as her breasts.

Let’s start off by chatting more about your upcoming films. You play a fortune teller in Prophecy?

Yes! I play a small role of a fortune teller. It’s a few lines, but I had fun with it. The producers were so pleased with my performance, and I was so excited about doing this film because it brought out my acting. I don’t know if you ever saw Bella Maddo, but I played the principal role. It was an all trans production.

All trans actors playing non-trans roles. I played the role of Aunt Norma. I went to school for drama and grew up in Philadelphia and went to the Franklin Learning Center. I took health science with a combination of performing arts, and literally, the school was kind of like Fame. I took drama, dance, choir – I really love acting.

Well, I am sure those people were thrilled to meet you! Now, what about Beyond Judgment?

What is that one about?

Beyond Judgment is a documentary and the basic concept of the movie is that the producer is going into the lives of trans women from around the world. There’s one featured 88 | OutClique.com

from Africa, one from Europe, one from Central or South America, and three here in the United States and I was one of the three chosen.

The production team flew in from Toronto and filmed everything about me for a whole week.

From my activism to me sitting in a bubble bath. It was like the full Rajee experience. And let me tell you, I had to keep putting bubbles in that bath. I was in there for a while, and I was like hey guys, we better hurry up because the bubbles are starting to go! It was a lot of fun.

Would you say Botched is what really helped your claim to fame?

Before Botched, I was thrust into the world media in 2011 when my story went viral.

Literally, things changed overnight. I did a local interview with CBS and that ran at 11PM. I had been speaking at local events here in Miami and talking about my experiences about being a trans woman, including the whole black market thing. The segment aired at 11PM Monday night and by 9 AM Tuesday, my phone was ringing off the hook. Dr. Phil, Anderson Cooper, CNN. You know like in the movies when you see someone’s story breaks and all the

news trucks are on their front lawn? That was how my front lawn looked. One week I was in New York with Anderson Cooper and a couple of days later I was in California with Dr. Phil. So, after I was thrusted into the world media, I would say it was like a momentum that kept going. It led me to appearing on talks shows. I was on The Trisha Goddard Show three times. A couple years later, I was still getting recognized by people. Not to the point it is now, but still recognized here and there. Then Botched called. After appearing on Botched for the first time, it went from 50 to 100. I was getting messages from all over the world. When I filmed Botched, I wasn’t thinking about international attention, but Botched is an international reality show because it’s on E!, which is seen in around 100 countries. It was funny because I would get an influx of messages from certain parts of the world, so it must have been airing there at that time.

I received messages from Venezuela, Brazil, Africa, Australia, India, Pakistan, just all over.

What do you have to say to those who are considering black market cosmetic procedures?

Oh my gosh. I hear it from women all over the world. They say they were going to do it, but after hearing my story, they decided not to, and that makes it all worth what I went through. To use my story to educate people about this sort of thing, taking something bad and doing good with it, that whole idea of, “making your mess your message.” I say, you shouldn’t do it. I know it’s easier said than done because of the pressure to want to fit a certain mold and certain standard, but girls have died from it. If they didn’t die, a lot of girls are experiencing some sort of health issue from it. In my case, both health issues were from the disfigurement. Some girls are fine, and nothing happened to them. Black market injections can be a girl’s best friend or a girl’s worst nightmare. I guess for me it’s been a little bit of both, but it’s just one of those things you really roll the dice with.

For more on this article, go to www.OutClique.com

CHECK OUT THESE EVENTS!

WHERE TO BE AND WHAT TO DO IN LGBTQ SOUTH FLORIDA March 2019 Daddy Issues

1-10

Willow Theater

My One and Only, the Gershwin Musical

1-24

Stage Door Theatre

Creativity Exploration: Self-Dissecting

2

North Regional / Broward College Library

Jeremy Jordan

6

Aventura Arts & Cultural Center

Next Fall

8-31

Outre Theatre

Pride Center's 2nd Saturday BINGO, presented by A Celebration of Friends

9

The Pride Center at Equality Park

Barbie Turns 60 Happy Hour (5PM-7PM)

9

Matty's

Barbie Turns 60 Opening Party (7PM-9PM)

9

Art Gallery 21

Barbie Turns 60 Exhibit

Mar9-Apr6

Art Gallery 21

SFSO- Masterworks III

10

Tennessee Williams Theatre

The Capitol Steps

10

Aventura Arts & Cultural Center

SFSO - Masterworks III

12

Broward Center for the Performing Arts

Tap Dogs

12

Broward Center for the Performing Arts

Q-Connect: OutClique Palm Beach Mixer

13

Boca Golf and Tennis Country Club

Jackie Evancho

14

Coral Springs Center for the Arts

14-17

Aventura Arts & Cultural Center

You're a Good Man Charlie Brown Nova Singers - Requiem for the Living

15

St Joseph Episcopal Church Fort Lauderdale

Florida Grand Opera - Frida

16-17

Marlin Beach 2.0 Tea Dance

17

Sanctuary Church - Fort Lauderdale

SFSO - Temple Isreal of Greater Miami Chamber Series

17

Temple Isreal Miami

Nova Singers - Requiem for the Living

17

First Presbyterian Church Pompano Beach

Fort Lauderdale Gay Men's Chorus - A Celebration of Life, Love, & Music

17

All Saints Episcopal Church

Mr & Miss Pride Fort Lauderdale

18

Aventura Arts & Cultural Center

Queef Latina

19

NSU Art Museum

Nova Singers - Requiem for the Living

19

Christ Church - Fort Lauderdale

Paul Taylor Dance Company

19-20

Miramar Cultural Center

Broward Center for the Performing Arts

John Lloyd Young

20

Aventura Arts & Cultural Center

Get Happy - Angela Ingersoll sings Judy Garland

21

Parker Playhouse

Want to get listed? Contact us!

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CHECK OUT THESE EVENTS!

WHERE TO BE AND WHAT TO DO IN LGBTQ SOUTH FLORIDA March 2019

Florida Grand Opera - Frida

21-24

Maimi-Dade County Auditorium

From White Plains

Mar21-Apr21

Island City Stage

Tropical Plant Fair

2-24

Richardson Park

Florida AIDS Walk & Music Festival

23

Fort Lauderdale Beach

Adam Pascal

24

Parker Playhouse

28-30

Parker Playhouse

Florida Grand Opera - Frida 9 to 5 the Musical

Mar28-Apr14

Broward Center for the Performing Arts

Edwards Twins

29

Coral Springs Center for the Arts

Ultimate Miami Drag Queen

30

Magic City Casino

Mar31-Apr7

Sixth Man Cruise

Melissa Etheridge Cruise

April 2019 Mimai Beach Pride

1-7

Price is Right LIVE

4

Gay Polo

4-7

Miami Beach Coral Springs Center for the Arts International Polo Club - Palm Beach

First Friday Piano Bar

5

Yello

Creativity Exploration: Celebrating (A Sense of Pride Adult & Senior Workshop)

6

Northwest Branch Library

International Orchid & Garden Festival

6-7

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo

7

Parker Playhouse

The Barricade Boys

7

Aventura Arts & Cultural Center

10th Annual Pride Cruise to Cuba

8-13

Ghost - the Musical

Apr12-May5

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens

Source Events Stage Door Theatre

South Florida Symphony Orchestra - Masterworks IV

13

Tennessee Williams Theatre

SFSO - Temple Isreal of Greater Miami Chamber Series

14

Temple Israel Miami

Bernadette Peters

14

Kravis Center

South Florida Symphony Orchestra - Masterworks IV

16

Broward Center for the Performing Arts

Rent

17

Kravis Center

GFLGLCC Quarterly Networking Breakfast, presented by Linda Bucilli, Northwestern Mutual

18

The Westin - Fort Lauderdale

Florida Grand Opera - Werther

Want to get listed? Contact us!

92 | OutClique.com

Apr27-May5

Adrienne Arsht Center

OutClique@gmail.com | 954-998-6429

May 2019 South Florida Fringe Festival

2-5

Savannah Bus Tour by Rainbow Travel Services

6-10

Dance Theatre of Harlem

8

Florida Grand Opera - Werther

9-11

Kinky Boots Cuba Pride Cruise

Savannah, Jekyll Island, & Charleston

Kravis Center Broward Center for the Performing Arts

16

Kravis Center

16-19

DMC of Miami

Sierra Boggess and Ramin Karimloo

18

Thoroughly Modern Millie

Hagen Park & Richardson Park

May24-Jun16

Parker Playhouse Stage Door Theatre

June 2019 World Pride

June

New York City

Key West Pride

5-9

Key West

Amazing Israel Trip & Tel Aviv Pride

11-25

Freedom Travel

Priscilla Queen of the Desert

13-30

Broward Center for the Performing Arts

The Lightening Thief

25-30

Broward Center for the Performing Arts

The Soul of Motor City

5-28

Stage Door Theatre

A Celebration of Friends - Palm Springs Lusty Luau

18-21

Palm Springs, CA

Tropical Heat

14-18

Key West

Greek Isles Odyssey Cruise

24-31

Source Events

July 2019

August 2019

September 2019 Women's Fest

4-8

Key West

October 2019 Cannonball Bash

Want to get listed? Contact us!

Oct31-Nov4

Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors

OutClique@gmail.com | 954-998-6429 OutClique.com | 93

CARBONELL AWARD -WINNING

S LOW B U R N T H E AT R E C O. 2018–2019 SEASON

the musical

FEB 28–MAR 10

Abdo New River Room

MAR 28–APR 14

JUN 13–30

Amaturo Theater

Amaturo Theater

SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE NOW or SAVE 10% WHEN YOU DESIGN YOUR OWN 3-SHOW SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGE For 3-show subscriptions, please call 954.468.3280

MARCH 21 A star is born as award-winning dynamo Angela Ingersoll celebrates American Icon Judy Garland, as seen on her current PBS television special. Acclaimed for her stunning portrayal of Garland in End of the Rainbow, Ingersoll shines as a force all her own live in concert.

TICKETS at BrowardCenter.org • Ticketmaster | 954.462.0222 Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Office • Group Sales | 954.660.6307 The Broward Center and Parker Playhouse 2018-2019 season is presented by the Broward Performing Arts Foundation.

Follow us:

BrowardCenter

DADDY ISSUES

Photo by George Wentzler

For more photos of this event, visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/outclique.

Want to submit photos? | Contact us! OutClique@gmail.com 96 | OutClique.com

JOHN LLOYD YOUNG HIS CAREER AND STARRING IN A GAY FILM

By Mike Jeknavorian

J

ohn Lloyd Young has been in number of films, plays and, musicals, none more famous than his star-turn as Frankie Valli in the Broadway musical Jersey Boys and subsequent film adaptation. What is less known about Young is that he starred in a gay film. Young talks about his career, including the pros and cons of starring in a film that challenges people's notions.

MIKE JEKNAVORIAN: You play a gay man in the romantic comedy, Oy Vey! My Son Is Gay!!

Not only does your character come out to his parents in the film, but it also addresses same-sex adoption. What was the public’s response to the film?

JOHN LLOYD YOUNG: The you-know-what hit the proverbial fan when I did that movie.

Imagine going from one of the most macho Broadway shows ever, into that movie. I learned that my liberal Brown University IvyLeague ideals were not mirrored in wider society. I lost some fans. I was also ridiculed within my own industry. It was a learning experience. Later on, I learned that some parents had been moved by the film, and my hope that it could have that effect is why I wanted to do it in the first place. So many scripts belittle or caricature gay characters, and this one didn’t. It wasn’t the top-ranked movie of all history, but it’s a sweet story, and I own my part in it proudly.

MJ

I couldn’t place it. I looked around the corner and Clint Eastwood was sitting by himself playing the theme he composed himself for Mystic River. It wasn’t a crazy or weird moment. It was a quiet, somewhat beautiful one. I'll never forget it.

MJ

Bob Crewe, who also happened to be gay, wrote and produced many of The Four Seasons hits. Did you ever get to meet him before he passed away?

JLY

I knew Bob Crewe early on, but I got to know him better in L.A. after I moved there. Bob was a self-proclaimed bisexual. He was, in my opinion, more European-aristocrat, in a way. Anything went with him, but with discretion, taste and decorum. He was a gentleman. And I don't want to start any rumors, but if you look at the timeline, the Four Seasons hit parade dropped off when Crewe's co-writing dropped off. Hmm.

MJ

What can audience expect from your upcoming show in Aventura? Will you be testing out any new songs?

JLY

This new set of songs will jump off with Broadway songs I love, evolve through to Jersey Boys, and then beyond into other great R&B and early rock. I’ll even some brand-new originals co-written by me and my Grammy-nominated music director, Tommy Faragher.

Live theater contains a fair amount of the unpredictable, but so can a film set. What’s the craziest or weirdest thing that happened on the set of Jersey Boys?

MJ

JLY

JLY

We were shooting a scene set in Frankie Valli’s Fifth Avenue apartment, years into his success. There was a grand piano in the apartment. Between setups, I was resting just off the set in my chair and I heard a familiar theme on the piano.

98 | OutClique.com

Florida?

And finally, what will you do with your down time when you're in South

I’ve got friends to visit from my time on President Obama’s arts committee, as well as my Mar-a-Lago friends.

I’ll wear my referee stripes (laughs).

For more on this article, go to www.OutClique.com

“Smart, sensitive, immensely appealing and utterly contemporary�

- New York Times

Tickets:

954.545.7800 | ccpompano.org

Pompano Beach Cultural Center 50 W. Atlantic Blvd, Pompano Beach 33060

SVETLANA SMOLINA’S RETURN

TO THE SOUTH FLORIDA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

By Denny Patterson

A

prestigious pianist who has performed with orchestras, recitals, and festivals worldwide, Svetlana Smolina is excited and eager to return to the South Florida Symphony Orchestra for its Masterworks III Series. Scheduled for March 10, 12, and 14, 2019 audiences are invited to witness Smolina perform Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat Minor. In addition to South Florida, Smolina has made notable appearances at Carnegie Hall, the New York Philharmonic at Avery Fisher, the Hollywood Bowl, the Salzburg Festival, and the Orchestre National de France. She has performed at several opening/inauguration ceremonies and has recorded for many broadcasts including NPR, BBC, and PCS. I had the pleasure of chatting more with Smolina about her upcoming performance and her passion for the art of music.

Why don’t you go ahead and start off by telling more about your upcoming performance with the South Florida Symphony Orchestra. Is this your first time performing with the Orchestra?

This will be my third season coming to play with the orchestra, and I will be playing Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1. I also came on numerous occasions to play both solo and chamber music in the South Florida Chamber Series.

What are you looking forward to the most about this performance?

To play again with Sebrina. She is an amazing conductor and such an inspiration to play with. Also, I am looking forward to playing for my Florida friends one of my favorite piano concertos and making new friends. I love South Florida audiences and this orchestra is such a joy to work with. I am very excited for

this upcoming engagement.

I hear Maestra Sebrina Alfonso is fabulous to work with.

I love playing with her. She is such a fantastic musician. The first time we played together, we had such a great connection and fantastic energy. She is easy to talk with and she listens to all my ideas, I listen to hers, and we have a wonderful interchange. We always explore and play every concerto on the tour 3-4 times, and none of the performances are ever the same, and that is what I love the most. What’s going to come at the end of the concert is always unexpected. We trust each other so much and the orchestra always consists of wonderful musicians. Every time I play with this orchestra, I feel much at home.

What’s next for you?

In addition to South Florida concerts in March, I will be playing at the Lake Tahoe Festival this upcoming summer with Maestro Joel Revzen from the Metropolitan Opera. We will be playing Rachmaninoff #3 piano concerto. This summer I will also be playing at the Philadelphia International Summer Festival. It’s my annual summer project where I am directing summer piano programs and playing chamber music with the Philadelphia orchestra’s amazing musicians. In the spring, I will be performing in Dublin, Ireland with a possible performance in the house/residence of Oscar Wilde. Lastly, I was just booked a concert engagement in Argentina at the end of March. The list can go on and on. There is no venue alike. I love them all. See you all in March!

For more on this article, go to www.OutClique.com

For more information and ticket prices, visit SouthFloridaSymphony.org.

102 | OutClique.com

MASTERWORKS CONCERT SERIES

MARCH 12 BROWARD CENTER FORT LAUDERDALE

MARCH 10 TENNESSEE WILLIAMS THEATRE KEY WEST

RAVEL Alborada del Gracioso TCHAIKOVSKY Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat Minor Svetlana Smolina, piano RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Capriccio Espagnol DEBUSSY La Mer TICK ETS ON SA L E N OW

SO U TH F L OR IDAS YMPH ON Y.OR G | 9 5 4 - 5 22- 8 4 4 5

Mar 14 – 17, 7 PM

The whole gang is here! Bossy Lucy is hopelessly in love with piano prodigy Schroeder who doesn’t give her the time of day, perfectionist Sally is still mocking blanket-toting Linus, Snoopy is in the doghouse, and “blockhead,” himself, Charlie Brown, is in rare form. Whether you’re keen to fly with the Red Baron, moon over the Moonlight Sonata, or just do your best to find “Happiness,” You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown is a crowd-pleasing classic.

Original Direction for this version of You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown by Michael Mayer

CARBONELL AWARD WINNING

The Broadway Musical

TICKETS at aventuracenter.org Box Office 877.311.7469 aventuracenter Groups 954.660.6307 All programs , artists, dates and times are subject to change.

#AventuraCenter

All programs, artists, dates and times are subject to change.

JACKIE’S STRENGTH AN INTERVIEW WITH JACKIE EVANCHO

By Gregg Shapiro

S

inger Jackie Evancho may be just shy of her 19th birthday but she’s already had enough of a performance career to last a lifetime. A young woman with a soaring operatic range, Evancho began participating in talent competitions when she was still in the single digits, her big break and greatest exposure came when she placed second during season five of America’s Got Talent. From there Evancho became a popular classical crossover artist, releasing EPs and full-length albums, most recently 2017’s Two Hearts (Portrait Records). I spoke with Jackie shortly before the start of her concert tour.

Gregg Shapiro: Jackie, your 2017 album Two Hearts includes your wonderful renditions of modern pop tunes by artists such as Sam Smith (“Writing’s On the Wall”), Christina Perri (“A Thousand Years”) and Taylor Swift (“Safe and Sound”). Please say something about the process of selecting this type of material for an album such as Two Hearts.

Jackie Evancho: I know that it’s different for everybody and every artist. But for me, personally, it’s listening to songs that really speak to me and trying to find ways that you can recreate songs and present them in a way that nobody expects. Creating your own version so that maybe someday someone says, “I want to sing this song, but the Jackie Evancho version.” I always think of that when I do covers.

GS

The songs “The Way We Were," “Safe and Sound," “Writing’s On the Wall” and “May It Be” are from the movies The Way We Were, The Hunger Games, Spectre and The Fellowship of the Ring, respectively. What would it mean to you to originate the theme song to a movie?

JE

That would be an absolute dream of mine. That is actually one of my top goals as an artist. Within my career, I would 106 | OutClique.com

love to do that. There’s something so classic and legendary about theme songs and ending credit songs. For example, “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic. It creates this whole other status of legendary that I would love to achieve.

GS

As someone who has been performing on TV and in concert from a very early age, do you have words of advice for other young performers who are considering a similar path?

JE

Yes. I would say that it’s not always easy. I know that a lot of times you want to be a kid and play outside or whatever and you have to perform or something. Just remember that if you truly love it, everything falls into place. Despite how you feel in that moment, years later you may understand it more and you’ll understand why you did it.

GS

Finally, would you mind saying something about your awareness of a following in the LGBTQ community and what it means to you?

JE

Having an LGBTQ following is very important to me. I feel a lot of the community thinks that I’m against them because I performed at Trump’s inauguration.

The truth is that I didn’t perform for Trump. I performed for America. It has always been something on my bucket list and I thought this might be the only chance I get. I performed, but I want my fans in the LGBTQ community to know that I am full-on supporting them in any way, shape and form. Not just because my sister is part of the community or that I have family members who are part of the community, but because I personally believe that they should have every right to live their lives, just as someone who is heterosexual or not a part of the community. It shouldn’t be an issue.

For more on this article, go to www.OutClique.com

FORT LAUDERDALE GAY MEN’S CHORUS

HONORS LEONARD BERNSTEIN AND MATTHEW SHEPHARD

T

he Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus (FTLGMC) is honoring the 100 years of American composer Leonard Bernstein and the legacy of Matthew Shepard, a college student who more than two decades ago was the victim of a brutal gay-hate murder, during “A Celebration of Life, Love and Music.”

The performance will be Sunday, March 17, 2019 at 5:00PM at the All Saints Episcopal Church in Fort Lauderdale. A portion of show proceeds will benefit the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

While a significant portion of the evening showcases the prolific works of Bernstein, the Chorus is dedicating “Changing Hearts,” a special, six-piece collection, to Shepard and others who have been the victims of gay-hate crimes. The set features songs from some of Bernstein’s renowned Broadway musicals such as West Side Story, On the Town and Candide. Scenes from The Laramie Project, a play that debuted in 2000 by Moisés Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Project about the reaction of Shepard’s death, are being interspersed with the evening’s musical selections: “Tonight,” “Something’s Coming,”

“One Hand,” “One Heart,” “I Can Cook Too,” and “Make Our Garden Grow.”

Dr. Gary Keating, founding and current director of the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men's Chorus, said the evening’s performance is a reminder of how far the LGBTQ community has come but reminds us there’s still work to do. “Twenty years later, Matthew’s untimely and tragic passing is one we will never forget. We hope this performance inspires the community to support the Matthew Shepard Foundation’s efforts to replace hate and embrace human dignity and diversity through its various programs.”

About Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus The Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus builds community through quality musical performances and civic engagement while promoting a world that accepts and values diversity. Currently led by founding director, Dr. Gary Keating, the FTLGMC is recognized as the first established gay arts organization in the state of Florida and has gained respect and admiration from the community over the years from both gay and straight audiences.

General admission tickets are $25 and VIP with priority seating are $40.

Purchase online at www.TheFTLGMC.org or call (954) 832-0060.

110 | OutClique.com

P R E S E N T S

LIFE LOVE & MUSIC A C e l e b r at i o n o f

Portion of proceeds to benefit Matthew Shepard Foundation

Sunday, March 17, 2019 • 5pm All Saints Episcopal Church 333 Tarpon Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 For tickets please call 954-832-0060 or www.TheFTLGMC.org $25 General Admission and $40 VIP Hamish’s Fund at Our Fund

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

FRIDA MEXICO’S LEGENDARY ARTIST

F

rida, Robert Xavier Rodríguez’s biopic opera about Frida Kahlo, is the third production of Florida Grand Opera’s 78th Season and a company premiere.

Rodríguez’s colorful and passionate R-rated operatic story of Mexico’s legendary artist is scheduled for two performances at the Miramar Cultural Center in West Broward on March 16 and 17, 2019, three performances at the Miami-Dade County Auditorium from March 21 - 24, 2019, and two performances at the Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale on March 28 and March 30, 2019.

Her soul yearned for freedom Frida is the story of renowned Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, wife of the great muralist Diego Rivera. Her tortured life unfolds in a flowing succession of scenes, acted and sung by six women and five men in a variety of guises, masked, plain-faced, and as two- or threedimensional puppets; shadow puppets and projections are involved. Diego’s preoccupation with art and other women shrivel Frida’s soul, and her demands for love drain him; they need one another desperately. Divorce is imminent.

Frida’s health deteriorates; only painting permits emotional release, translating her agonies into a series of canvases. Her fate is to live alone, engulfed by pain, but her paintings live forever, reflecting hidden dreams and inspiring courage to transcend conventional boundaries.

As a student, Frida spurned the taunts of other girls, turning instead to the politics of the revolutionaries. When a near-fatal bus accident kept her bedridden, she found her own path to freedom in her paintings. Through love, pain, tragedy, and ultimately death, Frida’s identity and art remain a fierce cry of independence.

112 | OutClique.com

Robert Xavier Rodríguez’s 1991 opera is as “emphatic and bold” (Opera News) as the artist herself. The production from Michigan Opera Theatre was praised by the Detroit Free Press for its “dramatic intensity and immediacy.”

Rodríguez describes Frida as being "in the Gershwin, Sondheim, Kurt Weill tradition of dissolving the barriers and extending the common ground between opera and musical theater." In keeping with the Mexican setting of Frida’s life, the score features mariachistyle orchestration with authentic Mexican folk songs and dances and the composer's own "imaginary folk music," tangos and colorations of zarzuela, ragtime, vaudeville, and 1930s jazz — "romantically dramatic" (The Washington Post) and full of "the composer's all-encompassing sense of humor" (The Los Angeles Times).

Rodríguez says, "You learn much more about people by watching them not alone, but in conflict with others. Frida and Diego have two powerful love scenes, one at the beginning and one at the end, with one fight after another in between. It's that fascinating and unpredictable through-line of their relationship that drives the action."

In a musical metaphor for Frida's unique persona, her vocal line is scored with its own characteristic rhythms. As Rodríguez observes, "Frida sings as she lived — against the tide from the very first note."

The colorful score is a perfect match for Frida Kahlo's passionate art, conducted by Roberto Kalb with the Florida Grand Opera Orchestra.

This opera reflects Frida Kahlo’s hidden dreams and inspiring courage to transcend boundaries.

f l o r i d a

G r a n d

o p e r a

p r e s e n t s

Robert Xavier Rodríguez’s

Mar 16 thru

Mar 30

“

”

…an exciting, long overdue musical biography – USA Today

Rodríguez’s colorful score is a perfect match for the passionate art of the legendary Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. Wracked by physical pain and caught up in a stormy marriage to Diego Rivera, Kahlo was engulfed with agony that fueled her paintings. This opera reflects her hidden dreams and inspiring courage to transcend boundaries. wi t h

pe r fo r m a nc es

at

Miramar Cultural Center | Miami-Dade County Auditorium | The Parker Playhouse

www.FGO.OrG

SELECT YOUr OwN SEAT

Call our box offiCe at

800.741.1010 Mon - fri, 10aM to 4pM

Photo: Catalina Cuervo as Frida Kahlo, © John Grigaitis Michigan Opera Theatre

QUEEF LATINA THE HUSTLE OF DRAG

By Denny Patterson

T

he NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale is proud to present Miami drag performer and sewing instructor as she hosts a seminar on Tuesday, March 19, 2019 from noon – 1:30PM. She will discuss her introduction to drag, her journey into self-branding, and the triumphs and tribulations of becoming a businesswoman. Originally from Miami, Queef Latina opened her own community sewing studio last July where she holds monthly workshops and private classes. Her sewing classes were recently featured nationally on Telemundo in an episode of Al Rojo Vivo, and locally on NBC 6. As for drag, Queef Latina has entertained at museums, performed at drag festivals, worked along celebrities such as nightlife guru Susanne Bartsch and Amanda Lepore, and she is the creator and co-owner of Wigwood, South Florida’s largest queer festival. I had the pleasure of chatting more with Queef Latina about her upcoming appearance at the NSU Art Museum, in addition to her passion for drag and design. Admission to the seminar is free, but a RSVP is required.

For more information, visit www.NSUArtMuseum.org.

Who is Queef Latina and what is she all about?

Queef Latina is, I love to put it, the human of the future. She lives in a fantasy world where both genders coexist, as well as no gender exists.

She likes to blend. She has hyper feminine and hyper masculine features, so there is almost this sort of perfect balance of a human. In practical terms, Queef Latina is a drag queen who owns a sewing studio in downtown Miami called Queef Enterprises. She teaches sewing to kids at the public library and teaches sewing to adults and private classes at the studio. She also does a lot of private events with children and she has been featured on NBC 6 and Telemundo because of her work with the community and outreach. Queef is also the creator and organizer of the 116 | OutClique.com

Wigwood Festival, which is South Florida’s biggest queer celebration.

You are hosting a seminar at the NSU Art Museum. Can you tell us a little more about that?

They reached out to me a few months ago and asked if I would be interested in speaking basically about creating a brand and being a business person, but also in the drag field and how, now thanks to show like RuPaul’s Drag Race and social media, something that was more of a hobby has become a profitable career for a lot of people. Whether you are on TV or not. They asked me if I could come and speak about my own personal experiences and about my own studio and about Wigwood and how it all came to be. I agreed and I am definitely excited. I don’t know what kind of questions are going to be asked, but I am very excited to talk about the whole process and journey. The person I envisioned Queef Latina being in the beginning and the person Queef Latina is now could not be any more different.

What is the number one lesson you hope audiences will take away from this workshop?

I want them to come out of there feeling not scared to follow their passion, no matter how weird it may come across, and how to not push down any ideas they might have just because they might not be conventional or traditional or conservative or whatever. Just go with the flow of life. I want them to make sure they understand that no matter how much you plan in life, at least this is true for me, no matter how much I planned my life or anticipated doing one thing, life just kind of took me in a different direction. By just accepting it and going with the flow and not trying to fight it, you find yourself in a place you didn’t expect, but a lot happier.

For more on this article, go to www.OutClique.com

FR

A SENSE OF

NSU ART MUSEUM FORT LAUDERDALE

Queef Latina: The Hustle of Drag

EE

Tuesday, March 19, Noon - 1:30 PM NSU Art Museum Join Miami performer Queef Latina as she discusses her introduction to drag, her journey into self-branding, and the triumphs and tribulations of becoming a businesswoman.

Queef Latina is a drag performer and sewing instructor based in Miami, Florida. She owns Queef Enterprises, a community sewing studio in downtown Miami where she holds monthly workshops and private classes. Her sewing classes were recently featured nationally on Telemundo in an episode of Al Rojo Vivo, and locally on NBC 6.

Queef Latina's drag vita includes entertaining at museums, performing at drag festivals such as Bushwig in Brooklyn, working alongside nightlife socialite Susanne Bartsch, pop-star Charli XCX, designer Patricia Field, and celebrity performer Amanda Lepore. Queef is also the creator and co-owner of South Florida's largest queer festival Wigwood, an annual event featuring queer performances, acts, bands, DJs, and vendors.

Admission is free. RSVP is required.

Queef Latina by Dario Krakower @Dariok_studio

A Sense of Pride Adult and Senior LIMITED SPACE. Workshops 2019 Creativity Exploration: Self-Dissecting Saturday, March 2, 2019, 12 - 2 PM North Regional/Broward College Library 1100 Coconut Creek Boulevard, Coconut Creek, FL

RSVP is required.

Please call (954) 262-0258 or email moareservations@moafl.org or visit nsuartmuseum.org/pride

Creativity Exploration: Celebrating Saturday, April 6, 2019, 12 - 2 PM Northwest Branch Library 1580 NW 3rd Avenue, Pompano Beach, FL A Sense of Pride is presented by NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale in partnership with Broward County Libraries. It is made possible with generous support of the following Funds at the Community Foundation of Broward: Richard Frisby and Edward Burkhart Fund, Gay and Lesbian Broward Community Fund, The Rumbaugh Fund, William A. Krueger Charitable Fund and Mary and Alex Mackenzie Community Impact Fund.

@nsuartmuseum nsuartmuseum.org | 954-525-5500 One East Las Olas Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

M A R K C O R TA L E P R E S E N T S S E T H R U D E T S KY ’ S

BROADWAY CONCERT SERIES ADAM PASCAL (Rent/Something Rotten!/Chess)

MARCH 24 • 7PM

NEW

E DAT

SIERRA BOGGESS & RAMIN KARIMLOO (Phantom of the Opera Les Miserables, Love Never Dies)

MAY 18 • 8PM

HOST

SETH RUDETSKY Seth Rudetsky is back! The Sirius/XM Radio star, whom the New York Times dubbed “The Mayor of Broadway,” returns to Parker Playhouse with two intimate evenings of incredible music and hilarious conversations with powerhouse talents Adam Pascal and Sierra Boggess with Ramin Karimloo.

JANUARY 26 • 8pm

TICKETS at ParkerPlayhouse.com Ticketmaster | 954.462.0222 Group Sales | 954.660.6307 The Parker Playhouse 2018-2019 season is presented by the Broward Performing Arts Foundation.

Follow us:

#ParkerPlayhouse

PLAYWRIGHT MICHAEL PERLMAN

DISCUSSES HIS BULLYING PLAY

By Mike Jeknavorian

Playwright Michael Perlman has written a play, From White Plains, about the longstanding reverberations of teenage bullying and the manifestation of it in the viral age. I discussed the play with Perlman, as well as his creative process, before it’s upcoming run at Island City Stage.

MIKE JEKNAVORIAN: How many plays have your written so far?

MICHAEL PERLMAN: From White Plains was my first full length play. Since From White Plains, I've written one more play.

MJ MP

What was the impetus for the story in From White Plains?

I was really interested in exploring an issue where the audience that was coming would probably share the same point of view, that gay bullying is bad, and then they find the complications and the nuances of the human experience. At the time, I’d been reading so much about multiple young people who were committing suicide as they struggled with their sexuality, which is an issue that’s even more rampant and pronounced in the trans community, and it was at the height of the "It Gets Better" campaign. I found myself asking a lot of questions, and really thinking about what it means to grow up. How do we both bring our past with us, and let go of the past when it's holding on to us? This is the play that developed.

MJ MP

Why is the play set in White Plains, New York, and not some other town?

In addition to White Plains being the type of town I saw these young men as hailing from, I also like the play on the name. What happens when you're in a town that's plain and white, but you're not so “plain” 120 | OutClique.com

or not so “white?” It also became the name of Dennis' [the main protagonist] movie for that reason, and so the title takes on multiple meanings.

MJ

Among other things, the play appears to address accountability. Do you think that people can make amends for their actions?

MP

I don't know that this play has an answer to that question, and I don't know that I do. But I do think that the only people that can truly answer that question are the ones that have been hurt. They're the ones who know what they need and the ones whose voices need to be heard.

MJ MP MJ

Did you write the Rice character, the bully, as in the closet?

No. I personally take his sexuality at face value.

The tagline for the play says, “Just because it gets better doesn’t mean it can be forgiven.” What’s beyond forgiveness to you?

MP

I quite like this tagline, although it's not the tagline we used in the original production. In the original production, we used, "Just because it gets better doesn't mean it didn't happen." What does it mean to move forward when we've been traumatized?

I think there are a lot of questions now about what can or can't be forgiven, and who exactly the judge of that is in any given situation. I don't know that there are any clear cut answers. I certainly don't have any.

For more on this article, go to www.OutClique.com

ULTIMATE MIAMI DRAG QUEEN HEADLINER

SHANGELA

By Denny Patterson

I

t’s Shan-gel-la, say what? Started as a baby, but she’s all grown up – and she’s headlining this year’s annual Magic City Casino Ultimate Miami Drag Competition alongside Drag Race’s favorite first eliminated queen, Miss Vanjie. On Saturday, March 30, 2019 South Florida’s fiercest drag performers and female impersonators are going to bring their charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent, while competing for a cash prize of $5,000 and the title of the Ultimate Miami Drag Queen in a pageant style setting. The queens will be scored in three categories: talent, signature look, and Q&A. Get ready to sashay and shantay, because this is a night of shameless fun and everyone is guaranteed to have a good time. Who wouldn’t want to hang out with Shangela and Miss Vanjie? I had the pleasure of chatting more with Shangela about the upcoming event, in addition to her current and upcoming projects and her overall love for drag and performing.

Welcome to South Florida! You are headlining the Ultimate Miami Drag Competition. That must be pretty exciting for you.

Oh my gosh, it is thoroughly exciting because, you know, I am a diva who has been a part of a couple competitions in my life, and I always celebrate those who put themselves on the line to go after what they want. Their dreams.

That is something I do on the daily. It’s really cool.

As a headliner, what can we expect from you?

Well, it’s Shangela, so you can always expect the unexpected! In addition to that, I love a high energy performance and that is what I consistently bring, and that is what I am going to bring to this. Fun, hilarious, high energy entertainment, honey.

Fabulous. Now, are you familiar with the Miami drag scene?

I am. A lot of the girls down there I have always 122 | OutClique.com

admired. You know, I’m from the south, from Texas. I think Florida has some of the best drag entertainers in the business.

What do you hope these Miami competitors bring to the competition?

I hope they bring their versatility and I hope they bring their A-game because honestly, any time you step on stage, you have to be and present your best.

You are going to be headlining with the fabulous Miss Vanjie. Have you two worked together before or will this be the first time?

Honey, this is a Miss Vanjie and Miss Shangie collaboration! [Laughs]. No, this is not my first time working with Miss Vanjie. She is actually like my drag niece because Alexis and I are really close sisters from season three of Drag Race, so she calls me auntie. Auntie! And I admire her a lot because like me, she was one of the RuPaul’s Drag Race contestants to be voted off first in her season, and that’s what happened to me in season two. But we both worked our way up and onward. I am excited, and we are both comeback girls. I came back on season three and All Stars 3, and she’s coming back on season 11. So, we have a lot in common. We both love a good show and I think both of us, more than RuPaul’s Drag Race contestants and drag queens, we are also fans of drag. So, I am excited for us to get back together again for this show.

What are you looking forward to the most about this event?

Ooooh, the Miami sunshine! [Laughs]. I am looking forward to these queens. You know, any time it’s a battle or any time it’s a competition, you know you are going to be entertained. Somebody is coming for blood, and I can’t wait to see it!

For more on this article, go to www.OutClique.com

FROM LEGEND’S IN CONCERT IN LAS VEGAS THESE MASTER IMPERSONATORS WILL BLOW YOU AWAY WITH THEIR DEAD ON IMPRESSIONS OF THESE SUPER STARS OF THE 80’S.

FRIDAY, MARCH 29TH AT 8PM BOX OFFICE 954.344.5990 2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs, FL 33065 www.TheCenterCS.com

Paula Poundstone

THURSDAY, APRIL 4th at 7pm

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23rd at 8PM CORAL SPRINGS CENTER FOR THE ARTS BOX OFFICE 954.344.5990

2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs, FL 33065 www.TheCenterCS.com

2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs, FL 33065 www.TheCenterCS.com

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. US & Canada legal residents (excl. PR, & Quebec), 18+. Full rules, incl alt entry method, call/visit the box office. Void where prohibited. Price is Right Live™/© 2018 FremantleMedia. All Rights Reserved.

A DAY WITH THE PONIES THE GAY POLO LEAGUE OF SOUTH FLORIDA

By Steven O. Evans, PhD

B

eing a Kentucky boy at heart, I love a day with horses. I have spent many a day at the races with the thoroughbreds of the bluegrass, but Wellington, FL boasts its own Gay Polo League (GPL). As one of my most favorite days of the entire year, people from all over dress in their Derby-like pastel colors, enjoy the over-the-top lavish tournament-side booths, and are able to watch the ponies and players put on a grand display of polo. If you have not been to the GPL, mark your calendars now to go. It is a unique experience like none other! OutClique talked to Chip McKenney, the President and Founder. For more information on the GPL, go to www.GayPolo.com.

Steven O. Evans, PhD: Tell us about the day at GPL. Chip McKenney: GPL produces the only International Gay Polo Tournaments in the world and Wellington is our flagship tournament.

LGBTQ polo players and enthusiasts come from all over the world to participate in the event.

This year we celebrate our 10th anniversary which is a thrilling milestone for our group.

There are two polo matches on Saturday, April 6, 2019, which are fun, open, and fast polo. Our event is equally known for its fierce tailgate competition! The decorated tailgates are beyond your wildest imagination - which adds to the fun. In fact, the best description of our event is “GPL tournament is the love child between Pretty Woman and Burning Man.” It’s an inclusive event where everyone is welcome.

SOE CM

What is your favorite part of the Gay Polo day?

My favorite part of the Gay Polo day is seeing how every person mingles and interacts with others. Our event draws 126 | OutClique.com

the support from the LGBTQ community and our allies, so the crowd is diverse, colorful, ageless, and gracious. People arrive happy to our event and leave happier. That makes all the work worthwhile for me and the team of people who make it happen.

SOE

What is your involvement with Senior Action in a Gay Environment (SAGE) this year?

CM

GPL is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Two years ago, the decision was made to use our event as a platform to give back to our community by hosting a fundraiser for LGBTQ facing organizations focused on LGBTQ issues. This year, we chose SAGE to be our charity partner.

Therefore, Friday night’s (April 5, 2019) GPL Polotini Presents WIGSTOCK, a fundraiser for SAGE. We hope to raise the much needed funds to help support its mission. It’s a remarkable organization that focuses on LGBT elders, a section of our community that is often overlooked and underserved. I have tremendous respect for all they do and am thrilled they will partner with us this year.

SOE CM

What is your vision for GPL to come?

My vision for the GPL is to produce more international events in other countries. We have organized tournaments in Argentina (2017) and England (2018). A part of that vision is to produce events that are as social as they are polo oriented. To me, the best part of GPL is creating events that offer something for everyone who attend, both on and off the field. At the end of the day, I love knowing that every person left the GPL event having made a new friend or two.

THE BARRICADE BOYS

By Denny Patterson

F

abulous harmonies, incredible vocals, dashing good looks, and fantastic personalities – these are the definite characteristics used to describe Scott Garnham, Simon Schofield, Lee Honey-Jones, and Alistair Barron. Also known as the Barricade Boys. Considered some of the best voices in show business, the Barricade Boys showcase some of the world’s greatest show tunes and celebrate music from some of the most iconic names in the music industry. From powerful ballads and gorgeous operatic arias to rock, pop, and swing numbers, there is literally nothing these guys cannot do. The Barricade Boys will be coming to the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center for a one night only performance on Sunday, April 7, 2019 at 7:00PM. I had the pleasure of chatting more with Garnham about their upcoming South Florida performance and their passion for singing and performing.

So, why do you call yourselves the Barricade Boys?

Simply – when you are a man in the show Les Miserables, you spend most of your time on the “Barricades.” Plus, it has a nice ring to it.

What can audiences expect from your upcoming performance in Fort Lauderdale?

Although we perform many hits from Les Miserables, and in our own unique way, we also perform a lot of different styles and genres of music. We’ve got pop, swing, Motown, other musical theatre, and even a rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody.” So, whether you like the sounds of the 60s with our Jersey Boys medley or the soaring ballads of West Side Story, there is literally something for everyone.

Most of all, we have fun and we hope the audience will come on that journey with us.

Florida is quite fantastic. So, what are you looking forward to the most about this performance?

I am most looking forward to bringing our show and music to a brand-new audience. We have been lucky enough to perform all over the world, but every audience is different, and they all bring something unique and special with them. It is exciting for us as performers to experience that every night. You hope by the end of the night, they are taking home a memory they will cherish forever.

Have you always had a passion for music and performing?

I have loved music ever since I can remember.

I used to attend singing and drama classes at a local stage school while I was growing up and it meant the world to me. I love all kinds of genres, but the real classics are the ones that hit home most. Swing and the music of the 50s and 60s are probably my favorites.

What do you look for in a good audience?

Mainly, we just want people to have a good time and if you are having a good time, let us know! Clap, cheer, laugh, sing – we love it all!

There is nothing like live theatre and when the audience is electric, it is even better.

Can you give me a little hint as to what you will be singing or will that spoil the surprise?

I don’t want to give away too much, but you can expect music from every era. From the 50s to present day. You will hopefully hear some ballads that will make you cry and some up-tempo songs that will have you dancing in the aisles.

I am sure you guys have no trouble keeping every performance fresh and exciting.

It’s easy. We love it! The day it stops being fun and we don’t enjoy it, we will do something else. Until then, we just want to keep sharing our shows with people.

For more on this article, go to www.OutClique.com

For more information and ticket prices, visit www.BrowardCenter.org.

128 | OutClique.com

SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 7 PM

the

barricade boys Fabulous harmonies, incredible vocals, dashing good looks and fantastic personalities, the Barricade Boys showcase some of the world’s finest male voices from the West End, Broadway, International Tour and Hollywood movie of the world’s longest-running musical Les Misérables. Not only do they perform the world’s greatest show tunes, but they celebrate music from some of the most iconic names in the music industry: from powerful ballads and beautiful operatic arias to some of the best pop, rock and swing numbers of all time.

“Il Divo meet Michale Buble' with a touch of West End charm!”

- BBC Radio

TICKETS at aventuracenter.org Box Office 877.311.7469 aventuracenter Groups 954.660.6307 All programs , artists, dates and times are subject to change.

#AventuraCenter

All programs, artists, dates and times are subject to change.

WHAT’S YOUR SOURCE FOR GAY TRAVEL? OUR CHAT WITH CRAIG SMITH AND SOURCE EVENTS

By Steven O. Evans, PhD

I

have always loved gay travel. I have booked gay cruises, printed off countdown calendars, posted them over my desk, and marked off the days until the trip. Before moving to Fort Lauderdale, this was great motivation for work and exercise during the cold, winter months. I have used several different gay cruise companies going to the Mexican Riviera, Eastern Mexico, the Caribbean Islands, Hawaii, and other locations. In 2018, I went on the Pride Cruise with Source Events.

This proved to be an amazing trip. We had a fantastic day at sea to relax, a fun day in Key West, and two amazing days in Havana, Cuba.

If you have ever wanted to see Cuba, the 2019 cruise leaving out of Fort Lauderdale is the opportunity of a lifetime. For more information on the April 8-13, 2019 cruise and their other travel opportunities, go to www.SourceEvents. com. I talked with Craig Smith, the founder of Source Events, about their travel experiences and up coming Pride Cruise to Cuba.

Steven O. Evans, PhD: Congratulations on Source Events’ 15th Anniversary of creating gay travel experiences around the world.

How did you begin and what makes these experiences unique?

Craig Smith: The origin of Source Events can be traced back to a conversation I had with my life coach. Having produced the Miami Winter Party Festival for several years, I was seeking a new challenge, and my coach invited me to dream and visualize what was next. I envisioned sailing to exotic islands on tall ships, hiking into rainforests, and exploring faraway lands like Africa and New Zealand and Machu Picchu. I was inspired by the idea of creating more intimate experiences, and discovering more about ourselves, each other and the world we live in. Through conversations with like-minded friends and a shared vision

of crafting unique and inspiring travel experiences for the mind, body, and spirit, Source Events was born.

In 2019, our signature cruises and adventures, include our Pride Cruise to Cuba, a Greek Islands Cruise, a Voyage Around Iceland, a Journey to Africa, and an adventure to Petra, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv Pride. In January 2020, we have announced a luxury Antarctica Voyage, which we’ve found is a bucket list destination for many of our travelers. The destinations change each year, but we’ve found that now we have a Source Events family of travelers that return every year and always bring new friends. Our extraordinary growth over the years has been due to both word of mouth and also guests requesting new adventures.

SOE

This April is Source Events’ 10th Annual Pride Cruise, cruising from Fort Lauderdale to Havana, Cuba, and Key West. Why is cruising to Cuba so popular?

CS

For over 50 years, travel was very restricted to Cuba, so there has been a demand and curiosity when it comes to Cuba travel, since we’ve been forbidden to travel there and yet it is so close to us.

Once travel restrictions eased, Source Events was the first gay travel company to sponsor a tour of Cuba. In fact, our trip to Cuba was timed, so we were in Havana during President Obama’s historic visit and speech opening up travel. Last year Source Events was proud to produce the first ever gay pride cruise directly from Miami to Cuba with over 150 guests. We were warmly received by locals and received press coverage from both the local and international press. Of course all the trips to Cuba must be for educational purposes as well as fun, and our customized tours meet all the requirements for “people to people” trips OutClique.com | 131

required by U.S. laws.

SOE CS

What are you most looking forward to on the Pride Cruise?

Cuba is a land frozen in time. Riding in our caravan of convertible classic cars through the streets of Havana and along the famous Malecon is really one of the most fun excursions you can imagine. Also riding through old Havana by horse and carriage and seeing the incredible Spanish architecture is also a highlight. The beautiful spirit of the Cuban people is present everywhere. Drinking mojitos and dancing salsa with locals and travelers is always fun along with touring Fusterlandia, a wonderland of whimsical mosaics by renowned artist Jose Fuster that has to be experienced to be believed. The Cuban cuisine is delicious and we always go to one of the private restaurants, called Paladars, as well as the famous entertainment and nightlife offered in Havana.

SOE

What are you most looking forward to on the Pride Cruise?

Tell us about the friendships your travelers make that are unique to gay cruising.

CS

It’s always easier to connect with new friends on more intimate adventures and cruises. LIfe-long friendships have been made, and we often hear stories of guests making new groups of friends. Several couples have met aboard one of our cruises and are now married. We always have a great mix of singles and couples. We also have single mixers during the cruises to introduce guests, as well as hosting single tables. We

also invite all our guests to a private Facebook group before the cruises, so guests can meet in advance, and stay in touch and share pics after the cruise.

SOE expect?

If someone has never been on a cruise before, what should they

CS

Expect to make new friends and have a lot of fun. One of the best things about cruising is that you don’t have to pack and unpack. Also, it’s great to have all the meals included as well as entertainment. We’ll have some amazing private excursions in Havana to choose from. Every day there is a schedule of meals and activities placed in your room, so you always have options to choose from. Of course, you can simply relax and do nothing.

Just being on the deck by the pool with a cool drink with new and old friends is always fun. On our Pride Cruise, you’ll be greeted by our team with a gift bag of goodies including a Pride Cruise T-shirt. Source Events always hosts private sail away t-dances with appetizers during the cruise with our resident DJ.

SOE to Cuba?

How can people book a Source Events, including the Pride Cruise

CS

Contact our office in South Beach on Lincoln Road, 10AM-6PM at (305) 672-9779 or email Reservations@SourceEvents.com.

We’ll be happy to answer any questions and assist you with a reservation. Of course details on all of our adventures are at www.SourceEvents.com

OutClique.com | 133

HELLO, BERNADETTE PETERS!

By Denny Patterson

T

ony-award winning actress Bernadette Peters will be dazzling audiences with a one night only engagement at the Kravis Centers’ Dreyfoos Hall in West Palm Beach on Sunday, April 14, 2019. With a career spanning five decades, Peters’ voice and talent has made her a legend of the stage and screen. She is one of the most critically acclaimed Broadway performers. Some of her most notable roles include the Witch in Into the Woods, Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun, and Rose in Gypsy. Last year, she replaced Bette Midler as Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly! Currently, Peters can be seen in the CBS All Access show, The Good Fight, in addition to performing solo concerts around the world. I had the absolute pleasure of chatting more with Ms. Peters about her upcoming South Florida appearance.

Let us start off by talking a little bit about your upcoming performance at the Kravis Center.

What can audiences expect?

Well, I sing songs that I connect to and mean a lot to me. This time I added songs from when I did certain shows. Like, I added in some Follies and A Little Night Music, and now I added in some Hello, Dolly! which I did last year on Broadway.

Have you ever gotten use to your celebrity status?

I am nearsighted, so I don’t really see people looking at me [laughs]. If people are looking at me, someone else usually points it out.

If you never pursued show business, what path do you think life would have taken you?

You know, it looks more and more like I would be rescuing animals. I have Broadway Barks which is a dog rescue and I think I would have been in a life of service somehow.

One of your most iconic roles is the Witch from Into the Woods. If given the chance to reprise this role, would you do it?

I sort of did. Interestingly, a couple of us did a reunion years ago, and then I think about four

years ago, we did a version of it in Costa Mesa.

The whole original cast came out and talked about what it was like to be in the show and different things, and then we got to sing our songs again. It was very, very wonderful and interesting to go back to material that is so well-written and so deep after you have lived 29 more years of life. I loved it.

Last year, you replaced Bette Midler as Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly! We sadly lost the iconic Carol Channing in January, so I was wondering, did Carol ever get to see you perform as Dolly?

No, but about four years ago when I was performing in Palm Springs, she was in the audience. I said the great Carol Channing is here and can you believe she’s 95? I heard this voice yell out, 96! I’m looking at a picture I took with her that night right now and she was one of the greatest entertainers. So funny and so full of life, so full of love. She was fantastic.

In addition to performing, you are also well-known for your activism and charity work. Why are LGBTQ rights such an important cause for you?

You know, I think everyone has the right to be who they are. I believe in same-sex marriage because I just think it is so important for young people growing up to realize that they can have a life, they can have a family, they are accepted, and they don’t have to sneak around.

I think I believed in same-sex marriage even before some gay people did. They would be like, what? What do you mean? Marriage isn’t for us. So, I think it’s a very interesting thing that makes you really stay non-judgmental and open minded. If a guy wants to have half long hair and half short hair, let him if it makes him feel good.

Let people identify themselves how they want.

Let them choose how they want to be looked at by the world. What’s wrong with that? Who is it hurting? It is just important for everyone to have a chance for happiness, and that is how I feel.

For more on this article, go to www.OutClique.com

For more information and tickets, visit www.Kravis.org.

134 | OutClique.com

NoThING LIKE

LIVE!

BERNADETTE PETERS Sunday, April 14 at 8 pm Bernadette Peters returns to dazzle the audience with favorites from the Great White Way and her own award-winning albums.

Tickets start at $25 Sponsored by

RENT 20Th ANNIVERSARY TOUR Wednesday, April 17 at 8 pm This riveting rock musical tackles love, loss, addiction, AIDS and other life struggles as it recounts a year in the life of friends and roommates living in New York City’s East Village in the late 1980s.

Tickets start at $29 With support from

PEAK Series

DANCE ThEATRE OF hARLEM Wednesday, May 8 at 8 pm Audiences are spellbound by swiftness and elegance in a breathtaking performance.

Tickets start at $25 Beyond the Stage: Join us for a free pre-performance talk

by Steven Caras at 6:45 pm.

PEAK performances are made possible by a grant from the MLDauray Arts Initiative in honor of Leonard and Sophie Davis

KINKY BOOTS Thursday, May 16 at 8 pm With songs by pop star Cyndi Lauper, this joyous musical romp is inspired by true events and a sassy stroll from a shoe factory in Northampton to the catwalks of Milan.

Tickets start at $29 Beyond the Stage: Join us for a free pre-performance talk

by Steven Caras at 6:45 pm.

ALL ShoWS IN DrEYfooS hALL

Choose your seat at the Center’s official website kravis.org or call 561.832.7469 • Group sales: 561.651.4438 or 561.651.4304

All programs and artists subject to change.

THE ART OF CELLO: JULIAN SCHWARZ

By Denny Patterson

J

ulian Schwarz is a prestigious cellist who is excited to make his debut with the South Florida Symphony Orchestra for their Masterworks IV series on April 13 & 16. Born to a multigenerational music family, Schwarz’s powerful tone, effortless virtuosity, and extraordinarily large color palate are hallmarks of his style. After performing his first concerto at the age 11 with the Seattle Symphony and his father Gerard Schwarz on the podium, he has since graduated from the Juilliard School and led an active career as a soloist. Schwarz has performed with prominent orchestras around the world and is a supporter of new music. I had the pleasure of chatting more with Schwarz about his upcoming performance with the SFSO and his overall passion for music and the cello.

Tell us more about your upcoming performance with the South Florida Symphony Orchestra. Is this your first time performing with the SFSO? It is. The performances I am doing with the SFSO are very exciting for me because we are performing a piece together that I commissioned last year, which is the Lowell Liebermann Cello Concerto. For me, it is the project I am most proud of so far in my career, by a lot. It brought together so many different aspects of what I love doing. First, of course, playing my instrument. I adore that, and I adore playing concertos which is what I am going to be doing in South Florida, but I also love new music and championing pieces and composers I think are masterworks. So, what I did, with the help of a close, personal friend of mine, and the six orchestras that were members of the commissioning team, I was able to commission one of my best friends and one of the most wonderful living composers, Lowell Liebermann. This project has been so fulfilling and I am excited to perform it.

Fabulous! I hear Maestra Sebrina Alfonso is wonderful to work with.

That is what I hear as well. Only the most wonderful things about Maestra Alfonso, and the region that she is reaching is in need of great art. So many of those communities that she serves are without great music and without professional orchestras. So, with what she is doing to promote classical music in the Keys and in the South Florida regions, it really is of most importance. Especially in the winter time where there are so many snowbirds that are coming from important cultural centers in the northeast and they are deprived of what they love for so long and they are in search of great music.

What are you looking forward to the most about this performance?

Sharing this piece with Maestra Alfonso and the musicians. Whenever I have the chance to play this, in the past, it is met with skepticism because it’s a new piece. You don’t know what you are going to get. Musicians in the orchestra and conductor are taking a leap of faith in programming a new work without necessarily knowing what it is going to sound like. To me, I get such a rush out of those moments when it is clear that the voice of the composer and the intention of the piece are coming through to all involved. They come back to me and say they were expecting something good, but not like this. It is a real masterpiece, and that is what I am most excited about.

What would you say is your favorite part about performing?

Listening. As a cellist, I am rarely performing by myself. I have all these people around me to listen to, and since I spend so much of my life practicing alone or creating sounds alone, when it comes to performing, I have to listen and react to the others performing with me.

For more on this article, go to www.OutClique.com

For more information and ticket prices, visit SouthFloridaSymphony.org.

136 | OutClique.com

MASTERWORKS CONCERT SERIES

APRIL 13 TENNESSEE WILLIAMS THEATRE KEY WEST

APRIL 16 BROWARD CENTER FORT LAUDERDALE

HOLST The Perfect Fool: Ballet Music LIEBERMANN Concerto for Cello and Orchestra Julian Schwarz, cello SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 5

TICK ETS ON SA LE N OW

SO U TH F LOR IDAS YMPH ON Y.ORG | 9 5 4 - 5 22- 8 4 4 5

WHO TO CALL ACCOUNTING

Coss Bookkeeping & Accounting (754) 666-1288 www.CossBookkeeping.com R3 Accounting (954) 202-9770 www.R3Accounting.com Schultz Tax & Financial Services (954) 300-3829 www.SchultzTFS.com

ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, & ACTIVITIES

Gay Polo League www.GayPolo.com Island City Stage (954) 519-2533 www.IslandCityStage.org Joe Posa as Joan Rivers (617) 233-7111 www.JoePosa.com Key West Business Guild (305) 294-4603 www.GayKeyWestFL.com

South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble (954) 667-9228 www.PrideWindEnsemble.org South Florida Symphony Orchestra (954) 522-8445 www.SouthFloridaSymphony.org Stonewall National Museum & Archives (954) 763-8565 www.Stonewall-Museum.org

Aventura Arts & Cultural Center (877) 311-7469 www.AventuraCenter.org

Magic City Casino (305) 649-3000 www.MagicCityCasino.com

Sunset Watersports, Key West (855) 628-8080

Bourbon Street Pub 724 Duval St Key West, FL 33040 www.BourbonStPub.com

Marlin Beach Tea 2.0 www.JFOY.org

Up the Keys (305) 587-5575 www.UpTheKeys.com

Broward Center for the Performing Arts (954) 462-0222 www.BrowardCenter.org Cannonball Bash www.CannonballBash.com

A Celebration of Friends, Inc. www.CelebrationOfFriends.org Club Fort Lauderdale (954) 525-3344 www.TheClubs.com Coral Springs Center for the Arts (954) 344-5990 www.TheCenterCS.com Florida Grand Opera (800) 741-1010 www.FGO.org

Museum of Discovery & Science (954) 467-6637 www.MODS.org Nova Singers (954) 683-8866 www.Nova.edu/NovaSingers

Willow Theatre at Sugar Sand Park (561) 347-3948 www.WillowTheatre.org Winter Party Festival www.WinterParty.com

NSU Art Museum (954) 525-5500 www.NSUArtMuseum.org

World Pride www.NYCPride.org/2019

Outré Theatre Company (954) 300-2149 www.OutreTheatreCompany.com

John D. Mooney, PA (954) 449-2671 www.JohnDMooneyPA.com

Parker Playhouse (954) 462-0222 www.ParkerPlayhouse.com

Ken Keechl Law (954) 271-0667 www.KenKeechlLaw.com

Pride Fort Lauderdale (774) 222-2234 www.PrideFortLauderdale.org

Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus (954) 832-0060 www.TheFtLGMC.org

Randy Roberts Live La Te Da Key West, FL 33040 (305) 296-6706 www.RandyRoberts.net

Gay Men's Chorus of South Florida (954) 763-2266 www.GMCSF.org

Slow Burn Theatre Company (954) 323-7884 www.SlowBurnTheatre.org

Want to get listed? Contact us!

144 | OutClique.com

www.SunsetWatersportsKeyWest.com

ATTORNEYS & LAW OFFICES

AUTO DEALERSHIPS

Holman BMW of Fort Lauderdale Jimmy Crippen 1441 S Federal Highway Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 527-3800 www.LauderdaleBMW.com Vista BMW Pompano Beach 744 N Federal Highway Pompano Beach, FL 33062 (844) 211-3810 www.VistaBMWPompano.com

OutClique@gmail.com | 954-998-6429

Vista Mini 4401 W Sample Road Coconut Creek, FL 33073 (866) 766-0574 www.VistaMini.com Vista Volkswagen Pompano Beach 700 N Federal Highway Pompano Beach, FL 33062 (844) 567-1357 www.VistaVW.com

BARS & CLUBS

Bourbon Street Pub 724 Duval Street Key West, FL 33040 www.BourbonStPub.com Club Silver 2209 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors, FL 33305 (754) 225-2711 Georgie's Alibi Monkey Bar 2266 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors, FL 33305 (954) 565-2526 www.Alibi.LGBT

CAR WASHES

Majestic Car Wash (954) 568-9450 www.MajesticCarWashFlorida.com

CATERING

FITNESS & NUTRITION

Ty Dorce (954) 815-6905 www.TheProgramByTy.com

FOR RENT

The Pink Sub (954) 566-2219 www.PinkSub.com

Wilton Metropolitan Apartments (855) 780-0946 www.WiltonMetro.com

CARPET CARE

Contact us to list your rental Outclique@gmail.com

Oriental Rug Care (954) 554-9625 www.OrientalRugCare.com

CHURCHES & SYNAGOGUES

Holy Angels Catholic Church (954) 633-2987 www.HolyAngelsFL.net

Sunshine Cathedral (954) 462-2004 www.SunshineCathedral.org United Church of Christ (954) 563-4271 www.UCCFTL.org

CLEANING SERVICES

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Sach Design Group (954) 647-3063 www.SachAdGroup.com GYMS & WORKOUT FACILITIES BodyTek (954) 661-6696 www.BodyTekFitness.com G21 3401 N Dixie Highway Oakland Park, FL 33334 www.G21Fitness.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Le Boy 1243 NE 11 Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 www.LeBoyTonight.com

House One Call (954) 515-7615 (954) 515-2736

BeWell MedSpa (954) 530-5203 www.BeWellMedSpa.com

CONSUMER SERVICES

The Pub 2283 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors, FL 33305 (754) 200-5244 www.ThePubWM.com

Better Business Bureau SEFlorida.App.BBB.org/Connect

Cetana Holistic Health (954) 440-6869 www.CetanaHealth.com

COUNSELING SERVICES

Genesis Health Institute (954) 561-3175 www.GHInstitute.com

ELECTRICAL

AIDS Health Foundation (AHF) (954) 767-0273 www.AIDSHealth.org

Scandals Saloon 3073 NE 6 Avenue Wilton Manors, FL 33334 www.ScandalsFla.com

BEACHES (GAY)

Haulover (Nude Beach) 10800 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33154 Sebastian Beach Near 1 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

Michael A. Farris, PsyD (973) 865-0413 MAFarris@aol.com

R.T.S. Electrical 24 Hour Service & Free Estimates Home Inspection, Residential & Commercial 19 yrs of Quality Service (954) 257-9509

FINANCIAL ADVISORS

Northwestern Mutual Investments Services, LLC Linda Buccilli, CLTC (561) 445-2645 Linda.Buccilli@NM.com

Want to get listed? Contact us!

HIV & AIDS SERVICES

INSURANCE

We Insure (954) 903-7519 www.WeInsureFtLaud.com LANDSCAPE PLANTS & DECOR Zensations Garden (954) 945-5858 www.ZensationsGarden.com

OutClique@gmail.com | 954-998-6429 OutClique.com | 145

LANDSCAPE LIGHTING DESIGN & INSTALLATION Zensations Garden (954) 945-5858 www.ZensationsGarden.com

LAWN MAINTENANCE & DESIGN Integrity Landscape Service (954) 812-5434 www.IntegrityLandscapeService.com

Landscape Solutions (954) 525-5855 www.LandscapeSolutionsFlorida.com

LODGING

The Big Coconut Guesthouse (954) 712-9600 www.TheBigCoconutGuesthouse.com

Equator Resort (305) 294-7775 www.EquatorResort.com The Grand Resort & Spa (954) 630-3000 www.GrandResort.net

J. Cohen’s Day Spa (754) 206-4687 JimmyCohensDaySpa.com Massage by Jim 1881 NE 26th Street Wilton Manors, FL 33305 (654) 600-5843 www.MassageByJim.com License #MM22293 Spa Cabanas (954) 564-7764 www.TheCabanasGuesthouse.com

MEDICAL

Pronto Urgent Care (954) 909-5708 www.ProntoUC.com

MUSICIANS

Cindy Curtis & Company Live Jazz Entertainment (954) 298-8158 www.MySpace.com/ CindyCurtisAndCompany Over 30 years performing in South Florida

NAIL SALONS

Island House (305) 294-6284 www.IslandHouseKeyWest.com

Wood & Nails (754) 200-4964

New Orleans House 724 Duval Street, Ste #2 Key West, FL 33040 (305) 293-9800 www.NewOrleansHouseKW.com

NEW CONSTRUCTION HOMES 13th Floor Homes (954) 951-0513 www.13thFloorHomes.com

MASSAGE & SPA SERVICES

Dr. David Webb, DOM (954) 289-8901 www.DavidWebbDOM.com

David Douglas Spa (954) 566-0042 www.DavidDouglasSpa.com Green Jade Men's Spa 2301 Wilton Drive, Ste C-5 Wilton Manors, FL 33305 (754) 223-4905

Island City Massage (954) 882-0473 www.ChristianPerezMassage.com

www.WoodAndNailsLounge.com

ORIENTAL MEDICINE

PERSONAL TRAINING

Yury Molchan (305) 764-6405 Free Consultations. Reach your Fitness Goals! www.YM-Fitness.com

PODIATRIC MEDICINE

Dr. Vicram V. Thaker (954) 358-2363 www.954FootCare.com

Want to get listed? Contact us!

146 | OutClique.com

POOL SERVICES

Cool Pools (954) 235-0775

My Pool Boys (954) 951-1330 www.MyPoolBoys.com Skimmer Pools (954) 367-7007 www.SkimmersPools.com

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

GFLGLCC- Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce (954) 523-3500 www.GoGayFortLauderdale.com WMBA (954) 358-4567 www.WiltonManorsBusiness Association.com

REALTORS & BROKERS

Amy McGrotty (954) 347-1732 www.Amy.CastelliHomes.com Henri Frank Group ONE Sotheby’s International Realty (954) 604-9999 www.HenriFrank.com Kip Reynolds Atlantic Properties (954) 854-3048 www.KipReynolds.com Risa & Cindy Goffin (561) 866-2742 www.GoffinTeam.com Robert MacKilligan Coldwell Banker (954) 234-8759 RGMSell@aol.com Steve Margolis Re/Max Experience (954) 684-7888 www.HomesBySteveFL.com

OutClique@gmail.com | 954-998-6429

The James Michael Team Robert (James) Graham (954) 837-3427 Michael Gagne (603) 630-0316

$$$ Save Thousands $$$

4% COMMISSION TO LIST AND SELL- Michael Tublin United Realty Group (561) 703-5533

RESTAURANTS

Art Bistro 2041 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors, FL 33305 (754) 224-6692 www.ArtBistro.us Betty’s Soul Food 601 NW 22nd Rd Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 (954) 583-9121 Cuscatlán Restaurante Salvadoreño 3710 N Andrews Avenue Oakland Park, FL 33309 (954) 563-0773 J. Mark’s Restaurant & Bar 1245 N Federal Highway Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 (954) 390-0770 1490 NE 23 Street (E Copans Road) Pompano Beach, FL 33062 (954) 782-7000 www.JMarksRestaurant.com Mangia Mangia 900 Southard Street Key West, FL 33040 www.Mangia-Mangia.com Quates Mexican Restaurant 3701 North Andrews Avenue Oakland Park, FL 33309 (954) 635-2404 www.QuatesMexican.com

SALONS & HAIR SERVICES

Distinguished Gents 228 West Prospect Road Oakland Park, FL 33309 (954) 709-7569 Transitions Hair (954) 742-4500 www.DinosHRC.com

SENIOR CARE SERVICES

Rainbow Care (954) 532-5451 RainbowServices@comcast.net

SHOPPING & RETAIL

InTouch with You 706A Duval Street Key West, FL 33040 (305) 294-1995

Lola’s Bazaar Art, vinyl records, & handmade Native American jewelry 2501 NE 13 Avenue Wilton Manors, FL 33305 (954) 268-5600 Real Vibes Specializing in CBD, Clothing, & Vape Sales 2420 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors, FL 33305 (954) 716-6171 Seaplane 910 Duval Street Key West, FL www.SeaplaneShirts.com

SOCIAL & OUTREACH

Compass LGBTQ Communiyt Center

(561) 533-9699 www.CompassGLCC.com Latinos Salud (954) 765-6239 www.LatinosSalud.org

The Pride Center at Equality Park (954) 463-9005 www.PrideCenterFlorida.org

Want to get listed? Contact us!

SPIRITUALITY

Love & Light Spiritual Emporium 1419 E Commercial Blvd, Ste B Oakland Park, FL 33334 (954) 261-3878 www.LoveLightSpiritualEmporium.com

TATTOOS & PIERCINGS

Neptune’s Daughter Tattoo (954) 533-2506 2412 Wilton Dr Wilton Manors, FL 33305

www.NeptunesDaughterTattoos.com

TRAVEL SERVICES

Richard Rossy Cruises, Inc. (305) 332-5599 RRossy@CruisesInc.com www.RRossy.CruisesInc.com Freedom Travel (954) 565-2345 www.BookFreedomTravel.com Rainbow Travel Services (954) 944-1366 Source Events (305) 672-9779 www.SourceEvents.com

VETERINARY MEDICINE

Middle River Animal Hospital Dr. Beatriz Perez 1300 E Oakland Park Blvd, Ste B Oakland Park, FL 33334 (954) 566-1115 www.MiddleRiverAH.com

WINE, BEER, & SPIRITS

Late Night Liquors 1249 NE 11 Avenue (next to LeBoy) Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 (954) 368-8798 www.LateNightLiquors.com

YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS

Julian’s Fountain of Youth (754) 701-5040 Info@JFoY.org www.JFoY.org

OutClique@gmail.com | 954-998-6429 OutClique.com | 147

SEAPLANE THE FUNNEST SHIRT AT THE PARTY

By Kevin Assam

T

he party’s best should be designed by the funnest guy in the room. With a gregarious glint, Schuyler Brown relates the mostly true stories behind his quirky designs. Before Seaplane’s online-only 2011 launch, Schuyler sold BMWs and had ground the NYC ad scene. After two successful retail ventures in Palm Springs (2017) and Provincetown (2018), in January 2019 Seaplane opened at 910 Duval Street in Key West, FL. Schuyler opens up about the stories behind these prints, the business of fashion, and travails along the way.

Kevin Assam: How does Seaplane secure these prints?

Schuyler Brown: With two decades of experience I’ve realized that in wholesale, more yardage is always milled than the manufacturer actually uses. After these units are cut, fabulous remnants can languish for years. I acquire these remnants. If I find 200 yards, for example, we can make 50 numbered, collectible shirts in the USA and sell them direct.

Because Seaplane is the manufacturer we offer high-value prices at retail. Unlike wholesale manufacturers, my shirts are available, always at the same price, and only through Seaplane’s physical stores and website. There is no way to disintermediate us. If a customer likes a shirt, given there are only a few pieces in their size, there’s justification to buy now.

KA SB

Why Key West?

Seaplane customers love farflung places where they can freely express themselves. Like Palm Springs and Provincetown, Key West has long been a

refuge for artists and creative minds. In the two months before closing the deal for 910 Duval, we visited five times, sitting at different locations, counting potential customers, asking who they were and how they got here.

Thanks to Key West’s zany culture we’ve gathered a base whose support is essential.

That’s what’s most rewarding about our work: like-minded people identify each other through our prints.

KA SB

Does the business of fashion defy logic?

In 2002, when I quit a six-figure advertising gig to create my first apparel company, I felt an irresistible urge to actually create a brand. I could not tolerate one more unproductive, vacuous meeting.

I chose apparel because I could affordably develop the product. Clothes offer a strong palette in which to paint a brand story. I’ll always remember my sensible friend Betsy warning to me, “You’re going to have to sell a lot of shirts to net your current salary.”

With thousands of tiny brands fighting for orders, very few survive. Common sense would dictate we quit before we ever got started. Every day requires self-delusion.

What makes me think Seaplane could survive where so many others fail? Just this fall, after eight years of mammoth effort building the company, we almost collapsed after missteps in Boca Raton, FL (moved lock, stock, and barrel to Key West, FL) and downtown Palm Springs, CA. With that, Key West appears to be working is of incalculable relief.

For more on this article, go to www.OutClique.com

www.SeaplaneShirts.com | 910 Duval Street, Key West, FL 33040 148 | OutClique.com

A GAY SLICE OF KEY WEST

By Denny Patterson

I

f you have never been to Key West before, then you are in for a real treat. This unique tropical island is the vacation destination people visit in order to escape their worries and troubles. There is plenty to see and experience because the island is small, and nothing is very far away from where you are staying. Explore the crystal-clear waters with a sailing excursion or savor a Key West sunset at Mallory Square. Grab a cold drink along Duval Street and listen to a local band or pick up a souvenir. Key West is the place to experience a taste of Caribbean culture without ever leaving the United States. Depending on your agenda, this vacation can be fun, relaxing, romantic, or wild. Make the most of Key West because you are bound to come back. Listed below are just a couple of Key West’s most prominent highlights.

Bahamas and Cuba, both of which influenced its architecture.

Attractions & Things to Do

Key West Ghost Tours (305) 29-GHOST (305-294-4678) Did you know that Key West is one of the top ten most haunted cities in America? If not, you do now. Many may find Key West to be strange during the day, but once the sun sets, the restless souls of the island’s frightful and tragic past begin to stir. Participants will travel down the narrow, dark streets of Old Town, filled with 19th century wooden houses that hold onto the secrets of their former inhabitants. Some of the tours other haunted stops includes the Key West Cemetery which is the final resting place of approximately

Duval Street The hub for sightseeing, attractions, cuisine, and shopping, Duval Street is full of activity that should be visited by every tourist. This 1.25-mile stretch is a beautiful confluence of art, culture, history, heritage, and exuberant celebrations. In addition, it is one of the few places in the world that touches two bodies of water. Its northern end meets the warm Gulf of Mexico while the south end spills into the royal blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Duval Street proudly shows its cultural ties to the 150 | OutClique.com

Key West Gay Trolley Tour (800) 535-7797 This tour was developed by the Key West business guild to offer insight into Key West’s flourishing gay and lesbian culture. Throughout the 70-minute tour, participants will see where literary greats like Tennessee Williams and Elizabeth Bishop lived, locate the original site of the great gay club, the Monster, and learn about the impact the LGBTQ community has had on the area’s culture, politics, and economy.

Key West would not have a rich history without the LGBTQ community. The tour costs $20 and takes place every Saturday at 11:00AM, starting and ending at 511 South Street.

100,000 people, Captain Tony’s Saloon where a ton of famous Key West icons like Ernest Hemingway frequented, and a visit to one of the most haunted toys ever to exist – Robert the Doll. Reservations are required because space is limited. This tour may not be suitable for children under 13.

Sunset Watersports (855) 3 SUN FUN (855-378-6386) Sunset Watersports is the oldest and largest watersports company in Key West. Located on Smathers Beach for over 20 years, the company originally started out just as a place for people to experience parasailing. Its popularity grew which resulted into expanding to five different locations with 11 different trips and activities. In addition to parasailing, Sunset Watersports offers wave runners, snorkeling, dinner cruises, boat rentals, dolphin excursions, and the “Do It All” pass which is considered the #1 watersports trip in Key West.

Participants will spend the day on a $2 million yacht and enjoy all 11 watersports activities.

Come rested because this trip is guaranteed to wear you out. Exhausting, but well worth it.

Nightlife Aqua Key West (305) 294-0555 If you are looking for the best drag show in town, then Aqua Key West is the place to be.

Offering entertainment seven nights a week, this places hosts drag shows, karaoke, and late-night dancing. In addition to the main show bar, Aqua offers areas that provide a little peace and quiet in a lovely outdoor setting.

Perhaps you may be up for a game of pool. This hot spot is great for a night on the town. Make sure to make a reservation.

Bourbon Street Pub (305) 294-9354 Bourbon Street Pub is Key West’s most popular gay bar featuring music videos, male dancers, drink specials, live performance five nights a week, and garden & pool bar happy hour. Opening in 1995, this spot has become a staple for the area’s LGBTQ community. Make sure to check out their website for upcoming events, and which male porn star may make a guest appearance to get your blood pumping.

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Little Room Jazz Club (305) 741-7515 In the mood for some jazz? The Little Room Jazz Club features an eclectic variety of musicians from around the world with live jazz performances every night starting at 8:30PM. This establishment offers some of the best live local entertainment, reasonably priced beer, wine & cocktails, and an atmosphere unlike any other bar on Duval Street.

The Green Room (305) 741-7300 Located in the heart of the Key West bar district, The Green Room provides patrons with a fresh experience never before seen in Key West, featuring organic frozen cocktails and a full bar executed with environmental sustainability, efficiency, and customer experience at the center of it all. Great musician, friendly staff, and an amazing atmosphere, this bar is a popular nightlife spot to be enjoyed by all.

Restaurants Key West Key Lime Pie Co. (305) 517-6720 In the Florida Keys, key lime pie is the most iconic dessert. With the first being made in the early 20th century, it was named after the small key lime fruit that naturally grows throughout the region. If you are planning a trip to Key West, then the Key West Key Lime Pie Co. must be on your to-do list. Come in and enjoy a traditional or extra tart key lime pie, or perhaps a fabulous frozen chocolatedipped bar. This establishment also offers a pie-making class where you can go behindthe-scene and make your own mini key lime pie right in their kitchen. Even better, you can order a slice of pie online and get it shipped anywhere in the continental U.S. Latitude’s Restaurant (305) 292-5300 Looking for an evening of fine dining? Located on the private island of Sunset Key, Latitude’s Restaurant provides fresh and flavorful cuisine with breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico.

It was named the #1 Best Overall Restaurant in Key West by OpenTable in 2016, and one

of the 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America for 2017. An ever-evolving work of art type menu incorporates locally sourced fresh fish and tropical fruit, and cuisine is based on what is in-season and includes daily fresh catch. Luxuriate while dining in the Ernest Hemingway Room, where photos of the author, fisherman, and former Key West resident adorn the walls or outdoor dining where you will find yourself watching a magnificent sunset.

Mangia Mangia (305) 294-2469 In Key West, Mangia Mangia is famous not only for their fresh homemade pasta, but also for creating a nourishing meal that envelops your senses. From spaghetti topped with green-lipped New Zealand mussels in a garlic marinara sauce to linguine with clams in shallot, Mangia Mangia offers a variety of delicious pasta dishes full of flavor and delight. Located on the corner of Southard and Margaret right in the heart of the Old Town.

The Flaming Buoy Filet Co. (305)295-7970 The Flaming Buoy Filet Co. makes a statement and provides local cuisine that you can only find in Key West. A combination of retro supper club, sassy corner bistro, and highly personal whim this establishment was founded by Fred Isch, and his partner Scot Forste. Every recipe is an interpretation of something they ate at their respective family tables. Local additions, seafood, and tropical fruits, every bite is a party for the taste buds.

Hotels & Resorts Equator Resort (305) 294-7775 This all male, clothing optional resort meets all your needs and expectations to experience a relaxed and private escape.

Beautifully designed and landscaped, this high-end post modern Caribbean hot spot invites guests to enjoy a secure and exclusive all male experience. From island views to poolside views, the Equator offers numerous accommodations. Included in each night satay are: complimentary continental breakfast with fresh locally baked pastries, complimentary happy hour with selections of frozen drinks, 154 | OutClique.com

beer, wine, and liquor options, complimentary Wi-Fi, and nine complimentary adult male channels in each room. The Equator Resort is only three blocks from Duval Street.

Island House Key West (305) 294-6284 An 8-minute walk from the Key West Bight Ferry Terminal, this buzzing resort for gay men is less than a mile from restaurants and bars on Duval Street. Inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s Havana home, the rooms feature tropical style and original art. All offer ceramic tile floors, and complimentary Wi-Fi and flatscreen TVs offering premium adult channels, plus iPod docks. Freebies consist of limited parking, and regular happy hours. There’s a poolside cafe/bar, a heated outdoor pool and a clothing-optional sundeck, as well as hot tubs, and a health club offering a gym with a sauna and a steam room. An erotic lounge shows videos 24 hours a day.

New Orleans House Key West (305) 293-9800 This lively adults-only guest house catering to gay men is only minutes away from several Key West attractions. The 11 unfussy rooms have free WiFi and cable TV, as well as mini-fridges, microwaves, and coffeemakers. A 1-bedroom apartment and a cottage provide pull-out sofas.

Freebies include happy-hour drinks, entry into partner nightclubs, and continental breakfast served on a balcony. There's a clothingoptional pool with a sundeck, plus a bar and a hot tub. Minimum-stay rules may apply.

The Perry Hotel Key West (305) 296-1717 Named one of the 2 Best-Designated Hotels

by Architectural Digest and 2017 Winner of the Gold Key Award for Best Upscale Lobby, The Perry Hotel offers an experience like no other in Key West. The new waterfront hotel is exclusively located at one of South Florida’s deepest water marinas. Each room is pet friendly and features water views. The rustic, chic décor is warm and inviting and will make guests not want to check out. Lounge poolside in a cabana or hop on the shuttle to downtown Key West. Enjoy world class dining and allow the Perry Hotel to turn your dream vacation into a reality.

Dinner Cruise • Open Bar • Tropical Food Buffet • Live Music

Key West’s Best Sunset

Sunset Sip & Sail • Open Bar • Great Appetizers • Live Music

Lowest Prices Guaranteed 855-628-8080 | SunsetWatersportsKeyWest.com

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PER MONTH

MINI

4401 W Sample Rd, Coconut Creek, FL 33073 (866) 766-0574 | VistaMINI.com New 2019 MINI Cooper S HT 2DR| Stk# 48019. Based on MSRP: $30,750. Lease for 36 months. Includes 5,000 miles per year. $0 security deposit. Extra charges may apply at lease termination. *Lease for $299 per month with $0 down. Includes $925 acquisition fee, $899 dealer fee, tax, tag fees due at signing. **$3,075 due at lease signing due at lease signing. Plus first months payment, $925 bank fee, $899 dealer fee, tax, tag, title and state fees with approved credit through MINI Financial Services. Vehicle photos shown for illustration purposes only. Not responsible for typographical errors. Expires 02/28/19.