V8iss4-Part-2

OCTOBER 25–NOVEMBER 10, 2019 WINNER OF FOUR 2018 CARBONELL AWARDS

WINNER OF FOUR 2018 CARBONELL AWARDS INCLUDING BEST MUSICAL INCLUDING BEST MUSICAL Presents

S LOW B U R N T H E AT R E C O. 2019/2020

NNIVERSARY SEASON I 10th A Presents

S LOW B U R N T H E AT R E C O. 2019/2020 I 10th ANNIVERSARY SEASON DECEMBER 13–29, 2019 JANUARY 31–FEBRUARY 16, 2020

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PROFILE

E V I T A N A D I R O L F H UT ES INTO

SO

C

RIEN E P X E S TURN

S E I R O T S G LIN

L E P M CO

E G A T S N O It was no surprise that he packed his bags and headed to New York City upon graduation, determined to make his place on Broadway. Life in the Big Apple was exciting for the young gay man and those experiences would eventually make their way into his play, “The Boys Upstairs,” a runaway hit at the 2009 New York Fringe Festival that finally received its South Florida premiere earlier this year.

“It was inspired by the life I was living,” Mitchell recalled. “I was young and new to New York, navigating new friendships, seeking a career and dating life.”

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AND

His story centers around three roommates living in Hell’s Kitchen: Seth is dating an older man and seeks approval from his single best friends. Ashley is playing the field, enjoying the variety, availability and accessibility of men in Manhattan. Josh finds inspiration from their antics, but focuses instead on developing a new phone app. Then, an incredibly hot neighbor moves in downstairs and they find their worlds upended as they ponder his sexual orientation over craft cocktails.

Village Voice critic Rex Reed called his play, “Sex in the City meets Boys

LIFE

in the Band,” and productions would follow in Los Angeles, London and Chicago.

“It’s definitely a comedy with a lot of heart. I’d even call it a romantic comedy. It’s the second play that I wrote; the first was a historical drama about homosexuals living in the holocaust. I wanted to write something much lighter in tone that reflected the life I was living,” he said.

Mitchell is 10 years older and his characters are still 25. But, he pointed out, they’re not frozen in time, as he always feels free to update the play for each production.

Photo Credit: Carina Mask.

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PROFILE

x

Photo Credit: Carina Mask.

“The fun thing is that it was always meant to be reflective of being 25 in New York City, but it takes place in 2019. So much has changed in a decade. Oh, my god, I feel so old,” quipped Mitchell. “I’m not living that life anymore.”

There’s so much material, Mitchell has considered adapting his story and characters into a television series, but, in the end, stuck with the theatrical setting, primarily because of the opportunity to collaborate closely with other creatives.

“I love every time this happens—a new director and a new set of actors—seeing

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what new life we bring to the piece,” he explained. “I, as a writer, can discover (nuances) I’ve never noticed before.”

Mitchell’s storytelling isn’t limited to the stage. As a struggling writer in New York City, he supplanted his income as an event planner and eventually became a celebrity wedding planner. Five years ago, he penned “Getting Groomed,” the first wedding guide for gay grooms and served as the resident wedding planner for a leading international events company overseeing the company’s market in New York, Los Angeles and London. Michell now splits his time in Los

Angeles, planning glitzy ceremonies and receptions for stars of stage and screen, as the president of Jason Mitchell Kahn & Co. Google searches for Mitchell can sometimes be perplexing.

“People often seem a bit confused about what my real name is, and rightfully so,” he explained. “Growing up I always used my full name, but when I wrote my first play I was encouraged to simplify and just go by Jason Mitchell. I stayed consistent with all of my writing endeavors that followed. As I joined the work force as an event professional, I went back to using my full name, which is why there can be a discrepancy sometimes.

I answer to all of them, and many people simply call me ‘JMK’.”

Jason is currently the “in-house expert” for “Men’s Vows” magazine, the “G Life’s Grooms Go to Guy,” and well known in the industry. He is regularly asked to contribute ideas and opinions to wedding websites and media outlets.

“They’re just like shows,” he said. “Each couple brings a new story and then I get to write the script. It’s a wonderful combination.”

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

INTERVIEW

MEET CRAIG

JOHNSON raig Johnson, the new executive director of ArtServe in Fort Lauderdale, has big plans for the arts incubator celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2020.

“ArtServe has a remarkable history serving as a resource center for artists of all disciplines and genres, with deep roots planted in the community. The foundation has been laid for an ArtServe 2.0,” Johnson said. “Now, the idea is to build upon that legacy and reposition ArtServe as not only an arts incubator, but an arts laboratory where we bring artists together with stakeholders and merge arts and science and technology.”

Johnson immediate got to work after arriving in South Florida six months ago, holding focus groups and listening sessions with diverse segments of the local arts community.

“It’s our responsibility now, if we are to reach a new generation, to demonstrate the value of the arts beyond the natural beauty and explore the realm of social responsibility. That’s how we will create a longevity for arts in our community.”

Johnson, a native of New Jersey, came to Fort Lauderdale from Winter Park in Central Florida, where he founded a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering diverse dance organizations, including the region’s first African American company.

“I think we did our job,” he said, “and after 17 years, I was ready to do more beyond dance.”

Three weeks after responding to the job posting at ArtServe, Johnson was hired and he couldn’t be happier.

“It’s a paradise,” he said of his new home. “South Florida is incredibly exciting, especially Broward County. One of the reasons I wanted to be here is the state of the arts in Broward County. It’s a vibrant place and there’s a level of excitement to collaborate and bring people together through the arts.”

Johnson resides in the lively FAT Village neighborhood with his partner of 25 years, a professional dancer, and he is committed to continuing ArtServe’s embrace of LGBT artists and the area’s sizable LGBT community.

“I am that community. One hundred percent. One of the experiments I’m most interested in is how the arts bridge our differences. It’s not just about race, ethnicity or sexual orientation. We can use arts to create greater levels of understanding between our communities, so we can ultimately achieve a connected humanity.”

The results of Johnson’s initial efforts will be on display beginning Oct. 9, with the opening reception scheduled for Oct. 12. A family-friendly event is planned for Oct. 26 with pizza, art activities and special performances.

Featuring a curated sampling from the visual and performing arts, the 30th Anniversary Season Preview will give audiences a sneak peek at upcoming thematic exhibitions including the African Diaspora “Roots of the Spirit” exhibition, a Women’s History Month exhibit, the environmentally-conscious “Changing Landscapes” installation, “Emerging Art from War-Torn Syria” and more.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ARTSERVE EVENTS AND PROGRAMS, GO TO ARTSERVE.ORG. 66 | THE

ARTSERVE’S NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

FEATURE

P U O R G A T S I V Y GA BRINGS

E B I V I M MIA M

IAMI IS LOADS OF FUN AND HAS A DISTINCTLY COOL GAY VIBE IN SOME AREAS OF THE CITY. BUT, C’MON, FORT LAUDERDALE IS FUN, COOL AND HAS GAYS, TOO. That might be why a popular gay social group – mostly appealing to young adult gay men – started looking north past Miami to Fort Lauderdale recently.

The Gay Vista Social Club launched in 2016 to offer Miami’s 20-something crowd cool options to hang out and interact in a way that didn’t always rely on the nightclub and bar scene.

The early GVSC organizers thought Miami didn’t really have many options for that kind of socializing. So they came up with a motto – “building friendships” – something it tries to do one unique event at a time.

The group of guys started using Meetup (remember that?) to organize events. It worked so well that they now have three Meetup groups – one each for Miami, Fort Lauderdale and South Florida.

The Meetup popularity also sparked an even stronger social media presence. GVSC now 68 | THE

operates as a nonprofit with a membership program. It has a board and leadership council.

The target age group has also been opening up — but it’s still for gay, bisexual and queer men.

‘ALMOST A FRATERNITY’ Jonathan Barrio founded the group and was its first executive director. David Quinones is the current ED, a role he’s had for about a year.

Quinones said the group throws a quarterly house party that is very popular. On Aug. 6 they held a founder’s event where past leadership were all recognized. He said more than 50 people showed.

Quinones has a walk-in-and-take-command-of-the-room kind of presence that works well for his role.

“I was just always constantly involved, getting to know people, outgoing and social. It’s my personality,” he said.

He describes GVSC as “almost like a fraternity without a university attached to it.”

Quinones – born in New York, raised in Orlando, in Miami since 2001 – would know. He says he’s from the frat world (Phi Gamma Delta). He’s done recruitment, retention and party planning.

Not only that, but his degree from Florida International University is in advertising and public relations. He minored in entrepreneurship. In other words, he’s a dream leader for the GVSC.

T R TO FO

S ING FRIENDSHIP D IL U B IS N IO S THE MIS UP — NOT A HOOK

LAUDERDALE GO NORTH Quinones and others started noticing a fair amount of participation at Miami events from gay men who traveled from Broward County.

So even though there was already a Meetup group for Fort Lauderdale –at first 500 members and then 1,200 – they decided to kick it up a notch recently and launch “Pop Up & Out” events exclusively for the area.

The idea has already been a success in Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors and perhaps Hollywood in the future. The once a month events could be at a restaurant, theater, or for example, even more north at Rapids Water Park where they met in August.

“We are interested in forming an official [Fort Lauderdale] chapter at some point,” Quinones said. “People have said it’s about time. They’re excited.”

Events have included attending the “Pray the Gay Away” offBroadway production at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, and the Aquaman underwater men’s burlesque show at the B Ocean Resort near Fort Lauderdale Beach.

Quinones said GVSC has partnered with the OUTshine Film Festival in the past and hopes to do so this coming fall – maybe offering a “dinner and a movie” option to members in both Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

Other events this summer include the return of GVSC “Gone Wild Gay Days Weekend Retreat” and the “SWIM-End of Summer Pool Party.”

If that doesn’t peak your interest, maybe “MISSION: Escape South Beach,” “Sunset Kayak to Camp Crystal Island in honor of Friday the 13th” or “Let’s Get Soaking Wet MIAMI Party Boat” will.

That’s just a taste.

Quinones said GVSC is an open group. But to be sure, the No. 1 age range is 25 to 34 year olds, he said, followed by 35 to 44.

He said there are men from their early 20s through their 50s who have attended events.

“As long as you have fun at the events – the mission is friendships, building friendships, not a hookup,” he said.

Couples come to the events, too, and single guys have met their future partners through GVSC. FOR MORE m,,,,,The best way to connect on all levels is to start at GVSCmiami.org. The homepage will direct you to all the other options, including social media and the membership page.

Some membership perks include getting a pin after attending three events and a card that gives you discounts at participating vendors.

Quinones said there are about 40 members at the “supporting” level now. He offers them a free cocktail at the mix and mingle events as a thank-you.

All events are free to attend, by the way, unless of course something requires an admission cost. | 69

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

GET YOUR

Heart On WITH ARTIST

YANKIEL M MPELLAR I You get the idea.

But the tongue in cheek is really the truth – the man paints a lot of hearts.

Some are on small canvasses that could almost be transported in a car glove compartment and there’s at least one that wouldn’t fit in a large SUV. These hearts are anatomical – not the Valentine’s Day sort. Although your reaction might be one of love.

His work includes other subjects as well. And the man behind the creations is just as complex, colorful and intense as his art.

Turn the page to continue reading

Heart graphic via rawpixel.com.

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Yankiel Mompellar at Art Beat Galleries. Photo courtesy of Art Beat.

Yankiel Mompellar at Art Beat Galleries.

Photo courtesy of Art Beat.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

IntO tHe lIgHt Society likes to rate things on a one-to-10 spectrum. Ten is usually the top range (he’s a 10!) and one is that half star Amazon rating.

But if you think 10 is the natural ceiling, you might want to check-in with Mompellar.

The 29-year-old operates on an energy and light scale that basically places zero in the center. To the left of zero is negative or dark core energy, and to the right is the light, the sun and all its creative forces.

You’ll find his energy hovering somewhere in a self-described one billion or higher level – especially when he’s creating.

“Everything has a vibration and energy,” Mompellar said.

“Everything has a positive or negative and I can read it numerically.

The most valuable thing you can have is your light.”

He tests it when he walks in a room, meets a person, sees an object.

It can seem complicated, but no matter – it’s best to leave preconceived notions and judgements at the studio door. Just be in the moment and take the trip with him.

“My purpose is to bring high-vibrational art to the world,” Mompellar said, and he means it with a deep eye connection. It’s a mission statement that he lives. It’s manifested on the walls of the studio.

The three years he spent living and studying at the Bodies of Light Center in Dania Beach has a lot to do with the journey.

It’s a journey that began when he and his family left Cuba for Miami when he was 9. He went to high school there, worked at a car wash for many years, and eventually moved to Fort Lauderdale.

He would later bartend, as well as dance and strip at the Boardwalk, Johnsons and LeBoy. Those are all experiences that shaped him – and meeting LeBoy owner Sean David resulted in the current business partnership at Art Beat Galleries.

But it was a previous “chance” encounter at a former Wilton Manors art walk event at the Village Pub where he was showing his art that would also make an impact. That’s where he met Dr. Lee Vickers – owner of Bodies of Light.

“I really didn’t want to be around all these drunk people,” Mompellar said. “But Dr. Lee walked in and was testing the energy and he found me.”

FOr mOre

Vickers is an author, holistic practitioner, teacher and consultant. At his center he teaches people to find and access their light through “science and simplicity.”

There’s much more to the story: like the significance of Dec. 21, 2012, and why the Mayan calendar end-date is important to Mompellar. You’ll have to ask him about it.

Yankiel Mompellar at Art Beat Galleries. Photo courtesy of Art Beat.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON

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FEATURE

Guitar~Shaped

HARD ROCK HOTEL STARTS REVEALING STUNNING DISPLAY OF LIGHTS

T In recent weeks, the stunning building has been shining bright in every direction, its exterior bathed in red, blue, purple, green and yellow. Fully illuminated, the flashy 450-foot tower can be seen for miles from points in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

At a recent media event, Hard Rock International Chairman James Allen tipped his hand at how impressive the display will be.

“What most people don’t realize is this thing is also a TV set,” he told reporters. “There’s lasers on top of it that can go 20,000 feet in the sky. So while it’s this amazing building during the day, wait till you see the show on it at nighttime.”

Part of a $1.5 billion expansion, the hotel, a grandiose lagoon and new restaurants, shops, and an entertainment center are scheduled to open for business Oct. 24.

But the extent of the light display’s capabilities remains a mystery.

Hard Rock officials are reluctant to discuss what’s behind the onagain, off-again evening light shows.

“We are not releasing any details of the lighting in order to build anticipation for the opening,” said spokesman Gary Bitner. “That is just a strategic decision.”

Around Miami and elsewhere in South Florida, lighting schemes are part of the signatures of many high-rises — all designed to draw attention.

In sheer scope, the colors emitted at the Hard Rock thus far seem to rival those that illuminate the 625-foot Miami Tower designed by the late I.M. Pei, and the AmericanAirlines Arena in downtown Miami.

No one at the Hard Rock has mentioned trying to emulate the 19-story silhouette of a dancing woman that has graced the InterContinental Miami for many years.

And there will be more camera fodder in the weeks to come.

Said Bitner: “Clearly there is going to be testing going on all summer leading up to the grand opening.”

And the Hard Rock is in the midst of a hiring spree, conducting job fairs to fill an estimated 1,200 openings. A third fair is scheduled for Aug. 19-21.

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NEWS

PRIDE OF THE AMERICAS FIRST EVER EVENT WILL BE HOSTED IN FORT LAUDERDALE

A

fter three years of successful Pride on the Beach festivities, including the first LGBT parade down A1A last year, the organizers of the event recently announced that next year’s event, taking place from April 21 through 26, 2020 will be titled “Pride of the Americas” and is being planned and hosted by Pride Fort Lauderdale with support from the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The event is expected to bring more than 350,000 visitors from Alaska to Argentina to Broward County. The full program of planned events For more goes beyond the typical parade, festival and parties that are a part of traditional Pride festivals. Activities will include seminars and information about Pride of the Americas 2020 go to educational programs, a performing arts festival, health care symposium, business, conference and service projects.

PrideOfTheAmericas.org “We felt it was important that we offer a wide variety of experiences for the diverse guests we’re expecting,” said Miik Martorell, president or Facebook.com/ of Pride Fort Lauderdale. “Not only will we welcome visitors from PrideOfAmericas. more than 30 countries, but those people will represent every segment of LGBT community. We’re very fortunate to have many local and national partners to create world class programming.”

Pride Fort Lauderdale is teaming up with SAGE, the national organization that represents the interests and needs of LGBT seniors, on “Spotlight on Seniors will present a conference on Tuesday, April 21. Throughout the week, an LGBT arts festival will include art exhibitions, daily concerts and theatrical performances at venues throughout the region.

In addition to daily parties and social events, Pride of the Americas will conclude with a parade on A1A planned for Saturday morning, April 25, followed by a free beach festival at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park on Saturday afternoon and Sunday, April 26.

“There are still opportunities for local organizations and residents to become involved,” concluded Martorell. “It will also take a small army of volunteers to pull this off, but we’re very excited and, most importantly, our community is excited.”

Each of the Pride of the Americas events will not only explore the needs of LGBT people in the U.S. and Canada, but also those living in the Caribbean and Latin America.

“Just 40 miles from our shores, many LGBT people still live in fear, with few legal protections and often facing violence or worse, imprisonment,” Martorell added. “It was important that we use this opportunity to raise awareness about their plight and work together to effect meaningful change.”

“...WE’RE VERY EXCITED AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, OUR COMMUNITY IS EXCITED.”

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BUSINESS

PROFILE

BIZ CONFERENCE KEITH BLACKBURN NEARS DECADE AS HEAD OF LOCAL PARTNERSHIP Pictured: Keith Blackburn.

/ / Damon Scott Photos by Carina Mask

T

he national lgbt Chamber of Commerce (nglCC) has chosen broward County as the host destination for its 2021 “international business and leadership Conference.”

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NEWS FEATURE

PROFILE PROFILE The 2021 incarnation is set to take place Aug. 8-14 at the Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood. “[Greater Fort Lauderdale] not only offers a thriving LGBT scene, but it also offers … stunning beaches and a variety of worldclass museums, culinary experiences and unique attractions,” Justin Nelson, cofounder and president of NGLCC recently said in a statement.

The conference was held in Fort Lauderdale in 2015 – the last time it was in the area. The Washington, D.C.-based NGLCC held its 2019 conference in Tampa in August. Las Vegas was chosen as the host city for 2020.

Organizers said one of the reasons for the return to Broward is because the greater Fort Lauderdale area is considered the “LGBT capital of Florida,” with the highest concentration of same-sex couple households in the country and hundreds of gay-owned and operated businesses.

The area also welcomes 1.5 million LGBT travelers each year, in part because many stakeholders have been proactively welcoming the LGBT market for decades.

Organizers expect more than 1,400 attendees, with a program that features networking, workshops, seminars, performances, panels and entertainment.

Two of the conference’s local partners, who were instrumental in its return to Broward, are Keith Blackburn, president and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT

Chamber of Commerce (GFLGLCC), and Richard Gray, SVP of Diversity & Inclusion at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.

DECADE AT THE HELM Blackburn has been running the GFLGLCC for almost 10 years now.

His group is affiliated with the NGLCC, but operates as its own nonprofit, independent organization that also shares the mission – to promote business and economic opportunities in LGBT and LGBT-friendly communities.

Blackburn’s Chamber represents one of the largest LGBT business groups in Broward. He also operates an LGBT-plus visitor center at 2300 NE 7th Ave. in Wilton Manors, adjacent to the Alibi shopping center just behind SunServe.

The plaque hanging on his office wall there features a quote by businessman and

author Robert T. Kiyosaki. The quote kind of says it all about Blackburn’s energy: “Your future is created by what you do today, not tomorrow.”

It’s that kind of drive that he and his director of development Tom Gatz-Nibbio try to manifest for their members and partners.

The group hosts a variety of networking mixer events (the third Tuesday of each month) at locations across the area, including a recent one at the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Science that brought out scores of members.

Blackburn is, indeed, an organizer. He’s turned it into a successful career.

“The mixers are a growing, signature event. It brings people together to relax,” Blackburn said.

Most attendees are members, but about 25 percent are allies and new people who are interested in joining the group.

The GFLGLCC currently has 350 members and 25 partners as it eyes almost a decade in operation.

THE JOURNEY Blackburn was born and raised in Washington, D.C., but he got tired of the cold weather and moved to Miami Beach to do real estate.

He gravitated to Broward over time and eventually operated a guesthouse – Mary’s Resort. After joining a group that promoted Turn the page to keep reading »

Pictured: Keith Blackburn (center) in 2018 with Wilton Manors City Commissioners during the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT+ Visitor Center Ribbon Cutting.

NEWS

PROFILE gay-owned guesthouses, he began to see a need for an exclusively LGBT Chamber.

“Before I founded the Chamber I reached out to [the NGLCC] to get the criteria and become an affiliate. It allows for an independent, separate board. We pay an affiliation fee and get their support, participate in conferences, events and training – and the national conference,” Blackburn said.

Since launching, he’s overseen growth in membership, a rebrand, and the opening of the visitor’s center in 2018.

Blackburn said he’s already looking at expanding the center’s hours and wants to eventually be open seven days a week instead of the current five.

Pictured: Keith Blackburn.

WHY JOIN? Naturally, the Chamber is always looking for new members and partners. Blackburn doesn’t get any grant funding, so he said it’s essential.

It runs a host of unique initiatives, such as its Business Connect program (you can watch a video about it on the website) and the Purple Palm Hospitality and Training Certification.

There is the quarterly breakfast event that has been sponsored by Northwestern Mutual for the past two years. Blackburn hosts a monthly executive lunch, when he personally invites 10 members to the Tower Club in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

There is also a quarterly luncheon that features unique programming.

“There will be some different training programs, legal perspective training, how to treat LGBT people in the workplace,” he said.

At a recent event, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis spoke about the #MeToo movement.

Blackburn is also working toward adding a women’s council to the mix. To be a part of that group you don’t have to be lesbian, you can identify as transgender or straight, too.

Member organizations must be at least 51 percent gay-owned and managed — the same sort of guidelines you’d see at the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, for example.

EXPANDING BUSINESS Blackburn said typically when a business is doing well, they don’t seek him out. But 88 | THE

he said that’s a mistake, and it’s better to be proactive no matter your current situation.

“When business is good, they sometimes aren’t as motivated to join a chamber, they feel they don’t need it,” he said. “And if business is really bad, they can’t afford it.

The middle ground is: business is good, but could be better.”

Each member has their own page on the GFLGLCC website. Members can post an event or a job opening there. A visitor might be looking for a Realtor, an insurance agent or a place to workout.

“It’s all about expanding your business,” Blackburn said.

Membership packages start at $295 for 12 months.

The GFLGLCC has five board members now, including Blackburn and one woman.

He said it’s a board that reflects the current demographic. “[The chamber] has evolved and has become a passion. It’s a lot of work. The benefits are unique and I remind members to use them,” he said.

‘HE’S VISIONARY’ Meanwhile, Gray, who is a veteran in LGBTQ marketing, business promotion and tourism, has worked with Blackburn for many years.

Gray noted that the Broward area is ranked as a top 10 destination in the U.S. for LGBT

visitors. He said it’s still the only destination in the world that markets to transgender people and that it’s an “oasis of inclusion” in a predominately conservative state.

He said Blackburn is a trailblazer that gets it.

“He shares the same passion for the community and tourism and educating people on what a wonderfully diverse and inclusive destination we are,” Gray said.

Gray’s department at the CVB is Blackburn’s main sponsor.

“Keith is smart, he’s visionary, and I think that shows in his commitment at the Chamber. It’s grown and grown. His mixers are well attended and the visitor’s center is doing extremely well,” he said.

Blackburn serves on the marketing and advisory council at the CVB. “He’s my closest partner – the closest person that I work with on the tourism level promoting Fort Lauderdale,” Gray said.

“Blackburn knows the business and tourism angles very well. At the end of the day, it’s about supporting small businesses and encouraging tourism. It’s about better educating and bringing businesses together for a bigger slice of the pie – we don’t always have to be so ultra competitive.”

MORE IS AT GFLGLCC.ORG.

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TRAVEL

Traveling To

orlanDo / / Justin Wyse

taycations offer quick easy fun for locals of South Florida. My husband and I have had opportunities to travel to many places over the past six years, but staycations remain one of our favorite things to do.

Typically, very affordable and easy to do, without much planning these types of trips offer relaxation, and fun rolled into just a few short days. Orlando offers many fun and exciting opportunities within a three-and-a-half-hour drive from home.

Orlando is one the world’s largest destination getaway spots offering some of the most unique attractions and things to do.

There are many ways to plan your trip to this great sunshine city without spending a ton of money on parks or if you’re a thrill ride lover head to Universal Studios, Magic Kingdom or SeaWorld.

Each park offers some unique options based on your personal likes and dislikes.

Turn the page to continue reading.

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Inside Diagon Alley at Universal Studios.

Photo credit: Brendon Lies.

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TRAVEL

CONNECTING BOTH PARKS TOGETHER VIA THE HOGWARTS TRAIN EXPERIENCE ALLOWS YOU TO TRAVEL BACK AND FORTH THROUGHOUT THE DAY IN THE PARKS.

Over the years, there has been much competition for travelers and state residents to spend their time at the parks, with each company offering specials and discounts to keep you wanting more. This year we visited all three in our five-day trip. Five days, five parks! Each park offers a variety of special upgrades to the standard tickets and all of them offer Florida Resident discounts as well.

Our first three days we spent at Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay. Volcano Bay is the newest in the Universal family offering a large variety of water rides. Our favorites where the water coaster (yes, its powered 100% by water), and fast lazy river. They offer guest the ability to wait in virtual lines which allows you the opportunity to ride other rides, hangout by the pools, or grab a snack while waiting in the two-hour line.

Universal Studios and Islands of Adventures both offer thrill rides for all guest to enjoy, with the Hulk being our favorite coaster. For us, Harry Potter land is one of the most unique areas of any theme park in Orlando. Connecting both parks together via the Hogwarts Train experience allows you to travel back and forth throughout the day in the parks. The best add-on to your experience is the unlimited express pass which provides nearly front of the line ride experience as much as you want. This upgrade allowed us to enjoy each ride more than once while visiting the parks during our three-day pass. I cannot wait to see what they do with Universal Epic when it arrives, hopefully they include Mario Land.

Magic Kingdom kicked off day four of our adventure with an early call of 7:30 a.m. In addition to the standard park entrance, we purchased the Fantasyland Magical Breakfast, which provided early access to seven rides and two meet and greets with princesses and of course and all you can eat breakfast at the Cosmic Café. This was for sure an amazing add-on and it gave us front row parking at Disney.

This access also gave us the ability to enjoy some of other favorite rides with little to no wait early in the morning. Imagine Space Mountain with a 5-minute wait! The highlight of our day, however, was the Italian glass blower, Michael. Working with the techniques of those found in Murano, Italy, they offered an onsite opportunity to see these masters at work. It truly makes this place magical!

The Hogwarts express.

Photo via Universal Studios, Facebook.

The Manta, a roller coaster at Sea World. Photo via Sea World, Facebook.

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Disney World’s famous castle.

Photo via Disney World, Facebook.

Under the sea, I mean SeaWorld, on day five offered us a relaxing but thrilling day in one our favorite places to go. Unlike the other theme parks, SeaWorld offers unique encounters and learning opportunities for guest to experience behind the scenes. We had this opportunity after riding Manta, the coaster that you ride laying on your stomach a number one ride in all of Orlando. Behind the scenes we learned about sharks and their habits and how friendly many of the species really are. The Magellanic penguin is only able to be visited through this unique opportunity as they are located only in the Avian Research Center as the Antarctica habitat is a bit too cold for them.

Orlando has many exciting places to visit away from the parks like Hamburger Mary’s in downtown Orlando and even some of the other gay nightclubs if you enjoy those adventures too. Eye of Orlando, or the Wheel at Icon Park, offers guests an opportunity to see most of the city from a 400 feet air conditioned view. Sleuths Mystery Dinner Theaters offered us a fun two-hour dinner show with great food and entertainment, that we participated in with other guests. For those who want something to do to kill a few hours, Orlando offers many great shopping adventures from three malls and four outlet malls.

There is definitely something for everyone in Orlando and its surrounding areas. You deserve a few days to relax, have some fun, and enjoy one of the best cities in Florida. They do say, vacations are good for the soul!

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2019/20 Season Full-Orchestra Concerts in Ft. Lauderdale, Key West and Miami (NEW) BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Film to live orchestra Broward Center | Nov. 9

MASTERWORKS I BEETHOVEN, MAHLER, BARBER featuring Brandie Sutton, soprano Temple Israel of Greater Miami | Nov. 16 Tennessee Williams Theatre | Nov. 18 Broward Center | Nov. 19

MASTERWORKS II BRUCKNER, NARDI BORENSTEIN featuring Irmina Trynkos, violin Tennessee Williams Theatre | Jan. 15 Broward Center | Jan. 16 Temple Israel of Greater Miami | Jan. 18

BEETHOVEN 250TH BEETHOVEN, SCHUMANN Symphony No. 9 Broward Center | Feb. 7 Tennessee Williams Theatre | Feb. 9

MASTERWORKS III ZWILICH, MENDELSSOHN, BEETHOVEN featuring Zuill Bailey, cello Broward Center | March 5 Temple Israel of Greater Miami | March 7 Tennessee Williams Theatre | March 8

MASTERWORKS IV STRAVINSKY, BEETHOVEN, DELIUS featuring Mark Bebbington, piano Broward Center | April 16 Tennessee Williams Theatre | April 17 Temple Israel of Greater Miami | April 18

TICKETS ON SALE NOW! SOUTHFLORIDASYMPHONY.ORG | 954.522.8445

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CARS

THE

2019 AUDI A7

CHANNELS THE OLD THROUGH THE FILER OF THE NEW E

ighty years ago, the kind that inhabited Hollywood’s golden era, when men wore fedoras, and women wore dresses, rather than vice versa, the stream-liner shape dominated automotive design. It’s a shape that automotive designers have rediscovered, and few if any automakers are doing it as well as Audi does with its 2019 A7, a five-door hatchback that oozes an agelessly graceful panache.

Continued on next page

Photo courtesy of Audi USA.

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sTATs

CARS

BAse PrICes: $68,000-$76,300 enGIne: TurBoCHArGed 3.0-LITer V-6 HorsePower/Torque: 335/369 Pound-FeeT ePA FueL eConomy (CITy/HIGHwAy): 22/29 mPG wHeeLBAse/LenGTH: 115.2/195.6 InCHes CArGo CAPACITy: 24.9 CuBIC FeeT CurB weIGHT: 4,332 Pounds Photos courtesy of Audi USA.

Its striking shape is long and low, with a flowing supple shape and minimal body seems that quietly, confidently proclaims its station with monied buyers. And check out the rear view – what gay man wouldn’t?

Few cars possess one as alluring as the 2019 Audi A7.

That refined presence is reinforced once you climb inside, as the A7 pos-sesses one of the industry’s most cutting-edge cabins, anchored by two touch-screens. The top one handles infotainment and navigation, while the lower one controls the climate, comfort and convenience functions.

If you’re a neat freak, you’ll love the lack of buttons or knobs.

Instead, the screens control everything through haptic feedback. After an on-screen button is pressed, a small vibration signals that the particular function is triggered.

Then there’s Audi’s Virtual Cockpit,

an optional 12.3-inch virtual instrument cluster that can be customized to a number of different views including a 3-D navigation screen with a Google Earth overlay. At 1920 x 720 pixels, resolution is superb. The accompanying soundtrack is provided by a standard Bang & Olufsen 705 watt, 16-speaker, 15-channel sound system.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard; inductive phone charging and a full-color head-up display are op-tional.

It’s all housed in a sleek, opulent cabin with a standard panoramic sunroof, leather seating surfaces with contrast stitching with heated front seats, optional heated rear seats, and natural wood inlays.

When it’s time to move, the A7’s 335 horsepower 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6, seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive system make the perfect accomplices.

Credit its 48-volt hybrid system that helps minimizes turbo lag off the line, and produces 0-60 mph times of 5.2 seconds and an effortless supply of power.

The car’s four driving modes – auto, comfort, dynamic, and individual – al-lows drivers to tailor the car’s responsiveness, while an optional sport suspension lowers the ride height by 20 mm – that’s about three-quarters of an inch for those averse to metric measurements.

All of this produces a supple, relaxed character often lacking in German cars, absorbing the rough stuff without excess body motions. Yet it’s also athletic and responsive as only a true grand touring machine can be.

Spectacularly stunning, the Audi A7 is a classic yet modern – able to cut and thrust with the best along I-95, yet supremely comfortable and accommodating. It’s a superb luxury hatchback, a segment Audi pioneered when the A7 debuted in 2012 with a shape that harkens back eight decades.

The 2019 Audi A7 is truly a cutting edge classicist, a finer piece of industrial art that will enhance your commute and your garage.

Larry Printz is an automotive journalist based in South Florida. He can be reached at TheDrivingPrintz@gmail.com.

100 | THE

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The HARID Conservatory

Lipstick

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2019–20 Performance Season December 14 & 15 at 3:00 p.m.

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Suddenly Last Summer

by Tennessee Williams 3/26/20 – 4/26/20 Hypocrisy, greed, sexual repression, a secret journal, and cannibalism is all packed into this classic Tennessee Williams pot boiler.

The Mystery of Love and Sex

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Show dates and times: Performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 5pm

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