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Wire Magazine Issue 1.2026 South Beach Wine & Food Festival and Winter Party Festival Special Issue

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TABLE OF CONTENTS:

8. COVER MODEL: SEAN MICHAEL

Our striking cover model is Sean Michael, photographed by David Vance.

10. SOBEWFF: FESTIVAL OVERVIEW, EVENTS PREVIEW AND CHEFS & TV PERSONALITIES

Read our preview of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, new events, and some of the chefs and TV personalities attending this year.

12. SOBEWFF: CHEF ANDREW ZIMMERN INTERVIEW

We sat down with Chef Andrew Zimmern to talk about the 2026 SOBEWFF, his career, and life in general.

14. SOBEWFF: LEE BRIAN SCHRAGER INTERVIEW

SOBEWFF Executive Director Lee Schrager tells us how the music lineup has been enhanced for this year’s Festival.

16. WINTER PARTY FESTIVAL: OVERVIEW

Learn about the 2026 Winter Party Festival (WPF).

18. WPF: ANDY GARCIA INTERVIEW

Read our interview of National LGBTQ Task Force Director of Conference & Events Andy Garcia about WPF.

20. WPF: DJ JACE M INTERVIEW

Check out what DJ Jace M is planning for you at the WPF Beach Party.

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Distributed in print in Miami, The Beaches, and Fort Lauderdale, and digitally worldwide through wiremag.com

The views, opinions or positions expressed by contributors to and interview subjects of Wire Magazine are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or positions of Wire Magazine, its staff or publisher.

Cover photo by David Vance davidvanceprints.com

Model: Sean Michael Instagram: @seanmichaelfit

FRIDAYS AT TWIST WITH DJ TONY ZUCCARO PHOTOS BY J.R. DAVIS | WIREMAG.COM/PHOTOS

PUBLISHER’S CORNER TWO ICONIC FESTIVALS ARE COMING TO OUR MAGIC CITY

For our first issue of 2026 we bring you our annual Wire Magazine Special Issue about the South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One (SOBEWFF) and the National LGBTQ Task Force’s Winter Party Festival (WPF). This year, we combine two special issues into one because these iconic festivals are taking place back-to-back, and returning with milestone anniversaries, bold programming, and powerful missions at their core.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, SOBEWFF takes over Miami Beach and beyond February 19–22, delivering its signature blend of world-class culinary talent, immersive dining experiences, and headline-making entertainment. From celebrity-hosted tastings to exclusive dinners and late-night parties, the Festival once again proves why it is one of the most anticipated food events in the country.

This year introduces exciting new additions, including Chew On This, a live podcast series presented by iHeartRadio at the Miami Beach Bandshell that fuses food, comedy, music, and pop culture through unfiltered conversations and high-energy tapings. Another standout is Naughty Bites, an indulgent tasting event hosted by Samantha Schnur of @TheNaughtyFork, where elevated comfort food gets a playful, over-the-top glow-up paired with curated wines and cocktails.

Fan-favorite events also return with star power turned all the way up. Mike’s Amazing Burger Bash celebrates its 20th anniversary with Rachael Ray and Brooklyn Peltz Beckham at the helm, while the Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village welcomes hosts Sofia Vergara and Manolo Vergara. Music takes center stage throughout the SOBEWFF, with performances from Diplo, Rev Run, Fat Joe, Ja Rule, and DJ Cassidy, culminating in a surprise finale during The David Grutman Experience.

Just days later, Miami shifts gears as the 33rd anniversary Winter Party Festival arrives February 26 to March 2, transforming our Magic City into a global hub of LGBTQ+ joy, music, and community. Drawing more than 10,000 attendees from around the world, Winter Party delivers sun-soaked pool parties, a legendary Beach Party, and high-octane nighttime events powered by an international lineup of top-tier DJs.

Together, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival and Winter Party Festival showcase Miami at its very best. Food, music, culture, and community come together, as celebration is paired with purpose. See you at the festivals!

Cheers,

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1 “Medicare & You,” Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2025. 2 “Aging changes in teeth and gums”, medlineplus.gov, 4/17/2022. 3 American Dental Association, Health Policy Institute, 2020 Survey of Dental Fees, Copyright 2020, American Dental Association.

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Photos by David Vance

SOBEWFF: THE FESTIVAL, EVENTS PREVIEW & CHEFS

This year, the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One (SOBEWFF) celebrates a landmark 25th anniversary with buzzy new events, newly-announced celebrity hosts and headline-worthy musical performances February 19-22. Purchase your tickets now at sobewff.org and check out the full lineup of events and special dinners. Remember that some events sell out ahead of time every year, so get on it! Culinary stars, chart-topping artists and immersive culinary experiences across Miami Beach, the mainland and beyond will offer you a plethora of opportunities to enjoy what you like the most about the SOBEWFF.

Chew On This: A Live Podcast Series presented by iHeart Radio bringing food, comedy, music and pop culture together in a way that only Miami can. It will take place at the Miami Beach Bandshell, with live tapings featuring a wide-ranging lineup including Something’s Burning hosted by Bert Kreischer, Chiquis and Chill hosted by Chiquis, Gandhi and Andrew Pugliese from the Z100 Morning Show, Chewed Up with Clinton Kelly, Carla Hall & Michael Symon, and Watch What Crappens hosted by Ben Mandelker and Ronnie Karam. Audiences can get a front-row seat to unfiltered conversations, special guests and high-energy moments unlike anything before.

By attending the Festival you support their matra to EAT. DRINK. EDUCATE because all of the SOBEWFF net proceeds benefit the students at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University. The students assist as Festival organizers with sponsorship fulfillment, restaurant and exhibitor recruitment, logistics, and inventory. They also work alongside some of the world’s greatest celebrity chefs and winemakers. The SOBEWFF has raised over $45 million for the School!

Some new additions to the 25th anniversary Festival include the following new and interactive events:

Naughty Bites will be SOBEWFF’s most sinful tasting event. Elevated comfort food will get a playful, over-the-top glow up, with host Samantha Schnur of @TheNaughtyFork. Guests will savor crave-worthy bites such as loaded baked potatoes, shawarma fries and patatas bravas, plus other decadent surprises such as brisket-stuffed honey gold potatoes with cherry pepper onion jam. Everything will be perfectly paired with wines and cocktails for a night of bold flavors and flavorful indulgence.

On Friday, February 20, the Bosch, Thermador & Gaggenau Showroom by BSH in the Miami Design District will be activated with a dinner experience, Rachael's Table: An Intimate Dining Experience with Rachael Ray which will offer an Italian-inspired feast for 20 guests. On Saturday, February 21, SOBEWFF will turn up the heat with a Late Night Pizza Party sponsored by Lucci Lambrusco at Bar Bucce, Miami’s lively Italian-inspired hotspot known for its high-octane, afterdark atmosphere. It will hosted by Ashley Graham, Chef Michael Pirolo (from Macchialina) and James Beard Awardwinning Chef Marc Vetri (Vetri Cucina). Guests will enjoy endless slices, lively DJ sets, and flowing pours of Lucci Lambrusco, the official sponsor of the evening.

SOBEWFF: THE FESTIVAL, EVENTS PREVIEW & CHEFS

This year’s Festival will be led by an impressive group of celebrity hosts, enhancing your experience at the different events. Everyone favorite, the Mike's Amazing Burger Bash presented by Schweid & Sons will celebrate its 20th anniversary on Thursday, February 19 at the American Airlines North Venue. Longtime fan favorite Rachael Ray returns to host with co-host Brooklyn Peltz Beckham. Brooklyn will also create a special dish exclusively for Burger Bash, and top restaurants will provide you numerous delectable burgers. The judges for the Very Best Burger Award will include restaurateur Matt Kuscher, comedian and cultural tastemaker Bert Kreischer, supermodel and entrepreneur Ashley Graham, award-winning journalist and television icon Gayle King, viral chef and digital food phenom Nick DiGiovanni, and beloved food influencer Samantha Schnur.

Saturday, February 21, the uber popular Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village featuring Publix Culinary Demonstrations sponsored by Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove will be hosted by multi-Emmy-nominated actress Sofia Vergara and her son Manolo Vergara, while also showcasing their respective brands Dios Mío! Coffee and TOMA Empanadas.

Diplo LIVE from South Beach, Celebrating 25 Years of SOBEWFF presented by Goldbelly hosted by LIV Beach, will kick off the Festival on Thursday, February 19. A late-night set from multi-GRAMMY-winning producer and DJ Diplo will light up the Grand Tasting Village Eventstar Courtyard for its firstever nighttime takeover. Burger King will be serving up Double Cheeseburgers, Jalapeño Cheddar Bites, and the Hershey's Sundae Pie, and there will also be exclusive VIP table experiences for guests.

Rev Run, the legendary hip-hop artist and founding member of RUN DMC, will perform live at Coca-Cola presents Tournament of Champions LIVE hosted by Guy Fieri taking place at the American Airlines North Venue on Friday, February 20.

The soundtrack at Las’ Lap Link Up: A Celebration of AfroCaribbean Cuisine will feature award-winning DJ GQ, with his signature mix of dancehall and reggae.

Grammy-nominated hip-hop legend Fat Joe will deliver his great energy at The Cookout hosted by JJ Johnson presented by Sonrisa Rum.

Global hip-hop icon Ja Rule will perform on the Only in Dade stage at Saturday’s Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village.

On Sunday, February 22, The David Grutman Experience will close out the Festival with a surprise musical performance for a can't-miss finale moment.

The 2026 SOBEWFF is going to feature some major music moments with standout performances and DJ-driven events happening throughout the Festival:

DJ-to-the-stars DJ Cassidy will also bring his Grammynominated beats to close out the Festival at BACARDÍ presents 25 Years of Legendary Bites & Iconic Sips hosted by Andrew Zimmern.

We sat down with Emmy-winning and James Beard Awardwinning television host, chef and food advocate Andrew Zimmern, and Festival Founder & Executive Director Lee Brian Schrager to preview this year’s SOBEWFF.

SOBEWFF: CHEF ANDREW ZIMMERN INTERVIEW

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Rafa Carvajal: What is your favorite part of attending the South Beach Wine and Food Festival?

Andrew Zimmern: My favorite part of attending the Festival used to be seeing all of my chef friends. Food festivals tend to be like weekend sleepaway camps for the chef community. Recently, I enjoy interacting with the fans, especially at all of the dinners that are cooked around town over the course of the three or four days that we are all down there. Ten years ago there were always chefs doing a dinner or two. I think now there are 150 over the course of the weekend.

RC: Give our readers a brief preview of the SOBEWFF 25 Years of Legendary Bites & Iconic Sips event you are hosting. AZ: It’s the big closing event on the beach and the invited chefs are ones that have attended the Festival before and created memorable foods and beverages. I know that my team and I are making Sesame Peanut Noodles with our Housemade Chili Crisp that has always been a big fan favorite. I am unsure what other chefs are making. The Sunday night event is always the best event of the weekend. I’ve hosted it for as long as I can remember and Sunday just has a better vibe than Friday night or Saturday night.

RC: What is your favorite wild food you have grilled in your Wild Game Kitchen and why?

AZ: It has to be all the whole animals we’ve done. Whole goats, whole deer, whole pig, whole turkeys, whole ducks, whole fish — many species of them. The best foods are the foods that roast on their own bones. There’s something special about roasting a whole animal over open fire.

RC: Tell our readers about your new cookbook The Blue Food Cookbook?

AZ: I love The Blue Food Cookbook. It ’s one of the best things I've worked on over the course of my career. It’s co-authored with Barton Seaver in collaboration with the nonprofit Fed by Blue. It’s an important book, a great cookbook, and a seafood encyclopedia all in one. If you had to buy one cookbook this year, I would make it The Blue Food Cookbook.

Photo by Drew Gurian Photography

SOBEWFF: CHEF ANDREW ZIMMERN INTERVIEW

RC: What are your most important projects you are working on these days?

AZ: We have some really exciting products that are coming out into the market in 2026 — food products that we’ve been working on for years. My production company is making Season 2 of our award-winning documentary series Hope in the Water — that’s very exciting. All the nonprofit work that I’m doing and the board work that I’m engaged in allows me to give back for all the blessings in my life.

RC: Why do you think food brings people from all walks of life together?

AZ: Food is universal. There are no two ways around that fact. There is no greater cultural driver and there is no greater lens through which to view people and places than through food. When we gather over food, we are recreating a tradition that

goes back to our literal beginnings, and at the same time we are creating new stories at the table. Food is the most powerful storytelling mechanism on planet Earth.

RC: Your career involves many facets, what brings you the most joy?

AZ: Giving back. Service work no matter how you describe. It is the greatest privilege of life. It ’s taken me 64 years to learn that, but it’s the truth.

RC: Is there anything else you would like to share with Wire Magazine readers?

AZ: To please be kind with one another. Real kindness seems to be slowly disappearing, sometimes not so slowly. We are put on this planet to love each other. I think more people should be living in that concept.

Photo by Madeleine Hill

SOBEWFF: LEE BRIAN SCHRAGER INTERVIEW

Rafa Carvajal: How has the SOBEWFF music lineup been enhanced for this year’s Festival?

Lee Brian Schrager, SOBEWFF Executive Director: For the first time in the Festival’s 25 years, we’re really integrating music at a major level. SOBEWFF has always been about more than food and wine, it’s about culture, energy and bringing people together in Miami. By expanding the music lineup, we’re welcoming a broader audience and adding a new dimension to how people engage with our event. Artists like Diplo, Rev Run, Fat Joe, Ja Rule, DJ Cassidy, DJ GQ and more are bringing an incredible energy and talent this year that elevates each event and enhances the overall Festival experience.

RC: Tell our readers about the new Festival event Diplo: Live from South Beach, Celebrating 25 Years of SOBEWFF, hosted by LIV Beach.

LBS: When planning our 25th anniversary, we knew we had to do something big, something we had never done before. Bringing on an artist like Diplo and activating the Grand Tasting Village at night for the very first time ever does exactly that. Hosting this event with LIV Beach right on the sand creates

a setting that is iconic, high-energy and what’s more Miami than bottle service on the beach while listening to a global DJ? It’s the kind of moment that feels right for this anniversary year and reflects how the Festival continues to push boundaries. It is definitely going to be the best kick off party we’ve ever had.

RC: Why do you think it is so important to combine great music with food, wine, and cocktails?

LBS: Food and music are universal, they both create connection, emotion and shared experiences. When you bring them together, the result is something special. It allows people to experience the Festival in a more dynamic way, and it opens the door to new audiences who may come for the music and leave discovering incredible chefs, restaurants, wines and cocktails. For me, it’s a natural evolution of SOBEWFF as a lifestyle festival, not just a food festival.

RC: What are you looking forward to the most about the new Thursday night event Diplo: Live from South Beach?

LBS: I love that it sets the tone for the entire weekend. Thursday night is our opening night, and this event brings a level of excitement and energy we’ve never had before at kickoff. It feels fresh, bold and celebratory, everything we wanted for 2026. It honors our last 25 years, while clearly showing we’re continuing to evolve, and that’s incredibly exciting to me.

WINTER PARTY: FESTIVAL OVERVIEW

Many of us love going to the Winter Party Festival (WPF) every year. So, get ready because the 33rd anniversary National LGBTQ Task Force’s Winter Party Festival is returning to Miami and Miami Beach February 26 to March 2, 2026. We interview Andy Garcia, Director of Conference and Events for the National LGBTQ Task Force and DJ Jace M, who is headlining the Beach Party with Toy Armada, to provide you a preview of this year’s Festival. Visit winterparty.com to buy your WPF passes and individual tickets, review the full Festival lineup, and learn more about the festivities to come.

Winter Party provides guests with world-class entertainment year after year, but it also fulfills a formidable mission to raise funds that support our South Florida and national LGBTQ+ communities. Every year, more than 10,000 partygoers from across the globe descend on our Magic City for an LGBTQ Festival that has grown into a full-blown international phenomenon. Our community comes together to revel in a playground of unapologetic joy, featuring an assortment of high-energy events at iconic venues known for showcasing legendary vibes. Sun-drenched pool parties, jaw-dropping mega night events, immersive productions, and dance floors that don’t quit will be fueled by an international roster of powerhouse DJs including Abel, Brady Prince, Dangerous Rose, GSP, Jace M, Joey With The Mustache, Joshua Ruiz, Karsten Sollors, Morabito, Oscar Velazquez, Sagi Kariv, Toy Armada, and more.

Winter Party isn’t just about the beats. It is also about belonging because at its core the Festival is a celebration of community and collective power. Proceeds support critical work advancing justice, freedom, and equality through advocacy, organizing, and education. Since 2005, the National LGBTQ Task Force’s Winter Party and Task Force Gala have reinvested over $4 million into 100+ community organizations in South Florida, while also powering LGBTQ+ social justice efforts nationwide. Every moment of the 2026 Winter Party Festival will be guided by the mantra ‘Live free. Play hard. Give back.’ The parties will allow us to dance, connect with new friends, recharge, and rise together for our rights.

This year, guests will also benefit from the long-awaited return of the official host hotel and legendary Saturday Pool Party at the National Hotel Miami Beach — back for the first time since 2019. Enjoy exclusive guest rates, reduced resort fees, and a poolside experience worthy of the National’s iconic status. Fan favorite events are also returning, including the beloved Beach Party on the sands near 10th Street, featuring elevated staging, immersive production, and a stacked DJ lineup against the backdrop of the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. VIP, Festival, and Weekend Pass options offer you perks like priority access and open bars. Winter Party 2026 lets everyone experience the magic their own way, so you can also purchase tickets to individual events if you prefer.

In a time when our community continues to face relentless challenges, Winter Party stands tall as a powerful reminder that we are here, we are joyful, and we will keep dancing and celebrating together for our rights!

Photo by J.R. Davis
Photo by Wilsonmodels
Photo by Wilsonmodels

WINTER PARTY: TASK FORCE'S ANDY GARCIA INTERVIEW

Rafa Carvajal: Why do you think it is so vital for us to come together at the Winter Party Festival in today’s cultural and social climate?

Andy Garcia, National LGBTQ Task Force Director of Conference and Events: Right now we’re seeing consistent, targeted attacks on the LGBTQ community at the national level — and especially in Florida. In 2025, the ACLU tracked 616 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced across the U.S.; according to the ACLU, seven were in Florida. Amid this chaos, events like the Winter Party Festival remind us of who we are, how much we’ve built together, and why we have to redouble our efforts in the fight for liberation. We’ve faced moments like this before, and we have not only survived — we have thrived. Winter Party is a celebration, yes, but it’s also a gathering of strength. It’s a visible reminder that queer joy is not optional or frivolous; it’s part of how we endure, organize, and keep moving forward. And there’s something powerful about doing that together — on the sands of Miami Beach and throughout the week.

RC: How do you ensure that entertainment and community purpose remain equally central to Winter Party’s mission?

AG: While Winter Party helps generate critical funds for the vital work of the National LGBTQ Task Force, the event itself is also a central and core part of our mission. Winter Party has always been a party with a purpose — but the ‘party’ matters. Creating a world-class experience that centers queer joy, connection, and belonging is not separate from the work. It is the work. We’re intentional about building spaces where people feel safe, celebrated, and seen spaces that welcome longtime community members while also embracing first-time guests. That balance is how we keep the Festival authentic: we raise money for year-round impact, and we also deliver a powerful, shared experience that reminds people what we’re fighting for.

RC: How does the WPF team approach curating talent and experiences that resonate with both longtime Festival attendees and first-time guests?

AG: Our entertainment directors — Brett Henrichsen, Richard King, and Hilton Wolman — know this community and these DJs better than anyone. We rely on their expertise to curate a Festival lineup that’s not only diverse, but also intentional — in sound, in energy, and in how it carries people through the week. This year’s roster reflects that commitment, with female, Asian/Pacific Islander, Palestinian, Israeli, Dominican/Puerto Rican, Greek, Latin, and drag talent all represented among an esteemed group of legendary DJs — some of whom have been performing for more than four decades. Every night and every party offers something different — a distinct vibe and a new journey. That variety is key: it gives longtime attendees the signature moments they look forward to, while ensuring firsttime guests can find the room, the sound, and the experience that truly feels like their Winter Party.

RC: Can you share a moment from a past Winter Party that best captures the spirit of the Festival for you?

AG: Every year, near the end of the Beach Party, our staff, volunteers, and team get invited up on stage for a dance. It’s a full-circle moment that centers the people who have tirelessly worked behind the scenes to make the Festival happen. Many of those team members are volunteers who contribute their time, creativity, and resources because they believe in this community and what Winter Party stands for. We’d be nowhere without them. Taking a few minutes to put the spotlight on them (literally) and celebrate together is such a meaningful reminder of what this Festival is at its core: community showing up for community.

Photo by Wilsonmodels
Photo by J.R. Davis

WINTER PARTY: TASK FORCE'S ANDY GARCIA

When you step back from your Festival role and responsibilities, what does Winter Party personally represent to you?

AG: Winter Party represents possibility. It’s a reminder that our community can create something joyful, beautiful, and powerful — something that feels like freedom, even when the world outside can feel heavy. Personally, it’s also a reconnection point. It brings friends together, it builds chosen family, and it creates moments where people feel fully themselves. That kind of belonging isn’t just emotional, it’s sustaining. And every year, it reaffirms why this work matters.

RC: How do you measure success for the Festival beyond attendance numbers?

AG: Attendance matters, but success is bigger than the numbers. We measure it in impact, in community experience, and in whether people leave feeling connected, energized, and cared for. If someone comes to Winter Party and feels less alone, more hopeful, or more grounded in community, that’s success. We also look at longevity and legacy. If you look at the original circuit events, Winter Party is one of the last remaining of its kind. We won’t pretend it’s easy to uphold an event like this in a landscape where there are many similar options and copycats. But Winter Party is specific and special. It’s not just another party in a warehouse on a Saturday — it’s a long weekend built with intention, history, and a real mission behind it.

RC: Please tell our readers how funds raised by the Festival translate into real impact for our LGBTQ community throughout the year.

AG: Since 2005, Winter Party and the Task Force Gala have reinvested over $4 million into more than 100 community organizations in South Florida, while also supporting national social justice efforts. Those funds help strengthen frontline organizations doing direct services, community-building, and advocacy work where it’s needed most. Festival proceeds also help support the National LGBTQ Task Force’s work, including Creating Change, an annual conference where thousands of attendees — nearly a third of whom identify as transgender or gender non-conforming, and over half as people of color — come together to learn the latest research and strategies to secure LGBTQ+ rights, share best practices and new teaching techniques, and build networks that last long after the conference ends. Through Creating Change and other advocacy programs, the National LGBTQ Task Force is training and mobilizing thousands of activists across the nation to help deliver a world where you can be you.

Photo by Adi Adinayev
Photo by Wilsonmodels
Photo by J.R. Davis
RC:
Photos Provided by Winter Party Festival

WINTER PARTY: BEACH PARTY DJ JACE M INTERVIEW

Rafa Carvajal: What does being part of the Winter Party Festival mean to you as an artist?

DJ Jace M, Beach Party Co-Headliner: Winter Party isn’t just a festival to me. It’s a piece of our culture and being part of it is like stepping into an LGBTQ legacy that ’s really about freedom, joy, and holding space together. As an artist, it feels incredibly full circle to be playing the iconic Beach Party. I’ve played various other WPF events, but headlining the main event has always been a personal goal of mine, and I am excited to share Toy’s craft and mine with you all. Of course, this also comes with responsibility. The party will be filled with people who are deeply connected to music and each other. My goal is to honor that and help create something that people carry with them long after the Festival ends. Being part of Winter Party is both an honor and a responsibility. It is about serving music and the community all at once!

RC: What does performing at Winter Party represent for you personally?

DJJM: Personally, it represents validation. Not in a big ego way, but to keep going. It ’s a reminder that the work, the late nights, and believing in what I do, all lead to moments like this. This community shaped me. My taste, confidence, perspective on life. Performing at WPF feels like giving something back to the people and spaces that helped make me the person and artist I am.

RC: How do you translate Winter Party’s spirit of identity and community into your DJ set?

DJJM: I treat every set as a conversation, in a way. I am constantly reading the room and seeing who’s there and how they are moving... assessing what they need, and that guides the direction of my set. That ’s where the community shows up for me. We are in a way having a conversation.

RC: How do the Winter Party audiences’ high energy and diversity influence the way you build your set for the night?

DJJM: The energy at the Beach Party is always high, but it ’s not

one-dimensional. I like to start by feeling out where the room already is and then I build from there instead of trying to force a specific vibe. One thing about WPF, is that the crowd is so diverse, so I must think about the pace of the journey and the texture. I will give time for the energy to breathe, bring in moments that hit harder, some emotion, and some hard moments. That way, the different people at the event all have a moment to connect with the music. I bring it all together, so everyone is connected to each other at the peaks.

RC: When preparing for a night like this, what part of your creative process is most important?

DJJM: Oh man. It’s all important. Toy and I have already started working in the studio to create new music and reimagine existing music. One thing I will say is that preparation does matter, but flexibility matters more. We prep a lot of music, but who knows what we’ll actually play until we’re in the moment! I tend to trust my instincts once I’m in the DJ booth instead of over planning before.

by

RC: How has performing for LGBTQ audiences influenced you as an individual?

DJJM: Watching people express themselves freely and authentically has definitely influenced me personally, but I got my start with the LGBTQ community, so pinpointing actual influences over the last 20 some years is difficult, but I definitely know it’s there!

RC: Is there anything else you would like to share with Wire Magazine readers?

DJJM: I really hope everyone has a great time at the events. A time to let loose, enjoy each other, and dance. Put your phones down for a little while and enjoy yourself. You don’t need to record every single moment — just get lost in the music with your friends! We’ll take you on a journey, for sure!

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