What's HOT South Florida - 01/21 - 01/26

Last Tuesday, was the annual check presentation from the Leather Masked Ball 10 to all the charities. The event took place at the Alibi and the beneficiaries were: Grateful Paws Dog and Cat Rescue, The Original Gay Men's Chorus of South Florida, Gilda's Club of South Florida, and The Leather Archives & Museum in Chicago. A total of $12,000! Congrats on a job well done!

Also on Tuesday, was the Mack Planets January Mixer at Fork & Balls on Las Olas. On Wednesday, the GLBX's presented their 7th Anniversary Party, Recognition Awards, and new Board Chair Announcement of Karen Prescod at the Tower Club. Also on Wednesday, the Pet Project for Pets Push Up for Pets Awards and Recognition Party took place at Hunters Nightclub.

On Thursday was the 2 year anniversary of Edison Farrows Cabaret (Now at the National Hotel). Congrats to Edison and all his talented employees for bringing something great to south beach! On Friday and Saturday, my good friend Sean David, and his staff celebrated the 1 year anniversary of Le Boy. Congrats to Sean and wishing him many more years of success.

It was a picture perfect setting on Miami Beach for Art Deco Weekend, which started on Friday and went through Sunday. Our Publisher, Peter Clark, with his husband, Cleto, and friends took time out on Sunday to experience what he described as an "amazing, not to be missed outdoor art exhibition." Also, on Sunday, was the Inaugural Gay 8 Festival on Calle Ocho. The Producers only had 3 months to plan, so my expectations weren't super high, and boy was I wrong, as an thousands (exact number wasn't available at press time) showed up to support this festival. One of the best times I had at an outdoor festival in a long time. Congrats to Damian and Joe for an AMAZING job!

Thursday, Jan 21

Village Pub presents a benefit for Chris Knapp hosted by Miss Kitty. Chris, who has been a member of the VP staff since they opened was recently diagnosed with stage 4 throat cancer. He is currently undergoing treatment and cannot work. The night will feature live entertainment, drag performances, auctions and raffles.

Treece Financial Group presents Mastering The Challenges of The New Year. Patricia Stauber (RN), (LCSW) will discuss: dealing with post-holiday blues; adhering to New Year's Resolutions; renewing your resources for living; and factors that contribute to resilience, at 6:30pm at the Brockway Memorial Library, 10021 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores. Ms. Stauber specializes in helping people cope with Grief and Loss issues and has been working in the field of bereavement and mental health locally and nationally for 25+ years. Please RSVP to [email protected] or call: 305-751-8855. Free and open to the public.

Stonewall Museum Wilton Manors Gallery, as part of their Stonewall Movie Series, presents "The Lady in Question is Charles Busch." They are also honored to present filmmakers, and Wilton Manors residents, John Catania and Charles Ignacio in a discussion after the screening of their tribute to Charles Busch. The film now celebrates its 10-year anniversary after its successful premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. The film features interviews with Rosie O'Donnell, Kathleen Turner, B.D. Wong, Boy George, and Michael Musto. They invite the entire community to join them at 6:30 for a glass of wine before the film presentation (at 7pm). Refreshments courtesy of Barefoot Wine and Bubbly. Free and open to the public.

Friday, Jan 22

The Lab is a new Nightlife Experiment presented by Athena Dion in association with Score Nightclub. This night will offer something new and fresh to the South Beach nightlife scene as each week they will feature a concentration on a particular object in everyday life and dissecting its elements to create a new social experiment. You will be greeted at the entrance by South Beach's notorious personality Shelly Novak who prepares you for what lies within. When you enter The Lab you subject your senses to unexpected nirvana, and expect the unexpected. From animal Go-Go hybrids, to a midget juggling lemons, cookies falling from the sky, or a puppet suspended in midair dancing on command. This is a place you have never heard of, yet could only dream of. In the Lab the fog serves as clarity and peace lies within chaos. Your dreams come to life and your desires are reborn, rediscovered, REINVENTED.... you are the subject and this is The Lab! The Grand opening is tonight at 10 pm!

The Boardwalk presents "Sailorboy" where all Atlantis cruisers who show their tickets, get in free. The night will star 40 hot male dancers and the music of DJ Shane Lee.

Starting today and going all weekend long, the Palace celebrates the birthday of the Queen of Costumes, Shanaya Bright!

Saturday, Jan 23

Florida Youth Pride Coalition presents their inaugural "Icon Awards Gala" which will be celebrating unity at the Signature Grand (6900 West State Road 84 in Davie) from 7 to 11 pm. The event will feature lots of entertainment, and a silent auction. To purchase tickets go to FloridaYouthPride.org or call 954-842-1008.

The Manor Saturdays presents "Celebrity Beats" starring DJ Monty Q in the Ballroom with their spectacular new light show and amazing entertainment. In the Ivy Lounge and Patio, Noche Latina Saturdays presents special guests Miss Florida 2015, Chasity Ross Boen and Miss Florida 2014, Brittany Moore, along with hot go-go papi's provided by Marco Perez. The Manor Saturdays is from 11 pm to 4 am and features no cover before midnight and only $5 after midnight for members and $7 for non-members.

Madonna returns to south Florida at the American Airlines Arena with a two-night engagement on January 23-24. To purchase tickets go to: TickeMaster.com.

Twist presents "All Madonna" concert after party tonight and tomorrow featuring all original video remixes featuring VJ Nathan P Smith and the one and only Mario.

The Boardwalk is celebrating the birthday of former Miss Florida F.I., Tiffany Arieagus, from 10 pm to 1 am.

Bigger Saturdays at Score presents "Tribal Heat" featuring the sounds of DJ Paulo.

Monday Jan 25

Corrie and Laymon present the Inaugural Miss State of Florida Showgirl Pageant at The Boardwalk at 8pm (pageant starts promptly at 9 pm). The categories are personal interview, showgirl presentation, talent and evening gown. For contestant info, please contact Corrie at 954-687-5287 or Laymon at 954-789-6537.

Tuesday, Jan 26

The musical that has changed Broadway forever, and is a MUST SEE, The Book of Mormon, returns to south Florida and is playing at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts from tonight until Sunday February 7th. To Purchase tickets, go to BrowardCenter.org

This is HOT

"Stonewall" centers on fictional Danny Winters (Jeremy Irvine), a young gay white man from Indiana, who flees the conservative countryside in the late 1960s and moves to New York City. Before leaving, he is discovered by friends while making love with his boyfriend. His father is horrified, his mother is ambiguous as she feels for her son, but also does not want to stand up to her husband. His father then refuses to sign the scholarship application for the college in New York Danny is supposed to attend.

Danny leaves for New York anyway, leaving behind his younger sister. After reaching Greenwich Village, he is befriended by a multiracial group of young, gay and genderfluid street kids and drag queens. He meets older men Trevor (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), who soon becomes his lover and roommate, and Ed Murphy (Ron Perlman), the manager of the Mafia-owned Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in the Village. Ed colludes with corrupt policemen and exploits homeless gay youth to his own advantage. Danny gradually learns about gay culture from his new friends and becomes involved in the struggle for gay liberation where growing discrimination against the LGBT community leads to the STONEWALL riots on June 28, 1969.

Although Danny is a fictional character, he interacts with the real characters that were involved in the Stonewall riots. In my opinion, this is a must see for the entire LGBTQ community. Let's not forget what happened to us, so we can prevent it from ever happening again!

The DVD is 129 minutes and is on sale for only $17.96 at WolfeVideo.com.