What's HOT South Florida :: 3/06 - 03/12

This past week was all about Fort Lauderdale Pridefest. It started a week ago Monday, when Latrice Royale presented the annual Miss Pride South Florida Pageant at Hunters. There were 9 contestants and in the end the new Miss Pridefest is Missy Meyakie Lepaige.

On Friday was the second annual Pride comedy night starring Bruce Vilanch and Judy Gold. Then on Saturday and Sunday was the 37th annual Pridefest Fort Lauderdale. The event was filled with entertainers including Judy Tenuta, Tiffany, Lisa Lisa and headliner Sheena Easton. There were official and unofficial pride parties all over town.

Thursday, March 6

The Annual Winter Party Weekend Festival starts tonight and continues all weekend long. The actual Winter Party takes place on Sunday on the beach at 12th street. For a full list of events or for more information go to WinterParty.com

Village Pub features, live from the Winter Music Conference, singer Raph Solo performing live at 9pm

The Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (MDGLCC) presents an information sharing and networking at the LGBT Visitor Center, 1130 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach 10am - 11am. Whether you are a new, existing or potential new MDGLCC member, learn how to maximize the use of all the Marketing tools and Programs available through the Chamber. Learn about the new Chamber's website and access to features as well as bounce ideas and ask questions to chamber staff and Membership Committee on how to engage the LGBT consumer with your products and / or services. Free admission. RSVP at GayBizMiami.com or 305-673-4440.

Friday, March 7

One of the legendary Broadway Diva's, Chita Rivera, will be performing at the Aventura Arts and Cultural Center tonight at 8pm. Come celebrate the one and only Chita Rivera in a unique solo concert event celebrating the Broadway legend's 80th Birthday! The two-time Tony Award winner will recreate signature moments from her legendary career including numbers from "West Side Story"; "Sweet Charity"; "Chicago"; "Kiss of the Spider Woman"; "Bye, Bye, Birdie" and "The Rink." In addition to a special tribute to her dear friends John Kander & Fred Ebb, the timeless music of Leonard Bernstein, Charles Strouse, Jerry Herman and Stephen Sondheim will also be featured, with live accompaniment. Tickets are $49.50 and can be purchased at AventuraCenter.org

Saturday, March 8

Hunters presents Sweat, a leather event which is part of the Winter Party Festival and is a benefit for The National Gay and lesbian Task Force. Tickets are available at WinterParty.com.

Discotekka in association with Fabscout.com presents an Adult Model Search with prizes and giveaways all night long including DVDs, lube, etc. The night will star DJ Sushiman along with performances by Poizon, Sasha, Serena, Gina and Lola and the afterhours by resident DJ Carlos G.

Epic Saturdays at The Manor presents Rio Carnaval. In the Ballroom catch DJ Monty Q spinning with spectacular productions by Erika Norell and cast. In the Ivy Lounge and Patio, Noche Latina Saturdays presents hostess Viva Mirage, with special guest Taina Norell (Miss Noche Latina 2014), Sexy Brazilian dancers and DJ Nena spinning. 11pm to 4 am with no cover!

Sunday, March 9

The Village Pub presents Retro T Dance with guest iconic DJ/Producer Robbie Leslie from 4:30-9:30 and the DJ Galaxy takes over till closing.

Tuesday, March 11

The next monthly Men's Life Drawing Event - Guy's Night Out takes place tonight from 6pm - 9pm. They have a nude male model for both short and long poses. All levels welcome - explore your creativity - bring your art supplies. Drawing / painting / charcoal / pencil / watercolor. Sessions will be held in a private studio at Leather Werks in Ft. Lauderdale, with guest artists from the community attending. $25 fee with advance reservation, $35 walk-in - (subject to available space). Internationally published Chris Lopez is scheduled to be their guest artist. To secure a reservation please send your name and phone number and which session you wish to attend to [email protected].

The Mack monthly Fort Lauderdale Power Mixer takes place tonight at The Atlantic Hotel (601 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd.) from 6:30-9pm. The $10 entry fee includes a free Ketel One Cocktail. No RSVP is required, but for more info go to MackPlanet.com

Wednesday, March 12

This just in... As we went to press we found out that the Grand Marshall for Miami Beach Gay Pride is going to be SUPERSTAR Gloria Estefan!

The Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce & GALLA presents its monthly networking program tailored for attorneys, judges and legal professionals held on the middle Wednesday of each month at City Hall, The Restaurant, 2004 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. Registration is at 11:30am with luncheon/networking from noon to 1:30 pm. Admission is $35 for MDGLCC members and $45 for potential members (with $10 applied to new MDGLCC membership). Includes seated style lunch limited to 50 persons. RSVP at GayBizMiami.com or 305-673-4440.

Jim Dionysius returns to the drive as Liza at the Village Pub at 8 pm with Liza's next gay husband dating game, where you can enter to win a dinner date with Liza and VIP seating to the Thursday night show of Liza, the Singles Ladies tour.

Hot Stuff

In honor of Pride Fort Lauderdale and Pride Palm Beach, Print Matters is having a big Pride Sale where they are featuring 1000 (4 by 6) flyers for only $84.95; a 36 by 72 banner for only $99.95; a 24 by 36 poster for only $29.95 and 1000 business cards for only $24.95. To place an order or for more info call Maureen at 954-563-7181.

Mix Designer Clothing is having a clearance sale of 20-70% off selected merchandise to make room for the new spring collection.

This is HOT

Global superstar George Michael will release his first album in seven years when Symphonica, arrives in stores March 18th on Island Records in the U.S., but is available for pre-order now in a Standard version at: Smarturl.it/isymphonicaSTD and Deluxe version at: Smarturl.it/isymphonicaDLX. The album, produced by the legendary Phil Ramone, and George Michael, was recorded during the wildly successful 2011-12 'Symphonica' tour of the UK and Europe. The first single released to support the album will be the dramatic ballad "Let Her Down Easy."

A studio version of "Let Her Down Easy" is the subject of a provocative new video directed by Vaughan Arnell, one of the UK's most innovative music video directors.

The universally acclaimed 'Symphonica' tour found George performing a selection of songs from a remarkable career which has spanned over 30 years, as well as covering some of his favorite songs. Such beloved signatures as "A Different Corner," "Praying For Time" and "One More Try" blossom in their concert setting, alongside such intriguing gems as "John And Elvis Are Dead" and the gorgeous "Through." George breathes new life into the swing era standard "My Baby Just Cares For Me" and the Oscar-nominated "Wild Is The Wind," popularized by a host of artists from Johnny Mathis to David Bowie.

The 'Symphonica' tour made history in September 2012 when George became the first contemporary pop artist to play the prestigious Palais Garnier Opera House in Paris. A television special documenting that historic concert performance will air worldwide. It will be seen in the U.S. on Sunday, April 13th on AXS TV at 8 p..m. ET (5 p.m. PT).