What's HOT South Florida :: 04/23 - 4/29

A week ago Tuesday, Slow Burn Theatre presented songs from "Rent" at Stonewall Gallery. Attendees of this event had the opportunity to purchase discounted tickets for the performances of "Rent," which go through April 26, and "Little Shop of Horrors" (6/5-6/28) at the Slow Burn Theatre West Boca Performing Arts location.

Afterwards I went to Mack Planet's monthly Mack Mixer at S3 (Sun, Surf and Sand) at the Hilton. Once again, the event was a success. On Thursdya, The Pride Center presented their monthly Founders Circle at Vibe. On Friday, Miami AIDS Walk held a benefit in Fort Lauderdale at Dapur which raised much needed money for this great agency. After Dapur I headed to Hunters for the one-year anniversary of Furr Fridays, which was packed with hairy beefy men.

Thursday, April 23

Le Boy presents a 5 week $500 Andrew Christian Hot Model Search at 11pm with Andrew Christian 2015 model Murray live in person.

Stonewall Movie Series presents "MaryLou," an all singing, all dancing Gay musical directed by the Award-winning Eytan Fox at the Stonewall National Library & Archives and ArtServe Auditorium (1300 East Sunrise Boulevard) at 7 pm. Acclaimed Israeli director Eytan Fox ("The Bubble," "Walk On Water," "Yossi & Jagger," "Florentine"), directs "Mary Lou," a musical film about a young man who searches for his mother and finds himself. "Mary Lou" showcases the songs of one of Israel's biggest rock stars, Svika Pick. "Mary Lou" was released as a series on Israeli Television in 2010 and went on to win the award for Best Miniseries at the Israeli Television Awards.

Palm Beach Drama Works presents Equity and Non-Equity auditions from 10:30 to 5 pm today and tomorrow, but auditions are by appointment only. If you are interested email them at [email protected]. I foyu would like to find out what parts they are auditioning for go to PalmBeachDramaWorks.org

Friday, April 24

Starting tonight and going through May 3rd is the annual Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. For full list of all the films and events go to MGLFF.com

The South Florida Sisters of the Rising Sun, Inc present their 2nd anniversary fundraiser, "Leather & Veils" at Ramrod starting at 9 pm.

Saturday, April 25

Burst Saturdays at the Manor presents "Sparkle," starring DJ Joe Gauthreaux with specialty acts, dancers and performers. In the Latin Lounge and patio, Noche Latina Saturdays presents DJ Nena spinning all you Latin favorites along with gust hostess Sasha Lords and special guest Viola Rosa. 11 pm to 4 am with Hot Go-Go Boys and No cover!

Bigger Saturdays at Score presents, back by popular demand, sexy DJ Marco DaSilva. Doors open at 11 pm.

Sunday, April 26

Scandals Saloon presents their monthly (Last Sunday of the month) Miss Anastasia's Gospel revival, a joyful celebration of Southern Gospel music at 6pm. This month special guest will be Miss Lenora Jaye and her live vocals.

Wednesday, April 29

If you haven't been to the Village Voice contest yet, stop by tonight at the Village Pub for this six-week preliminary contest hosted by Nicolette. The finals will be on May 27th. The grand prize is $750 in cash, with 1st runner up getting $300 in cash and 2nd runner up getting $100 in cash.

Stonewall National Museum - Wilton Manors Gallery (2157 Wilton Drive) along with Equality Florida staff and Broward leadership team present a Women's Mixer and reception from 7-9 pm for the opening of "Living In Limbo: Lesbian Families In The Deep South." Their very special guest who will give a Gallery talk will be Living In Limbo photographer, Carolyn Sherer.

Rolando Chang Barrero Fine Arts Gallery (711 Lucerne AvenueLake Worth) initiates first Arte Cuba Exhibition in "Palm Beach: The Work of Cuban Artist Pedro C. Ortiz" (1932-2001), with a reception today from 6-9 pm. This exhibition is free. And runs from today until May 15th.

Hot Stuff

The GLBX (Gay and Lesbian Business Exchange) presents a Business Luncheon on how the LGBT workforce positively impacts your business, making the Fort Lauderdale region economically competitive. This will be a panel discussion from Equality Florida and the corporate community on Thursday, April 30 from 11:30 to 1 pm at the Sonesta Fort Lauderdale. Admission is $35 for members and $40 for non-members. For more information contact GLBX chair Geph Scarr at [email protected]. To register, go to FTLChamber.com

Also on Thursday, April 30, the New Tropics celebrates their 1st Anniversary Party at 7pm starring Nikki Adams, Dana Douglas, Tony & Gloria, Chris Autore, Bill Campbell, Reuban Gonzales and the Ladies of Illusion. For more information go to TropicsWM.com or call them at 954-537-6000.

This is HOT

Multi-platinum recording artist Josh Groban will release a new album, entitled "Stages," on April 28, 2015, via Reprise Records. The album is a collection of some of the greatest musical theater songs of all time, which Groban describes as "gorgeously arranged songs that have stood the test of time," and which he was drawn to because of their combination of "incredible melody with an incredible story." The album is available for pre-order at all participating retailers and JoshGroban.com. An exclusive edition of the album will be available at Target containing 2 extra tracks.

"Nothing has inspired me more in my life than the energy that is shared in a theater when great songs and great art are on the stage," he says. "I wanted this album to pay tribute to those inspirations and memories."

Recorded with producers Humberto Gatica and Bernie Herms in both Los Angeles and London's Abbey Road (with a 75-piece orchestra), Stages features songs from Les Mis�rables ("Bring Him Home"); Rodgers & Hammerstein's Carousel ("You'll Never Walk Alone"); Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George ("Finishing the Hat"), Sweeney Todd ("Not While I'm Around"), and Into the Woods ("Children Will Listen"); The Fantasticks ("Try to Remember"); A Chorus Line ("What I Did For Love"); Andrew Lloyd Weber's Phantom of the Opera ("All I Ask of You"), The Wizard of Oz ("Over the Rainbow"), and others.

Another highlight is "Pure Imagination," originally sung by Gene Wilder in the film "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory," which though best known as a film, is also a West End musical titled "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." "It's a tiny bit of a cheat because it was from a film originally, but I really wanted to sing it," Groban says. "The fans wanted me to as well. It's one of my most requested songs to record ever. I am a huge fan of the original film, it was a part of my childhood. Gene Wilder will always be number one for me with this song. There's a tenderness to the way he sang it that is just the essence of Wilder. It's something in his soul that will never be duplicated."

Stages features three duets: Kelly Clarkson is featured on "All I Ask of You" ("she can, quite simply, do anything"); Audra McDonald sings on "If I Loved You" ("in my head I heard her on this and to sing it in the room with her was a dream come true"); and trumpeter Chris Botti plays on "Old Devil Moon" ("he plays with such control and expressiveness"). "All of these duets have great meaning to me and I'm honored to have them on this album," Groban says.