What's HOT South Florida :: 4/30 - 5/06

A week ago Wednesday, I went to the AIDS Walk Miami media kickoff event at the LGBT Welcome Center in Miami where there were some powerful speeches that built excitement for the AIDS Walk. Right afterwards, Miami Beach Gay Pride presented their Sponsor and Volunteer Party at the Clevelander Hotel with an open bar, hors d'oeuvres, DJ A.J. Reddy spinning, and lots of fun.

Friday night was the opening of the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, which rebranded itself that night to MiFo (Miami and Fort Lauderdale) at the Colony Theatre. Afterwards, the opening night party was at Skydeck Miami. Once again the Film Festival pulled off a spectacular opening night party. Also on Friday night, the South Florida Sisters of the Rising Sun, Inc. presented their second anniversary fundraiser, "Leather & Veils," at Ramrod.

On Saturday night, MiFo had its official after party for the movie "I Am Michael" at Hotel Gaythering, which is always a fun place to hang out. Sunday morning was the annual Miami AIDS Walk with Grand Marshal David Bromstad from HGTV. Thousands showed up to walk for this good cause, and last I heard, they raised about $200,000 (I'm sure this number will get larger).

Later on Sunday afternoon, Scandals Saloon presented their monthly (last Sunday of the month) Miss Anastasia's Gospel Revival, a joyful celebration of Southern gospel music. This month they featured special guest Miss Lenora Jaye and her live vocals.

Thursday, April 30

Dining Out For Life Fort Lauderdale takes place today and is a benefit for Broward House. To find out which restaurants are participating go to DiningOutForLife.com/BrowardCounty.

The GLBX (Gay and Lesbian Business Exchange of Greater Fort Lauderdale) presents a Business Lunch at the Sonesta Fort Lauderdale (999 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd) from 11:30 am to 1 pm. The theme will be 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. Admission is $35 for members and $40 for non-members. Register at FTLChamber.com

Friday, May 1

Tonight starts the month long celebration of Boardwalks 30th anniversary, where they will be giving away $30,000 in prizes all month with the grand prize being a trip for two to Key West, all expenses paid. Make sure you stop in at least one time this month and wish Victor, Scott and the entire Boardwalk gang a happy 30th!

Saturday, May 2

Noche Latina Saturdays at the Manor will be celebrating Cinco De Mayo, one of their most popular parties of the year, hosted by Saphyre L'Sweet Cardoza with a special Mariachi performance by Jose Vega, along with DJ Nena spinning hot Latin beats and Omar on the Bongos. In the Ballroom the Manor will be featuring the official South Florida event for One Magical Weekend with DJ Twisted Dee taking over the turntables. The night will also feature the One Magical Weekend giveaways all night long. 11 pm to 4 am with specialty acts, dances, performances and no cover!

Hidden Treasures Thrift Store (2200 NW 9th Avenue) will be having a 50% off storewide sale today from 9 am to 6 pm. Proceeds from the store benefit Pet Project for Pets.

Rumors will be showing "The Kentucky Derby" from 4-7 pm along with a "Derby Hat" contest hosted by Brendan at 6pm with prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners.

Club Fort Lauderdale's Res-Erection Blackout Naked Play Space Event takes place tonight starting at 10pm.

Ramrod presents Pig Dance #81 (first Saturday of every month), with special guest DJ Demarko.

Celebrate Free Comic Book Day 2015 with special guest artist Stephen Sadowski at Zaldiva Comics & Collectibles (331 E Commercial Blvd, Oakland Park). Stephen Sadowski (Facebook Page: Art of Stephen Sadowski), is an artist on DC Comics JSA, Marvel's Avengers Invaders, Vertigo's Coffin Hill, Fairest and Fables: The Wolf Among Us, Dynamite's Green Hornet and more. He will be there all day to do sketches and signings of his books. The day includes Free Comics and Pizza, a big sale on everything in the store and Hourly Door Prizes. Their grand prize in the raffle is an X-Box One Game Console. Everyone gets one free raffle ticket, but additional tickets can be purchased, and those proceeds will benefit the local non-profit animal rescue group, Good Karma Pet Rescue (GoodKarmaPetRescue.org) who will have volunteers on hand with adoptable pets. Free Comic Book Day is a Yearly International Event, taking place on the first Saturday of May. Zaldiva's event will be from 11am to 7pm. If you feel like it, come dressed as your favorite pop-culture character or Super Hero! Please contact the store today with any questions or for additional details at (954) 938-4133 or visit their web site at Zaldiva.com.

Sunday, May 3

Miss Village Pub, Ashley Blake, presents "The Big, The Bold, and the Beautiful," 3 sickening divas turning it out at 9:30pm at Village Pub. The show will star Ashley, Ruby Buxom and Missy Meyakie LePaige (Miss Noche Latina 2015).

Lips presents Raise Your Hair Up High Gospel Brunch hosted by Nicolette, which is the official Smart Ride kick-off fundraiser. The event will have 2 shows 11am and 1:30 pm with raffles, giveaways and prizes for the biggest hair. The cost is $40 per person and includes brunch, unlimited Bloody Marys and Mimosas, tax, gratuity and show cover. Reservations are required by calling 954-567-0987.

Monday, May 4

Oscar A, presents the return of the Miss Fort Lauderdale F.I. Pageant, an official preliminaryWHSF-3017_Mondayday for Miss Florida F.I., taking place at the Ramada Hotel (2275 State Road 84, 1 block west of I95). The night will star Miss Florida F.I., Brittany Moore, Miss Fort Lauderdale F.I. Saphyre L'Sweet Cardoza and many of your favorite entertainers from South Florida. Doors open at 7pm with the pageant starting at 8pm sharp. VIP admission (table seating) is $30 and general admission is $20. With over $3,500 in cash and prizes, this pageant is sure to be amazing. For more information, call Oscar at 310-956-6594.

Tuesday, May 5

The bi-monthly Mack Power Lunch, Fort Lauderdale's most popular gay/straight friendly professional networking lunch, takes place at Beauty & The Feast (601 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach) from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Admission is $34 with advance registration online at MackPlanet.com) or $40 at the door (based on availability.

Cinco De Mayo celebration at Rumors featuring a taco bar from 8:00 - 9:30 pm, a live mariachi band performing from 9:30 to 11:30 pm, and prize giveaways.

Wednesday, May 6

"Beach Bear Weekend Kickoff Party," will be a huge outdoor and indoor event at Rumors from 7 pm to midnight featuring VJ Marcio spinning live outside, drinking games in the parking lot, and Karaoke inside. A "Sexy Bear Contest" at 10:30 pm hosted by Misty Eyez with prizes for 1st and 2nd place winners.

This is HOT

Grammy award winner, Ciara is set to release her 6th album "JACKIE," available in stores and online May 4 [Epic/Sony Music Entertainment].

The emotional premiere single "I Bet" from Jackie (named after her mother) has pushed musical genres at radio on the music charts. "I Bet" is shaping up to be another hit for Ciara on urban and rhythm radio formats and has impacted Top 40 Mainstream radio this week as well. To date, the Pop and R&B star has amassed a career total of 27-charted singles.

The album's cover image and packaging was shot by international fashion photographer Francesco Carrozzini. "I could not be any more happy than I am about my album cover and packaging. Much like my music, I was able to express my vision creatively exactly how I wanted to. Working with Francesco was truly an honor and a dream come true. I feel we were able to create a timeless image," says Ciara.

The sexy music video of "I Bet," for which Ciara has received critical acclaim and which has been dubbed "Glamorous Couture" (Yahoo!) "Incredible dancing abilities (Cosmopolitan)," and "She keeps on winning with the release of the "I Bet" video" (MTV News). Ciara rocks ballet pointed shoes, leg warmers and a couture tutu.

Ciara has been called the "Queen of Dance" and released new club remixes for "I Bet" featuring T.I. and international producer and DJ, R3hab.

Ciara will embark on a U.S. tour beginning May 3 and will be in Miami On May 15 and Tampa on May 16. For more information, go to OnlyCiara.com.