Although they have been celebrating all month long with great sales, Thursday was the official party for the Pride Factory celebrating their 15th anniversary. With decorations, free drinks, hor d’oeuvres, door prizes and more Matty, Lori and Rocky definitely went all out. Congratulations to the entire team for a fabulous 15 years and hoping they are around for at least 15 more! Friday night Living Room Nightclub featured Gay Icon photographer and now reality star Mike Ruiz live with a casting for America’s Next Fashion Model. All the cuties came out to show Mr. Ruiz what south Florida has to offer. Kudos to Mark and Christian on a fabulous night!
Last Week in Review
Although they have been celebrating all month long with great sales, Thursday was the official party for the Pride Factory celebrating their 15th anniversary. With decorations, free drinks, hor d’oeuvres, door prizes and more Matty, Lori and Rocky definitely went all out. Congratulations to the entire team for a fabulous 15 years and hoping they are around for at least 15 more! 
Friday night Living Room Nightclub featured Gay Icon photographer and now reality star Mike Ruiz live with a casting for America’s Next Fashion Model. All the cuties came out to show Mr. Ruiz what south Florida has to offer. Kudos to Mark and Christian on a fabulous night! On Saturday night Hotspots Publisher and a few of our staff were delighted to have spent and evening with the famous Dan Savage who performed at the Broward Center. Before the show Dan met with the Hotspots staff personally to talk about his career and how thrilled he was to be in South Florida for the first time. Savage has been on the leading edge of raising awareness to combat bullying and gay-youth suicide with his It Gets Better Project. The true essence of who he is came through in spades as he had the audience enraptured with his quick wit and spontaneity.
Also on Saturday night was the monthly bar crawl where Discotekka invades the Palace and this month it was a pre Oscar gala. Discotekka’s hostess with the mostess, Vegas Dion, came out to Palace and brought her girls T.P. and Gina to perform to a crowded house. Of course later on that night the crowds gathered at Discotekka for their fabulous Saturday night party.
Sunday night was the 2nd annual Besties awards at the Manor with a red carpet at 7 pm and the awards starting at 8 pm and given out during the commercial breaks of the 83rd annual Academy Awards ceremony. It was a who’s who of the Fort Lauderdale gay and gay friendly business community. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners, but a special congrats to Hotspots’ own Peter Clark and Pompano Bill.
LGBT Events in South Florida
Thursday, March 3
Platinum-selling recording artist and American Idol judge Jennifer Lopez will world premiere the music video for her new hit single, “On The Floor (featuring Pitbull),” during American Idol tonight.
Friday, March 4
Macy’s in South Beach invites you to shop for a great cause in celebration of the Winter Party Festival. Go check out the hottest looks from your favorite brands including Papi and Calvin Klein, learn about the latest beauty and skincare products from Bobbi Brown and Zirh, and try the newest fragrances from Chanel and Bulgari. Macy’s will donate 2% of net sales to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force as well as local LGBT organizations. Shoppers can rock out to the hottest tunes with DJ Jay Maxx, enjoy Grey Goose cocktails courtesy of Bacardi and delicious appetizers provided by Tacontento Restaurant. You’ll also enjoy great savings and have a chance to win a $500 Macy’s Gift Card!
When the doors open today at 10 am 4 for the eighth annual Palm Beach Fine Craft Show at the Palm Beach Convention Center, 650 Okeechobee Blvd, visitors will enter a world where art merges with everyday life. The handcrafted items on display and available for purchase at the show are meant to be used and /or enjoyed every day. From hand-crafted textiles and lighting to decorative objects for the home to jewelry, wearable art and more, the Palm Beach Fine Craft Show offers something for everyone. The show runs Friday and Saturday from 10 to 6 pm and Sunday from 11 to 5 pm. For more information visit their website at CraftsAmericaShows.com or call 561- 366-3000.
Smarty Pants celebrates Don Casteel’s birthday with a big bash starting at 8 pm.
Club Sugar in association with Alex Infiniti presents an official Britney Spears “Hold It Against Me” single and music video release party with free giveaways while supplies last!
Lifeceutical hosts their very first FillFest, a facial rejuvenation party at Island City Health and Fitness from 6 to 9 pm.
The Boardwalk presents video star Hunter Ford tonight and tomorrow with 2 shows nightly at 11 pm and 1 am.
Saturday, March 5
Academy Award winning actress Marlee Matlin will be the guest of honor at Winter Party Festival’s VIP Cocktail Reception beginning at 7:30 pm at the Bass Museum of Art, 2100 Collins Avenue. Joining Matlin will be Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, as well as Winter Party sponsors and VIPs. Tickets to the reception are also available to the public for $85 in advance and $100 at the door and include hors d’oeuvres courtesy of Vita by Bâoli in Miami Beach and cocktails courtesy of Grey Goose. For more information, to purchase tickets and passes, or to check out the complete schedule of events, visit WinterParty.com
Boom presents Sweat, A Black Ball an official Winter Party Festival event from 9 pm to 3 am starring DJ Eddie Baez. The night will feature demonstrations by the South Florida Bondage Club. Admission is $7 in advance and $10 at the door. Tickets available at winterparty.com
The Manor presents Carnival, a spectacular theme party starring DJ Kidd Madonny with a production by Erika and company. . In the Latin Lounge and Patio they present Carnaval in Rio Starring DJ Larry Larr with performances by Latina Icon Erika Norell and Viva Mirage (Miss Noche Latina 2011).
The Ramrod presents their Winter Pig Dance starring, direct form Atlanta’s the Heretic resident DJ Lydia Prim.
Scandals Saloon invites you to be the first to get details about the upcoming Sunshine Stampede Rodeo Six In The City. This is also your first chance to purchase tickets for the Rodeo and the VIP Ranch at Scandals. These tickets are limited so purchase them as soon as possible!
Discotekka presents Mardi Gras and they will be celebrating DJ Jarell’s birthday.
Sunday, March 6
Sidelines present their 2nd charity car wash to raise money for team Sidelines for Florida AIDS Walk. Get your car washed between 11 am and 2 pm at the sidelines parking lot for only $7. Tickets are available at Sidelines or from any team member.
Hombre has The Broward Bound & Gagged Bondage Group holding their first event at Hombre at 8pm featuring live demos by Master John and others.
Monday, Match 7
The Stable presents the 2 year anniversary of Lady Fancy’s show starting at 8 pm and featuring special guests and surprises as only the Lady Fancy can do. Arrive early for best seating.
Bourbon Pub owner Sandy Sachs will host a Celebrity Brunch benefiting The Trevor Project with celebrity monarch Jennifer Coolidge from 11am to 1 pm, prior to the Krewe of Orpheus Mardi Gras 2011 Parade that afternoon. Benefit brunch tickets ($35.00) are available online at TheTrevorProject.org and at the door; VIP tickets ($50.00) include a meet & greet and photo opportunity with Coolidge and just added dance music legend Taylor Dayne. The Trevor Project is determined to end suicide among LGBTQ youth by providing life-saving and life-affirming resources including a nationwide 24/7 crisis intervention lifeline, a digital community and advocacy/educational programs that create a safe, supportive and positive environment for everyone. Citywide community sponsors of the Bourbon Pub’s Trevor Project benefit include: Krewe of Orpheus; Human Rights Campaign; NO/AIDS Task Force; PFLAG (New Orleans); MardiGras.com; NOLA.com; Project Lazarus; Ambush Magazine and the LGBT Community Center. All of this is part of a busy week’s schedule, celebrating one of the world’s most incredible parties at the Bourbon Pub & Parade which will rock non-stop from Thursday, all the way through Fat Tuesday with superstar DJs, dancers and spectacular entertainment. Weekend Party Passes and VIP Party passes are on sale now. For more information visit BourbonPub.com
Tuesday, March 8
Rosie’s celebrates Fat Tuesday with Beads, Booze and Boys and a Ragin’ Cajun menu. John and Cliff told me that this is going to be a party you do not want to miss.
Hot Stuff
Creative Male at 3401 N. Miami Avenue in midtown Miami is having a huge sale with 20% to 80% off everything. For those of you who have not been there they sell Elite, Baskit, Andrew Christian, Pistol Pete, Division E, Vintage Red, Original paperbacks, Whittall & Shon, Diesel and much more.
The Houseboy Sex, Love and Despair is a new scandalous play, which is a stage adaptation by Massimo Stinco inspired by the movie “The Houseboy” by Spencer Schilly. Warning: contains full frontal male nudity and takes place at the Empire Stage at 1140 Flagler Drive , Fort Lauderdale until March12th on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8 pm and Sundays at 5 pm. Tickets are $30 with group tickets available for $20 For reservations call 954-678–1496. The theatre box office is open from 7 pm on Thursday-Saturday and from 4 pm on Sunday, but only takes cash. For more information visit EmpireStage.com
The Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber Of Commerce (MDGLCC) will honor corporate and individual supporters of the Miami-Dade LGBT community at its 10th Anniversary Gala Awards Celebration, beginning at 6 pm on Saturday, March 26, at the Hilton Miami Downtown Hotel, 1601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. The honorees were selected for their long-term commitment to fostering diversity, as well as for their efforts in contributing to the overall well being and quality of life in South Florida. “As the voice of the LGBT business community, the Chamber is especially proud to have such an exemplary group to recognize this year,” said Steve Adkins, MDGLCC president. “We’re anticipating one of the largest turnouts in our decade-long history. This year’s gala will be particularly significant in light of the Chamber’s achievements in growth and influence, especially with the opening of the new LGBT Visitor Center in Miami Beach.” For the past several years, MDGLCC has selected a different color of the rainbow flag for its Gala theme and the theme for this year’s event is “A Royal Affair” featuring the color purple which represents royalty and loyalty. Gala attendees are encouraged to wear something purple. This annual event is MDGLCC’s principal fundraising effort helps sustain operations and the ever-increasing demand to expand programming. The 10th Anniversary Gala Awards Celebration will feature a VIP champagne reception and silent auction beginning at 6 pm, followed by dinner at 7:30 pm, the awards ceremony at 9 pm, and then a DJ and dancing beginning at 10 pm. Tickets are $1,750 for VIP tables of 10, $175 for individual VIP tickets and $95 for open seating. Tickets are available by calling 305-673-4440, emailing mdglcc@bellsouth.net, or online at: GoGaymiami.com
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