The Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library has announced its honoree for the 3rd Annual “Standing on the Shoulders of Heroes” Gala, the “CEO of Everything Gay” Tristan Schukraft.
The Founder of MISTR, the largest telemedicine platform dedicated to HIV prevention and long-term HIV care, Schukraft has built his career on technological innovation. He has invested in several successful properties within the hospitality and nightlife sector, including The Tryst beachfront hotel San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Puerto Vallarta. He has put his mark on such iconic LGBTQ venues as The Abbey and The Chapel in West Hollywood, DS Tequila in Chicago, and multiple properties in The Pines on Fire Island. Schukraft is also the Producer of the new Off-Broadway show Drag: The Musical.
The 2025 Gala will be held on Saturday, March 1, at The Venue. For tickets and more information, go to stonewall-museum.org/gala-2025/.
WILTON MANORS' GAY HISTORY
The Wilton Manors Historical Society will offer a presentation on how Wilton Manors became a gay entertainment hub at Richardson Park at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 16. I’ll be presenting with information from my book, “Last Call South Florida.” Books will be available for purchase.
ALL HITS, SOME FOULS, AND PLENTY OF ERRORS
Are you ready for it, lover? Because Varla Jean is outta the woods and has swiftly tailored The Errors Tour for her fans.
The local girl is appearing at Sunshine Cathedral Center for the Performing Arts on Jan. 11. Everyone’s favorite ditzy diva with a reputation will take you through the Taylor Swift catalog and create some hilarious hits and egregious errors in a show jam-packed with classic bits, giant wigs, and over-taxed costumes. For tickets go to sunshinecathedral.org or varlajean.com.
REEL NEWS
The 28th Miami Jewish Film Festival (MJFF), the world's largest Jewish film festival, takes place Jan. 9-23, This year it has a special spotlight on LGBTQ cinema, which will feature six films.
Headlining this program is the highly anticipated world premiere of Sabbath Queen, directed by Sandi DuBowski (Trembling Before G-d). The film is about Rabbi Lau-Lavie, a descendant of 38 generations of Orthodox rabbis, as he navigates his queer identity and ancestral legacy. For more information, go to miamijewishfilmfestival.org.
The Donald M. Ephraim Sun & Stars International Film Festival returns for its third season with screenings at the Rinker Playhouse at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (Jan. 23-30) and EVO Entertainment at Delray Marketplace (Jan. 31-Feb. 2). Among the films being screened is Midas Man, a musical biopic of Brian Epstein, often called “the Fifth Beatle,” the group’s gay manager/impresario tragically died at 32. Pink Lady is set in Jerusalem’s ultra-Orthodox community and is the story of a marriage in crisis when the husband’s secret gay life is outed by criminals intent on blackmail. For more information about the SASIFF or to purchase tickets, visit sasiff.org.
Fort Lauderdale International Film Fest's inaugural Short Festival, "FLIFFShorts" will take place Feb. 14-17. The festival consists of 14 curated programs, daily meet & mingle receptions, and a panel discussion on the state of filmmaking in Broward County. Except for the opening night Valentine-themed films and party, each program is $10 general admission and free for FLIFF members. Go to fliff.com for more information.
SLEEPING WITH THE (GEFILTE) FISHES
What happens when a not-so-perfect Italian Catholic family in the Federal Witness Protection Program struggles to blend in as a near-perfect Jewish family in Boca Raton? Find out in the world premiere of “From Brooklyn to Boca” at The Studio at Mizner Park in Boca Raton through Jan. 19. The Rifiutos, a Brooklyn couple, Regina and Frank, and their son Carmine, need to relocate after Frank rats out the mob. Never did they expect to be uprooted from Brooklyn to sunny Boca Raton, where they now must struggle to blend in as a Jewish family. Tickets to shows start at $45 and are available at Ticketmaster.
