For this issue, our esteemed, handsome, intelligent editor asked us to select our top pics of things we’d written about in the past year. Since so much of this column is made up of entertainment news bits, I thought I’d write about the Top 10 Reasons I’m Grateful I Live in South Florida, other than the weather.
Island City Stage
Now entering its second decade, Island City Stage continues to grow and thrive, stretching the boundaries of what makes a theater company LGBTQ. This past season opened with Fat Ham, a collaboration piece with Gable Stage and Brevo Theater. Then they did a revival of gay playwright Edward Albee’s A Delicate Balance, which had nothing to do with the LGBTQ community, but was written by one of its geniuses. They finished their season with the campy (and very gay) Ruthless. They’re certainly exploring more than just naked men in a sauna.
Gray Box Theatre
Although it’s not run by HarmonyWaves, many of the same folks participated in the renovation of the old theatre cum auction house in the mall on 26 Street, just east of Dixie Hwy, into a state-of-the-art performance space. Nicole Halliwell proved it could house a play with her one-night-only camp restaging of Death Becomes Her. There was also a painfully under-attended salute to Bette Midler that was so good, it deserved a bigger audience. There have been concerts by Broadway and television stars, too. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida
This is a real treasure in our community (and I should add, helped by the Bears of South Florida). In addition to the wonderful concerts (Unbroken Voices: Songs for Justice and Redemption, Divas, Broadway Blockbusters, and Slay), they hold quarterly show tune singalongs at Hunters on Saturday afternoons, and then there’s the Chic and Unique Ball!
Sunshine Cathedral
I don’t go to church, but if I did, this would be the one I would go to. My interactions have been more with the performing arts side of the church, which provides a home for arts as varied as Coco Peru, Amy Armstrong, Girls Choir of South Florida, flautist Adrian McGrady, and The Nova Singers. It also hosts LGBTQ youth and AA groups and is home to Happening Out Television.
Hunters
Not only does Mark Hunter run a successful business, his eponymous club is one of the most popular spots on the Drive, and he has a true commitment to the community. He lends his support to just about any legitimate benefit that approaches him.
Stonewall Museum, Library, and Archives
OutSFL has partnered with Stonewall for the film series, Movies All LGBTQ People Should See. They are screened on the second Thursday of the month at the Museum, which also has regularly updated exhibits, a full library of books by LGBTQ authors, and archives for use by researchers to document our history.
April Film Festivals
The Miami and Fort Lauderdale LGBTQ Film Festivals merged to create Outshine, with screenings for a week in each city. And right after that, we have the Miami International Film Festival.
Electra
Old drag queens don’t just fade away; they leave in a blaze of glory. Electra did just that. After a career in heels, she held a farewell performance, auctioned off all her outfits, and then quietly retired.
Matthew Darren and Varla Jean Merman
Just because our community is all the better because we have them. When they put on a show, it’s not just about them; they bring in others and lift everyone up.
A Vibrant and Free Press
I am proud of OutSFL. We are a true newspaper, and I’ve worked for many in my 40+ years in the business. Jason Parsley has the most integrity of any publisher I’ve worked for. I am equally proud of Hot Spots, which documents the social life throughout Florida in a fantastic manner. Then there’s Happening Out television, based here in Fort Lauderdale, covering local and national news. I don’t see us as competitors, but as allies in the same fight.
