What's HOT South Florida :: April 28 - May 4

Thursday, April 28

Restaurants and diners in Broward County will be participating in Dining Out for Life today where proceeds will benefit the acclaimed HIV/AIDS service organization Broward House. Broward House has helped people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and their families with care, support, and resources for nearly 30 years. With four service and ten housing locations across Broward County, Broward House educates thousands of people per year about HIV/AIDS and how to prevent the transmission of HIV. For people who already have HIV, Broward House strives to meet patients' medical and physical needs so they can continue living long, healthy and productive lives. For more information about Dining Out for Life in Florida or for a list of the businesses participating, visit diningoutforlife.com.

Stonewall National Museum - Wilton Manors Gallery (2157 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors) continues its John Waters Turns 70! - Film Festival with Pecker, which is a 1998 comedy in which John Waters takes on exploitation of gay themes and the art world in the 1998. Pecker, stars Edward Furlong, Christina Ricci, and Lili Taylor alongside cameo appearances by art stars such as photographer Cindy Sherman playing themselves.

The Pride Factory presents a "Spring Cleaning Sale" where they feature 15% off already reduced items from today until May 4.

Saturday, April 30

Bigger Saturdays at Score in association with NVRLND presents "The Queen of Hearts" starring, direct from Madrid, DJ Thiago.

The Ramrod features special guest DJ John Bata with a light show after 11:30 pm.

The Manor Saturdays presents "Kingdom" starring DJ Rafha Madrid (Resident DJ of Space Ibiza, WE Party, XLXIOR, Hell and Heaven) in the Ballroom along with beautiful dancers, novelty acts and productions. In the Ivy Lounge and Patio, Noche Latina Saturdays celebrates "Cinco De Mayo" starring Erika Norell along with resident DJ Larry Larr, Omar on the Bongo's, and HOT Latin Go-Go Papi's courtesy of Marco Perez. Saturdays at the Manor is from 11 pm to 4 am and feature No Cover until midnight and only $5 after midnight for member and $7 for non-members.

Sunday, May 1

Flip Flops Dockside Eatery presents their monthly T Dance, the only T dance in Fort Lauderdale on the Intracoastal. The T Dance, which is from 4-7pm, is hosted by Amanda Austin with DJ Barry Huffine and this month's special guests Carmen Adore, (Miss Noche Latina at large 2016), Taina Norell and Rianna Petrone.

The Ramrod features an after Softball BBQ from 3pm to ?

Monday, May 2

Toastmasters is a group where you develop and grow both personally and professionally in a supportive and fun way. The club helps you achieve your communication and leadership goals. every Monday at 7:15pm at the Pride Center (2nd. Floor - 2040 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors) This is a free group, but for more information call 954-594-0634 or visit http://2266.toastmastersclubs.org

Shardee Ross, Pinnacle Vodka and Village Pub present the annual Mr. Village Pub Pageant starting at 7:30 pm with a $750+ prize package. The night will honor Jose Vega, Mr Village Pub 2015 and also star formers Albie Pierantoni, and Tariq Dupree. The pageant will be followed by Drag Race viewing and that is followed at 11pm by Dragicide starring Misty Eyez.

Wednesday, May 4

Gay Men and Body Image Photo Exhibit presented by Broward House's MEGA Men Program opens today at the Pride Center. Volunteers will share their candid thoughts, along with a shirtless photograph from the neck to the waist shot by photographer Mark Farrington. The purpose of the exhibit is to address how gay and bisexual men struggle with body dissatisfaction and shame by celebrating the variety of body shapes in the community. Body dissatisfaction can negatively impact self-esteem, emotional health and increase the risk of eating disorders and the use of steroids. For more information about the exhibit, or the program, call (954) 568-7373 or email the program at [email protected].

Mavis Staples, one of the surviving members of the famed Staple Singers gospel and soul group, will be joining forces with The Blind Boys of Alabama to put on one soulful show that would make you think you were in a blues house in Alabama or Mississippi. The first show is tonight at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m., and the second one is tomorrow night at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach at 8 p.m. Tickets are available for both performances at: browardcenter.org and kravis.org or by going to the venues' box offices during regular business hours and 90 minutes before each performance. Tickets start at $50 per person for the Fort Lauderdale show and $20 for the West Palm Beach show. For more information on Mavis Staples, visit livinonahighnote.com. For more information on The Blind Boys of Alabama, visit blindboys.com.

This is HOT

Religious LGBT coming-of-age movie "Henry Gamble's Birthday Party" unfolds over the course of one eventful day in the life of 17-year-old preacher's kid Henry (played by newcomer Cole Doman in a winning, charismatic performance), who must navigate his faith, secrets, and sexuality within his family and religious community. After a NYC theatrical release and year of film festival success, "Henry Gamble's Birthday Party," from acclaimed writer/director Stephen Cone, will be released via Wolfe Video on DVD and VOD on May 3.

On the day of Henry's big birthday party, Henry's mom Kat (Elizabeth Laidlaw), his father Pastor Bob (Pat Healy) and 19-year-old sister Autumn (Nina Ganet), prepare for the party, while each also grapples with their own secrets and desires. Later that afternoon, guests begin to arrive - the assistant pastor, husbands and wives, as well as Henry's own teenaged church and "secular" friends, including the closeted young Logan (Daniel Kyri), who has eyes for Henry. As day turns to night and clothes come off, Henry & Co. carefully navigate the religious strictures and sexual secrets held within the community, all struggling to tread the public and private, and their longing, despite themselves and their faith, for earthly love.

Chicago-based LGBT filmmaker Stephen Cone (son of a Southern Baptist minister) returns to the subject matter of evangelical America he previously explored in the award-winning indie film "The Wise Kids," this time with an even deeper, respectful look at the nuances, challenges, and intersections of faith, religion, sexuality, community.

"Henry Gamble's Birthday Party" is 86 minutes long, is Not rated and is available on WolfeVideo.com for only $24.95