For two nights, Broadway at the King Center and the American Theatre Guild present the national touring production of DEAR EVAN HANSEN in Melbourne, Florida. We have seen both the film version and the stage production of DEAR EVAN HANSEN and we find them equally disconcerting, insightful and inspiring. How can a story about two suicidal teens do all this? It helps to have fabulous dialogue, realistic characters and emotionally charged music that fully supports the evolution of the characters. <MORE>
DEAR EVAN HANSEN theatre review by Thomas Routzong and Steven Skelley
For two nights, Broadway at the King Center and the American Theatre Guild present the national touring production of DEAR EVAN HANSEN in Melbourne, Florida. We have seen both the film version and the stage production of DEAR EVAN HANSEN and we find them equally disconcerting, insightful and inspiring. How can a story about two suicidal teens do all this? It helps to have fabulous dialogue, realistic characters and emotionally charged music that fully supports the evolution of the characters. <MORE> Double the Downtown Fun in Louisiana - Monroe and West Monroe have eclectic shopping, art and a variety of local dining options
The cities of Monroe-West Monroe offer double the possibilities for those looking for downtown fun. Located on the banks of the Ouachita River in North Louisiana, this dual-city destination off I-20 is a fun spot for a getaway filled with variety. Of course there is shopping. In historic downtown West Monroe, Antique Alley (100-300 Blocks of Trenton Street, West Monroe, Louisiana 71291; 318-387-1933) offers a diverse shopping experience with its antique malls and individual stores, boutiques and specialty shops. The variety of shops here also includes the creative collection of local artwork in Courtyard on Cotton’s (102 Cotton Street, West Monroe, Louisiana; 318-348-6045) art gallery and sculpture garden, furniture and home décor at Walsworth & Company (311 Trenton Street, West Monroe, Louisiana 71291; 318-323-1454) and the wide-ranging assortment of goods at The Shoppes on the Alley (215 Trenton Street, West Monroe, Louisiana 71291; 318-366-2676). Adding a little spice to the collection of specialty businesses is JAC’s Craft Smokehouse (401 Trenton Street, West Monroe, Louisiana 71291; 318-855-8680), Louisiana’s first smokehouse restaurant. They serve everything from finger-licking good sandwiches to large meat entrees, all featuring gourmet sauces and seasonings. As California’s first Pride event of the year, the 8th annual Cathedral City LGBT Days presented by Agua Caliente Casinos again brings together numerous LGBTQ+ celebrities, artists, performers, media, community leaders, Coachella Valley residents and visitors for an unforgettable weekend of live entertainment, community engagement and fun activities from March 8th-10th, 2024.**
Friday March 8th features the official Pride flag raising and lighting of City Hall beginning at 5:55PM doors open at 6:00PM for a 6:30PM community film screening of Mike Nichols’ classic The Birdcage under the stars at the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater. In the film starring Robin Williams, Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane, Dianne Wiest and Calista Flockhart, a gay cabaret owner and his drag queen companion agree to put up a false straight front so that their son can introduce them to his fiancée's right-wing moralistic parents. The Birdcage screening is free to the public; register for film tickets here. Bars throughout Cathedral City will host LGBT Days specials following the screening and all weekend. Saturday’s festivities include a headline comedy show starring River Butcher taking place at the Agave Caliente Terraza, the outdoor entertainment pavilion at Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City. Los Angeles-based standup comic, actor, and writer Butcher’s first half-hour special “A Different Kind of Dude” debuted on Comedy Central’s YouTube channel and was called “a masterclass in culture war commentary” by Esquire.com. River recently wrote on the FX pilot “Belated,” previously wrote for “A League of Their Own,” and created/starred in/wrote the critically acclaimed and GLAAD award-nominated tv show “Take My Wife.” He’s also been on screen as non-binary standup comic Lindsay Brady on “Good Trouble,” Adam Conover’s sibling on “Adam Ruins Everything” or queer dinner guest Denim in the hit movie “Friendsgiving.” Butcher’s done standup all over the globe and the screen and was named one of Vanity Fair’s “Ten Comics to Watch” at Montreal’s Just For Laughs/Juste Pour Rire in 2017, just 6 years after doing his first standup open mic. He’s just recorded his first one-hour special in Portland, set to be released on YouTube this year. Get tickets here. The weekend concludes on Sunday March 10th with the annual Bed Race and Parade of Beds in front of City Hall starting at 10:00AM, where thousands of well-wishers line up to cheer on teams running festively decorated beds down Avenue Lalo Guerrero, competing for prizes and local infamy; admission is free and open to the public. The Bed Race will be emceed by local talent and accompanied by live entertainment. After the Bed Race, Cathedral City LGBT Days will host a noon Champagne Sunday Brunch featuring top DJs, champagne, drink specials, exclusive vendors, and gourmet food trucks on hand for all attendees to close out the weekend in style. The Aquaplex, located in the heart of Key West’s LGBTQ entertainment district on Duval Street, is to stage the grand opening of its Birdcage Cabaret Friday, March 1, with a lavish new show starring renowned female impersonator Christopher Peterson.
Peterson is to be the permanent headliner at The Birdcage after many years of performing his celebrated EYECONS show at venues in Key West and other cities. His Birdcage performances are to blend his traditional impersonations of famous divas with elaborate new elements - and will also feature a rotating cast of Aquanettes, the complex’s signature drag queens. With a name inspired by the musical and film “La Cage aux Folles,” The Birdcage was designed to suggest a sophisticated big-city nightclub with a Key West flair. Mike and John Barrett, new owners of the Aquaplex, renovated the space previously called SideBar to feature an enlarged stage with theater curtains, an enhanced sound system, a full bar and cabaret-style tables and chairs. Located at 504 Angela St. just off Duval Street, The Birdcage can seat 80 to 100 guests depending on table configuration. Peterson’s new 90-minute cabaret show is to be staged Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Plans call for Drag King shows at 7:30 p.m. every Sunday at the venue. As well as appearing at The Birdcage, the Aquanettes are to continue presenting their own highly popular shows at Aqua, with performances set for 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and 7 and 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. The Birdcage bar is to open at 2 p.m. daily, closing at 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Happy hour prices are to be in effect until showtime, with no cover charge when performances aren’t taking place. Birdcage information and ticketing: aquakeywest.com/the-birdcage-cabaret Curt Loves Oldies: Caltiki, the Immortal Monster - Movie Review by Curt Solash
Mexico City is threatened by Caltiki devouring everything in its path. <MORE> JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR WILL PLAY MELBOURNE’S KING CENTER MARCH 11-12, 2024
The American Theatre Guild, with ASM Global and the King Center, is pleased to present the reimagined 50th Anniversary tour of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. Jack Hopewell stars as Jesus, joined by Elvie Ellis as Judas and Jaden Dominique as Mary. The tour also welcomes Grant Hodges as Caiaphas, Alex Stone as Pilate, and Mekhi Holloway as Annas. The Simon & Garfunkel Story review by Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong
What an evening of cherished memories! The Simon & Garfunkel Story is simply fabulous! The songs are iconic and story behind the incredible success of one of the best-selling music groups of the 1960s is told through an immersive concert-style theater show that supports the music perfectly. We flew NORSE ATLANTIC from Miami to Paris and back. This is how it went.
By Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong We flew NORSE ATLANTIC from Miami to Paris and back. Norse Atlantic Airways is a low-cost, long-haul airline. Their desire is that their Miami to Paris new direct route will provide an affordable and convenient travel option for passengers seeking to explore Paris for only $165 one-way including all taxes. Curt Loves Oldies: Attack of the 50 Foot Woman - Movie Review by Curt Solash
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Gay Travelers Magazine BLOGthe best cruise & travel news, tips & reviews for the sensible gay traveler. Steven and Tom visit Scotland: A photographic journey exploring the cultural treasures and beautiful people of Scotland by Steven Skelley and Tom Routzong. NOW AVAILABLE IN PAPERBACK AND HARDCOVER on AMAZON!
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October 2024
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