On Jan 16th and every Wednesday Is Pennyback Wednesdays at Macondo Nightclub is hosted by South Beach Icons Michael Stanley and Shelley Novak with appearances by Tiffany Phillips, Anita Face, and the Penny Back Dancers. The night is brought to you by the Penny Back boys: Tony Ferro, Daniel De Marchena, Melvin Hernandez, Alex Castro, and Alex De Marchena. Doors Open at 10:31, with No Cover and 2-4-1 Drinks till midnight, $7 Drink Specials all night and $120 Bottle Specials. I was there last Wednesday, and this party is a lot of fun. To see all the pics of last week check out the Mad Paparazzi.

Georgie’s Alibi Wilton Manors

On Wednesday Jan 16 Georgie’s Alibi Wilton Manors invites you to celebrate Dolly Partons birthday with a special show at 9:45 starring Nicolette.

The Human Rights Campaign invites everyone to meet Joe Solmonese this Wednesday Jan 16 at their Volunteer Rally. They are calling Volunteers to Take Action with them against the Florida Marriage Amendment. Attend their Training Workshops to get ready to volunteer on Primary Day, January 29. Primary Day Workshop takes place on Wednesday, January 16 at 7:00 pm at ArtServe in Ft. Lauderdale (1350 E. Sunrise Blvd.). HRC in partnership with Florida Red & Blue is organizing an education campaign against the November state constitutional amendment that would ban same sex marriage --already illegal in Florida-- and eliminate all domestic partnerships. Health benefits are on the line, and the government will take an even larger role in your daily life. They are holding training workshops for polling station volunteers on January 16th and 19th. If you can attend either session please RSVP with HRC Organizer. RSVP: HRC Organizer Toby Quaranta at 202.459.3307, or by email at Toby.Quaranta@hrc.org 

The Four-Day Multi-Cultural Comedy Festival will take place on January 16th-19th, in South Beach. Laughter will be as plentiful as the sand of our island when the third annual Comedy Festival returns. This cultural event has a great line-up that features some of the country's top performers including one of the hottest stand-up acts pimp extraordinaire Katt Williams, Kathy Griffin - whose sold-out shows during the first year of the Festival was the talk of the town, Comedy Central's Insomniac Dave Attell and many more. In addition, the festival will feature another strong line-up of up-and-coming comedians nightly on its outdoor, free stage on Lincoln Road. To get all the details and to purchase tickets, visit www.southbeachcomedyfestival.com 

Score Unveils New Lounge

Score has started off the year in style, with the opening of its New Front Bar. After seven years, Score has given it’s front bar a much needed facelift. The old circular bar has been replaced with a sleek and modern new design that will turn the new space into a more intimate, chic and sophisticated lounge.

MDGLCC invites you to attend their January Networker at Chamber Member Sports Club LA/Miami, 1441 Brickell Avenue, 4th floor, benefiting Pridelines Youth Services on Thursday January 17th.  Join them for an evening of mini spa treatments with signature cocktails. Admission is $45 per person. All proceeds from raffle prizes will benefit Youth Pridelines. For information regarding events, please contact Violette Sproul 305.533.1199 or Vsproul@mp-sportsclub.com. For more information, visit the Chamber website at www.gogaymiami.com or, call us at 305-573-4000 

Thursday, January 17th Fuse for women with discriminating taste presents their sexy, monthly Thursday.  They are happy to welcome back one of their favorite local songbirds, Karina Iglesias sexy lounge music by "El Maestro", DJ David Solero. Vino Miami (1601 Washington Ave) also has a great menu for light fare. There is also PLENTY of parking right across the street.  Doors open at 9pm and the performance is at 10pm. Attire is casual chic.  

During the next Art Walk on Wilton Drive “Copy This” presents Snapshots II by Pompano Bill (held over by popular demand) from 7 to 10pm on Friday Jan 18. They will also feature the new works of Krizstof Kolk and the Doll Lady Joyce D White.

Noche Latina Fridays

On Friday, Jan18th, Noche Latina Fridays presents the final appearance of Alyssa Kartiar and Jose Navarro as Miss and Mister Noche Latina 2007. The Show will star house divas Erika Norell, and Alyssa Kartiar, and special guest Jose. In the Main Room DJ Juan Carlos  will be spinning the best mix of Salsa, Merengue, Raggaeton, Bachata, Cumbia, Brazilian and the hottest Latin sounds. Doors open at 9pm, and they feature FREE DRINKS from 9 till 11pm, $5 Mojitos and Caprihanis all night long, FREE Parking for over 300 cars, Huge Patio, and the Hottest Latin Go Go Papi’s from 11pm till close. Noche Latina Fridays is now held at Steel Nightclub.

Evolution Fridays at Score welcomes the boys of “Liberty of the Seas,” the largest gay cruise to set sail from the port of Miami on Friday Jan 18th. The night will star DJ Hector Fonseca in the main room and Electroclash on the second level hosted by Adriano Martena. Then on Saturday Jan 19th One World presents “Sailors, Pirates, ad Mermaids” party starring DJ’s Bruno and Mike Perez and hosted by the Penny Back boys. 

The Black Banana is living the dream by honoring the dream of Martin Luther King Jr, this holiday weekend (Jan 18-20) by uniting people of all colors, creeds, race, sexuality and religious background through sound and environment. Hypnotiq is proud to sponsor $5 Hypnotiq drinks all weekend long. On Friday they feature Sugars with DJ Surreal and hosted by Kennedy Davenport. Saturday is Xclusive with 18 to party and 21 to drink, and Sundays feature the Blue Room with live jazz and blues from 9pm till midnight and then Dead Poets from Midnight till close with an open mic. 

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday Jan 18, 19 and 20th (Martin Luther King Weekend) the Boardwalk presents Video Star Benjamin Bradley live on their stage. 

The Aqua Foundation for Women presents an evening at the New Theatre (4120 Laguna St., Coral Gables) with a performance of Fill Our Mouths on Jan. 18th at 8pm. Gay or straight?  Hearing or deaf?  Set in Paris, a heterosexual woman’s sexually adventuresome affair with a hard of hearing lesbian weaves a sensual fabric of communication and self-realization.  As the relationship grows between them, both characters see themselves and the world around them in a different light.  Using spoken English and American Sign Language, Fill Our Mouths is a story of love and choice, deafness and hearing, the trials of communication, and the search for self when caught between two worlds.  This play is verbally & sexually explicit and tickets are $37. To order call 305-443-5909, provide code AG-08

Flash Saturdays at Steel

Gary Santis’ Flash Saturdays at Steel presents his 2008 Free Membership card drive on Saturday Jan 19th. The night will star DJ Mike Cruz spinning in the main room and DJ T-Promix spinning in the Hip Hop video lounge as well as Mizz Cori as your hostess and shows by TP Lords and Erika Norell. 

Julie G of Ultra presents Heaven at Purgatory Monthly Event For Women Who Love Women on Saturday, January 19th. The night features DJ Kaprah Spinning House, Hip-Hop, Salsa, Retro & Rock, and Sexy Hellcat Go-Go Girls. Doors Open at 10PM, and it is 18 & Up to enter with Proper ID. They also feature 2-4-1 from 10PM-Midnight, and  Plenty of Free Parking. For more information call 305.467.6372 or 954.357.4700. 

On Saturday January 19th Dolche West Palm Beach features Velvet LeNore performing. 

Icandee Productons

Lynn Bové of Icandee Productons presents siren every Saturday, with this Saturday, January 19th, featuring a special Wet T-Shirt Contest, Let's Get Wet. Ladies, Show Us What You've Got Under Those T’s. Winner Gets $200.00 in Cold Hard Cash. The Best in Hip-Hop, House & Latin Music by DJ Miss Flava. 

The next all gay "Glass Bottom Boat" Cruise on Sunday, January 20, from 2:00 - 5:00pm. Ft Lauderdale's favorite "promoter on the water", Peter Burke, is hosting this mini "Tea Cruise" Aboard the 42 Ft. "Sea Experience" from Bahia Mar and sailing to one of South Florida's most lush coral reefs off Sebastian (gay) Beach. Music, free vodka drinks, snacks, BYOB OK, snorkel (equipment included), swim, view  tropical fish through glass bottom or just party! Space is limited and admission is $40 in advance and $45 day of cruise. Call Peter 954-649-1107. Directions: 95 - Sunrise Blvd - East - A1A - South - Pass Las OLas - 1/4 mile south see Bahia Mar Hotel on right - go right into hotel driveway - go straight back to guard gate - go to left parking lot - walk back to A1A along marina - see Sea Experience boat on right.

On Sunday January 20th, Gary Santis in association with Babylon T Dance and Noche Latina T Dance presents DJ Angelo Kortez spinning in the main room with DJ AD spinning Disco on the patio and DJ Roque spinning your Latin favorites in the Envy room. They will also feature free drinks from 5-7pm, and Alyssa Kartiar in the Latin room along with the now famous Best Butt Contest. Admission is only $5 for members and $7 for non members.

Click at Dek 23

Click at Dek 23 presents “I Have A Dream” on Sunday Jan 20 hosted by Heatehrette Richie Rich with DJ’s Power Infiniti and Daniel Kristopherre and a special guest performance by Erika Norell.

Actors' Playhouse in Conjunction with CoralGaybles.com presents a special pre-show theater event on January 24th. Tickets are $23.00and can be purchased by calling 305-444-9293 ext. 613 or email groups@actorsplayhouse.org. This event includes a private pre-show social from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Your Tickets include admission to the play Altar Boyz plus a complimentary drink voucher and free hors d'oeuvres. The special price will not be available at the box office. Please redeem drink vouchers before 7:30 P.M. when the theater opens to the general public. The special price will not be available on other dates.  

On Friday January 25th Lynn Bove of Icandee Productons presents special event entitled “The Supper Club” to be held at Bleu Moon (inside the Grand). Enjoy an evening of fine dining, live entertainment and a dance party overlooking the beautiful Biscayne Bay. There will be a special performance by the hot upcoming girl group Eleqtra as well as music by DJ Miss M.  

The Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festivals next screening will be of “The Witness” and be shown on January 29th at 7:30 at the Gateway Cinemas in Fort Lauderdale. A film by André Téchiné. Manu arrives in Paris, where he shares a cheap hotel room with his sister Julie. He strikes up a joyous, chaste friendship with Adrien, a wealthy doctor in his early fifties who opens Manu's eyes to a different way of life. On a trip out on a speedboat, Adrien introduces Manu to Sarah and Mehdi, a young couple who have just had their first child. An unplanned love affair and the onset of the AIDS epidemic - seen by the media and in the collective imagination as a shameful, modern-day plague - upset the ordered tranquility of their individual destinies. Each of them becomes a protagonist in - and witness to - a contemporary tragedy, where those who don't die may emerge stronger, but not undamaged. For more information go to www.Mglff.com 

North Miami City Councilman Scott Galvin invites you to a fundraiser in support of  Florida Red & Blue Thursday, January 31, from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm at Amoretto Restaurant, 738 NE 125 Street (Free Parking on South Side). Free Hors D’oeuvres and wine.  Florida Red and Blue is a nonpartisan, independent campaign to protect all Floridians by defeating an intrusive amendment to the Florida Constitution that will take away important rights from all non-married Floridians. www.floridaredandblue.com Please RSVP to scott@scott-galvin.com. Visit www.scott-galvin.com for more details. 

Next "Gay Tea Cruise!" takes place on Sunday, February 3rd. All tickets are 2-4-1 w/ reservation by Wednesday January 9 by calling Peter at 954-649-1107. Note: Super Bowl "Kickoff" takes place AFTER the cruise. Georgie's (and many other bars) will be showing Super Bowl on the big screen after the cruise. Welcome aboard to one of the new "Tea Cruise" sponsors, M & M Tours which is Gay owned and operated. Join Michael and Mark on their weekly gay "day trips" to South Beach and Key West in their exclusive plush 10 seat limo. Trips to South Beach $40 P.P. Key West $90 P.P. Round Trip! Enjoy music, videos, free drinks on the road, shop, lunch and return the same afternoon. Call for reservations and details. 954-292-1190

National business leader and philanthropist, Adrienne Arsht, will bring Miami’s performing arts center financial security with a $30 million donation. The gift was announced today by Sherwood (Woody) Weiser, Foundation Chairman Emeritus.  In recognition of the gift, the former Carnival Center for the Performing Arts will be renamed the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County. Carnival Corporation graciously agreed to relinquish the naming rights in favor of this new major donation. “With this landmark gift, Adrienne Arsht puts Miami’s performing arts center on a whole new sound financial footing ensuring the long-term stability of the center and positioning it to truly fulfill its mission,” said Weiser, who negotiated the deal along with Trust Chairman Ricky Arriola. “Both Adrienne and Carnival have shown tremendous civic commitment by putting community interests first to make this happen,” said Arriola. The Center will receive the $30 million over the next three years. Of the $13 million the Center receives immediately, $4 million will go into working capital to fund Center programming, $7 million will pay off a bank loan and $2 million recently given to the Center by Carnival will be refunded as part of the termination of their ten-year, $10 million dollar commitment. The Center will keep the original Arison family gift of $10 million in return for naming of the Studio Theater, bridge and Art Deco Tower.  It is expected funds from the Arsht gift donated in years two and three will add to working capital and complete funding of the Center’s $16 million dollar endowment giving the Center long-term financial security. Arsht, who has been a strong supporter of the Center since its inception and has been a supporter of the arts for many years said, “I hope this gift inspires others to act on behalf of their passions, whatever they may be, for the greater good of the global community.” Arsht was instrumental in helping the Center transition to new leadership by funding the salary for interim president and CEO Larry Wilker. Arsht collaborated with Wilker fifteen years ago when he was CEO of the Kennedy Center and she served as chair of Kennedy Center Productions, Inc. “First, let me extend a very big thank you to Adrienne Arsht for making this most generous contribution,” said Howard Frank, vice chairman and chief operating officer of Carnival Corporation & plc.  “Carnival's interest has always been in doing what is best for the Performing Arts Center and the community.  We originally had naming rights to the Concert Hall, based on a $10 million contribution and we were quite content with that.  When we were asked to double our financial commitment in exchange for naming rights to the overall facility and to relinquish those rights to the Concert Hall, we agreed that it was the right thing to do.  So this is the second time we have stepped back from naming a facility as we once again want to do what is in the best interest of the Performing Arts Center and the community,” Frank said. Wilker noted that today’s action gives the Center greater ability to fulfill its commitment to offering the highest quality and widest diversity of programming.  “The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts now has all the tools it needs to emerge as one of the great performing arts centers of our time.”