Miami Art Space

Miami Art Space (MAP) is located at:

244 NW 35th Street, Miami (Wynwood Art District), FL.

WEB ADDRESS: http://www.mas-mes.com/

As mentioned before, the Closing Gala and Silent Auction for the MGLFF was held here. The artwork currently showcased is by Kenneth Treister who is credited with the design for the Miami Beach Holocaust Memorial. The pieces in the museum were all large and there were a few wood sculptures.

The facade for the building is a colorful installation called "Confetti", also by Treister. The interior is good as a multipurpose venue. You can have an art show or entertain for an event. The staff is friendly and helpful. The drawback is if you are to have a large evening event, there is limited parking and would have to set up a valet system or pay for off duty police security (which I recommend anyway).

The building itself is located a few blocks from the Midtown Building (host to Target, and other stores and residences). Though close to main streets, it is still in the middle of a residential neighborhood.

I'm glad there is growth, but it does not look like it is really benfitting those who reside in the neighborhood. My mom worked at the Clinica Penalver in the neighborhood and Holy Cross Episcopal Church is down the street, so I know a bit about the predominantly Hispanic neighborhood.

Note: The artwork shown is all by Kenneth Treister.

A day at the doctor's office...the yearly excursion...

I haven't written about Irma for awhile. This month marks the 4th year of her being in a vegetative state (Schiavo State for those of you who don't know). We had our yearly trek to the doctor's office for a check up and to get new prescriptions for her 7 medications.

It's a real hassle when people do not know how to handle her case. Because of her age (46) she is not eligible for house calls from a doctor....you have to be either elderly or in a licensed nursing home. So, since she is residing at home, we have to make arrangements for an ambulance to transport her to and from the doctor's office. (At a total cost of $600.00 just for the round trip....insurance pays for part and this does not include the visit or any extras.)

The good thing is that the doctor knows us well and gets things done quickly. My mom has known him since he was an unmarried medical student. To put that into perspective, he is now one of the senior professionals in Internal Medicine and has one son graduating from Medical School and one son graduating college and a daughter in High School. I do like him....and we are able to call him any time for assistance or advice when there is a medical question or problem.

Well, the visit went well...or as well as it could be. He is surprised on how well Irma looks. She has good color and has not deteriorated a lot. If some one who did not know looked at her, they would just say she is sleeping or awake, but not saying anything. He gives us credit for stable state.. He says we take really good care of her and it shows. As I have said before, as long as we can afford it and handle it, we will keep her at home.

At least Irma got out of the house for a bit today.

Girlie Brunch

Sunday is "Girlie Brunch" at GEM on 6th and Washington Avenue. It begins at 12 Noon and ends at 4:00 PM. The early afternoon food and fun is hosted by Pussila, Geraldine and Fernan D-Cute (who also assist in busing and serving tables) along with a special guest. Last weekend the guest was Monica LaGrand.

The menu is small, but really tasty and reasonably priced. I had the Spa Omelet which was grilled chicken, mushrooms and egg whites with a red sauce. Mr. S had Eggs Benedict with Prosciutto Ham. The most expensive thing on the menu is $13.00. All meals come with a complimentary Mimosa and a bottomless cup of coffee. There are specialty drinks and none were above $6.00.

The entertainment runs continuously and can be considered family fun. Everything is enjoyable and the crowd is diverse and casual.

This last weekend was also Pussila's Birthday and she was presented with flowers, champagne and a cake. She was surprised and (without losing her voice) was able to thank the crowd before she changed outfits for her next number.

The pics show the girls entertaining in their waitress outfits singing "Sisters", then Pussila did a Bjork song, Monica did a pre-Cinco de Mayo song by Rocio Durcal, and Geraldine and Fernan D-Cute performed "Slow Boat to China" as Barry Manilow and Bette Midler.

In the crowd that afternoon were Edison Farrow, Thomas Barker and Carl Zablotny from "The Wire". There were about 30 people in the room and everything in the mostly white room was casually elegant and nice. Go if you would like a nice meal and entertainment. The music in between performances was nice and never so loud that you could not hear the conversation at your table. Enjoy!

Crunch - Reveal Party

"Crunch" is a nice workout spot and now has two locations on Miami Beach (Washington Ave and one on Alton Road). Kevin invited us to the reveal party of the renovations/update of the location on Washington Avenue.

Mr. S and I arrived just as the event was in full swing. There were boys and girls in skimpy/sexy gear working out and posing on the equipment, open bar, food, music, dancing, etc. It was a little bit of a sensory overload, so we stayed for a bit and chit-chatted before departing.

I really like the updates to the location and am looking forward to participating in "Spin Nation' that will be held there in June. NOTE: I am still looking for sponsors.....

MGLFF - Closing Night Gala/Silent Auction

The Closing Night Gala and Silent Auction was full of beautiful people, art and good food. It was held at Miami Art Space in the Wynwood/Design District of Miami. (Still looks like a "hood" to me, though there are some nice galleries, stores and restaurants popping up in the area).

The awards for the Film Festival were announced during the event and are as follows: JURY AWARDS: Best Feature: "The Edge of Heaven" Best Documentary: "Chris and Don: A Love Story". AUDIENCE AWARDS: Best Feature: "The World Unseen". Best Short: " Who I Am". Best Documentary: "My Name Is Troy".

The night ended with the closing of the Silent Auction and DJ music playing. There were many interesting pieces of Art that I enjoyed seeing... The services offered during the auction ranged from massages, Winter Party passes, hotel stays, restaurant passes, gym memberships, weekend at a house in the keys, even the use of a "head hunter" service. There was also a diamond ring, silver bracelet, Prada Sun Glasses, Ferragamo tie and scarf, designer lamps and lighting and Vintage Movie Posters. I know some bidders went home happy.

Kendall, Mr S. and I were some of the few male volunteers at the event, but we had a great time.....and the Absolut at the end of the night helped a bit too...Afterwards, we headed to TWIST to wish Pussila a "Happy Birthday". Her Mom and sister were there. We did the quick tour and then headed home to pass out from the long day.

There is a blog for the MGLFF with clips and interviews at: http://mglff.blogspot.com

MGLFF - "Tru-Love" @ The Flamingo

Me, Zisca and Karla DiBenedetto ( The Writer and Director of the Short Film "The Trophy") @ Dream Nightclub.

HBO was one of the hosts for the event and above is a pic of writers/directors. Nichelle Nichols (of Star Trek fame) is in the film "Tru-Love" and was present to answer questions along with the lead actress and the writer and director. After the viewing she was part of the Edison Party @ Dream.

Weekend Update

What an end to a week! Mr S and I were tuckered out. I know I like to volunteer and do things, but this weekend caught up to us and by Monday morning we were just aching and glad we had a good nights sleep .

In between the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival events (The Centerpiece Gala, Outdoor, World Premiere screening of "Tru-Love" and three short films at the Flamigo, Edison Farrow's After Party at Dream, Closing Night Gala and Silent Auction at Miami Art Space) we squeezed in catching up with the boys at TWIST, the Reveal party at Crunch Gym , Girlie Brunch at GEM (Which was also Pussila's Birthday and a pre-Cinco de Mayo performance by Monica LeGrand), Pussila's Birthday evening at TWIST, making a song book for a "Danzas Puertorriquenas" get together my Mom threw in at the last minute, and I had a Church Youth Commission and Planning meeting somewhere in there....

OH! .... and one of my "girls" in Virginia, Linda, just gave birth to her own little future diva named Chloe Alejandra. She is only days old and already has her father and grandmothers wrapped around her little finger. I am so happy for their little blessing!

I will post pictures from the events separately .... I just need to get them downloaded first. The rest of the week will be dedicated to getting some family things done and planning for Mother's Day on Sunday, May 11.

Mom has a trip to D.C. coming up, so will have to be ready for that. Mr S will most likely be with me that weekend. So, I hope all of you out there have a good week.

MGLFF - Centerpiece Gala Pics

Just a quick post from the MGLFF Centerpiece Gala held at Maximes at the Catalina Hotel. Was great fun and got to mingle with Sponsors, Board Members, Directors, etc. Very nice people. Will have more after the weekend. Enjoy!

Censorship Rearing Its Head on Daytime Television....

The following is a post from "The Countess Bedelia".

I don’t watch the daytime soap opera, “As The World Turns”, but I have heard the internet rumbling about the Luke and Noah storyline and the fact that they haven’t kissed since last September. Apparently they did get a couple of kisses on screen recently and it has caused the radicals to start a campaign against Proctor and Gamble, the sponsors of the show.

You can read about the American Family Association campaign here. They were kind enough to include the YouTube video of the kiss scene in their email with the warning "Content is repulsive."

Procter and Gamble is conducting an alarming poll about continuing the Luke and Noah storyline. Even if you don't watch but want to defeat homophobia and unnecessary censorship, please call:

1-800-331-3774 Press 2 for the Luke and Noah poll, and then 1 to vote to continue the storyline.

Then please post this in your blog so that more people will see it. THANK YOU!

Sunday Brunch on Lincoln Road

Mr. S and I had pressed our clothes and were dressed and ready to go meet The Mrs Astor and others for "Girlie Brunch" at noon at GEM. We stopped to run an errand when at 11:34 AM the text message arrived: "Brunch cancelled. Water pipe break."

It seems a water pipe broke and the brunch had to be cancelled at GEM. (I personally think there was conspiracy and sabotage involved.) So, we were ready, hungry and no place to go, so decided on going to "Balans" on Lincoln Road for their brunch. This is when the wheels started turning and started making tracks for the afternoon to come. Mrs Astor suggested da Leo, since Thomas Barker was headed that way (and it is only a few blocks from Balans) and Mr. S loves his champagne and it was a change and it was a nice day....off we went! The $27.50 for all you can drink champagne and a meal.... ("Out the window" went the idea of a quiet and calm afternoon). The texting and messaging and calling brought out those that were headed to GEM.

Mr S and I were the first to arrive, simultaneously, with Mrs Astor at 12:30 PM and started with seating for 4, which changed to 7, which grew to 15 and then the final 25. The corks were popping and the bottles were immediately flowing .... the staff was attentive and fun. By the time we ordered food at 2 PM the crowd had grown and the lively converstations and stories were in full swing.

Before the group got bigger, it was decided to call Geralidine and Fernan D-Cute to join us (Hoping they would perform or come and show off their gear that they were ready to use at GEM). Geraldine was in (what I called) Kristen Bjorn French Drag. After a large welcoming applause, she joined us.

The meal ended and the crowd dispersed around 4:30 PM, but the comraderie continued at TWIST for a bit. Overall, an afternoon like this can only happen by good cosmic circumstances, sometimes you can not plan everything... It was calm and no one became "messy" or embarrassing... It was all civil and fun.

Whew! Mr. S and I still have the Miami Gay Lesbian Film Festival Events to attend as volunteers this week.....

Have a great week!

Get up, get out, and go!

Another weekend is up and running and so am I. Mom had an ECW Convention this weekend, so it was up to me to take care of my older sister's stuff. Along the way things got added...wait for my younger sister's car to come in from the shop, unexpected 10 year old and my sis spending the night, etc.

Also, the Gay Lesbian Film Festival (MGLFF) started this weekend and Mr S and I have volunteered for several shifts including 2 Galas. In between this I have a meeting for a youth event I have in October today in Ft. Lauderdale....and I have to make it back to SOBE to have some time with Mr. S before we start our shift.

I'm hoping to be able to stay up late to go see the showing of "Otto; or Up With Dead People". It's horror/zombie movie with a gay twist to it and it is showing at 11:30 pm.

The MGLFF will be going on all week and the Ft Lauderdale GLFF will be at the end of the week. If you are interested in seeing any of the diverse number of films or volunteer for any of the remaining shifts, go to:

www.mglff.com

Sunday, Mr. S. and I want to check out the "Girlie Brunch" at GEM. It is a drag brunch (all ages family friendly) that started last weekend. We are hoping to go with The Mrs and Mr Astor.... For more information on this, go to:

www.thegirliebrunch.com

Have a safe and good weekend!

Presiding Bishop's Visit

The Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church was here for a visit last week. I'm a little upset that the local media, in my opinion, did not cover this important visit. The last time a Presiding Bishop was in South Florida was about 23 years ago.

She was invited to meet with the Pope on his visit, but the invitation was not extended until last February and this visit was planned well in advance. The Presiding Bishop did send two Bishops (one of them being the head Ecumenical Officer) to meet with the Pope.

On her visit, The Rt. Rev. Katherine Jefferts-Schori stressed the acceptance of all, dialogue for unity and that the small "squabbles" are not important when you see the hurt, pain and suffering that is going on throughout the world. Why should one be against people loving other people when the opposite is so much worse.

I got to speak to her when she stopped to visit my Parish. She is very kind, intelligent, well spoken and speaks from a good place. I am very proud of her. I will be seeing her again in July when we have a gathering at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.

The pics are from the Service and Discussion at Trinity Cathedral, Miami and her visit to my parish, Todos Los Santos, Miami. She did visit some ministries in the Diocese and met with the clergy.