MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Events

TIM MCGRAW & FAITH HILL

The reigning king and queen or country, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, stopped by South Florida this Thursday with their Soul2Soul tour

SHADE-O-METER RATING

4 OUTTA 5 WERKS: “SHE GAVE GOOD FACE – SHE SERVED IT”

Who’s Tim McGraw?  He’s a country singer and an infrequent actor.  His first album is from 1997.  He’s originally from Louisiana, and he’s been married to Faith Hill since 1996.  Who’s Faith Hill?  She’s a country singer.  Her first album is from 1993.  She’s originally from Mississippi (as the song goes).  What is BB&T center?  It’s an indoor sports an entertainment arena in Sunrise, Florida.  It’s holds about 20,000 people.  Of note, according to the website, no “moshing” is allowed.  How much was the parking?  $20.  Does the venue serve liquor?  Yes.  How were the drinks?  $19 for a double, and, they’re measured to a tee.  Does the venue serve food?  Yes, but we didn’t get any.  The venue serves typical concert food.  How much were the tickets?  $112.  The seats were excellent.  Was the show sold out?  Almost, but not quite.

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MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Interviews

CITIZEN JANE

A “305er” for life, DJ Citizen Jane talks about what’s hot in South Florida, the lessons she learned from her mother, and who she’d like to raise from the dead

PHOTOGRAPH BY CITIZEN JANE MUSIC

Where did you grow up?  I was born in Miami Beach, but I grew up in Dade County’s finest—Hialeah.  Then I moved to Coral Gables, and I lived there for the most part.  How long have you lived in South Florida?  I’ve lived in South Florida my whole life.  I’m one of the few that was born and raised in South Florida, and I still live here.  I guess you can say that I’ll be “305” till’ I die.  What part of South Florida do you live in?  I currently live in Miami, of course.  Right near the beach!  What do you like most about living here?  Aside from it being my hometown—which I’m very proud of—I love the warm weather, the beaches, the women (Miami has the most beautiful women) and being near my family.  My family is so important to me.  What South Florida venue do you miss that’s gone?  Tobacco Road.  I performed there a few times when I was singing with my band.  Plus, it was such a cool hangout full of musicians and all walks-of-life.  Where do you hang out in South Florida, and why?  I love Wynwood because it’s a great spot for bar hopping and art galleries.  I also love having lunch or dinner on Lincoln Road.  It’s a great place to people watch.  What DJ or musician do you admire?  Lady Gaga, for being her true self, taking risks with her music and for being so unique.  And Madonna for always expressing herself and not caring about how people perceive her.

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MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Interviews

AARON HUNTSMAN

With the distinction as the first person to win gay marriage in Florida, Aaron Huntsman went all the way from the desert of Las Vegas to the steps of The Capitol   

PHOTOGRAPH BY KENE TUCKER

Where did you grow up?  Las Vegas and Newport Beach, California.  How long have you lived in South Florida?  Off and on, since 1993.  I’ve lived 75% of the time since 1993 in South Florida.  Why did you move here?  Because I’m a weather freak.  I came out here on vacation, and I just fell in love with Fort Lauderdale, The Keys, and Miami.  What part of South Florida do you live in?  Key West, but I used to live in Fort Lauderdale.  I met the love of my life there at pride in 2003.  We used to have a landscaping company in Fort Lauderdale called La Lawnscape.  I also used to bartend at Cathode Ray, Twist and The Pier.  What do you like most about living here?  It’s the east coast.  Once you’ve lived here, that’s it.  What South Florida venue do you miss that’s gone?  Crowbar on Sunday night.  Where do you hang out in South Florida, and why?  We’re homebodies now.  If we go out, we like to go to Tavern N Town at the Marriott in Key West.  What’s your claim–to–fame?  Probably Lee and I having the first winning lawsuit that overturned the same-sex marriage ban in Florida.  What’s your favorite band?  Metallica.  I’ve seen them live about 8 or 9 times, and I like to be up close where the action is.  Will you ever retire?  No, because once you retire, you grow old.  I’ll continue to work until my last breath.  What’s the last thing that you looked at online?  Your website.  And then before that, a website for a non-profit small bus association for people affected by Hurricane Irma.

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MIKE JEKNAVORIAN National Events

2017 HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS

In its 27th year, Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights mixes the classic and the guignol, with houses based on The Shinning, Saw and American Horror Story

SHADE-O-METER RATING 

4 OUTTA 5 WERKS: “SHE GAVE GOOD FACE – SHE SERVED IT”

What is Halloween Horror Nights (HHN)?  It’s the Halloween event at Universal Orlando.  This year’s event—the 27th year—had nine new (they don’t tend to repeat house) houses, five scare zones, and two shows.  Some of the rides were open as well.  The featured houses were The Shinning, Saw and American Horror Story ones.  How much was the parking?  $20.  As a treat, there was some concierge parking for $30 as well.  Does the venue serve liquor?  Yes.  Beer, wine and one (you read it correctly; only one) specialty drink.  How was the drink?  Very tried.  It was some syrupy stuff that was served with a double straw.  She was rather weak, expensive ($13), and came light up and blinking for all the world to see.  Does the venue serve food?  There were some food booths that served typical fair food (funnel cakes, pizza, etc.).  We didn’t get any of it.  However, most of the regular restaurants were open.  How much were the tickets?  Depending on the night, the prices (with a discount from a Coca-Cola or Burger King UPC code) range from $59.99 to $83.99.  However, if you want to see all the houses, you’ll have to get the front-of-the-line “Express Pass” ticket.  With some of the lines at an hour or more, there is no other way to do it.  The Express Pass starts at $79.99.

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