March 26, 2018March 31, 2018 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Events

CHRISTINE EBERSOLE

Christine Ebersole dazzled with vocal proficiency in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, with the accompaniment of Seth Rudetsky

SHADE-O-METER RATING

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

Who’s Christine Ebersole? She’s a two-time Tony-winning actress and singer. Who’s Seth Rudetsky? He’s a musical-theater historian, radio host, pianist, writer and actor. What’s Parker Playhouse? It’s a neo-classical theater in Fort Lauderdale. It opened in 1967, and it holds about 1,200 people. How was the venue? Slightly ostentatious. How was the parking? They have valet, or you can park in grass lots and walk a short distance to the venue. Does the venue serve liquor? Yes. They have a full bar.

*Grey Gardens*: Original Broadway Cast Recording. Based on the Maysles brothers’ cult 1975 documentary of the same name, this musical is an endearing-and sometimes genuinely heartwrenching-oddity propelled by Christine Ebersole’s exceptional, for-the-history-books performance.

How were the drinks? Wine was $9 for a single and $14 for a double. We didn’t get any liquor. Does the venue serve food? No. How much were the tickets? $57. Where were the seats? About in the middle. Was the show sold out? No. It was about 2/3 full. How was the crowd? The crowd was so old that one would be loath to take a bet that someone wouldn’t kick the bucket before Ebersole sung her last note (but the Geritol must have kicked in—or something—because they pepped-up when Ebersole first came out).

How was the show? The show was presented as a retrospective journey of Ebersol’s career, with Rudetsky acting as both the interviewer and accompanist. After the opening song, Ebersole and Rudetsky went back and forth all night between chairs and the microphone/piano. They talked about Ebersole’s career, and then she sung a number (or two) as an example from it. The ratio between song and talk was about 2:1—Ebersole talked for about 10 minutes, and then the song took five minutes. Ebersole fittingly began the show with “The Lullaby of Broadway,” and she ended it with “Send in the Clowns.” In total, she sung 11 songs, including the encore. The biggest response that Ebersole got was for “Around the World” from Grey Gardens and “Pink” from War Paint. Of the two, “Pink” got the greater reaction, including a standing ovation.

How was Ebersole’s voice? Unlike, for example, Patti Lupone, who’s all belt, Ebersole really has two voices. There’s the “legitimate” head voice, and there’s a jazz-inspired chest voice. She excels with both, but the head voice is probably stronger and more impressive. And there was no better example of her expertise with it than with her version of “The Simple Joys of Maidenhood” from Camelot.

What could have improved the show? Given that Ebersole is not a natural storyteller (Rudetsky is better at this than her), the show could have used some editing—the backstory parts should have been shorter. Despite this, there were some interesting anecdotes, such as when she described the struggles of making it in show business: “I was waiting tables at the time, and I got the call to play the Madeline Kahn part in the Paper Moon musical. So, I told them, ‘I’ve got to leave you, little people. The Great White Way calls.’ But I got the shock of my life when the show didn’t open, and three weeks later I had to crawl back with my tail between my legs, and I was back to waiting tables again. It took me three years after that before I finally got I Love My Wife on Broadway.” What was surprising about the show? That someone one would dare bring an infant to it.

Parker Playhouse is located at 707 Northeast 8^th St., in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

March 18, 2018March 31, 2018 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Events

COMPANY B

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Everything’s that old is new again, when Miami-based 1980s pop trio, Company B, performed on St. Patrick’s Day at The Pub. Featuring an interactive set that was composed of both cover and original songs, the trio performed such numbers as Full Circle, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, and rousing take on Ike and Tina’s version of Proud Mary, before finishing off the 45-minute set with their 1987 hit single, Fascinated.

March 18, 2018April 2, 2018 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Interviews

VICKIE BENNETT

At over 35 years, Vickie Bennett is—by all accounts—the most-tenured female bartender in the gay bars in Broward County. But it wasn’t always pretty. She had to learn how to survive in the male-dominate world of them—a world which she saw ravished by AIDS.

Where did you grow up? In Akron, Ohio. How long have you lived in South Florida? Since 1978. Why did you move here? Well, it snows in Ohio, and I love palm trees much better than snow. And I was young. Me and my girlfriend-at-the-time were on our way to California. She eventually went on to California, and I just stayed. What part of South Florida do you live in? In Davie. What do you like most about living here? I like the ocean and the palm trees. I just like it—I don’t know. What South Florida venue do you miss that’s gone? Backstreet. Where do you hang out in South Florida, and why? I mostly stay at home with the puppies and my girlfriend. But when I do go out, I go to a straight bar. I want to go where no one knows my name and I can just be a fly on the wall. What’s your claim–to–fame? I’m the longest-running female bartender in the gay bars in Broward County. That, and my cocktails—people tell me about them all the time. They like to drink them because they don’t taste like pure alcohol. What’s the first place that you worked at in South Florida? Backstreet, in 1982.

The definitive book about mixed drinks. The book is noteworthy for its witty, highly opinionated and conversational tone, as well as its categorization of cocktails into two main types: aromatic and sour.

What’s the best place that you worked at in South Florida? Once again, Backstreet. It was in the space where Revolution is now. It took up the whole block; it was a big venue. It had a pool in the back, too. The early eighties was a very magical time to grow up and be gay. Particularly, in that club. At first, I did everything there—bar backing, taking care of the entertainment, etc. They eventually made me a bartender, but they put me on the second floor, in the back, figuring that I would quit. But I ended up making more than the boys, so they moved me to the first floor. Me and my girlfriend were the only female bartenders there. I never made so much money in all my life. What’s the biggest tip that you ever got? Nine hundred dollars. I only made one drink for this guy, and then he walked away. He left nine $100 bills under the ashtray. I tried to find him, in case he left the money by accident, but he was gone. What do you think about the gay bars today? Bars are getting more integrated, and young gays don’t give a fuck if you’re gay or not. I can’t imagine that young bartenders have a following, because people don’t go out like they used to. But I’m lucky because I’ve been here a long time, so I have a following.

What’s your best celebrity encounter? Andy Warhol. I was at the bar-area in Backstreet, and all these queens were like, “Who’s that ugly guy?” None of them knew who he was, if you can believe that. I had Warhol sign a napkin, and he drew a heart. I still have it. What celebrity are you closest with? Grace Jones. I used to hang around with her all the time. She’s fucking wild. I haven’t seen her for a while, though. Who’s your best industry friend? “Pooch.” I’ve known him for years. He’s a great guy. He used to work at Scandals, but I’m not sure if he’s there anymore. How would you like to be remembered? I really don’t know. I’ll leave that up to the public. I’ve introduced people who are still together years later, and I run into so many who tell me that I made their first drink when they just turned 21, or when they just moved into town. I feel like I’ve grown up with everyone here. Will you ever retire? Probably not. What’s the last thing that you looked at online? Probably Facebook. What’s the best place that you’ve visited, and why? The keys, but not Key West. It’s not artsy there anymore, and it has too many cruise ships. And working at The Copa for all those years in Key West kind-of ruined it for me. What’s your favorite band? The Pretenders. And on a side note, Chrissie Hynde grew up in Dayton, too, and my aunt—who had a beauty salon—did her mother’s hair.

What are you superstitious about? Black cats. Do you believe in aliens? Yes. And I think I’ve met a few of them. What’s something that you learned in life only when you got older? To save more money. What did you learn from your parents? Not much. I didn’t really have a childhood, because I had to bring up my brothers and sisters since I was 10 years old. What’s your best characteristic? I’m a good listener (laughs). How do you enjoy spending your time? Me and my girlfriend [of 28 years] go to Key Largo every-other weekend. That’s my getaway. What celebrity do you have a crush on? I used to love Suzanne Pleshette. Where would you go in a time machine, and why? Back to the early 80s. That was the best. But it was bittersweet, because the late 80s and early 90s were a very sad time because of AIDS—it was horrible. I mean, I would be serving someone, knowing that it would be their last drink. I was losing friends and customers left and right, and every time you opened up David Magazine, you saw another friend’s obituary. After a while, I got numb to it. I just couldn’t go to anymore funerals. And at that age, I had gone to more funerals than my parents ever did.

What would your last meal be? Probably Jets Pizza. The pizza is amazing—I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like it. What do you worry about? Money, money, money. If you were a musical instrument, what would you be, and why? Probably a trumpet, so people would listen to me (laughs). Are you more like a sheep or a wolf? Most of the time, I’m a lamb. But it depends on the day, because sometimes I have to be a wolf. I’m a woman in a man’s world, so I always have—and had—to be better than the boys and the beautiful men just to stay alive. Who depends on you? My puppies… and my girlfriend. Who are you closest with? Tommy, my cook. What would your autobiography be called? Behind Bars. What music do you listen to when you’re upset? I don’t listen to that much music. I listen to talk radio and sports radio to unwind. What’s your greatest regret in life? That I didn’t save more money. I made millions, but we all did back then. You always thought, “Oh, why bother saving? I’m gonna make another $1,000 tonight.” If we only knew… Where can we see you? At Beefcake’s on Wednesday and Thursday, from 3:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., and on Friday and Saturday, from 6:00 p.m. to close.

March 13, 2018August 5, 2018 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN National Interviews

AMANDA LEPORE

Not many can claim that they have a watch, a doll and a rubber duck made of them, on top of being a LGBT icon. But beneath the glitz and the glamour, and beyond the whimsical tips about hair bleaching and other ephemeral precepts, what’s the one thing that Amanda Lepore regrets in life?

Where do you live now? In New York. If you had to live somewhere else, where would it be, and why? In Paris, because it’s so pretty and it’s the “City of Love.” What New York venue do you miss that’s gone? The Diamond Horseshoe. It was such a gorgeous venue—very glamorous, with an old Hollywood vibe. What’s your claim-to-fame? Working with David LaChapelle, and being his muse. What’s your favorite LaChapelle photograph? Addicted to Diamonds.

Doll Part, by Amanda Lepore. A must-have collector’s item for readers eager for a glimpse into the unique world of a fearless chanteuse. A thoroughly enjoyable hybrid of flashy pictorial, artsy production, and outspoken autobiography.

What’s your ultimate goal in show business? I would love to have my own show. Something beautiful and elaborate, like Zumanity in Las Vegas. How would you like to be remembered? For making people happy. Will you ever retire? No, not anytime soon. Since you’re known for makeup, did you ever read Joan Crawford’s book, My Way of Life? I never read it. I do love the movie Mommie Dearest, though! What’s the weirdest question that a fan has asked? Nothing weird. My fans are amazing and super respectful—I’m a fan of my fans!

What celebrity did you act like a “fan” around? Traci Lords. It was such a treat to work with her recently, since I admire her so much. I think she’s so smart, especially with how she turned a scandal around and formed her own company to keep the rights to her work. And then she went on to do real movies, TV and became a singer. As you can see, I’m a “fan-girl” to follow her career like this (laughs). What the last thing that you looked at online? Shopping. I’m always shopping and looking for unique items to make my own costumes and accessories.

What the best place that you’ve visited, and why? Ibiza. It’s a continuous party there. It’s like an extended, twenty-hour version of one of my shows (laughs). What’s something that you learned in life only when you got older? Not to overlap bleach. What did you learn from your parents? When I was picked on as a kid, my mother would tell me to hold my head high with pride, and to always be myself. Other than Marilyn Monroe, what actress do you admire? Jayne Mansfield. She’s a cartoon version of Marilyn Monroe. What performer do you admire, and why? David Bowie, because he was ahead of his time, gender-fluid, gorgeous, had great style, and he made great music, too.

What’s your best characteristic? My petite hour-glass figure, and my lips. How do you enjoy spending your time? Working on looks for my shows, and working on new costumes and accessories. What celebrity do you have a crush on? David Bowie. If you could bring one person back from the dead, who would it be, and why? David Bowie, for all the reasons that I previously mentioned! Where would you go in a time machine? I like to stay in the present. What would your last meal be? One cornflake. What do you worry about? I’m too busy. I don’t have time to worry.

Amanda Lepore’s latest EP. Released February 16, 2018. Get it for only $3.96.

If you were a musical instrument, what would you be, and why? A violin, because of its hourglass figure. Are you more like a sheep or a wolf? A sheep, duh! I’m soft, curly and blonde. If you wrote a sequel to Doll Parts, what would it be called? Doll Parts II. What’s your greatest regret in life? Not being born genetically a female. It would have saved a lot of time and a lot of money! What’s something that you never told anyone else? That I’ve had plastic surgery (laughs)! Where can we see you? At Deryck Todd’s STRUT! at Acme on 3/13/2018, at Suzanne Bartsch’s Bareback Follies at The McKittrick Hotel on 3/16/2018, and at the Twisted Circus Tour UK from March 30 to April 7.

March 13, 2018March 31, 2018 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Events

TWISTED BROADWAY

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Nicole Halliwell hosts “Twisted Broadway” at Lips—Fort Lauderdale’s premiere drag-dining venue—every Wednesday night. A thoroughy-entertaining event, and somewhat of a more pop version of the long-running Off-Broadway spoof, Forbidden Broadway, Twisted Broadway features baudy parodies of Broadway classics, which can giddily switch on a dime mid-song to a contemporary pop hit. The event also features the fabulous Twat Larouge, April Chanel, Calypso Monroe Lords and Chocolatta.

March 5, 2018March 31, 2018 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Events

25TH ANNUAL SHELLEY NOVAK AWARDS

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Long-time Miami drag performer, Shelley Novak, honored the LGBT community in South Florida with the 25th Annual Shelley Novak Awards last Thursday at Kill Your Idol. The awards—a spoof of the Academy Awards—featured categories such as the best drag name (“Queef Latina”), the most glamorous (Miss Toto), and the best drag king, as well as several other categories. The South-Florida LGBT organization, The House of Lords, featured prominently at the event, winning the Lifetime Achievement Award. The event was also not without emotion, where the “father” of the House of Lords, Alexis Lords, dramatically relinquished his leadership of 25 years to Roger Lords. The complete list of winners is below.

THE 25TH ANNUAL SHELLEY NOVAK AWARDS – WINNERS

BEST DRAG NAME: Queef Latina

BEST COSTUMES: Andro Gin

BEST CLUB KID: Kunst

MOST GLAMOROUS: Miss Toto

BEST LATIN PERFORMER: Juleisy Y Karla

BEST MAKE UP: Persephone Von Lips

BEST NEW ARTIST: Candi Dixxx and Celia Booze (in a tie)

BEST FORT LAUDERDALE QUEEN: Amanda Austin

BEST DRAG VENUE: Flaming Classics

BEST PERFORMANCE/NIGHT: Elishay De Wishes “climbs a double decker bus”

BEST WIGS: Queef Latina

BEST DRAG KING: Andro Gin, Ded Cooter and King Femme (in a three-way tie)

LIFE-TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Helen Swan

HELEN SWAN: The House of Lords

March 5, 2018December 7, 2019 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Restaurants

TAP 42

SHADE-O-METER RATING

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

What’s Tap 42? It’s a craft-beer bar and a restaurant in the southern part of Fort Lauderdale. The “42” in the name comes from 42 beers on-tap (I counted). There are five locations throughout South Florida. Was there an age restriction? No. Come one, come all.

ADVERSTISEMENT

USA Beer Cap Map with Dark Stain. Holds 50 beer bottle caps snugly. Simply push the cap from the back and display your favorite brews. Perfect for the man cave!

What time did we go? 7:00 p.m. How was the maître d’? Fine. However, they’re really hosts/hostesses rather than maître d’s. What was the décor like? Rustic, with a conspicuous absence of the appurtenances of wealth. But there is a whiff of the corporate hand (the décor of Cracker Barrel comes to mind).

What was the seating like? There’s seating inside and out. They had bar seating, regular seating and seating at counter-height tables inside. There are only tables outside—no bar. Both areas were equally popular. What was the atmosphere like? Very loud! What was the crowd like? A good mix of young professionals and middle-aged people.

How was the cruising? No queens. She only served femme and butch realness. When’s happy hour? It’s from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. You get $2 off for happy hour. What libations were ordered? One Drafted Old Fashion for $12, and one Chardonnay for $9. Were they served timely? Yes.

How were the drinks? The old fashion was excellent. The drink had something in it that I couldn’t quit place, which can likely be attributed to the house-infused beer syrup. In keeping with the rustic theme, the glass that the drink was in was very thick and heavy. The Chardonnay was fine, but nothing to write home about.

What was ordered? A Basket of Crispy Fries for $6, a Frame Grilled Chicken Wings for $13.50, a side of Roasted Brussel Sprouts for $6, and the Prohibition Burger for $14.50. Was the food served timely? Si.

How was the food? Without a doubt, the standout were the wings. OMG. The closest I can compare them to is the dry-rub BBQ that’s in Memphis. The meat fell off the bone, the flavor was exquisite, and they were served with copious amounts of homemade blue cheese dressing. To die for… The fries were addictive, but a bit too salty. At first I thought that they tasted almost exactly like McDonald’s fries, but eventually it became apparent that they’re more-than-likely hand-cut. The burger and Brussel sprouts were good, but, of the two, the Brussel sprouts won—they were seasoned with maple syrup (could use a smidge less of it), mustard and thyme, and had a wonderful burnt flavor.

How was the service? Fine. And we told the server that we had to be out of there by 7:45 p.m., and she made it happen. What stands out about the place? The beer taps… And the wings!

What could be improved? The server could maybe do a better job about describing the architecture of the restaurant. The website has no information about it, but it looks like half of the building is a brewery? Also, there’s no regular parking, only valet. Even though it’s free, not really feeling this. What was surprising? The locale. There’s really not much around it, so it comes off like a hidden gem.

Tap 42 is located at 1411 South Andrews Ave., in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It’s open seven days a week from about 11:00 a.m. to about midnight (the “bar stays open based on volume”).