July 29, 2018July 31, 2018 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Events

RASCAL FLATTS

Pop-country trio Rascal Flatts swung by West Palm Beach last Saturday to promote their new album, Back to Us

SHADE-O-METER RATING

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

Who are Rascal Flatts? They’re a country-pop trio. They formed in 1999. What’s the Back to Us tour? It’s their 15^thheadlining tour. The tour supports the Back to Us album from 2017. What’s the Coral Sky Amphitheater? It’s an outdoor theater in West Palm Beach. The covered area holds 8,000, and the lawn area holds 12,000. How was the venue? It’s a typical outdoor amphitheater.

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How was the parking? General parking is free! Does the venue serve liquor? Yes, and they have tons of bars. How were the drinks? We got a double tequila sunrise for $19, and double vodka cranberry for $19. Does the venue serve food? Yes. How was the food? We got a fried chicken strips meal. It was about $12, and it came with fries. The chicken had too much breading on it, but, overall, the food was what you’d expect. How much were the tickets? $80. Where were the seats? On the right side of the stage.

Was the show sold out? For the seated area, just about. The lawn was pretty full as well. Who were the opening acts? There was a slew of them. We only caught the last couple of songs from Dan + Shay, who were the last opening act. How were they? The last song that they performed was, of course, “Tequila.” The duo has a pleasant enough sound; however, to me, they sound almost exactly like Rascal Flatts, which probably isn’t a good thing.

How was Rascal Flatts? The trio performed a no-nonsense show, composed of minimal sets—a rare thing for any contemporary big act. They opened with the fun “Bob That Head,” and then, after a few songs in, bassist/vocalist Jay DeMarcus set the carefree tone of the night: “Why don’t we take a break for an hour and half from all the bullshit that you see on the new… It breaks my heart that people are fighting with each because, first and foremost, we’re all Americans… None of us is perfect. The last one who was was Jesus Christ—so let’s forget all the bullshit and have a party.” And basically, they did. The approximately two-hour set contained hits such as “Feels Like Today,” “My Wish,” “I’m Moving On,” and “Fast Cars and Freedom.” Regarding the end of the show, it’s somewhat ironic that their two biggest hits, “What Hurts the Most” and “Bless the Broken Road” (performed as the last song), are cover songs. However, this did not go unnoticed by them, as singer Gary LeVox joked, “They singer louder on that than our own songs—I’m a bit hurt.” The encore was “Summer Nights”—a metaphor, if you would, for a summer outdoor show in Florida—and the optimistic, “Life is a Highway.” The show ended with the trio taking selfies with people that were seated in front of the stage.

How was the crowd? Enthusiastic. What stood out about the show? There was a part, about two-thirds of the way through the show, when they sat on stools (I believe) and harmonized on some songs. It was during this part that they most astutely displayed their collective talents as one, cohesive unit. In addition, although it’s not much of an observation to point it out, but LeVox’s voice certainly is God-given.

What could have improved the show? Despite the quality of LeVox’s voice, it seems at times that it’s too far back in the mix. This might be a technique to preserve his voice, but the observant listener will not be tricked by this strategy of padded harmonies.

What was surprising about the show? That with their unison high-top military haircuts, they look something like marines. There were also some sets that looked almost exactly like the booths at Perino’s in Mommie Dearest—I wonder what queen came up with those.

The Coral Sky Amphitheatre is located at 601-7 Sansburys Way, in West Palm Beach, Florida.

July 23, 2018July 23, 2018 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Interviews

MICHAEL GONGORA

As one of the few native Flordians—who was also the first openly-gay commission in Miami Beach, and the first openly-gay Hispanic elected into office in the entire state—Commissioner Michael Gongora has seen many things come and go in Miami Dade over the years, not the least of which were the legendary Versace-era clubs of the 1990s.

Where did you grow up? I was born in Coral Gables, but I grew up in Miami. I moved to Miami Beach in 1992 right after Hurricane Andrew. How long have you lived in South Florida? I’ve lived here my whole life except for high school, when I lived in St. Pete. Where do you live now? In Miami Beach. What do you like most about living here? I like the weather, the great mix of people, and all of the special events that are here. It also helps that most of my friends and family live here, too. What South Florida venue do you miss that’s gone? Warsaw will always be magical in my memories. I miss many of the classic Lincoln Road venues including bars—Score and MOVA; also, 721, if you count Lincoln Lane—the Lincoln Road Art Center, and many unique, small businesses such as Pink Palm, Fly Boutique and Lupa di Roma. Where do you hang out in South Florida? I hang out mostly in Miami Beach. I still spend time on Lincoln Road. I also enjoy the Sunset Harbour Shops, a lot of the restaurants in North Beach—especially Prima Pasta and George’s Italian—and O Cinema.

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What place is a hidden gem in Miami Beach? The happy hour at Doraku on Lincoln Road is an amazingly good deal. I’m surprised that more people don’t take advantage of it. What was the best event that you went to in South Florida? If we’re talking “ever,” then this is a tough one. The White Party at Vizcaya in the 1990s was for sure one of the best events. Back then everybody used to get dressed up, and the best way to arrive was by yacht. Many celebs attended, including Madonna. You could also spot her dancing at Warsaw back then, too! My 24^th surprise birthday party at Amnesia in the VIP room was pretty special, too, and a great memory. Which award are you proudest of? I’ve been fortunate to receive many distinctions over the years, but two stand out. In 2013, the three premier Latin organizations—the Miami Beach Latin Chamber of Commerce, South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and CAMACOL—collectively gave me the “Hispanic Leader of the Year” award. And in 2014, I was selected by popular vote at the Pink Flamingo Awards as the first ever “Favorite Local Hero.”

Besides the office that you hold now, what’s you dream job? My dream job would be to communicate and educate through television, or other media, on a variety of topics such as law, politics, social issues and more. A talk show, of sorts. Which one of your old jobs most prepared you for what you do now? In college, I pursued acting and was fortunate to land a national TV commercial for Subway. The experience of auditioning for so many different types of things honed my confidence in public speaking on a wide variety of topics. If God were to take you tomorrow, how would you like to be remembered? I would like to be remembered as a good son, a supportive friend, and someone who gave back to the community. I live to make a difference for myself and others. Will you ever retire? I doubt it, although I do fantasize about it. What’s the weirdest question that a “fan” has asked you? I’m not sure that I have fans, but I do have followers on Facebook! One of the oddest requests from someone that I’ve never met in person was to come by their apartment for ice cream. What celebrity did you act like a “fan” around? Probably Joe Manganiello, because I found him so good looking. Also, Lady Gaga. What’s the last thing that you looked at online? Facebook.

What’s the best place that you’ve visited? The Amalfi Coast in Italy and the isle of Capri. They’re breathtakingly beautiful, the food is delicious there, and I love Italians. What’s the last thing that you watched on TV? Big Little Lies on HBO. I’m catching up before Season 2 comes out. What’s the craziest thing that you ever did? Personally, probably flying out to Rhode Island when I was in college with very little money, no credit cards, no cell phone—they didn’t exist then—and hoping someone I barely knew would be there to pick me at the airport. It somehow all worked out. Politically, filing to run at the very last moment for state senator in 2016 in an un-winnable election. What’s your favorite book? I have many. Back in 1997, I really loved Memoirs of a Geisha. More recently, I enjoyed Gone Girl. I also loved The Southern Vampire Mysteries—I read them all. What’s the best concert that you ever went to? Every Madonna concert has been amazing, but I will never forget the first one, The Virgin Tour, because I was so excited to see her. I’m also a big fan of Whitney Houston, and I went to see The Bodyguard World Tour twice. What’s something that you learned in life only when you got older? To fully fund my 401(k). What did you learn from your parents? The value of being loved unconditionally.

GONGORA WITH HIS MOTHER IN THE WHITE HOUSE

What public figure do you respect? Oprah Winfrey. She’s a completely self-made billionaire who impacted so many people’s lives for the better through her television show and financial generosity. What’s your best characteristic? Loyalty. How do you enjoy spending your time? Surrounded by people I love, or, if alone, getting a deep-tissue massage. What celebrity do you have a crush on? Channing Tatum and just about every actor in the Magic Mike cast. Who do you admire? My grandparents for having the courage to leave Cuba and leave everything behind to start over again from scratch in their 40s in a country where they didn’t speak the language. If you could bring one person back from the dead, who would it be? My grandmother. I miss her every day. Where would you go in a time machine? To the French court under Louis XIV. I’d also like to be able to time travel to the 1970s disco era and visit Studio 54 and all the other hotspots of that era. What would your last meal be? A zarzuela de mariscos with lobster and shrimp, a bottle of a good-quality Falanghina wine, and a chocolate soufflé for dessert. What do you worry about? Not being able to maintain my current lifestyle financially. It gets me out of bed every morning.

What are you afraid of? Illness. I’m not so afraid of death, but living with poor quality of life petrifies me. If you were a musical instrument, what would you be? A flute. Are you more like a sheep or a wolf? A wolf in sheep’s clothing. Who depends on you, and for what? My parents, and for emotional support. Who are you closest with? My parents, and my tight-knit circle of close friends. They know who they are. What would your autobiography be called? Prisoner in the VIP. What music do you listen to when you’re upset? Chaka Khan and Whitney Houston—they’re both amazing vocalists. What’s on your bucket list? An African safari, and a trip to Southeast Asia, especially Thailand. What’s your greatest regret in life? Not getting in on the real-estate market before it exploded. What’s something that you never told anyone else? If I told you, I would have to kill you. Where can we see you? Everywhere. At Miami Beach commission meetings, on Facebook, through my email blasts, at a concert, or walking down Lincoln Road!

July 18, 2018December 7, 2019 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Restaurants

HOGFISH BAR & GRILL

SHADE-O-METER RATING

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

What’s Hogfish Bar & Grill? It’s a seafood restaurant in Stock Island. Was there an age restriction? No. What time did we go? Around 1:30 p.m. How was the hostess? Fine (not to be ageist, but they’re basically kids).

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What was the décor like? Nautical, but also with imagery from fishing piers. What was the seating like? The main dining area is basically a large tiki hut. There’s also a bar, and a dockside dining area as well. What was the atmosphere like? Key-West casual. It’s waterfront dining on both sides.

What was the crowd like? Although the restaurant’s slogan is, “A great place if you can find it,” the restaurant likely isn’t a secret. It seemed like the crowd was comprised of about 50 percent tourists. When’s happy hour? Monday through Saturday, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

What libations were ordered? A Hogfish Margarita for $11, and chardonnay for $8. Were they served timely? Yes. How were the drinks? The margarita tasted good—it had a Grand Marnier float on top of it—and it was strong. The wine was fine.

What was ordered? Based on the server’s recommendation, a Killer Tuna Nachos appetizer for $17.95, Stuffed Hogfish with Crabmeat Stuffing for $26.95, and Jose’s New Orleans Seafood Gumbo (advertised as a house specialty) for $13.95. Was the food served timely? Yes.

How was the food? Excellent. The tuna appetizer had a lot going on in it, with seaweed, scallions, sesame seeds, and two kinds of sauces on top of it—tamarind glaze and wasabi cream. Despite the abundance of ingredients, or maybe because of them, it all worked. The fried wonton “nacho” was a nice touch as well in the dish. The one comment is that the salt in the tamarind glaze slightly overwhelmed the taste of the other ingredients. Concerning the entrées, hogfish is a high-end fish, and with the first bit, one could see why. I’ve had it before, but this time it had a slightly smoky taste to it, akin to the smokiness that delights the palate in the first sip of a single malt scotch. Overall, the fish was suburb. The cold bean salad that was served with the fish was a fitting complement. However, the beans were slightly overcooked. Concerning the seafood gumbo, it tasted more like tomato-based New England seafood bisque rather than gumbo, but that was not necessarily a bad thing. The soup was great, but there was no need for both rice AND white bread.

How was the service? Casual, yet knowledgeable and affable. What stands out about the restaurant? The locale, and the quality of the food.

What could be improved? As far as the food goes, not much, other than the minor comments above. However, if you’re going to serve bread with soup, the bread must be as high-caliber as the dish. Regarding the ambiance, if they really want to brand themselves as a hidden gem that can only be found based on a “tip from a local,” then the merchandising of Hogfish t-shirts appears incongruous with this claim. Either one is Disney World, or they’re not. Personally, I would ditch the merchandising. Concerning the prices, they’re a bit high for Stock Island.

What was surprising? They have a tiny, little stage in the corner, which I never noticed before, so they must have entertainment at night (only on the weekends, according to the website).

Hogfish Bar & Grill is located at 6810 Front St., in Stock Island, Florida. It’s open seven days a week from about 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

July 9, 2018 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN National Interviews

DANIEL FRANZESE

Local boy Daniel Franzese returns to Fort Lauderdale to headline the Fort Lauderdale Pride Comedy Festival, but what does he miss that’s gone from South Florida?

When did you live in South Florida? From age 7 to 23. I lived in Sunrise until I was 17, and then I went to the Florida School of the Arts in Palatka. I went to New York when I was 20, and I booked two shows at the Broward Stage Door Theatre, and “boom,” I was back in Florida. What high school did you go to? Piper High, in Sunrise. When’s the last time that you’ve visited South Florida? I try to come back at least once every month or so. What do you miss about South Florida? Besides my niece, the beaches. We have beaches in L.A., but the water is freezing all the time. What South Florida venue do you miss that’s gone, and why? There was a short-lived gay bar called The Pier. It was so chic. You got in free if you pulled your boat up to the dock. Every weekend there we incredible acts there like Cyndi Lauper and Amber. It was awesome.

Where did you hang out in South Florida, and why? Everywhere I hung out is gone. The Edge, Sea Monster, The Saint, Coliseum, The Copa… Where do you live now? In downtown Los Angeles. Did you ever meet Derek Dzvirko, the character that you played in Bully? Not in real-life, but we talked online. Which cast or crew have you stayed in contact with from Bully? Kelli Garner and Leo Fitzpatrick. What did you think about the musical version of Mean Girls? I loved it. It was great to see and hear more about Damian’s life—so surreal. Where do you think that Eddie from Looking is in life right now? He’s still married to Augustin. He’s still at the center. Eddie was someone who found his home in Looking.

You went to the season finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Who’s your favorite queen from season 10. I was really hoping that Eureka would’ve won, but all the top four were so fierce. Who’s your favorite RuPaul queen of all-time, and why? My all-time favorite queen is Raven. She’s the whole package. What’s your favorite role? I loved playing Eddie. I got to say whatever I wanted to. What’s your dream role? I wanna play a dad. Which one of your old jobs least prepared you for what you do now? Working at Whole Foods. It turns out that I didn’t need to know the sku for organic bananas. If God were to take you tomorrow, how would you like to be remembered? As kind. What’s the weirdest question that a fan has asked? It’s weird when fans ask me out when I’m in a relationship. But I’m single now, so slide in those DMs.

What celebrity did you act like a “fan” around? Eddie Deezen, the guy who played Eugene in Grease. I couldn’t believe he was real. What’s the last thing that you looked at online? Art, because I’m shopping for some new pieces. What’s the best place that you’ve visited, and why? I love San Francisco so much. It’s beautiful, the people are so cool and creative, and the food was so good. What’s something that you learned in life only when you got older? That you can have second and even third acts in your friendships. What did you learn from your parents? To shut the fucking light off. What performer do you admire, and why? I have a strong hustle, but when I see people like Todrick Hall, I feel lazy. He works so hard. What’s your best characteristic? That I’m loyal and honest.

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How do you enjoy spending your time? Watching cartoons stoned. What other celebrity do you have a crush on? I don’t reveal crushes because I don’t wanna get crushed. Who do you admire, and why? Tom Hanks. All these years and all these amazing movies, and zero scandals. And the same lady. I wish that I could be that cool. If you could bring one person back from the dead, who would it be, and why? Jesus, because we need Him. Where would you go in a time machine, and why? I would talk to myself right at the beginning of my career. I’d skip a few mistakes. What would your last meal be? I love charcuterie. Death by antipasto. What do you worry about? If I’m getting too old to have kids.

What are you afraid of? War. If you were a musical instrument, what would you be? That depends on who gets to play me. Are you more like a sheep or a wolf? A wolf. Who depends on you, and for what? I’m good at advice. My friends come to me often for it. Who are you closest with? My mama. What would your autobiography be called? It’s Not All Sunglasses and Autographs Kid. What music do you listen to when you’re upset? Nineties hip hop and 70s soul. What’s on your bucket list? I wanna explore the Galapagos. What’s your greatest regret in life? Partying when I should’ve studied audition lines. What’s something that you never told anyone else? Why would I tell you? Where can we see you? On my website. I’m currently on my YASS! You’re Amazing tour!

July 9, 2018July 10, 2018 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Events

TERRY HAMMOND DEBUT’S AT CHARDEES

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By all accounts, Terry Hammond is the longest-running pianist/singer in LGBT nightlife in Wilton Manors, if not LGBT nightlife in all of Broward County. Hammond, who has not performed at any LGBT venue in South Florida for several years, debuted at Chardees on the Fourth of July. And despite the show coinciding with a typically outdoor-centric holiday, many friends and fans came out for it. One of the first songs that Hammond performed was the title song from the film Where the Boys Are, which was met with cheers of familiarity and a hearty singalong when Hammond reminisced about how the song was the first one that he ever sung at the beloved Marlin Beach Hotel. Throughout the show, Hammond showcased his humor with comments such as, “The Sun Sentinel had a contest for the best song about Fort Lauderdale. I submitted this next song for the contest. And I won… (long pause) a t-shirt. It didn’t fit then, and it still doesn’t fit.” Hammond also did his own take on “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music, skillfully delaying his re-written naughty verse until the end of the song.

July 3, 2018December 7, 2019 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN National Restaurants

MARY MAC’S TEA ROOM

SHADE-O-METER RATING

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

What’s Mary Mac’s Tea Room? It’s a historic restaurant in Atlanta that serves traditional Southern food. It opened in 1945, and the original owner was Mary McKenzie. The current owner is John Ferrell, who bought the restaurant in 1994. Was there an age restriction? Definitely not. And the restaurant leans heavy on families with kids. What time did we go? Around 5:00 p.m. on a Saturday.

How was the maître d’? A mess. Where to begin…? All parking in Atlanta is a challenge, and the parking at Mary Mac’s is no exception—their parking lot is about the size of a postage stamp. When I went into restaurant, I gave my name to the hostess for two people, and she gave me a pager. The pager went off in few seconds, which was an error, and the hostess asked me if the other party was here. I told her, “No,” and she asked me to let her know when they got there. A few minutes later, I told her to seat me and that the other party would just find me when they got there. She muttered something inaudible in response. The other party got there, and we sat there for a few more minutes. I went and told the hostess that the other party was here. “Ok, we can activate the reservation now.” What do you mean, we can activate it now? I was about to let her have, but decided that it wasn’t worth it. However, this was no way to start off an experience.

When Mary Mac’s opened in 1945, it was one of 16 tea rooms around Atlanta, Georgia. More than 70 years later, it stands alone in carrying on the tradition of bringing great Southern cooking to everyone from blue collar workers to celebrities. In Mary Mac’s Tea Room, author and owner John Ferrell brings together over 100 classic recipes from this venerable institution of Southern comfort food.

What was the décor like? Both self-referential and evocative of a historic building. What was the seating like? There were a few seats at a bar. Other than this, all of the seating was at tables. What was the atmosphere like? Mobbed at this time of the day. Depending on what room you get—and there are many rooms—you may be seated with mostly adults, or you be mixed up with a bunch of families with kids. This, my dears, is the luck of the draw.

What was the crowd like? It seemed to consist of more locals than tourists. However, there are definitely tourists here. How was the cruising? Despite the name “Tea Room,” no “tea” action was found. When’s happy hour? They don’t have this. What libations were ordered? None.

What was ordered? The all-you-can-eat Southern Special, which was $26.50 a person and was served family style. You choose three entrées, three side dishes, and one dessert. For the entrée, we ordered fried chicken, meatloaf, and chicken and dumplings. For the sides, we ordered fried green tomatoes, macaroni and cheese, and collard greens. We ordered bread pudding for the dessert. Was the food served timely? Yes.

How was the food? The play was the thing for Hamlet, but the food was the thing here—it’s really what everyone’s coming for. Before the entrée was brought out, they give you complementary Pot Likker with Cracklin’ Cornbread. The broth and the cornbread in it were both excellent. Regarding the entrée, each dish was better than the next. The tomato sauce on top of the meatloaf was great, and ditto the meatloaf itself, with minimal stuffing, and replenish with onions and green peppers. The macaroni and cheese was uncharacteristically light and fluffy—who knows how they’re getting it like this. The chicken dumplings were delightful and contained a surprising hint of nutmeg. The fried chicken is what you’d expect—wonderful. The bread pudding was the best I ever had (and I’m not really a fan of this dish). The only complaint was about the fried green tomatoes. They were greasy and plain. As far as the price goes, I never saw so much food for that price. The menu says that they don’t give takeout containers for the Southern Special, but that’s probably to prohibit ordering seconds—they give you a container if you ask. And as far as the server knows (I asked), no one has ever finished all of the food in the first order.

How was the server? Unassuming, but excellent. What stands out about the restaurant? Undoubtedly, the food. What could be improved? Get rid of miss thing at the reception, and allow reservations.

What was surprising? The number of celebrities and politicians that have been there recently. Once we got the server, Marion (at 22 year’s tenure, she’s “a baby” there; one server has worked there for over 50 years, and several other are at 30 and 40 years in), talking, she didn’t want to stop. Marion told us that the following people had been there recently: Oprah Winfrey, Kevin Hart (He asked for health food; “What’s he asking for that for here?”), Cedric the Entertainer, Tyler Perry, Jimmy Carter (several times), Bill Clinton (he sat with the public), Joe Biden (the secret service was everywhere, both inside and out), Alan Jackson, Justin Bieber (insulated by his security guards), and Richard Gere.

Mary Mac’s Tea Room is located at 224 Ponce de Leon Ave., in Atlanta, Georgia. They’re open daily, from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.