March 29, 2020April 12, 2020 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Interviews

RAJEE NARINESINGH

In the midst of these unsettling times, here’s a story of inspiration from someone who triumphed over health challenges, and she managed to do it all with a smile on her face. Meet Rajee Narinesingh.

PHOTOGRAPH BY WWW.ELEGANTPHOTOGRAPHICS.COM

Where did you grow up? I was born in New York, but I grew up in Philly. What do you miss about it there? I miss the season of fall. It’s usually so hot here in South Florida. I love fall because it’s not too hot and not too cold. How long have you lived in South Florida? I arrived in South Florida in January of 1989. So, it’s been 31 years. Why did you move here? It was time for the birdy to leave the nest and spread my wings and fly. My dad and I were clashing horribly. He said that I needed to get the hell out! What part of South Florida do you live in? I live in Hollywood, Florida. I always said that I would make it to Hollywood, but I should have been a little more specific (laughs). What do you like most about living here? I love the cultural diversity of the area and the sunshine. The palm trees are beautiful, too.

Rajée’s story is both inspiring and devastating in equal measure. An outcast literally from birth, Rajée has had to fight racism, prejudice and ignorance her entire life. Through a series of events that would have broken even the strongest man, Rajée emerged as a butterfly does from a cocoon into a beautiful spirit, yet the cruelty of life has deprived her of the traditional facial value.

What South Florida venue do you miss that’s gone? In the 90’s the clubs down here had a certain electric energy to them, but after the internet advanced, the energy is gone. For LGBTQ people it was somewhere we gathered to be ourselves and connect. The great thing about the internet is now you can literally talk with someone across the world. Where do you hang out in South Florida? I usually hang out in the LGBTQ city of Wilton Manors. It’s where a lot of the outreach organizations are that I do my activist work with, and I also feel pretty safe doing social outing there. Which one of your old jobs least prepared you for what you do now? I’m a firm believer that everything that I have gone through makes me who I am at this moment. What’s the best performance that you did so far? I think my performance in Bella Maddo as the character “Aunt Norma.”

What’s the best movie or TV show that you’ve been in so far? I would have to say the reality show, Botched. It’s given me a platform around the world. What’s your dream gig? I would love to have my own show. Will you ever retire? Because a lot of my work now is activism, I think that I’ll be an activist until I die. What’s the weirdest question that a fan’s asked you? If I have a porno I can send them. What other celebrity did you act like a “fan” around? David Bowie on a flight coming back from England to the U.S. in 1986. What’s the last thing that you looked at online? My Facebook inbox, which is flooded (laughs). How do you take your coffee or tea? I am a coffee girl. And it’s usually the coffee-flavor Starbuck’s in a bottle. When I wake-up in the morning I put one in the freezer to get it cold and slushy. I love the rush of the coffee with the coldness. It really wakes me up.

What’s the best place that you’ve ever visited? I’ve been to Canada, Trinidad, England, New York, and Los Angeles. I think that my recent trip to Washington, D.C., for the Trans March was the best in the sense that it was a full-circle moment for me. Growing up my family would go to D.C. in the summertime to visit. I have some fond memories of being with my family together there. And here I was so many years later marching for my rights as a transgender American. Who would play you in a movie? I’m not sure? What are you superstitious about? Nothing really. Do you believe in aliens? We would be pretty arrogant to think that in this big universe we are the only beings. What’s the gayest concert that you ever went to? I have not been to many concerts. I went to the Prince’s Purple Rain concert. And the Jackson 5 Victory concert (laughs). If God were to take you tomorrow, how would you like to be remembered? For the love that I gave to the world.

What do you want to live long enough to see? I want to live long enough to accomplish my spiritual mission here and to touch at least seven billion people with my love. What’s something that you learned in life only when you got older? That you can’t please everyone and that you hurt yourself trying to. What corrective surgery that you had was the roughest? The fourth facial surgery I had. They pulled back both sides of my face, and I was on the table for about six hours. What did you learn from your parents? From my mom, that niceness goes a long way. From my dad, to be precise. Who’s your favorite performer? Bruno Mars. What’s your best characteristic? My kindness. How do you enjoy spending your time? I love being in front of a camera filming. I also like to be home watching Locked Up Abroad and To Catch a Smuggler.

What celebrity do you have crush on? Drake, Prince Royce, Dev Patel, and Rick Gonzalez. Who do you admire? The fact that Nelson Mandela went from prisoner to president. Princess Diana’s global appeal. Harriet Tubman’s determination. Kyle Jenner’s wealth and social media following. And Dr. Ernest Holmes. If you could bring one person back from the dead, who would it be? My dad, so we could have a conversation about the relationship we had and life, since he’s been on the other side. Also, Jesus, Marilyn Monroe, and Gandhi. Where would you go in a time machine? I would go back just for a little bit to when Jesus was born to see how the story really played out. And then I would go 1,000 years in the future just for a little bit to see how the world will be then. What would your last meal be? A Korean bulgogi platter. What do you worry about? That I’m doing what I came here to do. What are you afraid of? That one day hate will conquer love.

If you were a musical instrument, what would you be? Probably a choir instructor. Are you more like a sheep or a wolf? A sheep that has toughened-up through the years. Who depends on you, and for what? My mom, and the LGBTQ community, for the activism that I do. Who are you closest with? My mom and a few close friends. What would your autobiography be called? How A Botched Beauty Touched the World! What’s on your bucket list? That I only go after I have completed everything I need to do and that I can die with the feeling of divine completion! What’s your greatest regret in life? That I started to believe “the haters” from a very young age. What’s something secretive about you that people don’t know? Damn, so much of my story is out in the world, but I don’t think that many know that I had sex behind a church once. Where can we see you? Google “Rajee Narinesingh” and you will see me all over!

January 8, 2019January 8, 2019 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Interviews

ADAM BARTA

The world is on fire listening to the single and watching the video for Adam Barta’s smash hit with Tan Mom, “Free 2 Be Me.” But stars must also keep up their appearances. You’ll never guess who Barta wants to get lipo from.

By Mike Jeknavorian

Where did you grow up? In the Bronx. I’m New York born and raised! What do you miss about it there? I have so many wonderful memories with my mom there. So, more than anything, I miss our Sunday brunches and shopping trips. How long have you lived in South Florida? About two and a half years. Why did you move here? Because I have tons of family here, for the warm weather, and for the more relaxed lifestyle. I’m a senior citizen at heart (laughs). What part of South Florida do you live in? Port St. Lucie. What do you like most about living here? The fact that I can swim in my pool in the middle of January! What South Florida venue do you miss that’s gone? The Saint! That probably dates me (laughs), but it’s where I had my first gay kiss. Where do you hang out in South Florida? I love Rosie’s—the “Big Helga” is my favorite appetizer of all time. Wilton in general is a ton of fun. Clematis for dinner, or even Jensen Beach in Port St. Lucie.

Rock My Freakin’ Body, by Tan Mom/Patrcia Krentcil, and featuring Adam Barta. Download it for only $0.99.

What’s your claim-to-fame? That depends on who you ask, but it could be as a Billboard chart-topping musician, or as a reality star, or as a guest on the Howard Stern Show! Which one of your old jobs least prepared you for what you do now? Doing proposals at IBM. Who’s your favorite pop star? Lady Gaga. Who’s your favorite songwriter? That’s also Gaga. If God were to take you tomorrow, how would you like to be remembered? I would like to tell them I was more than just a great set of boobs. I was also an incredible pair of legs. What do you want to live long enough to see? Myself on my own reality TV franchise. Will you ever retire? Yeah, when I’m dead! What’s the weirdest question that a fan’s asked you? What my biggest fetish was. What other celebrity did you act like a “fan” around? Traci Lords. Even though we’re friends, she’s an icon! What’s the last thing that you looked at online? Tumblr, but not for long. What’s the best place that you’ve visited? I love Chicago. Who would play you in a movie? Zac Efron, or Fred from Nickelodeon.

What are you superstitious about? Nothing, really. I believe in actions more than superstitions. Do you believe in aliens? Yes! And if they ever abduct me, all I ask is that they just give me some lipo before they return me. What’s the gayest concert that you ever went to? The Night of a 1,000 Queens. What’s the most times that you watched a movie or read a book? I’ve seen the movie Clue probably easily over 100 times. What’s something that you learned in life only when you got older? Patience. What did you learn from your parents? The value of hard work, and to never give up. Who’s your favorite performer? RuPaul. What’s your best characteristic? My work ethic, my loyalty, and my perseverance. How do you enjoy spending your time? With my family, with my boyfriend, and with my friends. Oh, and eating. What celebrity do you have a crush on? Ryan Phillippe. Who do you admire? Marti Gould Cummings. If you could bring one person back from the dead, who would it be? My mom.

Where would you go in a time machine? To see my mom on a Christmas past. What would your last meal be? Ravioli a la vodka. What do you worry about? Falling short, and not making money. What are you afraid of? Death. If you were a musical instrument, what would you be? A rock guitar. Are you more like a sheep or a wolf? A wolf in sheep’s clothing. Who depends on you? My family and boyfriend. Who are you closest with? My boyfriend, my aunts, and my best friends. What would your autobiography be called? To Vodka, Thanks For Everything—Adam Barta. What’s on your bucket list? Scuba diving. What’s your greatest regret in life? Not meeting Gaga when I had the opportunity. And I had it three times. What’s something secretive about you that people don’t know? It wouldn’t be a secret then if I told you! Where can we see you? You can follow me on Instagram, or you can see me on my website!

December 10, 2018December 18, 2018 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Interviews

JUSTIN FLIPPEN

With his landslide victory in Wilton Manors last month, Justin Flippen is now in the elite category as the mayor of the second city in the country to have an all-gay commission. Hear what’s on Flippen’s mind, in his first interview since his historic win.

Where did you grow up? I’m a proud Broward County native. I lived in Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Coconut Creek, and Wilton Manors all at different stages of my youth. If you had to narrow it down, what do you like most about living in Wilton Manors? The people and my neighbors. What’s something that’s special about Wilton Manors that’s not commonly known? We have foxes and bears. One, the four-legged mammal. The other, the two-legged people kind (laughs). What South Florida venue do you miss that’s gone? Six Flags Atlantis. Other than Wilton Manors, where do you hang out in South Florida? I love nature, so I’m often in the Everglades and Big Cypress National Preserve. What’s your claim-to-fame? I’m not sure I have fame to claim, but I’m proud to be local born-and-raised and now the local mayor of the most progressive city around. Which political accomplishment is the most special to you? Besides being elected mayor by the people in one of the most decisive city elections in Wilton Manors’ history, officiating a group/mass-marriage ceremony of couples on Valentine’s Day at city hall when marriage equality was recognized was pretty special.

What was the most exciting event that you ever attended, and why? The first inauguration of President Barack Obama in January 2009. To attend it was an inspiring and a uniquely-American experience that I’ll never forget. Which one of your old jobs least prepared you for what you do now? My first job as a shipping clerk. If God were to take you tomorrow, how would you like to be remembered? As a man who did all the good he could for all the people he could, in all the ways that he could, and for as long as he could. What do you want to live long enough to see? Humanity no longer dependent upon non-renewable resources and brave enough to live cleaner and greener. Should “straight” conversion therapy be banned? As a survivor of such so-called conversion therapy, and based upon research and medical experts, yes. The practice has been banned on minors in Wilton Manors and all of Broward County. What’s the weirdest question that a constituent’s asked you? “What do you think about the ghost haunting our old city hall?”

What celebrity did you act like a “fan” around? Leonard Nimoy. I got a picture doing the Vulcan salute with him! What’s the last thing that you looked at online? I Googled the ancient pyramids of Caral, Peru. What’s the best place that you’ve visited? Jerusalem. What’s the last thing that you watched on TV? Madame Secretary or Murphy Brown. What’s the craziest thing that you ever did? Night snorkeling in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Hawaii with giant manta rays. What’s your favorite book? The Bible, Living History by Hillary Clinton, and Chicken Soup for the Soul. What’s the best concert that you ever went to? Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Cher. Do you still have your childhood blanket or stuffed animal? Yes. What’s something that you learned in life only when you got older? Basic learning alone is not what makes one wise. Rather, wisdom comes with the righteous application of the knowledge that one has gained. And, of course, mom was right on a lot more than I thought.

What did you learn from your parents? How to be self-reliant and independent. How to take responsibility in life, but also to not take life too seriously. Honorable mentions include how to iron, clean, rotate my own tires, and do laundry. Who’s your favorite performer? Hugh Jackman, Leonard Nimoy, and Zachary Quinto. What’s your best characteristic? I would hope my sincere desire to do right by others. How do you enjoy spending your time? For leisure, I love seeing and experiencing our country and world, especially our National Parks. This year, I completed a bucket-list item. I’ve now visited all 50 states. What celebrity do you have a crush on? Henry Cavill. Who do you admire? Jesus Christ, my grandmother, and Eleanor Roosevelt. If you could bring one person back from the dead, who would it be? My younger brother, Nick. Where would you go in a time machine? Back to 2016 to warn people, to get more folks to vote, and to enjoy Obama as president one last time. What would your last meal be? Something Peruvian or Italian. What do you worry about? Not playing my lotto numbers the week they come in, and having Trump as President.

What are you afraid of? The rise of nationalism and the decline of patriotism. If you were a musical instrument, what would you be? A zampoña, which is a traditional Andean panpipe of Peru. There’s something mystical and spiritual for me whenever I hear it played. It speaks to my soul. Are you more like a sheep or a wolf? Neither. Can I be a bear or an elephant instead? Who depends on you, and for what? The people of my city depend on me to serve them with my best, and nothing less. Who are you closest with? God, and a very select group of family and friends. What would your autobiography be called? Oh, I don’t know. Maybe, Flippen: Beyond the Bear Minimum. What music do you listen to when you’re upset? Inspirational, pop and country, but not just when I’m upset. Latin beats and rhythm usually raises my spirits too. What’s on your bucket list? To visit all of the National Park sites in America. Of the approximately 418 sites, I’ve visited 291 so far. I’m also working on visiting every state capitol building. What’s something that you never told anyone else? Many of the answers in this interview. Where can we see you? At Starbucks or at city hall. People can also follow me on my Facebook and Twitter accounts.

November 19, 2018December 18, 2018 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Events

POMPANO BILL’S MEMORIAL

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By Mike Jeknavorian

The South Florida LGBTQ community came together at The Pride Center in Wilton Manors last Thursday to mourn the passing of one of its brightest stars, photographer “Pompano” Bill Calcaterra. The memorial, which was co-hosted by former nightclub owner Toni Barone and Hot Spots owner Peter Clark, featured testimonial videos from people who were closest to Calcaterra. Speaking on video, nightclub owner Paul Hugo quipped that Calcaterra “touched” everyone that he came into contact with. Another amusing comment came from Michael Connell, co-owner of The Pub, who said that the “first time that he met Pompano Bill was at a high, upscale bar called the Ramrod.” The most outlandish commentary came from longtime-friend Joe Posa, and dressed as Joan Rivers, when he reassured the crowd that he met Pompano Bill at the “pearly gates,” but that he figured that Calcaterra would be “down there given all the people that he slept with.” Posa also impressed upon the crowd that we’re “waiting for all you old farts from Wilton Manors to hurry up and get here.” Despite the humor that came from some memorializers, Pomapano Bill was repeatedly characterized as an “incredibly generous” person whose lasting contribution was that he chronicled virtually the entire LGBTQ community in Broward County—from the 1990s to present—with his photography.

June 18, 2018June 18, 2018 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Interviews

LADY FANCY

As she and her merry band of gospel singers are about to debut their long-running gospel show at The Pub, Lady Fancy discusses her tireless work ethic, including working right up to the lunch of her own funeral

Where did you grow up? In Indiana. How long have you lived in South Florida? For 17 years. Why did you move here? For the weather, but mostly because South Florida is such a gay-friendly place. What part of South Florida do you live in? In Oakland Park. What do you like most about living here? The winters. If you’ve ever lived in Indiana, you could relate (laughs). What South Florida venue do you miss that’s gone, and why? Costello’s (it was called the Gin Mill when we first moved here). It was small, nice and we made a lot of friends there. Where do you hang out in South Florida? We’re pretty much home bodies now, but it looks like I’ll be hanging out at The Pub a lot more often.

The Happy Goodman Family, is a Southern gospel group that was founded in the 1940s by Howard “Happy” Goodman and performed together for several decades. The Happy Goodmans achieved significant popularity in the 1960s. In 1968, they won the first Grammy Award to be awarded for a gospel album by a gospel group.

What’s your claim-to-fame? I guess that would have to be The Gospel Jubilee Show. How did you come up with your name? I was given that name because of Nancy Ross. We were getting ready to do our first show, and I didn’t have a name yet. So someone said, “Nancy and Fancy,” but I don’t remember who stuck the “Lady” part in front of it. What was your first gig, ever? It was in Bob (Nancy Ross) and Paul’s back yard. What was your first gig in South Florida? It was at Monkey Business Bar. What’s the strangest thing that’s happened to you onstage? I took one step too far to the right once, and I fell of the stage. Talk about humbling.

If you could only do one anymore—play the piano or MC—which would you choose, and why? That would have to be, play the piano. It’s always been my favorite thing to do. Which one of your old jobs least prepared you for what you do now? I don’t have an “old job.” I’ve been a hairdresser since I was 17. It’s been a long time (laughs). Will you ever retire? My standard answer to that is that I’ll be working up until the lunch of my funeral. What celebrity did you act like a “fan” around? Liza Minnelli. What’s the best place that you’ve visited, and why? New York City, because Ron and I got married there. It’s just a wonderful, exciting and magical place.

What’s something that you learned in life only when you got older? To forgive and forget. Life is too short to hang on to so much stuff that is over and done with. What’s your best characteristic? My sense of humor. At least I think so, but I may be the only one. How do you enjoy spending your time? With my husband and our dogs. What celebrity do you have a crush on? There are too many to name. If you could bring one person back from the dead, who would it be, and why? I’d bring back my best friend, Denise. She was a drag queen trapped in a woman’s body. We could finish each other’s sentences. Where would you go in a time machine, and why? I’d go to the 1940s because of the music, the clothes and the cars.

What would your last meal be? That’s easy—pizza! What do you worry about? Being left alone after you’ve lost a partner. If you were a musical instrument, what would you be, and why? The piano, just because it’s my favorite. Are you more like a sheep or a wolf? A sheep. Who are you closest with? Ron, my husband. What would your autobiography be called? Oh What a Journey. What music do you listen to when you’re upset? Gospel music. What’s on your bucket list? To have my face pulled back up to where it used to be (laughs). What’s something that you never told anyone else? Well I certainly can’t tell it now in this interview (laughs). Where can we see you? At The Pub!

May 13, 2018May 24, 2018 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Interviews

JOE POSA

Despite touring the country with his one-man show impersonating Joan Rivers, actor Joe Posa still has time to enjoy the “gayness” of Wilton Manors. But what kind of balls would he have for his last meal?

Where did you grow up? I was born in the Bronx, but I grew up in Thiells, New York, in Rockland County. How long have you lived in South Florida? For seven years. Why did you move here? After living in Manhattan for many years, and then in Boston with my husband Frank Ribaudo, we settled in our home in South Florida. What part of South Florida do you live in? In Wilton Manors. What do you like most about living here? The gayness! And of course, the weather. What South Florida venue do you miss that’s gone? I so loved The Coliseum. Where do you hang out in South Florida? I love the many restaurants, and, of course, the clubs on Wilton Drive. What’s your claim-to-fame? I’m an actor, and I also impersonate Joan Rivers, Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli and Michael Jackson, to name a few.

What’s your most cherished experience with Joan Rivers? Performing at an event in Houston with her but AS her. We then hung out in her dressing room and talked, and that was amazing. What’s the best role that you ever did? Of course, Joan! I was also Erica Kane on All My Children with Susan Lucci, and Liz Lemon on 30 Rock with Tina Fey. What’s your dream gig? I’m living it now performing my Joan Rivers tribute show, The Bitch is Back!, with Joan’s head writer, Tony Tripoli. We’ve taken it across the U.S. and Mexico! Other than Joan Rivers, what performer do you admire, and why? Barbra Streisand, because of her work ethic and her striving-for-excellence in the work. Which one of your old jobs least prepared you for what you do now? All of it prepares you!

How would you like to be remembered? Besides as a kind and generous human being, I’d say as a master of illusion in the art of impersonation. Will you ever retire? As long as I’m able, I will be onstage! What’s the weirdest question that a fan has asked? The ole “where do you put it” question (laughs). What celebrity did you act like a “fan” around? Babs! What’s the last thing that you looked at online? A new wig (laughs)! What’s the best place that you’ve visited, and why? Besides having worked for nearly two decades with my shows in Provincetown, and loving it, I so enjoy working and being in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. What’s your guilty pleasure? A full-bodied red. What’s your best characteristic? My infectious laugh! Also, my compassion toward others.

What’s your fondest childhood memory? The morning of a “snow day!” What are you afraid of? The state that our great country is in. What’s something that you learned in life only when you got older? That the days are long, yet the years fly by. What did you learn from your parents? Humility. What performer do you admire, and why? Joan Rivers. Not only was she the best in what she did, but she defied the odds and was a survivor. How do you enjoy spending your time? Being with my amazing husband. If you could bring one person back from the dead, who would it be, and why? Joan Rivers, because we need her humor now more than ever! Where would you go in a time machine? I like being in the here-and-now. What would your last meal be? Being Italian, I’d have to say my husband’s pasta and balls!

What do you worry about? Our country, politically, and how we as a people are so divided on many levels. Are you more like a sheep or a wolf? I’m a wolf in my work, yet a sheep when I chill. Who depends on you, and for what? My husband and my closest friends. They depend on me for positive words of advice. Who are you closest with? My husband, Frank Ribaudo. What would your autobiography be called? Me, Myself, and Her… What music do you listen to when you’re upset? Light classical. What’s on your bucket list? To be a talk-show host! What’s your greatest regret in life? I honestly feel that it’s all an amazing journey. What’s something that you never told anyone else? Well, I can’t tell you that. Where can we see you? At the Mizner Park Cultural Center in Boca Raton on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.!

January 28, 2018April 1, 2018 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Events

ZANNA, DON’T!

The Off-Broadway musical Zanna, Don’t!, spreads its fairy dust in Wilton Manors

SHADE-O-METER RATING

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

BY JAY RICHARD DIBIASO

OMG, Becky, it was, like, so cute! And the guys were adorable! Especially the super gay one, Zanna—who’s like a genie or a gay Dolly Levi or something—who has a magic wand that makes everyone fall in love. And he’s so great in every scene. Such a princess! All of this fabulousness takes place in a high school where you have to be gay or they throw you out. And so the captain of the football team falls in love with this guy who always wins at chess.

I know it would never happen, but it does, and they’re so perfect together. They even sing a love song to each other. I just wanted to hug both of them, but I stayed in my seat. Zanna, Don’t! is a bit like Grease, with all these catchy songs. Really, it’s the gay cousin of Grease—only better, because it’s so cute. Everybody’s in love in it, until the football captain kisses the girlfriend of a waitress.

The two end up falling in love with each other, and it’s a mess, because the high school says that you have to be gay—but they’re straight for each other! So Zanna, the super gay genie, tries to make it all work out, but the football captain breaks Zanna’s magic wand at the prom, and then everyone who was gay becomes straight. I know, it sounds rather convoluted, but it all made sense with the music. There was even a standing ovation at the end when the entire cast sang the last song.

In the end, I don’t know what Zanna wasn’t supposed to do, but I guess he did it anyway. The show is in super-gay Wilton Manors, and if you want to see it, you should probably get tickets ahead of time, because it’s in a tiny theater. I was practically sitting on the stage. And the best part? The cast was in the lobby when you left the theater—thanking everyone for coming—and I got to talk to Zanna! How cool is that?!

Island City Stage is located at 2304 N. Dixie Hwy., in Wilton Manors, Florida. Zanna, Don’t! runs through February 11.

December 17, 2017April 1, 2018 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Interviews

TONY DEE

Twenty-seven years ago, Tony Dee started it all in Wilton Manors with Chardees. As he’s about to re-open the historic venue, he tells us what “The Drive” was like in its infancy.

Where did you grow up? In Dix Hills, Long Island. How long have you lived in South Florida? I moved her in 1969. Back then, I could have bought the whole state for probably $50,000 (laughs). Well, make it $49,999. I always like a discount. Why did you move here? I had a chain of men’s hair salons in Long Island, but I always wanted to live in Florida. I came down here for a Christmas party one year, and I was sold. I was like, “it’s Christmas, and people are wearing bathing suits?” It blew my mind to see that, coming from all that snow. I bought a home in southwest Miami, and that was the beginning of it. What part of South Florida do you live in? I live in Wilton Station. I’m a one-man-show, and I’ve always have been. I’m five minutes away from my work. What do you like most about living here? The weather and Wilton Manors. I’ll never leave here. What South Florida venue do you miss that’s gone? For me, personally, it would be Chardees. I’m not a bar person, and I never was—I don’t drink. So I never really went to the other places. Where do you hang out in South Florida, and why? I love Galanga—it’s a Thai restaurant. I also love What The Pho? and Sea and Olive.

You mentioned that you owned salons. Were you a stylist? Yes. My full name is Anthony Deriggi, but everyone kept getting my last name wrong, so I said, just call me Tony “Dee.” I was the hairdresser for the male stars at the Westbury Music Fair. I styled all the stars that didn’t have a personal stylist. What’s your claim–to–fame? When I first started looking at property in Wilton Manors, it was desolate. Nothing was there. I had a vision of a New York supper club, with music and entertainment. We opened Chardees on October 1, 1990—I was the first there. I booked Eartha Kitt within six months, and then it just took off. But it was a lot of work; it took a lot of renovations. I mean, you still had the air conditioner in the window. Things like that. And here we are, 27 years later. How did you come up with the name “Chardees”? My former business partner’s first name—he died—was “Charlie.” So, we combined “Charlie” with “Dee,” for me, and we got “Chardees.” How would you like to be remembered? Honesty, it’s corny, but I’d like to be remembered as someone who did it their way. Will you ever retire? I’m a workaholic, so I don’t see that in the near future. What’s the last thing that you looked at online? I don’t do it. Call me and I’ll talk to you. What’s the best place that you’ve visited, and why? Greece in the 1950s, and then followed by Italy and Spain.

WITH ANDY MARTIN – PHOTOGRAPH BY GENE HUSZCZA

What did you learn from your father? How to pay your bills on time. Where you think your drive comes from? I don’t know. My parents moved around on Long Island a lot—it was just the three of us. I used to joke that I came home from the army—I wasn’t in the armed services—but they’d moved. Maybe it comes from husting from place to place…? Are you an only child? Yes, and I’m adopted as well. I was adopted when I was two and a half years old. I never met my biological parents. What performer do you admire? Eartha Kitt was the best I ever worked with. I never saw her before or after that one time, but she was the best. Who’s the most exciting person you ever had dinner with? Elizabeth Taylor. I flew to New York for it, and it was about 12 of us. How do you enjoy spending your time? I enjoy spending time with my husband, Andy. I’m two different people. I’m one way at home, and another way at work. I’m very high strung, but Andy calms me. What celebrity do you have a crush on? Ricky Martin. What do you admire in others? Honesty. Whatever you have to say, just say it. If you could bring one person back from the dead, who would it be, and why? Liberace. He was one of my all-time favorites. I had a lot of down time backstage with him throughout the years, and if you take away all the glitz and the glamour, he was just such a nice and kind human being. And he was so talented.

WITH GLENDA GRAINGER – PHOTOGRAPH BY GENE HUSZCZA

What would your last meal be? A cowboy ribeye from the Council Oak at the Hard Rock. What do you worry about? I worry about aging and the future, because I’ve been healthy all my life. I worry about pain and suffering that’s inflicted on others. If you were a musical instrument, what would you be, and why? A piano. It’s my favorite instrument. Who depends on you? No one. Who are you closest with? Andy, and a number of friends, and one cousin. If this cousin died, I don’t know what I’d do. What would your autobiography be called? I Did It My Way. Do you ever put music on when you’re upset? No. If I’m upset, I work or I put on a rerun of the original Will and Grace. What’s on your bucket list? To do whatever I have to to make sure that Andy succeeds with Chardees. I own the building, but he owns the business, so it’s easy to get rent from the tenant (laughs). What’s your greatest regret in life? Not having children. Can you tell me something that you never told anyone else? I worked with George Hamilton once, but this was when he was younger. And when I worked with him, he was in his underwear. I can tell you that it was hard to keep my hands to myself that day. Where can we see you? Most nights, you can see me at Chardees.

December 17, 2017April 1, 2018 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Events

CHARDEES GRAND OPENING

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MIKE JEKNAVORIAN AND GENE HUSZCZA

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The original Chardees was open from 1990 to 2005, in the space where Southern Nights currently is. As if time stood still for the years in between, the young and old came out this Wednesday and Thursday night to reunite for the grand opening of this now-historic South Florida venue.

December 3, 2017December 7, 2019 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Restaurants

WHAT THE PHO?

SHADE-O-METER RATING

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

What’s “What The Pho?” It’s a Vietnamese restaurant in Wilton Manors. According to the website, it’s owned by a family member of Miami-Dade’s Miss Saigon Bistro chain. This is the owner’s first solo venture. How was the maître d’? Great. She was friendly and casual. What was the décor like? Industrial, but with evocations of jungles and Buddhist imagery. What was the seating like? There were a few seats at the bar. The rest of the seating was either traditional tables or high-top ones.

What was the atmosphere like? Considering that it was a Friday night at about 10:00 p.m., it was fairly crowded. What was the crowd like? It was about two-thirds gay. How’s the cruising? None really. When was happy hour? No happy hour. Does that make it a “sad” hour? What libations were ordered? They don’t serve liquor. They only have beer, wine and sake. However, they do have saketinis. They offer hot and cold sake. We ordered wine ($10) and hot sake ($10.95; and yes, quality sake should not be consumed hot).

Were they served timely? Yes. How were they? Nothing special. The sake and wine was average. Considering this, they’re overpriced. What was on the menu? As the name implies, the emphasis is on the pho. Pho is a noodle soup that consists of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and usually beef or chicken. They do offer a vegetarian version. There’s also a “Huey” special (named after the owner) that’s apparently popular.

What was ordered? For appetizers, we ordered the crispy spring rolls ($7.95 for two) and the crispy seafood spring rolls ($8.95 for four). For entrées, we ordered vegetarian pho ($13.95), spicy pork pho ($16.95) and chicken fried rice ($11.95). Was the food served timely? Yes.

How was the food? The crispy springs rolls had chicken and crab in them, and they were served with a fish-based “nuoc cham” dipping sauce. The fish-flavor in the sauce was subtle, and the balance of the competing elements in it was correct. However, the rolls themselves could have used more crab. The dish was also served with another undisclosed sauce. Perhaps soy sauce? The crispy seafood spring rolls were also served with the same nuoc cham sauce. Of the two dishes, the seafood spring rolls were better. Regarding the entrées, the pho was served with an over-flowing side of bean sprouts, basil, lime, and jalapeño peppers. Both dishes were excellent. The meat in the pork pho was in delicate strips. The tofu in the vegetarian pho is fresh and soft. The fried rice was okay, but there was a slightly glutinous consistency.

How was the service? Personable. What stands out about the place? The service and the pho. What could be improved? The food could use an element of surprise or hints of the exotic. Increase the caliber of the drinks, or reduce the prices. What was surprising? That toilet paper rolls were displayed outside of the bathrooms.

What The Pho? is located at 2033 Wilton Drive, in Wilton Manors, Florida. It’s open for lunch Tuesday through Saturday. Dinner is served daily. Consult the website for exact closing times, which range from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.