Broadway Meets Anaheim - Nov 5, 2011

APAC Foundation Presents “Broadway Rocks Anaheim 2011”
at The Heritage Forum

Star-Studded Cast Includes Shirley Jones, Lea Thompson,
Valarie Pettiford, Vicki Lewis and Ace Young

 The Anaheim Performing Arts Center Foundation (APACF) announced today that it will host an evening of singing and dancing to continue raising money for the capital campaign for the building of a new performing arts center in Anaheim.  The production, Broadway Rocks Anaheim 2011 will feature some of Broadway’s brightest stars. 

 “We are very excited about this performance and very appreciative of the generosity of the artists donating their talents and time to support our dream of bringing an arts complex to Anaheim and north county residents”, stated Linda Knohl, President and one of the founders of the Anaheim Performing Arts Center Foundation.

 The event will take place on November 5 at 8:00 pm at the Heritage Forum in Anaheim.  Tickets range from $30-$250.  Patrons will be offered the following ticket options:  $250 Level-Dinner at The Muzeo and invitation to post show reception with the cast of Broadway Rocks Anaheim 2011, $125 Level-Invitation to post show reception with the cast of “Broadway Rocks Anaheim 2011”.  General Admission tickets are $30.00 and $60.00.  All seats are reserved.  

Tickets may be ordered online at www.brownpapertickets.com, www.apacf.org or by calling 714-980-0505 .  Any ticket can be upgraded to attend the post show reception for $65 at the theatre on the day of the performance.

 Broadway Rocks Anaheim 2011, will be produced by Ronn Goswick, directed by Calvin Remsberg with musical direction by Ron Abel.  Lighting Design is by Steven Young, Sound Design by Philip G. Allen and Wardrobe by Byron Batista.  A few of the notable performers include:

 Shirley Jones – Went from her hometown of Smithton, Pa to Broadway.  At the age of 18 she was put under a personal management contract to the Rodgers & Hammerstein partners (first and last time ever) and almost immediately was screen testing in Hollywood for the super-coveted role of Laurie in the film version of the Broadway show – Oklahoma!  We all know what happened next.  From Carousel, The Music Man, April Love to her Academy Award performance in Elmer Gantry to the harried head of The Partridge Family, Shirley doesn’t know when to stop. 

 Lea Thompson is best known for her roles in Back To The Future and as the star of NBC’s Caroline In The City.   Some other films include All The Right Moves, Some Kind of Wonderful, The Beverly Hillbillies, Space Camp, Dennis The Menace, Article 99, Jaws 3-D, Red Dawn, Splinterheads, Mayor Cupcake, The Convincer and the now infamous Howard The Duck.  Some of Lea’s television films include The Substitute Wife, Stolen Babies, The Right To Remain Silent, The Unspoken Truth, Montana, Nightbreaker the NBC miniseries, A Will Of Their Own, Stealing Christmas; A Life Interrupted.  Her television series also include Lifetime’s For The People and Hallmark’s Mystery Movie series Jane Doe, where Lea made her directorial debut. The more recent highlights of Lea’s extensive theater work include The Vagina Monolouges, LA Reprise Series revival of I Love My Wife, Williamstown Theatre Festival’s Caroline In Jersey, and as Sally Bowles in Cabaret at Studio 54. 

Valarie Pettiford – A graduate of the High School of Performing Arts in NY, she began her Broadway career as a dancer for Bob Fosse.  She appeared in West Side Story, Showboat and received a Tony Award nomination for her performance in Fosse.  Other shows include Chicago opposite Chita Rivera in the West End.  TV:  Half and Half  Film:  Jumping the Broom, The Wiz, Glitter and Stomp the Yard.

 Other cast members were born, raised and some still live in the OC including:

  Joan Ryan – Raised in Newport Beach – graduate of Newport Harbor High School.  TV:  Saved by the Bell Stage:  Footloose, Ruthless, Little Shop of Horrors and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Alli Mauzey – Raised in Anaheim Hills.  Broadway:  Wicked, Crybaby and Hairspray

Jill Marie Burke – Born in Bellflower and raised in LaMirada, Jill is a former Miss Anaheim.  Stage:  Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Music of the Night, Lovelace:  A Rock Opera

Matt Zarley – Raised all over SoCal including Fullerton, Placentia and Huntington Beach.  Currently a recording artist whose theatre credits include Broadway productions of A Chorus Line, Cats, Kiss of the Spiderwoman and Chicago

Melissa Mitchell – Born and raised in Anaheim Hills and still is a resident of Anaheim.  Stage:  Summer of Love, Annie and Cinderella

Matthew Koehler – Resident of Irvine.  Stage:  Glory Days, Ray Charles Live, West Side Story and Cabaret

 Filling out the rest of the cast are:    

 Ace Young – TV:  American Idol  Broadway:  Hair and Grease

Vicki Lewis – Broadway: Chicago, Damn Yankees, TV: News Radio

Will Collyer – Stage:  Ovation nomination for Big: The Musical, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson TV:  Melrose Place, Pushing Daisies

Patrick Cassidy –Broadway:  Assassins, 42^nd Street, Aida  Stage:  I Love My Wife, The Music Man

David Burnham – Broadway:  Wicked, Light in the Piazza

Jennifer Shelton – National Tour: Ragtime, Hot Mikado

Derek Klena – TV:  American Idol  Stage:  Glory Days and the 2012 Off-Broadway production of Carrie

David Hernandez – TV:  American Idol  Stage:  Ballroom With a Twist, Cinderella

James Snyder – Broadway: Cry Baby, TV: Gilmore Girls, Without a Trace, Eli Stone

Daniel LeClaire – Stage:  Hairspray at the Hollywood Bowl, High School Musical and All Shook Up

Kelli Provart – Broadway:  Aida  Stage:  All Shook Up, Cats, Ring of Fire and The Wedding Singer

Julie Garnye – Stage:  Les Miserables  Concerts:  Hair, Chess and Heathers

Valarie Perri – Stage:  Recording breaking performance in Evita, Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story

Damon Kirsche – Stage:  Little Shop of Horrors, My Fair Lady, Annie, 1776

Alex Robert Holmes – Stage:  Glory Days and Cirque du Soleil’s Las Vegas production of Love.

Ian Littleworth – Stage:  Glory Days, The Hasty Heart

 For more ticket information visit APACF.org or call 714-980-0505.

THE ANAHEIM PERFORMING ARTS CENTER will be the permanent home for a resident stage theatre company, the Anaheim Ballet and the Anaheim Symphony as well as the offices of the Anaheim Performing Arts Center Foundation. 

The Eventi, A Kimpton Hotel

by Richard Brower

In the middle of Manhattan, there is a gorgeous, sophisticated building that celebrates art. It’s not one of the many museums you might be thinking of, it’s the Kimpton Hotel Eventi. Located on 6th Avenue between 29th and 30th Streets, just walking into the lobby envelops you in sophisticated art without the pretense. Just steps from Herald Square, Penn Station and Madison Square Park, you really are in the center of New York at the Eventi.

The lobby of the hotel is sophisticated and playful at the same time. A painting of the sky is mounted to the ceiling above the sitting area to encourage loungers to lay down as if they’re relaxing in a field on a warm summer’s day. Art peeks at you from behind curtains and doors, as if the Metropolitan Museum of Art decided to play hide and seek.

The staff at the Eventi are what you would expect from a Kimpton property, superb and friendly, making sure you feel like they’re your friends rather than service employees. Many larger hotel chains seem to bring staff that exemplify fake, forced friendliness. At the Eventi, people are genuine and it does feel as if you’re being welcomed into a lavish friend’s home. Again, the juxtaposition of sophistication and down-to-earth friendliness abounds.

The 292 rooms, including 53 suites, are exquisite; and if you’re lucky enough to have one facing East, chances are you’ll catch a glimpse of the Empire State Building, which is located a few blocks away. The design is post-modern minimalist, while being comforting and “homey” as well. I must admit, getting up in the morning for meetings is quite a challenge when you’ve spent a night in the extremely decadent beds.
Bar Basque is the hotel’s restaurant and club. There is a retractable all-glass wall and roof that transforms the space for outdoor dining during nice weather. The venue looks out upon the public plaza and Big Screen – a 35 foot high LED screen that showcases visual art, movies and sport events. The food and drinks at this hot spot are incredible and the décor seems out of this world. It simply is a must for any New York visitor.

From the moment you walk into the hotel’s lobby throughout your entire stay, you will sense the juxtaposition between the sophisticated and down-to-earth. The cosmopolitan, artistic feel will consume you and make you feel like you stumbled upon something truly special. During the daily wine hour on their spectacular Midtown terrace, you can mingle, make friends and share in this one of a kind experience. There are countless hotels in New York, but none deliver these experiences like the Eventi.

Special Note:  the Eventi is the site of our upcoming LGBT Marketing Conference on April 27, 2012
http://www.communitymarketinginc.com/education-and-conferences/new-york-lgbt-marketing-conference/

LINK: http://www.eventihotel.com/

LA Premier Makes Its Debut in West Hollywood

Imagine a traditional, Victorian style mirror in a frame of cobalt blue instead of gilt, and ottomans and chairs in classic shapes, re-imagined with unorthodox fabrics and finishes. Above, a crystal chandelier has been given a humorously macabre make-over with a thick coat of melting black rubber that drips like stalactites.

These are just a few of the surprising sights and delights a visitor will find when they enter LA Premier. The brainchild of two young designers, Jay Michael and Joe Balanzar, LA Premier opened on August 21, 2011 as a showcase for the dynamic duo’s unique and sometimes challenging design vision.

Everything in the showroom demands a second look. Blending elements of cyberpunk, Japanese anime, re-imagined Victorian, and the urban brutalism of designers like Frank Gehry with the colorful spirit of Modernist Kelly Wearstler, Joe Balanzar and Jay Michael have created and curated a collection of furniture that expresses their irreverent artistic vision.

Balanzar and Michael, partners in life as well as business, happily subvert all expectations by re-purposing factory and military artifacts and subjecting traditional pieces of furniture to extreme industrial methods and techniques, including the use of high-gloss automobile paint, and occasionally, blow torches. Metallic finishes, both polished and painted are an important part of their hard-edged and hyper-masculine style. They share an unfiltered aesthetic that is unfettered by design convention.

Inspired by the diverse and ever-changing cityscape of Los Angeles, LA Premier, at the intersection of La Cienega and Santa Monica Boulevards, is also at the intersection of noir and screwball comedy, dark glamor and sparkling wit.

Southern Decadence and the new New Orleans LGBT Travel Guide

Are you coming to Southern Decadence this Labor Day weekend?  If so, first of all, there are some incredible parties happening that are MUST ATTENDS for all of you wild bunch out there.  First, if you're arriving on Thursday, be sure to come by and see us all at Harrah's Southern Decadence Welcome Block Party.  As they say on their Facebook event page, "GET READY TO PARTY. We are turning the corner of Canal St. & South Peters into the hottest outdoor dancefloor you've ever seen. Hit sensation DJ Hector Fonseca will bring the beats and our outdoor bar will keep the drink specials coming so you can keep your cool!"

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=207894609265747

Second, besides all of the out of control craziness happening outside of Bourbon Pub and Oz, be sure to check out some of the parties being held at Bourbon Orleans Hotel... dubbed Envy: Southern Decadence VIP Party, from their website "Party with a purpose this Southern Decadence at Envy, a weekend-long event packed with entertainment, liquor and food geared toward giving back to the New Orleans community. A portion of the ticket sales will go to the It Gets Better Project. GayTravel.com ranked this the #1 event of the Southern Decadence and said Envy was a "must attend event!" This event includes a VIP balcony suite, pool party and dinner show with entertainment. You don't want to miss this and be envious!"

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=140529226029956
http://www.envyvip.com/

If you're looking for a little more "fun on the wild side", I was just tipped off that an old friend from the gay adult world (OK, not THAT old!), Michael Brandon, will be performing at the Phoenix/Eagle New Orleans on Thursday night after midnight... between that and all of their other performers there this weekend, this spot should be high on your list to check out as well.

http://www.neworleansphoenix.com/

And if that doesn't "float your boat", be sure to stop on by Club New Orleans... it'll be open all weekend and loaded with hot men who've had enough of the sun and alcohol but definitely not the men!

http://www.theclubs.com/page.cfm?location=neworleans

So now you know what to do this weekend... so how are you going to get around?  Well, the folks at Navigaytour.com have launched their new 2011 Gay New Orleans Guide, with 300+ things listed to do and 21 bars and clubs featured.  Not only is the guide available for you to pick up throughout the city this weekend, it's also available online at http://www.navigaytour.com/regions.cfm?regionid=101 and for those of you who are mobile, it's available on iPhone, Blackberry, Android, iPad and more at http://www.navigaytour.com/mobile/guide.cfm?regionid=101

Caesars Entertainment Hosts September Events Inviting the LGBT Community to Come Out

New Orleans, Las Vegas and Atlantic City Resorts Celebrate Pride with Variety of Entertainment Experiences

It seems that everywhere we turn nowadays, Las Vegas is showing up as high on the radar for the gay & lesbian community, first for travel and now for conferences and conventions as well.  Starting with Community Marketing's annual survey of LGBT travel habits, Las Vegas surprised a number of people when it appears as a top LGBT destination for travelers worldwide.  Since the gay life in Las Vegas when it comes to bars, restaurants and the like has been rather minimal over the years, it has taken folks a while to realize gays & lesbians travel for other reasons other than to find just another watering hole from which to hang out and meet other guys and girls... it's the shows, the entertainment, the fun, and of course, let's not forget, the gambling!!!!!

And speaking of gambling, it's not just Las Vegas which has this incredible convergence of gay & lesbian life mixed in with the same exciting nightlife, poker, slots and roulette in one!  New Orleans, with their strong "laissez-faire" attitudes about gay life in general, have an incredible gay scene going on, and Harrah's New Orleans has played a strong part of that.  Atlantic City, pulling in gays & lesbians over the years from both New York City and Philadelphia, has more and more gay & lesbian events converging on this seaside destination as well.

In that train of thought, Caesars Entertainment is uniquely positioned to provide fun and exciting experiences at its resorts across the country. During September, Caesars has created an inclusive three-city event tour that will kick off in New Orleans, continue to Las Vegas and wrap in Atlantic City. The gaming and entertainment company will roll out the rainbow carpets and demonstrate pride from coast to coast, inviting everyone to Come Out with Caesars Entertainment this September.

Harrah’s New Orleans will jump start the celebration this Labor Day weekend with the largest gay event in New Orleans, Southern Decadence, by hosting the Grand Marshall’s dinner and official kick-off extravaganza block party on September 1. Voted as Out Magazine’s Hottest DJ in 2007, hit sensation DJ Hector Fonseca will bring his world-renowned dance beats for a guaranteed good time. In addition, Harrah’s New Orleans is the leading sponsor of Envy, a VIP experience in the heart of the action, and will march through the famed French Quarter in the Decadence parade located in the “Gay Capital of the South.” For more information on Harrah’s Southern Decadence festivities, visit www.gayharrahsnola.com.

In Las Vegas, Caesars Entertainment resorts are participating in the annual Las Vegas PRIDE festivities beginning September 16. The 2011 PRIDE Night Parade will make its way through Las Vegas on Friday, September 16, with floats ready to impress with their over-the-top decor. Caesars Entertainment will participate with a float decked out with a cast of characters from the company’s Las Vegas-based production shows including Frank Marino’s Divas, Donn Arden’s Jubilee! and The Chippendales. Caesars will also have a presence at the PRIDE festival with the iconic Jubilee! showgirls. To cap the weekend, a special cocktail reception will be held at Serendipity 3 at Caesars Palace on Sunday, September 18 at 8:30pm followed by a special performance of Frank Marino’s Divas at the Imperial Palace at 10pm. For more information, visit www.gayparislasvegas.com.

Harrah's Resort Atlantic City will continue the LGBT festivities by hosting its annual OUT in AC weekend from September 23-25. This event will be nothing less than fabulous with Frank Marino, female impersonator and Las Vegas Diva, as this year’s host. The full weekend of LGBT-themed activities includes concerts, body-painting exhibitions, a bull riding competition and much more. For more information, visit www.harrahs.com/getoutinac.

Positive Young People Foundation Partners With Nick Alexander Imports

Join PYP’s 365 Campaign for only $3.65 Per Month for One Year and Enter a Chance to Win a Mini Cooper + Gas for One Year, Iphone, Ipad2, Trips and More

Logan Voxx, CEO of Positive Young People Foundation (PYP), announced today that those who sign up for their 365 Campaign (www.breakthesilencecampaign.org) will have an opportunity to win a Mini Cooper and a year supply of gasoline. Once the campaign has enrolled 10,000 supporters, a name will be drawn and a car from Nick Alexander Imports of Los Angeles will be delivered to the lucky winner. The money generated from the campaign will fund the handful of services and campaigns of the non-profit organization.

“I am thrilled that we can offer such an amazing incentive for our advocates, especially now with the economically challenging times many face today. For as little as $44 a year, who would not want to: one, support a worthy cause and organization and two, have a chance to not only win an incredible car from Nick Alexander Imports but a year supply of gas,” said Voxx. “Supporters will not only feel good about doing a good deed without hurting their pocketbooks but also have a chance to win great gifts. It’s a true win-win for everyone.”

PYP was founded in 2009 because Voxx felt that he needed to reach young people about the seriousness of HIV/AIDS and more importantly in the southern states of the US where he was raised. A Southern California based charity, PYP works tirelessly to help end the pandemic.

 “When we first met with members of Positive Young People a month ago, we were not only impressed with such a passionate group of young individuals but blown away that it’s one that was founded by a then 22-year-old,” said Shep Nelson, General Sales Manager of Nick Alexander Imports. “We are proud sponsors of PYP and we stand behind their mission that hopes to bring back the conversation about the seriousness of HIV and AIDS among the younger demographic across the nation.”

Previous 365 Campaign Winner includes Anthony Rosania who won a four night stay at a five star resort in Costa Rica.

# # #

About 365 Campaign

Positive Young People Foundation cares for the youth of today and tomorrow 365 days a year. Therefore, it challenges everyday people to care for the cause enough to sign up and commit to a $3.65 a month. For less than what it cost for a specialty coffee, your tax-deductible contributions will go to fuel PYP's education campaigns and help provide those who live with HIV/AIDS with the proper care that they need to live a long healthy life. PYP puts its money back in to the communities that need it most and that are sometimes forgotten. For sign up for the campaign, please visit: www.breakthesilencecampaign.org

About Positive Young People Foundation

PYP has been created to stop the spread of HIV infections amongst young people from ages 18-30 through education and to provide valuable information and services to those who are infected. We understand that this mission is no small task; however, it is a mission to which we are strongly committed. For more information on PYP, please visit www.pypfoundation.org

QGuide.com Announces Their "Fly Me Anywhere in the Big Gay World" Campaign

As part of an overall promotion to get more gay & lesbian travelers aware of their new Gay Travel & Social Networking site, the folks at QGuide.com have put together one heck of an incentive for gay & lesbian travelers worldwide to join, create their profiles, discover new gay destinations and meet one another as well.

The lucky QGuide.com winner will receive:

• Two Airline Tickets - One for You - and One for a Friend
• To Anywhere
• From Anywhere
• On any commercial airline
• Any Itinerary you want
• As many stopovers as you want
• Up to US$5,000 total value!

Now that's what we call a promotion worth signing up for!

In addition, a new member can increase their chances of winning simply by earning extra entries when they update their profile information under the "My QGuide" tab, or by contributing Tips or Reviews about the favourite places in their local area or simply writing (Blogging) about great discoveries they've made while they were travelling.

Last month's "Favorite Destination" competition was an amazing success; QGuide.com received entries from thousands of new members from all over the world. They'll be releasing the results of the Favorite Destination survey soon, but what they've discovered is that we gays are a very diverse lot and that we love to travel, go everywhere, do everything and have amazing travel experiences!

So let's help promote this FANTASTIC offer! Forward this on to your friends, colleagues, organisations... and don't forget to "Like" their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/QGuide!

Promotion ends 31 May 2011

Winners announced 06 June 2011

Good Luck! Safe travels and Happy travel blogging!

LINK: www.QGuide.com