Giant insects invading Miami Beach on July 22
A behemoth spider, a hissing Venus flytrap and a millipede the size of a stretched limo will invade South Beach this month. But don't worry -- they were invited.
The spectacular, roaming abominations to descend on the Miami Beach Convention Center beginning July 22 are part of Insects, a free show by the street-performing, Barcelona-based Sarruga Productions. www.miamiherald.com

Commissioner Jonah Wolfson attepts to destroy Miami Beach Nightlife
After months of discussion and speculation about a potential law to regulate rooftop lounges in Miami Beach, hoteliers and residents finally have something tangible to debate.
An initial draft of Commissioner Jonah Wolfson's proposal -- which some hoteliers have feared could strangle a lucrative aspect of their industry -- was crafted June 30.
The legislation focuses on outdoor establishments above the ground floor that sell or serve alcohol or allow its consumption. That includes cafes, lounges and poolside bars. www.miamiherald.com

SoHo Beach House coming to Miami
Another members-only club preparing to open in the fall is the Soho Beach House, the Southern sibling of the famous Soho Houses in New York, London, Berlin and Los Angeles. Originally scheduled to open years ago, before the economy checked out on us, Soho Beach House, housed in the old Sovereign Hotel, 4385 Collins Ave., will feature hotel rooms, a screening room, two pools, beach, spa and Cecconi's, a restaurant open to the public. www.miamiherald.com/VelvetUnderground

Miami gets ship of Epic proportions
When the Norwegian Epic glides through Government Cut to its new home in Miami Wednesday afternoon, it will bring a host of industry firsts, including an ice bar, cabins for solo travelers and performances by the hip Blue Man Group. www.miamiherald.com

Convention center idea gets support
There's no reason for downtown Miami not to pursue a new convention center, a panel said Wednesday -- not the lousy economy and not concerns from Miami Beach about competition. www.miamiherald.com

Latin Comfort Food in South Beach
There are certain things no neighborhood should be without: a good wine bar. A place where you can get jet-fuel-strength cafecitos. A tapas joint.
But when you put all three of them together into one place, that's when you get something truly remarkable...
Introducing Bernie's L.A. Café, your new Latin comfort food spot, now open in South Beach. www.urbandaddy.com

An Award for Cumming
Tony Award-winning actor Alan Cumming will receive the 2010 National Leadership Award on October 2nd at the annual Task Force Recognition Dinner in Miami Beach.
The Task Force will present the 2010 Humanitarian Award to Miami-Dade County Commissioner Katy Sorenson, and the 2010 Eddy McIntyre Community Service Award to Cindy Brown, a tireless supporter of many South Florida LGBT and HIV/AIDS organizations. www.moviemartin.blogspot.com

Event for Ending the Ban on Gay Adoption - July 25th 5pm-7pm
Please join Vanessa and Melanie to help them adopt Ethan, their son! With your support, they can continue their fight and help end discrimination.
Sunday, July 25th 5pm to 7pm at Sushi Blues in Downtown Hollywood. For more information, go to www.fighttoadopt.com

Miami Beach Bruthaz - July 15th-18th
Miami Beach Bruthaz was founded in July of 2006 as an annual summer lifestyle event for the same gender loving men and women from across the country. From fantastic parties to engaging workshops, this event creates opportunities for networking and socializing and promotes camaraderie among bruthaz. www.miamibeachbruthaz.com

George Michael arrested after London car crash
Pop star George Michael has been arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive after crashing his car into a building in the early hours of the morning, police said Tuesday. www.news.yahoo.com

Economy Hurts Government Aid for H.I.V. Drugs
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The weak economy is crippling the government program that provides life-sustaining antiretroviral drugs to people with H.I.V. or AIDS who cannot afford them. Nearly 1,800 have been relegated to rapidly expanding waiting lists that less than three years ago had dwindled to zero. www.nytimes.com

Surveillance cameras proposed for South Beach
The city's Budget Advisory Committee voted Tuesday that elected officials should consider placing surveillance cameras in its entertainment district as a means to reduce police personnel costs by deterring crime.
That recommendation comes about one month after commissioners approved the installation of a $225,000 security and surveillance system that includes 16 cameras in the under-construction Lincoln Park. And around the beginning of the year, a city contractor began installing cameras at intersections throughout Miami Beach. The cameras -- which in the future should number 30 -- are meant to catch red-light runners, but also stream continuous video. www.miamiherald.com

Gay U.S. citizens seek to claim residency for foreign spouses
Juan Carlos Galán and Greg Nardi of Miami Beach live together as a family and would like to get married.
Then Nardi, a U.S. citizen, would claim Galán as a relative and help the Panama-born computer expert get a green card.
For now, though, these are just dreams -- unless President Barack Obama can convince Congress to pass immigration reform. www.miamiherald.com

You Can Buy Gaydar at the Apple Store
How Grindr and the men who use it are changing the way you're hooking-up
Jared had just locked himself out of his Brooklyn apartment. As he stood on the street waiting for his landlord, he launched a new app on his iPhone. Minutes later, the blond-haired, blue-eyed grad student was pants-down in a nearby courtyard with the proverbial Boy Next Door. Thanks to Grindr, a GPS-based mobile dating service, the savvy stud was back on his stoop in time to meet the landlord. www.details.com

South Florida condo purchasers are buying in bulk
Backed by a multibillion-dollar private equity firm in New York, a team of Miami investors and strategists launched Lionheart Capital this year looking to scoop up choice South Florida condos at rock-bottom prices.
In its first deal, the firm plunked down $120 million this month to buy up 146 units at the 2700 North Ocean Drive towers on Singer Island in Palm Beach County. www.miamiherald.com

Miami threatens to halt Gusman subsidy, shutter theater
Even through downtown Miami's darkest days, the historic Gusman theater stood as a beacon of life and light on Flagler Street, drawing people to its phantasmagoric, Italian-garden auditorium with cultural offerings ranging from pop and classical music to the Miami Film Festival.
Now, just as an influx of new residents, shops and restaurants is bringing new life after dark to the once-forlorn blocks around Gusman, 174 E. Flagler St., the landmark theater -- fresh from years of exacting restoration work that cost taxpayers $8 million -- is in jeopardy. www.miamiherald.com

The last person out of the closet? The bisexual male
About 1.8 percent of men and women between the ages of 15 and 44 identified themselves as bisexual, according to a 2005 survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Researchers caution the government's figures are murky because many bisexuals will not identify themselves. www.cnn.com

"Grease", "Breakin' 2" "Saturday Night Fever", Footloose" at Gusman Center
Gusman Center's popular "Flickin' Summer" movie series returns for a second year, featuring four classic dance movies followed by an onstage dance party. It's a cool way to spend a hot summer night! All movies start at 7 p.m. Come early for happy hour drink specials starting at 6 p.m., then stay after the show to dance to tunes from the movie and other retro classics. Get your funky dance gear on to kick it onstage to the beats of DJ Pauer! Door prizes and other surprises will be provided by local merchants. www.gusmancenter.org

Cirque du SoBe?
City Wants Palace Drag Shows to stay, Residents Fear a Potential Circus
The now defunct 'Cabaret District' that once existed on Ocean Drive may have a new booking after city officials all but vowed on Monday to come up with a way to resurrect the concept.
At the June 21 meeting of the Miami Beach Land Use and Development Committee, commissioners and staff discussed a proposed ordinance that would allow outdoor entertainment and performance at establishments between Eighth and 13th Streets. www.theleadmiamibeach.com

The Queen of Comedy
Joan Rivers cant get any respect.
The new documentary Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work says as much as it chronicles a year in the life of the groundbreaking comedian, a life she candidly admits has had many highs and many, many lows.
In case you don't believe me, regarding that respect thing, filmmakers Annie Sundberg and Rikki Stern happened upon capturing Rivers...at a low year. Just her luck. And just the kind of situation begging to be turned into a joke, for Rivers to take ownership of and flip on the sunnier side. www.moviemartin.blogspot.com

A Seafood Shack in the Design District
Chef Jonathan Eismann has your back.
Not only has the man brought you crisp, artisanal pizzas and finger-licking barbecue, now he's doing you a solid by sourcing the freshest, most delicious fruits of the sea.
Say hello to Fin, an upscale seafood hangout, opening Monday in the Design District. www.urbandaddy.com

Poop Warning Lifted for Biscayne Bay Swimmers
It's now safe to go back in the water, as if anyone ever stopped.
The swimming advisory for Haulover Beach and other areas around Biscayne Bay has been lifted after a sewage line leak that sent millions of gallons of poop into the water was stopped. www.msnbc.com

A New Free Taxi Ride in South Beach
Think of Swoop as your new full-time limo driver (who just happens to operate out of a six-passenger electric golf cart) for all of your short-distance travels. You'll be able to use it all over South Beach—from First to 23rd Street, and Ocean Drive to the Bay—from noon to 2am every day.
Swoop Miami, now driving, 305.409.6636
www.urbandaddy.com

Out in the Tropics - July 7th-11th
South Florida's first full-fledged gay contemporary performing arts festival. The festival will present award-winning, cutting-edge GLBT performing artists from around the world who address broad gender and social issues, for an extended weekend of shows and other events at the Colony Theatre in Miami Beach. www.fundarte.us

Rally to kick off pot decriminalization movement in Miami Beach
A movement to decriminalize marijuana on Miami Beach kicks off Wednesday at City Hall.
Backed by filmmaker Billy Corben, director of the Cocaine Cowboys documentaries, members of the Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policy will rally outside 1700 Convention Center Dr. in an effort to gather petition signatures. www.miamiherald.com

"Remove from list" request from Peter Rauhofer
When emailing 8,500 people, you sometimes receive a "remove from list" request. This request came from the charming and intellectual Peter Rauhofer.
"remove us from your mailing list. we could care less what a south beach clown like you has to say."
He has been on the email list since July 7th 2007 and was removed on June 16th 2010. We have never met.

A Pink Taco Den in South Beach
Introducing Tacontento, your new technicolor land of coal-fired tacos, soft-open now and fully open this Friday in South Beach.
Whether you're coming in with a date or just a hard-drinking, fuchsia-loving band of misfits, you'll want to head straight for the angel-presided bar and summon something tequila-y like a La Fuente de la Juventud (cucumber juice, cilantro, jalapeño and tequila).
Tacontento
715 N Lincoln Lane Miami Beach, FL 33139
305-673-1552 www.urbandaddy.com

Club Madonna owner files bar complaints against Miami Beach attorneys
Still unable to offer his Club Madonna customers bar drinks at his South Beach strip club, Leroy Griffith is going after current and former Miami Beach officials through a different kind of bar.
Griffith said he has filed complaints with the organization that oversees Florida's registered attorneys, once again alleging that Miami Beach lawyers and officials tried to extort him during legal proceedings as Griffith hoped to change the city's laws regarding nudity and alcohol sales. www.miamiherald.com

Twist's 17 Year Anniversary Party - Wednesday, June 30th 9pm-5am
On Wednesday, June 30th from 9pm to 5am, don't miss Twist's 17th Anniversary. Celebrate the Anniversary of a true South Beach landmark with a premium open bar from 9pm to 11pm followed by an evening of fun and surprises. www.twistsobe.com

Shake Shack to open Wednesday
They’ve already started training staff, and the place is about ready to roll. If you haven’t heard about Shake Shack, it’s the hottest thing on the burger landscape in New York. Get ready! They’ve already started training staff, and the place is about ready to roll. If you haven’t heard about Shake Shack, it’s the hottest thing on the burger landscape in New York. Get ready! www.belleisleblog.com

Obituary: J. Wallace Tutt III, 53; Interior designer attracted celebrity following
J. Wallace Tutt III, a South Florida interior designer and developer whose elegant, understated style attracted a celebrity clientele that included Cher, Gianna Versace, and Robert De Niro, died Saturday morning in the Bahamas.
The cause of death was unclear.
Bahamian police said they were investigating Tutt's death, but would not comment on whether foul play was suspected.
Tutt, 53, lived on a private island he owned off of Harbour Island. He also maintained a penthouse on Miami Beach's Sunset Harbor. www.miamiherald.com

BFF Alert: Kim Kardashian & Christina Aguilera in Miami Beach
Kim and Xtina are spending the weekend in Miami Beach for stylist Simone Harrouche's bachelorette party, RadarOnline.com has learned. The bash took place Friday night at Liv nightclub in the famed Fontainebleau resort. www.radaronline.com

HGTV moves David Bromstad's 'Color Splash' to Miami
Today, the headquarters of his makeovers are 3,000 miles from there in a modest building just past a row of cottages, a mechanic's shop and a social club in the artsy Wynwood neighborhood -- and his designs are inspired by South Florida's dazzling collection of hotels, museums and vintage buildings, most any place with an interesting story. www.miamiherald.com

Margaret Cho in Miami Beach - Tickets on sale Friday!
Margaret Cho will bring her new tour, Cho Dependent, to the Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater. Tickets ($33.50 - $43.50) go on sale on Friday, June 11th at 10am.
Margaret's new tour will feature new stand-up and a few live performances of songs on her forthcoming comedy music album of the same name. www.ticketmaster.com

Miami Beach fed up with flooding, taking action
Less than a week after heavy rains badly flooded parts of Miami Beach for the second time in 12 months, elected officials unanimously voted to commission a study of the city's outdated stormwater system.
Commissioners approved a $1 million agreement with engineering firm Camp Dresser and McKee, which is to conduct the city's first stormwater master plan since 1997. www.miamiherald.com

Funk Shui, new Sunday Tea Dance at the Albion Hotel
A late afternoon/early evening party on Sundays in the outdoor garden and inside bar of the Albion Hotel, 311 Lincoln Road, South Beach. The garden DJs spin dance classics and soulful house, while the inside bar is open format/kook. Four South Beach native DJs, (Smeejay, Jody McDonald, Adora, David Solero) with special guest DJs, rotate around three DJ setups. Drinks are cheap: $5 funk shui swig, $3 beer and no cover. Food is available @ Albion Café. For grown and sexy professionals, Funk Shui (5-10pm) is over in time for you to be in bed before midnight or for the young and young at heart, Funk Shui is a great launch pad for the next party. SEE FLYER

Unfortunate Situation at South Beach Burger King
Just when we thought we were done with all of them, "The Jersey Shore's" top Guido meathead, Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino, is coming back to South Beach for some fast food burgers.
The ab-sporting arrogant reality star is making an appearance at the Burger King Whopper Bar Thursday to sign autographs for his "fans." www.msnbc.msn.com

Port of Miami tunnel: It's boring work, but it'll ease traffic
Motorists may have noticed bulldozers and road workers on the south side of the MacArthur Causeway on Watson Island near the Miami Children's Museum -- the small beginning of a massive project that will help reshape downtown Miami.
For now, the equipment and workers are the only visible evidence of one of the biggest and most expensive transportation projects in South Florida history: construction of the $1 billion Port of Miami tunnel. www.miamiherald.com

Swimwear Fashion Show at Catalina Hotel - Saturday, June 26th 6pm-8pm
A group of Miami's most exciting emerging designers will showcase and sale this summer's must have items, accessories, clothing and luxury products at exceptional prices! But, it's basically the best trunk show ever – instead of mere racks full of clothes and jewelry, there will be actual models wandering around the pool celebrating summer.
Maxime Bamboo Pool at the Catalina Hotel & Beach Club
1732 Collins Avenue Miami Beach www.facebook.com

MDGLCC Annual Gala Awards Celebration -Saturday, June 26th 6:30pm
Join the MDGLCC at the Hilton Miami Downtown Hotel for the 9th Annual Gala Awards Celebration featuring this year's honoree's: AT&T Business of the Year Award: Morgans Hotel Group; Wachovia (A Wells Fargo Company) Business Person of the Year Award: Steve Rothaus; Hilton Miami Downtown Non-Profit Organization of the Year Award: Safe Schools South Florida; Grey Goose (A Bacardi Brand) Blue Diamond Award: George Neary.
Tickets are $95, tables of ten are $1,500. For further information, go to www.gogaymiami.com

David Leddick Book Signing - Thursday, June 24th 7pm to 9pm
On Thursday, June 24th from 7pm to 9pm, Taschen invites you to join David Leddick at a book signing for "The Male Nude" (576 pages, $14.99) At their new store 1117 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139
SPECIAL INVITATION: Photographers of the male nude and men wishing to pose as models are specially invited to meet, greet and be considered for Mr. Leddick's next book. www.facebook.com

Complimentary Tickets for SoBe Social Club Members!
(Send ticket request to tix@seraphicfire.org
and state that you were referred by SoBe Social Club)
Seraphic Fire Presents IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL
Out Annual Summer Gospel Program
Sunday, June 13 at 4pm
at Miami Beach Community Church
1620 Drexel Avenue Miami Beach
Seraphic Fire's Gospel concert a perennial audience favorite, the Seraphic Fire singers and Patrick Duprè Quigley sing the biggest hits from past years' gospel programs. Expect to hear "Amazing Grace," "Victory is Mine," "I'll Fly Away," and other favorites. www.seraphicfire.org

Study: Children of Lesbians May Do Better Than Their Peers
The teen years are never the easiest for any family to navigate. But could they be even more challenging for children and parents in households headed by gay parents?
That is the question researchers explored in the first study ever to track children raised by lesbian parents, from birth to adolescence. Although previous studies have indicated that children with same-sex parents show no significant differences compared with children in heterosexual homes when it comes to social development and adjustment, many of those investigations involved children who were born to women in heterosexual marriages, who later divorced and came out as lesbians. www.time.com

Gay adoption ban coming into play in race for Florida attorney general
When voters choose from among five candidates to be Florida's next attorney general, their decision could have a profound effect on some of the state's most highly charged issues, from gay adoption to healthcare reform.
Florida's unique gay adoption ban underscores how the state's chief legal officer can use the position to advance a personal philosophy while adhering to the duties of the job. www.miamiherald.com

Gay guys really are thinner, study says
In a famous episode of "Seinfeld," Jerry complains that people constantly assume he's gay because he's single, obsessively neat — and thin. As it turns out, at least part of that punchline may be anchored in fact.
A new study shows that gay men really are leaner than straight men. And conversely, it also found that gay women tend to be heavier than their heterosexual counterparts. www.msnbc.msn.com

iPhone 4 unveiled with video chat
The flat, stainless-steel-rimmed iPhone 4 — and yes, that's the official name — will be available in black or white, and it'll go on sale June 24, Jobs said. Expect to pay $299 for the 32GB version (same price as last year's 32GB iPhone 3GS, provided you sign a two-year AT&T contract), or $199 for the 16GB model. Also: The iPhone 3G is being discontinued, and the old iPhone 3GS will now sell for $99. www.news.yahoo.com

Kylie Minogue suprise appearance at Splash
Kylie Minogue showed up at Splash Bar in New York to promote her upcoming album, Aphrodite. She performed her new single, "All the Lovers," and a couple of other songs as well.
There are two videos from her appearance. She took the stage with Splash go-go boys as her back up dancers.
You can see the videos here WATCH VIDEOS

Behind the Stage & Screen With The Gusman's Margaret Lake
The Olympia was built in 1926 primarily to showcase silent film. We are still the proud owners of the original Mighty Wurlitzer Organ which was designed to provide full orchestral accompaniment to the silent movies.
Elvis Presley played at the Olympia in 1956 to a screaming crowd on the theater stage. Many great musicians and performers have graced the stage like Annie Lennox, Carly Simon, David Byrne, Luciano Pavarotti and Johnny Cash. www.nbcmiami.com

Introducing the Cast of the 'Gay Housewives of New York'
We got wind of the cast of Logo's new "gay housewives" show. And it's filled with just the fame-hungry, attractive, horrible people you could have imagined.
They're all models! This is going to be a fantastic mess.
The show, which was initially called Kept, is now tentatively being called The A List and is scheduled to air on Logo sometime this fall after taping in NYC this summer. www.gawker.com


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