Five years ago, the creative queer community in Austin got tired of their Pride parade being a sanitized showcase of corporate ads. Their city’s parade was covered in logos and promotional tchotchkes and (according to some locals) the pride organization behind it started telling drag queens to show more decorum during the parade and people in fetish-wear to cover more skin.

There’s a classic episode of “Oprah” from 1987 that can still raise my blood pressure. That year, the tiny town of Williamson, W. Va, became part of a national discussion about AIDS when Mike Sisco, who had returned to his home town to die of the disease, dared to step into a public pool.

For South Florida...

In just nine seasons, Andrew Kato has built the Maltz Jupiter Theatre into one of the most successful South Florida regional companies. The walls of the Jupiter theater are lined with Carbonell Awards for the company’s critically-acclaimed musical productions. He recently oversaw a multi-million dollar expansion of the company’s facilities and subscriptions continue to break records (7,626 for the current season).

Arts Garage was intended to be a temporary venue—an intimate facility tucked into a converted parking garage—until a permanent location could be established in rapidly redeveloping downtown Delray Beach.

Remember that breathtaking moment in “The Wizard of Oz” when Dorothy first opened the door of the family farmhouse to reveal the Technicolor wonders of Oz? Or perhaps the fantastic giant flowers and plants Alice discovered on the other end of the rabbit hole in Wonderland?

“As I play the game of life, I try to make it better each and every day. And when I struggle in the night, the magic of the music seems to light the way.” - John Lennon

In addition to Miami City Ballet’s increasingly diverse programming and world-class performances, South Florida dance lovers have many opportunities to enjoy leading U.S. and international companies at venues across the region:

Looking for a nearby escape or just to get out of the house for a few hours? Check out one of these local festivals and experience the diverse art and culture of South Florida:

Once again, sequels will rule the box office this winter and spring. From superhero and action flicks to comedies and dramas, no movie was safe from the proven path to big bucks. Take heart, many promise to surpass their originals and, if you look carefully, there are several documentaries and new movies that deserve to be seen:

Audiences in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties have their choice of hundreds of wonderful theater, dance and musical performances during the busy winter and spring seasons. Here are our picks for the top 10 tickets:

Two dynamic young South Florida musicians are challenging the stereotype of the stoic, seasoned classical conductor.

So, picture this: you’re heading for the bookstore to finish off your shopping list for the season. Of course, gift buying doesn’t stop with friends and family; you have to buy a little something for yourself, too, right?

For one week each December, Miami becomes the center of the contemporary art universe, thanks to the phenomenal growth of Art Basel Miami Beach, an exclusive annual show for art collectors, being held Dec. 3 – 6 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

You made your reservations months ago.

Chris Colfer

Kurt on Glee

Chris Colfer, 23, doesn't just play a gay role on TV, he is gay. From the beginning, Colfer has been honest about who he is. He's seen no career backlash, and in fact has become a role model and hero for LGBT youth.