Orlando’s Overheard: ‘Gaycation,’ a new Stonewall, Osceola Arts and Opera

Ian and Ellen’s Orlando Gaycation

After the tragedy on June 12, Ellen Page and Ian Daniel, the hosts of Gaycation that airs on Viceland, were spotted around town. Ellen and Ian met with witnesses at Pulse and various other people of the community and even attended a few of the local gay bars with their cameras in hand. The special episode they were taping is set to premiere on August 24 at 10 p.m. Viceland’s Gaycation has taken the hosts globe-trotting to various locations that are both gay friendly and not: Brazil, Japan and Jamaica, among others. It was a natural fit that the attack on Pulse brought their docu-series to Orlando.

So Stoned

With much fanfare, Orlando’s Stonewall Bar officially had its grand (re-)opening. Years of construction resulted in a beautiful new bar that’s a huge improvement from its original black-box feel. Earlier this year, we reported the second level at Stonewall, known as the Sky Bar, was open to the public, with a prime view of Downtown Orlando’s skyline and the construction of the upcoming Orlando City soccer stadium. A newly remodeled patio soon followed and finally the conclusion: The interior bar saw a new facelift with a new stage, DJ booth, interior water feature and a ton of LED lights. The grand opening weekend drew many to check out the new feel of Stonewall, a crew that featured a variety of entertainers and club kid performers.

Calling all LGBTQ artists and artistic allies

There’s a call to local artists in the LGBTQ community and LGBTQ allies as well. The LGBTQ Together Art Show is presented by Osceola Arts and will run from October 1-31. The exhibit will coincide with the theater’s production of the Laramie Project. All art mediums will be accepted; best of all, there is no fee to exhibit, and Osceola Arts will not take commissions on the sale of the art. If you would like to participate, please contact Marylin Cortes-Lovato, the director of visual arts at Osceola Arts, 407-749-6607.

One Voice

Opera Orlando has announced a special concert scheduled for September 11 at the Dr. Phillips Center.  The One Voice Orlando concert will benefit Orlando Health’s Level One Trauma Center, the Orlando LGBTQ Community Center, the Interfaith Council of Central Florida, UpStanders and the Zebra Coalition. This one-night-only event will feature some of opera’s brightest national stars and musicians throughout Florida. Tickets will range from $25-$125 and will be available on sale at  operaorlando.org starting August 19.

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