Theater! A Gala!! The Kentucky Derby!!! Daaaaamn Watermark’s Have A Great Gay Weekend is gonna have to change its name to Have A Great CLASSY Gay Weekend.
This is definitely a weekend to dust off your Sunday best and wear it all weekend long, but make sure to keep something cool on underneath that elegant attire cause we also got a hot acrobatic act and sizzling pool party for you as well.
TAMPA BAY
Josephine starring Deborah Cox
Friday. May 6
Asolo Repertory Theatre, Sarasota
This is it! No more previews, no more rehearsals. Tonight the Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota premieres Josephine. With an amazing cast starring recording artist (and this year’s headliner at Parliament House’s Gay Days celebration) Deborah Cox as the legendary Josephine Baker. The show runs through May 29 and is the world premiere of the musical that takes a look at the life of Baker. Get in to see this show before it makes its way up to Broadway. Personal Watermark shout out to freeFall Theatre’s Matthew McGee who stars opposite Cox in the production. Tickets available at AsoloRep.org.
2016 Equality Florida St. Pete Gala
Saturday, May 7
Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg
Join Equality Florida at the Mahaffey Theater for the glitz and glamour of one of the biggest galas in the state as they honor St. Petersburg mayor Rick Kriseman, the president of the Tampa Bay Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Ashley Brundage and Metro Wellness and Community Centers former director of LGBT services Chris Rudisill. Also keep an eye out for the parade of celebrity dresses worn by superstars like Elizabeth Taylor, Beyoncé and Oprah. Delicious cuisine, open bar and a state of the state address by EQFL’s own Nadine Smith.
Lumière Tampa
Sunday, May 8
The Wrecking Hall, Tampa
Why finish the weekend off easy when you can catch an exciting, death defying show. Lumière is an original circus production created by Nicole Desiree Hays featuring high-flying aerial arts and amazing acrobats. Lumière follows the story of a brave young girl named Vega who goes on a journey to recover the brightest star in the universe. This all female cast will be in town for two performances and for one night only. First performance starts at 5pm and the second with a different cast starts at 7:30pm. One ticket lets you see both performances. Tickets available at EventBee.com keyword Lumière.
CENTRAL FLORIDA
The Producers
Friday, May 6
Osceola Arts, Kissimmee
The Tony Award winning musical is coming to you from Osceola Arts and it starts tonight. Running every weekend through May 22, The Producers tell the story of a down-on-his-luck Broadway producer and his mild-mannered accountant, who come up with a scheme to produce the most notorious flop in history thereby bilking their backers (all “little old ladies”) out of millions of dollars. Starring Todd Zimmerman and Brandon Roberts as Bialystock and Bloom, The Producers is comedic legend Mel Brooks at his offensively finest. Get your tickets at OsceolaArts.org.
Kentucky Derby Day Party
Saturday, May 7
The Hammered Lamb, Orlando
Well, I do declare! The historic Kentucky Derby happens this weekend for the 142nd time and you can tell by all the horse talk and hat buyin’. Come out to The Hammered Lamb as they celebrate Derby Day with $5 Marker’s Mark mint juleps. Also, make sure to get out those costumes y’all cause derby attire is requested. $50 bar tab goes to the best derby hat. Place your bets, ladies and gentlemen, and let’s get off to the races!
HOT TEA Pool Party
Sunday, May 8
Aloft Downtown, Orlando
Did you lose way too much green on the races Saturday? Well blow off some steam at the first edition of HOT TEA starring world renowned remixer and producer DJ Grind at the pool located at the Aloft Hotel in Downtown Orlando. Advance tickets are only $15 and can be purchased at HotTeaPoolParty.com. A portion of proceeds from this event will benefit The Barber Fund, a wonderful local organization co-founded by the late John “Tweeka” Barber. Find out more about the organization at thebarberfund.org. Come out for some fun in the sun, then head to EVE Nightclub for the official after party. Your ticket purchase gets you one free drink at the after party.
