Think someone you know is worthy of being a grand marshal in this year’s Pride parade? Nominations are now open, so go HERE to submit your pick.

The Atlanta Pride Committee says that nominees don’t have to identify as LGBT, so our straight allies are welcome to take part. All gender identities and expressions are accepted and while nominees don’t have to be Georgia residents, it’s encouraged that they at least have ties to the Peach State.

Here’s that link again if you have a nominee in mind!

There’s only one choice of vodka for a premium martini, and it’s Ketel One!

Ingredients:

-1.25 fl oz Ketel One Vodka

- 0.25 fl oz Dry Vermouth

- 1 twist(s) Lemon

Stir your smooth Ketel One Vodka and dry vermouth with ice in a cocktail shaker and strain into a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with a lemon twist for the final touch and admire your work one last second before enjoying it for real!

Check out more info and drink recipes at www.thebar.com

Please Drink Responsibly

Heights Armour loves its gays. They hire us, provide sexy apartments for us and host events for us. This Saturday, the tiny swimsuits will be out in force as they host the Armour 2011 Summer Kickoff. The third annual event has come to be known as the Pre-Pensacola Party.

200 Armour beach balls will fill the pool and the day includes door prizes, giveaways, dollar-a-minute massages, hors d’ouevres prepared by their on-site executive chef, leasing specials and the sounds of DJay McCracken.

“It is our way of saying thank you to the Midtown Community,” says Armour community director Will Adams.

Adams says they don’t market specifically to any one demographic but are proud supporters of the LGBT community. They’ve hosted an HRC Bachelor Auction and their Community Night Out Mixers promote gay fave restaurants like Casa Grande, Einstein’s and Cowtippers.

“At the end of the day, it is our vision to create ‘community.’” Adams says. That community came together last year when an Armour resident reportedly lost his job due to his sexual orientation. The incident inspired residents gay and straight to do a signature drive for ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act).

But what about the really important issues? “On a lighter note, we do have the hottest staff in Midtown!” Adams says.

See Facebook event page HERE

Armour 2011 Summer Kickoff

Saturday, May 21, 2011 | 12PM-4PM

Heights Armour Pool

The King Plow Arts Center is about to get flaming. Well…more flaming that is. King Plow is the West Midtown home of the popular theater company Actor’s Express, who just announced their dynamic 2011-2012 season lineup.

Check out the company’s schedule, along with our own Gay Factor rating for each play.

Spring Awakening

August 25 – October 1, 2011

Book and lyrics by Steven Sater

Music by Duncan Sheik

Directed by Freddie Ashley

The 2007 Tony Award-winner for Best Musical unleashes its raw emotional power on the Actor’s Express stage in the musical event of the fall! A group of teenage friends cope with the agonies and ecstasies of discovering sex in all its varieties. This provocative, pulse-pounding explosion of rock-and-roll and theatrical energy delivers a punch that is not to be missed.Spring Awakening has been hailed as the “Best Musical of the Year” by the New York Times, New York Post, Star Ledger, Journal News, New York Observer and USA Today.

Gay Factor: 8

Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them

October 27 – November 26, 2011

By A. Rey Pamatmat

Directed by Frddie Ashley

Abandoned by their father, sixteen year-old Kenny cares for his little sister Edith on an isolated farm in middle America. As Kenny and his best friend Benji begin falling in love, the three form an unlikely family. But when the outside world threatens to disrupt their lives, the spunky Edith takes aim and fires away. This funny and tender play tackles growing up, staying young and falling in love.

Gay Factor: 9

Next Fall

January 12 – February 11, 2012

By Geoffrey Nauffts

Twentysomething Luke, who believes in God, is deeply in love with Adam, who believes in everything but. When a tragic accident interrupts their perfect New York life, Adam must turn to Luke’s friends and deeply religious family for support – and answers. This runaway New York hit began off-Broadway in 2009 and transferred by popular demand to Broadway in 2010. The New York Times called Next Fall smart, sensitive and utterly contemporary…the funniest heartbreaker in town.”

Gay Factor: 9

The Night of the Iguana

March 22 – April 14, 2012

By Tennessee Williams

Directed by Freddie Ashley

Actor’s Express joins a nationwide season-long celebration of the hundredth anniversary of Tennessee Williams’ birth with the legendary playwright’s hugely entertaining and powerful 1961 Broadway hit. Defrocked for committing heresy and fornication in a single week, a dissolute minister arrives at a seedy Mexican hotel presided over by a lusty innkeeper. Rev. Shannon tries to outrun his past, but simmering passions threaten to collide with dangerous secrets. Throw in a saintly spinster, a teenage sexpot, a dying poet and a busload of Baptists from Texas – and the result is Tennessee Williams at his sultry, explosive best.

Gay Factor: 7

Xanadu

May 10 – June 16, 2012

Book by Douglas Carter Beane

Music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar

The surprise hit of the 2007-08 Broadway season roller skates its way into Actor’s Express in a frothy explosion of camp, comedy and disco! Xanadu uproariously sends up Olivia Newton-John’s notorious 1980 film of the same name, in which a feather-haired Greek muse descends from Mount Olympus to modern-day California to help a hunky young man open a roller disco. Never has a movie begged more for parody – and Xanadu the musical delivers with delicious wit, pure fun and classic disco songs that will have you believing in magic and humming all the way home.

Gay Factor: 142

Playwright and novelist Jim Grimsley

Finding a beautiful, half-naked man standing on a street corner in the French Quarter might sound like every gay man’s dream come true, but be careful what you wish for. The scenario plays out in true Southern gothic fashion in the 7 Stages revival production of award-winning playwright and novelist Jim Grimsley’s critically acclaimed play Mr. Universe, opening May 26.

The play originally premiered at 7 Stages in 1987, and stars Don Finney and Doyle Reynolds (who were in the original production) and newcomer Brian Kirchner as the title character. The story involves a unique cast of characters – the muscleman, drag queens, a prostitute, a senile neighbor – who all find common ground (and drama of course).

The themes of the play still apply nearly a quarter-century later, Grimsley told Fenuxe. “These people have made their own family because they live such embattled lives that they need to create some kind of safe space for themselves,” he says. “All those things still resonate.”

Kirchner calls it “a psycho-thriller comedy, like a murder mystery.” He admits to being nervous but he’s excited about his first role, which also involves him being completely naked onstage. “It’s so out of my comfort zone,” Kirchner, a local artist, says laughing. “I think that’s the challenge, that’s why I’m doing it – to grow from all of this.”

Grimsley is excited to see what the director and cast are able to come up with in this interpreation of his celebrated play. “Plus it’s New Orleans,” he says. “Who doesn’t want to see a muscleman and a drag queen in New Orleans?”

Mr. Universe

Thursday, May 26 – Sunday, June 19

Opening night: Sunday, May 29 at 5PM

7 Stages

After the reduced amount of parties last year due to the BP oil spill, Pensacola is making up for it in 2011 with one of the hottest Memorial Day party lineups in years. Internationally recognized DJs, beach parties and a chart-topping dance diva highlight the list of reasons to head south for the weekend.

As always, Emerald City is homebase for most of the weekend’s best parties, with a couple of other venues around the city filling out the bill. DJ Robbie C kicks things off on Thursday night at EmCity, while Friday is the most packed day of the weekend with Bitch Bingo, DJ Dewight Barkley and the famous WAVE beach party.

Atlanta clubgoers will be familiar with Saturday’s headliner – DJ Eddie Baez. He mans the turntable at Emerald City. Stop back by the club Sunday night for a little of DJ Dewight Barkley before heading to Pensacola Civic Center for hottie DJ Joe Gauthreaux and a performance by Wynter Gordon, singing her Billboard dance chart-topping hit “Dirty Talk.” Afterhours runs till 8AM Monday morning at My Spayce with DJ Wendy Hunt.

Anyone still in town (and standing) Monday night should wind up back at Emerald City to finish up with, appropriately enough, CLIMAX with DJ Dewight Barkley.

Advance purchase priced tickets are available online at www.MemorialWeekendPensacola.com, where you can also get the latest updates on the best of Pensacola Memorial Day Weekend!

Thursday, May 26

FOREPLAY with DJ Robbie C. | Emerald City | 9PM to 3AM

Friday, May 27

BITCH BINGO with Bianca Del Rio & Lauren Mitchell | Emerald City’s Other Side | 6-8PM

STRIP DOWN with DJ Dewight Barkley | Emerald City | 9PM

WAVE with DJ Roland Belmares | Pensacola Beach | 10PM to 5AM

Saturday, May 28

SWEAT with DJ Eddie Baez | Emerald City | 9PM to 3AM

Sunday, May 29

FRICTION with DJ Dewight Barkley | Emerald City | 9PM

ABRACADABRA with Wynter Gordon and DJ Joe Gauthreaux | Pensacola Civic Center | 10PM to 4AM

Monday, May 29

SPELLBOUND with DJ Wendy Hunt | My Spayce | 2AM – 8AM (Monday morning)

CLIMAX with DJ Dewight Barkley | Emerald City | 9PM

Weekend Hostess: Bianca del Rio

Nick is an Atlanta native and was press secretary for two Atlanta mayors as well as spokesperson for the city. In 2006 he launched the Buckhead-area Gold Concepts Public Relations.

Who is your personal hero?

In addition to my partner of 20+ years, Bram Majtlis, who moved to Atlanta from The Netherlands and later became an American citizen, I would have to say my dad who I lost nearly four years ago. He endured a lot to come to the USA after surviving WWII and losing his family….settling in Atlanta and making a new life for himself.

What music artist makes you want to dance?

I like all types of music…but having recently attended Kylie Minogue’s concert in Atlanta I would have to say her music makes me want to dance the most – at least for the moment!

What was your most memorable celebrity encounter?

I had several – and most of them happened earlier in my career when I worked for the Mayor of Atlanta in the 90s. I met President Clinton and Vice President Gore, but the highlight was meeting Elton John and David Furnish at a small gathering in Ted Turner’s office at CNN….oh, and President and Mrs. Carter were at the same reception along with Jane Fonda. I still can’t believe I invited Elton and David over for dinner….hmmm, but somehow I haven’t heard back. I did mention to them that Bram is an excellent chef!

What would be your ideal night out in Atlanta?

An ideal night out in Atlanta would include dinner with Bram and close friends at one of Atlanta’s many great restaurants such as Aria, Anis Bistro & Café, La Fourchette, Social Resto, Top Flr or someplace on the Westside like Boccado – love the burgers there!

What would be your drag name?

“Golda”

Learn about another member of our community in next Tuesday’s Take 5 With Fenuxe!

Freddie Ashley as Oscar Wilde and Clifton Guterman as Bosie

If you come early to Wednesday’s performance of the hot new Actor’s Express play The Judas Kiss, you can score some free food and wine to start your night. Have some tapas from Las Margaritas and wine from Barefoot Wine & Bubbly before checking out the latest supergay offering at the King Plow theater.

The Judas Kiss stars Actor’s Express artistic director as playwright Oscar Wilde and Clifton Guterman (recently seen in the Synchronicity Theatre production Exit, Pursued By A Bear) as Wilde’s younger lover Bosie. Facing trial on indecency charges, Wilde has the chance to flee London but Bosie persuades him to stay. The Judas Kiss explores the tragic aftermath of that decision.

Actor’s Express continues the process of coming back from near-closure but still needs aid to stay open. Their fundraising campaign lasts through July. You can also catch the new (and just-announced) Libby’s At The Express shows coming to Actor’s Express June 16-19.

The Judas Kiss Complimentary Wine Tasting & Tapas Night

Wednesday, May 18, 2011 | 7PM

www.actors-express.com

*The Actor’s Express production of The Judas Kiss plays through June 11

Take your sangria to the next level with a helping hand from Don Julio Blanco Tequila!

Ingredients:

- 1.25 fl oz Don Julio Blanco Tequila

- 1 fl oz BV Coastal Cabernet

- 0.75 fl oz Pear Puree

- 0.75 fl oz Pear Juice

Get ready to your lick your lips as you combine Don Julio Blanco Tequila, BV Coastal Cabernet, pear puree and pear juice in a shaker with ice. Shake, shake, shake it well and strain into an ice filled glass. Garnish with citrus fruit if you desire, take a sip and thank us later!

Check out more info and drink recipes at www.thebar.com

Please Drink Responsibly

It’s a big weekend for Sister Gunza Blazin, Sister Dixie Normous and the rest of the Atlanta Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence as they present a Sugarbaker Exequatur today through Sunday.

For those not fully aware of the what the Flaming Sugarbakers are all about, they’re nuns dedicated to “the manifestation of cosmic joy” as they explain it. They manifest that joy through charitable acts, community outreach, social activism and – of course – freedom of expression.

So now the Order of the Flaming Sugarbakers have completed the necessary steps to become a fully professed house of Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. To mark the occasion they’re inviting the community and fellow sisters from around the world to celebrate.

Congratulations to the sisters and thank you for the cosmic joy you’re spreading everyone’s way!

Schedule of Events:

Friday, May 13th

7:30 – 9:30 – Meet & Greet at Oscar’s Atlanta

9:30 to 12:30 – Dragnique at Jungle

12:30 – Whenever – On your own at The Heretic

Saturday, May 14th

Noon – 3:00 – PicNic in the Park at Piedmont Park

6:30 – 9:30 – Dinner – Manifested (Fun wear) at Einstein’s

9:30 – Whenever – Leather Fashion show at The Eagle

Sunday, May 15th

2:15 – Whenever – Brunch at Las Margaritas