History Fort Lauderdale Honors History Makers
Ft. Lauderdale mayor Dean Trantalis issues a proclamation while Commissioner Steve Glassman and honorees Kelly Shanley and Melissa Milroy and Mark Trouba (representing The Galleria mall) look on.
By Rachel Galvin
On January 31, History Fort Lauderdale held a special event at the Galleria Fort Lauderdale to honor history makers Kelly Shanley and the Galleria Fort Lauderdale, which was represented by Senior Marketing Manager Melissa Milroy and General Manager Mark Trouba.
Shanley is well-known for being the president and CEO of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts for the last 25 years, a position he has taken on with gusto, transforming the center into being the world-renowned place it is today. Under his leadership, the center has expanded through his $60 million Encore campaign. This allowed for the addition of new education and hospitality spaces, including the Huizenga Pavillion and the Rose Miniaci Arts Education Center. It led to an increase in attendance of more than 110,000 and $14 million yearly. He also utilized a $30 million capital campaign to transform the Parker Playhouse. The Rose Miniaci Performing Arts Center and campus of Nova Southeastern University also have blossomed under his leadership.
The Galleria Fort Lauderdale began as the Sunrise Center back in 1954 with 58 stores at a time when Fort Lauderdale became a mecca for youth culture, who took over the beaches during Spring Break. Having a mall not far away certainly made sense. At the time, it was an open air mall, which would become enclosed in 1977 during renovation by Leonard Farber. Over time, it became a beacon of luxury shopping. In 2003, it had another renovation to transform the facade into something that industrialist Henry Flagler might have built, reflecting a traditional architecture that was more welcoming, as well as a lighter and brighter interior. This included modern upgrades to everything from facilities to seating.
Today, the mall boasts more than 100 stores, including Dillards and Macys as anchors, as well as popular restaurants such as Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant, Seasons 52, P.F. Chang’s, The Capital Grille and Blue Martini.
More than just a place to shop and eat, The Galleria has become a real destination, and it also has become a real staple in the community, not only for what it offers, but for what it gives back. It has contributed more than $1.5 million to organizations such as History Fort Lauderdale, Art and Culture Center/Hollywood, Children’s Diagnostic and Treatment Center, Kids in Distress, Leadership Broward Foundation, ArtServe, HANDY, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida and Henderson Behavioral Health, among others. In addition to offering donations, it has also donated space to many causes and been home to great events, including Men of Style, which gives back to 12 local charities, History of Fort Lauderdale’s PRIDE month recognition exhibits, World AIDS Day events, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Eat Your Heart Out, which benefits the Heart Gallery of Broward County, and others.
Milroy said that giving back is mutually beneficial for everyone involved. “The tenants recognize the importance of the events as they bring customers into the mall and stores. The nonprofits just show up and we do everything for them. We make it as turnkey as possible.”
Milroy has helped to spearhead many of the endeavors to give back to the community since her start at The Galleria in 1994. She is also involved in many charity organizations herself, including being on the board of the Heart Gallery of Broward County, the Transportation Management Association Board, the CVB Marketing Advisory Committee and the Henderson Behavioral Health Planning Committee, among others. In addition, she is the immediate past chair of the Fort Lauderdale Chamber Board and has worked with the Beach Redevelopment Advisory Board in the past. Milroy is a graduate of Leadership Fort Lauderdale, Class V, and is a past curriculum chair for them as well.
Milroy has been acknowledged through the years for her hard work. Not only was she awarded Hero of the Month for the Chamber, she was also the recipient of the Carolyn M. Michaels Leadership Fort Lauderdale Award, as well as the “Try Hearts” Award by the Heart Gallery of Broward County. Now, she is honored to be a representative of The Galleria mall at the History Fort Lauderdale History Makers event.
Through her more than 30 years at The Galleria, she has seen a lot of history. Not only has the mall transformed during her tenure, but the community around it has blossomed as well.
But some things always stay the same. When asked what brings her back year after year to work at The Galleria, Milroy said, “The people,” adding, “What is really special about working at The Galleria is that so many of our team members have been here so long. From maintenance people to housekeeping, we have many long-standing employees. We really are a family here. It makes it a great place to come to work. You can’t say that with a lot of places.”
Industry veteran Mark Trouba first began working with shopping centers back in 1975. Since then, he has seen all aspects of the business, working his way up to management. He started working for The Galleria back in 1991 as their Operations Director when he received his CSM, eventually being promoted to his current position as General Manager in 2006. He also obtained his SCSM certification in 2002 and Certified Retail Executive designation in 2015.
Trouba works hard to ensure that the mall operates as efficiently and effectively as possible, handling everything from construction to security. He implements his overall vision for how the mall should look by providing strategic direction when it comes to leasing. He offers a helping hand as needed to promote the mall, working with sponsors to help make the mall the best it can be.
Trouba’s goal is to be an inspiration to his employees and tenants. His leadership has paved the way for the success The Galleria has today. He views The Galleria as a small city, but also as the heartbeat of the local community “with great tenants and great customer service.”
“I want to create a safe, clean environment in the mall,” he said.
Trouba knows all about service. Not only is he involved in the ways the mall gives back to the community, but he also is active in the local community himself. He is a member of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce and the International Council of Shopping Centers.
You may have also seen Trouba as the Grand Marshal of the local St. Patrick’s Day parade a few years ago, or at many of the events held at the mall, such as the Eat Your Heart Out event. During this year’s event, he was recognized for his efforts.
This gentle giant has a big heart and loves giving back, for which he has been acknowledged, and now he is honored to be representing The Galleria mall at this History Fort Lauderdale event.
The History Makers event began with some mingling while listening to the music of Angeline Fontaine. People could grab a drink and choose something from the buffet before sitting down to a presentation emceed by Fay Albernas. Teen singer Kai Bui from the Florida Children’s Theater wowed the crowd with his powerful song to kick things off. Many local dignitaries spoke, including former mayor Lamar Fisher. Ft. Lauderdale mayor Dean Trantalis and Ft. Lauderdale commissioner Steven Glassman presented proclamations for the honorees. President of the History of Ft. Lauderdale Board of Trustees Patrick Scott and Executive Director Patricia Zeiler also spoke about the honorees, as did Robert Lochrie, who has been involved with the performing arts center and the historical society. In addition, a video was shown with people singing the praises of Shanley, Milroy and Trouba while talking about the impact the mall has also made through the years.
Kelley Shanley 
Fay Albernas, known as Fay What?!, is the emcee. 
Commissioner Lamar Fisher speaks. 
Kai Bui sings. 
Delicious buffet 
Angeline Fontaine sings. 
Rob Lochrie speaks. 
History of Ft. Lauderdale Executive Director Patricia Zeiler 
Checking people in… 
Kelley Shanley and some of his team at the Performing Arts Center 
President of the History of Ft. Lauderdale Board of Trustees Patrick Scott
Film Review: “Farewell, Mr. Haffmann”
By Rachel Galvin
Mr. Haffmann (Daniel Auteuil) is a well-respected Jewish jeweler, married with children. Being in Paris under Nazi occupation, he read the writing on the wall and decided to get his family out of town as soon as possible. He asked them to go to safety and he would follow after deciding what to do with his jewelry shop. In the first twist of fate, he asks his employee (Gilles Lellouche) for help, a move that would change the employee’s life as he took over the store “temporarily,” moving above the store with his reluctant wife (Sara Giraudeau).
The problem begins when Mr. Haffmann finds his escape would not be so simple and he has to come back to the store and be sequestered in the basement while awaiting a chance to leave, hiding from the Nazis, who pay special interest in the newly popular store.
As time goes by, the employee’s change of fortune also changes his personality from a meek dedicated employee to aggressive and greedy, asking everyone around him to make difficult choices, leading to betrayals and multiple surprises.
With skilled acting, the story is told with finesse. It is in French with English subtitles. The darkness of the tale and intricacy of everything from the jewelry to the complicated situation they find themselves in is told through lighting and cinematography.
This masterfully crafted award-winning motion picture from Menemsha Films opens December 22 at Movies of Delray, at 7421 W. Atlantic Ave., and Movies of Lake Worth at 7380 Lake Worth Road.
For more information, visit www.menemshafilms.com and look under the film’s title.
Opening up a dialogue: “Kokomo City”
By Rachel Galvin
Liyah Mitchell in KOKOMO CITY, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.
Unapologetically who they are, the women and men featured in “Kokomo City” tell an intriguing story … their own. The documentary, shown in black and white, features the story of four black transgender sex workers in Atlanta and New York City, and some others who have something to say about the issue.
In the film, the discussion covers many issues from their perspective — why someone becomes trans, what it takes to be trans, what they encounter and how far they would go to live their lives. But also it includes who is attracted to a trans woman and who is not, and talks about transphobia, as well as how they fit into the culture around them.
The life is a hard one but these women live it to the best of their ability, facing the slings and arrows of their outrageous fortune but standing against their sea of troubles one day at a time in an effort to boldly be themselves and simply to survive. They face everything from discrimination, to abuse, to downright violence. Some, like Koko Da Doll, pay the ultimate price, as she was killed by gun violence after the film was finished and it is dedicated to her.
The women discuss the types of relationships they have had as escorts and in their personal lives, as well as the type of men who are attracted to them, and how each type reacts differently. They also talked about some of the responses they get to them in public and among their families.
Presenting as women is not that easy. It requires hormones, often electrolosis, makeup, wigs, eyelashes, implants and even more extensive surgery. Each woman has to decide for themselves what is best. We get an inside look to what makes these women who they are.
The topics discussed are told in an intimate way, as if the viewer is a new friend in the living room or next to them in the car told something private in confidence. These are the types of stories many of us never get to hear. The film opens up the world of a group that is often unseen, unheard and really unknown. The frank conversations allow for a dialogue and break the stigma surrounding the word transgender in a new and groundbreaking way.
The stories are interspersed with beautifully filmed b-roll showing everything from the ordinary, like an egg being cooked, to the beautiful, like a dancer giving it his all. Showing how there is beauty in the mundane and how the lives of these people who are often discounted are not only worthy but beautiful in their own way.
Be aware that these stories are raw and real, and include graphic topics from sex to violence, and that includes plenty of profanity and also nudity.
The movie was directed by Miami native D. Smith, who is a two-time Grammy-nominated producer, singer and songwriter and also made history as the first trans woman cast on a primetime unscripted TV show, and executive produced by Lena Waithe.
The film has already gotten accolades, winning the Sundance Film Festival’s NEXT Innovator Award and NEXT Audience Award, as well as the Berlinale’s Audience Award in the Panorama Documentary section.
It has already been seen at the Miami Film Festival and Outshine Film Festival earlier this year. Now, the Magnolia Pictures film is opening in Miami at O Cinema South Beach (1130 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, FL) on Friday, August 4. (NY opens on July 28. Atlanta and additional U.S. markets open also on Aug. 4). On Saturday, August 5, there will be a special post film Q&A with the director. More info. on O Cinema at o-cinema.org.
Stonewall Pride kick-off honored LGBTQ leaders
Some of the honorees at the event
Photos & Story By Rachel Galvin
As a great way to launch PRIDE Month, there was a special event on May 31 at the Galleria Mall in Fort Lauderdale honoring community leaders from the gay community, which included speeches, drag performances and the launch of a photography exhibit featuring historic moments in the community. There also was a large PRIDE tribute wall with photos taken by Michael Murphy. Also shown was an award-winning short film featuring LGBTQ voices in an oral history format, produced by the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood and directed by Freddy Rodriguez. Before the performances and speeches began, people could grab a glass of wine and a light bite, and mix and mingle while viewing the exhibit.
Honorees included City of Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, Visit Lauderdale’s Senior Vice President of Inclusion & Accessibility Richard Gray, South Florida Symphony Orchestra’s Music Director/Founder Sebrina María Alfonso, WSVN Channel 7 Anchor Craig Stevens, South Florida SunSentinel journalist Rod Stafford Hagwood, renowned entertainer Tiffany Arieagus, Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus founder Gary Keating and founder of The Copa and entrepreneur John Castelli. Other volunteers were also honored.
Broward County Mayor Lamar Fisher presented a proclamation recognizing History Fort Lauderdale’s PRIDE Month efforts.
The event was emceed by FayWhat?!, host of “The FayWhat?! Show” on the Happening Out Television Network, and media personality Shawn “Kitty Meow” Palacious, and featured live performances by entertainers Nicole T. Phillips and Erika Norell. DJ Aulden Brown kept the music pumping.
Each honoree had the chance to say a few words. Trantalis gave an impassioned speech that summed up the sentiment of the moment, saying, “We will not be afraid to stand up for who we are, and we will not be considered second rate people. We have come too far. We have done too much. We have walked too many miles. We have spoken up too often. And we will not let anyone denigrate who we are, no matter what form we take. Whether you’re a lawyer, or a drag queen or anyone in between, we are people. And we will always be able to stand up for who we are.”
Stonewall PRIDE commemorates not only the gay community today but also remembers the history of pioneers in the past, many of whom were shown on the PRIDE tribute wall displayed with the photos by Michael Murphy. In addition, it remembers the Stonewall Riots in 1969 when New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club located in Greenwich Village in New York City. The raid led to a riot among bar patrons and neighborhood residents and that served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.
The art exhibit showcasing photos and video from the local community’s history is free to see and is located near Swarovski within the Galleria Mall (2414 E. Sunrise Blvd.) until June 30.
The event was presented by History Fort Lauderdale and sponsored by Galleria Fort Lauderdale, Visit Lauderdale, Castelli Real Estate Services, BBX Capital, Memorial Healthcare System, OutClique, HotSpots Media Group/Happening Out Television Network and GPR | Goodman Public Relations. Opening reception contributors included The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Lips Fort Lauderdale, Tulio’s Tacos & Tequila Bar, and Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants.
Look for more PRIDE events happening throughout the month.
Erika Norell performs 
Michael Murphy with his photography 
Honoree & WSVN Channel 7 Anchor Craig Stevens 
Nicole T. Williams performs 
exhibit 
Ft. Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus founder Gary Keating 
“Open Dialogues” movie 
Emcee Fay What?! & Ft. Lauderdale Mayor and honoree Dean Trantalis 
Part of exhibit 
Part of exhibit 
Part of exhibit 
exhibit 
Part of exhibit 
Take Pride wall 
Photographers JR Davis & Michael Murphy 
Honoree & Visit Lauderdale’s Senior Vice President of Inclusion & Accessibility Richard Gray 
Enjoying the show 
founder of The Copa and entrepreneur John Castelli. 
Volunteers were also honored 
Broward County Mayor Lamar Fisher 
Patricia Zeiler, Executive Director, History of Ft. Lauderdale 
Nicole T. Williams performs 
Art Curator Souleo & designer Beau McCall 
Volunteers check people in 
World AIDS Museum Director Terry Dyer & Ellery Andrews, deputy director of History Fort Lauderdale take photos with a friend. 
Honoree & Entertainer Tiffany Arieagus 
Melissa Milroy, Sr. Marketing Mgr., Galleria Mall 
Emcees FayWhat?! & Kitty Meow
25th Annual Cuisine for Art
Celebrity waiters. Photo by Rachel Galvin
By Rachel Galvin
Local dignitaries and community leaders took on a new role as celebrity waiters at The Art & Culture Center of Hollywood’s 25th Annual Cuisine for Art on May 25. The event took place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Guests could strike a pose on the red carpet, grab a drink and bid on items for the silent auction while listening to live music by Ilan Tarrab before going into the main ballroom. Inside, they could find their spot at a table of 10 and enjoy the “show,” emceed by Aaron Shapiro while the celebrity waiters helped them to get everything they needed. A three course meal was served. The on-stage presentation was interactive in several ways, including a heads and tails game with guests.
Those in attendance heard a little about the Art & Culture Center, which began in 1975, moving to its current location in 1992. Now, in collaboration with the City of Hollywood, they are adding on a new 5,000 sf arts education wing that will adjoin the current location, the Kagey Home facility, built about 1924. The new wing will expand what they can do, including dancing, theater presentations, artists talks, film screenings, fine art and more. The planned opening of the new facility is next fall.
A special presentation was given by award-winning author and humor columnist Dave Barry, who poked fun at politics and more. He was an honoree in 2019.
This year’s honoree was Misty Weinger, a longtime board member, arts advocate and engaged donor at the center instrumental in contributing funds to determine the feasibility of creating a new Arts Education building on the 1.2-acre campus, which is in the works. She is also the senior partner/ shareholder at Kofsky Weinger, PA and is managing partner for the firm’s tax practice. She also works with special needs children in the community.
After she was honored, the DIVAS Through the Decades took to the stage to sing their hearts out. The waiter who received the most tips, the challenge winner, was also announced.
For more information on the Art & Culture Center of Hollywood, visit www.artandculturecenter.org
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride draws almost 200 riders
Johan Amy, who runs the Ft. Lauderdale group for the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, in front of The Butler House.
Photos & Story by Rachel Galvin
About 175 or more very dapper gentleman and ladies pulled up to the Deerfield Beach Museum & Cultural Center on Sunday, May 21 for a special event called The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. This international event brings motorcycle riders together all to benefit men’s health, specifically to help power Movember’s work on prostate cancer and mental health.
After their visit to Deerfield Beach, the riders went all together to Dangerous Minds Brewery in Pompano, followed by a visit to Bohemian Latin Grill and finally the Boardroom Bar in Ft. Lauderdale. Riders of all types turned out, even Rabbi Tzvi Dechter, of the Chabad of North Broward Beaches in Lighthouse Point.
Johan Amy, who runs the Fort Lauderdale branch of the group, said they have raised about $9000 this year and $69,000 overall.
For more information about the ride, visit gentlemansride.com.
Derby Day at Savor Cinema
Photos & Story by Rachel Galvin
For the 149th year, the Kentucky Derby brought out hat-wearing fans. But those who love watching a good horse race are not limited to those who make fill the seats at Churchill Downs. Rather, people all over the country enjoy the fun from their homes and at private parties. Right in Fort Lauderdale, one of those classy soirees was held at Savor Cinema and the event packed in a crowd.
People came to watch the race on the big screen in the theater, but also were entertained on the patio before and after the race by the beautiful and talented Jersey Girls, who came all the way from Chicago to sing top hits from the 70s, 80s and beyond. Their sponsor was Kerwell, a CBD company who had a table there with information and samples.
Guests enjoyed mint juleps and BBQ, and could try to pick which horse would be the winner. The winners, who put a ticket in the bowl with the right horse’s name, won prizes. Prizes were also given out for categories like best dressed and best bonnet. Two horses, Vegas and Blackfoot, were also out front for photo opps.
Fort Lauderdale Intl. Film Festival Chair Steve Savor announced that the fest will be having a party again at the Cannes Film Festival and celebs like Bebe Rexa will be there. For more info., visit www.fliff.com.
The winner of the Kentucky Derby was Mage.
More pics coming soon at the Let’s Talk Magazine Facebook page.
Nicole Henry’s Soulful Sound Woos Audiences at Festival of the Arts BOCA
By Rachel Galvin
The Festival of the Arts BOCA brought in some amazing talent this year, from dancers to musicians, films to authors. At the end of the week, the amazing and beautiful singer Nicole Henry took the stage at the Mizner Park Amphitheater performing songs from her latest CD “Time to Love,” which went beyond her usual Jazz repertoire. On her CD, she includes her interpretations of songs by iconic composers like James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, Sade and many others.
Her soulful melodies kept the crowd entranced and she spiced up the tempo near the end and got everyone singing. With a big smile, she charmed the audience with her music and also her musings about dreams, love and more.
Henry, who recently was the cover model for “Boca Raton Magazine,” has been a staple over the last 20 years singing her heart out in local venues, as well as touring elsewhere. Her melodies have reached the ears of happy fans around the country and in more than 20 countries.
What’s next for this songstress? You can find out more by visiting her website at www.nicolehenry.com.
The Festival of the Arts BOCA took place March 3-12. For more information, visit https://festivalboca.org. The final performance was supposed to be Sergio Mendes. He had to postpone and his new concert date is April 2. Get more information on the website.
Festival of the Arts BOCA kicks off with “Fantastia”
By Rachel Galvin
The 17th annual Festival of the Arts BOCA kicked off on Friday, March 3 with a performance of the Festival Orchestra Boca playing the soundtrack of the Disney movie “Fantastia,” which played on the large screen behind them.
Festival Executive Director Joanna Marie Kaye introduced the orchestra, conducted by Constantine Kitsopoulos, festival music director. Before the orchestra began, there was also a showing of a short film called “Bella,” directed by FAU student Alfonso Gibson, who was able to get up with the film’s composer and say a few words. This was his first film.
Earlier, there were fun activities for the whole family, including a WLRN Instrument Petting Zoo, interactive art wall and face painting. There was also popcorn and cotton candy available.
This is just the beginning of the fest, which runs through March 12. From lectures to musical performances, to ballet, there is something for everyone.
To see the whole schedule, visit www.festivalboca.org.
Orchestra plays 
Orchestra prepares 
Tuning instruments 
Conductor Constantine Kitsopoulos 
Large crowd at Mizner Park 
Filmmaker Alfonso Gibson 
Creating art 
Pop Art 
Fun for kids 
Having makeup done
Red Dress, Dress Red Spices Up Dania Beach & Raises Awareness
Photos and Story By Rachel Galvin
The Red Dress, Dress Red Gala on Feb. 4 was hot, hot, hot… spicing up the Design Center of the Americas (DCOTA) in Dania Beach unlike anything that had been seen there before. Guests, who all dressed in red per the theme, were greeted upon arrival and received bracelets that started to strobe different colors at a certain point when the DJ (DJ Ed Talks) got the dance party started. CrowdSync Technologies was responsible for the light show.
But before the dancing began, there was much more to experience, including many photo opps … with a beautifully styled drag queen, with an event backdrop, with fashions on mannequins or within a hypnotic hallway entering the party made up of walls of diamond-shaped silver balloons… It was a surreal experience from the get-go and it only got better from there…
Inside, the party started early for VIPers with performances like Broadway performer Anne Steele, local sensation LeNora Jaye, award-winning violinists Synergy Twins and American Idol Season 10-star Matthew Darren, as well as The Voice’s Billy Gilman. There were also drinks and hors d’ oeuvres to enjoy.
In addition, several people spoke about the meaning behind the occasion and talked more about the World AIDS Museum and Educational Center, which put on the event, which supports their Florida AIDS Walk team. The mayor even presented a proclamation making the day named after the event. The event is said to have raised more than $100,000 for the Florida AIDS Walk.
The Red Dress, Dress Red concept is not new, it is just new to Ft. Lauderdale. The event began as a promise kept by a gay male couple after they received HIV diagnoses. They each promised to wear red at funerals they attended, instead of the traditional black attire usually worn, to bring attention to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States.
Since 2005, Red Dress Parties have become popularized in other larger cities such as Palm Springs, San Diego, Portland, Toronto, Seattle and San Francisco to benefit HIV and LGBTQ-related organizations.
Following the event, there was an after-hours dance party at Hunters Nightclub.
The Red Dress, Dress Red Gala was sponsored by AHF, Citrix, LeBoy/LIT Bar, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Midland/CAN Community Health, Florida Blue, FPL, HRC, Memorial Healthcare System, G21 Fitness, Aaron’s Cremation and Funeral, RE/MAX, Holy Cross Hospital, SAVE, Spirit Airlines, Pub on the Drive, Pride of the Americas, Visit Lauderdale, Walgreens, CrowdSync Technologies, USPS, Out of the Closet, ASID, Humana, Broward County Health and Human Services, Flockfest, Broward County Postal Customer Council and Design Center of the Americas. Media sponsors include Lifestyle Media Group/SFBW, OutClique, SFGN, HotSpots! and It’s Happening Out.
Thank you to Goodman PR!
For more information on the World AIDS Museum, visit www.worldaidsmuseum.org.
