A long flight with a connection in Toronto meant a long day, but a reason to start the experience when I finally touched down. Arriving a little late for the cabaret act Blood, Sweat & Mouseketears, starring Lindsey Alley at the National hotel, I met up with one of my guides for the trip and the rest of the writers, and decided: I’m going to drink, eat and have fun regardless of how tired I am from my flight. Even in my state, I felt the excitement one has on visiting a place one has never been and, if I was to describe how Miami’s night looked to me even through tired eyes, "bright and electric" comes to mind.

Pulling into the YVE hotel in downtown Miami, around midnight, I was looking forward to getting into a nice bed and relaxing. That is, after I removed from my bed the tourism information and gifts (Oooh! Tequila!) the hotel and my guests (the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, or GMCVB) had provided. Just from reading some of the tourism brochures and looking at my itinerary for the weekend, I immediately wished for another three, or even seven days. While it’s nice to come to cities for events like Pride and attend parties and events, I often think if you can afford it, take a few days either before or after a major event and explore the city – especially a city like Miami and the South Beach (SoBe).

Exploring was of course on the itinerary. The community information tour with the LGBT Visitor Center and the World OutGames presentation I appreciated (given my past interest in community events here in Calgary). The walking tour of SoBe – amazing. I could probably take three tours and not learn enough about the architecture and history of the SoBe neighbourhood. This is the same neighbourhood featured in many commercials; in Miami Vice (TV series) and in The Birdcage, among others.

Whether I was hitting the Deck Gardens at W South Beach hotel and consuming appetizers and drinks (and more drinks – however you did sweat off every third drink) for the Pride Red Carpet kickoff event or talking to locals, or my fellow writers, there was always something going on.

In a major centre like Miami, you get to see fashion you wouldn’t see in Calgary – from the numerous hot bodied guys to the sensationally be-frocked local drag queens, to the "Oh dear god someone tell those two the Jersey Shore look is NOT their friend" bad. I saw a gentleman with a strap-on gold fabric beard; if you have a moment, look up the amazing Lexx Effects Creative Costuming on Facebook and be amazed.

In Miami, I experienced art, architecture and fashion, all in styles which paint Calgary kind of cold and sterile in comparison.

Of course, there were the many beautiful men. Beautiful, shirtless, gay, and "dear lord the way he moves his hips when he dances" men. Unless you have a gym body and model looks, it’s a bit intimidating, but after awhile the beauty of the people becomes another colour in the rainbow palette of food, events and places you will encounter there.

It does become hard to concentrate on one thing with all the colour and beauty around you. When I was at the Palace for the drag brunch, I got a bit dizzy deciding which to watch – the hot shirtless men or the drag performers putting on an incredible performance. On top of that, I had to review the food, so it was hard figuring out what to pay attention to – food, hot men, or show (I’d have to say the drag queens won out by the sheer quality of performance).

The Pride Festival grounds at Lummus Park – well, it’s the same as many other Pride festival stage setups; however, since it’s a bigger market and American, there is a certain slicked packaged-ness to it. This isn’t a bad thing – especially since we had access to the carpeted and special VIP Only area, where we were first introduced to parade grand marshal Elvis Duran. He may not be known to Canadians, but to Americans, he is the host of the weekly morning radio program Elvis Duran and the Morning Show in New York on Z100 – a show in syndication on Premiere Radio Networks and heard live in over 80 markets. Well known in the radio and music industry, Out’s 20th Anniversary Out 100 list in 2014 featured Duran as one of the most influential figures in the LGBT community, and getting him as the grand marshal, plus having Iggy Azalea as a parade special guest, was a major event for Miami Beach.

I was amused how many times our group kept running into Iggy: first at the Dutch restaurant, and then dancing with drag queens at the W’s nightclub Wall. Yes, I took photos, but I’m usually non-plussed about celebrities. The only joy and panic I had when we were in Iggy’s presence – and I had to ensure I snapped a great photo of her with fellow writer Luis from Argentina. I know how some people enjoy meeting their idols; for me it’s more interesting seeing their joy even if I’m ambivalent.

We saw her again at the PreParade VIP reception Sunday at TD Bank. Yes, TD Bank...America’s Most Canadian Bank...er, sorry, convenient Bank. Once I stopped arching an eyebrow over that slogan, I was proud to see TD is continuing its support of the LGBT community in the United States.

With Iggy attracting attention, it distracted us from some of the interesting local residents, I only realized later. I did manage to take a picture of the beautiful Kalah Mendoza, 2016’s reigning Miss Miami Beach Gay Pride, and I also got a chance to talk to someone who has long helped the gay community in Miami Beach: Michael Aller, a.k.a. Mr. Miami Beach "The First Gay Man on Miami Beach". He has been here for 50 years, was one of the first men in the Pride Parade, and is still going strong as the Tourism and Convention Director at the City of Miami Beach.

I’ll have to be honest and say I didn’t get much of a chance to watch the actual Pride Parade because I was busy being overfed at the Sugar Factory, but we have gotten some photos courtesy of the GMCVB.

Regarding my lodgings, YVE first. For downtown it’s fine; it’s functional. Most downtown hotels usually provide good service and, unless you want an executive hotel for five-star service, that’s all you need. The room was a decent size, well organized, clean, and adequate with a nice view of the Biscayne bay and area. The style of the lobby and rooms is ‘urban chic’, and a walk around the neighborhood reminds you that you’re in a downtown of a metropolis... there’s nothing much to do within walking distance – unlike SoBe. Yet, that being said, whether it was the downtown neighbourhood or just my excitement, I would have to say the YVE did exude a sense of electricity.

Now the W hotel South Beach: $pectacular, $tupendous, and $pecial. Food, staff, artwork, layout, view, pool: all amazing. Yes, it’s expensive – it is a high-end hotel – yet you don’t feel like it’s shoved in your face. The presentation of the hotel was, to me, very welcoming. It’s a resort hotel and, quite frankly, amazing enough to make you think you’re in a gay version of a James Bond movie, where he’s off to some exotic location.

Coming from Calgary, it was an exotic location and, as such, there was a bittersweet note to my trip as it was way too short. I got a chance to dip my feet in the ocean, and walk along the beach back to W hotel, yet there were so many other activities I simply did not have the time to get to. If you get a chance to go, whether it be "just because it’s there", for the White Party in November, for Pride, for the World OutGames next year... whatever your reason, go and spend it wisely in the beautiful city of Miami.

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Contributor Evan Kayne |

Locale Miami |

Topic Travel | Accommodation and Lodging | Food | Arts |

Photo Gallery Miami | Travel |