Arts & Entertainment

The Aqua Boys

Stroke with the gay swim team

SAT 8/13

What's the difference between a gay-lesbian-bi-transfriendly swim team and any other swim team? Right. Nothing. "It's a group of happy athletes, I can tell you that," says Roberto Ferreira, whose GLBT-Friendly Website and GLBT-Online magazine are helping raise funds for the South Florida competitive swimmers known as Nadadores. A pool party this afternoon from 1:00 to 7:00 at "a beautiful house on the bay," and a "wet Speedos" calendar shoot by famed photographer David Vance will raise funds to send the team to the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago. The calendar will be released October 15.

Ferreira notes that the time is right to support the gay community, which has faced the strange and bigoted campaign to write laws forbidding gay marriage even at a time when the nation faces real issues such as, uh, a war and skyrocketing fuel costs. The 200 tickets for the pool party, priced at $25 or $35 with calendar purchase, are on sale via the Website, www.GLBT-Friendly.com. Call 305-673-9090 for address information. --Greg Baker

Fish Assist

A charitable grand slam

WED 8/17

One of the many ways the Internet has changed the world is by providing a resource to people with disabilities. Someone who can't walk can go online and virtually visit remote locations; a paralyzed person can compete in athletics that would normally be impossible; and an individual without hands can use voice-recognition technology to write a novel. And they can visit Reach Out magazine (reachoutmag.com) to read material created by others with disabilities or engage in various interactive offerings. The Florida Marlins want you to help raise money to support this way-cool Website by attending tonight's game against the San Diego Padres, which begins at 7:05 at Dolphins Stadium (2267 Dan Marino Blvd., North Miami-Dade). Send a check or money order for $15 per ticket by August 12 to Reach Out ABILITIES Services, Inc., 3090 Sheridan St., PMB #207, Hollywood, FL 33021-3730; call Jim Jakubek at 954-985-0319; or e-mail jim@reachoutmag.com. --Greg Baker

Surf On, Reggae People

SAT 8/13

Few things say summertime and easy livin' quite like blazing sunshine, groovy tunes, and surfer dudes. This is the time of year when DJ Lance-O is in his element. The reggae record spinner is combining his favorite things into one big event. The summer edition of the Jah Surf biannual surf expo will feature aquatic fun, including a paddleboard race, a kiteboarding demo, and surfing lessons. For extreme-sports landlubbers, there will be a skate demo and appearances by pro skaters Ed Selego, Jahmal Williams, and half-pipe legend Mark Lake. Stick around for a wicked afterparty. The fun begins at 2:00 p.m. at Bayside Hut, 3501 Rickenbacker Cswy., Key Biscayne. Admission is ten dollars. Call 305-534-6110, or visit www.jahsurf.com. -- Patrice Elizabeth Grell Yursik