The haunted circus is coming to Miami this fall featuring just enough scary fun to get everyone in the Halloween spirit. Haunted Circus Miami is a Halloween-themed, family-friendly carnival featuring ghost clowns, a mad ringmaster, and a mystery to solve. Rumor has it, this traveling circus appeared out of nowhere led by a mad ringmaster with a mystery on his hands. Everyone is looking for an acrobat-lady who vanished into thin air and guests will have the chance to travel back in time to solve this nerve-chilling mystery. This thrilling quest features a cast of dubious characters including knife thrower Bill, fire eaters, aerial acrobats, jugglers, contortionists and spellbinding performances by a local circus troupe. Adding to the immersive spooky experience are pumpkin carvings, tarot readings, a petting zoo, a Halloween store, photoshoots and much more. Local food trucks will be on site and beverages and snacks will be available for purchase. The show opens on September 17th and continues through October 31st at Tropical Park. Only a limited number of guests can reserve tickets for the walk around experience each evening to ensure strict COVID protocols. Tickets can be purchased online at HauntedCircusMiami.com. All tickets include quests, pumpkin carving and free self-parking. Ticket options include: General Admission: $57 Kids 12 & Under Ticket: $37 VIP (enjoy skipping the line, a personal photographer & gift) $127 VIP Couple (enjoy skipping the line, a personal photographer & gifts for two): $177 Seniors & Military: $45 Guests who book pre-sale tickets in advance, can enjoy a 35% discount off tickets for general admission, kids, seniors and military, valid for a limited time only. Get ready to be enchanted by the haunted circus’ mysterious allure and immersed in a thrilling experience that the whole family can enjoy. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of HCM

A new medical cannabis dispensary in Fort Lauderdale — celebrated the grand opening of its Fort Lauderdale store on Monday, August 16 with an exciting open-house style event. Florida State Representative Evan Jenne, Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Ben Sorensen, Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce CEO and President Dan Lindblade, and other dignitaries joined Cresco Labs and Sunnyside executives for the ribbon cutting ceremony. New Store Offers a Depth of One Plant Branded Products and Next-day Delivery During the event, guests enjoyed cookies from Fort Lauderdale-based Batch, the Cookie Company, and light bites and coffee from STORK’s Bakery & Coffee House, a local, award-winning, Wilton Manors’ favorite since 1997. Patients received free swag giveaways, including pins, stickers, t-shirts and more, and the first 100 customers received a Sunnyside concrete match striker. Located at 1830 Cordova Rd. in Fort Lauderdale, Sunnyside is in the Cordova Shopping Center by The Harbor Shops and steps away from Port Everglades seaport. Unlike other South Florida dispensaries, Sunnyside stores reside in mass retail environments to help normalize the cannabis buying experience. The Fort Lauderdale location is open and bright, featuring a depth of One Plant branded products showcased by form and function to simplify shopping. Professionally trained, knowledgeable and friendly wellness advisors are available to help registered medical patients find the right cannabis medicine. “We really focus on normalizing the cannabis buying experience,” said Cris Rivera, Florida Regional President at Cresco Labs. “Our goal is for patients who prioritize their health and wellness to feel as comfortable as they do when they go to a supermarket or fitness center when they’re buying cannabis products. We take great pride in educating them about different products, forms and dosages so they can consume confidently and achieve the desired effects. We’re excited to open Sunnyside Fort Lauderdale where our new customers will have access to unmatched cannabis experts, top-shelf products and convenient next-day delivery service our patients around the country know and trust.” Unique to this store is a beautifully painted wall mural by celebrated artist Chuck Berrett, co-founder of NS/CB visual arts collaborative based in South Florida. The mural, which depicts abstract people in love within rich tropical greenery, embraces the importance of positive symbiotic relationships with each other and with nature. It evokes an emotional response through its vibrant colors that suit South Florida's aesthetic and offers the community a safe place to be curious and explore with cannabis. Sunnyside Fort Lauderdale will serve patients with a medical card issued by the state of Florida. The store offers premium quality products from its One Plant brand under a new pricing program focused on accessibility. Products include top-shelf genetics, hang-dried and hand-trimmed flower in popular strains like Runtz, Mac 1 and Ice Cream Cake; pre-rolled joints; vapes; concentrates; solventless ice hash products like live rosin; and traditional distillate products including vaporizer cartridges and topicals. Sunnyside Fort Lauderdale will sell branded merchandise and accessories including lighters, rolling papers, apparel, and more. Customers will have the option to shop in store, pre-order online or utilize next-day delivery through the Sunnyside.shop website. Store hours for all dispensaries are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about Sunnyside, visit www.sunnyside.shop. By ML Staff. Images by Sunnyside

ACS Laboratory, the largest state-of-the-art testing facility in cannabis and hemp testing in the eastern U.S., is pleased to launch its proprietary and trademarked Tested Safe Certified Seal program, which is endorsed by the American Cannabinoid Association. ACS Laboratory’s Tested Safe Certified Safety Seal is a physical symbol that products passed the strictest testing guidelines in the U.S. by an award-winning medical-grade laboratory. Unlike a mandated QR code that links to a Certificate of Analysis (COA) with detailed test results, the Seal shows visual proof at a glance that consumers can trust a brand. The trademarked Seal signifies that hemp or cannabis products are backed by verified test results at an ISO-accredited, DEA-registered facility; free from contaminants, pesticides, and solvents; accurately labeled; and safe to ingest. “We developed the trademarked Tested Safe Certified Seal to provide consumers and patients with reassurance that their cannabis and hemp products are clean and safe to ingest,” said Roger Brown, president and founder of ACS Laboratory. "Factors ranging from manufacturing errors to false laboratory results have led to mislabeled products, negative headlines, and a breakdown of consumer confidence. Our mission to elevate industry standards and deliver accurate results.” “The American Cannabinoid Association proudly endorses ACS Laboratory’s Tested Safe Certified Seal program,” stated Matthew Guenther, founder of The American Cannabinoid Association. “It is exciting to see our industry legally providing cannabis and cannabis-derived products on a commercial scale. As with any consumer product, safety and quality control remain our absolute priority. Thanks to the expertise and dedication of ACS Laboratory, cannabis retailers, wholesalers, law firms, law enforcement professionals and consumers can be certain that products containing this trademarked seal have been tested for quality assurance.” ACS Laboratory developed a unique testing protocol and Certified Seal for each hemp and cannabis product. The Seal is not a generic icon; it is backed by a series of customized tests to match the strictest standards based on state and federal laws, as well as ACS Laboratory’s recommended tests to elevate industry standards. To earn the Seal, cannabis and hemp companies send their products to ACS Laboratory for a full panel of recommended safety and potency tests. ACS Laboratory then notifies the company of the test results. Then, ACS Laboratory works with the company’s marketing team to publish the seals on their packaging, print materials, and digital platforms. ACS Laboratory’s unparalleled lab testing scope of services include potency testing for 21 cannabinoids, 38 terpene profiles, 42 residual solvents, screening for 105 pesticides, moisture content, water activity, microbiology panels, heavy metals screening, flavonoid testing for 16 profiles, micronutrient testing, mycotoxins, Vitamin E acetate, shelf life & stability, plant regulators (PGRS), PAH testing, and Pharmacokinetic Studies (PK) aka human trials. In an effort to elevate the cannabinoid industry and alert consumers, ACS Laboratory will only grant its Safety Seal to a product testing beyond potency for a full panel of tests. For more information, visit https://acslabcannabis.com/compliance/safe-certified-seals/. About ACS Laboratory The Most Trusted Cannabis and Hemp Laboratory in the USA™, ACS Laboratory earned 42 Emerald Test Badges in 2019 and 2020 for accuracy in testing. ACS Laboratory is ISO 17025 accredited, DEA licensed, and CLIA certified with the largest state-of-the-art facility in the Eastern USA. Compliant with the USDA's rules for hemp testing, ACS is also approved by the Florida Department of Agriculture as a "Designated Compliance Laboratory" and deemed a "Certified Marijuana Testing Laboratory" by the Florida Department of Health. Due to its success, ACS Laboratory has undergone an expansion to 20,000 sq. ft. and increased its reach to 49 states and four countries worldwide. Beyond compliance, ACS is committed to innovation, which is why it tests for more cannabinoids than any lab in the country and continuously develops new protocols to analyze lesser-known contaminants. Its facility utilizes industry-leading ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry technology and proprietary protocols to ensure accurate detection. Watch this video about ACS Laboratory, and read the blog for up-to-date information on cannabis science and lab testing for both the hemp and cannabis industries. For more information, visit acslab.com, or call (813) 670-9190. By ML Staff. Images by ACS Laboratory

The City of Miami Beach and The Rhythm Foundation are proud to announce the 6th annual Miami Beach Youth Music Festival open call for auditions. Individuals and bands that perform live music have until 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 5 to submit their audition videos along with a completed application form to www.miamibeach.rocks. The winners will earn the right to take the stage at the North Beach Bandshell on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022 for the festival. All acts must be able to perform a 10-minute set in any musical genre. At least one band member needs to be a resident of Miami-Dade County and the average age of the band needs to be 18 years old. The City of Miami Beach Youth Music Festival has surpassed anything I could’ve imagined when I started it six years ago. Our local artists and young rockers continue to come together to create a really fun community event, and their musical impact is being felt not just here at home but around the world through the digital expansion that was created out of necessity during the pandemic. The opportunity for these young people to perform in front of an audience of thousands on a big professional stage is crucial training for them, and a heck of a lot of fun for the rest of us. - John Star Aleman - Miami Beach Youth Music Festival Founder For more information on this year’s festival, visit MiamiBeach.rocks About the Rhythm Foundation We create shared cultural experiences that build and strengthen the diverse communities of South Florida through the presentation of live music Support for the Rhythm Foundation comes in part from the City of Miami Beach, Miami-Dade County, State of FL National Endowment of the Arts, and The Knight Foundation. The North Beach Bandshell is generously supported by Ocean Terrace Holdings, Urban Resource, The Broadmore, Atlantic Broadband, Diageo and Caribe. By ML Staff. Image by Sam Moqadam, Unsplash

In Miami and on the beach, a seductive rhythm accompanies the tapas, paella and sangria. Picture the Spanish Flamenco dancer as still life: layers of elaborate ruffles, theatrical makeup, the hair cinched in an impossibly tight black bun. But now she lifts her skirt to her knees. The audience hushes. Slowly, she clicks the heels of her dance shoes against the wooden stage. It's a pulse. And the beat quickens. The Spanish guitarist strums, following her moves, her feet a blur. The narcotic rhythm compels the diners to rise. The Flamenco dancers leave the stage, their energy enlivening the crowd. One dancer lures a patron to his feet. There is clapping and cheering. Tables are pounded. Still holding his glass of wine, the man improvises. He grabs a flower from the place setting on the table, clenches it in his teeth and stamps his feet in time to the guitar. This is not Madrid or Barcelona. This is Tapas y Tintos, a new tapas restaurant in Miami. Traditional Flamenco dance is made up of four musical elements: the Cante or voice, Baile (Dance), Toque (Guitar) and the Jaleo, which translates to "hell-raising," and involves the hand-clapping, foot-stomping and rowdy shouts from the audience. Flamenco began with a single singer, an a cappella voice belting a primitive chant while accompanying rhythms were beaten out on the floor with wooden staffs or canes. These palos pecos, or "dry styles," are the oldest forms of Flamenco dance. Flamenco was originally thought to have connections to gypsy religious rites. The music was considered primitive and suited only to the lower classes. But the gypsy's mysterious music caught the attention of the romantic writers of the 18th and 19th centuries. Flamenco today is a visceral and sensual experience. Female and male Flamenco dancers, each in costume, sometimes circle each other like predatory animals. The moment is full of tension. In Miami, a visitor can dine amid true Flamenco dancers or even take classes, which vary seasonally. Ask the dancers for times and locations; when they are not performing, they are also instructors. Local restaurateurs Nicolas De Justo and Fernando Jimenez have two Tapas y Tintos – Española Way on South Beach and the latest in a former railroad station in the design district Midtown Miami. The restaurant's mascot and logo, a black bull in a red board, glows at night over the sidewalk terrace. Sounds of live music – flamenco guitar and the staccato sounds of heel-clicking dancers – draw locals and tourists to what was once an industrial neighborhood. The restaurant interior has an unusual geometry, thanks to its railroad past. On the walls are vintage Spanish film posters, Spanish comic strips and nostalgic album covers. Follow the beat to the outdoor terrace. Fringed by a canvas awning and ringed by shrubbery, the live Flamenco dancing performances take place Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. 'Tapas' Means to Cover For those less familiar with Latin cuisine, "tapas" is not a particular style of food but a way of eating, of enjoying small portions from many different plates. The tradition originated in rural Spanish taverns dating to the 14th century. The word tapas means to cover a plate – in the past, a glass of wine (also called tinto for color) might be covered with a slice of cheese and ham as a lid – hence the restaurant's name tapas, to cover, and tintos, for dark wine. Tapas y Tintos Midtown Executive Chef Fernando Andres has created a menu of more than 50 cold and hot tapas with a smaller section of paellas (rice gumbos) and fish entrees. Spain is a mostly arid country of mountains, but much of its food is fish, reflecting a deep maritime tradition. The wine list is also entirely Spanish, offering sangria and cocktails that complement the menu's tapas/appetizers, such as: Garbanzos con chorizo - a piping hot casserole of chickpeas, garlic, smoky Spanish chorizo and tomato Gambas al Ajillo - shrimp sautéed with garlic and extra virgin Spanish olive oil Pimientos del Piquillo Rellenos - peppers stuffed with cod fish Dedos del Diablo - lightly breaded and fried jumbo shrimp stuffed with Serrano ham, goat cheese and served with a tomato salad and avocados Restaurants with Flamenco Dancing in Miami Tapas & Tintos Midtown 3535 NE 2nd Ave., Miami 305-392-0506 Tapas & Tintos South Beach 448 Española Way, Miami Beach 305-538-8272 Casa Panza The Spanish restaurant in the heart of Little Havana is probably one of the best-known showcases in Miami for Flamenco dancers and singers. Casa Panza also serves paella and tapas, as well as a great wine list and huge pitchers of sangria. The ambiance is cozy, though on weekends and nights, the space can get crowded. 1620 SW 8th St., Miami 305-643-5343 Diego's Highlights inlude authentic Spanish cuisine and a great wine list. Diego's also offers Flamenco dancing on Saturday nights featuring a guitarist, singer and three dancers. 65 Alhambra Way, Coral Gables 305-448-2498 La Taberna De San Roman Sometimes the same Flamenco dancers perform at different tapa restaurants, so don't be surprised when you see familiar faces on the stage. Here, the Flamenco show gets started around 8:30 p.m. Saturday nights. 1460 NW 107th Ave., Miami 305-593-8110 Text and images courtesy of Visitflorida.com, Florida's official tourism non-for-profit corporation. It is the official source for travel planning to visitors across the world.

Capucines BB Summer Beachwear prints, gradient Monogram and Damier motifs characterize Louis Vuitton’s Women’s Summer Capsule 2021. From bright to pastel hues, the collection showcases such versatile pieces as a sporty parka in gradient nylon, a sequined dress, a Capucines bag, NeìoNoeì and the multi-pocketed Papillon, among others. Accessories include silk twill pajamas, bag charms, small leather goods and more--designed with summer in mind! Louis Vuitton’s Women’s Summer Capsule is a breath of fresh air, inspiring feelings of a relaxed and endless summer. Click below to launch slideshow > OnTheGo GM By The Pool Neverfull MM By The Pool + OnTheGo GM By The Pool NéoNoé BB Monogram empreinte Marshmallow Monogram empreinte By The Pool Click below to launch slideshow > Capucines PM Summer Papillon BB Monogram empreinte By The Pool Speedy 25 Bandouliere + Multi Pochette Accessoires By The Pool OnTheGo MM By The Pool Available in stores. Louis Vuitton Miami Design: 140 NE 39th St, Miami, FL 33137 (305) 573-1366. http://louisvuitton.com/eng-us

The community that made Miami Beach famous as the place to go for Jewish winter vacations and retirement has diminished, but the impact the population made on the island remains obvious in its Jewish landmarks. In 1949, when the Florida Legislature ended the discriminatory practice of barring Jewish ownership of real estate, Miami Beach became the place to go for Jewish winter vacations and retirement, earning it nicknames like “Little Jerusalem” and “Shtetl by the Sea.” Isaac Bashevis Singer, the Nobel Prize winning author who wrote in Yiddish, made his winter home there. “For me, a vacation in Miami Beach was a chance to be among my own people,” he wrote in My Love Affair with Miami Beach, a photo book for which he provided commentary right before his death in 1991. “In those days Miami Beach was a magnet for Jewish people – a place where they flocked like geese to rest and warm themselves in the sun.” Home to a thriving Jewish community for decades, Miami Beach counted about 60,000 people in Jewish households in 1982, 62 percent of the total population. Today, that number has shrunk to less than 16,000, or less than 19 percent, according to surveys conducted by the University of Miami. The decline is due in part to the death of elderly Jews, or their getting priced out of the city’s Art Deco revival; others have migrated to Broward and Palm Beach counties as greater Miami has grown more Hispanic. While some Miami Beach landmarks – such as Wolfies, a 24-hour deli-style eatery popular among traveling borscht-belt performers such as Milton Berle and Henny Youngman – have closed, others remain fixed in the landscape. The Jewish population left such a mark on Miami Beach that there are tours dedicated to its impact. The Jewish Miami Beach Tour,” run by the Miami Design Preservation League, explores the rise and fall of the Jewish population over the past 100 years, with an overview of architectural styles. The “Jewish Food Walking Tour,” run by the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU, highlights Jewish-owned restaurants in Miami Beach, past and present, with tastings from places such as My Ceviche, Aroma Espresso Bar, Pita Loca and, of course, key lime pie from Joe’s Stone Crab Restaurant. If you want to explore on your own, here are some of the must-see Miami beach landmarks: Jewish Landmarks Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU 301 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach Housed in two historic synagogues, the museum offers visitors the chance to learn about the history of the Jewish people in South Florida, starting with its core exhibit, MOSAIC: Jewish Life in Florida. The museum’s site is the original location of the first synagogue in Miami Beach, Beth Jacob, which opened in the city’s South Beach neighborhood in 1929 because Jews were not allowed to live north of 5thStreet at the time. (One of the synagogue’s most famous members: Jewish gangster Meyer Lansky.) Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach 1933-1945 Meridian Ave., Miami Beach A hauntingly beautiful memorial built by Holocaust survivors and designed by architect Kenneth Treister as a reminder of lives extinguished in the Holocaust. The memorial includes a four-story-high arm tattooed with a number from Auschwitz, a Memorial Wall with thousands of names etched into it, and a lonely stone tunnel with the voices of Israeli children singing songs. Eden Roc 4525 Collins Ave, Miami Beach An art deco gem, the famed, 631-room hotel has its own in-house kosher kitchen. The hotel underwent a $240 million renovation in 2009. The Eden Roc and its neighbor, the Fontainebleau, were designed by architect Morris Lapidus, a Russian Jewish immigrant whose Neo-baroque Miami Modern hotels have come to define the 1950s resort-hotel style synonymous with Miami and Miami Beach. Temple Emanu-El 1701 Washington Ave., Miami Beach The oldest Conservative congregation on Miami Beach and one of America’s most beautiful synagogues. Its impressive and eclectic Byzantine and Moorish architecture features a rotunda building and aluminum dome more than ten stories tall. The congregation has a long and venerable history as a spiritual home to the Jewish residents of Miami Beach for more than seven decades. Temple Beth Sholom 4144 Chase Avenue, Miami Beach The largest and oldest Reform Synagogue on Miami Beach. Temple Beth Sholom is a member of the Union for Reform Judaism and in the mainstream of liberal Judaism. Temple Beth Shmuel 1700 Michigan Ave., Miami Beach Known as “Circulo,” the Cuban Hebrew Congregation was founded in 1961 to provide a home for Jews from Cuba. The temple was designed by Oscar Sklar. It includes stained glass windows of the Twelve Tribes of Israel designed by Inge Pape Trampler. Mexican artist Naomi Siegman designed the candelabras beside the bimah. Isaac Bashevis Singer Home Surfside Towers Ocean Condominium, 9511 Collins Ave., Surfside The author lived and wrote here from 1977 until his death in 1991. A plaque was placed on the building after being presented to his widow, Alma, in 1991, marking it as a literary landmark. Text and images courtesy of Visitflorida.com, Florida's official tourism non-for-profit corporation. It is the official source for travel planning to visitors across the world.

niLuu is a vegan silk loungewear brand founded in 2020 by Miami based designer Nilüfer Bracco. The brand combines the iconic elegance of traditional silk with a socially and environmentally ethical production process that is cruelty-free. The result is an unparalleled design that breathes like cotton, drapes beautifully like silk and reflects the cultural tradition of luxury textiles from founder Nilufer’s native country, Turkey. niLuu features premium and quality vegan silk loungewear such as kimono robes, wrap tops, pants and shorts as well as sleep masks and pillowcases in a variety of deep and vibrant hues with a soft-brushed finish, typical of premium sand-washed silk. The vegan silk pieces are sustainable, biodegradable, 100% vegan and are designed to look and feel amazing. Made primarily from Bemberg®, a yarn fibre derived from a by-product of the cotton harvest, niLuu’s innovative vegan silk fabric is hypoallergenic, anti-static, easy to care for and it is also known to have several benefits for the skin. The breathable fabric helps to maintain body temperature and excellent moisture control means the fabric doesn’t dry out the skin or hair in the ways that cotton would. The fabric also has minimal friction against the skin, which means it is also known to have anti-ageing benefits. In keeping with niLuu’s sustainability ethos, its fabrics are Peta-approved as they are made without the use of any animal protein in the entire production process. This guarantees that no animals are harmed to make niLuu’s products. This contrasts with traditional silk where thousands of silkworms are killed to produce a single item such as a pillowcase. “Our innovative vegan silk delivers the best of both worlds. Not only does our luxury fabric feel amazing when you use it, but you can also feel good knowing that it caused minimum harm to the planet when it was produced and that it will leave only the slightest trace when it reaches the end of its lifecycle” – Nilüfer Bracco. The luxury brand plans to expand further into sleep and loungewear and will continue with its commitment to eco-friendly practices. niLuu has also partnered with 1% For the Planet pledging to donate 1% of its revenues to environmental organizations that work hard to protect our planet. Connect with niLuu www.niLuu.com @niLuusilksense hello@niLuu.com By ML Staff. Images courtesy of niLuu

Actor Leon cuts a slim and regal frame. Once upon a time, his soulful eyes, defined facial structure and silken voice compelled Madonna to cast him as the saintly figure come-to-life and racial martyr in her culturally provocative Like A Prayer video during MTV’s golden era. It was a career-making turn that made headlines around the world. Leon went on to play memorable roles on screen, from embattled former basketball great in 1994’s Above the Rim opposite the late Tupac Shakur to David Ruffin in 1998’s biopic about Motown legends The Temptations, and his critically acclaimed portrayal of Little Richard in the 2000 biopic about the eccentric late singer’s life. Other notable film roles include The Five Heartbeats, Cool Runnings, Waiting to Exhale, Ali, Cliffhanger, and Get Rich or Die Tryin’. The common thread throughout these films is Leon’s arresting and charismatic presence. It transforms even the quietest moment into something memorable that transcends years, and even decades. Next up is 2022’s A Day to Die opposite Bruce Willis. On the small screen Leon has starred in HBO’s Oz and Showtimes City on a Hill, and RHOA fans have caught glimpses of him with his daughter, Noelle Robinson, and her mother, former model, Cynthia Bailey. His recent BET projects include A Luv Tale and Games People Play. Allison Kugel: You’ve had so many iconic roles and appearances over the years, and you’ve played a part in some amazing pop culture history. The first thing I want to ask you about is waaay back in 1989 when you were Madonna’s male lead in the controversial music video for her song, Like A Prayer. How were you cast in the Like a Prayer video, first of all? Leon: My agent called me and said they were interested in seeing me for this music video with Madonna and I told them I wasn’t interested. Allison Kugel: Why? Leon: Well, why would I be at that time? I was in acting at the time, and I had just started doing studio movies. Allison Kugel: But you didn’t think at the time that MTV was this amazing platform, and Madonna was the top artist? Leon: No, I wasn’t thinking that way because I was a serious actor, and you didn’t see serious actors in music videos back then, dancing around. I thought, “If I’m in this music video with Madonna, I’ll be dancing around doing something like that. I didn’t really know, and at the time I’m trying to pick and choose and I’m trying to do something with my career. I didn’t think dancing around in a music video with Madonna was going to elevate it (laugh). That was my thinking. Then, maybe a week or two later they came back again and said to my agent, “Listen, Mary Lambert (the video’s director) would like to meet Leon.” Then my agent said that Mary Lambert was a feature film director. And she said, “You know, maybe something can come out of this meeting even if you don’t do the music video.” I went to meet her and there was nothing but women around everywhere. We hit it off, it was great, and then they wanted me to meet Madonna, and Madonna and I hit it off. Madonna walked in and said, “I don’t even know what to say, because everyone in the world is telling me that you’re the guy (laugh).” Allison Kugel: So, you’re on the set of the Like a Prayer video with Madonna, and you had to know this was going to be a controversial video, or that it would at least spark a major conversation about race and about religion. What were you thinking when you were making the video? Leon: First of, I have to tell you, one of the things that made me want to do the video when I was talking with Mary Lambert, and I said to her, “Well let me hear the song.” I heard the song, and I was thinking, “Wow, this song sounds like it’s going to be number one.” I then said, “Let me get this right. You want me to act?” She said, “Yes. I need you to play two different characters and I need an actor for this.” That’s when it clicked, and I got it. I said, “I’m going to be acting in the video, and Madonna will have me come to life and Madonna will adore me? Yeah, okay I got it. I can see me doing this (laughs). Allison Kugel: I get it now. Okay. So, they basically twisted your arm (laughs)… Leon: Things had to come together for me to see the vision, you know? When I’m on the set and I realize the level of production and how good this is going to be, all the metaphors in the video, I knew at that time that this was Madonna’s comeback, and this is a number one song. I know it would be the lead off story of every entertainment section. What I didn’t know is it would be the lead off story of everything; not just the entertainment sections, but the front of the newspapers and the first story on the news. Allison Kugel: It’s the late 80s and it sounds comical to say this now, but I remember news people discussing your interracial kiss with Madonna. That sounds so crazy now, right? But we’re going back over thirty years ago, and it was a big deal back then. Leon: Not to say it wasn’t a big deal, but I don’t think that the interracial kiss was that big of a deal. Allison Kugel: The burning crosses in the video? Leon: It was who she was kissing, and that he was Black. Allison Kugel: Tell me the difference… Leon: For one thing, most people believe that she is kissing Jesus and Jesus is being portrayed as a Black man. Allison Kugel: Ohhhhh, okay… Leon: That was where there was and is a much bigger controversy. She’s not just kissing a Black man. She’s kissing a Black Jesus. Even though he was just a Saint that came to life, people thought of him as Jesus, so that’s where the controversy really happened. There were so many metaphors, but probably none bigger than that. Photo by Jose Pagan Allison Kugel: When you and Madonna were working together, shooting this video, did she say anything to you about how she thought it was going to be received, or was she just all into the artistry of it and that was it? Leon: Madonna was a lot of fun to be around, and we joked around a lot and did a few things together. She was cool. I think she was very much trusting of her team and the ultimate plan of what this video was supposed to be, and its visuals. I thought she looked great in the video, like an Italian movie star. I think that she was very locked into making her comeback at the time. The song was going to be that lead off thing that was going to kick it off, and it was everything she could have imagined and more. Allison Kugel: And everything old is new again, because you have the scenes in the video where you’re being wrongfully accused of attacking someone when you are leaning over, trying to help her, after the perpetrator, who happens to be white, runs away. Leon: Of course, and the thing is, the video is such a positive video if you are a religious person. What happens is, a woman (played by Madonna) sees a crime. She sees the wrong man accused, she went to church for guidance and the guidance she got from church and that experience from church, got her to do the right thing. Allison Kugel: Love it. Let’s talk about the movie, Above the Rim. So much of your role in that movie, and I think you talked about this with Vlad TV, but so much of your character Shep comes through your eyes, even more so than your dialogue. What is your technique and how do you get into an intense character like that? Leon: The character of Shep in Above the Rim was an interesting character because he was haunted. He was haunted by what happened to his friend Nutso on that roof and his whole life felt as though he was repenting, and he had to relive everything over and over again. Even when he played basketball by himself, it was like Nutso was there with him and he couldn’t let that go. He couldn’t shake it, so I think it’s very important to have people see that hurt and repenting in your eyes, even more so than any kind of dialogue. Allison Kugel: How do you get there? Leon: I’m very much a method actor, so I would delve into a role and stay in that character until the movie was finished. I think it’s how someone holds their shoulders, the look in their eyes, you can always tell something about them. They’re hurting or something is wrong, and I thought that was very important for that character. Allison Kugel: You filmed Above the Rim in 1994 and you worked closely with Tupac Shakur in the film. You played brothers at odds. During that time when you were shooting that film in New York, was that at the same time Tupac was arrested for sexual abuse, going through his trial, when he got shot at Quad Studios? Was that all happening to him during filming? Leon: No, it wasn’t when he was shot at Quad Studios, but he had just shot at two off-duty police officers in Atlanta, and then he had some other court case going on, but I don’t know what that was. It could have been the rape charge, but I’m not sure. But the production got interrupted several times because of it. Allison Kugel: What was your feeling about it at the time? Leon: For me, I just never wanted to see a young talented brother hurt himself or not succeed. And that’s what I was seeing in Tupac. I liked him, and with me he was one hundred. I thought he was talented and had charisma, and everyone could see that, but his mind was on other things that were going to bring him down, and it was obvious. It hurt me to see that, because I wish he was here with us today. But everyone has their path. Everyone has to live their life the way they want to live it. That’s what I was seeing, just talent being wasted, is what I thought. Allison Kugel: Did you get along? What did you think of him as a man? As an artist? Leon: Like I said, he was one hundred with me, but he told me that from the beginning. He told me at the script reading. He said, “Listen, you’re not going to have a problem with me, because you’re in The Five Heartbeats.” That movie was so revered by everybody. You usually get your props right off the jump (laughs). Allison Kugel: When you play a real person, as you have when played both David Ruffin and Little Richard, do you feel stuck between not wanting to do an impression, but wanting to capture their essence? Leon: It’s tough. It depends on who you’re playing and what you’re playing. If you are playing a musical performer, you just have to ride that line of when you’re actually being that person, and when that person is going through something, and make it as real as possible. Once people buy into the fact that you are who you are, you can take them anywhere. You can take them into space. They’ll follow you anywhere once they believe you are that person. Allison Kugel: What’s been your favorite role, and why? Leon: My favorite role is your favorite role, because I don’t watch my movies. Allison Kugel: You’ve never watched them? Are you afraid to see yourself on camera? Leon: Of course, I’m going to see my work, but I don’t re-watch them. I’m not at home re-watching my own movies right now. I don’t do that. When they come out and there’s a screening, I’ll see it. Usually, I’m watching to see what the audience is thinking, because that is who I’m making the movie for. I’m not making it for me. I think that if I watched my work over and over again, I don’t know, maybe it would be good for me to do that, but I’m too critical. I start picking myself apart, wondering, “Why do I hold my face like that? What’s wrong with my lips?” I’m not into doing that. Allison Kugel: If you could travel through time and go back in time to alter a famous historical event, where would you go and what you attempt to change? Leon: When you say “event,” it’s tied to so many other things. It’s like, how do you say you don’t want this one thing to happen because it’s tied to so many other things that happened, and you think of all the things it caused that are positive or negative, because that one thing happened. And then you say, “I don’t know if I want that not to happen (laugh). You know what I’m saying? Allison Kugel: Yes, you’re saying it’s like pulling one thread and the whole thing comes apart. That’s a good point. Leon: Yes. It’s probably a lot easier with a sporting event, like, “Ah, I wish he had made that shot (laugh). Because then that’s it. Allison Kugel: Right (laugh), it’s not going to affect anything serious. Leon: That’s a hard question, and I don’t know if I can give you a proper answer for that. But I applaud you for asking me a question where I can’t do that, because I’m usually asked… Allison Kugel: The same old shit (laugh)… Leon: Same old shit or nothing I wouldn’t have an answer for, put it that way. Allison Kugel: What is the greatest lesson of your life, so far? Leon Robinson: One lesson that made me a better artist is an attorney telling me, years ago, that it’s not important about how much money you make. It’s the work you do that’s important, because when you are on the screen or on the stage, it doesn’t say “$1 million, $4 million, or $5 thousand dollars. All of your memories are your performances and your story lines, so what you want to concentrate on is doing memorable work. If you do memorable work, then it doesn’t matter how much money you made. Allison Kugel: Agreed. Leon: That’s always stuck with me, and it’s never been more prevalent than in this interview with you, because what are we taking about right now? We’re talking about work that was done decades ago that people are still fascinated with. I appreciate him telling me that, and it has always stuck with me. Photo by Matthew Jordan Smith Allison Kugel: Do you pray? If so, who or what do you pray to? Leon: I pray, but most of my prayers are for other people or with other people, to be honest with you. I pray to a Being that is higher than me. Allison Kugel: Do you identify that Being by name, or you don’t want to go there because it’s not something you can define? Leon: I can tell you that my whole life I’ve been a Christian and a Catholic, but as I’ve grown older, I’ve learned more about the world and learned more about my spirituality and about other religions. For me, it’s more about spiritually and being connected to a higher being, and it doesn’t matter if you call that being God, Jah, or Mohamad or Jesus. It doesn’t matter. What does matter is how that Being, or spirit is affecting you in your life, and your life’s journey. You can call it whatever you want, but is it flowing through you? Is it affecting you as a person? Is it making you a better person? That is what really matters. Allison Kugel: I’ve never watched The Real Housewife’s of Atlanta, though I did watch a few clips the other day, because your daughter is on the show, and I knew I’d be talking to you. Leon: Well that makes two of us. I’ve never watched it either. Allison Kugel: You have a very good co-parenting relationship with one of the stars of the show, Cynthia Bailey, as I do with my sons’ father. We’re really good friends, we love each other, we respect each other, we are awesome co-parents and people always think we’re together because we always go to our son’s things together. We’re friends and we’re family, and we care about each other. Leon: As you should. Allison Kugel: You have the same thing going on with your ex, Cynthia. Leon: I like to consider myself a commonsense negro, okay (laugh)? I do things that make sense to me. So, for me, the child comes first. We have a child together and that is something that will never change, and no matter how many women I may have had in my life, only one of them has given me a child. So, for me, she has the highest respect of anyone. Allison Kugel: Yes, exactly. She gave you the greatest gift. Leon: Right, and that is not going to change. We are a family through this child. We are always supposed to do what is best for one another and respect one another, but most of all, do what is best for the child, and the child needs to see two loving parents. Even if we are not together as a couple, we can still love and respect one another. That is what our daughter [Noelle] needs to see in order to grow up. Allison Kugel: I know, and it’s rare because people ask me all the time “How do you do it?” It’s easy. You just put your ego aside and put your child first. Leon: Put your childish ego aside. It’s very simple. If you are no longer with someone in a romantic way, then you guys know each other so well, you’re friends. You have a child together. Let’s just keep it moving. Other stuff takes up way too much energy and it’s wrong. Using the kid against one another, it’s just terrible. What do you get out of it, and what is your upside? I always look at things like that. What is the upside of this right here? How does this make things better for me, my child, and for her? It doesn’t, so why do it? Allison Kugel: What you are working on now? Leon: Right now, streaming on BET+ is A Luv Tale created by Sidra Smith, a provocative series about four women living and loving in Harlem. I’m also re-occurring on a BET show I think is airing again in September, called Games People Play. It was their number one show last year. And in February, I’m starring in a movie opposite Bruce Willis, Frank Grillo, and Kevin Dillon called A Day to Die. Very juicy role. Allison Kugel: What’s that about? Leon: It’s about a parole officer who, while protecting a parolee from another man, kills the other guy and the so the guy happens to work for a guy by the name of Pettis. And Pettis thinks that since you killed my man, you’re going to be owing me something, because he was worth something to me. He gives him 24 hours to come up with a certain amount of money, and he has to try to do it and figure out how he can do it. Pettis sends him a few reminders along the way, and the action is [explosive]. I play Pettis, a bit of a bad boy. Allison Kugel: When did you know you were an actor, and how did it happen for you? Leon: I was on a basketball scholarship at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, and a graduate film student chased me down on campus and begged me to be in his movie. I was like, “Why don’t you get someone in the Theatre Arts department? I’m sure they would love it (laugh).” He said, “No there is something about you man. I just feel like you’re going to be in the movies, and I want to be the first to put you in a movie.” Allison Kugel: No way! Leon: I was in his movie called The Photographer, and I felt very comfortable, just like when you talk to somebody for an hour and you feel like you’ve known them a lot longer than the hour you spent with them. That was how I felt on that movie set, so I changed my major and became a Drama major and studied acting. Allison Kugel: What do you think you came into this life as Leon Robinson to learn, and what do you think you came here to teach? Leon: I came here to learn as much as I possibly can, and I came here to pass on the things that I learned to as many people as possible. Allison Kugel: Do you think you do that through your art? In your day-to-day life? Leon: I think I do it 24/7. Definitely through my art, because I have a way of reaching more people, but in my day-to-day life without a doubt. I’m always passing on whatever wisdom I have, and I’m always [taking] in as much as I can. Stream A Luv Tale: The Series on BET+ and Games People Play on BET. Follow Leon on Instagram @wwwjustleon, Twitter @justleon and justleon.com. Allison Kugel is a syndicated entertainment journalist and host of the Allison Interviews podcast, available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Follow on Instagram @theallisonkugel. By Allison Kugel. Top photo by Photo by Jose Pagan.

Feeding South Florida®, the leading domestic hunger-relief organization serving South Florida, met the unprecedented needs of over 1 million individuals, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, during its 2020–2021 fiscal year (July 2020–June 2021). Now, the organization is commemorating its new fiscal year and 40th anniversary with exciting activities for Hunger Action Month, a nationwide initiative created by Feeding America®. Hunger Action Month takes place throughout September and is designed to raise awareness about the issue of hunger in America and inspire others to take action towards ending it. This year Feeding South Florida’s theme is “Food Shouldn’t be an Impossible Choice.” People facing hunger often are forced to make the impossible choice between food or other crucial needs, such as electricity, childcare, medicine and more. In South Florida, more than 1 million individuals, including nearly 300,000 children, don’t know from where they will get their next meal. Hunger Action Month is an opportunity to be a part of a month-long initiative that has a real and lasting impact on Feeding South Florida’s mission of ending hunger in South Florida. “Although the increased need was a tough time for so many, we are humbled and grateful the community placed their trust in us to serve our children, grandparents and families in the 2020–2021 fiscal year,” said Paco Vélez, president and CEO of Feeding South Florida. “It is an honor to have served the South Florida community for 40 years, and we will continue to serve South Floridians facing food insecurity. Hunger Action Month is a great way for the community to come together, once again, to help end hunger.” For its new 2021–2022 fiscal year plan, Feeding South Florida will continue the rollout of its innovative programs including culinary and warehouse training, its “Food Is Medicine” initiatives such as the Mobile FARMacy and hospital pantries, the creation of cutting-edge technology designed to measure output in real time, home delivery programs, providing wraparound services like SNAP benefits, and so much more. Currently, for every $1 donated, Feeding South Florida provides nine meals to those in need. During its 2020–2021 fiscal year, Feeding South Florida distributed 154 million pounds of food (128.3 million meals), to more than 1 million individuals through direct-service programs and a local network of approximately 500 nonprofit community partners. It served nearly 2.8 duplicated households in the four counties it serves: Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties. Feeding South Florida has proudly created community drive-thru distributions with its municipal partners, provided family meal boxes through school district and law enforcement partnerships, created a community delivery program with first responders, provided direct home deliveries, opened a state-of-the-art, 5,000-square-foot Community Kitchen at its Palm Beach County headquarters, and more. These initiatives would not be possible without the help of Feeding South Florida’s generous supporters. During Hunger Action Month, South Floridians can help ensure food isn’t an impossible choice in many ways including: 30 Ways in 30 Days: Feeding South Florida’s 30 Ways in 30 Days calendar of events is available online. Print the calendar featuring daily ways to end hunger and share it with others. Post + tag @Feedingsouthflorida on social media. Start a virtual food drive: Raise money with friends, family, coworkers and/or group members by hosting a virtual fund drive. Simply visit tinyurl.com/MyHAM to get started. Volunteer during Feeding South Florida’s 24-hour Weekend of Service: Practice social distancing while volunteering at one of Feeding South Florida’s warehouses on Friday, Sept. 10 and/or Saturday, Sept. 11. Register at volunteer.feedingsouthflorida.org. Go Orange! Individuals can host an orange bake sale, government and municipalities can issue a proclamation for Hunger Action Month, hotels can welcome guests with an in-room display that showcases Hunger Action Month, schools can develop students’ skills by creating a project to promote hunger awareness, and much more! During 2020’s Hunger Action Month, throughout Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties, several landmark buildings including The Breakers, Miami Tower, and Bank of America, among others, all participated in “GO ORANGE DAY” by turning their lights orange. Dozens of cities issued proclamations, and hundreds of groups held Food + Fund drives and participated in volunteer days and turned their websites, logos and social media pages orange. This year, Feeding South Florida celebrates Hunger Action Day, also known as “GO ORANGE DAY,” on Friday, Sept. 17 to bring awareness to the issue of hunger in the South Florida community. Register an individual or company's #GoOrange to be added to Feeding South Florida’s community activity calendar. Contact Michele Fernandez at mfernandez@feedingsouthflorida.org or 954.518.1818 x 1863. Get social: Post on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Unlock FSF’s Hunger Action Month Tool Kit at https://feedingsouthflorida.org/hunger-action-month/ including the “30 Days in 30 Ways” calendar, social media tool kit, and more. Take the SNAP Challenge: Eat for the day on a food stamp budget ($4.50/day or $31.50/week). Pre-register for the 2022 Outrun Hunger 5K events: Participants can raise funds for Feeding South Florida by running or walking during this fun-filled event, taking place in Hollywood, Florida on Saturday, April 2, 2022, and West Palm Beach on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. To register, visit https://feedingsouthflorida.org/events/. For information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Community Engagement Coordinator Michel Fernandez at mfernandez@feedingsouthflorida.org or 954.518.1818 x 1863. For more information about Feeding South Florida’s participation in Hunger Action Month and how to be a part of the effort to end hunger in South Florida, visit https://feedingsouthflorida.org/hunger-action-month/ or call 954.518.1818. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Feeding South Florida

On August 10, at Soho House Miami Beach, Dustin Robinson, Esq. CPA, was joined by Psilera Bioscience CEO Chris Witowski, PhD and Silo Wellness CEO Douglas K. Gordon for a monthly psychedelic panel. Dr. Witowski co-founded Psilera Bioscience to use psychoactive natural products as building blocks to treat serious mental health afflictions. Psilera will accomplish this using innovative, patient-friendly delivery technologies with N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and a next-generation virtual screening platform to identify new compounds with modified psychedelic and therapeutic effects. Gordon is the CEO of Silo Wellness, a multinational, publicly-held company with global HQ in Toronto, Canada and operations in both Jamaica and Oregon. Silo’s mission is to support in the reduction of trauma and increased performance through psychedelic, time tested natural medicines. Robinson is Founding Partner of Mr. Cannabis Law – a full service law firm focused on the cannabis and psychedelic industries; Co-Founder of Mr. Psychedelic Law – a non-profit focused on psychedelic legal reform; and Managing Principal of Iter Investments – a venture capital firm deploying capital across the psychedelic ecosystem. The private monthly panel takes place at Soho Beach House Miami on the second Tuesday of every month. Moderated by Robinson, each panel will feature experts in the psychedelics space from CEOs, doctors, lawyers – and even celebrities. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Dustin Robinson

Sunnyside – a new medical cannabis dispensary in Fort Lauderdale — will open to the public on Monday, August 16. Sunnyside is in Cordova Shopping Center at 1830 Cordova Rd., by The Harbor Shops and steps away from Port Everglades seaport. Unlike other South Florida dispensaries, Sunnyside stores reside in mass retail environments to help normalize the cannabis buying experience. The Fort Lauderdale location is open and bright, featuring a depth of One Plant branded products showcased by form and function to simplify shopping. Professionally trained, knowledgeable and friendly wellness advisors are available to help registered medical patients find the right cannabis medicine. Unique to this store is a beautifully painted wall mural by celebrated artist Chuck Berrett, co-founder of NS/CB visual arts collaborative based in South Florida. The mural, which depicts abstract people in love within rich tropical greenery, embraces the importance of positive symbiotic relationships with each other and with nature. It evokes an emotional response through its vibrant colors that suit South Florida's aesthetic and offers the community a safe place to be curious and explore with cannabis. Customers can shop in store, pre-order online or select delivery through Sunnyside’s Sunnyside.shop website. Store hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. About Sunnyside: Sunnyside is where cannabis meets wellness. The nationwide cannabis retailer aims to educate today’s diverse users on cannabis’ many positive benefits and provides one of the widest ranges of cannabis brands. A more sophisticated and familiar shopping destination that combines high-end design from healthcare, retail and hospitality, Sunnyside elevates the value dispensaries can add to a community with a bright, welcoming aesthetic and convenient shopping whether in store, online or delivery. Visit Sunnyside.shop to learn more. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Sunnyside