Edison Farrow (Producer) and Sandra Bernhard
Backstage at the Colony Theater

Don't cha know Edison Farrow?

by David Jon, 03/20/2007

The gays know Edison Farrow as the familiar face who fills their inbox weekly with nightlife updates and the latest local tittle-tattle. As for the straight crowd, unfortunately they may not be as acquainted. With his perfectly coiffed hair and debonair façade, it’s clear that Farrow is easy on the eyes. However, he is far more than a pretty face. Edison is the creator of The South Beach Social Club. While he hosts several weekly soirées, Martini Tuesdays is arguably the most popular. Now in its sixth year, Martini Tuesdays is a weekly cocktail party that meets at a different venue every week. In the past, Farrow’s parties have attracted stars like Rupert Everett, the guys from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Janice Dickinson, and a handful of reality TV folks.

In the gay world, it’s easy to fall into the trance of cheesiness and phonies. Edison serves as both an inspiration, and a sigh of relief in knowing that just because I’m gay doesn’t mean I’m doomed for Lycra muscle tees and poorly highlighted hair. I’m clearly not alone when I say that we need more gays like Farrow up in the 305.

Edison was nice enough to make time for little-ole-me and answer a few questions “David Jon style”. Here’s what went down... (keep reading)

MN: When was the last time you ran into a celebrity in Miami?

EF: The last (real) celebrity that I saw was Billy Joel having lunch on Lincoln Road. In Miami, I have to preface this with "real" celebrity.

MN: If you had to be a dog, what kind of dog would you be?

EF: I would be my Shih-tzu. She is so spoiled!

MN: If you had to wear the same brand of clothing everyday for the rest of your life, which would it be?
EF: Armani. It is a classic and will never go out of style.

MN: What do you like best about the 305? And what do you like the least?

EF: Best: The international mix of people and cultures.  Least: The prices of everything are getting out of control.

MN: If you HAD to be on a reality TV show, which would you be on? 

EF: American Idol (if I were a better singer!)

MN: If you had to "make love" to a woman, who would be the lucky lady?

EF: Rhianna. She is gorgeous!

MN: Lastly, and most important, have you ever worn sunglasses at night?

EF: Never! It's tacky.

LOCAL FEATURE

Shaken, not stirred
As Martini Tuesdays marks its sixth anniversary, Edison Farrow reflects on how it all started

By SHERI ELFMAN
Friday, February 02, 2007

SOUTH BEACH PARTY PRINCE Edison Farrow throws four huge parties a week for the local gay crowd. On Tuesday, Feb. 6, he’s throwing a six-year anniversary bash for his original party, Martini Tuesdays.

Farrow says he fell into the party planning business “by accident.”

A former singer, dancer and actor, Farrow started to take website designing classes six years ago while he bartended at Twist. One day, he e-mailed a group of friends asking them to hang out.

“Fourteen people showed up,” he says.

The next week, he did the same thing and 35 people showed up.

“A month later, 75 people were showing up,” Farrow explains. “Slowly, it became my job. Now I have 6,500 people on my list.”

Farrow started his website, www.sobesocialclub.com, to keep everyone up to date on his four parties: Martini Tuesdays, The Simple Life Thursdays, Showgirls Cabaret and Funky Fridays. All of the parties are held in South Beach. Martini Tuesdays is held at varying venues. Simple Life Thursdays is held at Buck 15 Lounge. Showgirls Cabaret and Funky Fridays are both held at Funkshion.

The website grew as Farrow started featuring local news, tourism information, video clips and local events on it.

“There were 450,000 hits on the website this month,” he says. “It’s gone crazy. We’re the only promoters who write what other people are doing.”

In the future, Farrow hopes to add a short TV show to the site, he says.

FARROW SAYS THAT the South Beach scene has changed in the six years that he has started Martini Tuesdays. He recalls that Miami Beach was mostly overrun by tourists six years ago.

“As we’ve grown, the community has changed a lot,” he says. “There are more year-round residents now.”

He says there are other big changes too.

“When I started this, it was really a late-night scene,” he says. “At this point, I can do earlier parties.”

In the past, Farrow’s parties have attracted stars like Rupert Everett, the actors from “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” Janice Dickinson and Real World Miami’s Dan Renzi. Some stars even come by unexpectedly.

“Suzanne Somers accidentally walked into a party once,” Farrow says and laughs.

Farrow himself is a local celebrity and will receive a certificate of appreciation from the city of Miami at his

six-year anniversary party.

 

THE MARTINI TUESDAYS SIX-YEAR Anniversary party will feature musical entertainment from the local group Pangea, which is led by stunning singer Christina Sichta.

The multi-talented Sichta is also a model and make-up artist. She moved to South Florida from New York City 10 years ago on the recommendation of her modeling agency.

“I came here during the winter season and did catalog work,” she says. “I never went back.”

Sichta focuses mostly on her singing career and has performed at clubs and events all over South Florida. She has performed for Farrow’s parties before, but only as a solo artist, never with Pangea.

The singer lists her influences as Aretha Franklin, Nancy Wilson, Etta James, Chaka Khan and Sade. She says she is inspired by working with different musicians and writing in her journal.

Sichta, whose work falls in the jazz genre, is currently at work on an album.

“I hope to have it completed at the end of the year,” she says. “From there, I will promote it and arrange some type of tour.”

“I would like to take it overseas,” she adds.

When asked why, she says it’s because of the audiences in Europe.

“Sometimes the audiences in Europe and Asia are more open-minded to jazz,” she says. “Unfortunately, America has only three genres of music that are mainstream. Europe and Asia have a broader market.”

 

BUT SHE IS STILL LOOKING FORWARD to performing at the Martini Tuesdays party.

“We will certainly take them on a great little musical journey,” she says. “We’ll start off smooth and then get them on the floor dancing all night.”

There is free admission to the party all night, and complimentary martinis will be served from 9 to 10 p.m.

Farrow says he expects the party to draw a big crowd that will include many of the people who have supported the party all these years.

“People will come out of the woodworks,” Farrow says.

Nestor Paz, Edison Farrow and Bill Clinton

www.PhotographyByJRDavis.com

Nestor Paz, Edison Farrow

Edison Farrow in Genre Magazine

FOR TWO YEARS, Edison Farrow organized and promoted the gay party called Euphoria Fridays at Jade Lounge.

But that chapter of South Beach nightlife history came to an end about six weeks ago when the club sold its lease.

Immediately, Farrow started looking for a location for a replacement. In the process, Farrow switched the party from Friday night to Saturday night in an effort to fill what he calls a void in the South Beach nightlife scene.

“I only had a few hours to come up with a name,” Farrow explains. “I was going to keep ‘Euphoria.’ But then it turned into Saturday night, which called for a name change. The ads were due that day. So I went through the dictionary and tossed ideas about. When I came across ‘Karma,’ I knew it was perfect.”

Farrow wound up looking at six different spaces for the party before settling on the Washington Avenue location, which worked out best for Saturday nights. The spot was once a club called Mickey’s, owned by actor Mickey Rourke. Since Rourke’s time it has gone on to be a number of venues such as G spot, Krave and Risk.

Karma debuted on June 11 to an enormous crowd. Farrow’s reputation as a host preceded him, with scores of people eager to check out his latest venue.

“I was shocked by the huge attendance,” Farrow says. “By 11:30 p.m., we were at full capacity with 150 people in line outside and an hour wait to get in.”

FARROW CLAIMS THAT PEOPLE have wanted something new for a long time.

“The gays used to be the trendsetters and now we have fallen behind on the times in so many ways,” Farrow says. “It seems as if the gay nightlife got stuck in a time warp in the ‘90s.”

Farrow says he is trying to reverse that trend through fresh entertainment, decorations and music. He says that some people are not used to the style of music being played and it may come as a shock. But it is all part of moving on.

Farrow is using DJ’s such as T-Pro and female impersonator Daisy Deadpetals, who he describes as fresh, innovative and current.

“The concept for the music at Karma is an ‘open format’ consisting of hip-hop, ‘80s, funk, rock, reggae, and dance,” Farrow explains. “Almost every gay club has the same house/techno/tribal music that has been playing for the past 15 years. I just want to create a fresh, new vibe.”

FARROW HOPES THE ENTERTAINMENT AT Karma will draw in large crowds.

It is Farrow’s plan to have a production every week. There are four live musicians on sax, drums, trumpet, and vocals that jam with the DJ. In addition to drag shows, celebrities and big name entertainers will be routine, according to Farrow’s plans. He already has “American Idol” diva Kimberley Locke booked for Saturday, July 23.

Karma also features “bottle service,” where small groups of guests do not have to wait in line or pay a cover charge, and they get their own reserved section to sit in. Karma has a large area for bottle service.

Bottle service is extremely popular in straight clubs along South Beach, but never caught on in gay clubs. But for the opening of Karma, there were 20 tables booked.

In nightlife, business is unpredictable, and there is no telling how long something will last. But for Farrow, that is all part of the ride.

“This is such a crazy business,” he says. “Things change so quickly, clubs get sold left and right. But if the first week was any indication, Karma will last a long time. Plus, I will try to keep things fresh and constantly changing. I love organizing parties. It can be a lot of work, but it is fun.”

When Saturday night is over, Farrow has Karma of a different kind to come home to. The week of the grand opening, he found a tiny stray kitten crying in his garden. He started feeding it, and now it lives in his garden.

And he named it Karma, of course.

Janice Dickenson, Christopher Ciccone and Edison Farrow

Edison Farrow and Todd Oldham

EDISONFARROW Bringing People together in Miami Beach one Night at a Time by Gabrielle Idlet His stunningly successful gay parties have seized the attention and attendance of Miami's elite. Edison Farrow's roaming Martini Tuesdays, Rendezvous Wednesdays on the roof of the designer Townhouse Hotel, and Euphoria Fridays at the chic Jade nightclub, are bringing gay professionals together to dance, drink, talk, and, arguably, create a new culture. As his events are electrifying the gay community, they are also proudly and merrily claiming territory in otherwise hetero arenas. Martini Tuesdays, Farrow's three-hundred-attendee flagship event, visits a different restaurant or hotel�one that doesn't typically have a gay night each week. The party descends on "all the fanciest places; the Loews Hotel, the Ritz Carlton, the Delano, the China Grill. For one night," Farrow laughs sweetly, "we just get to take over." Edison Farrow is genuinely, disarmingly, sweet. The model-handsome forty-one-year-old can't conceal his beaming grin. Indeed, though he has catapulted into the role of gay nightlife it-man, he laughs easily during our interview and expresses wonder at the glittery bustle that has become his life's work. "I never intended to be a promoter," he tells me. "I just found that there were so many nice people I knew around town, and you'd say "Oh we'll get together, I'll call you, we'll do something," but [in spite of all the] good intentions you never seem to do it. So I listed about twelve people and said I'd love to have a little social night where we just sit around once a week and talk." Farrow's "martini club" grew to seventy-five attendees after just a month, and the buzz attracted media. The little gathering of friends quickly became a word-of-mouth phenomenon. As he puts it, "The harder I tried to keep it small, the bigger it got." Three and a half years later, Martini Tuesdays have been held at more than seventy locations. Rendezvous draws up to two hundred guests a week, Euphoria pulls in nearly a thousand, and Farrow�'s e-mail list has spiked to 4,100. Yet, despite the colossal increase in the size and scope of his parties, Farrow still treats the events like living-room get-togethers. "I'm running nightclubs where close to a thousand people come," he chuckles, "but as people come in I say "Hi, thanks for coming," as if this is my house or something." This heart-driven approach is, perhaps, the secret to Farrow's success. In a city that splices the voltage of New York with the tanned-god glitz of LA, Farrow has created places where a gay community can, simply, connect. The parties have attracted the likes of Suzanne Sommers, Spice Girl Gerri Halliwell, and drag legend Lady Bunny ("he was looking for the Raleigh Hotel and came in by mistake, but she stayed for a few drinks anyway"). Even so, they retain a comradery one might be hard-pressed to find elsewhere in South Beach. Farrow adds that Martini Tuesdays has a particularly close-knit feel, as its changing of venues causes guests to have the sense that they're forever sharing a new experience. Warm, friendly, intimate: when it comes to Farrow's clubs, these qualities do not translate as vanilla. In fact, his events can get wild. Fire marshals routinely check on the overstuffed and booming hip-hop room at Euphoria, and Sunday Teas, a weekly dance Farrow hosted at the Palace Hotel on South Beach's posh Ocean Drive, erupted into full-blown, feather-boa'd street parties: "There were drag queens doing shows and dancing in the streets. So many people showed up that the Miami Beach Fire Department said that we were blocking the street and sidewalk and shut us down." Somehow, Farrow keeps his fun affordable: Martini Tuesdays and Rendezvous Wednesdays are free, while Euphoria Fridays are only $5, a true departure from the double-digit tickets at most South Beach clubs. On a broader scale, he uses his events to support community-born events like the Miami International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. "I get a lot of phone calls to help people out with charities, and I've helped people get out and vote," he says. "I've had people running for Commissioner and Mayor come out to my parties to shake hands with the gay community." If it's possible, he seems to operate more as a social service provider than as an entrepreneur. "It's become my job, but I definitely do it more for community reasons than just for financial reasons." As a boy, Farrow says, he couldn't have imagined that he would one day be living this life. Born and raised on Long Island, New York, Farrow began his career as an actor. He performed theatrically for seventeen years, and was seasoned by his travels as part of a company that performed at "corporate gigs" across the continent. "One day we'd be in Las Vegas, the next weekend we'd be in Toronto, the next weekend we'd be in Atlanta." The work put Farrow in contact with an eclectic assortment of people, and doubtless provided him the opportunity to learn the complex art of mingling. He notes a particular cross-cultural trip to a "weird debutante coming-out ball" in Odessa, Texas where a group of shocked mothers shut down the troupe's sexy hip-hop routine. After basing himself in New York, Miami, and, finally, Los Angeles, Farrow elected to shift gears. He moved back to South Beach (the place he'd loved the most), aiming to launch a new career in web design. He was bartending and in school when Martini Tuesdays accidentally took off. Now that his professional life has made an unexpected turn, the web training has proved enormously useful. Farrow says, "I love being able to go on the website several times a day and make updates rather than having to call someone constantly to do those things." Farrow's theatre roots have also served him well, providing him with the poise and authority he needs to deal with the jubilant crowds he amasses. While he resists it, and his already over-full life would seem to preclude it, Farrow still finds himself acting from time to time in theatrical productions. (His current project, a Christmastime musical It's a Fabulous Life, is a gay-themed spoof of It's a Wonderful Life). "I always say "No, I don't act anymore," and after saying no so many times I wind up being in a show anyway," he says, "but it's fun." So, should a traveler visiting the Miami area for a week, or even a night - seek out one of Farrow's soirees? Numerous gay residents we've spoken to recently have recommended Farrow's parties (http://www.sobesocialclub.com/) as "a great way to meet people and find out what's really happening in Miami Beach." Besides the convenience of hosting these events at great local venues, Farrow has given residents and visitors alike a wonderful opportunity to get together and celebrate in one of America's premier gay and lesbian destinations.

Edison Farrow and Ted Kennedy

Hal Sparks, Edison Farrow and Sharon Gless

Queer As Folk's Scott Lowell and Edison Farrow

Edison Farrow stays busy in two worlds BY OCTAVIO ROCA Edison Farrow is looking sleepy, with good reason. The sometimes actor and full-time founding director of Martini Tuesdays, the traveling social club, lately has been shuttling between serious partying in South Beach and rehearsals for a show in Coral Gables. To watch him in action -- at the China Grill, The Hotel, anywhere Martini Tuesdays meets -- is to catch on at a glance to South Florida's gay allure. MANY FANS Over brunch recently at the Front Porch on Ocean Drive, his scruffy dog Sambucca yawning in sympathy by his side, Farrow can only sit back and smile as what seems like half of South Beach stops by to say hello. He is 40 and looks about a decade younger, with surfer-dude blond hair and an easy smile. His voice is, well, sweet, an asset that along with his good looks helped him through countless commercials as well as in roles in All My Children, As The World Turns and One Life To Live. But that's all in the past. And, though the graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts has enjoyed more than a few acting gigs since moving to Miami Beach in 1995, Farrow swears he's not an actor anymore. "I keep trying to stop acting," he says. "Then a play like this comes along." The play is David Sexton's new musical It's A Fabulous Life, a very gay take on a very sweet cult movie that previews tonight. Coming on the heels of Bill Yule and Barry Ball's ambitious The Boys of Mariel -- a sort of Love! Valour! Tostones! -- It's A Fabulous Life changes the tone for the holidays at the Teatro Avante with an all-music, all-dancing, all get-a-grip comedy about a young man feeling blue at Christmas and wishing he had never been born . . . gay. This is definitely not going to be Frank Capra's Its A Wonderful Life. Nicholas Richberg plays the young man, with Yule returning to Avante as the Angel who sets him anything but straight. Maryel Epps, a sassy South Beach chanteuse, puts in a cameo as the Diva Angel. Then, among the large cast, there's also Farrow. "It's a beautiful, really funny piece," says Farrow. "It's also amazing for me to realize that I'd been acting for 15 years in New York," he adds, "and it wasn't until I moved down here that I got to play a gay character." That was in last season's comedy The Nature of the Beach at the Miami Shores Performing Arts Center. With It's A Fabulous Life, "I have my second." Farrow has been taking multitasking to extremes, redefining the usual actor-waiter-model troika by adding promoter, website mogul and community activist to his to-be list. This week alone, he celebrated the 150th edition of the traveling social club that has fast become a South Beach gay institution by taking it cross town to Coral Gables and a bash at the Biltmore Hotel. Actually making it to his own Martini Tuesdays on time is tough, and not just because of the play. Coordinating a Dulce de Leche fashion show, arranging DJs from as far away as the Budda Bar in Paris, donating his time to Democratic fundraisers and dropping in as a guest MC for the Miami Beach Cinematheque are just a few of the things Farrow has managed to fit in lately. WEBSITE POPULAR His website, sobesocialclub.com, gets about 50,000 hits a month and has become the place to check on all things gay in South Beach, from the new Friday Cocktails for Women (Friday night at The Hotel) to the next Democratic Gay and Lesbian Caucus party (Wednesday at the Miami Shores Country Club) and even when the Ritz-Carlton on Collins and Lincoln Road is really going to open. "I do the whole website myself," he says. Then, of course, there are the martinis. Not a purist, Farrow enjoys the array of exotic drinks concocted by liquor companies and clubs that come with a Martini Tuesdays schedule booked well into 2004, replacing the authentic gin, vermouth and twist original. Everything from vodka and rum to energy drinks and tropical juices can go into any week's featured "martini." "You could put beer in a martini glass and call it a beer martini," says Farrow. Why not? ``Now it's about the glass, not about the drink.'' Edison Farrow, Rosie Perez and Alexander Meadows

Edison Farrow, Peter Paige, Elaine Lancaster and Rupert Everett

Farrow's Euphoria Friday Nights at Jade Lounge In South Beach Going Strong By Andy Zeffer Jade Lounge in South Beach is the place to be Friday Nights as nightlife maestro Edison Farrow gets the weekend off to a rousing start. Farrow, the mind behind the immensely popular Martini Tuesdays brings the same magic to Friday's Euphoria party. Unlike Martini Tuesdays, which hops from one glamorous South Beach spot to another each week, Euphoria keeps a permanent home at Jade Lounge. One of the ingredients of Farrow's success are that his parties offer a laid back, yet chic atmosphere. And Jade Lounge has multiple rooms that offer different venues. Crowds dance to the music of DJ Jojo Odyssey as he spins dance music on the main floor accompanied by live drums. Drag Queen Adora is on hand to amuse partiers in the front bar. The front bar also features old funk music with live musicians walking around playing the sax and drums. And the upstairs room features hip-hop music. Euphoria offers people something fresh and different from the typical ear splitting and repetitive dance music found at other gay clubs and parties. In addition, Jade Lounge accepts table reservations for groups that want bottle service. For those looking for a night of revelry, splitting bottle service can actually be cheaper than ordering round after round of individual drinks. "Friday nights at Euphoria have really turned out to be a blast," Farrow says. "I'm so glad people are enjoying it. It offers something different, and its great to see all these gay guys getting down to hip-hop music upstairs. It's not something you see too often". Edison Farrow has become a huge success with his South Beach Social Club and various events he has built around Martini Tuesdays. A true a success story, he has gone from planning small get togethers with friends to planning events for the likes of Senator Ted Kennedy. Farrow is also an accomplished actor and appeared in the local hit play "Nature of The Beach". He is set to reprise his part in a film version of the play. Jade Lounge is located at 1766 Bay Road, at the corner of 18th Street and Bay Road. It is not far from where the once popular dance club Salvation used to be. From 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. free Iceberg Vodka Drinks are available. There is no cover charge until 10 p.m. And guest can party all night with a bar, lounge, and DJ that goes until 5 a.m.

Daisy D, Edison Farrow and American Idol's Kimberley Locke

Profile Never shaken or stirred, but always smooth: the man behind Martini Tuesdays, Edison Farrow. Martini man By LOANN HALDEN Such a simple idea, really. Why not offer gay men an opportunity to get together and socialize in an upscale environment? Better yet, change the space every week to avoid the "been there, done that" attitude that every venue suffers from sooner or later. But of course, it's easy to grasp the simple brilliance of an idea after someone else has already executed it. South Beach party host Edison Farrow will be the first to admit that even he didn't see the success coming until it arrived in the form of hundreds of devotees for his SoBe Social Club and its Traveling Tuesday Martini Nights that unite gay professionals of all ages. Left to right, Benjamin Hein, John David, and Rafael Rodriguez at Nerve Two years ago, the former actor "hard to miss as the hilarious, scene-stealing Mark in last fall's "The Nature of the Beach" decided to make a career change. No, he didn't envision himself as Mr. Martini; he went to school to become a Web site designer and took up bartending in the meantime. The Martini Nights began as a group of friends meeting up for cocktails and conversation. "I just saw so many people wrapped up in the whole drug scene here and that's not my scene at all," says Farrow, who hails from Long Island and has lived here off and on since 1995. "I knew so many nice people that you'd see around, and you'd say "Oh we'll get together. We'll do something." And with every good intention you never wind up calling each other: "We'll go to the movies," and three years later, you've never called each other once. Martini club founder Edison Farrow and Andre Barreto at Nerve, April 8 "My idea was a little martini club where like 12 people meet once a week to sit around and talk," he adds. "The first week, I called 12 friends. I made a little list and said, "I'm going to form a little social circle out of this. Let's meet at the Winter Haven Hotel on Ocean Drive at 9 o'clock for martinis." Fourteen people showed up, we pulled together some tables, and we talked for a few hours. That was supposed to be the group." Then he told two friends, and they told two friends. The second week, 35 people attended. Within five weeks, 75 people were coming. Today, the number is more like 250 to 350, with significant increases for special events; the second anniversary of the Traveling Tuesday Martini Night during this year's Winter Party Week attracted about 600 people. Perhaps even more amazing: It's still free of a cover charge. "People are obviously enjoying it," Farrow says. "It's not what I intended, but obviously it fills a need and people want to come, so I kept going with it." Eric Miller, left, and Todd McNiff at the Raleigh Hotel for the anniversary bash That would be dramatic understatement. Farrow's e-mail list has 2,300 names. The Web site, www.sobesocialclub.com, where he posts the weekly location and martini special, gets nearly 40,000 hits each month. "I guess because I post a lot of other things on there," he says modestly, after revealing the numbers. "If people want to know where AIDS Walk is, if they want to know where some charity function is, most of the big events are there." His last bartending shift at Twist was about a month ago. Hosting Martini Nights has become a full-time job. Given that the venue and the featured drink "a discounted martini that could be anything from a traditional cosmopolitan to a "Piranha Bite" or "Saketini" change each week, his schedule includes frequent meetings with hotels and liquor companies. "I really think about the crowd, what they want. A lot of times I like to go to places that the gay crowd would never walk into," says Farrow, who has taken the Martini Nights to the Loews, the Delano, the Abbey Hotel, the Raleigh Hotel, Touch, Mynt, and most recently, the new bar, Nerve. "I like upscale places. People like to get a little dressed up and go to this. It's the one night that they can bypass the tank top and put on the dress shirt and dress pants and go out." Michael, Michael and Gary celebrate the second anniversary of the Traveling Tuesdays club during Winter Party Week. On South Beach, where the gay club uniform usually consists of track pants and an easily shorn tank top, Martini Nights provide a reminder that it doesn't have to be that way. Guests heed Farrow's suggestion to leave the skimpy tanks and tennis shoes at home. "Years ago, gay men were known as the fashion plates, and it was "Oh that guy's got to be gay, he's got such a great outfit and everything matches," and now it's completely opposite. Now gay men wear tank tops and we're the slobs," chuckles Farrow. "I remember one time it really struck me. This was soon after I started the Martini Club that this happened. I was going out to dinner on a date on Thanksgiving night, we went to a hotel dining room and everyone that was there was straight and all dressed up, and six gay men walked in, in tank tops. I just said, "This is ridiculous." "About five weeks into [Traveling Tuesdays], I started to see it was growing and then all of a sudden a whole bunch of tank top people started to show up. I said, "I'm not going to have this grow into two or three hundred people in the hotel lobbies and have it all gay men in tank tops." The next week I put a little thing in the e-mail, "no tank tops, no jeans, no sneakers," and the next week they all were dressed. I didn't want us to be the slobs representing the gay community." Todd, Krister, Steve and Bill at the March anniversary party Again, a simple thing, but it makes a difference to those who attend. "I don't like the shirtless thing. That's just not my thing. It never has been. I know there�s a purpose and a point for it, I just never got into it. It just seems to me to be so predictable," says Tony Miros. "When you go to a gay bar that has the same party every week, you feel comfortable but nothing ever changes about it. When you change the venue, when you make it where they have to wear shirts (laughs), when you call it a social mixer and it's really not about dancing to Victor or whoever, it actually makes it much nicer. The beach was actually missing that. "I believe people really look forward to that night every Tuesday, especially with taking them different places on the beach that they wouldn't normally go." The different vibe of the event also means it�s not a cookie-cutter crowd. On any given Tuesday, Martini Nights will have guests ranging from their 20s to their 70s and they tend to be professionals. "Often I�ll know two people who are going out for a while and then all of a sudden, they'll mention, "Oh we met at the martini party," " says Farrow. "I love hearing that. All my friends meet their boyfriends there just not me. They say it's the best place to meet a husband." Having found his calling as a producer of upscale events, Farrow is testing the waters for other ideas. He's got relay dating at the Raleigh Hotel under way and plans for a cocktail cruise. He's also contemplated a charity event night. But there's no sign that he'll abandon Traveling Tuesdays. In fact, he'll celebrate his 40th birthday April 15 with the SoBe Social Club. "Events will come and go," Farrow says. "But I think the martini party will be here for years to come." For more information, visit www.sobesocialclub.com. Copyright 2002 - The Weekly News, Inc.   Local News Blank   Social Traveling martini club celebrates two years For the past two years, Traveling Tuesday Martini Nights have been a ritual of South Beach social life and they and their host Edison Farrow show no signs of slowing down. The SoBe Social Club will celebrate the two-year anniversary of its Martini Club during Winter Party Week. Join local professionals from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Fat Tuesday (March 4) at the Raleigh Hotel, 1775 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. More than 500 revelers are expected for the Mardi Gras-themed event. What started out as a small idea has turned into a phenomenon for Farrow. It began as a get together with some close friends after he saw the need for an evening where gay professional men could get together for a sophisticated evening, enjoy some mingling, relaxation and conversation, without all the chaos of the bar and club scene. "I figured it would be a little list of 12 people and we'd meet once a week, going out for dinner or to the movies," Farrow says. Within about a month, there were 100 people showing up. The invitation list has now swelled to more than 2,300 and attendance ranges from 200 to 350 people each Tuesday at 9 p.m. (Location moves around South Beach). For more information, call Edison Farrow (305) 535-6696 or visit the Web site at www.sobesocialclub.com. TWN - Your Number One Source For  Gay News In South Florida Copyright 2002 - The Weekly News, Inc. 901 N.E. 79th St., Miami, FL  33138 Phone: (305) 757-6333 Fax: (305) 756-6488 Edison Farrow: South Beach�s Hottest Host      Traveling Tuesday Martini Nights Marks 100th Event      Andy Zeffer  For the past two years, Traveling Tuesday Martini Nights have been a ritual of South Beach social life, an event where the smart and fashionable South Florida set come to see and be seen. Martini Nights recently celebrated its 100th party, and shows no sign of slowing down. The man behind Martini Nights is Edison Farrow, who, almost by accident, has become South Beach's most recognizable host. What started out as a small idea has turned into a phenomenon for Farrow. It was never his intention to promote a huge party every week. Martini Nights started out as a get together with some close friends, after Farrow saw the need for an evening where gay professional men could get together for a sophisticated evening, enjoy some mingling, relaxation and conversation, without all the chaos of the bar and club scene. "I saw so many people wrapped up in drugs and clubs and the scene," says Farrow. He discovered that many of his friends felt the same way. Finally, he decided to do something about it and gathered a close group of friends for a night out. "I figured it would be a little list of 12 people and we'd meet once a week, going out for dinner or to the movies." Magical Martini Nights The first night out, the group gathered at the Winterhaven Hotel from 9pm to midnight for martinis, and Farrow christened it the "Martini Club." The night turned out to be exactly what everyone was looking for a gathering where those present could enjoy each other's company in a classy environment and an escape from the fast pace of typical Miami night life. There seemed to be magic to it from the get-go. "At one point, a homeless man came over and that was our entertainment for the night. We had a homeless magician," Farrow laughs. "He was actually really great, and I have to say we were impressed by him. I saw him the other day counting change out of his jar." Word about the get together spread. Farrow received e-mails from more men saying they wanted to attend. Thirty-five people showed up the next week at another location, then 45 the week after that. About a month later there were 100 people showing up. Edison Farrow realized he had started something special. What started out as a modest gathering had become a full-time job. "That's when I had to set up meetings with hotels. I had liquor companies calling me, and it just became this whole big thing" says Farrow, whose invitation list has now swelled to over 2,000 with an attendance of 200-350 people a week. Lawrence from Miami Beach comes to Martini Nights fairly often. "It's a great way of meeting a different quality of guy, one who's interested in their work and career," he says. "At the risk of sounding haughty, it's a bit more sophisticated." "I like the crowd, I like the martinis, I like the locations," says John from Fort Lauderdale, another regular. "And Edison does a great job of making the crowd feel at home. It's like a big house party." Edison's Elements for Entertaining There are several reasons why the evening is so special. Guests are asked to come in dress casual, no jeans, sneakers or tank tops. Consequently, the party has a more glamorous ambiance, like that of the famous Beige parties in New York and Los Angeles, famous for their well-dressed and attractive crowds. But unlike Beige, Martini Nights has the advantage of a different location every week. And in South Beach, there is never any lack of stunning architecture and breathtaking interiors. Farrow cites this as being the main thing that keeps Martini Nights so fresh. "It's funny, having been 100 weeks already it still seems new," he says. "This month I'll probably add five more locations we haven't been to before. I can move around and never repeat." The party has already been hosted at such South Beach landmarks as the Delano, The Loews, China Grill and Pearl. The crowd is an attractive gathering of mostly gay men, though quite a few women frequent Martini Nights as well. Folks vary in age range and backgrounds, but as a whole, the crowd gives off an urban chic feel, well-traveled and classy. One is likely to encounter lawyers, doctors, businessmen, newscasters and politicians. One of the perks of giving the party are the many fascinating people Farrow has met since the event took off. "All the politicians come and campaign, because you're not going to go shaking hands at Salvation or Crobar with music blasting and people with no shirts on," he explains. Through it all, one thing remains the same�there is no cover charge. Farrow has made it clear from the beginning Martini Nights means more to him than just money. He is interested in building a culture. In his e-mail invitations, he includes a newsletter where one can read about local cultural and charity events in the community. A Twisted Start Though Martini Nights exploded unintentionally, Farrow is no stranger to South Beach night life. For years he tended bar four to five nights a week at the most well-known gay landmark in town, Twist. It was there he first tried his hand at promoting, putting together the successful Seventies Sunday Disco Nights. Farrow still oversees Disco Nights, and tends bar at Twist once a week. He believes his job at Twist played a hand in his current success. "It got me to know a lot of people in the community by working there," he says. "I've twisted a beer for every gay man in South Florida!" he jokes. It�s easy to see why people would be drawn to Edison Farrow. He displays a radiant, positive energy and a gracious manner that makes quite an impression. Walking around South Beach with his Maltese dog Sambuca, he is likely to stop every few feet and say hello and make conversation with one of his numerous friends or a waitress standing outside a cafE. Of course, his blonde good looks and striking green eyes don�t hurt either. Farrow pursued acting for 15 years, and relocated to L.A. to follow his dream. He didn't stay in Hollywood very long, finding Miami Beach more to his liking. Upon moving back to Miami, he decided to hang up his acting hat for good and pursue web design skill that has been put to great use in conducting his massive e-mail invites while tending bar again at Twist. Acting Up Just when Farrow thought acting was history; he received a phone call that brought it right back into his lap. Some friends were putting a play together and approached Farrow about becoming involved. "My first thought was ugh, I don't act anymore," he says. "I really don�t want to be in a play. That chapter of my life is over." The folks involved persisted and convinced him to participate in one reading. One reading turned into a second reading, and before he knew it, Farrow found himself cast in the production. The play, Nature of the Beach, was written by local playwright and gym owner David Sexton. "We wound up selling out almost every night," Farrows says. "And now, it's going to be a movie." According to Farrow, there is a prestigious director involved. The film is expected to have one celebrity starring in it, with most of the original cast reprising their roles, including South Beach�s most charming host, who was singled out in reviews for his excellent performance. "It's funny when they say once you stop trying it happens," Farrow muses. Whether it's acting or bringing people out to the most enjoyable event of the week, Edison Farrow seems born to entertain. Future plans include putting together a night on a boat, as well as a dating event. Regardless of what he does, his contribution to gay social life in South Beach is invaluable, hundreds of folks in South Florida who have sipped a martini or two will tell you the exact same thing. Men cut to the chase in search for Mr. Right STEVE ROTHAUS srothaus@herald.com So many men, so little time. Two minutes to be exact. Gay relay dating has come to South Florida. It's a variation of speed dating (or eight-minute dating) that's become the rage among straight singles in San Francisco, New York, London and Paris. ''After two minutes in a bar, I know if I want to go on a date with this person -- or slit my wrists,'' promoter Edison Farrow tells 50 players at the start of gay relay dating, which he presents twice a month in South Beach. Lance Steinbeisser, 33, a Miami court reporter, signed up because he is tired of finding the wrong kind of men in the usual places. ''It's not hard to meet someone,'' he said. ``It's hard to meet someone who wants more than just sex.'' Farrow said gay relay dating is just like straight speed dating, with one exception: ``At the straight ones, the women just sit around a table and the men move. Their 50 percent have to meet the other 50 percent. At mine, every person has to meet every person.'' It works this way: 50 single men spend $20 each hoping to find Mr. Right. Their names are printed on large ballots. Next to each name is a ''yes'' and ``no''. The men sit in two rows facing each other. Each pair has two minutes to get to know each other. Then, Farrow blows a whistle. The men change chairs and meet the next person on line. This repeats for about two hours, or until everyone has spoken. Players indicate whether they want to date a person by circling the yes or no next to his name. Afterward, Farrow collects the ballots and matches the responses. If two say yes to each other, Farrow sends them photos and e-mail addresses. The rest is up to them. ''It's always surprising to me when I do the results who gets the most matches,'' Farrow said. ``Sometimes the most average guys get the most matches because they are not intimidating, and in two minutes people want to get to know them better.'' The fewer men a player says yes to, the worse his chances of getting a date. ''One person only chose two people. A lot of people chose him, but there were no matches. He was one of the most popular people there, but he only chose two people and those two didn't choose him,'' Farrow said. ``If you can't find someone among 50 people, you're too picky.'' Since beginning in January, all of Farrow's dating events have sold out. The next event will be March 12 at the Raleigh Hotel in Miami Beach. Farrow, 39, runs SoBe Social Club (www.sobesocialclub.com), which hosts a Traveling Tuesdays Martini Club that rotates weekly among chic South Beach bars and hotels. Participants come from Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Tuesday night, the Martini Club celebrates its second anniversary at the Raleigh. ''I've been doing the martini parties for two years and people are always asking me about a dating night,'' said Farrow, a part-time actor who just started dating someone he met at a Valentine's Day party. ``It's hard to meet people here.'' Relay dating is better than meeting in chat rooms on the Internet, Farrow said. ''Instead of looking at 50 photos and hearing 50 lies, you're shaking 50 hands and you know what they look like,'' he said. Most relay-dating contestants are average guys in their 30s and 40s. ''It was a little bit of a shock when I found out the range of age,'' said Jose Gonzalez, 28, of Coral Gables, who wants to go out with someone up to age 33. Half the prospects Gonzalez met asked how old he is. One joked, ``Are you 12?'' ``I asked how old are you? Forty-five?'' Next. Another player said he didn't like being asked what kind of car he drives. The most offensive question of the night: ``Are you wearing underwear?'' That didn't bother Beach massage therapist Lohan Bruguera, 40. 'I just laughed. I said, `I am, are you?' '' For the record, he wasn't. Early in the evening, most men are very nervous. Some are sweating. A few drank shots of whiskey. ''You're not really getting people at their best,'' said Bruguera, who said yes to 10 men and got four potential dates. Steinbeisser, the court reporter, is now seeing one of his three matches, a 40-year-old graphic artist. ''Awesome,'' Steinbeisser said after the first dinner date. Things went so well, the next day the new couple introduced their pets. 'We went to Lincoln Road. All three of our dogs sat at the edge of our feet while we were talking. Then, we took the `kids' home and met later for dinner.'' Although romance has blossomed, Steinbeisser said he and his beau are taking things slowly. ''Lots of kissing going,'' Steinbeisser said. ``But I'm a very old-fashioned kind of guy. I'm not the kind of guy who would jump into the sack right away.'' Posted on Fri, Jun. 14, 2002 Sure, SoBe has changed -- it's better BY LESLEY ABRAVANEL Last month's Wall Street Journal article stating that South Beach has lost its edge still has some locals reeling (on the other hand, it's nice to see that people read newspapers, even if they're only scanning articles to see if their names pop up). At any rate, Edison Farrow, one of Miami Beach's most laid back and humble promoters (he's responsible for the hugely popular roaming Tuesday-night gay martini parties) has responded with an essay titled ''South Beach: The Good Old Days, The Better New Days'' on his website, www.sobesocialclub.com. Farrow writes: 'People always seem to remember the good ol' days and forget about the bad ol' problems ... '' Among the arguments Farrow makes: Ten years ago, 75 percent of Lincoln Road space was empty and people didn't feel safe walking down the street; and the influx of Manhattan-based businesses popping up such as Bond Street, Nobu, Sushisamba and soon, Cafeteria. ''What I don't miss is trips in traffic to Aventura and Dadeland Malls for a movie ... and a stop at the Gap or Banana Republic; or having to drive in traffic in order to buy quality cooking items at William Sonoma when in that Martha Stewart mood,'' he notes. 'So, the next time you hear people complaining about South Beach becoming a shopping mall as they sip their half 2 percent, half-skim, caramel/mocha, decaf Frappucino with whipped cream on the side at Starbucks, ask them if they'd prefer to drive to Dadeland for it. And check their closets, you are sure to find several items from the `the mall's' Gap and Banana Republic.'' Lesley Abravanel can be reached at Lank@aol.com (fax: 305-538-9565). Only serious events will be considered; please, no solicitations.   Edison    Farrow You know, some guys seem to have all the luck � like Edison Farrow, for example. Purely out of necessity Edison created a traveling martini party that is now one of South Beach's most celebrated weekly social events for the boys on the Beach.  But nightlife and cocktails are only one side of this former theatre actor...                               CONTINUE...>>