It all started, as so many things do, with drag queens.

Me at the Carbonell Awards ceremony at Broward Center, April 2016

On Sunday, September 23, 2012, I attended a benefit for Women in Distress at the drag club Lips in Oakland Park, the guest of my friend Michael Goodman.  Michael’s company, Bitner Goodman, was promoting the benefit, which raised a good chunk of change for the organization.  But as I enjoyed the passed hors d’oeuvres, the delicious meatloaf dinner, and the talented drag queens channeling Donna Summer and Whitney Houston, I had a reaction that surprised me.  I was sad.  As much as I was enjoying the evening, I didn’t have a place to tell people about it, to promote it beforehand, or to write about it afterwards and let people know how much fun it was.

This was hard for me.  Up until a few years ago, I had an outlet for writing about the vibrant South Florida arts and entertainment scene.  But I made a move that, while definitely the right decision at the time and in the long run, left me without a regular place to write.  And that’s been difficult.

I needed a new outlet for my work, and rather than wait for someone to give me the opportunity to write and publish whatever I want, I’d would make that opportunity myself.

So, welcome to MaryDamiano.com.  This website is not meant offer comprehensive coverage of all aspects of arts and entertainment in South Florida.  It will offer features, reviews, arts updates and photos of what interests me and what I want to tell readers about.   I can’t be everywhere and write about everything, but I can offer a diverse snapshot of our arts landscape.

I might write about a show I just saw at the theatre, an art show that’s coming up, or a cool restaurant I enjoyed.  Maybe I’ll write about the current episode of my favorite TV show, whatever film I’ve seen on Turner Classic Movies or my take on whatever bit of pop culture is buzzing about.  Maybe I’ll write about my most recent yard sale finds and transformations. If nothing else, this website will be eclectic.

I hope you enjoy reading MaryDamiano.com as much as I enjoy writing it.