ArtExplosion ’09, International GLBT Arts Festival, will run February 7 to 21, 2009, and will feature comedy legend Lea DeLaria . DeLaria will headline the ArtExplosion Finale at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale on Feb 21. Presented by the arts group ArtsUnited, ArtExplosion ’09 is one of the largest GLBT arts festivals in the country with two weeks of art and performances by GLBT talent throughout South Florida. The festival opens February 7 with the Opening Night Reception of the Visual Arts Exhibit at ArtServe, the largest glbt juried art exhibit in the Southeast with almost 100 works of art, a one-night erotic art exhibit, music, performance art, video art, food, drinks and a DJ. It closes February 21st with the Finale at the Broward Center, with an unforgettable night of comedy and music featuring Lea Delaria, along with comedian Scott Ryan and musician Levi Kreis. In between will be over two weeks of art, film, music, theatre, literature, comedy and cabaret programs. With over 30 programs of art and culture, there is something for everyone. Performances include comedy legend Lily Tomlin at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, the Florida Premiere of “Say You Love Satan” a new play by Roberto Aguirre-Sacassa at Rising Action Theatre, the Florida Premiere of the new Casper Andreas film “Between Love and Goodbye” at Cinema Paradiso, and an appearance by distinguished lesbian romance author K.G. MacGregor at Stonewall Library & Archives. Local talent will also be in abundance, like artists Alex Heria, singer/songwriter Richard Cortez and performance artist Matthew Glass. This year ArtExplosion will highlight the country of Cuba, with programming by and about Gay and Lesbian Cuban-American artists, poets and authors. The highlight will be an appearance by 2008 Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee Desmond Child, who penned over 70 top-40 hits for such diverse names as Ricky Martin, Bon Jovi, and Cher. Now in its ninth year, ArtExplosion is receiving praise as a premiere GLBT event, receiving the 2008 ArtServe Encore Award for "Best Arts Collaboration" in Broward County, a first for a gay event. ArtExplosion ’09 is sponsored by Tylenol PM, Pride of Greater Fort Lauderdale, Bitner Goodman, Creatabilities, The Broward Center’s Art Access Program, and is funded in part by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council. The South Florida Blade and 411 are the exclusive gay media sponsors, and the Atlantic Resort and Spa is the official hotel of ArtExplosion ’09. For reservations call (954) 567-8020 or visit the Atlantic Resort & Spa Website. Tickets for the ArtExplosion Opening Night at ArtServe are $10 at the door. Tickets for the Finale featuring Lea Delaria, Scott Ryan and Levi Kreis are $30 or $45 and available online at www.browardcenter.org or by calling (954) 462-0222. Visit www.artexplosiononline.org for a complete list of events, venues, and ticket information.