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EDITORIAL Mike Macharello: Publishor Dallas Zabran: Production Rick Karlin: Editor
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photographerS Eamonn Sexton Ken Brown, KAB Photography Oliver Aguilar
COVER Chicago Lifeguard Sean Phillips
editorial contributors Gregg Shapiro, Ace Magyar, Parker Carr Sue Deaunym, Anita Taylor, Michael Elder
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Best of the fests The nice weather in Chicago is fleeting, so we cram in as much as we can. That means at least one festival every week from May through the end of September, and of course Halloween on Halsted, no matter what the weather. Here’s a list of upcoming fests in the city and suburbs. We only counted events that lasted more than one day, ‘cause you need at least two days to call it a Par-Tay!
15-17: Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest | Rogers Park 16-17: Albany Park World Fest 16-17: Chicago Air & Water Show | North Ave. Beach 22-24: The Boulevard | Logan Square 23-24: Bucktown Arts Festival 23-24: Taste of Greektown 23-24: Chicago’s New Orleans Festival | Chicago Wicker Park 23-24: Bash on Wabash | South Loop July 29-31: North Coast Music Festival | 9-13: Taste of Chicago | Millennium Pk. West Loop 10-13: North Michigan Avenue Arts Fest 11-13: Irish Amer. Heritage Fest.| Mayfair 30-31: Remix Chicago | Logan Square 11-13: Windy City Smokeout | River North 11-13: Square Roots Fest.| Lincoln Square September 12-13: Summer on Southport 6-7: Ukrainian Village Fest 12-13: Roscoe Village Burger Fest 10-12: Berghoff Oktoberfest | Loop 12-13: West Fest | West Town 12-14: Festival de la Villita | Little Village 18-20: Pitchfork Music Festival |Smith Pk. 13-14: Lakeview East Festival of the Arts 18-20: BenFest | North Center 13-14: Crush in Old Town | Old Town 18-20: Taste of River North 20-21: Lakeview Taco Fest 19-20: Chgo. Craft Beer Fest. | Lincoln Pk. 20-28: Chicago Gourmet | Millennium Pk. 19-20: Celebrate Clark Street | Rogers Pk. 27-28: Hyde Park Jazz Festival 19-20: Sheffield Garden Walk and Music Festival | Lincoln Park Suburbs 25-27: Jeff Fest | Jefferson Park 26-27: Wicker Park Fest July 26-27: Taste of Lincoln Ave. | Lincoln Pk. 10-13: Taste of Westmont 11-13: Greek Fest, Elgin August 12-13: Art in the Park, Northbrook 2-03: Taste of Latin America | Logan Sq. 18-20: Big Greek Food Festival, Niles 2-03: Wrigleyville SummerFest 19-20: Fine Art Fair, Orland Park 8-10: Ginza Holiday Festival | Old Town 9-10: NortHalsted Market Days August 9-10: Retro on Roscoe | Roscoe Village 29-31: Summer Sunset Fest | 9-10: Chicago Hot Dog Fest | Lake in the Hills Chicago History Museum 29-31: Taste of Melrose Park 14-17: Festa Italiana | Little Italy 15-17: Festival Cubano | Riis Park September 15-17: Edison Park Fest 7-8: Homer Harvest Days, Homer Glen
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¡ Life's A Beach ! Chicago's Best Beaches
by Rick Karlin
Hot days call for cooling off in special places. With 28 beaches stretching across Chicago’s 26 miles of lake front, from Calumet Beach at 9801 S. Avenue G at to Juneway Beach at 7751 N Eastlake, you don’t have to go far to find a watery break from the city’s sweltering heat. We admit to a bias for the north side beaches. Not only are the north side beaches among the most popular, the city tends to spend a little more attention to upkeep on those watering spots and the majority of our readers live on the north side. We also tend to favor the beaches with a strong GLBT presence. The “Belmont Rocks” was the preferred place to sun bathe (even if water access was dangerous and prohibited) in the ‘70s and early ‘80s, mostly because most gay men lived in Lakeview at the time. Now that our community has moved north, so have our sun worshipping centers.
Kathy Osterman Beach This center of summer fun, at Hollywood jest east of LSD, is adjacent to Uptown, Edgewater and Andersonville, all neighborhoods with a strong GLBT presence, and just a bit of a trek for those in other lakefront communities such as Lakeview and Rogers Park. As recently as 15 years ago, the crescent-shaped beach was mostly abandoned. As the gay community claimed it for its own, the amenities gradually improved. Osterman Beach now boasts completely renovated rest rooms and changing areas as well as a small café/concession stand. The south end is popular with the GLBT community. Although there is no parking lot and street parking is scarce, however, it is easily accessible by public transportation. Foster Beach Located just south of Osterman Beach, Foster Beach has
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been a favorite for teens so long it is even immortalized in the original production of “Grease”. It is much larger than Osterman Beach and has abundant parking. Its facilities haven’t been upgraded in quite a while, but the beach is wheel chair accessible, thanks to ramps from the sidewalk right down to the water. Between the two parks, there is a small dog beach. Montrose Beach The next beach as you head south along the lake front is one of the largest on the north side. At the north end is a large dog beach. The next half mile or so of beach is devoted to humans and is one of the few places that you can rent kayaks and canoes. Montrose Dock is a beach front restaurant and bar that is spacious and offers surprisingly good fare. The changing facilities and bathrooms could use some rehabbing, but are safe and serviceable. It is also one of the few places in the city left with free parking, and thankfully, there’s plenty of it.
North Ave. Beach Chicago’s party beach for straight folks runs from just south of Fullerton Ave. and continues south for more than a mile. Dozens of beach volleyball courts, hug the northern edge of the beach. South of that the beach widens considerably and you’ll find a mixture of beautiful sun bathers, families and a smattering
of gay folk. It’s got great views of the skyline along East Lake Shore Drive and is one of the few beaches where you can rent chairs, umbrellas and bicycles. There’s even a small-ish roller hockey rink. Rising like a stranded ocean liner, the beach house features well kept changing and rest rooms and a small concession stand. Climb the stairs to the upper deck and there’s a café and bar which serves decent, if pricey, Margaritas and simple burger and fries type fare, and you'll be rewarded with great views and cooling breezes. There is a small (and expensive) parking lot near the beach entrance, or you can park in the lot next to Lincoln Park Zoo (also expensive). It’s quite a hike from the Red Line, best bet is to take the 151 Sheridan bus.
Oak St. Beach Just steps from Michigan Ave. and Oak St., this is one of the most popular beaches in the city, even though to access it you have to walk through a smelly tunnel under Lake Shore Drive. There is zero parking, but any of the buses along Sheridan, Lake Shore Drive or Michigan Avenue drop you right across the street from the beach where pretty (straight) people go to show off their toned gym bodies. As far as amenities, you’d think the changing rooms and rest rooms would be nicer, given the neighborhood and clientele. There are a few volleyball courts and, the beach side café, while large, has had an uneven history as far as quality goes, but the fact that it’s overpriced has remained pretty consistent.
Jumping back north, both Pratt Blvd. Beach and Loyola Beach are smaller spots popular with their neighbors, but seldom visited by outsiders. This is probably due to the fact that parking at both places is practically nonexistent, either at the beaches or along nearby streets. A long pier separates Pratt Beach into two halves. Loyola Beach is bigger and abuts three other smaller beaches. The facilities are pretty basic, although along the south end baseball fields, basketball courts, and bike racks are found throughout the park lining the beach. Not officially a beach, Berger Park has a small area of sand leading to the water, but it’s main attraction are the mansion and coach house, now used by the Park District, and a smaller outbuilding houses the Waterfront Café, which features a menu of hot dogs, sandwiches and light meals. Hyde Park’s 57th St. Beach and the adjoining Promontory Point Park is not the largest beach on the South side, but is one of the crown jewels. Ample street parking is available near the entrance to the wide, underpass lined with colorful mosaics depicting the neighborhood. The water’s pretty shallow for quite a while and if the sun starts to get to you, Promontory Point offers shade, grass and a breathtaking view of Chicago’s skyline. If the aptly named Rainbow Beach was on the north side, it would no doubt be popular with the GLBT community (even though it is named for a U.S. army division). The beach and adjacent park fills more than 60 acres in the South Chicago neighborhood. All of Chicago’s beaches are free and the lifeguards are on duty from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information on these and other parks go to the "Explore Chicago" website at: www.explorechicago.org. boiMAG
Rick Karlins Refreshing Al Fresco
We love dining al fresco. There’s just something about sitting in the sunlight (or moonlight) that makes the food and the wine taste better. Here are a few of our favorite outdoor dining spots.
a great brunch and dinner menu and fab martinis and try and come up with reason not to enjoy it. 3700 N Halsted, 773.525.1111 www.kitkatchicago.com
Luxbar opens its patio from 11 a.m. to 12
a.m. Monday through Thursday, and brunch
Club Lucky has a 60 seat patio with classic fans and guests can dine al fresco from 8 red and white checkered tablecloths, umbrellas, twinkle-light engulfed pear trees and a retractable amber-lit awning. 1824 W. Wabansia 773.227.2300 www.clubluckychicago.com
a.m. to 12 a.m. Friday through Sunday. 1 8 E. Bellevue, 312.642.3400 www.luxbar.com
Taverna 750 combines old school Italian
with a contemporary flair on a gorgeous patio on Cornelia. For a small plate menu, Gibsons offers al fresco dining in the heart the portions are generous. 750 W. Cornelia, of the Gold Coast and its spectacular patio 773.904.7466 www.taverna750.com in Oakbrook which boasts three fire pits, a six-foot long glass enclosed fire place and What Da Lobsta lacks in ambiance, it a waterfall. 1028 N. Rush, 312.266.8999 and more than makes up for in flavor. The 2105 Spring Rd, Oak Brook, 630.954.0000 few outdoor seats are just far enough off www.gibsonssteakhouse.com. Rush St. to keep you from feeling you’re eating in the middle of traffic. 12 E. Cedar, Bistro Campagne in Lincoln Square is 312.929.2423 info@dalobstachicago.com about the closest you’ll come to a true French bistro in Chicago and has the most Riva on Navy Pier offers breathtaking romantic al fresco dining in the city. 4518 N views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Lincoln, 773.271.6100 Michigan and is Chicago’s only seafood www.bistrocampagne.com restaurant on the waterfront! The prices are high, but the food and service are stellar. Eduardo’s Enoteca in the historic This is the place to take relatives when they Sandburg Theatre building. It has an visit the city (especially if they’re picking intimate sidewalk patio. 1212 N. Dearborn, up the check). Valet your car at Riva and 312.337.4490 www.eduardosenoteca.com parking is cheap. Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand, 312.644.7482 Roots seats 90 outside on its patio and www.rivanavypier.com above it is Homestead, with an 80-seat outdoor rooftop patio next to its 1,000 At Las Mañanitas it’s hard to tell what square foot organic rooftop garden, two is more tempting, the beautiful patio, the massive vertical hanging gardens, and eye candy passing by or the margaritas. dozens of planter boxes all filled with Why choose? Enjoy it all with their classic vegetables, fruits, and herbs. 773.332.2354 Mexican American dishes. 3523 N Halsted, www.rootspizza.com 773.528.2109. They have no website, but who needs it when you got word of mouth! Kit Kat has a lux veranda and is set just far enough from Halsted so that you can see Halsted's does burgers and pub food all the action without feeling you’re sitting better than many, and its patio is one of the in the middle of it. Add drag performances, best spots on the strip to chill out. boiMAG 11
Motor Mouth
Summer-Sizzlers By Parker Carr
Cars for the summer fall into one of two categories; those for tooling around the city and long weekend trips and those for road trips. When tooling around the city, or sailing down Lake Shore Drive you want something with style and, of course, it’s got to be fun to drive. My favorite summer vehicles are all convertibles, because it’s summer and what’s the point unless you can drive around with the wind flowing through your hair (or over your scalp for my hairless friends). If there are any auto manufacturers reading this, tops on my wish list would be a convertible version of a Kia Soul, Honda Element or Nissan Cube. Until those are ready for the market, here are some other great choices for summer sizzlers. Jeep Wrangler While newer versions may be more refined, I prefer the big, butch, 2009 model. Who cares if later models had more room and an extra set of doors? This 14 boiMAG
is the first car I fell in love with and you never get over your first love. Mini-Cooper While it’s got only 181 hp, the turbocharged power delivery more than compensates. I also like the fact that it’s kind of like driving a go-kart. The Mini hugs the corners, impressive considering its front-wheel drive.
Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio It’s true that the top doesn’t actually come all the way down on the Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio, but its accordion-like roof allows you to open and close it while you’re driving, so no having to pull over during a sudden cloud burst. On top of that it’s fun to drive, thanks
to its performance-tuned suspension, turbocharged 160-hp engine and sport exhaust system. Best of all, the convertible gear only adds 33 lbs. to the car’s curb weight.
the V6 Mustang and Chevy Camaro convertibles? These are the quintessential cars of summer.
How could you list the best summer cars without including the Siegfried and Roy of cars;
Next Issue: On the Road Again. The Best Cars for Road Trips.
The Mustang 3.7 liter V6 provides 305 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. Not as much BMW Z4 as the old 4.6 liter GT models For something on the higher did, but damn close. With its end of the price spectrum (the retro looks and seating for four, base-level starts around $50k), the Z4, a two-seat roadster with the car is a party on wheels. All a retractable hardtop, available Mustang models boast alloy wheels, xenon headlights, air in three versions, is a great choice. The base-level sDrive 28i conditioning, remote keyless entry. The V6 convertible with models use a 240-horsepower 4-cylinder, while the mid-priced a six-speed manual comes in at $28k. sDrive 35i offers a 300-hp 6cylinder. The top of the line sDrive 35 has 335-hp. Porsche Boxster Everyone’s entitled to their dream car and I’d like to get The Camaro is offered in mine before it looks like a four versions; V6-powered LS mid-life crisis purchase. The redesigned Porsche Boxster is a and LT models, or V8-powered two-seater with a soft top. While SS and ZL1 trims. Even the not as powerful as some cars in lowest price model boasts 323 hp. And the car comfortably its class (only 265 hp), it’s still a seats four with the top down. hoot to drive. The base is $52k Pricing is from $24-30k. and options add up quickly.
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Chicago's
in the know ... ON THE GO!
By Sue Deaunym
Boys, Butts and Bars “Bringing the Beach to Boystown” sponsored by Andrew Christian, is a swimwear bar crawl on Saturday, July 12 starting at Hydrate at noon. It’s $25 in advance and $35 at the door. What do you get? Well other than helping support Felines & Canines animal shelter, you also get a free drink at each bar, a swimwear fashion show featuring hot guys modeling AC swimwear, raffles and a live off-the-model swimwear auction. You'll also get a beach backpack to hold your stuff upon check in. The other bars on the crawl all feature special events. At Replay there’ll be a photo booth, ProgressBar will hold a frozen t-shirt contest, Minibar is dishing up apps and the auction, Scarlet is where they’ll announce raffle winner and Lucky Horseshoe hosts the after party. However no bars north of Addison St. seemed to be included in on the crawl.
dish and you can pair it with a choice of red or white wine for another $5… Hydrate serves up premium cocktails for $2 all night long with Mz Ruff N' Stuff… Over at Hamburger Mary’s it's Hambingo with $5 Sauza Margaritas and slurpies… and, last but not least, Michelle Fire is serving up the infamous “Buck Burger” which includes a gourmet salad or fries at Big Chicks. Stage Business Kinsey Sicks returns to Mayne Stage by popular demand on Aug. 1 (okay it was Rachel who was demanding it, but it still counts). There are two shows. The rest of the summer, Mayne Stage hosts “Reefer Madness” on Friday nights … About Face Theatre, launches its 2014 -15 season with "Methtacular!", written and performed by Steven Stafford and directed by Adam Fitzgerald. In this Chicago premiere, Strafford shares his brutally honest and often comedic story of survival in the underground world of Chicago’s crystal meth scene. About Face” plays August 21 thru September 28, 2014 at Theater Wit.
All the Little Birdies Go Cheap, Cheap, Cheap Mondays are all the cheapskate’s dream come true. Taverna 750 serves up a chef’s choice $5 pasta Continued on following page >>
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in the know THE GO! ... ON
Continued...
About Face is also working with the Chicago Park District’s “Night Out in the Parks” initiative to present the world premiere of “Checking Boxes” featuring Youth Ensemble members Thursday and Fridays through Aug. 1, at parks across the City. All performances are free. For more information on either show go to www.aboufacetheatre. com… The Call is hosting “Stale Magnolias” on Friday, July 11, and I can bet you can guess what it’s a parody of… 906 Theater Company is performing The Importance of Being Earnest Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays through July 20 at Mary’s Attic… “HitchCocktails” combines a murder mystery and drinking game at The Annoyance Theater on Fridays.
Community Chatter Sidetrack is going all Cubano on July 19th a benefit for First Hand Aid which brings medical supplies to the island. There’ll be a Cuban buffet, Cuban music and of course, your Cuban host, Pepe. Tropical attire is encouraged… It’s one, two, three strikes you’re “Out at Wrigley” on Saturday, July 12... Speaking of sports, on Friday, July 11 The National Gay & Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame 2nd annual induction ceremony will be held at COH. Meet and 20 boiMAG
mingle with the inductees at six…. Touché is going to be very busy on July 19. First there’s the MWR Fetish Flea Market from 2-6 p.m., then later that night they’re hosting the Mr. Midwest Rubber contest… On Tuesday, July 15 (and the following Tuesday, as well), CGMC presents “Some Like it Hot, the Music of Disney” at The Laugh Factory as a fund raising event... It’s the “Battle of the Bulge” as The Ram hosts its annual Big Dick contest with a $300 1st prize on Thursday July 31. Fluffer needed?... Angel Abcede, president of Asians and Friends, was an extra on “Transformers 4” did he make it to the screen?
Exodus Did anybody else hear the strains of “The Baby Elephant Walk”? You should have, ‘cause The Brown Elephant moved from its Halsted location to its new space, 3020 N. Lincoln. It sports a freshly remodeled interior so clean and bright it will make the SUV stroller crowd happy. Yet another gay icon leaves Halsted. WTF? Are we slowly being edged out of our own neighborhood? It wouldn’t be the first time it happened. My older friends tell me that River North used to be the center of gay nightlife, with dozens of bars and clubs, then the neighborhood became gentrified and all the businesses got edged out. Sounds like a case of history repeating.
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FIT TIPS By Michael Elder
The DB Stationary Lunge
A Lower Body Staple
Many exercises that have been around for a long time are considered to be “gold standards” in the training handbook. The classic stationary lunge would certainly be one of these. This highly effective movement targets the quadriceps, glutes, and hamstrings all at once. The abdominals, obliques, and lower erectors are also called into activation to help stabilize the core and to help maintain balance. This exercise also has a very high carry over into the movements that we perform in our daily lives, thereby enhancing functional capability. Because it works so many different muscles at once, this movement makes a great “first” exercise when training the lower body. If this exercise is new to you, I recommend using just your own body weight as resistance. Once you become comfortable with the movement, you can hold dumbbells in each hand to increase resistance. To perform the exercise, start with one foot forward and one foot behind you. Your feet should be placed in a position that will allow you to achieve a ninety degree angle when lowering down toward the floor. The toes of both feet should be pointing forward. Slowly lower down toward the floor while inhaling. Exhale as you rise up from the
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floor in a vertical manner back to your starting position. Care should be taken not to allow the back knee to actually touch the floor. If this happens, you are actually resting for a moment, thereby losing the effectiveness of the exercise. It is also important to keep an upright posture. Your chest should remain high, and if a mirror is present, you should be able to see from your belly button up throughout the duration of the exercise.
If you want to target your booty, then this exercise should be high on your list of priorities. Just make sure that you are hitting that ninety degree angle each time, otherwise the glutes are not fully activated. Try this one. You’ll thank me! Michael Elder has been working as a fitness professional in Chicago for the last fifteen years. He comes from a background in gymnastics and is certified as a personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise (ACE). He can be reached directly through his website: www.MichaelElder.com.
iMUSIC
D a n c i n g at l o lla pal o o z a By Gregg Shapiro
One of the most exciting dance records of 2013, Disclosure’s Settle has been reissued in an expanded deluxe edition. Sizzling opener “When A Fire Starts To Burn,” is built on the unlikeliest of samples. On Disclosure “Shackles” a Soft Cell echo to a soulful dance cut on “Latch,” featuring Sam Smith. “F For You” is the kind of infection you might not mind, while “Stimulation” is a stimulating, if break-neck, workout. “Defeated No More” draws on some of the same retro inspiration as Daft Punk. Speaking of Daft Punk, like its Random Access Memory, Disclosure’s Settle is also an allstar affair, featuring appearances by Eliza Doolittle on “You & Me”, Jamie Woon on “January” and Jessie Ware on “Confess To Me.” The bonus disc contains the slinky funk of “Together” (with vocals by Sam Smith, again), “F For You” (a version featuring Mary J. Blige) and two others. With his full-length debut True, Avicii (aka Tim Bergling) became 2013’s David Guetta, but so much betta (if you will). Like Guetta, Avicii took advantage of the popularity of his disc by remixing himself True: Avicii by Avicii, sub-titled “This Is (Also) My Truth.” Avicii , like Guetta, employs guest vocalists, 26 boiMAG
but what he does with them is far more thrilling. Opener “Wake Me Up” finds modern soul singer Aloe Blacc in a country bar, complete with acoustic guitar and electronic beats; disco for the NASCAR set. The country/club theme continues on “Hey Brother,” featuring vocals by Dan Tyminski (of Alison Krauss and O, Brother Where Art Thou? fame) and the addictive “Addicted To You,” sung by southwestern songbird Audra Mae. Avicii breaks up the mountaintop momentum with hardcore dance-floor workouts such as “Dear Boy,” the ballroom blitz of “Shame On Me,” Adam Lambert’s stand-up performance on “Lay Me Down” and the twisted retro soul screamer “Liar Liar.” Twelve years have passed between the release of The Notwist's best album (Neon Golden) and its latest best work, Close To The Glass. You could say that it was worth the wait. Its non-traditional approach to dance and electronic music on songs such as the panicky flood of “Kong,” the exotic title tune, the glitchy “From One Wrong Place to the Next” and “Run Run Run,” makes the dance-floor an exciting place to be again. But let’s hope the group won’t take so long between brilliant albums. Combining influential elements ranging from David Bowie (“The Upsetter”) to seventies soul (“I’m Aquarius”) and eighties new wave (“Call Me”), Mercury Prize-nominees Metronomy has released one of Continued on following page >>
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Continued... iMUSIC
the most varied and surprising albums of the year. The delightful title cut is pure vintage disco and should inspire Metronomy fans to write love letters to the band. “Boy Racers” puts a funky spin on the band’s vintage disco sound, while “Reservoir” kicks in some Kraftwerk. Foster The People drops the ball with a resounding thud on its less than super second album Supermodel. More or less abandoning the dance music vibe that made the band’s 2011 majorlabel debut such a pleasure in favor of a 21st century psychedelic sound, Foster The People sounds like it is fostering a new direction. “Best Friend” comes closest to recapturing that dance-floor energy, and if you apply yourself, you could probably find a way to move to “Coming of Age” and “Are You What You Want To Be?” [Foster The People performs at Lollapalooza on Aug. 2.] Insistently hetero Canadian electro duo Chromeo continues to perfect its shtick on White Women. The ‘80sera Prince keyboards, retro disco beats and funky dance bass lines still dominate. But this time they’re calling on cool friends – Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig, Solange and Toro Y Moi– to take their tunes to the next level. Snappy and sexually suggestive, songs such as “Come Alive,” “Over Your Shoulder,” “Play The Fool,” “Somethingood” and “Frequent Flyer” would all fit in well on your summer dance playlist.
Chromeo also gets credit for not taking themselves too seriously and for using the word “tush” n the song “Sexy Socialite.” Gardens & Villa welcome listeners to its swirly and shifting second album Dunes with the dreamy dance of “Domino” before shifting gears and packing the dance-floor with tantalizing “Colony Glen.” The dance party picks up on the chilly “Avalanche,” while “Echosassy” lives up to its name. Free Your Mind, as Cut Copy suggests with the title of its new album, and your booty will follow. To fully experience the mind melting motion of the album explore “We Are Explorers,” follow your feet to “Footsteps,” be sure you have something to wash down “In Memory Capsule,” accept the invitation to “Meet Me In the House of Love” and get elevated with “Take Me Higher.” [Cut Copy performs at Lollapalooza on Aug. 2.] A hodgepodge of electro styles (remember drum’n bass and jungle?), Rudimental’s Home is most impressive for its use of guest artists such as blue-eyed UK soul dude John Newman (on “Feel The Love” and “Not Giving In”), high-flying diva Emeli Sandé (on “More Than Anything” and “Free”) and bi rapper Angel Haze (“Hell Could Freeze”). If you’re looking for straightforward dance tracks, “Spoon” and “Baby” will have to do. [Rudimental performs at Lollapalooza on Aug. 1.] boiMAG 29
ASK ACE by Ace Magyar
Top Of The Morning I have a new boyfriend, who is usually the top, he says he likes the fact that I’m masculine and a bottom. I always wake up with a huge erection and the other day he mentioned that he wants me to top him in the morning. I want to make him happy, but I’ve always been a bottom and don’t have the faintest idea how to top someone. I’m willing to try, but don’t know where to begin. Dear TOTM, It’s good that you are open-minded enough to consider switching roles, but first let’s deal with a misconception here. Being a top or bottom has nothing to do with masculinity any more than liking sweet potatoes over regular potatoes. It’s simply a preference. Tell your new boyfriend that you’ve never topped anyone and are willing to try, but that he’s going to have to teach you. In any case, there are a number of things to consider if you’re going to top anyone. Pay attention to your partner, go at a speed and depth that is comfortable for him. If your boyfriend hasn’t bottomed before, he’s going to take longer to relax and enjoy himself. A little ass play, using fingers and using a lubricant with numbing properties, such as Anal Ease, can help. When he’s relaxed you can penetrate a little more (still using your finger). When he tells you he’s ready, slowly slide your condom covered penis in (using plenty of latex safe lube). Some people find having the bottom on top, controlling the entry works better. Once you are fully in, grind (moving your hips in a circle), rather than thrust in and out. This is usually more comfortable for a new bottom. If and when you do thrust, vary the speed and tempo, tease and build rather than pound like a jackhammer. Avoid pulling out completely and thrusting in with great force. This looks good in porn, but is
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seldom comfortable with anybody but very experienced bottoms. Another technique is to lube up his ass crack and slip and slide it until you gently work it in. Oral Exams I am a high school senior and I met a man in a restroom at the mall. I went there a few times and let him beat me off. One day he suggested going to his house and I went there with him. We meet at his place a few times a week now. I’ve let him beat me off and I’ve done the same to him. Last week he sucked my dick and it felt wonderful, now he wants me to suck him off. I’m willing to try, but afraid of getting HIV. He says the chances are really low and that he’s HIV negative anyway. How dangerous is oral sex? Can I get HIV from him sucking me off, or from sucking him? Dear OE, The most dangerous thing you’ve done is go home with a stranger. You were lucky that he doesn’t seem dangerous. Secondly, just because someone says they are HIV negative doesn’t mean it’s true. Treat all partners you don’t know well as if they were HIV positive, which means practicing safe sex. Mutual masturbation is perfectly safe and most experts agree that being on the receiving end of oral sex poses little risk of contracting HIV as well. The reason that oral sex is so much safer than anal is that the throat is not as vulnerable to infection (saliva has properties that can disable some infections). The mouth and throat are not as efficient at absorbing liquids into the bloodstream. Don’t use mouthwash before or immediately after oral sex as it may remove the protective properties that saliva contains. If you have bleeding, scratched or damaged gums, mouth ulcers or a sore throat, then of course avoid oral sex. Although the risk of HIV infection is fairly low with oral sex, just remember that some other STIs and STDs can be easily passed, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes and syphilis if that person is infected. Ace Magyar has a BA in communications, a MA in sex therapy and a PhD in zoology. He is a registered couple’s counselor specializing in the GLBT community. Send your questions to ASK ACE at boieditorial@aol.com.