LETTER from the
PUBLISHER
by MICHAEL A. MONKS
Another calendar is tossed in the trash and a new one is on the wall, and with it, your fridge is probably stocked with fresh veggies, your closet door may have a new pull-up bar attached to it, Tony Horton and his P90X videos have arrived in your mailbox, and you’re being nicer to people. You’re drinking less, flirting more, and trying new colors in your work-clothes rotation. Ah, 2016. New year, new you, right? The challenge this year, as in all years, is maintaining that newfound motivation that rushes in with each January and usually limps out of your mind by the time you’re stuffing your face with nachos and watching the NCAA basketball tournament in March.
Is this the year that a New Year/New You Resolution really matters? Finally? Here at the UNiTE Cincinnati office, we certainly have a list of our own personal goals, whether it’s losing weight, finding love, or finally learning how to cook. And we’re all rooting for each other. We’re rooting for you, too. Personally, the New Year holiday is my favorite. It’s better than Christmas in terms of the gift we receive, in my opinion. The thing to remember, though, is that the present, as in the gift, is the present, as in the now. Sure, we can start to improve ourselves anytime we want, but the New Year holiday has that certain fresh-start-ness to it that makes it an appealing time to hit the elliptical harder, to rinse off some asparagus, to pass on the soda, and to see the world and yourself in a new way. The key is to be present in the present. Be grateful for who you are now and who you want to be, and don’t get frustrated by your goals. Your own plans for yourself should never be discouraging! They should inspire you every day. We at UNiTE Cincinnati hope that this year is your year. And we hope that next year is your year, too. But most of all, we just hope you enjoy the present. After all, the present is the greatest gift of all!
PUBLISHER Michael A. Monks
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Chuck Beatty MANAGING EDITOR Jerod Theobald CREATIVE DIRECTOR Sarah Phipps
Rivendell Media (908) 232-2021
SALES
CONTRIBUTORS
COVER PHOTO
Steve Bolia Rob Bucher Bryan Burke Michael Chanax Ben Eisenmenger Sean Howley
2 | UNITE Cincinnati
Larry Johnson Blake Kniffin Nicholas Melnyk Bree Singer Shannon C. Smith Claire Suer Jason Wiff
Chuck Beatty (513) 813-8246 Jeremy Kramer
WWW.UNITEMAG.COM/CINCINNATI UNITECINCI @UNITECINCI UNITECINCI
TABLE of
CONTENTS Feb/Mar 2016
FEATURE Benefits of Cycling
12
A&E Theatre Listings 19 Tillie’s 22 The Queer Film Critic: Shortbus Revisited 28
BUSINESS Business Wellness Tips for the New Year
4
COMMUNITY Goose’s Crystal Ball Cincy Straddlers
6 7
HEALTH & WELLNESS Courtney Paul - Work Out - New York Go Primal with Animal Flow Kettle All the Way Being Over 40 and Fit What Might the New Year Hold for You?
8 10 14 16 18
LIFE & STYLE Hawaii is for Honeymooning Queen City Open Tennis Tournament 2016: Time for an Upgrade
20 25 26
(U)NiTE LIFE Bars & Nightclubs LGBT Directory
29 30
The Art Academy of Cincinnati is a world where the ingenious and the rebellious come to play. Where the relentless and the radiant find better ways to work and create. Where the cutting-edge become the celebrated and the radicals teach the fundamentals. Celebrating 10 years in Over-the-Rhine. Come hang out on Final Friday! New exhibition every month. www.artacademy.edu/exhibitions
BUSINESS
Business Wellness Tips for the New Year by Shannon C. Smith
Last issue I discussed personal wellness, specifically how work/life balance impacts individual owners. I wanted to expand on the topic in this issue to discuss business “wellness.” Planning can contribute to the overall “wellness” or success of your company. It is important to take a look at your business as it is and begin to strategically prepare for the future. Consider some of the following tips as you welcome the New Year:
SWOT It Out
Take a hard look at your business and figure out what went well and what did not using the SWOT [Strength Weakness Opportunity Threat] method. Which form of advertising worked best? What product or service made the most money? Who is the competition and how can you set yourself apart? Keeping a pulse check on your business is crucial for growth!
PLAN
Put some of those time-bound goals onto a calendar and also consider creating a promotions calendar for all the days you want to run a promotion. Plan to attend a conference and hear from experts in your field to stay on the cutting edge of your business. Plan to host or attend networking events. Plan to host an informational luncheon or offer your expertise at a seminar to help build contacts and potentially your clientele. 4 | UNITE Cincinnati
Work Smarter, Not Harder
Based on what you discovered in your SWOT analysis, set goals for the New Year that are SMART (Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time Bound). Get employees to goalset with you, especially if they are more heavily involved in the ground level functions of the business. Not only will you benefit, but your employees will become more engaged and have an active interest in seeing the goals realized.
Get Organized
Although all of the above could fall under the umbrella of organization, I want to specifically point to organizing your physical office space. Clean out that junk drawer! Declutter your desk and office space. A clean space lends to a clear mind!
Since its inception, The Met Club has been focused on community, inclusion and diversity. When Members enjoy the Club and use it to its full capacity, you are impacting the community as well as growing your own personal goals and visions by networking with fellow Members. The Mission of The Metropolitan Club is to provide a superior venue to unite diverse stakeholders from the business, charitable, social and political spheres to make a difference in our Greater Community.
Complimentary Breakfast for Members Complimentary Breakfast for Members Outstanding Cuisine, Seasonal Menu Changes, Outstanding Cuisine, Seasonal Menu Changes, Healthy & Flexible Options Healthy & Flexible Options Personalized Service with Concierge Availability Personalized Service with Concierge Availability Reciprocal Golf Locally with Three Prestigious Reciprocal Golf Locally with Three Prestigious Country Clubs Country Clubs Complimentary Parking for Members in the Complimentary Parking for Members in the RiverCenter Garage RiverCenter Garage ...Great for Visiting The Club or Enjoying Nearby ...Great for Visiting The Club or Enjoying Nearby Adventures Adventures Access to Membership at the Soon-To-Be Acccess to Membership at the Soon-To-Be Renovated RiverCenter Health Club with State of the Renovated RiverCenter Health Club with State of the Art Fitness Equipment, Juice Bar & More Art Fitness Equipment, Juice Bar & More
859-491-2400 www.metropolitanclub.net 50 E. RiverCenter Blvd. Suite 1900, Covington, KY 41011
@MetClubCov
COMMUNITY
Goose’s Crystal Ball Prognostication, bloviation, and a dash of mere speculation is a fun game! So, in that spirit, here are Goose’s best guesses for the New Year! 1: Cincinnati Pride (June 25, 2016) will top 100,000 in attendance. Cincinnati Pride says we are 10,000 away based on 2015 figures. 2: The wish of many is realized- a center, with particular emphasis for youth of the LGBT spectrum, functioning as housing, a safe place, and ancillary services. 3: Many of our support organizations, particularly political ones, will either disappear or change radically to find a new space in the post-marriage equality win era. 4: As the number of seniors grows in the Tri-State, a real functioning senior advocacy group will form. The organization will leverage the talents of seniors, affording training and mentoring for the young as well as advice and counsel for community organizations. Better yet, the organization enlists
by Michael ‘The Goose’ Chanax
the community to find affordable LGBT friendly senior living and ancillary services. 5: More work will finally be done on updating the list of all organizations, medical services, doctors, and housing for the entire community- no matter who owns the project. 6: Our communities will address an age old lament of Cincinnati: the lack of age and racial diversity in many organizations. We must develop an effective way to recruit and retain the full spectrum of the LGBT rainbow in our groups. 7: We become better consumers of our organizations, particularly non-profit groups. Questions such as where are the articles of incorporation, by-laws, and tax returns, and tax-exempt status, how are people elected to leadership and where does the money go to benefit the communities will become routine and you will still be invited to dinner parties! The Goose and her beloved feline, Tina, wish all who participate and volunteer to make number seven a reality!
COMMUNITY
Cincy Straddlers Bridge a Gap in the Queer Social Scene by Claire Suer In February of 2014, my friend Caroline and I were looking for more queer friends. We’d been loyal readers of the everythingfor-queer-women website Autostraddle.com for a while, and frequently bemoaned not having an “in real life” community like the powerfully positive one we’d found there, online. So we decided to host a meet-up for Autostraddle readers in the area. A year and a half later, the group that grew out of that first humble meet-up now has nearly 300 members on the Facebook group. It has its own website, and a Google calendar that sports usually 1 or more meet-ups of some kind each week. We host monthly board game nights, have a book club, have at various times touted a newsletter and a soccer team, and we are always planning numerous random fun activities, from “Creative Space” art-sharing time to pumpkin-picking, from concert-going to building blanket forts, from volunteering efforts to spontaneous hangouts. Our Facebook page is alive with posts from members sharing events of interest, ideas and projects, and relishing in our love for queer media. You may have seen us out and about on just-for-fun self-love photo shoots, or marching in the Pride parade this year. The incredible humans who make up the Cincy Straddlers have given me so much. To write it all here would be impossible, but I’m delighted to share with our larger Cincinnati community a few things that I’ve taken away in the past year and a half. The main thing I’ve learned is that community organizing doesn’t have to be hard. I recently heard Black Lives Matter activist Janaya Khan (a.k.a. Future) speak, and she said one of their rules of organizing is “critical connections over critical mass.” This is what Cincy Straddlers has been about from the beginning: forming friendships and strong bonds, so that this group grows organically as a support network and a place of chosen family. Our events and meet-ups happen because one or a few of us have an idea, and then they turn around and make it happen. When there are several people hosting events, planning, and working together - well, generosity begets generosity. It doesn’t feel like work. I’ve learned that having a core philosophy to work from is crucial. From the start, we’ve been referring to and interacting with what we affectionately call our “mothership,” Autostraddle. com. We came together already agreeing on the basic tenets that
Autostraddle was built on, “You Do You,” inclusivity, self-love, intersectionality, celebration of difference, support for each other, and pushing back against cis/het norms of every kind. That solid core has helped us become more than just a group of people who share a specific sexuality or gender expression. This has become a place to learn, to examine our biases, to view “safe space” as a continual process, and to find what we have in common with people who are different from us. I think being conscious of and talking about our growth, both as individuals and as a group, is what makes Cincy Straddlers work. My involvement with Cincy Straddlers has also taught me whole new things about love. I think many of us felt left out as kids. We have responded by creating a group for adults where we try to welcome all new folks with open arms. I think many of us have felt alienated by society’s treatment of queer people, of women and femininity, of people of color, of all others. We have responded by personally acting to change the social landscape we experience and to share the resources we’ve found. I think we have looked loneliness and hurt in the face, and we’re responding by courageously striving to do better, out of love for ourselves and each other. The courage and determination and care push me forward. It makes me thrilled when I think about what we’ll be doing in the next year and a half. It’s hard not to be inspired when group members are writing things like this about the group: “Here, I get to be authentic without anyone probing or tip-toeing around my identity. They’re my queer family and role models; there is nothing I want more in life than to be the person they are for me.” The Cincy Straddlers would love to have you join us. We’d love to collaborate with other groups and contribute to social movements that affect us. We’d love to share more resources among other things, we want to expand our website to have tons more information available for us, our allies, and our families. We’d love to build physical spaces in Cincinnati that center queer women and trans people. Let’s straddle the many realities of Cincinnati together and build bridges we can use - one friend at a time. Check us out at cincystraddlers.com. UNITEMAG.COM/Cincinnati | 7
HEALTH & WELLNESS “Abs are created in the kitchen,” says the newest star of the Bravo reality show, Work Out New York. Courtney Paul, the lighthearted, hunk of caramel nicknamed “King Quadzilla,” has been training others in some of the most high-end sports clubs in New York City for over ten years. From LaFayette, Louisiana to Atlanta, Georgia, Paul was working in a gym folding towels and educating himself in fitness practices when he found himself assisting other gym members. An observing friend pointed out, “You could be making money doing this,” and that is where it all began. “I take pride in showing people how to do things that they didn’t know they could do,” Paul said. “In Atlanta, you can only reach certain heights, so I decided to move to New York and was working for a handful of very high level training facilities,” Paul said. A producer approached Paul and a handful of friends about doing a show for Bravo. “These are my real friends. It is not a staged show,” Paul said. In the New Year, we are all seeking a new routine, new workout plan, new diet, new mental outlook, etc. Paul has some advice on healthy evolution in the New Year. “Get motivated. If you can’t get motivated, find a reason to get motivated. You have to remember why you started training or hire someone to give you motivation. In the beginning of the year, being in the gym is just the beginning. Take a class, join a different program, get a workout partner. Get motivated and always remember why you started training,” Paul said.
courtney paul Work out - new york by Jason Wiff
8 | UNITE Cincinnati
photo by Tyler Cheever Gomes
HEALTH & WELLNESS In addition to a new workout regimen, what you put into your body is equally as important. Stay away from sugar, processed food, dairy, and artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners kill your metabolism and leave your body asking, “What is this? What do I do with it?” It confuses the system and slows down. Advice for those who already have a set workout routine: lose the set routine, buy a magazine with a fresh set of exercises and give yourself different movements and exercises to change up set fitness routines. Paul talked about what areas of the body we should be focusing on in 2016: Arms: Triceps! Everyone is keen to work on their biceps, but your triceps are actually larger. Glutes: Squats, dead lifts and lunges. Abs: Get rid of all of the fat in the kitchen; eat well and do some cardio for your best-looking abs. Work Out New York, Bravo’s newest reality show, follows seven NYC-based personal trainers as they vie for clients and recognition, as well as navigate a modern romantic landscape of NYC. The actual exercises are just the beginning. Lena Marti, Joe Lazo, Lindsey Clayton, Layla Lucinao, Noah Neiman, Holly Rilinger and of course, Courtney Paul star in the ever-evolving fitness world of NYC. Their fierce competition is offset by jokes of masturbation and of course, plenty of eye candy for viewers. Follow Courtney Paul on Twitter and Instagram @ mrcourtneypaul for cheeky posts and advice that you won’t want to miss. Work Out New York premiered December 6, 2015 and airs on Sundays on Bravo at 9 p.m. EST.
Shawn P. Hannegan, CPA Tax • Accounting • Consulting Personal • Business 10979 Reed Hartman Hwy, Suite 331E Cincinnati, Ohio 45242 (513)223-3317 • www.hannegancpa.com
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Go Primal with Animal Flow by Bree Singer
CPT, Level 1 Animal Flow Coach, and Owner of Body by Bree Over the years, there have been countless health and fitness trends to come and go. “Buy this gadget, take this pill, try this machine, drink this shake”… you get my point. All of these fads will come and go, as they do, but one thing will never go “out of style” and that is bodyweight training. Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I love trying new exercise toys – who doesn’t – but nothing (let me repeat, NOTHING) can replace the importance of being in control of your own body and its movement patterns. Enter Animal Flow - the “oldest” new way to train your body. Animal Flow can help increase your joint mobility, cardiovascular endurance, and muscular strength. The best part? All you need is YOU. Utilizing bodyweight training is as convenient as it is beneficial. Without the requirements of equipment, fancy gadgets, or a special gym membership; Animal Flow can quite literally be performed whenever, wherever. As you may have guessed, Animal Flow utilizes movement patterns influenced by animals (crabs, apes, and bears…oh my!) to get you moving in a way that is totally different than anything that you do in your normal workout routine. “Most people don’t spend their workouts on the ground and they probably haven’t moved around like an animal since they were kids,” said Mike Fitch, founder of Global Bodyweight Training and the creator of the Animal Flow Workout. “They’re usually really surprised at how challenging it is.” Challenging indeed, but FUN. One of the best aspects about Animal Flow is the number of disciplines that it has been influenced by. Mike Fitch has studied various forms of bodyweight training for years and it shows in his Animal Flow program. Not only will you see movements mimicking that 10 | UNITE Cincinnati
photos by Mark Thomas of animals, but elements of break dancing, yoga, gymnastics, martial arts, parkour, wrestling, capoeira, hand-balancing, etc. These influences make Animal Flow a popular choice when it comes to bodyweight training and really allows you to “put your spin on it” and make it your own. When you start training with Animal Flow, you may be surprised at the amount of time you spend on all fours. The majority of the Animal Flow moves are quadrupedal movements. This requires the upper and lower body to move in a collaborative way, all while maintaining stability within the spine and the torso. Moving the arms and legs simultaneously can be difficult, but is also incredibly beneficial in becoming more aware of your body and how it moves through space. Though some of the movements in Animal Flow may be complicated, the objective is not. According to Mike Fitch, the goal of Animal Flow is simply, “to make people better movers.” An additional benefit of Animal Flow comes from its versatility. The movements can be incorporated into your warmup, paired with other bodyweight exercises for a full body circuit, or used as a complete workout program (much like a yoga class). My personal favorite way to utilize Animal Flow, for both clients and in my own training, is to pair the movements with strength exercises. For example, squats paired with the scorpion reach, pullups paired with side kick-throughs, or deadlifts paired with the deep ape/ape reach. Give Animal Flow a try today by starting with these three moves. Visit www.animalflow.com to learn more or reach out to me at bree.markee@gmail.com to find out how you can begin incorporating Animal Flow into your workout routine.
HEALTH & WELLNESS Scorpion Reach 1
Scorpion Reach 2
Crab Reach 1
Crab Reach 2
Side Kickthrough 1
Side Kickthrough 2
UNITEMAG.COM/Cincinnati | 11
HEALTH & WELLNESS
by Nicholas Mario Melnyk 12 | UNITE Cincinnati
photos by Jeremy Kramer
HEALTH & WELLNESS
New Year, new me! Working out and losing weight is arguably the most popular new year’s resolutions to choose from. When committing to fitness, whether it be to lose some of that extra holiday weight or tone it up for the guy or gal you’ve got your eye on, it can be extremely difficult to choose which workout format is best for you. If you are looking to just walk into the gym, do your hour routine, and leave, CycleBar is NOT for you. But, if you are looking for 50 minutes of an intoxicating, engaging, and sexy experience, then CycleBar IS exactly what you’ve been looking for. We have turned up the volume on the indoor cycling experience and made it suitable for any and every fitness level, age level, body type, and personality! I have been teaching indoor cycling for four years. When I was a freshman in college, I was determined to stay away from the dreaded “Freshman 15,” and so I began taking spinning classes at the University of Cincinnati Rec Center. After my first class, I was hooked. The next year, I auditioned to become an instructor and for the next three years I taught spinning, and eventually became certified to teach all group fitness formats. I found a new passion for fitness in general and it has now become the biggest constant in my life. Upon graduating from college, I found CycleBar, a place where the best cycling instructors in town are housed. The level of talent, community, and pride is overwhelming. I have never met such influential and impactful people in my life. I consider myself so incredibly lucky to work for such an open and accepting
company that embraces all people and all walks of life. Not only do I get to impact the lives of our riders through instruction, but I was also granted the fortunate opportunity to be employed by the corporate offices to help CycleBar reach new heights with the help of my amazing team. The emphasis on equality is absolutely breathtaking. I feel so fortunate to work in a setting where my lifestyle choices are not only embraced but also celebrated. From the moment you walk into CycleBar, you are welcomed by our Ride Experience Specialists who are there for YOU and want to ensure that you receive a level of customer service that is unmatched. You will then be welcomed into the CycleTheater where you will be part of an experience like nothing you’ve had before. Your CycleStar will be your guide for the next 50 minutes where you will push yourself to new limits and find inner strength that you did not even believe you had. The amazing thing about the experience in the CycleTheater is that it is 100% yours. You are in complete control of every single thing that you do when on the bike. The CycleStar is simply your guide and encourager. Every ride is different, and whether you are there to push yourself as hard as you can for 50 minutes to test your limits or you simply want to get away from all of the stress of your daily routines, there is a ride and instructor for you. The reason indoor cycling is catered to everyone is simple: It’s YOUR ride and nobody elses.
ROCK YOUR RIDE! UNITEMAG.COM/Cincinnati | 13
HEALTH & WELLNESS
kettlebells, kettlebells, kettle all the way by Ben Eisenmenger CPT, SFG, FMS
photo by Sarah Baker Photography Tis the season for family bonding, selflessness, and weight gain. The last being the only unwelcome of the traits. Every year we get stuck in a rut of trying to balance regular life and putting our best efforts into giving presents to our loved ones. We stop making time to get in exercise or prepare a healthy meal. This, along with the calorie loaded food at holiday parties, causes everyone to put on a few unwanted pounds. The usual response to the excess insulation is to go buy a gym membership at some lame Globo Gym. These gyms traditionally run cheap New Year specials, but offer very little support. You join, show up for two months doing hours of meaningless “cardio� just to drop 5 lbs, stop showing up, and then experience the torture of canceling said membership. Lucky for you this is the year you find a method that provides you with real results and half the time. Enter the Kettlebell. The kettlebell is a Russian tool for building strength and endurance that has been made popular in the U.S. over the past decade. Most gyms and stores have gotten on the bandwagon and stock some kind of kettlebell, but very few people understand the power behind this simple tool. Here at the top nine reasons you should look into training with this unorthodox free weight. Strength: Focusing on weight loss can be very discouraging. It is common to fluctuate in weight on any given day or week. A good kettlebell set is usually recorded by kilograms and have higher jumps between weights than dumbbells. This forces you to get stronger more than with dumbbells. Gaining strength takes a committed process and is very rewarding when you finally move up to the next weight. All of my clients that prioritize getting stronger usually experience the best physical transformations.
14 | UNITE Cincinnati
HEALTH & WELLNESS C I N C I N N A T I
Conditioning: Even an exercise as simple as the swing can burn massive amounts of calories by using large muscle groups in a powerful way. It only takes about 300 swings in 30 minutes to burn upwards of 1,000 calories. That would take two hours on a standard treadmill!
•
O H I O
M AY E R S O N J CC
JEWISH & ISRAELI F I L M F E S T I VA L February 6 – 25 • 2016
Core strength: To perform the swing and other basic kettlebell movements, you must maintain proper positioning of the spine. Posture: Kettlebells teach you to align your pelvis and core. This, combined with proper breathing, will correct years of sitting and help you stand up straighter. The Get Up and goblet squat are my favorite exercises to improve movement and posture. Hormone Production: All of the best kettlebell exercises involve your legs, hips, core, and back. Using these large muscle groups increases your body’s production of important fat burning hormones like HGH and testosterone. These hormones will put your body in a steady state of fat burning throughout the day. Variance: If you have already committed years of your life to traditional weight training, then you may be getting bored. Performing exercises like the snatch, windmill, and loaded carries will provide a new level of results. Cost: A new home gym can cost thousands of dollars. A single kettlebell can cost as little as $30 and provides more variance than any expensive machine. I trained with a single kettlebell, only costing $50, in my apartment for a year and achieved great results. Portability: Most people start to fizzle on their motivation once the weather gets warmer. This may be due to the fact that humans are drawn to the sun. With a kettlebell you can easily take your workout outdoors. Competition: Some are past the basic weight loss goals and lack the motivation to push yourself to new levels. There are organized events that involve kettlebells like the Tactical Strength Challenge, Giveroy Sport, and certifications that will push you to new levels. Kettlebell training can be added to anyone’s program. Whether you are 20 and trying to get in competition form or are 80 and just trying to move better, there is a benefit to looking into this ancient, but effective tool. Reach out to a certified instructor to get started on your kettlebell journey.
Oriented
Wednesday, February 24 7:30pm • Esquire Theatre
Three gay palestinian friends confront their national and sexual identity in Tel Aviv. Post-film Q&A with Idan Simchony, Jewish Agency Fellow at Hillel OSU. WATCH TRAILER & BUY TICKETS:
MAYERSONJCC.ORG
In partnership with The Jewish Community Relations Council, and funded in part by the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati and The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Being Over 40 and Fit by Larry Johnson photo by Chris Glass As we start a new year, many of us will resolve that this is the time to get fit, healthy and lose some weight. If you are over 40, it’s a bit harder to do, but it can be done! As we age, the body changes and we naturally start to lose muscle mass and bone density. Our metabolism slows, causing us to gain weight and store fat easier, but research shows it is possible to slow down or even reverse these progressions. Studies have shown that men and women well into their 80s can build muscle and lose fat. More benefits of a healthy lifestyle include a decreased risk of disease, increased quality of life and extended independence. Plus, we look better! One of the most important pillars of successful aging is to incorporate daily physical activity and exercise. There are many approaches to begin: St a rt w ith Y our Do ctor Although moderate activity such as brisk walking is safe for most, health experts suggest that you talk to your doctor before you change your diet or start a vigorous exercise program. E x a m i ne Y our Diet Collect information about your current eating habits; be thorough and honest. There are several free applications (web or smart phone) to help record your meals that may shed light on how your current diet could improve. Medical studies show that simply keeping a food journal can double your weight loss. Educate yourself about nutrition, such as what are good fats and good carbohydrates and what percentage of carbs, proteins and fats are right for you. Take this knowledge and read the labels of everything going into your grocery cart. Plan meals, even if you just start with a few each week. The USDA National Agricultural Library is a great resource for nutrition information.
16 | UNITE Cincinnati
D e t e r m i n e Yo ur A ct i vi t y L e v e ls You can track physical activity, heart rate and calories burned with specialized devices, but your smartphone might already be recording your steps. Find a free app to access this data! While all of this tracking might not be perfect, it can help you see areas for improvement, count calories and determine incremental goals. Se t Lo n g an d Sho r t T e r m Go a ls By setting and reaching short-term attainable goals, you feel a sense of satisfaction and motivation toward reaching the harder long term ones. Start small and be reasonable. You might begin with short daily walks or adding one serving of fresh vegetables to each dinner. Set a reasonable pace for growth. A p p r o ach F r o m E ve r y A n gl e Whether you want to lose fat, get fit (or both), your program should include a healthy diet, aerobic exercise and resistance exercise to build and tone muscle. Find a Comfortable Place to be Active Exercising at home could be your answer if you are a self-starter and can stay motivated. You can do body weight and dumbbell programs for resistance and take brisk walks for cardio. I set up a program for my husband’s 75 year-old mother that included brisk walks, chair squats, and dumbbell resistance exercises. We got her a nice set of weights that went up to 12 lbs. She was sure
she would never need anything heavier. After a couple years, she announced with great glee that for Christmas she wanted heavier weights. Of course we bought her the prettiest pink and blue set we could find. If you decide you want to use a gym, be sure to pick one that is close, convenient, and populated with like-minded people. A beginner would be intimidated in a big lifter’s gym, good eye candy, but not a good fit. Many fitness centers offer reduced rates to seniors. Wo rk Wi t h a Perso na l Tra iner Of course I’m going to tell you that a good trainer is priceless! Hiring a good trainer, one who understands the particular needs of the “over 40” body, is a great help though. After 40, exercise is different; the moves are more controlled and the range of motion changes. Make sure your trainer has experience and programs appropriate for you.
Larry Johnson is a certified personal trainer in Clifton, developing general fitness, body building and weight loss programs for individuals over 30 years.
E OV
R
40 N T
Make your mind up to do this and make 2016 your lucky year. The year you finally take control and change your body, health and fitness for the better!
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO TURN YOUR LIFE AND BODY AROUND. FI
Compare Yourself to Your Peer Group Don’t fall into the media trap of comparing yourself to the perfect well-formed younger bodies you see. We are older and that’s a fact. Accept it, but be the best 40, 50, 60 and up YOU can be. Remember, it truly is all about you and your fitness and health journey.
Larry Johnson has over 20 years of experience helping people reach their fitness goals through weight training and nutritional guidance. VISIT WEBSITE FOR SPECIALS & DETAILS
over40nfit .com (513) 281-2580 UNITEMAG.COM/Cincinnati | 17
HEALTH & WELLNESS
What might the New Year hold for You? by Steve Bolia
LTM, ACE Personal Trainer: ACE Certified Nutrition Specialist So here we are, poised to move into another year. It’s that time when so many of us look at our current habits and pledge to make changes. You may resolve to lose 25 lbs. by the end of the year, or get a different job, or go to the gym, or find a partner. Whatever it is for you, we all move into January with a firm grip on what it is that needs to be changed and how we are going to make those changes, right? Well, for the most part, many of us break our resolutions long before they have even a glimmer of hope of catching hold. Call it, ‘human nature”, if you like! So, how do we get to the point where we can make a resolution and stick to it? My first suggestion would be to really understand yourself and the best way to understand yourself is to be able to sit quietly with yourself. For, without this self-awareness, you may very well be barking up the wrong tree when you make your New Year’s plans for 2016. To begin to understand yourself better, take this easy and quick experiment: each morning as you come into the bathroom, look at yourself in the mirror. Really look at your face and into your eyes and say, “Hi”. Ask yourself, “How are you today?” You can even say something really outlandish, like “I love you!” Do this without diverting your eyes and really look at yourself – maybe for as long as a minute. You may be surprised at the results. 18 | UNITE Cincinnati
Try this for about a week. Note how long you are able to really look at yourself and take note of the possible responses. Once you have had an opportunity to develop this causal relationship with yourself, move ahead by asking, “What do YOU want? And not in a gangster tone or as Robert De Niro did in Taxi Driver “You talkin to me?” Be sincere! Then, ask it again and again and again. When you get an answer, ask yourself, “Why do I want this?” Then question that answer. What you may find is that some of the things you originally wanted are not because you want them but because other people or society as a whole wants them for you. When you get to a point where you find yourself saying, “I should…”, most of the time that “should” is an expectation of someone else, like your mother or your boss or your significant other and not of your own! Also, when do you set your resolution make sure it is attainable and reasonable. Goals that are set too high or out of reach are really just a waste of your time. As we move into a new year, make sure that you are moving into a new and authentic you as well. Life is short and each and every moment is important. Seize each day as if it were your last!
THEATRE - A&E
Theatre Listings by Rob Bucher
CINCINNATI
AVENUE Q - A recent college grad and his new-found puppet friends struggle to find jobs, dates, and the ever-elusive purpose in life. Feb. 17-March 6. Warsaw Federal Incline Theater. www. inclinetheatre.com BLACK TOP SKY - Examines the intersection of love, violence, community, and mental illness on the line between poverty and true homelessness. Jan. 29-Feb. 20. Know Theatre of Cincinnati. www.knowtheatre.com
DAYTON
THE GLASS MENAGERIE - In Tennesee Williams’ classic, dreams meet reality and love becomes desperate in a shimmering drama of a family on the edge. Feb. 4-21. Human Race Theatre Company. www.humanracetheatre.org Rodgers & Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA - Musical based on the classic fairy tale. Feb. 9-14. Victoria Theatre Association. www.victoriatheatre.com
LOUISVILLE
PETER AND THE STARCATCHER - Swashbuckling grown-up prequel to Peter Pan. Jan. 26-Feb. 21. Actor’s Theatre of Louisville. www.actorstheatre.org
NORTHERN KENTUCKY
PRELUDE TO A KISS - At Peter and Rita’s wedding, a mysterious old man insists on kissing the bride, causing Rita’s soul and the old man’s to change places. Jan. 29-Feb. 13. Falcon Theatre. www.falcontheatre.net
CHAPTER TWO - Recent widower starts dating again, finding it’s a bumpy trip on the road to Dreamland for not-soyoung lovers. Covedale Center for the Performing Arts. Jan. 21-Feb. 14. www.covedalecenter.com EMMA - Jane Austen’s amateur matchmaker Emma Wodehouse finds herself struggling to undo the damage she causes when her efforts to play Cupid go awry. Feb. 26-March 26. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. www.cincyshakes.com GROUNDED - An unexpected pregnancy ends an ace fighter pilot’s career in the sky. Reassigned to operate remotecontrolled military drones, she hunts terrorists by day and returns to her family each night. Jan. 26-Feb. 14. Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. www.ensemblecincinnati.org HENRY VI - Shakespeare’s first installment in the epic War of the Roses trilogy. Jan. 22-Feb. 13. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. www.cincyshakes.com NATIVE GARDENS - Disagreement over a longstanding fence line soon spirals into a hilarious, all-out war of taste, class, privilege and entitlement. Jan. 23-Feb. 21. Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. www.cincyplay.com THE REVOLUTIONISTS - Four beautiful, badass women lose their heads in this irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution. Feb. 6-March 6. Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. www.cincyplay.com UNITEMAG.COM/Cincinnati | 19
LIFE & STYLE
Hawaii is for Honeymooning
by Blake Kniffin
Hawaii. This Pacific paradise was the last state admitted to the Union in 1959. Having only been a state for barely half of a century, Hawaii still feels like an exotic island nation. The state’s capital, Honolulu, sits on the beautiful Island of Oahu. Providing the perfect combination of tourism, metropolitan, and tropical hideaways, Honolulu is the perfect place for the honeymooning homosexual.
While staying on Waikiki Beach, couples must take an afternoon adventure to Diamond Head. Part of the Honolulu Volcanic Series, Diamond Head is a volcanic tuff cone. Don’t be mistaken, Diamond Head is not an active volcano. It was designated a U.S. National Landmark in 1968. Open to the public, Diamond Head provides a trail to the top, for hikers to view the stunning ocean and surrounding landscape of Oahu.
Many think that a trip to Hawaii is far beyond their budget allows. However, airfare and hotel accommodations are comparable to a trip to Vegas.
The Island of Oahu is also home to the historic Pearl Harbor. This historical site is a must-see for everyone visiting the island. Roberts Hawaii, a local tour company, is a fantastic way to experience Pearl Harbor. Their friendly tour guides pick up guests at their hotels and shuttle them to Pearl Harbor in a comfortable, air-conditioned (this is important folks) bus. Once at Pearl Harbor, Roberts Hawaii guests are able to bypass the long ticketing lines and are provided free audio-guided tours narrated by Jamie Lee Curtis.
Speaking of accommodations, Waikiki Beach’s Hotel Renew provides the perfect balance of luxury and local flavor. This boutique hotel is nestled a stone’s throw from the beach and boasts breathtaking ocean-view rooms. Upscale, modern, and clean, Hotel Renew is LGBT-friendly. Upon checking in, the staff welcomes guests with delicious pineapple juice and warm, steamed towels. Adorned with a beautiful water feature, Hotel Renew’s lobby provides a lovely breakfast buffet which doubles as a bar in the evenings. With affordable rates, Hotel Renew is certainly the perfect place for LGBT honeymooners. Plan to spend several days at the beach to unwind and enjoy the sensational seascape. On at least one of those days, make it a late one. Hawaiian sunsets are stunning and are best viewed from a beach chair. If you’re feeling adventurous, there are plenty of opportunities to take surfing lessons. If that’s not for you, it’s certainly fun to watch others try!
20 | UNITE Cincinnati
The two must-see parts of Pearl Harbor are the USS Arizona Memorial and the USS Missouri tour. Sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona’s memorial is built over its final resting place. The USS Missouri, docked next to the USS Arizona Memorial, was the location of the Japanese surrender, which marked the end of World War II. Like bookends, the two ships proudly serve as the beginning and ending markers of the United States’ involvement in the war. With so much to see and do, it’s recommended honeymooners stay more than a week to enjoy one another and everything Oahu has to offer. To find out more about the Island of Oahu, visit www.gohawaii.com/oahuisland.
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A&E Famous Elephant Inspires Couple to Take Chance on New Northside Bar
longtime destination in Northside where men clad in leather and sweat danced, talked, and groped in the darkness. Below Zero, on the other hand, catered to professionals and high end cocktails in a chic setting. For Diaz and Cotteril, the challenge would be to clean up the old establishment and apply their tastes to a building that had long been known as something of a different type of gay establishment. Challenge accepted. The couple gambled on Over-the-Rhine before the full-on resurgence of Cincinnati’s hottest neighborhood when they opened Below Zero at 1120 Walnut Street. Diaz said that he believes Northside to be the next up and coming neighborhood. “OTR is already saturated and we know a lot of people who are leaving to buy a house that is affordable for them, or places to rent because everything has turned into condos,” said Diaz. “I said, this is a good neighborhood. Things are going to happen.” And things happened fast for Cotteril and Diaz. Within days of that fortuitous Facebook message, the pair was in an attorney’s office drawing up paperwork and within two weeks, the Serpent was theirs.
by Michael Monks Nigel Cotteril and J.C. Diaz just wanted a quiet weekend away from their busy lives in downtown Cincinnati where they have operated Below Zero and the Cabaret, two of the most popular night spots in the region. Though they opted for a getaway at one of the Indiana casinos, what they had not anticipated was that by the time their jaunt was finished, they would have rolled the dice on yet another new business. Here’s how it went down: “We had an official heart-to-heart where we were talking about how it’s been eight years and coming up on nine with Below Zero and the Cabaret, and what do we want to do? Are we going to stick with it or do we want to sell it and move on or open another business?,” Diaz said in an interview with UNiTE Cincinnati. “(Nigel) said, funny enough, he had been thinking about that and we said, let’s leave it at that for now and put it on the backburner.” “The next year we would look at our options,” Cotteril said. “So, the next morning, I jump on my phone and there on Facebook a friend sends me a pic of the Serpent and a big For Sale sign, and he also copied the listing from the real estate agent, the building, the bar, and everything in it,” Diaz said. “The liquor license, and four apartments, for $175,000. “I was like Oh My God, get up, you’ve got to look at this right now.” “I said, has it been a year already?” “It was the next day,” Diaz said. “Holy mother of you know what!” And just like that, Cotteril and Diaz had their sights on a new site for a new business. The Serpent was an icon in Gay Cincinnati, a 22 | UNITE Cincinnati
And now the Serpent is Tillie’s Lounge (4042 Hamilton Avenue, Northside), which the couple refer to simply as a neighborhood lounge. “I said, this is something Northside doesn’t have. It could be a lot of fun,” Diaz said. “Most people get dressed up to go downtown. Why don’t we give them a place to get dressed up and go down the street and have some nice cocktails?” “People stopped in after New Year’s Eve, people who have never walked in,” Cotteril said. “We got a lot of responses back within the next day or two, emails and reviews,” Diaz said. “’This was the best service… the décor is beautiful…” So far, so good for the new bar where delicious cocktails, live music, and a handsome outdoor patio consistently attract healthy crowds. But turning the Serpent into Tillie’s was no small task. “We had been there years ago and it was basically the same black,” Cotteril said. “Everything had partitions to make it more like cubicle walls going down the side, to make it more discrete. And they had not done any maintenance in a long time, so it needed work.” “It was a big facelift that we had to do,” Diaz agreed. Now, elegant lighting illuminates the historic tin ceiling (the building’s history traces back to the late 1800’s when it was home to a cobbler), tasteful paint adorns the walls, and a beautiful, colorful chandelier is sure to grab your attention. “Everything, we re-did everything with the purpose of it lasting a long time,” Diaz said. Nothing supports the idea of a lasting legacy more than the name of the lounge. Tillie’s is the namesake of a once famous elephant that
A&E captivated audiences in the Queen City decades earlier. “I wanted to name it something nostalgic to keep it in line with the neighborhood because the people of Northside are very proud of their neighborhood,” Diaz said. He was flipping through an old newspaper when he saw Tillie the elephant for the first time. “I was drawn to this page with a picture of Tillie. I Googled her and found all these crazy, fun stories about her and the heroic deeds that she did.” “She stopped a runaway streetcar,” Cotteril said. “She was one of the first elephants to do specific tricks, including holding a trainer in her mouth without killing him,” Diaz continued. When Tillie died, the mayor closed down much of the city and 20,000 people attended the animal’s funeral. “We have a ‘white lily’ on the menu, named for the white lilies dropped from the sky at her funeral.” The lounge also features a picture of Tillie in a parade – but it must be noted: this is not a circus-themed bar. “We have enough clowns,” Cotteril joked. Instead, this classy new lounge is reminiscent of the 1930’s and all its art deco glory. Cotteril and Diaz have been a couple for 13 years, having reconnected at the old Hamburger Mary’s after initially being introduced at Carol’s, the former restaurant on Main Street. They have seen gay nightlife evolve over the past decade and a half and don’t refer to Tillie’s as a gay bar. It’s just a place where people get together for a nice night out. “It’s very social and comfortable,” Diaz said. “One of the original things we kept was the bar itself. It’s shaped like a serpent. It’s fun to watch groups of four, or five, or six people just hanging out on the bar and talking all night.” “Everyone intermingles and talks,” Cotteril said. “Our hidden secret is that in the back we have a patio. It’s all cleaned up and covered.” On the warmer-than-normal Christmas, more people hung out on the patio than inside the bar. Nigel and J.C. don’t know what’s next, but they do know that they are excited about this gamble they have taken on Tillie’s, a dream that emerged suddenly while sleeping at a casino. With live music on Saturdays and karaoke on Sundays, and special events throughout the week, the couple are getting to know their new Northside neighbors one night at a time. Answering the sudden call to purchase the former Serpent and to turn it into Tillie’s was not the only sign that Cotteril and Diaz are right where they are supposed to be. The building has been home to many different bars over the decades. “One of the bars was called The Last Stop. And one of the bars was called Sylvia’s,” Cotteril said. “Sylvia was my mother’s name. I said, oh, this is meant to happen!” UNITEMAG.COM/Cincinnati | 23
From Daubigny to Twachtman FEBRUARY 13 – MAY 8, 2016 FREE ADMISSION Charles Meryon (France, 1821-1868), The Admiralty, Paris, 1865 Etching (fifth state), Bequest of Herbert Greer French, 1943.625
LIFE & STYLE
by Bryan Burke In late spring, the Gay and Lesbian Tennis Association world tour will make a stop in the Cincinnati area for the second straight year for the Queen City Open tournament played at the Lindner Tennis Center in Mason. Last year’s inaugural event was a smashing success, drawing almost 100 participants in the five division tennis tournament. “We had very positive feedback and wonderful weather in early May last year. This year, I’m expecting anywhere from 110 to 120 people to this year’s tournament,” said James Siefke, Vice President of the Queen City Tennis Association. “We had folks anywhere from the Northeast all the way down to Texas. We had people from Florida and Chicago, Indianapolis, Columbus, Detroit, we even had some folks from Toronto come down.” The Queen City Tennis Association has become a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization which organizers hope will make it easier to attract donations from large local corporations to fund the second year of the event. “Last year a lot of folks were very tentative to donate money because we didn’t have the charitable organization. Now that we are a charitable organization, we’re going to look at some major corporations to help sponsor the actual event,” Siefke said. The tournament is expecting to take place sometime between May and June again this year and will have skill levels in place from those who enjoy playing mostly for fun all the way to up to highly competitive tennis. “In most tournaments, there are five different divisions.
Anywhere from D which is the lowest division to open. Watching some of the open players, they beat the ball around quite well, let’s put it that way,” said Siefke. Many of the more serious players often hit multiple tournaments a year on the tour, sometimes as many as 12 per season. Siefke said that it’s important to put on a Gay and Lesbian tennis tournament so that the positive momentum Cincinnati has built over the past few decades in terms of acceptance of the LGBT community can be further showcased with a top-notch sporting event geared towards the cause. “Cincinnati has always been a known conservative city, not really that progressive. I’ve lived there all my life, but in the last 10-15 years it’s been a blessing that we actually see the homophobia being driven away and the inclusion and not having to hide stuff,” he said. “We’re getting a chance to actually promote this year’s upcoming tournament so that we can get folks to come out and spectate and watch the tournament. “We’re also looking to find people who are interested in playing tennis to do socials. We’re going to try to start with the association and do monthly socials with the Queen City Racket Club or another local indoor place in the winter time, and when the weather warms up we will move outdoors where we will do cookouts, and those kinds of things.” Registration and more information of the Queen City Open tennis tournament can be found at QueenCityOpen. wordpress.com.
UNITEMAG.COM/Cincinnati | 25
LIFE & STYLE
by Ron Clemons Recently, I came across an article about race in the Leather/Kink community. The article, Beyond Blue, Black, and White: Race in the Leather Kink Community (Mushtag, 2015), describes this young man’s experiences as a person of color within the Leather/Kink Community. One several other occasions, I’ve watched memes on social media pertaining to the same subject, except they are discussing racism in the general gay community and population. It is interesting that in 2016/2015, these men are experiencing much of the same behaviors towards them that men, such as me, experienced in the mid-seventies. Fast forward to 2016, and as a man of Color, the issue of race continues to be a difficult topic for our community to address or even explore without it becoming a divisive issue. Unfortunately, by not addressing it and taking concrete action, the gentlemen in the videos and article will find themselves , forty years later, thinking the same thing I do when I hear these stories, Nothing has changed. It’s unsettling to say that nothing has changed. With all of the progress we’ve made in our culture, we can legally marry, while 26 | UNITE Cincinnati
limited, have some protections under the law and have more visibility in various media platforms; there is still a drought of characters or representation of people of color. Additionally, we (the gay community) appear to have adopted a defensive response when challenged about racial attitudes and behaviors among our members. Inappropriate racial jokes , when challenged are met by, dismissive responses such as, “I’m not PC” all the way up to,” I can’t be racist, I have black friends” as if knowing a black person is the get out of race jail card. These are words that are used to deflect the insinuation that the person in question may not be as liberal as they want to believe and I think more important, what they want others to believe. I’ve witnessed where white men will make racial jokes or comments to their black “friends” in predominantly white spaces just to prove how hip they are to their white counterparts. Even more disturbing is the reluctance on the part of the other group members to question or challenge the perpetrators words and behaviors. However, when I or another person of color does challenge the comments, we’re told we are being too sensitive and to lighten up. For those readers who are rolling their eyes and questioning why he is talking
LIFE & STYLE about Race again, please understand that Race is just one area in our community where we tend to be myopic and narrow minded. We have age discrimination, trans-phobia, sexism, drag phobia, classism and HIV discrimination as additional topics that deserve more than just a tepid kiss of a comment in our conversations about how wonderful we are as a community of open minded, forward thinking people. Community members, who are faced with psychiatric disorders, live in domestic violence situations, differently abled, ex-convicts or Alzheimer/ Dementia victims do not make it to list of issues to be addressed in the community. Instead, we all hear the rhetoric of how me must protect our youth as they are the most vulnerable. While it is true that our youth are vulnerable, there are others within the community who are equally as vulnerable because we refuse to acknowledge they are part of the community. I don’t believe there is a focal point of blame for this airbrushed, photo shopped vision of what our community looks like. My generation shares equally if not more so in this misrepresentation. We came out with our LGBT guns blazing, demanding equal rights but even then, those that didn’t fit the image we wanted to project to the world of the perfect family portrait for acceptance, unfortunately, didn’t make the cut. However, hind sight is 20/20 and while the past cannot be undone, we do have the ability to create a better future for ourselves and our community. Perhaps instead of looking for the opportunities that will garner phot ops, Facebook likes and award nominations, we address and deal with the issues we as a community tend to hide in our collective closet. Realistically, the demographics of our community are changing, people of all ages are coming out, people of color are becoming more visible and active in the community, and we are living and working longer than those who came before us, so it is time to take an updated family portrait. Even better, let’s begin to look at our community through a different lens. Because only by looking at life through a different lens, will we ever get a different perspective. Let’s make 2016 the year, as individuals and a community; we strive to make sure that all of our family members are included in the portrait. This upgrade is long overdue.
SATURDAY
5-9PM, FEBRUARY 13
Present this flier at the admissions tent &
we will donate $2 to Cincinnati Pride.
Voucher good 5-9PM on 2/13/16 only.
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A&E
d e t i s i v e R s u b t r Sho by Sean Howley Well film friends, I turned the big 4-0 this year and if there was ever a time to start a new year with a new you, this seems like the most appropriate time of them all. I already eat right (kind of anyway no fast food or soda), I run 10 miles a week, and I lift three times on top of that at the gym. I’d probably be ripped if I didn’t love ice cream so much. I was pondering this column for this issue and had come up with a list of films that were all about a transformation of sorts. While I was going to talk about such classics as Boys Don’t Cry, The Birdcage, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Mrs Doubtfire, and In & Out. Instead I wanted to revisit the John Cameron Mitchell classic Shortbus. Mitchell may best be known to you as the writer, director, and star of the cult film Hedwig and the Angry Inch. He would follow up Shortbus with the Academy Award nominated Rabbit Hole. I’m still waiting for his next feature. Shortbus though is entirely different than most anything you’ve seen before. Lars Von Trier’s Nymphomaniac comes closest perhaps graphically, but Shortbus, which came out in 2006, a full seven years before Nymphomaniac is going to be the single-most graphic thing you may ever witness, and I’m including your porn collection in that. The opening sequence alone cuts between a naked man in a bathtub who later tries to perform auto-fellatio, a straight couple in throws of married yet varied sex, and a dominatrix wreaking havoc on a rich little hipster who needs something different to get off. But what about the “New Year, New You” theme? Sofia, the woman in the aforementioned straight couple is a sex therapist who meets up with Jamie and Jamie, a gay couple who have hit a lull after five years of being together. Over the course of their session, it comes out that Sofia is pre-orgasmic - she’s never had one. The two Jamies invite her to Shortbus and away we go. Shortbus, much like in school, is the place for the outcasts, the misfits, the non-conformers. Only in this film its for the sexually adventurous and unfulfilled. Despite being a film that has at least 15 different erections on display in it in various forms of sexual activity, it is actually an incredibly well written, often hilarious, and well shot film. Within the confines of all that humor and sex is a great little film dealing 28 | UNITE Cincinnati
with transitions and new ways of finding yourself. The two Jamies are searching for a way to open up their relationship both sexually and emotionally. Sofia’s quest for an orgasm is centered on her sexual organs until she looks at herself and sees what possibilities exist outside of her marriage. Even the dominatrix has a breakthrough of her own as she allows herself to be seen and loved for the first time as a real person, not just a sexual entity. I haven’t given up on love. I’ve been casting a wider net than ever before but it remains elusive. Much like Shortbus so much on the surface seems to be about sex in this community of ours and not so much about these interpersonal relationships and feelings. But they are out there, and they can be found (or so I hope anyhow). As we head into 2016, my film friends, I hope you find yourself open to whatever it is that moves you to the beat of a different drum, sexually or otherwise. You may be surprised by what you might discover by letting yourself embrace a new side of yourself. If you find yourself needing some inspiration, pick up a copy of Shortbus and watch it a few times. You owe it to yourself to try new things and see where it leads you. I know I am and can’t wait to see what 2016 has in store for us all.
(U)NiTE LIFE
Cincinnati Bar 901 901 Race St. Cincinnati, OH 45202 513.421.1663 Below Zero 1122 Walnut St. Cincinnati, OH 45202 513.421.9376 C&D 1714 Hansfield St. Cincinnati, OH 45223 513.541.9881 Home Base Tavern 2401 Vine St. Cincinnati, OH 45219 513.721.1212 Main Event 835 Main St. Cincinnati, OH 45202 513.421.1294
Dayton & Monroe On Broadway 817 Broadway St. Cincinnati, OH 45202 Shooters 927 Race St. Cincinnati, OH 45202 513.381.9900 Simon Says 428 Walnut St. Cincinnati, OH 45202 513.381.7577
Argos Bar 301 Mabel Ave. Dayton, OH 45403 937.252.2976
Old Street Saloon 13 Old St. Monroe, OH 45050 513.539.9183
Masque 34 N. Jefferson St. Dayton, OH 45402 937.228.2582
Right Corner 105 E. 3rd St. Dayton, OH 45402 937.228.128
MJ’s on Jefferson 20 N. Jefferson St. Dayton, OH 45402 937.223.3259
The Stage Door 44 N. Jefferson St. Dayton, OH 45402 937.223.7418
The Cabaret 1122 Walnut St. Cincinnati, OH 45202 513.202.4052 The Dock Complex 603 West Pete Rose Way Cincinnati, OH 45202 513.241.5632
Covington Bar 32 701 Bakewell St. Covington, KY 41011
The 404 404 Pike St. Covington, KY 41011
Rosie’s Tavern 643 Bakewell St. Covington, KY 41011
UNITEMAG.COM/Cincinnati | 29
Financial Services Art & Culture Cincinnati Art Museum 953 Eden Park Dr. Cincinnati, OH 45202 513.721.ARTS www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org
Education Art Academy of Cincinnati 1212 Jackson St. Cincinnati, OH 45202 513.562.6262 www.artacademy.edu The New School Montessori 3 Burton Woods Lane North Avondale, OH 45249 513.281.7999 www.newschoolmontessori.com
Eagle Savings Bank 6415 Bridgetown Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45248 513.233.7182 www.eaglesavings.com Hannegan 10979 Reed Hartman Highway, Suite 331E Cincinnati, OH 45242 513.223.3317
Fitness Body by Bree 605 Madison Ave. Suite 1 Covington, KY 41011 270.234.3357 www.bodybybree.net Over 40 N Fit Gaslight District Cincinnati, OH 45220 513.281.2580 www.over40nfit.com
Legal Services Law Offices of Shannon C. Smith, PLLC 605 Madison Ave. Suite 2 Covington, KY 41011 859.414.0543 502.498.4739 www.lawofficesofshannoncsmith.com
30 | UNITE Cincinnati
Non Profit
Retail
HIV Project 4138 Hamilton Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45223 513.679.4453
Flow- A Shop For Men 5 W. Pike St. Covington, KY 41011 859.291.3569 www.gentlemanflow.com
Imago 700 Enright Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45205 513.921.5124 www.imagoearht.org
Hamlein Square Corner of 6th and Philadelphia St. Covington, KY 41011
Photography
Services
Mikki Schaffner Photography 2511 Essex Pl. Cincinnati, OH 45206 www.mikkischaffner.com
Tier Haus Pet Salon 5970 Harrison Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45248 513.574.9333
Restaurant Piper’s Cafe 520 W 6th St. Covington, KY 41011 859.291.7287 www.piperscafe.biz
An Extra Body Movers 5311 East Knoll Court Cincinnati, OH 45239 513.290.3330 anextrabodymovers@gmail.com
Business listings are available for $25 an issue. Please contact our sales department for more information.
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