David Atlanta Magazine - Issue 63

8.21.13 #63

LAVERNE

COX

TALKS ABOUT ‘Orange is the New Black’ and Trans America

Amanda Lepore Joins The Other Show

Lee Daniels Opens Up About ‘The Butler’

m o r f e t o r N o t A the Edi 8.21.13 Issue #63

STAFF MANAGEMENT David Thompson Publisher | david@davidatlanta.com Elijah Sarkesian Editor in Chief elijah@davidatlanta.com Joe Ragsdale Art Director ragsdale@davidatlanta.com Bob Gunby Sales Director | bob@davidatlanta.com

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Not One Singular Experience

S

ince coming on board as Editor in Chief in January, one of my goals has been to diversify the areas we cover in David Atlanta. After all, we’re a weekly publication. With 52 issues out in a year, that’s a lot of content to go through in a year. And with the name “David,” there’s a bit of an assumption that David Atlanta is for gay men, as opposed to the larger LGBT community.

In our interview with Laverne Cox, who’s having a breakthrough right now as Sophia on Netflix’s Orange is the New Black, she brings up the fact that there’s no such thing as “trans life,” because not all trans people have the same set of experiences.

It’s a statement I absolutely loved reading, because it’s true of our community as a whole. We’re not a monolithic community – we have a wide range of experiences, and it’s important for us to understand and embrace that sense of diversity.

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TOC

8.21.13 Issue #63

Cover >

Laverne Cox Amanda Lepore Lee Daniels

18 24 36

Feature > Coco Montrese Eli Lieb Out of Town

28 48 46

Seen@ > Rainbow Days 10 Heretic 22 Ice Party 30 Swinging Richards 66 Rainbow Days 70 Cockpit 74

18

24

36

28

The Rest > Deep Inside Hollywood 14 Creep of the Week 16 the Scene 60 Bartab 62 Datebook 64 Comics 68 Fairyscopes 72 Classifieds 73 Bitch, Please!

76

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By Romeo San Vicente HBO Documentaries does gay stuff

Mandy Rogers also has a former dialect she dumped along with that birth name. Born in Australia, she worked hard to lose her accent for work in America and it took so This fall HBO Documentaries delivers a healthy amount well there’s not a trace left. But now the actor is headed of gay-related content to their weekly series, beginning back to her homeland to shoot a comedy called Now Add Oct. 7 with first-time filmmaker Marta Cunningham’s Honey for husband-and-wife filmmaking team Wayne Sundance Film Festival selection, Valentine Road.

Hope and Robyn Butler. The couple are vets of Australian Cunningham explores the school shooting of a young teenager who had begun exploring his gender identity, as sitcoms and the feature is about a family thrown into chaos when their pop star cousin (presumably played well as the issues surrounding the social services netby de Rossi) comes home to live with them. Word is that work and justice system flaws that complicate the lives Mrs. de Rossi (OK, Ellen DeGeneres) will join her wife for of LGBT youth. On Dec. 2 comes The Battle of AMFAR, the Australian shoot. But the big question is what sort from Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman (The Celluloid Closet, Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt). The film of accent will we hear from the assimilated American?

We’re hoping she goes for that croaking Ke$ha vocal fry. revisits the creation – in the 1980s – of America’s first national AIDS research foundation and the lives of its two founders, Dr. Mathilde Krim and Elizabeth Taylor. And Kate McKinnon dominates in Intramural finally, on Dec. 9, Six By Sondheim, a highly specific look everything at acclaimed Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim through the creation of six of his most well-loved songs. Speaking of Ellen (sort of), Kate McKinnon – SNL’s resident DeGeneres mimic and rising lesbian star in Directed by James Lapine, the films musical sequences will be co-directed by Todd Haynes (Mildred Pierce) and her own right – will become the next person to make Autumn de Wilde, with new performances of the featured the leap from the sketch comedy series onto the big songs by Audra McDonald, Darren Criss, Pulp’s Jarvis screen with Intramural. Sitting squarely in the plot camp Cocker, Jeremy Jordan and America Ferrera. You get your occupied by goofy, low-stakes comedies like Dodgeball, Intramural is about a fifth-year college student dragChristmas present early with this one. ging his heels toward graduation and life responsibility Now add Portia de Rossi who decides to organize one last epic intramural football season before… oh gosh, do you really care? It’s another Casual fans of Portia de Rossi (a.k.a. everyone not a man-child comedy, the kind we all secretly love but lesbian or otherwise addicted to Arrested Development) pretend to be snobby about. Andrew Disney will direct a might not realize that the actress formerly known as script written by Bradley Jackson and the cast includes 14 // davidatlanta.com

– alongside McKinnon – Jake Lacy (The Office), Nikki Reed (The Twilight Saga franchise) and another SNL star, Jay Pharoah. The film will shoot in Austin, Texas, and true to its subject matter has a very realistic goal in mind, thanks to director Disney, who says, “…we’re setting out to make an epic sports movie for the guys who don’t deserve one.”

Janis Joplin picture closer to reality This column is in the business of announcing new projects. Sometimes they come to fruition, sometimes not.

TV pilots and movie deals enter development, slowly wind their way through set-up and execution. Or they go to Development Hell and are quickly forgotten. But no news item has had the legs of the alleged Janis Joplin biopic.

It’s the story that will never die, the project nobody wants to abandon, no matter how long it takes. Remember back to all those casting announcements? Sure you do. They go at least as far back as 2000 when Brittany Murphy was the name on everyone’s lips. Thirteen years later it’s Amy Adams’ turn and so far she’s still on board.

But who’ll direct? The man currently “in talks” is The Butler’s Lee Daniels. We approve of this. He’s a filmmaker who likes outsize emotions and high drama, both of which were in plentiful supply with Miss Joplin. And, who knows, maybe he’ll sign on and stick around, too. Or maybe not. It’s Hollywood. Thirteen more years down the road and it’ll star Elle Fanning and be directed by North Kardashian West.

Portia de Rossi

photo: Shutterstock.com @DavidAtlantaGA // 15

creep

of the week: Ted Yoho

Ah, yes. A states’ rights issue. Hey, remember when “states’ rights” was secret code for white people keeping black people down? I don’t know, I just thought of that for some reason.

Yoho went on to say, “More importantly, I think it’s a sad state of affairs in America today that we as a society are so confused that we have to redefine what marriage is. It’s an institution that’s been around for thousands years and I feel like it’s ordained by God, and are we that confused as a country that we have to start redefining these things?”

There it is. The confusion argument. We’re not becoming a more tolerant and accepting society, we’re just confused! We must have accidentally hit ourselves really hard in the head with a rainbow flag or something.

You don’t have to look very far into Yoho’s other comments at that same town hall to determine who might have a head injury, however.

Take, for example, his claim that the Affordable Care Act is racist. Against white people. Because it imposes a tax on tanning beds. Which are apparently only for white people. Who want skin cancer. As is their right in the God Blessed American Constitution. I mean, obviously the tax has nothing to do with the health care costs involved in treating people who gave themselves cancer on purpose.

It’s because Obama hates whitey.

P

By D’Anne Witkowski

eople who identify as gay or lesbian are often accused of being “confused,” especially when we first come out. As if heterosexuality were the answer to some really complicated calculus problem that we’d eventually solve if only we’d try harder. Of course sometimes folks who claim that gays and lesbians are confused think that we don’t know how penises and vaginas work. In any case, it’s insulting.

With the rapidly increasing support of gays and lesbians, as individuals and as families, however, you’ve got to take the scope of who is “confused” a lot wider if you want to argue that equality is simply the result of befuddlement.

Enter U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho (R-Florida) who, at a recent town hall meeting, said, “I’m a Christian conservative. I believe marriage is between a man and a woman,” to much applause.

He went on to complain about the Supreme Court overturning the Defense of Marriage Act. “It’s a states’ rights issue and the federal government, I personally think they need to stay out of it,” he said.

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“It’s a racist tax,” Yoho told the audience. And they went nuts.

He went on, “I had an Indian doctor in our office the other day, very dark skin, with two non-dark skin people, and I asked this to him. I said, ‘Have you ever been to a tanning booth?’ and he goes, ‘No, no need.’ So therefore it’s a racist tax and I thought I might need to get to a sun tanning booth so I can come out and say I’ve been disenfranchised because I got taxed because of the color of my skin.”

So much brilliance there it’s nearly blinding. First of all, “non-dark skin people” is totally how white people talk about other white people. All the time.

Secondly, fuck this guy for making light (seriously, no pun intended) of racial minorities being disenfranchised in this country. Especially since Yoho is from Florida, with a long and continuing history of racism and where tanning is free if you just go outside.

I hope Yoho does go tanning. And I hope he tans so much he gets purged from the voting rolls in Florida, like so many other “dark skin people” have been.

@DavidAtlantaGA // 17

A Conversation with

LAVERNE COX

BY DYL AN MICHAEL

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I

f you don’t have Facebook, or Netflix, or you just live under a rock (in which case I’m not surpised at your lack of social media interaction), then you probably haven’t heard of the new hit Netflix show Orange is the New Black. For those of us in the know, though, you’ve either seen it on your Facebook newsfeed, or have watched it yourself.

and the others but it’s just how Crazy Eyes was written.

I was that girl who was involved with the wrong person.

I think I relate and connect to that piece of being in love with someone who doesn’t see you and who’s completely wrong for you. That’s the magic for the show! She’s a character that you’d make fun of and laugh at, but she has so many layers and so much depth; she’s unbelievably human. This show is magic because it shows all these One of the best parts about Orange is the New Black is the women who are “disposable,” or “they don’t matter,” but colorful cast of characters. The cast ranges from a crazy then, through the course of the show, you realize they’re black lady who likes to quote Shakespeare, a Russian who humans, who live and love and hurt. only wants to provide good food, to my personal favorite, Sophia, the transgendered hairstylist. Sophia is played by That’s an amazing take on the characters of actress Laverne Cox, who you might have seen on shows Orange is the New Black! But before we get such as Law & Order: SVU, I Want to Work for Diddy and to Sophia, tell us a little bit about you. Who is TRANSform Me. On top of being a successful actress, Laverne?

Laverne is also an advocate for transgendered equality. I got the distinct honor of sitting down with Miss Cox and, Laverne is just a girl living in New York City. Anyone who after having a huge fangirl moment where I praised her for knows me knows that I’m cheesy, first of all. I grew up in an extended period of time, we got to talk about Orange is Mobile, AL with a single mother and twin brother. I started the New Black, transgendered life, boys and more. dancing and performing at a really young age. It’s what I love, and what I’m passionate about. It’s challenging Congrats on the success of Orange is the New to build a career in the entertainment industry, and I’m Black! It’s become a huge success. Do you not saying it’s impossible, but being transgendered does watch the show yourself? And if so, who’s your make it a little bit harder. I now live as a single woman in favorite character?

NYC, but I do have a fantasy about meeting the right guy one day. However, I can’t imagine having a boyfriend right Thank you so much! I’m super grateful to be a part of this now! He would never see me! project with Netflix. There was no way to anticipate that the show was going to become its own entity, but people have really claimed ownership over this show.

As far as your second question, I have watched every episode! Not for me, but for the others. I’ve gone back and re-watched the episodes that I’m not in, and I’m gagging. It’s such a good show!

My favorite character…ah, that’s a hard one! It’s so mean to ask me because I love and adore everyone [laugh], but I love and adore Crazy Eyes. She breaks my heart and makes me laugh and gag and I’m just like there’s so much going on within her. And the actress that plays her, Uzo Aduba, is amazing! I mean, I live for characters like Red @DavidAtlantaGA // 19

Ya know, I always get nervous when I play a character, but my job is to humanize that character and be true to the script. The script is beautiful and smart, and my job is to honor that.

For me, as an artist, the character I play might use a word that I don’t like or be in a situation that me, Laverne, would never be in. But, me as an artist, I have to go there ‘cause it’s true for my character to go there. As an artist, I have to leave that behind.

The show’s script is not politically correct, but it’s genius. They tell women’s stories in such a complicated, beautiful way.

Actually, I’m okay with being single right now. I’m not even sure what being in a healthy relationship would look like. I had a boyfriend earlier this year and he was sweet but it just wasn’t right. There is a time for everything and now is not the right time for it. I’m really passionate about my work, and what I believe in. I am a transgender activist, as well as an actress, and I travel around and talk about equality and justice for transgendered people. I want people to understand people like me. This show is changing hearts and minds. And that’s really exciting and incredibly humbling.

How did you prepare for the role of Sophia?

Being a transgendered woman, and playing one on the show, did you feel any pressure to live up to any expectations from the Trans community?

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How was it working with Academy Award winning, gay icon Jodie Foster on episode 3 of Orange is the New Black?

Well, she just confirmed her status as a gay icon, kinda. But I wouldn’t call her just a gay icon. She’s just a film icon to me. She’s a brilliant artist, director, and actress. Working with her was just a dream come true.

Imagine your fan girl moment earlier and multiply that by 1000. I had a full on out of body experience when I met her. She was just so chill and amazingly smart and she does an absolutely brilliant job. She’s just a really regular, chill person who’s exceptional at what she does. When I first met her, I lost my mind. Luckily, we had 3 meetings with her, before filming, and it gave me time to chill out and get used to her before filming episode 3.

Well, speaking of episode three, what was

it like to have your twin brother portray you, pre-operation?

Is there anything about the trans life that they did not touch on that you would like to add?

I actually don’t really like the term “pre-op” – I prefer “pre-trans.”

The idea of “trans life”, I have an issue with. There’s no one “trans life.” Everyone has their own path. I’m actually really curious about what they’re going to go with Sophia. Jenji Kohan, the creator, is absolutely amazing and knows how to keep interesting! What’s fun about being an actor, is you don’t have that much control in what happens. We show up and we do our job, and it’s a lot of trust. It’s almost a spiritual practice. But I’m not worried; I’m in really good hands.

My mistake!

Oh, it’s not an issue. It’s just one of those little things.

As far as my brother goes, we actually didn’t get to work together; we shot on totally different days.

When you have a twin brother growing up, people are obsessed with the whole “the same person” thing. And my brother really hates it. And I get it! I would prefer to see people talking about me for something more than something I have no control over, like being a twin.

Luckily, on set, it didn’t become a twin thing.

But I am really proud of him! I think he did a great job.

He’s not an actor, and he’s very much into doing his own thing. I prefer him playing me pre-trans rather than someone else. I would have done it myself, but Jodie didn’t think I was masculine enough. (Laugh) Was your family supportive of your decision to transition?

My brother was unbelievably supportive! He has trans friends, too, so it wasn’t a big deal for him. My mom, I actually didn’t tell until after I started. Initially, she had issues. I mean, she saw me in dresses and makeup and all that, but she really freaked out about her child having surgery. And it took a while to get gender pronouns down, after so many years. But she’s supportive now and really cool and just a good example of how to become accepting. I’m still the same person I was before I transitioned, I’m just more myself.

There were several topics brought up within the script of the show, such as the discriminatory remarks that some people make about trans women and men. “He/She”, “It”, that kind of stuff. Do you feel that they addressed the issues properly in the show, or is there room for improvement?

I think what we’ve done in the show is the reality. And the reality is, there are a lot of people in the world who have issues with it and they’ve show that trans people go through things in life. This show shows the trials they go through, and show that we are humans.

Showing the reality of life in trans America is important. Even living in NYC, I’ve been called all kinds of stuff on the street, on the Internet, etc. Our show is showing that we’re people, just like everyone else.

Would you like to play regular female roles, as opposed to being cast as a transsexual in shows? Or do you feel roped into a category like Hollywood is limiting you?

For me, I just wanna act, regardless of trans or not.

Labels are so limiting, ya know? The right role will come along, if I have the faith in myself. I’ve been mostly playing Trans. But I love being able to tell stories, so straight, trans, whatever, I would love to stretch myself and my acting abilities in whatever direction they may go.

You’ve inspired so many people, simply by being on this show and proving that Trans people can be accepted in mainstream society. How does it feel to now be an icon for the LGBT community?

I’m an icon?! Thank you for that, but there’s a lot of work that has yet to be done and lots of things left to accomplish. I’m hopeful that this is just the beginning!

The advocacy part of me is for the LGBT community, not just gay, not just trans. I want to include everyone.

Like I said, it’s flattering and lovely but I have a lot of dreams and work left to do and I just can’t get full of myself. If I were to say “Oh, I’m an icon,” how douchey of me would that be?!? [Laughs] I appreciate it, that’s something for people to say about me, but not for me to say about myself. There’s a lot of work left for my career, and for trans colored people. Just because I’m on television doesn’t make any other Trans colored people’s lives better. I’m enjoying the success of the show, but I’m also trying to keep it in perspective.

As you can see, Laverne Cox is not only an amazing actress, but an activist for equality with a heart of gold! For more information on Laverne, you can go to lavernecox.com. Be sure to catch her on Orange is the New Black available on Netflix now!

@DavidAtlantaGA // 21

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@DavidAtlantaGA // 23

e r o p e L X XX s n i o J e r o p e L a d n a m A ther Show T he O

JAH

BY ELIESIAN SARK

photos: Marco Ovando 24 // davidatlanta.com

W

hen The Other Show, one of Atlanta’s hottest drag shows, launched its first expanded show last month with Lady Bunny, the turnout was phenomenal. For the second edition of The Other Show XXXL, Edie Cheezburger and company are bringing in a legend who should have no problem fitting right in: Amanda Lepore.

Since establishing herself as a nightlife icon in the early 1990s, Amanda Lepore has made her mark in modeling, music and film. Her collaborations with famed photographer David LaChapelle are among the photographer’s most notable works.

Of course, Lepore’s fame is in large part due to her exaggerated features – she may very well be the closest approximation of a real-life Jessica Rabbit. At one point, she called herself the “No. 1 Transsexual in the World.”

I love people from the South, their friendliness and how they make visitors feel comfortable. Once upon a time I had a boyfriend in Atlanta, he introduced me to the area, so I am familiar with the environment and enjoy it very much.

You are, without a doubt, one of the most glamorous entertainers in our community. To you, what’s the importance of being glamorous?

It’s an escape; people want to escape via entertainment.

I think I fulfill that by being glamorous. It’s a passion of mine, it gives me confidence and it carries onto my performances on stage. I love high heels, and at this point it all feels natural to me. It also looks great on pictures.

You’re also one of the most well-known trans individuals in the world. When did you realize your true gender identity?

Before her appearance in The Other Show XXXL, I spoke with Amanda about her visit to Atlanta, the latest plans in her distinguished career and the importance of her physi- I always believed I was a girl since I was a child. I cal transformation. wanted to get treatment since I was around 10 when I saw a talk show on TV and realized that there was Amanda, you’ll be in Atlanta at Jungle for The treatment and that it could be my reality. I had to follow Other Show XXXL on August 23. What all can that instinct. we expect from your performance that night?

On a related note, when and why did you I’ll be performing songs from my album and my new decide to physically transition, both through song, “I Wanna Be Loved By You.” You can expect glam- hormones and surgery? our and style! It’ll be great to see everyone and I hope I get some nice Southern hospitality.

As soon as I knew it was available I wanted it pretty badly. When I began treatment my life got better, my When you’re at The Other Show XXXL, you’ll be academic career improved, grades got better, I was performing with some of Atlanta’s biggest up- able to focus better, and saw an overall change that fit and-coming drag queens. What advice do you me. The physical transition was a natural next step into have for them – or for anyone – as performers? becoming who I felt I was and who I am today.

Practice in front of your friends and experiment with makeup and your looks, find what works best for you and above all, be yourself. This way you will be more confident on stage and remember to have fun.

You’ve visited Atlanta several times over the years. Is there anything in particular that stands out about Atlanta from your prior visits (things you enjoy, experiences you’ve had, etc.)? @DavidAtlantaGA // 25

know I was a transsexual, once that came out, they liked me even more and it snowballed into becoming very popular.

As things have changed over the years, are there aspects of nightlife that you like or dislike now compared to the past?

To this day, I still work in clubs, and that element has not changed, people are still coming to New York to find a place to fit in, and they find themselves in the nightlife and I enjoy being a part of a scene where people are finding acceptance. I enjoy the creativity of the nightlife, the costumes, the makeup, seeing people become successful in their craft and transition from the scene into successful careers.

You were also a dominatrix at one point. How did that come about? Are there any particular stories from that time that stand out to you today?

When I first left my husband, I didn’t have a job, I then started doing nails and not making enough money. A friend mentioned to me being a dominatrix and that I did not have to have sex for money. I did not really like it because I am not dominant type of person, I didn’t think I would be able to do it. But in that dynamic the man wanting to play out his fantasy is not giving up control, they are orchestrating the whole thing and I am just acting a part. One of the crazier experiences I had was a customer with a pie fetish. He would come in with a bunch of pies and I would have to throw the pies at him in order for him to relieve himself. The worst part of that was the clean up afterwards. After I started working in the clubs, I found my niche and stopped working in this field.

You released your full-length album, I…Amanda Lepore, back in 2011. Do you have any plans to release another album in the future?

Yes. We have new songs like “I Wanna Be Loved By You” and right now we’re in the pre-production stages of planning for the next release.

What do you have coming up in the future professionally?

How did you get involved in the nightlife scene in New York initially?

A friend brought me to a club initially and then it turned into hosting, and I continued to get hired to be a part of the scene. I started to meet displaced kids who didn’t fit in, were bullied in schools, and other people with similar experiences and we became the scene. People didn’t 26 // davidatlanta.com

Lots of shows and appearances, I have a monthly residency at SoHo Grand where I sing live and that requires preparation. I am taking voice lessons and experimenting with the direction of my new album. I am working with several photographers on their projects. There’s a coffee table book in the works. I have a movie role in an independent film shooting in November. And of course: party, party, party! Showgirl, showgirl, showgirl!

Cuckoo for Coco

BY CHRISTINA DORE

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W

hether you’re a glamour or camp queen, or just an ardent lover of the drag culture, rejoice and get ready at Burkhart’s Pub in Midtown this month!

We will be graced with exciting entertainment and the superstar beauty of Miss Coco Montrese, former contestant of RuPaul’s Drag Race and now one of Las Vegas’ hottest drag performers. Originally based out of Miami, Montrese’s career has taken her to many city venues and her shows have wowed audiences all across the country.

“The south actually has had a great influence on me,” explains Montrese. “I grew up in Florida, I went to college in Alabama and because it was only an hour or so away from school, I visited Atlanta a lot. I love this city and all the weekends I had spent here attending shows, hanging When infamous drag queen and entertainer RuPaul brought out at Charlie Brown’s Cabaret and seeing performers like to reality television RuPaul’s Drag Race, it was an opporShawnna Brooks, Raven and my mother Mokha Montrese.” tunity Coco Montrese could not ignore. The latest season, which first aired this past January, brought Coco to the For everyone life begins with your mother. While a theater television spotlight. Although she lost the military makeover major in college, Coco never imagined of becoming a challenge to Roxxxy Andrews in one of the later episodes, female impersonator. Taking a break from her studies one she gained a valuable experience and gracefully sashayed night at Alabama State University, she went to a local bar out, leaving the loving message for her fellow queens: where the entertainment that evening was glamour queen “Give them hell, girls!”

Mokha Montrese, who by the end of the show captivated the entire audience. Sure enough a post-show meeting “It was an important time for me, and to meet and work commenced and Coco Montrese found her mentor and with RuPaul was amazing! He is such a business man and what she wanted to do with her life—to become a stage a powerful queen—it truly was an honor to be in his presperformer that not only wore enchanting dresses and bared ence. I plan on being as powerful as him one day.” hopes her sexy legs, but also revealed her heart and soul through Montrese. art. As her mentor advised her: “it’s all about love.”

For many aspiring queens, it’s the dream and ultimate goal Mama Montrese took Coco under her wing, asked to put to be a regular star performer on the Las Vegas strip. Coco some makeup on her and encouraged her to enter the Montrese has made the city of sin her home and according talent contest that night, which she subsequently won to her, living and working in the entertainment capital has and gained the attention of the bar staff and patrons. been nothing short of amazing. For the past three years, After several more performances, Coco was told about she has been employed at Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas the upcoming beauty pageant, Miss Dixieland National. and Krave Massive (one of the biggest gay bars ever), The results were no surprise: Coco Montrese won the title though she does make time to travel and perform across and the building blocks of her career began to stack up the nation. For Coco Montrese—to see her face on the billand rise. boards and the side of taxis, to strut her talent and express herself through drag performance, to earn titles like Miss “When I met Mokha Montrese, the rest was history! I Gay America 2010 and other dazzling accolades—has definitely feel my time in Atlanta and seeing so many been “a dream come true.” Still, her work is nowhere near amazing performers helped mold me into the entertainer done. that I am today. Still, my influences travel across Georgia, back to Alabama and even further south back to my “Currently there are many things in the works for Coco hometown, Florida,” says Montrese.

Montrese. I suggest keeping your eyes open and getting ready for the ride of your life!”

“Performers hailing from Florida, like Tiffany Arieagas, Esme Russell, Stephanie Shappae and Lekeysha Lucky, Catch Coco Montrese at Burkhart’s Pub both Thursday shaped me greatly. For a while, it certainly wasn’t an ‘in’ 8/29 and Friday 8/30, along with other performers thing to be a female impersonator even if you were a cute including Drag Race alumni Phoenix and Mariah young pretty boy—boys wouldn’t talk to you if you did Paris Balenciaga, and entertainers such as Envy drag or found out you did drag. Studying theater at ASU, Van Micheals, Destiny Brooks, The Fab Five, former I later realized I had to decide if I was going to do drag or Burkhart legend Alicia Kelly, and many more. A meet just pursue my major.” and greet will follow after each show. @DavidAtlantaGA // 29

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Dine In | Take Out | Delivery | Catering Welcoming the LGBT community for 20 years.

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www.thaichilicuisine.com @DavidAtlantaGA // 31

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Lee Daniels Opens Up About ‘The Butler’

BY ELIJAH SARKESIAN

W

ith only four films to his name as director, Lee Daniels certainly knows how to make an impression on film.

While he made his directing debut with 2005’s Shadowboxer, which starred Helen Mirren, his breakthrough came with his second film, Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire. That film went on to earn six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director for Daniels, with two wins (including Mo’Nique’s win in Best Supporting Actress).

He followed that up with last year’s controversial The Paperboy, which garnered a lot of interest for some scenes involving Zac Efron’s rain-soaked briefs and Nicole Kidman’s attempt to ease a jellyfish sting.

That brings us to his latest film, Lee Daniels’ The Butler. In many ways, this is his most mainstream effort to date – it’s rated PG-13 instead of R, like his other films, and he has a massive cast led by Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey at his disposal.

The Butler is based on the story of Eugene Allen, who served as a butler in the White House over the course of eight presidential administrations that spanned a 36 // davidatlanta.com

massive change in civil rights for the black community.

For the film, the story focuses on the fictional Cecil Gaines (Whitaker) through seven administrations, from Eisenhower to Reagan. While the film initially comes from Cecil’s perspective working in the White House, it broadens out to eventually include the perspective of his son, Louis (David Oyelowo), who shifts over the years from movements led by Martin Luther King Jr. to the Black Panthers.

That aspect of The Butler – the relationships between fathers and sons – hit home for Daniels, and led to his involvement in the film.

“When I got the script after Precious, [my son] was 13 years old,” says Daniels. “My dad died when I was relatively young, so I have no experience on how to be a father after that point. I had no reference on fathering. And my dad was really strict, to the point of borderline abusive, and I didn’t understand that abuse, and I didn’t know that his father beat him, and his father before that beat him, and his father before him beat him, and his father was a slave. And it came from slavery. What I did know – and that’s what I learned from Precious – was that it had to stop, so I didn’t beat him.

“In this movie, it’s a love affair with the father and son, “What scared me most was that memory of black men and it’s universal – it’s beyond color. That was the beauty being lynched on that bridge. And so, I yell ‘action,’ and of the story – the heartbeat is the father and son.” as I’m yelling action, these KKK members are coming for the bus, the signs are coming, the nasty words, they’re Daniels was also quick to point out the lack of represen- shaking the bus, the swastikas, bats and everything. tation of family life on film that depicts African-American Everybody on the bus is nervous, very nervous. families.

“And then, I was a little nervous. I said ‘cut,’ but I’m in the “We never see as black people, we do not see this – we bus; they can’t hear me outside, and so they keep going. don’t see it. I take for granted. I mean, what movies are I say ‘Cut!’ and then they can’t hear me, so I go to the there, really, that address this? Claudine, maybe that film, window, and I am looking at them, yelling ‘Cut!’ And they but that was back in the 70s. It’s almost like we don’t don’t know I’m just wanting them to [stop]. have a family. The Huxtables, I guess – you know what I mean?

“And I realize that there was nobody to yell ‘cut’ for these kids that were on that bus, and that those kids were “So for me, the movie was not just about a history heroes, in a way that I certainly can’t imagine being a lesson, but rather really showing us something we’ve hero. They were ready to die for what they believed in. never seen before. They don’t exist like this. There are I don’t know that I would. I would die for my kids, but I mothers and fathers that care for their sons that are don’t know if I could die for their right to vote. It made African-American.” me question what it was, what it really was ultimately all about.”

When it came to shooting the film, Daniels points to a pair of scenes that were particularly difficult to shoot. In the When asked about how the film parallels the struggles first, where a group participates in a sit-in at a “whites of the LGBT community, Daniels – who is openly gay – only” counter at a restaurant, the hesitation shown on became contemplative. screen spread to the entire cast in shooting the sequence.

“I’ve been bullied as a gay man where I couldn’t go “It sort of transcended acting,” Daniels recalls. “A lot of to the bathroom because I was too afraid to go to the the extras were couples – there were two couples, mar- bathroom, because I was bullied – ‘sissy, sissy,’ ‘faggot, ried, that were interracial. And so one extra was [saying], ‘Oh my God, he was doing some bad stuff to his wife.’

And so, to show you how far we’ve come, because everybody didn’t want to do what they were doing; nobody wanted to do what they were doing. And so it wasn’t just acting, it was reflecting on what it was that those kids were going through.

“The spit in Yaya [DeCosta]’s face, the first time we did it – of course I didn’t want to use real spit. So when we spit, it was water, it was just like, water. Then I had to stop and say, ‘We have to redo the scene, because it’s not going to work.’ So when she did it, the girl didn’t want to do it, but Yaya said ‘You gotta do it.’ So it happened; Yaya went outside and cried and threw up, got sick, and the girl went to the bathroom and started crying. It was a moment, it was a very sad moment.”

In another scene featuring a group of Freedom Riders and a confrontation with the KKK, Daniels felt personally endangered.

“We were on the bus shooting the bus scene, and it was on a bridge where black men were lynched. It was nighttime, it was, it was on a bus, it was hot – no air conditioning on the bus, because the bus was a period bus. @DavidAtlantaGA // 37

faggot’ – from the time that I was six in the second grade, through junior high school,” Daniels said. “So my mother wanted me away from that environment, so that I would escape the bullying that took place in the AfricanAmerican community towards gay men. And then I went from ‘faggot, faggot, faggot’ to ‘n****r, n****r, n****r.’

“So I figure that’s made me the man that I am, that my kids look up to. And I think that part of me, that nuance, that gay man and that black man is on every frame of that screen, and [I hope] that my kids are very proud of that.”

Broadening out from his personal experience as a black gay man, Daniels turned to the issues he has with the larger community, and how he’s tackled that in previous films.

“Well, I’m not in the welfare office, I am in the gay men’s health crisis center in New York City, in Chelsea, and there are nothing but African-American women that are in, with their kids – all of whom are infected with HIV. They have HIV; they have trumped gay men with HIV. And the reason that is the case is because we are dealing with [it] in the African-American community.”

He adds, “Black men have been castrated since slavery, so the concept of homosexuality or being homosexual is ‘embarrassment,’ and they have dealt with it in very insidious ways, the community. We have to be strong, black men. And in doing so, they have denied who they are, and in doing that, the church says, your parents say, your co-workers say, your neighbors say, your friends say that you can’t be out.

“In doing the movie Precious, we had to study AIDS and study people with HIV, because Precious had HIV. So I go into the gay men’s health clinic in New York City, to really research.

“And in doing that, they are infecting our women, they are infecting our people – black women with HIV because they’re afraid. And so I did that film, Precious, for all of those African-American men that are afraid to come out because of the fear. And I think it’s a very powerful thing to own one’s sexuality, and to own up to it.”

“So as I walk in there, I come into this room, and I’m expecting to see a bunch of white men that have AIDS, HIV. It’s a big room, bigger than this room. And I come into the room, and there’s a sea of women and children, all black. And I think, ‘Oh, I’m in the wrong room, I’m in the welfare office.’

Lee Daniels’ The Butler is playing in theaters nationwide now. The film is rated PG-13 for some violence and disturbing images, language, sexual material, thematic elements and smoking.

38 // davidatlanta.com

A LIEB

OF FAITH YouTube sensation talks Steve Grand, being a heartthrob and his gay competition

48 // davidatlanta.com

By Chris Azzopardi

photos: Ben Easter

Y

ouTube’s been good to Eli Lieb. The Iowa-born, boyishly handsome musician, who’s amassed a faithful following with his own distinctive twist on radio songs, recently dropped his new intoxicating pop single “Young Love.” It’s sweet and liberating, and it features two lovers who just happen to be men (who happen to be cute, and who also happen to kiss). The video premiered just days after “All-American Boy,” in which out “country” hunk Steve Grand falls for a straight boy, became a viral hit. The two, however, couldn’t be more different.

And in this chat with Lieb, he opens up about why. The web sensation also talks about learning guitar from Ani DiFranco, not seeing himself as a heartthrob and how happiness was the key to his success.

it, but thank god for YouTube and the Internet because it’s so much more accessible. Now YouTube is a massive machine and everybody is trying to make it their stage.

Would you consider reality TV shows like American Idol?

I’m never closed off to anything. If it’s something that feels right, I’ll go for it. If it’s something that doesn’t feel right, no matter what it is, I won’t do it.

I don’t get how you haven’t been signed to a major record label yet. How has that not happened?

(Laughs) I can’t answer that.

How did you learn to sing?

What’s going on with the sophomore album?

Singing was always something that came naturally to me.

I started when I was 12, and that’s when I was in my first A lot of stuff in my life right now is changing for the posimusical theater show and when I first discovered singing. tive career-wise. I recently moved to L.A. and I’m doing a lot. There’s a lot of change happening. I’m never gonna At 16 you picked up a guitar for the first time. stop making music, that’s for sure. But I can’t be like, What was the first song you learned to play?

“My next album is coming out in a couple of months,” you know? But I’m making music every day, let’s just say I don’t remember the first song, but I know it was an Ani that.

DiFranco song. At that age I was totally into her and I learned guitar by listening to her songs. I don’t know how It sounds like things are in the works that you to read music. I never could learn. I don’t know any chord can’t talk about right now. names, but if I can hear something, I can learn how to play it.

(Laughs) Yeah.

And this was before YouTube.

This was back in the olden days!

Why did you decide to move back home to Iowa after living in New York for so many years?

My decision to move back didn’t have anything to do with my career. I reached this point where I’d been in New York for 11 years and I just wasn’t super happy there; every time I went home to Iowa, I was just beyond happy. I told myself that if I went (to Iowa) I wouldn’t be able to have a career. I let go of the fear and went back and became so happy. Ironically, though I don’t think it’s ironic, that’s the time my career took off – because I was operating from this happier place. And with the Internet, I was lucky to do what I was doing from anywhere. All I needed was a music studio and video camera.

Where would you be without YouTube?

I have no idea. I’ve been making music since I was 16 and YouTube didn’t really become a huge platform until the last few years. I would’ve found another way of doing @DavidAtlantaGA // 49

Why more of an acoustic approach to the upcoming album?

If it sounds like something, it’s a coincidence, I guess.

Everything is in the eye of the beholder.

I’m writing a lot on guitar. It doesn’t mean the songs will end up on guitar, but my first album was experimenting with sound and learning to use all the programs. Now I’m more into the swing of things and my writing has changed a lot in terms of the music that I release. Now it’s pop music, which I love. I love a straight-up pop song. And that’s definitely my sensibility. It’s just the evolution of me as an artist.

Was it a coincidence, too, that “Young Love” was released just days after Steve Grand’s “AllAmerican Boy,” or was that released in reaction to his video?

After hearing “Young Love,” I have the sense you’re inspired by ’80s music and Taylor Swift.

I released this a week after his got released, and there’s no way I could’ve made that in a week. But people are accusing me of trying to ride his coattail. I’ve been planning this video for a long time, and it just so happened that his was released a week before mine was about to come out.

So it’s the most bizarre coincidence.

Yeah, it’s funny the way that I write music: Whatever comes out is purely just what comes out. And it’s not overly saturated with influence, because I’m just making music all day long. I just don’t sit down and listen to stuff that’s going on, so a lot of times I think there’s a lot of energy in the air and ideas keep passing through.

The even more bizarre coincidence is that some of the shots in the videos are similar. That’s what blew my mind more. The reality is, it seems like a shocking thing when people release a video that has same-sex partners in it, but if you were to take away the firework scene or the car scene, it’s just the same as Rihanna and Adele putting

50 // davidatlanta.com

out videos and both having love stories.

But because it’s two guys, it seems like it’s trying to be the same thing.

Obviously there’s something in the air if he and I both release a video this close to each other with … I almost don’t want to say similar content; it’s just our people speaking out for who they are and showing who they are in the world, regardless of where they are in their life.

I’m very happy to be able to show my story and the lack of fear and acceptance with who I am. I didn’t have an And not just two agenda with the video, and I feel very fulfilled that I can men… two gay help people feel better about themselves and shed fear men. Does that and be who they are. And as an openly gay man, I defichange things? nitely want to represent the community in a positive way.

There’s a sense of pride with it. I just want everybody in What I’ve noticed the world to just be who they are without fear, and that with the comparitranscends way beyond sexuality. sons to Steve and I: When I set out to Are you at all bothered by comparisons bemake this video, tween not just you and Steve Grand but with I specifically did other gay artists? not want it to have a “gay theme;” I That’s something you get used to and understand. I just wanted to be actually have been really happy about the response to the authentic to who I video. Most people are saying it’s not grouped into this am, and who I am is “gay” category. It’s just a video about people in love. this very comfortable human being Has being out affected your career in either in my own skin. My direction? sexuality is just one part of who I am; It’s affected it for the better. I think being independent it’s not something and calling my own shots has helped as well. When I focus on and I you’re being your authentic self and you are free with definitely don’t who you are, you will gravitate an audience. want to make it a big deal. So, when I There’s a big part of the gay community who was going to shoot admires your music as much as your looks. this video, I knew it Have you thought about yourself as a hearthad to have a love interest, because it’s a love song and throb in the community? And how do you deal it just was not an option to me to not have a guy. I also with that flattery and attention? wanted to shoot it in a way that was no different than any other video, where you just feel the love rather than being Oh man, I don’t even know how to answer that. (Laughs) hit over the head with an agenda or a point of view. Not We all are human beings and we all have our insecurisaying that was Steve at all, but I find a lot of gay stuff ties, and people see you in a different way than you see does have sort of a gay theme to it, which isn’t bad; I just yourself. But I don’t think of myself as a heartthrob. I didn’t want to do that. And Steve’s story is a different don’t really know how to answer that question. It’s a story than mine. really difficult one.

I guess I can say that we have different points of view and we’re at different places in our lives, and different people respond to different things. Some people, who are very free in their love and who they are, might relate to mine more because they see it as a celebration – about not having to hide who you are. But then there’s other people who might be struggling more and aren’t at that place in their life and they still feel that struggle and seeing [Grand’s version], they can relate to that more. They’re just telling two different stories.

Because you have to talk about how good you look?

And it’s arrogant. There’s a very common misconception about me. People think I’m standoffish, but I’m not; I’m just shy. I am a super grounded, down-to-earth person, and I think the more that I put stuff out that is my authentic self, that comes across more. Nobody sees themselves as other people see them. I don’t know anybody who does. And if they do, a lot of times they’re a person you don’t want to be around. (Laughs) @DavidAtlantaGA // 51

O U T O F T OW N :

GRAND CANYON AND FLAGSTAFF

BY ANDRE W COLLINS

T

he Grand Canyon has been showered with accolades as much as any of America’s many spectacular national parks, yet few who visit this 300-mile-long gorge leave disappointed - it’s one natural attraction that truly lives up to its considerable reputation. Many of the park’s LGBT visitors combine their adventure with either a stay in rollicking Las Vegas or the groovy New Age town of Sedona, but don’t overlook the nearest small city, Flagstaff. This laid-back, cultured, and pine-studded college town has plenty going for it and makes a terrific base for exploring northern Arizona.

The largest city on Interstate 40 between Los Angeles and Albuquerque, Flagstaff (flagstaffarizona.org) is known for its seemingly endless supply of inexpensive chain motels and restaurants. Sadly, too many roadtripping visitors never get much beyond the exit ramp before continuing on with their journeys. In fact, this well-kept, historic city of about 66,000 is worth getting to know - it’s known for cool, dry summers and snowy but sunny winters, and has enough diversions and attractions to keep you busy for several days.

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photo: Andrew Collins

The presence of Northern Arizona University infuses Flagstaff with a youthful, bohemian personality that’s enhanced by the many outdoorsy types who have settled here from smoggier and more crowded parts of the West. The gay scene is subtle but pronounced - plenty of gays and lesbians live here or nearby, and the rest of the population seems largely split between those who embrace diversity and those who simply don’t care much about their neighbors’ gender, race, or sexual orientation.

Activity in Flagstaff often revolves around the picturesque downtown, which is rife with Victorian and early 20thcentury redbrick buildings that date to the city’s early years as an Old West railroad hub. The Arizona Historical Society’s Pioneer Museum, housed in a 1908 building constructed of rock deposited by an ancient volcanic eruption, traces the region’s growth with a variety of artifacts and exhibits. The AHS’s Riordan Mansion, an ornate Arts and Crafts mansion, is also open for tours - it was built by the same architect responsible for the Grand Canyon’s iconic El Tovar Hotel. Be sure to see the Museum of Northern Arizona, which contains an outstanding collection of Native American arts and crafts and natural history exhibits. And

keep your eyes and ears open for any events scheduled for the Coconino Center for the Arts, whose arts exhibits, musical performances, and workshops draw on different aspects of the American West, from Native American history to the contemporary cowboy’s lifestyle.

Tinkerbox Kitchen

Outdoors enthusiasts will find plenty to keep them busy.

Reaching around the city on almost every side, Coconino National Forest contains the largest concentration of ponderosa pine trees in the world. There are many places within the forest where you can hike or mountain-bike.

Just 15 miles northwest of town, the Arizona Snowbowl draws winter skiers to its 40 downhill runs and 2,300foot vertical drop and offers a tram ride to an elevation of 11,500 feet during the warmer months.

Flagstaff Dining Flagstaff has a lively and increasingly sophisticated dining scene full of excellent values. The hip Tinderbox Kitchen (tinderboxkitchen.com) focuses on slow food and regional ingredients with its superb and creative modern American cuisine. Criollo (criollolatinkitchen.com) attracts foodies with its finely crafted, upscale Latin American fare, while Cuvee 928 (cuvee928winebar.com) and Hops on Birch (hopsonbirch.com) appeal to wine and craft-beer fans, respectively. You can observe the local color at Mountain Oasis, a cute storefront cafe with tall windows and a handful of sidewalk tables; nosh on leafy salads, falafel plates, and fine coffees and microbrews. Beaver Street Brewery (beaverstreetbrewery.com) turns out great wood-fired gourmet pizzas, hefty burgers, and other hearty but often creative pub fare.

Drop by Karma (karmaflagstaff.com) for the best sushi in town, and Pato (patothai.com) for artfully presented Thai food. Macy’s European Coffeehouse & Bakery (macyscoffee.net) is a favorite of the gay community, known for delicious espresso drinks, hearty and healthy breakfasts, and decadent baked goods. While there are no gay bars in town, you’ll often find LGBT folks at some of the restaurants above, at the lounge in the Hotel Monte Vista, and at eclectic bars like Pay ‘N Take (payntake.com), the Green Room (flagstaffgreenroom.com), and Uptown Pub and Billiards (uptownpubhouse.net).

Inn at 410

Karma

Flagstaff Hotels A beautifully decorated, gay-friendly B&B, the nine-room Inn at 410 (inn410.com) dates to 1907. Rooms have canopied beds, local Southwestern and Indian arts and crafts, and fine original woodworking - the decorative themes vary considerably from room to room, and some units have fireplaces. On the east side of town, gay-owned Starlight Pines B&B (starlightpinesbb.com) is a richly furnished, four-room inn that’s a favorite of couples seeking romance. @DavidAtlantaGA // 57

North Rim

You’ll find a brass-accented fireplace and a long, deep claw-foot soaking tub in the Dragonfly Room, and two ground-floor accommodations enjoy easy access to the inn’s dramatic 70-foot wraparound veranda.

A sponsor of Flagstaff’s gay pride event in June, Pride in the Pines, the upscale, pet-friendly Woodlands Hotel (flagstaffwoodlandshotel.com) has 183 well-appointed rooms, a seasonal outdoor pool, and a recently renovated fitness center. The funky but affordable Hotel Monte Vista (hotelmontevista.com) has been an anchor of downtown Flagstaff since the 1920s - it’s just a block north of historic Route 66. Numerous celebrities and dignitaries stayed here during the hotel’s heyday.

Logistically, it’s possible to use Flagstaff as a base for exploring the Grand Canyon (nps.gov/grca) on a daytrip.

The town is just 75 minutes via U.S. 180 to the park’s South Rim. This makes it possible to drive up for the day, check out a number of vantage points, embark on one or two short hikes along the rim, explore the visitor centers, and enjoy lunch and perhaps even dinner, while still being able to make it back to Flagstaff by late evening. For many visitors, especially those just passing through northern Arizona, this option makes good sense.

Another good strategy is staying 60 miles due south of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim in little Williams, a rustic and friendly slice of Old West Americana conveniently situated along I-40 just 35 miles west of Flagstaff.

The town is the terminus of the historic Grand Canyon Railway (thetrain.com), and its adjacent historic hotel.

Parts of the 297-room property date to 1908, and an onsite pub and café provide sustenance as well as plenty of character. You can make the hotel your base camp and visit the Grand Canyon during the day by way of the vintage railway, which uses historic Pullman coaches as well as a variety of sleek first-class parlor and dome cars; trains leave in the morning and return by early evening. Or take the train to the park and spend a night or two there.

North Rim Visiting the North Rim of the Grand Canyon offers tremendous rewards to those who make the considerable extra effort to go. The views are even better (it’s at an elevation of 8,800 feet, nearly 2,000 feet higher than the South Rim), the crowds are fewer, and the ambience is less commercial, but this section of the park is open only mid-May through mid-October, weather permitting.

To get here from Flagstaff, allow yourself between four and five hours (the distance is about the same from the South Rim).

This beautiful drive begins on U.S. 89 and passes through a landscape marked by frequent and dramatic changes in scenery. Along the way, you can make a small side trip to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, a nearly 1,000-year-old volcano - hiking trails loop around but not actually inside the crater. U.S. 89 then curves up around the east side of the Grand Canyon; about 60 miles after passing through historic Cameron Trading Post (a good stop for a casual lunch or to shop for Native American collectibles), you bear left onto U.S. 89A and then cross over a narrow gorge of the Colorado Park Lodgings River, called Marble Canyon, which has a small visitor center and makes for a nice roadside break. You’ll drive However, if you want to spend some quality time at the alongside Vermilion Cliffs Monument and then up into the Grand Canyon, consider driving up to the South Rim and Kaibab National Forest, rapidly gaining a few thousand staying at one of the park lodgings (grandcanyonlodges. feet in elevation, before turning onto Highway 67 (the com), such as the famous and historic El Tovar, with its North Rim Parkway), which winds some 50 miles south elegantly rustic rooms and atmospheric, old-fashioned din- through stands of evergreens to the North Rim. ing room. It’s easier to get a room with a true view of the canyon at the modern and extremely comfortable Kachina The facilities at the North Rim are limited, but there is or Thunderbird Lodges, and next door at the 1935 Bright a wonderfully rustic old hotel, the Grand Canyon Lodge Angel Lodge & Cabins. For a room inside the park, espe(grandcanyonforever.com/lodging); the dining room inside cially at one of the properties near the canyon rim, reserve the lodge is a mesmerizing setting for a meal, whose as far ahead as possible (up to a 13 months in advance). massive windows afford tremendous canyon views. From And don’t assume all of the lodges nearest the rim are the lodge, you can drive to several trails, which lead to especially expensive; a standard room with a shared bath some of the most breathtakingly beautiful overlooks in at Bright Angel Lodge costs under $100 nightly. the Southwest.

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theScene 1

10th & Piedmont 991 Piedmont Ave. NE

14 Cowtippers

27 Jungle

40 The Model T

2

Amsterdam 502 Amsterdam Ave. NE

15 Daiquiri Factory

28 Las Margaritas

41 Tripps

3

Atlanta Eagle 306 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE

16 Einstein's

29 Manifest 4 U

42 Urban Body Fitness

4

BJ Roosters 2043 Cheshire Bridge Rd.

17 F.R.O.G.S

30 Mixx

43 Woof's

5

Blake's 227 10th St. NE

18 Felix's

31 Oscar's

44 XS Ultra Lounge

6

Bliss 2284 Cheshire Bridge Rd.

19 Flex Spa

32 Opus 1

7

Boy Next Door 1447 Piedmont Ave. NE

20 Friends

33 Roxx

8

Brushstrokes 1510 Piedmont Ave. NE

21 Gatsby's

34 Sam's Hair Salon

Le Buzz 585 Franklin Rd. SE Marietta, GA

9

Bubbles Salon 1579 Monroe Dr. NE

22 Gilbert's

35 Southern Nights

Mary's 1287 Glenwood Ave. SE

10 Bulldogs

23 Gravity Fitness

36 Ten Atlanta

My Sister's Room 1271 Glenwood Ave. SE

11 Burkhart's

24 Heretic

37 The Den

Club Rush 2715 Buford Hwy. NE

12 Capulets

25 Hobnob

38 The Fifth Ivory

Sister Louisa’s Church 466 Edgewood Ave. SE

13 Club Eros

26 Joe's on Juniper

39 The Hideaway

Swinging Richard's 1400 Northside Dr. NW

893 Peachtree St. NE 1492 Piedmont Ave. NE 1510 Piedmont Ave. NE 2219 Faulkner Rd. NE

1600 Piedmont Ave. NE 889 W. Peachtree Str. NW 1077 Juniper St. NE 931 Monroe Cir. NE 1510 Piedmont Ave. NE 76 4th St. NW

2115 Faulkner Rd. NE

699 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE

1842 Cheshire Bridge Rd.

1931 Piedmont Cir. NE

2103 Faulkner Rd. NE

500 Amsterdam Ave. NE

1492 Piedmont Ave. NE

2425 Piedmont Rd. NE

1510 Piedmont Ave. NE

708 Spring Str. NW Not Shown: Cockpit 465 Boulevard SE

1086 Alco St. NE

736 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE 931 Monroe Dr. NE 219 10th St. NE

1824 Cheshire Bridge Rd. 2000 Cheshire Bridge Rd. 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd.

2201 Faulkner Rd. NE 2069 Cheshire Bridge Rd. 1551 Piedmont Ave. NE 1049 Juniper Str. NE

990 Piedmont Ave. Ne 2135 Liddell Dr. NE 794 Juniper Str. NE 1544 Piedmont Ave. NE

Bar/Cocktails

Retail

Dining

Billiards/Darts

Dancing

Dancers

Non-Smoking

Leather

Hair/Beauty

Fitness

Drag

Baths/Spa

60 // davidatlanta.com

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@DavidAtlantaGA // 61

Bartab

got an upcoming event? calendar@davidatlanta.com

MONDAY

Brooks and Phoenix 10pm model t Party with Elvis - 9 pm BLAKE’S Game Night - Trivia/Family Feud oscar’s Ruby Redd’s After Party - 10 pm 11pm swinging richards 2-4-1 VIP Room BURKHART’S Blue Monday Karaoke w/ ten atlanta Drag-a-maki w/ Kitty Angelica D’Paige 11:30pm LeClaw 8:30pm COCKPIT Big Red Cup All Day, specials tripp’s Free Taco Bar 5pm EAGLE Music Videos with Scotty xcess ultra lounge Raquell Lord’s FELIX’S Free Pool Talent Show 10:30pm, Sophia Mcintosh & FRIENDS Manic Mondays DJ opens - 2 pm Fab 5 +1 11:30pm, 18+ HERETIC Jukebox drag with Knomie Moore woof’s Food Special, Trivia 8pm HIDEAWAY $2.50 Domestic Beer JUNGLE Stars of the Century Show 11pm MODEL T Monday Night Madness Free blake’s Texas Hold’Em Poker 7pm, “Guys Pool - 10pm - 2am OSCAR’S Service Industry Night with Eric & Dolls” with Shawnna Brooks. 11pm BURKHART’S Twisted Thursday w/ swinging richards Hip-Hop Night, Phoenix 11:30pm Sponsored by Hennessy 8:30pm cockpit Dirty Boy Bingo w/ Ruby Redd ten atlanta Poker Night TRIPP’S Monday Nite Madness w/ Tana 9pm eagle Balls Deep Karaoke w/ Mikey felix’s Karaoke w/ Brett & Tyler 10pm WOOF’S Texas Hold ‘Em Poker 8pm friends Where Girls Who Like Girls Meet Girls with Regina Simms 8-closing Gilbert’s Wine tasting 6-10pm BLAKE’S POP! Karaoke with Sasie Monroe heretic 3 Legged Cowboy Night 9pm and Suzanne Gleeson 11pm hideaway Service Industry Night BURKHART’S Trivia Tuesday Karaoke w/ jungle Members Only with Evah Angelica D’Paige 11:30pm Destruction 10pm club rush “Tipsy Tuesday” 18 & up mIXX Gentlemen Cocktails with Aaron & Open until 4am Matt at 6pm COCKPIT 80s Party 9pm, specials 5-8pm model t Party Time with Michael - 9 pm EAGLE Tuesdays w/ Tony oscar’s Twisted Thursday with Eric FELIX’S Smirnoff Martini Night swinging richards 2-4-1 VIP & Entry FRIENDS Let’s Make A Deal with Ken 6 pm xcess ultra lounge Turnt Up Thursday Gilbert’s Industry Night (complementary woof’s Food Special, Country Music 7pm pizza after 10pm) HERETIC 2-Step Tuesday, dance till 11pm HIDEAWAY Trivia with Wil 9 pm 10th & piedmont Live DJ 10 PM JUNGLE Ruby’s Tuesdays 8 pm blake’s 5-9pm TGIF, Charlie’s Angels w/ MIXX Piano with David Reeb at 8pm Charlie Brown 11pm MODEL T Wii Tuesday Afternoons 2pm BURKHART’S Fab Five w/ Angelica 9pm $2.50 beer / $3.0 well vodka OSCAR’S Show Tune Tuesday with Chad- D’Paige 11:30pm club rush “Got Leche” Free entry until 8 pm 11pm 18 & up - Open until 4am SWINGING RICHARDS 1/2 Price cover cockpit DJ Diablo Rojo, guest VJ/DJ’s WOOF’S Industry Day Free Wii 5pm eagle DJ Dance Party friends Happy Time Friday Kelly & Ken 6 pm heretic FUR Friday BLAKE’S 5-9pm Doug’s party pop hits, hideaway Kick Back Fridays!

Charlie Harding’s Hard Body Party 11 pm jungle Dinner and a Movie 7 pm; BURKHART’S Humpday Karaoke w/ The Other Show with Edie Cheezburger Darlene Majewski 11:30pm 9:30pm; Jungle POP 11pm COCKPIT Balls Deep Karaoke 10pm mixx Ron’s End of the Week Party 4pm | EAGLE Underwear Night with Tony Grown & Sexy Dance 10 pm Friends Hump Night with Regina Simms model t Friday Bagels - 10 am | Texas Gilbert’s Karaoke 10pm-2am Holdem Poker 8 pm heretic Pig Dance Black Out Party DJ oscar’s Music Video Night Stan Jackson 10pm-3am NO COVER swinging richards T-Shirt Review,$10 hideaway 1/2 Price Beer ten atlanta Music by George Greenlee jungle Dragamaniacs with Nicole Paige tripp’s Afternoon Delights 4pm

THURSDAY

TUESDAY

FRIDAY

WEDNESDAY

62 // davidatlanta.com

woof’s Atlanta’s Best Social Night 6pm

SATURDAY

10th & piedmont Live DJ 10 PM blake’s Open at 1pm, Daring Divas 11pm BURKHART’S Extravaganza w/ Shavonna B. Brooks 11:30pm cockpit DJ Diablo Rojo, guest VJ/DJ’s eagle DJ Dance Party felix’s Karaoke w/ Brett & Tyler 10pm friends Free Pool and Cheap beer with DJ! 2 pm - 6 pm Gilbert’s All you care to eat brunch (cooked to order) 11-4pm heretic Varies: Club Night or 3 Legged Cowboy Night - 10pm hideaway Open at 12:30pm! Saturday Night Party jungle The Q 9 pm; Club Night, Various Guest DJ’s mixx Guest DJ’s Dance 10pm model t Texas Holdem Poker - 3 pm | Party with the M&M Boiz - 9 pm oscar’s DJ Christopher Kind swinging richards T-Shirt Review $10 ten atlanta Music by George Greenlee tripp’s Afternoon Cookout 3pm xcess ultra lounge 25+ FREE til 12am woof’s Game Day All Day

SUNDAY

10th & piedmont Bellini Brunch 11 AM & T-Dance 4 PM blake’s Open at 1pm - High Energy Music & Video w/ Bill Berdeaux & Daryl Cox BURKHART’S Armorettes Drag Show club rush Hip Hop and R&B - 18 & up Open until 4am cockpit PBR Beer Bust felix’s Bloody Marys & Mimosas friends Open @ 2pm; Dinner @ 4pm while it lasts Gilbert’s All you care to eat brunch (cooked to order) 11-4pm and Karaoke 6-11:30pm hideaway Atlanta’s Favorite Bloody Mary Bar! 12:30 pm Jungle The Day After with Knomie Moore 12-3pm; Sweet T with Bubba Dee and Wild Cherry Sucret 7pm las margaritas All You Can Eat til 3pm mixx Old School Sunday Dance 7pm model t Sunday Dinner with Ron 3:30 pm oscar’s Sunday Fun-day ten atlanta Music by George Greenlee tripp’s Buffet of Goodness - 3 pm | Karaoke - 7 pm woof’s Bloody Mary bar, PBR special

2013

ATLANTA PRIDE

OCT 12TH & 13TH DON'T MISS THE LARGEST PRIDE FESTIVAL IN THE SOUTHEAST & THE LARGEST CELEBRATION OF

NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY!

WWW.ATLANTAPRIDE.ORG

theRundown Big Gay Game Show

Wednesday, August 21 • 7:30–10 p.m. • Jungle (2115 Faulkner Rd NE)

Join the monthly benefit for Lost-n-Found Youth as a variety of classic and new game shows are recreated, from Family Feud and the Newlywed Game to Let’s Make a Deal and Minute to Win It. For more information, visit lostnfoundyouth.org.

FundaMENUS Book Signing

Thursday, August 22 • 7 p.m. • Bound to Be Read Books (481-B Flat Shoals Ave SE)

Author Jody McFerren will be signing copies of his newly-released cookbook.

For more information, visit facebook.com/ events/618581558174437/.

Datebook

The Other Show XXXL What do you do to make your show make even more of an impression in this town? If you’re The Other Show, you bring in a giant name and expand the show. After a huge launch last month, The Other Show XXXL returns to Jungle this Friday, August 23, at 9:30 p.m. with TOS regulars Edie Cheezburger, Evah Destruction, Justice Tyana Taylor, Jaye Lish, Violet Chachki and Miami Royale, plus special guests Amanda Lepore and DJ King Atlas.

Jaye Lish and The Birds of Paradise Thursday, August 22 • 9:30 p.m. • Trader Vic’s (255 Courtland St)

It’s not just an Other Show. Jaye Lish brings her monthly show back to Trader Vic’s with the Birds of Paradise – Celeste Holmes, Edie Cheezburger and Violet Chachki. For more information, visit tradervicsatl.com.

‘The Great Debaters’

Friday, August 23 • 7 p.m. • St. Mark UMC (781 Peachtree St NE)

August’s entry for St. Mark UMC’s Civil Rights movie night is The Great Debaters. For more information, visit stmarkumc.org.

Laughter, Lashes & Live Friday, August 23 • 9:30 p.m. • Mixx (1492 Piedmont Ave NE) The Atlanta Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence raise money for their grant fund with the help of comedians, drag performers and more. For more information, visit atlsisters.org.

ABear Comedy Show

Wednesday, August 28 • Jungle (2115 Faulkner Rd NE)

Ian Aber hosts this monthly comedy show, which benefits Lost-n-Found Youth. For more information, visit lostnfoundyouth.org.

Privé Wet Wednesdays

Wednesday, August 28 • Privé (960 Spring St) Promoters for Wet Wednesday want to bring a bit of Miami and New York club life to Atlanta with this event. The House Hunters serve as DJs for the night, while Phoenix and Nicole Paige Brooks present a drag show in the lounge area. For more information, visit facebook.com/events/322645381204718/.

64 // davidatlanta.com

In Theatres This Week In a World…: Lake Bell stars, writes and directs in this well-reviewed comedy about a struggling vocal coach who strikes it big in the cutthroat, male-dominated world of movie trailer voiceovers.

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones: The latest young adult lit series to get a shot at the big screen, The Mortal Instruments stars Lily Collins as Clary Fray, a seemingly ordinary teenager who discovers she’s a descendant of a line of Shadowhunters.

The World’s End: Director Edgar Wright and stars Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, who previously collaborated for Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, reunite for The World’s End, which follows a group of friends who discover an alien invasion during a pub crawl in their hometown.

You’re Next: Nearly two years after its premiere in Toronto, You’re Next finally moves from the film festival circuit to theaters nationwide.

Early reviews are uniformly positive, with many critics claiming this as a fresh entry into the horror genre.

66 // davidatlanta.com

Comics

68 // davidatlanta.com

@DavidAtlantaGA // 69

70 // davidatlanta.com

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@DavidAtlantaGA // 71

fairyscopes ARIES (March 20 – April 19): Avoid any games of

LIBRA (September 23 – October 22): Your efforts to

verbal one-upmanship. You’ll just hurt feelings and have to eat your words. If you’re really so clever, you can figure out what needs work in your relationship. Listening to your partner will help.

smooth out problems at home will only backfire. If you really want things to be nice, be a good listener and get a sense of how you can improve your own self and your actions.

TAURUS (April 20 – May 20): Arguments over money

SCORPIO (October 23 – November 21): Being

arise too easily, especially over silly details like splitting a lunch check. Don’t fuss over pennies. There are more important things than money. Think long and hard about what really matters. You may surprise yourself.

responsible for a problem does not mean being at fault and solution is more important than blame. How much responsibility you should take is hard to judge. Take on what you can, but overdoing it is self-sabotage. Gauge your capacities carefully.

GEMINI (May 21- June 20): Try a new look, go shopping for clothes. If money is tight, hit the thrift shops. Your imagination and an open mind are better than any amount of money. Good as your own queer eye is, a friend’s encouragement will help.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 – December 20): Eagerness to explore new sexual techniques can improve your relationship or your chances for getting into one. If your baby balks, let it be “just a suggestion.” Even without pursuing new pleasures the suggestion can open up conversations that build greater intimacy.

CANCER (June 21- July 22): New insights can be a

CAPRICORN (December 21 – January 19): Your

little scary, but best to look deeper and find out what they’re really about. Irritation with other people, awful and annoying though they are, is more about you than them.

ability to shut up and listen to job critiques determines your ability to profit from them. There’s always room for improvement. You don’t have to agree with every criticism, but listen and think carefully before responding.

LEO (July 23 – August 22): You need some private

AQUARIUS (January 20 – February 18): Efforts at having fun are likely to get you into trouble. Unless you’re considering skydiving, that doesn’t have to stop you. How much trouble can you handle? You might find arguments fun, but your opponent is probably not amused.

down time. Plans with friends may need canceling, but that’s OK. Your real friends will understand, and the rest don’t matter. New creative efforts can cure social ennui, but the real answers are deep inside you.

VIRGO (August 23 – September 22): Stay calm, measure your words carefully, and just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Read the myth of Cassandra. Let people take or leave what you have to tell them. They’ll eventually realize you were right.

72 // davidatlanta.com

PISCES (February 19 – March 19): “Family fun” doesn’t have to be an oxymoron, although efforts may seem easily muddled and misunderstood. Listening rather than pushing can help. Or leave them alone and try out some new recipes or restaurants with adventurous friends.

CLASSIFIEDS HELP WANTED

stylist wanted

Established and charming boutique hair salon in the heart of Buckhead seeks to add a full- or part-time stylist on a commission or rental basis. The ideal candidate will have positive energy and be attentive to clients in discovering their inherent beauty and sexiness expressed in hair art that is naturally beautiful. Must be dedicated to providing exceptional cuts, color and finishing with a whimsical, fun personality. This is an opportunity to establish a longterm working relationship with a salon owner who is an expert incolor, color correction and the French technique of hairstyling with a loyal clientele. Please submit resume and 2-3 portfolio-worthy photos of your work. Contact Allison McTigue at allisonmctigue@gmail.com.

RUB DOwN / body work

RUB DOwN / body work

QUALITY HANDS BY JEFF Full body rubs for Men 404-216-7214 FULL BODY MASSAGE by Walter @ 404-872-5671 (8th St. @Monroe Dr.) Only $40..Shave too DOWNTOWN / MIDTOWN MASSEUR Relieve your tensions from Head to Toe with a Full-Body Massage by licensed therapist

William 404-538-4770 HELP WANTED

M4M FULL BODY RUBS SENSUAL & DISCREET JIM (678) 251-5697 Midtown’s newest restaurant/bar now hiring servers

Applicants must have: • Minimum two years experience • POS knowledge • Three job related references Please email resume to: james@tenatlanta.com

ADVERTISE with the South’s longest-running LGBT weekly publication!

Call us at 404.418.8901 x3 for rates & info @DavidAtlantaGA // 73

74 // davidatlanta.com

Ending your statements with “I’m just saying” does not exonerate you from being an asshole.

I’m just saying.

The only thing worse than a straight homophobe is a gay homophobe. Get over yourself already! No one is buying it!

You are how old?

Seriously, grow up and act your age. You are so not the hot little twink cutie you pretend to be.

You can’t be someone’s friend when you talk that much shit behind their back…

76 // davidatlanta.com

You bitch and moan about my hometown.

If you don’t like it, then move!

So tired of hearing how bad it is.

I prefer to call it “reverse cowperson.”

Feelings are the problem; ice cream is the solution.

I’ve noticed many guys on Grindr tend to be less than honest about their weight, leaving me surprised if we meet in person. Luckily, I’m a chubby chaser.

Real men may eat ass, but you can contact Hepatitis A, E. coli, parasites, syphilis and herpes. And don’t forget the occasional dingleberry.

For the one who commented on the ugly people: did you get turned down or dumped? Ouch!

Hunty…you’re bitter! *This page reflects the bitchiness of the community not David Atlanta or its publisher (although we’re bitchy too!)