PLUS:
Meet the 2016 Echo Readers’ Choice Award winners
Beyond the Finish Line Local cyclist joins thousands on the road to raise HIV/AIDS awareness
LGBTQ NEWS, VIEWS AND ENTERTAINMENT | VOL. 27, #8 | ISSUE 680 | MAY 2016 | COMPLIMENTARY
inside this issue Issue 680 | Vol. 27, #8 | May 2016
features NEWS 10 4 Your Information 12 News Briefs 16 Datebook 18 Miss Gay USofA Newcomer 2016 Crowned 20 Dinah Vegas returns to Sin City PREVIEWS AND REVIEWS 44 Without
Photo by Arely Loza.
Photo by Fernando Hernández.
Reservations 46 Opening Nights
24
50 Recordings 52 At The Box Office
Beyond the Finish Line Local cyclist Rickie Rosales joins thousands on the road to raise HIV/AIDS awareness in AIDS/LifeCycle 2016.
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Arizona Entertainer of the Year Statewide pageant crowns 2016 titleholders in Femme, F.I., King and Mr. Arizona categories.
COMMUNITY 53 Talking Bodies 54 All Over The Map 56 Money Talks ON THE COVER Rickie Rosales prepares for AIDS/LifeCycle 2016 at Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix. Photo by Fernando Hernández.
Photo by nightfuse.com.
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Meet the Sweet 16 Echo readers have selected the 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards winners and we’re proud to introduce you to them.
Photo by nightfuse.com.
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A Snapshot of Phoenix Pride Echo photographers captured attendees and participants at the 2016 Phoenix Pride festivities.
inside this issue
on echomag.com web exclusives
Photo by Johan Perrson.
The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart Touring production brings Scottish tale, created by writer David Greig and director Wils Wilson, to Valley stage. echomag.com/prudencia-hart
Photo by Gregg Edelman.
Phurfest 2016 Phoenix to host 12th annual bears weekend April 28 to May 2. Bonus: Comedian Gloria Bigelow headlines. echomag.com/phurfest-2016
Photo by TiffJane Photography.
“Disengaged” Lesbian couple grapples with the marriage question in Season 1 of new web series. echomag.com/disengaged
Mr. Phoenix Leather Echo’s Anthony Costello caught up with 2016 titleholder Daniel Christopher O’Leary. echomag.com/meet-mr-phoenix-leather-2016
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notes from the
managing editor By KJ Philp
LGBTQ NEWS, VIEWS AND ENTERTAINMENT PUBLISHER: Bill Orovan ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER: Bill Gemmill
P
hoenix Pride 2016 was a celebration for the history books! As you might have predicted, we have a wonderful recap for you in the pages ahead. But first, more Gaypril. If there’s officially a pageant season, we’re right in the midst of it – and we have a new crop of titleholders to introduce to you. For this issue, Anthony Costello caught up with Miss Gay USofA Newcomer 2016 Kimberly V. Devin following her crowning (page 18) and also Mr. Phoenix Leather 2016 Daniel Christopher O’Leary (echomag.com/meet-mr-phoenixleather). From there, Laura Latzko introduces you to the four Entertainers of the Year crowned as 2016 title holders for Arizona – Nevaeh Sweetness (Femme), Karime Lizaldi (F.I.), Dominic Von Strap (King) and Kriis DiKay (Mr.). Find out more from each of them in “Arizona Entertainer of the Year on page 28. Then, we have photos of the Miss and Mister Phoenix Pride Pageant contestants and past royalty on page 21. As part of that event, Naomi St. James and Geo were crowned Miss and Mister Phoenix Pride 2016, respectively – you’ll have to stay tuned to the next issue of Echo for more on them, though. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the Imperial Sovereign Empire of Arizona’s Coronation XI May 6 and then the Miss Gay Western States pageant, which will take place May 22. Now, back to some particularly special 2016 titleholders: After a month of nominations (a very impressive
assortment of nominees this year, by the way) and a month of voting, the 2016 Echo Readers’ Choice Award winners were announced April 2 at the Phoenix Pride festival. Team Echo is proud to finally reveal the best of the best to you in “Meet the Sweet 16” beginning on page 32. Announcing these winners would not be complete without a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in any way; from nominating and spreading the word to voting and attending the event, you are the reason these awards are special to us and to those who earn them! From there, we launch into our Phoenix Pride photo feature, showcasing the moments our photographers captured throughout the weekend of festivities In “A Snapshot of Phoenix Pride” beginning on page 39. That’s not it, though; be sure you take a look at our photo galleries for the rest of the photos – including even more events – at echomag.com/ gallery/2016-photos. But the fun doesn’t end there. Team Echo will keep that party going through LGBT(Q) Pride month by heading south to Arizona’s mile-high city for the 12th annual Bisbee Pride June 17-19. We’re also hitting the road and setting up shop at Flagstaff Pride June 25 as they celebrate 20 years of Pride in the Pines. So, be sure to come say hi to us when you’re out and about celebrating, and don’t forget to congratulate our 2016 Readers’ Choice Award winners!
EDITORIAL MANAGING EDITOR: KJ Philp CONTRIBUTORS: Danae Barnes Cait Brennan Anthony Costello Tiffany Hopkins Tamara Juarez Laura Latzko Lorraine Longhi Art Martori Greg Marzullo
Liz Massey Melissa Myers David-Elijah Nahmod Tia Norris Hans Pedersen Terri Schlichenmeyer Richard Schultz Michael J. Tucker Megan Wadding
ART DEPARTMENT SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Jake Rojas PHOTOGRAPHY: Brittany Lea and nightfuse.com. ADVERTISING DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING: Ashlee James ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVES: Adrian Bradley Gregg Edelman Randy Robinson NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE: Rivendell Media, 212-242-6863
ECHO READERSHIP: 40,000 SUBSCRIPTIONS: $29/year ACE PUBLISHING, INC.
MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 16630 Phoenix, AZ 85011-6630 PHONE: 602-266-0550 NON-PHOENIX METRO: 888-echomag EMAIL: manager@echomag.com Copyright © 2016 • ISSN #1045-2346
KJ Philp is the managing editor of Echo Magazine and can be reached at editor@echomag.com.
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Join the conversation with #EchoMagAZ.
facebook.com/echomagazine twitter.com: @echomagaz Instagram: @echomagazineaz Linkedin: Echo Magazine 8
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Echo Magazine is published by and is a trademark of ACE Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Written permission must be obtained in advance for partial or complete reproduction of including any advertising material contained therein. Opinions expressed in are not necessarily those of the publisher or staff or ACE Publishing, Inc. does not assume responsibility for claims by its advertisers. Publication of the name or photograph of a person or organization in articles, advertising or listings inis not to be construed as an indication of the sexual orientation of such organizations or persons (unless such orientation is specifically stated). Manuscripts or other materials submitted remain the property of ACE Publishing. Free copies limited to one per person.
ON THE RECORD sports In one of the first campaigns of its kind, the players of Mexico’s national soccer team are speaking out against the use of antigay chants in their games. The team recently launched an antidiscrimination initiative, dubbed “Abrazados por el Fútbol” (Let’s hug for football) to encourage its fans to be more inclusive. The official video, which has more than 120,000 views since it was posted to the team’s YouTube channel March 29, asks spectators to refrain from using derogatory language. To watch the full video, visit bit.ly/1PUk6BX.
“My name is Charlie. I’m following a law that was passed on March 23rd. I am a transgender man who would rather be using the men’s room right now. This is likely uncomfortable for both of us. Please contact your legislature and tell them you oppose HB2.” – The words Charlotte, N.C. resident Charlie Comero had printed on business cards following the state’s discriminatory bathroom bill was passed March 23. Comero shared a photo of the business cards in a March 25 Facebook post that has been shared nearly 15,000 times in two weeks.
BY the numbers
43,000
television
After 27 years on “The Simpsons,” the character of Smithers has officially come out of the closet. While Smithers never says, “I’m gay,” his sexual orientation was revealed when Homer Simpson and co-workers try and find their boss’ grumpy assistant a man on Grindr. They throw a party at Homer’s house and invite guys they found on Grindr, including one voiced by Star Trek icon George Takei who takes a jab at fellow Star Trek alum William Shatner. Titled “The Burns Cage,” this episode was written by Rob LaZebnik, who said he wanted to write the episode for his 21-year-old son who is gay. To watch the entire episode, “The Burns Cage,” visit fox.tv/1RYbQoY. 10
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The number of people who signed an online petition to get General Mills to belatedly feature Olympic diver Greg Louganis, who they say was overlooked for the honor at the height of his career. The four-time gold medalist, who came out as gay publicly in 1994 and revealed he was HIV-positive a year later, has said that homophobia likely blocked him from being featured on a Wheaties box after the 1984 and 1988 Summer Olympics. As part of the revamped “legends” series, Louganis will join two other former Olympians, hurdler Edwin Moses and swimmer Janet Evans on boxes that are expected to be in stores beginning in May. 4 your information
news briefs
Out @ SMoCA ... The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art hosted Out @ SMoCA, an event welcoming the LGBTQ community for an evening of cocktails, conversation and provocative art March 23. For more photos of the event, which was sponsored by Echo Magazine and benefited one n ten, visit echomag.com/gallery/2016-photos.
Photo by Bill Gemmill.
Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS receives grant from The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation has awarded a $15,000 grant to Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS. The grant is helping to reduce new HIV infections, increase access to care and reduce HIV-related health disparities by helping the agency meet a 73 percent increase in the demand for HIV testing. “This grant from The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation is helping cover some of the funding gap,” said Cindy Quenneville, the center’s CEO. Unlike many other states, Arizona does not provide funding for HIV testing with the
exception of some funds to test in county hospital emergency rooms. “The work that Southwest Center for HIV/ AIDS does to help people living with HIV/ AIDS is very much aligned with Elizabeth Taylor’s passionate commitment to the cause,” said Joel Goldman, The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation’s managing director. “ETAF is thrilled to present Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS with these funds to help further our shared mission.” According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control, more than 90 percent of new HIV infections in the U.S.
could be averted by diagnosing people living with HIV and ensuring they receive prompt, ongoing care and treatment. Southwest Center’s testing program includes HIV education, counseling, and linkage to treatment for those who test positive. To date, The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation has granted funding to over 675 organizations in 44 countries. To learn more about the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS visit, swhiv. org. For more information about The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation visit, elizabethtayloraidsfoundation.org.
Aunt Rita’s welcomes Glen Spencer By Tamara Juarez
The Phoenix Pride Scholarship Program, a charitable program that was established to provide scholarships to LGBTQ college students or dependents of an LGBTQ parent, recently announced that it is accepting 2016 applications. Loving
For the past 10 years, Glen Spencer has dedicated his life to increasing community awareness of HIV and AIDS, one of the world’s most lethal health threats. After being diagnosed with advanced AIDS in 2002, Spencer decided to transform his struggles into an opportunity to help others by working with such local organizations as HIV Care Directions and Aunt Rita’s Foundation, where he was appointed the executive director in late 2015. Kit Kloeckl (left) and Glen Spencer at Red Brunch in 2015. Photo by Randy’s Vision Photography
tientinception in 2008, the Paits Since At least 21 Phoenix Pride old Scholarship Fund has years ContactThe us today! awarded $142,500 in scholarships. ble Sta (602)-264-9891 le organization announced that it will Dependab humor Sense ofsix be awarding $5,000fostercare@fsaphoenix.org scholarships, totaling $30,000 in scholarships, again Family Service Agency was this year. Funds for this program are established in 1902 and is a licensed and Child administered by the Arizona Community WelfareAdoption Placing Agency. Foundation.
TAKE IT ONLINE
www.fsaphoenix.org
ArizonaArizona Department Department of ChildofSafety Child Safety Arizona Department of Child Safety
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To read Echo’s interview with Glen Spencer, the new executive director of Aunt Rita’s Foundation, visit echomag.com/glen-spencer. news
Night For Life 2016 continues the conversation about HIV prevention By Liz Massey
O
rganizers of Night For Life, the signature fundraising gala for the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS, say that this year’s event will focus on reigniting the conversation about the disease while infusing the evening with fun and celebration. This year’s event will take place May 14 at the Camelback Inn Resort & Spa. A VIP cocktail reception and silent auction starts at 6 p.m., with dinner, entertainment and presentations starting at 7:15 p.m. According to Cindy Quenneville, CEO of the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS, “Cocktails, Conversations and Celebrations” is the theme for this year’s event. “We are looking to bring back the fun to the event,” she said. “Attendees will be able to gather with old friends and talk about why we are all here, remember the cause and celebrate those who have helped advance our work around HIV/AIDS in our community.” The event will include silent and live auctions, as well as performances by homegrown vocal sensation CeCe Peniston and other entertainers, but the centerpiece of the evening will be an award ceremony
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that will honor individuals and companies for their contributions to the fight against AIDS in Phoenix. In addition to performing at the event, Peniston will also serve as emcee. She said the role would give her a chance to give back to the Phoenix queer community. “I’ve been involved with the LGBT community for a long time,” said Peniston, whose 1991 dance hit “Finally” is regarded by many as an LGBTQ anthem. “A lot of people have told me they came out to my music. So I’m happy to be bringing awareness to the cause. Until there’s a cure, there’s going to be a need for awareness.” According to Quenneville, the center is hoping to raise $559,000 from the gala this year. She added that she hoped it would also help maintain a sense of urgency around HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. “This year will take us back to the beginning, to remember why the Night for Life gala began and why the community’s support is so important,” she said. “We want people to know that, although the buzz around the virus and disease may not be as prevalent, this spread of the virus is quietly still relevant.”
Photo courtesy of facebook.com/therealccp.
Night For Life 2016 May 14 Camelback Inn Resort & Spa 5402 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale Tickets are $350; VIP, $500 per person nightforlife.org Liz Massey has been involved in LGBTQ community-building activities in Kansas City and the Valley of the Sun, and is a former managing editor of Echo Magazine. She can be reached at lizmassey68@gmail.com.
news
May 14 - 15
datebook april 23
April 28 - May 1
Join Barbra Seville for a Doggie Drag Show, an event benefiting local dog rescues, beginning at 6 p.m. at The Rock, 4129 N. Seventh Ave. in Phoenix. bit.ly/239dUTm april 27
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” Battle of the Seasons 2016 Extravaganza Tour is taking the stage at Celebrity Theater, 440 N. 32nd St. in Phoenix. Doors open at 7 p.m. celebritytheater.com
Girl Bar owners, in association with Total Rewards by Caesars Entertainment, present the fifth annual Dinah Vegas in Sin City. (See story, page 20.) dinahshoreweekend.com April 28 - May 2 Bears of the West present Phurfest 2016, a gathering of bears in the sun, at Embassy Suites Airport @ 24th Street, 2333 E. Thomas Road in Phoenix, and various other locations. phurfest.org
As a preparatory concert for its appearance at the 2016 GALA Festival in Denver, the Phoenix Women’s Chorus presents “Take Flight,” a climax to this season’s theme, “She Began To Fly,” at the Church of the Beatitudes, 555 W. Glendale Ave., in Phoenix. phoenixwomenschorus.org May 15
May 1
april 28
Barbra Seville’s fifth annual Salsa Challenge, benefiting the Phoenix Pride scholarship fund, will take place at 3 p.m. at Karamba Nightclub, 1724 E. McDowell Road in Phoenix. KarambaNightclub.com Dining Out For Life, an international fundraiser for the fight against HIV and AIDS, will take place at participating restaurants in Phoenix and Prescott. A portion of your check will benefit the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS. For a list of participating restaurants, visit: diningoutforlifeaz.org
May 5 - 9
The Compete Charity Golf Classic, benefiting Aunt Rita’s Foundation, will take place from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Starfire Golf Club, 11500 N. Hayden Road in Scottsdale. competenetwork.com May 20
Coronation XI: An Imperial Fire and Ice Ball, including the crowning of Reign XI, will take place at the Phoenix Airport Marriott, 1101 N. 44th St. imperialcourtaz.org
The Greater Phoenix Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce presents LGBT Night at the Ballet, including a private reception at 6 p.m., an artist reception at 7 p.m. and a performance at 8 p.m., at the Desert Botanical Gardens, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, in Phoenix. gpglcc.org May 20 - 22
May 8
Diana Taurasi and the Phoenix Mercury will take on the Seattle Storm at 3 p.m. at Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson St. in Phoenix. mercury.wnba.com/tickets
The Phoenix Metropolitan Men’s Chorus presents its annual spring concert and first-ever commissioned piece Bustin’ Out All Over! May 20, 21 and 22 at the John Paul Theater at Phoenix College, 1202 W. Thomas Road in Phoenix, with showtimes at 8, 7 and 2 p.m., respectively. phoenixmenschorus.org May 14 - 28
May 12
Phoenix Pride, in partnership with Borderlands Food Bank, presents Produce On Wheels With Out Waste (POWWOW) on the second Saturday of each month. POWWOW distributes fresh produce– $10 for up to 60 pounds – at the Phoenix Pride LGBT Center, 801 N. Second Ave., Phoenix. phoenixpridelgbtcenter.org May 14
The Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS presents Night For Life 2016, “Cocktails, Conversations and Celebrations,” which includes dinner at 6 p.m. and entertainment and presentations at 7:15 p.m. at Camelback Inn Resort & Spa, 5402 E. Lincoln Drive in Scottsdale. (See story, page 14.) nightforlife.org 16
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The Phoenix Phantomz, a women’s fullcontact football team belonging to the Independent Women’s Football League (IWFL), will host the Bakersfield Bombers and the North County Stars (respectively) at Moon Valley High School, 3625 W. Cactus Road in Phoenix. phoenixphantomz.com
MARK OUR CALENDARS
To have your event considered for Echo’s print and online calendars, submit your event details to echomag.com/ community-calendar. All submissions are subject to Echo’s discretion. events
Presented by Aetna Medicaid, Mercy Maricopa Integrated Care, Mercy Care Plan and Richard P. Stahl
A signature formal gala to support programs and services provided by Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS to those impacted-by HIV or at-risk in Phoenix.
Saturday, May 14, 2016 Camelback Inn Resort and Spa 5402 E. Lincoln Drive Scottsdale, AZ 85253 Performances and entertainment include CeCe Peniston, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Yve Rojas (shown left to right, below) and more to come!
For information and tickets please visit nightforlife.org or call 602-595-8154. Event Co-chaired by: Jamie Hormel, Owner of The Wrigley Mansion Christopher Gross, Chef and Owner of Christopher’s Crush Proceeds benefit:
Miss Gay USofA Newcomer Kimberly V. Devin sets her eyes lashes on the national prize By Anthony Costello
E
ach year, fiercely intense Miss Gay USofA Newcomer hopefuls go wig-towig to bring home the coveted crown.
Miss Gay Arizona USofA Newcomer 2016 Kimberly V. Devin recognizes that, although the competition involves friendly camaraderie, it also requires laser-sharp focus. While being a newcomer guarantees its fair share of challenges, the Miss Gay Diamond of the Desert 2016 is using them to fuel her fight to bring the National Gay
USofA Newcomer title home in August. Echo caught up with Miss Gay USofA Newcomer 2016, who was crowned Jan. 31 at the Rock, to find out how she felt about her new title. Echo: How did you first get into drag? Devin: I got into drag because I was working as a go-go shot boy at BS West, and I met several of the drag queens there during the Elements show. The queens kind of just took me under their wing, or wig you could say, and later I dressed up for drag for the first time on Halloween one year and the rest is history. Echo: Describe your drag style. Devin: I like my look to be very clean for the most part. I like high drag; big hair, updos, rhinestones, nails, lots of embellishing. I think what inspires my look most is what I’ve seen at the pageants, mostly at USofA. The high drag aesthetic of USofA has always appealed to me, and that’s what I like to go with. Echo: How has your drag art evolved since you first entered the scene? Devin: I think slowly … things get better over time. The more you do your hair, the more you do your nails, then the better you get at picking outfits, getting ready and all those other things. It’s an all-encompassing experience. Everything has continually evolved for me since day one. Photo courtesy of Scotty Kirby.
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Echo: What was your first ever performance like?
Devin: It was at BS West. It’s my home bar, so it’s kind of soothing. I did ‘Foolish’ by Ashanti and it was a mess. I think I almost fell during my number as well. I had gotten through most of the song, thought I was doing well and then that stumble happened and it kind of got me. I’ve learned to keep my heels less than four inches since then! Echo: How did you get involved with the Miss Arizona USofA Newcomer pageant? Devin: Saellah V., who is also my drag mother, and my sister, Cloey V. Monroe, got me into it after watching them perform so many times. Cloey competed for the first time in the third year of the USofA Newcomer competition. Kira Daniels, another friend was in it, too, at the time. Watching [Cloey] and Kira perform made me realize it was something I wanted to do, something I needed to have. I’ve always liked competition and enjoyed the aesthetic of USofA. I’m not ready for the big girl stuff yet, so newcomer was kind of my first step into it. It’s something that sparked my interest and my competitive spirit came out and it was something I wanted done. Echo: Describe your emotions when you were crowned Miss Newcomer. Devin: Happy, relieved and ready for nationals, but I’m just ready for the next step, on to the next one, let’s go! Echo: What do you have planned now that you hold the title? Devin: I’m hoping to bring the National title back to Arizona. I wouldn’t be going if I didn’t think I could do it. I was just crowned a month ago but I already have some fundraisers in the pipeline but no specifics yet. I’m just back at it prepping for the next one. Echo: Do you have any advice for any up and coming queens? Devin: Follow your heart, always.
READ THE REST For Echo’s full interview with Miss Gay Arizona USofA Newcomer 2016, visit echomag.com/kimberly-v-devin.
Anthony Costello is an award-winning writer, a graduate of ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication and a fraternity brother of Sigma Phi Beta, a gay, straight, bisexual and transgender fraternity.
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Sin City hosts fifth annual Dinah Vegas By Megan Wadding
T
he weekend of April 28 through May 1, more than 3,000 lesbians from around the world are expected to descend upon the Las Vegas Strip for the fifth annual Girl Bar’s Dinah Vegas, in association with Total Rewards by Caesars Entertainment. According to Robin Gans, Dinah Vegas co-founder and co-producer, this year’s goal was to try to make all of the weekend’s events as close to each other as possible, which is convenient for everyone. “Caesar’s Entertainment sponsors us, and because of that, we do all of our events within their group,” Gans said. “When we first wanted to do this, Caesar’s asked us if we would bring our events to Las Vegas. They are very pro-gay.” Gans expects roughly the same attendance as last year, which saw upwards of 3,000 women from around the
world. “We have a lot of girls coming from Arizona,” Gans said. “It’s such an easy drive from Phoenix.” The weekend kicks off April 28 with the Opening Party at the Beach Club Pool at The Flamingo, the weekend’s host hotel. But the party really gets started the following night with the Glitter II event, in the VooDoo Nightclub and Steakhouse at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino. “The top of the Rio has spectacular views,” Gans said. “The steakhouse up there is great and they’re going to keep it open for our guests.” Gans added that the Rio hotel features the new VooDoo ZipLine, which traverses its two tall towers. At a height of more than 400 feet, Riders will have a 360-degree, open-air view of the Las Vegas Strip while reaching speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. Gans added that there will be a special zip line rate for the Dinah Vegas guests that evening. “Friday night is [a] supper club/dance club, sort of the vibe,” Gans said. “The women will come for cocktails, dinner and to hang out and party and, if they want, take the zip line … [which] offers a major view of the city at night, so that part will be really fun.” The Infinity Pool Party at the Flamingo Hotel takes place April 30.
Photo by Faye Sadou.
“There are daybeds and cabanas, and they’re building a new stage at the pool where we’ll have Kaya Jones of the original Pussycat Dolls performing,” Gans said.
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Additionally, West Hollywood Lifestyle Magazine is holding a swimsuit show by the Flamingo pool. Gans promised the show will be “very chic.” Later that night is the famous White Party, which will be held at the Chateau Nightclub, an outdoor patio under the Paris Hotel’s Eiffel
Photo courtesy of facebook.com/dinahvegas.
TAKE IT ONLINE For Echo’s interview with Kaya Jones, visit echomag.com/dinah-vegas-2016.
Tower that boasts incredible views of the Bellagio fountains. “It’s one of the most beautiful outdoor nightclubs in Las Vegas. It is really stunning,” Gans said, adding that guests are encouraged to wear white-hot attire to this all-night party featuring worldclass DJs, burlesque performances and showgirls. The party at the Beach Club Pool at the Flamingo, which takes place May 1, is the final event of the weekend. In addition to Dinah Vegas, Gans said there will be countless other things to do that same weekend because Las Vegas is known to have some of the best restaurants, best shopping and best shows in the world. For more information, visit dinahshoreweekend.com. Megan Wadding is a freelance writer and travel addict with a degree in journalism. Follow her on Twitter at @MeganWadding.
OUT & ABOUT Phoenix Pride Pageant March 20 at DoubleTree by Hilton, Tempe. Photos by nightfuse.com.
For more Echo photos visit echomag.com/gallery.
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cover story
Beyond the Finish Line
Local cyclist joins thousands on the road to HIV/AIDS awareness By Art Matori
I
t was three years ago that Rickie Rosales was preparing for his first AIDS/ LifeCycle, a 545-mile bike ride geared toward raising money and awareness for HIV/AIDS. The fight against this epidemic was reason enough for him to push through to the finish line – he was already determined. A poignant epiphany, however, came not with fatigued muscles, blown-out knees nor the persistent saddle sores that accompany long-distance cycling. It was hearing one of his best friends had been living with HIV that brought the ride’s purpose into excruciating focus. “When he found out I was doing the ride, then he told me,” said Rosales, a 34-year-old Phoenix resident who, with his husband, is raising a young son. “That was kind of like a flooring moment for me. I had no idea he had HIV and I had no idea [it] was this close.” Maybe that explains why three years 24
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later he is, once again, preparing to hop on his bike for a long ride down the California coast, from San Francisco to Los Angeles. One look at Rosales, with his lithe frame, and you can tell he’s pretty fit. But the former marathon runner admitted with a laugh that he was hardly prepared when he did AIDS/LifeCycle the first time, which ultimately left him with a nearly debilitating case of patellofemoral pain syndrome, or runner’s knee. “I hadn’t cycled since I was in college. And ‘cycling’ wasn’t the word,” he remembered. “I rode my bicycle from my dorm room to class. And that was not even a mile. I had to re-learn how to ride my bike.” Hands-On Activism
Rosales is gearing up to participate in the 2016 AIDS/LifeCycle, which takes place June 5 through June 11, with an average of 80 miles on each stage of the seven-day,
545-mile ride. Stops include Santa Cruz, Paso Robles, Lompoc and Ventura, Calif. He’s one of about 60 participating cyclists from Arizona, according to AIDS/ LifeCycle staff, with thousands more coming from around the world. “Cyclists and roadies from all parts of the world, such as Australia, China and Russia, have participated in AIDS/ LifeCycle,” explained AIDS/LifeCycle senior director Greg Sroda. “Last year, participants came from 20 foreign countries and nearly every U.S. state. We expect the same tremendous global turnout this year.” Participating cyclists secure sponsorships, with the funds going to the Los Angeles LGBT Center and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, whose stated mission is reducing new HIV infections and improving the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS. For Rosales, it’s a brand of activism with a distinctly hands-on feel. “It’s something I can do. I know I can physically ride,” he explained. “There’s a lot of organizations – not knocking any cover story
specific one; I will support them – but I don’t know where the money goes. “By talking to the agencies that are actually using it and seeing the people who actually get help, I feel like I’m able to contribute to doing something, instead of just sitting at a table for an hour and handing out flyers.” Last year, some 3,200 riders raised more than $15.5 million, a single-year record. Throughout the past 14 years, AIDS/LifeCycle has raised more than $146 million, but Sroda added that the push for funding and increased awareness is still critical. “It’s easy for people to think that HIV/ AIDS is no longer a problem. Medications have come a long way, and people are living longer, healthier lives,” Sroda said. “We ride to raise awareness and knowledge about HIV/AIDS among our participants, their donors, and the general public. We ride because – in the current economy – our agencies need these funds more than ever. We ride because AIDS is not over.” Opening a Dialogue
The San Francisco-to-Los Angeles route is especially relevant because, according to AIDS/LifeCycle, nearly one in 10 HIVinfected Americans reside in California – second only to New York. According to the organization, some 7,000 new infections will occur this year in California alone. In terms Arizonans might better understand, that’s close to the entire population of Globe, Ariz. According to the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2013 an estimated 749 adults and adolescents were diagnosed with HIV in Arizona, putting it 18th among states that year. In Arizona, the non-profit Aunt Rita’s Foundation serves a similar role as the organizations that put on AIDS/LifeCycle, sponsoring events such as the AIDS Walk Arizona & 5K Run in downtown Phoenix. HIV/AIDS is still an epidemic, executive director Glen Spencer bluntly points out, adding that the fight here isn’t going as well as it might in other states where education is more effective. “In terms of reducing new infections, we’re losing the battle. Period,” Spencer said. “I don’t know if everyone is aware and appreciates that, while some cities and states are doing a good job, we’re just not one of them.” Arizona might differ from California, he added, in the way we approach the topic, especially with young people. “Where I think Arizona is missing an opportunity is to more honestly and overtly educate our youth, our teenagers, about the problem,” Spencer explained. “Teaching abstinence only … I mean, look, I’m not an expert on education, but I haven’t seen any promising statistics.” Yet some of Rosales’ comments suggest Arizona riders might, at least, be sparking meaningful discussions back home. “I didn’t think I knew people who were actually affected by [HIV/AIDS] until cover story
Photos by Fernando Hernánedez.
people started pledging and then telling me why they’re pledging,” he said. “And the people they knew, I knew. It opened a dialogue.” That conversation, Rosales said, continued as he met a few HIV-infected cyclists on the ride. The Rest of the Ride
The event itself is friendly and noncompetitive in nature, Rosales explained. If riders struggle to complete a phase, a “sag bus” is available to drive them until they’re able to continue. Between phases, cyclists stay at campgrounds, with FedEx delivering luggage between stops. One of Rosales’ favorite parts of AIDS/ LifeCycle route is rolling into Lompoc, Calif., a small, picturesque town of about 42,000 in Santa Barbara County, nestled in the valley of the Santa Ynez River. “It’s kind of like a parade. They’re waiting for you,” Rosales said of Lompoc residents eager to greet riders. Lompoc Mayor Bob Lingl confirms AIDS/LifeCycle is quite the event in his community and added that residents and visiting cyclists get along well as the population of his small town temporarily swells. “Our community has always welcomed them with open arms, with local citizens standing on street corners cheering them on as they enter our city,” Lingl said. “The local residents who have homes around the park where the riders spend the
night always comment on how polite and considerate the riders are.” Perhaps this sense of community pushed Rosales to complete his inaugural ride, despite his knee injury. Looking back on it now, Rosales laughs, admitting he overworked his knee because he wasn’t confident shifting into lower gears, so he overworked to get up hills. There were, in fact, quite a few things he wishes he knew then. But, ahead of his second AIDS/LifeCycle, he’s feeling more confident than ever. Succumb to the blown-out knee? Surrender to the blisters? Jump on that sag bus and ride it out in comfort? No way. “I’m not gonna ride a bus for the rest of this ride,” he concluded. For more information on AIDS/ LifeCycle, visit aidslifecycle.org.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU If you’re participating in the 2016 AIDS/ LifeCycle, Echo wants to hear from you! Share your story and photos with us by emailing editor@echomag.com or using #EchoMagAZ on social media.
Art Martori is a Phoenix-based freelance writer who contributes to various newspapers and magazines. EchoMag.com
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feature story
Arizona Entertainer of the Year
Statewide pageant crowns 2016 titleholders By Laura Latzko
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he 2016 Arizona Entertainers of the Year were crowned in four categories March 6 at the Wyndham Garden Phoenix Midtown. The winners include Arizona EOY Femme 2016 Nevaeh Sweetness, Arizona EOY F.I. 2016 Karime Lizaldi, Arizona EOY King 2016 Dominic Von Strap and Mr. Arizona EOY 2016 Kriis DiKay. According to Richard Van Stone, pageant co-promoter, EOY system contestants incorporate diverse talents, such as singing, dancing, comedy, burlesque or aerial skills. “We try to go after people that normally wouldn’t be pursued in the pageant world,” he said. “There’s a lot of hidden talent. You just need to know where to look for it … No matter what you are, you can compete at EOY.” Kevin Hilzendeger, pageant co-promoter, added that contestants do better when they are true to themselves during the pageant. “[W]hat causes people to have a hard time with EOY is fitting into a box that the contestant thinks the pageant system wants,” Hilzendeger said. “They want you to be you.” As the EOY system continues to grow, Van Stone said he’s seen it attracting more contestants and fans each year. “We offer them as much or as little help as they want,” Van Stone said. “We try to make sure everyone has the tools and information they need to not just win here, but win at nationals as well.” The 2016 titleholders will advance to nationals in Louisville, Ky., this summer. Arizona EOY F.I. 2016 Karime Lizaldi
Karime Lizadi’s journey within the EOY system began three years ago, when she won first alternate in the Arizona EOY pageant and went on to place in the top 10 at nationals. Lizaldi, who began her drag career in November 2006, was one of the Karamba Girls for three years and also held the title of Miss Paco Paco in 2007. Echo caught up with the newly crowned Arizona EOY F.I. 2016 to find out how she felt about her new title. Echo: What does winning Miss Arizona EOY mean to you? Lizaldi: At first, it was like a personal vendetta. I was like, ‘I need to have this title.’ Then, it was more the passion I have for this system. I never thought I would fall in love with a system so much … That’s why I’m so happy I won, because of the 28
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what EOY is about. EOY is actually a nonprofit organization in Kentucky that helps the LGBT community. I want Arizona EOY to be the same example as national EOY… I would like to help Aunt Rita’s, to help with HIV awareness. I would also like to help the children’s hospital. Echo: What advice would you give to someone starting out in pageantry? Lizaldi: Just reach your goal and keep dreaming. Keep pushing yourself until you capture your dream. You can fall once. You can fall twice, but it’s going to make you stronger if you can get up and try again. Arizona EOY Femme 2016 Nevaeh Sweetness
For Echo’s full interview with Arizona EOY F.I. 2016, visit echomag.com/karime-lizaldi.
passion I have for it. Echo: What makes you stand out as an entertainer? Lizaldi: I love to dance. I’m not really a comedy queen. I’m more of a dancing pageant queen … I’ve never really rehearsed for a show. Everything I do is from the heart. I feel the music. I just let myself go with the music. For pageants, you have to rehearse and everything has to be spot on. Echo: What made you choose the EOY system? Lizaldi: I actually started because one of my friends, Adriana, wanted to sew me a gown. Richard and Kevin had approached me to do EOY. I told Adriana and Richard, ‘if this gown fits me, I will do EOY.’ I wasn’t really that involved in pageants, and I didn’t know what EOY was until I started my journey … I’ve had a passion for the system since day one. It lets me be who I am and express to everyone what my background is and how my drag has evolved. Echo: What would you like to accomplish at a state titleholder? Lizaldi: I want Arizona EOY to not only be a bigger pageant but start doing charity funds and events where people can know what EOY is. A lot of people don’t know
For Nevaeh Sweetness, pageantry is a new endeavor. The femme performer won the Arizona EOY Femme title in her first time competing in a pageant. Sweetness, whose background is in theater tap, ballet and hip-hop, got her start dancing at BS West and Apollo’s, and she currently dances in the Rock’n Bodies Review, presented by Wild Men of the West Productions, every Sunday at The Rock. Echo caught up with the newly crowned Arizona EOY Femme 2016 to find out how she felt about her new title.
For Echo’s full interview with Arizona EOY Femme 2016, visit echomag.com/nevaeh-sweetness. feature story
Echo: What does winning Arizona EOY Femme mean to you? Sweetness: There’s more to me than just stripping. I have a lot of skills, and I want everybody to see that. I love learning new things, developing and growing. Being in the system here taught me many new skills, from doing makeup to editing music to stoning [gowns]. I want to grow and show people different sides of me … I’ve had a lot of people say they respect me more. They see a different side of me than they saw when I first started. Echo: What makes you stand out as an entertainer? Sweetness: I am very diverse being a girl in the male part of the community. I’m bringing something completely different. It’s different with male dancers because they are hot and the guys want them. Me being a girl dancing for men, at first people were like, ‘Why are you here?’ I’m not trying to get laid. I’m just trying to entertain you. That in itself is different from other femmes because femmes in the community that I’ve met usually work in lesbian bars. Working in the male community, it helps me to learn every aspect of the community – the gay male, the lesbian, the transgender community – and it helps keep me very open-minded. Echo: What would you like to accomplish at a state titleholder? Sweetness: I want the femmes to have more of an impact in the community by giving back to one n ten and other charities. I grew up having basically nothing as a kid, so I want to pay it forward to those going through a similar situation. A lot of my close friends, one n ten took them in when they were younger. I appreciate the things they’ve done for people close to me. Arizona EOY King 2016 Dominic Von Strap
Dominic Van Strap, who started doing drag in 2013 as part of a Phoenix Pride fundraiser, brought his cheerleading and rock band experience to the Arizona EOY stage. After competing in the 2015 Arizona EOY King pageant as King Scottsdale EOY and holding the title of Mister Cash Inn Country in 2013, Van Strap captured the Arizona EOY King title this year. Echo caught up with the newly crowned Arizona EOY King 2016 to find out how he felt about his new title. Echo: What does winning Arizona EOY King mean to you? Von Strap: That I can overcome. I set out for EOY this year because I felt like I had something to prove to myself because last year I fell flat … It made me feel alive again. I’m not just that person who keeps getting crowns because nobody else is competing, or ‘It’s just little Dominic.’ It’s ‘Holy crap, that’s Dominic Von Strap, Arizona EOY King ... Echo: What made you choose the EOY system? Von Strap: I fell in love with EOY. EOY will bring you the live-singing drag queens, and they are completely accepted. I saw a king win because he rode a unicycle like feature story
Photos by Jorge Martinez. For Echo’s full interview with Arizona EOY King 2016, visit echomag.com/dominic-von-strap.
a boss during his number. You can do the different things. You can be out of the box and different. In the dressing room this year, you heard “good luck out there” from someone who is competing against that person. We don’t compete against each other. We compete with each other. It’s always something I’ve strongly believed in. I like competition for the sportsmanship behind it, but I don’t like competitiveness. Echo: What would you like to accomplish as a state titleholder? Von Strap: The main reason I got into pageants is if you win a title, more people know you, more people come to your events. I got into it for charity … I want to go to nationals, meet as many people as I can and I want to do more charity for one n ten, the different youth groups, Native American rights, Latino rights, gay rights, trans rights ... I just want to be able to give back to all of these people who give their everything and get nothing back in return.
DiKay: It means opportunity, not only to represent an amazing system but also to be a role model and inspire and help others do what they love to do, to give back to the community. It gives me such hope and makes me believe I could [become] a national titleholder one day. Echo: What makes you stand out as an entertainer? DiKay: Displaying different types of entertainment, going from impersonations [and] characters [to] or simply dancing my heart out – I love leaving my heart on stage and making myself be seen for what I can do. Most importantly, being able to help others reach their goals while still pursuing mine no matter if we compete against each other. It is always a learning experience and anyone can learn new tricks from each other. Echo: Why did you choose the EOY system? DiKay: The ability to display who you are and what you do – in the exact way that you do it – is what made me fall in love with this system. I am an entertainer of many faces ... I hate to keep it all the same note, so I like to change it up and this system is one of the most welcoming systems to creativity – such a beautiful family and support system. Echo: What would you like to accomplish as the state titleholder? DiKay: I really want to represent Arizona to my best this year, being the first male entertainer to hold a state title from Tucson really gives me the hope to lead others and inspire them to really push for their dreams and also stand by their side and help them accomplish them.
Mr. Arizona EOY 2016 Kriis DiKay
With a strong background in ballet, jazz and hip-hop dance, Kriis DiKay entered Tucson’s male entertainer scene in March 2014. With a World of Dance Competition championship under his belt, he had high hopes. It seems as though the world of dance also translated to pageantry, as he’s already been crowned Mr. Tucson NCC, Mr. ArizonaDrag.com and first alternate to Mr. Arizona EOY 2015. Echo caught up with the newly crowned Mr. Arizona EOY 2016 to find out how he felt about his new title. Echo: What does winning Mr. Arizona EOY mean to you?
For Echo’s full interview with Mr. Arizona EOY 2016, visit echomag.com/kriis-dikay.
Laura Latzko is a Phoenix-area freelance writer, originally from Michigan, who holds a bachelor’s degree in English and communication studies from Hollins University and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri. EchoMag.com
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feature story
Meet the Sweet 16
Echo readers select 2016 awards winners By KJ Philp
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n annual Echo tradition, the Readers’ Choice Awards were developed as a spinoff from the magazine’s Pride of Phoenix Awards that were, once upon a time, presented each year as part of the Phoenix Pride festival. For this year, Echo made the decision to bring the awards ceremony back to its place of origin and presented the 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards on the Phoenix Pride festival’s Community Stage April 2. The awards – dubbed the Sweet 16 in honor of both 2016 as well as the 16 allnew categories – continue the tradition of recognizing community favorites – from local leaders and performers to destinations for arts and entertainment – all of which were nominated and voted on by you. During this year’s nomination period we received more than 7,000 individual nominations totaling more than 700 nominees. Needless to say, the
competition is fierce. Then, with more than 14,500 total votes for our 83 finalists, we’re proud to report that 2016 was one of the most competitive and successful years to date. Now, it is with great pride and immeasurable gratitude that we introduce you to the 2016 Echo Readers’ Choice Award winners.
We’ve said it before but it bears repeating: thank you to all the readers, voters, nominees and finalists – and congratulations to this year’s winners – our community wouldn’t be nearly as amazing without you! For more photos of the Readers’ Choice Awards ceremony, visit echomag.com/ gallery/2016-photos.
Mayor Greg Stanton Amazing Ally
Photo courtesy of facebook.com/mayorstanton.
one n ten Get Involved
Photo by nightfuse.com.
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Barbra Seville Local Trailblazer Take the Stage The Star of the Show
Photo by nightfuse.com.
Stacy’s @ Melrose Raise the Bar
Photo by nightfuse.com.
Kobalt Happiest Happy Hour
Photo by nightfuse.com.
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Phoenix Pride FUNdraiser
Phoenix Pride Festival Mark Your Calendar
Photo by nightfuse.com.
Community Church of Hope Mind, Body, Soul
Photo by nightfuse.com. Photo by nightfuse.com.
Easley’s Fun Shop Dazzling Advertiser
Photo by nightfuse.com. Photo by nightfuse.com.
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feature story
Savor Local Flavor
Fez
Seventh Avenue Merchants Association
Retail Therapy
Get Your Art On
U.S. Supreme Court’s Marriage Equality Ruling Get Sweaty
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First Friday, Artlink Politically Correct
Arizona Cardinals
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photo feature
Phoenix Pride Parade 2016 Photos by nightfuse.com.
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s the longest-running Pride tradition, the Phoenix Pride parade unites the LGBTQ and allied communities for a celebratory procession through the city. The 2016 parade, which took place April 3 along Third Street in Phoenix, showcased more than 2,000 individual participants with decorated vehicles, colorful floats and hundreds of walkers before 15,000 spectators. Olivia Gardens, Empress X of the Imperial Court of Arizona and 2011 Miss Phoenix Gay Pride, served as the 2016 parade’s grand marshal.
For more photos of the parade, visit echomag.com/gallery/2016-photos.
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Phoenix Pride Festival 2016 Photos by nightfuse.com.
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ach year, more than 35,000 LGBTQ community members and allies descend on Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix for the annual Phoenix Pride festival, “a celebration designed to bring our diverse LGBTQ and allied communities together for a weekend of camaraderie and celebration of our past, present and future.” This year’s event, which took place April 2 and 3, included more than 150 entertainment performances on five stages and more than 300 exhibitors showcasing an array of vendors, community resources, local business and organizations.
For more photos of the festival, visit echomag.com/gallery/2016-photos.
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2016 Pride Run Photos by Bill Gemmill.
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he Pride Run, presented by the Phoenix Frontrunners, hit the streets of Phoenix April 2. As part of the 18th annual event, LGBTQ and allied runners and walkers to participated in halfmarathon, 10K, 5K and Kids Run courses. This year marked the first time the event festivities included a fitness expo and arts festival, which took place April 1 and 2 at the Phoenix Art Museum.
For more photos of the run, visit echomag.com/gallery/2016-photos.
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STUDIO Z imagine-design-create 4200 N Marshall Way, Suite 6 • Scottsdale, AZ 85251 casual shopping monday - friday • call for hours also available by appointment
Kitchen • Bath • Interior Design
Phone: 480-941-3995 • Cell: 480-330-0459
www.studioz-az.com
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without reservations
Stories and photos by KJ Philp
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ou are about to embark on a journey to food enlightenment, courtesy of Flower Child. This journey, according to the restaurant’s website (iamaflowerchild. com), starts with a “fundamental promise to serve healthy food for a happy world” and includes trendy foods, a bright and buzzing atmosphere and even yoga mat parking. Seriously. One might expect an establishment adorned in peace signs and inspirational quotes to be a hidden hippie hideaway. But this sanctuary of peace, love and wholesome goodness is absolutely for everyone. As a long-time diner at the Arcadia location of this Fox Restaurant Concepts fast-casual eatery I was thrilled when the renovation and restoration efforts of Uptown Plaza at Central Avenue and Camelback Road revealed the Valley’s third location (open since November 2015). The trick here is getting your hands on the menu before approaching the counter to order. At first the array of healthy selections, boasting locally sourced ingredients and all-natural meats, seems simple enough – the menu is divided into sides, salads, bowls, wraps and healthy kids – but upon closer inspection, you’ll find many innovative combinations vying for your attention. Let’s start with the beverage selection. Flower Child has red and white wine, local beer and GT’s Trilogy kombucha on tap. Then there’s the fresh juices (made to order) or the ridiculously delicious seasonal lemonade and iced tea bar. Conveniently, there’s also a cold case with additional offerings, including coconut water right out of the coconut. Avacado Hummus.
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In my hummus opinion, you should absolutely start with the avocado hummus, which comes topped with a garnish of sweet corn, radish, clementine and pumpkin seeds. I prefer to not share this somewhat small serving of green goodness, which comes with house-made whole-wheat flax and chia seed triangles (the same pita/tortilla hybrid the wraps come enveloped in), unless you opt for the raw veggies upgrade. And simple hummus, with peppadew, olive, lemon and oregano, is also available. If you want to capture the true essence of Flower Child in one sitting, the “Mix ‘N Match” sides are the way to go – but you have to go all out and select three of the 14 or so options (that are subject to change seasonally). From more exotic flavors, such as Indian spiced cauliflower with turmeric, dates and almonds and the red chili glazed sweet potatoes with bok choy and sesame seeds to the trusted staples, including organic smashed potatoes and gluten free mac & cheese, this eclectic assortment of sides is just another example of precisely what makes Flower Child a crowd pleaser. Personally, I always order the roasted beets, avocado and tangerine salad – it’s the perfect side for spring. But keep an eye out for their annual summer offering that
includes heirloom tomatoes, watermelon, Thai basil and sea salt. It is No. 1 in my book. The six salads available here – from the organic kale with decadent fruit to an almost traditional Mediterranean – cover the entire vegetable spectrum and each come with the most perfect complementary vinaigrette. However, it’s the vegan Caesar that I find most tantalizing. With cauliflower, avocado, sun-dried olives, baby tomato, spinach, sunflower seeds and a lemon tahini vinaigrette, this is one of the more bold and innovative takes on a dairy substitute that I’ve ever tried (and continue to crave). The menu also offers four variations of wraps to choose from. Since the Thai Dye is the only vegetarian/vegan option (though customizations can be made), I’ve become very well acquainted with the spicy tofu, Thai basil, avocado, carrot, daikon radish, cilantro and snap pea, and it never disappoints. On my most recent visit, an office pilgrimage for lunch, two of my coworkers opted for the Flying Avocado wrap and it was met with rave reviews. With grilled chicken, smoked Gouda, romaine, tomato and more of that delightful avocado hummus, what’s not to love? Next up are the glorious bowl selections. While pursuing these fresh and colorful dining out
Clockwise: The Late Riser, Madras Curry, Thai Dye and the vegan Caesar.
combinations I’m continually tempted by the Thai cashew quinoa bowl, which comes with zucchini, snap peas, celery, onion, shiitake mushrooms, jalapenos, Thai basil, cashews and red quinoa, but I was informed by an incredibly helpful cashier that this option is not marked vegan or vegetarian because there is chicken broth used in the preparation. Instead, I opted for Mother Earth (the clearly marked vegan option) on a recent dinner visit. This bowl boasts ancient grains, sweet potato, portabella mushrooms, avocados, cucumber, broccoli pesto, leafy greens, red pepper, miso vinaigrette and hemp seeds. Much to my surprise, this bowl came out cold and, out of all the selections I’ve savored here, was my least favorite. Conversely, my dining companions ordered the Late Riser and the Madras Curry bowls. The Late Riser, a tribute to brunch that is available all day, comes with
dining out
cage-free eggs, heirloom beans, quinoa, roasted chiles, salsa, avocado, corn, Greek yogurt and queso blanco was a hit (even well beyond your typical brunch hours). The Madras Curry bowl features organic potatos, heirloom carrots, green beans, sweet onion, cilantro, garam masala and coconut. All of the bowls are vegetarian or vegan to begin with; however, you’ll likely be asked if you’d like to add your choice of protein – all-natural chicken, sustainable salmon, grass-fed steak or organic tofu. If you have a sweet tooth, take note of the baked goods carefully displayed at the cash register while ordering – as far as I can tell, this is the extent of the deserts options here. Don’t let Flower Child’s hippie-chic theme intimidate you – this is a perfect dining destination for anyone looking for a fresher, healthier and more user-friendly assortment of palate-pleasing culinary creations. You might not agree, but I am without a doubt a flower child.
Flower Child Arcadia: 5013 N. 44th St. | 602-429-6222 Uptown: 100 E. Camelback Road | 480-212-0180 Scottsdale: 10460 N. 90th St. | 480-240-4400 iamaflowerchild.com KJ Philp is the managing editor of Echo Magazine and can be reached at editor@echomag.com.
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opening nights
The Ghosts of Lote Bravo Through May 1
By Richard Schultz
In Juárez, Mexico, the most violent city in the world, Juanda’s daughter goes missing from the sweatshop in which they both work. When the crooked policia refuse to help, Juanda’s only hope is to ask the dark saint, La Santa Muerte, to guide her. Juanda charges through dreams and visions and must risk everything if she ever hopes to see her daughter again. Written by Hilary Bettis, this production is part of the National Showcase of New Plays rolling world premiere, which is the country’s alliance of nonprofit theaters that champions the development, production and continued life of new plays.
The Ghosts of Lote Bravo Through May 1 Temple of Music and Art Cabaret Theater 330 S. Scott Ave., Tucson Tickets: $12-$22.50; 520-882-7406 borderlandstheater.org
The All Night Strut! Through May 1
I Ought To Be in Pictures April 19-May 1
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Through May 8
This classy and sassy musical extravaganza, filled with jazz, blues, bebop and American songbook standards, celebrates the American experience through the Great Depression, World War II and the post-war boom. The story moves through time and place to highlight a slick slice of yesteryear and capture a beloved American era. Directed and choreographed by Michael Jenkinson, this lively production weaves together the work of legendary songwriters such as Hoagy Carmichael, Frank Loesser, Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Cab Calloway and the Gershwins and features performances by a cast of Valley favorites, including Trisha Ditsworth, Brittney Mack, Christopher George Patterson and Toby Yatso.
Herb Tucker is a struggling Hollywood screenwriter suffering from writer’s block. To make matters worse, his forgotten past just showed up on his doorstep in the form of Libby, the teenage daughter he abandoned (along with her mother and brother) 16 years earlier. Libby is a wisecracking, resourceful, 19-year-old who has come to Hollywood to act. Convinced he can jump-start her career, Libby expects Herb to help because he “owes her.” Dispensing guilt and demanding love, Libby forces Herb to deal with being a parent and come to terms with his on-again/off-again adoring girlfriend, Steffy, as well. Poignant and amusing, Neil Simon paints wonderfully dysfunctional family relationships with hilarity, honesty and heart.
It’s the late 1970s and the town of Gilbert, Texas, has just been put on the map when a crusading television reporter aims his camera at a favorite local “destination” known as The Chicken Ranch, frequented by governors, senators, mayors and even victorious college football teams for more than a century. The town is now faced with recounting the good times as they struggle with the demise of their best pleasure palace. Made famous by the Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton film, this bawdy country western musical packs a wallop of laughs and, along with its legendary title hit, features such songs as “Girl, You’re A Woman,” “Twenty Four Hours of Lovin’,” “Hard Candy Christmas” and “No Lies.”
The All Night Strut! Through May 1 Phoenix Theatre 100 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix Tickets: $36-$81; 602-254-2151 phoenixtheatre.com
I Ought To Be in Pictures April 19-May 1 Invisible Theatre 1400 N. First Ave., Tucson Tickets: $20-$30; 520-882-9721 invisibletheatre.com
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Through May 8 Arizona Broadway Theatre 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria Tickets: $51.50-$76; 623-776-8400 azbroadway.org
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theater
Annie
May 4-8
The world’s best-loved musical returns with its story of little orphan Annie who is taken from her orphanage, and the clutches of evil Miss Hannigan, to stay at billionaire Oliver Warbucks’ mansion for the holidays. When Annie wins the hearts of Warbucks and his staff, they set out on an epic mission to find Annie’s parents. Meanwhile, Miss Hannigan – in partnership with her brother, Rooster, and his girlfriend, Lily – attempt to make some money out of this unique situation. Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin and choreographed by Liza Gennaro, this production will be a brandnew incarnation of the iconic original and promises such unforgettable songs as “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” “I Don’t Need Anything But You” and, the eternal anthem of optimism, “Tomorrow.” Annie May 4-8 ASU Gammage 1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe Tickets: $25-$75; 480-965-3434 asugammage.com
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Based on the seminal 1980 hit movie, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, and book by Patricia Resnick, this high-energy show is set in the late ’70s with a hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era. Pushed to the boiling point, three female co-workers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss. In a hilarious turn of events, Violet, Judy and Doralee live out their wildest fantasy: giving their boss the boot! While Hart remains “otherwise engaged,” the women give their workplace a dream makeover and take control of the company that had always kept them down. Hey, a girl can scheme, can’t she?
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9 to 5 The Musical Through May 8 Desert Stages Theatre 4720 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale Tickets: $25; 480-483-1664 desertstages.org Richard Schultz is a playwright, actor, director and freelance writer based in Phoenix. theater
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New musical debuts at Space 55 By Richard Shultz
S
pace 55, one of the Valley’s edgiest theater companies, will premiere a new musical that has been in the works for nearly two decades. Set against the back-drop of a retromusic club scene, Blue Galaxy tells the story of a beautiful, but seriously overweight woman who wants to be loved in spite of her weight – not because of it. Her steadfast mindset poses a problem for the earnest chubby-chaser who pursues her. Creator and Tempe resident Kim Porter (pictured) started working on the project 19 years ago and believed it could be a great screenplay, but put it aside to direct and develop the plays and screenplays of dozens of writer/performers. In 2002, Roger P. Clark, a songwriter Porter met in a childbirth prep class in San Francisco, gave her a CD with songs that he was hoping she could write the book for a musical. “The songs had a Kennedyera vibe to them, and I tried to write a musical, but failed because I didn’t have anything to say regarding that era,” she explained. “Then, one day while driving across the desert in an area where the radio cut out, I fished that CD out, popped it in … And then it slammed into me all at once: Blue Galaxy is that story. I had the whole first draft composed in my head by the time I pulled into the driveway. After waiting for over a decade, the first full draft was committed to paper in a week. Later, I had the vision to convert the screenplay into a stage play.”
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Blue Galaxy, Porter explained, was inspired by a period of her youth when she befriended a group of hipsters who dressed in 1950s styles, listened to vintage music and drove old cars. She was an outsider to the scene, but was fascinated by it. Lana, the main character, is inspired by a variety of women Porter met in San Diego and San Francisco who she shared a common trait with: they had been abused or abandoned by a father in their youth. “None of these women knew what love was supposed to feel like and so they routinely dated and sought out men who mistreated them,” she said. “Blue Galaxy grew out of the urge to tell a story where the main character finally stopped sabotaging herself, ended dating jerks and found love.” Space 55 artistic director Duane Daniels, who is directing this production and directed her award-winning plays Munched and Liferaft Willie, was the first person to see the script. Porter spent several years revising both the screenplay and stage play versions of this project with readings all around the Valley. When Daniels took over his new role at Space 55, he immediately reached out to Porter and proposed the premiere of Blue Galaxy. According to Porter, the title is based on a car, a 1959 Ford Galaxie, which is nothing but trouble for the main character. “The car is a legacy from her father who made the car famous via a hit-song he wrote in 1959,” she said. “The fact that
she clings to this automobile, despite the many times it breaks down at the worst possible moments, is a microcosm of her relationship to her father and to her own notions about love.” The premise of the production, Porter said, is more a play with music, similar to a rock-n-roll bio film where every song is sung in the context of a nightclub or a recording session. With a cast of 14, these are not characters that who break into song, but are singers the audience meets while they are singing. “Young adults, in particular, will recognize themselves in the struggle of learning to recognize what is good for you,” she said. “This is a grim, sexually explicit, R-rated story where an urban audience will recognize themselves.” Porter’s favorite scene is a bloody bar fight accompanied by the blisteringupbeat-country song, “Too Much Baby.” She also loves the 11th hour love story that develops for Tina, a transgender woman who struggles to find love. “Tina is transitioning,” she said. “She is isolated and yearns to be loved, but has a fun journey bringing her to a potential love of her own.” Porter, who coaches solo performers, can be spotted storytelling at various Valley locations, including the Lit Lounge at Crescent Ballroom and the Bar Flies storytelling series at Valley Bar. Blue Galaxy April 29-May 22 at Space 55 636 E. Pierce St., Phoenix Tickets: $20-$25 space55.org Richard Schultz is a playwright, actor, director and freelance writer based in Phoenix.
recordings By Cait Brennan
Stooges-reborn sound and into some expansive new territory. “Break Into Your Heart,” the first track, is a prime example, with Iggy’s creeptastic guttural growl threading through QOTSA-like guitar swirls, turning the love-song premise into something darker and more sinister. Indeed, Pop excels at driving that thread of menace through a variety of Homme’s sonic soundscapes here, and the collaboration feels like a natural fit. “Gardenia” is almost more jangle-pop than Iggy Pop but it’s a pleasant and weirdly sunny tune. “Paraguay” closes the set with a deceptively elegiac tone that twists itself into a fiery, defiant “do not go gentle” blues-rock raver. If he’s done, it sure isn’t because he has nothing left in the tank.
Iggy Pop
Post Pop Depression Loma Vista Recordings |
Reports of any ’60s- or ’70s-era rock star’s retirement are the Lucy Van Pelt’s football of music – they always seem to yoink the retirement ball away at the last second. Suuuuure it’s your last tour, The Who. Half of you guys are dead and if that hasn’t stopped you, am I really going to believe you can – or will – stop voluntarily? But Iggy Pop’s made of sterner stuff, so when he announced that his new LP would be his last, the 68-year-old punk pioneer sounded resolute. If it is truly the end, Post Pop Depression is one heck of a swan song. Produced by Queens Of The Stone Age’s Josh Homme, and backed by guests including QOTSA guitarist Dean Fertita and Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helder, Post Pop Depression finds Iggy stretching well beyond his recent
Emitt Rhodes Rainbow Ends
Omnivore Recordings |
While some artists are retiring from the public eye, others are fighting their way back after a long and tragic absence. So it is with Emitt Rhodes. The pop music
wunderkind released a series of highly regarded cult classics in the ‘70s, with melodies and lyrics to rival (or even surpass) the Beatles, Beach Boys and beyond. But a series of horrible music industry deals and personal setbacks caused him to withdraw from music, and he became a legend as much for his almost mythic disappearance as for his music. Now and again, Rhodes sightings would stir the hopes of a new wave of music die-hards, but nothing came to fruition. That is, until now. Aided by a new generation of musician admirers, including producer Chris Price, bandmates Taylor Locke of Rooney, Fernando Perdomo, Roger Joseph Manning Jr. and Jason Falkner of Jellyfish, Aimee Mann, Jon Brion, Susanna Hoffs of the Bangles, Wilco’s Nels Cline and Pat Sansone, members of Brian Wilson’s band and many others, Rhodes has returned after an astonishing 43-year absence with Rainbow Ends, a beautiful and moving collection of songs that shows his talent has matured but never dimmed. Rhodes’ voice is no longer quite the McCartney-esque tenor it once was, but the tradeoff is a nuanced, warm, rich sound a little like a fine, aged, single malt. The songs – some of which have origins dating back to his original recorded output – range between troubled relationships (“This Wall Between Us”), ruminations on the past (“If I Knew Then,” “Dog On A Chain”) and moving on (“Rainbow Ends,” “It’s All Behind Us Now”). The arrangements are lively but gentle, framed perfectly around his world-weary but indomitable performances. At a recent Grammy Museum event, when asked why he’d been gone so long, Rhodes shrugged and said “I thought nobody cared.” On Rainbow Ends, it’s clear that his fans, friends and loved ones care very much indeed, and that his own heart still feels emotions very intensely.
Photo by Paul McAlpine. Photo courtesy of facebook.com/iggypop. 50
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music
Lake Street Dive Side Pony Nonsuch |
Rachael Price, Lake Street Dive’s bluesy frontwoman, isn’t messing around on her band’s new long player, Side Pony. Their debut for major label, Nonesuch, finds Price and the band carving out a new identity firmly rooted in the kind of soulful belters that made waves for Alabama Shakes, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings and St Paul and the Broken Bones. And while nothing here rises to the level of those wonderful, powerful combos, Side Pony is a solid
approximation of the sound, processed and honed to fall on the countryside and aimed at a wide audience. Producer Dave Cobb has a well-earned reputation for bringing out the roots, rock and soul from his Nashville clients (Jason Isbell and Chris Stapleton, to name but two), and he has his work cut out for him here. The combo has strong influences, but they struggle for focus and for a distinctive identity. “Call Off Your Dogs” is breezy, with what passes on country radio for funk, and a catchy chorus riff. “Mistakes” is a slower-but-not-quite-slow jam with a horn solo so smooth, Michael McDonald might slip and fall on it. “I Don’t Care About You” brings the southern rock ‘n’ roll to the fore, with a badass guitar riff driving Price’s vocal belting. It may just be the highlight and the least-forced thing here. That, perhaps, is the main issue with Side Pony – it’s very enjoyable, but when it skates so close to the territory held by
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such acts as Alabama Shakes, it can’t help but suffer by comparison. There’s a lot to like here, and perhaps with more time, Lake Street Dive can carve out something that’s wholly theirs. For now, Side Pony is an enjoyable, if lightweight, start. Cait Brennan is a singer/songwriter and freelance writer based in Phoenix.
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at the box office
Viva
Irish filmmaker shares experiences shooting in Cuba By Hans Pedersen
“F
ind your voice” is the tagline on the poster for Viva – and it’s a message that resonates strongly for director Paddy Breathnach. “This film let me rediscover my own voice as an artist and a filmmaker,” he said, adding that he feels a strong connection to the project. But how does a straight Irish filmmaker wind up making a movie about crossdressers in Havana, Cuba? “I went to a drag show in ’96,” explained Breathnach in an interview with Echo at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. “It captured my imagination.” Breathnach added that he had never seen such passion in a drag show before. “I was transported in a way…” he continued, describing how he was unexpectedly moved and impressed by the way a red sheet and a single light could transform a performance space. “People can transport themselves and have hopes and ideas of something else, and yet it’s made of nothing,” he said. “It’s a bit of a sheet and a light.” Wanting to capture this world, he eventually crafted a father-son relationship that became central to this story of an up-and-coming female impersonator in Cuba. According to Breathnach, screenwriter Mark O’Halloran enhanced the script, and the two collaborated to explore this new locale in what the director describes as an enriching learning experience. “Both of us had a sensitivity going into that world,” he said, adding that although they were outsiders, they did not want to approach the story from an outsider’s perspective or make Cuba appear exotic.
TAKE IT ONLINE To read Hans Pedersen’s review of Viva, visit echomag.com/viva.
Héctor Medina in VIVA. Photos courtesy of Magnolia Pictures. 52
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“Being Irish, you know, we’re an island, we’re used to traveling and going other places … and finding stories someplace else,” he said. Because the Irish are accustomed to folks coming to their island and telling their stories, Breathnach said, the citizens of the two countries found a kinship. The Cuban community and Irish film crew established mutual trust and worked together in good faith. “For us to go over there, there’s a sensitivity and a sense of responsibility, let’s say, and also a sense of danger of the minefields there,” he said of the shoot. “So we were very conscious of going into that world and needing to be very careful of how we navigated that.” The possibilities for selftransformation in a whole new world are evident in the movie’s themes, and even in the color choices that were made during the shoot. A bright gown and some red lipstick might be the only source of color in a scene set in a drab gray room. Paddy Breathnach. “There’s a lot of decay there. It’s great for filming, so it gives a patina to everything,” Breathnach elucidated. “On top of the colors there’s dust and years of decay and it makes an even palette …” Breathnach felt it was important to offset the script’s darker elements – poverty, prostitution and death – with those colorful aspects of the drag world. “I knew the theatricality and the vibrancy and color and exuberance of that world would translate some of those other elements, and allow us to really get rich and strong emotions …” Breathnach said. Additionally, he believes the songs help draw those darker emotional elements out of the decaying settings. But it’s ultimately Jesus’ struggle with his father, who’s recently out of a long stint in jail, that is the emotional core
of the movie. “I think [he’s] a young man trying to find his own voice, his own individual identity but recognizes that he has to reconcile that individual identity with … his family…” the director mused. As for the storyline, the young man must ultimately choose between two worlds – his biological father or his makeshift family of female impersonators. “There’s a moment when he raises his hand with a glove and stands back up again, he throws himself to the ground and sort of resurrects, and at that stage he’s the master of two worlds,” the director explained. It’s just one of several gut-wrenching scenes in the movie, which Breathnach describes as a melodrama that’s “emotional without being sentimental.” When Breathnach discovered actor Héctor Medina, he felt the young man with raw talent was perfect to play Jesus. “To cast anyone else after that would have been an aberration. He’s a wonderful actor and a wonderful person,” Breathnach said of the straight actor, who came from a community about an hour outside Havana. Powered by a common bond between islanders, the collaborative project between Cuban actors and an Irish film crew demonstrates the magical power of transformation to create a new place for oneself. “That power we have to transform ourselves through ephemera, through a certain alchemy and art …” the director said of the film’s message of reinvention. “We can transform and transcend our realities and allow ourselves to become something else and change our narratives. We can move on, you can move on.” Hans Pedersen is a freelance writer based in Phoenix. movies
talking bodies
Is your diet and exercise program planned into your vacation itinerary? By Tia Norris
A
s summer approaches, many of you are surely planning your annual exodus out of Phoenix in search of cooler temperatures. So let’s talk about your fitness program while on vacation.
arrive at your destination. This maximizes adherence to your program, and also allows you to fully relax and savor your holiday.
Most times, when my clients travel, all hell breaks loose and they completely derail from our meticulously planned diet and exercise program. They drink, they eat, and they don’t work out.
The Extended Stay: Plan to make a plan.
On one hand, I understand that completely relaxing and avoiding all commitments is an integral part of vacationing; however, as your trainer and resident fitness expert, I am telling you that you must have a plan.
Step 1, you’ll need to find a gym that allows drop-ins, bring a portable fitness routine via DVD or YouTube or bring/find portable, but useful, fitness equipment such as cable bands, a jump rope or waterinflatable dumbbells (yes, these are a real thing). No excuses. 3 days off, maximum… get it done, princess!
If you care at all about your body, your fitness or maintaining the hard work you’ve put in, you need to balance some work with some play on your trip. And I’m not saying that your workouts need to be particularly grueling or time consuming, because the truth is that you can successfully maintain with well-planned, quick efforts. Here’s how: The Long Weekend: Work hard first, play hard second. If you’re contemplating a quick weekend trip, my best advice is to knock out your workouts for the week before you leave. Plain and simple. Keep your diet extra sharp going into the trip as well, so that you can enjoy the local cuisine when you health & fitness
If your trip is anything longer than 3 days, you’ll need a plan because you can’t take more than three days off from a program. Ever. Don’t forget that!
Step 2, you’ll have to achieve and maintain a balanced diet. Yes, I want you to enjoy the local treats and not feel guilty lounging by the pool or on the beach, but you can’t afford to take 10 steps backwards with five days of a crap diet. Use your head. Some suggestions include keeping all of your meals clean except for dinner each day, only going big on some meals or choosing an activity other than being a waste case by the pool all day. Really, just be smart and don’t destroy all the hard work that you’ve done going into the program. Also, remember to hydrate. No one drinks enough water when they travel,
especially when flying. Monitor your water intake and be sure that you’re handling this easy essential. Inevitably, you will get stuck somewhere without food at some point – whether it’s in an airport, in a taxi to your hotel or out on an excursion – so plan to bring protein bars for these scenarios. Whatever you choose to pack along with you will save you from becoming “hangry” and making poor, last minute decisions in those situations. Step 3, move! Explore the locale in creative ways: rent a bike, rent a kayak, take a walk instead of a cab or try a new fitness class. Immerse yourself in the culture in a physical way and we can kill two birds with one stone. I promise that you’ll feel better, have more energy, be able to eat more (win!) and sleep better if you hit the gym, hit the boardwalk, hit whatever, just move! The key with every aspect of traveling is planning. Just as you plan your itinerary, you’ll need to make a plan for your fitness program. It takes effort, but I promise you it is worth it! You will not only keep the results that you’ve worked hard to acquire, but your trainer will also have less of a headache upon your return (and that’s what’s important). Tia Norris is the president and head trainer at FitPro, LLC, a local fitness company. Find out more at fitprollc.com. EchoMag.com
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ALL OVER THE MAP
Keeping Hope Alive By Liz Massey
A
few weeks ago, I read the following quote on Twitter, attributed to Eric Schmidt, CEO of Alphabet, Inc., Google’s parent company: “It helps to see the future as a road and not a wall.” The quote resonated deeply with me immediately, and that feeling was only amplified when I found out a few days later that a female trans activist from my hometown – someone who had played a significant role in our local lesbian-feminist circles 20 years ago – had apparently taken her own life. Many LGBTQ community members are aware of the urgency of mental health issues among queer youth, but statistics from a variety of research studies document why suicide is a lifelong health concern for our tribe: • Queer youth are four times more likely than heterosexual youth to attempt suicide. • Overall, LGBTQ adults are three times more likely than their heterosexual peers to experience depression or anxiety, important risk factors in predicting suicidal behavior. • Depending on the survey consulted, between one-third and two-thirds of trans people report having experienced suicidal ideation (thoughts). • Suicidal behavior actually peaks in middle age. Why is our community at such high risk? It’s a question with no simple explanation, but researchers hypothesize that each person navigates adversity with a unique blend of protective and risk-intensifying factors. This influences whether they respond to the obstacles, challenges and threats that enter their lives with hope or hopelessness. It’s clear that experiencing stigma and
discrimination is emotionally damaging – one study reports that self-harming behavior increases by 2.5 times with each incident of LGBTQ-related victimization. It’s also clear that access to social support has a hugely protective effect on an LGBTQ person dealing with trying circumstances. When it is absent, people suffer. In fact, one study found that LGB youth from highly rejecting families were 8.4 times MORE likely to have attempted suicide, compared to LGB peers who experienced little or no family rejection. Another challenge that complicates this situation is the fact that we, as a community, still have a hard time discussing mental illness – perhaps a remnant from the days when gayness itself was considered a mental illness. This intra-group stigma can make it even harder for a troubled individual to ask for professional help, which can make a critical difference in helping a suicidal person rework a toxic internal narrative and regain the will to live. It can feel overwhelming when one studies the data and hears individual stories about suicide among gay and trans people. However, there are a lot of actions we can take to preserve our precious LGBTQ community members. Individually, we can … • Understand the warning signs of suicide. The website Suicide.org has a useful list of behaviors to be alert for. • Call 911 in case of an emergency. Don’t try to handle life-threatening situations alone. • Share hotline numbers with those who need them. The Trevor Project (866-4887386) can aid queer youth ages 18-24 and the Trans Lifeline (877-565-8860) is staffed by fellow trans people trained in crisis intervention. In Arizona, LGBTQ adults can call the EMPACT-SPC crisis line
at 866-205-5229. • Listen, care, and follow up. Suicidal thoughts can come and go, and it’s important a person struggling with these feelings knows he or she has ongoing support. Collectively, there’s much we can do to lower our community’s risk related to suicide. • Talk about the connection between oppression and suicide risk. Discrimination has documented negative health impacts, including those related to suicide, and this should be mentioned frequently as we pursue our advocacy work. • Spread awareness of resources that support or encourage resilient behavior. Those could include peer support groups, recovery resources and groups providing social acceptance. • Advocate for better data collection. There is almost no national data on suicidal ideation or suicide rates among the LGBTQ population as a whole, across their lifespan. Better data on these topics can help tailor treatments and paint a more accurate picture of the situation, which can assist professionals in creating better interventions. Everyone has points in their life when the future looks like an impossible, impenetrable wall. For me, the worst point was when I turned 17 and felt like I would never fit in, or feel comfortable in my own skin. Thanks to a lot of support and a little bit of therapy, I made it through that time. It did get better. Our community has a long way to go before every LGBTQ person – at every age, in every ethnic and cultural subgroup and in every location – can be sure they will have the affirmation, support and equal rights they need to thrive. Until we reach that point, let’s commit to “helping each other over the wall” and making it onto the road to the future we’re intended to travel together. As LGBTQ health advocates Kellan Baker and Josh Garcia asserted in a ThinkProgress article on suicide prevention, “Each one of us – whether LGBT or ally, pastor or policymaker, researcher or activist – must respond to the moral imperative to help build a world where LGBT people count and are counted, and where they can live their lives free from discrimination, harassment, and the violence of suicide.” Liz Massey has been involved in LGBTQ community-building activities in Kansas City and the Valley of the Sun, and is a former managing editor of Echo Magazine. She can be reached at lizmassey68@gmail.com.
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COMMUNITY
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money talks
When to Put Your Trust in a Trust By Melissa Myers and Michael J. Tucker
Melissa Myers: I understand that if lawyers in our community are preparing estate planning documents for a same-sex married couples, and if trust planning is involved, they can choose to have a joint trust to hold assets for them jointly. Michael J. Tucker: Right. I guess you could say, “traditionally,” that is, way back before marriage equality, it really wasn’t workable for an unmarried couple to create a joint trust. Myers: That’s still true, isn’t it? Tucker: Yes, primarily because of “red tape” issues, particularly if an unmarried couple creates a joint trust and then one of them dies. The bookkeeping can be difficult. Myers: Then is it always advisable for a married couple to create a joint trust? Tucker: No. First, it’s not a foregone conclusion that everyone needs a trust. It
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depends mainly on the beneficiaries and their circumstances. The trust can preserve the inherited resources and keep them safe from the future financial troubles of the loved ones. Myers: And by “circumstances,” you refer to the age, financial security, poor health, marital disharmony, and so forth, of the beneficiaries? Tucker: Indeed. Additionally, the need to create a trust can be triggered by owning real estate in more than one state or country. Myers: For some unmarried couples, one of them might need a trust and the other wouldn’t. Tucker: That happens frequently. Myers: And if a couple created one or two separate trusts before they got married, then what should they consider after the marriage? Tucker: In my office, we’re making arrangements to update all of those estate plans as soon as we can after we find out about the client’s marriage. Myers: Why? What’s love got to do with it? Tucker: Well, because Arizona is a community property state, the character of the couple’s assets and income is affected by the fact that they’re married now. The default inheritance rules are different, and the parameters of which assets are in which person’s estate will change, the longer they remain married to each other. Myers: Our clients generally are probably not used to thinking about their assets and income in this way. Tucker: That’s true. Our collective experience hasn’t ventured into community property
territory until now. Myers: If a married couple concludes that one or both of them need a trust, how do you decide between a joint trust or two separate trusts? Tucker: First, if it’s a couple that’s been together for a while, I would look at how they tend to hold their assets. Myers: More together in one bucket, or more separate? Tucker: Also, I would look at who are their respective remainder beneficiaries and how important it is to each of them to provide for those remainder beneficiaries. Myers: What do you mean? Tucker: Well, if one spouse wants to give everything to his or her nieces and nephews, and the other spouse wants to give everything to her alma mater, then that is a factor that tends to suggest they’d be better off with separate trusts. Myers: And isn’t that difficult to sort out if they’re the sort of couple who likes to keep everything in one bucket? Tucker: Yes, and that’s one reason each of them needs to consider how important it is to him or her that the remainder beneficiaries’ interest be preserved. Myers: So I’m guessing that a lot of our clients don’t place a lot of importance on who inherits after both of them have “met their maker.” Tucker: That’s true. There’s no requirement that they care about that. Myers: Sounds like you have to look at the facts and circumstances of each case. Tucker: Yes, because no two couples do things in quite the same way. Melissa Myers is a certified financial planner with Camelback Retirement Planners, in Phoenix, a registered representative with Commonwealth Financial Network and a registered investment adviser. Michael Tucker is an attorney with Michael J. Tucker, P.C., in Phoenix, and is a certified specialist in estate and trust law. For more information, see their respective ads. This material has been provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute either tax or legal advice. Investors should consult a tax or legal professional regarding their individual situation. Neither Camelback nor Commonwealth offers tax or legal advice. FINANCE
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Near Bethany/43rd Ave., Phx
• Free Electronic Filing With Tax Preparation
(Fed. & Most States)
(602) 841-5414
camelwest@aol.com
• 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments • Located in the Melrose district!
Contact: Jason
602.538.0555 priderentals.com 58
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Local business
“Your Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Contractor
Randy Mackey, Owner
1115 W. Portland Street Phoenix, Arizona 85007 randy@mustanghvac.com www.mustangairmechanical.com
Quandt
Landscaping
602.769.2526 ROC CR39.217652-D
Sprinklers Trees Shrubs Lighting Brick Patios & Walkways
602-481-8571
(623) 939-4389 AZ. Lic. #I-2362 B
8602 N. 39th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85051
Berney Streed, ABR, SRES, CIAS REALTOR® 480-628-6576 Cell 480-355-3500 Bus | 480-563-3995 Fax 8510 E. Shea Blvd. Suite #100. Scottsdale AZ 85260 www.BerneyStreed.com bstreed@cox.net Each Office independently owned and operated.
602-955-2121
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
E ODUS Eric Local business
HAIR STUDIOS
2449 E. Indian School Road Phoenix, 85016
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Steven Price, CPA
• Tax preparation for individuals and businesses - Sole Proprietor, LLC, Partnerships, Corporations, and Non-profits. • Tax preparation for Same-sex and Domestic Partners. • Tax problem resolution - Installment Agreement, Offer-in Compromise, Liens, Garnishments, and other. • Accounting Software Selection, Set-up, and Training.
602-576-6255 or 415-955-0595 Email: smpcpa7@gmail.com | www.smprice.com
Valdez Refrigeration All your heating and cooling needs Office 602.266.0812 E-mail ZOUCHAVALDEZ@hotmail.com All major credit cards accepted. K39-ROC177793 Res and Comm
Josh Fetchik REALTOR ®
602.245.4228 Office 480.948.5554 Fax 480.214.9207 jfetchik@gmail.com 7077 E. Marilyn Rd, Bldg 4, Ste 130 Scottsdale, AZ 85254
• Trained Movers in Uniform • Fully Insured & Bonded • Packing & Unpacking Services • “Family” Owned & Operated
(602) 242-2180
2905 W. Indian School Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85017 email: info0167@twomen.com
www.TwoMenPhoenix-WestValley.com Each franchise independently owned and operated
Echo Magazine now has free online classified advertising! Have a job to advertise? Need to rent a property? Looking to build your client base? Post a classified ad in Echo at echomag.com/classifieds.
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Nello A Rossi MD 2 0 1 E a s t M o n t e r e y Wa y Phoenix AZ 85012 w w w. W i l l o M e d i S p a . c o m (602) 296-4477
• • • • • • • • • • • • •
BOTOX ® Cosmetic JUVÉDERM ® XC JUVÉDERM VOLUMA ® XC SKINMEDICA ® KYBELLA ® LATISSE ® RADIESSE ® (+) NEOVA ® Sermorelin Chemical Peels Testosterone Therapy HCG Therapy Facial Lipoatrophy
Complimentary Consultation
BUNKHOUSE
the gayborhood
S M
$1 drafts & HH prices all day & night
T W T F
7 & 10 p.m.: Free-to-join poker. HH prices for participants.
6, 8 & 10 p.m.: Free-to-join poker. HH prices for participants. Winners get $10 Bunkhouse bar tabs
Greenway Pkwy
T
2-8 p.m. 2-4-1 well & domestic bottles, $3 pitchers; 2-4-1 drinks
17
open-close
F
2-7 p.m. 2-4-1 well & domestics, $3 pitchers; midnight
Thomas
domestics, $3 Absolut & Bacardi 10 p.m.-midnight
W T
2-4-1 ALL DAY; $3 charity shots ALL DAY; live DJ, top 40 & dance
10 12
HH, 4-8 p.m.; $1 draft pint, $3 charity shots, $4 Mojitos & Caipirinhas ALL DAY; live DJ
17 © 2016
HH & $1 draft pint, 4-8 p.m.; $1 draft pint & wells, 8 p.m.-midnight;
F
Tatum 143
10
Broadway Baseline
HH, 4-8 p.m.; $3 charity shots ALL DAY; $2 Kamikaze shots ALL DAY; live DJ, top 40 & dance, 8 p.m.-close
S
28
7
101 17
10
*MAP IS NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
live DJ, top 40 & dance, 8 p.m.-close
5
202
Roosevelt
4 Van Buren
Karaoke, 9 p.m.-close; HH & $3 charity shots ALL DAY
Scottsdale Rd.
k
ee
11
. Ave
1
McDowell 14 2
. Ave
STACY’S @ MELROSE $1 Rolling Rock pints & well drinks until 10 p.m.
15
nd Gra
Noon-7 p.m. 2-4-1 well & domestics; HH 7-9 p.m.; $1 well &
S M T
22 24 16 25 3 9 20
Indian School
HH 7-9 p.m.; $1 well & domestics, $1 drafts 10 p.m.-
S
8 26 23 13 6 27 18
5th
Olives vodka, 8 p.m.-close
40th St. 44th St.
Camelback
2-8 p.m. 2-4-1 well & domestic bottles, $3 pitchers; $3 Three
51
29
32nd St.
cocktails & beer 8 p.m.- close
W
Cr
2-8 p.m. 2-4-1 well & domestic bottles, $3 pitchers; 2-4-1
Lincoln 24th St.
Glendale 19 Bethany
C Northern 7th St.
7th Ave.
27th Ave.
43rd Ave.
51st Ave.
Super HH 4-7 p.m., $3 pitchers; $3 Long Islands open to close 2-8 p.m. 2-4-1 well & domestic bottles, $3 pitchers; 8 p.m.-close,
Shea Blvd
e av
Central
Dunlap
8 p.m.-close: $2.50 Bud family products
1/2 off drinks for wearing underwear, $3 Jack Daniels
T
N
16th St.
8 p.m.-close: $2.50 Miller family products. 4 & 6 p.m.: Free-to-join
CHARLIE’S S M
Cactus
Underwear night: $1 off all drinks if in skivvies! poker
S
21
Thunderbird
9 p.m. Karaoke
Mesa Chandler
10
HH, 4-8 p.m.; $3 charity shots ALL DAY; $2 Kamikaze shots ALL DAY; live DJ, top 40 & dance, 8 p.m.-close
1
ANVIL 2424 E. Thomas Road
M, D, L 602-956-2885
16
LOS DIABLOS 1028 E. Indian School Road
MF, R, N 602-795-7881
2
AQUA NIGHT CLUB 1730 E. McDowell Road
F, N, E, D 602-253-0689
17
NUTOWNE SALOON 5002 E. Van Buren St.
M, N, L 602-267-9959
3
BAR 1 3702 N. 16th St.
M, N, E 602-266-9001
18
OFF CHUTE TOO 4111 N. Seventh Ave
M, A 602-274-1429
4
BLISS REBAR 901 N. Fourth St.
N, R 602-795-1792
19
OZ BAR 1804 W. Bethany Home Road
MF, N 602-242-5114
5
BS WEST 7125 E. Fifth Ave.
MF, D, E 602-200-9154
20
PLAZMA 1560 E. Osborn Road
MF, N, E 602-266-0477
6
BUNKHOUSE 4428 N. Seventh Ave.
M, N, L 602-200-9154
21
RAINBOW CACTUS SALOON 15615 N. Cave Creek Road
MF, N, E 602-971-1086
7
CASH INN COUNTRY 2140 E. McDowell Road
F, C, D 602-244-9943
22
ROSCOES ON SEVENTH 4531 N. Seventh St.
M, N, G 602-285-0833
8
CHARLIE’S 727 W. Camelback Road
M, C, E, D 602-265-0224
23
R LOUNGE 4301 N. Seventh Ave.
F, N, E 602-265-3233
9
CRUISIN’ 7TH
M, E
24
ROYAL VILLA INN
M, AO
3702 N. Seventh St.
602-212-9888
4312 N. 12th St.
602-266-6883
10
DICK’S CABARET 3432 E. Illini St.
M, G 602-274-3425
25
THE CHUTE 1440 E. Indian School Road
M, AO 602-234-1654
11
FEZ 105 W. Portland St.
R 602-287-8700
26
STACY’S @ MELROSE 4343 N. Seventh Ave.
MF, D, N 602-264-1700
12
FLEX SPAS PHOENIX 1517 S. Black Canyon Hwy
M, AO 602-271-9011
27
THE ROCK 4129 N. Seventh Ave.
M, N, E 602-248-8559
13
HARLEY’S BISTRO 4221 N. Seventh Ave.
R 602-234-0333
28
THE TWISTED PEACOCK 3108 E. McDowell Road
MF, N, E 602-267-8707
14
KARAMBA 1724 E. McDowell Road
D, E 602-254-0231
29
TICOZ LATIN KITCHEN 5114 N. Seventh St.
R 602-200-0160
15
KOBALT 3110 N. Central Ave., Ste. 125
MF, E, N 602-264-5307
MAP CODES: A Adult Retail & Entertainment M Mostly Males F Mostly Females MF Mixed Male/Female
N R D C
Neighborhood Bar Full Restaurant Dance Club Country Dancing
L E G AO
Your Neighborhood Community bar... 4428 N 7th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85013 (602)200-9154
Home of
Leather/Bears Entertainment (Karaoke, Drag) Go-Go Dancers Accommodations/Other EchoMag.com
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He’s the center of your universe, so get him his own solar system. Lease a system with ZERO down!
SunHarvest SOLAR Call us at 623-755-8323 or visit www.sunharvestsolar.com
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1440 E. Indian School rd., Phoenix | 602-234-1654
www.chuteaz.com
1840 W. Maryland Ave Suite D, Phoenix, AZ 85015 (602) 242-9891 • www.AZNeuroMod.com Appointments Available: Monday - Friday 7am to 4pm
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lambda directory Please support our advertisers who help keep Echo free. To find out more about advertising in Echo, call 602-266-0550.
ACCOUNTANTS/TAX PREPARATION Camelwest Tax Service p. 58 Robert F. Hockensmith, CPA, PC p. 57 Steve Price, CPA p. 60 ADOPTION Devereux Arizona Family Service Agency Southwest Adoption Services LLC
p. 22 p. 12 p. 51
ADULT ENTERTAINMENT/ RETAIL The Chute Flex Spas Phoenix Off Chute Too
p. 64 p. 65 p. 62
AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING Mustang Air Mechanical p. 59 Valdez Refrigeration p. 60 APARTMENTS @ 51 Luxury Apartments p. 67 East and West Apartments p. 58 Monarch Apartments p. 51 Proxy 333 p. 5 ATTORNEYS Arentz Law Group, PLLC Jackson WhiteAttorneys At Law Phillips Law Group The Law Offices of Lemuel A. Carlos, PLLC Michael J. Tucker Tyler Allen Law Firm Udall Shumway Law Firm
p. 56 p. 43 p. 11 p. 30 p. 60 p. 2 p. 22
AUTO SERVICES Community Tire Pros & Auto Repair p. 15 Compu-Tech Automotive p. 57 66
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BAR & CLUBS Bunkhouse Charlie’s Stacy’s @ Melrose
p. 61 p. 9 p. 37
COSMETIC PROCEDURES Willo Medi Spa p. 60 COUNSELING SERVICES Mariann Arcari Rubin, LCSW p. 51 People Empowering People of AZ, Inc. p. 54 DENTISTS Concorde Dental Omer K. Reed D.D.S. p. 57 My Dentist p. 47 Open Wide Dental p. 4 EDUCATION Maricopa County Community College District p. 55 EVENTS Bisbee Pride Flagstaff Pride LGBT Night Out at the Ballet Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride Night For Life Gala Phoenix Mercury Phoenix Pride Phoenx Pride Gala Phurfest The Naked Magic Show
p. 31 p. 17 p. 23 p. 42 p. 38 p. 49 p. 63
FINANCIAL SERVICES JW Advisors Inc.
p. 59
HOME SERVICES Arizona’s Mr. Fix It Don’s Painting Service Go Go Green Arizona Lyons Roofing Merry Maids
p. 58 p. 58 p. 59 p. 14 p. 30
EchoMag.com
p. 35 p. 36 p. 13
Quandt Landscaping Rainbow Bug Studio Z Sunset Spas The Mattress Man
p. 59 p. 59 p. 43 p. 19 p. 65
INSURANCE Benefits Arizona Hector Cerda, Allstate
p. 47 p. 3
MORTGAGES Jeremy Schachter, Pinnacle Capital Mortgage p. 3 MOVERS Two Men and a Truck NETWORKING GPGLCC
p. 60 p. 27
PHARMACIES CVS Specialty Pharmacy p. 47 Fairmont Pharmacy p. 62 PLUMBERS Brothers Plumbing
p. 57
REAL ESTATE Contour on Campbell p. 58, 68 GayRealEstate.com p. 16 Visionary Properties p. 47 REALTORS Arizona Gay Realtors Alliance p. 3 Berney Streed, Re/Max Excalibur p. 59 Bradley B. Brauer, HomeSmart p. 3 David Oesterle, ReMax p. 3 Fred Delgado Team, Keller Williams p. 3 Jan Dahl, HomeSmart p. 3 Joshua Fetchik, West USA Reality p. 60 Matthew Hoedt, Realty One p. 3
Nicholas Yale, Realty Executives Shawn Hertzog, West USA
p. 3 p. 3
RELIGIOUS GROUPS Community Church of Hope p. 58 First Congregational UCC p. 59 RESTAURANTS China Chili COR Tapas & Wine Harley’s Bistro Hula’s Modern Tiki Marcellino Ristorante RETAIL Easley’s Fun Shop French Designer Jeweler
p. 45 p. 45 p. 43 p. 45 p. 45 p. 58 p. 26
RETIREMENT PLANNING Calvin Goetz, Strategy Financial Group p. 3 SALONS Athleticuts Salon Exodus
p. 14 p. 59
SOLAR Sun Harvest Solar
p. 62
TRAVEL INNdulge
p. 65
VETERINARIANS Dynamite Animal Hospital p. 55 East Maryland Animal Hospital p. 59 WELLNESS Anti-aging Clinic p. 26 Arizona Neuromodulation Center p. 64 Avenger Fitness, LCC p. 58 FitPro, LLC p. 59 TERROS Incorporated p. 55 LAMBDA DIRECTORY