11
CALENDAR: 8 GREAT THINGS TO DO
12
OUT & ABOUT PHOTOS
22
DECORATING DO’S AND DON’TS
25
TWO MUST HAVE ITEMS
30
AGMC PAYS TRIBUTE TO UNSUNG HEROES
36
HOT BEATS: KEEPING IT SWEATY
38
HEY GIRL HEY
40
GAY NEWS AT A GLANCE
42
POP CULTURE
FENUXE
03.27.2015
Contents
FOR YOUR HOME
Page 26: kurt justus A Look at the Real Man Within
Scan the QR Code with your smart phone to like us on
23,334
LIKES
VISIT US ONLINE FENUXE.COM INFO@FENUXE.COM FOLLOW US ON
PHOTO BY: BEN CORNFORD TWITTER.COM/FENUXEMAGAZINE
FENUXE
TM
TYLER CALKINS PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF TYLER@FENUXE.COM
Mike Stone - PUBLISHING/PRODUCTION Dino Thompson-Sarmiento - SENIOR WRITER Dustin Shrader - WRITER Mark Cook - FASHION PRODUCTION
ATLANTA MARKETING
Jeff Anderson | 404.835.2016 - Sales Manager Andrea Dwyer - Sales
NATIONAL ADVERTISING Rivendell Media 212-242-6863 sales@rivendellmedia.com
To advertise, please call 404.835.2016 email info@fenuxe.com or visit www.fenuxe.com Published by TW Media Group Š 2015 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 1599-A Memorial Drive, Atlanta GA, 30317 Phone: 404.835.2016 | Fax: 404.835.2356 Opinions and claims made by advertisers are those of the advertisers only. Fenuxe accepts no liability for any claims made by advertisers. The views and opinions expressed in this issue are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency of TW Media Group.
Fenuxe is proud to support:
COVER BY BEN CORNFORD
WANT YOUR EVENT FEATURED? SEND IT TO US AT INFO@FENUXE.COM
CHARITY
BAR • CODE Come out to the Eagle dressed in your best leather Easter weekend for a night of fundraising for Leather Heart Foundation.
R&B and jazz singer lights up the stage at Symphony Hall Atlanta.
04.09.15
04.04.15
The Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus pays tribute to LGBT composers, poets, and artists at Druid Hills United Methodist Church.
LEDISI
FOOD
04.04.15
FUN
GAYMER NIGHT AT ATLANTA PRIDE
INTERNATIONAL PILLOW FIGHT DAY
Bust out the controllers and bring you’re a game to this event featuring some of the classics as well as modern video games. May the best one win.
Put on your best pajamas, bring your friends and come out to Grant Park to relive every child’s favorite fighting activity.
THEATER
“LIQUID SOUL” SPOKEN WORD
MAN OF LA MANCHA
Featuring Dr. JA Jahannes, some of the best poets in America, Africa and the Caribbean come to Atlanta Olive Oil Company to read their work and discuss their inspiration.
Follow Don Quixote’s wacky adventures, vividly brought to live by Serenbe Playhouse.
02.28.15
03.29.15
03.27.15
UNSUNG HEROES FEAT. MATT ALBER
CHARITY 04.02.15
ARTS
ARTS
03.26 - 04.11
CALENDAR
OPERA
ATLANTA DOGWOOD FESTIVAL The 79th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival will take place April 10 – 12, 2015 in Piedmont Park
FENUXE.COM : 11
OUT & ABOUT
12: March 27, 2015
PHOTOS
JASON & DEMARCO PERFORM AT FIRST MCC PHOTOS BY: SHER PRUITT
FENUXE.COM : 13
OUT & ABOUT
14: March 27, 2015
PHOTOS
TOTAL 80’S DRAG SHOW : BENEFITING JERUSALEM HOUSE @ JUNGLE PHOTOS BY: SHER PRUITT
The Towns at Druid Hills
NOW SELLING! Townhomes From the $470’s
Purchase a New Home and Receive:
$15,000 Flex Cash – PLUS –
$5,000
Toward Closing Costs! – PLUS – Limited Time Only:
Waived 1% Origination Fee Through RMC Mortgage® (Average Value of $4,000)
Community Features: • Gated Community Offering 65 Luxury Townhome Homesites • Fabulous Amenities Offering a Pool and Cabana • Shopping, Fine Dining, Entertainment and Recreation Close By • Fantastic Location on North Druid Hills Road Less Than One Mile From I-85 and Providing Excellent Commuter Access to Downtown
For more information, please call Bakari Maxwell or Tarecia Johnson at 770.500.8635 or visit ryland.com.
In the Atlanta division, The Towns at Druid Hills community only, homebuyers for to-be built homes on accepted purchase agreements signed between March 1, 2015 and March 31, 2015 are eligible to receive $15,000 in Flex Cash; can be used towards MyStyle ® Design Center Options and/or closing costs when using RMC Mortgage ® and/or lot premiums. Buyer also eligible to receive $5,000 in Closing Costs. Closing cost assistance available from Ryland Homes to those financing through RMC Mortgage ® Corporation and closing with a closing attorney selected by Ryland. Amount of closing cost assistance may vary by product and community, and is subject to applicable contribution limitations. For all financing promotions, see a RMC Mortgage ® Corporation Loan Officer for details. RMC Mortgage ® Corporation is located at 1000 Mansell Exchange West, Suite 200, Alpharetta, GA 30022 and is a Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee, license number 24225 and NMLS number 203897. Buyers also eligible to receive Waived 1% Origination Fee through RMC Mortgage ®; average value of $4,000 which is based on a $400,000 loan amount. The waived origination fee through RMC Mortgage ® Corporation is subject to cancellation or change without notice. Buyers must make a loan application by March 31, 2015 with RMC Mortgage ® Corporation (NMLS# 203897) a Georgia Residential Mortgage Lender Licensee #24225. *Buyers must also close with RMC Mortgage ® Corporation. Please contact your RMC Mortgage® Corporation Representative for exact quotes. Prices, plans and specifications are subject to change without notice. Photographs are for illustrative purposes only. Towns at Druid Hills promotion may not be combined with any other promotion or incentives. Information shown believed to be accurate but not warranted. See a Sales Counselor for details on available promotions, restrictions and offer limitations. © 2015 The Ryland Group, Inc. RA1778
r of ne
best Eye wear Pr
ov
FENUXE 50
r ide
Win
404.888.9444 | www.ansleyeyecare.com
2014
20% OFF
A Complete Pair of Eye Glasses (can not combine with insurance or other promotions)
Ansley Mall 1544 Piedmont Ave NE #320 Atlanta, GA 30324 M-Th: 10am-7pm | F: Sa 10am-5pm
FENUXE.COM : 15
OUT & ABOUT
16: March 27, 2015
PHOTOS
THE SOUTHERN JEWISH RESOURCE NETWORK FOR GENDER & SEXUAL DIVERSITY (SOJURN) ANNUAL GALA, “CIRQUE DU SO-GAY” PHOTOS BY: SHER PRUITT
2013 TONY AWARD
®
“EVERYTHING YOU COULD DREAM OF IN A MUSICAL.” Daily News
MAY 5-10
SASHA ALLEN AS LEADING PLAYER AND THE CAST OF THE NATIONAL TOUR OF PIPPIN. CREDIT TERRY SHAPIRO
ON SALE NOW!
FOXTHEATRE.ORG/PIPPIN • 855-285-8499
FENUXE.COM : 17
OUT & ABOUT
18: March 27, 2015
PHOTOS
PARTY @ TEN PHOTOS BY: SHER PRUITT
FENUXE.COM : 19
OUT & ABOUT
20: March 27, 2015
PHOTOS
ART TO LIFE - RITE MEDIA @ MASQUERADE PHOTOS BY: WES SEVIER
DESIGN
DECORATING DO’S AND DON’TS
D
ecorating a new space or revamping an old one can be overwhelming. It is difficult to know where to start or what could even possibly work for your designated room. Decorating entails a lot of rules and opportunities to make simple mistakes. To avoid these faux pas, Jerri Spiers of Intaglia Home Collection has offered a few simple decorating “dos & don’t’s” for your home:
PULL THAT SOFA OFF THE WALL Don’t put your sofa against the wall. Floating your furniture in the room creates a cozier setting and makes it easier for conversation.
PLAY WITH COLOR Don’t be afraid to use color. It’s easier to use color on your accessories as a splash to create a wow factor in your room.
22: March 27, 2015
LEAVE THE ‘HIGH’ ART TO THE MUSEUM
MATCHING ISN’T ALWAYS GOOD
it’s a pretty common error to hang your art too high on the wall - It should be eye level.
Don’t be matchy-matchy. feel free to mix styles and décor for a more eclectic look that shows your personality.
BIGGER IS BETTER Don’t make your rug too small. Area rugs should fit the room and space and ideally go under the front legs of both sides of seating in an arrangement.
TEXTURES & PATTERNS Do use texture, pattern and organic materials to add dimension and depth to a neutral color palette.
SOFA SHOULD BE LARGE Do make your sofa or largest piece of furniture in a room (and normally your most expensive) a neutral color. This will give it a longer life and you can switch out inexpensive colorful accessories when needed.
GOT CANDLESTICKS? Do use candles to create a signature scent in your home. Candles can make guests feel welcome, brighten a home and set the mood for your room.
SWATCHES Do take home fabric swatches before ordering custom upholstery to see how the fabric works in the light of your room. It may look totally different than at the showroom.
SET THE MOOD Do use dimmers for your lighting! It’s an inexpensive way to set the mood for each room.
FENUXE.COM : 23
DESIGN
TWO MUST HAVE items for your home This spring update your home with new designs from Cantoni Furniture
ALLURE CHAIRS
CARIOCA DINING TABLE
A simply designed relaxed lounge chair is taken to a new level by Malerba in the
The interlocking circles of the Carioca
Allure Lounge Chair. The juxtaposition
Round Dining Table almost seem to be
of the chrome base and hide-on leather
in motion. The fluid design of the base
creates a unique look that hearkens to
in beautiful canaletto walnut supports a
mid-century designers while feeling com-
bevelled glass top.
pletely modern.
· Canaletto Walnut Wood Base · Bevelelled Extra Clear Thick Glass Top
· Chrome Base
· Available by special order with a mix
· Hair on Cowhide Leather
canaletto walnut, natural oak
in Black, Dark Brown and White
& sipo mahogany rings
· Made in Italy
·
Made in Italy
FENUXE.COM : 25
SPOTLIGHT
PHOTO BY BEN CORNFORD
BY: DUSTIN SHRADER
KURT JUSTUS:
An Intimate Look at the Real Man Within
Kurt Justus is not an average Joe; he is a hard worker, a southern boy, a military veteran, an out and proud gay and most importantly, a devoted and loving father. Taking the time out of his hectic life, Kurt discusses the many facets that make him the man he is today.
Growing up in a family involved in the arbor business, it is no wonder Kurt followed in those footsteps, running his own tree service company: Green Georgia. While thinking back to the beginning, he sheds light on just how much his family life influenced his life. “I grew up in the industry. My family had a large company up in north Georgia, until the timber industry shifted out towards the west,” he said. “Growing up around that was a very unique experience. I was able to learn a lot and do a lot of hands-on. I had a lot of fun summers and a lot of farmland, so we each had to pull our weight.” Like many young, southern bucks, Kurt’s younger days were not always about work. A bit of a daredevil, he was always up for an adrenaline rush. Finding him on the back of a horse or straddling a motorbike was not surprising in the least. “My hobbies consisted of rodeos and dirt track racing. Our family did a lot of dirt track racing up in North Georgia. We had ATVs and a bunch of horses. I grew up doing rodeos, bull-riding,
PHOTO BY BEN CORNFORD
playing football, boxing and so on,” he laments. “I was pretty much your typical kid with sports growing up. I was never really into basketball. Even though I’m 6 ft. 6, but I enjoyed contact sports a little more. We were all big NASCAR fans, too, in my family. Depending on the season, I was more apt to want to race than anything.” Never one to shy away from action, Kurt enlisted in the military following high school, a decision he says he is grateful for and would encourage a n y o n e considering.
“ My hobbies consisted
of rodeos and dirt track racing. Our family did a lot of dirt track racing up in North Georgia. We had ATVs and a bunch of horses. I grew up doing rodeos, bull-riding, playing football, boxing and so on.
”
“I was a tank/
gunner operator for Field Artillery Unit 13b and Quick Reaction Force for the East Coast Defense. I would recommend it now for anyone. Back then, it was a little different. They have really good benefits. I really enjoyed my service and my time. I had an experience that is only a once in a lifetime chance. It’s totally awesome if anybody wants to go down that road. Enjoy the benefits and rewards.” Although he fondly remembers his time serving our country, he was never fully free to embrace who he really is. Despite being an out gay man today, that was not always the case. During his years of active duty, he recalls staying diligent and determined to climb the
military ranks, a welcome distraction from the truth buried within. “It wasn’t extremely difficult because I wasn’t out. I just kept my sexuality to myself. The way I did that is… I did a lot of training. I just moved up because I wanted to rank sergeant as soon as I could. I knew I was gay, but I... I come from a small country town with a big family in it, so it was a big emotional thing to do. I chose to wait. Eventually it comes to that point, but at that time I hadn’t reached that point yet.” As that point drew near, the reaction Kurt would receive about his sexuality was surprising, even to him. FENUXE.COM : 27
“My family is cool about it! I am a conservative person, so I am very respectful. We talk about different things, but they’re very supportive. I would think that it’s a really good relationship,” he said. “Honestly, I think it was more on my part being, I guess, an unknown, being scared of an unknown. When I came out, my grandfather was the most supportive. This is the South, so some people have big mouths on them. They might have said some things over the years. But that was never the case with him. It was actually a better reaction than I thought it was. Of course, there’s some people in your family. If they had a problem with it, I was okay with it. It’s not been a major issue, which is really awesome compared to some of the heartaches that I’ve heard from some people.”
“As far as the business, I do tree service. We’re looking at expanding into landscaping some this year. I have plenty of experience in that, as well. Within tree service, you want to pretty much set up your maintenance plan for your trees. Take care of that and it will save you a lot of money in the long run. In addition, I also work in vista prune. It’s where you shape up the trees. You look at your house from the road or different points of view as to where it raises the value of your property. That’s what we consider vista prune, where we go in and shape everything from the ground up, not only from the crown of the top of the tree but canopy down.” With such a vast knowledge, Kurt is planning to further his tree service credentials, gearing up to receive his Arborist Certification.
PHOTO BY MIKE STONE
Although the outdoorsman wears many hats, including a custom belt buckle monogrammed with his very own nickname, “Cowboi,” (Kurt says his friend spelled it that way cause it is more “hip”), no other hat is more important to him than that of being a doting father. The single dad is raising his seven-year-old Sayden on his own with support of loving family and friends.
oh and a wrestler! I took him to see the WWE down at the stadium not too long ago. He absolutely loved it. And he wants to take over my business when he grows up. Full of energy, he is very inspiring to watch,” he gushes. “Everyone loves him at school. He is always running up to people, giving hugs, starting new conversations. He is not a shy kid by any means. He likes to test his
“When I came out, my grandfather was the most supportive. They might have said some things over the years. But that was never the case with him. It was actually a better reaction than I thought it was.” His military days behind him, Kurt has settled into his personal and professional life with ease. Getting back to his roots, the young dad explains the nature of his daily work and all that entails. 28: March 27, 2015
“We are a member of the ISA Certification,” he enlightens. “There are six of them. I’m certified in the Arborist Climber Section as far as the safety practices. OSHA certified, to be exact.”
“I’m very lucky. He is a fantastic kid!” Kurt exclaims, the tone of his voice brightening at the mention of his son.
boundaries, similar to any other kid, but for the most part, if I ask him something with a ‘please’ he is more than happy to help.”
“He might be a little bit of an overachiever. He wants to be a movie star, an artist,
Regardless of Kurt’s busy work life, he always makes time for his little man.
According to Kurt, homework is done in the evenings, then bath and a bedtime story. The two are as thick as thieves are. “Our favorite day together is to stay home and play Xbox. We always have a good time playing WWE, it’s our favorite game. I am somewhat of a meticulous eater because I work out and try to stay in shape, so naturally, Sayden insists he is going to be like me. He says he is on a diet, wants to lift weights, be friendly and kind to everyone. I am so honored and lucky to help instill that in him. Being his dad is so easy. We talk and communicate like the closest friends. I couldn’t imagine life without him.” Overall, Kurt Justus is no ordinary man. He is a great one. He leaves a lasting impact on those he comes into contact. Simply ask some of his closest friends: “Kurt is a modern man with great depth and deep traditional values about God, family and our country.” “Kurt is an amazing person! He is a wonderful father and a loyal friend. I hope he will always be a part of my life.” “He is a rugged cowboy with a heart of gold!” A hard worker, a military hero, a faithful son, a steadfast father, Kurt Justus is indeed a “Cowboi” with a heart of gold. IMAGE VIA FACEBOOK
INTERVIEW
BY: DUSTIN SHRADER PHOTOS BY DAN LAX
ATLANTA GAY MEN’S CHORUS PAYS TRIBUTE TO (UN)SUNG HEROES WITH SPECIAL GUEST MATT ALBER Tied Up With Strings: The 34th Annual Holiday Concert at the Cathedral of St. Philip
Matt: Yeah, I’m actually performing quite a few songs that I wrote. I’m going to sing a song called New York City. It’s kind of my love song to New York. That’s going to lead into a set that they’re doing of Broadway songs, which is kind of cool. Kevin is a genius when it comes to programming music. I’m going to do a bluegrass song called House on Fire, that I wrote. I’m going to sing another song called Rescue. He actually took some of my songs and wrote brand new arrangements for the choir to sing. I haven’t even heard these arrangements yet, until we put them together at rehearsal next week. Dustin: Do you have any personal reasons for wanting to be a part of the event?
For their spring concert series the
Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus (AGMC) will be celebrating LGBT artists, composers, songwriters and poets of the past and present. The selected honorees have all had an everlasting, profound influence both on the arts and the LGBT community. From Tchaikovsky to Herman, Sondheim and many more, all of these gifted individuals will be uplifted through AGMC’s guest performer, singer/ songwriter Matt Alber, along with the entire chorus itself. In anticipation of the wonderful series, I caught up with Matt and AGMC director Kevin Robinson. Dustin: So, how did (Un)Sung Heroes come about? Kevin Robison: Matt is the one that envisioned it. I think the basic idea was that he’s going through some different
30: March 27, 2015
voices that were heroes of the community and all different musical representations of that. When he called me originally and invited me to sing with them, I was so excited. Singing with men’s choruses is one of my favorite things to do. I grew up singing in choirs and I’m still kind of a choir geek at heart, so whenever I get invited to sing with a bunch of gay men, I always say yes. Matt Alber: I know. This one’s going to be special because, in addition to me being a guest performer, [Kevin’s] hiring a string quartet and a small band. It’s going to be a lot of beautiful sounds on the concert. I don’t get to perform with string quartets very often. Dustin: Will you be performing some of your own personal music as well?
Matt: When I was growing up as a gay kid in the Midwest, singing in choir was the place that I felt the safest. I felt like I could be myself when I was in choir. I didn’t feel like I had to hide any part of myself or pretend I was somebody else. I guess now that I’m a full-time singer/songwriter, my job is usually singing on stage by myself. I do enjoy it and I love doing it, but it’s just not the same as being surrounded by other gay men. I guess it’s a selfish reason, I want to go and soak up as much of that camaraderie and safety and just feeling like I’m a part of a group again. I think it’s also important that gay men’s choruses are still performing. When you sit in the audience for a gay men’s chorus, you’re just overwhelmed by just how warm and beautiful all those men are. It’s one thing to call us a political issue, but when you sit and experience a bunch of gay men singing on a stage, it’s really hard to have any biases because there’s just nothing but love
pouring out of the stage. I feel like it’s a real gift to get to be a part of the concert. I wish that we could invite all of the politicians who are trying to vote our rights away, because I feel like it would be difficult for them to leave with the same opinions that they have about us. Dustin: That would be nice, especially with the new discrimination bill that just passed in Georgia. Is there a particular LGBT composer or artist who has had a influence on you throughout your career or growing up? Matt: Yeah, when I first started to write songs, it was back in college, I was listening to the Indigo Girls on repeat. I just love the way that they write stories into their songs. I like the sounds of their recordings with acoustic bass and strings. I just fell
“When you sit in the audience for a gay men’s chorus, you’re just overwhelmed by just how warm and beautiful all those men are. “ in love with their songs. It’s funny, because I think Emily, one half of the Indigo Girls, for a long time, owned a restaurant in Atlanta. The Watershed on Peachtree. Yeah, I think it’s called Watershed. I remember I tried to stalk her one time. I brought a CD into Watershed and I left it with the waiter. I was like, “Will you please give this to Emily Saliers?” I’m sure a million people have done that. It’s kind of funny, because the Indigo Girls, there’s two singers with guitars, singing harmonies. I actually just formed a side band with my partner, Aaron. We’re getting married in the spring and we just started singing together on stage. We have an Indigo Boys vibe. Our band is called The Lonelies and we’re still writing right now.
Guest Singer: Matt Alber
Dustin: Is he your costar in your Handsome Man video? Matt: He’s not. I hadn’t met him yet. FENUXE.COM : 31
cher determination concert at the rialto center for the arts
Matt: Yeah, that’s hard. I wish somebody would’ve told me not to try to date the preacher’s daughter. I thought that would be the safe route. I’d be like, “Oh, the preacher’s daughter. She won’t want to do anything,” which was totally wrong. Dustin: No, they’re the worst ones. That’s my friend, Allen from Seattle. He’s a really good buddy of mine. I met Aaron right after I shot that video and I hadn’t edited it yet. Aaron is a video editor by trade, so I asked him if he would edit it for me and he said yes. Aaron is very much a part of the Handsome Man video. It wouldn’t be in existence without him.
Matt: Yeah, I think we’re all those things, too, it’s just it feels a little out of balance sometimes. We’re either the really bitchy character, the really jaded character, the character that’s ... I don’t know. There’s all these different sides to us, but they don’t really show the sweet, falling in love side of things very often.
Dustin: You both had a really good chemistry in the video. I thought it was someone you had a personal connection to in real life.
Dustin: No, they definitely don’t.
Matt: Yeah, we definitely have. When I asked him about it, he was like, “Yeah, I’ll come down and shoot a music video with you.” He turned out to be a great choice.
Matt: I sure wish I would’ve got a video like that when I was in middle school or something. If I would’ve been able to see something like that when I was first coming out, man, that would’ve been like, “Oh, wow. Okay, that’s possible, too.”
Dustin: He did. It’s a beautiful video and very different. You don’t see hardly anything like that anymore.
Dustin: I can totally relate. I grew up in Alabama. Southern Baptists and all that. It was quite the struggle to grow up being gay in my household.
Matt: Yeah, that’s why we wanted to make it. We thought there’s all different kinds of gayness on television and movies, but for some reason, you don’t see a lot of that kind of being gay. That sort of ... I don’t know, the tenderness side of things gets shoved away for the sex or the camp.
Matt: Me too. I wasn’t southern baptist, but I was the other end of the weirdness. It was the Assembly of God Charismatic Church. The speaking in tongues and the salt on the ground and they were very adamantly antigay. It was like trying to hide who you were and trying to date the preacher’s daughter.
Dustin: It just goes to show, we’re normal people, too. We find somebody, we hang out, watch movies etc. It’s not all that the media plays it out to be.
Dustin: I totally relate. I had a girlfriend in high school, while I’m secretly pining away for one of my good buddies that I went to high school with. It was quite a mess.
Matt: I know, no one told me that. Oh gosh, I remember, if there was anything that made me gay, it was making out with the preacher’s daughter in the Ponderosa parking lot. I was like, “This is disgusting.” She was the worst kisser. I was like, “I am definitely gay. This is the moment I know.” Dustin: Yeah, I think mine was when I saw Brad Pitt for the first time as a child. He was... there was something about him. Matt: I’m a little bit older than you, mine was Superman, Christopher Reeve in the bright red underwear. That’s when I knew. I wanted to switch places with Lois Lane and it’s kind of funny now, all these years later, I feel like I did get to swap places with her. I fall asleep with my handsome man on my chest every night now, just like I saw Lois Lane falling asleep on Superman. It worked out in the end. Lucky me. Dustin: Aww! I saw you just got back from Africa, right, not too long ago? Matt: Yeah, I just spent six weeks in Sudan. I was teaching recording and performing over there to a bunch of awesome young performers. It was really a wild experience. The US State Department offered a grant to a friend of mine who was putting together the team of teachers. He said, “We need someone to come and teach recording.” I’d never taught
a class on it, I’ve just been doing it on my own for the last several years and I’ve helped friends here and there. I thought, “This might be a chance for me to push myself out of the nest.” It turned out to be a really great experience. I met some incredible young rappers, some great songwriters. We had about six weeks together to learn how to build a studio, plug in the microphones, record it and learn how to mix the songs. It definitely took some adjustment because the city we were in is called Khartoum, it starts with a K. Khartoum is three times the size of Los Angeles, which is probably the largest city I’ve ever been it. It’s full of people from all different countries. It’s very multicultural, but I’d never been in a Muslim country before. First of all, just being the only American around for miles was really strange. I found that everyone was really friendly and they’d want to come up and take their picture with you and they wanted to know where you’re from. They always asked the same questions. They were like, “What do you think of Sudan?” They were like, “See, everybody doesn’t have Ebola.” I was like, “You’re right.” I didn’t meet anybody with Ebola. They were also saying the same thing like, “See, we’re not all terrorists.” I was like, “You’re right. Ditto.” I think Sudan gets a bad rap. Unfortunately, it’s a country where almost nothing works, the electricity goes out, the water doesn’t work, the cell phone towers don’t work. Everything’s trying to be modern, but they don’t have the resources to make it work. It’s funny,
there’s a slogan there where they say ... When you try to open a door and the handle doesn’t work, they say, “Oh, this is Sudan.” They’re like, “Don’t be surprised, because nothing works.” But, they’re still really happy people and I thought that was amazing.. Everyone’s making the best of it. I felt really lucky I got to go. Dustin: I can’t imagine such a big adjustment, especially for us, where we have everything we want pretty much at our fingertips all the time. Matt: Yeah, it was a definitely a lesson in, “Wow, we have it so easy.” There was one challenge, I think. Being gay is not really an option in the Muslim world. You can’t be openly gay. It’s against the law to be gay and you could still be murdered for being caught in the act of having any kind of gay experience. They said, it would be really difficult for me to teach, because I have so many videos online of kissing men. You’re very openly gay online. They said, “We need for you to teach under a different name, because if all the students find out who you are, then they’ll be Facebooking you. It’ll be fine for the students, but the secret police will find out and that’ll be a problem.” I said, “Fine, I’m not going there to spread the gospel of Matt Alber. I’m not going there to spread my music. I’m going there to teach, so I don’t care what they think my name is.” The kids are real resourceful and I think one of the days, they got my iPod. We were using it to record and they
cher determination concert at the rialto center for the arts
flipped through it and found my albums. It quickly spread around that their teacher was gay. It presented a challenge because a few of the students had been pretty homophobic. In passing, I’d heard them saying stuff like, “Oh, gay, that’s weird. That’s unnatural. That’s creepy.” They’re saying it just within earshot of me. After it came out that I was gay, they all pulled me aside, one by one, and they were like, “Oh, Mr. Alber, I’m so sorry I said that,” and “I didn’t know,” and “We had no idea you were gay, but we’re really sorry if we offended you.” I thought that was so sweet. Dustin: I wouldn’t have expected that reaction, especially after the comments being made beforehand.
Matt: Yeah, we had already spent three weeks working together and we had a friendship then. I guess I feel like, in some ways, I’m glad that they found out because then they had to change their minds. I’m really glad they found out. It was just a little bit scary to think that I was like ... Okay, it’s one thing for a bunch of students to find out, but this is a country full of ... In terms of the government, they have people on the ground listening and watching wherever you go. If they would’ve caught wind of it, I would’ve been deported and the people that ran the program could’ve been in prison. This is still the reality of what goes on in other places in the world. It made me really grateful for the freedoms that we have here. Even though FENUXE.COM : 33
we have so many crappy laws on the books against us, we don’t have laws on the books that will imprison people or behead them for who we are. We have a lot of work to do in the rest of the world. Dustin: We sure do. Switching gears though, to a lighter topic, are you excited about coming back to Atlanta? Matt: I’m extremely excited. On the 24th. I’ll ride up, I’ll get two days of rehearsal with the guys and then we give three shows on the 27th, 28th. It’s supposed to be a beautiful hall as well. Dustin: Do you have any big plans other than the performances? Matt: I’m giving my time completely to the fellas, so wherever they want to take me, I’m theirs.
I’m going to be an Okie ... Dustin: That’s quite a change from San Francisco to Oklahoma. Matt: Yeah, we’re buying a house. We’re tired of having roommates in the big, noisy city. We’re moving back to Oklahoma City and I’m going to buy us a little house. Mostly so we can have our own band practice. Dustin: Since you don’t get to Atlanta often, is there anything you would like to shout out to all of your Atlanta fans or anything like that? Matt: I would just like to say don’t get lost on all of the different Peachtree streets on your way to the show and that I can’t wait to sing with your men.
Dustin: Do you have anything else big in store for 2015? Matt: My biggest news is that I’m getting married and starting a new band and moving to Oklahoma with my guy,
You can see Matt Alber & the AGMC perform (Un)Sung Heroes March 27 & 28th at Druid Hills United Methodist Church. Tickets are available online at voicesofnote.org
MUSIC
By Jimmy Newsum
HOT BEATS: KEEPING IT SWEATY As spring approaches, our favorite divas are pulling out all their hottest jams to keep dance floors rockin ‘til summer takes over. Here are the top tracks and remixes being played right now.
“CRAZY FOR YOU” Jason Dottley
Like the Material Girl herself, Dottley has already proven himself to be a perfectly adequate pop singer. In this latest track that celebrates the 30th Anniversary of the original, the television actor shows signs of even being a good one. His version is moodier than the original, and darker, with incredible touches of EDM magic provided by Dee Martello, better known as DJ Twisted Dee. Dotley’s seductive voice lures listeners into his twisted fantasies, taking the song about compulsive fixation to a brilliantly sadistic new level. It’s the perfect Black Party track.
“TICK TICK TRICK” Dina Delicious
This season has seen an abundance of novelty club singles by underground nightlife personalities, many offering little more than a cringe worthy experience. However, Dina Delicious stands wigs and shoulder pads above her downtown fashionista peers. “Tick Tick Trick” is actually really good! Lyrics are clever and the sound is melodic and catchy. Dina Delicious proves she’s capable of delivering a party record with mainstream appeal in this radio-ready Katy Perry-esque track that can stand its own against anything we’ve heard from the other glossy girls of pop.
“FREE PEOPLE”
Martha Wash feat. Tony Moran The soul diva is back to reclaim the dance territory lesser ladies-in-waiting have tried to make their own. In “Free People”, Wash sounds something of a jazz singer, scatting and vamping her way through vocals that are ravenous and free, adventurous and spirited. The song is best when she refuses to color inside the lines, and opts to riff around the melody with happy abandon. Wash works all of her tricks here, from gospel shouts to Broadway belts to soul runs - and all with assistance of perhaps the greatest dance floor producer out right now, DJ Tony Moran. When these two work together, it is pure magic.
“WITH YOU (THE REMIXES)” Cheyenne Elliott
People will want to compare Elliot to her cousin Whitney Houston and grandmother Dionne Warwick, and they wouldn’t be wrong. Like her famous relatives, she is a soulful singer with nuclear power and a sumptuous tone. But unlike them, she’s chosen to go the indie route with dance label Dauman Music. It hasn’t limited her access to name brand assistance. Whitney and Mariah Carey’s longtime collaborator Narada Michael Walden produces “With You”, and enfolds Eliott in purring keyboards and slinky synthesized bass lines. It’s a slow-motion groove, and while there are echoes of Houston, and hints of Warwick too, the song reveals more of Toni Braxton’s tangy, sympathetic voice. Clubbers have long awaited someone new to unbreak our hearts. We may have found the person in Cheyenne Elliott.
“FLY ALONE (THE REMIXES)” Breanna Rubio featuring Fat Joe
The debut single shows a vulnerability we rarely see from emerging artists. Lyrically, the song is about having feelings for a guy and hoping he will reciprocate the love. However, listen closely because there is a powerful underlying metaphor of Rubio’s own career as an up-and-coming singer who has finally managed to get her music out to the masses and is now hoping to connect with fans in a meaningful way. The track, impressively produced by Manny Mijares and featuring two-time Grammy nominated rap star Fat Joe, combines an upbeat pop-dance vibe with remarkable vocals that display honesty and conviction. The DJ Escape mix is a particular favorite.
FENUXE.COM : 37
HEY GIRL HEY
HOLLER POODLES! You know the old saying “A house is not a home!” Many people want that homey, “lived in” look but don’t know how to achieve it. Well, I’m here to tell you as an expert consultant for HGTVBBD (HomoGayTVBigBeautifulDrag), the best way to achieve this look is to invite a friend over for a stay. With a few simple rules, you too can achieve that homey look people pay thousands for in the magazines. However, you must follow my rules for being a guest in someone’s home. Otherwise, you could come across as rude. Mary Edith’s Rules For Being A Guest! 1. When they say make yourself at home, do exactly that! As soon as I get in the door, I start stripping off my clothes till I’m down to my birthday suit. Your host’s really love it when you lay your whitish thong on the back of their easy chair and sit buck ass naked on their white linen sofa. I couldn’t find a handy napkin so I wiped the orange cheetos crust on my fingers onto the underside of the arm rest. Nobody will ever see it anyway. After a day or so, you can even tell where I had been sitting cause the fabric had a ghostly image of me like the shroud of Turin with duct tape residue and other stains I couldn’t figure out. See, already adding to that homely look. 2. Never bring your own food or supplies! Your host wants to impress you with all their money and nice things so its up to you to let them. Sit back and let them shower you with food, alcohol, and other things you find in their medicine cabinet. Remember, don’t bother asking if you need something--you don’t want to offend your host. Just help yourself to whatever they have. Its the proper way to behave! Hell, before bed, I go to their medicine cabinet and grab a handful of whatever is available. If its good enough for them, its good enough for me. 3. No matter how much you want to clean up, you must restrain yourself! Remember, you are there to create a homey look. To clean up after yourself would be an insult to your host. Do you know how hard it is to leave twinkie wrappers & beef jerky wrappers just laying around? Try as they might, my hosts just couldn’t handle it & threw them away. It was then I announced I would be staying an extra couple of weeks. You should have seen the look of appreciation on their face. 3. Bring an unannounced pet. Like a cat or dog. I travel with my pussy all the time. Sometimes I bring my cat too. Your hosts won’t tell you this but the claw marks in their distressed furniture are priceless. 4. Don’t offer to pay anything after your extended stay. That is considered a slap in the face. Instead, try asking them to do all your laundry that’s accumulated over your visit. They’ll stay up all night doing it but when you go to leave and step foot outside their home, they’ll have tears in their eyes. And then its time to cheer for a job well done!!
Love and lashes,
Mary Edith Pitts Mary Edith Pitts PS. If you have any questions, comments or feedback, please email me at maryedith99@gmail.com or on twitter @maryedithpitts FENUXE.COM : 38
CURRENTLY HIRING Fenuxe Magazine is currently seeking
Sales Representatives Please submit resumes to info@fenuxe.com
I KNOW
REAL ESTATE And I am here to help !!!
Your House Here
SOLD
Buyers are competing for a limited number of homes, townhomes and condos. Have you been waiting for just the right opportunity to sell? I will list your home and do the hard work for you. I do everything I can to ensure your home sells quickly and for fair market value. Call me today and I’ll put my team to work for you!!!
J Brian Crawford Associate Broker, Realtor , ABR ®
®
mobile 404.643.4577 brian@atlantahomespecialists.com
www.atlantahomespecialists.com
Keller Williams Realty Metro Atlanta
Looking for a Career in Real Estate? We’re seeking talented individuals to join our growing team. Contact us at: info@atlantahomespecialists.com
Gay News At A Glance by dustin shrader
MR. MONEY BAGS NO MO’? Former politician Aaron Schock has been a misleading, some may even say bad boy, as of late. The “possibly gay” Congressman just resigned over discrepancies about his spending habits using the Congressional budget allocated to him to cover extravagant trips all around the world with a suspicious, good looking, male travel companion. All of the duo’s adventurous exploits were documented via his Instagram account before it was set to private upon the announcement of his resignation. As a Republican, Schock has been outspoken against the gay community, despite the numerous upon numerous rumors that he is indeed closeted. After it was leaked that he spent $40,000 of Congressional money for re-decorating purposes, it has now come to light that the attractive 33-year-old was reimbursed for false road mileage he reportedly put on his personal vehicle over the last four years. However according to a representative for Schock, “[he] reimbursed all the monies received for official mileage since his election to Congress.” Yet, a simple repayment does not make it right. “Erroneous billing for mileage is easily proved, hard to refute and a wrong that a jury can easily understand,” stated Paul Rothstein, a law professor who specializes in public corruption cases when speaking to the Chicago Tribune.” There aren’t a lot of legal or factual ambiguities about it,” Rothstein said. “It’s not susceptible to saying it was an unintentional, accidental mistake.” Many questions concerning how Schock afforded his jet-setting lifestyle have plagued him for years. Federal election laws do permit expenditures legally, “as long as they are used for a political or campaign purpose.” But we all know, a luxurious impromptu trip to bathe in the Grecian sun and frolic in the Mediterranean waters with your boy toy is not a political purpose. A Congressional investigation is underway concerning Schock’s transgressions.
Copyright Getty Images
GAYS MOVING ON FROM BIG CITY LIFE? A new Gallup poll surveying the country’s gay population has emerged highlighting the cities with the highest and the lowest percentage of gay residents. Not surprisingly, San Francisco ranked no. 1 in the highest percentage category with a 6.2% rating. The foggy city comes in almost 1% higher than Portland, which serves as the second largest gay residential at 5.4% Compiled from demographic data taken in our nation’s 50 largest metropolitan areas, the poll results made some revelations that LGBT members have begun to move away from the usual metro areas like New York or Atlanta, neither one made it in the top ten. The poll also included the top ten cities for the lowest number of LGBT residents, naturally these areas tended to be around the Midwest or the South. However, in an eyebrow-raising twist, Salt Lake City, Utah, home of the “beloved” Mormon Church and sanctuary, ranked #7 on the list of highest LGBT population centers. Paul Boneberg, executive director of the G.L.B.T. Historical Society in San Francisco, said in a statement to the New York Times, “The numbers reflect a sea change in what was once a ‘great migration’ for gay people seeking a community. For a generation, they all remember the moment they walked through their first gay bar,” he said. “But now they come out for the first time online, and that changes, for some people, the need to leave.” Rounding out the top five cities are San Francisco, Portland, Austin, New Orleans and Seattle. Atlanta came in at no. 19 on the list. 40: March 27, 2015
LIFT UP ATLANTA NEEDS YOU! Copyright Getty Images
Calling all aspiring Oscar winners! Lift Up Atlanta is currently holding auditions for a fundraising play entitled The Diaries: Our Story, Our Way, which will be a theatrical play which tells the stories of people within the gay community. Lift Up Atlanta is a nonprofit 501c3 organization which helps the homeless in Atlanta, Georgia and the surrounding areas. “[Lift Up Atlanta] We are accepting experienced and inexperienced actors to audition. We are looking for actors, musicians, spoken word artist, singers and extra’s. The Diaries: Our Story, Our Way would like to incorporate everyone in the community to the best of its ability to tell as many stories as possible. Rehearsals will start in May and the play will be on August 29, 2015 at the Porter Sanford lll Performing Arts Center located in Decatur Georgia.”
CONGRATULATIONS BUCK COOKE! Executive Director of the Atlanta Pride Committee will resign his position effective July 9 and move to London with his fiancé. The two are set to wed in August. A course of action is set to seek Buck’s replacement, announced in the statement released by the Atlanta Pride Committee. “There is a solid plan in place with APC leadership to ensure seamless movement forward during this time of transition. Additional details will be updated in the coming weeks, but the APC is confident that with Cooke’s exit plan, everything from
their strategic planning process and ongoing community engagement, to logistics and permits for the 2015 festival, marches, and parade will be handled efficiently and effectively.” Known for bringing A-list talent to headline the Southeast’s largest Pride festival, Buck is more than ready to move on to the next phase of his life. “Atlanta has been my home for over 15 years and Atlanta Pride has played a huge role in my time here as a festival attendee and community member, as a volunteer, and on staff,” Buck explains in his statement. “Serving as the executive director of the Atlanta Pride Committee has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, but there comes
a time when one must follow a new path. For me, my new path leads me to London to build a new life with my fiancé, Mark McCabe. I am thrilled to be married in August and begin a new adventure and will always look back fondly on my time with Atlanta Pride.”
via Facebook (Mark McCabe, left; Buck Cooke, right)
Copyright Getty Images
Facebook ad “promising that it would only take 3 minutes to fill out the 13-question poll. This survey was not commissioned by or for any of the gay dating or hookup apps.”
INTENSE NUMBER OF GAY MEN ADMIT TO SENDING DIC PICS Courtesy of grabhim.net
Almost 4,000 gay men ranging from the ages of 18-65 took part in a survey for grabhim.net. over the course of four weeks in February. Without being paid–the participants all willingly responded to a
*83% of Gay Men Send Dic Pics. According to the survey, this is the most shocking statistic. “Receiving dic pics (whether you asked for them or not) is a rite of passage on the apps, but 83%? Eighty-three percent of men send them? REALLY? Apparently. That means almost everybody on the dating apps has taken the time to pose their penis (to add an optical inch or two, natch), store it on their phone and send it off to strangers they are likely never to meet.” But we have all snapped those shots and have had them sent to us, as well. So maybe, 83% really isn’t that surprising? Nude selfies are so common, I feel the shock factor is no longer relevant. Additionally, the survey went on to reveal 57% of HIV Negative Men Discriminate Against HIV+ Guys, 71% of Gay Men Who Use A Dating App Met Somebody That Resulted in Some Kind Of a Sexual Relationship and 50% of Guys Who Agree To Meet Do It In Their Homes.
POP CULTURE
James For A Girl!
Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively’s baby name has finally been unveiled. Long rumored to have named their daughter James, Ryan actor confirmed the moniker on NBC’s Today in an interview with Willie Geist. As we all know the ripped funnyman had to drop a punch line or two in the process. “You did say a few months ago, before she was born, that you were going to name her Excalibur Anaconda Reynolds,” Geist said. “So can we call her Anna at least—short for Anaconda?” Reynolds confirmed to Geist that he and his Gossip Girl-starring wife didn’t care much for Excalibur, but instead went with a more...recurrent choice. “That is not the child’s name,” Reynolds said, dead seriously. “It’s Butternut Summersquash.” Of course, he couldn’t keep up the jig for long. “It’s James,” the new dad finally admitted. “Everyone knows.” He went on to explain that he didn’t mind people finding out, he just didn’t want to be the source of this great mystery. “I didn’t want to be the first guy screaming it out to the media,” Reynolds explained. “Because as we know, little girls turn into teenage girls and little teenage girls sometimes scan through the archives and go, ‘Why did you do that?’” All joking aside, Ryan and Blake are in love with being parents. “The best thing about it—well, everything’s great about it. The least impressive thing is the complete lack of sleep.” He admitted that his daughter does have him wrapped around her cute, tiny finger, proclaiming, “That started well before she was born!”
Copyright Getty Images
Taraji P. Henson wearing the white hat?! Gasp! It turns out that Cookie read for the role of Olivia Pope back in the day. The Empire star revealed she read for Shonda Rhimes’ Scandal during the initial casting call. Safe to say things turned out for the best. No one besides Kerry Washington could play Olivia and likewise for Taraji’s portrayal of Cookie. “When I went in to read for Shonda Rhimes, in my mind I was like, ‘This is Kerry Washington. Why am I even in here?’...It was hers,” she said. Henson explained when there’s a new show in development they usually call a ton of actors that fit the description. And in other juicy gossip, Henson revealed the scene where Cookie reveals her butt wasn’t in the original script of that episode.”The Cookie in me had to get [Anika] back. Remember that one episode she went upstairs and made sure she changed and came down in her lingerie?...I had to show her what a butt looks like. Literally when I did it, the whole cast and crew was like [GASP]...I didn’t even think about how my butt would look like on television...and it worked. Thank god it looked good,” Henson said. In response to the rumors that Oprah will be joining the Empire cast for season 2, Taraji couldn’t be more excited. “I hope I have all my scenes with her,” she said about Winfrey. But don’t hold your breath for a catfight like she had with Anika (Grace Gealey) in the finale. “I would not want to get in a fist fight with Oprah, no ma’am, no sir,” she said with a laugh.
Good Behavior, Bad Rattail Shia LaBeouf recently appeared in court to rectify legal discrepancies. Sporting a braided rattail, the 28-yearold actor also wore an eyebrow piercing and a navy blue suit. He had formerly accepted a jail-free plea agreement resulting from his June 26, 2014 arrest. “As long as you stay out of trouble for... six months from today, this case will be dismissed and sealed,” Judge Ann Scherzer informed. LaBeouf then withdrew his plea for disorderly conduct and took an ACD (adjournment in contemplation of dismissal) after his court appearance. Flanked by attorney, LaBeouf proved that he completed an alcohol treatment program. Prosecutors also revealed that he has stayed out of trouble since his last appearance in court. LaBeouf’s troubles all started when the Transformers star displayed drunk and disorderly conduct during a showing of Broadway’s Cabaret. During intermission, Shia grabbed the musical’s star Alan Cumming on the rear, apparently getting a nice handful only to then stumble outside and get a little rowdy with a few cops on the sidewalk. He was immediately arrested and held for 25 hours. Here’s hoping he stays on track! 42: March 27, 2015
Amicable Exes
Nick Cannon is always a class act, keeping things civil while discussing his divorce with Mariah Carey on Watch What Happens Live. While “Plead the Fifth” with Bravo’s Andy Cohen, the Nick host had an ample opportunity to trash one of Mariah’s biggest flops ever: the dreadful Glitter. Nick, being the gentleman that he is, had only nice things to say about the 2001 film. “Awesome movie! Honest opinion, great movie, even better soundtrack,” he said. “We have watched that movie together...I loved it so much before I got married, and she actually doesn’t like it...but I actually really love it.” How sweet! Nick remained tactful when another questionable moment arose. Andy recalled Mariah’s 2014 Tokyo concert. During her performance she “changed the lyrics” to her song “Don’t Explain” in order to sing, “I know you cheated, mother f’er...” “But weren’t [those] the lyrics already?” asked Nick. “She just added the ‘mother f’er’ to it...” “Was that about you?” asked Andy. “Was I the mother f’er?” Nick asked, laughing. “I have— no! I don’t believe that was about me.” Hmmm, guess we will never know. Oh, Hollywood.
Copyright Getty Images
Scandal without Kerry?
What’s precious to you is precious to�us.SM Auto. Home. Life. Retirement. They all matter, so wrap them all in a blanket of Nationwide® protection. We put members first, because we don’t have shareholders.SM
Join the Nation® that knows what’s important.
Combine your policies and save up to 25%
Beth Kellerman Kellerman & Associates Phone: (770)723-3930 www.BethKellerman.com Not all Nationwide affiliated companies are mutual companies and not all Nationwide members are insured by a mutual company. Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle Join the Nation, What’s precious to you is precious to us and We put members first because we don’t have shareholders are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2014 Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. NPR-0718AO.2 NPR-0718AO. (8/14) 8/1 )