001-017 3123.qxd
2/28/13
3:28 PM
Page FC1
001-017 3123.qxd
2/28/13
3:28 PM
Page IFC1
001-017 3123.qxd
2/28/13
3:29 PM
Page 1
001-017 3123.qxd
3/1/13
4:19 PM
Page 2
001-017 3123.qxd
2/28/13
3:29 PM
Page 3
001-017 3123.qxd
2/28/13
3:29 PM
Page 4
001-017 3123.qxd
2/28/13
3:29 PM
Page 5
001-017 3123.qxd
2/28/13
3:31 PM
Page 6
001-017 3123.qxd
2/28/13
3:31 PM
Page 7
001-017 3123.qxd
2/28/13
3:31 PM
Page 8
INSIDE
VOL. 31, ISSUE 23 / MARCH 6-19, 2013
38
In Treatment by Michelle McCarthy
PHOTO: RYAN FORBES
Cover man Dr. Greg Cason, star of Bravo’s new series L.A. Shrinks, opens up about taking on reality TV, therapy and love.
8
FRONTIERSLA.COM
001-017 3123.qxd
2/28/13
3:31 PM
Page 9
001-017 3123.qxd
3/1/13
1:09 PM
Page 10
INSIDE
VOL. 31, ISSUE 23 / MARCH 6-19, 2013
LEADING BY EXAMPLE David Keeton................................................16 NEWS News Briefs ..................................................18 Supreme Court hears Prop. 8 Oral Arguments on March 26 ........................22 Lambda Legal’s Tara Borelli Explains the DOMA Case Before the Supreme Court............................................28 SOCAL GUIDE Calendar ......................................................44 Snapshots ....................................................46 Eating Out ....................................................51 ENTERTAINMENT Film Reviews ................................................52 Theater Reviews ........................................54 Billy Masters................................................56 Little Miss Know-It-All..............................57 Out & About ................................................58 CITY GUIDES West Hollywood ........................................59 Orange County ..........................................60 Long Beach....................................................61 Palm Springs ................................................62
32 PROFESSIONAL PET-LOVER by Michael Anthony We’ve got six pet professions that are all the rage.
HEALTH HIV Living ....................................................67 X-Meth ..........................................................67 Zero to Savvy ..............................................68 Off the Couch..............................................69 FRONTIERS MARKETPLACE Listings ..........................................................70 Business Profile............................................71 FRONTIERS4MEN Adult Classifieds ........................................72
34
36
A SELLER’S DREAM by Jefferson Hendrick & Rajeev Ahluwalia What’s old is new again. Sellers gain the upper hand as homes for sale reach their lowest point in years.
42
STEPPING OUT by Aaron Drake
New York welcomes its first ‘straightfriendly’ hotel and entertainment complex, The Out NYC.
OUT OF THE CLOSET, INTO THE LIVING ROOM by Herman Chan If you’re low on cash but want a home makeover, get creative to turn that old something into something fabulous! COVER PHOTO OF DR. GREG CASON BY: Ryan Forbes, ryanforbesphotography.com WARDROBE STYLING: Salvador Camarena MAKEUP & GROOMING: Nate Cooper WARDROBE: Bloomingdale’s, Beverly Center
10
FRONTIERSLA.COM
Frontiers magazine is published by Frontiers Media, LLC., 5657 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 470, Los Angeles, CA. 90036, and distributed throughout Southern California. Up to the first three copies of any single issue are free; additional copies are $10 each. Violators caught stealing or destroying issues will be prosecuted under California Penal Code 484. For magazine subscriptions, please call (323) 930-3220. The contents of Frontiers may not be reproduced in any manner, either in whole or in part, without permission from the publisher. All rights reserved. Letters to the editor, artwork, photography, manuscripts and other correspondence may be submitted to Frontiers at the above address. We cannot acknowledge or return material unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Allow at least three months for processing. Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles or advertising in Frontiers is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation or the HIV/AIDS status of such person or organization. Copyright © 2013, Frontiers Media, LLC.
001-017 3123.qxd
2/28/13
3:31 PM
Page 11
FEBRUARY 19, 2013
11
001-017 3123.qxd
3/1/13
4:57 PM
Page 12
ONLINE Find these articles exclusively at
twitter.com/ frontiersmag
youtube.com/ frontiersweb
PHOTO: CAROL ROSEGG
facebook.com/ frontiersmagazine
RUNNING FOR A CURE
by Brenden Shucart
ENTER TO
WIN!
Join the club and enter to win a pair of tickets to see End of the Rainbow at the Ahmanson Theatre and get access to an exclusive Frontiers after-party! tinyurl.com/ EndofRainbowContest
HIV-positive, silver medal-winning Australian Olympian Ji Wallace joins APLA’s Team to End AIDS in this year’s L.A. Marathon. frontiersLA.com/ExclusiveInterviews
BOOK REVIEWS by The Bookworm
In need of a good read? Read our reviews of Ten Years Later by Hoda Kotb with Jane Lorenzini and The Trapeze Artist by Will Davis. frontiersLA.com/BookReviews
FIND US ON
INSTAGRAM! Follow Frontiers on Instagram @frontiersLA and we’ll follow you back! Also, share with us your favorite L.A. photos by tagging them with #whyilovegayla. We’ll be picking our favorite images and posting them online at FrontiersLA.com!
12
FRONTIERSLA.COM
BREAK OF DAY by Dan Loughry
Out singer-songwriter Spencer Day chats about the release of his fourth album, The Mystery of You. frontiersLA.com/ExclusiveInterviews
001-017 3123.qxd
3/1/13
4:19 PM
Page 13
MARCH 19, 2013
13
001-017 3123.qxd
3/1/13
1:10 PM
Page 14
FrontiersLA.com Volume 31, Issue 23 5657 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 470, Los Angeles, CA 90036 Phone: (323) 930-3220 Sales Fax: (323) 857-0560 Administration Fax: (323) 848-2058 Accounting Fax: (323) 857-0503
Publisher / CEO / Editorial Director: David Stern Creative Director: Ed Baker Managing Director of Integrated Media: Dustin Tyner Associate Publisher: Frank Morales Editors: Aaron Drake, Stephan Horbelt News Editor: Karen Ocamb Editor-at-Large, PositiveFrontiers.com: Brenden Shucart Senior Art Director: Garett Yoshida Associate Art Director: George Skinner Graphic Designer: Michelle Aguirre Jr. Graphic Designer: Shannon O’Brien Editorial Intern: Aaron Batts Advertising Directors: Kevin Browne, JC Gardiner, Vic Gerami, Brenda Stevens, Billy Wright Palm Springs Advertising Directors: Vic Gerami
National Advertising Representatives: Rivendell Media (212) 242-6863 Art Traffic and Distribution Manager: Hope Dunn Classifieds Manager: Frank Perez Accounting: Merrill Franks, Frank Perez
Advertising Inquiries: salesmanager@frontiersLA.com Editorial Inquiries: editors@frontiersLA.com Advertising Artwork Trafficking: art@frontiersLA.com
To contact our staff Email address format:
firstname.lastname@FrontiersLA.com
Contributing Writers Rajeev Ahluwalia, Michael Anthony, Aaron Batts, Jackie Beat, Dr. Greg Cason, Herman Chan, Peter DelVecchio, Aaron Drake, Lawrence Ferber, Jefferson Hendrick, Greg Hernandez, Gary M. Kramer, Dan Loughry, Patrick Martin, Billy Masters, Michelle McCarthy, Dana Miller, James F. Mills, Paulo Murillo, Karen Ocamb, Jimmy Palmieri, Eric Rosen, Aaron Savvy, Les Spindle, Michael Weinstein Contributing Photographers and Illustrators Gabe Ayala, Matt Baume, Brenden-John Photography, Ryan Forbes, Greg Gorman, Glen Hanson, Jake Kale, Danielle Larsen, Agnes Magyari, Paulo Murillo, Karen Ocamb, Josh Rice, Jonathan Sirand
PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.
IN MEMORY OF BOB CRAIG, FOUNDING PUBLISHER
©2013 Thanks to the dawn of the information age, we believe distribution/circulation not only encompasses hard copies printed and the pass-on rate of those hard copies, but web browsing and electronic copies being downloaded by our growing online readership. This has become a substantial boost to the number of readers of our magazine. Currently, an average of 30,000 hard copies are printed biweekly. Studies have shown each hard copy has a probable “pass-on rate” of two to three, meaning each hard copy taken will be seen by two to three additional readers. With the pass-on rate alone, estimated readership can conservatively average 55,000 to 90,000, not encompassing visitors who visit us online at FrontiersLA.com.
14
FRONTIERSLA.COM
001-017 3123.qxd
2/28/13
3:33 PM
Page 15
MARCH 19, 2013
15
001-017 3123.qxd
2/28/13
3:33 PM
Page 16
BUILDING COMMUNITY
Leading by Example
Heifer International: Ending Hunger, One Cow at a Time By Michelle McCarthy Looking for a unique gift-giving idea? Instead of the usual wedding, Christmas or anniversary present, why not give someone a pig in his or her name? Heifer International can make that happen. The nonprofit’s mission is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty and care for the Earth. David Keeton, an outand-proud home remodeler, has been volunteering with Heifer for more than a decade. How did you become involved with Heifer International? I was looking for something to give back because I’ve been so blessed throughout this life. I got one of Heifer’s tableaus in the mail and started donating. Then I went to their annual Southwest Region dinner, and halfway through I whispered to my partner, “This is what I’ve been looking for.” I went up and introduced myself to the regional director, and I’ve been deeply involved with it ever since. What does the organization do? We give animals to villagers in developing countries throughout the world— cows, pigs, ducks, goats, sheep, water buffalo, etc. There are like 30 species in all. We teach them how to take care of the animals, how to provide their food, their shelter, their medical needs. We teach them what to do with the byproducts: milk, eggs, wool, babies, poop. The caveat to the program is that the recipient signs a contract with Heifer that they will give their first female offspring of their donated animal to their neighbor. It’s called Passing on the Gift. We want people to work together within a community. If I have a pig and you don’t have one, you are most likely going to help me take care
16
FRONTIERSLA.COM
of my pig because you know there’s one coming down the road for you. When was Heifer founded? A gentleman by the name of Dan West started it in 1944. He was in the Church of the Brethren—although this is not a religious organization. He was in Puerto Rico handing out cups of milk to kids who were starving because of the Spanish-American War. He thought, Well, what do these kids do tomorrow if we’re not here? Eight months later, their first shipment of heifers went to Puerto Rico. Which countries does it benefit? Pick a country. We’re in Africa (Ghana, Kenya, Zambia); Asia (Bangladesh, Thailand, Philippines); The Americas (Ecuador, Peru, Haiti, Brazil, El Salvador)—over 50 countries in total. We also work within the United States, particularly with Native Americans and in some parts of the Appalachian Mountains where people are very poor. Where do the animals come from? They come from within that country. We buy from the rich and give to the poor. We used to ship them from here, but it’s very expensive to fly a cow to Africa. Also, the animals are already used to the environment. How does the program work? People don’t get an animal until about a year after they apply. They come to us; we don’t go looking for them. They hear about us from the Red Cross, another Heifer community, or the U.N. It takes a year to train people because it’s a totally new concept to them. The last thing we want them to do is eat their animals. We don’t want them to eat their assets. We’re
not out to change the world. We’re out to promote sustainability. The program is really about kids also, because it gives them the opportunity to go to school. They don’t have to stay home and work on the farm. The family has an income; they have a source of protein, eggs, milk. What is the range in price for gifting? A flock of chickens costs 20 bucks, and it changes a family’s life dramatically. They have eggs to eat, eggs and chickens to sell and chicken manure for fertilizer. You can get a trio of bunny rabbits for $60. A cow is the most expensive—it’s $500. A camel is $500 as well. A pig is $120. A goat is $120. There is such a thing called The Ark, and it’s twoby-two—there’s 22 species of animals and it’s $5,000. So it ranges. You can also buy a share of an animal. Somebody else will buy a share and it adds up. For more information, go to heifer.org or email David at davidkeeton68@gmail.com to set up a 30-minute video and talk for any group.
001-017 3123.qxd
2/28/13
3:33 PM
Page 17
MARCH 5, 2013
17
018-035 3123.qxd
3/1/13
1:04 PM
Page 18
NEWS By Karen Ocamb and Peter DelVecchio
Homosexuality a ‘Ticking Time Bomb’ for Vatican, Friar Says "Homosexuality is the ticking time bomb in the Catholic Church," according to openly gay former British friar Mark Dowd, who leveled that assessment during a recent interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour. Dowd, now a journalist, was discussing the concluding days of the papacy of Pope Benedict XVI, who unexpectedly announced Feb. 11 that he would resign at the end of the month, the first pope to do so since Gregory XII in 1415. Benedict cited health concerns as his primary motivation for leaving. It has been rumored in the Italian press, however, that he made his decision after receiving "a secret red-covered dossier" detailing the alleged antics of a network of gay priests who work in the Vatican and are reportedly being blackmailed by male prostitutes in Rome, the Daily Beast reported Feb. 22. The Vatican immediately and vigorously denied the rumor. Among the Church’s other recent gay difficulties, on Feb. 25, the Vatican confirmed the resignation of Cardinal Keith O'Brien, Archbishop of Scotland, after three priests accused him of inappropriate behavior toward them. The O'Brien resignation came "out of the blue," Dowd said, noting O'Brien's "trenchant" opposition to gay marriage and adoption. Dowd described the church's dilemma, saying, "On the one hand, the church teaches that the condition of same-sex attraction is ‘intrinsically disordered’—those are Cardinal Ratzinger's own words from 1986. And yet we know that about half—if not more—attracted into seminaries in the priesthood are gay themselves. And of course, when you have this culture of secrecy and guilt and repression, you have conditions there that foster the potential for blackmail and manipulation." The odds are "not in favor" of the election of a progressive pope to replace Benedict, Dowd said, adding, however, that the Church has occasionally been known to surprise.
6-Year-Old Transgender Files Discrimination Complaint The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund, TLDEF, has filed a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Division against a Fountain, Colo., school district on behalf of a 6year-old transgender girl, a TLDEF release states. First-grader Coy Mathis was born anatomically male, but has reportedly
identified as female since the age of 18 months. Until winter break last December, Coy had been permitted to use the girls’ bathroom at school. She has worn girls’ clothing to school, and been referred to as “she.” But the school has said that going forward, she would need to use the boys’ room. The Colorado Anti-Discrimination
Act prohibits discrimination against transgender students in public schools, according to the TLDEF release. "By forcing Coy to use a different bathroom than all the other girls, Coy’s school is targeting her for stigma, bullying and harassment," said TLDEF Executive Director Michael Silverman.
Illinois Marriage Equality Advances, Though Outlook Uncertain Marriage equality has progressed of late in Illinois, but prospects for success remain clouded. A bill that would legalize same-sex marriage was approved in a 6-5 vote in the state House of Representatives' Executive Committee Feb. 26, the Chicago Tribune reports. The measure will now proceed to the full House. The bill cleared the state Senate Feb. 14, and Illinois' Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn has vowed to sign it, which would make the Prairie State the tenth to allow same-sex marriage. Prospects going forward, however, are uncertain. Despite provisions in the bill ensuring that churches need not be involved in same-sex weddings, religious interests are mounting a growing campaign of opposition. Gov. Quinn said on Feb. 21 he did not think the measure yet had the 60 votes in the House it will need to pass, but that he intends to lobby representatives individually.
SPEAK OUT “We thank the Senator for his commitment to equal treatment and equal opportunity, and we urge him to take swift action to include our servicemembers in nondiscrimination and antiharassment protections.” —OutServe-SLDN’s Allyson Robinson on the confirmation of former Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., as Secretary of Defense on Feb. 26.
18
FRONTIERSLA.COM
“I want Minnesota to be a state which affirms that freedom for one means freedom for everyone, and where no one is told it is illegal to marry the person you love.” —Minnesota’s Democratic Governor Mark Dayton in his Feb. 6 State of the State address, as reported at bilerico.com, ahead of introducing a marriage equality bill in that state’s legislature.
“I think it is attributable—very likely attributable—to a phenomenon that is called perpetuation of racial entitlement.” —Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia on why Congress has repeatedly voted to renew the 1965 Voting Rights Act, during oral arguments Feb. 27 on whether to strike down a key provision of the law.
018-035 3123.qxd
3/1/13
5:12 PM
Page 19
MARCH 19, 2013
19
018-035 3123.qxd
2/28/13
3:18 PM
Page 20
NEWS By Karen Ocamb and Peter DelVecchio
Republicans, Corporations File Anti-Prop. 8, Anti-DOMA Briefs Dozens of prominent Republicans have filed a "friend of the court" brief in the U.S. Supreme Court arguing for invalidation of California's Proposition 8, and numerous top-tier corporations have done the same, the New York Times and Fortune report. The high court will hear oral arguments March 26 to strike down Prop. 8, the 2008 anti-gay marriage amendment to California's constitution, and on March 27, arguments to strike down the federal Defense of Marriage Act. Among the 80 Republicans on the Prop. 8 brief are former Utah Governor and former GOP presidential candidate Jon Huntsman, who opposed same-sex marriage during the campaign; Hewlett-Packard CEO and failed California gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman, who ran supporting Prop. 8; and former Reagan budget director David Stockman and former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman. Out former Republican National Committee chair Ken Mehlman reportedly orchestrated the GOP brief. Whitman said she changed her mind after "a period of careful review and reflection," the Los Angeles Times
reports, and now says, "It makes no difference whether the marriage is between a man and woman or a woman and woman. Marriage makes society better." The GOP brief argues that same-sex marriage is pro-family by providing children of gay couples with a two-parent home, and buttresses "limited government and maximizing individual freedom." Meanwhile, 278 companies, organizations and cities signed a brief asking the high court to overturn DOMA—including Apple, Alcoa, Facebook, eBay, Intel, Morgan Stanley, Out at Work and the cities of Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Santa Clara and San Francisco. According to Fortune, the brief argues that laws like DOMA "leave companies in the untenable position of being compelled implicitly to endorse the second-class status to which their gay and lesbian employees, clients, customers and business associates are relegated.” While amicus filings seldom sway the court, some believe that these briefs might prove an exception given the individuals and companies filing them.
Quick Pic
Legendary songstress Barbra Streisand, rising star Adele and Dame Shirley Bassey, 76, best known for her rendition of the 1964 Bond classic “Goldfinger,” attended the Governors Ball following the 85th Academy Awards on Feb. 24. The show, produced by the gay team of Craig Zaden and Neil Meron, garnered the highest ratings since 2007.
20
FRONTIERSLA.COM
Williams Institute: 6 Million Americans Have an LGBT Parent A new report by The Williams Institute’s Gary Gates says that “as many as 6 million American children and adults have an LGBT parent. Same-sex couple parents and their children are more likely to be racial and ethnic minorities. An estimated 39 percent of individuals in same-sex couples with children under age 18 at home are nonwhite, as are half of their children. ... States with the highest proportions of same-sex couples raising biological, adopted or step-children include Mississippi (26%), Wyoming (25%), Alaska (23%), Idaho (22%) and Montana (22%).” Economic hardship is an issue in minority communities. “Single LGBT adults raising children are three times more likely than comparable non-LGBT individuals to report household incomes near the poverty threshold. Married or partnered LGBT individuals living in two-adult households with children are twice as likely as comparable non-LGBT individuals to report household incomes near the poverty threshold,” the report says.
018-035 3123.qxd
3/1/13
1:00 PM
Page 21
MARCH 19, 2013
21
018-035 3123.qxd
3/1/13
12:59 PM
Page 22
NEWS
Supreme Court hears Prop. 8 Oral Arguments on March 26 By Karen Ocamb Such an overwhelming flurry of amicus briefs supporting the constitutional challenge to Prop. 8 swamped the Supreme Court before the Feb. 28 filing deadline—including one from the Obama administration—that LGBT political observers had little time to stop gasping and rejoice. A new field poll released Feb. 27 indicates that 61 percent of registered California voters of all ages, regions and ethnic backgrounds now approve of same-sex marriage, while only 32 percent disapprove—mostly Republicans and political conservatives. But Republican support for marriage equality has also increased—from 26 percent in 2010 to 39 percent today. Indeed, one of the deepest gasps was the brief supporting Hollingsworth v. Perry, sponsored by the American Foundation for Equal Rights, filed by more than 100 prominent Republicans—including Beth Myers, Mitt Romney’s 2008 campaign manager and 2012 senior advisor; former Utah governor and GOP presidential candidate Jon M. Huntsman Jr.; and former California gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman. The brief was organized by AFER board member Ken Mehlman, George W. Bush’s then-closeted 2004 re-election campaign manager and former chair of the Republican National Committee. But Republican support has been building since May 27, 2009, when former U.S. Solicitor General Ted Olson was announced as lead attorney on the case with his Democratic counterpart, David Boies. “We are trying to say to the court that we PHOTO: KAREN OCAMB
22
FRONTIERSLA.COM
are judicial and political conservatives, and it is consistent with our values and philosophy for you to overturn Proposition 8,” Mehlman told the New York Times. Scotusblog publisher Tom Goldstein told the Times the brief “has the potential to break through and make a real difference. ... The person who is going to decide this case, if it’s going to be close, is going to be a conservative justice who respects traditional marriage but nonetheless is sympathetic to the claims that this is just another form of hatred.” The Obama administration brief said the government has an interest in the Court’s resolution of the question of “whether California’s denial of the right to marry to same-sex couples violated equal protection, particularly in light of its participation in United States v. Windsor,” the case before the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act. The Obama administration thinks both cases afford an opportunity to determine that “classifications based on sexual orientation should be subject to heightened scrutiny for equal protection purposes,” and that Prop. 8 fails that test. “California’s extension of all of the substantive rights and responsibilities of marriage to gay and lesbian domestic partners particularly undermines the justifications for Proposition 8,” Solicitor General Donald B. Verrilli Jr. wrote in the brief. “It indicates that Proposition 8’s withholding of the designation of marriage is not based on an interest in promoting responsible procreation and child-rearing—petitioners’ central claimed justification for the initiative— but instead on impermissible prejudice.”
While the brief notes that seven other states—Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon and Rhode Island—have similar domestic partnership laws, Verrilli did not ask for the court to rule on them. However, Attorney General Eric Holder suggested a more expansive consideration in a statement: “In our filing today in Hollingsworth v. Perry, the government seeks to vindicate the defining constitutional ideal of equal treatment under the law. Throughout history, we have seen the unjust consequences of decisions and policies rooted in discrimination. The issues before the Supreme Court in this case and the Defense of Marriage Act case are not just important to the tens of thousands Americans who are being denied equal benefits and rights under our laws, but to our nation as a whole.” Verrilli has asked the court for permission to join in oral arguments before the court on March 26. The DOJ brief also takes on ‘tradition’: “The Fourteenth Amendment’s guarantee of equal protection embodies a defining constitutional ideal that ‘all persons similarly situated should be treated alike.’ That is for good reason: reference to tradition, no matter how long established, cannot by itself justify a discriminatory law under equal protection principles,” the brief reads. “Indeed, marriage has changed in certain significant ways over time—such as the demise of coverture and the elimination of racial restrictions on marital partners—that could have been characterized as traditional or fundamental to the institution. See Pet. App. 212a-213a. As this Court has observed, ‘laws once thought necessary and proper’ may in fact ‘serve only to oppress,’ and, ‘[a]s the Constitution endures, persons in every generation can invoke its principles in their own search for greater freedom.’ Lawrence, 539 U.S. at 579.” Another powerful brief was filed by openly gay California Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez and 22 legal scholars who argued that Prop. 8 directly impacts democracy. “Proposition 8 eliminated more than the equal right to marry; Proposition 8 also eliminated the ability of those seeking equal marriage rights to pursue those rights through their elected representatives,” Pérez said in a statement. “That deprives a historically disadvantaged group—a group of which I am a member—of access to traditional representation in a representative democracy. And that deprivation violates the constitution.”
018-035 3123.qxd
2/28/13
3:18 PM
Page 23
MARCH 19, 2013
23
018-035 3123.qxd
24
2/28/13
FRONTIERSLA.COM
3:35 PM
Page 24
018-035 3123.qxd
2/28/13
3:35 PM
Page 25
MARCH 19, 2013
25
018-035 3123.qxd
26
2/28/13
FRONTIERSLA.COM
3:35 PM
Page 26
018-035 3123.qxd
2/28/13
3:35 PM
Page 27
MARCH 19, 2013
27
018-035 3123.qxd
2/28/13
3:21 PM
Page 28
NEWS
Lambda Legal’s Tara Borelli Explains the DOMA Case Before the Supreme Court By Karen Ocamb On March 27, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments challenging Section 3 of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act. Section 3 states that, for purposes of all federal laws and programs, “the word ‘marriage’ means only the legal union of a man and a woman as husband
Tara Borelli
28
FRONTIERSLA.COM
and wife, and the word ‘spouse’ refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife.” In other words, Section 3 officially treats legally married same-sex couples as single individuals whenever an issue arises over federal benefits or other matters in which marital status is a factor. The Supreme Court will hear a case brought by the ACLU on behalf of Edie Windsor, 83. Windsor and Thea Spyer were together for 44 years, marrying in Canada in 2007. Two years later, after a long battle with multiple sclerosis, Spyer died. Windsor was devastated. "In the midst of my grief at the loss of the love of my life, I had to deal with my own government saying that we weren't a family," she said. Even though the state of New York recognizes marriage equality, because of DOMA, Windsor had to pay more than $350,000 in federal estate taxes—something a straight spouse would not have had to do. Windsor decided to challenge the constitutionality of DOMA—and seek to get her money back! On June 6, 2012, a district court ruled DOMA unconstitutional; four months later the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals agreed and, according to the ACLU, became the first federal appeals court to decide that a higher standard of review applies to sexual orientation discrimination. According to the Respect for Marriage Coalition, a slew of amicus briefs have been filed supporting Edie Windsor with signatories from Republican, labor, business, health care, faith, civil rights, civic and military organizations, as well as the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the cities of West Hollywood and Los Angeles. Frontiers asked brilliant Lambda Legal staff attorney Tara Borelli—co-counsel on another DOMA case, Golinski v. Office of Personnel Management—to help give us a primer on the case and what’s at stake.
The Supreme Court is only considering Section 3 of DOMA, which has to do with denial of federal benefits. Why isn’t Section 2—allowing states not to recognize marriages same-sex couples legally entered in other states—being considered? Will that also be struck down or remain intact, and if the later, does that undercut what the Court will decide on Section 3? The current challenges to DOMA raise the question that is sensible to ask first: Does the federal government have a legitimate reason for refusing to recognize the valid marriages that some states allow same-sex couples to enter? As a general matter, the federal government always has deferred to state law determinations of who is validly married. DOMA was the first time in the more-than-200-year history of this republic that the federal government had ever departed from this tradition, making even more clear that its purpose was an impermissible targeting of gay people for unequal treatment. The novel, stark inequality inherent in Section 3 of DOMA made it the sensible place to start in the courts. Section 2 of DOMA provides that no state shall be required to give effect to a same-sex couple’s marriage from another state. This section was not challenged in any of the DOMA cases that reached the Court, and is not raised in Windsor, so no decision will be issued about its validity. Section 2 also should not have any effect on the Court’s decision about Section 3, and whether the federal government must recognize same-sex couples’ marriages—these are simply different legal questions. That’s because the federal government and the states have very different roles vis-à-vis marriage. The states—and not the federal government— are in the business of marrying couples. In contrast, the federal government administers national safety net benefits and programs, and
018-035 3123.qxd
2/28/13
3:21 PM
Page 29
MARCH 19, 2013
29
018-035 3123.qxd
2/28/13
3:21 PM
Page 30
NEWS
Lambda Legal’s Tara Borelli Explains the DOMA Case Before the Supreme Court when it wishes to provide benefits to spouses, it has always previously relied on states’ decisions about who is married. As for the Full Faith and Credit Clause, contrary to popular belief, it does not provide an absolute guarantee that every state must respect all official actions by other states. Some types of actions, such as a final judgment by a court after a full proceeding affording all parties due process of law, must be respected without question in other states. But licenses are often treated differently. For example, a fishing license from one state doesn’t automatically provide a person a valid fishing license in every other state. While the issue has not been conclusively decided yet, it’s likely that some of the 41 states that currently ban marriage for same-sex couples will argue that they are entitled to refuse to honor a license if doing so would violate their state’s public policy. For that reason, the FFCC may not be the silver bullet than many people wish. Basically, it appears the Supreme Court has three choices: 1) strike down Section 3; 2) uphold DOMA; or 3) decide the case not on the merits but on standing. Could you explain each of these possible outcomes and what they might mean? For instance, if the Court strikes down DOMA, does that mean the U.S. now officially recognizes the fundamental constitutional right of same-sex couples to have the freedom to marry? If the Supreme Court upholds Section 3 of DOMA, the federal government can continue to disrespect same-sex couples’ marriages, and that would be disappointing indeed. While we cannot predict with any certainty, our best guess is that the Supreme Court is not going to do this. If it did, the only recourse would be to pressure Congress to repeal DOMA. A federal bill that would do this, known as the Respect for Marriage Act [introduced by California Sen. Dianne Feinstein], is already pending in Congress. We are hopeful that the Supreme Court will strike down Section 3 of DOMA. That means the federal government would have to recog-
30
FRONTIERSLA.COM
Edith Windsor (left) and Thea Spyer
nize the valid marriages of same-sex couples to the same extent that it recognizes the marriages of different-sex couples for all federal purposes. Same-sex spouses would receive equal treatment with respect to their taxes, Social Security benefits and a host of other programs administered by the government. There are well over 1,000 federal laws that refer to marital status that would be affected. A victory on Section 3 of DOMA, however, will not force any state to let same-sex couples marry; it would only require the federal government to treat same-sex couples who are married the same way it treats the different-sex couples who are married. In “freedom to marry” cases like the Prop. 8 case, by contrast, the plaintiffs are not married and argue that the constitution requires the state to allow samesex couples to marry. A win in the Prop. 8 case would at a minimum require California to start allowing same-sex couples to marry again, and could affect either some other states or even all states that do not currently allow same-sex couples to marry. The Supreme Court could find that no one had standing to challenge DOMA. This would rely on the idea that the Department of Justice couldn’t appeal the trial court victory for samesex couples in Windsor (or other cases), because DOJ agrees DOMA is unconstitutional and therefore suffered no appealable injury when the plain-
tiffs won. The only other party that sought to appeal from the trial court decision is an advisory group from Congress, and we believe it’s clear that this committee does not have any proper authorization [standing] to appeal from orders striking down DOMA. With the caveat that no one can predict how the Court will rule in June, what is your best legal guess, and why? Reading tea leaves is dangerous business, but we hope the Court will find there are no procedural problems with standing and will reach the merits to rule unequivocally that DOMA is unconstitutional. The current situation—with more and more same-sex couples marrying every day and being subjected to hardship by DOMA—is increasingly untenable. If the Court finds that no one has standing to challenge DOMA, we hope the Obama administration will quickly declare that it will not enforce DOMA any longer. After all, the administration agrees that DOMA is unconstitutional and further protracted litigation isn’t in anyone’s best interests. The last seven courts to consider whether or not Section 3 of DOMA is unconstitutional all have concluded that it is. We think the likeliest option is a clear ruling striking down DOMA, but if the Court doesn’t reach the merits, the Obama administration should move quickly to put DOMA out of its— and our—misery.
018-035 3123.qxd
3/1/13
5:05 PM
Page 31
MARCH 19, 2013
31
018-035 3123.qxd
2/28/13
3:21 PM
Page 32
Professional Pet-Lover Pampering one's pet has long been a SoCal tradition. From the finest of foods to the fanciest boarding houses and the latest in designer fashions, Angelenos love spending money on their four-legged friends. Animal care is a multi-billion-dollar industry that is constantly reinventing itself. Here we share with you six emerging pet professions that, even in this economy, are making millions and quickly becoming all the rage!
By Michael Anthony
Plastic Surgeon
Talent Agent
Acupuncturist
A plastic surgeon for pets?! Sounds like something out of a Bravo reality show, right? But believe it or not, going under the knife happens more often than you'd think for some of our cutest SoCal pooches. Most popular are neuticals—small bean-shaped silicone implants slipped into the scrotum to give faux testicles to recently neutered puppies. Other indemand cosmetic must-dos include braces, ear-pinning and Botox injections. While some surgeries prove to be medically necessary—like a nose job that allows a pet to breathe better or a laser treatment that corrects a skin infection—most are purely cosmetic. And that leaves us woofing—and wondering—why?!
Only in Tinseltown can a cat or dog become part of the one percent. Yes, thanks to talent agencies like Hollywood Paws, you too can find out if your best friend has what it takes to make it on the silver screen. From learning how to audition, taking the perfect headshot and securing top-notch representation, it takes a trained pet talent agent to help you get your paw in the door. But just like in human Hollywood, there are plenty of sharks out there; so do your research when putting your paw print on that dotted line.
In China, the ancient art of acupuncture is often used to treat ailments before turning to surgery and medication. While many Americans still look at the practice as hogwash, the procedure is fairly commonplace in the City of Angels. That's why, before putting a pet under the knife, many owners are turning to this needle practice in hopes of finding relief for their animal's aches and pains. From kidney disease to arthritis and even mood and stress disorders, many pet-lovers swear by the procedure, sometimes seeing improvement in as little as a single visit.
Fashion Designer
Colorist
Insurance Agent
Puppies in polos, cats in dresses and birds in boas; nothing says status in L.A. like walking down Santa Monica Boulevard with a well-dressed pet. While there are many options on the market, from the mass-produced wares of Target to designer threads sold on Ventura, what we are most fascinated by are the one-of-a-kind designers. For years, websites like DoggyDuds and FuFu Fashions have created custom-made clothing for animals of all shapes and breeds. Whether it's bedazzled, beaded or distressed, if you can sketch it, they can fashion it—and they’ll have your pup looking runway ready within two weeks.
Perhaps you wish your calico cat had more stripes? Or that your golden retriever was a little less golden? No need to dream any longer, because one of L.A.'s fastest-growing pet professions is that of colorist. Yes, long have Angelenos turned to animal hair stylists to give their pets that perfect shag. But now there's no need to stop with a cut and blow dry. With nontoxic dyes that last for months or simple sprays and paints that come out after a simple washing, giving your pup's coat a colorful new look has never been so easy.
For anyone that's ever made an emergency visit to the vet with their pet, you know the toll it takes on your wallet. Life-saving procedures can cost upwards of $5,000, and often they must be paid in full immediately. Unexpected costs like these have made the pet insurance business an $880 million-a-year industry. No longer just for breeders, show animals and competitive racing horses, pet insurance is commonplace for the everyday owner. Agents can craft policies that start at as little as $20 per month and often prove to be a literal lifesaver.
32
FRONTIERSLA.COM
018-035 3123.qxd
3/1/13
4:21 PM
Page 33
5 Places to Shop For Your Furry Friends By Michael Anthony
1. Urban Pet
3. Healthy Spot
With multiple locations—mid-city Beverly Boulevard, Silver Lake and now Pasadena—Urban Pet is redefining the traditional pet supply store. Exclusive to Urban Pet is Moon Shine Grooming (which offers both self-wash pods and full-service grooming to get your pet squeaky cleans), doggie obedience classes (both group and private in-home), Furtographs (award-winning pet portraits), a Green Zone featuring eco-friendly products and an anesthesia-free teeth cleaning and vaccination clinic. This is truly all-service pet shopping at its most chic. theurbanpet.net
Its large window on Santa Monica Boulevard continues to provide entertainment as WeHo passerbys stop to watch puppies in the daycare center. Offering some of the most unique pet supplies and treats, the Spot not only boasts the most trendy of pet products, but also the finest of fresh foods. healthyspot.com
2. The Best Little Cat House At the Best Little Cat House in Burbank, getting your feline groomed is more than just a wash and shave; it’s an art form. The staff is friendly and extremely knowledgeable when it comes to caring for your feline's coat, tail and nails. Also offered is luxury cage-free boarding, where your kitty can play with others or retire privately to such themed rooms as the Japan, the Tuscany and the English Garden. bestlittlecathouse.com
4. Pussy & Pooch Situated in Downtown Los Angeles (with a second location in the Belmont Shore area of Long Beach), P&P is a true oasis for people and their pets. Not only is their boutique one of the most chic in the L.A. area—but also offered is a "pawbar" for pet dining and socializing, a bathhouse for the best in pet bathing and a meat market for fresh foods. pussyandpooch.com
5. Unleashed New to Sunset Boulevard is Unleashed— one-stop shopping for the discerning animal lover. A division of PetCo, this locale prides itself on having higherend, higher-quality foods. Also unique are the social events it organizes weekly for local owners and their dogs. unleashedby.petco.com
MARCH 19, 2013
33
018-035 3123.qxd
2/28/13
3:21 PM
Page 34
Out of the Closet, into the Living Room A TALE OF DÉCOR UPCYCLING By Herman Chan
Spring is around the corner, and you are itching to redecorate your place. Problem is, you’ve got a dead-end job, your sugar daddy just cut off your AMEX or you’re just plain cheap! Decorating ain't cheap. No problem. If you’re low on cash but want a home makeover, you do what any resourceful Millennial does—you upcycle! For those of you living under a rock, upcycling is turning something old into something new. Before you Restoration Hardware snobs start dissing me, I'll have you know that upcycling is the hottest design trend now. Not only does it save you money, but it is great for Mother Nature. We need to be mindful of the stuff we consume. We are such a wasteful society, living in a throwaway culture. How many times have you bought a sequened off-the-shoulder top you just had to have, but only wore the darn thing once—and it was for a 1980s Flashdance Halloween party. I know I have! What a waste of $50! Before you toss it out like yesterday's trash, try to upcycle it! It is uncanny how many old, tattered things you own that can be repurposed for some fantabulous new home décor pieces. Here is what I did recently to update my living room via upcycling. I was getting sick of my drab sofa. It needed to pop. It would be too expensive to buy a new one. (And have you seen the cost of shipping and handling recently?!) So I decided on a more affordable way to revive my sofa—pillow accents! I went into the closet and reached deep in the back trenches where I store clothes I rarely wear. I shut my eyes, grabbed some random pieces, and out popped a tube top, mu'umu'u and a knit miniskirt. (Guess I never threw away my old drag outfits. I’m such a hoarder!) Being flat-chested, the tube top was too small. Not enough fabric to make a pillow/cushion cover. The mu'umu'u was too big. (Although I might save it for a mattress cover upcycling project!) That left the mini-skirt. It was perfect! I stole an extra pillow insert I had lying around the guest room closet, found a yard of double-sided sticky-back Velcro in the kitchen junk drawer and twirled into the living room to start my project. It literally took me 10 minutes. I placed the Velcro on the front and back waistline of the skirt, flipped it inside out to hide the Velcro seams, stuffed the pillow insert into the skirt, then sealed up the front and back hem with Velcro. After transforming my mini-skirt into a pillow, I thought, Herman Chan is a real estate and “Damn, Herman, this is too cute for my busted-up sofa. I’m design expert whose blog Habitat gonna sell it on Etsy! For real!” for Hermanity offers a glimpse The fabulous thing about this skirt-turned-pillow is that beyond the glitz and glam of real it’s Velcro’d. You don’t need to mess up your Lee Press-Ons estate and design. (And it ain’t with any sewing! You can assemble and disassemble easily. This always pretty!) You’ve seen his is especially handy when you get a last-minute date and all your trademark helpful, hilarious flair clothes are dirty. All you have to do is waltz into your living on HGTV House Hunters, Logo room, grab the pillow, rip off the Velcro and toss it on. It’s a and Huffington Post. His new webskirt again! Sigh, the joys of upcycling! Bottom line: Don’t be series, Real Estate Real Simple so quick to trash your junk clothes. You can always make a for the San Francisco Chronicle, cute décor piece to brighten up your home. debuted this year. He was also Drop by my place HabitatForHermanity.com and I'll show once a Frontiers cover model. you how to upcycle your old jockstraps into a macramé plant holder!
34
FRONTIERSLA.COM
018-035 3123.qxd
2/28/13
3:21 PM
Page 35
Low Inventory and a Plethora of Buyers Create a Seller’s Dream
a
By Jefferson Hendrick & Rajeev Ahluwalia
nyone who has watched the housing market in the last decade has noticed our market shift in many different ways. Well, surprise! It has shifted again. Just a few short years ago, the market was saturated with foreclosures and short sales, creating a buyer’s market and dragging home prices down. But what’s old is new again. Available inventory has reached its lowest point in years and buyers are now fighting it out, trying to gain acceptance from sellers in what’s becoming a brutal marketplace. It also appears that cash is king, especially when coupled with two to three-week escrow periods. Some buyers are finding they have to write three to four offers before finally getting to a “yes.” Four of our recent listings since the start of the new year went into escrow within weeks (sometimes days) of being put on the market. Three of those four went to buyers who paid all cash. But wait—it gets better! Three of those four were also sold above the asking price, with the highest selling for 10 percent over list (with more than one party competing for the privilege of paying that amount). Couple the higher sales prices with the market being up more than 10 percent on its own, and it all adds to a great time to be a seller. All of our listings were priced at market value, meaning they were not underpriced simply to generate a flurry of offers. The shortage of inventory has fomented the return of the bidding war, and as a result, prices are escalating. If your home hits the market now, it is likely to be viewed more and seen with better consideration because
of the lack of competing properties. That doesn’t even take into account interest rates that are still at a 40-year low. Money has never been cheaper to borrow—which is great news for you buyers. The only thing missing is something to actually buy with that cheap money. This is where homeowners who have been waiting on the sidelines come in. If you tried to sell a year or two ago and couldn’t get your price, or were afraid your home might not be worth enough for a standard sale, it is very well worth your time to take a fresh look at the new marketplace and see if now might be the right time to try again. Your value may very well have increased since you last analyzed it. In July of 2012, a seller in Los Feliz tried to sell his home at $699,999 with no success—even after a $20,000 price reduction. In November, he pulled it off the market. This past January, he relisted it as a short sale (meaning it’s worth less than what’s owed on it) at $569,000. Soon after it came on the market, and with nine offers on the table, a bidding war for this house drove the price up to something close to its most recent 2012 asking price of $679,000, eliminating the need for a short sale. As Curbed L.A. (a great website for you real estate junkies) said, “just last month, this house was underwater. But look at it now, dry as a bone.” The reduction in short sales and foreclosures on the market, combined with an overall decrease in inventory, has helped Los Angeles boast a 7.7 percent increase in home values over last year, according to the widely followed S&P/Case-Shiller indexes. According to
the National Association of Realtors, in January the national median sales price for a home increased 12.3 percent over January 2012, for the eleventh straight month of annual increases, and the strongest gains since November 2005. In the west, that number jumps to a 26.6 percent increase over the same time last year. Christopher Thornberg, founding principal at Beacon Economics, recently told the L.A. Times, “The question is, is it the real deal? Sure it is. It is driven of course by a very tight market … about as tight as it gets, and ultimately inventory drives prices.” If you are thinking of selling your home or want to get a free Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to learn the value of your home, give us a call or shoot us an email and we’ll be glad to help you.
Prospective Partners is Jefferson Hendrick and Rajeev Ahluwalia, operating under the umbrella of Keller Williams Realty. Jefferson and Rajeev have over 15 years combined experience in residential real estate sales. Reach them at (323) 213-9362, or visit their website at prospectivepartnersRE.com.
MARCH 19, 2013
35
036-055 3123.qxd
3/1/13
1:11 PM
Page 36
S O C AL REAL ESTATE GUIDE
What’s Happening in the Market for 2013? By Patrick Martin, Realtor
In 2013, prices will continue to rise. Since pricing is a function of supply and demand, and there’s an inventory shortage, demand for housing will continue to strengthen in 2013. The number of homes for sale in many areas has normalized and heads into “shortage” territory. Expect appraisals to continue to be an issue as the recent real estate meltdown of just a few years ago is still fresh in the minds of banks and has made appraisers/lenders wary of any price inflations— even normal appreciation. With regard to getting a loan in today’s marketplace, the consensus among lenders is that rates will continue to remain low, staying below five percent in 2013 and will probably continue to be below four percent for most consumers for the balance of the year. Purchase loans are moving fast enough, but beware of refinancing—expect your typical refinance to take at least 45-60 days or longer. In 2012, we saw demand for housing in Los Angeles pick up, and this trend will continue to surge in 2013. Last year showed that a lack of inventory was more of a challenge in L.A. than a lack of demand. Also encouraging is that many outlying areas that were devastated by the real estate meltdown have begun to show signs of improvement as well. Expect move-up sellers to return to the market, considering housing prices are recovering and rates remain low. Hopefully homeowners will realize that now may be their best chance to make the move upward to a lifestyle they desire. Last but not least—MULTIPLE OFFERS! Beware if you’re getting into the market this year. Don’t be discouraged, but you will no doubt end up in a multiple offer if you’re thinking of buying in 2013. I tell all my clients it may take one, two or even three attempts before we successfully secure a property. Even with great credit and a strong FICO score, there will always be a cash buyer out there that most likely a seller will favor. Sotheby's International Realty, 9255 Sunset Blvd., Mezzanine, L.A., CA 90069, (323) 353-7200; patrickmartinhomes.com
Need a really good moving company? Call Greystone Relocation Concierge at 323-413-PACK (7225) 36
FRONTIERSLA.COM
— PAID ADVERTISEMENT
036-055 3123.qxd
2/28/13
2:45 PM
Page 37
S O C AL REAL ESTATE GUIDE
Need a really good moving company? Call Greystone Relocation Concierge at 323-413-PACK (7225)
— PAID ADVERTISEMENT
MARCH 19, 2013
37
036-055 3123.qxd
2/28/13
2:45 PM
Page 38
In Treatment Bravo’s L.A. Shrinks Peeks Behind the Therapy Curtain BY MICHELLE MCCARTHY PHOTOGRAPHY BY RYAN FORBES
Bravo’s latest dip into the reality show pool, L.A. Shrinks, focuses on three L.A.-based therapists and their struggles at work and at home. We get to see the professionals on both ends of the couch as they dispense advise to their clients and also seek counseling of their own. We visited with one of them, Dr. Greg Cason—a seasoned psychologist who specializes in cognitive therapy—at the home he shares with his partner of 23 years, artist and designer Kevin Heywood Beer.
38
FRONTIERSLA.COM
What made you want to participate in L.A. Shrinks? I’ve been in practice for about 15 years. I’ve taught, I did research, administration and just about every aspect of mental health you can. I got to this point where you’re called a midcareer professional and you start to hit the skids a bit. I know some people take up alcoholism or have sex with their patients, but I just did a reality show. [Laughs] It was a struggle to agree to do it because of the personal aspects of the show. I endorse the concept that therapists are real people, have real struggles and we’re not better than other people. I thought of my clients while doing it—that I can show them I struggle just as much. I didn’t know when I signed up how personal it would get. What did Kevin think about it? He was a big reason why I wanted to do the show. Kevin is very much an undiscovered talent. He’s an amazing artist and designer. His taste is always ahead of the curve. Usually you do a show and it’s all about you. But I thought this would be one of those unique opportunities where I can include those people I love. He was thrilled to be a part of it. Because we lived our lives knowing other people would be observing and judging, that was difficult.
036-055 3123.qxd
2/28/13
2:45 PM
Page 39
MARCH 19, 2013
39
036-055 3123.qxd
2/28/13
2:45 PM
Page 40
STYLIST: Salvador Camarena, FashionSalvation.com WARDROBE: Available at Bloomingdale’s, Beverly Center, BeverlyCenter.com GROOMING: Nate Cooper, Nate@Solarnoise.net
40
FRONTIERSLA.COM
036-055 3123.qxd
3/1/13
1:13 PM
Page 41
In Treatment What kind of feedback have you gotten so far? I’ve been getting a lot of flack on my Twitter that the show doesn’t look real, and it upsets me because I laid my soul bare during this show. The emotions I talked about were so real and really helped my family and relationship to grow closer. I want to dispel this odd sentiment that this isn’t real. The other thing that bothers me is that some people are saying we weren’t ethical and it disrupts client confidentially. These were people who were matched with us and knew from the beginning what it would be. It was done very ethically.
the way he did it was very disturbing to me at the time, I’m glad he did it. When he found out I was gay, he said, “I can’t work with you.” He flipped around, opened up his Rolodex and started writing down different numbers. I thought that was so cold, but you have to hand it to the guy because a lot of therapists will see people they don’t want to just because it pays their rent or they think they should.
How did your upbringing affect your choice to become a therapist? I’m sure it had everything to do with it. I’ve done a lot of therapy on my career choice. I’m the first one in my immediate family to go to college and the only one to go to graduate school. Then I went on for a Ph.D. My family didn’t put a lot of emphasis on academics. My dad very much looked down on that and thought those kinds of people were highfalutin’. He was what we might call a tough customer. It was discouraging, but I rebelled by diving into academics. I was beaten up at home and bullied at school because I was so emotionally out of it—being gay. I used to think, There’s gotta be something better out there. I kept waiting for adulthood. One of the key moments for me was moving out. I got a full scholarship to UCLA and off I went at the age of 17. I just wanted out.
Is there a date for the wedding? You’ll have to tune in…
What are some signs that someone should seek therapy? When you have emotional management issues. If you get angry unreasonably or carry a lot of anger about the past. If you’re depressed much of the time. If you’re anxious most of the time. People try to annihilate their emotions with medication, alcohol and drugs instead of going, “Wait a minute, this emotion is actually an indication that there might be a problem.” One of the other therapists mentioned that therapists go into the field in which they have issues. Is that true for you? To a point. But I do a lot of therapy with people that don’t have those issues. I have a specialty in substance abuse, and I don’t have that issue. I work with straight couples, and I’m certainly not straight. I have a strong preference and love for working with people in the gay community, and that is very much because I am gay and I know those struggles. It is a different set of knowledge and skills. Sometimes I see straight therapists who do six months in a gay counseling center and think they have a specialty in working with gay people. I’m like, “I don’t even think I know, and I’ve done research on it.” There’s much to know and learn. Have you ever had to turn away a client? Sure, a lot of times. If they don’t have an interest in getting better, that’s a big red flag. If they want to keep suicide as an option. When therapists first meet someone, they’re assessing whether this therapy can work. If you don’t believe you can work with them, then you just don’t take them. I went to a therapist once, and although
How did you meet Kevin? At a bar—Revolver. Almost 24 years ago.
Why did it take 23 years to get married? Marriage was always an institution for heterosexuals. Also, we see that the institution of marriage is not a very solid one. Kevin and I have been together at least twice as long as most marriages. Kevin was also previously married to a woman and, of course, that didn’t work out. Once marriage did become legal here in California, then it was a matter of, “Do we rush and get married?” And then it was taken away. We started to see a differentiation in our families who viewed our relationship as somehow different or less than. Marriage is a way to stand up in front of those people we love the most and say, “This is real.” That is the power of marriage. What are the rules of a monogamish relationship? Whatever the couple wants them to be. It really disturbs me that people think there’s an outside rule that two people who are in a relationship must follow. All my couples, I encourage them to have whatever rules they want—but they must both agree about it. Do you have to turn the therapist side off in your relationship? I always turn it off. Therapists who are therapists in their relationships are abusive. If I turn the therapist on, it’s always on myself because I’ll go, “I’m having an irrational thought. This is what is going on. I don't feel like talking to my partner because I’m so pissed at him, but I know that is the thing I should be doing right now to help the situation move forward.” And I’ll tell you, it works. Can you explain the cabinet full of doll heads you have in your house? That, my dear, is what we call compromise in a relationship, because that is Kevin’s. It doesn’t bother me anymore, but it is quite the head-turner for those who walk through our house for the first time. It’s just something he did one day. He had a collection of doll heads and decided to display them in a cabinet. That was a few years ago. It has caused people to not want to come into our house. It’s just an expression of his artistry. It’s not anything I would ever do, but I look at that and I think he’s such a wonderful, brilliant man. L.A. Shrinks premieres Monday, March 4, at 10 p.m. on Bravo. Check out the first installment of Dr. Cason’s new column on page 69!
Quick Design Tips with
KEVIN HEYWOOD BEER What is your advice for someone with zero decorating skills? Hire a designer. If you get a good designer who really understands you, one hour with them can change everything and save you so much money. Listen, my job is not that different than being a therapist. Someone has to trust me. I can show them pictures, draw them pictures, show them colors, but if they don’t see the bigger picture, you have to trust the designer. Designers range from $75 to $225 an hour, and there are a lot of hungry designers in town. What’s a good way to find a designer? If you’re in the gay community, ask anybody. [Laughs] They’ll have a friend. What’s your go-to for adding accent color? Studying the color wheel is very important. The complementary color to purple is yellow, the complementary color to blue is orange, the complementary color to green is red. You know that if you do a green room, red’s going to look fabulous. Part of the problem is, between the internet, catalogs and showrooms, so much has been dictated to people regarding design. It’s almost become a formula, which makes it boring. When you want to redecorate, where do you start? When I walk into a space, I can pretty much visualize which direction it should go throughout the whole house. Someone like Greg, who is very strong on the left side of the brain, can’t. If you have a strong right side of the brain, you’ll be able to weave through in your mind color choices throughout the house. I like the flow. There’s no right or wrong. For a person who is cautious, it might be smart for them to go room to room until they get the rhythm of the house going. Which stores do you suggest going to for inspiration? Start out at the smaller, privately owned, high-end showrooms along La Cienaga, Beverly or La Brea. You will learn a lot walking into them, and don’t be intimidated when you go in. Most of the people are really nice. You’ll be shocked by the prices, but you don’t have to buy anything. You’re going in to see what’s really good. It’s very different than going into a commercial showroom, like say Crate & Barrel. Nothing’s wrong with it, but it’s a formula. You’re not going to learn anything different. For more designer tips, check out Kevin’s blog—Hollywood forever, Kevin—at hollywoodforeverkevin.com.
MARCH 19, 2013
41
036-055 3123.qxd
3/1/13
1:20 PM
Page 42
By Aaron Drake
Stepping
N
ew York City just got a lot gayer. You might be wondering how that’s even possible— but it is. In 2012, Manhattan introduced the world to The Out NYC, its first straight-friendly destination hotel and entertainment complex, located in Hell’s Kitchen—right smack in the middle of the city’s gay playground. Before arriving at the hotel, I was hesitant about staying at a gay resort in NYC and was wondering what it might be like. Would this be a nonstop party all weekend? Constant cruising with an open-door policy? But the Out delivered class, style and fun without the pretention or shadiness some other gay establishments notoriously exude. And you get to keep your clothes on. Immediately upon sighting the hotel, you get the feeling that you’re in for a change of pace. The hotel’s glass exterior implies stylish simplicity, and stepping foot inside the hotel’s lobby—with its modern design, winding halls and seemingly rolling floors leading to the guest elevators—you get the sense you’re at the start of an urban adventure. The hotel is staffed by a diverse
42
FRONTIERSLA.COM
OUT
New York’s new ‘straight-friendly’ hotel is the city’s urban oasis. selection of beautiful people—with genuinely sweet personalities—and at check-in you will be escorted to your room on one of the hotel’s three floors. Yes, three floors—this isn’t your typical Manhattan getaway. Coming from the West Coast, I was surprised at the hotel’s short stature. But what the hotel lacks in height, it makes up for with gusto in its hospitality and sense of community—since most guests are indeed gay (or gay-friendly). The hotel offers Superior and Deluxe rooms overlooking the hotel’s lush green space that is the center courtyard. The Deluxe Double rooms open onto your own private terrace, and one-bedroom suites are available for those craving a little more space. Described as “elegant minimalism,” the rooms are indeed a perfect contrast to the crazy blur of New York City, rendering a place to rest and recharge. Each room includes floor-to-ceiling mirrored headboards, modern bedside cubes, a workstation, flat screen TV, walk-in shower and mp3 docking sta-
tion (conveniently with iPhone chargers for the technologically savvy—or, ahem, addicted). If you’re here on business, the Out also offers Executive Suites; for those traveling with friends, the Luxury Quad Bunk Room is a fun option featuring full-size beds, with a personal 22’’ TV for each, along with personal storage lockers and privacy curtains. In the heart of the hotel, you’ll find several places to disengage from the hustle and bustle. The hotel’s courtyard invites guests to enjoy the openair sun deck—with an excellent view of surrounding skyscrapers to remind you just where you are—leading in to the hotel’s glass-enclosed spa and wellness center made up of cozy cabanas, two hot tubs backed by a relaxing 15foot waterfall, sauna, steam room, cooling showers and a gym. The Spa at the Out offers a selection of bodywork services that combine different massage techniques from around the world. Be sure to request the hotel’s charming (and hunky) masseur Savas. An added bonus is the property’s
upscale restaurant KTCHEN, serving up Executive Chef Dale Schnell’s creative American comfort food creations with a twist (like the devilishly delightful Sexy Fries) and handmade seasonal cocktails for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. Best of all, just across the lobby from KTCHN is one of the city’s newest and most popular gay nightlife hotspots, XL Nightclub. Nightly cabaret performances and a weekly drag bingo see some familiar faces popping up before the space transforms into a packed, throbbing mess of NYC’s best beats and hottest men. The convenience of having these two additions to the hotel just makes the Out that much more of a destination all its own. Stop into KTCHN for dinner, see a show and dance the night away at XL before stumbling a few footsteps to your door. You won’t even have to step outside the hotel to hear New York calling your name. Room rates start at $179 a night. theoutnyc.com
036-055 3123.qxd
2/28/13
2:46 PM
Page 43
MARCH 5, 2013
43
036-055 3123.qxd
2/28/13
2:46 PM
Page 44
SOCAL EVENTS GUIDE
EVENTS
NIGHTLIFE
THEATER
EXHIBITS
go to FrontiersLA.com/Entertainment for more listings Through April 7
Through April 14
Fri. | March 8
Sat. | March 9
Sat. | March 9
DREAMGIRLS
TRIBES
BEARRACUDA
The Met Theatre
Mark Taper Forum
Dragonfly
KATHLEEN MADIGAN
ANTIQUES, OBJECTS & ART L.A.
Sizzling with R&B soul, Dreamgirls captures the spirit and hope of Motown when a black girl group from Chicago makes it big in a business controlled by white men. The female trio fights for recognition, fellowship and love as superstardom challenges their musical and cultural identity. domatheatre.com
At the center of Tribes is Billy, the youngest son of a raucous family of intellectuals obsessed with self-expression. As his parents and siblings verbally spar and compete for attention, Billy, who is deaf, catches what he can by lipreading. When Billy meets Sylvia, a young woman who is an expert at sign language and is losing her hearing, his life is transformed. centertheatregroup.org
Popular San Francisco party for the hirsute among us, Bearracuda comes to L.A. for the first time in 2013. Don’t miss out on giveaways, tasty snacks, go-go bears, a friendly crowd and DJ John LePage returning to spin for hundreds of sweaty dudes. $6 before 10 p.m., $10 after. bearracuda.com/LA
Wed. | March 6
ACOUSTIC LIVE! Eleven Nightclub Every Wednesday night from 8 p.m. til 2 a.m., Acoustic Live! has become the hot venue to catch today’s top young musical talent. Performers who have appeared recently include Rumer Willis, Nicole Sherzinger, Aaron Carter and others. eleven.la Wed. | March 6
PALEY FEST: ‘THE WALKING DEAD’
Fri. | March 8
SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA’S MASQUERADE MOTEL L.A. State Historic Park It’s the first of two final West Coast performances by the popular EDM group, who have set up shop Downtown with tons of other acts. Your ticket to the festival also grants you free Metro fare to and from the show. March 8 & 9. swedish housemafia.com Fri. | March 8
SONG OF BILITIS
Area movie theatres
Bootleg Theatre
PaleyFest, the ultimate TV fan festival, kicks off with the stars of The Walking Dead. Join the show’s cast as they screen exclusive never-beforeseen footage and take part in a no-holds-barred Q&A, moderated by Chris Hardwick. Best of all, the event will be screened at movie theatres throughout SoCal this same night. fathomevents.com
How did a flamboyant heterosexual avant-garde Parisian novelist successfully impersonate a lesbian Greek poet in the most elaborate erotic literary hoax the world has ever known? Combining multimedia projections with puppetry, sophisticated live audiosampling and larger-thanlife Greek masks, Song of Bilitis transports the audience through a world of sexual power struggles and changing identities. Through March 30. bootleg theater.org
44
FRONTIERSLA.COM
Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza
Glendale Civic Auditorium
Dubbed by Jay Leno as “one of America’s funniest female comics,” Madigan is a constant on SiriusXM Radio and has had stints on E!, CNN, Letterman, Comedy Central and more. Catch her when she comes to SoCal for a night of hilarious comedy. civicartsplaza.com
L.A.’s most highly antipiated spring antiques and art shopping event returns to L.A. for its third year. Find everything from tribal arts and circus sideshow pieces to scientific instruments and antique photography. Through March 10. Admission $12. antiquesand objects.com
Sat. | March 9
The Abbey
Sun. | March 10
WHITE PARTY SUNDAYS
BRUTUS Fri. | March 8
WOLVES Celebration Theatre Wolves is a psychological drama about Ben, a timid citydweller who freaks out when his exboyfriend and roommate Jack brings home a big bad wolf for a one-night stand. When Ben tries to rescue Jack, an unfortunate and dangerous chain of events unfold, changing their lives forever. Through May 5. celebrationtheatre.com Fri. | March 8
INVINCIBLE Cavern Club Celebrity Theater Put on your legwarmers and acid-wash jeans for this show, which takes place in the summer of 1985. Eighteenyear-old Billie Jean and her band of teenage misfits are on the run from the law and in search of truth, justice and a kick-ass haircut. Through March 23 (weekends). invinciblelive.com
Faultline This packed party sails into Faultline every second Saturday of the month, and it’s all hotties on deck. Have a beer and join in on the search for hidden treasure. DJ Chris Bowen provides the soundtrack, Mark Cuadrado mixes live video montages for the crowd and Mario Diaz hosts. faultlinebar.com Sat. | March 9
MICHELE BALAN: LIVE IN L.A. Renberg Theatre The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center presents Michele Balan, one of the greatest out-and-proud comedians, for two uproarious nights, March 9 & 10. Find out why Backstage magazine named her one of its “Top 10 Comedians.” lagaycenter.org
Every Sunday between now and this year’s White Party celebration in Palm Springs (March 29-31), The Abbey invites you out for drinks, hot go-go dancers and a chance to win a pair of passes to the desert’s biggest event. End your weekend with a bevy of sexy guys and the chance to win big! abbeyfoodandbar.com Sun. | March 10
ROSE BOWL Rose Bowl Every second Sunday of the month, the Rose Bowl hosts the world’s largest flea market, the ultimate treasure hunt. Find what you’re looking for and things you had no idea even existed. rgcshows.com
036-055 3123.qxd
2/28/13
2:46 PM
Page 45
SOCAL EVENTS GUIDE
Sun. | March 10
Tue. | March 12
Thu. | March 15
Through March 16
Sun. | March 17
ALLA DUHOVA’S TODES BALLET
A ROYAL VISIT
ONE NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN
SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES
VIGNETTE
Pasadena Playhouse
Cella Gallery, NoHo
A full-on concert experience and journey into the life of the rock ‘n’ roll legend, One Night With Janis Joplin is a musical that is being hailed as a “feel-good, fist-pumping, must-see” show. Simultaneously rough and vulnerable, Joplin was dubbed the Queen of Rock, proving music wasn’t just a man’s world anymore. Through April 11. onenightwith janisjoplin.com
A celebratory mix of the surreal and macabre, Something Wicked This Way Comes is a composition of some of the most powerful contemporary artists whose works are both visually rebellious and viscerally seductive. Through an assemblage of mixed media works, oil paintings, watercolor and graphite drawings, expect to feel the hairs on your neck stand straight up. cellagallery.com
WeHo’s latest hot spot has been packing in the gays since its MLK Weekend debut. Presented by Jeffrey Sanker and Paul Nicholls, it’s a ritzy weekly party with spontaneous displays of splendor. 8 p.m. jeffreysanker.com, paulnpresents.com
Queen Mary, Long Beach
The Wiltern For the first time in L.A., the best traditions of classical ballet and modern trends in contemporary dance culture combine—a fusion of ballet, modern dance and hip-hop. Funky costumes, high-tech lighting, huge choreographed set pieces and an upbeat soundtrack have made TODES a huge attraction. Catch this 25th anniversary show for one night only. livenation.com Through June 30
STANLEY KUBRICK LACMA Stanley Kubrick was one of film’s all-time legendary directors, whose efforts reconceived the genres in which he worked. The exhibit spans 50 years, beginning with his early
photographs for Look magazine and continuing with his groundbreaking directorial achievements. His films are represented through a selection of annotated scripts, production photography, set models, costumes and props. lacma.org Sun. | March 10
CityRace West Hollywood CityRace Urban Adventure Hunts send teams of two to four players on a three-hour clue-solving adventure through one of the city’s many diverse neighborhoods. This time, discover little-known secrets and fun facts on a fast-paced adventure through WeHo, from Santa Monica Boulevard to the Sunset Strip. racela.com Mon. | March 11
MUSICAL MONDAYS Eleven Nightclub Let out your inner diva every week. From 9 p.m.-midnight, the best of Broadway comes to life with a live show full of musical and comedic fun, complete with singing contests, ticket giveaways and live performances from Tony Award winners. eleven.la
The world-famous former Cunard liner R.M.S. Queen Mary, perhaps the most loved ocean liner of the 20th century, will be visited by the youngest Cunarder Queen Elizabeth in Long Beach Harbor. Free access to the Queen Mary will be offered from 4-9 p.m. for this historic meeting. Fireworks will begin at 7:30. queenmary.com Tue. | March 12
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN Pantages Theatre Following an acclaimed Broadway run, Catch Me captures the astonishing true story of Frank Abagnale Jr., a world-class con artist who passed himself off as a doctor, lawyer and jet pilot—all before the age of 21. With a straight-arrow FBI agent on Frank's trail, he’s off on a jetsetting, cat-and-mouse chase set to a jazzy, swinging ’60s score. Through March 24. broadwayla.org March 13-17
ELEVATION: MAMMOTH Mammoth, Calif. It’s the 11th Annual Mammoth Gay Ski Week, brought to you by L.A. promoter Tom Whitman, an event-packed weekend with DJs and ski slopes. Events currently scheduled include The Party at 10,000 Feet, hosted by Lance Black of Sirius Radio’s Dirty Pop, and An Evening with Coco Peru. mammothgayski.com Wed. | March 13
PALEY FEST: ‘THE BIG BANG THEORY’ Area movie theatres PaleyFest, the ultimate TV fan festival, continues with the stars of hit comedy The Big Bang Theory. Cast members will screen exclusive show footage and take questions live from the studio audience. This event will also be screened at movie theatres throughout SoCal. fathomevents.com
Fri. | March 15
MEGAN MULLALLY LIVE IN CONCERT Largo at the Coronet Don’t miss Mullally live in concert with her band Nancy and Beth, featuring Stephanie Hunt, Nick Offerman and a “super duper surprise comedy guest star.” Doors open for drinks at 7 p.m., showtime 8:30. Tickets $30. largo-la.com Fri. | March 15
TOM’S ANGELS Eagle L.A. The Los Angeles Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence present this benefit for the Tom of Finland Foundation. Expect hot men, drink specials, raffles and an art auction. Special guests will include the Sisters themselves. $5 suggested donation. eaglela.com Sat. | March 16
RISE AND SHOUT Barnsdall Gallery Theatre Come and see some of the brightest emerging LGBT talent, and be part of a 10-year cultural activism project that brings out the voices of youth activists, hiphop artists, dancers, divas and talented performer Prince Poppycock! riseupandshout.org
Sat. | March 16
HOLI, THE FESTIVAL OF COLORS Excelsior High School Grounds Dubbed “the world’s happiest event,” Holi brings colors, mantra music by MC Yogi and some of the Southland’s best bands, yoga and great food to L.A. Peace and love are sure to reign from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. festivalofcolorsla.com Sat. | March 16
RASPUTIN Robertson It’s the Saturday night party everyone’s been talking about. There’s no cover (although you can pay $5 to bypass the line) and no rules here. A team of Russian Dolls make up the electic host committee. facebook.com/RasputinLA Through March 17
SKETCHES FROM THE NATIONAL LAMPOON The Hayworth Theatre This exhibit features the most hilarious and classic monologues, sketches, songs and other humor derived from the comedy company, written by more than 30 Lampoon magazine, radio and theatrical writers. It’s a look back at the best of the best in Lampoon history. brownpapertickets.com
Vignette
Sun. | March 17
GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF LOS ANGELES First Congregational Church of L.A. The chorus continues its 34th season of performances with the show Awakenings, featuring special guests Vox Femina and the new youth chorus Outside Voices. GMCLA Artistic Director E. Jason Armstrong will conduct the 200-member chorus. Performances March 16 & 17. Tickets $35-75. gmcla.org Through March 18
MY BIG GAY ITALIAN WEDDING Whitmore-Lindley Theatre Complete with singing and dancing, this show busts open the controversy surrounding same-sex marriage in a wild romp complete with largerthan-life gay and Italian characters. Anthony Pinnunziato wants to marry his boyfriend Andrew Polinski in a traditional Italian wedding. However, when an overbearing mother and a jealous ex-boyfriend get involved, chaos ensues. abiggaywedding.com Tue. | March 19
DRUNK ON STAGE Akbar Started as a weekly alternative to Hollywood’s straight boys’ club of stand-up comedy, Bruce Daniels and Erin Foley host a night of entertainment by gay and gayfriendly comedians. $5, 8 p.m. akbarsilverlake.com
MARCH 19, 2013
45
036-055 3123.qxd
2/28/13
2:46 PM
Page 46
SOCAL EVENTS GUIDE
»
FRONTIERS NIGHT OUT: JEKYLL & HYDE PANTAGES THEATRE | Photos by MattBaume.com
FIND MORE PHOTO ALBUMS — AND ADDITIONAL PHOTOS FROM THESE EVENTS — AT FRONTIERSLA.COM/ENTERTAINMENT 46
FRONTIERSLA.COM
036-055 3123.qxd
3/1/13
1:21 PM
Page 47
MARCH 19, 2013
47
036-055 3123.qxd
3/1/13
1:22 PM
Page 48
SOCAL EVENTS GUIDE
» EVOLUTION FRIDAYS | METROPOLITAN NIGHTCLUB Photos by Josh Rice
»
HOOKER CASINO | HERE LOUNGE | Photos by Brenden-John Photography
FIND MORE PHOTO ALBUMS — AND ADDITIONAL PHOTOS FROM THESE EVENTS — AT FRONTIERSLA.COM/ENTERTAINMENT 48
FRONTIERSLA.COM
036-055 3123.qxd
3/1/13
4:24 PM
Page 49
MARCH 19, 2013
49
036-055 3123.qxd
3/1/13
1:23 PM
Page 50
SOCAL EVENTS GUIDE
» FURR TRADE | FAULTLINE |
Photos by Rolling Blackouts
»
STRIPPER CIRCUS | HERE LOUNGE | Photos by Brenden-John Photography
FIND MORE PHOTO ALBUMS — AND ADDITIONAL PHOTOS FROM THESE EVENTS — AT FRONTIERSLA.COM/ENTERTAINMENT 50
FRONTIERSLA.COM
036-055 3123.qxd
2/28/13
2:52 PM
Page 51
SOCAL EVENTS GUIDE
TACO TIME: GUISADOS BY ERIC ROSEN The first Guisados opened in Boyle Heights just over a year ago, and while most foodies predicted a Downtown location would be next, it was instead a renovation of the former La Esquinita on a stark stretch of Sunset Boulevard with a paint job the color of the Sedona desert. Downtowners still await their edition of the taqueria, but lucky for East Siders, the Echo Park Guisados is serving up the same intoxicating handmade tortillas topped with a savory panoply of meat, fish and vegetarian options as its older sibling. Don’t make a rookie mistake and wander around looking for a table—one will open up by the time your food comes. Instead, the first thing you should do is get in the line, which grows by the second. Send a scout forward to the cashier to check out the menu colorfully scrawled on a wall-wide blackboard, so that by the time you get to the front you’re ready to order, grab a glass of housemade horchata or fruity aguas frescas and stake your claim on a table. The tiny indoor dining room is convivial and cozy, but the tables on the back patio under lines of incandescent bulbs strung from trees are most cov-
Guisados 1261 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A., (213) 250-7600 guisados.co
eted. thanks to the intimate, party-like atmosphere out there. Order a few meaty signatures like the mouthwatering chorizo tacos, the tangy bistek en salsa rojo and the spicy tinga de pollo with shredded chicken and a slice of cooling avocado, but leave room for a taste of the sea, with either chunks of grilled fish and slivers of onion in the pescado taco, or plump shrimp in the camarones taco. Vegetarians usually have several choices, and the house specialty is the taco with sautéed, smoky chiles torreados, though it would be a mistake not to go for one of the others, like the one with fresh squash, corn and chiles, or the one with mushrooms, cilantro and onions. Can’t decide? Just order a sampler plate—everyone does. MARCH 19, 2013
51
036-055 3123.qxd
2/28/13
2:52 PM
Page 52
ENTERTAINMENT
FILM
REVIEWS THE ABCS OF DEATH Opens Feb. 28
###
A primer for psychos, The ABCs of Death is an inventive assembly of international short films about killing. The titles appear after each film and eschew obvious names like “A is for Ax” or “B is for Bludgeon.” “W is for WTF” is a literally head-spinning—both in the surrealistic and decapitated sense—meta-movie, and the sidesplitting (as in hysterically funny, not gory) short representing the letter “F” may be the omnibus’ best entry. Other highlights include the “L” entry, about a man who can escape death if he wins a peculiar contest, and the “I” film about a woman being killed in an insidious manner. Viewers can take a breather during the weak animated entries—“K” and “T”—both of which feature death in toilets. While there are repeating themes (eyeballs flying out of sockets) and styles (the camera’s POV), the filmmakers mostly provide effective entries that prey on fears ranging from the boogeyman to disquieting sounds and images to spiders. Viewers may also learn to count because of the high number of unsettling episodes, many of which involve violence towards animals or children; and the vivid “X is for XXL,” about body modification, might have to be renamed “V is for Visceral.” Anthology films are generally uneven affairs, but The ABCs of Death contains far more hits than misses. —Gary M. Kramer
DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’: EVERYMAN’S JOURNEY Opens March 8
##
When iconic American rock band Journey sought out a new lead singer in 2007, a last ditch YouTube search led them to the Philippines’ Arnel Pineda, a fan and Manila cover band vocalist whose powerful voice bore uncanny semblance to former frontman Steve Perry’s. Plucked from the third-world country and flown to California for an audition with the initially dubious band (one member admits, ignorantly, he wasn’t sure if Pineda could speak English at the time), he landed the gig, and subsequent changes to Pineda’s life, the band and the Philippines’ proud population are chronicled by director Romana A. Diaz. Anchored by his loving wife, Cherry, Pineda is likeable, humble and an incredibly talented singer whose past includes typical rock ‘n’ roll-y bouts of drug and alcohol abuse. You root for him, especially when confronted with racist/xenophobic Journey fans and throat-damaging cold viruses. However, despite paying thrift to Journey’s history and their side of the equation, Diaz’s work suffers from tunnel vision, leaving out oodles of context and possible detours to enrich her documentary, which putters out by the halfway mark. For example, Filipino cover bands are an institution in Asia, and some are quite good, making Pineda’s discovery even more extraordinary. And where the hell is Steve Perry? That said, the final scene packs a big emotional and musical payoff, when Pineda returns to Manila and performs a song we’ve been waiting for. —Lawrence Ferber 52
FRONTIERSLA.COM
THE END OF LOVE
IF I WERE YOU
Starring Mark Webber, Issac Love, Shannyn Sossamon In select theatres now
Opens March 15 Marcia Gay Harden, Leonor Watling, Aidan Quinn
With development and distribution shingles at nearly every major studio, it’s been a long time since independent films have seemed truly—you know, independent. And I don’t mean simply from a financial standpoint, but creatively as well. Which is why writer-director-actor Mark Webber’s lowkey, acutely observed and beautifully rendered The End of Love is such a minor revelation. Starring Webber as “Mark Webber” and his son Issac Love as “Isaac,” the movie is a warts-and-all portrait of a struggling actor and his infant boy coming to grips a year and a half after the death of Issac’s mother. While that may make the film seem like a schmaltzy tearjerker, Webber plays it very close to the vest. The film is shot in an approximate cinéma vérité style, and while the story has elements from Webber’s own life, there is never an ironic whiff of “meta” about it. What’s most impressive here is the interplay between Webber and Issac; the director may simply have caught the easy interplay between himself and his own child, yet Webber is (very subtly) performing, and Issac—a natural presence and an adorable kid to boot—is reacting. It’s an impressive work all around, and one of which Dad has every reason to be proud. —Dan Loughry
A broad, mildly amusing comedy, If I Were You pivots on the unusual friendship between Madelyn (Harden) and Lucy (Watling) when the former saves the latter—her husband’s mistress—from suicide. This sit-comic arrangement soon has the women making a pact to do “what the other one would” to improve both of their lives. While this concept has some fun possibilities, If I Were You doesn’t take advantage of them. Instead, Madelyn gets the lead in a production of King Lear and tries to keep Lucy and her husband Paul (Joseph Kell) apart—which as everyone knows, won’t last long. If I Were You benefits from Harden’s committed performance, and she generates more smiles swigging from a bottle of scotch in a running joke than her co-stars do in the entire film. Watling is miscast, and Kell is so bland that it’s hard to see why the women are fighting over him. Oddly, the film’s best moments stem from Madelyn’s unexpected relationship with Derek (Quinn), whom she meets when her mother and his father both pass away. Their poignant touching scenes show how good this film could have been. If I were you, I’d wait to see this on cable. —Gary M. Kramer
####
##
036-055 3123.qxd
3/1/13
4:25 PM
Page 53
MARCH 9, 2013
53
036-055 3123.qxd
2/28/13
2:52 PM
Page 54
ENTERTAINMENT
THEATER REVIEWS A FAMILY THING STAGE 52 | 5299 W. Washington Blvd., L.A. Through March 17 | echotheatrecompany.com Poignant character interactions and ironic humor abound in Gary Lennon’s absorbing dramedy. Director Chris Fields’ world-premiere rendition offers an incisive portrait of three brothers struggling to come to terms with their severely troubled upbringing and the resentments that have torn them apart. Though the script could use some fine-tuning, this is a highly impressive effort from Echo Theatre Company. The gritty action takes place in the streets and cramped living quarters of contemporary New York. We first meet twentysomething Sean (Sean Wing), an emotionally confused screenwriter who is prepared to end it all by jumping off a bridge, until a kind soul, Joe (Darryl Stephens in a funny and affecting por-
trayal), talks him out of doing it. The two young men develop an instant romantic attraction. We soon discover that Sean’s elder brother, Jim (Johnny Messner), is about to be released from prison, and Sean is afraid his sibling will hunt him down and slay him because Sean is gay. Meanwhile, Sean’s oldest brother, Frank (Saverio Guerra), a married and womanizing drug addict, was just fired from his job. He’s the person who turned Jim into the cops, leading to Jim’s incarceration, so he also fears Jim will hunt him down and wreak revenge. The brothers’ horrific family baggage also includes abuse and suicide, and their estrangements from one another further contribute to their shared emotional fog.
PHOTO: DANIELLE LARSEN
Fields elicits bravura work from a terrific eight-member ensemble. Wing balances the fear and confusion of a highly sensitive and emotionally wounded young man with a sense of resilience that brings a ray of hope to his desolate circumstances. Messner is a powerhouse as the oddly charming yet highly intimidating Jim, a bad-ass with a dormant soft spot. His silky-smooth seduction of a smitten social worker, Louise (a hilarious, Bronx-accented Elizabeth Regen), is the funniest scene. As the third bro, Guerro offers a multishaded portrayal of a self-destructive man wound as tightly as a pressure cooker. The actor simultaneously elicits chills and laughs in several powerful scenes. As Frank’s tough but beleaguered wife, Liz, Andrea
Grano is likewise superb. Maria Cina makes the most of a small but touching role of a compassionate hooker, and Paul Caramagno is effective in his very brief role as Louise’s brother. Lennon’s character motivation is not always as clear and convincing as it could be, particularly in a climactic act of violence, and its aftermath. Though the play runs only 90 minutes, some scenes feel overwritten. Yet the script offers a moving and entertaining time, and the superb cast greatly enhances the experience. The minimalist design elements (Stephen Gifford’s set, Matt Richter’s lighting, Kathryn Poppen’s costumes, Drew Dalzell’s sound) add to the virtues in this memorable production. —Les Spindle
PARADISE: A DIVINE BLUEGRASS MUSICAL COMEDY RUSKIN GROUP THEATRE | 3000 Airport Ave., Santa Monica Through March 30 | ruskingrouptheatre.com At first, it might appear that Ruskin Group Theatre is sort of going slumming with its latest offering. This debuting musical sounds like a vintage television Hee Haw Hoedown or an off-Broadway tuner pitched to audiences in search of lowbrow fun. Ruskin, a decade-old acting school and theater company located at the Santa Monica Airport, generally stages challenging new plays, classic dramas and other sorts of sophisticated or intellectually stimulating fare. So what is one to make of the company’s latest project—a country-music jamboree, whose plot suggests elements of Alan Menken’s misfired Broadway musical Leap of Faith, crossed with the sensibility of a 1960s rural sitcom such as Petticoat Junction? Though this world-premiere offering by Bill Robertson, Tom Sage and Cliff Wagner certainly exhibits some of the imperfections that often go along with a work in progress, the show has its guilty-pleasure rewards—namely, a 54
FRONTIERSLA.COM
healthy helping of down-and-dirty gags, several toe-tapping songs and amusing if slightly undercooked satirical jabs at the burgeoning reality-TV phenomenon. The focal character is the Rev. John Cyrus Mountain (the superb Jonathan Root), an evangelical minister somewhat reminiscent of bogus bandleader Harold Hill in The Music Man. The Reverend oozes a calculated roguish charm and wears impeccably tailored togs. Sporting a Pepsodent smile when he arrives in rustic Paradise, Ky., to win over the local yokels, he exudes the smoothness and self-assurance of a manipulative politician (if there is such a thing). Accompanying him as his “assistant” is former pole-dancing stripper Chastity Jones (the hilarious Nina Brissey), whose naughtily suggestive ballad “Jesus is Deep Inside Me” isn’t likely to sit well with the devoutly religious. Behind the charismatic razzle-dazzle of the charismatic preacher is his plot to exploit the hayseeds by having his new church
PHOTO: AGNES MAGYARI
financed by a reality TV program, ridiculing the townspeople and their quaint village in the process. Other characters include a deranged citizen with the bizarre moniker Cinderella Tiara Applebaum, played with zest and audacity by Kristal Lynn Lockyear. The current project of this hyperactive hick is cross-breeding pigs and chickens to come up with a food called “pickens.” The romantic leads are heroine Louanne (sweet-voiced Rachel Noll), who indulges in meet-cute flirtations with handsome Peter Silverman (Michael Rubenstone), a self-serving cameraman for the reality
show. Descriptively named Mayor Gayheart (Jason Rowland) is a stereotypically buffoonish small-town political leader, who happens to have a black son, Tater (Elijah Rock), who yearns for a career on Broadway. Mary-Francoise Theodore plays the gnarly TV producer Rebecca Washington. Leading several of the boisterously entertaining hoedown numbers is crusty Old Man Johnson (Robert Craighead). Director Dan Bonnell stages the proceedings with energy and wit, and musical director Cliff Wagner warrants an enthusiastic salute. —Les Spindle
036-055 3123.qxd
2/28/13
2:52 PM
Page 55
MARCH 19, 2013
55
056-071 3123.qxd
2/28/13
1:31 PM
Page 56
ENTERTAINMENT
"Guess I'm a natural. It was my first time. ... Oh shit, you're right. It wasn't my first time. But that was a dildo. If I'd had the guts, it woulda been real." —James Franco remembers discovering his talent to "deep throat" onscreen in Broken Tower. We didn't forget, since we have the footage of him going down on a very realistic dick on BillyMasters.com.
Many people who work in the entertainment industry are delusional. Not me. I have no illusions about where I rank in this business we call "show.” I'm somewhere in the lower-middle, which is lucky for you. If I were any higher, I'd be too busy to write this column week after week for almost two decades. My place in the pecking order was clearly illustrated this week. When Whoopi Goldberg or Billy Crystal are asked to host the Oscars, they call Bruce Vilanch to write some jokes. When my good friend Gioia Bruno from Exposé was asked to host ‘80s Fest at the Sunset Cove Amphitheatre in Boca Raton, Fla., she asked me for some material. See? I'm exactly like Bruce Vilanch— just slightly younger, thinner ... and poorer. Usually when we have an item about Boy George, it's something that makes us cringe even whilst typing. But not this week. The former fatty has revealed his new svelte self at the Brit Awards in London. He credits losing one-third of his girth to Freer Nutrition, portion control, five-hour gaps between meals and "bursts of exercise all day.” But he hasn't lost his sense of humor. He Tweeted, "I love that the size of my ass is trending worldwide!" The Great White Way is buzzing about Jane Lynch. The Glee star recently said that she'd love to be in a musical, and was in negotiations to make her Broadway debut during her summer hiatus. And now it's official—she'll be appearing in the revival of Annie playing the wicked Miss Hannigan. Is that dream casting or what? Tim Tebow was in danger of losing quite a few fans. The devout Christian was scheduled to speak at the First Baptist Church in Dallas—a church that is Tim Tebow
56
FRONTIERSLA.COM
run by Robert Jeffress, an Evangelical pastor who has publicly spoken out against Jews, Muslims, Mormons and gays. We're guessing Tebow didn't know these details when he accepted the engagement. But he found out soon enough and canceled the talk. "While I was looking forward to sharing a message of hope and Christ's unconditional love with the faithful members of the historic First Baptist Church of Dallas in April, due to new information that has been brought to my attention, I have decided to cancel my upcoming appearance. I will continue to use the platform God has blessed me with to bring faith, hope and love to all those needing a brighter day." I dunno about anyone else, but I feel better already. Many people will tell you that only attractive people will make it in showbiz. This does not explain the prolific careers of Gerard Depardieu or Andy Dick (who we will get to in a minute). But it certainly does explain the casting on many other shows—particularly those targeting the younger audience. Take MTV's minor hit Teen Wolf. Once Colton Haynes
Colton Haynes
announced his departure (but not before BillyMasters.com presented his attempt to make a porno), viewers swore they'd stay away when the new season began. Then came word that when the show comes back on June 3, it will sport a familiar face and torso—on two different actors. You may remember Max and Charlie Carver as the twins on Desperate Housewives. Towards the end of the show's run, the boys were starting to mature quite nicely. Apparently, they've continued on this journey. Their shirtless pic poises the twins to inherit the mantle of the Brewer Twins, the Hall Twins and the Visconti Triplets. Of course, we're more than happy to double your pleasure and double your fun on our website.
When people like Colton Haynes leave even a minor hit show, they are often never heard from again. However, Colton has landed a plum assignment on Arrow playing Speedy Harper. In the comic book, Speedy becomes Arrow's sidekick. Something tells me Colton would enjoy that. A few weeks ago, I told you about Robbie Amell—the Canadian cutie who has turned up on 1600 Penn as the first daughter's baby daddy, and on Hot in Robbie Amell
Cleveland as Jane Leeves' young boyfriend. He's also recurring on Scandal. Now we hear that he was just cast as the lead in a pilot for The CW. The Tomorrow People is based on a UK series of the same name and is about a group of people with special powers who fight evil. Oh, and did I mention that Robbie is the cousin of Stephen Amell of Arrow? Small world. I'm now going to combine two topics that really have no business being together—gay porn and Andy Dick. Just when you think career options are thin, Andy pops up on Two Broke Girls playing with puppets. Days later, I get a press release from the prolific Michael Lucas. In his latest oeuvre, Lucas promises to deliver some lascivious laughs. Kings of New York finds some porn stars trying to become real stars in NYC. Surely the quickest way to achieve this goal is to enlist the aid of Andy Dick, Lady Bunny and Derek from The A-List: New York. Given the presence of bona fide skin stars like Adam Killian, Landon Conrad and Mitchell Rock, I am sure that the sexual content does not suffer one iota. And this is an almost ideal perfect segue into our "Ask Billy" question. Kent in Indianapolis writes, "I ran across a video of Craig Chalmers (who appeared on a UK talent show) doing a porn film under the name of Ryan Ryder. Needless to say, it has affected his legit career. But he's very well-endowed. What do you
know about him?" Craig was one of my favorites on the show Any Dream Will Do, where Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber attempted to find a lead for his West End revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. While Craig was quite dreamy (sporting almost a mannequin-like perfection), he was also very entrenched in a cabaret style and came off robotic. But I remember having a huge crush on him. Who would have thought that the size of my crush would equate with the size of his appendage? But there he is—in some straight porn making me jealous of a girl (something I'm sure Clive Davis would understand). Once word got out of his porn career, Craig's legit gigs dried up. But he was philosophical about it, saying, "I'm not ashamed of it. I'm being well-paid and I'm comfortable with doing it." Not as comfortable as you'll be when you see every inch of Craig on BillyMasters.com. When the line between porn and reality stars is being blurred, it's definitely time to end yet another column. Because this column is being filed before the Oscars, I really can't commentate on them. But while William Shatner can go back to the past, I can see into the future. I feel that some guy will be in a kilt. I am sure Babs will show off her shoulders while singing "The Way We Were" for the In Shirley Bassey
Memoriam segment. I'd bet that Dame Shirley Bassey will stop the show while in a gold gown singing "Goldfinger.” And I'd be surprised if someone didn't trip on their gown. I'm also sure that all that and more will turn up on BillyMasters.com, the website with foresight! If you'd like some other predictions, write to me at Billy@BillyMasters.com and I promise to get back to you before Russell Crowe learns how to sing on-key (I told you I was psychic). Until next time, remember, one man's filth is another man's Bible.
056-071 3123.qxd
3/1/13
4:26 PM
Page 57
ENTERTAINMENT
ILLUSTRATION BY
GLENHANSON .COM
Dear Readers, Take a big-boned man-lady who has run around in high heels for over 20 years, add the fact that her mother drank like a fish and smoked like a chimney while pregnant with her, make it all take place right here in America instead of Canada and what do you get? A worldfamous drag superstar with two hips that are crumbling like a sandcastle during high tide. NEWS FLASH: There's no such thing as a drag queen union, and as a result, I have no medical insurance. After years of excruciating pain, it's finally time for the double hip replacement. Many years ago I was told by doctors that my right hip was "bone-on-bone" (no, that's not the latest Chi Chi LaRue DVD!) and the left was almost as bad. But I didn't have the money, the time or the courage to have the surgery and continued to dance like a monkey and sing like a bird, despite the pain. But the time has come when I can barely walk, and this must happen now. My surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, March 12. I am terrified, but this must be done. I realize that this is not lifethreatening, but it has—and continues to—greatly affect and diminish my quality of life. So, if I have ever given you a chuckle or made you crack a smile, please slip a little something into the brandy snifter on mama's piano. OK, stop looking for a piano. That was merely a creative way of begging you to please visit my GiveForward page and contribute to my surgery fund:
Do you hate me? Why do you feel the need to cause me so much pain? Oh no! Nothing could be further from the truth, Jackie! We love you. But you must admit that you have really mistreated us over the past 20 years or so by wearing impossibly high hooker heels and being overweight. It’s like you never heard of flats or fresh vegetables. So don’t blame us, bitch. Blame Jimmy Choo and Jack in the Box.
giveforward.com/jackiebeathiphiphooray
Hilarious. Have fun in that bio-waste container in the ER. You’re just trying to make this breakup easier on yourself by being mean to us. All joking aside, you have taken us all over the world, and we will miss you.
I am a little over 50 percent to my goal. Please know that every little bit helps. Am I embarrassed? Of course. Will I let that stop me? Never. And now, an in-depth interview with my hips!
Maybe you’re right, but it’s bad enough I was cursed with childbearing hips, did you have to be so fragile too? We helped you become a successful manlady clown, so stop complaining. I’m not complaining, I’m simply focusing on the negative and expressing it verbally. Um, yeah. Guess what? That’s called “complaining!” Well, enjoy the brief amount of time you have left in my body, you hateful hips. Soon you will be replaced by brandnew, bionic, better bones. Hasta la vista, baby! You know, for a professional comedy writer, you really aren’t very funny. You’re just mad because I’m dumping you for a new and improved, much younger replacement. I’m like some Hollywood douchebag going through a midlife crisis, and you’re my old, ugly wife. Buh-bye! Just remember, we didn’t sign a pre-nup!
I’ll miss you too, but not the pain. Sorry. We never meant to hurt you. Enjoy your new hips, Jackie.
MARCH 19, 2013
57
056-071 3123.qxd
3/1/13
5:13 PM
Page 58
ENTERTAINMENT
VOTE FOR A GAY! OR NOT. JUST VOTE! Editor’s Note: The comments expressed in this column are not intended to be endorsements . Frontiers does not endorse local candidates. Elections are such odd things. Well, perhaps I mean candidates are oddities. Running top speed for mayor of Los Angeles is openly gay republican Kevin James. Kevin has been my pal and lawyer for over 20 years. He has forever gotten me out of some lousy tough spots. I helped him as well during a rather turmoil-filled breakup. I also asked him to join the board of AIDS Project Los Angeles when we really needed him. He is my pal. Kevin is as smart as they get. Quite brilliant, truly. He is a total spot-on litigation expert who, for some reason, got outta law and into radio for awhile. He was at KABC, KRLA and back home in Oklahoma doing radio. I used to own radio stations and a radio network, so I have some experience in this crud and never understood why he wanted to go there. I told him so more than once. But he did, and he was good. Really good. Last year when Kevin announced he was running for the big seat, I was blown away by how many of my friends gave money to him. It was odd. He hired bigtime consultants like John Weaver, Thomas Partners, Prise Group and Crummit & Associates. He has even had very right-wing folks raising money for him via PACs. So odd. A gay republican running for mayor in the democratic city of Los Angeles. And a wickedly wise one as well. Kevin had never run for public office. Yet he has now elected to oddly attempt to be elected to the very top of the heap his first time at bat. I mean, he is not running for City Council. This is a big deal and a huge money-raising mission. His TV ads are everywhere. My friend has very little chance of winning this particular battle, but what everyone I know who knows him has said is this is the beginning, not the end. I have a dear politically connected donor kinda friend who told me the other day, "Not this one, but the next one he does I will support.” Kevin James, this gay republican, will likely down the road be whatever he wants. I would truly bet on 58
FRONTIERSLA.COM
him for governor of California. This is not his race to win, but don't count him out down the line. Wonderful mix of smarts and ego. Candidates are odd. This next rant will likely get me into trouble. But, hell, I've been there so many times before. West Hollywood elections are odd as well. It is a small town, and people win with just a few thousand votes, sometimes hundreds. I guess I know most of the folks running and have heard whispers of why folks got in this race. Yet words about elections are often used to confuse, not illuminate. It is a bad bevy of gossip if you do listen. I have known John Duran and Jeffrey Prang for a long time. These are good, even great guys. The total sense always in my dealings with them is they do the right thing. They never seem to let most folks down. We need to re-elect them to the West Hollywood City Council. We just do. If you read my crap ever, you know that if I had a bad thing to say about these cats, I would. But I don't. I am for WeHo term limits, but limits are like the proposed gun laws—it takes a generation. In the meantime, in between time, we need to keep Duran and Prang around. They have served us well with spirit and honor, and we cannot dismiss that. They are very real awesome guys we need right now. I know we as a community have issues, and like everywhere in America, politics is getting unseemly; yet popularity should be no scale for the election of these guys. If popularity was the answer, Justin Bieber or Timberlake would be in the Senate. We still desperately need folks who will do good for us as we grow. Continue to grow. I really believe Duran and Prang will protect us. I just know in my heart they will. I don't easily understand this stuff beyond service. These are tough elected jobs. West Hollywood City Council folks don't make a ton, and even the mayor of L.A. is underpaid. But I so admire service. So I understand and deeply respect the mix of service and—let's be honest—ego. All these guys have a lifetime devoted to public service. Pretty damn exceptional. I admire them all. Fall where you will on any of this, but do vote. It is pretty damn important.
056-071 3123.qxd
2/28/13
1:32 PM
Page 59
CITY GUIDES
WEHO CONTINUES COMMUNITY STUDY
DON’T TELL MAMA PIANO BAR OPENS IN WEHO BY PAULO MURILLO Does your mama know? For those who feel the city of West Hollywood is overdue for a good old-fashioned piano bar, the wait is over. Legendary New York cabaret and piano bar Don’t Tell Mama has opened a sister branch in the heart of WeHo. The bar opened for happy hour on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 4 p.m. and the restaurant opened for dinner at 7. Don’t Tell Mama has taken over the former O-Bar restaurant space at 8279 Santa Monica Boulevard, located near Crescent Heights Boulevard, across the street from West Hollywood City Hall. The space has been empty since O-Bar closed in July of 2011. Longtime WeHo residents may also fondly remember this space housed the former Capones piano bar, which had a decent run in the 1990s. The Don’t Tell Mama Cabaret and Piano Bar was named after a song featured in the 1966 Broadway musical Cabaret. It was established in 1982 on Restaurant Row in the heart of the Theater District in NYC.
It’s been featured in numerous TV shows like Friends and Saturday Night Live, and also boasts a long list of performers who went on to win an Emmys, Grammys, Tonys, Oscars and the Pulitzer Prize, according to its website, donttellmamanyc.com. Although the WeHo location is not currently offering live cabaret performances, it will continue the tradition of showcasing opening front-house performances where servers and bartenders sing as they serve. Famed for its Broadway-caliber performers, Don’t Tell Mama held open-call auditions for front-house performance positions in mid-January, which were featured on morning TV shows. The restaurant serves American-style dishes. Dinner is currently on a first-come, first-serve basis. The piano bar will be open till 2 a.m. For more information, call (323) 380-7209. The website donttellmamala.com is coming soon.
What do you think about having a New York-style piano bar in West Hollywood? “The queens will love this. I'll go there and order a martini and listen to soothing music. It will be easier to talk to people. You can bring some friends and share a laugh a là Sex and the City. Everyone can take turns being Carrie Bradshaw." —Jerick Enclan LeBlanc
West Hollywood continues the community study process with new dates added for focus groups and pop-up workshops. The newly added community focus group is scheduled for Monday, March 11, at 2:30 p.m. in room 6 at Plummer Park. Pop-up workshops have also been added. These short meetings are conducted at different locations throughout West Hollywood, allowing participants the opportunity to select their preferences and priorities for social services and target populations and funding. New pop-up workshops are scheduled for Thursday, March 7, from 2:30 to 6 p.m. at the WeHo Library; Saturday, March 9, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at The Sunset, 8580 Sunset Blvd.; Saturday, March 9, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the City Parking Lot at Sunset Boulevard and North Sherbourne Drive; and Monday, March 11, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Room 5 & 6 at Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd. The final portion of the community study process will take place on Thursday, March 14, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in rooms 5 & 6 at Plummer Park. Preliminary results of the census data and survey demographics will be reviewed, and community members can share their thoughts about how the city should plan for future social services programs. For more information, visit weho.org.
SPEAK OUT “I think it's a good idea. Variety is the spice of life, so the more the merrier. It'd be a different place to go than the thumping bars. I've been to the one in New York, and it's kind of fun depending on who's singing. It can be really good when it's good, but even when it's bad, it's really, really good." —Andy Fossett
“This is very exciting. It will be nice to have a different type of club where you can relax, bring a date and just hang out and hear cabaretstyle music. This will fit the bill. I also think with the increased interest in musicals, it will pull a great mix of young and mature patrons. I can’t wait.” —Bruce Hart
MARCH 19, 2013
59
056-071 3123.qxd
2/28/13
1:32 PM
Page 60
CITY GUIDES
ORANGE COUNTY
MEN ALIVE ‘STRIKE A POSE’ FOR MARCH BY GREG HERNANDEZ MenAlive, the Orange County Gay Men's Chorus, performed with gay icon Liza Minnelli during their holiday show. So what are they doing for an encore? Madonna! Well, the Material Girl is not going to actually take to the stage with the choral group as Liza did, but her presence will certainly be felt in the upcoming show Strike A Pose: Madonna Musical Madness. "We didn't ask her to do a guest appearance,” admits Artistic Director Rich Cook. “We just had Liza. That's enough for one year! We will have a lot of moments with Madonna-esque costumes and images. It will have a Madonna look and feel." The show, to be performed March 22 and 23 at Irvine Barclay Theatre, will be chock-full of Madonna hits. The 16-minute opening medley, called “Madonna 101,” will include “Borderline,” “Papa Don't Preach,” “Material Girl,” “Open Your Heart,” “Holiday,” “Like A Virgin” and “Dress You Up.” The show will also include “Crazy For You,” “Hanky Panky” from the film Dick Tracy (“We get a little nasty on that one,” Cook promises), “Like a Prayer” and, of course, “Vogue.” “We have many of the big titles, but not all of them,” Cook says. “We do a lot of theatrics and a lot of showy numbers. We get extreme in our visuals and choreography and dancers.” Cook says Madonna, who has been a superstar for more than 30 years and is still churning out hits, has the kind of songbook that is perfect for MenAlive audiences, which are almost evenly split between gay and straight. Her music also 60
FRONTIERSLA.COM
appeals to multiple demographics, from the over-40 set to teens. “You have some really young guys who are just nuts about Madonna, whose songs are basically the background music for the ‘80s and the ‘90s,” he says. “We've got all kinds of people who like her and who are excited about it—both ends of the age spectrum.” Cook admits that Madonna, known for continuously reinventing both her music and image, is hardly the first artist you think of when planning an evening of choral music. But he said the chorus did an evening of the music of rock band Queen previously and it widened their musical horizons. "We've had a lot of requests for Madonna over the past five years, but my first thought was her music has a lot of electronics and wouldn’t be choral. But there are so many melodies that people will be familiar with." The 130-member chorus was founded 12 years ago. It will follow the Madonna show with a June 29 concert called “America! The Songs of Our Homeland.” That show will feature music by American composers and performers such as George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Stephen Sondheim and The Eagles, and arrangements of Neil Diamond’s “They’re Coming to America,” Ray Charles’ version of “America the Beautiful” and excerpts from The Will Rogers Follies. Tickets for Strike a Pose begin at $35 and can be purchased at thebarclay.org or by calling (949) 854-4646. menalivechorus.org
056-071 3123.qxd
2/28/13
1:32 PM
Page 61
CITY GUIDES
LONG BEACH
MELISSA ETHERIDGE SHARES IN THE MAKING OF LONG BEACH HISTORY BY GREG HERNANDEZ Melissa Etheridge hopes everyone will pay a visit to the Historical Society of Long Beach's new Coming Out in Long Beach exhibit, which tells the LGBT history of the city she called home for more than three years in the 1980s. “It's so hard to find us in history, period,” the singer told Frontiers at the exhibit's Feb. 23 gala opening. “For a historical society to finally say, '’OK, you lesbians and gays, that you were a part of our history is great.’ We have a wonderful history.” Etheridge was special guest at the opening and reflected on her pre-fame years living in Long Beach and performing twice a week at the lesbian bar Que Sera. “This is the place where I learned about politics,” she says. “I remember being cornered at the bar by those lesbians saying, ‘Are you registered to vote?’ They were organizing. It was the ‘80s, AIDS was just coming. This town really pulled together.” The influence the community had on Etheridge was so profound that she knew she wouldn't ever be able to stay closeted for the sake of her career—a career that has included two Grammys, an Oscar and such hits as “Come to My Window” and “I'm the Only One.” “It inspired me to be strong,” she says. “Everybody knew I was gay, and I wasn't going to be up there and be famous and go, 'Oh, I'm not gay.' It was all about being out. It's this community that really inspired me.”
At the gala, the exuberant crowd of more than 200 shouted such things as “Come back!” Gerrie Schipske, the first lesbian to serve on the Long Beach City Council, recalled how when fellow patrons first saw Etheridge performing at Que Sera, “You watched and said, 'God, I hope she's gay!’” Emcee Rosalyn Taylor O'Neal also got a big laugh when she told the crowd, “Some of you have been here since the beginning—when Melissa was a dollar!” Etheridge herself took to the microphone to share a few memories of her own. She remembered “staying on an aunt's couch in Silver Lake” and meeting then dating a girl who lived in Long Beach. She soon found herself living there full time. “I loved waking up here on a Sunday morning and going down to Fourth Street,” Etheridge told the crowd. She also thanked the “people who believed in me and gave me a job.” “You supported me, you helped me grow as a musician and you kept coming to hear me play,” she said to the crowd of Long Beach locals and dignitaries. “Thank you for making me who I am. ... Know that it was you that inspired me.” The exhibit will run for a year at the Historical Society of Long Beach Gallery & Research Center, 4260 Atlantic Ave. Public hours to see the exhibit are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 1-5 p.m.; Thursday 17 p.m.; and Saturday 11-5 p.m. centerlb.org MARCH 19, 2013
61
056-071 3123.qxd
3/1/13
4:27 PM
Page 62
CITY GUIDES
DESERT
HOT TOPIC
DANCE FOR LIFE RETURNS TO THE DESERT BY JAMES F. MILLS It’s often been said that dance is a celebration of life. In the case of an upcoming AIDS fundraiser, it’s a dance for life. Dance for Life Palm Springs features six nationally renowned dance troupes celebrating life with a special performance on Saturday, March 9, in the Annenberg Theatre at the Palm Springs Art Museum. Benefiting the AIDS Assistance Program, the Dance for Life performance is an encore of last year’s acclaimed show. “Last year’s Dance for Life event is still being talked about as one of the most entertaining, vibrant and exciting cultural events in recent memory, and
62
FRONTIERSLA.COM
we know that tickets for this encore performance will sell quickly,” says Mark Anton, Executive Director of AIDS Assistance Program, which provides monthly food vouchers for low-income people living with HIV/AIDS. “We are grateful that the producers of Dance for Life have once again chosen our organization as their beneficiary here in Palm Springs, and are thrilled that several renowned dance companies are returning to Palm Springs for another wonderful night.” Dance for Life grew out of the heavy impact HIV/AIDS had on the Chicago dance community. Bringing together many Chicago-based dance troupes, the
056-071 3123.qxd
2/28/13
1:39 PM
Page 63
MARCH 19, 2013
63
056-071 3123.qxd
3/1/13
1:29 PM
Page 64
CITY GUIDES
DESERT
HOT TOPIC
show was envisioned as a one-timeonly performance in 1992 to raise money for AIDS service organizations. That show was so successful, it became an annual event that has raised millions. In January 2012, the show came to Palm Springs for the first time. Currently scheduled to appear are jazz dance company Giordano Dance Chicago, the classical and contemporary Nevada Ballet Theatre, exotic dance troupe ENTITY, multi-style tap company Melinda Sullivan Dance Project, multispecialty Backhausdance and the newly formed Jaclyn Royal Contemporary Dance. Two of the troupes have created pieces that will premiere at the Palm Springs performance. James Canfield, Artistic Director of Nevada Ballet Theatre, will present “First,” an up-tempo ballet in the classical milieu. Melinda
64
FRONTIERSLA.COM
Sullivan of Melinda Sullivan Dance Project will premiere “Bluesy Medley,” a new suite that celebrates tap dancing in Hollywood musicals. The evening also features an appearance by actress/singer Carol Lawrence, who played Maria in the original 1957 Broadway production of West Side Story. “Ms. Lawrence is a performer who is most often associated with musical theater, but her career path has been quite varied,” explains Keith Elliott, coproducer of Dance for Life Palm Springs. “[She] plans to share tales of her career and also talk about how AIDS has touched and affected those close to her.” The evening begins with a cocktail reception at the Palm Springs Art Museum from 5 to 6:30 p.m.; the performance starts at 7. aidsassistance.org
056-071 3123.qxd
3/1/13
5:24 PM
Page 65
MARCH 19, 2013
65
056-071 3123.qxd
3/1/13
4:29 PM
Page 66
CITY GUIDES
ESCAPE TO THE MIRAGE AT VISTA GRANDE RESORT BY JAMES F. MILLS Private resorts within larger resorts are a growing trend within the hospitality industry; however, the practice is still somewhat rare among gay resorts. But that hasn’t stopped Palm Springs’ Vista Grande Resort from creating a special area in its Warm Sands complex. The Mirage is Vista Grande’s own unique private tropical paradise resort within a resort—four one-bedroom apartments surrounding a lush garden waterfall and lagoon with an accompanying 12-man Jacuzzi and steam room. “The Mirage is an oasis of tranquility and luxury,” says owner Robert Fields. “It is the premier retreat for gay men of distinction and aspiration. There are four executive-scaled one-bedroom apartments suitable for stays long or short.” Decidedly upscale, the Mirage resort features individually decorated apartments complete with fully equipped kitchens, private parking and continental breakfast plus concierge services that rival any of the name-brand chains. “With unparalleled concierge services and attention to detail, the staff make you feel welcomed without impairing your vacation,” says Fields. “The suites are designed for a quick getaway from the hustle-and-bustle of your busy life or for a longer stay to recreate 66
FRONTIERSLA.COM
and rejuvenate yourself.” While the Vista Grande opened in 1984 as a clothing-optional hotel, the Mirage was created as a separate section in the mid-1990s. Initially envisioned as an exclusive section within the 33suite hotel, over the years the Mirage evolved into a luxurious destination, one where men come to completely escape, relax and have fun. Fields says the evolution of the Vista Grande and Mirage mirrors that of the gay community. “When the Vista Grande Resort began, we set out to create something that was needed in the gay community but did not exist—a clean, comfortable and safe environment where gay men could be their uninhibited, creative, sensual selves,” says Fields. “I don’t have to tell you how far gay life has come over the years. We’ve grown and evolved. We’ve come of age. We’ve gone from the deep, dark closet to the forefront in every profession and industry in society. The Mirage at the Vista Grande Resort has evolved, too. It’s not only the clean, comfortable and safe hotel we started out to build. It’s the venue for magic, for the artwork that is our lives.” mirage4men.com
056-071 3123.qxd
2/28/13
1:39 PM
Page 67
HEALTH
Love and sex between men of different generations is nothing new. It rose to the level of a cultural tradition among the Greeks thousands of years ago. Today there are many older and younger men alike who prefer each other’s company to that of people their own age. Many stereotypes abound about rich "sugar daddies" seeking "cute young things,” young "gold-diggers" looking to ride their good looks to an affluent lifestyle, young men looking for father figures and older men seeking to recapture their youth. They are all true to one degree or another. People have many reasons for seeking out relationships. When the latest Mrs. Donald Trump was asked if she would be interested in him if he wasn't rich, she blithely responded, “Would he be interested in me if I was ugly?” Cross-generational attractions/relationships are not something shameful. For every gold-digger or "dirty old man" there are successful relationships between men of different ages. If they last long enough, the age difference is mitigated. The age gap between a 22-year-old and a 35-year-old is a lot dif-
Of course we know that addiction, including meth, hits all types of people, in all walks of life. We make no claims that the LGBT community is the only community that is having these difficulties. What I would like to offer in this piece are possible things to be looking for when searching for a rehab facility for a gay, lesbian or trans person, as opposed to a rehab that is not experienced in understanding the needs of LGBT folks who are having addiction problems. It has been said that being gay, lesbian or trans automatically makes you more susceptible to addiction because of the “culture.” I am willing to accept that in part. There certainly is a tribal feel to using party drugs along the circuit and gay and lesbian enclaves and large gatherings. We know, for instance, that L.A. Pride is not only a place where alcohol is sold by the boatload, but that many are using meth, coke or smack either at the festival or before they get there. I also would like to put out there that gay, lesbian and trans people are the targets of bullying and discrimination by society, from early on in childhood all the way into adulthood. If we are perceived as being too fem or too butch while in school, at work, or if we don’t act “gender appro-
with HIV and other STDs. They have access to party scenes that may be too President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) expensive for the younger man. They president@aidshealth.org — aidshealth.org may use their financial and emotional PHOTO: GREG GORMAN dominance to control and exploit the younger man. Entry to the fast lane life may dazzle the younger man, but also get him in trouble. The younger man may be relying on the older to protect him and foolishly put himself at risk. The reality is that a disproportionate percentage of young men are being infected by older men who have ferent than between a 35-year-old and a 48-yearnot taken the responsibility to protect the younger old. Indeed, the benefits gained from the difference man. They are taking whatever they can get without may spice up life for both of them. However, there considering the consequences for a young man who are many situations where the younger man is being has his whole life ahead of him. Often the gay comexploited because he has less power than the older munity takes an “every man for himself/I am not my man, who is often more established in his life. If the brother’s keeper” attitude. As we try individually and younger man is dependent on the older one, can he collectively to be our better selves, that attitude has really assert himself? What happens when a younger, to change. Older gay men are responsible for the cuter guy comes along? younger generation. They look to us for guidance and Mixed-age relationships also have consequences our experience. Let's sacrifice a little of the cheap thrill for health. Older men are more likely to be infected to help them out.
WITH MICHAEL WEINSTEIN
YOUNGER/OLDER
BY JIMMY PALMIERI
RECOVERY FOR GAYS & LESBIANS priate,” the harassment can become unending— even life-threatening. Although a large percentage of us cope, even though depressed and isolated until we actually can become part of an accepting community, many find the need to numb themselves with substances from the pain of the constant torment from their peers, family, churches, bosses and others who have a direct effect on their lives. Entering a rehab that does not clearly understand many of the underlying feelings of resentment, isolation, lack of acceptance and constant discourse from not just family members, but also an ill-informed heterosexual-biased society can sometimes do more harm than good.
Although I can never make a recommendation for an entire community, it has been my experience that for LGBT people, entering a facility that has dealt with homophobia or transphobia, and is understanding of specific needs of our community, can sometimes help in the prevention of a relapse. A place where gay and lesbian folks can speak freely and openly about their sexuality with no fear of judgment, speak of their partners, lovers or same-sex spouses as well as their created family of gay and gay-accepting friends is imperative to creating a healthy coalition of supporters, who will ultimately be the very people who the addict may need to turn to. Recovery should be a safe place to be. It should begin with the facility and the addict’s determination to reclaim their life. Understanding our community’s needs, as well as allowing the addict to blossom into who they really are, can in many instances cause a longer lasting and more clearly understood road into the addict’s own sober life. And what a great life it could be. Jimmy Palmieri is the founder of The Tweakers Project, tweakersproject.org, and a Human Services Commissioner for the city of West Hollywood.
MARCH 19, 2013
67
056-071 3123.qxd
2/28/13
1:39 PM
Page 68
HEALTH
WITH AARON SAVVY, ACSM Certified Trainer
FITNESS Q & A
I cannot seem to motivate myself to go to the gym. Any suggestions? —Daniel, Los Angeles I think a lot of people have this issue. I even have days that I need to selfmotivate myself to go—which is really the question. Why do you want to go to the gym? Are you happy with the current state in which your body is in? What results will you get if you go to the gym? Energy, weight loss, firmness, strength, size perhaps. Focusing on what you want is the key. Be selfish and make this all about you. You deserve it, and the most important investment you can ever make is in yourself. If you break down, your health goes down and the need to take care of yourself is out. Is there a time frame in which I can start to see results? —Joe, Long Beach This will vary for everyone, but I will say this—seeing results quickly is all about consistency. The more you are on a healthy eating and workout regimen, the faster the results will follow. I like to use the three-month rule. The first thing you will notice is an increase in energy, followed by weight loss, muscle-building and firming. You have to remember that whatever lifestyle you were living, your body is still in that mode. The three months will allow your body to transition. The reason for most people quitting their workout and eating regimen is that they have not stuck with it long enough. Remember—consistency, consistency, consistency. Is there any order of combining or working muscle groups together? —Ryan, Hollywood I suggest starting your workout with the biggest muscle group first (chest, back and legs), then smaller muscle groups (triceps, biceps and shoulders). If you want to work two muscle groups, I would work chest first followed by triceps, core then cardio. If you did triceps first, or even cardio, you would release a lot of your glucose (energy levels), not allowing your chest portion to be as effective. As your glucose energy drops, the quality of your workout drops too.
For additional questions, feel free to visit me at aaronsavvy.com.
68
FRONTIERSLA.COM
056-071 3123.qxd
3/1/13
1:32 PM
Page 69
HEALTH
OFF THE
COUCH COU PHOTO
TV F BRAVO RTESY O
DR. GREG CASON IS NOT YOUR EVERYDAY THERAPIST.
Would you trust a therapist with problems? I ponder this as I am on the precipice of my show L.A. Shrinks about to appear on Bravo. It's of deep concern to me. This show doesn't just seek to show therapy, it seeks to show therapists. And, being that therapists are human beings, they are therapists with human problems. But I wonder if the issue is the therapist with problems or the expectation that therapists don't have them. Dr. Greg Cason is a licensed psychologist based in West Hollywood, specializing in cognitive therapy with individuals and couples, both gay and straight. He can be contacted at (310) 652-0031.
There is no doubt that when we know someone's profession, we often look at him or her as if they should reflect that profession at all times. It is just a bit off-putting to see a physician who smokes, a chef who indulges in TV dinners or an off-duty cop who runs red lights. We tend to see people in terms of their professions and expect them to act accordingly. But is that really fair? Does breaking another person's expectations of how a professional should act in his off-time mean that he is somehow less qualified to be in that profession? My own profession—psychology, for instance—does expect that those who are licensed psychologists lead law-abiding lives. I can go along with that. It's awfully difficult to have a thriving private practice from the inside of a jail cell. But the profession is also concerned about private behavior that may impact one's professional life negatively. Drug and alcohol abuse qualify. Running a brothel would certainly be of concern. So, the truth is, that there are expectations about one's personal life even from within the profession. L.A. Shrinks not only depicts what goes on in the offices of three Los Angeles area experts, but also shows what goes on in their personal lives outside of the therapy room. All seems fine and good until you see that our personal lives have some real meat, and that we deal with some of the very issues our clients also
struggle with. The thing is, I—and most of us who go into this profession—had issues of my own to which I sought answers. Therapists were human beings long before they ever sought any education or training. And hopefully they remain human beings above any titles, degrees or certifications. I am always a little amazed (and a little sickened) by those therapists who continue to take a "therapeutic stance" with relationships outside of the office. You know the ones. The therapists who always dress in comforting clothing and listen intently to someone else, pausing only to ask a probing question while not volunteering any feelings or personal struggles of their own. Maybe they punctuate the exchange with a "hmm" and expressions of deep understanding and a slight air of superiority. Whenever I talk with one of these therapists (and there are an unusual amount of them), I feel as if I am being silently judged while I answer their open-ended questions with their heads nodding up and down slowly. If I didn't do therapy myself, I might think this person is taking a special interest in me. But I know better. I know this therapist is unwilling to meet me as a fellow traveler in the world who laughs, cries and occasionally watches internet porn. Creepy. No, not the fact that they watch internet porn, but the fact they won't admit to it or anything else. If you had a therapist who was blameless, how could you expect that person to relate to what you are going through?
Call me newfangled, but I want a therapist who is a joy to be around outside of the therapy office even though I will probably never meet them there. I want a therapist who will belly up to the bar and buy a round of drinks, laugh the loudest at an off-color joke and sometimes forget his or her anniversary. Hmm. Maybe that is not really what I want but who I want to be. I will have to work on that. (Except for the anniversary part, I have that one down. Next time I'll talk about missing an important event in your partner’s life, like an anniversary, birthday or court date.) But, what I want is not really the question. Maybe the question is, can I be the type of therapist other people want? I did not become a psychologist because I had all the answers. Far from it. I became a psychologist because I had a lot of questions. Questions like, why are we here? What is love? And how do I get my partner to do everything I want while I stand by and don't lift a finger? Needless to say, I am still working on those. And, though I promise to give answers to things I know about, you will soon see there are things I don't. I step in it and make mistakes. But what I can say is that I also practice what I preach, and I can tell you what has worked and what doesn't. So will you trust a therapist with problems? I hope so, because all of them do. The only difference with me is I can assure you that I will find the answer alongside of you and not pretend I don't know what it's like to struggle too.
If you have any questions and/or comments, please direct them to: Frontiers, 5657 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 470, Los Angeles, CA 90036, or email them to feedback@frontiersla.com. MARCH 19, 2013
69
056-071 3123.qxd
3/1/13
3:34 PM
Page 70
MARKETPLACE
BUSINESS SERVICES SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
JOBS AVAIL./WANTED
MASSAGE THERAPY
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
ANNOUNCERS
A GARDEN OF EDEN Msge-Hydrothrpy-Scrubs-Facial+ Ft Trtmnts+ Dave 323-460-4071!
No experience necessary Host music/talk-shows for our radio stations. P/T $10-15/hr, $200+ per show plus fantastic benefits 323-468-0080 714991-1966. [15SC2221]
ASIAN WANTED To clean apt or Massage Don. 472-0844 [15SC2002]
310-
GAY BLOGGERS WANTED
Painting, Stucco, drywall, decks, doors and windows and full remodeling. Ref. available. Over 30 yrs in business. 323-668-2989 [85SC2204]
ROOFING
PAINTING
Roofing & gutters Best price in town! 100% satisfaction guaranteed We do all roofs. T&U Roofing Lic# C39872976 Bonded Insured Call for free estimate Ask for Ed 310 927 1723
Interior/Exterior, High Quality and Fast Installation. FREE Estimates Call 323-230-0477. 10% discount with Ad. LIC. C214860 [85SC2323]
[85SC2323]
REMODELING
A DOMESTIC ANGEL.. DAVE 323-460-4071
[65SC1624]
SEXY CARPENTER/HANDYMAN
Legit massage by Ray (818) 503-0453
[85SC1624]
[65SC2101]
PERSONAL SERVICES
Kitchens, Bathrooms, Room Additions, High Quality In a Timely Manner Guaranteed. FREE Estimates. Call 310-570-2723. 10% Discount with Ad. LIC. B 957909. [85SC2323] PC Roofing Since 1989 re-roof, new construction, remodels, repairs & seamless gutters Work Guaranteed licensed bonded & fully insured Lic. #C-39 563041 Respect for your home a priority. 818-775-1412 FREE estimates. [85SC2323]
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
WILL TRAIN MAKE SERIOUS MONEY ONLINE
PC HELP $45
GAYBLOGGER4U.COM
Teach Help Fix Advise; Take pix of you & upload to net; Good w/beginners; Emergencies ok; Let’s talk Chris 323 261-8894 [85SC2323]
[15SC2302]
OLDER/MATURE Men Wanted 4 XXX Videos, Be 30 - 70 U love Sex Immediate Work Great Pay. Call Mark 323-209-3019 [15SC2323]
KOOL POOL [85SC2323] T01632
HEALTH SERVICES SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Service-Repair-Remoding 1-Month free service with one year agreement or 3- months with 2 year agreement FREE estimates 323-299-1666 Gay Own Company [85SC2002] DAVE’S PARTY HELP! Set up + serve. 323-460-4071.
[75SC2323] T02443
[85SC1624]
HEALTH INS. WWW.NBIA.COM
DADDY DON’S TAX SERVICE 323-656-7532 INDIVIDUAL, RDP/SAME SEX COUPLES PARTNERSHIPS, LLC, AND CORPORATE TAX RETURN PREPARATION. DONALD ANSPAUCH, IRS EA 93602
APPLY ON LINE AETNA, ANTHEM, CIGNA BLUE SHIELD, KAISER CAlic#0589208 - Gay & Weho [75SC2323]
[85SC2323]
FROM PARIS FRANCE EXPERIENCED FACIALIST EUROPEAN FACIAL TREATMENTS CAREER/JOBOPPORTUNITY PF/FT FRANCINE 818-577-5717 FRANCINEFACIALMASSAGE @YAHOO.COM PRIVATE LOCATION IN BEVERLY HILLS Website: WWW.FRANCINEFACIALMASSAGE.COM [55SC2323] P05355
FEET TREATMENTS DAVE 323-460-4071 [65SC1624]
70
FRONTIERSLA.COM
SMOOTH AS A CENTERFOLD 323-651-1725 Butt/Bikini/Brazilian waxing. Total body wax, trims & shaves. Professional fast and clean. [75SC2323]
MAID IN LA Professional Cleaning-Bar & Party 310-398-6243 www.maidinla.com [75SC2323] BODY HAIR TRIMMING 75.00 Complete trim. Back and shoulders -trim/shave 30.00 Excellent quality work. Call for appt. 323 651-5050 In WeHo [75SC1716] HOUSECLEANING PLUS DAVE 323/460-4071. [75SC1624]
INCOME TAX
[85SC2323] T02445
(323)-937-5390
IF IT IS TAX, WE DO IT 310-382-0584 Specializing in Personal (RDP/SameSex),Business, and Prior-Year Amendments. Experienced CPA/Former IRS Agent, Serving the Community with Pride since 1996. ed@mofradfinancial.com mofradstaxservices.com [85SC1526]
ROOFING All Types, High quality and Fast Installation. FREE Estimates Call 310-570-2723. 10% discount with Ad. LIC. C39 957909 [85SC2323]
Personal or Business income tax preparation.Domestic partners and out of State returns welcome. Clear and reasonable fee structure. IRS problems? Under Audit? Salary/bank accounts garnished? Unfiled income tax returns? Tired of the worry? Will help you answer letters from IRS and the Franchise Tax Board. Free consultation. Call: Dean A. Wong, CPA. [85SC1716]
HOME IMPROVEMENT Additions, remodels, bathrooms, kitchens, windows, flooring, painting interior/ext., custom decks, stucco, block walls, driveways & more. Lic#884762 Bonded/insured Free estimates CALL ED 310.927.1723 [85SC2323]
056-071 3123.qxd
3/1/13
2:54 PM
Page 71
MARKETPLACE
BUSINESS
PROFILE MANNY’S CLEANING
WINDOWS N’ THINGS: REVAMPING YOUR VIEW BY MICHELLE MCCARTHY Windows are an aspect homeowners often overlook when compiling a to-do list of renovations. That is, until you show them the world of difference they make in before and after photos. And the aesthetic benefits of installing new windows are only the half of it. Want to drastically reduce your utility bills? Updated windows (and doors) are a good place to start. Ben Zehavi was working in the architectural drafting field when he decided to take all the knowledge he’d gathered about the functions of doors and windows and apply it to his own business. So in 2004, Ben opened up Windows N’ Things in Canoga Park. “When I decided to open my own company, it was obvious for me that my skills and background would help in designing our products to better fit the client’s house,” he says. “It was started as a family-owned business. I had my brother-inlaw running the show, while I was mainly in the background for help and support. Today, I run the business myself.” Windows N’ Things specializes in approaching each window or door as a solution to its clients’ needs. One of the company’s main practices is to run a high volume of orders through a minimum number of suppliers in order to get the lowest available prices. It offers exceptional lines of windows, doors, hardware, skylights and moldings from major manufacturers such as Fleetwood, Marvin, Integrity, Milgard and many others. Its reputable, certified, knowledgeable and friendly staff has more than 50 years of combined experience in the window and door industry. For its first seven and a half years in existence, Windows N’ Things was doing wholesale only and worked toward getting name recognition in the architectural, building and developing industry. The company opened up its doors to the public a little more than a year and a half ago. “Right now, we are specializing in high-end residential, selling mainly aluminum windows and doors for contemporary homes and wood-clad windows for high-end residential settings,” Ben says. “As far as budget windows, we mainly focus on Milgard vinyl windows and doors.” In addition to simply looking better, quality windows minimize unwanted noise outside your house. Windows N’ Things replaces standard, single-pane windows and drafty doors with energy-efficient windows and doors that can lower energy bills by as much as 15 percent annually. Installation is done through Windows N’ Things’ sister company, which is licensed and has been in business for a decade. For more information on Windows N’ Things, go to windowsnthings.com, or visit the warehouse at 21300 Hart St., Canoga Park, (818) 716-1800.
I clean apts, condos, or small houses, wkly or twice monthly. Excllnt. service, dependable, good rate. (310) 339-1235 [85SC2323]
LUIS CLEANING Expert house cleaner Louis 310 739 6569
ORGANIZATIONS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
PRIMETIMERS MATURE GAY MEN
[85SC2323]
TRAVEL SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOVE THE FUN! www.GayWeho.US/6 [95SC2323]
ORANGE COUNTY CA LOVE THE FUN! www.GayWeho.US/7 [95OC2323]
PALM SPRINGS CA LOVE THE FUN! www.GayWeho.US/8
AND THEIR ADMIRERS MONTHLY SOCIAL (323) 733-6412 www.laprimetimers.org
[135SC2101]
OLDER GAYS Meet new friends at Project Rainbow! Free every Wed. 12-2pm In lounge at Plummer Park, West Hollywood 213621-3180 www.ProjectRainbowLA.org [135SC2323]
DIGNITY LOS ANGELES An LGBTQ Progressive catholic, faith community located at 126 S. ave 64 Los Angeles, CA. 90042 (323) 3448064 wwwdignitylosangeles.org [135SC2209]
[95PS2323]
ANNOUNCEMENTS ORANGE COUNTY CA
SLAMMER STUDENT NIGHT Slammer Student Night October 24th, 8pm-4am. All students with current ID, save $5 on entry to the club. Take a break from school and cum play at Slammer. 3688 Beverly Blvd. LA, CA 90004.213-388-8040 www.slammerclub.com [105OC2323] [85SC1919] T02056
FOR SALE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COLLECTOR WILL BUY Your gay porn collection DVDs, mags, photos, books, 8mm films. Call Phil 323 230 9606 What do you have? [115SC2323]
Market
SPACE MARCH 19, 2013
71
072-bc 3123.qxd
3/1/13
3:29 PM
Page 72
.COM
TO ADVERTISE CALL 323.930.3220 OR SEE THE ORDER FORM ON PAGE 79 STR8 SURFER
MODELS/ESCORTS
5’9 174 BR/blu 7c Likes to be Serviced out only Pics: Realjock.com/str8surfer 818-203-0904 [165SC2323]
ATTENTION MODELS AND MASSEURS Frontiers prefers all photo shots above the waist only; any shot below the waist must be non-suggestive and non-explicit. Examples of unacceptable photos would include (but are not limited to) “groping” of the genital area, or anatomical details of the genital area visible through sheer/tight fabric. Please do not write on, cut, or deface photo in any way! All photos submitted that do not fit these guidelines will not be used. Your ad will be printed without a photo or a previous photo from your Photo File will be used in its place. Frontiers is not responsible for Photo Ads that are submitted incorrectly. If you have a concern regarding your photo please call us before you submit your ad. Thank You for your cooperation. [3BCS0100]
HOT N SEXY GO-GO DANCER
THE BEST FROM THE WEST INDIES
Massage and More 26 155,Latn/White 5’11 Masc n Hung 8 n Thick, Vers, Friendly. IN/Out 24/7 call for rates Roy 310-384-7179 [165SC2323]
Physical Theraphy/Massage 11x7 32 year old 6’2, 195lbs Perfect Hands to put you to ease. In/Out Bryan 323-2405611. Regular clients [175SC2323] P05351
ROMAN 323-445-2640 5’11 200LBS MASCULINE VERS/TOP [165SC2223] P05320
P05353
ALEX NEW IN HOLLYWOOD Escort services 323-770-5719 Sunset and Western, Sexy and masc Latin guy. [165SC2323]
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
81/2 UC TOP
NEW HOT MUSCLE
Model Masseur you wont be disappointed Call Dan 310-854-3521 [165SC2323]
Matt 310-967-2033
[175SC2323] P05287
[165SC2323] T02352
HOT T I M E Jack 6’4” 200 8C 310-749-8532 Pics & info jackXXXsanders.com [165SC2323] [165SC2323] T02447
HUNG BJ PRO THE ULTIMATE MALE! MASCULINE, GOOD LOOKS, AND BUILT! TEXAN BODY BUILDER/CONSTRUCTION WORKER 6’3 245LBS. of Pure Natural Muscle. 36y/o. Dirty Blond Hair/Blue Eyed Hot White Male. Big, solid and rock Hard From Head to Toe...All of it! over 12 yrs Experience. Erotic Massage/Safe Fantasy by the Best Kenny 818-908-8888 [165SC2201] P05266
72
FRONTIERS4MEN.COM
Amazing mouth+tongue-Thick 9 “ Dick Anything Goes, NO PNP. 323-828-2015 [165SC2324]
BLONDE BOY! Gdlkg White/European 26 yrs 5’11 165lbs Slim Build Smooth Skin Blue Eyes Bubble Butt 7.5 Uncut Big Loads! Kissing Oral MIld 2 Kinky or Massage Friendly and Discreet guy Call/Text Justin: 323-592-0909 West Hollywood [165SC2323]
NEW IN TOWN 6’1, 170lbs, young handsome, Muscular Slim, Hung 9x6, vers IN/Out 24/7. call Gerome 213-308-0737 [165SC2323] P05309 Sexy Dom Japanese Masseur 8I8-3I49699 [165SC2221]
072-bc 3123.qxd
3/1/13
3:41 PM
Page 73
MARCH 19, 2013
73
072-bc 3123.qxd
3/1/13
2:31 PM
Page 74
MASSAGE / BODY RUBS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
.WHAT U WANT2
SEXY ITALIAN
Fullbody massage+more by handsome all Italian guy 5’11 168 81/2” Versatile /fun. 323-874-5762 [175SC2323]
I Will massage you in the nude 81/2 Uncut top. Call 310-854-3521 [175SC2323]
OC LONGBCH LA
SPA PACKAGES!!!
Black masseur 5F4 130# lean muscular Handsome face Smooth Oceanview Massage Michael 562 714 4270 MCVisa [175SC2323]
DAVE 323/460-4071 [175SC1624]
HOTTEST Best release 9” hung nude 6’1 220# VGLKG Musclr, You’ll be back. Max 323 692-1062 24/7 [175SC2323]
Legit massage by Ray (818) 503-0453 [175SC2101]
[175SC2323] T02357
BOB PATRICK Let the Tosh.0 Pleasure Coach customize YOUR UltraMassage, Sensitive Nips or ButtMaster session. 310-409-6050. Visit www.BobPatrick.com [175SC2323] P05312
BUTTS ONLY! $5OFF M4M YOUNG THAIBOYPRIVATE ROOMS.. 4903W PICO BLVD., LA. CA. 90019 (323)-937-5183/323-836-4017
SHOWER SCRUBS!!!! DAVE 323/460-4071.
$5OFF M4M YOUNG THAIBOYPRIVATE ROOMS.. 4903W PICO BLVD., LA. CA. 90019 (323)-937-5183/323-836-4017
[175SC1624]
[175SC2323] P05293
MUSCLEWORKS
#1 HOT ITALIAN!! Beef! masc 6’ 220 VGLKG+9” Treat yourself to sensual bodyrub W/Incredible release. In/Out 24/7 Mark 323 5400930 [175SC2323] P00541
[175SC2323] P05328
Musc/masc Irish athlete, pro-trained, focuses on yr specific needs. DT, Swedish, erotic. WeHo Ez park Discreet No attitude Sean 323 658-8860. Late OK! [175SC2323] P03733
74
Ass need work? Massage Fingers Spank Toys leather sexy muscle dad does it all! 213-580-4704 [175SC2323]
FRONTIERS4MEN.COM
MANLY MSG + 5’9” 180 Friendly Discreet Masc Deep Sensual Full Body Contact 8yrs exp Table In $60 Out $85 Str8 Married Gay Bi Welc Shower EZ park 323-309-9881 [175SC1312]
Grand Opening Fullmonthaispa 15% discount Special! M4M YOUNG CUTE THAI BOY. Private Rooms and complimentary Showers 4781 Santa Monica Blvd, LA Ca 90029 call us at 323-663-6558 text us at 213-458-9544 [175SC2323] P05326
[175SC2323] T02400
SILVER DAD ATHLETIC G/L LATIN Swedish Full body massage Relax and release your sore muscles with my strong gentle hands. Located in SGV. In or Outcalls. Hour or 1/2 hrs. available. Men 35+ I’m 54 yrs in shape Masseur Steve 626-407-1390 [175SC2202]
Release stress masseur/healer. [175SC2323] P05354
w/VGL muscular (323) 533-4775
072-bc 3123.qxd
3/1/13
3:42 PM
Page 75
MARCH 19, 2013
75
072-bc 3123.qxd
3/1/13
3:30 PM
Page 76
Let this Greek Italian give you a massage the way you like it. (818) 205-5766.
WHITE GLOVE RUB Full body 1hr massage by nice Latin Guy Martin 818-404-3944 [175SC2324]
[175SC2323]
MEN’S HEALTH SPA
HUNG FUN CMT
Jacuzzi Dry & Steam Sauna Shiatsu & Fullbody massage 8a-10pm. Out calls also In the South Bay 310-707-3248. Pain Clinic Doctor Available. [175SC2111]
Table, Diligent, Playful, Oral + More, Thick 9” Dick. Shower Avail, EZ Parking 323-828-2015 [175SC2324] TORRIED MASSAGE By Cute Smooth Full body Contact in or out Andrew 323-855-8982 [175SC1902]
MASSAGE + MORE From Italy Versatile n fun for awesome good time! 323-874-5762 [175SC2323] [175SC2323] T02290
[175SC2323] T02368
SENSUAL SALT BATH with Jonathan (323)460-4071 [175SC1624]
MATURE & SEXY Hung European Hard Big U/C Gives Nude Full Body Mass&More Jack 323-6611720 [175SC2323] [175SC2323] T02419
Masseurmeister big strong German hands will do the job. $45/hr. $70/1.5hr. (818) 997-7972 [175SC2002]
XXHUNG MASSUER
NUDE MASSAGE Masculine, worked out, muscle jock offers a combination of Thai, Swedish, Deep tissue & erotic styles for your pleasure. Very high number of repeat clients. San Fernando Valley and LA areas. Tim (818) 625-8094. [175SC2323] P05254
Classy, Fun 6’2 220 Blk muscle Husky & Older guys preferred Host or Travel. (818) 738-3578 [175SC2323] P05195
SUPERB MASSAGE Relax into Fall with a good-looking, fit, laid-back expert in the arts of relaxation and rejuvenation. Discreet, professional, tension relief at a bargain-hunter’s price...What more could you ask for? Scott 323-384-7574 VISA/MC, AMEX, DISC. accepted. [175SC2323]
$5 OFF OUR HOT NEW ASIAN & LATINO BOYS We now have two locations featuring all private rooms! #1. 4875 Melrose Ave LA 90029 323-464-7793 Melrose & Western #2. 1253 N Vine St LA 90038 323-960-9084 Fountain & Vine 323-828-2089 [175SC2323] P05246
310-749-8532 PERENEAL MASSAGE!! Dave 323-460-4071. Awsome. [175SC1624]
76
FRONTIERS4MEN.COM
6ft4 Musc Smooth Swedish Deep tissue on table In-calls only Central Hollwood Total nude Total release Handsome Friendly guy www.hugehunguy.com 323 252 3412 [175SC2323] P04962
Jackson. Nude full body stress release. Handsome,masculine & fun. In/Out weho. sensational. [175SC2323] P05333
[175SC2323] T02318
072-bc 3123.qxd
2/28/13
3:37 PM
Page 77
MARCH 19, 2013
77
3/1/13
3:30 PM
Page 78
M4M Sex Date: 877-846-8269 18+
S&M
[215SC1823]
WEBSITES
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Telesex: S & M 866-710-1022 18+
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
[185SC1823]
SLAVE WANTED Master seeks totally mature obedient slave age looks not important attitude is you will be Hooded collared bondage spanking Tit play sling cage there for my pleasure call after 6pm 323-547-3124 Sir [185SC1723]
FREE WEBCAM CHAT WWW.LGBTQCONNECT.COM
[235SC1925]
LOVE THE FUN! www.GayWeho.US/2 [235SC2323]
[175SC2323] T02307
S&M MODELS
SKYLER MOON 23 6’1 Thin and tone Enjoy a healing sensual massage 831-713-8957. [175SC2323]
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Kinky Japanese Muscle Master 8I8-3I4-9699 [195SC2221]
RELATIONSHIPS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GWM 57 5’10 177 BL Red HIV- Yng. Seeks Lover Rel 18-40 emp 4 LTR. Pic to: W.D. POB 955 South Pasadena CA 91031-0955 Serious Guy [205SC2323]
WANT TO MEET
[235SC2323] T02443
FREE WEBCAM CHAT WWW.LGBTQCONNECT.COM
[235SC1925]
ORANGE COUNTY CA LOVE THE FUN! www.GayWeho.US/3 [235OC2323]
[165SC2323] T02446
FULLERTON Will give you a full-body massage in the nude, by goodlking GM 35y. 5’11” 185# $40in/$60+out Eric 714 879-5293 24/7 [175SC2326]
ORANGE COUNTY CA
AWESOME MSG Cert pro Strong/sensitive touch Erotic/relaxing Nice guy/body Spiritual 7am-11pm Chuck 714 743 8275 No calls after 11pm [175OC2323]
78
FRONTIERS4MEN.COM
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
WHERE LOCAL MEN MEET!!
VIDEOS
Send Messages FREE! (323) 648-3999, (213) 316-1006 Use Free Code 7927, 18+ [215SC2323]
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
WANT XHIBITIONIST! LEE WORSHIPER LA 323-665-7217 [215SC2103]
MAN FETISH KINKVIDEO.COM Boot Sock Foot Tickle Trample Cock Rim Spank Fuck BDSM! Free broch DVD/VHS/VOD 415-436-9840 KV-FR, POB 14108, SF, CA 94114 [245SC2323]
.COM
072-bc 3123.qxd
072-bc 3123.qxd
2/28/13
3:37 PM
Page 79
#31.24 #31.25 #31.26 #32.01
03/06/13 03/20/13 04/03/13 04/17/13
03/20/13 04/03/13 04/17/13 05/01/13
MARCH 19, 2013
79
072-bc 3123.qxd
3/1/13
1:35 PM
Page 80
072-bc 3123.qxd
2/28/13
3:36 PM
Page 81
072-bc 3123.qxd
2/28/13
3:37 PM
Page 82