Frontiers Vol. 32, Issue 20 by Frontiers

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INSIDE VOL. 32, ISSUE 20 | JAN. 22 - FEB. 4, 2014

Sports Wear

PHOTO BY: RAÚL HERRERA

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INSIDE

VOL. 32, ISSUE 20 | JAN. 22 - FEB. 4, 2014

NEWS News Briefs ......................................................14 Body Counts....................................................22 The Nail-Biting Battle Over California’s Trans Student Law ..................24 WeHo City Officials Criticized Over Removal of Rainbow Flag ..................26 A New Frontier for Immigration Law........28 SOCAL EVENTS GUIDE Calendar ..........................................................49 SnapShots........................................................50 5 Reasons ........................................................50 Eating Out ........................................................51 L.A. Staycation................................................52 ENTERTAINMENT Film Reviews ..................................................56 Music Reviews................................................58 Theater Reviews ............................................59 COLUMNS Billy Masters ..................................................60 Little Miss Know-It-All..................................61 Drive..................................................................62 Out & About ..................................................63 CITY GUIDES West Hollywood............................................64 Palm Springs ..................................................65 HEALTH Zero to Savvy..................................................68 Off the Couch ................................................69 FRONTIERS MARKETPLACE Listings ............................................................70 Business Profile ..............................................71 FRONTIERS4MEN Adult Classifieds ............................................72 Sex Ed ..............................................................79

COVER PHOTO BY

Raúl Herrera MODEL

Mark Sauer Jr

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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.

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ONLINE Find these stories exclusively at

FULL-FRONTAL FILMING By Gary M. Kramer

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Writer/director Alain Guiraudie's astonishing film Stranger by the Lake depicts a love triangle that develops at a cruising area when Franck befriends Henri but lusts after Michel. Guiraudie’s film is incredibly atmospheric and guaranteed to get tongues (along with other body parts) wagging. In a recent meeting, the filmmaker spoke to us about creating his seductive, erotic thriller. FrontiersLA.com/ExclusiveInterviews

THE LEGEND OF XANDER, KING OF THE NERDS By Mike Ciriaco

Video gaming normally conjures up images of corpulent schlubs hunkered down in their mothers’ basements shoveling Hot Pockets into their face as they backhand prostitutes in Grand Theft Auto. Xander Jeaneret, the gay contestant on Season 2 of TBS series King of the Nerds, proves that gaming isn’t a life sentence of obesity. In fact, it can be an effective way to battle the bulge. FrontiersLA.com/ExclusiveInterviews

LIVING WELLS LONDON: DO IT LIKE A ROYAL

Who says you need a tiara to live like a royal? Sure, royalty may be to London as Wall Street is to New York, or as Hollywood is to Los Angeles, but it does not necessarily follow that one needs a crown or a royal bloodline to live like a queen in England. In fact, all one actually needs is a modicum of desire, a speck of pluck and a few exceptionally well-documented connections. FrontiersLA.com/LivingWells

LATIN FRONTIER:

LATINO NEWSMAKERS By Victor Barriero

BOOK

REVIEWS

Emmy-nominated actress Carmen Zapata has passed away at the age of 86, and former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, a huge supporter of the gay community, has added a new title to his long list of accomplishments—senior advisor to Spanish-language broadcaster Estrella TV. FrontiersLA.com/LatinFrontier

By The Bookworm

In need of a good read? Check out our reviews of The AIDS Generation: Stories of Survival and Resilience by Perry N. Halkitis and Reset: How to Beat the Job-Loss Blues and Get Ready for Your Next Act by Dwain Schenck. FrontiersLA.com/ BookReviews

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AFTER ‘I DO’

SLEEPING TOGETHER By Rolf Danner

Rolf and Jeff tied the knot in 2008. For both, that gloriously bright California day came at the end of a long journey, culminating in the congratulations of friends and families. Little did they know that their journey had only just begun. MarriageEqualityFrontiers.com

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FrontiersLA.com Volume 32, Issue 20 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

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firstname.lastname@FrontiersLA.com Contributing Writers Aaron Batts, Ed Baker, Jackie Beat, Christopher Cappiello, Dr. Greg Cason, Mike Ciriaco, Peter DelVecchio, Dan Fotou, Gossip Gay, Stephan Horbelt, Gary M. Kramer, Jim Larkins, Dan Loughry, Billy Masters, Michelle McCarthy, Dana Miller, James F. Mills, Paulo Murillo, Karen Ocamb, Brian Padgett, Tom Pardoe, Eric Rosen, Mark A. Thompson, Eric Rosen, Dominik Rothbard, Aaron Savvy, Neil J. Sheff, Brenden Shucart, Steve Siler, Les Spindle, Sean Strub, Paul V., Duane Wells Contributing Photographers and Illustrators Gabe Ayala, Ed Baker, Jessica Brecker, Joel Daavid, Dylan + Jeni Glen Hanson, Rolling-Blackouts, Raúl Herrera, MissMissyPhotography.net, Desilu Munoz, Craig Schwartz, Jonathan Sirand, Jenny Walters, Tom Whitman Presents

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©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.

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NEWS By Karen Ocamb and Peter DelVecchio

Nigeria Enacts Anti-Gay Law Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has enacted harsh new antiLGBT legislation that carries 10 to 14year prison terms for certain violations, the New York Times reported Jan. 13. The “Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act” bans engagement in any intimate same-sex relationship, attending meetings with LGBT people, organizing gay groups or attending gay functions, even private clubs. United States Secretary of State John Kerry said he is “deeply concerned” by the law. On Jan. 16, Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin asked Kerry to use whatever tools necessary to stop the violence. “Local LGBT and HIV/AIDS activists have reported that police are illegally tapping the cell phones of people they suspect of being gay and then sending text messages as bait for others,” said Griffin. “Police are also threatening to expose the accused sexual orientation of these men and women unless they pay a bribe of 5,000 to 10,000 naira ($30-$60) without any evidence.”

Oklahoma Gay Marriage Ban Struck Down Hard on the heels of the Dec. 20 invalidation of Utah’s gay marriage ban, another red state prohibition has fallen to the federal constitutional axe. U.S. District Judge Terence Kern, a native Oklahoman and Clinton appointee, ruled Jan. 14 that Oklahoma's constitutional amendment forbidding same-sex marriage violates the U.S. Constitution, a Human Rights Campaign release states. Judge Kern stayed his ruling pending appeal. The judge relied on two U.S. Supreme Court decisions—Romer, decided in 1996, which held that Colorado voters could not take away certain legal protections that had been afforded gay citizens, and last summer's Windsor case, which invalidated certain parts of the Defense of Marriage Act—according to the Washington Post. “There is no precise legal label for what has occurred in Supreme Court jurisprudence beginning with Romer in 1996 and culminating in Windsor in 2013,” Kern wrote, “but this Court knows a rhetorical shift when it sees one.” Reaction from both sides of the marriage equality debate was swift. “This is not an issue for the coasts, State legislators in New York and Minnesota have this is not an issue just for the liberals,” said James introduced legislation that would ban so-called “exEsseks, director of the ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual gay therapy” in those states, Towleroad.com reports. Transgender & AIDS Project. “This is increasingly “Ex-gay therapy” proceeds from the premise that America's understanding of what marriage is, and homosexuality is a mental disorder and, as such, can [what] fairness in marriage law looks like.” be cured. It has been rejected and debunked by the With recent Supreme Court and lower court mainstream therapeutic community. decisions, “it is clear that we are on a path to full In New York, “[b]ills were jointly introduced in both and equal citizenship for all [LGBT] Americans,” houses of the legislature by Assembly member DebHuman Rights Campaign president Chad Griffin orah Glick ... as well as State Sen. Brad Hoylman and said in a statement. State Sen. Michael Gianaris,” according to an Empire On the other side of the divide, National OrgaState Pride Agenda release. nization for Marriage President Brian Brown con“Trying to change someone's true identity through demned the decision as “the latest in a string of so-called therapy is a dangerous practice that can examples of the dangers posed to state marriage seriously harm our LGBT youth,” Glick said. laws when the avenue of debate is the federal court The Minnesota legislation was introduced by Rep. system.” Susan Allen of Minneapolis. Marcus Bachmann, U.S. Any appeal will be heard by the 10th Circuit, Rep. Michele Bachmann’s, R-MNinn., husband, is a which is also set to hear the Utah appeal. well-known “conversion therapist.”

‘EX-GAY THERAPY’ BANS INTRODUCED

SPEAK OUT

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“My goal is to try and showcase what I bring to the table. I’m not going to run down any of my opponents.”

“I’m 100 percent confident in what I wrote, and there are witnesses to back me up. Let the investigation begin.”

—Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell, a solid LGBT ally during his time as second-in-command at the LAPD, regarding his upcoming run for Los Angeles County Sheriff, interviewed by KABC News.

—Former Minnesota Vikings kicker and LGBT ally Chris Kluwe regarding allegations of homophobia in the Vikings’ coaching staff, as reported by USA Today.

“You ever thought about Liberace?” —Director Stephen Soderbergh to actor Michael Douglas on the set of 1999’s Traffic. Douglas related the conversation while accepting a Golden Globe on Jan. 12 for his portrayal of the flamboyant pianist in last year’s Behind the Candelabra.

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NEWS By Karen Ocamb and Peter DelVecchio

Sochi Raises Coverage Questions for NBC

Quick Pic

Last year, Russia enacted draconian antiLGBT legislation that both sparked worldwide outrage and appears to have licensed an uptick in anti-gay violence and harassment in an already plenty-homophobic society. Next month, the world comes to Sochi, Russia, for the Winter Olympics. Russian LGBT activists see the games as an opportunity to effect change. “Probably it's our last chance to try to change the situation, to change attitudes of Russian society, to show people that we are not marginal sodomites,” said Konstantin Yablotskiy, co-chairman of the Russian LGBT Sports Federation. “We are normal people who have their normal lives, who can do sports and win medals.” Protests and unrest seem nearly certain, which will present NBC, the exclusive U.S. broadcaster, with coverage decisions going well beyond the games themselves. NBC’s attitude appears to be that it will cover whatever is news, NPR.org reports. “We're not there to poke a sharp stick in anybody's eye,” said Jim Bell, the executive overseeing coverage, “but we're not going to shy away from reporting anything either. ... My colleagues in NBC News [will] ask appropriate questions. They’ll do what they have to do to report stories as they develop.” NBC Senior Vice President Alexandra Wallace lauded the network’s pre-Olympics attention to Russian LGBT issues, noting recent appearances on the Today Show by out tennis icon Billie Jean King and gay Olympic gold medalist figure skater Brian Boitano. The network also recently hired The New Yorker editor David Remnick, who has a background of reporting from Russia, as an analyst. But the bottom line, according to Wallace, is journalism. “Our job is reporting what's going on in the world,” she said. “We're not activists—we're observers and analysts.” Meanwhile, out actor Sir Ian McKellen and 27 Nobel laureates have written to Russian President Vladimir Putin urging him to repeal the anti-gay law.

The Wall Street Journal found a photo of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie attending a 9/11 commemoration in New York City on Sept. 11, 2013, the third day of the now-infamous closure of George Washington Bridge access lanes in Fort Lee, N.J., with his Port Authority appointees, David Wildstein and Bill Baroni. Christie claimed at a Jan. 9 press conference that he’d had “no contact” with Wildstein “in a long time ... well before the [November] election.”

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CECE MCDONALD RELEASED FROM MEN’S PRISON Cece McDonald, a Minnesota transgender woman serving time in a men's prison pursuant to a plea bargain on a second-degree murder charge, was released on Jan. 13, BuzzFeed reports. McDonald allegedly stabbed a man to death during a June 2011 altercation McDonald calls a hate crime. She and some friends were allegedly attacked by a group of people hurling transphobic and racist slurs, according to McDonald. After allegedly being hit in the face with a bottle, McDonald allegedly stabbed Dean Schmitz with scissors in self-defense. McDonald accepted the plea bargain in May 2012 and was sentenced to 41 months. Since then, freeing McDonald has become a cause among many worldwide. Though released, McDonald will remain under the state department of correction's supervision for the remainder of her sentence. McDonald has asked for a few days of privacy, after which she said she will release a public statement.

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NOVEMBER 26, 2013

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NEWS

Body Counts BY SEAN STRUB In the months following the Hardwick decision, a simmering discontent nationwide began to focus on the nation’s capital. AIDS service organizations started to coordinate lobbying efforts for federal funding; the National Association of People with AIDS had an office in D.C.; and activists across the country (Editor’s note: POZ were organizing for the third magazine founder Sean International AIDS Conference, Strub blasted Kenneth scheduled for June 1987 in Cole, producer of the Washington. The president had HBO documentary The not deigned to say the word Battle of amfAR, for “AIDS” in public. Tim Dlugos telling Chelsea Handler and I talked, only half in jest, that “the gay community about a potentially deadly stunt: wasn't speaking up— they were afraid to” in chaining ourselves to the White the first decade of AIDS. House fence and threatening In this excerpt from his suicide by taking pills every memoir, Body Counts, half hour until President Reagan Strub remembers agreed to meet with us. We some very brave were desperate. AIDS activists. Jean O’Leary was part of —Karen Ocamb) the Book Study Group, an informal network of prominent gay men and lesbians in Los Angeles, many of whom I had gotten to know on my frequent trips to L.A. They became interested in organizing a civil disobedience action during the upcoming AIDS conference in Washington. They joined forces with San Franciscans, including Marty Delaney at Project Inform and Paul Boneberg at Mobilization Against AIDS, and eventually other groups across the country to plan the first national AIDS civil disobedience action. I was working with Jean to obtain commitments from the community leadership—the “suits”—to agree to participate in civil disobedience; the arrest of the leadership was sure to attract the attention of the media and government officials. When the conference opened on the last day of May 1987, a few blocks away from the White House, it had been less than 90 days since Larry Kramer’s fiery speech launched ACT UP in New York, but scores of newly minted ACT UP activists were coming by bus to join the demonstration at the White House. The conference was the first to bring scientists from around the world, celebrity advocates and mainstream AIDS organizations, as well as grassroots activists, to the politicians and fed-

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eral bureaucrats who largely defined the fate of people with AIDS during the next decade. Commanding the attention of the international media at the conference would be our best shot at showcasing the community’s anger and commitment. With our leaders risking arrest, we were confident that our message would resonate not only with gay people but also with other Americans who had turned against the Reagan administration and the hateful rhetoric of the homophobic right. The night before the demonstration, President Reagan and Elizabeth Taylor starred at a glamorous tented benefit for the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amFAR). Nearing the end of his second term, Reagan finally spoke the word “AIDS” in public, after 21,000 Americans had died of it. Even as his words acknowledged the crisis, he was working to cut federal spending on AIDS research by 11 percent. AmFAR had provided us with some standing-room passes to the gala. It was glamorous and exciting, but when we booed Reagan from the back of the tent, some of the attendees hissed and glared at us, angry

that we were heckling the president. By noon the next day, dozens—and then soon hundreds—of protesters covered the sidewalk in front of the north fence of the White House. I had on my corporate-style wire-framed glasses and wore a suit and tie, as did many of the other “older” activists. I had just turned 29. “We’ve got the power! Fight back!” we chanted. Television cameras and microphones were everywhere. When we spilled onto Pennsylvania Avenue, police loudspeakers announced that we were risking arrest. The police warning was our cue to sit down in the middle of the street, protected from the grimy pavement by small squares of carpet scraps that someone had the foresight to bring. Jean O’Leary’s staff at NGRA had prepared a flyer detailing our Miranda rights and providing information about the legal monitors and lawyers available for those who were arrested. I got arrested along with Jean, Michael Callen, Steve Endean, Leonard Matlovich (the early out gay soldier who had been on the cover of Time), Cleve Jones, Ginny Apuzzo and many others. When the police put on arm-length yellow rubber gloves, ostensibly to protect themselves from HIV as they arrested us, we replied with a chant: “Your gloves don’t match your shoes! You’ll see it on the news!” My heart was pounding as the police picked me off the ground and held my hands behind my back to fasten them with plastic handcuffs. It was the first time I was arrested, and it felt like I was taking a step I could not retract. I thought about how my parents would react to the news that I was arrested at the White House, how it might affect my career or whatever political ambition I still secretly harbored, but mostly it felt good, and I was proud. ... In subsequent years, I often heard others date friendships and romances to a specific action or demonstration where they first met, sometimes a jail cell they shared after getting arrested. Our activism became the calendar against which we measured our lives. Strub will be in Los Angeles Feb. 1-6. For more info, go to seanstrub.com.

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NEWS

The Nail-Biting Battle Over California’s Trans Student Law BY KAREN OCAMB Not unsurprisingly in the ground-pawing leading up to an anticipated major political battle, both sides claimed a modicum of victory on Jan. 8 when the California Secretary of State’s office reported that a spot-check of signatures gathered for a proposed referendum to repeal AB 1266, the School Success and Opportunity Act, fell short of immediately qualifying for the November ballot— but scored enough actual or projected valid signatures to trigger a full count. The anti-LGBT religious conservative Privacy for All Students coalition, PFAS, submitted 619,244 signatures collected by volunteer churchgoers and paid signature-gathers. They need 504,760 valid signatures to qualify the anti-trans referendum. The random spot-check count projected that 482,582 would be valid—that’s 3,060 more signatures than the 479,522 required to move forward to the full count. California’s 58 counties have until Feb. 24 to complete the verification process. As of Jan. 16, 21 counties have submitted full counts—15 of which were filed last year since their numbers of signatures were so small. But even with smaller numbers, several counties reported invalid signatures or duplicates. Supporters of the trans student law believe the validity rate lowered by finding invalid and duplicate signatures means the full count will be close but the referendum will finally fail to qualify. (Follow the full count at tinyurl.com/kugnusp.) “Given how close this is right now, we are confident this will stay off the ballot,” Masen Davis, Executive Director of the Transgender Law Center, said after the Secretary of State ordered a full count. “We were hopeful that we would see a different result today, but we are heartened by the fact that trans youth will continue to have the same protections today that they did yesterday.” PFAS, on the other hand, argued the coalition is doing well. “PFAS has predicted that a full count will result in more validated signatures than the projections,” proponent Gina Gleason wrote in a fundraising pitch Jan. 13. “We did not have to wait long to get confirmation. ... For all of the counties that have conducted a full count, the percentage is high enough to qualify the referendum for the November ballot.”

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Not relying on crossed fingers, each side is preparing to do battle as if the referendum will qualify. “It’s go time!” Equality California Executive Director John O’Connor said in a phone interview following the order to county clerks to verify every signature. “We’re moving forward as if it will qualify.” “We are elated,” said PFAS spokesperson Karen England, head of the Sacramento-based anti-LGBT Capitol Resource Institute, CRI. “Everyone said that we’d never even get enough signatures to turn in, then said we would never make it through the random count, and now we are confident that we will reach the 100 percent of the signatures required to qualify for the ballot.” Both sides, however, could face an uphill battle in getting actual—not just rhetorical—support for their side. Prop. 8 strategist Frank Schubert, who is managing the PFAS campaign, secured the endorsement of the California Republican Party. But other than a few ultra-conservative GOP candidates, it is unclear how deeply the state Republican Party wants to be tied to this clear trans-bashing effort during an election year. Indeed, Dr. Dean Haddock, a psychologist and Buena Vista School Board Trustee, told 23ABC News on Nov. 5 that the law is a distraction and the kids should be worried about math instead. “They don’t need to be worried about who’s going to the bathroom with them,” Haddock said. Besides, catering to trans students is unnecessary because “most kids outgrow this anyway. ... I think they’ll get their education regardless. Most of them have learned how to go to school without drawing that kind of attention on themselves.” Aside from his assertion that trans kids will be happy with a downlow “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” atmosphere, the most surprising note is that Haddock is also the chair of the Kern County Republican Party and he espouses abiding by the law. “Whether it’s an intellectual thing, a developmental thing—we have to protect all of our kids,” he said. “And the law’s the law. We do have to support it.” Additionally, PFAS’s Pacific Justice Institute has already screwed up. The institute was responsible for producing a viral YouTube video featuring a weeping mom and a faceless teenage girl saying “it kinda makes me nervous ... if I run into … him,” referring to a trans student at Florence High School in Florence, Color., who had

been discreetly using the girl’s bathroom at the public school. The story was debunked by Cristan Williams of The Transadvocate who simply interviewed School Superintendent Rhonda Vendetti and discovered that PJI had colluded with two disgruntled moms to manipulate the facts. “[T]o our knowledge and based on our investigation, none of those things have actually happened,” Vendetti said. “We do have a transgender student at the high school, and she has been using the women’s restroom. There has not been a situation.” In fact, Vendetti said, there’s been no harassment or concern, and most of the school is supportive of the trans student. Caught, PJI backed off, but only slightly, sending a letter to The TransAdvocate that outlines the institute’s basic tenet. “It is our position that the intrusion of a biological male into a restroom for teenage girls is inherently intimidating and harassing,” attorney Cathy Brennan wrote on PJI’s behalf. “The core of this story—that the school is elevating the rights of one self-proclaimed transgender student while minimizing the privacy rights of all the biologically female students, has not been seriously controverted.”

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1. Masen Davis, Executive Director of the Transgender Law Center 2. Laurie Marchant (left) and daughter Devon 3. Eli Erlick

Interestingly, this CRI used almost the exact same language in October 2007 after Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed SB 777. “Governor Schwarzenegger has signed into the law the highly controversial SB 777 (Kuehl) that will permit transgender students to enter the locker rooms and restrooms of the gender

with which they identify,” said CRI’s press release. “Under the guise of preventing discrimination and bias against homosexuals, transgenders and other sexual variants, SB 777 will force innocent school children to accept alternative lifestyles.” “Many parents will have no choice but to pull their children out of the public schools that have now become sexualized indoctrination centers,” CRI’s England said. “School boys have always made excuses to get into girls locker rooms— now they won’t need any because it will be a state-sanctioned policy," “Now that SB 777 is law, schools will in fact become indoctrination centers for sexual experimentation,” said CRI’s Meredith Turney. “Los Angeles Unified School District has already implemented the policies in this bill. In that district, boys who perceive themselves as girls may enter the girls’ locker room and restroom.” In fact, Dr. Judy Chiasson, Program Coordinator for Human Relations at LAUSD, testified before the State Senate Education Committee that there had been no problems. “In the eight years that we’ve had our policy we’ve not had any problems,” Chiasson testified. “On the contrary, it has solved many problems. It’s a nonissue on our campuses. Our transgender students use the bathrooms for the same reasons as everybody else. They do their business, fix their hair and makeup and gossip with friends.” But in a political campaign—like war—truth is often the first casualty. PFAS no longer seems to be pushing the discredited anti-trans Colorado video, but it will surely show up as part

of an “outside” effort. Laurie Marchant, the mother of successful trans student Devon, is ready to refute the argument. “The tearful mother in the ad wanting to ‘protect her kid’ and then states ‘it is scary when you’re unable to’ reminds me of the early years of my daughter, Devon’s, transition. Devon is a transgender girl—she was born a boy but has always had a long-held, genuinely held sense of herself as a girl. Except my fear as the mother of a transgender child was far more intense, as it literally could be a life-or-death matter, emotionally and physically. All we wanted was for Devon to be happy, accepted and have the same opportunities to excel in school. And she did,” Marchant said in an email interview. And meanwhile, the prospective campaign is bringing to the fore young trans leaders such as Eli Erlick, Executive Director of Trans Student Equality Resources. ”I know that school was tough for me as a trans student,” Erlick said. “When I came out in third grade, the faculty did not respect my identity and forced me from participating with my own gender. This was particularly shameful because while my presentation was clearly female, the teachers were forcing me in with boys for P.E. and activities. I was made fun of by students and teachers for being the ‘girl on the boys team’ and I often had to go home to avoid harassment, leading to decreased grades and attendance. Because no law like AB1266 existed when I was in elementary and middle school, this treatment was considered acceptable and nothing was done to stop it. “I was lucky that by high school, after seeing how unhappy I was being forced to not be myself, my community embraced my gender and I was able to succeed in school,” she continued. “I even started policies similar to AB1266 and founded the organization Trans Student Equality Resources to help other students like myself. What it comes down to is that no student should have to sacrifice their health, well-being and the truth about their authentic selves in order to be able to participate in school. Every student deserves the opportunity to succeed.” Go to FrontiersLA.com for an update and extensive coverage of the behind-the-scenes debate over a prospective campaign.

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NEWS

WeHo City Officials Criticized Over Removal of Rainbow Flag

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY PAULO MURILLO

Rainbow flags will continue to fly in the medians of Santa Monica Boulevard, but the rainbow flag that has flown over West Hollywood City Hall for the past seven months has officially been removed. The colorful symbol of the long LGBT movement for equality was removed from the West Hollywood public facility on Jan. 8, upsetting some residents who thought the flag would hang over City Hall permanently. At a City Council meeting on Nov. 18, councilmembers unanimously voted to go back to the tradition of permanently displaying the official United States, California and city flags on public facilities and allowing the rotation of unofficial flags at City Hall in accordance with special events or months dedicated to specific groups. The unanimous vote gives City Manager Paul Arevalo the discretion to choose the unofficial flag that can fly at City Hall. Some see the removal of the rainbow flag as a sign that West Hollywood is being stripped of its gay identity, despite the vote coming from a council where four of five members are gay. There have been many debates about the rainbow flag at City Hall. Councilmember Jeffrey

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Prang approved hanging the flag for the first time in the city’s history in recognition of June 2013 as Pride Month, and the flag remained up in celebration of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decisions on DOMA and Prop. 8 that followed. But Councilmember John Duran argues that keeping the rainbow flag at City Hall sends the wrong message to heterosexual residents, who make up 60 percent of the city’s population. West Hollywood resident Larry Block—owner of Block Party, a retail store on Santa Monica Boulevard—donated the rainbow flag at the center of the controversy. Block is outraged by the flag’s recent removal and has since requested that it be

returned to his possession. “It’s an attempt to homogenize West Hollywood as big money, and developments come in and change the nature of our community to shed us of a little bit of our LGBT identity,” Block told KNBC News. “The city is 40 percent LGBT,” Duran responded. “This is a gay cluster here. I don’t think anybody’s worried about West Hollywood losing its gay identity.” Block, who is running for a West Hollywood City Council seat in 2015, has accused both Duran and Prang of removing the gay flag to cater to the straight community for political reasons, pointing out that Duran is running for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and Prang is running for the office of County Assessor. Duran and Block took the argument to their Facebook accounts. Duran pointed out that he sponsored an item to permanently display rainbow flags along Santa Monica Boulevard as well as the city’s rainbow crosswalks at Santa Monica and San Vicente Boulevards. He believes the council crafted a reasonable policy that affirms diversity and still allows multiple rainbows all year long in West Hollywood, where gay and straight residents share a city. Block believes Duran wants to be the only one to hang flags in West Hollywood, noting that if Duran wanted the flag at City Hall, it would be flying there today. The city of West Hollywood was founded through the efforts of a coalition of gays, seniors and renters and was incorporated on Nov. 29, 1984. Frontiers founder the late Bob Craig was among the forefathers of the city and was elected chair of the West Hollywood Incorporation Committee that year. It was Craig who coined the phrase “Gay Camelot” for West Hollywood during a pro-cityhood speech he gave before election night. West Hollywood remains the only municipality in the country where a majority of city councilmembers have consistently been gay. West Hollywood City Hall will fly the Transgender Pride flag during the month of May and will fly the POW/MIA flag in honor of veterans, presumably on Veterans Day and Memorial Day. The rainbow flag is scheduled to return to City Hall this June in time for Pride Month.

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NEWS

A New Frontier for Immigration Law A LOOK AT FEDERAL RECOGNITION FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES SEEKING VISAS AND GREEN CARDS BY NEIL J. SHEFF

VISAS If you are the spouse of a “non-immigrant” visa holder, you also qualify for a visa allowing you to stay in the country or travel in and out for the duration of your spouse’s visa. More on how to apply here in the U.S. or abroad is found in the online version of this article at tinyurl.com/m3angzo. But suffice it to say that if you are in the U.S. on a visa and are married or planning to get married to a someone also on a visa, you need to get legal advice on how to benefit both you and your spouse.

GREEN CARDS A Green Card (technically referred to as an “immigrant visa” because the intent is to permanently immigrate to the U.S.) is proof of one’s “legal permanent residence” in the U.S. and can be obtained most commonly through employment, investment, family, political asylum or the annual Diversity Visa Lottery. When filing for a Green Card through one of these channels, the spouse can be included by filing their own accompanying application. Proof of legal marriage is usually all that is required, but the application must be made before the principal’s application is approved. The most popular and easiest path to legal permanent residence is through marriage, whether to a U.S. citizen or a Green Card holder. The application can seem easy, but there are numerous 28

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With the landmark decision in June repealing the Defense of Marriage Act and paving the way for legalized same-sex marriages, the federal government has been adjusting numerous laws and policies to accommodate same-sex spouses who previously were shut out from so many benefits historically available to heterosexual couples. Some of the most important have to do with immigration benefits. Let me first describe what this new frontier means to many with regard to immigration issues and concerns. This is an area full of confusing terms and conditions ultimately affecting the life of any immigrant, whether having recently arrived legally or having been here for years and living “under the immigration radar.”

details to be aware of. What to file, how to file, where to file, how much to send, what supporting documents to include, etc. can all cause a major headache to anyone trying to do this on his own. A simple mistake will cause the application to be returned, wasting valuable and sometimes critical time depending on the legal status of the applicant at the time of filing. As long as your marriage license and ceremony was obtained in a state recognizing samesex marriage, your application will overcome its first hurdle. We will then need to show proof of legal entry to the U.S. with a passport and visa. There are ways around this, however they are quite challenging and advice from a seasoned immigration attorney is imperative. As part of the application, the applicant receives an Employment Authorization Card, which will allow the applicant to apply for his Social Security Number, then a driver’s license. In addition to the employment benefits of the card, it also contains travel authorization to allow for brief trips abroad until the Green Card arrives (legal counsel is recommended before leaving the U.S. any time prior to issuance of the Green Card). In about four to five months, the invitation for the “Green Card Interview” will arrive. I like to conduct a mock interview in my office a couple weeks before the actual interview—it calms the nerves of what could be a very stressful event, full

of emotion and anxiety. In addition, I will advise my client of what he needs to start collecting at the beginning of the process, so at the interview we will have a nice packet of what the Immigration Officer will call “evidence of a bona fide marriage.” The actual interview will take an average of 20-30 minutes, and it’s always helpful if your attorney accompanies you to see that all goes smoothly. At the end of the interview we expect the case is approved, and the Green Card arrives in approximately 10 days. Local Immigration Officers are very polite and have been undergoing additional sensitivity training to handle issues specific to same-sex couples, and initial reports are that these applications have been very successful and applicants very satisfied with the process. Thankfully, same-sex couples now have the opportunity to finally realize all their American dreams, starting with legal status and a path toward U.S. citizenship. With professional assistance, this path can be smooth and painless. Good luck! Neil J. Sheff has been exclusively practicing immigration law for 13 years and has served as liaison on behalf of the Southern California Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association for the L.A. District Offices of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for over eight years. He can be reached at info@sheffimmigration.com.

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By Mike Ciriaco Gay fitness enthusiasts looking for a workout beyond the predictable confines of the gym or Runyon Canyon should look no further than SoCal’s inviting Pacific Coast waves. “Surfing is an excellent form of exercise,” says Nick Carrol, Surfline.com’s resident fitness guru. “There’s aerobic and anaerobic components—paddling, jumping to your feet, turning. There’s a very strong interaction between mind and body. Just a simple bottom turn is quite a feat of balance and control. And it all takes place in an environment (salt water) that helps protect you from injury as a consequence of error.” While surfing may be easy on gay athletes’ bodies, it’s perhaps not as gentle on their sexual preferences. According to documentarians Thomas Castets and Ian Thomson, surf culture has long suffered from homophobia. “Being gay in the lineup has always been something you don’t mention,” according to a press release for the new documentary Out in the Line-Up. “Ridicule, threats, bashing and ostracism were often what was at stake. Despite an increase in the number of elite athletes coming out in other sports, there has never been an openly gay male surfer on the professional tour. In the wider surf community, many hide the fact they are gay because of fear of rejection, and some surfers have even taken their own lives as a result of non-acceptance.” The documentary—a Kickstarter campaign for which just succeeded in raising over $30,000—chronicles Castets and Thomson as they journey across exotic locations (Australia, Hawaii, California, Mexico, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands) to uncover the taboo of homosexuality in surfing. Interviews range from former world champion Cori Schumacher and big-wave rider Keala Kennelly to former U.S. Congressman Barney Frank. Although Out in the Line-Up’s world premiere doesn’t take place until the Sydney Mardi Gras Film Festival on Feb. 20, the film has already stirred up a

bit of controversy. The majority of backlash has come not from homophobes but from gay surfers who find the film’s premise overblown. Upon contacting several gay surfers in the L.A. area to comment on their own experiences of discrimination within the surf community, most responses seemed to challenge the filmmakers’ purported claims of overt intolerance. “There are some surfers—a minority—who are angry and aggressive, but they’re easy to spot and avoid,” says Joel Krajewski, a gay surfer and spacecraft engineer. “Every surf break has its own ethos, and my surf crew tends to paddle out at the more friendly, respectful ones.” “Homophobia? I barely interact with anyone other than to say ‘hi,’” says Matthew, a 32-year-old engineer. “Many people who surf—it’s weird—everyone is pretty anti-social and doesn’t really speak in the water.” “I’ve surfed with straight guys who have no issue being in a skin-tight bodysuit next to a gay guy or group of gays and are just focused on the experience,” says Frontiers Creative Director Ed Baker. “But there are assholes everywhere, and in sports with finite parameters—[for example] a point break as opposed to a beach break has one best area to enter and ride the wave, so there is a literal lineup—you get conflict and exposure to the same general populace whose comments on any web post make you cringe.” To many gay surfers, like San Diego-based Richard Tong, sexuality is completely irrelevant in surfing. “Human sexuality has no correlation to the sport of surfing,” said Tong in an online interview. “A good surfer is a good surfer—period.” It’s worth pointing out that these experiences come from out surfers in a blue state that has come as far as legalizing same-sex marriage. Despite tolerance of gay surfers in California, an openly gay man has yet to surf at a professional level. Until the industry welcomes its own Robbie Rogers or Tom Daley, it appears surf culture will continue to tread behind the waves of popular culture.

WHERE THE BOARDS ARE Text and photos by Ed Baker 30

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The SoCal coast is a smörgåsbord of surfing options—from beach, point, reef and combo breaks and shoulderto-shoulder crowds to sparsely populated expanses with dolphins and seals. Some are park-’n’-surf while others require a stiff goat trail hike. Here are just a few, listed north to south.

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PHOTO: IAN THOMSON

County Line Vintage California postcard. Friendly, kelpy and an excuse to stop at Neptune’s Net.

Sunset Boulevard Where everybody knows your name. Extremely tide-dependent, longboard rights, rocky.

El Porto Punchy waves, shortboard soup, curious great whites, “post-industrial chic.”

Malibu Surfrider Famous, always crowded, Gidget, handstands, shoulder rides and righthand point break with three takeoff zones.

Bay Street Pre/post-workforce and happy tourists. Short, sandy rides, a bike path, rollerbladers and the pier.

Huntington Beach Official “Surf City” from south of the pier to Bolsa Chica. Families, an off-leash dog beach, beginners to advanced, super O.C.

San Onofre World-class Trestles to the north; leisurely longboard paradise at Old Man’s in the middle; Jurassic seclusion at Trails to the south. Camp Pendleton and a nuclear power plant add Planet of the Apes ambiance.

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Photos by Raúl Herrera

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1 Red knit shirt by LASC; black spandex pant by LASC Sport; shoes by Nike

Competition swimsuit by LASC Sport; ribbed tank top by LASC Sport; shoes by Nike

3 White shorts by LASC Sport

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4 Jock by Pump; shorts by LASC Sport

Jock strap by Pump; running tights by LASC Sport; gloves by Harbinger; watch by Vestal

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6 Tank by Dsquared2; pants by Gypsy 05; shoes by Nike; watch by Vestal; headphones by LSTN

7 Sweater by Gypsy 05; tank by Dsquared2; sweatpants by Gypsy 05; backpack by G-Star Raw; watch by Vestal; headphones by LSTN

PHOTOS: RaĂşl Herrera, raulherreraphotography.com MODEL: Mark Sauer Jr STYLIST: Eddie Cook WARDROBE BY: LASC, 8592 Santa Monica Blvd, WeHo, shoplasc.com GROOMING: Jacob Adam Aguirre, jacobadamaguirre.com LOCATION: Brick Los Angeles, 7811 Santa Monica Blvd, WeHo, brickwesthollywood.com

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PHOTOS: CROSSROADS

CO N T R I B U T I N G TO A

HEALTHY COMMUNITY Angelenos are known for an infatuation with passing trends that become our momentary—albeit passionate—obsessions, chalking stability up to a more Midwestern mentality, which occasionally works to our detriment. At the (appropriately named) Crossroads Kitchen, openly gay Executive Chef Scot Jones bridges the divide between plant-based culinary innovation and balanced, community-oriented mindfulness with his decadent small-plates menu. A native of Akron, Ohio, Jones’ relationship with culinary exploration began in childhood, well before he completed his stint at New York’s prestigious Culinary Institute of America. The youngest of nine children, he enjoyed helping his father prepare elaborate Sunday night dinners for his family for both the opportunity to experiment with flavors as well as the sense of community these meals engendered. “I would spend all day in the kitchen with my father,” Jones recalled. “That’s where I got my knack for the kitchen, and my love for people.” Jones’ love for people and community greatly influenced his later professional endeavors. After graduating from CIA, he worked in several Ohio restaurants, where his menus revolved around Midwesterners’ 4 fondness for red meat. Although he had begun personally fusing plant-based ingredients with Mediterranean flavors to live more healthfully, it wasn’t until he partnered with Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders to launch Akron’s renowned vegan restaurant VegiTerranean that Jones began executing these concepts professionally. Through Hynde, Jones met vegan crusader Tal Ronnen. “[Ronnen] turned a light switch on in my head that every chef should have turned on,” Jones said about the virtues of vegetable-based cuisine. Jones collaborated with Ronnen on the popular cookbook The Conscious Cook. When VegiTerranean closed in October 2011, Ronnen set his sights on the City of Angels, a move that—in light of the chaos wreaked by the Polar Vortex 38

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at once healthy and deliciously satisfying. With caramelized leeks and roasted mushrooms, Jones’ truffle leek flatbread at once speaks to his hearty Midwestern roots, but the incorporation of delicate almond ricotta and crispy friseé salad infuses the dish with the lightness so aligned with the Southern California palate. A Mediterranean restaurant worth its salt showcases on its menu myriad seafood options, and Crossroads’ meatless approach doesn’t hinder the representation of such dishes. With the “oysters” on the half-shell, the protein is substituted with a crisped oyster mushroom bathed in a succulent yellow tomato béarnaise atop a flavorful artichoke purée. In lieu of shells, the dish is served on artichoke leaves, and the nautical flavoring is present due to the subtle inclusion of sea kelp caviar. Also of note, with its cornmeal and nori breading, is the heart of palm calamari. Jones’ version of Crossroads Kitchen the traditional dish is far lighter than its 8248 Melrose Ave., WeHo cephalopod counterpart, but when compli(323) 782-9245 mented by the house cocktail sauce and crossroadskitchen.com lemon-caper aioli, even those carnivores prone to complaining will experience a change of opinion. 1. The best oven-roasted Brussels sprouts Crossroads has found a fan base in you’ve ever had 2. Kale Spanakopita with WeHo epicureans and celebrity foodies tomato fondu and mint oil 3. Jones’ popular alike. Ronnen’s reputation as caterer for the artichoke oysters 4. Executive Chef Scot Jones (left) with famed chef Art Smith wedding of Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi preceded his foray into the L.A. food scene, and the Crossroads clientele has included A-list celebs living in and visiting the city. (A on the Midwest—Jones and his partner were only too few famed guests include Oprah Winfrey, Barbra happy to make. Streisand, Joaquin Phoenix and newfound vegans Bey“Our first Christmas here was spent poolside,” oncé and Jay-Z.) The combination of razzle-dazzle Jones mused. “It was awesome!” Jones and his partner and Jones’ reverence for community is evident in the married in a ceremony on the Santa Monica Pier—on Crossroads dining experience. his birthday, nonetheless—last July following the The Sunday Supper Series, in which Jones—and Supreme Court’s ruling on Proposition 8’s unconstituvisiting celebrity chefs on alternating Sundays—pretionality. pares a unique meatless prix-fixe menu for patrons, is Ronnen’s L.A. flagship took shape as Crossroads Kitchen, which opened in March 2013, one of the latest at the heart of his community values. “Crossroads is just as much a neighborhood spot upscale eateries adorning the bustling stretch of Melas it is a serious restaurant,” Jones said. “The food rose Avenue. Jones oversees the ever-evolving vegan we’re creating is meant to be enjoyed both for its ingremenu to ensure the Mediterranean flavors are highlighted with high-quality seasonal ingredients that are dients as much as the way we serve it.”

CHEF SCOT JONES AND CROSSROADS KITCHEN BRING PLANT-BASED INNOVATION TO LOS ANGELES

PHOTO: ELIZABETH DANIELS

BY BRIAN PADGETT

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By Michelle McCarthy

Spirit

Toning Up Your

SHAMAN DUREK SAYS THE KEY TO

A HEALTHY BODY IS A HEALTHY MIND

At the tender age of 5, Shaman Durek already knew his path in life— he was to be a shaman. His great grandmother, who was a medicine woman and a powerful member of her tribe in Africa, spoke of Durek long before he was born and appointed him as her successor. As a child, Durek exhibited special gifts, such as the ability to hear thoughts, see people’s energy, talk to spirits and his ancestors, know things that were going to occur prior to them happening, feel people’s pain and heal them. A young Durek thought everybody had these abilities. “One day I was on the playground with this little girl and I grabbed her hand,” Durek recalls. “All of a sudden, I started shaking and I flashed and saw her hair falling out and her throwing up and being really sick in the hospital. I saw her walking into the light. I started screaming at the top of my lungs until the person who watched the playground came and grabbed me. I was like, ‘You have to help her!’ I told the principal what I saw, and about two weeks later they found out the girl had cancer. She ended up passing away. People heard about it and didn’t want me around their kids. They called me a freak. My teachers were scared of me.” Durek soon learned his role would bring with it many challenges. In his late teens, he rebelled against being a shaman, involving himself in dancing, modeling and acting—but he lacked fulfillment and knew he wasn’t living his truth and decided to devote himself to the practice. So what exactly is a shaman? The word means “one who knows,” but, simply, Durek says he is a servant of the people and the Earth. Shamans travel, using various techniques and skills to reach different types of dimensions and consciousness so they can bring back information to help others. In the ancient days, chiefs would consult a shaman for guidance on where the tribe should plant its crops. The shaman would talk to the spirits and bring back the information, acting as a bridge to the spirit world. “To be a shaman, it takes a great deal of devotion, humbleness and willingness to surrender the part of the mind that wants to see things in a certain way,” Durek explains. “It’s about being a vessel.” One of Durek’s main goals is to let people know about the importance of spiritual health and the effect stress can have on the physical body. “Your body is made up of energy—your cells, your organs, your bones,” he says. “When your mind is not in harmony, then your physical body starts to experience it. Your spiritual body is always the first body that experiences something, then it goes down to your mind. Then your emotions begin to get involved. That then affects the physical. The body is the last state for your spirit to communicate to you that your spirit is not happy. It’s important to have a balanced spiritual self so that when you are spiritually centered, your mind is harmoniously clear and you feel a sense of well-being. Everything in your body is getting complete, harmonized energy, therefore you’re drinking water, you’re exercising, you’re taking care of your body temple. This is what houses your soul, and if your soul is unhappy, this is what creates disease in the body.”

Shaman Durek will be putting on a workshop at the L.A. Conscious Life Expo on Feb. 9. For info on his Shaman Bootcamp and Heaven & Earth VIP Services, go to shamandurek-verrett.squarespace.com.

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Illness is something Durek knows about firsthand. Ten years ago he experienced a potassium overload, which caused kidney failure, and he died in the hospital. On the seventh try, the medical staff was able to resuscitate him, but because he was gone for so long, he suffered brain damage and couldn’t walk. Durek used his shamanic skills to heal his legs and his ability to talk and walk. The only thing he didn’t repair was his kidneys. Thanks to his sister’s donation, he underwent a kidney transplant a year and a half ago. Durek believes it was an experience he needed to go through as part of his shamanic path. This path has afforded Durek the ability to cleanse poison out of people’s bodies and communicate with different parts of their spirit. He applies ancient spiritual wisdom to help bring success, happiness and healing into people’s lives. “People intrinsically know who they are,” he says. “They just have so many distractions because they’ve been trying to please the outside world so much, they've lost track of their authenticity. What I do is help them get back to their authentic selves.”

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CURATED

QUEERNESS

PHOTO: DESILU MUNOZ

QUEER ZINES STEAL THE SCENE AT THE L.A. ART BOOK FAIR

the prehistoric decades before the internet’s advent, independent writers and artists had limited options when it came to producing and distributing original works. Without the luxury of Kickstarter or Facebook, creatives relied primarily on zines to circulate their unique literary concepts. An abbreviation for 'fanzine,’ these DIY publications were cobbled together using photocopiers and distributed through mailings. While the process may seem antiquated in a new century dominated by photoshop and blogs, for disenfranchised LGBT creatives barred from participating in mainstream publication, zines were a forum for sharing subversive literature. As an important chapter in the evolution of LGBT media, queer zines take center stage in the second annual L.A. Art Book Fair. Running Jan. 31 through Feb. 2 at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA (with an opening event held Thursday, Jan. 30), the event features books, art catalogs, monographs, periodicals and zines presented by more than 250 international presses, booksellers, antiquarians, artists and independent publishers. Highlights include The Classroom, a series of talks and lectures curated by David Senior; KCHUNG Radio, which will provide live coverage of—and will broadcast from—the fair; a number of rooms devoted to special projects; and a series of screenings,

BY MIKE CIRIACO panel discussions and performances, curated by the fair in tandem with MOCAtv. The Contemporary Art Book Conference will make its West Coast debut for a one-day-only conference. But for gay and lesbian audiences, the most

pertinent aspect of the L.A. Art Book Fair is the exhibit on queer zines. The Queer Zines Exhibition, presented by Printed Matter and curated by Philip Aarons and AA Bronson, is referred to as “a historical survey of serial, independent publications with a queer sensibility, illustrating the trajectory of queer zine publishing from the early ‘70s to current day.” The exhibit’s literary display will feature the work of more than 20 publications, both contemporary and out-of-print zines, many of which are available for purchase. In 2008, Printed Matter released Queer Zines, a 200-plus-page catalogue of alphabetically listed zines (of past and present), buttressed by illustrations, reprints and excerpted interviews. This year’s exhibition coincides with the publication of Queer Zines II. While zines can be traced back to the pulp movement of the Great Depression, queer zines first rose to prominence during the ‘70s and enjoyed a renaissance in the mid-’80s. These publications tapped into the rebelious, countercultural spirit of young gay culture that often overlapped with the surging punk scene, resulting in prominent zines such as the groundbreaking Homocore. Besides providing an outlet for postadolescent gay angst, zines facilitated a yearning for connection—a trait that still typifies gay culture to this day.

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Print matters BY STEPHAN HORBELT

Here are five queer zines exhibiting at this year’s L.A. Art Book Fair.

Anal Magazine Anal, a zine out of Mexico, features the work of various erotic photographers, artists and writers, with text in both Spanish and English. Past issues have featured erotic coloring book pages and paper dolls. anal-magazine.com

Cop Dad

CURATED

QUEERNESS “Creators of many of the early queer zines were motivated by the need to find and build community,” explains Printed Matter’s Raymond Cha. “The DIY aesthetic and means of production of the first wave of queer zines practically guaranteed that people would connect to one another directly, creating a sense of belonging. As the gay/queer community has become more established and recognized, the current wave of zines frequently focuses on a single subject or group, celebrating diversity and individuality within the gay/queer community.” While some millennials—armed with MacBooks and iPhones, granting them access to gay art, fiction, film and pornography in a matter of keystrokes—may perceive zines as an archaic form of communication and art, the Queer Zines Exhibition is an important window into a bygone era of gay history—one characterized by exponentially higher degrees of bigotry and shame. “Queer zines provide documentation of queer history in its most expansive form,” says Cha. “In the 1980s and 1990s, queer zines such as Disease Pariah News played a role in shaping the discourse around HIV and AIDS, while modest publications from single authors from all parts of the country demonstrated that the movement and queer culture was not limited to the big cities. Other zines—like the seminal Straight to Hell, which published the purported sexual experiences of its readers—are a reminder of when queer culture was far more fringe and underground than it is today. Today, zine makers use their publications as a way to express ideas outside the mainstream media.” laartbookfair.net

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L.A.-based Justin Jorgensen created this “magazine of the exceptional personal experience” as a collection of true stories, told by the individuals who experienced them. copdad.com

JIMMY This “zine with beard appeal” is independently published in the hills of Silver Lake and aims to give a voice to the unheard. JIMMY is largely photography-driven but also features poetry, prose and fine art. jimmythezine.com

Original Plumbing Out of Brooklyn, Original Plumbing is a quarterly zine documenting the sexuality and culture of FTM trans guys through photographs, personal narratives and interviews. originalplumbing.com

Pinups New York’s Christopher Schulz creates this black-and-white nude photography zine where readers can disassemble the pages and create a poster. pinupsmag.com

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SOCAL EVENTS GUIDE

EVENTS

NIGHTLIFE

THEATER

EXHIBITS

go to FrontiersLA.com/Entertainment for more listings DINE L.A. RESTAURANT WEEK Throughout L.A. Whoever says Los Angeles doesn’t have a thrilling food culture hasn’t experienced our city’s diverse array of culinary experiences. Things get even more tasty when restaurants throughout the city celebrate dineLA’s annual Restaurant Week. Over 12 days, establishments will present specially priced prix-fixe menus for lunch and dinner. Through Jan. 31. discoverlosangeles.com/dineLA Tue. | Jan. 21

THE BOOK OF MORMON Pantages Theatre Called “the best musical of the century” and “heaven on Broadway” by the New York Times, the musical features book, music and lyrics by Trey Parker and Matt Stone (South Park) and Robert Lopez (Avenue Q). You’ll laugh your ass off as two young Mormons embark on a mission to ‘spread the gospel’ in Uganda. Through May 11. hollywood pantages.com Wed. | Jan. 22

LAUGH OUT LOUNGE Studs Lounge This free comedy show takes place every first and third Wednesday of the month. Tonight you’ll witness the comedic genius of Selene Luna, Bill Dixon, Grant Pardee, Christopher Smith Bryant, Aristotle Georgeson and Megan Beth Koester. The night is hosted by Nick Stadler. 9 p.m. studslounge.com Wed. | Jan. 22

A WORD OR TWO Ahmanson Theatre Academy Award, Tony Award and Emmy Award-winner Christopher Plummer, who confesses to being “hooked on the intoxication of words,” spent

much of his time growing up in Montréal reading Ben Johnson, George Bernard Shaw, Shakespeare and others. His celebrated one-man show is his personal take on these literary giants, which forms a journey from childhood to old age. Through Feb. 9. centertheatregroup.org

THERE’S THE

RUB

Thu. | Jan. 23

DINA MARTINA Cavern Club Theater There’s no drag performer—or human being, for that matter— quite like Dina Martina. Seattle’s reigning queen of kook returns to Los Angeles for two weekends of hilarity. Find a Q&A with Dina Martina in this issue! Through Feb. 2. cavernclubtheater.com

PHOTO: JENNY WALTERS

Mon. | Jan. 20

Fri. | Jan. 24

INTERNET CAT VIDEO FESTIVAL

BY BRENDEN SHUCART

Federal Bar Mark your calendars, SoCal feline fanatics! The Second Annual Internet Cat Video Festival is set at Federal Bar, Long Beach’s premier gastropub. This showcase of classic feline hijinks includes brand-new cat videos, possible appearances by special guests and “celebricats,” live music and art projects. ticketweb.com Fri. | Jan. 24

DESTINATION STATION BY NASA California Science Center This exhibit connects guests with their place in space and communicates the real and potential benefits of the International Space Station on everyday life. Hands-on activities, imagery and audio/visual technology demonstrate to visitors life aboard a microgravity laboratory. Through April 7. californiasciencecenter.org

The Gay Rub is the newest exhibit at the Why do you think this exhibition is imporONE Archives Gallery & Museum in West tant to the gay community? I think this is Hollywood. Curated and organized by Steven an important exhibition for anyone. For gay Reigns, it will showcase a collection of 100 people specifically, I think it’s important to rubbings from tombstones, cenotaphs, see who has helped pave the way for us to plaques and monuments doccumenting live as openly as we do today. It’s also LGBTQ history from around the world. This important to notice who and what receives exhibition marks the first time the rubbings a plaque. The omissions are as important have been assembled together for public as the noted—people and places not display. Reigns was kind enough to given recognition have been rubbed sit down with Frontiers and discuss out of our history. the exhibit. The Gay Rub Is there a rubbing that stands Feb. 2-23 s Tell me about the The Gay Rub out to you or holds a special ONE Archive useum and what inspired you to take place in your heart? That’s a Gallery & M m on this project. The project started hard question to answer. There thegayrub.co when I learned the plaque at Santa are certain rubbings that are Monica and Crescent Heights hondear to me because of the people oring trans victims of hate crimes is one they memorialize; others hold special of the first in the world. I keep a journal and places because of the people who rubbed wrote about this four years ago on Jan. 16, them and the lengths they had [to go] to 2010. I was touched and proud to be a WeHo get them. There was a plaque for Harvey resident. There’s something about a bronze Milk outside the gates of Castro Muni Stamarker or a chiseling of granite that feels as tion in San Francisco that was stolen a few if it legitimizes our experience. I thought months after I rubbed it. I created The Gay about how few plaques are out there honRub to help display markers. I never intended oring LGBT people, our experiences or our it to become the only physical document landmarks. I created The Gay Rub to help itself, and that is what happened. The plaque highlight the markers that exist and to present was never replaced and now can only be them at one time. seen at the exhibit.

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Fri. | Jan. 24

5 REASONS

ANDREW DICE CLAY The Cave Stand-up comedian Andrew Dice Clay, known as the “Undisputed Heavyweight King of Comedy,” makes a rare appearance at The Cave in Big Bear Lake. Clay will perform the bad-boy style of comedy that made him legendary, including his infamous nursery rhymes. Special guest Eleanor Kerrigan is the opening act, and Clay’s sons Dylan and Max close the show with their rock band, L.A. Rocks. thecavebigbear.com

to attend Palm Springs Vintage Market

1. You know that mid-centry modern Eames-style white molded accent chair that you’ve been saying will tie the entire living room together? It’ll be here, along with items from hundreds of other SoCal dealers.

Fri. | Jan. 24

ART WORKSHOPS

2. Since the market is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., it’s not like you have to wake up super early. You could actually drive out to the desert pre-lunchtime and still get some vintage shopping in!

Museum of Latin American Art Beginning in January, every Friday night at MOLAA throughout 2014 will feature intriguing programs—mainly geared towards adults—meant to educate, stimulate the senses and provide an interesting way to begin the weekend in a social setting. This particular Friday includes a handson art workshop for artists of all ages, held by professional artists, teachers and community members. molaa.org

3. Grab a bite to eat at one of the many food trucks that will be in attendance. Who doesn’t love tasty food truck eats? 4. Admission is only $5, with discounted admission on the website, and parking is free!

Sat. | Jan. 25

FAULTLINE ANNIVERSARY WEEK

5. The market is located in the parking lot of the Spa Resort Casino, so after you’re done shopping, you know what that means—blackjack!

Faultline East Side nightlife institution Faultline celebrates two decades of serving cheap drinks to the debaucherous masses. Join in on celebrating 20 years by stopping into one or more of the bar’s popular parties, like Dragula—a fun night of drag, leather, filth and glamour—on Jan. 25. Through Jan. 31. faultlinebar.com

Palm Springs Vintage Market—selling vintage furniture, art, clothing, jewelry, kitchenware, music, postcards, memorabilia and more—premieres Sunday, Feb. 2, taking place on the first Sunday of every month thereafter. palmspringsvintagemarket.com

Find more photo albums — and additional photos from these events — at FrontiersLA.com/Entertainment.

» CUB SCOUT | EAGLE L.A. |

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Photos Rolling-Blackouts

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EATING

Sat. | Jan. 25

Sun. | Jan. 26

AN EVENING WITH JULIE GOLDMAN

QUEENIE PIE

Renberg Theatre

OUT

Julie Goldman of Logo’s The Big Gay Sketch Show returns to the Center’s Renberg Theatre for a benefit, proceeds of which will allow the Center to provide a full range of free and low-cost programs and services. The show includes brand-new material, as well as some classic bits. lagaycenter.org/theatre Sat. | Jan. 25

Warner Grand Theatre Long Beach Opera opens its 2014 Out of Bounds season with Duke Ellington's only opera, Queenie Pie, inspired by the life of C. J. Walker, hair product mogul and the country’s first African-American self-made millionairess. The opera explores differing standards of beauty, racial divides and who can attain the American Dream, set against a background of hot jazz and cool blues. Through Feb. 2. longbeachopera.org

THE FITEXPO SOCAL L.A. Convention Center

PHOTOS: DYLAN + JENI

COMFY CUISINE & COCKTAILS

A decade-long Los Angeles tradition, TheFitExpo returns for an action-packed weekend. This year offers attendees a non-stop immersion into the worlds of health and fitness, including challenges where top athletes will compete. Through Jan. 26. thefitexpo.com Sat. | Jan. 25

INSTANT FAIRY TALES Espace DbD

BY ERIC ROSEN

You still haven’t ventured to the original Plan Check on the Westside? Now that developer Terry Heller and chef Ernesto Uchimura have opened a second location in the former Vodvil space on Fairfax, you have no reason not to come in. The innovative menu reads like a love letter to classic American cuisine, with a few modern molecular gastronomy touches thrown in, such as Uchimura’s hallmark “ketchup leather,” which has the concentrated flavor of classic ketchup but the texture of a fruit rollup. (It won’t make your hamburger bun soggy.) The high-ceilinged front dining room has an open floor plan with expansive booths along one wall, bistro-style tables arranged in sharp lines, a raised communal table where you can make new friends and a long bar lined with even more seats. There’s a smaller, cozier dining room beyond the bar if you want a quieter ambiance. Start with a selection of the housemade pickled items—like spicy cucumber with sesame and Sriracha—then dig into the baked crab dip with creamy dynamite sauce, briny masago, charred tomato and leaves of nori for a taste of the sea. Hopefully you’ll find pastrami poutine on the specials menu. The fries are layered with finger-licking pastrami gravy, melted Swiss cheese, chunks of savory pastrami and chopped pickles for a dash of tanginess. The signature dish at this new location is the smoky filet of salmon pastrami with ‘everything bagel’ chips, green peppercorns for garnish, brined celery and charcoal-colored inky cream cheese tinted with squid ink that looks alarming but will make you forget all about your favorite deli. The other menu headliner is the PCB (Plan Check Burger), a juicy mass of meat with gooey dashi cheese, perfectly caramelized schmaltz onions, mixed pickles and ketchup leather. Those with heartier appetites (and better cholesterol), however, should opt for the Chef’s Favorite Burger with melted dashi cheese, a cheese crisp, bacon two ways, ketchup leather, hot sauce and a sunnyfried egg. Dessert’s must-try item is the lusciously eggy deep-fried cruller donut with homemade whipped cream and fruits. Cocktails here were created by roving “cocktail chef” Matt Biancaniello, so sample seasonal treats like the refreshing Splendor in the Grass with aloe liqueur, agave syrup, lime juice, arugula and white truffle salt, or the Kentucky Bubble Bath with Templeton Rye, Cynar artichoke liqueur, lemon, agave and lavender water.

Instant Fairy Tales: The Longest Winter, the series’ inaugural offering, features an allegorical tale about learning to care for the environment. Instant Fairy Tales are particularly well-suited for children and families. Seating in the intimate performance space is limited to 35 patrons per show. Through Jan. 26. instantfairytales.brown papertickets.com

Mon. | Jan. 27

GOLDEN STATE OF COCKTAILS Around DTLA The debut of California’s premier cocktail celebration, Golden State of Cocktail, includes tasting tours of bespoke bar crawls focusing on Hollywood/Silver Lake and DTLA. Each night will include 6-10 bar destinations featuring guest bartenders, special tastings/pairings and entertainment. Jan. 27 & 28. goldenstateofcocktails.com Tue. | Jan. 28

TNT Micky’s Tuesdays just became da bomb! Sam Ortiz, Tom Whitman and Flip present Totally Nineties Tuesdays, the newest party to hit WeHo. Hosted by Mayhem Miller and featuring resident DJs Josh Peace and Casey Alva, you’ll hear your favorite ‘90s hits all night long. No cover all night. mickys.com

Sat. | Jan. 25

MUSEUMS FREE-FOR-ALL 20 SoCal Museums On this one day, 20 museums around SoCal will offer free general admission as part of this really cool program! Sure, some of these museums, like the Getty, already offer free admission, but what a great chance to check out our city’s arts scene! Other participating venues include the Hammer Museum, LACMA and MOCA.

Tue. | Jan. 28

KIDSAVE COCKTAIL PARTY Eleven Nightclub It’s a cocktail party in support of Kidsave, which helps older foster youth realize the dream of family. Your $25 ticket includes a drink, hors d’oeuvres and fun! There will be a performance by L.A. drag superstar Raja, a live and silent auction and a raffle as well. kidsave.org Wed. | Jan. 29

Sun. | Jan. 26

SIZE Here Lounge It’s a West Hollywood party that has survived nearly a decade of plying cute gay boys with booze and getting them to cut loose on the patio. This week’s installment features music by DJ Drew G and a special performance by Ariana & the Rose. tomwhitmanpresents.com

HOLLYWOOD SHORTS Whitefire Theatre Hollywood Shorts is an evening of original short plays from an array of talented Emmy and Golden Globe-winning and Academy Award-nominated television and film writers. The night features eight plays focused on the possibilities of every day life—the good, the bad and the ugly. whitefiretheatre.com

Sun. | Jan. 26

INSOMNIA Hotel Casa del Mar

Plan Check 351 N. Fairfax Ave., L.A. (310) 288-6500 plancheck.com

Santa Monica’s beachfront Hotel Casa del Mar showcases critically acclaimed “modern conjurer” Derek Hughes in an evening of magic and comedy. This never-before-seen show is limited to 50 guests. hotelcasadelmar.com

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L.A. STAYCATION

» FULL FRONTAL DISCO | AKBAR |

BY STEPHAN HORBELT

Photos by Rolling-Blackouts

Ole Henriksen Don’t have the time or the funds to book a couple nights’ stay at one of our city’s gorgeous local inns? Treat yourself for a few hours by indulging in a custom treatment at one of L.A.’s luxe spa properties. Your body—and your nerves—will thank you. Ah, the wonders of Sunset Plaza! Considered by many to be a strip of West Hollywood off-limits to anyone whose cash doesn’t spill forth from his wallet, in reality that evaluation isn’t far off. But we’re talking staycations here, where the point is to take a deep breath, relax and get ready to splurge. Ole Henriksen is the perfect place for just that—your one-stop shop for decadence and tranquility. The Spa Indulgence is the name of the game at Ole Henriksen, which refers to itself as “a total lifestyle brand.” Entering the building from the parking lot just south of Sunset Boulevard, you’ll first be overwhelmed by the streamlined lobby, replete with gorgeous wood planks and fresh flowers. In addition to taking advantage of a treatment, plan to arrive early or stay after to peruse the amazing selection of body care products. No one can blame you for brining spa-quality pampering into your daily regimen. The Treatments If you can imagine a method to relax, deep-clean or detoxify the body, Ole Henriksen offers a specialized treatment to do just that. Treatments and rituals here include everything from nail care and waxing to a litany of massage styles, air-

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brush tanning, chemical peels, hydrotherapy soaks and hydrafacials—oh, and a $35 “detoxifying foot ritual” that sounds downright heavenly (a foot-and-leg deep massage using essential oils, a sea salt scrub and lotion application—yes, please). If you’ve got the funds, splurge on one of Ole Henriksen’s tranquility packages, like the “Total Bliss,” which includes a hydrotherapy soak, a spa ritual of your choice (opt for the “head-to-toe”) and a 50-minute customized facial. The package lasts 3.5 hours and will set you back $370. If that’s out of your budget, look into the “Just for Him” signature complexion treatment—designed just for male spa-goers, it includes a deep pore cleansing, hydration and exfoliation—at a cheaper price point. Highly Recommended A still fairly recent development in complexion treatments is the use of oxygen machines to invigorate the skin. Ole Henriksen uses a stateof-the-art Intraceuticals machine in its oxygen facials, which guarantee instant results (who can complain about that?) and are great for all skin types. Any facial is sure to leave you with a pep in your step, but here’s a treatment that ushers you out into the world with a literal glow as well. ($195 for 50 minutes, $260 for 80 minutes)

Ole Henriksen, 8622 A W. Sunset Blvd., WeHo. (310) 854-7700. olehenriksen.com

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SOCAL EVENTS GUIDE

SHE’S

BY STEPHAN HORBELT

BAAAAAAAACK!

It's been a year since Dina Martina graced the Cavern Club Theater stage here in L.A. What on Earth have you been up to this past year? Oh, lots. I finally graduated from John Robert Powers Modeling Agency, I made a sandwich, I played with marionettes, I threw Val-Pak coupons away (a LOT!), I bought a car and immediately totaled it, I had a C-section and I found out

that “Miami” means “my friend” in French. Oh, and I chilled like a villain. This new show is an all-new one. What can we expect this time around? Any surprises in store? No surprises—they’re a cardiac liability. I also tend to shy away from themes because themes breed expectations, which I try to steer clear of. So without giving too much away I’ll only drop a few hints. You may or may not see live fireworks displays, white carriages under the stars, shivering girls in short skirts and high heels, old people enjoying rusty iceberg lettuce, live violin dubstep routines, Judith Light, corn on the cob and an elevator that only goes down. Seeing as how you find yourself in Los Angeles every year or so, what is your take on sunny SoCal, and how does it compare to your home of Seattle? I loves me some Sunny Cal! Between all the celebrities, car washes and Starbucks, what’s not to love? Do you have any plans to sightsee while you’re in L.A. this month? Definitely! I’ve still never seen the pyramids, so hopefully this time will be the charm. And what's next for Dina Martina? Can fans expect

PHOTO: BOBBY MILLER

The average drag enthusiast leaving a Dina Martina show finds himself in a weird head space. Behind the perma-grin and laugh-induced tear streaks there’s likely to be a little confusion at what he’s just witnessed. Plainly put, there’s nothing quite like a Dina Martina show, a well-crafted mélange of song and dance, awkward stories and warped humor. A veteran of the stage (and YouTube as well), Dina Martina has sold out shows around the world, peddling a sick sense of humor to the masses. The Village Voice put it best, referring to her as “the most original drag performer working in America today.” This month Dina Martina returns to L.A. with an all-new show—the same spectacle that had people convulsing on the floor in both New York and Provincetown this past year—and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll be there to witness Dina’s comedic delights for yourself.

to see some new videos in the near future? There are two new videos in this show, plus I’ll be doing a spring show in Seattle consisting of all of the best videos I’ve ever done! At press time, I feel like the brand is in a really sweet spot. Dina Martina performs Jan. 23 - Feb. 2 at the Cavern Club Theater in Silver Lake. Get your tickets while they last at cavernclubtheater.com. For more info on Dina Martina, go to dinamartina.com.

Find more photo albums — and additional photos from these events — at FrontiersLA.com/Entertainment.

» SIZE | HERE LOUNGE |

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Photos by Tom Whitman Presents

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Fri. | Jan. 31

Sat. | Feb. 1

TRANNYSHACK L.A.

EAGLE L.A. MR. LEATHER 2014

Dragonfly

» MT. OLYMPUS NYE 2013 | THE ABBEY |

Photos by Rolling-Blackouts

It’s the first Trannyshack L.A. of 2014, and nowhere else will you get this much tacky drag shoved down your throat! Do not miss what’s always a fun party, featuring performances by Heklina, Vicky Vox, Elijah Minnelli, Ambrosia Salad and special guest Lady Bunny (plus many, many more)! Door at 9 p.m., show at 11. $15. tinyurl.com/m5orp85 Fri. | Jan. 31

L.A. ART BOOK FAIR Geffen Contemporary at MOCA Printed Matter presents the second annual L.A. Art Book Fair (companion to the New York Art Book Fair), which is free and open to the public. It’s a unique event for artists’ books, art catalogs, monographs, periodicals and zines, where featured projects include a queer zines exhibition curated by Philip Aarons and AA Bronson. Through Feb. 2. laartbookfair.net Fri. | Jan. 31

ERASERHEAD Nuart Theatre Described by writer/director David Lynch as “a dream of dark and troubling things,” Eraserhead is a funny, terrifying and wholly original cult film taking you into the surreal world of Henry Spencer, the not-soproud papa of the strangest baby you’ve ever seen. landmarktheatres.com

Eagle L.A. Who will be named the next Eagle L.A. Mr. Leather? There’s only one way to find out! The contest will take place this evening at 9 p.m., with the victory brunch the very next day at The French Quarter Restaurant in WeHo and a victory beer bust back at the Eagle at 4 p.m. For contestant details, contact charlie@eaglela.com. Sun. | Feb. 1

MASTERS OF THE AMERICAN WEST The Autry The 17th annual Masters of the American West fine art exhibition and fundraiser celebrates America’s finest Western art and artists and showcases films, workshops, music and theater. The first day of Masters includes artist talks, award presentations and a chuckwagon luncheon. At the evening event, patrons and artists engage in a festive atmosphere where approximately 275 works are sold via a drawing. Through March 16. theautry.org/masters Through Feb. 2

RING OF FIRE: THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH

Fri. | Jan. 31

FIFTH FRIDAY POTLUCK

Laguna Playhouse A talented company of 10 performers will guide you on a journey through Cash’s storied life and celebrated music, from the cotton fields of Arkansas to the Grand Ole Opry. Thirty songs will be performed, including “Folsom Prison Blues,” “I Walk the Line” and more. lagunaplayhouse.com

South Bay LGBT Center Bring a main dish, side dish, salad or dessert for six to eight people and a donation to the Fifth Friday potluck. Enjoy beverages, food, great conversation and table service while supporting the Center’s cause to connect with the community. southbaycenter.org Fri. | Jan. 31

GISELLE Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

Thu. | Feb. 6

The 11th season of Dance at the Music Center continues with the North American debut of Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Giselle, choreographed by artistic director Ethan Stiefel and Johan Kobborg with music by Adolphe Adam, featuring a live orchestra. Wonderfully passionate, it’s the story of how the power of forgiveness and redemption can overcome the anguish of love and betrayal. Through Feb. 2. musiccenter.org

DRAG RACE: BATTLE OF THE SEASONS

Through Feb. 1

TAKE ME OUT Flight Theatre at Complex Hollywood

Find more photo albums — and additional photos from these events — at FrontiersLA.com/Entertainment.

Take Me Out, the Tony Award-winning drama by Richard Greenberg, tells the story of Darren Lemming, a popular and successful mixed-race baseball player. At the peak of his career, Darren decides to come out, which gets strong reactions from his teammates on both sides. m.bpt.me/event/532655

Club Nokia Once again hosted by Michelle Visage, superstars and contestants from five years of the hit show RuPaul’s Drag Race will meet for more unforgettable mischief and mayhem. See over-thetop drag performances, special effects and collaborations, including live singing and the ultimate ‘lip syncing for your life.’ tinyurl.com/rpdrbots

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ENTERTAINMENT

FILM

REVIEWS STRANGER BY THE LAKE Starring Pierre Deladonchamps, Patrick d’Assumçao, Christophe Paou Opens Jan. 31

*****

The mesmerizing erotic thriller Stranger by the Lake depicts a love triangle that develops at a cruising area in France. Franck (Deladonchamps) befriends Henri (d’Assumçao), but he lusts after Michel (Paou). Even though Franck spies Michel drowning the latter’s boyfriend, Ramière (François-Renaud Labarthe), he can’t resist coupling up with the murdering hunk. However, he is frustrated that their relationship is limited to their lakeside assignations. Curiously, both men lie to Inspector Damroder (Jérômre Chappatte), who is investigating Ramière’s death. This seductive film, which is shot in a series of hypnotic, repetitive sequences, plays with issues of attraction and voyeurism, trust and truth as the characters strip down on the beach, swim naked in the lake and stroke and sometimes suck each other off in the woods. Writer/director Alain Guiraudie plays extremely well with various points of view and issues of identity. When the film merges Franck’s vision of the murder with the narrative in one continuous sequence, it is dazzling. Stranger by the Lake is incredibly atmospheric and uninhibited. Viewers will be breathing heavy during the erotic trysts and in the final reel when things get quite ominous and violent. For arthouse and hothouse loves, Stranger by the Lake is not to be missed. —Gary M. Kramer

24 EXPOSURES

THE PRETTY ONE

SOMEWHERE SLOW

Starring Adam Wingard, Simon Barrett, Caroline White Opens Jan. 24

Starring Zoe Kazan, Jake Johnson, Ron Livingston Opens Feb. 7

Starring Jessalyn Gilsig, Graham Patrick Martin, Wallace Langham Opens Jan. 24

***

Billy (Wingard) is a self-described “classy personal fetish photographer,” and Michael (Barrett) is a depressed cop. These two men meet when Michael investigates the death of a model that once posed for Billy. This wafer-thin plot provides writer/director/editor Joe Swanberg opportunities to create some highly stylized tableaus and set pieces. This meta-movie plays with the sexy thriller genre, most effectively with aural and musical cues, less so with the copious female nudity and obligatory lesbian/threesome scenes. That said, one fetish shoot involving a topless woman with (fake) slit wrists in a bathtub of blood is as artful as an image of a woman face down on railroad tracks. If the visuals are striking, the emotions are too cool. Michael putting a gun in his mouth fails to register his intense despair, and scenes of Rebecca’s (Helen Rogers) boyfriend Greg (Mike Brune) getting insanely jealous of her friendship with Billy seems forced. The overlapping themes of truth, illusion, secrets and lies are at the heart of 24 Exposures, but they are only raised, not fully explored. Unfortunately, Swanberg lets the intriguing pictures compensate for some of the more didactic moments when characters actually explain what has happened. —Gary M. Kramer

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The Pretty One stars Zoe Kazan—the female equivalent of a man-child—in a story of identical twins “separated at death.” Laurel (Kazan) is the shy one who lives at home and cares for her widowed father (John Carroll Lynch). She paints copies of famous art in one of writer/director Jenée LaMarque’s many heavyhanded “double” motifs. Living in the shadow of pretty twin Audrey (also Kazan), Laurel assumes her sister’s identity after Audrey dies in a car accident. If a duplicitous twin suffering from post-traumatic amnesia sounds like The Pretty One is mining soap opera storylines, this lousy film fails to be that juicy. Instead, the precious Laurel starts becoming empowered as Audrey. She ends her affair with her sister’s married boyfriend, Charles (Livingston), and falls in love with her twin’s affable neighbor, Basel (Johnson), who shares her duplex house. While friends think Audrey “seems different” or “isn’t herself,” viewers are forced to wait for her to confess the truth. The resulting drama only confirms that Laurel-as-Audrey’s “new” life is just as boring as Laurel-as-Laurel’s old one. Kazan’s performance in the dual role is particularly uninspired, and she has little chemistry with either of her suitors. The Pretty One is really pretty lame. —Gary M. Kramer

****

Somewhere Slow is a slight but engaging character study about Anna (Gilsig, of Glee), a vulnerable and insecure woman experiencing a midlife crisis. Anna puts on literal and figurative masks—she wears heavy makeup to cover her bad skin and acts overly polite to almost everyone she encounters. On a particularly bad day, Anna finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time and makes an impulsive decision to flee from a crime scene. During her “escape” she meets Danny (Martin), a young man who steals a car and takes Anna to visit Paul (Langham), a gay man who once took nude photos of Danny. After a scuffle, however, the fugitive couple hits the road and holes up in Anna’s family’s former cottage, where they lower their defenses. Somewhere Slow keeps the tension percolating as Anna and Danny’s relationship unfolds, even if viewers may be frustrated by the characters’ foolish behavior and bad decisions. Nevertheless, writer/director Jeremy O’Keefe has created a gentle, low-budget film about self-discovery, even if it cops out on occasion. Gilsig gives an especially nuanced performance. Her transformation is credible, even if her actions sometimes are not. But Martin steals the film as the charming, reckless and gay-for-pay Danny. —Gary M. Kramer

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ENTERTAINMENT

MUSIC

Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings

REVIEWS

Give the People What They Want (Daptone)

****

Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings are in a unique position in the indie rock world. While their contemporaries are encouraged—even expected—to change with each release, Sharon Jones’ decidedly retro sound is praised and lauded. Any deviation or change will put Jones’ and her 11-piece band’s viability at risk. Give the People What They Want couldn’t be more aptly titled. It’s a wonderful, warm, fun record—brief and precise. The album couldn’t possibly elicit a frown in its 33 minutes, but one wonders about the woman behind the voice. Does she have control of this sound? After five albums, would she not want to explore different terrain? It’s only a brief flickering thought, because soon the soulful melody of “We Get Along” sweeps you away and back into the world of the Dap Kings. The album breezes by, with tracks like “Get Up and Get Out,” “Making Up and Breaking Up” and “People Don’t Get What They Deserve” standing out, if only for stretching the Sharon Jones comfort zone ever so slightly. This is a solid band with a gifted vocalist. I just want to see what else they can do. —Dominik Rothbard

A Great Big World

Bruce Springsteen

Dum Dum Girls

The Notwist

Pow!

Is There Anybody Out There? (Epic Records)

High Hopes (Columbia)

Too True (Sub Pop)

Close to the Glass (Sub Pop)

Hi-Tech Boom (Castle Face)

You probably know about A Great Big World for their heartwrenching ballad “Say Something” (featuring Christina Aguilera), which was featured on The Voice, and their formal debut is now ripe for the picking. Anchored by clean and sharp melodies and ecstatic piano lines, the duo excels in crafting twee (and at times, slightly annoying) pop-rock. This disc is a sugary affair laced with sincere moments of glee, cheekiness and sadness that will definitely remind you of Owl City or early Ben Folds Five. “Cheer Up,” though brimming with positivity, kind of comes off like a tossed-away TV commercial ditty. On the other hand, they really strike gold with both the lyrics and vibe of “Everyone is Gay,” a foot-stomping sing-along that spreads its slightly goofy message of LGBT equality across the sky like a giant rainbow. Elsewhere, the feel-good party train rolls on with “I Really Want It” (sounding much like Annie Lennox’s “Walking on Broken Glass”) and the Billy Joel-inspired “Rockstar.” A bit odd but fun is "Land of Opportunity," which detours into Dixieland swing. The aforementioned “Say Something” remains the truly emotional highlight with its uncomplicated mix of piano, strings and voice. It is poised to be the power-ballad smash of the year. —Paul V.

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***

My first reaction to Bruce Springsteen’s 18th studio album was one of joy. Unlike his ‘90s wasteland and the reclamation of critical reception since The Rising, High Hopes felt like a retrenchment and reinterpretation of The Boss’s signature sound. Then I noticed the two covers—of The Saints’ “Just Like Fire Would” and Suicide’s “Dream Baby Dream,” neither the equal of the originals—and a few too many sui generis tracks. After that, it boiled down to three great (amazing, actually) songs. First is the subtle, Celtic-tinged ballad “Hunter of Invisible Things” (desire acknowledged, thwarted and reignited). Second is the filthy grime of “Harry’s Place” (written during the Bush years, not specifically about them yet encapsulating the GOP zeitgeist nonetheless). And last—foremost, in fact—is the long-awaited studio version of live favorite “American Skin (41 Shots),” written in the wake of the shooting of Amadou Diallo yet grand enough in scope to encapsulate Trayvon Martin, Sandy Hook, et al. With powerful guitar courtesy of Tom Morello, the track belongs in the Springsteen canon and is the most impassioned anti-NRA plea yet recorded without resorting to dogma. Who said there were no protest songs anymore? —Dan Loughry

****

Too True, the third full-length release from Dum Dum Girls, is short, sweet and to the point. What makes this different than the group’s previous releases isn’t much, except the fact that what started as a bedroom recording project for front-woman Dee Dee Penny now functions as a tight, confident band. It could also be that the fuzz-rock she started with has now morphed into various indie sub-genres, all of which she essays nearly perfectly, from the jangly “Evil Blooms” that updates the headfirst rush of early Primitives to the Curve-y shoegaze of “Too True to Be Good” to the late-’70s/early-’80s banshee wail of “Little Minx.” (Somewhere Siouxsie Sioux is smiling—or at least smirking.) And though it’s been apparent from the get-go, I can hear in retrospect the difference between this band and Vivian Girls and Veronica Falls, all purveyors of an overly similar template, on top of which Penny is writing with control and finesse. Every single song offers up a sonic pleasure without sounding indebted to its sources. And Penny’s voice, drenched in studio echo, is a warm, inviting presence. It’s pop bliss, indie division, the likes of which we haven’t heard since Blondie’s Parallel Lines.

In 2002, The Notwist released an album called Neon Golden, changing the band’s sound from a post-hardcore group to something of a precursor to The Postal Service. A year later, The Postal Service released its much more successful Give Up album, and The Notwist faded into obscurity, back to the drawing board, to come up with a new sound. After a brief blip in 2008 with the largely ignored album The Devil You + Me, now the Notwist return with Close to the Glass. The group has reincorporated guitars into its mix of jittery synths and paranoid vocals. In actuality The Notwist owes a lot of its ‘new sound’ to Radiohead, particularly Thom Yorke’s solo exploits in electronica. Album opener “Signals” and the title track introduce the new sound, before the band starts to deviate. The gorgeous “Into Another Tune” delves into trance before segueing into the acoustic ballad “Casino,” which would have felt out of place on any of the band’s previous seven albums. “Seven Hour Drive” injects a distorted slice of jangly pop into the mix. “Lineri” is a nine-minute epic that leads into album closer “They Follow Me,” a song that recalls the best of the Neon Golden age of The Notwist.

—Dan Loughry

—Dominik Rothbard

***

“The recording is simple and dense. It’s perfectly poppy and rough at the same time, and it has a message about our streets being clogged with the cholesterol of the normals.” Those streets are in San Francisco, and that’s how Thee Oh Sees’ John Dwyer explains the sound of Pow! and this debut release on his indie record label. Deep in the SF graveyard, a young hand with black and cracked nails is pushing up through a broken pile of server cables and motherboards, trying to be freed from the ever-deepening sludge of tech waste. Stepping over them, eyes glazed, feet dragging, blank face aglow in the eerie luminescence of the smart(?) phones underfoot is the spirit heard in these fuzzy, lo-fi songs. While that might sound a bit esoteric to digest, this spunky trio adds some danceable beats and a few earworm melodies, notably on the surftastic “Shoes,” “Hope Dealers” and “66.” And lyrically, this anti-gentrification manifesto is heard most scathingly in the title track—“Now I’m seeing red, as they take away our bread.” So if your tastes fall somewhere between Suicide, The Gun Club, Raveonettes, Jesus & Mary Chain and, yes, Thee Oh Sees, then Pow!’s buzzing, gloomy, synth-punk should be right up your anti-Silicon Valley alley. —Paul V.

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THEATER REVIEWS I’LL GO ON KIRK DOUGLAS THEATRE | 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City Through Feb. 9 | centertheatregroup.org PHOTO: CRAIG SCHWARTZ

As a young man, Harold Pinter discovered the spare, unforgiving landscape of Samuel Beckett’s fiction— particularly the trilogy of novels Molloy, Malone Dies and The Unnamable. Pinter wrote to a friend, “[Beckett] is the most courageous, remorseless writer going. And the more he grinds my nose into the shit, the more I’m grateful to him.” Southland audiences have the opportunity to express the same unique gratitude for Irish actor Barry McGovern’s transcendent performance in I’ll Go On, a 90-minute solo show consisting of excerpts from all three novels that simultaneously reminds us of the inescapable futility of life while leaving us oddly uplifted by Beckett’s

breathtaking ability to bend the English language to express it. McGovern is familiar to L.A. audiences from his sparkling 2012 performance in Waiting for Godot at the Taper, and he has spent the better part of his long career immersed in Beckett’s work, including performing this piece—which he created with Gerry Dukes—on and off for nearly 30 years. That deep familiarity creates a thrilling dynamic in performance, much like watching Pavarotti sing Puccini. All three novels are written in the first person, so the text is surprisingly transportable to the stage. The first half of the evening is taken entirely from Molloy, in which we encounter a tramp with a bum leg trying to find his way to

his mother’s home on a rickety bicycle. Plot is not the driver here, however, but rather Beckett’s brilliant explorations of the myriad ways in which we pass the time during our brief if traumatic tenure on earth. In McGovern’s hands, an extended speech about carrying 16 beach stones in his pockets to suck on when the mood strikes him becomes a virtuoso display of passion and commitment, as hilarious as it is haunting. After a brief intermission, McGovern returns in a nightshirt, lying on a bier. (Or is it an altar? Robert Ballagh’s starkly elegant set is appropriately ambiguous.) “I shall soon be quite dead at last,” he says, beginning a piece from Malone Dies, in which the character chatters

away in what he expects could be life’s last moments. Director Colm O Briain deftly allows the staging to become more stylized as the evening progresses, as the language becomes denser and death closer. Beckett’s characters resent life and fear death but confront both with a glorious barrage of words and thoughts that are their own joyful triumph. By the time we get to The Unnamable, McGovern is shirtless, kneeling on the floor down center, gaining a surprising strength in his utter vulnerability as he spews out Beckett’s luscious language, eyes on fire and diaphragm working overtime. The whole affair becomes a kind of linguistic athletic event, with McGovern taking home the gold. —Christopher Cappiello

THE TWILIGHT OF SCHLOMO ELEPHANT SPACE | 6322 Santa Monica Blvd., Hlywd. Through Feb. 9 | plays411.net

PHOTO: JOEL DAAVID

The Yiddish term schlemiel is defined as “an awkward and unlucky person for whom things never turn out right.” In The Twilight of Schlomo, by accomplished Angeleno playwright Timothy McNeil, the plight of an unseen but mentioned character named Schlomo underlines the play’s key themes. The fine line between a typical schlemiel and the illfated Schlomo illuminates the ways that despair and humor can be only a heartbeat apart. McNeil’s seriocomedy about contemporary ennui in the urban jungle offers a portrait of the midlife crisis of an endearing lost soul named Richard, struggling to maintain a meaningful existence

in a funky East Hollywood neighborhood. The 49-year-old failed stand-up comic Richard (Jonathan Goldstein) tries to hold onto his job as a wine salesman as he strives to find happiness, financial security and inner peace while drowning his frustrations in booze, cocaine and afternoon dalliances with an ex-stripper, Galina (Verna Cherny, who alternates with Kelly Hill). Galina wants more, but Richard is scarcely a stick-to-it kind of guy. That becomes more apparent when his Asian-American stepdaughter, RFK (Lilan Bowden), bizarrely named after the assassinated Robert F. Kennedy, pops in unexpect-

edly to deliver some startling news about her mother, Richard’s ex-wife (also a stripper). Meanwhile, Jonathan’s unsavory, Russian-born neighbor, Jackson (Danny Parker), regularly beats up on his kindly wife, Lydia (Nikki McCauley), while he persuades Richard to become a partner in his cocaine-dealing endeavors. The outskirts of Tinseltown are viewed as a hotbed of corruption, sleaze and danger that has become a personal hell for a disillusioned creative artist and the people he cares about. McNeil leavens the darkness of this gritty play with wry gags and characters exhibiting signs of resilience. Director David Fofi’s premiere rendition evokes fond echoes of McNeil’s prior works at the Elephant. Supernova (2010) was a powerful domestic drama bringing to mind the classics of William Inge, while the award-winning Anything (2007) charted the odd-but-compelling bond between a suicidal Southern widower and the transvestite next door. Some dialogue in this new work seems superfluous or not as revelatory as is

perhaps intended; tightening is advisable. Though Cherny offers a credible performance, her character feels less intrinsic to the proceedings than the others. What works especially well is O’Neill’s knack for creating characters who earn empathy for their human foibles as well as their strengths. Goldstein is especially impressive, taking us through this flawed man’s confused emotions with poignancy and wit. Bowden is very funny, as well as affecting, as the strong-willed but emotionally damaged stepdaughter. Parker’s segue from potentially dangerous to ruthless is compelling. McCauley delivers a superb portrayal, capturing some of the evening’s most rueful and powerful moments as an abused spouse with a suppressed feistiness. Production credits are solid— notably the atmospherically sterile black-gray-white set and excellent lighting, both credited to Elephant Stageworks, and sound effects by Matt Richter and Peter Bayne. —Les Spindle

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MASTERS

“And, honey, if you don’t win the Academy Award, I’m giving you mine!” —Liza Minnelli makes an offer to Matthew McConaughey at a New York luncheon toasting Dallas Buyers Club. If the Golden Globes are any indication, Liza’s Oscar is safe.

First, a public service announcement. A group of scientists have discovered that semen can cure depression. Apparently the milky liquid contains a chemical that elevates mood, induces affection and causes sleep. Strangely, the study only cites the benefits for women ingesting semen. What about men? Are these scientists completely excluding the possibility of men out there who enjoy the odd shot of semen? Semen—it’s not just for women anymore. Perhaps depression is rampant at the Vatican. That might explain why a member of the Pope’s Swiss Guard was propositioned for gay sex on numerous occasions. And who propositioned him? Allegedly, his suitors included cardinals, bishops, priests and a dignitary close to John Paul II! In his recollections, this unnamed former guard claims such sexually charged incidents as a late-night invitation to the room of a senior official, a complimentary bottle of whiskey and suggestive note (probably in Latin) left in his room by a visiting bishop, a bit of unsolicited fondling from another official and a priest inviting him to dinner, saying he’d like to have this guard for dessert! My God, I get less action in West Hollywood! Closer to home, claims have surfaced of a gay witch hunt during the heyday of American Bandstand. Two dancers on the show allege that Dick Clark and the producers were trying to “purge gays from the ranks” of dancers. Yes, I know what you’re thinking—there were only two gay dancers? They’re the only two who have come forward (and are still alive)! According to Frank Brancaccio and Eddie Kelly, the producers would regularly frequent gay bars in Philadelphia for the sole purpose of seeing if any of the show’s dancers were there. Yeah, that’s why men working on a teen dance show were in gay bars—for professional purposes only. The duo claims that if you were caught in such a place—

Aaron Shock (right)

FRONTIERSLA.COM

or even “looked gay”—you’d be given the axe. You know what this means? John Travolta would never have made it past dress rehearsal! Needless to say, things have changed considerably. For instance, David Beckham not only is happy to be a gay pinup—he’d like to do it again. When a reporter asked if he regretted a risqué photo shoot in 2002 for the UK’s premier gay publication, Beckham said, “I had no problem posing for Attitude then, and I would have no problem now. I know that some people thought it was controversial, but I was just being myself.” The internet is all abuzz about ABC newsmen David Muir and Gio Benitez. You all know who Muir is—formerly a reporter in Syracuse and Boston, he’s perhaps been enhanced by some facial reconstructive surgery and is extremely cagey about his personal life (to say nothing of a wide stance, which leans to the left). Benitez is from Miami, where he made a name for himself as a reporter. He was also somewhat active in the gay community. Neither of these men are openly gay but have been linked together after a series of coincidental appearances on ABC World News. Eagle-eyed viewers claim that Benitez usually files his reports to Diane Sawyer from the field. But when Muir fills in as anchor, Benitez miraculously appears in the studio. Coincidence? Benitez recently said that Muir is one of his top three “golden followers” on Twitter. And unlike Muir, Benitez has no problem being seen in gay bars. In fact, a very hot model named Pablo Hernandez posted a photo with Benitez at WeHo hot spot Eleven. Photos of the pair to follow on BillyMasters.com. You’d think a U.S. Congressman could have a hot, shaved body, wear a turquoise belt, package-fitting plaid pants and a pink shirt and not cause a kerfuffle. But, no, apparently not. Despite numerous photo spreads spotlighting his fantastic physique, his penchant for body-conscious fashion and his fascination with footwear, Aaron Schock has gone to great pains to assert his heterosexuality. Alas, he’s once again the target of gay scuttlebutt. CBS News’ Itay Hod posted quite a diatribe on Facebook. “Here’s a hypothetical: what if you know a certain GOP congressman, let’s just say from Illinois, is gay ... and you know this because one of your friends, a journalist for a reputable network, told you in no uncertain terms that he caught that GOP congressman and his male room-

David Beckham

mate in the shower together. Now, they could have been good friends just trying to conserve water. But there’s more.” Since I want to conserve space, you can read the “more” on BillyMasters.com. Since I was in L.A. for the Golden Globes, I was able to see the fantastic Laura Benanti at the Catalina Bar and Grill in Hollywood. Under the auspices of Chris Isaacson and Upright Cabaret, the show was sold-out within days of the announcement. A second show was quickly added— and just as quickly sold out. While Hollywood is buzzing about Benanti’s luminous turn as Baroness Schrader in The Sound of Music: Live, she’s been mighty busy on Broadway (I’ve seen her in Gypsy, Nine, Into the Woods and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown). Personally, I find her one of the most versatile and talented actresses around. In fact, I loved every one of her failed television shows— and that’s saying something, because there are so few successful shows I enjoy! Her cabaret show is a perfect mix of Broadway, pop and folk numbers, with delightfully engaging stories peppered in along the way. If she isn’t performing near you, I definitely recommend buying her new album, In Constant Search of the Right Kind of Attention. The title was suggested from her former Go On co-star Matthew Perry. As to the Golden Globes, the most memorable moments of my evening were cozying up to Kevin Bacon and Rob Lowe. Now, I realize that these would be big “gets” if this were 1985, but I was in heaven. OK, perhaps it was ungallant to virtually knock Kyra Sedgwick over to get to Bacon, but this is survival of the fittest. I had a fabulous reunion with the always adorable Nikki Blonsky. As I was attempting to get close to the vivacious Sofia Vergara (who angrily extinguished her boyfriend’s cigarette), I was intercepted by someone

who looked remarkably like Kim Jong-un. Instead, I spent time dishing with the always-lovely Kathy Hilton while trying to figure out what Mike Tyson and Dame Helen Mirren were chatting about à deux. You can check out the photos on Billy Masters.com. Our “Ask Billy” question comes from George in New Jersey: “I know Stephen Amell [the lead on Arrow] is straight and married. But he’s also so gay-friendly and gorgeous, I can’t help but love him. I recently came across the attached photo and I swear I can see his penis. What do you think? Could you investigate? Please?” I have to confess that I was skeptical—especially since the photo in question is one officially sanctioned by Amell. But it looks like the outline of a rather sizeable appendage. Being an occasional stickler for details, I had the photo analyzed by Filth2Go Forensics and I’m pleased to report that they, too, believe Stephen Amell

this is indeed a rare sighting of the Amell Appendage. We’ll run the enhanced image on BillyMasters.com. When we’re employing NASA technology for detecting dicks, it’s definitely time to end yet another column. Obviously there’s something for everybody at BillyMasters.com, the site that stimulates your body and mind. If you’d like me to tackle any other part of your body, drop a note to Billy@BillyMasters.com and I promise to get back to you before Jackie Bisset finishes her acceptance speech. So, until next time, remember, one man’s filth is another man’s bible.

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ILLUSTRATION BY

GLENHANSON .COM

13 QUESTIONS WITH JACKIE BEAT! This issue’s subject: Margaret Cho

If this were speed dating, how would you describe yourself to a complete stranger in just one sentence? I’m too slow for this. If you could watch only one movie every single day for the rest of your life, what would it be and why? Velvet Goldmine. Purely gorgeous and glam and gay. It’s all I need. Hold onto your seat, it’s about to get real. What’s your favorite color? And think of a pretentious new name for it. Black. “All Color at Once.” Complete the sentence: “I could NOT live without…” Baguettes. What celebrity would you like to have wild, passionate, dirty animal sex with? Myself. What song title could also be the name of your autobiography? “Comfortably Numb.” Describe, in detail, your “death row meal.” Baguettes, Doritos, brie and mustard. If you could come back in your next life as anyone or anything, who or what would you be? One of my dogs.

PHOTO: MISSMISSYPHOTOGRAPHY.NET

Who or what is your “spirit animal”? Beagles. Tell me a secret! I tear off my toenails.

Worst job you’ve ever had? Hello Kitty. The head is heavy. Share your favorite beauty tip with us. No sun and lots of water.

Finally, be a total shameless whore and plug whatever you want. I’m out on tour endlessly, so come see me! MargaretCho.com

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DRIVE By Steve Siler

Speed, Sound and Catnip For most of Jaguar’s history, the company has built cars that look—well, historical. But Jaguar has been dipping into the catnip lately, building cars that are low-slung, lightweight and not a little bit irreverent. The all-new, two-seat F-Type sports car is the smallest, speediest and brashest of them all. Whether you choose the 340-hp V-6 or the rip-snortin’ 495-hp V-8, the F-Type can reduce its fat rear tires into pools of molten rubber without much provocation, though only the V-8 can be equipped with a popping, crackling exhaust system so loud and raucous you’ll have Harley Davidson riders yelling, “That’s too damn loud!” Steering and brakes give the F-Type reflexes that are—you guessed it—cat-like. And the interior is less ‘sugar daddy-in a silk robe and more ‘James Bond-meets-Tom of Finland.’ All this British beauty and brawn is priced somewhere between the Porsche Boxster S and Carrera Cabriolet, neither of which can hold a candle to this pretty kitty in terms of sex appeal.

2015 Jaguar F-Type Coupe To give the frisky F-Type roadster a playmate, Jaguar introduced the gorgeous F-Type coupe at the 2013 L.A. Auto Show last November. More or less identical to the convertible but with a slinky, fixed metal roof in place of the roadster’s folding ragtop, the coupe promises an even more intense driving experience. And it’s seriously beautiful, proving that you don’t have to be a bottom to appreciate a hard top.

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2014 Jaguar F-Type Roadster

2014 Jaguar F-Type Base Price (including destination): $69,895 (V-6); $81,895 (V-6 S); $92,895 (V-8) Power: 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 (340 hp, 339 lb-ft of torque); 3.0-liter supercharged V-6, S (380 hp, 339 lbft of torque); 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 (495 hp, 460 lb-ft of torque) Tranny: 8-speed automatic with manual shift control Fuel Economy, city/hwy: 20/28 mpg (V-6); 19/27 mpg (V-6 S); 16/23 mpg (V-8)

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THIS IS OUR FAREWELL I’m drawn to obituaries, not to death. Like a bunch of us, I have lived through so damned much death that I can’t bear to live with it anymore. But I do enjoy reading of one’s life once they are gone. The other day there was an obit in the LA Times about a dame who croaked while riding her bike. She ran into another bike. Presumably the loved ones who wrote the capsulization of her frigging entire time here thought it significant to mention she was wearing her helmet. I mean, that’s funny, right? So I’m altered by people who lay down warm and semi-moving stuff like, “I will remember you every minute” and “I will think of you every day,” ‘cause I don’t do that. My dad, my grandma, my brother Scott who passed just a year ago. My friends will attest I have given a shit load of eulogies—174 of them. Witty crap, mostly, of every single person who left us. I just don’t think of any of them every day. Arguably the most important soul in my life, Matthew Murray, hits my head maybe once a week. I guess that is all the reverence I can muster, but I do remember the folks I loved in my own timely fashion. Those who made me laugh and cry. It’s not every minute. Not every day. But it is strongly significant to me. I have been rattled in writing this column because I have been trying to deal with my feelings about a great and wonderful gent who passed six years ago this month. Ron Wanless was perhaps the funniest lad I ever met. We had amazing times together, and those who loved him did as well. He lived through a double lung transplant and was felled by cancer after that crap. He had a lifetime love affair with vodka and cigarettes and honored them both. I reached out to a ton of pals who loved him like I did to help this effort, and they assembled great stuff to write of his life on earth. Ron never wore a helmet. He was one of a kind. But my rattling about was all about me. I think about how much I miss him and start to feel sorry for myself, but then I think about all the people who never got the chance to meet him and I start to feel sorry for them. The truth is I never told any of those folks how much they meant to me. My pop died at 48. There was supposed to be time to thank him. My grandma was old, and I thought she would be there always. My brother Scott was perhaps the biggest regret of my life. He screwed up and so did I. And Matthew, my sweet Matt. He yelled at me almost daily because of a walker no kid in his 20s should have ever had to use. Matt saw death, and I rationalized his condition into life. He would always be there. I just knew he would. We would make it. We didn’t. Ron is gone six years now. Matthew will be gone 25 years this summer. Scott is a year gone, and my pop almost a lifetime. None of this can really reconcile anything, yet please give me this moment. This is a chance to say I love, honor and so respect you all. I need to say it more often than I do. That’s pretty clear. Likely, so should you. This is it. It’s all we got. I guess it doesn’t matter if we wear our helmet or not.

The opinions of this column do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Frontiers magazine.

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CITY GUIDES

REVOLVER CO-OWNER APPEALS APPROVAL TO BUILD COOLEY’S

PHOTO: BY JESSICA BRECKER

WEHO RESIDENTS PROTEST PLUMMER PARK DEMOLITION BY PAULO MURILLO West Hollywood residents and members of the Protect Plummer Park group staged a demonstration against the demolition of the Great Hall/Long Hall building in the Park on Dec. 30 at around 7:30 a.m. An estimated 50 people gathered at the park for a faceoff with 10 contractors who were on the grounds to a do a mandatory walk-through before beginning the bidding process to win a demolition contract that will bulldoze the historically significant structure. The contractors were joined by city staff members as well as two sheriff’s deputies. Activists marched around the park grounds holding signage that read “Protect West Hollywood History, Save Plummer Park.” They also chanted “Save the hall from the wrecking ball!” “They really have made up their minds, and at this point it has absolutely nothing to do with the vision of the community,” Cathy Blaivas, a leader of Protect Plummer Park, told Frontiers in reference to Mayor Abbe

Land and councilmembers John Duran and John Heilman, referred to by activists as “The Knock ‘Em Down Three.” “I don’t think they are going to listen to the voice of the people, because they have not. I think they have an agenda to tear those buildings down.” The protest stems from a city council meeting back on Dec. 2 where a proposal made by Mayor Pro-Tempore John D’Amico to repair and reopen Great Hall/Long Hall went completely off the rails after councilman Duran motioned to have the city manager report on the practicality of having the building torn down. Duran also motioned to move forward with the construction of a permanent Tiny Tots preschool and to renovate the interior of Fiesta Hall. The motion passed 3-2. Leaders of the Protect Plummer Park group urge people to voice their support for Great Hall/Long Hall at the next city council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 21.

DO YOU THINK PLUMMER PARK IS READY FOR CHANGE, OR SHOULD IT REMAIN THE SAME? “Great Hall/Long Hall makes me feel like a Barbara Stanwyck Big Valley Barkley Boy riding his horse through the gates into its large inner courtyard. It represents Western history. It’s an oasis surrounded by mature trees, and the community still uses it. It should not be demolished, but it should be respected and rehabbed just like the city is doing with Tara in Laurel Park.” —Victor Omelczenko

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“Plummer Park is steeped in history since it is the last surviving parcel of Rancho La Brea, and many of the existing trees are over 100 years old. The park has also been a cornerstone to the Russian Community for decades, as well as a safe haven for children—young and old—to play, and they all love it just the way it is.” —Jessica Brecker

Alfredo Diaz, co-owner of West Hollywood video bar Revolver, has recently appealed West Hollywood’s decision to greenlight David Cooley’s ambitious high-end bar and eatery in the heart of Boystown. The city approved construction of the 8,879-square-foot Cooley’s at 8940 Santa Monica Boulevard, near Robertson Boulevard, at a hearing on Dec. 17, but added conditions to Cooley’s proposal—including that glass noise barriers be added to the back windows overlooking West Hollywood Park—and a request to stay open until 4 a.m. was denied. The condition that the city’s valet service be hired for patrons dropping off cars in front of the restaurant was also added. Cooley agreed to the terms. “This will be a big improvement for that part of Santa Monica Boulevard as well as the West Hollywood Park,” he told Frontiers at a special reception in early December where he unveiled the plans to residents. Though Diaz admitted the new Cooley’s will be pleasing to the eye, he expressed a list of concerns in an opinion piece he wrote for WEHOville. He mainly objects to how the conditional use permit will affect the future of this space should a future owner have a vision that differs from Cooley’s. Diaz stated his objections were not seeded out of fear of competition but then bemoaned the drop in business every bar within a three-block radius will experience after Cooley’s opens. Diaz was not available to comment on his recent appeal. He will have his moment before the West Hollywood Planning Commission at a meeting on Feb. 6, 6:30 p.m. at the City Council Chambers in the West Hollywood Library.

SPEAK OUT “When it comes to redevelopment, I tend to always like the end results. I think Plummer Park looks really old and change is due. If the end result is going to make it better than what it is now, then I think that building should be torn down. It happens in Downtown L.A. all the time—an old building is saved, so they build all over and around it. It looks ridiculous.” —Collin O’Brien

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DESERT

HOT TOPIC JANE KRAKOWSKI HEADLINES HUMANITARIAN AWARDS BY JAMES F. MILLS

2014 is a big year for Desert AIDS Project. Not only is the AIDS service organization celebrating its 30th anniversary but it also observes the 20th anniversary of its prestigious Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards. Long considered one of the biggest highlights of the always-busy desert social season, this year’s Steve Chase Awards, held Feb. 8 at the Palm Springs Convention Center, will be a glittering gala attracting many of Palm Springs’ finest as well as some Hollywood bigwigs to honor those fighting against AIDS, be it through medicine or activism. The gala made headlines in 2012 when actor Matt Bomer publicly came out as gay while accepting an award. It will likely make headlines again this year thanks to a new Arts & Activism Award to recognize AIDS activism through cinema. Four films, considered groundbreaking at the time of their release, will be honored— Philadelphia (1993), And the Band Played On (1993), Boys on the Side (1995) and How to Survive a Plague (2012). Several “Hollywood heavyweights” connected to these films will be on hand to accept the Arts & Activism Award, though their names had not been finalized by presstime. “These seminal films have helped to change the dialogue that surrounds a worldwide epidemic that is now in its fourth decade, since the first diagnoses in 1981,” said Barry Dayton, Desert AIDS Project’s director of marketing and communication. “Remarkably, stigma and ignorance still surround this public health issue, while individual artist-activists and filmmakers continue to remind us AIDS is not over.” The awards ceremony, which was first organized by (and named for) famed interior designer Steve Chase, will also

honor several dedicated volunteers at DAP. The gala also offers plenty of entertainment, sure to keep tongues wagging for days afterwards. “We’ve got some great entertainment to keep the evening moving along with a guarantee you’ll leave with a smile on your face and a song in your heart,” said gala co-chair Jim Casey. “Whether their entertainment tastes run to Broadway musical theater, dance or great movies, anyone attending the 20th Annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards will get a bit of it all,” added Barbara Keller, who has been co-chairing this event with Casey since 2009. Singer, actress and comedienne Jane Krakowski—best known for playing Jenna Maroney on TV’s 30 Rock—will headline the show. A seasoned vet of the stage, Krakowski won a Tony Award for her performance in the Broadway revival of Nine and an Olivier Award for her role as Miss Adelaide in the West End revival of Guys and Dolls. Krakowski is joined by singer-actress LaTonya Holmes and Eden Espinosa, best known for playing Elphaba on Broadway and in touring productions of Wicked, plus singer-actor Eric Martsolf, best known for playing Brady Black on TV’s Days of Our Lives. Also on the bill are jazz-pop-gospel singer Nita Whitaker LaFontaine and singer-songwriter Tomasina Abate. Last year’s Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards raised more than $1.4 million for DAP’s client services, which include medical care, case management and social services like food, housing and counseling. In August, Desert AIDS Project was named a “Top 20 HIV/AIDS Charity” by About.com. desertaidsproject.org FEBRUARY 4, 2014

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CITY GUIDES

PALM

SPRINGS

Martha Wash

Maxine Nightingale

DISCO DIVAS DESCEND UPON THE DESERT BY JAMES F. MILLS Disco queens, mark your calendars! May 3 is the date when some of the best-known disco divas of the ‘70s and ‘80s come to town for a show like no other. Linda Clifford, France Joli, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Maxine Nightingale, Pamala Stanley, Anita Ward, Martha Wash and the ladies from Chic will all be performing at Evening Under the Stars, the 21st annual gala benefitting the AIDS Assistance Program. “Never before in the history of Evening Under the Stars have we had the variety of talent and hit music makers than will take the stage this year,” says Mark Anton, Executive Director of AIDS Assistance Program, which provides grocery store vouchers for low-income people with HIV/AIDS living in the Coachella Valley. “These ladies are synonymous with one of the most unforgettable periods in music, and we know our guests will be wowed by an unforgettable performance.” The theme for the gala was inspired by author James Arena’s book First Ladies of Disco: 32 Stars Discuss the Era and Their Singing Careers. In that collection, 32 female singers discuss their careers, their place in dance music history and their special connection to gay audiences during the disco era. Linda Clifford is remembered for her hits “If My Friends Could See Me Now” and “Runaway Love,” plus “Red 66

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Light” from the Fame soundtrack. British sensation Maxine Nightingale is known her chart-topping hits “Right Back Where We Started From” and “Lead Me On,” while Canadian singer France Joli had the dance floor hit “Come to Me.” Evelyn “Champagne” King taught everyone about “Shame,” while Anita Ward instructed people how to “Ring My Bell” and Pamala Stanley told us all about “Coming Out of Hiding.” Martha Wash’s soprano voice is instantly recognized by many, even if they don’t know her name. Wash was part of the Weather Girls, who sang the early ‘80s gay anthem “It’s Raining Men.” In the early ‘90s, Wash was the uncredited powerhouse vocalist behind C+C Music Factory classic “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” as well as Black Box’s “Everybody, Everybody” and “Strike it Up.” Finally, the ladies formerly of Chic— Alfa Anderson, Luci Martin and Norma Jean—saw huge success in the late 1970s as that group shot to fame with a string of hits including “Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah),” “Le Freak,” “I Want Your Love” and “Good Times.” Expect them each to perform these hits as well as others during the evening, which takes place at the O’Donnell Golf Club in Palm Springs. aidsassistance.org

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HEALTH

ZERO TO

SAVVY WITH AARON SAVVY, ACSM Certified Trainer

THERE ARE NO SILLY QUESTIONS I have high cholesterol. Is there anything I can take to help lower it? —Marcus, Long Beach When it comes to health issues like cholesterol, I always suggest seeing a medical professional. Sometimes simply eating healthy is not enough and a prescription from your doctor may be needed. With that said, there are certain foods we should definitely avoid—fatty meats, most dairy, alcohol, pastries and hydrogenated oils all contribute to high cholesterol. Olive oil, almonds and fish oil especially have been known to greatly reduce bad cholesterol. These are all great sources of a good fat. Indulging in a healthy eating plan—lean meats, vegetables, fruits and grains—is a great way to lower one’s cholesterol. I know I’m supposed to get 8-9 hours of sleep each night, but I cannot seem to get that much sleep down. Any suggestions? —Erin, Los Angeles The body produces melatonin, which contributes in helping us regulate sleep. Though the body produces it, its levels can be low. I suggest buying melatonin at your local nutritional store. Taking melatonin one hour before your designated sleep time will help establish a regular sleep pattern. Once you establish your sleep pattern, taking the melatonin is no longer needed. I'm 19 and have a very high metabolism, however I have some questions about “baby fat.” Well, I have a fat face and some extra weight on my stomach. I do ab exercises every night but the extra flab won't come off and I have always had a fat face. Any help? —Rodney, San Diego I know you say you do abs every night, but do you workout your other muscle groups? Consistency, consistency, consistency is how you’re going to get the results you are looking for. I want you to workout 4-5 days a week. Example: Monday do chest, triceps and abs. Tuesday

focus on your back, biceps and abs. Thursday make it legs, shoulders and abs. Since your metabolism is high, I want you to do cardio for only 20-30 minutes after each workout. When you do your abdominal exercises, I want you to perform four different abdominal and four oblique (side) exercises. For each abdominal exercise, perform four sets of 15-25 reps. Your abdominal exercises should be concentrated on the contraction of the abdominal muscle rather than momentum. Your nutrition is key, too. Eating 45 small meals a day will ensure your body is working properly. Nutrition high in protein and healthy carbohydrates is important—brown rice, whole grains, yams over a baked potato. Eat your fruits and knock yourself out with veggies. Broccoli is the king of veggies. The greener the veggie the more nutrients/vitamins you will consume. Drink water, and when you think you’ve had enough water, drink some more. Stay clear of sugar, fried foods and anything high in saturated fats. As long as you religiously perform these tasks evenly, both in fitness and nutrition, you’re golden. This is a silly question, but I often hear the phrase “use good form.” So how do I know whether or not I am using “good form” when I am working out? —Russ, Hollywood This is not a silly question. With the long hours I spend in the gym each week, I see many individuals who struggle to maintain good form. Before you start your exercise, you need to establish your setup. Let’s use the chest press as an example. Sitting in an upright position, your chest should be out and your shoulders should sit back. Your head should be looking straight ahead with your chin up. This will help you maintain good form—chest out, shoulders back, looking straight ahead and chin up. If you lose this form, the weight is too heavy. This formula is universal and should be used with almost any exercise you perform.

For additional questions, feel free to visit me at aaronsavvy.com. 68

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HEALTH

OFF THE ESY COURT PHOTO

VO TV OF BRA

COUCH

By Dr. Greg Cason

MY EYE CREAM ALSO TREATS DEPRESSION

Dr. Greg Cason is a licensed psychologist based in West Hollywood, specializing in cognitive therapy with individuals and couples. He can be contacted by going to DrGreg.com.

At a dinner party recently, an attractive young woman shouted from the other end of the table, “Hey, Dr. Greg! What eye cream do you use?” This seemed to be an odd acknowledgment that my eyes didn’t look as old as my age would have her imagine. Should I have been flattered or insulted? Since I was a little of both, I decided to tell her both a truth and a lie. I shouted back, “Nothing!”

It’s true. I don’t use any creams or potions outside of basic moisturizer. I have never had Botox, Restylane, Paralox or any other injectable razzmatazz. The only surgical knife that has ever touched my face was to remove a skin cancer thingy. So what’s my “secret”? Exercise. I can almost hear your groan of disappointment. It’s not something as simple as a lotion you could apply or a pill you could take—something easy to hold back the ravages of time and Sunday Fundays. And though every beauty ad would have you believe the answer to looking good is in a bottle, I am telling you that exercise is as close to a miracle drug as anything you will find. I really have no idea whether exercise does anything for the skin around your eyes—which, with time, can begin to resemble a scrotum in cold weather. But I am telling you here and now that exercise is what people who look “good for their age” are really doing to look better. Don’t be fooled. Now, allow me to let you in on a bigger secret—exercise doesn’t just make you look good, it can make you feel good. No, not that ‘endorphins’ twaddle that we’re all so sick of hearing people yammer about after a long run. I am talking a genuine long-term change in mood. An October 2013 review of 26 years worth of literature in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine found that exercise not only treats depression, but it can also actually prevent it in the long term. Just 20-30 minutes of daily walking or gardening can ward off depression in people of all ages. What about people with fairly severe depression? A walk may not cure what ails, yet it could help reduce the amount of pills one has to take. According to a four-year study by UT South-

western Department of Psychiatry, exercise is as effective as giving someone a second antidepressant medication. To get the best results, you may want to pick up the pace a bit. According to a report in the May 2013 edition of Journal of Psychiatric Practice, three to five sessions a week of 45-60 minutes of moderately intense aerobic exercise or resistance training (that’s treadmill and weights to you and me) is an effective treatment for major depression when combined with medication and psychotherapy. Decreasing depression isn’t the only benefit. Exercise also alleviates anxiety and staves off stress. According to a 2012 study by the University of Georgia, published in the journal Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, exercise provided improvements in anxiety symptoms such as irritability, tension, low energy and poor sleep. As with depression, these changes last. A research team at Princeton reported in the July edition of the journal Neuroscience that physical activity reorganizes the brain so that its response to stress is reduced and anxiety is less likely. Can it get any better than this? Apparently, yes. Exercise even does some cool stuff like decrease cravings for nicotine in people trying to stop smoking, lowers triglycerides in your blood, has a protective effect against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s and prevents brain degeneration in HIV-positive men. It also improves memory as well as or better than crossword puzzles and Sudoku according to a 2012 study by the University of Edinburgh in Scotland in the journal Neurology. For those who already exercise, pat yourself on the back and keep up the good work! For the newbies, here are some tips. 1. START SLOWLY. Don’t exercise for 60 minutes a day when you have been doing zero minutes a

day. Start with five minutes and keep adding. 2. QUASH QUICK FIXES. A friend of mine got liposuction to show off his abs. I took the same amount of money and put it into training sessions. At first he looked better, but guess who has better abs today? 3. GET A TRAINER. Exercise is a science. Learn from an expert. Good trainers will motivate you, teach you proper form and help you with lifestyle changes so that you change for the long haul. 4. REWARD YOURSELF. The best rewards are done just after a workout. A delicious protein shake, a favorite TV show or, my favorite, simply telling yourself “good job.” 5. GET A BUDDY. Working out with a friend will not only get you there but will keep you there when the going gets tough. Oh yeah, screw “no pain, no gain.” Not surprisingly, when exercise is too difficult, people don’t enjoy it as much and are less likely to do it another day. That doesn’t mean you should make it super easy, either. According to a 2012 study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, when exercise is “somewhat hard” people enjoy it more and are thus more likely to repeat it. That’s when the benefit comes—when you repeat it, over and over again. From a psychological point of view, exercise may be the best thing you can do for yourself outside of eating and sleeping. But I know the real reason you do it—to look better. And, what’s the crime in that? If you exercise to look better, then you will also get to feel better, remember more, learn more efficiently and have a better functioning brain. And just think of the money you’ll save on eye cream!

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. FEBRUARY 4, 2014

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THE SHAPE OF THE FUTURE BY DUANE WELLS It’s the start of a new year, which for most of us means a commitment to living healthier and better in some aspect or another of our lives. In many cases that ‘commitment’ will take the form of a renewed vow to workout and get into better shape, a fact evidenced by the number of new fad diets and fitness programs flooding the market around this time every year. In this sea of quick-fix programs, however, Brick Fitness, a Crossfit gym in West Hollywood, offers a long-term solution to an age-old problem. Brick was founded in 2010 by world champion kickboxer Jarett (JP) Perelmutter, who has been practicing martial arts for over 25 years and holds black belts in Hap Ki Do and Tae Kwon Do and a 5th Degree Black Sash in Shaolin Kung Fu. In addition to an unprecedented winning streak of 140 undefeated fights over a 15-year period, Perelmutter currently holds six U.S. and international titles and has become one of the top Crossfit competitors and instructors in the United States. So to say that the guy knows a thing or two about getting in shape and staying that way would be something of an understatement. But Perelmutter’s expertise is not what makes Brick unique—at least not in total. Though Crossfit has developed something of a cult following, Brick offers its own signature spin on the latest fitness craze. “Brick is where you go when you want to succeed,” says Brick General Manager and Head Coach Madeline Mosier. “When you walk through the doors, you’ll immediately see that this isn’t your typical gym! This is a community that enjoys hard work, challenging our comfort zones, and we have a blast all at the same time. We have even designed a variety of classes that will keep you coming back for more so you won’t see plateaus in your training. With our team of highly experienced performance coaches, your maximum perform-

ance will not be the result of fad diets or trendy exercise routines, but a long-term, lifestyle-based plan, based on functional techniques and concepts that are built into the human physiology. This is what we refer to as functional fitness.” The interesting thing about this ‘functional fitness’ model is that it is as focused on the lasting benefits of internal growth as it is on the obvious external benefits a fitness program generally provides. “The Brick system surpasses ordinary models of fitness training and focuses on four key elements—motivation, nutrition, action and results,” Mosier explains. “All of our programming is done in-house by our head performance coach, Cez Flores. There is always a method to his madness, with all levels of athletes in mind. Our system of programming is focused on creating tangible, quantifiable results that you can see not only aesthetically but also in your performance.” And speaking of levels, though Crossfit may seem a little intimidating to the beginner, Brick emphasizes tailoring programs to the needs and capacities of each individual client. “Brick is ideal for anyone at any age and fitness level because we tailor our workouts to you no matter where you fall amongst the fitness spectrum,” says Mosier. “From the fitness beginner to the professional athlete, every workout is scalable. You can scale anything from the number of reps you do in a workout to the weight you use or the intensity of the workout, and your coaches are here to guide you through that.” Scalable, results-oriented, functional and focused on both internal and external growth, Brick isn’t just the craze of the moment—it may well be the shape of the future. Find out more about Brick Fitness at brickwesthollywood.com.

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FRONTIERS4MEN.COM

SEX ED

RUBBER BLUNDER BY JIM LARKINS So you’re doing the right thing and practicing safer sex with your preferred prophylactic. But there’s a little more to wrapping your manhood than you hear about on those Trojan Man commercials. First of all, it makes sense there would be some risk of slippage when stretching a latex sheath over a liquid-producing projectile and thrusting repeatedly into a tight orifice. So don’t let your pride get in the way of your condom purchases—XL condoms really are for the generously endowed, and if your penis isn’t fit with a snug, unyielding condom it can actually come off during sex. Another thing to consider is the age of your rocket raincoat. Rubbers, unlike fine wines, do not age to perfection with long-term storage. Breakage can occur if they have been gathering dust on a medicine cabinet shelf for far too long, have been improperly stored or are exposed to certain oils. “The best indication of the ‘potential effectiveness’ of a condom is the expiration date,” says Dr. Dana Nelson, pharmacist and owner of HealthPlus Pharmacy in San Luis Obispo. “Yes, condoms do have an expiration date. It’s on the wrapper.” One of the most common problems with condoms is simply a lack of knowledge on when and how to use them. Put a rubber on prior to any insertion. “There are substantial risks associated with ‘pre-ejaculate’ or ‘precome,’” says Dr. Nelson. “A guy can release small amounts of semen— which can carry infectious diseases—prior to orgasm. If the condom is not on and the semen enters the partner ... well, I guess you know the rest of that story.” Just as important as what goes in your rubber is what goes on it. For a smooth, painless ride—and to avoid condom breakage—use a generous amount of lube, but use the right stuff. Do use any of the many great waterbased lubricants such as Sylk, KY gel, Wet Stuff, etc. Don’t use lubes with local anesthetics—you and your partner both need to know if it’s hurting. Also, avoid Vaseline, which is non-water based, and save the cooking oils for the frying pan, as these can cause condoms to disintegrate. Don’t put your health in the hands of the condom company’s quality control guy, either. All products are subject to manufacturing defects, but not all products stand between you and a host of ugly sexually transmitted diseases. Granted, you may not have a lot of patience (nor good lighting) at the point when you reach for a rubber, but take the time to inspect anyway. The last thing you want to do is ‘get busy’ with a perforated prophylactic.

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