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INSIDE VOL. 32, ISSUE 01 / MAY 1 - 14, 2013
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2013 Summer Entertainment Preview by Christopher Cappiello, Dan Loughry, Michelle McCarthy and Paul V. Find out just what Summer 2013 has in store for you with this look at the entertainment industry’s plans for May through September. Some of Frontiers’ best writers have uncovered the projects you shouldn’t miss—including film, TV, music, theater, books and even video games.
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INSIDE
VOL. 32, ISSUE 01 / MAY 1 - 14, 2013
LEADING BY EXAMPLE Boe Trumbull ................................................16 NEWS News Briefs ..................................................18 Garcetti Leading, Stonewall Endorses O’Farrell in L.A. Election Run-Offs ........22 The L.A. Meningitis Mess Reveals Critical Need for Cultural Competency24 SOCAL EVENTS GUIDE Calendar ........................................................41 Snapshots ....................................................42 Eating Out ....................................................50 ENTERTAINMENT Film Reviews................................................54 Music Reviews ............................................56 Theater Reviews ........................................58 COLUMNS Out & About................................................60 Little Miss Know-It-All ..............................61 Billy Masters................................................62 Gossip Gay ..................................................63 CITY GUIDES West Hollywood ........................................64 Orange County............................................66 Long Beach ..................................................67 Palm Springs................................................68 HEALTH HIV Living ....................................................73 X-Meth ..........................................................73 Off the Couch ..............................................74 Zero to Savvy ..............................................75 FRONTIERS MARKETPLACE Listings ..........................................................76 Business Profile ..........................................77 FRONTIERS4MEN Adult Classifieds ........................................78 Sex Ed............................................................84
PHOTO BY: MARY ELLEN MARK MODEL: LEONARDO DICAPRIO, THE GREAT GATSBY
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34 YOUR SUMMER CONCERT CALENDAR by Mike Ciriaco This summer, L.A. will play host to a multitude of diverse musical talents, and Frontiers has provided a calendar of the best and most gay-friendly acts you’ll see pass through town.
38 AMERICA’S SWEETHEART MANS UP by Stephan Horbelt 2013 is turning out to be quite a year for Ross Mathews. In addition to the recent announcement that his very own show has been picked up by E! for a fall debut, his very first book, Man Up! Tales of My Delusional Self-Confidence, is set for a May 7 release.
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PLANE FILTHY
EATING OUT: V WINE ROOM
by Shane Gallagher
by Eric Rosen
Direct from sold-out tours in Australia and Europe, Pam Ann returns stateside for her raunchiest comedy show yet. Her latest production, Pam Ann: Cockpit, takes off at The Saban Theatre in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 11.
Age and pedigree improve fine wines and historic buildings alike, and you’ll find both at West Hollywood’s newest wine bar, V Wine Room.
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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FEBRUARY 19, 2013
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ONLINE Find these articles exclusively at
WEB PLAY by Mike Ciriaco
A look at the 10 web series you should be watching. FrontiersLA.com/Features facebook.com/ frontiersmagazine
twitter.com/ frontiersmag
youtube.com/ frontiersweb
KAT’S BACK by Victor Barreiro
Frontiers recently sat down with gorgeous singing sensation Kat DeLuna, who is telling audiences to ‘Viva Out Loud’ with her sophomore album. FrontiersLA.com/LatinFrontier
FIND US ON
INSTAGRAM! Follow Frontiers on Instagram @frontiersLA and we’ll follow you back! Also, share with us your favorite L.A. photos by tagging them with #whyilovegayla. We’ll be picking our favorite images and posting them online at FrontiersLA.com!
L.A.’S OUTDOOR MOVIE VENUES By Mike Ciriaco
BOOK REVIEWS
Los Angeles is defined by two distinct things—films and pleasant weather. Kill two birds with one stone by attending one of the many outdoor movie venues located around the city. No matter what neighborhood you reside in, there's an open-air screening nearby. FrontiersLA.com/Features
by The Bookworm
In need of a good read? Check out our reviews of Decadence by Eric Jerome Dickey and Gypsy Boy on the Run by Mikey Walsh. FrontiersLA.com/ BookReviews
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REBA AREBA IS A SKETCHY QUEEN by Mike Pingel
Frontiers recently stopped to chat with Reba Areba, a new queen on the scene straight from Juarez, México. She’ll be costarring with Kay Sedia in the upcoming show Sketchy Queens at Casita del Campo’s Cavern Club Theater. FrontiersLA.com/ExclusiveInterviews
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FrontiersLA.com Volume 32, Issue 01 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, Jackie Beat, Christopher Cappiello, Dr. Greg Cason, Mike Ciriaco, Peter DelVecchio, Lawrence Ferber, Gossip Gay, Greg Hernandez, Stephan Horbelt, Jeremy Kinser, Gary M. Kramer, Jim Larkins, Dan Loughry, Billy Masters, Michelle McCarthy, Dana Miller, James F. Mills, Paulo Murillo, Karen Ocamb, Eric Rosen, Dominik Rothbard, Aaron Savvy, Brenden Shucart, Les Spindle, Paul V., Michael Weinstein, Duane Wells Contributing Photographers and Illustrators Gabe Ayala, Tris Beezley, Brenden-John Photography, Greg Gorman, Glen Hanson, Michael Lamont, David Lee, Paulo Murillo, Karen Ocamb, Rolling-Blackouts.com, Vincent Sandoval, Jonathan Sirand, Austin Young
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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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BUILDING COMMUNITY
Leading by Example
Boe Trumbull: Rags to Riches to Philanthropist By Michelle McCarthy
In his late 20s, Boe Trumbull was living in his car. Working three restaurant jobs but still homeless, he would use a hose in the back of one of the restaurants to shower before anyone arrived in the morning. Saying Boe turned his life around would be a bit of an understatement. He is now Vice President of the SBE Entertainment Group, a thriving hospitality, real estate and entertainment company. But Boe will never forget his meager beginnings, and he is devoted to helping others in need through his work with organizations such as Life Group L.A., APLA, GLAAD, LAGALC and The Trevor Project. How do you choose the organizations you work with? I try to focus my efforts on the grassroots organizations that are smaller and maybe don’t have the fanfare and spotlight the bigger ones do. Two years ago, I toured an elementary school in Hollywood and I saw these little kids sitting on damp concrete floors. They had no money, so they couldn't put carpet down. I put together a team and we sponsored carpeting all the classrooms. Then we got a whole bunch of books and read books to the kids. It made the kids feel special, because they were all from underprivileged families with six or seven kids living in a one-bedroom apartment. It was good for them to see that someone cares. Sometimes it’s small stuff, and other times it’s with something like Life Group L.A. They don’t get a lot of attention, but they’re not completely obscure. They do great work and help people in need. What impact does SBE have on your philanthropic work?
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I met Sam Nazarian, who had a fantastic vision to create a new kind of company that would change the way people think about hospitality. I have great influence over major corporations, because they want to do business with us, and I’m the gatekeeper. I’ve developed a rapport with them and many times I get them involved. Sometimes it’s just the individuals I work with, sometimes it’s the company. My team raised almost $30,000 last year for Life Group L.A.’s “Saddle Up L.A. Ride.” Where did your charitable spirit come from? I think I’ve always had a bit of it. I came from a large family that didn’t have a lot. Most of my Christmas gifts were handme-downs from my older brother. One year, we were so bad off that we all found stuff and made each other Christmas gifts. With the good or bad decisions I’ve made along the way, I had to make my way. By no means are all of us perfect. I look at it as we’re all diamonds with slight flaws—you only see them if you look really closely. It’s not what we have or what we’ve accumulated but what we do with it. And it makes us into who we are. How did it feel to receive The Life Group L.A.’s 2011 Angels in L.A. Humanitarian Award? It’s extremely humbling. I do this to set the path to help others so that I know when my day comes, I have done everything I can to repay the kindness of others, to make up for the cruelty of others and do whatever I could. I don’t believe I deserve to have that award, because it was done on the back of so many people who helped me accomplish it.
You’re an extremely busy person, but you find time to give back. What advice would you give to people who say their schedules are too hectic? Do what you can, when you can, in whatever form it is. If you feel your life is so busy you can’t do something, then pick up some old shirts you don’t need and drop them by The Center. I wanted to do the AIDS Ride for years, but I just can’t get away. Maybe someday I will. But in the meantime, I help others. Sometimes it’s a $10 donation, sometimes it’s $1,000. People say, “I don’t have time to work out.” Driving 15 minutes to the gym, working out for 15 minutes and driving 15 minutes back home is better than doing nothing at all. It’s the same thing. I believe one person can make a difference, and you have the chance to change people’s lives. If notoriety and acknowledgement are what you’re after, then it’s probably the wrong thing to do.
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NEWS By Karen Ocamb and Peter DelVecchio
Right Opposes Calif. Gay Infertility Measure Anti-gay right-wingers are coming down hard on a proposed California law that would require insurers to cover expenses associated with infertility treatment for same-sex couples just as they currently must for straight couples, thinkprogress.org reported April 23. By adding to the existing law that coverage cannot be denied because of sexual orientation, the measure would entitle any gay couple unable to conceive “after a year or more of regular sexual relations without contraception” to coverage. Fifteen states, including California, now mandate infertility coverage for heterosexual couples. “This is about biology,” said Peter LaBarbera, President of Americans for Truth About Homosexuality. “Biologically, homosexuals cannot produce children, so politics cannot trump biology.” “The fantasy continues...” wrote National Organization for Marriage Co-Founder Maggie Gallagher. As things stand now, gay couples must spend huge sums to have children through such methods as surrogacy and egg donation
NOM Supports Right to Refuse Service to Gays The National Organization for Marriage apparently now supports the right of owners of public accommodations to refuse service to gays, thinkprogress.org reported April 22. “A Hawaii bed-and-breakfast owner was essentially told by the courts that he had no First Amendment rights when it came to renting out rooms at his own business,” NOM stated in a posting on Facebook. The post was in response to a ruling by a Hawaii state
court judge that a bed-and-breakfast had violated state nondiscrimination law by turning away a lesbian couple after they asked for a single bed. “[C]ases such as this one are only more frequent and harder to fight against where marriage is redefined,” NOM says. Hawaii does not recognize same-sex marriages, but affords same-sex couples the option of entering into civil unions, with many of the same rights and obligations.
Boy Scouts Wants to Admit Gay Kids, Keep Ban on Gay Adults The Boy Scouts of America’s proposal to allow gay boys to join the scouts but continue to ban adult gays as leaders has not met with universal approval. The 1,400member national council will vote to admit gay kids or to continue the existing ban at their May meeting in Texas. “We’re put in a very, very difficult place,” David Meshulam, president of the Scouts’ Los Angeles Area Council, told the LA Times. He proposes admittance based on Boy Scout standards of personal conduct, not status. “In my heart, I know that it is absolutely vital that we include everybody.” A BSA survey found a majority of parents no longer support the gay ban, with a drop from 57 percent three years ago to 48 percent now. Additionally, most of the Fortune 500 companies that support BSA favor ending the gay ban.
SPEAK OUT “I know this is the first time many of you have heard me say that I am a black, gay male.” —Democratic Nevada state Sen. Kelvin Atkinson coming out during a Senate debate on repealing that state’s constitutional gay marriage bar, as reported at thinkprogress.org.
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“New England is now complete. Through court rulings, legislative action and wins at the ballot, loving and committed couples from Bangor to Burlington, Providence to Portland and Cambridge to Concord will soon be able to join in the freedom to marry.” —Marc Solomon, National Campaign Director for Freedom to Marry, on the passage of a Rhode Island marriage equality bill on April 24 that Gov. Lincoln Chafee has promised to sign.
“I feel it’s overdue, and I support gay marriage.” —Fred Malek, former Nixon administration official and powerful Republican fundraiser, in a recent interview with thinkprogres.org.
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APRIL 2, 2013
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NEWS By Karen Ocamb and Peter DelVecchio
Clinton Accepts GLAAD Award, No DOMA Apology Violent Protests Greet France’s Gay Marriage Legalization
Former Democratic President Bill Clinton accepted the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation’s first Advocate for Change award at the 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at the J.W. Marriott in Los Angeles on April 20, LGBTPOV.com reports. Clinton, who signed the federal Defense of Marriage Act, DOMA, into law in 1996, offered no apology for having done so, but reiterated his current opposition to the law, first expressed in a March Washington Post op-ed urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the law. “I want to keep working on this until not only is DOMA no longer the law of the land, but until all people—no matter where they live—can marry the people they love,” Clinton said. As Clinton condemned DOMA, someone in the crowd shouted, “You signed it!” Clinton credited daughter Chelsea for his new position. “Chelsea and her gay friends have mod-
eled to me how we should all treat each other regardless of our sexual orientation or any other artificial difference that divides us,” Clinton said, “and over the years, I was forced to confront the fact that people who oppose equal rights for gays in the marriage sphere are basically acting out of concern for their own identity, not out of respect for anyone else.” The 42nd president recalled his efforts to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, ENDA, which would protect LGBT workers from being fired for their sexual orientation. “We still need to pass that,” he said. Clinton expressed optimism for the future of LGBT rights. “The whole story of the life of our country, of a more perfect union,” he said, “is to widen the circle of opportunity, to strengthen and enhance the reach of freedom and cement the bonds of community as it gets ever more diverse.”
Quick Pic
Actress Elle Fanning (left) takes the stage at the GLAAD Media Awards in L.A. on April 20 with trans activists Jazz Jennings and Alex Newell (from Glee). Jennings was the subject of an ABC 20/20 report in 2007 when she was 6 years old.
**PHOTO BY KEVIN WINTER/GETTY IMAGES FOR GLAAD
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Violent protests erupted in Paris after France became the 14th and most populous country to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide on April 23, the AP reports. The law passed the Socialist-dominated National Assembly 331–225, and gay weddings could begin as early as June, Justice Minister Christiane Taubira said. “We believe that the first weddings will be beautiful, and that they'll bring a breeze of joy, and that those who are opposed to them today will surely be confounded when they are overcome with the happiness of the newlyweds and the families,” Taubira said. Marriage opponents, however, showed no sign of being overcome with happiness. As night fell in Paris, crowds of protesters swelled into the thousands. The violence began around midnight. Police were attacked with “bottles and metal bars,” americablog.com reports, and an envelope containing gunpowder was sent to the president of the Assembly. Hate crimes against gays have surged in France recently. A gay man was brutally beaten in Paris; a gay bar in the northern city of Lille was attacked; and property of the LGBT center of Paris was vandalized. Some attribute the virulence and violence of the opposition to marriage equality to frustration on the right over last year’s loss of the presidency to Socialist François Hollande. “The opposition is in a weakened position, but they know which buttons to press in order to get a reaction in society, in a country as liberal as France, where nobody thought it was an issue,” said Hossein Alizadeh, of the U.S.-based International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission. Frigide Barjot, a former comedian and leader of anti-gay forces, says the movement will survive the law's passage, and might even put up candidates in 2014 municipal elections. “The violence comes from the way in which this was imposed,” she told France Info radio.
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Garcetti Leading, Stonewall Endorses O’Farrell in L.A. Election Run-Offs Text and photos by Karen Ocamb The days are now galloping toward Los Angeles’ May 21 runoffs, with anxiety rising not only over who will win but who will decide who wins. Voter turnout for the March 5 primary was so abysmal, campaigns are fretting about how to inspire election-weary residents to pay attention and care about who will lead and run the country’s second largest city. A new USC/LA Times poll shows L.A. Councilmember Eric Garcetti leading Controller Wendy Greuel by 10 points among likely voters, 50 percent to 40 percent. Perhaps surprisingly seeing as how Greuel has such high-profile women supporters as she strives to become the city’s first female mayor, Garcetti also leads among women, 50 percent to 41 percent. Garcetti also gained traction among Latinos and younger voters. The USC/LA Times phone poll of 500 likely voters (with a 4.4 margin of error) did not include the “gay question” to gauge LGBT support for the candidates, both of whom are longtime LGBT allies. One demographic with a lot on the line in the city elections is labor. As LA Times political
Mitch O'Farrell (left) and Jeff Prang
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reporter Michael Finnegan notes, Greuel and Garcetti have both been closely aligned with labor, but public employee unions have contributed far more to Greuel’s campaign than to Garcetti, and Greuel has the important endorsement of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. “The most important question of this campaign is whether Wendy Greuel can convince voters that her support from organized labor does not make her beholden to them,” Dan Schnur, director of the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy/LA Times City Election Poll, told the Times. “According to these polling numbers, she has not yet done that.” Additionally, the Times reports that if Garcetti wins, “He will be the fourth consecutive mayor elected without the federation’s support, following Richard Riordan in 1993, James Hahn in 2001 and Antonio Villaraigosa in 2005. Such a victory would also extend a trend of labor rank-and-file bucking leaders of their unions in mayoral contests. The poll found that voters who live in union households backed Garcetti over Greuel, 52 to 37 percent.” Labor support factors heavily in the 13th council district race to replace Garcetti as well. Public Works Commissioner John Choi is receiving so much union backing that supporters for rival Mitch O’Farrell, Garcetti’s gay former field deputy, are alleging that labor is trying to “buy” the seat for Choi. But Choi—whose campaign manager, Shaun Daniels, is gay—has also been endorsed by his former boss, Antonio Villaraigosa, and the mayor’s gay team—former 13th C.D. rival Matt Szabo (who returned to his job as deputy mayor and just put out the city budget) and Torie Osborn—as well as Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez, state Sen. Ricardo Lara and Latino and union activist Conrado Terrazas. But O’Farrell has made winning the race on behalf of the 13th C.D.’s historically important gay community (Hollywood, Silver Lake, Echo Park, Atwater) a significant part of his campaign. His support includes City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl and West Hollywood’s gay elected
John Choi (left) and Shaun Daniels
officials Jeff Prang, John Duran and John D’Amico. And on April 22, O’Farrell won the backing of the Stonewall Democratic Club, albeit by one vote. At the endorsement meeting, Progressive Victory President Hans Johnson said O’Farrell was a “progressive grassroots organizer from the ground up.” Prang, noting his experience as a staffer for former City Councilmember Ruth Galanter, said “L.A. is broken” and needs someone who understands how L.A.’s neighborhoods work. In the citywide race for City Controller, Councilmember Dennis Zine has a significant lead over gay attorney and city commissioner Ron Galperin. Zine, a former Republican, has support from his colleagues, including Rosendahl. But Galperin has endorsements from the Times and all other major newspapers, as well as HONOR PAC, Stonewall Democrats and former Controller Laura Chick. The USC/LA Times poll shows Zine with 34 percent to Galperin’s 22 percent. However, Schnur said, the number of undecided voters is so high, “If Galperin can raise the money to get his message heard, he’s still in a position to be very competitive.” Absentee ballots have been mailed out, and according to the L.A. Daily News, 46 percent of the primary votes were mailed-in ballots. If you would like to “Vote Naked,” applications can be downloaded at clerk.lacity.org/elections/index.htm.
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The L.A. Meningitis Mess Reveals Critical Need for Cultural Competency Commentary and Photos by Karen Ocamb
crisis, however, meningococcal meningitis is a known disease that is preventable, and curable if caught in time. Outbreaks in Toronto and Chicago had been quickly quelled with a vaccination campaign, but in New York City, health officials declared an outbreak after two years, 22 infections and seven deaths of gay men. The death of one gay man who was thought to have attended the White Party and had gone to Equinox Gym after returning home was sufficient information for the city of West Holly-
and the WeHo alert, the LGBT community would not have been told about the disease unless Public Health determined there was an outbreak, which there is not. Additionally, while Liggins said the case was being investigated, she did not correct speculation that the patient (Shaad) attended the White Party, a point hotly refuted by Shaad’s family that subsequently caused confusion and anger within the gay community. Without an outbreak, Public Health said
It looks like Meningitis Hell Week in West Hollywood may be over. On Friday, April 12, news emerged that popular gay attorney Brett Shaad had gone quickly from “fit” to brain dead as a result of contagious bacterial meningitis. On Friday, April 19, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health posted a notice on its website that they had “not identified any other cases of meningococcal disease associated with this patient, nor identified any linkage between this patient and cases being reported in other areas of the country,” such as New York City. But while the L.A. gay community might feel some relief after a week of intense fear and anxiety, the mess created by mistrust and misunderstandings exposed the dire need for cultural competency in how April 12 news conference with John Duran, Chris Brown and Dr. Bolan from the Center, Dr. Liggins from Public Health public health departments deal with there was no need for a mass vaccination camwood to issue a strong health warning to residents LGBT populations. Indeed, had Public Health paign, forcing The Center and AIDS Healthcare about how the disease is spread and what sympbeen culturally aware and forthcoming from the Foundation to step up and provide free vaccines toms require immediate attention. Additionally, beginning, this mess might not have happened. out of their own pockets. AHF reports that from since the White Party draws 10,000 gay men Just as some African-Americans still disApril 15 to April 20, they provided 3,357 free from around the world, Duran’s news conference trust government health officials 80-plus years vaccines to gays who felt they might be at risk. expanded the health alert and enabled L.A. Gay after the Tuskegee syphilis experiment, for Subsequently, it was revealed that Public & Lesbian Center medical professionals and instance, some gays believe L.A. Public Health Health only started asking about sexual orientaPublic Health to provide information on how initially had no concept of how withholding tion last November, after reading a New York City the disease is spread through nasal mucus and information about a contagious disease is a report to the CDC. Asking that question revealed throat secretions (saliva), such as through kissing, ‘legacy’ issue in the LGBT community. At his that two gay men in L.A. County had been infected sneezing, coughing and sharing utensils and April 12 news conference, West Hollywood City in December and another in January, with one of cigarettes. Councilmember John Duran, who is HIV-posithose three men dying. That information was But as Public Health’s Dr. Maxine Liggins tive, said he wanted to make sure history didn’t only made public after Casey Hayden, the partner acknowledged, without the news conference repeat itself. Unlike the beginning of the HIV/AIDS
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of deceased Rjay Spoon, contacted Duran and told him of Spoon’s death in December. Duran and AHF held another news conference denouncing Public Health for withholding information: “How many more cases are there?” After Public Health Director Jonathan Fielding held a news conference on April 17 to clear up the confusion, Fox 11’s Christina Gonzalez virtually thanked AHF for breaking the news, which the public wouldn’t otherwise have known about. The KCBS reporter seemed to stress that Fielding was holding the news conference primarily to calm the anxiety of the gay community. LA Times reporter Ari Bloomekatz held a ‘live’ online chat about the Fielding news conference and said, “L.A. County averages about 25 meningitis cases a year. My understanding is that 15 to 20 percent are generally fatal. According to Dr. Fielding from the DPH, the cases are generally rare and sporadic, not really centered anywhere. The concern would be if officials could point to a particular geography and say ‘we see it spreading here’ ... but they say they can't do that because the evidence doesn't show that, at least not yet. ... But whether the county is being proactive enough or has been proactive enough sur-
events, after which they return home, where they may be closeted. Without understanding that dynamic and without specific training in cultural competency for health investigators, the results of an epidemiological investigation may be off or misleading. Additionally, if a specific population seems to get the disease out of proportion to their numbers in the general population, shouldn’t Public Health want to proactively prevent more infections? Fielding told me the department only goes public when their information is fully accurate and reliable. But surely there is a middle ground between silence and a mass vaccination campaign—perhaps something akin to the alert issued by the city of West Hollywood. Or perhaps making public a version of the letter Liggins sent to Equinox telling them that the disease could not be spread on gym equipment and asking that the letter be shared with staff and members. I pressed Fielding about the issue of putting out a public alert—not to cause panic but just to inform people about what was going on and how they could protect themselves. I told him that some people didn’t understand why Public Health didn’t grasp the legacy of AIDS.
Dr. Fielding at the news conference with Christina Gonzalez rounding this issue has come into question. ... Sometimes just getting those folks on the phone can be enough to frustrate even the nicest of Southern gentlemen.” Bloomekatz’s explanation underscores several reasons why cultural competence is needed. Apart from West Hollywood and Silver Lake, the LGBT community is not really centrally located. Public officials look for the spread of meningitis in clusters where people have had close, intimate contact—in neighborhoods, dorms or military barracks, for instance. But LGBT people come from all over the place to cluster in gatherings, such as the White Party or gay Pride
“Perhaps we should have put something out earlier. I don’t know. I have to go back and think about what we knew and when we knew it and the like. But we always want to be sensitive to the LGBT community. We try very hard to do that,” Fielding said. Noting that many LGBT people were upset and distrustful because of the mess, Fielding apologized. “Well, I’m sorry. I’m really sorry for that,” he said. AHF President Michael Weinstein is angry, believing that Public Health and the Board of Supervisors don’t “get” the LGBT community. “Fielding’s statements smack of the same insensitivity we have seen all along. Gays are too dumb
or hysterical to handle the truth,” Weinstein told me. “Fielding considers five months to be too early in a situation to draw any conclusion. If we were dealing with a mass easily communicable airborne disease, we could all be dead before Public Health took any action.” Dr. Robert Bolan, Medical Director at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, wants to move forward and focus on the issues of cultural competency and LGBT data collection. “What appears to be the case here is that none of these cases are specifically linked to one another—so that kind of calms us down about an epidemic spread,” Bolan said in an extensive interview. But another question remains: “Is there really an increased number of cases of meningococcal disease among gay and bisexual men out of proportion to our representation in the general population? My answer is that we don’t know right now.” Bolan applauded Public Health for jumping on the issue after finding out about it in October. “I think our health department began asking the question within a reasonable amount of time from when it became known to them,” Bolan said. “But have any other health departments been doing the same thing?” Bolan has called on the CDC to begin collecting LGBT data immediately—including information from transgender individuals—so they can bring cultural competency training to local health departments. “When it comes to transmissible infections,” Bolan said, “it seems to be reasonable to ask whether people are gay and bisexual, because there may be things about our behavior as LGBT individuals that might put us at greater risk for becoming exposed to various infectious agents— not necessarily sexual behaviors” but other behaviors such as the penchant for kissing and touching each other intimately, which in the context of bacterial meningitis, makes gays more at risk. “We may tend to be closer to one another for a variety of reasons [with] more showing of affection than the general population for whatever reason, whether it’s our history or our eagerness to show affection and warmth to one another and our sense of community,” Bolan said. This information “may be epidemiologically important,” Bolan said. “The key thing is we need to call for culturally competent epidemiological investigations. ... If we find through this national epidemiological culturally competent understanding that our community is disproportionally affected, then the consequence of that will be that the vaccine recommendation should be changed to include vaccination for LGBT individuals—even if there isn’t an outbreak or and epidemic.” The reaction to the tragic deaths of Brett Shaad and Rjay Spoon caused alarm in the gay community—an alarm that I think could have been prevented. But that alarm also ignited a firestorm of questions about what public health departments are doing to practice cultural competence—questions that may eventually save LGBT lives.
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Iron Man 3
BY CHRISTOPHER CAPPIELLO, DAN LOUGHRY, MICHELLE MCCARTHY AND PAUL V.
FILM
TELEVISION
MAY
Sure, May technically isn’t a summer month, but considering some of the great projects being released before June rolls around, we thought we’d throw these into the mix. Get into the groove with projects that promise to kick off a very entertaining summer. Star Trek into Darkness
MUSIC
THEATER
IRON MAN 3
May 3 The official start of summer occurs when Marvel releases yet another in its ongoing summertime tent-poles. The good news here is that episode three’s directed by action specialist Shane Black (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang), stars—once again—the always entertaining Robert Downey, Jr., and features Iron Man’s most notorious villain from the comics, the Mandarin, played by the redoubtable Ben Kingsley.
FLASHDANCE
Daft Punk
FRONTIERSLA.COM
VIDEO GAMES
STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS
May 17 No one anticipated the first Star Trek to be as rousing a reboot as it turned out to be, so expectations are high for Star Trek Into Darkness. In its favor: the return of director J.J. Abrams, the beautiful Chris Pine as Captain Kirk and the now out and always fantastic Zachary Quinto as Dr. Spock. And what about our new favorite ginger, Benedict Cumberbatch, as the up-to-now-nameless bad guy? We’ll be the first in line to find out if he’s playing a wrathful Khan.
DAFT PUNK: RANDOM ACCESS MEMORIES
May 7 The 1983 hit film defined a generation, and now the stage adaptation makes its Orange County premiere at Segerstrom Hall, through May 19. Expect to hear the film’s hit songs, all of which became Top 10 hits on the radio around the world. And in addition to the hits you know, 16 brand-new songs have been written for the stage. You won’t want to miss Alex Owens, a welder by day and dancer by night, as she learns the meaning of love and its power to fuel her dreams.
May 20 This is probably one of the most anticipated new discs—ever! The buzz over the French duo’s latest is huge, as it’s been revealed that two legends are working on it—electro pioneer Giorgio Moroder and Chic’s Nile Rogers. By the time you read this, lead single “Get Lucky” will already be the ubiquitous jam of Summer 2013.
THE GREAT GATSBY
AMERICAN SAVAGE
May 10 What a project—the classic 1925 Fitzgerald novel directed by the visually hyperactive Baz Luhrmann, in 3-D no less, stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan and Tobey Maguire. It’s a period piece with modern music by Jay-Z, Florence and the Machine and The xx. Prepare yourself for a visually spectacular telling of Roaring ‘20s hedonism, because if any modern-day director is able to bring the decadent parties of Jay Gatsby to life, it’s Luhrmann. 26
BOOKS
May 28 Dan Savage’s new book—subtitled Insights, Slights and Fights on Faith, Sex, Love and Politics—is an important one. The It Gets Better founder shares his insight on topics such as health care, gun control and the ever-pressing issue of marriage equality.
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Jeff Lewis
Man of Steel
Alison Moyet
JUNE A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
June 1-30 Shakespeare’s romantic romp in the magical forest is a popular play this summer, with several top companies putting it in their repertoire. First out of the gate is the always-engaging New American Theatre, with a production directed by Jack Stehlin at the Odyssey Theatre. Tony nominee Alfred Molina provides dramaturgy, and the company’s deep bench provides a crack cast. newamericantheatre.com
MISTRESSES
June 3 Based on the original British series, this summertime soap opera stars Alyssa Milano and follows a group of four lifelong female friends who are dealing with dramas of the heart. The translation? You can expect a lot of soap operastyle sex. The show’s tagline says it all: “Four friends. Four hearts. Thirteen weeks of seduction.”
JOYLAND
June 4 The Godfather of Horror, Stephen King, returns with Joyland, the story of college student Devin Jones, who lands a job in the summer of 1973 at a North Carolina amusement park. As if working as a carny wasn’t bad enough, he has to deal with the aftermath of a murder, a dying child and how it will affect his life forever.
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INTERIOR THERAPY WITH JEFF LEWIS SEASON 2
June 6 We met Jeff Lewis and his full-figured lips on the reality show Flipping Out. This spin-off shows the perfectionist and his trusty assistant, Jenni, as they not only renovate their clients’ homes, but move in with them—allowing us to witness their complex relationships through it all.
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE: ...LIKE CLOCKWORK
June 10 The pounding, alt-rockers’ new Trent Reznor-produced effort features inclusions with Dave Grohl on drums as well as tracks featuring Mark Lanegan and their old pal and bandmate, bassist Nick Oliveri. And don’t forget Jake Shears and Elton John, who called Josh Homme saying, “You need an ‘actual queen’ on the record!”
ALISON MOYET: THE MINUTES
June 10 The big, bold voice of Yazoo returns on her eighth studio album. It’s a mix of torch-song vocals set to quirky electronics, produced and co-written by Guy Sigsworth (Seal, Britney Spears), such as the lovely “When I Was Your Girl” and the smoldering “Horizon Flame.”
BRITISH ELECTRONIC FOUNDATION: DARK
June 10 This stunning collection features all cover tunes from some of Britain’s most iconic artists (Andy Bell, Kim Wilde, Glenn Gregory), and must-hear updates of Iggy Pop’s “I Wanna Be Your Dog” featuring Boy George, and Scritti Politti’s Green Gartside feeling some Delfonics soul.
REVOLVER
June 14-July 21 Fresh from scoring four LA Weekly Theatre Awards, the Celebration Theatre continues its roll with the world premiere of Chris Phillips’ Revolver after developing the piece in workshop productions. Set in West Hollywood, the drama uses six pairs of men to examine the violence we are capable of and the boundaries of our ability to forgive. celebrationtheatre.com
HOLLYWOOD FRINGE FESTIVAL
June 13-30 Taking over venues throughout Hollywood, this growing festival includes a mind-blowing range of theater offerings, from reworked classics by top-notch stage actors to dance, sketch comedy and a dizzying array of solo performers. Most shows are about an hour, so stroll through the online listings and take a chance on some exciting summer entertainment. hollywoodfringe.org
TRUE BLOOD SEASON 6
June 16 Season 5 in a nutshell: Tara and Pam finally hook up; Eric shish-kebabs Russell Edgington; Sookie tries to convert Bad Bill back into Good Bill, but it’s too late; Bill drinks Lilith’s blood and transforms into “Billith.” It’s just another day in the supernatural swamp of Bon Temps. Was Bill just using Sookie the whole time? Will Tara and Pam move in together immediately? Tune in to find out.
MAN OF STEEL
June 14 It’s sad about Superman. A big franchise in the ‘70s/’80s, it died a quick death when Bryan Singer attempted to reboot it in 2006 with Superman Returns (and just as quickly vanishes). But here he is again—the squarest and most old-fashioned of superheroes—getting yet another makeover by Zack Snyder (300) with the help of up-and-comer Henry Cavill (grrr), Russell Crowe (not singing, we hope) and Amy Adams in her pluckiest role to date, Lois Lane. Expect lots of flying and very tight spandex.
SIGUR ROS: KVEIKUR
June 17 Iceland’s most unique and hard-to-pronounce “post-rock” trio drops its seventh disc, a heady and pensive mélange of folk, classical and dream-pop. The band describes it as a darker, heavier and “more aggressive” sound, which is showcased on the cryptic first single, “Brennisteinn.”
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Joyland
KELLY ROWLAND: TALK A GOOD GAME
June 17 The ex-Destiny’s Child diva returns to her R&B roots on her fourth release, which features collaborations with Rodney Jerkins, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, T-Pain, hitmaker Diane Warren and more—and one track featuring both Beyoncé and Michelle Williams entitled “You Changed.”
LOVE SONGS: A MUSICAL
June 21-July 21 Feel like a new, old-fashioned musical? The Chromolume Theatre Company gives us a summer staging of composer Steven Cagan’s contemporary tuner about three couples on a wedding weekend. Promising hummable tunes and a happily-ever-after ending, this world premiere at the intimate Attic Theatre sounds like perfect summer fare. Local favorite Kay Cole directs. crtheatre.com
UNDER THE DOME
June 24 The quiet life of a small town is turned on its head when a giant transparent barrier appears—and its residents are trapped within. No one can get in, no one can get out. Where did it come from, and how do they get rid of it? Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, this thriller stars Mike Vogel, Rachelle Lefevre, Dean Norris and Natalie Martinez.
THE HEAT
June 28 This one could be as stupid as Identity Thief or as sublime as Bridesmaids, and we don’t much care either way, as it stars Melissa McCarthy, who can steamroll her way through the best and worst screenplays unscathed and still come out hysterical. We’re hoping director Paul Feig wrestles up his Bridesmaids magic, that Sandra Bullock is a great foil to her latest co-star and that this cop buddy movie is a new genre classic.
I’M SO EXCITED
June 28 Unless we’re missing something, this will be the gayest film of the summer. Directed by cinema’s greatest bad boy, Pedro Almodóvar, in a return to his screwball roots, I’m So Excited gets downright Buñuelian. A plane is stuck in an endless holding pattern while its passengers become less and less civilized. We’re most looking forward to the impromptu performance of the title song and a lesson in fellatio by the flight attendants.
Empire of the Sun
JULY
June 30 Where in the holy hell do Dexter and Debra Morgan go from here? Last season’s finale no doubt caused its share of audible gasps. Without giving too much away, the writers have a tough road ahead to get our favorite serial killer of killers out of his latest bind. Season 8, rumored to be the show’s last, is going to be a doozy of maximum bloodied proportions.
ANTM
ALUNAGEORGE: BODY MUSIC
July 1 This upstart, chart-topping British duo release their first official disc, featuring the sugar-sweet vocals of Aluna Francis, set to the minimalistic, polyrhythmic beats of partner George Reid. It will cover disparate, futuristic pop influences ranging from Aaliyah to Bjork to PJ Harvey.
EMPIRE OF THE SUN: ICE ON THE DUNE
July 1 This sci-fi loving, costume-wearing Aussie duo took five years to follow up on its beloved debut, but it was worth the wait. Folkie, electro magic await you on the glistening and lifeaffirming first single, “Alive,” and deeper cuts, like the mind-altering title track.
THE LONE RANGER
DEXTER SEASON 8
The Lone Ranger
July 3 Directed by Gore Verbinski and starring Johnny Depp as Tonto, this take on iconic hero The Lone Ranger could become Depp’s next franchise in the vein of Pirates of the Caribbean. (Could be a great thing like the original or a horrible thing like all the Pirates sequels). Still, Depp is usually a hoot to watch, Hammer is a super straight man and who knows what kind of crazy Helena Bonham Carter is going to bring.
AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL
Summer 2013 Tyra is making it work once again with a new cast of hopeful runway models, but this time she’s mixing it up a bit. Joining the eight female contestants will be eight male models also vying for the title of “America’s Next Top Model.” All living under the same roof, the 16 contestants reveal some of the similarities and differences opposite sexes face when pursuing a career in modeling.
TROUBLE IN CHIOZZA
July 6-28 Since 2007, the Classical Theatre Lab has partnered with West Hollywood to present free Shakespeare in the city’s parks every summer. This year the troupe switches gears and stages Italian playwright Carlo Goldoni’s sidesplitting 18th-century farce about sexual shenanigans in a small town near Venice. Author, scholar, musician and all-around polymath Louis Fantasia directs the production at King’s Road Park. classicaltheatrelab.org
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The Spectacular Now
Visage
MAPS: VICISSITUDE
July 8 Maps is one guy—Northampton, England’s James Chapman—but the dreamy, fabulous soundscapes he creates can certainly fill the room. His sophomore disc will feature hedonistic, shoegazing charmers like “I Heard Them Say.” Fans of M83 will find an allegiance here.
NCAA FOOTBALL ‘14
July 9 (Xbox 360, PS3) If you’re one of those football junkies who counts the days from the end of the Super Bowl till the first kickoff in the fall, here’s a good way to get your fix in the interim. The 14th incarnation of NCAA Football will include enhanced crowd audio, smoother play and a quicker and cleaner game overall. Popular stadium anthems such as The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” and Kernkraft 400’s “Zombie Nation” will be featured.
PACIFIC RIM
July 12 Helmed by über-fanboy Guillermo del Toro, this mid-summer sci-fi extravaganza could be a gamechanger for both the genre and the director. Then again, one perusal of the synopsis—”When an alien attack threatens the Earth’s existence, giant robots piloted by humans are deployed to fight off the menace.”— and we could be in camp town. Still, del Toro delivered the visionary Pan’s Labyrinth, so we’re in his corner on this one.
JULY VISAGE: HEARTS & KNIVES
July 15 New Romantics, rejoice! It took them 29 years to follow up their last release, but the queertastic Steve Strange and company erases the time on this analog-only delight. Listen for appearances from original members Midge Ure (Ultravox) and Rusty Egan. Lead single “Shameless Fashion” is quintessential 1981!
THE WOLVERINE
July 26 The strapping Jackman returns— mutton-chop sideburns in tow—for the latest chapter in the saga of that misunderstood mutant Wolverine. Directod by James Mangold (3:10 to Yuma), The Wolverine takes place mainly in Japan and sees the singingacting-dancing-jazz hands Jackman get his samurai on. No musical numbers are planned, but wouldn’t that be something?
CHICAGO
The Wolverine
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July 26-28 It’s become a Hollywood Bowl tradition to present a star-studded, modestly staged production of a major musical for a few nights every summer. This year’s entry is Kander and Ebb’s Chicago, staged by Brooke Shields. The 1996 Broadway revival is still going strong, attracting such varied cast members as Usher, Christie Brinkley and Ms. Shields herself. No word yet on Bowl casting, but expect some big names … and all that jazz. hollywoodbowl.com
AUGUST THEATRICUM BOTANICUM
Through Sept. 28 Will Geer—best known as Grandpa Walton to generations of TV viewers— started this bucolic al fresco theater in Topanga Canyon, and his family continues to present high-quality productions throughout the summer. While they open in June, there’s nothing like an August evening under the stars with the Bard’s language. Bring a pillow to sit on and layers for the cool canyon air. This year’s rotating rep includes The Taming of the Shrew and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. theatricum.com
LADY GAGA: ARTPOP
Summer 2013 Word on the street is that Gaga's fourth disc will sound “refreshing” while still “pushing the envelope.” She’ll be working with the same producers from Born This Way (RedOne, DJ White Shadow) along with newcomers Zedd and Madeon. Kendrick Lamarr and Azaelia Banks are rumored as collaborators.
THE SPECTACULAR NOW
Aug. 2 After months of mindless (or even mindful) entertainment, it’s time to get ready for the fall onslaught of “adult films” with this Sundance favorite. The Spectacular Now was a big wow in Utah, starring Golden Globe nominee Shailene Woodley (The Descendants), relative newcomer Miles Teller (Rabbit Hole, 21 and Over) and written by (500) Days of Summer’s Scott Neustadter.
INDEPENDENT SHAKESPEARE
Through Sept. 1 In the past decade, this talented troupe has gone from small outdoor productions at Barnsdall Park to massive summer-evening crowds in the natural amphitheater near Griffith Park’s Old Zoo. And in the spirit of Joseph Papp, the shows are still free. This season’s repertoire includes Macbeth, As You Like It and Oliver Goldsmith’s She Stoops to Conquer. Bring a blanket or low-back lawn chair, a picnic (without alcohol) and a sweater. iscla.org
ELYSIUM
Aug. 9 District 9 director Neill Blomkamp’s longawaited follow-up to his commercial and Oscar-nominated breakthrough, Elysium stars a buffed-up Matt Damon and a post-out Jodie Foster in this sci-fi tale of the haves and the have-nots. Blomkamp’s District 9 flirted with class differences; Elysuim takes it to the next level, where, in 2154, the wealthy live in a man-made space station while the poor are left behind on the ruins of Earth. Damon is the (liberal) hero, Foster the anti-immigration official stumping for the status quo. Elysium
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S.H.I.E.L.D.
Lovelace
AUGUST LOVELACE
Aug. 9 A biopic about the porn star of Deep Throat, Lovelace stars the dewy Amanda Seyfried as the title character, with Adam Brody as Harry Reems, the well-endowed costar who tickles her, uh, fancy, on the way to infamy. Directed by the talented documentarians Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman (The Times of Harvey Milk), Lovelace also features turns by Sharon Stone, Chris Noth and the ubiquitous James Franco.
BREAKING BAD SEASON 5
Aug. 11 (AMC) The final eight episodes of this tremendously popular drama are finally within reach. We’ll get to see how it all shakes out for Walter White, the high school chemistry teacher turned ruthless underworld drug kingpin, and his partner in crime, Jesse Pinkman. Walt’s marriage is in shambles, his DEA agent brother-in-law is starting to become suspicious and Jesse ends up quitting on him. How will the tale of the “Blue Sky” mastermind end?
Sept. 6 It’s easy to start a horror franchise—there’s Saw, Hostel, your damn Freddy, Jason and Leatherface. But a good one? That’s a trickier proposition. James Wan, the director of the first Saw, hit pay-dirt with Insidious, and he’s back again to take the story of the haunted Lambert family to new heights (or new depths). If Patrick Wilson gets shirtless at least once, Wan will already have a winner.
THE SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF INTELLIGENT LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE
RUSH
Sept. 4-29 Before we knew what performance art was, there was Lily Tomlin. With her collaborator and life partner Jane Wagner, Tomlin created myriad iconic characters and combined many of them in this groundbreaking solo piece. Independent of Tomlin, Ventura’s terrific Rubicon Theatre stages the piece with artistic director Karyl Lynn Burns playing all the parts. rubicontheatre.org
R II
Sept. 5-Oct. 13 Theatre at Boston Court’s co-artistic director Jessica Kubzansky is one of our most inventive and intelligent talents. At the end of a summer filled with Southland Shakespeare festivals, she distills the Bard’s sprawling and poetic Richard II down to three actors and a wrenching story about an ineffective monarch who squanders his treasure and is deposed. It’s likely to be one of the season’s most original theater events. bostoncourt.com
Aug. 13-Sept. 22 Last year, rising playwright Gina Gionfriddo’s scathingly funny drama about three generations of women hashing out the ways in which women’s lives have changed since the Nixon years won wide acclaim in its off-Broadway debut. Director Peter DuBois and actress Amy Brenneman reprise their work in this West Coast premiere at the Geffen Playhouse. Aug.13-Sept. 22, geffenplayhouse.com
DISNEY INFINITY
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Sept. 20 It’s directed by Ron Howard, stars Thor hunk Chris Hemsworth and is based on the true story of Formula 1 driver Niki Lauda, who nearly lost his life in a racing accident before returning mere weeks later to challenge his biggest rival. Could be Oscar-bait. Could also be unmitigated, inspirational garbage. Either way, there’s that side o’ beef to consider, who’ll be sporting insane ‘70s duds.
WALK OF SHAME
Sept. 20 It’s insane to think this is Elizabeth Banks’ first starring role. She’s one of our finest comediennes who’s also a damn smart actress, so here’s hoping this comedy—about a reporter stranded after a one-night stand in Downtown L.A. without I.D., money, phone, etc.—will be her Bridesmaids. But if not, there’s always the second installment of The Hunger Games with her kooky-scary Effie Trinket (out Nov. 22).
SEPTEMBER
RAPTURE, BLISTER, BURN
August 18 (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U, Wii and 3DS) The worlds of Disney’s favorite heroes collide in this game, with characters from The Incredibles, Monsters, Inc., Pirates of the Caribbean, Cars and more. You can choose to play within preset playsets or customize your own worlds using recognizable set designs from the Disney/Pixar stable, such as the flying home from Up and Jack Skellington’s arch from The Nightmare Before Christmas.
INSIDIOUS 2
Summer 2013 (ABC) After stints in Iron Man, Iron Man 2 and Thor, Agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) bought the farm in The Avengers. But in S.H.I.E.L.D., Joss Whedon (The Avengers, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) resurrects this character for the small screen. Coulson heads up S.H.I.E.L.D., a worldwide law enforcement organization, and forms a group of agents ready to tackle the most challenging of classified cases.
Rush
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June Björk
By Mike Ciriaco
Cyndi Lauper
BJÖRK
CYNDI LAUPER
June 2, 5, 8, 11 Björk is nothing if not unique. Her upcoming live performances at the Hollywood Bowl, which will showcase works from her most recent album, Biophilia, are set to feature a gamelesta and a celesta/gamelan hybrid built specifically for her single “Crystalline.” Other instruments for her live show harness lightning to create sound, guaranteeing a one-of-a-kind musical event.
June 13 The ‘80s pop princess is all grown up, spending the last several decades developing herself as an artist, garnering Grammys and myriad other accolades and evolving into a commendable LGBT activist. This June, be sure to hit up The Greek Theatre and see Cyndi belt out classics like “True Colors,” “Time After Time” and “Girls Just Want To Have Fun.”
PAT BENATAR/ CHEAP TRICK
DANDY WARHOLS
June 8 Let Pat Bentar hit you with her best shot as she joins up with Cheap Trick to play the East Side’s Greek Theatre this summer. You’ll no doubt hear some of her biggest hits— including “Love is a Battlefield,” “Shadows of the Night” and “We Belong”—songs that are just as unforgettable now as they were when they premiered on MTV in the ‘80s.
June 14 The Dandy Warhols gained prominence in the ‘90s when David LaChapelle directed the music video for debut hit “Not If You Were the Last Junkie on Earth,” gifting MTV with a darkly comic Price Is Right satire. Since then, the alt-rock band has released eight records, including their most recent, This Machine, which will feature prominently in the band’s L.A. appearance this June at The Wiltern.
RUFUS WAINWRIGHT
BEYONCÉ
June 8 The openly gay singer—playing the Valley Performance Arts Center in Northridge—credits his political activism to his partner Jörn Weisbrod, saying in one interview, “I wasn't a huge gay marriage supporter before I met Jörn, because I love the whole old-school promiscuous Oscar Wilde freak show of what ‘being gay’ once was. But since meeting Jörn, that all changed.”
June 28, July 1 Her January release was as much a dedication to the familial bliss she’s created with hubby Jay-Z and infant Blue Ivy as it is a compilation of her romancethemed music. But, if you're fiending for new material, hold your breath until her fifth album drops later this year. Until then, grab your single ladies and hit up Staples Center for a heavy dose of Sasha Fierce.
Rufus Wainwright
Your Summer Concert Calendar
Los Angeles is just as defined by its music scene as it is the film industry. As a result, prolific bands and solo artists gravitate to our City of Angels, either to reside and create or simply to perform at one of our many notable venues. This summer, L.A. will play host to a multitude of diverse musical talents, and Frontiers has provided a calendar of the best and most gay-friendly acts you’ll see pass through town.
July
Fleetwood Mac
FLEETWOOD MAC
ADAM ANT
BRUNO MARS
July 3 WeHo gays can empathize with the backstabbing, alcoholism and romantic betrayal that fueled Rumours, The Mac's most transcendent album. With a dozen members contributing to numerous incarnations over a 40-year span, the Rumours line up is the band’s best. Fortunately, four of the five members of that era will be at Staples Center this summer, performing greats like “Gold Dust Woman” and “Go Your Own Way.”
July 20 Once upon a time, when MTV still aired music videos , the then-nascent cable channel voted Adam Ant “Sexiest Man of the Year.” A lot has happened since the ‘80s. After a decade or two out of the limelight, Mr. “Goody Two Shoes” has a new album, Adam Ant Is the Blueblack Hussar in Marrying the Gunner's Daughter. This July, expect new material juxtaposed with ‘80s nostalgia at his Club Nokia show.
July 27-28 In 2011, Bruno Mars merited the title “best-selling digital artist in the world.” Two years later, the Hawaiian-born musician is rocking harder than ever with his latest album, Unorthodox Jukebox. Fans of his reggae/motown hybrid sound won’t want to miss his Staples Center show, where he’s sure to croon “Locked Out of Heaven,” “Just the Way You Are” and “Grenade” live.
QUEEN LATIFAH
KENNY CHESNEY
JAY Z & JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
July 27 The Oil Can Harry's crowd has good reason to hoot and holler this summer. Country star Kenny Chesney's “No Shoes” national tour hits L.A. neighbor Anaheim to promote his 2013 album Life on a Rock, featuring debut single “Pirate Flag.” Cheseny will be joined by special guests the Eli Young Band and Kacey Musgraves.
July 28 This team up seems like a natural result of their collaboration on “Suit & Tie,” the lead track off Timberlake's recent 20/20 Experience album. This Rose Bowl Stadium show is a must-see for any Jay Z fans eager to hear possible new material from the Beyoncé consort's highly anticipated upcoming album.
July 10 Queens, it looks like you'll be in good company this summer. Queen Latifah will be headlining at the Hollywood Bowl, showcasing her diverse musical abilities, which range from hiphop and rap to jazz. Be sure to hit up the Bowl and pay your respects, from one queen to another. 34
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Your Summer Concert Calendar Heart
PERSHING SQUARE, July - August Located in the heart of DTLA, Pershing Square hosts a free summer concert series on its Downtown Stage, operated by the L.A. Department of Recreation and Parks, from July through August, Thursday through Sunday. You’ll find a variety of music depending on when you head down, from local, national and even international artists. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets and kick back under the stars and twinking lights of Downtown.
Depeche Mode
September
August
FUN.
DIANA ROSS
JONAS BROTHERS
Aug. 3 In a very special performance, American icon Diana Ross returns to the Hollywood Bowl to celebrate an unparalleled career that spans more than 40 years, singing her most memorable hits, including “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “I’m Coming Out” and “Endless Love.”
Aug. 16 The Disney Channel's premiere pop-rock family trio are once again reunited and taking Universal City’s Gibson Amphitheatre by storm for this one-night-only performance. Fingers crossed, Joe and his brothers will play new material from their upcoming album, like the recently released “Pom Pom” shuffled in with signature hits like “A Little Bit Longer” and “Burnin' Up.”
PHISH Aug. 5 Embrace some college-era nostalgia as Trey Anastasio and crew puff-puff-passes through Hollywood. Be sure to hit up your favorite dispensary and stock up on edibles and sativas to put you in the proper psychedelic mood to experience such classic jams as “Fee,” “Fluff Head” and “Golgi Apparatus” live at the Hollywood Bowl. Taylor Swift
TAYLOR SWIFT Aug. 19-20, 23 Forbes magazine recently estimated that this country music sweetheart is worth $65 million. Before you get all ‘1%’ on this down-home princess, it’s worth mentioning that she's an active philanthropist in general, and a proponent of the same-sex marriage debate specifically. Good to know we have at least one fruit fly in the Red State demographic.
HEART Aug. 22-23 The ladies of Heart—sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson—never lost their ability to light up a stage, and Ann Wilson’s voice today is just as powerful and gut-wrenching as it was in the ‘70s. They’ve often been called “the female Led Zeppelin,” and their live show at The Greek Theatre is guaranteed to show you why. Don’t miss rocking hits of the ‘70s and ‘80s, including “Barracuda,” “Magic Man,” “Alone” and “All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You.” 36
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Sept. 4 Nate Ruess, Andrew Dost and Jack Antanoff bring their NYC indie-pop sound to Los Feliz this September with a show at The Greek Theatre. The Grammy Award winners will undoubtably play their biggest hits—”We Are Young,” “Carry On” and “Some Nights”—hopefully along with some lessplayed songs in their catalogue, like “Why Am I The One?,” the video for which debuted in late February.
DAVE MATTHEWS BAND Sept. 7 DMB is famous for its annual summer-long tours in the United States and Europe, featuring lengthy improvisational renditions of their songs, accompanied by an elaborate video and light show. This summer proves to be no different, so march your ants down to Irvine’s Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre and let your inner frat boy out for this high-profile jam session.
CARLY RAE JEPSEN Sept. 15 Unless you spent the summer of 2012 in a catatonic state, you should already be familiar with Carley Rae's infectious “Call Me Maybe.” Believe it or not, the Bieber muse/fellow Canuck not only has other songs but another album that dates all the way back to 2008. Join Jepsen at The Greek Theatre this September to appreciate the pop pixie's full oeuvre.
DEPECHE MODE Sept. 28, 29 Q magazine once refered to Depeche Mode as “the most popular electronic band the world has ever known,” and for good reason. The group’s sound has influenced bands ranging from Pet Shop Boys and Deftones to The Killers and Franz Ferdinand. Angelenos have an opportunity to catch Dave Gahan and company for themselves at the Staples Center. If you can’t make it in September, an Oct. 2 show was also just announced.
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By Stephan Horbelt 2013 is turning out to be quite a year for Ross Mathews. In addition to the recent announcement that his very own show—an “interactive” talk show dubbed Hello Ross— has been picked up by E! for a fall debut, his very first book, Man Up! Tales of My Delusional Self-Confidence, is set for a May 7 release date. In addition to these solo projects, funny man Mathews has been a regular panelist and occasional guest host of E!’s hit late-night chat show Chelsea Lately, and he has continued his duties as a regular correspondent for The Tonight Show, where he famously got his start as Jay Leno’s “Ross the Intern.” For once, the spotlight is on Ross Mathews and him alone. America has grown to love this openly gay comic, whose brand of endearing likeability and love of puns have established him as America’s Sweetheart. In the span of his career, we’ve seen Mathews sit down with everyone from Olympic athletes and movie stars to politicians (when he was the official political reporter for E! News, covering both the Republican and Democratic Conventions). Known for ‘freaking out’ on-camera upon meeting his idols, I asked about a time he really went crazy. “The craziest freak-out of them all—from sports legends to Oscar winners to politicians—was Michelle Obama. I had to be calm, but I was 38
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freaking out on the inside. I was totally calm, talking policy—talking about gay marriage, women’s rights with her. On the inside, I was like, holy f*cking shit, I cannot believe I’m sitting here with the first lady! It was nuts.” While Mathews has always been open about his private life— his occasional obsessions with certain pop culture personalities and celebs, and his life at home with partner Salvador—never has he been more open than in his upcoming book, a memoir that takes the reader through some of Mathews’ most personal journeys, some of which are hilarious, and some of which are downright embarrassing. “You know, I have had a ridiculous life, and every step—even as a kid—I remember thinking to myself, it’s for the book, it’s for the book. So I always kept a list of stories I would tell in the book. I started writing a treatment a couple years ago of what this book could be. I knew I wanted it to include friends, but I also have a responsibility to leave a bit of a message—not cheesy, not saccharine— but with every story, I wanted there to be a thread of a message.” It appears Mathews didn’t have to look very far to secure a book deal. “When I showed my treatment to Chelsea, she said, ‘I want to publish this book. I have an imprint now, and I want this to be the first solo author
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under my imprint. You’re the one.’ Then it was like, oh my god, now Chelsea’s printing it, so it has to be really good. So I took my time writing it. It’s really fantastic. People who have read it have laughed and they’ve cried a little bit.” Discussing the title of Man Up!, Mathews says it’s about being who you are and never holding back. “You have to love what makes you different, because if you hate it, that’s not helping anything. But if you use it to stand out from the crowd, it can make all the difference in the world.” Don’t think for a second, though, that Man Up! is a collection of stories depicting Mathews as some contemplative wise man dishing out advice— there are some missteps here as well. “I’m not the hero of every story. I say the book is about ‘manning up,’ but it’s also about the times when I didn’t. There are a lot of mistakes I’ve made. I can never work at Lane Bryant again!” That’s where I stopped him. What the hell was Ross Mathews doing working at Lane Bryant, a company famous for selling “the latest looks in women’s plussize clothing”? “I was living the dream, OK? It was the most fun I’d ever had,” says Mathews. “The story—it’s hilarious, and then it gets really sad, because I can’t work there anymore. I was fired, and you’ll read why in the book. It was not not embarrassing.” Mathews laughs.
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“I wanted the book to be a balance of moments when I really rose to the occasion and moments when I really f*cked up,” Mathews continued, “because I feel they’re all relatable and people will learn something from all of these stories.” What’s something many of us can’t relate to? Having Gwyneth Paltrow as our self-proclaimed ‘bestie.’ The Oscarwinning actress is responsible for the new book’s foreword, and I asked Mathews how the two of them met. “I have always loved her, ever since I saw her in a picture with Brad Pitt when he won the Golden Globe for 12 Monkeys. I said, ‘Who is that? I love her.’ I even said, ‘One day we’re gonna be good friends.’ “So I was at my first Oscars, on the red carpet at the Vanity Fair press line. She walked out, and I said, ‘Will you be my best friend?’ and she said yes—and she meant it. Since then, we’ve been best friends. We just emailed today.” No one could be happier for Ross Mathews than Frontiers, as the comedian and his partner Salvador are members of the Frontiers family. Salvador has played the role of wardrobe stylist for many a Frontiers cover shoot, and he’s always delivered amazing work. Interestingly enough, the couple just recently sold their house and are moving on up in the world to a gorgeous new home here in L.A. If you’ve never run into Ross and Salvador out and about here in town, cut out the middle man and check out the upcoming Man Up! book tour, which stops at L.A.’s Largo Theatre on May 13. “It’s a one-man show across the country. I’m bringing the book to life, telling stories mixed with pop culture, and then I go into the audience, and they can ask me questions. Then I do a book signing afterwards, and I want to meet everyone who wants to meet me.” Man Up! Tales of My Delusional SelfConfidence is currently available for preorder at Amazon.com. Purchase tickets for Ross’s Man Up! tour via HelloRoss.com.
PHOTOS: AUSTIN YOUNG
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SOCAL EVENTS GUIDE
EVENTS
NIGHTLIFE
THEATER
EXHIBITS
go to FrontiersLA.com/Entertainment for more listings Wed. | May 1
MIXING ROOM The Mixing Room at the J.W. Marriott, L.A. Live
This five-week competition features some of L.A.’s top bartenders hand-picked to battle in a one-of-a-kind competition. Competitors will present a cocktail to be judged by a panel of judges. lalivemarriott.com Through June 1
ID
Advocate & Gochis Galleries The L.A. Center presents id, an exhibition of photographs by photographer and filmmaker Andrew Overtoom. The id collection features selected photos of L.A. drag artists and female impersonators, documenting a fascinating cross-section of this remarkable community. andrewovertoom.com Wed. | May 1
OTTER POP Micky’s
Stefano Rosso and Dominick Munafo have created a night for sexy, hairy guys and those who love them, and it takes place every first Wednesday of the month. Find 20 flavors of sticky go-go studs, drink specials and a fun soundtrack provided by resident DJ Sean Niles. mickys.com Thu. | May 2
THE KILLERS
L.A. Memorial Sports Arena The Killers took over the airwaves last fall with their latest studio album, Battle Born, and now the Vegas-bred band returns to SoCal for two eagerly awaited performances. (The band also plays Anaheim’s Honda Center on May 1.) livenation.com
Thu. | May 2
GOLDEN GODS Club Nokia
The fifth annual Revolver Golden Gods Award Show will—for the first time ever—be broadcast live on national television through Xbox Live and Facebook. Fozzy frontman and WWE prowrestling legend Chris Jericho will reprise his role as host for the fourth consecutive year. AXS.com Thu. | May 2
GUYS GONE WILD
The Abbey The Abbey gets more wild than ever at its weekly Thursday parChris Jericho ty, sponsored by the same group that created the raunchy vids of the same name. Indulge in the Abbey dancers, DVD giveaways and great cocktail specials. Get the gay weekend started off right! abbeyfoodand bar.com Fri. | May 3
HOT RODEO 2013
AC Dysart Equestrian Park
Enjoy a weekend of western rodeo and festivities while visiting the fun and beautiful paradise of Palm Springs. The Friday pool party with the cowboys and cowgirls of the Hot Rodeo is not to be missed, and neither is the Saturday night dance. Through May 5. palmspringsrodeo.org
PLANE FILTHY By Shane Gallagher Direct from sold-out tours in Australia and Europe, Pam Ann returns stateside for her raunchiest comedy show yet. Her latest production, Pam Ann: Cockpit, takes off at The Saban Theatre in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 11. How did you develop the character of Pam Ann? Pam Ann has developed over the years as I’ve traveled from country to country. My main source of material is from my own life experiences and observations traveling the world. It’s almost art imitating life now. It’s been said that Pam Ann is a female Austin Powers. Pam Ann could well be the female Austin Powers—but with a filthier mouth. Why does Pam Ann resonate so much with fans? Everyone flies, so they can relate to her stories. Also, Pam Ann says things people are thinking but are too afraid to say. Why is Pam Ann so fascinated with sex? Flying is very lonely. Sex plays a big role in the life of an international air hostess. What is a girl to do on a layover in Rio de Janeiro? Fashion is a big part of Pam Ann. In the new show, she sports costumes by designer Garo Sparo. I heard about Garo Sparo through the very glamorous Amanda Lepore. She always looks flawless, so I knew he would understand Pam Ann. It’s a new, sexy, fabulous, skinny Pam Ann with lots of color and tits. How has Pam Ann changed through the years? She never used to swear or be filthy. I know that’s hard to believe! My language has gotten more aggressive and dirty over the years. It’s from working in gay clubs all over London. I had to fight for attention, and not just when performing. I’ve developed a lot of bad habits.
What are you most looking forward to in your USA tour? I love American audiences. They are my favorite in the entire world. I just love how positive, confident, optimistic and vocal people are in America. Audiences come with massive smiles and are there to have a good time. I love the USA so much, it’s my home now. I moved to New York City and don’t ever plan on leaving. Read the extended interview online at FrontiersLA.com/ExclusiveInterviews. Tickets for Pam Ann’s May 11 show are available at reactionshows.com.
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SOCAL EVENTS GUIDE
Fri. | May 3
Sat. | May 4
GAY MAY DAYS
KATHY GRIFFIN LIVE
Spirit Studio Silverlake
Dolby Theatre
It’s a wild three-day weekend of performances, workshops, special events and nightly maypole dances. Members of L.A.’s queer creative community celebrate aspects of Beltane, social justice and the Eros of springtime through a gay lens. gaymaydays.tumblr.com
You won’t want to miss Kathy Griffin onstage in L.A. at the same venue where the Oscars is taped. Expect tons of celeb gossip and her signature brand of hilarious hijinks. Read our recent sit-down with Kathy at tinyurl.com/frontierskathy. Tickets at livenation.com.
Through May 5
SLIPPING
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater
Sat. | May 4
Kathy Griffin
Alone, numb and friendless after the death of his father, gay high school senior Eli moves with his English professor mom to a fresh start in Iowa. A new relationship with a boy at school, though, exposes him to the possibility of closeness and the danger of being swallowed by it. rattlestick.org Fri. | May 3
CUB SCOUT
CINDERELLA
Lewis Family Playhouse
Inland Pacific Ballet’s original Cinderella is an enchanting version of the classic story featuring a spunky Cinderella, a pair of heartless stepsisters and a majestic fairy godmother. First premiered in 2006, the production is set to be even more spectacular this year. Through May 5. ipballet.org
Eagle L.A.
Sat. | May 4
One of the East Side’s most popular parties is back with the April installment of its signature blend of rhythm and soul. DJ duo Critter Control—along with San Fran Den Mother Lady Bear—will have you dancing, cruising and drinking cheap draft beer. eaglela.com
Faultline
Fri. | May 3
GROUNDLINGS PROM AFTER-PARTY
JOHN Dubbed “the adult party for the distinguished gentleman,” John is brought to you by the promoters of Raunch and Furr Trade, because sometimes you want a classy piece of meat—or at least a dressed-up one. Each month’s party is hosted by a fabulous, well-known drag diva. facebook.com/johnatnight
Groundlings Theatre
Sun. | May 5
Rent your tuxes, make your up-do appointments and shine your shoes. It’s time to spike the punch at this new Groundlings show. Bring your own rhinestone studded dresses, corsages and flasks filled with your parents’ expensive booze. groundlings.com
Private Estate in L.A.
Sat. | May 4
BIG NIGHT OUT
Location upon ticket purchase The signature event of the AIDS Service Center returns for its 16th year, a night of entertaining, fine dining, architecture, design, fantastic auctions and more. The kick-off reception is to be held at an English Tudor estate in Pasadena. aidsservicecenter.org Sat. | May 4
STEEL MAGNOLIAS Laguna Playhouse
The final show of Laguna Playhouse’s 2012-2013 season is Steel Magnolias, written by Robert Harling and directed by Jenny Sullivan. The well-known story follows a group of friends who gather each week at a salon in Louisiana. Through May 26. lagunaplayhouse.com 42
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FORBIDDEN FRUIT Forbidden Fruit: Readings From Banned Works of Literature coincides with the 60th anniversary of the prestigious literary nonprofit PEN Center USA, which continues to defend freedom of expression as a primary mission. Members of the Hollywood community will join with L.A.’s literati to shine the spotlight on the important issue of censorship. forbiddenfruitmay5.eventbrite.com Sun. | May 5
SIZE
Here Lounge Tom Whitman’s popular weekly party Size is known for drawing all of WeHo’s sexiest guys out of their homes on Sunday afternoon. This Cinco de Mayo installment is hosted by Billy Francesca and features two-for-one Coronas and margaritas from 2-5 p.m. tomwhitman presents.com
» CUB SCOUT | EAGLE L.A. |
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Through May 5
IT GOES LIKE THIS
The Lee Strasberg Creative Center A culmination of 31 years of addressing mainstream fear about a variety of issues, this work brings awareness to the discrimination and hatred faced by so many individuals in the world today. Performances will move audiences to tears and laughter, and give understanding and acceptance to a community that has faced incredible discrimination over the years. itgoeslikethis.net Mon. | May 6
MUSICAL MONDAYS Eleven Nightclub
Let out your inner diva every week. From 9 p.m.-midnight, the best of Broadway comes to life with a live show full of musical and comedic fun, complete with singing contests, ticket giveaways and live performances from Tony Award winners. eleven.la Through June 2
PETER PAN: THE BOY WHO HATED MOTHERS Blank’s 2nd Stage Theatre
A radically fresh retelling of the popular story, Peter Pan: The Boy Who Hated Mothers explores the classic tale you know but with a dark, disturbing, magical twist. This is Peter Pan as you have never seen him before. theblank.com
have many beautiful men and women—and puppets if you're into that. Something for everyone. Not to mention amazing DJs from Audible Artists, who provide music for every vibe. If you’re not sold on that answer, my good friend Adam Lambert and I are currently single and ready to mingle!
Known for being an LGBT power player (and BFFs with Katy Perry), Markus Molinari runs his own jewelry line and is a creative partner in the H.wood Group, the nightlife syndicate responsible for hot destinations like Bootsy Bellows and ShoreBar. We chatted with Molinari about ‘60s art decoinspired Bootsy Bellows, and the difference between L.A.’s gay and straight nightlife culture. You've become accomplished in many different fields—styling, design, nightlife. Where does being a power player in L.A.'s nightlife industry fit into your 'business' and 'fun' priorities? I'm constantly looking for new inspiration and that one client I can design a unique piece for. Being an owner at Bootsy Bellows gives me a platform to host my clients and meet new ones. The ‘fun’ is always there, because I love what I do and I'm a fun gurl—what can I say? As the key creative partner of the H.wood.group, what's it like working in the nightlife industry with three straight men? We've become so close that we're all like family. John Terzian, Brian Toll and David Arquette are like having
Giving L.A. Nightlife the Boot three big brothers. Although, I'm sure I can take them all in a wrestling match. Bootsy Bellows has become a favorite hot-spot to Hollywood's elite, but what's the draw for L.A.'s gay men? Bootsy's is such a melting pot of personalities that it’s really not about gender or sexual preference. We
What would you say is the biggest difference between gay and straight nightlife in L.A.? Accessible and free condoms. WeHo has male strippers, and Bootsy's has David Arquette, who is always willing to strip. Really, we're not so different. When you're looking to go barhopping with friends, other than stopping into Bootsy Bellows, where are your go-to bars in town and out of town? ShoreBar in Santa Monica is a favorite—not just because I'm one of the owners, but because of our extremely handsome and talented bartenders. When I'm in Paris, I love going to RAIDD bar. It's a gay bar in the Marais, and at midnight you can watch a very hot Parisian man shower. I always say, “if you're going to do ‘it’—lather, rinse, repeat.” Ooh la la!
Find more photo albums — and additional photos from these events — at FrontiersLA.com/Entertainment.
» HOOKER CASINO | HERE LOUNGE |
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SOCAL EVENTS GUIDE Mon. | May 6
MUSTACHE MONDAYS
BACK TO LARAMIE
Catch a full day of theater through May 19 at the Chance Theater in Anaheim Hills, where The Laramie Project and The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later are both playing in repertory. Frontiers chats with the Chance’s Artistic Director, Oanh Nguyen, about what theatergoers can expect. For those not familiar with The Laramie Project, can you say a bit about the production, and also the idea behind The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later? In 1998, 21-year-old gay college student Matthew Shepard was beaten and left to die, tied to a fence in Laramie, Wy. This brutal act
brought focus to the violence and prejudice the LGBT commmunity faces in contemporary society. One month after the murder, members of the Tectonic Theatre Company from New York went to Laramie to conduct interviews with different members of the town and found much more than what they expected. At the end of The Laramie Project, one of the Laramie citizens laments the lack of hate crime laws one year after Matthew Shepard's murder and asks, “What's come out of this that's concrete or lasting?” The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later is a documentation of what the theater company found when they went back to Laramie 10 years later. Were there any challenges with bringing Ten Years Later to SoCal? Not really. The real challenge has come in producing both shows in repertory. Both productions are challenging on their own, and to produce them together has been a big undertaking. The challenge to SoCal will be sitting though five hours of theater. If you attend on a Saturday or Sunday, your marathon of theater begins with a matinee of Part
One (three hours with two intermissions) , a break for dinner, then an evening performance of Part Two (two hours with one intermission). And if you choose to participate in both post-show discussions, it's a full day of theater. I promise you, it will be worth it. How does Ten Years Later differ from productions you've previously directed, aside from the subject matter? There is an added responsibility when producing The Laramie Project and its epilogue to do it justice, to present these people and their stories as honestly and truthfully as possible, even when their truth is so far from your own. In the first part, Father Roger Schmidt says to one of the Tectonic members, “You need to do your best to say it correct.” That's been the goal of this entire production team from the beginning. What do you hope people take from seeing Ten Years Later? There is still much work to be done. These stories need to continue to be told over and over again, lest we forget.
La Cita
Keep your weekend going at this hipster haven, home of resident DJs Total Freedom and Josh Peace. Dress up, drink and dance the night away. Tue. | May 7
FLASHDANCE Segerstrom Hall
It’s the inspiring and unforgettable story of Alex Owens, a working-class girl from Pittsburgh with a dream of becoming a professional dancer. A steel welder by day and a bar dancer by night, she’s aspiring to be accepted at a prestigious ballet academy. When Alex catches the eye of her boss Nick Hurley, their romance shows her the meaning of love and drives her ambition to pursue her dream. Through May 19. scfta.org Through June 2
MISS JULIE Geffen Playhouse
August Strindberg’s classic tale of sex, greed and manipulation has been adapted by the modern master of such tantalizing topics, Neil LaBute. This scandalous turn-of-the-century drama, banned in Britain for almost 50 years after its publication, chronicles the night-long flirtation and seduction between the wealthy lady of the house and one of her father’s household employees. Through June 2. geffenplayhouse.com
Find more photo albums — and additional photos from these events — at FrontiersLA.com/Entertainment.
» LEGENDARY BINGO TO BENEFIT THE FRONTIERS AWARENESS
& EDUCATION FOUNDATION | HAMBURGER MARY'S WEHO | Photos by Rolling-Blackouts
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SOCAL EVENTS GUIDE
Thu. | May 9
Sat. | May 11
Through May 12
SKECHY QUEENS
BRUTUS Faultline
AMERICAN BUFFALO
This packed party sails into Faultline every second Saturday of the month, and it’s all hotties on deck. Have a beer and join in on the search for hidden treasure. DJ Chris Bowen provides the soundtrack, Mark Cuadrado mixes live video montages for the crowd and Mario Diaz hosts. faultlinebar.com
Instantly hailed as a new American classic when it opened on Broadway in 1977 for its explosive humor, frenetic energy and surprising tenderness, this play promises a mesmerizing night whether rediscovering it or seeing it for the first time. Misguided misfits out on their luck plot to steal a rare coin collection, and as time approaches, tension tests loyalties and friendships. geffen playhouse.com
Cavern Club Theater
Enjoy sketch comedy wif jur favorite Tupperware Diva Kay Sedia, and introducing Mexico's number one country music estar, Reba Areba! Also estarring: Cher Ferreyra, Beth Leckbee, Bryan Lovell, Leo Ryan & Kimberly Lewis. Mother’s Day Weekend only. Through May 12. cavernclubtheater.tix.com Fri. | May 10
NATIONAL PUBLIC GARDENS DAY Public Gardens citywide
Enjoy a day of recognition— embraced by communities, organizations and public officials—paying tribute to public gardens and their important role in educating the public on environmental preservation through plant and water conservation. Many gardens will mark the day with special events and activities for local communities. nationalpublicgardensday.org
Fri. | May 10
Sat. | May 11
THE MATCHMAKER
RASPUTIN Robertson
David Schall Theatre
This charming all-American farce is about love and money. A businessman and penny-pincher is searching for a wife and obtains the help of social hurricane and matchmaker extraordinaire, Mrs. Dolly Levi (the inspiration for Broadway musical Hello Dolly!). Expect mistaken identities, hijinks galore and a dose of Wilder’s sage wisdom. Through May 19. actorsco-op.org Fri. | May 10
DIRTY POP Micky’s
Taking place every Friday at Micky’s, this is a party made for dancing. You’ll be on your feet all night long, well into the wee hours of the morning. (The bar stays open til 4.) The party’s free ‘til midnight, and you’ll find drink specials all night long. mickys.com
This is the Saturday night party everyone’s been talking about. There’s no cover (although you can pay $5 to bypass the line) and no rules here. A team of Russian Dolls make up the host committee. facebook.com/RasputinLA
Geffen Playhouse
Through June 2
TRAINSPOTTING Elephant Theatre
A disturbing, gruesome and darkly funny stage adaptation by Harry Gibson of the cult novel by Irvine Welsh, Trainspotting is not for the faint of heart. Featuring profanity, nudity, cigarette smoking, simulated sex and drug use, it’s a bleak, black, tragically humorous tale of a wasted generation, a journey to the heart of a world peopled by psychos and junkies. Through June 2. plays411.com/trainspotting
Sun. | May 12
Through June 9
SUMMER SPLASH COCKTAIL CHALLENGE
THE HAPPY SHOW
Revolver Video Bar
Palm Springs is challenging bartenders to stir up Palm Springsinspired cocktails as part of the Fourth Annual Palm Springs Summer Splash Cocktail Challenge. Watch bartenders compete and create their own signature cocktails using Stoli Vodka, which will then be evaluated on taste, presentation and appearance. palmspringscocktailchallenge.com
Pacific Design Center
Stefan Sagmeister is perhaps best known for his album covers—for Talking Heads, Lou Reed, OK Go and The Rolling Stones, to name only a few—as well as innovative campaigns for companies like Levis that have entered the public consciousness. The Happy Show centers around the designer's 10-year exploration of happiness with typographic investigations of rules to live by originally culled from his diary, manifested in a variety of imaginative and interactive forms. moca.org
WINE GARDEN: V WINE ROOM V Wine Room BY ERIC ROSEN
Age and pedigree improve fine wines and historic buildings alike, and you’ll find both at West Hollywood’s newest wine bar, V Wine Room. Housed in the Hollywood Gothic building at the corner of Santa Monica and Westbourne, the space has seen many past lives, including as Charlie Chaplin’s acting studio and West Hollywood’s first public library. These days, the cavernous space feels like a cross between a wine cellar, a library and an indoor garden. Guests will find a beautifully lit olive sapling anchoring the V-shaped marble bar, and owner Michael Consbruck’s hand-selected bottles on shelves lining the walls. Choose between high and low tables as well as cozy
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903 Westbourne Dr., WeHo. (310) 339-9202. vwesthollywood.com
window-front sofas on which to enjoy the wines. A landscape architect by day, turning clients’ spaces into personal Edens by night, Consbruck indulges his other passion—wine—as he uncorks bottles and pours flights for customers at the recently opened bar. Consbruck is a devotee of California wines, serving them almost exclusively here. He has traveled up and down the state to personally meet boutique winemakers (particularly those with ultra-limited production) to find some of the state’s most unique wines, meaning guests here can taste things they are unlikely to encounter at other restaurants or even outside the
wineries where they are made. Don’t know what to order? Consbruck will have suggestions for you, and his enthusiasm is infectious as you watch his eyes light up while discussing a bone-dry Casa Dumetz Gewurztraminer from Santa Ynez or a puckery, perfumed Cabernet Franc from Northern California’s Lake County. V Wine Room doesn’t have a kitchen license, so don’t expect anything too substantial in the way of food just yet, though there are small plates including olive oil, nuts, cheeses and cured meats to nibble on, as well as plans to host special wine-pairing dinners with private chefs from time to time.
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» FRONTIERS 31 ST BIRTHDAY BASH & COMMUNITY BUILDERS AWARDS | THE ABBEY | Photos by Rolling-Blackouts
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FILM
REVIEWS FAME HIGH
Opens May 17
**
The director of OT: our town, Scott Hamilton Kennedy, returns to the realm of high school arts, following four students at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts over a 16-month period. Freshman Zak Astor, a pianist, was pushed into music by a father who hopes his son’s potential career will get them out of a dangerous, poverty-ridden neighborhood. The parents of senior Grace Song, a Korean-American ballet dancer, support her art with a couple of caveats, including a ban on dating. Senior Brittany Hayes, a singer/songwriter, secretly ditches her classes—and good grades—to audition for gigs. And freshman Ruby McCollister, an actress, carefully balances a professional stage life with stressful academia. Kennedy’s attempts to replicate 16mm-style graininess (he shot on a Panasonic DVX) look cheap and lo-fi, ill-fitting for such colorful subject matter, and he doesn’t really craft a compelling narrative. There are moments of tension and awkwardness—particularly when Zak, unhappy with the way his father is using him, resorts to self-sabotage at school, and when Grace confronts her parents head-on about their arranged marriage—but the editing and structure feel off. At least there’s a—spoiler alert!—happy ending for these fabulous, talented kids. —Lawrence Ferber
GENERATION UM
THE ICEMAN
KISS OF THE DAMNED
Starring Keanu Reeves, Bojana Novakovic, Adelaide Clemens Opens May 3
Starring Michael Shannon, Winona Ryder, Ray Liotta, Chris Evans Opens May 3
Starring Joséphine de la Baume, Milo Ventimiglia, Roxane Mesquida Opens May 3
If nothing happens in the first 20 minutes of a film, then nothing is going to happen. In the first 10 minutes of Generation Um, there is a two-minute (clock it!) scene of John (Reeves) eating a cupcake in closeup. While the scene expresses the character’s hesitation about things, it more clearly indicates that writer/director Mark Mann’s film is going nowhere s-l-o-w-l-y. While it has mumblecore-ish pretentions, Generation Um is poorly shot and edited, stranding Reeves and his female co-stars (Novakovic and Clemens), who play prostitutes he shuttles around New York City in a crappy station wagon. Other than a few brief sex scenes, the film’s only ‘action’ consists of John stealing a videocamera, prompting a chase to the subway. But this development results in the actors filming each other, which is really no better than Mann filming them. Long takes are supposed to be freighted with meaning, but audiences will be bored to the backteeth searching for it. There is really only one decent scene in Generation Um, in which John eats at a diner and interacts with both a flirty waitress (Sarita Choudhury) and his “boss” (Daniel Sunjata). Both supporting actors display an energy lacking from the rest of this enervating film.
The actor Michael Shannon is wound tighter than a venomous snake poised to strike. In director Ariel Vromen’s gritty mob noir The Iceman, Shannon is Richard Kuklinski, a notorious, real-life New Jersey contract killer. Shannon’s a master at these types— repressed, nefarious, ready to snap (he’s one of the best aspects of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire and stole Revolutionary Road from Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet) . Kuklinski’s directly in Shannon’s wheelhouse, yet the actor’s performance is also a revelation. He brings depths of tenderness to his scenes with Winona Ryder (as his clueless wife, Deborah); and the juxtaposition between his suburban serenity as a family man and the amorality of his violent day job makes every scene of the film rife with a nearly unbearable tension. The further he sinks into his mob wars, and the more we learn of his (non-mob) aspirations and love of family, the more we root for an unrepentant monster. That’s not an easy trick to pull off, since the violence make us recoil—it’s quick, terrifying, unsettling. There are also impressive turns by Ryder, Ray Liotta as a mob boss and an almost unrecognizable Chris Evans. Vromen turns the screws with such control that he creates his own modern mob classic.
Gothic and arty, silly and slightly kinky, Xan Cassavetes’ highly stylized Kiss of the Damned is an American-made Eurotrash vampire flick. Djuna (de la Baume) meets screenwriter Paolo (Ventimiglia) in a video store one night. She tells him she can’t be exposed to the sun, but he is smitten, and then later, bitten. When she asks him to chain her to a bed, she ‘turns him’ into a vampire during sex. This ageless couple experiences domestic bliss until the arrival of Djuna’s evil sister, Mimi (Mesquida). Cassavetes’ seductive vampire tale walks a fine line between sophistication and camp. Everyone looks so elegant, but it’s hard not to snicker when a character describes a blood cocktail as “the beluga of politically correct plasma.” Kiss of the Damned is wildly uneven. From bloody/gory horror moments to an amusing turn by Michael Rapaport as Paolo’s agent and an erotic threesome scene, Cassavetes can’t find a tone. Even the soundtrack shifts between retro ‘60s lounge and upbeat house. All the heavily accented talk about morality and humanity is likely meant to give Kiss of the Damned depth, but it’s better to just sit back and soak in the good-looking cast behaving badly.
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—Gary M. Kramer
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—Gary M. Kramer
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ENTERTAINMENT
MUSIC
!!!
Thr!!!er (Warp)
REVIEWS
It takes some balls (and Google search confusion) to name your band with three exclamation points, and to name your record after one of the most iconic of all time. But 17 years on, !!! (pronounced “chk, chk, chk”) doesn’t care if it fits into a neat and tidy box, because the music sure doesn’t. Is !!! a rock band? Can !!! funk you up? Does !!! take psychedelic drugs when making its albums? Yes, yes, and most likely, yes! Yet there’s something wholly necessary about a band that plays everything live and does it with tongue firmly planted in cheek. This is not to say the band is a joke, because there’s real musicianship, beats and melodies going on. When the formula clicks, the results are infectious (“Fine, Fine, Fine,” “When the Water’s Cold,” “One Boy, One Girl”), but when it misses, the album flounders. But check the little dancin’ anthem to our sunny state—“Californiyeah”—that’s all humpy handclaps (while it jokes about our 2 a.m. closing time). And who can resist white boys perfecting their Prince falsetto worship on a track like “Except Death,” which blossoms in to a bass-heavy, space-disco jam. And I quite like the fuzzy, White Stripes strains that inhabit the closing track, “Station (Meet Me at the).” —Paul V.
Husky Rescue
Laura Mvula
Little Boots
Miss Li Wolves (National)
No One in Control (Serpents & Snakes)
The Long Lost Friend, Husky Rescue’s fourth full-length LP, is the first the band has recorded with its new line-up, but you’d almost never be able to tell. The title of the album was inspired by Husky Rescue founder Marko Nyberg’s reconnection with old friend/new bandmate Anthony Bentley. After the success of 2010’s Ship of Light, it was a surprise that lead vocalist ReetaLeena Vestman departed, but the band has found a suitable (nearly identical) vocalist to replace her in Johanna Kalen. The album opens simply with “Restless Feet,” all swirling synthesizers and warped aching strings in the background augmenting the melody until layers upon layers of vocals take control. It’s a subtle, exquisite opener. “Under Friendly Fire” picks up the pace with an energetic drumbeat and a killer chorus, but that’s not typical. “June” is the real star of the LP. It’s a misleading, quiet little track that explodes into a distorted, insanely catchy chorus virtually out of nowhere. By the time we get to the album’s final track (and lead single) , “Tree House,” the band has done a full turnaround, presenting a warm slice of pop where they invite you to “Forget your curfew” because they are “serving fresh cupcakes and chai.” I suggest you take them up on that offer.
You’d never know it from the smooth contours of her music, but Laura Mvula must be one scrappy lady. While working as a receptionist in Birmingham, U.K., the budding singer blanketed record execs with an email blast, two demos and a request for advice. She got it in the form of an immediate record deal. Now comes the domestic release of her debut, Sing to the Moon (out now on iTunes, the physical CD out on May 14), and it’s obvious that she’s a special talent. The 24-year-old brings jazz phrasing to stark art songs and has been described as a cross between Nina Simone and Björk, which is nearly precise. Factor in pop smarts on the bouncy “Green Garden” and serious attitude on the body consciousness anthem “That’s Alright,” and she’s closer to Adele/Lianne La Havas with artsy credentials. The U.S. version cuts out the flotsam of the U.K. release (no remixes or “bonus tracks”), so it’s shorter and more effective. And even when Mvula goes off on a few moony escapades—especially on the otherworldly “Is There Anybody Out There?”—she has a rich, embracing contralto to fall back on. Not that she has to fall too far, because the lady has talent to burn.
Little Boots (aka London’s Victoria Hesketh) has been charming our ears ever since her Giorgio Moroder-inspired “Stuck on Repeat” debut single dropped in 2007. Since then, she’s been steadily honing her skills as a buzzworthy electro pop princess. “Beat Beat” just might be the perfect song to showcase those skills—it’s a lovely, sunshinesoaked blend of happy nü-disco that extols the joys of “dancing to the beat of your heart,” and its allure is undeniable. Similarly, “Every Night I Say a Prayer” is a houseified mix of ‘90s piano and stuttering vocal samples, while “Crescendo” adds a healthy, chunky bassline and a bit of an indie rock feel. Her knack for pop melodies is ace, but she also understands what gets bodies moving on the dance floor, as you’ll see with “Shake” and “Broken Record.” Vocally, Hesketh’s cotton candy, airy vocals have always reminded me of Kylie Minogue and St. Etienne’s Sarah Cracknell, with more of an upstart edge. Nocturnes was four years in the making, and with help from producers Tim Goldsworthy (LCD Soundsystem) , James Ford (Simian Mobile Disco) and Andy Butler (Hercules & Love Affair), her sophomore disc is poised for stateside seduction. With some luck, these Boots were made for stomping all over your speakers.
Miss Li is determined not to be another one of those ‘iPod commercial bands’ who sink without a trace. The Swedish singer has made a valiant effort on Wolves, her seventh (!) album in eight years. This is easily her poppiest, most commercial release to date, but that’s not to say she has sold out. Quite the contrary. While brilliant songs like “Spaceship” and “Transformer” could snugly sit between Adele and Marina and the Diamonds on just about any lady-friendly playlist, there’s more than just pipes to Miss Li. Her lyrics are subversive, slightly deranged and always funny. Imagine Fitz and the Tantrums fronted by Ellie Goulding and you’ve got an idea what this album sounds like. “Sugar Coma” is a fun scream-along break-up anthem. “Happy Birthday” introduces strings into the mix, as Miss Li growls like Siobhan Fahey at a particularly angry Shakespears Sister show. The album closes with its highlight, the epic “The Room,” as dramatic and haunting as anything Marc Almond ever recorded but with Li’s eerie, childlike voice. It’s one of many standouts. Wolves is also available as a deluxe edition, which adds nine more songs, including an awesome cover of The Sounds’ “No One Sleeps When I’m Awake.” I can’t recommend this enough.
Snowden originates from Atlanta, but the band has called Chicago, Brooklyn and now Austin its base of operations. Still, one spin of this sophomore release and you’d be forgiven if you thought they were from Norway or the U.K. This long-gestating follow-up to 2006 debut Anti-Anti is a smoother listen than that release. (You could hear the American roots in the abrasive production.) Frontman Jordan Jeffares has a softly evocative voice, and he surrounds it with beds of sustained guitars and a generally spacey ambiance. (He also has a vaguely European lilt to his phrasing—on the title track, he could be from Iceland; “So Red” might have been recorded by The Beta Band.) And though his current musical references are definitively overseas—shades of Sigur Rós, Field Mice, Joy Division, etc.—his spirit is defiantly American indie. Instead of jumping into a follow-up, he waited until he was ready. Seven years is an eternity in the accelerated pace of the indie world. Last week’s buzz band is already obsolete; half a decade removed, you’re a dinosaur. Don’t let trendchasing make you miss out here. Your old favorite could again become your new favorite indie band.
The Long Lost Friend (El Camino)
—Dominik Rothbard
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Sing to the Moon (Columbia)
—Dan Loughry
Nocturnes (On Repeat)
—Paul V.
—Dominik Rothbard
Snowden
—Dan Loughry
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THEATER REVIEWS AMERICAN BUFFALO GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE | 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood Through May 12 | geffenplayhouse.com For anyone—like me—who spent time in a New York City acting class in the 1980s, the expletive-laden “Ruthie” speech delivered by the two-bit con-man Teach in David Mamet’s seminal American Buffalo seemed ruined forever, haunted by the ghosts of myriad unskilled imitators trying to capture the neurotic magic of Al Pacino’s performance in the role. One of the many great pleasures of director Randall Arney’s splendid revival at the Geffen Playhouse is the fluidity and specificity of Ron Eldard’s exquisite rendition of the same part, making Mamet’s idiosyncratically stilted dialogue seem utterly spontaneous, and bypassing Pacino’s long shadow with a completely different interpretation that is visceral, organic, often hilarious and even a little girly.
Mamet wrote his comic drama about three pathetic bottom-feeders plotting a get-rich-quick scheme in 1975, when inflation was sky-high, New York City was bankrupt and Watergate had created a general disillusionment and cynicism across the land. The play is set, appropriately, in the subterranean junk shop run by Donny (Bill Smitrovich), a gruff but oddly avuncular fellow who has taken in the young ex-junkie Bobby (Freddy Rodriguez) as his gofer. The two of them are planning “a thing,” in which they aim to steal back a valuable buffalo-head nickel from a recent hoitytoity customer. The savvier, more aggressive Teach insinuates himself into the job, and in one long day’s journey into night, the plan explodes in their des-
PHOTO: MICHAEL LAMONT
perate, inept faces with surprisingly violent consequences. Beneath the brilliantly idiomatic speech patterns, punctuated by carefully placed vulgarity, Mamet has crafted an exploration of the American dream as singular as The Great Gatsby. Arney, who led Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company when hometown favorite Mamet was in his prime, clearly knows the territory, and his production is a glorious reminder of what the writer was capable of at the height of his powers. Status is a huge issue in this penny-ante triangle, and Smitrovich barks and backs off with equal parts power and grace. Rodriguez is a revelation, looking like a strung-out Billie Joe Armstrong and inhabiting the dimwitted Bobby so fully that he can make
a monosyllabic response seem like a monologue. There is both an ease and a tension among the three characters—no small feat—that serves the circumstances and mines every bit of conflict and humor in Mamet’s expert script. Takeshi Kata’s overstuffed set is perfect, even as it gets destroyed every night, and Daniel Ionazzi’s lights establish the grimy mood. Chrisi KarvonidesDushenko’s costumes are never better than when Eldard’s magnificently cheesy Teach dons his brown vinyl coat for a final exit. Like Donny’s titular nickel, this Geffen production is a treasure you will be desperate to get back once it slips out of your hands. Don’t miss it. —Christopher Cappiello
FALLING FOR MAKE BELIEVE COLONY THEATRE | 555 N. Third St., Burbank Through May 19 | colonytheatre.org Mark Saltzman’s debut bio-musical, Falling for Make Believe, incorporates a rich catalog of classic show tunes into a flavorful showbiz tale, surveying the teaming of two legendary songwriters— lyricist Lorenz Hart (1895-1943) and composer Richard Rodgers (1902-79). It’s a highly promising piece that would benefit from smoother narrative focus. Saltzman’s book offers a bittersweet snapshot of the iconic partnership between the two prodigious talents. Among their greatest works for stage and/or screen are On Your Toes, Babes in Arms, The Boys from Syracuse, and Pal Joey. Inspired by certain biographical facts, the book combines fictional elements and characters with real-life characters and events. Saltzman largely focuses on Hart’s struggle to come out of the closet in the repressive 1920s-40s, and his selfdestructive descent into alcoholism and early death. Also examined to a degree is the sometimes stormy relationship between these collaborators, exacerbated by Hart’s crippling personal demons. The narrative ends with Rodgers 58
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beginning his first of many immortal collaborations with Oscar Hammerstein II, on Oklahoma!, and Hart’s untimely demise. The show offers an appealing blend of timelessly enchanting music with a startling glimpse at the perils of being gay and forging a show business career in pre-liberation decades. However, the colorful milieu of Broadway glamour during the Jazz Age, mixed with the tragic elements of Lorenz’ life, occasionally makes for an awkward amalgam of tones. Saltzman and director Jim Fall should pursue ways to more smoothly integrate the dark edges with the ebullient trappings of a peppy musical. Better integration of the myriad narrative threads into a more cohesive progression would also be a plus. Nonetheless, the parade of 21 vintage songs from the master team is irresistible, under the sublime helm of musical director Keith Harrison and a four-member band. “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered,” ”My Funny Valentine,” “This Can’t Be Love” are a few of the evergreen highlights.
PHOTO: MICHAEL LAMONT
The production, reviewed during a preview performance, benefits from the fine efforts of six actor-singers. Tyler Milliron narrates and appealingly plays the fictional Fletcher Mecklin, an aspiring performer who has come to the big city and catches the fancy of Hart (Ben D. Goldberg). He initially auditions for him, later shares a jail cell with him and eventually has a torrid affair with him. Goldberg (as Hart) and Brett Ryback (as Rodgers) are in splendid voice and deliver creditable portrayals. Jeffrey Landman is appropriately sleazy as
another real-life character, dentist-turnedagent Doc Bender, and savors a stellar rendition of “This Can’t Be Love.” Megan Moran is effective in several small roles, including Rodgers’ wife Dorothy. Rebecca Ann Johnson makes the most of the supporting role of actress-singer Vivian Ross, particularly in her terrific take on “The Lady is a Tramp.” This enjoyable and inventive new musical—which at times recalls the Cole Porter biopic De-Lovely—deserves the time it needs to work out its rough edges. —Les Spindle
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TALE OF A CLASSY & CLASSIC GUY The world is just days away from the 15th anniversary of the death of one of Earth's greatest entertainers— arguably the greatest vocalist of alltime, Frank Sinatra. He passed on May 14, 1998. He was just 82, but he lived a rough, tough and tumbled life. His 82 was like 112 to you and me. His wife Barbara was at Morton's with friends when Old Blue Eyes went ill yet again. He had been sick for weeks. She rushed to his side and saw him briefly before he passed. He died in room 8016 of the VIP section of Cedars. The night he passed, the Empire State Building in New York City was bathed in blue in honor of "The Chairman of the Board.” I idolized Frank Sinatra. I had never witnessed anything like that swagger and that command onstage. I watched and studied him at least 20 times live and could not get enough. Even in his Teleprompter years, when he had a tough time remembering lyrics he had sung for 50 years, he was simply magnificent— his phrasing, his style, his class. There was not a soul on Earth like him. YouTube The Main Event, a live ABC TV special, and see if you don't agree. One day, sitting in Malibu, my kid came in and said Barbara Sinatra is on the phone. What? This was a joke! But it wasn't. Frank's wife was on the line to ask me to help produce her husband’s 80th birthday party and make it a benefit for a charity I chaired, AIDS Project Los Angeles. I was blown away. Two hours later, I was just up the coast a mile for dinner at 30966 Broad Beach to discuss Mr. Sinatra's birthday with Mr. and Mrs. Frank Sinatra. What a trip. I sat with Barbara to talk about a TV show for his big day. I had lots of ideas. In strolls Frank without his toupee, draped in a silk bathrobe. He looks at me and says, “Are you a fag?” I said, “Yes, Mr. Sinatra.” He smiles that smile and says, “Good, I like fags.” That was it. I was more in love with my idol than I ever thought possible. This all started with Barbara Davis. She is an HIV angel. Marvin and Bar-
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bara Davis were amazing. These two were opulent royalty. Marvin was big in every way—big in oil, big in entertainment. He once owned 20th Century Fox, the Beverly Hills Hotel, Pebble Beach and all of Aspen. Marvin was also big in girth. His security guys would bring his own chair into restaurants so he could fit. Moments before Marvin would arrive at Spago or Morton's or Le Dome, his chair would arrive. I'm not making this up. Barbara Davis is a spitfire. She takes no prisoners. When Marvin passed in 2004, she sold their Beverly Hills home for $46 million and moved into the Beverly Hills Hotel. Barbara was once complaining to me about her Bentley. She said she just “didn't trust it,” so she had her security staff follow her in a Bentley “chase car” in case hers broke down. You can't make this stuff up. When Barbara Sinatra told Barbara Davis she was thinking about a TV show for her husband's 80th birthday, Ms. Davis said, “If you don't do it with APLA and Dana Miller, you are a fool.” Wow, ‘nuff said. Ms. Davis is how I ended up on Broad Beach Road with my idol, and at their place at 915 Foothill in Beverly Hills. She pushed the Sinatras to AIDS, and there was not one bit of resistance. Frank Sinatra had always fought prejudice and intolerance. He insisted Vegas let blacks play the big rooms and get to stay there or he wouldn't. He was always about civil rights. I think it’s important to remember he also cared about us. We taped Mr. Sinatra's 80th birthday party for ABC at the Shrine Auditorium next to USC. Bono, Springsteen, Dylan—everyone I asked showed up. Frank drank brown stuff all night from a bar we built in the front row for him. As he got up to leave, he was hammered, but looked at me and said, “You are my favorite fag in the world”— nothing meant by it but love—and it still today makes me cry.
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MY STYLE FROM A TO Z, PART 2 I’m a drag queen, so any advice I give on style should be taken with a grain of sel de mer. But if you like things chunky, funky and punky, then I’m your girl. If you cringe upon hearing the phrase “less is more,” sit next to me. If you think tacky ‘n’ tasteless can go full-circle and become sassy ‘n’ stunning, read on! These are the 26 things I am currently obsessed with. (Find Part 1 at FrontiersLA.com.) 99-CENTS-ONLY STORES. There are simply things for which I refuse to pay more than one dollar. Condoms and home pregnancy tests are not two of them. ORIENTAL. Notice I did not say “Asian.” No. Good, old-fashioned midcentury “Oriental”! And the less authentic the better. Can you say “ching chongery”? PICKLES. Anything drowned in vinegar brine is delicious. My current favorite is Japanese pickled cucumbers that are bursting with umami, mommy! QUIET. I love watching television, listening to music, talking, laughing and, of course, singing! But there is nothing more lovely than silence—especially in a bathtub full of hot water. RECORDS. I know it seems a bit obvious, but I really do feel a great affection for vinyl records. It’s so exciting to find an old record—in such great shape it appears to have never been played—at a garage sale or thrift store. My favorites are Reader’s Digest collections of Easy Listening. And I always put on one of my mother’s old records by Eydie Gorme or Vikki Carr when I clean the house. SOLANGE KNOWLES. I just assumed she was Beyoncé’s younger, less-talented sister. I was wrong. TURQUOISE. The color and the semiprecious stone. Anything in this amazing color is special and magical and mystical. UGLY. Never underestimate the power of ugly. Just as there is a fine line between crying and laughing, the difference between ugly and gorgeous is often the angle or
the lighting. To be truly beautiful, one must allow themselves to be hideous. VINTAGE. Clothing, accessories, knickknacks, kitchenware, etc. When I perform out of town, I always try to go thrift store shopping. Los Angeles and New York City? Picked over by every hipster in town. Pittsburgh or St. Louis? Happy treasure hunting! WOMEN. I will never understand men who don’t love women. Women are amazing. I always gravitate towards “female energy.” I love women so much that I spend the better part of my life emulating them. X-RATED MOVIES. I love porn. Does that make me a bad person? No. But perhaps the fact that I have entered the word “terrorist” into the search engine on XTube.com does. YMA SUMAC. If you are not familiar with this exotic Peruvian singer, do yourself a favor and get some of her music. With a range of close to five octaves, she can sound like an angelic bird one moment and a demon with emphysema the next. I am so proud to own some of her gorgeous costume jewelry, a few of her fabulous old kaftans and one showstopping kimono she no doubt bought while in Japan. ZBORNACK, DOROTHY. Last but by no means least, we have the character on The Golden Girls played by the one and only Bea Arthur. Dorothy had it all— toughness, vulnerability and double shoulder pads. She could silently slay you by simply raising one of her owl-like eyebrows and throwing you daggers. Thank you for being a friend. M AY 1 4 , 2 0 1 3
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“Let me tell you this about The View: I take a paycheck every other week. That's all I do. I could give a shit what comes. I do my job—I have a contract. That's where I stand. I don't give a f*ck.” —Whoopi Goldberg answers questions about who could replace Joy Behar or, for that matter, Elisabeth Hasselbeck.
Randy Jones, Billy Masters and Richard Jay-Alexander
I've hosted tons of Pride festivals— from Stonewall 25 in NYC to L.A. Pride's 40th anniversary and everything in between (including my duties last week at Miami Beach Gay Pride). And now I get to help commemorate another landmark—I'll be helming the 30th anniversary celebration of Long Beach Pride on May 18 and 19. What makes it even better is that the weekend is filled with performances by a number of my good friends—including a full concert by Fantasia and her band on Saturday night. On Sunday, the lineup consists of alumni from American Idol and The Voice, including David Hernandez, Kimberly Caldwell, Paris Bennett, Frenchie Davis, Beverly McClellan and Jamar Rogers. You can get more info and a complete schedule at LongBeachPride.com. The night before I left L.A. for my duties at Miami Beach Gay Pride, I attended the 29th annual S.T.A.G.E. benefit, Broadway My Way. The Southland Theatre Artists Goodwill Event brought in close to $300K for AIDS Project Los Angeles. Aside from the money raised, my spirits were certainly buoyed by some unforgettable performances, all under John McDaniel's expert direction. Bruce Vilanch brought down the house in a pink tutu for “At the Ballet” from A Chorus Line; Florence Henderson donned leather gear for “When You're Good To Mama” from Chicago; Shirley Jones and son Patrick Cassidy did a lovely tribute to The Music Man; plus there was Carole Cook and her bass drum, which never disappoint. Special mention must be paid to Tyne Daly, whose rendition of “Rose's Turn” surpassed even her own (extremely high) standards. Clay Aiken's fans are known for 62
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being very devoted. But one particular Claymate has taken it a bit far. Barbara Saylor from Seattle likes to travel wherever Clay is appearing—and a few places where he's not. Last week, she was arrested for misdemeanor stalking and first-degree trespassing after turning up at his North Carolina home. Allegedly she snuck into his gated community, climbed a fence and shimmied up the side of his house to peek in the window. That's an awful lot of activity for a 57-year-old. I'm exhausted just reading it. But when you put it into perspective, Clay got off easy. Hugh Jackman's stalker was arrested after throwing pubic hair on him! Reportedly Kathleen Thurston slipped into NYC's Gotham Gym and made her way to where Jackman was working out. She then allegedly reached into her waistband to pull something out, which Jackman thought was a gun. Instead, what Thurston produced was a disposable razor covered in what is assumed to be her pubic hair. (I suppose we'll have to wait till the razor comes back from forensics.) She screamed, “I love you!” as she threw the hair-encrusted razor at Jackman, which is probably a mating ritual in some cultures. Why he had her arrested is anyone's guess. In an oddly related story, an anticircumcision group protested some Canadian appearances by Oprah Winfrey. Apparently, Winfrey has endorsed an anti-aging cream that uses cells reproduced from human foreskin. Who knew that contact with foreskin erases the ravages of time from one's face? Maybe that's why Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian look so refreshed. The founder of the Canadian Foreskin
Clay Aiken
Awareness Project (I'm not making this up) says, “How would Oprah respond if a skin cream for men hit the market that was made using cells from the genitalia of little girls?” Well, Oprah, how would you feel? Personally, I'd feel a little nauseated. I go back a long way with James Duke Mason—since before he was born. That's because I not only knew his mom, Belinda Carlisle, before she had him— I knew her before she even met his dad, Morgan Mason (son of legendary actor James Mason) . And now James is turning 21. Where did the time go? Most of my readers know him as an outspoken political activist and as an up-and-coming actor (a teaser for his film Disappear Here can be found on BillyMasters.com). But to me, he's family. Although I can't be in L.A. for the celebrations, he's always in my heart. Beating the odds, designer Marc Jacobs and former porn star (and rentboy) Harry Louis are still together. They just spent Marc's 50th birthday exactly where they spent his 49th birthday—on Ipanema Beach in Rio. (We'll post the pics on BillyMasters.com) While I'm not sure of Harry's current professional aspirations, Jacobs continues to surprise us. He just made his acting debut in Disconnect, playing the role of a porn baron. I had no idea those of us in pornadjacent fields are entitled to titles. If I have a choice, I'd like to be called Grand Duchess! Back to Jacobs—he plays the leader of an internet porn ring that helps runaways in exchange for explicit footage. Sounds like he's spent half a century researching this role. If it were set in Rome, this could all tie together nicely. Legendary gay porn star Jeff Stryker recently made quite a startling revelation. While being interviewed for a documentary about Falcon Studios' founder Chuck Holmes, he admitted that when he shot his first three films, he was unable to, er, perform. “My first three movies—the close-ups weren't my dick. They used a thing called a stunt dick.” Of course, this begs the question, who was performing this “stunt”?
Our “Ask Billy” question is from Jarrod in San Francisco: “I heard that [porn star] Brent Corrigan has been having some health problems and was even rushed to a hospital emergency room. Is he OK? What happened?” Sean Paul Lockhart (Brent's real name) was rushed to the hospital thinking his appendix had burst. As it turns out, he had a bacterial infection, which was exacerbated by dehydration and exhaustion. I ran into him shortly after his ER visit and he told Brent Corrigan
me, “The problem is I just work too hard.” Sean was in the midst of filming Triple Crossed, which he also acted in and directed. He then had two days off before starting his next movie, The Dark Place. No wonder he's exhausted. When I checked in to see how he was doing, he said, “You can't wait for life and work to file neatly into place. Sometimes you just have to take what's thrown at you, even if it's all coming at you at once. I'm just thrilled I'm acting and directing.” You can keep tabs on him at Sean-Paul-Lockhart.com. It's definitely time to end yet another column. Sean/Brent is already producing, directing and acting in his own films. I'm sure he's got a hand in writing them, too. If he would just sing the theme song, he could be the gay Barbra Streisand! Never mind, we've already got Tyler Perry. And you've got me at BillyMasters.com, the site that is a triple threat. If you've got a question, drop a note to Billy@BillyMasters.com and I promise to get back to you before Sean makes a cameo in the next Madea flick! So, until next time, remember, one man's filth is another man's Bible.
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Queersay DICK PIX How many times have we heard this story: Boy applies for job as a production assistant on a crappy reality TV show. Boy goes in for interview. Boss is a creepy collagen-lipped, pulled-too-tight, far-too-tan hot mess of a mid-50s homosexual. Boy pretends to flirt with Boss, because he really needs the job. Boss makes it clear that Boy will get the job because he's “just so damn adorable.” They exchange numbers. Boss gets hammered and texts Boy not one or two or three—14—pictures of his barely five-inch schlong. Yes, folks, it's a done-to-death Hollywood sob story. Young boys try to get ahead by flashing a million-dollar smile, while old men in power try to get head from smiling, young boys. It's a symbiotic, homosexual give-and-take that'll always be an essential part of getting ahead (sometimes literally) in Tinseltown. And that's exactly what happened last week to one of my hottest blonde bottom BFFs when he applied for his barely minimum wage job on a big-three network, top-rated reality singing competition show. (Now, while I could give you names, email addresses and show times, I'm keeping tight-lipped on this one, because frankly, I freelance on the exact same show and don't want to get the designer boot!) Instead I'll let the boyish BFF do the talking. He tells us: “I was horrified. This wasn't like a Craigslist job or something. This was a totally legit interview where I had to go in, dress up, bring a résumé, get my parking validated and everything! Yeah, in this business you expect to flirt a little— and sometimes it's even fun—but come on! I wake up at 2 a.m. to 14 pics of gut flab and blue balls. No, thank you! Sick, sick, sick!” Needless to say, Blondie still took the job and now he's not-so-happily working on the lot six days a week for $8.65 an hour. “I have to get this creepy guy's coffee every morning,” my friend says. “And he really gets off on looking me in the eye and asking for heavy, heavy cream.” Milky euphemisms and iPhone porn—the stuff that Hollywood dreams are made of!
PETCO HO Anyone who knows me knows I’m a pet fanatic. Why, if I wasn't so damn beautiful, you might go as far as to say that I’m a creepy, queer cat lady. With two Persian cats, a Pomeranian Yorkie puppy, a grandfathered-in walking turtle and two birds, my WeHo home is a true Noah's Ark. (Minus the men coming and/or cumming two-by-two, of course. It's been a dry spell as of late, but I digress.) As is the case after many a Sunday full of far too many Abbey mojitos, I found myself at the WeHo Petco, splurging on a few summer wardrobe essentials for my four-legged babies. Needless to say, people are quite friendly in the 'Co—men constantly bending over to kiss each others' bitches and compliment each others' pussies. However, things went a little too far when I was approached by an ancient Irish bear daddy in a kilt last weekend. At first, Kilt Man was quite pleasant, complimenting my fashionable taste in doggie onesies and cat hats. But when he invited me to “take his snake for a walk”— yes, folks, that's an actual quote!—and lifted his checkered skirt to show me his underwear that wasn't there.—well, let's just say I went limp with disgust. I'm not saying every leprechaun lookalike in buckled shoes and a short manskirt is a total perv, but I am saying this: Drop me your at If a Geppetto clone comes up behind you dirty little secrets m. .co and mutters “Is that a bone in your basket queersay@hotmail r give ve I ne And don't worry, oat! or are you just happy to see me?” roundup my deep thr about Doheny and Santa Monica Bouleto go y, rsa ee Qu re For mo vard, close your eyes and play dead. .com/Queersay. FrontiersLA
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MENINGITIS IN WEHO NOT LINKED TO NYC CASES
WEHO CELEBRATES SENIOR MONTH IN MAY BY PAULO MURILLO The city of West Hollywood is celebrating seniors in the month of May with several activities and events. Senior Month will include a Senior Awards Luncheon, Senior Health Fair, Senior Advisory Board Meeting, special lectures and much more. Senior Month starts with a lecture on Thursday, May 2, 2 p.m. (translated to Russian at 3 p.m.), at Plummer Park, Room 2. L.A. Opera League member Tanya Len will discuss Giacomo Puccini’s masterpiece Tosca: A Tragic Tale of Love and Loss. Admission is free. Call (323) 8761717 for more information. The 12th Annual Senior Awards Luncheon will take place on Wednesday, May 6, 11 a.m., at the House of Blues. Outstanding members in the senior community will be honored. Admission is $5. Call (323) 876-1717 for more information. The 12th Annual Senior Health Fair will take place on Wednesday, May 22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Com-
munity Center at Plummer Park. There will be free health screenings and presentations from over 40 community organizations. Admission is free. Lunch is also complimentary for those who RSVP in advance. Please call (323) 848-6820 to RSVP. A walking tour through the Harper Avenue Historic District will take place on Thursday, May 23. A tour bus will leave at 10 a.m. from the parking lot at Fountain and Vista. Courtyard apartments from the 1920s and ‘30s that were homes to many Hollywood stars will be visited. Admission is $2. Call (323) 876-1717 for more information. Senior Month concludes on Wednesday, May 29, with a Senior Advisory Board Meeting and Reception starting at 2 p.m. at the City Council Chambers in the West Hollywood Library. There will be a presentation on a recently completed community study. The event is free. Call (323) 848-6510 for more information. To read more about Senior Month, visit weho.org.
HOW DO YOU THINK WEST HOLLYWOOD FARES WHEN IT COMES TO SENIORS? “I think this city supports everyone, including seniors. Despite West Hollywood having a reputation as a party city with all the bars and so forth, the city has some pretty quiet and peaceful neighborhoods. I could see my grandparents living in a city like this.” —Drew Lapouraille
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“It’s a great city for seniors. In terms of beauty, West Hollywood is extremely scenic. Having pedestrianfriendly sidewalks allows people to be outside and enjoy the weather. The city offers a lot of activities through its community center. It’s safe. And the people here appreciate their senior neighbors.” —Rick Galiher
Health officials have stated the recent meningitis case which took the life of a 33-year-old West Hollywood resident is not connected to a strain found in New York City, where 22 cases were reported with 7 fatalities. According to a Los Angeles County Department of Health press release, “Public Health has not identified any other cases of meningococcal disease associated with this patient, nor identified any linkage between this patient and cases being reported in other areas of the country.” Officials hope to suppress fears and put to rest questions about whether the fatal case of meningitis found in Los Angeles is connected to New York cases— especially after the public learned that two other men had died from meningitis in Southern California back in December 2012. WeHo Councilmember John Duran continues to advocate prevention through vaccination. “Someone will die of meningitis in the next three months, and it won't be one of the 3,000 who were recently vaccinated,” he told media outlets. Although health officials feel there is no need for alarm, AHF continues to offer free vaccinations for those who choose to be immunized. For information about AHF’s meningitis vaccine program, call Michael Zimmerman, Program Manager at (323) 4368900 ext. 5819 or visit aidshealthcare.org.
SPEAK OUT “If I could live any place in the world, I would still choose West Hollywood. I have lived here since 1966. People are the most generous, the most kind and considerate. The climate is nice. The 911 response is fast, and the services from City Hall are excellent.” —Ed Young
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ORANGE COUNTY
OC RAISES MONEY FOR ITS DAY IN THE SUN BY GREG HERNANDEZ The Orange County Pride festival doesn't take place until Aug. 10, but organizers are hard at work raising money for the event. On Saturday, May 11, they will hold the 2013 OC Pride Silent Auction and Reception, which is its biggest fundraiser of the year. “It is a free festival to the public, so we rely heavily on our fundraiser,” says Anna Barvir-Boone, President of Orange County LGBT Pride. Auction items range from a cabana package at the Pacific Edge Hotel in Laguna Beach for 10 people to a “Cake of the Month” from local bakery Tasteful Cakes, which is donating a year's worth of cakes to the winning bidder. “There are also smaller items, like tickets to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach and to local sporting events and comedy clubs,” Barvir-Boone says. “We also have many people who have donated their services for things like photography and hairstyling for people to bid on.” The event will feature a DJ and local drag performers, as well as hors d'oeuvres, desserts, wine and beer. The location of the event is a private home in Santa Ana, and the address is provided upon RSVP to president@prideOC.com. Tickets can be purchased in advance at prideoc.com. Advance tickets are $10, while tickets at the door will cost $15. Although the first Orange County Pride festival took place in 1989, the event was absent from the calendar for several years until it was relaunched after the passage of California’s Proposition 8 by the Orange County Equality Coalition. That first year back, in the summer of 2009, OC Pride returned with a picnic in 66
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the park and had an attendance of over 500 people. The next two summers, the event was held at Hidden Valley in Irvine (by Verizon Amphitheatre) with over 3,000 people in attendance. It had grown to include a main stage of entertainers and speakers, a dance tent, a kids corner and more than 80 booths and vendors. Last year the festival relocated to Downtown Santa Ana and had attendance of more than 10,000 people. It returns there this year. “It's a fun way to end your summer,” says Barvir-Boone. “I think Orange County has a unique identity. We are in our fifth year. We are a smaller festival than most of the Prides in the Southern California area.” The festival takes place on Fourth Street in front of the Ronald Reagan Federal Building. Reagan had just left office in 1989 when the previous incarnation of Pride was launched amid strong pushback from conservatives in Orange County. There was a clash between attendees and anti-LGBT forces that led to police ordering organizers to lock the gate to the festival grounds for half an hour after the brawl. Police had considered shutting the event down early but ultimately decided to let it continue as scheduled for the rest of the day. Festival organizer Janet Avery took to the stage on that day and told the crowd, “We came here to celebrate. If you have a friend who is not here to celebrate, please get them in the mood. This is our day in the sun.” In honor of that speech, this year's Pride celebration theme is “Our Day in the Sun.” Says Barvir-Boone, “We've come a long, long way. Obviously there's still a long way to go.”
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LONG BEACH
Fantasia Barrino
LONG BEACH PRIDE CELEBRATES 3 DECADES BY GREG HERNANDEZ This year's Long Beach Gay & Lesbian Pride Parade and Festival celebrates an impressive milestone—its 30th anniversary. Among the musical acts at this year's festival, to be held May 18 and 19, is Grammy winner Fantasia Barrino, who was involved in controversy earlier this year when she seemed to be slamming gay marriage in an online rant. Barrino, who won the third season of American Idol, attempted to clear up the controversy in a series of statements, saying, “The LGBT community has been, and still are to date, my biggest supporters.” Festival organizers are taking her at her word and welcoming her with open arms as the final act on the main stage on opening day. “As we went through the selection process, we were glad that Fantasia was available to be part of our 30th Pride celebration,” says festival board member Frank Rubio. “We feel that her statement was taken out of context and [she] has and continues to be supported by our community.” Also expected to perform are three former American Idol finalists—David Hernandez, Kimberly Caldwell and Paris Bennett—as well as three former finalists on The Voice—Frenchie Davis, Beverly McClellan and Jamar Rogers. The festival takes place along Shoreline Drive and includes seven large dance areas, including a main stage. Last year, approximately 80,000 people attended the twoday event. Tickets are $20 at the gate with no pre-sale tickets available. At the beginning of the second day of the festival, the Pride parade will be held along Ocean Boulevard. Organizers say about 50,000 people are expected to line
the parade route. The parade starts at Lindero Avenue and ends at Alamitos Avenue. “The first year, we had about 20-25 entries. We are very proud to see how it has grown over the years,” says parade cofounder Bob Crow. “I couldn't have imagined what an impact the parade and festival would have on our community when we first started.” This year, parade entries range from elected officials, local businesses and bars to nonprofit organizations, all showing their support for issues that effect the LGBT community, from marriage equality to human rights. The timing of the 30th anniversary parade comes as California's Proposition 8, a ban on gay marriage passed by voters in 2008, is being challenged in the U.S. Supreme Court and could possibly be overturned. Rubio says, “We have always tried to use our Pride celebration and parade to help champion the issues that are paramount to our community.” The parade will kick off at 10:30 a.m. The review stand is located across from Bixby Park, and handicapped parking and viewing is available at Junipero and Ocean. Other parking can be found at Long Beach Convention Center, 400 East Seaside Way. At parade central at Bixby Park, located at Ocean Boulevard at Cherry Avenue, there are some pre-parade activities beginning at 9:30 a.m. In addition to interactive crowd games and high-energy live music, The Rainbow Run awards will be held at 9:30 a.m., followed by a pre-parade show at 10:15 a.m. starring Hamburger Mary's Brunchettes. Find more information at longbeachpride.com. M AY 1 4 , 2 0 1 3
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COACHELLA VALLEY UNFAZED BY MENINGITIS SCARE BY JAMES F. MILLS The threat of a meningitis outbreak may have caused a scare in the Los Angeles area in mid-April, but the Coachella Valley doesn’t seem to be as alarmed. The Desert AIDS Project at 1695 Sunrise Way is offering a free meningitis vaccine to those requesting it, regardless of HIV status. As of press time, DAP has only given 42 shots. That compares to almost 3,400 given by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation in Los Angeles. “We’re happy to provide the meningitis vaccine,” reported Barry Dayton, DAP’s director of marketing and communication. “We’re monitoring this situation closely, but this doesn’t seem to be a regional outbreak.” The scare started on April 12 when news came that West Hollywood resident Brett Shaad had died from bacterial meningitis. Initial reports suggested
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Shaad contracted meningitis after attending the White Party in Palm Springs over Easter weekend. However, later reports said that while Shaad was in Palm Springs for part of the March 2931 weekend, he did not attend White Party. “It is likely that if anyone attended the White Party and came in contact with someone with meningitis, they would have become seriously ill by now,” said Dr. Homayoon Khanlou, DAP’s medical director. “Each day that goes by without an identified case of bacterial meningitis should greatly decrease the anxiety of the community.” Meningitis is spread through oral secretions, primarily coughing, sneezing or kissing. It is not spread through sexual contact. The symptoms of meningitis include sudden fever, headache, nausea and vomiting, muscle pains, confusion and
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sensitivity to light. The average incubation period is four to seven days, 10 at the maximum. If a person is showing symptoms, meningitis can be treated with antibiotics if identified quickly. In addition to Shaad’s death, two other gay men (one in Los Angeles, one in San Diego) died from meningitis in December 2012, but those seem to be isolated cases. No cases have been reported in Riverside County according to officials from the Eisenhower Medical Center. “Since local health officials are not yet convinced there is an outbreak in Southern California, it is hard to say if our local community is at risk, so we are proceeding with caution,” said Gary Costa, Executive Director of the LGBT Community Center of the Desert. Costa said the choice to get the meningitis vaccine is up to each person. Adults 55 years old or younger who are HIV-negative need one injection. People who are HIV-positive need two injections, spaced eight weeks apart. The vaccine is good for five years. Adults over 55 years old must get a different vaccine, although one equally effective. One or two doses are needed, 70
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depending on HIV status. “If someone is planning to travel to New York City, we do recommend they get the vaccine, because there is an outbreak there,” said Costa. Los Angeles County Public Health officials report that the strain of bacterial meningitis that Shaad died from is not connected to the strain in New York City, where state health officials are recommending the vaccine for all gay men. desertaidsproject.org
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PARTY UNDER THE STARS BY JAMES F. MILLS Singer Cyndi Lauper showed her “true colors” when she agreed to serve as the headliner at this year’s Evening Under the Stars gala fundraiser benefiting the AIDS Assistance Program. A tireless fighter for gay and HIV/AIDS causes, Lauper was approached by AAP officials ages ago. When the “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” singer learned it was an AIDS fundraiser, she instantly agreed, even though at the time she didn’t know what else would be on her schedule. And 2013 is turning out to be a busy year for Lauper between her reality series, Still So Unusual, and the opening of the Broadway musical Kinky Boots, for which she composed the music. “Booking entertainment is always difficult—they’re usually reluctant to commit too far in advance because they might get another gig for more money,” explains Mark Anton, executive director of the agency, which provides grocery vouchers to low-income people living with HIV/AIDS. “Cyndi has been so terrific. People have offered her other gigs for more money, but because she’s so committed, she told them no.” Antiques Roadshow host Mark Walberg adds to the evening’s star power by serving as emcee. Walberg, who previously hosted AAP’s Dance for Life event, also readily agreed. “Mark’s the nicest guy,” reports 72
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Anton. “The audience always loves him and the energy he brings to the entire venue, so it’s a joy to have him back.” First held in 1994, Evening Under the Stars started as a backyard party with about 30 people and just kept growing and evolving. Now it’s so popular that it’s been called the “jewel of the desert’s fundraising and social season.” “It’s just a magical evening,” Anton says of the party, which generally raises a third of AAP’s annual budget. “People love being outdoors and being with their friends and being able to party. It’s the last big event of the season.” Since this is the gala’s 20th anniversary, AAP intends to outdo itself. “Partygoers can expect an entirely new and exciting experience at this year’s Evening Under the Stars,” says Anton. “It’s being reimagined by the creative geniuses Larry Abel and Raymond McCallister of Socialize Palm Springs. I can’t give away any secrets, but if you’ve attended in previous years, get ready for surprises in every aspect of what promises to be a spectacular event.” Evening Under the Stars takes place Saturday, May 11, on the O’Donnell Golf Course. Cocktails start at 5:30 p.m.; dinner and the awards show at 7; and Lauper takes the stage around 9. aidsassistance.org
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The recent cases of meningitis in New York and Los Angeles have raised very interesting questions about how homophobia works in terms of the delivery of health care. Being homosexual is not just a sexual orientation; it is the way that we live. Our sexuality is an integral part of who we are and has huge ramifications for our health. Can a doctor properly diagnose a person’s risk for particular diseases without knowing what type of sexual practices they engage in? What infections or symptoms will be overlooked on the assumption that everyone is straight? What roles do shame and embarrassment play in late diagnosis of everything from HIV to colon cancer? Is the anus of a man who gets f*cked exactly the same as one who does not? The entire medical system does a poor job of sexual health. Most doctors do not take a sexual history, and they do not encourage their patients to speak openly about their sexuality. Diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases are spotty, and patients often go untreated for long periods of time. This leads to medical complications and the spread of disease. Public expenditures for STDs are pathetic, with the basic attitude being that you deserve what you get if you are sexually active. In these recent cases of meningitis, which the Los Angeles County Public Health Department does not consider an outbreak, they only recently started to ask the sexual orientation of patients. They say that they were worried about a backlash if the question was asked. Overall, my sense is that the community as a whole doesn't mind this question being asked if the
positions there. Part of it is the ‘ick factor.’ Talking about bathhouses, porn, Grindr and The Slammer grosses them out. At the end of the day, we have to provide the leadership in promoting health in our own community. If we wait for government, they will not come WITH MICHAEL WEINSTEIN until it is too late. President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) What we saw in the reaction of AIDS president@aidshealth.org — aidshealth.org Healthcare Foundation and Councilman PHOTO: GREG GORMAN John Duran of West Hollywood is the community putting itself on alert, offering a vaccine and educating about risk. What did the county do? They hid the information, parsed their words and told us we were over-reacting. Just because we are suspicious alternative is misdiagnosis or not alerting the commudoesn't mean that we aren't actually being misled. nity when a public health threat to gay men does exist. There are too many examples of medical scandals Every person who gets a publicly funded HIV test is from the Tuskeegee Experiment that targeted black not only asked who they have sex with but what drugs men with syphilis to the early handling of the AIDS they partake in. No one objects to that. epidemic to make us trust easily. There are still many But I do believe that public officials don't underquestions that have not been answered regarding the stand our community and don't wish to do so. It is underecent group of meningitis cases. For example, why niable that gay men have more sexual partners on have 31 percent of the cases over the last period been average than straight men. I find it a little comical that in homosexual men, which is a far higher amount people are saying meningitis is not sexually transmitted. that their percentage of the whole population of Los Call me old-fashioned, but I thought sex involved kissing. Angeles County? The answers may reassure us or Public health is highly specific to individual communinot. But we have a right to be fully informed and to ties, and the lack of information about how we live and be part of planning the strategy to fight this and every love handicaps officials in spotting health trends that other disease that affects us. affect us. The uglier side of all of this is institutional homoPart of the problem with the Los Angeles County phobia. The devaluation of our lives causes government Public Health Department’s response to this and other to give less importance to our health needs, and only situations is that there are no gay men in high-level we can do something to remedy that.
HOMOPHOBIA AND HEALTH
The opinions of this column do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Frontiers magazine.
I balanced the glider on my shoulders, adjusting for the breeze blowing into the launch ramp. Sylmar and Burbank hung gauzy in the blue-gray distance, a glint of the Pacific far beyond. I could just make out the landing zone— a seemingly tiny strip of open ground down in the valley two miles off and a couple thousand feet below. My instructor, Andy, was hooked in behind me—it had been 15 years since my last solo mountain flight, and hang gliding isn’t something you just jump back into after so long. “Ready?” Andy asked. “Ready!” We walk-jog-bounded down the ramp and off into the air. Nicolas Cage once called hang gliding “probably the most beautiful thing a man can do,” and he’ll get no argument from me. Have you ever had a dream where you’re soaring like a hawk? That’s what it’s like. So what does hang gliding have to do with recovery? Like any sport, hobby or diversion, the answer can be “plenty.” When you’re doing something you love, you’re totally in the moment. There’s no room for anything else. Spiraling skyward in a booming thermal, Andy
BY PETER DELVECCHIO
FLY AGAIN shouting instructions in my ear, nothing between us and the brown scrubby ridge below but a thousand feet of empty, there ain’t nothing in my head but the flying. Work? Worries? Drugs? None of that even exists, and here’s the thing—the less time thinking about poison the better. It’s a simple idea—replace a toxic obsession with a healthy pursuit. It doesn’t have to be anything as out there as hang gliding. Look into your past. Isn’t there something you were once passionate about? It’s still there waiting for you. Go back! Pick it up again! Or find something new. There’s no shortage of activities in the community, from gay bowling leagues to volunteer opportunities. Project Angel Food and the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center can
always use a hand, for example. It doesn’t really matter what it is. As my dear friend Liliane Quon McCain, a therapist with long experience in addiction, says, “Just find something that puts a smile on your face!” Liliane also stresses there are other benefits besides simple diversion. A new or resumed activity will get you out of the environment and away from the people your mind associates with drugs, into a clean space with new, clean friends. Also, she explains, any group activity or volunteer work with others depending on you will help rebuild your discipline and sense of responsibility, a critical factor in recovery. But beyond all that, you’ll just have fun. You’ll be reminded that you can have a great time without being high. A better time, actually. When I went back to flying, a whole new dimension opened up in my life. New places, new experiences, new friends. Rekindle your passion. Fly again. Peter DelVecchio is a reporter for Frontiers and an attorney. He is also writing a book about his experiences with meth. M AY 1 4 , 2 0 1 3
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OFF THE VO TV OF BRA
COUCH
By Dr. Greg Cason
ESY COURT PHOTO
FORGIVING THE ENEMY
Nearly 15 years ago, Matthew Shepard, a University of Wyoming student, was lured from a local bar, robbed, tortured, tied to a fence and left to die. When his killer, Aaron McKinney, was up for the death penalty, it was Matthew Shepard’s mother, Judy, who prevailed upon the prosecutor to spare the killer’s life. The prosecutor later commented that he would never get over her capacity to forgive. Dr. Greg Cason is a licensed psychologist based in West Hollywood, specializing in cognitive therapy with individuals and couples, both gay and straight. He can be contacted at (877) 437-4734.
Forgive?! I grew up Catholic, so I thought of forgiveness as something only a priest can give after several “Hail Marys” and an “Our Father.” People sin, God (and his representatives on Earth) forgive. Forgiving, to me, meant absolving someone of his sins. When I heard about Judy Shepard “forgiving” the killer of her child, I was taken aback. Does this now mean it is OK this person murdered her child? Not at all. It means something much more powerful. Thankfully, there are few people in the world who can know the grief of a family whose child was taken from them in a tragic manner. But it is precisely from people like Judy Shepard that we can learn to move beyond the tragedies that have befallen us in the past. All of us have been the victim of someone else's misdeeds at one point or another. But depending on the severity of the deed, impact on the victim and time, some have let it go and some are still burdened. When something bad has happened to us at the hands of another, there is no doubt we become a victim in that moment. But what happens after the physical damage from that other person has healed? When does the emotional healing begin? In the previous article, I pondered past the point of being a victim into the state of victimhood. That is the state of being a perpetual victim and staying in a state of emotional resentment toward someone who hurt us in the past. I often liken it to being knocked down while walking down a busy sidewalk. There are two responses—one illustrates being victimized in the
moment, and one illustrates going beyond that and holding onto victimhood. If someone were to knock you down, you would lay on the ground until someone helped you back up or until you had the strength to get up on our own. When you get up, you dust yourself off and continue on to your destination. You were a victim in the moment you were knocked down, and now the moment is gone. You move forward in your life despite the fall you took. The advantage is that though you have taken a fall, you were only temporarily delayed on your journey along life's path. You get up and continue on. The disadvantage is that few will recognize that you were hurt, including the person who knocked you down in the first place. If you were to talk about it, others might say, “Well it couldn't have been that bad—just look at you now!” But some people have a different response, staying on the ground. There are two reasons: 1) you are afraid to get up because you will be hurt again, and 2) you want to show the perpetrator—and the rest of the world—you were hurt and the damage that person did. The advantage to staying down is that you are protected from future harm and are showing the world how much you've been damaged. The disadvantage to staying down is that it keeps you from moving on life's path. By staying down, you are in fact in the perpetual state of victimhood. If you have suffered repeated abuse or significant trauma, you are often trained to stay down. You learn that if you get up, you will be struck down again. So you learn an emotional style that both protects you from harm (depression/anxiety) and gives you some emotional strength to separate from your perpetrator (resentment/anger). This emotional style probably works to limit
harm while the perpetrator of the abuse is still around. But once the perpetrator is out of the picture, our primitive brains don’t want to let go, as this style has been protective in the past. The primitive brain thinks letting go would mean opening you up to future harm. So how do you get up and get on with your life? It's not as easy as this metaphor makes it sound. The way to get up is to lighten yourself of the emotional baggage—that depression, anxiety and resentment/anger—and be willing to face your fear of being vulnerable as you continue back along life's path. All of that takes work. It can be done in therapy or some other means, but it is usually a healing relationship with another person that helps the most. A bad relationship usually gets people into this mess, and a healing relationship (such as one with a therapist or another helpful person) can help get people out. But what about the perpetrator? Isn't that the person who should be doing the repair work? That would be ideal, but it is rare that someone is willing to admit they have significantly harmed another and make amends. Even when they do, the person who has been harmed still has to deal with his own emotional scars that a mere apology from the perpetrator cannot heal. By Judy Shepard forgiving her son's murderer, she was able let go of the negative emotions that tied her to Aaron McKinney and free herself up to remember her son with love. And that is the way out of victimhood—to let go of the resentment we have toward our perpetrator, unburden ourselves of our own depressive beliefs and willingly allow our vulnerability to be exposed once again as we get up and get on with the journey of our lives. This is what forgiveness is to me, but a think a better phrase may just be “letting go, getting up and moving on.”
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. 74
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WITH AARON SAVVY, ACSM Certified Trainer
FITNESS Q & A I am trying to lose weight. Is there anything I should absolutely stay away from? —Howard, Hollywood Here is a list of what I like to call the “seven deadly sins” when building a better body. 1. Sugar. We all know the word, and in one way or another we all have a sweet tooth. It tastes oh so good, but that goodness packs an evil punch. There is no nutrition in sugar except high calories, a burst of energy and then a major crash, mood swings and a conversion of those calories into unwanted body fat. 2. Sweeteners. We know sugar is not the best thing to consume, so instead we decide to use sweeteners—diet drinks, Equal, Sweet’N Low, Splenda. Did you know that consuming sweeteners is actually worse than good old-fashioned sugar? Sweeteners manipulate the metabolism by slowing it down and causing a decrease in calorie burning, which leads to weight gain. 3. Saturated Fats. Eating foods that contain saturated fats raises the level of cholesterol in the blood. High levels of blood cholesterol increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. Saturated fats occur naturally in many foods, the majority coming from animal sources, including meat and dairy products. Examples are fatty beef, lamb, pork, poultry with skin, cream, butter, cheese and other dairy products made from whole or reducedfat milk. 4. Sodium. Sodium occurs in most foods. The most common form of sodium is sodium chloride—table salt. Processed meats—bacon, sausage, ham, canned soups and fast foods—are generally high in sodium. Excess consumption of sodium will contribute to high blood pressure. Healthy individuals should consume no more than 2,000 mg per day, while individuals with high blood pressure should consume no more than 1,500 mg per day. 5. Lack of Sleep. Serious health issues can result from not getting proper rest. The
most obvious side effect is reduced energy the next day. However, it is more than just feeling less than our best—the body actually performs less efficiently when we’re tired. Performance, productivity, memory, etc. are all reduced when our body runs on less sleep than we need. The body needs rest to repair tissue, cope with stress and recharge the immune system. Lack of sleep slows down the metabolism, allowing a decrease in burning unwanted calories, which then causes weight gain. If your fitness goal is to create muscle mass, adequate sleep is probably the biggest contributor in getting you there. Get a minimum of eight to nine hours of sleep each night. 6. Alcohol. The physical effects of alcohol may be reversible if a person stops drinking, but some side effects may be permanent. Most alcoholic drinks carry high levels of calories, causing an excess storage of unwanted body fat. 7. Caffeine. You’ll feel good in the moment, but soon you’ll experience low energy. Caffeine is definitely a picker-upper, but with its absorption running through our body, its sponge-like effect is absorbing nutrients we so desperately need. Severe addiction can result in jitters and migraine headaches. Though we think we need it, our body is telling us otherwise by giving us bodily symptoms of abuse. How much protein should I be taking? —Seth, Beverly Hills When you are working out four to six days a week your body is going to demand more protein. Considering our bodies are mostly made up of water and protein, it is even in more of a demand. If you cut yourself short on protein all that muscle you are trying to acquire and build will be consumed by the body. I suggest consuming one gram of protein per pound of desired body weight. If your goal is to weigh 170 then you are going to consume 170 grams of protein a day. For woman I suggest consuming .05 of grams of protein per pound of desired body weight.
For additional questions, feel free to visit me at aaronsavvy.com. M AY 1 4 , 2 0 1 3
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TRAVEL BY DUANE WELLS
Take one look at John Dunlea and you’d hardly imagine there was a time when he wasn’t the paragon of fitness he is today. Though he is presently an avid devotee of working out and promoting a healthy lifestyle through his unique personal training space, The Changing Room, Dunlea was not to the fitness craze born. Described as “bookish” during his formative years in Ireland, the guru of good feelings went on to a career working in artist management and cultural event organization before discovering the benefits of working out much later in life. “I was by no means a jock or sporty kid,” Dunlea says in his still discernible Irish brogue. “At age 30 I realized I had to do something to slow the relentless march of time and fight the downward drag of gravity, our eternal foe. I turned from a life of boozing and partying to the road of health. I joined a gym and to my immense surprise, I loved it. It started to fill me with confidence and energy. In a short space of time, I became ‘that guy,’ the newly converted now encouraging everyone to work out.” Dunlea decided to make a career out of it, a move he jokingly admits gave him “a professional cover for being annoying.” Shortly after his body-morphing epiphany, he moved to Barcelona, the land of beautiful bodies, where he earned a Master's degree in personal training. Not long thereafter, he found himself bound for La La Land, which he describes as the “international capital of feeling good.” However, that was not to be where his story ended. Bored with the repetitive nature of working out in traditional gyms in L.A., Dunlea went in search of something to break up the monotony—and he found it the day he “discovered the Byzantine world of
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Crossfit” in Hollywood. The combination of constantly varied workouts done at high intensity and the emphasis put on strength training, gymnastics and connection with your own body was a winning one for Dunlea. Converted yet again, he signed up to become a certified Crossfit trainer, a process he completed in March 2011. With his conversion now complete, Dunlea has begun the next phase in his fitness evolution by opening The Changing Room , TCR, which you might call a temple to his new discovery. “I wanted to create a space which would reflect my personality, where I could create the experience I want my clients to have,” Dunlea says of his new training space. “I also wanted to make a training space that had actual space, not filled with machines but rather with space for people to move, jump and sweat. Unlike so many gyms, there are no machines at TCR. The exercise programs I elaborate encourage you to connect with and use your body.” “Essentially, it comes down to you, some weight and your will,” Dunlea explains as he scans the spartan training environment he has created. “I want to train people to be better humans—better at what they have to do outside the gym. There are no props and distractions here. So there are no televisions. No posters of improbably muscular women. No magazines telling you how bad a person you are for not being thin. It is a unique place where you can meet yourself and then see that the version of yourself [that you see] is not fixed. It can be altered and improved. I help you to do just that.” Are you ready for the change? Find more info at changingroomla.com.
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.COM
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SEX ED
THE HARDNESS SOLUTION BY JIM LARKINS When it comes to such terms as “woody” and “hard-on,” it is ironic that many men in this modern society have trouble achieving truly hard erections. That’s because there is a clash between weakness and desire for the large segment of the male population who are obese, sedentary and/or plagued with obesity-related diseases. The cruel truth is that the fat man who is often plagued with such scourges as diabetes, heart disease, etc., wants good, hard sex as much as anyone, but eventually he comes to realize that he can’t have his cake and eat it too. Medical research has now pretty much erased any doubt about the direct correlation between erectile hardness (or lack thereof) and cardiovascular health. That’s why in-the-know doctors are now prescribing demanding workout routines before resorting to erectile dysfunction meds for their patients who aren’t able to rise to the (sexual) occasion. This should come as no surprise, considering it is blood that puts the erect in erection, and if any organ relies on optimum blood circulation, it’s the penis. If the heart and the rest of the cardiovascular system aren’t running fullthrottle, the resulting restriction of blood flow will almost certainly result in a softer erection. In a landmark Massachusetts Male Aging Study, 600 men middle-aged and
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older were tracked for more than 10 years. Researchers found those who took brisk, two-mile walks daily had half the risk of impotence of those who were sedentary. Another study at the New England Research Institute found that 31 percent of inactive men encountered impotence, compared with only nine percent who had become cardio-fit. But to be clear, it isn’t enough to lace up the sneakers or bust out the bikes at the week’s end. If you’re a weekend warrior who thinks you can catch up on cardio, think again. It takes at least 35 to 45 minutes of strenuous exercise, four or five times a week to be physically fit and sexually hard. Another benefit of cardio fitness is an increase in oxygen, a vital component of everything from simple day-today tasks to strenuous competitive sporting events to sex. Although few sports require the flexibility for positioning that sex does, the wannabe sexual contortionist who doesn’t put in enough cardio training could lose oxygen, and his muscles could cramp up even before his energy gives out. At first you might find you’re too tired for sexual aerobics at the end of a bout with the treadmill. But eventually this effect will reverse, the training will pay off and you’ll be armed with harder erections and the stamina to be an impressive partner-pleaser.
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