INSIDE VOL 32, ISSUE 11 | SEPT 18 - OCT 1, 2013
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Best of Gay L.A. 2013
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INSIDE
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VOL 32, ISSUE 11 | SEPT 18 - OCT 1, 2013
LEADING BY EXAMPLE Jacob Rostovsky..............................................18 NEWS News Briefs ....................................................20 Out Houston Mayor Annise Parker Comes to L.A. ................................................28 Will Syria Overshadow the LGBT Crackdown in Russia? ......................30 SOCAL EVENTS GUIDE Calendar ..........................................................47 SnapShots........................................................48 Food2Know......................................................52 Eating Out........................................................54 ENTERTAINMENT Film Reviews ..................................................58 Music Reviews ..............................................60 Theater Reviews ............................................62 COLUMNS Billy Masters ..................................................64 Little Miss Know-It-All ................................65 Gossip Gay ......................................................66 CITY GUIDES West Hollywood ............................................67 Palm Springs ..................................................68 HEALTH Zero to Savvy ..................................................73 HIV Living ........................................................74 X-Meth..............................................................74 Off the Couch ................................................75 FRONTIERS MARKETPLACE Listings..............................................................76 Business Profile ..............................................77 FRONTIERS4MEN Adult Classifieds............................................78 Sex Ed ..............................................................84
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Frontiers magazine is published by Frontiers Media, LLC., 5657 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 470, Los Angeles, CA. 90036, and distributed throughout Southern California. Up to the first three copies of any single issue are free; additional copies are $10 each. Violators caught stealing or destroying issues will be prosecuted under California Penal Code 484. For magazine subscriptions, please call (323) 930-3220. The contents of Frontiers may not be reproduced in any manner, either in whole or in part, without permission from the publisher. All rights reserved. Letters to the editor, artwork, photography, manuscripts and other correspondence may be submitted to Frontiers at the above address. We cannot acknowledge or return material unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Allow at least three months for processing. Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles or advertising in Frontiers is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation or the HIV/AIDS status of such person or organization. Copyright Š 2013, Frontiers Media, LLC.
OCTOBER 1, 2013
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LAWSUIT HAUNTS 'DEATH CORNER' IN WEHO
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8948 Santa Monica Boulevard has the worst luck. Situated at the corner of Santa Monica and Robertson, the property has housed a series of business failures, most recently the defunct Java Detour. Further sullying its reputation, the space is now the basis of a lawsuit between well-known West Hollywood personalities. FrontiersLA.com/Features
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L.A. STAYCATION:
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THE LONDON WEHO By Stephan Horbelt Whether you can’t afford to leave town for an extended vacation, have been dying to check out an unexplored area of the city or simply need to get away for a weekend, Los Angeles offers several ideal locales for a memorable staycation. Take a look at The London West Hollywood, without a doubt one of Los Angeles' most luxe properties. FrontiersLA.com/LAStaycation
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ONCE UPON A TIME IN WEHO by Victor Barreiro
This past Labor Day weekend, Mickey, Minnie, Ursula, Alice, Mary Poppins, Pinocchio and many more of Disney’s finest showed up for “Once Upon A Time in WeHo,” an event that took place at the Metropolitan Club in Boystown. FrontiersLA.com/LatinFrontier
BOOK REVIEWS by The Bookworm
In need of a good read? Check out our reviews of Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a StormRavaged Hospital by Sheri Fink and Autobiography of My Hungers by Rigoberto González. FrontiersLA.com/ BookReviews
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AFTER ‘I DO’: LOST IN THE SUPERMARKET By Rolf Danner Rolf and Jeff tied the knot in 2008. For both, that gloriously bright California day came at the end of a long journey, culminating in the congratulations of friends and families. Little did they know that their journey had only just begun. MarriageEqualityFrontiers.com
PHOTO: ERIC JAMES
By Mike Ciriaco
OCTOBER 1, 2013
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firstname.lastname@FrontiersLA.com Contributing Writers Aaron Batts, Dr. Greg Cason, Mike Ciriaco, Peter DelVecchio, Gossip Gay, Stephan Horbelt, Gary M. Kramer, Jim Larkins, Dan Loughry, Billy Masters, Michelle McCarthy, James F. Mills, Paulo Murillo, Karen Ocamb, Brian Padgett, Dominik Rothbard, Aron Ross, Aaron Savvy, Brenden Shucart, Les Spindle, Kevin Taft, Paul V., Michael Weinstein, Duane Wells Contributing Photographers and Illustrators Gabe Ayala, Kristin Banta, Brenden-John Photography, David Fury, Greg Gorman, Milton Greene, Glen Hanson, Bobak Ha’eri, Isaac James, Nic-Ray, Valerie Oliviero, John Paschal, Rolling-Blackouts, Jonathan Sirand, Robert Ulrich, Tom Whitman Presents, 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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OCTOBER 1, 2013
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BUILDING COMMUNITY
Leading by Example
Jacob Rostovsky: A Role Model for Transgender Youth By Michelle McCarthy
Frontiers profiled Jacob Rostovsky for our Hot List issue this year. But after talking to this young transgender activist, we knew we had to revisit his story and give his efforts more visibility. He has been through a lot in his short life—and has shown incredible courage and resilience. When faced with bullying, assault and thoughts of suicide, he decided to turn his life around, not only for himself, but for those who will come after him. Rostovsky’s organization— Trans United with Family and Friends (TUFF)—aims to provide financial assistance toward transition costs for transgender and gender-variant individuals. When did you realize you were transgender? I was 12 years old when I realized I was transgender, and 14 years old when I made the most important decision of my life—to transition from female to male. Growing up, I knew there was something different about me. I spent my childhood confused, and this confusion led to depression, which quickly spiraled out of control. As if being depressed wasn’t hard enough, as soon as I arrived in middle school, I began to be bullied. Not a day would go by without someone calling me names, physically harassing me and even sending me death threats. Things escalated when I was sexually assaulted by a boy who wanted to teach me what being a girl meant. I was afraid for my well-being and even my life. However, I was too ashamed to tell my parents.
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Were your parents supportive? I decided the only way out of this misery was to commit suicide. My family didn’t understand me, I didn’t have any friends, so who would care if I was gone? Luckily, as I was about to swallow a handful of pills, my mother walked in on me. Shocked at finding her 12-year-old daughter in this position, she broke down and cried, which allowed me to cry with her. This is when I came out to her, and we made the decision that as long as I worked on learning to love myself, I could begin my transition to male. Why did you decide to start TUFF? I kept that promise to my mother, and now, at 22 years old, I have become a role model for transgender youth. I never want another soul to feel the way I did that moment I was holding those pills. This is why I have decided to dedicate myself to the empowerment of LGBT youth. TUFF raises money to financially support transgender individuals through their transition, since a lot of insurance companies do not cover any medical needs. Right now, TUFF is in its startup stage and really needs donations so I can start allocating funds. What would you like people to know about the trans community? One must understand that not everyone has the family support that I was lucky to receive. This is why it’s incredibly important that we educate children on how to be compassionate
and accepting toward their peers who are LGBTQ, so they don’t feel isolated and alone in every aspect of their life. Too many LGBTQ youth are feeling ashamed about who they are—to the point they are taking their own lives. This is something that can be easily stopped by simply having a support system in any way. If one is being bullied at school and cannot find solace and safety at home, then of course it’s understandable that they would feel there is no place for them on this earth. We must work together to create a safer, more accepting environment for our trans youth—especially in our schools. You’ve been through so much. What have your experiences taught you? I realized that everything I went through at a young age—being bullied, harassed, assaulted, depressed and attempting suicide—were for a reason. I came to the conclusion that I went through all my hardships so that all who came after me wouldn’t have to. Everything I went though has made me the person I have become today, and I would not trade my journey for any other one in the world. TUFF is hosting a fundraiser at Hamburger Mary’s in WeHo as part of Legendary Bingo on Oct. 20 (the 8 p.m. show). For more info, go to tufforg.com.
SEPTEMBER 17, 2013
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NEWS By Peter DelVecchio and Karen Ocamb
Wentworth Miller
Prang Running for County Assessor Openly gay West Hollywood City Councilmember Jeffrey Prang, who has also served as the city's mayor, announced his candidacy for the office of Los Angeles County Assessor in June 2014, according to a press release. Prang has served in local government for more than 20 years, and rejoined the controversial Assessor’s office in March 2012. "It was not exactly an auspicious beginning to a new job,” Prang says. “Frankly, had I known, I would not have accepted the position at the time. However, I was brought into the Assessor’s office to be a part of the solution to the impacts of the then-just-emerging scandal [involving current gay Assessor John Noguez], and I have remained as a part of the reform administration." Prang has won endorsements from Rep. Adam Schiff, California State Controller John Chiang, California Assembly Speaker John Pérez and retired Assessors Rick Auerbach and Kenneth Hahn.
Wentworth Miller Admits to Suicide Attempts Actor Wentworth Miller of the Fox TV series Prison Break spoke at a Sept. 7 Human Rights Campaign dinner in Seattle, Wash., about youthful suicide attempts and what it's like being gay in Hollywood. Miller came out last month at 41. “The first time I tried to kill myself, I was 15,” Miller said. “I swallowed a bottle of pills. ... I'm pretty sure come Monday morning I was back on the bus, back to school, pretending everything was fine.” It was not a cry for help, Miller said, because “you only cry for help if there is help to cry for.” Miller spoke about being “filled with fear” at the prospect of coming out, but finally did so in a letter declining an invitation to the St. Petersburg Film Festival in light of that country’s recent enactment of harsh anti-LGBT legislation.
Referendum Against Trans School Bill Filed A right-wing religious group, the Capitol Resource Institute, filed for a referendum Aug. 16 to repeal the School Success and Opportunity Act signed into law Aug. 12 by California's Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown. The new law, authored by out Assemblymember Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco, mandates that transgender students in California public schools be permitted to fully participate in all school activities, sports teams, programs and facilities in accordance with their gender identities. The initiative, going under the campaign name “Privacy for All Students,” could appear on the November 2014 ballot. “We respect that some students are struggling with their own sexual identity,” CRI Executive Director Karen England said in a release, “but we ask for respect for the other students who will be humiliated when a boy walks into the girls’ locker room. This is a privacy issue, a safety issue and a commonsense issue.” The developing theme of the campaign
seems to echo that of the successful Proposition 8 push of 2008—that voters must protect the state’s children from LGBT people. The referendum ‘coalition’ has even hired former Prop. 8 strategist Frank Schubert, who has also served as political director for the National Organization for Marriage. The new law “is not about protecting transgendered students, since we already have laws on the books to do that,” Schubert wrote in a recent essay. “Rather, its purpose is to advance an adult political agenda by special interests who wish to use our public schools as a tool to strip gender and gender differences from societal norms.” Referendum forces have released the results of a SmithJohnson Research survey of 600 randomly selected California voters conducted between Aug. 26-29, which they claim shows 51.4 percent of voters reject the new law, 35.4 percent support it and 13.3 percent remain undecided.
SPEAK OUT “Because of the dedication and tireless work of Ben Jealous, this country is more just, more equal and more hopeful.” —Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin in a release regarding the CEO of the NAACP, a strong LGBT ally, who will be stepping down Dec. 31.
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“You don’t like it. It’s not doing well. Find a way.”
“I was like, ‘Oh my gosh! Are you serious? I actually got it?’”
—Mantra of 64-year-old lesbian endurance swimmer Diana Nyad, who, on Labor Day, became the first person to swim the 103 miles from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage, as reported by CNN.
—Cassidy Campbell, a transgender student at Marina High School in Huntington Beach, Calif., upon learning she was one of 10 nominees for homecoming queen, as reported by CBS Los Angeles.
OCTOBER 1, 2013
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PHOTO KAREN OCAMB
SEPTEMBER 17, 2013
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NEWS By Peter DelVecchio and Karen Ocamb
GLSEN’s Byard Addresses March on Washington Dr. Eliza Byard—Executive Director of the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network— addressed the throng at the Aug. 28 commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1963 March on Washington. GLSEN fights against discrimination and bullying against gay and transgender students in U.S. schools. In a speech entitled “Let Freedom Ring,” Byard lauded Bayard Rustin, an indispensable organizer of the original march who, as an openly gay black man, was nonetheless shunted aside and marginalized 50 years ago. “Fifty years ago, Bayard Rustin stood on the stage leading the vast crowd reciting the demands
of the March on Washington. A movement spoke through him, but the world would not embrace him because he was gay. Today, LGBT voices are welcomed to this stage, and President Obama has awarded Bayard Rustin the Presidential Medal of Freedom.” But Byard pointed out that we have not yet achieved educational equality. “[W]e have not yet seen Dr. King's ‘great vaults of opportunity’ thrown open to everyone,” she said. “We have so far to go before a truly great education is offered every child.” Byard also remembered those who “have been silenced forever,” including Sakia Gunn, Gwen Araujo, Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover and
De Blasio Bests Quinn in NYC Mayoral Race
Dr. Eliza Byard
Quick Pic An anti-gay tweet, allegedly from the Russian Olympic hockey team, claiming to have received 500 “Official Sochi Fag Basher” baseball bats from Coca-Cola. Twitter has been alerted to the feed, which few believe actually originated from the team.
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Lawrence King. “Across this nation, voices are ready to rise for opportunity and justice for every young person,” Byard continued, “regardless of who they are, what they look like or who they love. Listen for those voices. Lift them up so they can be heard. When we do that, we all shall rise.” GLSEN will hold its annual Respect Awards at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 18. Among those honored will be out actor Jim Parsons, who plays Dr. Sheldon Cooper on hit CBS comedy The Big Bang Theory, prominent global entertainment company Lionsgate and awardwinning producer and writer Linda BloodworthThomason.
With 98 percent of the precincts reporting on Sept. 11, progressive public advocate Bill de Blasio leads in the New York City Democratic Primary race for mayor with 40.2 percent of the vote over Bill Thompson at 26.1 percent. Lesbian City Council President Christine Quinn registered a disappointing 15.5 percent. Sexter Anthony Weiner came in dead last with 4.9 percent. If de Blasio has 40 percent after all the outstanding votes are counted, he will avoid an Oct. 1 runoff election with Thompson. The winner will face Republican Joseph J. Lhota, former chair of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, who intends to continue the policies of Mayor Michael Bloomberg. De Blasio has promised a break with the Bloomberg era and the mayor’s controversial ‘stop and frisk’ policy. New Yorkers also historically voted for three LGBT incumbents and three LGBT newcomers for the City Council as well.
OCTOBER 1, 2013
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NEWS
Out Houston Mayor Annise Parker Comes to L.A. BY KAREN OCAMB There are no ‘sure things’ in politics. Apparent widespread popularity, a lead in the polls, a solid reputation, money in the bank and even a ‘WTF?’ opponent are no longer sufficient to elect—or in the case of lesbian Houston Mayor Annise Parker, re-elect—a stellar candidate with a proven record of achievement. And how does one define ‘achievement’? “Houston is known for many things: Oil, NASA, urban sprawl and business-friendly policies. But the Texas city deserves to be known for something else: coolness,” Forbes wrote in July 2012, picking Houston as America’s coolest city. “The Bayou
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City may not be the first place you associate with being hip or trendy. But Houston has something many other major cities don’t: jobs. With the local economy humming through the recession, Houston enjoyed 2.6 percent job growth last year and nearly 50,000 Americans flocked there in response— particularly young professionals. In fact, the median age of a Houston resident is a youthful 33.” Parker’s leadership may have ushered the grateful city through a deep recession, but she is nonetheless facing eight challengers as she seeks a third and final two-year term as mayor this coming Nov. 5. Because of the crowded field, everyone expects a runoff in December. Parker’s most prominent challenger is self-financed former City Attorney Ben Hall. “I’m confident I can win,” Parker said in a recent phone interview. “But [Hall has] put $1.7 million of his own dollars in, and he has stated publicly that he will be putting in a minimum of $3 million and up to $10 million. ... I don’t know if he will or not, but I can’t take that for granted. And in any case, if you want to spend enough money, you are competitive.” Hall has a Harvard law degree and master of divinity and doctoral degrees from Duke University, according to the Houston Chronicle. He served as city attorney from 1992 to 1994, after which he went into private practice. He launched his campaign in March with a statement that directly contradicts Forbes. “A mayor must do more than simply balance a budget,” Hall said. “A mayor must do more than simply dream of ways to tax and penalize residents. We need more than just a manager, we need a leader. And we need more than just a leader. We need a leader with vision, someone who sees a way out of this morass—by opening up the city to the international marketplace.” Parker told the Chronicle that Hall seemed to be describing “an alternative universe,” noting that in her two terms, she led Houston through a deep recession without raising taxes. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard any political candidate—but most especially a candidate for mayor—imply that it wasn’t important to have a balanced budget,” Parker said.
The Houston Press described Hall’s early round of campaign videos as a “blend of performance art, pure campaign video and something Ingmar Bergman might have put together in his spare time.” He talks about Houston’s problems, ”without ever saying exactly what those problems are.” In contrast, Parker’s ad noted that while Hall wants to be mayor, he hasn’t voted in a city election in 11 years. In fact, the ad says, Hall didn’t even live in Houston for those years and only bought a house in 2012 in order to run for office. As for “vision,” when Houston was hurting through the recession, the ad says, Hall offered no help at all. (See the ad at tinyurl.com/kjavo3d.) But documenting Hall’s failures only helps if people are paying attention. “[T]he good news is that poll after poll has indicated that Houstonians like me, they trust me. They think I’m doing a good job and the city’s going in the right direction,” Parker said. “That does not necessarily translate into showing up at the polls, however, so I have to meet those challenges.” Parker has been aggressively fundraising to counter Hall’s expected flood of self-funded ads on the airwaves. “I’ve learned there are two ways to run—one is scared, and the other is unopposed. So I’m running full-out and I’m doing aggressive fundraising and we’re spending the money well,” Parker said. “I’m coming out to L.A. to give an award to a former Houstonian and take a look at the elder housing programs out there. But I’m taking advantage of the opportunity to do some fundraising.” Parker will be attending the Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing’s 12th Annual Garden Party on Oct. 6 in Malibu, where she will present philanthropist Alison Baumann with GLEH’s Ally Award. For info, contact Brian McConnell at bmcconnell@ gleh.org or visit gleh.org/gardenparty. Out Rep. Mark Takano is one of the co-chairs at a fundraising event for Parker, Sunday morning on Oct. 6 at a private home on Mulholland Drive before the GLEH party. For info, go to AnniseParker.com/losangeles or contact James Cardona at james@anniseparker.com. See more of the Parker interview at FrontiersLA.com.
OCTOBER 1, 2013
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NEWS
Will Syria Overshadow the LGBT Crackdown in Russia?
California Sen. Dianne Feinstein was so horrified by the Aug. 20 chemical weapons attack that murdered 1,400 civilians in Syria—and stunned that Americans did not support President Obama’s decision to punish Syrian President Bashar alAssad with limited, strategic military strikes— that she posted a video of the sarin gas victims on the Senate Intelligence website. Among those dead and dying, twitching, foaming at the mouth and falling over listlessly were 400 children. But Americans are war-weary, non-interventionist and leery of government ‘intelligence,’ thanks to the Bush administration’s lying about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. “Terrible things happen across the globe, and it is beyond our means to right every wrong,” President Obama said in an address to the nation, trying to win support for military strikes. “But when, with modest effort and risk, we can stop children from being gassed to death, and thereby make our own children safer over the long run, I believe we should act. That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.” The needle still didn’t move on public opinion, and Obama looked weak. Then Secretary of State John Kerry floated the prospect of preventing military action if Assad turned over his chemical weapons to international control, where they would be destroyed. Russia—Syria’s primary sponsor and protector at the United Nations— thought that was a good idea, and a Syrian spokesperson said they “welcomed” such a proposal from Russia. All of a sudden, the world exhaled. Kerry met with his friend Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva to talk about how the weapons could be secured in the middle of a civil war. On Sept. 13, the two said prospects for renewing the peace process depended on U.S.-Russian talks over securing the chemical weapons—a Catch 22. “Expectations are high,” USA Today reported Kerry said. “They are high for the United States— and perhaps even more so for the Russians—to deliver on the promise of this moment. This is not a game, and I said this to my friend Sergey when we talked about this initially.”
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PHOTO: BUSINESSINSIDER.COM
COMMENTARY BY KAREN OCAMB
Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) shakes Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s hand upon meeting in Moscow, December 2006
Then, inexplicably, Russian President Vladimir Putin wrote an op-ed in the New York Times on Sept. 11 smirking at American “exceptionalism” but indicating that there is a “growing trust” between the two leaders. Putin also stressed the importance of international law. “We are not protecting the Syrian government, but international law. We need to use the United Nations Security Council and believe that preserving law and order in today’s complex and turbulent world is one of the few ways to keep international relations from sliding into chaos. The law is still the law, and we must follow it whether we like it or not,” Putin wrote. “We are all different, but when we ask for the Lord’s blessings, we must not forget that God created us equal.” Many LGBT people laughed. Putin thinks we’re all created “equal” in God’s eyes? Then he should
act like it. But, as usual, Putin didn’t care about inconsistencies. He was beefing up his own exceptionalism by emerging as the ‘hero’ of the Syrian crisis in the eyes of the international community. But that has reverberating consequences. It means the U.S. will probably do nothing to leverage that ‘trust’ into helping LGBT Russians increasingly more oppressed by Putin’s government, the Neo-Nazi thugs who ‘enforce’ the anti-gay propaganda laws and the parents and neighbors who are increasingly turning in people suspected of being gay. Additionally, neither the U.S. nor any other country hoping for some kind of non-lethal outcome in Syria will want to upset Putin right now. Obama said as much to the two LGBT Russians he met with in St. Petersburg. “Obama said that his agenda is quite extensive, and he cannot
approach U.S.-Russia relations through the prism of human rights alone,” Igor Kochetkov, director of the LGBT Network in Russia, told the Washington Blade through a translator from Human Rights First. “He said there’s economic partnerships, military/strategic cooperation, and in order to achieve consensus on those subject areas, he has to compromise and find a balance in discussions about human rights.” While Kochetkov said the meeting sent “a serious signal to the global community,” he disagreed with Obama’s assessment. “I think this approach does not have a future, because in Russia, racist and homophobic attitudes are proportional to the growth of anti-Americanism and anti-Western attitudes,” Kochetkov said. “And the West won’t be able to get what it wants in the economic or military realm while being silenced on human rights.” Olga Lenkova, communications director for the St. Petersburg-based LGBT group Coming Out, told the Blade that the LGBT Russians “did not have any particular expectations from the meeting, other than hoping for a good exchange of ideas, which has in fact taken place.” “President Obama tried to respond to all questions raised despite our obvious disagreements on Syria, for example,” Lenkova said. “Regarding LGBT issues, he said that he had already been quite explicit about what he thinks about discrimination against LGBT people. ... He also referred to the changes that took place in the U.S. in this regard within the last 10 to 15 years, when he was saying that though problems in the U.S. are still many, the system is capable of change.” According to a transcript of the meeting, Obama said, “I think it is important for us to remember that in every country—here in Russia, in the United States, around the globe—part of good government is making sure that we’re creating a space for civil society to function effectively: freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, making sure that people can join together and make common cause around the issues that they care deeply about.” But good government only works when the rule of law is upheld, and when leaders do not turn a blind eye to the flaunting of that law— such as how the Russian ‘propaganda’ law flouts
international law. In 2010, the European Court of Human Rights ruled in the case of Alekseyev v. Russia that Russia violated the 1950 European Convention on Human Rights in a way that should also apply to the propaganda law. (tinyurl.com/mynv8le) Referring to plaintiff Nikolai Alekseyev’s complaint about the government breaking up the Moscow gay Pride events, the Court wrote that “events had to be banned as a matter of principle, because gay propaganda was incompatible with religious doctrines and public morals and could harm children and adults who were exposed to it. “The Court stressed that if the exercise of the right to peaceful assembly and association by a minority group were conditional on its acceptance by the majority, that would be incompatible with the values of the Convention. The purpose of the gay Pride demonstrations had been to promote respect for human rights and tolerance towards sexual minorities. ... It was also clear that other Convention member States recognised the right of people to openly identify themselves as gay and to promote their rights and freedoms, in particular by peacefully and publicly gathering together. “The Court emphasised that it was only through fair and public debate that society could address such complex issues as gay rights, which in turn would benefit social cohesion, as all views would be heard. An open debate of the kind, which had been exactly the type of event the demonstrators had attempted to organise unsuccessfully many times, could not have been replaced by Moscow’s official figures expressing uninformed views considered to be popular. Consequently, the bans imposed on the holding of gay rights marches and pickets had not been necessary in a democratic society, and had been in violation of Article 11.” The Court also found that the government “had not justified their bans in a way compatible with the Convention requirements,” and therefore Alekseyev “had suffered discrimination because of his sexual orientation. There had therefore been a violation of Article 14.” But Russian belief in their own exceptionalism enables Putin to skirt the laws he doesn’t
Natalia Tsymbalova
like. Consider this appraisal from Russian lawmaker Alexei Zhuravlyov, who has drafted a law to take children away from their same-sex parents: “We view Europe as Sodom and Gomorrah. Europe must not tell us how to live. The Europeans can live any way they like, but they mustn’t tell us what to do. If negotiations about a visafree space mean that our streets should have gay parades marching around, I am categorically against international relations of that kind and shall speak out against them.” What is to be done if the world’s leaders can only stare at Syria and blink when it comes to the crackdown on LGBT Russians? Oppressed gays now depend on ordinary people to speak out. “Support from the West is very, very important for us!” Natalia Tsymbalova—founder of the Straight Alliance for LGBT Equality, who coordinated the Sept. 3 “From Russia with Love” event in Moscow—told Frontiers. “I think now for us it is generally one of the main things. And, of course, we welcome this support and are very grateful for it. We tried to say this in our ‘From Russia with Love’ event. We appreciate your solidarity, friends!” Meanwhile, on Sept. 13, a video surfaced showing a weeping gay Uzbek man beaten and raped with a bottle by a gang of Russian anti-gay vigilantes.
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that time of year once again—our annual ‘best of’ issue, wherein we single out the finest that Los Angeles has to offer. This year we’ve focused on some of our favorite ‘under the radar’ L.A. options, for the discerning Angeleno who’s already more than familiar with everything our city’s gayborhoods have to offer. Whether you’re looking to grab a late-night nosh, hit the bars, wield your purchase power or sit back and be entertained, the shops, businesses, restaurants and locales we spotlight here are all second to none. They each give us one more reason to love Los Angeles, and for that we can’t say ‘thank you’ enough.
By Mike Ciriaco, Stephan Horbelt and Michelle McCarthy
/// FOOD & DRINK /// FOOD & DRINK /// FOOD & DRINK /// FOOD & DRINK
BEST PLACE TO REST YOUR BARKING DOGS The Black Cat in Silver Lake is a gastropub (“21 and over—no kittens”) that puts an equal emphasis on its food and drink menus. You can’t go wrong with the steak frites, Chilean sea bass, shrimp and grits, Brussels sprouts (with bacon) or skirt steak. And wash it all down with a Moscow Mule, Old Tom Collins, Sazeraz or Three-Legged Mule. The weekend brunch service here is also not to be missed. 3909 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake. theblackcatla.com —M.M.
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BEST COMFORT FOOD ... THAT HAPPENS TO BE VEGAN The vegan: Most would consider this species the epitome of perfect health. But then there are those cruelty-free eaters who still want a shot at clogged arteries like every other red-blooded American. Doomie’s Home Cookin’ serves finger-lickin’-good, stick-to-yourribs dishes like (crispy and delicious) fried chicken, mac ’n’ cheese, fried calamari, shrimp scampi and chili cheese fries. There’s also an authentic McDonald’s Big Mac, but it’s off the menu, so you’ll have to ask your server for it. Doomie’s food is so good, meat eaters are known to frequent the restaurant. 1253 Vine St., Hlywd. —M.M.
BEST PLACE TO EARN YOUR BEER GOGGLES Get a craft beer enthusiast talking about his drink of choice and you may never hear the end of it. He’s rambling on about IPAs, barley, fermentation, hops, filtration—and all you want is to drink some beer. Score some points by bringing up Golden Road Brewing in Atwater Village, the three-building campus that includes a production brewery, pub, retail shop and beer garden. You can take a tour of the brewery or opt to hang out in the pub and sample from the 20 revolving taps. 5410 W. San Fernando Rd., Atwater Village. goldenroad.la —M.M.
BEST SOUTHERN DECADENCE Tart is located next door to the Farmer’s Daughter Hotel and across the street from The Grove. The Farmer’s Daughter has a pool. If you jump in this pool after a meal at Tart with all your clothes on, they will cut your bill in half (no joke). If you jump in with all your clothes on and your cell phone, your meal is free. Oh, and the food is great—all your favorite Southern dishes like fried chicken, fried okra, meatloaf and black-eyed peas. Bottomless mimosas are available every day for $15 (which may help inspire some pool-jumping). 115 S. Fairfax Ave., L.A., tartrestaurant.com —M.M.
/// BARS & CLUBS /// BARS & CLUBS /// BARS & CLUBS /// BARS &
BEST LIBRARY NOT FOR READING The Roosevelt Hotel is a treasure trove of Hollywood history. It served as the venue for the first annual Academy Awards in 1929, provided a home for silver screen royalty such as Marilyn Monroe and Montgomery Cliff and currently houses a mural by L.A.-based painter David Hockney. Its greatest feature, though, is Library Bar, located off the building’s historic lobby. Featuring some of the most innovative mixologists in Los Angeles (themselves mouthwatering), unique drinks are served up ‘Omakase-style,’ utilizing fresh farmers market ingredients. 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hlywd. thompsonhotels.com —M.C. BEST HAPPY HOUR HEIST If you’re looking to impress on a first date, try taking that special someone for drinks in a bank vault. Originally The Crocker Citizens National Bank Building, The Crocker Club (built in 1914) is now one of DTLA’s hottest clubs. And the experience is authentic. The original bank teller’s counter serves as the club’s main bar, and the old vault is used as a VIP seating area. A rotating roster of DJs spins regularly, and light appetizers are available. The Crocker Club is open Wednesday through Saturday evenings, with an enforced dress code. 453 S. Spring St., DTLA. crocker club.com —M.M.
Library Bar
BEST BAR FOR KICKING IT OLD-SCHOOL While the majority of West Hollywood watering holes emphasize being seen over having fun, Blipsy Barcade offers a refreshing sense of anonymity tempered with 8-bit nostalgia. Situated on the border of K-Town, this dive bar can be recognized only by the neon Pac Man antagonist, Blinky the Ghost, glowing in its window. Once you step inside, the interior—which houses a variety of ‘80s arcade consoles, including Rampage, Centipede and Gauntlet—is a gaymer’s retro wet dream. 369 N. Western Ave., Koreatown. —M.C. BEST USE OF BAND-AIDS AS PASTIES Just so you know what you're in for, Courtney Love used to dance here. The ladies at Jumbo’s Clown Room make you feel dirty in ways you didn’t know were possible. In Showgirls speak, this spot is
Cliff’s Edge
Blipsy Barcade
more Nomi Malone than Cristal Connors—no pretentiousness found here. What you do get is a small club (get there early if you want a seat) with no cover, cheap drinks, talented performers and a crowd that is usually looking to unwind and have a good time. 5153 Hollywood Blvd., East Hlywd. jumbos.com —M.M.
BEST HOMESPUN INDIGENOUS COCKTAILS For those on the hunt for a cocktail like no other, you’re looking in the wrong place if you’re not at Cliff’s Edge on Wednesday evenings. That’s when and where you’ll find Matt Biancaniello slinging delicious, inventive elixirs unlike any you’ve ever had. The mixologist forages the Santa Monica Mountains for his herbs and fruits, guaranteeing not only freshness but also (likely) unfamiliarity with what you’re imbibing. These drinks are to savor, not to sling back. For a really special experience, belly up to the inside bar, where Biancaniello is surrounded by the night’s mouth-watering ingredients. 3626 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake. cliffsedgecafe.com —S.H. BEST PLACE TO GET VAPORIZED Have you noticed a growing number of people at concerts sucking on some kind of metal contraption, blowing blueberryscented mist in your face? Vaping—it's the latest craze. The Vapor Spot sells electronic cigarettes, herbal vaporizers and flavored oxygen—and it claims to be the world’s only vapor bar. You can come in with a group of friends, sit down and have one of the Spot’s knowledgeable ‘bartenders’ bring your table a sampling of flavors and answer all of your vaping questions. 2378 Westwood Blvd., Westwood. thevaporspot.com —M.M.
K /// FOOD & DRINK /// FOOD & DRINK /// FOOD & DRINK /// FOOD &
BEST PLACE YOU’VE NEVER BEEN Everyone knows the image. Its 135-foothigh arches are synonymous with the L.A. landscape. But what the hell is it? That structure that looks like an alien spaceship landed at LAX is actually Encounter Restaurant & Bar, a place that takes its quirky theme and runs with it. You’ll find lava lamps, a ‘space cadet’ children’s menu and mooncratered walls. The building was completed in 1961 at a cost of $2.2 million. Enjoy your close encounter with fresh California cuisine while taking in the 360-degree views of the city. 209 World Way, LAX. encounterlax.com —M.M.
BEST NEST WITH A VIEW Perch is a French-inspired bistro that prides itself on being “an elevated resting place.” There’s the option to eat either indoors or out, but seeing that the restaurant is situated on the 15th floor—where you can take in obstructed views of Downtown L.A. while you eat—we highly suggest the latter. There are also two outdoor fireplaces and various fire pits, which make for a serene ambience. You can dine on delicious French cuisine while listening to live jazz-inspired music. It’s the perfect place to wind down after a long day. 448 S. Hill St., DTLA. perchla.com —M.M.
BEST DINING IN THE DARK Opaque offers a dining experience like no other. The waiters are all blind, and you eat in the pitch-black dark. Patrons order from the menu—in a front room with light—that is divided into salad, entrée and dessert. (It’s $99 per person.) Then you’re led into the main room, each person with their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them. You’re welcome to try and eat with utensils, but most people end up going at it caveman-style. 2020 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. darkdining.com —M.M.
BEST BINGO ON A BUDGET Sure you’re familiar with Legendary Bingo, which takes place at Hamburger Mary’s in WeHo and raises astounding amounts of money for various charities. But let’s say you find yourself on the East Side and have that Bingo itch. Head to Good Microbrew, a local hangout/restaurant with free bingo every Thursday night. Multiple rounds of what regulars refer to as “Hipster Bingo” start around 7:30, and prizes have included everything from Ren Faire tickets to—what else?—free beer! It’s always a fun night out, made even better by great American eats. 3725 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake. goodmicro brew.com —S.H. OCTOBER 1, 2013
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/// RETAIL & SERVICES /// RETAIL & SERVICES /// RETAIL & SERVICES BEST SPOT FOR NO-SHAME BOOTY-SHAKING Ryan Heffington’s Silver Lake-based dance studio, commonly known as The Sweat Spot, offers a full schedule of pilates, ballet, jazz, African and hip-hop, as well as the eponymous Sweaty Sundays. Since opening its doors in the summer of 2010, the studio’s goal has been to offer a supportive environment for dancers of all ages and skill levels. The only requirement to be a student at The Sweat Spot is a desire to move your body. 3327 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake. thesweatspotla.com —M.C.
BEST PLACE TO INDULGE YOUR INNER NERD With an abundance of LGBT comic book characters—Wiccan, Hulkling, Rictor, Shatterstar, Northstar, Batwoman and Kevin Keeler among them—popping up within the last few years, the medium has evolved into a gay geek paradise. Indulge in this nerdery at Golden Apple Comics. Described as “one of the most important comic book stores in the world” by DC Comics Vice President Bob Wayne, the shop offers one of the widest varieties of new issues in the city; a knowledgable, gay-friendly staff; and, most recently, the return of its $1 comic book bins. 7018 Melrose Ave., Hlywd. goldenapplecomics.com —M.C.
BEST CLOSE-TO-HOME STAYCATION Obviously closest to those who call WeHo home, The London West Hollywood is your best bet for a chilled-out day or two away from the daily grind. A fusion of both its namesake cities, the all-suite property offers up glamour and style with amenities that back up its reputation as one of L.A.’s most luxe hotels. For a true staycation experience, only step outside your room to indulge in the edible delights of the on-site Gordon Ramsay restaurant—or, better yet, order from Ramsay’s special 24-hour in-room dining menu. 1020 N. San Vicente Blvd., WeHo. thelondonwesthollywood.com
BEST HEADSHOP FOR THOSE WHO GIVE HEAD With so many dispensaries in L.A., the little things are what make one better than another. La Brea Compassionate Caregivers is arguably the most accommodating dispensary in Hollywood. Not only is the gay-friendly shop conveniently open until midnight, but as an acknowledgement of the hassle of weekday parking restrictions on La Brea between 4-7 p.m., LBCC’s wares are discounted 10 percent during that time. There are also additional discounts for those who have served in the armed forces. 735 N. La Brea Ave., Hlywd. labreacc.com —M.C.
—S.H.
The London West Hollywood
BEST RETAIL THERAPY Don’t you hate when you show up to a party wearing the exact same shirt as someone else? Now you have to keep your jacket buttoned up, and it’s hot as hell. If you shop at Co-op 28 Handmade & Vintage, those days are over. This unisex, 1,500-square-foot boutique represents 125 local, national and international artists. And it has everything you could ever need—clothing, accessories, bath and body products, candles, vintage cameras, furniture and much more. 1728 N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz. facebook.com/Coop28handmade —M.M.
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BEST LUNCHTIME LASER LIGHT SHOW More than the latest spa on the L.A. scene, Skin Laundry is a brand-new skin care concept—think of it as a personal trainer for your face, but without the resentment. With Skin Laundry’s use of innovative laser technology, you’re in and out of here in 15 minutes (no joke) and have instantly better skin. The bacteria and dirt in your pores is zapped, and in the long-term your pores get smaller, sun damage is reversed and your face feels tightened. With the same convenience as a tanning salon, set up a multi-session membership to achieve your best possible face. Step into the Santa Monica or WeHo locations, where the first treatment is on the house. skinlaundry.com —S.H.
BEST SOON-TO-BE-HOT SPOT Set to open this autumn, the Ace Hotel embraces our recent DTLA resurgence by renovating the historic United Artists theatre. Originally built in 1927 for the then-nascent film studio, the structure features ornate façades and stone spires, creating a cathedral to the arts. The hotel will be centrally located, allowing easy access to Downtown’s myriad attractions, including museums, nightlife hot spots, performance arts venues and the neighborhood's monthly Art Walk. 929 S. Broadway, DTLA. acehotel.com/ losangeles —M.C.
BEST SALON FOR A PRE-WEEKEND BUZZ Get your buzz on at Hive Salon. With clipper cuts priced at $20, this chic salon offers up stylish and affordable haircuts without any pretention whatsoever. Hive offers a wide selection of beauty services, including cuts, beard trims, highlights and Brazilian blowouts. The salon doubles as a gallery, featuring work by local artists, and the staff is incredibly friendly and relatable, especially longtime Silver Lake darling Isadora. No one ever regrets getting buzzed with Izzy. 1402 Micheltorena St., Silver Lake. thehive.la —M.C.
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/// CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT /// CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT
BEST WAY TO STROKE L.A.’s UNDERBELLY Forget about those double-decker tour buses shuttling sunburned tourists up and down Hollywood Boulevard. If you want to witness the true grit of L.A., hop on an Esotouric Tour and uncover some of the city’s most fascinating but forgotten neighborhoods. You can choose from tour topics like True Crime (Hotel Horrors and Main Street Vice, Pasadena with Crimebo the Crime Clown), Literary L.A. (Charles Bukowski’s L.A.), California Culture (Drive-ins and Cemeteries), Musical L.A. (Crawling Down Cahuenga: Tom Waits’ L.A.) and Spiritual L.A. (Rapture & Release). esotouric.com —M.M. BEST SCARY MASK AND TIGHT SPEEDO COMBO Striptease—yay! Frightening Mexican wrestling masks—boo! Luchadores beating the crap out of each other—kill! Comedians cracking oneliners—ha! You’re guaranteed to experience an emotional roller coaster at Lucha VaVOOM. Mexican masked wrestling is the main event, and all the flipping and flying through the air is sure to get you in the mood. (You’ll be hoarse by the a.m.) Then, between matches there’s entertainment by the world’s most talented burlesque acts. Lucha VaVOOM serves up sexo y violencia in perfect proportion. Mayan Theatre, 1038 S. Hill St., DTLA. luchavavoom.com
Lucha VaVOOM
BEST LAUGHS IN AND ABOUT L.A. Ralph Garman appears on KROQ’s Kevin & Bean morning show. Kevin Smith (aka Silent Bob) is best known for directing a long list of slacker-centric movies, including Clerks. They come together most Friday nights at the Hollywood Improv for the comedy show Hollywood Babble-On, where they share a twisted take on showbiz news and events. As the website attests, they’re just two nice East Coast boys … who happen to have a heavy dependence on drugs and alcohol. 8162 Melrose Ave., L.A. babbleonkev.com —M.M. BEST ART WITHOUT BORDERS Walk a block along L.A.’s Arts District and you’ll get an eyeful of street art—gang tags, traditional graffiti, Banksy-type pieces with a message, murals that push the boundaries of what you can do with spray paint. Splashes of color emanate from the walls that fill the spaces between outdoor cafés, old warehouses and galleries. It’s an ever-changing canvas, so you’ll never see the same thing twice. The best specimens can be found along the L.A. River east of Downtown’s Civic Center. —M.M. BEST TRIVIAL PURSUIT Which four drinks does the main character of Chumbawamba’s song “Tubthumping” imbibe? If you answered “He drinks a whiskey drink, he drinks a vodka drink, he drinks a lager drink, he drinks a cider drink,” you are correct—and your knowledge of pop culture is quite impressive. Want an outlet for all that useless trivia crowding your head? Hit up Casey’s Irish Bar & Grille on Mondays at 6 p.m. for drinks and team trivia. No entry fee—and you can win prizes! 613 S. Grand Ave., DTLA. 213nightlife.com/caseysirishpub
Hollywood Babble-On
L.A. Arts District
—M.M.
—M.M.
BEST RETRO DATE NIGHT The closest many of our readers have ever been to a drive-in movie theater is that one scene in Grease. Change that by spending an evening under the stars (and the roof of your car) at the Electric Dusk Drive-In, whose fall season includes screenings of everything from The Breakfast Club to a Halloween-themed Beetlejuice/Poltergeist double-feature. The sound quality is stellar (you’ll use your car’s FM radio) and the snack shack offers up freshly grilled burgers and cheap eats. 1000 San Julian St., DTLA. electricduskdrivein.com —S.H. BEST CULTURE + BANH MI L.A.’s food truck craze is nothing new by any means, but nowhere else besides across the street from LACMA will you find such a diverse selection of quality trucks mixed with a dollop of ... German history. (What, you thought I was going to say ‘Daisy’?) Head to Wilshire Boulevard for lunchtime on a given weekday, indulge in some of the city’s best banh mi, Thai fusion or vegan burgers and lay out in the grass alongside a huge chunk of the Berlin Wall, simply there for your contemplation. 5900 block of Wilshire Blvd., Miracle Mile. —S.H. 36
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BEST SPOT FOR CREEPY FUN The Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round provides a nostalgic, relaxing ride in which you can carelessly let the wind whip through your hair. At the same time, it conjures up visions of a horror movie locale with its menacing organ music and weathered, tail-less ponies. It’s this distinct balance of good and evil that makes the carousel such an iconic representation of L.A. Warning: Don’t purchase ice cream at the snack stand if you’re expecting anything close to edible. Located between the L.A. Zoo and the Los Feliz park entrance. —M.M. BEST PLACE TO MASTER YOUR PUPPET If someone tries to tell you The Bob Baker Marionette Theater is only for kids, cut them out of your life—you don’t need that kind of negativity. This L.A. landmark has been putting on dreamy marionette shows since 1963. It was designated a Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument in 2009. But the true stars of the show are the puppeteers, a group of talented artists who make the marionettes spring to life. Did we mention ice cream is served after the show? 1345 W. 1st St., Westlake. bobbakermarionettes.com —M.M.
Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round
Electric Dusk Drive-in
The Bob Baker Marionette Theater
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/// READERS’ CHOICE /// READERS’ CHOICE /// READERS’ CHOICE /// READERS’ CHOICE ///
Frontiers asked our readers to weigh in on their favorites at FrontiersLA.com. Here are all the nominees and winners.
Hollywood Bowl
PHOTO: COURTESY OF LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC ASSOCIATION
FAVORITE NEW RESTAURANT
FAVORITE LOCAL BUSINESS
FAVORITE HAPPY HOUR
FAVORITE SHOPPING DESTINATION
Connnie & Ted’s, West Hollywood Paiche, Marina Del Rey Petty Cash Taqueria, Mid-City Solo Tapas, Hollywood Trois Mec, Hollywood
Andrew Christian, West Hollywood Book Soup, West Hollywood Celebration Theatre, Hollywood Candle Delirium, West Hollywood Rough Trade, Silver Lake Urban Pet/Moon Shine Grooming, Silver Lake
Black Cat, Silver Lake Il Cielo, Los Angeles Rock Sugar, Century City St. Felix, Hollywood/ West Hollywood Tortilla Republic, West Hollywood
Beverly Connection, Los Angeles Americana at Brand, Glendale Century City Mall, Century City The Grove, Los Angeles LASC, West Hollywood
FAVORITE LOCAL CHARITY
FAVORITE CLUB PROMOTER
FAVORITE DJ
FAVORITE ARTS VENUE
AIDS Project Los Angeles Lavender Effect PAWS/L.A. The Trevor Project Young Professionals Council
Gabe Ayala & Jeremy Lucido Mario Diaz Luke Nero & Andrés Rigal Paul Nicholls Tom Whitman
Chris Bowen & Victor Rodriguez Aaron Elvis DJ eur-O-steve Josh Peace Ray Rhodes
Ahmanson Theatre, DTLA Greek Theatre, Los Feliz Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood REDCAT, DTLA Walt Disney Concert Hall, DTLA
Connie & Ted’s
St. Felix, Hollywood
PHOTO: NIC-RAY
The Grove
PHOTO: BOBAK HA'ERI
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PHOTO: JOHN PASCHAL
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By Michelle McCarthy
Best in Drag Show’s Got Talent
if
you’ve had the pleasure of attending Best in Drag Show, you know the event’s allure isn’t necessarily its contestants’ talent. Quite the opposite, actually. The guys who compete are not really drag queens, which results in endless comedic fodder. Host Patrick Rush says most of them have no business being in heels. But for the 2013 installment of Best in Drag Show, taking place Oct. 6 at Downtown’s Orpheum Theatre, everything has changed. “I think we had 14 guys try out this year, and I actually think they all have a talent— which will be a first,” Rush says. “They are all completely different and doing talents we’ve never seen.” Which talents, you ask? Well, there’s an opera singer, a cheerleader/tumbling routine, an Atlantic City Boardwalk artist, an African tribal dancer, a drummer and a gal singing while coming out of a tree. While that all sounds very alluring, any contestants trying to make a big splash have a lot to contend with when it comes to past performances. Some of Best in Drag Show’s all-time greatest stage moments include Lotta Slots riding a camel onstage singing “Midnight at the Oasis,” Kitten Kaboodle milking a cow, Candy Cotton getting into the mouth of a live elephant and Grace Land’s evening gown that lifted from the floor and spelled out “Elvis Has Left the Building.” Gracing the stage this time around will be Miss California, Beverly Centre; Miss District of Columbia, Ciara Leone; Miss Michigan, Electra Caprice Riviera (her mother named her after the three cars she tricked in the night she was conceived); Miss New Jersey, Vava Fanculo; Miss Puerto Rico, Mimi E. (she thinks she’s related to Sheila E., but
she’s not); and Miss Wisconsin, Misty O'pportunity. Celebrity judges announced so far include Holland Taylor, Kathy Kinney, Mireille Enos (The Killing, World War Z) and Bellamy Young (Scandal). Best in Drag Show, which benefits Aid for AIDS, was the brainchild of Alexis Pittman and a small group of friends in 1989. Originally called Battle for the Tiara, the event started off as a small, annual AIDS fundraiser held in Pittman’s West Hollywood apartment. Aid for AIDS was founded in 1983 and has grown into the premier service provider of direct financial assistance for people living with HIV/AIDS that are disabled and living below the poverty line in Los Angeles County. The organization provides the basic necessities of life—food and shelter—to men, women, children and families suffering from HIV and AIDS. Ninetytwo percent of all revenue goes directly to client services, and more than 18,000 individuals have received assistance. “On the night of the last Battle for the Tiara, which was held at the Wiltern Theatre around 16 years ago, Alexis was in the final stages of his battle with AIDS,” Rush recalls. “He was in the hospital, and I begged the nurses to let him out to see the show, as I knew it would be his last chance. The hospital was very much not in favor of us checking him out, but we did it anyway. His sister brought him in a wheelchair, and he was able to watch some of the last-minute rehearsals before the show. I credit Tom Pardoe with bringing Best in Drag Show to life as a living tribute to Alexis.” Rush says his favorite aspects of hosting the show are the kindness and generosity of the audience—oh, and hoping every year
Patrick Rush
that a girl will fall down the stairs. Rush says he’s shocked every year by the outpouring of love. “Standing backstage just before the show, hearing the announcement go out that the show is starting in two minutes is amazing,” he says. “The clapping and yelling is thunderous and we hear it backstage. It wakes us all up because we’re so exhausted and nervous.” “I can promise you two things for sure this year—shorter and faster! And hopefully funnier,” says Rush. “Jeffrey Drew, our director, has been amazing about tightening the show in the past few years. And we are both implementing new ideas this year to get a crown on a girl’s head faster. You will see, by the end of the show, things are going to move a lot quicker. Here’s my personal guarantee—if you don’t laugh and I don’t cry, I’ll refund your money.” Best in Drag Show takes place Oct. 6 at The Orpheum Theatre. bestindragshow.org
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It is said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but brunch is the most important meal of your social life. From DTLA to west of La Cienega, these L.A. eateries are doing their part to sate your appetite (and thirst) so you can focus on your friends, their drama and the week’s almighty gossip. By Stephan Horbelt and Brian Padgett
Fat Dog
L.A. Market
This fun new eatery in the Fairfax district is worth stepping into at any time, whether that be for happy hour ($3 beers from 4-7 p.m.) or a hearty weekend meal. The brunch menu sports every dish you could possibly crave on a Saturday or Sunday early afternoon, plus a few more that hadn’t crossed your mind. Chow down on a frittata (bacon, broccoli and cheddar, or maybe crab, potato and asparagus), the croque madame or a burger with grass-fed beef straight from Lindy & Grundy. Inventive ‘hair of the dog’ options include Champear (bubbly and pear brandy) and the Bloody Beer (Corona, fresh lime and homemade Bloody Mary mix). Also, feel free to bring Fido along, as Fat Dog has been referred to as Match.com for our furry friends. 801 N. Fairfax Ave., WeHo. thefatdogla.com —S.H.
Incorporating seasonal ingredients into modern riffs on classic staples, Celebrity Chef Kerry Simon’s Sunday brunch is wowing DTLA denizens at his L.A. Live flagship. The buttermilk-blueberry pancake stack, served with blueberry butter, is guaranteed to satisfy even the fruitiest of palates, but Simon’s finesse is perhaps best experienced in the Alaskan king crab sandwich (the delicate protein is starkly juxtaposed with hearty egg, yet the dish is thoughtfully threaded together thanks to the kimchi mayonnaise spice). Complete with baby churros, red velvet whoopee pie and cotton candy, no meal at L.A. Market is complete without the infamous 17 Junk Food Platter dessert. 900 W. Olympic Blvd., DTLA. lalivemarriott.com —B.P.
Home You’re always in for a treat with the quality of food and substantiality of portions at this Los Feliz hotspot. The breakfast burrito is served in a huge tomato basil tortilla, stuffed with scrambled eggs, smoked bacon and mixed melted cheeses. For those affected by a sweet tooth, the red velvet pancakes—merely cake in flapjack form, accompanied with cream cheese sauce and a side of warm syrup—are a decadent treat. 1760 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz. homelosfeliz.com —B.P. 42
FRONTIERSLA.COM
KTCHN DTLA at The Gorbals Culinary entrepreneur Felix G. Barron IV of the downtown gastronomic think tank KTCHN DTLA holds a semi-permanent weekend pop-up brunch at The Gorbals. From the ironic Hollywoodthemed cocktail list—the brazen Joan Collins, with its cucumber-infused vodka and lime, lives up to its namesake—to the Southern California-inspired New American menu—highlights include the spicy habanero scramble, complete with goat cheese, caramelized onions, pumpkin seeds and a side of potatoes, as well as chilaquiles generously topped with queso fresco and Serrano cream— Barron is a welcomed addition to the Alexandria Hotel. 501 S. Spring St., DTLA. ktchn105.com —B.P.
Square One
RivaBella
Ask any hipster worth his weight in skinny jeans and thin suspenders—this is the East Side’s go-to brunch spot for the discerning Angeleno. Fresh, local ingredients, carefully sourced ... yada yada. The food here is amazing. Square One serves up an amazing latte, the club sandwich is freakin’ delicious and the thyme garlic roasted potatoes are killer. Oh, and while you’re waiting for a table to open up, stage a mini-photo shoot at that huge, blue Scientology building. You know you want to. 4854 Fountain Ave., East Hlywd. squareonedining.com —S.H.
Run by the same restaurant group that opened Sushi Roku, Boa and Chi Lin, you should know to expect nothing but a luxe meal here. In addition to the downright gorgeous setting of RivaBella’s patio (one of L.A.’s finest), the restaurant’s brunch set up is one of the classiest we’ve seen. Brunch favorites are served alongside Italian specialties with impeccable presentation. Musttries include the porchetta (only available during brunch hours), farro salad and the amazing cheese and charcuterie selection. 9201 Sunset Blvd., WeHo. innovativedining.com —S.H.
The Griddle Cafe You’ll need to be a particularly patient person to even consider dining at this famed pancake house on the weekend. Even Angelenos who have never stepped foot inside The Griddle are likely familiar with the throngs of starving brunchers camping out along Sunset for their turn at a syrupy stack. Bottom line, there’s a reason the wait here is so horrendous— the pancakes are damn good (as is the bacon). Get wild and crazy with your order and try the “Eyes Wide Open” pancakes, which are served with a shot of espresso and semi-sweet chocolate chips folded into the batter. Then run straight to the gym. 7916 Sunset Blvd., Hlywd. thegriddlecafe.com —S.H.
Kitchen 24 With locations on Cahuenga and Santa Monica Boulevards, this round-the-clock restaurant has something for everyone at any time, and brunch is certainly no exception. The Garden Benedict—a delicious combination of Black Forest ham, grilled onions and poached eggs served over an English muffin with herb-roasted potatoes—has been known to create repeat customers, as has the bottomless Bloody Mary and mimosa special every Saturday until 3 p.m. Can’t make it in time? No worries—happy hour starts, conveniently, at 3 p.m. daily. 1608 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hlywd.; 8575 Santa Monica Blvd., WeHo. kitchen24.info —B.P.
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Ask the
Wedding Expert
I see that I’m being charged gratuity on my catering invoice. Does this mean I don’t need to give any tips? And what about tipping other vendors—is this expected? Tips are generally given to anyone working for a larger company but not to the owner of a small firm who is the actual individual working your wedding (i.e. your photographer, videographer, etc.). However, as tips are given for extra special attention and service, this is completely at your discretion. Tips can range anywhere from $30 for your musicians to a few hundred dollars for your head chef, banquet captain or catering manager.
Should we send thank you notes to guests who send us gifts before the wedding, immediately, or should we wait until after the wedding? We'd like to acknowledge the gifts when we get them, but it also seems a bit strange to do so well before our wedding. It is absolutely acceptable to send your guests thank you notes promptly as you receive them. Not only is it appropriate, polite and timely, but this will save you from having to write a million thank you notes at one time following your wedding.
Should I plan to give each couple a favor, or should I purchase enough for each individual guest? This answer completely depends on the type of favor. If the favor is edible, you will definitely want to give each individual guest a favor, but for favors that are more akin to keepsakes (like a picture frame or bottles of your favorite wine with custom labels), these can be distributed one per couple. However, please do not feel obligated to give your guests a favor at the end of the wedding night. Being hosted to a beautiful wedding ceremony and reception is a gift to your family and friends in and of itself. If you do wish to provide your wedding guests with a gift, I always advise our clients to pick something that is relevant to you and your fiancé. If your favorite dessert is fresh-made chocolate chip cookies from the local bakery, send guests home with a warm chocolate chip cookie and a little note.
By Kristin Banta
My venue is very expensive for a Saturday night, but the venue’s rates are much lower for a Friday or Sunday. Would it be completely unheard of to have our wedding on a Friday or Sunday night? Planning your wedding for a Friday or Sunday night will affect your wedding in a couple of different ways. In terms of your budget, it is true that many venues have lower rates for Friday and Sunday nights. Additionally, many of your vendors might have lower rates for those off-nights, as they might not normally book those nights and might be eager for the work. In terms of your guests, for a Friday night wedding, some of your out-oftowners may not be able to attend as they might not be able to take the entire day off to make it into town. For a Sunday night wedding, most of your guests will have to work the next day and will be hesitant to ‘cut loose’; thus your wedding might not have the party vibe you may be envisioning.
Are you in the middle of planning the big day and find yourself with questions about planning, design, logistics, budget or etiquette? What do you want to know? How can we help?! Send in your questions and concerns to info@kristinbanta.com so we can get you on track. With an extensive background in fashion, entertainment and event production, as well as experience in catering and interior design, Kristin Banta creates unforgettable celebrations while bringing a fresh perspective to the mix. Known as a long-standing advocate within her community for marriage equality, she is passionate about helping her clients find their own voice for their wedding day. The host of Style network's Keep The Party Moving, Banta also had her own Bravo special in 2012, The Wedding Party. She is a frequent contributor for many leading wedding and event publications, and was also featured as one of Los Angeles’ top event designers in the book The Art of Celebration. KristinBanta.com
Find all of our same-sex wedding stories at MarriageEqualityFrontiers.com.
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Frontiers Wedding Guide
S E PO TC EM TO BB E RE R1 1 7, 2013
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SOCAL EVENTS GUIDE
EVENTS
NIGHTLIFE
THEATER
EXHIBITS
go to FrontiersLA.com/Entertainment for more listings Through June 2014
Thu. | Sept. 19
I WANT YOU TO WANT ME!
GET FRENCHY
Located on the fourth floor of the Grammy Museum, the unveiling of Cheap Trick: I Want You to Want Me! will take center stage as a one-of-akind exhibit. Visitors will enjoy an in-depth look at the impressive career of a band that continues to reign as power-pop progenitors with a legacy spanning over 35 years. grammy museum.org Through Oct. 13
SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ The Pasadena Playhouse This Tony Award-nominated and Grammy Award-winning tribute to legendary songwriters Leiber & Stoller is a dazzling, songand-dance celebration of 39 rock ‘n’ roll hits. Take a trip back to classics like “Stand by Me,” “Fools Fall in Love,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Spanish Harlem” and “Yakety Yak.” pasadenaplay house.org Wed. | Sept. 18
SQUARE DANCE LESSONS Sunland-Tujunga Municipal Bldg. Did you know square dancing is the official state dance of California? Whether you knew that or not, lessons are being offered by Bloomin’ Squares for eager participants just past the hills of Hollywood. Check out this little nugget of a secret and I reckon you’ll have a good ol’ time! First class is always free. Through Spring 2014. bloomin squares@yahoo.com
Patina Restaurant Stardust by David Rousséve-Reality
Dress up, donate and dine French-style as a group of celebrated L.A. chefs ‘get Frenchy’ by pairing French-inspired bites with hand-selected, biodynamic French wines from top wine importer Gregory Condes. Hosted by Gail Simmons and Joachim Splichal, this night benefits the Angelman Syndrome Foundation Fellowship. angelman.org
PHOTO: VALERIE OLIVEIRO
The Grammy Museum
Thu. | Sept. 19
OBJECTS IN MOTION Akbar This party marks a return to the bar where it all began for Bears in Space, a monthly party drawing L.A.’s sexy, hirsute boys to the dance floor. Indulge in the cute crowd, cheap drinks and great vinyl tracks every third Thursday of the month. Free. Fri. | Sept. 20
OUT ON THE MOUNTAIN Magic Mountain Six Flags, DJ Ray Rhodes and Wayne Castro invite you to the annual Magic Mountain LGBT Private Party. The park is closed to the general public for this special gay and gay-friendly event. Have fun on the rides til midnight, while the dance party lasts ‘til 1 a.m. outonthemountain.com Fri. | Sept. 20
THE WIZARD OF OZ 3-D Various cinemas Marking the 75th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz, Warner Bros. has produced a 3-D remastered version of the film—a return to the big screen, presented in the IMAX format— for an exclusive one-week engagement in IMAX theatres across North America. imax.com
THEATER ON YOUR RADAR Downtown Los Angeles is set to become a theatrical hot spot during Radar L.A., Sept. 24 - Oct. 1, a festival of international contemporary theater featuring 18 different productions at the forefront of performing arts. More than 10 DTLA venues will play host to new commissioned works and premieres with an interdisciplinary focus, not to mention an international program that highlights adventurous works from around the world alongside our own L.A. artists. This second edition of Radar L.A. also marks the opening event of REDCAT’s 10th anniversary season as CalArts’ Downtown center for contemporary arts. Building on the success of the inaugural Radar L.A. in June 2011, the festival’s diverse programming stresses innovation and new theatrical forms, apparent in both its ambitious international program and a local program of works by cutting-edge L.A.-based artists. International projects include the first L.A. appearances by some of Latin America’s most acclaimed theatrical innovators, including Argentine director Lola Arias, who brings a special work of documentary theater to the festival; Mexican director Claudio Valdés Kuri, who will stage the acclaimed music/ theater/opera production El Gallo; and Argentine theater artist Mariano Pensotti, who has collaborated with L.A. writers on a free instal-
lation/performance project designed for downtown pedestrian encounters. Also part of the international program are innovative productions and collaborations by artists from Pacific Rim countries, including New Zealand-based director and choreographer Lemi Ponifasio. Acclaimed theater artist and puppeteer Basil Twist will present Dogugaeshi, a work developed with Japanese master musician Yumiko Tanaka. Angeleno artists unveiling new work at Radar L.A. include Skid Row-based theater ensemble Los Angeles Poverty Department, working in collaboration with Dutch theater ensemble Wunderbaum on a provocative new work, Hospital, at the historic Tower Theater; choreographer David Roussève, who blends theater and dance in Stardust at REDCAT; and incisive writer and performer Luis Alfaro, whose new work St. Jude is presented at Center Theatre Group’s Kirk Douglas Theatre (one of the festival’s non-DTLA venues). Festival passes have already gone on sale and can be purchased at redcat.org or at the REDCAT box office. Find the festival’s complete lineup online. Radar L.A. Sept. 24 - Oct. 1 DTLA redcat.org
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Sat. | Sept. 21
Sat. | Sept. 21
THE NORMAL HEART
MARA
The Fountain Theatre
Ford Amphitheatre
It’s New York, 1981, and a circle of friends struggle to contain a mysterious disease ravaging the city’s gay community. One man’s heroic fight to awaken the world to the crisis in time to save the life of the man he loves is the story of The Normal Heart. Through Oct. 27. fountaintheatre.com
This multimedia dance and musical production features a cast of 35 dancers and musicians along with dynamic Bharata Natyam choreography, blended seamlessly with haunting melodies of classical South Indian music, jazz and funk. Brother-sister duo Mythili and Aditya Prakash conceived this production from the ground up. This original work is inspired by Buddhist lore’s demonic character Mara. fordtheatres.org
Sat. | Sept. 21
SQURRRL: AUTUMN EQUINOX Akbar San Francisco's furriest of parties returns to its L.A. nest, with a roster of DJs in the back room and Ambrosia Salad spinning in the front room, plus a performance by hostess Tamale Ringwald at midnight. $4.99 door charge. akbarsilverlake.com Sat. | Sept. 21
VENICE BEACH MUSIC FEST 8 Windward Plaza Park Right in the heart of Venice at Windward Plaza Park, Venice Beach Music Fest 8 returns with a free day of art, music and dance. This year’s festival features musical entertainment along with a large art show surrounding the park, food trucks and lifestyle vendors, hula-hoops and more. venicebeach musicfest.com Sat. | Sept. 21
CARMEN Dorothy Chandler Pavilion L.A. Opera opens a new season with a revival of Georges Bizet’s Carmen, one of the world’s most popular operas. No man can resist Carmen’s gypsy charms, but when she’s ready to move on, watch out! Filled with alluring melodies and captivating dances, this riveting drama brings the sights and sounds of Seville to life on the stage with dazzling bursts of color. Through Oct. 6. laopera.com
» BIG FAT GRUNT | EAGLE L.A. Photos by Rolling-Blackouts
Sun. |Sept. 22
PHYLLIS DILLER ESTATE AUCTION Julien’s Auctions Beverly Hills The first lady of stand-up comedy was known for decades for her self-deprecating humor. In the 1960s, her fame skyrocketed, appearing on several of Bob Hope’s television specials, USO tours and in three movies. Diller’s outlandish trademark props are well-represented in this auction, which includes her hilariously funny and wild wigs, jeweled dog collars, feather boas, gloves, cigarette holders, ankle boots, colorful housecoats and chunky costume jewelry. julienslive.com Tue. | Sept. 24
THE SUNSHINE BOYS Ahmanson Theatre Danny DeVito and Judd Hirsch play Willie Clark and Al Lewis, two former vaudevillian stars who are no longer speaking to each other after 40 years of partnership. When a lucrative television offer for one last show lures them into a grudging reunion, sparks fly in a classic comedy of showbiz and friendship. Through Nov. 3. centertheatre group.org Tue. | Sept. 24
CHRISTMAS IN SEPTEMBER The Abbey David Cooley and Kyle Richards (of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills) cordially invite you to the eighth annual Christmas in September. Bring an unwrapped toy meant for a teen or infant for admission to the party, and the toys will benefit Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Help bring joy to a child’s life! sbe.com/abbey
Sat. | Sept. 21
HOT DAWGZ & HAND RAILS
Wed. | Sept. 25
Bear Mountain
The Peninsula Beverly Hills
Bear Mountain’s 10th annual winter kickoff party has something for all ages. Guests can participate in fun games and walk away with tons of giveaways from Red Bull, GoPro, Electric, Skullcandy, ThirtyTwo and other snowboard brands. There are various DJs on-site playing the hottest jams, and the entire competition can easily be viewed from the 13,000-square-foot deck and worldfamous Beach Bar. bearmountain.com
Canine Companions for Independence and Disney VoluntEARS will host this runway fashion show for dogs to raise funds for CCI. Dozens of pets will model outfits of their owners’ choosing, and Canine Companions’ dogs will sport their distinguished vests on the runway. The event will include a cocktail hour, hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction before couture canines give new meaning to the catwalk. cci.org/hautedogla
HAUTE DOG
Find more photo albums — and additional photos from these events — at FrontiersLA.com/Entertainment. 48
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Wed. | Sept. 25
INSIDEOUT 10TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERTS Various venues
PHOTO: ROBERT ULRICH
SOCAL EVENTS GUIDE
Downtown Flea Sept. 22 DTLA dtflea.com
To acknowledge a decade at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the L.A. Phil presents a celebration led by Music Director Gustavo Dudamel. Festivities include a free open house concert with the L.A. Phil and Youth Orchestra L.A. to be simulcast in Grand Park; a series of free community concerts with special guest Julie Andrews; an opening night gala with Yo-Yo Ma and other commemorations. Through Feb. 9. LAphil.com/insideOUT Thu. | Sept. 26
MARILYN ... MADNESS & ME PHOTO: MILTON GREENE
El Portal Theatre This piece is centered around the last months of Marilyn Monroe’s life, told in first-person by the man who lived the shocking tale of unrequited love and also confirmed excerpts from Monroe’s diary. The show puts a revealing spotlight on a career that has mesmerized the world for generations. elportaltheatre.com Thu. | Sept. 26
GLORYHOLE 2013 The Pleasure Chest Now in its third year, Gloryhole offers a peek behind the red curtain, giving guests a chance to mix and mingle with the sexual glitterati. Equal parts tease and sleaze, Gloryhole will let the curious see what goes on after-hours at one of L.A.’s most storied locations, on the very same floor where Joan Jett once shopped for leather. thepleasurechest.com
FOOD, FLAIR & FUN
This summer has seen an inventive and unique weekend event roll into Downtown Los Angeles, and its third installment is fast approaching. Dubbed the Downtown Flea, it’s part-block party, part-flea market and part-food festival—the perfect excuse to venture Downtown on a sunny weekend afternoon. Every fourth Sunday of the month, Downtown Flea opens as a four-lot city marketplace showcasing up to 400 local dealers offering vintage, collectible and antique wares. The event’s $5 admission allows
you access to all four lots, which are located in the ‘200’ blocks of Spring and Main Streets in DTLA’s Historic Core. Purchase your tickets on location at the ticket booth or online at dtflea.com. VIP tickets—which feature executive restrooms, complimentary beverages and lounge seating—will set you back $25. The Downtown Flea opens at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. Ample parking is available at a six-story structure located between 2nd and 3rd on Spring Street.
Find more photo albums — and additional photos from these events — at FrontiersLA.com/Entertainment.
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Photos by Brenden-John Photography
OCTOBER 1, 2013
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SOCAL EVENTS GUIDE
FOOD2KNOW Lobster Roll
BY ERIC ROSEN
Lobster might be the epitome of fancy food, associated with white tablecloth establishments, but this clever crustacean also graces the tables of humble seafood shacks around the world and is just as good on a roll as it is on fine china.
Hungry Cat
Little Fork
Son of a Gun
One of the best known seafood spots in town, Hungry Cat has earned its reputation thanks partly to its ever-popular Maine lobster roll, with plenty of fresh meat and a rich butter-toasted roll. The French fries on the side are almost superfluous. 1535 Vine St., L.A. thehungrycat.com
You might remember chef Jason Travi from his celebrated stint at Fraiche, but at this new low-key Hollywood hotspot, he’s serving up a mean lobster roll heaped with sweet claw and tail meet on a Rockenwagner Parker roll and a side of house-made salt and vinegar chips. 1600 Wilcox Ave., Hlywd. littleforkla.com
Vinny Dotolo and Jon Shook proved they know meat at their much-loved first restaurant, Animal, but the scene is all about seafood at their second outing. Though the lobster roll here is small, it packs a tasty punch thanks to plenty of meat, tangy lemon aioli, celery and potato chips—for a little crunch in every bite. 8370 W. 3rd St., L.A. sonofagun restaurant.com
Find more photo albums — and additional photos from these events — at FrontiersLA.com/Entertainment.
» BRUTUS 3-YEAR ANNIVERSARY | FAULTLINE |
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Photos by Rolling-Blackouts
OCTOBER 1, 2013
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SOCAL EVENTS GUIDE Fri. | Sept. 27
Sun. | Sept. 29
THE PURGE: FEAR THE NIGHT
DECADE
Variety Arts Theatre
BY ERIC ROSEN
Horror fans are invited to this scary experience, inspired by the backstory of the feature film The Purge. Guests become ‘delegates’ to the annual convention of the New Founding Fathers, the dystopian governing party of a near-future America where all crime is legal once a year for 12 hours. Through Nov. 2. purgelive.com
Micky’s End your weekend at Decade, where you’re sure to hear nothing but the classics while tearing up the dance floor. Indulge in disco-dancing go-go boys and live drag performances before you head back to work on Monday. mickys.com Sun. | Sept. 29
WEHO BOOK FAIR West Hollywood Park
Fri. | Sept. 27
LGBT NIGHT OUT Dodger Stadium Come out and celebrate a historic night as the Dodgers welcome LGBT family and friends for the first-ever LGBT Night OUT! Watch the boys in blue take on the Colorado Rockies, plus a celebrity first pitch, the National Anthem performed by a surprise guest with the Gay Men’s Chorus of L.A. and a fireworks show with music by DJ Manny Lehman. dodgers.com/out Sat. | Sept. 28
SUNSET SAFARI Greater L.A. Zoo
SEAFOOD SHACK Angelenos know chef Michael Cimarusti as the talented toque behind the stoves at one of L.A.’s best restaurants, Providence. But before he was turning out some of L.A.’s most lauded meals year after year on Melrose, Cimarusti spent his childhood fishing the waters of his native New England and sparking his lifelong love of seafood. That’s what truly shines through at his new
Connie & Ted’s 8171 Santa Monica Blvd., WeHo (323) 848-2722 connieandteds.com
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West Hollywood restaurant, Connie & Ted’s, named after his grandparents (his grandfather was a fisherman), and an homage to the Rhode Island seafood shacks of his youth—though with a Gehry-esque architectural aesthetic and an undulating roof reminiscent of ocean swells. Even a few months after opening, reservations are still among the toughest in town to get, but there’s plenty of space for walk-ins (and you might end up eating at one of the communal tables near the bar area), so take your chances—or call far in advance for a secured spot on the crowded outdoor deck. To start, peruse the daily menu of raw bar items, including oysters from all over the world, all manner of crustacean—including whole crab— and even good old-fashioned shrimp cocktail. There are also clam and crab cakes and New England clam “chowda.” The New England Boiled Dinner with mussels, steamers, lobster, linguiça, potatoes and corn cobs is a popular shared dish, but most folks seem to go for the fish ’n chips or the luscious lobster roll. Order the hot version that drips with drawn butter over a toasty, eggy bun. For something lighter, there’s a daily selection of fresh catch-ofthe-day fish, which can be made to order. Skip the decent but unremarkable wine list and opt for a maritime-themed cocktail instead, like the Catalina Eddy—Jamaican rum, white demerara rum, house-made banana cordial and honey lime. You’ll be drinking like a sailor in no time. Of course, you can’t help but choose the traditional whoopie pies for dessert—and when you do, choose the Blondie with vanilla ice cream and salted caramel sauce.
This is the exclusive after-hours wildlife fest at the L.A. Zoo for Safari Club donors, featuring wildlife of Africa and South America, giving guests a chance to experience animals up-close through keeper talks, animal feedings, training demonstrations and strolling animal walkabouts. Hosted by the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, the evening includes a buffet dinner, international music and more. lazoo.org/support Sat. | Sept. 28
BEST IN SHOW PET COMPETITION Universal Hilton Hotel and Towers Actors and Others for Animals celebrates the pets that share our homes and heart at this upcoming fundraiser. The highlight of the show will be a pet competition to be emceed by Mike Burger. Guests Leonard Maltin, Ed Begley Jr., ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic and others will share videos of their pet attempting to be the cutest, funniest or most lovable of the group in order to be named ‘best in show.’ Of course, Fred Willard and Jim Piddock will be critiquing them as only these two comedians can! actorsand others.com
Celebrating its 12th edition, this year’s festival will feature literature, art, music, performance and community in an eclectic presentation. Expect performances and discussions with Debbie Reynolds, William Friedkin and many other authors; chefs sharing stovetop secrets at the Culinary Pavilion; plus 12 outdoor stages and venues. Admission is free, with a bicycle and stroller valet. westhollywoodbookfair.org Through Oct. 13
THE LITTLE MERMAID 3-D El Capitan Theatre Hollywood’s legendary El Capitan Theatre is delighted to present Disney’s Academy Award-winning film The Little Mermaid for the first time ever in thrilling Disney Digital 3-D. This exclusive presentation also features a live preshow sing-along with Sofia from Disney’s Sofia the First, plus a special live appearance by Ariel after the movie. elcapitantickets.com Tue. | Oct. 1
EVITA Blok Luke Nero and Andrés Rigal of Mr. Black L.A. have brought this new party to the masses, taking place in a different Hollywood venue but showcasing the same hedonism and joie de vivre you’ve come to expect. Past parties have featured guest appearances by the likes of Amanda Lepore and more. Free. facebook.com/evitalosangeles Through Fall 2013
ARA DYMOND & MATHEW ZEFELDT Santa Monica Museum of Art Celebrate two exciting new exhibitions in the museum’s project rooms—Ara Dymond: Famous, New York, Modernism Everywhere and Mathew Zefeldt: Form Forming Forms. Dymond’s first California exhibition includes a series of sculptures, transforming everyday objects cast against type. Zefeldt is an emerging Bay Area painter who will turn the gallery walls into a backdrop of three monumental still lifes for his first museum exhibition. smmoa.org
SEPTEMBER 17, 2013
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There’s nothing in the world quite like the Folsom Street Fair, a veritable San Francisco institution and badge of honor. While the fair spurns an entire long weekend of revelry in the Bay Area, the main event—the street festival itself, which caps the city’s Leather Week— will take place on Sunday, Sept. 29, and all are invited to lose sight of their inhibitions and take a walk on the wild side. Located on historic Folsom Street between 7th and 12th in the city’s leather-loving SOMA neighborhood, the fair celebrates its 30th incarnation this September. Help mark this great milestone with 400,000 of your kinkiest brethren among exhibitors selling fetish gear and toys, a massive live stage featuring performances by indie bands, two huge areas offering up underground dance tracks, public play stations and an erotic artists’ area. It’s kinda like Disneyland, but if Mickey and Donald got into some kinky shit. As a special treat to honor 30 years of sexual liberation, the fair this year will be open for 30 extra minutes (11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.), there will be a performance stage set up at the erotic artists’ area and the elevated cage dancers are back! Also, the official Folsom closing party is now right on the fairgrounds.
ONLY IN
SAN FRANCISCO As always, 100 percent of gate donations benefit charity. Prior to this year’s street fest, Magnitude—the official Saturday night dance event of Folsom Street Fair— will take place on Sept. 28 from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., and it’s likely to be the biggest in history. The party will take place at two venues—Terra and Factory—with
four headlining DJs, including Tony Moran (NYC), Jack Chang (London), Russ Rich (SF) and Phil B. (SF). Guests are free to travel between the two venues with their ticket, and everyone is able to make use of the party’s free clothes check. For a complete calendar of events for SF Leather Week and Folsom
weekend—including underwear parties, dance parties, fisting parties and panel discussions with local doctors— go to the Folsom Street Fair website. Folsom Street Fair Sept. 29 San Francisco folsomstreetfair.com
Find more photo albums — and additional photos from these events — at FrontiersLA.com/Entertainment.
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Photos by Tom Whitman Presents
SEPTEMBER 17, 2013
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ENTERTAINMENT
FILM
REVIEWS C.O.G. Starring Jonathan Groff, Denis O’Hare, Corey Stoll Opens Sept. 20
**
The first film adapted from the work of David Sedaris, C.O.G. has some vivid moments, such as David (Groff) sleeping on the floor of a bus and waking up in his drool. However, this story about him trying to ‘find himself’ by working at an orchard—and befriending Curly (Stoll) and Joe (O’Hare)—has no momentum; it is as lost as David is. Part of the problem is that the characters are hard to care about. Groff, who is generally an appealing actor, is too bland here. Everyone sees through him, and he's neither likable nor sympathetic. Groff's performance is all work and no feeling. As his mentor, O'Hare is better because he plays up his alcoholic Jesus-freak character without making him into a two-dimensional stereotype. Yet easily the best thing about C.O.G. is Stoll. Incredibly sexy and injecting the film with a boost of energy it sorely needs, the Curly character and storyline are far more interesting than anything else on-screen. He is the only reason to see C.O.G. While Sedaris fans may appreciate this noble effort, for those viewers who find the author’s work depressing and not funny, this adaptation will not change minds. It is more depressing than amusing. —Gary M. Kramer
A SINGLE SHOT
THANKS FOR SHARING
ZAYTOUN
Starring Sam Rockwell, Joe Anderson, Jason Isaacs Opens Sept. 20
Starring Mark Ruffalo, Tim Robbins, Gwyneth Paltrow, Alecia Moore Opens Sept. 20
Starring Stephen Dorff, Abdallah El Akal Opens Sept. 27
***
***
This murky, atmospheric thriller opens with John (Rockwell) going out to (illegally) hunt deer, only to accidentally kill a young woman. In his efforts to dispose of her body, he discovers a cache of money. Taking it, he becomes hunted by Waylon (Isaacs) and Obadiah (Anderson), who will stop at nothing to recover their cash. Director David M. Rosenthal takes his time building the story—cue John’s divorce drama, plus scenes of a dead dog and a brick thrown through John’s window to show the criminals mean business. However, Rosenthal also allows for some great, diverting turns from William H. Macy as John’s lowrent lawyer, and Jeffrey Wright as Simon, John’s drunken buddy. A Single Shot improves when it focuses on the nastiness at hand. A hotel room sequence at the film’s midpoint in which John spies on Obadiah is both tense and terrific, and a grisly encounter between Waylon and John late in the film sets up a nifty ending. Rockwell is extraordinary here, giving a taciturn performance; he conveys so much with his eyes, especially in the film’s final shot. A Single Shot may fall short of being memorable, but the flinty performances and ample suspense warrant a look.
Unlike the dark, bracing Shame, Stuart Blumberg’s directorial feature Thanks for Sharing is the funnier side of sex addiction. This isn’t to say that the cowriter of The Kids Are All Right went all Judd Apatow on his subject; just that the inherent drama of three disparate men trying to get (or keep) their impulses under control is shot through with pungent humor. Mark Ruffalo plays the main protagonist Adam, who is in his fifth year of sobriety and is learning to date again (a luminous Gwyneth Paltrow). Tim Robbins is Mike, Adam’s longtime sponsor, who spouts eccentric psychobabble to both his charge and his son (Patrick Fugit), who’s fighting his own addictions. And Josh Gad, in his best screen role to date, is Neil, an emergency room doctor forced into the program because of his penchant for subway frottage. Gad’s the slovenly id of the film, a way in for the audience, and he keeps the movie honest. (He also transforms during the film into an appealing leading man, largely thanks to his scenes with Alecia Moore, aka P!nk, as fellow addict Dede.) There’s a surfeit of plot— Blumberg could have done without Mike’s family drama—but it’s a sure-footed, pleasing debut.
—Gary M. Kramer
—Dan Loughry
****
Fahed (El Akal) is a 12-year-old Palestinian kid eking out a life—which includes attending school and military training—in 1982 Beirut. His world, which is unsettled to begin with, changes first when his father is killed, and then again when Yoni (Dorff), an Israeli pilot, parachutes from the sky and is taken prisoner. Fahed wounds the captive, but he also offers him a deal—in exchange for his release, the handcuffed Yoni must take Fahed back to his ancestral home in Israel, where he hopes to plant his late father’s olive tree. Most of Zaytoun depicts the adventures of this unlikely pair as they try to cross the border, practice sharpshooting in an abandoned amusement park and work out how to navigate a minefield. Director Eran Riklis’s absorbing film benefits from presenting an authentic sense of time and place—and it’s appropriately comic-ironic to hear “Staying Alive” on a car radio as the pair dangerously drive to the border. The well-cast Dorff and El Akal develop a believable camaraderie. Zaytoun falters when it telegraphs its heavy-handed scenes (the aforementioned mine field sequence), and the film’s ending is less a payoff and more emotionally sentimental, but these flaws are largely forgivable. —Gary M. Kramer
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ENTERTAINMENT
MUSIC
Arctic Monkeys AM (Domino)
****
REVIEWS
Five albums and seven years ago, Arctic Monkeys signified something very British—conversational ramblings coupled with angular post-punk guitars performed by four lads in their late teens. Perhaps taken by the band’s precociousness, the press latched on to these guys, placing a magnifying glass over their every move. Arctic Monkeys, for all intents and purposes a subtle band, cannot release a subtle album. Every leap the band makes from album to album must be carefully calculated. This fifth album, AM (inspired by the Velvet Underground’s VU), is no exception. The band has taken what it has learned from past success—and what Josh Homme taught them, which is essentially how to rock—and added a little R&B to the mix. This album is sexier than anything the band has done before. The lyrics still have that Alex Turner comedic slant, but now he’s using his wit to get you into bed. And it works for the most part. “Arabella” is as sultry as anything the band’s released yet, and hypnotically catchy. “Knee Socks” is an absolute standout and could be a huge U.S. hit (the band needs one), and current single “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High” is a blast. This is a smart album from a smart band. There’s a reason Arctic Monkeys’ every move is scrutinized. —Dominik Rothbard
Factory Floor
Janelle Monáe
Naked Eyes
Placebo
The Weeknd
Factory Floor (DFA Records)
The Electric Lady (Atlantic)
Fuel for the Fire (Cherry Red)
Loud Like Love (Universal)
Kiss Land (Universal Republic)
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Factory Floor’s eponymous debut was two years in the making (it’s been eight years since they started as a band). Released by DFA Records—yes, James Murphy’s label—it comes with pre-release hype and expectations to become the new LCD Soundsystem ... like that’s going to happen! But these three men—Gabriel Gurnsey (drums, drum machines), Dominic Butler (synths and electronics) and Nik Colk (manipulated vocals, guitars, samples)—are fresh and strange enough to become their own legendary collective. Where LCD Soundsystem was maximal in scope and impact, Factory Floor is minimal and seductive. “Here Again” jumpstarts the heart of Giorgio Moroder on its way to the Electric Daisy Carnival, replete with ghostly vocals echoing down from heaven. “Fall Back” resurrects the deadpan delivery of Nico and slathers it all over the hyperactive percolation of rogue electronics. (If a remake was made of A Clockwork Orange, this song would be its opening credit sequence.) Even the three strange instrumental interludes—“One,” “Two” and “Three”—are compelling, more lead-ins for the next tunes than mere placeholders. Joy Division/New Order drummer Stephen Morris, who has remixed the group’s work, describes the music as “unsettling disco.” And he’s right—this is music to raise the dead and then get them dancing. —Dan Loughry
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****
Janelle Monáe is one of those rare artists in the current pop landscape who seems to be universally loved and respected, even without having many huge radio hits. She’s consistently lauded as unique and visionary, and her latest effort pretty much seals those adjectives. It is also why high-level collaborators like Erykah Badu, Solange and Miguel appear here. Right out of the gate, “Givin' ‘Em What They Love” is a sexy, slow-burning slice of retro funk that features Prince on guest vocals and a scorching guitar solo—and this lyric: “She followed me back to the lobby for some undercover love.” More on that in a moment. Meanwhile, the title track (featuring Solange) has a soaring, blissful sing-along chorus; “We Were Rock ‘N Roll” is actually a syncopated, gospel-disco stunner; and “Dance Apocalyptic” jumps, jives and jitterbugs. Monáe has created what could possibly be called a lesbian-themed concept album, with sapphic lyrical subtext. On “Our Favorite Fugitive,” she inflames that “robot love is queer.” All told, this is an ambitious blend of sprawling musical juxtapositions and flavored fusions that could use some track trimming—especially the outdated interludes—but is still something dazzling. —Paul V.
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Thirty years ago, Naked Eyes released its debut album, Burning Bridges, which spawned two megahits (“Always Something There to Remind Me” and “Promises Promises”) that still receive regular play on the radio today. One year later, synthpop duos were all the rage, and Naked Eyes’ second full-length project got lost in the shuffle. Boasting only one single, the energetic “(What) In the Name of Love,” was a modest hit, but sold only a fraction of the group’s previous singles. The record label had bigger fish to fry and stopped promoting the album before a second single was released. Naked Eyes disbanded, and we’re left with a shamefully small catalog. Fuel for the Fire might be even better than its predecessor. Without the burden of two hit singles to live up to, the album is remarkably consistent and a fantastic example of the New Romantic era. Tony Mansfield deftly produces the signature Naked Eyes sound once again, and songs like “Flying Solo” and “Eyes of a Child” sound like giant ‘80s hits you’ve never heard. Fuel for the Fire is making its debut on CD 29 years too late, but thankfully Cherry Red Records has rectified this error by including remixes, B-sides and unreleased demos that ensure ‘80s completists will have to pick this up.
Placebo is another band that critics and the press seem to love universally yet doesn’t crossover in a big way here in America. In the UK, the band sells tons of records and has bonafide radio hits. Here, not so much. Granted, singer Brian Molko’s nasal, pathos-mewling voice is an acquired taste, but he—and the band—consistently crafts engaging if melancholy alternative rock. And there are some champion tracks here, namely the catchy, anthemic, New Orderinspired title track (one of the best ever), while “Rob the Bank” is pure ‘90s alt-rock. Changing it up a bit is “Hold On to Me,” a gentle, strumming ballad that wafts through the room with strings and understated handclaps, while first single “Too Many Friends” is the inevitable song needed to address the perils of computer and social media addiction. Molko opens it with a pretty funny lyric—“My computer thinks I’m gay. I threw that piece of junk away on the Champs-Elysées”— and you realize just how queerly this guy approaches his songwriting, which is a good thing. Though Placebo never strays far from its well-worn formula of fuzzy-glitchy guitars or quiet emotion, the group certainly does it extremely well. Catch Placebo live in L.A. on Oct. 18 at The Wiltern.
—Dominik Rothbard
—Paul V.
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Abel Tesfaye, aka The Weeknd, released his debut Trilogy (a collection of three 2011 EPs with some new tracks) nearly one year ago. Yet Kiss Land feels more like this Canadian indietronica artist’s natural debut. Those EPs and the subsequent collection felt like a neophyte working out his blueprint. The songs here cohere organically across the 50-minute running time (one hour if you go ‘deluxe’) and give the listener easier insight into Tesfaye’s strengths (and, yeah, one major weakness). In essence, Tesfaye’s an R&B singer. He’s got a smooth, expressive tenor that knows how to caress a groove. (Check out the way he yearns on “Adaptation” if you have any doubts.) Yet his soul is fractured, seen through the prism of trip-hop and chillwave (and, farther back, industrial). If Michael Jackson had been weaned on Massive Attack, he’d have created a song as beguiling as “Belong to the World” or nearly any other track here. The Weeknd excels at this, so much so that he doesn’t offer much more. Only one tune, “Wonderland,” ups the tempo, and it arrives just when you’re ready to nod off from all the atmosphere. Solid, for sure, but let’s be honest—it borders on boring. —Dan Loughry
ENTERTAINMENT
THEATER REVIEWS THE BELLS OF WEST 87TH GREENWAY COURT THEATRE | 544 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles Through Oct. 13 | greenwayarts.org Who would have thought that a world premier play at the quaint Greenway Court Theatre would be a sort of Buffy the Vampire Slayer reunion? Playwright Elin Hampton (a writer on the popular TV series) mounts her second play, The Bells of West 87th, which stars Buffy alums James Marsters (“Spike”) and Dagney Kerr (Buffy’s college roommate) and is directed by David Fury—a writer and producer on the iconic Joss Whedon show. Together they craft a charming and oftentimes hilarious family comedy about a 40-year old woman finally coming into her own. Molly (Cameron Meyer) lives in and manages a small apartment building in New York City. Her mother Ida (Carol Locatell) lives with her after separating four years ago from her husband Eli
(Robert Towers), who lives next door. She doesn’t want him to know she’s living close by, so she has had Molly install bells on his doors and windows so that she knows when he’s coming or going. The fact that he’s practically deaf and can never find his hearing aid assists in this little scheme. In typical Jewish mother fashion, Ida is always on poor Molly’s case about her lifestyle, interests, personality, clothing and life goals. As a result, Molly has clearly always felt ‘lesser than.’ Her sister Maxine (Dagney Kerr) is the successful one, with a rich husband and two children. But Molly? She can’t even seem to convince her mother that she’s not a lesbian. But Molly has met a man named Chris (James Marsters) in her poetry
PHOTO: DAVID FURY
class and has begun her first relationship in many years. Chris is a happy guy—albeit somewhat naïve. He is completely smitten with Molly and has no idea what he’s in for when she invites him to her apartment for the first time. The play is set on the day that Molly finally tells her mother she has a boyfriend and the subsequent dinner she plans to have so she can introduce him to the family. The writing by Hampton is sharp and clever, although at times it feels like a sitcom version of August: Osage County. It never reaches the dramatic heights it needs, but the terrific performances make up for what the script might be lacking. All of the cast excels here, but Locatell as Ida is the clear favorite. Her layered performance doesn’t let Ida
become one-note. While the character calls for typical Jewish stereotypes, she also makes it believable and fresh. In a smaller role, Kerr shows real comedic chops as Molly’s well-to-do sister who barely holds it together as the dinner progresses. Her comic timing is impeccable and she has a face that can sell a moment like a pro. Give this girl a sitcom immediately. Despite its minor flaws, the story moves at a swift pace with interesting characters and relatable situations. While some of the themes remain a bit too close to the surface and the final moments don’t have the heft one might expect, it’s a completely enjoyable evening with terrific performances and snappy direction by Fury. —Kevin Taft
FUNNY GIRL PLUMMER AUDITORIUM | 201 E. Chapman, Fullerton REDONDO BEACH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach (final week) | Through Sept. 29 | 3dtshows.com
Few will disagree that the shoes of Barbra Streisand are extremely daunting to fill—especially when it comes to tackling her signature role. When the budding starlet created a sensation in the 1964 Broadway musical Funny Girl, leading to a Best Actress Oscar for her 1968 film debut in the same role, Streisand’s career skyrocketed. Tackling the character of brash but brilliant vaudeville luminary Fanny Brice (1891-1951), Streisand had fortuitously stepped into a perfect amalgam of performer and role. Perhaps for this reason, this legendary bio-musical has astonishingly never been revived on Broadway, while regional and touring productions remain very rare. The great news about 3-D Theatricals’ ambitious revisit to the property is twofold. In the coveted role of Fanny, Nicole Parker gives a fresh and lively interpretation of the character, delivering an irresistible performance. Meanwhile, a sumptuous and rousing production, under the savvy direction of Michael Matthews (co-artistic director 62
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of the Celebration Theatre) belies the myth that this show is primarily a star vehicle. The jaunty spirit of old-time vaudeville, heightened by a delightful score by Jule Styne (Gypsy) and Bob Merrill, yield a cornucopia of pleasures in a jubilant tuner—truly the type Broadway seldom creates any more. There are several differences between the Broadway score and the songs included in the film. The Fanny Brice standards incorporated into the movie (“My Man” and “Secondhand Rose”) aren’t in the stage version, while it includes some great numbers that weren’t retained in the film. Under the sublime helm of musical director-conductor Gerald Sternbach and a knockout orchestra, this production delivers a treasure trove of tuneful ditties (“Coronet Man,” “Who Taught Her Everything”) and superb ballads (“The Music That Makes Me Dance”). Meanwhile, fans of the film will be delighted that “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” “People,” “I’m the Greatest Star” and other songs remain part of this exuberant mix.
PHOTO: ISAAC JAMES CREATIVE
There are additional magical elements here—the spirited triple-threat cast, sparkling choreography by Kami Seymour and a shimmering production design (set by Stephen Gifford, lighting by Jean-Yves Tessier, costumes by Cheryl Sheldon). As the cheeky yet self-deprecating heroine, Parker handles the humor and heartbreak of her role with equal panache, and her soaring voice yields splendid results. Her comedic genius shines through in the classic pregnant-bride number (“His Love Makes Me Beautiful”) and the raucous World War I
spoof, “Rat-a-Tat-Tat.” As Fanny’s romantic interest—the dashing but shady Nick Arnstein—Josh Adamson is likewise in tip-top voice and gives a strong portrayal. Among other standouts in the large cast are Jean Kauffman as Fanny’s loving but stern mother, Rose; Venny Carranza as Fanny’s friend/choreographer Eddie; and Rose’s adorable trio of feisty poker cronies (Helen Geller, Carole Kline and Jill Van Velzer). The four-year-old 3-D Theatricals company outdoes itself with this watershed offering. —Les Spindle
OCTOBER 1, 2013
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“Your homosexuality—it doesn't matter. We are all children of God. One way or another.” —Pope Francis allegedly called a young man in France who wrote to the Pontiff, very concerned that he'd burn in hell because he's gay. Look, I'm willing to believe that the Pope is calling people who write him letters. I'm even willing to believe Francis doesn't care if you're gay or straight. But I draw the line at believing that the Pope is quoting a song by Blondie!
Lance Bass got engaged. Katie Couric got engaged. Zachary Quinto is dating a male model who wears skinny jeans. You can't avoid it—love (and being thin) is in the air. So, this is the perfect time to announce that I, too, am getting married. Of course, I have no idea when, and I have no idea to whom. I'm not dating anyone special. Sure, I'm having sex, but not with anyone I particularly like. That said, mark my words—a wedding is in my near future. When Lance Bass talked about his proposal to beau Michael Turchin, he discussed the dilemma he had finding a ring in New Orleans. “It's impossible. They don't make guy rings. Someone needs to start some kind of line for gay men's rings.” I'm sure Lance is aware that his ex, Reichen Lehmkuhl, has a line of men's jewelry that includes rings. But I'm guessing it might have been awkward to buy a ring for his new partner from his old one, even if he did get a discount. Perhaps I should take my quest for a mate online. After all, the internet isn't just for hooking up. People have actually found love on these sites. Admittedly, I don't know any of these people personally, but one hears rumors of such occurrences (much like a sighting of Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster or Kirstie Alley passing up dessert). A popular dating site is Christian Mingle—of course, that's just for heterosexuals. Or is it? Cheyenne Jackson and David Burtka (betrothed to Neil Patrick Harris) appear in a very funny parody commercial for “The Gay Christian Mingle” where they talk about how they found each other on the site by tricking the system and saying they were women looking for guys. See? Simple. “I think God has a plan for all of us. And even if that plan includes hell, it's still a plan.” Eh, it probably isn't for me. I want to be the most important man in my partner's life, and I'm fairly confident I can't compete with Jesus. He's got better abs.
Cheyenne Jackson and David Burtka
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Michael Turchin and Lance Bass
The men of 98 Degrees recently had a very successful reunion of their own. They teamed up with New Kids on the Block and Boyz II Men for a summer tour called “The Package.” And now my buddy Jeff Timmons is hitting the road and showcasing his own package. Since he's previously hosted the World Famous Chippendales in Las Vegas, it makes perfect sense that his latest venture is a combination of singing and stripping. “Men of the Strip” will tour nationwide before settling into a Las Vegas residency and, possibly, a reality show. In describing this new venture, Timmons says, “I wanted to make it younger, hipper, with super-sexy 20something dudes showing their personalities while dancing their asses off. The more youthful approach and extra production elements would take the Magic Mike look to the next level.” Those “production elements” will include Cirque du Soleil-like acrobatics, courtesy of Jeff's business partner, choreographer Glenn Douglas Packard. Jeff sent me some very hot shots of the guys from the show, which you can see at BillyMasters.com. Timmons might be on to something, since we hear work is progressing on the plan to bring the film Magic Mike to Broadway. The Tony Award-winning team of Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey has been hired to write the score, and the guy who wrote the libretto for the musical version of Spider Man: Turn Off the Dark will write the book. On the positive side, if there are any mishaps like actors falling into the audience, no one will be disappointed. Although the character of Will Horton will continue on Days of Our Lives, he will
no longer be played by little Chandler genius of our Constitution, and of our Massey. In June, Massey won his second society, is how much more embracive we Daytime Emmy in two years. While talking have become than we were at the beginto the press, he announced that he planned ning.” These remarks came days after she to leave the show when his contract was became the first Supreme Court Justice up in December—something he hadn't yet to officiate a same-sex marriage. told the brass. Proving that the people Our “Ask Billy” question comes from paying the bills always have the power, Dan in Louisville: “Who is the hot guy in they had a surprise for him at the end of the Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing comthe work day a couple weeks ago. Just as mercials? The guy who is always shirthe was heading out the door, he was called less? Wow! What else has he done? He into the executive producer's office and looks so familiar. I doubt he's gay, but was told that his services would no longer please tell me you have some nude shots be needed. They already hired his replaceof him.” ment! In other words, pack up your dressing His name is Anderson Davis, and you're room and security will escort you out. right—he's incredibly attractive. Although Intriguingly enough, he's done lots of work (including quite a bit of the show films scenes underwear modeling), this so far in advance, he'll Kraft campaign really put continue to appear on him on the map. He's shown the show until the end up on a number of talk of the year. That's shows—The Tonight Show, showbiz. Live with Kelly and Michael Rumor has it that and even on Andy Cohen's Andy Cohen is plangabfest as a bartender (who, ning a trip to the altar, needless to say, was shirtand his mate will be less). You also might have an NHL star. I won't seen him on an episode of make you guess who CSI, in the documentary The it is. Most of you would Adonis Factor or more likely be stumped as to what in the music video for Katy the initials NHL even Perry's “Thinking of You.” stand for. Allegedly, You're right—he does appear Cohen is romantically to be straight. At least, that's involved with former what I got from one of his New York Rangers forTwitter posts: “I have some ward Sean Avery Anderson Davis absolutely amazing gay (which would make friends!” And I have some him a hockey player). absolutely amazing photos of him that I'll The two have been photographed at varpost on BillyMasters.com. ious events and even on vacation. HowWhen I'm promoting dressing instead ever, not only have they never admitted to of undressing, it's definitely time to end yet being a couple, Avery has never admitted another column. Before we wrap up, I'd to being gay. Although there have been like to send out my own congratulations rumors about his sexuality for eons, he's to Chaz Bono on his remarkable transforalso been linked with such women as Elisha mation. About 16 months ago, he embarked Cuthbert and Rachel Hunter—not that on a fitness regime and vowed to lose over that means anything. When Cohen was 60 pounds. Thus far, he's lost 45 and looks asked via Twitter if the rumors were true, terrific. Not skinny enough to date Zachary he simply said, “Ask him.” Avery posted Quinto, but who is? For more stories, the article on Instagram with the caption photos and naughty videos, be sure to “Busted.” So, what's the truth? Who knows? check out BillyMasters.com, the site that's But a source close to the couple claims never skinny on content. If you have a that they've been dating for over a year and question for me, send it along to Billy@Bila half and are secretly engaged. lyMasters.com and I promise to get back In a speech at the National Constituto you before the Pope gives his blessing tion Center in Philadelphia, Supreme Court to the gay Christian Mingle website! So, justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg discussed until next time, remember, one man's filth how vital it is to fight for equality and is another man's bible. defend the Constitution: “So I see the
COLUMNS
ILLUSTRATION BY
GLENHANSON .COM
PHOTO: AUSTIN YOUNG
Robert Garcia
Would it be terribly unprofessional of me to shamelessly use this column to promote my upcoming show? Or would it, in fact, be quite brilliant? Regardless of your opinion, that’s exactly what I intend to do, so here goes. Yes, it’s hard to believe that I have found the time to write an entirely new show while working full-time (and beyond!) on the hit E! television show Hello Ross! But I did. And all this new material really reflects the fact that I’ve been immersed in pop culture 24/7 lately—reading the tabloids, watching TMZ, etc. I have found that you homosexuals feel the same way about drag queen song parodies as you do about cock— you’re always craving something new. Well, let me explain something to you perverted people. There are two kinds of show material—new and good. And I found out Labor Day weekend in New York City when I debuted this show that a lot of these songs are actually both! But that’s really no surprise. I mean, you can’t really go wrong with catchy little ditties about… Michael Douglas getting oral cancer from performing cunnilingus
Paula Deen using the ‘N word’ to describe a sophisticated slave-themed wedding Kim and Kanye naming their new baby after a discount airline Miley Cyrus twerking everyone’s last nerve at the VMAs The less-than-fierce state of affairs for gays in Russia Bringing the ‘blurred lines’ of date rape into focus Amanda Bynes wigging out And more! So if you’re like me and you enjoy making fun of people who are younger, thinner and/or more successful than you, you’ll love my all-new show, Parts of a Girl! It’s one night only, so get your tickets now! Jackie Beat in Parts of a Girl Saturday, Sept. 21, 8 & 10 p.m.. Cavern Club Celebrity Theater, located beneath Casita del Campo 1920 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake actteva.com/go/JackieBeat
OCTOBER 1, 2013
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Queersay Biebs in the Burb
Midwest Advice
It’s simple SoCal mathematics: 13 paparazzi cars, plus four Burbank police cruisers, plus two pissed-off neighbors can only mean one thing—Justin Bieber is in town! Yes, readers, our favorite Amanda Bynes-in-the-making has recently been spotted on the streets of both Burbank and Toluca Lake, allegedly multiple times! Gossip has it that he’s working on his new album in the area and loves the artistic inspiration that oozes from The Valley. However, believe it or not, while the Biebs creates his next work of art [insert sarcastic eye roll here], there are issues. Apparently residents of a not-to-be-named music producer’s street are getting PO’d by the perpetual presence of the paparazzi and police. Being the consummate reporter that I am, I went to the scene of these alleged Bieber sightings to ask neighbors what the heck was going on. Only one person would talk. (Apparently the rest are terrified of the wrath that comes with speaking out against an AutoTuned, entitled, tween mini-Usher.) So says a woman three houses down from the tone-deaf entourage's hang-out hotspot: “There’s yelling and laughing and loud music playing all hours of the night. I swear they’ve got 40 people in that house doing god knows what until 4 in the morning. Don't they understand that we who actually contribute something of value to society need to work in the morning? It's rude and unkind!” Our interviewee added, “If it were Michael Bublé, perhaps I'd be excited. Yes, Bublé would excite me a great deal. But anyone that pees in a bucket and tells Bill Clinton to f*ck off is not welcome here. Hell, and I'm a Republican saying that!” Well said, Ms. GOP!
Believe it or not, Gossip Gay is kind of a big deal in suburban Midwest Illinois. Yes, folks, my hometown is all abuzz— well, more ‘acringe’—each time my column drops, yet they still return every two weeks, ready to read about the queer queerness of sunny SoCal. Yesterday I received a delightful email from Kaleb S, a self-proclaimed “19-yearold WeHo boytoy-in-the-making,” from my old stomping grounds. He was in search of some tried-and-true advice, and I'm guessing some of y’all have had the same query:
Drop me your at dirty little secrets m. .co queersay@hotmail r give I neve And don't worry, oat! up my deep thr y, go to For more Queersa Queersay. m/ .co LA ers nti Fro
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Dear Gossip Gay, I know you moved to L.A. when you were 18 to live with a rich older guy. I met one online, and we've been talking for four months. He wants me to come live with him. My parents are moving to Canada in seven weeks, so I figure it's good timing for me to go. But how can I make sure I don't get dumped in the gutter after I give it up to him? My response is blunt and simple: Dear Kaleb S, you are smart to understand that there are no guarantees in life, especially when it comes to nailing down a sugar daddy (in more ways than one). All I can do is speak from personal experience, and my advice is this: First, work your assets. Start doing squats immediately to ensure you can bounce quarters off your barely-still-ateen behind. Then, tell him you have yet to give up your cherished cherry. (Lie if you must.) Fake some tears, talk about the baby Jesus and tell him how painful it'll be to cash in your ever-tight V-card. Finally, before dropping the soap in the shower, get him to slap a promise ring on your wedding phalange, put your name on the deed and open a joint bank account. (And none of this debit card crap—you want a black AMEX with a limitless fiscal sky!) Do all this, and I guarantee that just like me, you'll be living in a Hollywood Hills bungalow and brunching with B-list reality TV stars in no time. It may not be pretty, folks, but if you want to get ahead (and also some head), this is the Botox-ed, chemical-peeled, spray-tanned truth. XOXO, Gossip Gay
CITY GUIDES
PHOTO: PAULO MURILLO
‘SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN’ TO BE SCREENED AT WEHO PARK
THE CITY HOSTS 12TH ANNUAL WEST HOLLYWOOD BOOK FAIR BY PAULO MURILLO Lovers of books, live music and art—save the date. The 12th Annual West Hollywood Book Fair is set for Sunday, Sept. 29, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the West Hollywood Park and West Hollywood Library. The West Hollywood Book Fair is one of the largest in Southern California and is also the most diverse—featuring 13 stages, hundreds of acclaimed authors, artists and exhibitors. Highlights include live musical performances, culinary demonstrations, children’s theater and a long list of workshops for all ages. This year brings new literary collections by Los Angeles-based celebrity author T.C. Boyle, famously known for his extensive assortment of short stories replete with satire and tall tales about timeless themes—from air rage to abortion doctors and mortality, among other topics. Academy Award-winning director William Friedkin (The Exorcist, The French Connection) will discuss his memoir, The Freidkin Connection. Other names include renowned producer
Lynda Obst (Sleepless in Seattle, The Fisher King), novelist Marisa Silver (Mary Coin, The God of War) and McSweeney’s Poet Victoria Chang to name only a few in a long list. The Culinary Pavilion is back after its successful debut last year. Award-winning chefs share their cooking recipes and stovetop secrets throughout the day. The culinary stage has announced “Food for Thought” with TV host and food blogger Claire Thomas; “Keys to the Kitchen,” a culinary demo and Q&A with Aida Mellenkamp; “Homegirl Café Hungry for Life,” a demo with Pati Zarate; and many more. This year’s Book Fair also brings the WeHo Writes program in support of resident writers who wish to display and sell their work in a shared exhibit space. The program is provided free of charge by the city as a way to engage the creative local population. Admission is free. For more information, visit westhollywoodbookfair.org.
DO YOU THINK EVENTS LIKE THE WEHO BOOK FAIR ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO READ? “I think for younger people, it would definitely encourage them to discover books and find new reading material. I do not think it will inspire older people to read, so much as it will inform them about what’s new and available. With most books being online, this event may encourage people to pick up an actual book.” —Gabriel Green
“I sure hope so. I have some friends who are writers, and it would sure make them happy. I wish I was more optimistic about the future of books. The generation coming up is completely programmed for digital and has an even shorter attention span than we do. They’re more likely to read if it’s 140 characters or less and/or shows up on Instagram.” —Kevin Chase
Singin’ in the Rain—the 1952 American musical comedy classic starring Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds—will be screened under the stars on the WeHo Park Stage at 7 p.m. as part of the 12th Annual West Hollywood Book Fair. WeHo Park is offering a night at the movies in the open air, very similar to the screenings held at Hollywood Forever Cemetery—only less creepy. American actress, singer and dancer Debbie Reynolds, whose other starring movie roles include The Unsinkable Molly Brown and How the West Was Won, will make an appearance on the park stage at 5:30 p.m. to discuss her new memoir, Unsinkable. She will then sign copies of her new book at 6:15 p.m. at the Book Soup booth. With Unsinkable, Reynolds spotlights the life of a resilient woman whose talent and passion for her work have endured for more than six decades. She offers a personal perspective on Hollywood and its elite, from her glory days with MGM to the present. She shares private details about her enduring friendships, family, the men in her life, and money troubles. Space for the screening of Singin’ in the Rain is limited, so get there early!
SPEAK OUT “I think this is a wonderful event for our city. I doubt it will actively inspire someone who isn’t a reader to become one, but for those who already are readers, or who might be raising children and want them to enjoy the oldfashioned pleasures of holding a real book, the WeHo Book Fair provides a delicious opportunity to promote literacy and culture.” —Bennett Yellin
OCTOBER 1, 2013
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DESERT
HOT TOPIC Thelma Houston
THELMA HOUSTON GIVES IT TO YOU ‘ANYWAY YOU LIKE IT’ BY JAMES F. MILLS In the ‘70s, many gays danced the night away to the disco hit “Don’t Leave Me This Way.” Come the end of September, they’ll have the chance to dance the afternoon away to that number one Billboard hit once again. Grammy-winning disco diva Thelma Houston will perform that 1976 song that kept the dance floors hopping— along with her other hits like “If It’s the Last Thing I Do,” “Anyway You Like It” and “If You Feel It”—at the AIDS Assistance Program’s second annual Disco Tea Dance. “People loved last year’s party,” explains Mark Anton, Executive Director of the AIDS Assistance Program. “It was a great party to end the summer. Everybody said as they were leaving, ‘We hope you’ll do it again.’ So we are.”
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Houston didn’t think twice before accepting the invitation to perform. “When they said tea dance, I got so excited,” reports Houston, now a 67year-old mother of two, grandmother of four. “I remember back in the day, at end of the ‘70s into the early ‘80s, I did a lot of tea dances in Texas and Florida. Tea dances were always on Sundays. To me it was always the official end of the weekend. Then they’d start to prepare for the work day on Monday.” AAP was delighted to book her. “Thelma is the perfect person for the tea dance,” says Anton, who’s served for five years as executive director of the agency that provides grocery vouchers to low-income people living with HIV and AIDS in the Coachella Valley. “She’s an icon. She’s so well-known. She’s a really
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DESERT
HOT TOPIC
sweet person. She’s got so much energy and is dedicated to the cause.” HIV/AIDS is definitely a cause Houston believes in. “Like so many people, I lost a lot of my friends who I considered my early supporters to AIDS when there was little known about it and there were few medications,” says Houston, who was born in Mississippi but grew up in Long Beach. “It was so new, and people were leaving us very fast. Even before there were official groups, people were doing what they needed to do to help out a friend, walk their dog or pay their bills to keep their power from being shut off. Thank god there has been a lot of progress. People are living longer lives. But there is still not a cure. So anyway I can help out, I’m glad to.” Helping out a cause has taken on even more meaning for Houston in the past decade, as she’s been serving as a caregiver to her 93-year-old mother who has dementia. “That adage, ‘It takes a village’—it really does,” she says. “It’s fortunate for my mother that there is family to do help with her caregiving. We’re very fortunate that everyone is doing their share.” Because of that personal experience, she’s added Alzheimer’s organizations to the charities she works with. “Until it hits you in your own family, you don’t know what’s going on in that world,” Houston says. “We need more money. We need more research to learn more about Alzheimer’s. We need more services to help people. We need more outreach to help people understand
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about Alzheimer’s.” But gay causes are still high on her list of charities. She’s performed at Pride events all over the globe. “I’ve done just about every Pride there is, literally. From West Hollywood to Sydney, Australia, and everywhere in between,” she says. “This summer, I did Salt Lake City, Utah, right on the grounds of the City Hall. It was the most familyoriented pride I’ve ever seen. It was huge. Then I did Omaha, Nebraska. It was a three-day festival. I did Maine. I’ve done New York, San Francisco, Atlanta a thousand times, but these were so new. To me, it was just showing that when people get a positive image of something they consider to be foreign, it helps them stop being judgmental.” On Sept. 17, Houston is releasing an EP of five new songs created during a collaboration with record producer Janitor. The two met at a fundraiser for an animal shelter in Sonoma County and decided to work together. “The EP is titled Forty-Two, which is the difference in our ages,” she laughs. “We had a great time putting it together. I think people will really like what we did.” Expect to hear songs from the EP, including the single “Enemy,” at the tea dance, along with her hits. The Disco Tea Dance is Sunday, Sept. 29, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Saguaro Hotel, 1800 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. Tickets are $45 in advance, $60 at the door. aidsassistance.org thelmahouston.com soundcloud.com/thelmahouston/
OCTOBER 1, 2013
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DOUG WILSON BRINGS ORGANIC PASSION TO THE PSGMC
BY JAMES F. MILLS The Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus is undergoing lots of changes this year. After changing its name from Caballeros in the spring, the 100-member-strong group has named a new artistic director. Doug Wilson assumed the title in mid-August, replacing Robert Seeley, who resigned after two years as artistic director. “Doug has a tremendous music background,” reports board chair David Sanchez. “He’s got experience conducting other choruses and church groups, and he’s been a member of our group for the past 18 months. We’re thrilled to have him step up.” A Michigan native, the 63-year-old Wilson was an elementary school music teacher in the Las Vegas for 15 years and an elementary school principal there for another 14 years. Upon retiring, he and his partner of 38 years, Tom Reinberg, moved to the Coachella Valley. “I wanted to join the chorus as soon as we got here in August 2011, but things were so crazy getting settled, I decided to wait,” says Wilson, who earned his bachelor’s degree in music education from Michigan State University. “Then we went to the Christmas concert and it just sounded so glorious, I couldn’t put it off any longer.” The son of two musicians/music teachers, Wilson says he was immediately impressed by the skill level of the men in the group. “They all sang so well,” says Wilson, who sings bass. “It’s so much fun to sing when you’re working with people at that level.” Wilson, who also directs the Children’s Choir and Hand Bell Choir at Hope 72
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Lutheran Church in Palm Desert, directed the Gay Men’s Chorus several times when Seeley wasn’t available. So, when the artistic director position came open, his fellow chorus members urged him to apply. At the same time Wilson was hired to be artistic director, Vance Reger was hired to be the assistant artistic director. “Vance has sung with the choir for a number of years,” says Wilson who also holds a masters degree from Arizona State University in organ performance (the organ is his favorite instrument). “He’s a fine instrumentalist as well. We’re working well together.” People will get a sample of what Wilson is doing later this fall as the chorus offers short performances at Desert AIDS Walk on Oct. 19, Palm Springs Pride on Nov. 2-3 and the Festival of Lights Christmas parade on Dec. 7. But his official debut will be at the group’s annual holiday concert, titled With Bells On. That concert, held Dec. 14-15 at Palm Springs High School, will see the group performing the “Hallelujah Chorus” and also two numbers with handbells (“Ding Dong Merrily on High” and “I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In”). Wilson, who describes himself as a “music geek,” feels music is an important part of people’s well-being. “What I really like about music is that it allows you to express any type of emotion—joy, grief, sadness, frustration,” says Wilson. “You can really say so much and release so much through music.” psgmc.com
HEALTH
WITH AARON SAVVY, ACSM Certified Trainer
FITNESS Q & A How much water should I be drinking a day? —Gary, Silver Lake I suggest drinking no less than two-liters of water a day. For the active, I suggest drinking a gallon of water a day. The body is made up of 80 percent water, so it is vital that we don’t neglect hydrating it. By keeping your body hydrated, it keeps your internal organs in working order, creates a healthy complexion to the skin and keeps the metabolism up and running. You should never feel thirsty. This symptom is your body telling you that you are already in dehydration mode.
Why after my workout do I feel like I didn’t do anything? No muscle pump. —Darren, Malibu We have all heard the saying “going through the motions” which simply means performing an exercise without really putting any thought into what we are doing; the body will move and do what the brain tells it to do. Let’s do an exercise. I want you to hold up your arm in the position of showing off your biceps. I want you to now squeeze and “contract” that bicep as big and as tight as you can. That squeeze, that contraction, is what you should be doing on every rep you perform in each set of each muscle group being worked. It is that contraction that now tells the muscle what to do and ultimately how to look.
Why after a period of working out do I feel like my fitness results are coming to a standstill? —Max, Hollywood When you first start an exercise routine, your body is unfamiliar with the motion and exercise you are having it perform. The body takes to the training and therefore establishes change. Whether the change is decrease in body fat, or increase in muscle mass, the body is in sync with its exercise regimen. We love the change and we love the exercises we have selected. We love it so much that we have now created a groove and have now nestled with what has worked for us thus far. As time goes on you notice that it is now taking longer for you to get the additional results you are looking for as opposed to when you had first started. The body will adapt to what is given. The more the body performs the same exercise, the more comfortable and relaxed it becomes. The more relaxed it becomes the harder it is to see change. I have found that it is best to change and start up a new exercise routine every 3-4 weeks. This will give the body time to react and take in to what you are trying to teach it. If you change up your routine to frequently, you are not giving the body enough time to react or make the proper change it needs.
For additional questions, feel free to visit me at aaronsavvy.com. OCTOBER 1, 2013
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These days it seems to be politically incorrect to congratulate gay men for remaining HIV-negative. The theory is that by celebrating someone being negative that you are indirectly stigmatizing people who are HIVpositive. Under the guise of saying there is no shame in being positive, we are supposed to refrain from advocating for the benefits of staying negative. Unfortunately, this form of self-censorship has crippled HIV prevention efforts. Let’s start with the simple logic that it is better not to have a deadly virus than to have it. It is better not to have to take heavy-duty medication every day for the rest of your life. Can we assume that navigating the ups and downs of a new love relationship are difficult enough without the added factor of dealing with a partner whose status is different than yours? Sex and love are the most complicated feelings we deal with. In love and sex, we all make mistakes. In many instances the difference between men who are positive or negative is the luck of the draw. Men who are extremely careful in protecting themselves during casual encounters can throw care to the wind when they are in love. One night of drinking too much can lead to a slip that leads to infection. It is wrong to blame people for having any disease. Catching bugs, sexual or otherwise, is the human condition. A ‘safe’ life lived without sexual gratification is a life less worth living. Being negative does not make you better than someone who is positive. However, if we wish to protect the individual people we love and
tion afforded by condoms and limiting the number of sexual partners are the only proven methods of reducing HIV infections and other STDs. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP, or negative men taking HIV meds) only works when taken religiously every day. WITH MICHAEL WEINSTEIN Studies have shown that few men have President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) that kind of discipline, even under ideal president@aidshealth.org — aidshealth.org PHOTO: GREG GORMAN conditions, which makes it very risky. Sex with an HIV-positive man on medication who has an undetectable viral load is also touted as ‘safer sex.’ When you put your own life in someone else’s hands, you are taking a chance. People taking HIV meds (like any medication) very often don’t remember to take them regularly. If you are a sexually active gay our community as a whole, we have to take a stand in man and you don’t use condoms for anal sex, over time favor of people remaining negative. you have a high likelihood of becoming HIV-positive. HIV-positive men can make the most effective arguPeople smoke, take drugs and eat too much because ment for why their brothers should stay negative. They it gives them pleasure. Men have unprotected sex because know better than anyone the changes that have affected it feels better in the moment. It is simply a bad long-term their lives, and most would rather be negative. investment. The price men pay for raw sex is too high. HIV prevention is ineffective if we don’t place a value Add up the financial, health and emotional consequences on remaining negative. Vague phrases about self-esteem, and it is a no-brainer. conscious decision-making and mutual support are too As a community leader, it is my responsibility to tell vague. If we want people to stop smoking, we must people the truth: It is better for the individual and society place a value on quitting. If we want people to lose to stay negative. Tough love can make you unpopular in weight, they must know the health risks of obesity. the moment, but it will win in the end. I wish for every Much of the gay community is organized around HIV-positive man I know to stay healthy and live life to meeting men for sex. Gay male sexuality is a beautiful, the fullest, and I wish for every HIV-negative man I know amazing bonanza, but it carries risks. How can we have to live a lifetime without becoming HIV-positive. maximum pleasure with minimum risk? The protec-
STAY NEGATIVE
The opinions of this column do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Frontiers magazine.
One thing I love about my life now is the ability to laugh about the tragic and seemingly hopeless situations that I have experienced. These experiences have contributed to making me the man I am today. I am not the victim of any of this. I am not resentful. I have done the work on myself to have what I am about to tell you just be a story. I grew up with meth-addicted parents, chaos and a lot of dysfunction. At age 15 I was asked to leave home. (I would learn later in life that when using crystal meth, sometimes nothing else matters, not even kids.) After a brief stint of being homeless, I was legally adopted by a wonderful family. By 23, I had been around the world a couple times over. Singing and dancing had given me a life I only could have dreamed of. But something happened when I was 23 that would start to change the course of my life—I tried crystal meth. One day, I chose meth over my job. I ended up in WeHo, 26 years old, homeless, jobless and unemployable. I was a mess. It was suggested I go to rehab. I had a couple brief stays at the Van Ness House but ended up relapsing. My friend David dropped me off at The Midnight Mission,
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BY ARON ROSS
surrender to rehab yet again. Thank god I did. I checked into the McIntyre House on March 1, 2010. I stayed there nine months and completed their very structured program. I learned many things about myself. We continually looked at things that made me very uncomfortable. Guess what? That’s called life. And you know, I didn’t die. I survived. I wanted to run from there many times, but I stayed. I did what someone else told me to do. I am very grateful to Ed Kohler, the McIntyre House and all of the help I have had these past three and a half years. Sober since Feb 18, 2010, I am moving forward. Still singing and dancing, discovering my life, taking care of myself, being of service to my community. As a sidebar, sobriety has given me many things, including great relationships with my family. My mom and I are very close and I’m grateful for the life I have.
I HAD TO SURRENDER Downtown at 4th and Los Angeles—skid row. I spent the next nine months there getting sober in an environment I can only describe as ‘prison like.’ I was doing well but still wanted to do things my way and not take suggestions. I relapsed after three and a half years off meth. My life one more time went down the toilet, fast. One more time I ended up in a hotel room using, and at one point I stopped and thought, This is all my life is ever going to be if I don’t stop this crap; this is it. So I called my family for help. I was going to have to
Aron Ross is a singer, dancer and actor who works at The Body Well in West Hollywood and volunteers for nonprofits such as Aid for AIDS and McIntyre House.
HEALTH
OFF THE VO TV OF BRA
COUCH
By Dr. Greg Cason
ESY COURT PHOTO
CAN’T FIND A HUSBAND IN LOS ANGELES? “You go to L.A., or you go to New York, and it’s really fun to go there. But they’re not grounded.... There are too many choices. And it’s distracting to me.” —Bob Seger
Dr. Greg Cason is a licensed psychologist based in West Hollywood, specializing in cognitive therapy with individuals and couples. He can be contacted by going to DrGreg.com.
Has this ever happened to you? You go to a party or bar and meet someone hot, and then his eyes seem to look right past you at what appears to be a better option. Ouch. Then someone walks up to you and says “Hello,” but you find yourself looking over his shoulder at the one that just got away. But alas, the one that got away continues his search for Mr. Right. And so do you. I often hear from these rejected types that they can’t meet anyone decent because all the guys in L.A. are jerks—to which I then inquire how they fit into that equation. (You will be unsurprised to learn they view themselves as the single exception to that rule.) I once wondered if there was a way I could get all of these ‘decent’ discontents into a room so they could finally meet each other. But I put off that idea because I knew these guys would only repeat their same pattern—turning their back on those available to them, and then calling everyone else a jerk—ending up in some kind of dating circle jerk. Maybe the problem is not that all the guys in L.A. are jerks. Maybe the problem is just that all the guys are in L.A. Now, wait and hear me out. I’m not putting down living in our city. I sing Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” along with everyone else. And the amount of gay men is staggering. Just turn on Grindr at nearly any location in L.A. and you could spend three days just working through a 500-foot radius. But in a city as large as Los Angeles, with so many available men to choose from, one would think it’d be easy to find someone for more than one night. Liberace famously stated, “Too much
of a good thing is wonderful!” But does that apply to too many choices in men? Was it a wonderful thing in the long run for Liberace? Believe it or not, too much choice actually makes it more difficult to settle on one thing. Psychologist Barry Schwartz addresses this phenomenon in his book The Paradox of Choice. He points out that too much choice can freeze us in our tracks. When there are too many choices, we put off making the decision until tomorrow ... and the day after that ... and the day after that. And if we are talking about settling down in a relationship, we end up doing anything but. So what should a relationship-hungry single guy do? Just walk into a crowded disco with a giant wooden club, clobber the first attractive man you see on the head and drag him out by his clipper cut? Well, that problem would be solved, but you are left with one more—it’s not just in the choosing but also what happens after you have chosen. When we are faced with lots of choices and we finally make one, we often end up less satisfied with the choice we made than if we’d had fewer options to choose from in the first place. Said another way, where there are a lot of fish in the sea, we worry that the one we caught is not going to taste quite as good as the ones we let get away. Why? It’s not because there’s a problem with the man you met (well, at least I assume there isn’t.) Truth is, most guys in L.A. are decent human beings. It’s just that with so many tempting other men out there, it’s easy to imagine that a different choice would be a better guy for you. And the more there are ‘better guys’ to compare him to, the more regret for choosing to be with your chosen guy in the first place. And so, once again, you end up complaining to your friends
that there are no decent guys in L.A. Sound familiar? To make matters worse (and more disheartening), at least part of your dissatisfaction may be due to the fact that you did pick a less-thanoptimal guy. But again, this is because there are too many choices. A 2013 University of Warwick study published in the Psychonomic Bulletin and Review demonstrated that when we have more choices, we tend to spend less time getting information about each individual option. When there are a lot of men to get to know, we spend less time getting to know each one. This can lead to serious problems, because you tend to go on surface material rather than really getting to know the person first. So what’s the solution for single Angelenos? If only we could do a “Best of Men” edition of Frontiers. But, alas, it would be the size of a 1974 phone book. You could move to a smaller place where there are fewer eligible men and you would have more time to get to know each one. But that’s not practical—or desirable—for most of us. If you are going to stay here, I suggest a dating tip from deep in the heart of Texas: “Raise your skirt and lower your standards.” Realize you are swimming in a big school of fish. People are going to spend less time getting to know you, so help them out by being more revealing and honest about whom you are so they can make a better decision. If they reject you, then gracefully move on knowing it wasn’t a good match after all. And when you meet people, don’t judge people based solely on their exteriors. Take extra time to get to know them. And the next time you are at a party or bar and a ‘better option’ walks by, ignore him. Treat the person right in front of you like the best option. He just may be.
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. OCTOBER 1, 2013
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Read your ad carefully when it initially appears. We are not responsible for errors or minor copy changes after first issue of publication. If an error is found, please contact the classifieds department immediately for corrections. Frontiers assumes no responsibility for error or omission of copy. The right to reject, edit, cancel and determine proper placement of a classified ad is the right of this publication.
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OLDER GAYS You take vitamin supplements as much of the best research suggests you should, but how do you know you’re taking the vitamins that are best for you? How do you choose one nondescript bottle from the next in the veritable sea of supplements available on the market today? And, perhaps most importantly, how do you distinguish the latest craze from good science? After having successfully launched both a health drink company and a chain of low-cost gyms that are now Europe’s most profitable and fastest-growing health clubs, long-time friends and business partners Christopher Coleridge and Walter Faulstroh headed to Los Angeles with a mission to answer these and an array of other questions with the launch of Hum Nutrition, a revolutionary concept in the supplements biz that for the first time makes vitamins very personal. Not only does Hum offer a broad range of supplements that target very specific health issues, it does so in a way that is specific to each and every individual customer. Here’s how it works: First, customers take a three-minute Hum Lifestyle Quiz that was developed by leading nutrition experts Dr. Carl Keen and Dr. Robert Hackman of UC Davis. From there, one of Hum’s Black Belt nutritionists analyzes the quiz and creates a personal vitamin and supplement profile for each new client. Four weeks later, a personalized vitamin and supplement regimen arrives, and clients are on their way to healthy with minimum effort and maximum results. “We wanted to [create] a one-stop shop that first analyzes what you truly need and then ships a personalized solution to each of our customers,” explains Faulstroh. “Hum is really unique, as it connects you with a personal nutritionist and incredible products. All of our nutritionists are registered dietitians that
have a science degree and [have] gone through a year of clinical training. They not only are the best when it comes to understanding micro-nutrients but also are fully aware of any potential drug interactions.” Moreover, Faulstroh continues, “Hum products are formulated with the latest research in mind, have clinically proven nutrients and most importantly come from the purest sources.” In support of this assertion, the health and nutrition guru proffered an analysis of a most common dilemma with supplements. “Let me give you a very simple example,” Faulstroh says. “Most people consider taking a fish oil, though the devil really is in the details. First of all, you need to make sure the fish oil contains the right amount of EPA and DHA, on which the positive research is based. You then need to make sure that it comes from the purest sources that not only provide these nutrients but also guarantee the fish used are pure. We would never use a fish oil from cod or salmon, as these are predators, high up the food chain and full of toxins. Our fish oils are made with small fish that only eat plankton, which they metabolize into the right amount of EPA and DHA. Furthermore, they are all encapsulated so there is no fishy aftertaste.” Details indeed. With customers in all 50 states already and a commitment to making people healthier with products that not only make sense but that clients also love, the rumblings of Hum’s nutrition revolution have already begun. And did I mention how infinitely more chic Hum products look in your medicine cabinet than their counterparts? Well, yeah, there’s that too.
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ATTENTION MODELS AND MASSEURS Frontiers prefers all photo shots above the waist only; any shot below the waist must be non-suggestive and non-explicit. Examples of unacceptable photos would include (but are not limited to) “groping” of the genital area, or anatomical details of the genital area visible through sheer/tight fabric. Please do not write on, cut, or deface photo in any way! All photos submitted that do not fit these guidelines will not be used. Your ad will be printed without a photo or a previous photo from your Photo File will be used in its place. Frontiers is not responsible for Photo Ads that are submitted incorrectly. If you have a concern regarding your photo please call us before you submit your ad. Thank You for your cooperation. [3BCS0100]
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VISITING
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SPA PACKAGES!!! DAVE 323/460-4071 [175SC1018]
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OCTOBER 1, 2013
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BLACK TOP 4 WHITE BOTTOMS Hi I’m Gene handsome, 40 year old Gay American Guy, 135 lbs 5’9 Nice body, Shoulder Length, Dread locks certified Masseur in Various techniques including injury and accident therapy and Hot Sex Sessions. Im a Dominant top with a big Juicy black cock that loves being deep - throated as I relax you to complete relief. Gene 323-875-0535 noon - 10pm Serious only. Koreatown
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EXPERT TOUCH
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Jacuzzi Dry & Steam Sauna Shiatsu & Fullbody massage 8a-10pm. Out calls also In the South Bay 310-707-3248. Pain Clinic Doctor Available. [175SC2111]
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SILVER DAD TREAT YOURSELF You deserve it. Relax, let me take you on an hour journey w. my tension relieving touch. Andy: 323-360-1040 [175SC1111] P04822
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OCTOBER 1, 2013
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SEX ED
MAN’S BIOLOGICAL MARVEL BY JIM LARKINS Whether you’re immersed in a round of hot sex with the love of your life or celebrating some ‘me time’ with a spank of the monkey, there’s a lot more going on with the whole process than meets the eye. From the moment you feel the first erotic spark of a lover’s caress until your penis shrivels back to its original state of flaccidity, there is a series of biological processes that occur. An erection can be triggered from various stimuli, depending on specific preferences, age, etc. The memory of a past lover strolling through your mind with a come-and-get-me smile; an image of a lean, nude Adonis, airbrushed to perfection, beaming from the pages of a sexy magazine; even olfactory stimuli such as certain colognes can raise the proverbial ‘wood.’ When any of these messages of erotic inspiration—which start off in the central nervous system—reach the penis’s arteries, they operate like floodgates, opening up and allowing blood to flow. Sponge-like materials within two large chambers called the corpora cavernosa then absorb the blood. This causes the penis to thicken and rise, much like a tubular balloon connected to a water spigot. The phallus is stabilized during this process by a strong attachment extending from the corpora cavernosa. A thick layer of skin provides a safe haven for these working parts as
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they perform their functions. Continually thrusting your love staff into a partner, masturbation or oral stimulation then brings the erect penis to the desired ejaculatory orgasm. This occurs through a complex, two-stage process—emission and ejaculation proper. That slight pause just before release is the onset of the emission phase. At this point, sperm is routed through the ejaculatory ducts, where it blends with semen. This is the point of ejaculatory inevitability, or ‘point of no return,’ when twin ducts called the vas deferens respond to the signal and begin to expel sperm from the epididymis. Those familiar waves of sexual pleasure, along with a series of convulsions—the first of which are the most intense and produce the greatest volume of semen—occur at this point. Recurring contractions and the dispensing of semen through the urethra comprise the ejaculation proper stage. After the release of semen, blood flows back to the heart via veins, and the penis gradually shrinks back to a flaccid state. The penis then enters a recovery— or ‘refractory’—period, during which it will remain soft. The time it takes to regain an erection depends largely upon age. Generally the young stud will be ready for action much sooner than the midlife man, who may require 20 minutes or more before the next leg of a sexual marathon.
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S&M SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Castration Fantasies? Me too. To talk or Even Act out. Call 310-450-7025. Asians under 30 Preferred. [185SC1012] Telesex: S&M 800-507-7843. 18+ [185SC0712]
S&M MODELS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Kinky Japanese Muscle Master 8I8-3I4-9699 [195SC2221]
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Pubic Trim Ball Shave Prof. Excellent work to enhance your sex organ. $35 & up Discreet, Lovely atmosphere 323828-4809 appt. Spoil yourself you’ll Love it! [75SC1112]
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ANNOUNCEMENTS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
SLAMMER STUDENT NIGHT Slammer Student Night 8pm-4am. All students with current ID, save $5 on entry to the club. Take a break from school and cum play at Slammer. 3688 Beverly Blvd. LA, CA 90004. 213-388-8040 www.slammerclub.com [105SC1111] VENTURA HOME OWNER 55 LOOK 35 BI BTTM SEEK TOP STUD RMMT SINGLE? WED? W/WIFE WHO LIKES 2 WATCH? JOIN IN? CAN’T KNOW? ME 6FT 200 LB TAN WM YOU WNT WKDAY GTAWAY FT PT OK RACE OPEN 805-628-0991 STEVE [45SC0816]
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