Frontiers Vol. 32, Issue 15 by Frontiers

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INSIDE VOL. 32, ISSUE 15 | NOV. 13 - 26, 2013

L.A.’s Best New Restaurants

Photos: Raúl Herrera, raulherreraphotography.com Model: Miles Davis Moody Stylist: Jack Austin, jackaustinstyling.com Stylist Asst: Amber Heiman Jeans: duffiejeans.com Grooming: Jacob Adam Aguirre, jacobadamaguirre.com Location: The Church Key, thechurchkeyla.com

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INSIDE

VOL. 32, ISSUE 15 | NOV. 13 - 26, 2013

LEADING BY EXAMPLE Susan Feniger ..................................................14 NEWS News Briefs ......................................................16 ENDA Passes Senate, House Vote Unlikely ....................................24 WeHo Councilmember John Duran ‘Mulling Over’ Run for L.A. County Supervisor ................................26 SOCAL EVENTS GUIDE Calendar............................................................41 SnapShots........................................................42 Eating Out ......................................................48 ENTERTAINMENT Music Reviews................................................52 Theater Reviews ............................................53 COLUMNS Billy Masters ..................................................54 Gossip Gay ......................................................55 Out & About ..................................................56 CITY GUIDES West Hollywood ............................................57 Palm Springs ..................................................58 HEALTH HIV Living........................................................64 X-Meth ............................................................65 Off the Couch ................................................66 Zero to Savvy ..................................................67 FRONTIERS MARKETPLACE Listings ............................................................68 Business Profile ..............................................69 FRONTIERS4MEN Adult Classifieds............................................70 Sex Ed................................................................76

36 38

COVER PHOTO BY

RAÚL HERRERA, raulherreraphotography.com

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Frontiers magazine is published by Frontiers Media, LLC., 5657 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 470, Los Angeles, CA. 90036, and distributed throughout Southern California. Up to the first three copies of any single issue are free; additional copies are $10 each. Violators caught stealing or destroying issues will be prosecuted under California Penal Code 484. For magazine subscriptions, please call (323) 930-3220. The contents of Frontiers may not be reproduced in any manner, either in whole or in part, without permission from the publisher. All rights reserved. Letters to the editor, artwork, photography, manuscripts and other correspondence may be submitted to Frontiers at the above address. We cannot acknowledge or return material unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Allow at least three months for processing. Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles or advertising in Frontiers is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation or the HIV/AIDS status of such person or organization. Copyright © 2013, Frontiers Media, LLC.

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IN THE

ONLINE

MOMENT

Find these articles exclusively at

facebook.com/ frontiersmagazine

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By Michelle McCarthy One listen to British singer-songwriter Jessie Ware’s music and you can picture it blaring at Pride celebrations. It makes sense, then, that she often looks out into an audience made up of mostly gay men. Her first full-length album, Devotion, was released in April, and Ware is currently on a tour of the States. We spoke with her to find out how American crowds react to her shows, how she overcame stage fright and why she’d like to play matchmaker for her brother. FrontiersLA.com/ExclusiveInterviews

youtube.com/ frontiersweb

HOLDING OUT FOR AN

'UNHUNG HERO' By Mike Ciriaco Size matters. Just ask Patrick Moote. When the L.A.-based comedian publicly proposed to his girlfriend during a basketball game, the Jumbotron broadcasted images of the potential fiancée sprinting away from a bent-kneed Moote. The young woman later admitted she wouldn't marry him because his penis was too small. Moote sublimated his pain into Unhung Hero. Cited as the world's first "cockumentary," the film chronicles Moote’s journey across the globe in pursuit of a more substantial schlong. FrontiersLA.com/Features

GAUTH MUSIC By Mark Sanford Competition is fiercer than ever for DJs today. It seems anyone with an iPhone thinks he can mix a beat. The main job of any great DJ is to make sure clubbers have fun. That’s what Joe Gauthreaux will be working toward when he returns to Los Angeles on Nov. 15 to spin Fresh Fridays at Club Eleven. FrontiersLA.com/ExclusiveInterviews

LATIN FRONTIER:

MONSTER

BALL by Victor Barreiro

On Saturday, Oct. 26, David Rios and Joe Sparks recruited DJ Manny C (a favorite of mine) to bring us their epic annual Halloween party Monster Ball, which was a night of drinking, partying and more drinking. FrontiersLA.com/LatinFrontier

BOOK

REVIEWS by The Bookworm

In need of a good read? Check out our reviews of The Book of Matt by Stephen Jimenez and Virus Hunt: The Search for the Origin of HIV by Dorothy H. Crawford. FrontiersLA.com/ BookReviews

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AFTER ‘I DO’:

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

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SEPTEMBER 3, 2013

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FrontiersLA.com Volume 32, Issue 15 5657 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 470, Los Angeles, CA 90036 Phone: (323) 930-3220 Sales Fax: (323) 857-0560 Administration Fax: (323) 848-2058 Accounting Fax: (323) 857-0503

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firstname.lastname@FrontiersLA.com Contributing Writers Michael Anthony, Aaron Batts, Dr. Greg Cason, Christopher Cappiello, Peter DelVecchio, Gossip Gay, Stephan Horbelt, Gary M. Kramer, Jim Larkins, Dan Loughry, Billy Masters, Michelle McCarthy, Dana Miller, James F. Mills, Paulo Murillo, Karen Ocamb, Brian Padgett, Eric Rosen, Dominik Rothbard, Aaron Savvy, Brenden Shucart, Paul V., Michael Weinstein, Duane Wells Contributing Photographers and Illustrators Gabe Ayala, Nareth Chuon, Greg Gorman, Raúl Herrera, Anna Johansson, Paulo Murillo, Karen Ocamb, Rolling-Blackouts, Craig Schwartz, Jonathan Sirand, Caleb Wing

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©2013 Thanks to the dawn of the information age, we believe distribution/circulation not only encompasses hard copies printed and the pass-on rate of those hard copies, but web browsing and electronic copies being downloaded by our growing online readership. This has become a substantial boost to the number of readers of our magazine. Currently, an average of 30,000 hard copies are printed biweekly. Studies have shown each hard copy has a probable “pass-on rate” of two to three, meaning each hard copy taken will be seen by two to three additional readers. With the pass-on rate alone, estimated readership can conservatively average 55,000 to 90,000, not encompassing visitors who visit us online at FrontiersLA.com.

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BUILDING COMMUNITY

Leading by Example

Chef Susan Feniger

PHOTO: ANN JOHANSSON

Crafts Food for the Soul

By Michelle McCarthy

It’s easy to say that chef Susan Feniger has conquered the culinary world, but her well-deserved accolades have come with a lot of hard work. Her jumping-off point was the Food Network’s popular show Two Hot Tamales with longtime collaborator Chef Mary Sue Milliken. Together the duo opened the highly successful Border Grill restaurants in Santa Monica, Las Vegas and Downtown L.A. (They’re currently in the process of opening a location at LAX.) In 2009, the openly gay Feniger struck out on her own with the debut of Street restaurant on Highland. Add to that numerous cookbooks and appearances on Top Chef Masters and you’ve got the makings of a jam-packed day planner, yet Feniger still finds ample time to dedicate to her favorite charities. How do you choose the causes you want to work with? In the restaurant business, we’re able to give back in a great way because we have an opportunity to have our staffs donate their time. Lots of them are young, and it’s great for them to learn about giving back. Our business is based on neighborhoods and the people who support us. Whenever we can, we try to support organizations that are in our general area. I just came back from doing this event called Cool Comedy - Hot Cuisine. I’ve been on the board for the Scleroderma Research Foundation for the past 25 years. My oldest, closest friend from college was diagnosed with Scle-

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roderma [a chronic systemic autoimmune disease] right after she graduated from Stanford Business School, and she started this foundation. This was our 31st event. We raise millions of dollars a year. My friend passed away 10 years ago, and I keep doing it because it’s something that has become very near and dear to me. You’re also on the board of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center. The whole board is so passionate and smart and involved. They do such great work. One of the areas I’m really drawn to is working with young kids who are kicked out of their homes—on the street at 12 years old, and within two or three days they’re having to be prostitutes because they need to eat. We work to get kids off the street, to help them get high school educations, to provide a place for them that’s safe and to get clothing. We also work with seniors who have been in the closet all their lives, then their partner dies. We help them to get aid to get what they deserve. Tell us about the Share Our Strength organization you work with. Mary Sue is on the board. They work to eliminate childhood hunger. We do Taste of the Nation every year—a fantastic event where a lot of our peers go. And often I will get up on the auction stage to subtly pressure people to give back. I’ve realized over the years when you’re trying to get people involved, you

just have to be a little shameless and persistent. They have a program where they take people who are on the street and put them through a six-week program to give them a skill. We will take two or three of those students and put them to work at Border Grill. How do you find time in your schedule to be so involved? That’s a good question. [Laughs] It’s something my partner and I were discussing about how I need to say ‘no’ to more things. I grew up in a Midwest Jewish family where you give back. I feel like there’s more in our lives than just making money, and it’s an important part of who I am. A lot of what gives me satisfaction is the feeling when you have young kids who are trying to find out what they want to do with their lives. It makes me feel like my life has importance and a much bigger picture than just feeding people going out for a good time. There’s something bigger that I can give back. Writing checks is very important, but being able to do an event. ... The event that I co-chair for the Center is called Simply diVine—it’s a big food and wine event. Even if you raise $50,000, it goes a long way. So I figure out how to make time for it. sclerodermaresearch.org lagaycenter.org

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NEWS By Peter DelVecchio

LGBT Advocates Issue Transgender Health Care Guidelines Lambda Legal, the Human Rights Campaign and the LGBT Rights Committee of the New York City Bar Association have released “a unique, groundbreaking publication that will provide much-needed guidance to hospitals seeking to improve health care for transgendered patients,” according to a HRC release. The guide, titled Creating Equal Access to Quality Healthcare for Transgender Patients: Transgender-Affirming Hospital Policies, will “reduce health disparities for transgender people and offer them truly equitable care,” Lambda’s Dru Levasseur said in the release. Lambda’s help desk “gets scores of calls from transgender people who are facing discrimination or being denied care when they need it,” Levasseur added. The publication “answers [health care providers’] questions about transgender patients, shows them how to reduce bias and insensitivity and addresses key issues such as confidentiality, room assignments, bathroom access and admitting / registration procedures.” Transgender individuals experience discrimination two to three times more often than gays when obtaining health care, according to a 2010 Lambda survey.

Marriage Equality Poised for Win in Illinois, Possibly Hawaii Illinois is poised to become the 15th U.S. state, along with the District of Columbia, to permit same-sex marriage, The Huffington Post reports. The state’s General Assembly passed a marriage equality bill on Nov. 5, and the bill cleared the state Senate later that day. Illinois Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn has said he will sign the bill, which will permit gay marriages to begin June 1, 2014. Marriage equality in Illinois has followed a rough path. Openly gay Rep. Greg Harris withdrew a similar measure May 31, conceding he did not have sufficient support in the face of vigorous opposition by Catholics and conservative African-American Christian groups. Before the vote, though, Harris said he thought the U.S. Supreme Court's invalidation of parts of the Defense of Marriage Act earlier this year had changed the political climate. LGBT Illinoisans had fallen “from a second-class to a third-class status”

given federal recognition of same-sex marriages, because according to Harris, gay couples that marry outside the state “lose rights when they return to Illinois." Out Rep. Sam Yingling, who proposed to his partner at the celebration following the measure’s passage, said that religious institutions’ objections to the law were unreasonable because they “have massive protections under this bill,” the Windy City Times reports. Meanwhile, in Hawaii, a marriage equality measure passed a joint state House of Representatives committee on Nov. 5 and was set for a second reading and vote by the full House on Nov. 6, HawaiiNewsNow.com reports. If it passes, there will be a 48-hour hold before a third reading and final vote. The bill will then go to the state Senate, which previously passed a different version. If it clears the upper chamber, it will go to Democratic Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who has said he will sign it.

New Mexico Traffic Stop Results in Anal Probes A New Mexico traffic stop gone horribly wrong demonstrates how absurd the “war on drugs” can be. Deming, N.M., police stopped David Eckert for allegedly rolling through a stop sign, KOB4 reported Nov. 5. As he exited his car, police thought Eckert was “clenching his buttocks,” which apparently led them to believe he was hiding drugs in his anus. Eckert was arrested. After a judge issued a warrant, doctors x-rayed him, examined his anus manually, forced him to go undergo three

enemas, X-rayed him again, sedated him and performed an invasive colonoscopy with a camera. No drugs were found. “This is like something out of a sciencefiction film, anal probing by government officials and public employees,” said Eckert’s attorney, Shannon Kennedy. Eckert has filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Deming, certain police officers, a deputy district attorney and the medical center where the procedures were conducted.

SPEAK OUT “I’ll kill you.” —Miami Dolphins offensive guard Richie Incognito in a voicemail message left for biracial linemate Jonathan Martin last April. The message also included “derogatory terms referring to ... sexual orientation,” according to ESPN. Incognito has been suspended.

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“Yes, I am [gay]. But why should it matter?” —Maine Democratic Rep. and gubernatorial candidate Mike Michaud coming out in pre-emptive op-eds published in several newspapers in that state.

“Being a male or a female is a reality which is good and willed by God, and this complementarity is essential for the great good of marriage as the union of one man and one woman.” —Excerpt from a letter from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to each U.S. senator explaining the groups’ opposition to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act currently working its way through Congress.

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NEWS By Peter DelVecchio

A Good Election Night

Terry McAuliffe

Quick Pic

The Nov. 5 “off-off-year” election yielded several significant victories for the LGBT cause. Perhaps most notably, New York-born Democrat Terry McAuliffe, a former aide to both Clintons and a longtime LGBT ally, squeaked out a narrower-than-expected two-point win in the Virginia gubernatorial race over his ultraconservative Republican opponent, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, the Windy City Times reports. Breaking with past Democratic practice in the Old Dominion, McAuliffe did not shy away from social issues during the campaign, repeatedly voicing support for same-sex marriage and abortion rights, for example. According to many, the rabidly anti-LGBT Cuccinelli, who is currently engaged in a quixotic quest to preserve Virginia’s anti-sodomy law despite the

Bill de Blasio

U.S. Supreme Court’s invalidation of such statutes a decade ago, was viewed as too extreme by the demographically changing Virginia electorate, which went for Barack Obama both in 2008 and 2012. Cuccinelli’s failure to come out against the government shutdown is also seen as having hurt him. Progressive Democrat Bill de Blasio, another LGBT ally, was elected New York City’s first Democratic mayor in 20 years, crushing his Republican opponent, former transit agency head Joe Lhota, by a nearly 50-point margin. In Texas, Annise Parker, Houston’s first openly lesbian elected official, won re-election to a third term as that city’s mayor. First elected in 2009, Parker defeated five other candidates to win her second term in 2011. Term limits preclude a fourth run.

One of several kids aged 5 to 13 asked to respond to videos of gay people proposing marriage to each other, this little boy mistakenly said, “Justin Bieber married a guy.” See tinyurl.com/mdgv2np.

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Annise Parker

In the Northwest, Washington state Senator Ed Murray defeated incumbent Mike McGinn and will become Seattle’s first openly gay mayor. Also, 53 of the 85 candidates endorsed by the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund were projected to win their races as of election night or had won races earlier this year, including mayors, state legislators and municipal council members, school board members and a judgeship in Wisconsin.

Bi Teen Receives Help from Strangers Almost 800 strangers have donated more than $26,000 on a GoFundMe.com page set up to help a Georgia teen whose parents kicked him out when they learned he was bisexual. “Nick,” a Kennesaw State University freshman, was thrown out of the house by his father and stepmother after someone outed him to them, The Huffington Post reported Nov. 2. Nick's parents allegedly also confiscated his car and money he had earned working at a grocery store. Hearing about Nick's plight, the sonin-law of one of Nick's coworkers, Steve Bevers, took Nick in and put up the GoFundMe page. “When I heard about what happened to Nick, I was flabbergasted,” Bevers said in a statement to The Huffington Post. “I couldn't understand how a parent could do that.” Nick posted a video on YouTube on Oct. 24 thanking supporters and explaining he had been afraid to come out to his parents.

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NEWS

ENDA Passes Senate, House Vote Unlikely BY KAREN OCAMB “I don’t want to die a second-class citizen,” James Hormel, the openly gay former U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg, said during a discussion with Frontiers about Prop 8. Hormel—a noted philanthropist, University of Chicago Law School graduate and one of the founders of the Human Rights Campaign Fund—had been considered by President Bill Clinton to serve as the ambassador to Fiji in 1994. But officials in Fiji protested, as homosexuality was against the law in their country. In deference to that small country, Clinton instead appointed Hormel to the UN Commission on Human Rights in 1995. Despite being rich, educated, highly qualified and willing to serve, Hormel shared that deeply humiliating experience of second-class citizenship in the workplace—as well as at the mar-

riage altar—with thousands of other LGBT individuals denied jobs and promotions or those who constantly fear being inexplicably fired simply because they are gay or are perceived to be gay. And that hasn’t changed. In 2013, 29 states still allow discrimination based on sexual orientation and 33 states allow such discrimination based on gender identity. But the tide may be turning. On Nov. 7, the U.S. Senate voted 64-32 to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act—amended with a strengthened religious exception—with the help of 10 Senate Republicans. Interestingly, the bill passed without the expected flailing over the inclusion of gender identity. Perhaps that’s because in 2012 the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ruled that transgender and other gender non-conforming individuals have workplace discrimination protections under Title VII, the federal law banning bias based on sex.

HRC President Chad Griffin greets ENDA co-sponsor Sen. Tammy Baldwin after the vote.

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Indiana Republican Sen. Dan Coats, however—a member of the far-right Christian group The Fellowship—did not think the religious exception amendment or the broader amendment by Republican Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey, which was voted down, went far enough. “Do we want to support policies that discriminate against an employer’s religious beliefs and require employers to hire individuals who contradict their very most deeply held religious beliefs?” Coats asked. “This bill will [open] the door to the silenc[ing] of employers to express their deeply held beliefs. This possibility runs counter to everything America stands for in the realm of free speech.” Arizona Republican Sen. Jeff Flake had concerns, too, but was assured by lead sponsors Sen. Jeff Merkley and Sen. Tammy Baldwin that businesses would receive guidance on how to implement ENDA’s transgender provisions effectively to avoid potential litigation, according to MetroWeekly. Flake became a “yes” vote. The other Republican votes joining Senate Democrats were from ENDA’s GOP Senate cosponsors Mark Kirk (Ill.) and Susan Collins (Maine), along with Kelly Ayotte (N.H.), Orrin Hatch (Utah), Dean Heller (Nev.), John McCain (Ariz.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Rob Portman (Ohio), who has a gay son, and Toomey. “I believe supporting this bill is the right thing to do. I am hopeful that the bill moves forward in a way that works for employers as well as employees,” Flake said after the vote. The Human Rights Campaign poured $2 million into lobbying in the 12 weeks before the vote (go to tinyurl.com/llfr2ex to see HRC’s strategy) but the usual public explosion over a projected doomsday scenario didn’t really materialize. “They had pointed to [Marco] Rubio, and Rubio pointed to [Ted] Cruz, because we were told that Cruz was the one who was going to give the speech [opposing ENDA],” Majority Leader Harry Reid told reporters regarding Monday’s cloture vote on ENDA, MetroWeekly reported. “I find it terribly interesting that he wasn’t willing to stand and say anything because we’ve found him willing to talk about anything, and he wasn’t willing to do that.” House Speaker John Boehner, meanwhile, remained adamant in his opposition to ENDA and his refusal to bring the Senate bill to the House floor for a vote. “Everyone talks about gridlock in Washington.

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Gay Republican activist Fred Karger with Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte

It rests with one man—Speaker Boehner. That’s the problem,” said New York Sen. Chuck Schumer. “The House of Representatives has become a legislative black hole. It’s the broken cog in our governmental wheel.” Perhaps most amazingly, despite hard evidence to the contrary, Boehner insists that it’s already illegal to discriminate against LGBT people. “I hope Speaker Boehner will find—in the solitude of his office as he talks with people who know this territory—that his arguments are without merit, and to block consideration of a bill related to the oppressive discrimination of millions of Americans is just wrong,” Merkley said. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made job discrimination a broader political issue. “I think the House is going to have to capitulate,” he said. “If they have any hope of having a president that can be a viable candidate, or if they think they can elect some Republicans and they want to hang onto the House, they’ve got issues.” Baldwin was perhaps the most elated about the prospect of ending second-class citizenship for LGBT Americans. “Passing this legislation is about freedom—the freedom to realize our founding belief that all Americans are created equal under the law. It’s about fairness—about whether lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans deserve to be treated just like their family members, their friends, their neighbors and fellow workers. It’s about opportunity— about whether every American gets to dream the same dreams, chase the same ambitions and have the same shot at success,” Baldwin said. “I am proud to be a part of this bipartisan effort to build a tomorrow where America is more equal, not less. It is now my hope that the House of Representatives will put progress ahead of politics and answer the call for leadership in moving our country forward.” HRC President Chad Griffin also pressed

the House to take up a vote on ENDA. “Today, a strong bipartisan majority of the United States Senate made history by standing up for a fundamental American truth. Each and every American worker should be judged based on the work they do, and never based on who they are. This broad Senate coalition has sent a vital message that civil rights legislation should never be tied up by partisan political games,” Griffin said. “We firmly believe that if the House of Representatives were freed by Speaker John Boehner to vote its conscience, this bill could pass immediately. It’s unconscionable that any one person would stand in the way of this crucial piece of the civil rights puzzle.” Griffin also needled President Obama to sign an executive order to protect the employees of federal contractors from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity until ENDA is signed. But Obama still wants the remedy for job bias against more than 16 million Americans to be legislative, and in his message of congratulations he also pressed Boehner to bring up ENDA. “Today’s victory is a tribute to all those who fought for this progress ever since a similar bill was introduced after the Stonewall riots more than three decades ago,” Obama said. “Now it’s up to the House of Representatives. This bill has the overwhelming support of the American people, including a majority of Republican voters, as well as many corporations, small businesses and faith communities. They recognize that our country will be more just and more prosperous when we harness the God-given talents of every individual. One party in one house of Congress should not stand in the way of millions of Americans who want to go to work each day and simply be judged by the job they do.” As Reid noted, opposition to job fairness may have greater repercussions for the old Repub-

lican “business-friendly” brand. More than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies offer job protections and other benefits for their LGBT employees, according to HRC. Apple CEO Tim Cook even put an ENDA-supportive op-ed in the Wall Street Journal. “For too long, too many people have had to hide that part of their identity in the workplace,” Cook wrote. “Those who have suffered discrimination have paid the greatest price for this lack of legal protection. But ultimately we all pay a price. If our coworkers cannot be themselves in the workplace, they certainly cannot be their best selves.” The Washington Post also noted that ENDA exempts businesses with fewer than 15 workers— “roughly 85 percent of the nation’s 5 million small employers would be exempt from the rules in the law,” according to the Small Business Association. Though ENDA is modeled on the exemptions in the Civil Rights Act of 1964—exempting institutions such as churches, religious-affiliated universities and religious-based nonprofits— there may be frivolous lawsuits from Religious Right groups like the National Organization for Marriage or the Family Research Council demanding an expansion of religious liberty. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops wrote a letter to senators prior to the vote decrying ENDA’s shortcomings. “The bill’s religious freedom protection,” the letter said, “covers only a subset of religious employers, and as a result of recent litigation, is uncertain in scope.” To which out Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson responded in the Huffington Post. “There is a religious spectacle taking place in Congress right now that surely would make Jesus cringe. The debate surrounding the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which just passed in the U.S. Senate and is now headed for the House, has a number of religious leaders arguing against it,” he wrote. “For instance, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is vigorously opposing ENDA asserting that their right to discriminate based on sexual orientation and gender identity is essential to Catholics’ religious liberty. Now stop and just take that in for a moment. A church, dedicated to following the man known for his outreach and compassion for the marginalized, petitioning the government to be exempted from the fair treatment of marginalized and vulnerable LGBT people. It takes my breath away.” It should be noted that four out of seven Mormon senators voted for ENDA—Harry Reid, D-Nev.; Tom Udall, D-N.M.; Orin Hatch, R-Utah; and Dean Heller, R-Nev. The question now is how ENDA supporters will make LGBT job discrimination a political issue for the 2014 elections. I wonder if James Hormel, now 80, will get involved.

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NEWS

WeHo Councilmember John Duran ‘Mulling Over’ Run for L.A. County Supervisor BY KAREN OCAMB Openly gay West Hollywood City Councilmember John Duran confirmed in a brief phone conversation Nov. 5 that he is considering running for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors seat being vacated by Zev Yaroslavsky next year. “I’m mulling it over,” Duran said, declining to go on the record with anymore details. If Duran does decide to run, that puts him in immediate conflict with openly gay former state Sen. Sheila James Kuehl, a Santa Monica resident who began talking about running for Yaroslavsy’s 3rd District seat in January. She made it official in April. A Duran-Kuehl race conjures up a repeat of the knock-down drag-out slugfest between Duran’s close friend, thenAssemblymember Betsy Bulter, versus Kuehl’s best friend Torie Osborn for the newly redistricted 50th Assembly District seat, which was eventually won by Richard Bloom. While many politicos may focus on the national landscape of the 2014 races as the Democrats attempt to regain the House of Representatives from the intransigent Tea Party Republicans, the L.A. County races are also critically important. L.A. County is larger than the square miles of Rhodes Island and Delaware combined, with a budget of about $23.3 billion. About 60 percent of the county’s population—almost 9.9 million— is Latino, and there have been unsuccessful pro-

PHOTOS: KAREN OCAMB

Sheila Kuehl (right) with Torie Osborn, who was then running for the 50th Assembly District

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posals to carve out a new district that would allow for another Latino representative, including one plan to reapportion the 3rd District. So while Duran may not be well-known outside West Hollywood and LGBT-related areas, his Latino heritage may be a boon. However, the fact that there was only one woman elected to the 15seat L.A. City Council underscores the need for female representation, and Kuehl has a long track record on women’s issues. Others might also compete for the seat. Former L.A. City Controller Wendy Greuel has high name recognition following her hotly contested mayoral race. Some politicos say she is eyeing a run for the 3rd District while others say she is considering a run for State Controller, though it is unlikely she would run against Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez, a candidate for that job. While she would be an instant frontrunner, Greuel is still saddled with an outstanding debt of $680,000, according to the LA Times, which might give her pause. L.A. City Councilmember Paul Koretz’s name is also mentioned. He has the legislative experience for the area, having been born in the San Fernando Valley, schooled on the Westside and elected to the West Hollywood City Council, where he served for years before being elected assemblymember for the 42nd District. He would also presumably have extensive Jewish backing for the supposedly ‘Jewish seat.’ Some say Koretz is con-

John Duran presents Betsy Butler with a Young Stonewall Democrats Straight Ally Award. sidering a run; other sources say he is very happy where he is. There are two other possible candidates— Santa Monica Councilman Bobby Shriver, who right now appears uninterested, and a former councilmember from Malibu I suspect that Duran will not formally announce his intention to run for Yaroslavsky’s seat until Greuel and/or Koretz formally and officially announce they are out. Meanwhile, he is no doubt putting together a kitchen cabinet that would be able to hit the ground running if and when he makes it official, as expected. There may be some unintended consequences if Duran runs, one of which is his prodigious fundraising ability seriously cutting into contributors his West Hollywood City Council colleague Jeff Prang may be counting on. Prang is running for L.A. County Assessor and needs more money for that race than he required during his re-election campaigns. Additionally, since Prang and Kuehl both announced their candidacies early, they have endorsed each other. I suspect there would be hard feelings if Prang tried to diplomatically dual-endorse in the supervisor’s race. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking. June 2014 is only seven stressful months away. So while Duran may say he is only “mulling over” a run for the supervisor’s seat, you can probably assume he is actually running. And that means Kuehl is probably getting her ducks in a row to shoot down any issue or proposal or campaign promise Duran might make. It looks like the contest to turn the 3rd District into a ‘gay seat’ is going to be won playing hardball.

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Cuts Above the Rest L.A.’s New Culinary Contenders

By Eric Rosen

Los Angeles is always about what’s new, what’s next and what’s exciting, and nowhere is that more evident than in the city’s dining scene. A cadre of talented chefs have been busy opening new restaurants and transforming old ones into the hottest spots around town. Here are a few you should check out. younger sibling to the Santa Monica original, from the scion of the family who started landmark El Arco Iris in Highland Park decades ago. Grab some tacos or tamales, but it’s the cocktails like the Western Fresa—with young mezcal, strawberries, mint, lime, agave nectar and Angostura bitters—that will have you doing a hat dance.

The Factory Kitchen

Angelenos might typically resist carbo-loading, but you’d never know it by the plethora of pasta and dumpling places that have opened recently. Downtown, The Factory Kitchen (1300 Factory Pl., thefactorykitchen.com) is turning out handmade gnocchi and artisanal charcuterie to well-heeled Eastsiders in a 90-year-old Arts District warehouse. Meanwhile, over in Culver City, former Rustic Canyon chef Evan Funke has struck out on his own with Bucato (3280 Helms Ave., bucato.la), where his homemade pastas have won rave reviews from coast to coast. For some name recognition, Angelenos have been packing the tables at Rao’s (1006 Seward St., raosla.com), the first West Coast location of the famed 117-year-old Harlem trattoria. Order the spaghetti and meatballs if you know what’s good for you. One of the most buzzed-about recent openings, Trois Mec—“three guys” in French (716 N. Highland Ave., troismec.com)—is a collaboration among the guys from Animal and Son of a Gun (Vinny Dotolo and Jon Shook) and bad-boy French chef Ludo Lefebvre. The tiny restaurant only opens its reservations every other week, and guests must pre-pay the $75-per-person price (drinks and gratuity not included), sealing an implicit agreement to eat what’s served 28

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that evening since the menu changes according to the chefs’ whims. The new restaurant makes its home in the former Raffallo’s pizza joint on Highland near Melrose, and the space has been transformed into an intimate, zen-like dining room where you’ll find Lefebvre behind the stoves of the tiny kitchen, directing a phalanx of cooks as they turn out dishes like peas in a bone marrow custard with crispy shallot. Of course, it wouldn’t be L.A. without mentioning a few Mexican eateries, and luckily some great ones have recently opened. Perhaps the flashiest is Petty Cash Taqueria (7360 Beverly Blvd., pettycashtaqueria.com), which launched in the former Playa space on Beverly. You’ve probably noticed the bright Chicano-inspired mural decorating the façade. Here, local favorite chef Walter Manzke (you might remember him from Bastide or Church & State) turns out artisanal versions of classic Mexican dishes from his San Diego childhood (and forays to Tijuana), including an enormous aguachile brimming with seafood, homemade chicharrones with uni guacamole and a braised octopus taco that melts in your mouth. Keeping things slightly simpler is Mercado (7910 W. 3rd St., mercadorestaurant.com), the

It may be November, but it’s a veritable Indian summer here in Los Angeles, so take advantage by heading to the city’s newest beer garden, Sage (4130 Sepulveda Blvd., sageveganbistro.com), in Culver City. Don’t worry—you won’t get a gut here because this is actually a vegan restaurant where the pierogis are made with potato and broccoli then seared in a soy-ginger sauce over lemon kale, and even the beer is vegan (and organic for that matter). Speaking of vegan specialties, chef Jeremy Fox was the talented toque behind Napa’s shortlived cult favorite vegan restaurant Ubuntu, but now he brings all his culinary capabilities to bear at Rustic Canyon (1119 Wilshire Blvd., rusticcanyonwinebar.com), where you can try new dishes like an olive oil-poached black cod with baby artichokes in a shellfish barigoule made with fennel and mirepoix then brushed with Harissa for a little kick. Finally, if you haven’t been yet, venture among the high rises of Century City to perch at Hinoki & the Bird (10 W. Century Dr., hinokiand thebird.com), the latest restaurant from chef David Myers, who first earned acclaim at fine-dining spot Sona then with Comme Ça and Pizzeria Ortica. The menu here is inspired by the Silk Road and includes instant classics like a lobster roll with green curry and Thai basil on a charcoal-flour roll and hinoki-blackened cod with whipped sweet potatoes and pistachio.

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For a very contemporary take on Asian cuisine, stop by the newest dim sum diner in town, The Church Key (8730 Sunset Blvd., facebook.com/churchkeyCA), where you can flag down dim sum carts with fillings ranging from Thai snapper to Peking-style quail and sip on house specialty Negronis as you tuck into irreverent specialties like pig ear Cheetos, falafel croquettes and shaved-to-order Benton ham.

Photos: Raul Herrera, raulherreraphotography.com, Model: Miles Davis Moody, Stylist: Jack Austin, jackaustinstyling.com, Stylist Asst: Amber Heiman, Jeans: duffiejeans.com, Grooming: Jacob Adam Aguirre, jacobadamaguirre.com, Location: The Church Key, thechurchkeyla.com

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#NOWTRENDING DINING TRENDS OF THE L.A. FOODIE

#JuiceBars

By Eric Rosen

In a health-conscious city like Los Angeles, is it any wonder one of the hottest trends in town is fresh juice? You don’t have to be on a cleanse or detoxing to enjoy the offerings of these juice bars.

Clover

Moon Juice

Erewhon

Pressed Juicery

Why go for just a single type of juice when you can get a rainbow’s worth of Technicolor-bright bottles packed to the brim with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and every other healthy thing all in one neat, tidy package? Though you’ll find Clover’s juices all over town at various partner cafés and coffee shops, there’s nothing like heading into the La Brea location for a bottle of eponymous Clover with kale, cucumber, celery, spinach, pear, lime, mint and cilantro. You’ll walk out looking healthier after just one sip. If you are on a cleanse, you can always order the Rev’d Up, a simple mixture of lemon, camu camu, cayenne pepper, agave and water. It’ll clear you out, perk you up and keep you full until your next meal. For a full day’s worth of vitamins, order the Go Big, which contains a concentrated mix of beet, kale, carrot, apple, wheatgrass, lemon and ginger. For something lighter on the palate, the Gingersnap with Fuji and green apple, lemon and ginger will whet your appetite for a healthy snack. 342 S. La Brea Ave., L.A. cloverjuice.com

Venice is the epicenter of healthy alternative living in Los Angeles, so it’s no surprise that one of the city’s most popular juiceries is right on Rose Avenue in the heart of this beach community. The juices here are cold-pressed to retain maximum flavor and nutrients, and they come in heady combinations that will have your taste buds singing. The watermelon-tomato-lime concoction is a perfect summer treat, while those needing a little folic acid can opt for the Gracious Greens blend with romaine, spinach, mint, lemon and cucumber—sure to clear your skin and your colon. With anti-anxiety qualities and a muscle-calming effect, there’s no beating the cantaloupe-nectarine blend, and the carrot-lime-coconut juice blend is hailed for strengthening the body’s natural defenses, fighting viruses and flushing the fat from your system. For something richer, the Golden Milk contains unpasteurized almond milk, cold-pressed turmeric juice, cinnamon, cardamom and raw wildflower honey, just right for an autumn treat. 507 Rose Ave., Venice. moonjuiceshop.com

On your next visit to The Grove, make time to stop at this health food market, which of course has a prerequisite Tonic & Juice Bar, the “nerve center” of the store. You can find a panoply of juices pressed, stocked, bottled and ready to go, but the friendly baristas are also happy to craft a made-to-order blend depending on your preferences and what ails you. The coconut Bulgarian rose water blend is a perennial favorite thanks to the hint of exoticism (and socialism) in its ingredients, while the Green Goddess Superfood Smoothie has legions of fans testifying to its immune-boosting powers. What’s great is that you can order your juice blend but then also have them throw in a tonic like the immunity special (no one will divulge its special ingredients or properties), a reishi cappuccino or even a dollop of açai ice cream that brings the healing antioxidants of the rainforest right into the middle of L.A. 7660 Beverly Blvd., L.A. erewhonmarket.com

Probably the best-known of the bunch, Pressed Juicery has made a power play to take over the L.A. juice market and has already opened 11 locations. Its WeHo location is right on the Santa Monica strip and makes for a good stop on your way out—though it would also be an awesome place to pick up a detoxifying tonic on the way home from the bars. There is a rotating selection of seasonal offerings, and right now you can find an autumny blend of yam, apple, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg— like an apple pie in a bottle—as well as a simpler and tarter apple-cinnamonpersimmon blend. The rest of the menu is separated into categories like Greens, Roots and Citrus. Among the six Greens selections is one with spinach, honeydew, kiwi, lemongrass and cilantro, for just the right balance of tropical, savory and herbaceous. In the Citrus category, the grapefruit-mint juice is a palate-awakening sensation, while among the Fruits selections is a blueberry-coconut-pear blend, the mellow flavors of which just wash over you. 8714 Santa Monica Blvd., WeHo. pressedjuicery.com

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#NOWTRENDING

#Hybrids

By Brian Padgett

From hybrid cars to designer dog breeds—goldendoodles, anyone?—ours is the epoch of the mash-up. The exploration transpiring at these L.A. restaurants pushes the concept of fusion cuisine to new expanses of the flavorful frontier.

DK Donuts

The Gorbals

The Hungry Pig

Biergarten

DK’s Donuts

The Gorbals

The Hungry Pig

Biergarten

When New York’s Dominique Ansel Bakery trademarked the term ‘cronut’ earlier this year, L.A. bakeries were forced to creatively market their deepfried, cream-filled, croissant-based delicacies to continue shaking the resolutions of many a carb-conscious Angeleno. DK’s Donuts, a Santa Monica family-owned-and-operated bakery, boasts some of SoCal’s finest renditions of this fusion dessert. Since 1981, DK’s has catered to the cravings of West L.A. 24 hours a day, and with its elaborate—and legally sound—O-Nut offerings, you can repeatedly indulge in this pastry hybrid and experience something new time and time again. Embracing the adage that everything is bigger in Texas, DK’s Texas-Sized Birthday Cake O-Nut will help make turning a year older that much sweeter. Truly dedicated pastry aficionados will delight in DK’s double-decker O-Nut choices, the double-sized desserts running the gamut from tiramisu and red velvet to mango and mocha-chocolate. Calorie counters will appreciate DK’s demure Little-O selection—at $2 each, diners can enjoy bite-sized versions of the more decadent snacks. 1614 Santa Monica Blvd., SaMo. dksdonuts.com

Top Chef Season 2 Winner Ilan Hall’s downtown cultural and culinary mashup never ceases to amaze. At his Alexandria Hotel hotspot, Hall delicately blends traditional Israeli and Scottish sensibilities to create an unforgettable experience. Divided into Pig, Cow, Lamb, Bird, Marine and Herbivore categories, the fare is served tapas-style with an emphasis on sharing. Pig standouts include the bacon-wrapped matzoh balls—as far as they fail on the kosher front, these ingenious bites triumph repeatedly in terms of piquancy. Hall’s familiarity with Spanish cuisine is clearly evinced in the confit tongue with romesco and crouton (a Cow-must), and the lamb neck, served with creamy oats, is at once unexpected and delightful. Seasonality influences all chefs, and Hall’s fried hen with egg, grilled mushrooms and crumbled fingerlings speaks to his embracement of the autumnal bounty. Of note in the Marine menu are the ebony grits served with uni butter and hot head cheese, and although the appearance of latkes and smoked applesauce on the Herbivore menu does not strike one as surprising, the Welsh rarebit—served with fried applesauce and topped with sage— certainly does. 501 S. Spring St., DTLA. thegorbalsla.com

Located in the heart of Historic Filipinotown, The Hungry Pig is a new addition to the L.A. food scene, and with its Asian-inspired riffs on traditional barbecue and soul food staples, its future in the City of Angels is resolved. In lesser hands, barbecued chicken and baby back ribs wouldn’t raise eyebrows, but with the infusion of Asian spices and preparation methods, that’s not the case here. Both the beef brisket and the beef curry are exceptional, and each underscores the eclecticism for which The Hungry Pig is known. Salad selections reign supreme—this is L.A. after all—and whether you order your salad with steak, chicken or papaya, it will be perfectly complemented by an order of the daily soup. In true BBQ fashion, side dishes are where chefs delight in making their gastronomic prowess known. Whether you’re in the mood for baked beans—balancing the interplay between savory and sweet— and a moist cut of cornbread or are craving spicy eggplant salad and curried potato, this place has you covered. 2920 Temple St., Filipinotown.

When independently viewed through the lens of the L.A. food scene, gastropubs, beer gardens and Korean cuisine concepts have admittedly been done to death. K-Town’s Biergarten, however, combines the most alluring aspects of these culinary notions to create an entirely new experience. Bar bites weave together German and Korean influences to produce the likes of the Pig Frites, a Korean-inspired marinated pork loin with potato fries and a side of celery root slaw. Also popular is the Wurstplatte, a choice of bratwurst, bockwurst, knackwurst or kolbasa served with pickled radish, house salad and kimchee sauerkraut. The unbelievably moist beer-roasted drunken chicken—served with pickled radish and a house salad—has been touted by some as one of L.A.’s best chicken dishes. Gastropubs live and die by beer selection, and with a hearty Bavarian beer culture background, the choices at Biergarten do not disappoint; the eclectic draft and bottled beer menu robustly represents European and North American productions across the requisite crisp, hoppy, stout and lambic flavor profiles. 206 N. Western Ave., K-Town. biergartenla.com

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#CasualSecondActs Connie & Ted’s

Hinoki & The Bird

By Eric Rosen

While traditionally a chef must earn his toque slaving away in fancy kitchens, learning the ins and outs of classic technique while gaining an intimate knowledge of individual ingredients, many of L.A.’s most accomplished chefs are embarking on second acts with a distinctly more casual aesthetic. Here are a few of the most exciting recent openings.

Connie & Ted’s

Fishing with Dynamite

Chef Michael Cimarusti earned his stripes at the stoves of famed New York City eatery Le Cirque and the original Spago before opening his own restaurant, Providence, in 2005 and quickly turning it into one of L.A.’s most acclaimed eateries. These days, in addition to continuing to wow well-heeled foodies at Providence, the chef is often behind the counter at his new seafood restaurant, Connie & Ted’s, in the heart of West Hollywood. Here he serves a cornucopia of crustaceans and other marine dwellers as he pays homage to the simple seafood shacks of his Rhode Island youth. The oysters, prawns and whole cracked crab from the raw menu make guests salivate, but by far the most popular dish is the lobster roll, for which chunks of sweet meat are piled high on a toasted, buttery bun. For something lighter you can always opt for the fresh catch of the day, made to order with a variety of preparation and sauce options. The wine list is decent and draws from all over the world, but the cocktails— like the simple Dickerson with rye whiskey, Gran Classico, dry vermouth and citrus— are perfect for sipping on the breezy front deck. 8171 Santa Monica Blvd., WeHo. connieandteds.com

Down in Manhattan Beach, chef David LeFevre can’t seem to get enough seafood, so he opened up a second restaurant right next to the first that put this little beach community back on the foodie map, MB Post. LeFevre’s past gigs have included a highly lauded stretch at Water Grill, so you can trust that while the menu changes each day according to what his trusted purveyors dig out of the ocean, it’s going to be delicious. In fact, look for the hand-scribbled notes on the menu to see the day’s specials, as they may not be around tomorrow. Those looking for a showstopper can indulge in one of the overflowing seafood platters stacked with oysters, clams, mussels, shrimp, lobster, crab and more, though every so often there are unique treats like live Santa Barbara scallops as big as your fist. Diners can enjoy a selection of old-school options like New England clam chowder and Maryland blue crab cakes, but LeFevre is a whiz with international flavors, so don’t be afraid to order dishes like swordfish with soyginger marinade, kaffir lime salt, chilies, mint and scallion. For dessert, the pretzelchocolate bread pudding with salted caramel sauce and house-made vanilla ice cream is a perfect blend of salty and sweet. 1148 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach. eatfwd.com

Hinoki & The Bird David Myers’ La Cienega restaurant, Sona, was widely hailed as one of L.A.’s best during its eight-year run, and it became a veritable temple to gastronomy thanks to the young chef’s innovative take on fine dining. Angelenos were heartbroken when the restaurant closed in 2010 with a plan to reopen elsewhere. We waited, and waited some more. Then Myers, his trusted chef de cuisine Kuniko Yagi and pastry chef Ramon Perez finally opened Hinoki & The Bird this past spring with an entirely new concept focusing more on Asian ingredients and flavors (dubbed “Silk Road cuisine”) with the same fine-tuned classic preparation. It was clear the wait was worth it. Though the lowlit dining room is bustling and convivial, the best place to spend an intimate evening savoring specialties like spicy chili crab toast with cucumber and coriander or crispy drunken chicken breast with seasonal fruit is out on the candlelit back patio, where the industry chatter of agents out after-hours (CAA is down the street) won’t distract from your meal. 10 Century Dr., Century City. hinokiandthebird.com

Little Fork For years, fine dining in Culver City was defined by Fraiche and its chef, the talented Jason Travi. These days, though, you’ll find Travi at his very own eatery right in the heart of Hollywood on Wilcox, where he creatively reimagines the flavors of Northeast North America (especially focusing on cuisine from Boston and Montréal) where he grew up in a stark but welcoming dining room. During the dinner rush, diners down crisp oyster sliders with pickled watermelon rind and pickled aioli; kale salad with avocado, egg, red onion and orange; steak frites Montréal-style with spice butter and maple onion rings; and monkfish poached and served with potato purée, garlic and spinach. At brunch you’ll find specialties like maple-laced eggs with crispy bacon and a gooey-rich breakfast poutine with cheddar, two sunny-side-up eggs, gravy, cheddar cheese and a drizzle of maple syrup that goes down great with a bourbon Bloody Mary. 1600 Wilcox Ave., Hlywd. littleforkla.com NOVEMBER 26, 2013

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#NOWTRENDING

#HealthyBites

By Brian Padgett

Los Angeles has long been heralded as a hub for healthy American eating. From unassuming WeHo bistros to upscale establishments wholly embracing the raw food movement, these tried-and-true eateries feed both your body and soul.

Veggie Grill

Green Leaves Vegan

Café Gratitude

Veggie Grill

Café Gratitude

The exclusively plant-based phenomenon that is Veggie Grill has been delighting Southern Californians for years. Boasting a menu free of cholesterol and animal and trans fats, Veggie Grill tops the list of L.A.’s most healthy eating establishments, and with countless veggie proteins sourced from the Canadian-based company Gardein, it’s also one of the most flavorful. In addition to assorted vegan soups and salads, the Savory Kale Caesar—with marinated kale, romaine hearts, chopped tempeh bacon and chunky avocado—is a surefire crowd-pleaser. The VG cheeseburger—topped with pickles, lettuce, tomatoes and chipotle ranch dressing—is both flavorfully and texturally remarkable. For the ultra-healthy, many sandwich dishes can be ordered as a wrap, and with blackened chickin’, red onion and spicy vegan mayo, any way you slice it, the Bayou Chickin’ is incredible. Do yourself a favor and complement your order with a side of sweet potato fries, served with spiced creamy aioli. Dessert options do not disappoint, and the new handcrafted grilled cookie item—griddled and topped with chocolate pudding, VG crema and chocolate sauce—can be enjoyed guilt-free. Multiple locations around Los Angeles. veggiegrill.com

The raw food movement has set up permanent digs in the City of Angels, and perhaps the most hospitable place to appreciate the gastronomic goings-on is at Larchmont Village’s Café Gratitude. Conducting business through what the café has dubbed “sacred commerce”—providing service through honest and transparent communication—the political and emotional foci of the Café Gratitude team is evident in the names of dishes. Either the seasonal raw soup starter (labeled Adventurous) or the zucchini-cilantro hummus (aka Connected) will initiate your experience. Always cognizant of community responsibility and the roles we can play to help bring about social change, proceeds from every order of Grateful—a grain bowl with shredded kale, local brown rice, black beans and garlictahini sauce—will be donated to a local nonprofit serving underprivileged Angelenos. The concise wine list reflects Californian and European (primarily French and Italian) selections, any of which can complement your Humble—Indian curried lentils over quinoa with oven-roasted potatoes and spinach, drizzled with a spicy mint chutney and sweet tamarind sauce. 639 Larchmont Blvd., L.A. cafegratitudela.com

Green Leaves Vegan

Fresh Corn Grill

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With a decidedly Thai influence, this East Side eatery bills itself as a “vegetarian restaurant for a new generation.” Culling the intense flavor profiles unique to Southeast Asian cuisine and pouring hints of curry, lemongrass and basil into its dishes, the Green Leaves menu never ceases to impress, even after repeat visits. The shitake soup presents diners with an intriguingly palatable mélange of mushrooms, tofu, lime leaves, cilantro and galangal. The fish curry—comprised of low-fat coconut milk, soy fish and natural curry sauce—scores major points in both the healthy and flavorful categories. The gluten-free options at Green Leaves Vegan abound and are perhaps best exemplified in the signature Rock & Roll Noodle— the pan-fried gluten-free rice noodles are tossed with tofu and flavored with onion, bell peppers, bean sprouts and a supersecret house jalapeño sauce. In addition to its expansive selection of healthy food items and the flavorful punches so many dishes pack, we’d be remiss if we didn’t touch on Green Leaves’ affordability. 1769 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz. glvegan.com

Fresh Corn Grill Since opening nearly two years ago, Fresh Corn Grill has been sating the hunger of Boystown with its deliciously health-conscious fare. The Fresh Corn Vegetable Bowl—served with grilled vegetables over basmati or brown rice and a choice of Asian BBQ or ginger curry sauce—is high in nutrients and low on calories, but thanks to additions like grilled salmon and skirt steak, your protein intake can also be increased. From chicken and grilled salmon to tuna and caprese, all sandwich options are served on fresh-baked panini bread with a choice of roasted potatoes, red cabbage slaw or green salad. Although not typically associated with healthful eating, Fresh Corn Grill’s pizza selection is as varied as it is nutritious. Traditionalists will no doubt go for the Margherita, but the Cajun shrimp also warrants a taste, as does the smoked salmon. Because Fresh Corn Grill’s side dishes highlight healthy ingredients, patrons are allowed to recklessly mix and match according to criteria more aligned with their taste buds than their waistlines—an indulgence not often presented. Whether you opt for the smoky Caribbean black beans or the grilled zucchini, both your body and your palate will be satisfied. 8714 Santa Monica Blvd., WeHo. freshcorngrill.com

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Culinary School THESE L.A. EATERIES STIMULATE BOTH THE MIND AND THE PALATE By Brian Padgett

The days of East Side homebrews and Westside obsession over Food Network-endorsed kitchen accessories driving gastronomic discussion have passed. Foodie frenzy has surely taken the City of Angels by storm, but Angelenos now crave something more substantial than flavorful exploration and quick howto tips. Catering to our collective food-driven fanaticism, these L.A. establishments have designed programs to share culinary and cultural concepts behind their offerings to enhance diners’ experiences.

Tortilla Republic Many have lamented dorm room benders involving the cheap and tawdry likes of Sauza and Jose Cuervo. Thankfully those days are over, but can you impress friends by casually referencing the subtle differences between reposado and añejo tequilas during happy hour? If not, then look no further. Every third Sunday of the month, this WeHo hotspot hosts Tequila 101, an interactive experience where guests learn about the art of tequila while enjoying a four-course contemporary Mexican tapas meal with tequila pairings. Margaritaville this is not—thank god! 616 N. Robertson Blvd., WeHo. tortillarepublic.com

Firenze Osteria

V Wine Room

Ray’s and Stark Bar

Chef Fabio Viviani’s gnocchi-making prowess is known the world over thanks to his appearances on Top Chef, but you too can learn to create the puffy potato pasta at one of his Toluca Lake restaurant’s cooking demonstrations. From making fresh pasta to simplifying traditional Italian sauces, Viviani’s demos walk guests through the steps of recreating classic Florentine dishes at home. Viviani’s combination of old-world charm and new-world wit results in a truly unforgettable—and informative—gastronomic experience. 4212 Lankershim Blvd., Toluca Lake. firenzeosteria.com

Located at the site of West Hollywood’s first public library just north of Santa Monica, the learning opportunities have never been more convivial than at V Wine Room. Channeling the setting’s literary historicism into the wine bar’s aesthetic, owner Mikey Consbruck encourages patrons to use library cards to jot down tasting notes, a strategy best employed during Wine Wisdom Wednesdays. For $30, guests enjoy select wine tastings and discuss with one another flavorful and aromatic characteristics unique to that evening’s particular terroir. On Nov. 13, the wine room hosts gay vintner Joey Wolosz of Napa Valley’s Gentleman Farmer to co-facilitate the discussion with Consbruck. 903 Westbourne Dr., WeHo. vwesthollywood.com

With the return of Cur-ATE in 2014—a collaborative effort between Artbites and LACMA— Angelenos can kick off the new year with stylish sophistication. After an exclusive gallery tour tracing the role of food in the museum’s exhibitions, guests are treated to a three-course meal inspired by the evening’s artistic themes. Drawing from LACMA’s collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist art, the Jan. 13 Parisian Café Culture theme is followed on March 10 with East-Meets-West—exploring South Asian artistic traditions under European colonial influence— and concludes with The Grand Tour, tracing the trans-European travels commonly undertaken by English aristocrats, on May 12. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. raysandstarkbar.com

Petrossian Restaurant & Boutique

Matthew Kenney Culinary Academy

Nestled on a quiet stretch of Robertson between Kitson craziness and Santa Monica shenanigans, Petrossian is doing its part to demystify Angelenos’ caviar preconceptions. Thanks to an extensive educational outreach series, learning has never been tastier. For the novice, Caviar 101 introduces guests to the subtleties of caviar through a sampling of executive chef Giselle Wellman’s caviar-centric appetizers. The inducted can partake in Caviar 201, which focuses on more luxurious caviar samplings and versatility with respect to vodka pairings, while in Caviar 301 experts are led through a tasting of Petrossian’s most upscale selections in addition to enjoying a delicious, seven-course dinner. 321 N. Robertson Blvd., WeHo. petrossian.com

Directly adjacent to the gastronomic phenomenon M.A.K.E., the Matthew Kenney Culinary Academy provides myriad weekend classes and workshops—as well as intensive, full-time courses—for the cooking enthusiast eager to better understand the intricacies of plant-based cuisine or the professional chef looking to increase his culinary repertoire. Students from around the world take courses on the fundamentals of raw cuisine, raw food application and raw cheeses, chocolates and desserts. Weekend Detox classes have proven especially popular, providing meal preparation tips to jump-start healthy weight loss and promote comprehensive well-being. 395 Santa Monica Pl. #333, Santa Monica. matthewkenneycuisine.com

Firenze Osteria

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SAN F R A N C I S CO

Foreign Cinema

Food is at the core of San Francisco, the fuel and fervor of a citizenry classically trained in the art of the feast. Long a delightful haven for foodies and culinary savants, the Bay Area is a training ground for more restaurants per capita than any other region in the United States. San Francisco being a tightly packed kingdom that Angelenos frequently love and love to frequent—a relatively small 232 square miles— the city’s abundant dining options are at once easily accessible and impossible to conquer. By no means an exhaustive checklist (a near-impossible feat attempted only by hardened professionals), the below is a carefully crafted slate of stellar San Francisco restaurants, an inventory displaying the masterful skill and convivial spirit of the city’s dining scene.

By Stephan Horbelt

Foreign Cinema

ICHI Sushi

Jasper’s

Lers Ros

Only after extended amounts of time and effort can a restaurant itself become a quintessentially San Francisco dining experience, but Foreign Cinema has done just that. After nearly 15 years of operation, it sits squarely as the place for weekend brunch among Bay Area foodies, though dinner is served nightly as well. Foreign and indie films are screened on the jaw-droppingly gorgeous covered courtyard, a treat that merely adds interest to a menu of dishes just as internationally inspired. Musttry: There’s a reason why Foreign Cinema employees refer to the slow-cooked brown sugar bacon as “crack”—it’s a gift from the toque-wearing gods, though thankfully not quite as addictive. foreigncinema.com

While it is without a doubt one of San Francisco’s most understated restaurants (and one of the city’s most perennially packed), ICHI is more than able to provide everything you need and want from a sushi bar. It seems there isn’t an award offered in the city that ICHI has yet to receive, and understandably so. Edo-style sushi is the name of the game here (think traditional Tokyo bites), so asking for anything more than a dash of soy sauce is a no-no. Must-try: Not partaking in executive chef Tim Archuleta’s Omakase service at the bar is a big mis-step. Allow him and his staff to serve you beautifully prepared and inventive dishes to your heart’s content. ichisushi.com

You’ll find this “corner tap & kitchen” below the Serrano Hotel, but don’t expect a by-the-book hotel effort here. Jasper’s effortlessly transforms from a happy hour ‘bar eats’ locale to a kitchen dedicated to serving gut-sticking comfort food by night. Chef Mike Ransom has crafted a menu chock-full of Southerninspired delights, a testament that food can be fun. Ransom’s love of seafood and meat fabrication shines through in a dish like his mussels, which come citrus-steamed with green garlic and a five-pepper sausage. Must-try: You’ve likely never had anything quite like the Crispy Piggy—eight-pepper roasted pork shoulder with pickled apple, cider mustard and cress salad—a dish that will no doubt put a smile on your face. jasperscornertap.com

An ardent lover of Thai cuisine myself, I can enthusiastically proclaim that Lers Ros serves some of the best Thai dishes to be had in the States. My experience at the Little Saigon location (with a second in Hayes Valley) was unparallelled thanks to stellar service and flavors that never missed their mark. Even the more common Thai dishes on the menu here (pad thai, crispy pork belly with Chinese broccoli) are leaps and bounds above what you’ll find elsewhere, and they aren’t overly altered for the American palate. Must-try: Lers Ros is renowned for its spicy green curry—served with fish paste, sliced bamboo and red bell pepper—one of the restaurant’s most popular dishes. lersros.com

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OneUP

Super Duper Burger

Situated on the mezzanine level of the recently renovated Grand Hyatt hotel, OneUP is a casual-but-luxe bistro intended for a quick bite at any hour of the day. Here you won’t sacrifice a stylish, modern atmosphere for fresh farm-to-table entrées, unfortunately a rarity in the city. For those looking to imbibe along with lunch or dinner, the array of artisanal cocktails is inspired. Must-try: You can’t go wrong with OneUP’s beautiful breakfast setup. For $25 you can take your pick from a bevy of fresh-baked pastries, pancakes, cagefree eggs and breakfast meats. tinyurl.com/ljl6h97

Not every meal can or should be a fine dining excursion, and for those instances when you’re simply craving a hearty burger and fries, there’s no better option than Super Duper Burger, of which there are seven scattered throughout the Bay Area. As you’d expect from a quality burger joint, the chain’s ingredients are local and all-natural, and all packaging is compostable—but it’s the flavor that counts, and Super Duper’s vegetarianfed beef, ground on-site daily, is tops. Must-try: The shining star here is found inside the help-yourself glass jars of homemade pickles, without a doubt the best I’ve ever had. superdupersf.com

Straits

tacolicious

Yes, Straits is part of the Westfield mall’s Under the Dome Restaurant Collection, but don’t think for a second you’re getting ‘food court’ cuisine from this upscale Singaporean restaurant/ lounge. Even its Singaporean designation is misleading, as what you’ll really find is a cross-section of all Asian fares—from Indian specialties to mouth-watering Thai and Vietnamese dishes. Lively flavors abound thanks to fresh, local ingredients and culinary ingenuity that fuses the best of an entire continent into one solid menu. Must-try: Nothing on the menu made me salivate quite like the “Poh Pia” spring rolls—jicama, carrots, bamboo, prawns, Chinese sausage, peanuts, egg, cilantro and spicy Hoisin sauce. straitsrestaurants.com

What began as a farmers market taco stand (still operating in the Ferry Building) developed into a sophisticated sit-down space, a non-traditional taqueria where tacos have been elevated from street food to art form. The eponymous dish really is the emphasis here, as you won’t find so much as a burrito on the menu. Opt for the taco of the week—guaranteed to spark your interest—or go with the fried local rock cod, braised chicken or chorizo-and-potato options. When you’re in the mood to splurge, look no further than Mike’s cheese dip, which is neither sustainable nor local—as it should be. Must-try: Aside from tacos, this place is very cocktail-driven, with a bar packed 120 tequilas strong. Consider that an invitation for margarita experimentation. tacolicious.com

TRACE The last restaurant on my list—and the third housed within one of the city’s most posh hotel properties—TRACE recently welcomed new executive chef Jason Rea to head W San Francisco’s overall culinary operations. The restaurant’s name is a testament to its mission statement, which promises dishes that can be traced back to their natural origins, thanks to local sourcing and sustainability. Rea’s fall dinner menu is a glowing example of this mission, utilizing the season’s finest ingredients in dishes like the heirloom tomato salad with squash, hazelnut vierge and housemade farmers cheese and the skillet-roasted New York strip with Bloomsdale spinach, maitake mushroom, roasted grapes and bone marrow vinaigrette. Musttry: The chicken liver mousse with fruit mostarda and crostini was absolutely to-die-for, the perfect beginning to an exquisite meal lacking pretension but delivering where it counts. trace-sf.com Find Travel SF Part One (Stay Here), Part Two (Play Here) and Part Three (Drink Here) at FrontiersLA.com/Travel. NOVEMBER 26, 2013

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SOCAL EVENTS GUIDE

EVENTS

NIGHTLIFE

THEATER

EXHIBITS

go to FrontiersLA.com/Entertainment for more listings

Through Jan. 5

Thu. | Nov. 14

BOB BAKER’S HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR

INAPPROPRIATE

The Bob Baker Marionette Theater Now in its 51st season, this show opens the threatre’s season with a magical journey alongside the Wizard of Fantasy and his sidekick Demi Star. bobbaker marionettes.com

Odyssey Theatre Big Block Theatrical (Heathers) presents Inappropriate, a poprock musical dealing with modern-day issues, created from journal entries and the poetry of teenagers. Through Nov. 24. plays411.com Fri. | Nov. 15

DAVID SEDARIS Thu. | Nov. 14

POTTED POTTER Irvine Barclay Theatre This unauthorized Harry Potter experience is a parody taking on the challenge of tying all seven children’s books into 70 minutes. The show encourages audience participation via a game of Quidditch. Through Nov. 17. thebarclay.org

The Pasadena Civic With best-sellers like Naked and Me Talk Pretty One Day, David Sedaris has crafted the perfect blend of incredible wit and deep intellectualism. He has a great way of breaking down the crazy world we live in, forcing you to shake your head and laugh, and you’ll do just that at the Pasadena Civic. thepasadenacivic.com

WE THE JURY BY MICHAEL ANTHONY

Twelve Angry Men is a story that has stood the test of time. Its plot is specific to our legal system and personal prejudices, yet its message is universal. The award-winning show is prepping for a run at the historic Pasadena Playhouse, and we sat down with Sheldon Epps, the play’s director, to discuss his new take on the classic work.

Fri. | Nov. 15

ANGEL CITY ART SHOW

ORIGINAL PLUMBING DANCE PARTY

Angel City Brewery

The Airliner

This three-and-a-half-week show will feature work by L.A. artists David Zentz, Curtis Weaver and Restitution Press, aka Ryan Graeff. The opening reception will be 7-10 p.m. during Downtown Art Walk, featuring live music by Rose’s Pawn Shop. angelcitybrewery.com

Original Plumbing, the transmale quarterly magazine from NYC, ventures to the sunny coast of Southern California for its very first L.A. party. In honor of the latest issue, “The Party Issue,” queers are welcome to celebrate with hosts Amos Mac and Rocco Katastrophe. originalplumbing.com

Thu. | Nov. 14

THE COLUMNIST James Bridges Theater Richard Schiff, David Krumholtz, JoBeth Williams and Tara Lynne Barr star in The Columnist, about a scathing newspaper that despite all of its controversial stories could never reveal the secret of a closeted gay man behind it all. Performances will be recorded live for airing on L.A. Theatre Works’ radio series. Through Nov. 17. latw.org

For those readers who aren’t familiar with the show, please tell them a bit about Twelve Angry Men. The action of the play takes place in a jury room. Twelve men are coming to a decision on a murder trial involving a 16-year-old boy. Initially the outcome seems rather clear, but one of the jurors forces a debate on the evidence and things change considerably. What drew you to the project? First and foremost, I was drawn to this project because it is an incredibly well-made play, which has tremendous appeal to audiences. Courtroom dramas almost always make for good theater, and the play is a real American classic for all the right reasons! You have cast six black jurors and six white jurors in this show. Why the unique take? Racial issues, prejudice and presumptions of guilt based on appearances have always been at the heart of this play and very much a part of its thematic center. It was my feeling that we could amplify the examination of those very issues with this particular casting—and that has certainly proved to be the case, as we’ve explored the text in our rehearsal process.

You would like this Pasadena Playhouse version of the show to “prompt a serious dialogue onstage and offstage” about race. Why is this important? When it is most effective, theater causes conversations after the curtain comes down. We should entertain, yes, to be sure. But we should also reflect our society and our culture as well. We’ve gotten a bit away from that as an art form, and that is a shame. This concept of the play hopes to instigate thought and conversation about the still-serious issue of race relations in our country rather than pretend they no longer exist. Twelve Angry Men originally aired on television, then was developed for the stage and ultimately made into a triple-Oscarnominated film. Why do you think the story has transcended so many decades and mediums? Richard Rose’s writing and his depiction of the relationship between these characters is passionate, honest, truthful and thematically hot! That is a potent and attractive recipe for drama. His characters always have and still do make actors eager to give themselves to this material. Whether onstage or on-screen, a successful version of this material will make an audience feel they too are locked in the jury room, battling it out with 12 jurors. That has always made for exciting entertainment, and it still does. Twelve Angry Men runs through Dec. 1 at the Pasadena Playhouse. Tickets are available now at pasadenaplayhouse.org or by calling (626) 356-7529.

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Sat | Nov. 16

Sun. | Nov. 17

¡SER! Los Angeles Theatre Center ¡Ser! is the comedic solo show written and performed by Karen Anzoategui, featuring live music from Cava and Walter Miranda. The soccer rivalry between Mexico and Argentina becomes a metaphor for Anzoategui’s personal herstory as a queer Latina torn between her two homes, Buenos Aires and East L.A. Who will be the object of her affection—the boys on the field or the girls in the stands? Through Dec. 8. thelatc.org Sat. | Nov. 16

SCHOOL DAZE: PATRICK COWLEY CELEBRATION MOCA Pacific Design Center The MOCA Store hosts SF's Honey Soundsystem and Dark Entries Records to celebrate the album release of unknown gay porn soundtracks by legendary 1980s disco producer Patrick Cowley. The museum extends its hours for guests to view the Bob Mizer/Tom of Finland exhibit while the Honey Soundsystem DJs provide an amazing outdoor audio-visual program. honey soundsystem.com Sat. | Nov. 16

GEORGE CHAKIRIS Billy Wilder Theater The UCLA Film & Television Archive salutes actor, singer and dancer George Chakiris in a new screening and discussion. Best known for his Academy Awardwinning performance in West Side Story (1961), Chakiris has had a multi-dimensional career that now includes designing jewelry. georgechakiris.com Sat. | Nov. 16

GINGER Eagle L.A. This party for redheads and the men who love them has been dubbed “The Redheaded Stepchild Edition,” featuring sounds by DJ Eric Adams and Men’s Club Soundsystem plus the Ginger Chew go-go dancers. The night is hosted by the ginge-tinged lady boy Devan M. eaglela.com

DECADE Micky’s End your weekend at Decade, where you’re sure to hear nothing but the classics while tearing up the dance floor. Indulge among disco-dancing go-go boys and live drag performances before you head back to work on Monday. mickys.com

» SISSY BAR | DRAGONFLY Photos by Rolling-Blackouts

Mon. | Nov. 18

GLOBAL TASTING TOUR PT. 1 Superba Snack Bar The tour is a week of once-in-a-lifetime menus celebrating cuisines of the world. At each private, ticketed dinner, leading chefs will personally introduce a onenight-only menu along with drink pairings, special ingredients and a take-home gift. On this night, Chef Jason Neroni invites the whole family into his kitchen for a meatball-making demonstration, followed by a family feast. 5 p.m. $100. cntglobaltastingtour.com Tue. | Nov. 19

GLOBAL TASTING TOUR PT. 2 Red Medicine Exclusively for the tour, Chef Jordan Kahn creates a mind-and-palateexpanding menu merging local foraged foods with global flavors. Limited to 16 guests, the special night will be the unveiling of a new all-foraged menu with ingredients hand-picked by the chef and his team. Intriguing dishes will be paired with an equally intriguing program of higher-acid American wines. 7 p.m. $125. cntglobaltastingtour.com Tue. | Nov. 19

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 Wed. | Nov. 20

GLOBAL TASTING TOUR PT. 3 Picca

Sun. | Nov. 17

THERESA CAPUTO LIVE Saban Theatre Theresa Caputo, psychic medium and star of the hit TLC show Long Island Medium, appears live in Beverly Hills at 3 and 7 p.m. Caputo will give interactive readings to audience members throughout the show and will also share personal stories about her life and her unique gifts. sabantheatre.org

Chef Ricardo Zarate takes guests to the heart of Peruvian cuisine with a flavor expedition through the Amazon. The sweet, sour and spicy flavors of the region will converge in dishes like Tacacho con Cecina—a Peruvian cured pork accompanied by grilled plantain and huacatay-jalapeno sauce—and Juane de Pato—a roasted duck breast with pickled radish atop plantain-leaf-steamed rice—along with selections from Picca’s menu of Peruvian cocktails. 7 p.m. $125. cntglobaltastingtour.com

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SOCAL EVENTS GUIDE Wed. | Nov. 20

PLAY DEAD Geffen Playhouse The themes of death, darkness and deception are explored in Play Dead, which uses your natural senses to create a jaw-dropping experience. This evening of spine-chilling entertainment conjures spirits of serial killers and mediums in a show that is both macabre and merry. Through Dec. 15. geffenplayhouse.com Thu. | Nov. 21

GLOBAL TASTING TOUR PT. 4 Hinoki & The Bird Chef David Myers and Executive Chef Kuniko Yagi take diners on a journey of simple, subtle beauty. The menu merges California's natural bounty and the Silk Road's culinary history with dishes inspired by both chefs' extensive travels in Southeast Asia. Ingredients will be sourced globally and locally, including a handcrafted green curry from Thailand, kaffir lime leaf fresh from area gardens and kalamansi from the restaurant’s own onsite garden. 7 p.m. $125. cntglobaltastingtour.com Thu. | Nov. 21

MATTHEW BOURNE’S SLEEPING BEAUTY Ahmanson Theatre The traditional tale of good versus evil—and of rebirth—is turned upside-down, creating a supernatural love story across the decades that even the passage of time itself cannot hinder. Bourne’s production takes place at the height of the fin de siècle period, when fairies, vampires and decadent opulence fed the gothic imagination. Through Dec. 1. centertheatregroup.org

OUTFEST NAMES LEE DANIELS A ‘VISIONARY’ Outfest, the Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization promoting equality by creating, sharing and protecting LGBT stories on the screen, will honor Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Lee Daniels at this year’s ninth annual Legacy Awards. Daniels will receive the Visionary Award in recognition of his contribution to LGBT arts and media visibility. The Legacy Awards are a fundraiser to support the Outfest UCLA Legacy Project, the largest archive of LGBT film in the world, with over 30,000 pieces of material. At the gala, several celebrity actors and directors will select one or two meaningful short pieces from the Legacy Project archive to screen for the audience. “Lee Daniels is an exceptional filmmaker whose work has had— and will continue to have—a tremendous impact on both the LGBT community and culture at large,” says Outfest Executive Director Kirsten Schaffer. “I am extremely flattered and humbled to be receiving this year’s Visionary Award,” says Lee Daniels. “Outfest is an extraordinary organization, and I cannot stress enough the importance of its mission. In both my professional and personal life, I constantly strive to represent and provide a voice for the LGBT community, and am so honored that the Legacy Awards have selected me as this year’s recipient.” Outfest Legacy Awards Thursday, Nov. 21 Orpheum Theatre outfest.org

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

» SUNDAY FUNDAY | THE ABBEY |

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SOCAL EVENTS GUIDE

BACK TO SQUARE ONE BY STEPHAN HORBELT

PHOTO: NARETH CHUON

West Hollywood’s latest Friday night dance party brings something fresh and fun to the heart of Boystown while also throwing back to WeHo’s disco days of yore. Courtesy of L.A.’s boisterous bacchant Billy Francesca, Studio One at Ultra Suede has so far been a hit with the L.A. set who lives life on the dance floor. Francesca took a break from crafting outrageous props and wrangling unicorns to discuss the new party’s origins and what he still holds in store for L.A.’s resident night owls. Tell me a bit about how you got involved with WeHo's latest party. The owners of Ultra Suede and The Factory approached me about putting together a new night. I loved the previous name of the club, Studio One, from the ‘70s, ‘80s and some of the ‘90s. The legendary night was just the kind of free-spirited party I love so much. I wanted to create a crazed, fun, dance-all-night vibe that I felt was lacking on a Friday night in WeHo. For those who aren’t familiar with Studio One from back in the day, enlighten our readers. The original Studio One boasted celebrities, light shows, performances. I loved that energy for the night, so I wanted to tap into all genres of music—not just pop or hip-hop—but have everything and anything all night long. A really fun, campy night with all your friends in a big frenzy of dancing and carrying on, right down to having a pegasus out front for opening night,

which was the original mascot of Studio One. How do you think Los Angeles fares when compared to some of the world’s other popular nightlife destinations? I love the nightlife in New Orleans, and I did Miami in the ‘90s. I love that L.A. literally has everything. Although I don’t get to the East Side or Downtown a lot, I love the parties that not only have a scene but where the music is awesome, like Mustache Mondays or Evita in Hollywood. As for West Hollywood, I think sometimes we have cookie-cutter nights, so I wanted break away from that mold and create a place where you could hear Blondie mixed in with hip-hop and dance—Beyoncé with a little house music mixed in—which is why I think Studio One is gaining momentum. It’s hopefully mixing up the WeHo experience a bit. What can we expect from Studio One in the near future? I really want Cyndi Lauper [Laughs], but that would be a miracle! The owners are loving the antics of this night, so as for the future, I want us all to have fun. We had Ciara on week three, and as much as I want to keep up with performances and all the ‘ooh la la,’ I’m happy just to enjoy the non-stop dance energy that is happening. Dance the night away at Studio One, every Friday night at Ultra Suede in West Hollywood. factorynightclub.com

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

» BIG FAT GRUNT | EAGLE L.A. |

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» BOOBY TRAP | THE STANDARD WEST HOLLYWOOD Photos by Rolling-Blackouts

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Fri. | Nov. 22

Sun. | Nov. 24

STUDIO ONE

SIZE

Ultra Suede

Here Lounge

Straight from the brain of WeHo’s kooky nightlife impresario Billy Francesca, Studio One is a return to L.A.’s version of famed nightclub Studio 54. Prepare for your feet to never leave the dance floor while you take in eye candy galore and the occasional live performance by pop artists of the moment. factorynightclub.com

This Tom Whitman weekly party celebrates nine years of great Sunday afternoons. Expect to find a gorgeous group of guys imbibing and dancing before starting up the work week. And because bigger is better, Billy Francesca hosts Size Queen from 4-7 p.m. tomwhitmanpresents.com Sun. | Nov. 24

Fri. | Nov. 22

FROZEN

PHOTO: CALEB WING

El Capitan Theatre

ROCK THE KASBAH BY ERIC ROSEN

Though the Moorish-fabulous façade with an enormous golden door on Sunset and Stanley used to hide the kitschy Moroccan restaurant Dar Maghreb, this hidden gem has been transformed into one of the hottest spots in Hollywood by a team that includes super-producer Roland Emmerich and his partner, Jerry Murray; the folks from long-standing favorite Little Door, Frederic and Nicolas Meschin and Sue Choi; and one of L.A.’s most acclaimed chefs, Octavio Becerra. Thanks to a complete revamp by Greco Designs, gone are the Technicolor poufs and belly dancers, as well as over-the-top carpeting and accents. The space has been stripped down to its gorgeous, intricate stonework, tile and wood paneling (including ornately painted ceiling beams) and souk-inspired lighting fixtures, having been reenvisioned as a swinging ‘60s Tangiers den of iniquity complete with an enormous bar and a starlit courtyard with a tinkling fountain—as well as a gourmet menu of seasonal small plates. Chef Becerra first made a name for himself at Patina before venturing out on his own with the now-closed Palate Food + Wine in Glendale. Here, his cuisine meanders along the ancient Spice Trail, incorporating elements from Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Acabar 1510 N. Stanley Ave., WeHo (323) 876-1400 acabar-la.com

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Before you peruse the menu of small plates meant to share, put in your order for the “Porn Bread,” a loaf of oven-fresh corn bread leavened with winter squash, bacon and melt-in-your-mouth almond-honey butter. Then, as you take your time with other options, sip on selections from the creative (and chronologically listed) cocktail list crafted by Josh Goldman and Julian Cox. The Ti Punch cocktail originates in the 18th century and includes a wallop of rhum agricole, cane syrup, lime and a choice of oneyear-aged or VSOP brandy. For something naughtier, try the El Diablo with blanco tequila, ginger, lime, cassis and soda water, or order a punch bowl for the table like the Martha Washington’s Rum Punch with Batavia Arrack, English Harbor 5-Year Rum, lemon and lime sorbet, spiced syrup, cinnamon and nutmeg. Start with a few smaller items like the caramelized cauliflower—with pickled peppers, currants, dill and za’atar—or the fresh beet mosaic with crushed avocado, goat cheese, cress and delicate pistachio tuiles. The crispy shrimp toast is a juicy morsel of rock shrimp with quail egg, thai basil for a hint of green and nam plah, while the baby octopus is char-grilled to tender perfection and served over a savory chickpea stew with earthy morcilla sausage and smoked tomatoes. For something meatier, the lamb merguez meatballs with white bean hummus, cippolini and orange marmalade will have you dreaming of Marrakech. There are also larger individual plates like a branzino with fennel-seed crust, forbidden rice, roasted persimmons and Brussels sprouts. For a more private evening, consider booking the newly introduced four-seat omakase Cru Bar, where you and your friends can enjoy a changing selection of fresh seafood and caviar. For dessert, the standout is the plum kelebek pastry—kind of like baklava—that is spiced with cinnamon-like cassia and sweetened with honey and pistachio. Don’t rush right out, though. Order another drink and transition from the dining room into the lounge across the courtyard as DJs start spinning later in the evening and the vibe evolves from Fez fun into Marrakech magic.

This film opens the holiday season with an exclusive engagement (five days prior to the movie release) that is also a snow-covered wonderland experience. Complete with ice-capped opera boxes and a flurry of flakes, Frozen— Disney’s latest—will be preceded by ice carving performance artists and movie characters Anna and Elsa making an onstage appearance. elcapitantickets.com Fri. | Nov. 22

TOM, DICK & HAIRY Executive Suite, Long Beach Those looking for a different drum to bang have a new party option in the LBC—this brand-new night featuring DJs Ryan Jones, Easy Tiger and special guest pack master Richard Cesena, plus plenty of beefy eye candy and lots and lots of lasers. $5. Sat. | Nov. 23

THE MAGIC FLUTE Dorothy Chandler Pavilion With its seamless interaction of onstage performers and brilliantly evocative animation, this incarnation of The Magic Flute captures Mozart’s fantasy world in a new way. There will be only six performances of the show, so get tickets while you’re able. Through Dec. 15. laopera.com

ELFMAN PROJECT II UCLA Royce Hall American Youth Symphony, one of the nation’s leading professional training orchestras for musicians aged 15 to 27, continues its 49th season with Elfman Project II, exploring the music of four-time Academy Awardnominated Danny Elfman. A pre-concert panel discussion will be held about music in films. aysymphony.org Tue. | Nov. 26

THE STEWARD OF CHRISTENDOM Mark Taper Forum This work is set in the early ‘30s in an Irish mental facility where Thomas Dunne, a 75-year-old man committed by his daughter, reflects on his life while wandering in and out of lucidity. Through Jan. 5. centertheatregroup.org Tue. | Nov. 26

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE Staples Center He’s conquered the realms of boy band pop, live sketch comedy, film and now tuxedo’d R&B. Justin Timberlake seems to be able to do it all. He’ll be donning his suit and tie for the screaming masses yet again at the Staples Center, Nov. 26 & 27. staplescenter.com Wed. | Nov. 27

PIE Akbar For its fifth annual incarnation (always the evening before Thanksgiving), Pie presents one of its favorite local heroes—Joshua James of L.A.’s Music for Dancers—for a fourhour set. With no school or work the next day, this party is always one for the memory banks. And it’s hosted by Tammie Brown and Ambrosia Salad, who will be serving up pie— no, for real—by the slice. akbarsilverlake.com

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SOCAL EVENTS GUIDE

L.A.’S BEST ASIAN BITES BY BRIAN PADGETT

Only the diverse population of Los Angeles itself matches the diversity of Asian dining options available in our fine city. Reflecting the culinary culture of an entire continent, below are a few of our favorite local mainstays.

Kung Pao Bistro

Yabu

For over a decade, the folks at Kung Pao Bistro have shared a passion for Asian-American cuisine with WeHo denizens. Initially specializing in Chinese cookery, Kung Pao’s menu has expanded to incorporate Japanese and Southeast Asian flavors. Abiding by the mantra that only fresh vegetables are used, the hot garlic eggplant is an estimable standout, as is the seafood soup, with generous portions of tofu, carrots and snow peas. 7853 Santa Monica Blvd., WeHo. kpbistro.com

At once elegant and understated, the serenity exuded at this La Cienega eatery is complemented by its authentic Japanese cuisine. Although sitting at the sushi bar allows patrons to observe chefs assemble popular sushi and sashimi creations—the yellowtail carpaccio is a must—we suggest dining on the outdoor patio, a delight matched only by the texture of the Soba noodles, which are produced in-house daily. 521 N. La Cienega Blvd., WeHo. yaburestaurant.com

Palm’s Thai

Lukshon

Dong Il Jang

When the seemingly disparate cravings for the Las Vegas experience and Thai food simultaneously strike, this dependable Hollywood staple can slake these desires with alacrity. With an elevated stage featuring performances by an impassioned Elvis impersonator and an eclectic menu—especially the Wild Boar curry— Palm’s Thai can take you to Vegas and Bangkok and back faster than you can say “Jailhouse Rock.” 5900 Hollywood Blvd., Hlywd. palmsthai.com

More than a few foodies have made the Westside trek to savor Chef Sang Yoon’s modern spin on traditional Southeast Asian cuisine, an amalgamation best displayed in either the Bhutanese red rice with housecured lamb belly or the Chiang Mai curry noodles with hints of turmeric and lemongrass. With extensive beer, wine and cocktail lists—and complimentary desserts—the Lukshon team is dedicated to covering your dining bases. 3239 Helms Ave., Culver City. lukshon.com

This K-Town establishment can simply be summed up as ‘oldschool.’ From the waitstaff uniforms that were likely fashionable 80 years ago to the impeccable tableside service model, it’s apparent nothing here has changed in recent memory. The marinated beef short ribs that comprise the Galbi dish—as well as the mixedrice Bibimbap—make Dong Il Jang worth a look. 3455 W. 8th St., K-Town.

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

» JOHN | AKBAR |

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Photos by Rolling-Blackouts

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SOCAL EVENTS GUIDE ENTERTAINMENT

MUSIC

Arcade Fire Reflektor (Merge)

*****

REVIEWS

If my hipsterometer is working properly, I do believe we are expecting severe storms of Arcade Fire backlash this winter. Don’t believe it. While I’m not necessarily convinced it needed to be on two discs (it nearly fits onto one), the density of Arcade Fire’s fourth LP, Reflektor, certainly benefits from the divide. A trim might also have helped, but aside from being overstuffed and overlong, Reflektor is an ever-shifting prism (see what I did there?) of melodies and motifs. “We Exist” fits snugly in the band’s cannon. “Normal Person” is a persistent earworm that, so far, has gotten more enjoyable by leaps with every listen. I could stand an entire disc of different versions of “Here Comes the Night Time.” It’s easily the best track the band has put out since its Funeral era. The title track, at a little over six minutes, flies by as though it were two. David Bowie’s cameo isn’t obvious but is instead classy, important-sounding and buried in the middle of the track. LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy produced the album, with an obvious Brian Eno influence. The album is fantastic, but Arcade Fire has already done the long album thing twice now. It’s time for the band to change it up in a big way before the hipsters really start gunning for them. —Dominik Rothbard

Cut Copy

Erasure

Midlake

Sky Ferreira

The Sounds

Free Your Mind (Loma Vista/Republic)

Snowglobe (Mute)

Antiphon (ATO Records)

Night Time, My Time (Capitol)

Weekend (Arnioni Records/INgrooves)

***

There’s no dearth of dance pop these days. Throw a nickel and you’ll hit a synth duo or EDM superstar. Yet a nickel’s all this music’s usually worth—it’s fun, it’s frisky, it’s expendable. Think back to great dance eras—the mid-’80s or the mid-’90s—and while you’ll be filled with nostalgia, you’ll recall individual songs, not masterful albums. The best thing about Australia’s Cut Copy is that while the band provides fodder for the dance floor, it also thinks conceptually. The band’s fourth, Free Your Mind, isn’t quite in the league of Daft Punk’s Discovery or LCD Soundsystem’s This Is Happening, but it’s an experience—not just a collection of potential club-bangers—and it doesn’t skimp on the grooves. “Footsteps” and “Meet Me in the House of Love” employ slinky house beats and skittering keyboards made for booty-moving. And Cut Copy doesn’t skimp on tunes, either—“Walking in the Sky” flips a mid-tempo ballad into an arena-ready anthem, while “Dark Corners & Mountain Tops” explores girl group psychedelica. It’s a pleasant collection. Too pleasant, in fact. It should be funkier. Any record that steals its title from Funkadelic has more to live up to than it possibly can. —Dan Loughry

***

I can’t lie. I pretty much loathe typical Christmas and holidaythemed music. I find it all to be sappy, overplayed and annoying. I also find the prospect of my favorite bands making Christmas records to be repellent. Thankfully, this is not how I feel about this fabulous new Erasure record! With production help from Gareth Jones and Richard X, singer Andy Bell told his partner Vince Clark that he wanted this to sound like shards of ice or snowflakes falling, and he pretty much got his wish. Interestingly, the obvious standards like “Silent Night,” “Midnight Clear” and “White Christmas” are very deconstructed and rely mainly on Andy’s angelic vocals with only minimal electro sprinklings, except for “The Christmas Song,” which has chestnuts roasting on an 8bit fire. It’s the new and original songs like “Bells of Love (Isabelle’s of Love)” and “Make It Wonderful”—quintessential, synthpopladen Erasure moments, with sprite-as-elves keyboards and truly sugarplum melodies—that don’t sound very Christmasy at all. I also love the queerly reflective “Loving Man” and “There’ll Be No Tomorrow,” with both set to a truly bouncy and classicsounding Vince beat. Oddly, this is more like a new Erasure record that just happens to have some Christmas songs on it. Yay! —Paul V.

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Texan band Midlake gained indie rock traction with its beguiling sophomore release, The Trials of Van Occupanther, a collection of progressive folk tunes that had less to do with prog rock as we know it and more to do with English folkies like Fairport Convention. You could tell the band loved its sources, yet by the time of Midlake’s follow-up, The Courage of Others, it had become a slave to that burnished sound. The band seemed not only in thrall to the past but stuck there spinning its wheels. Antiphon, Midlake’s first release after the departure of founding member Tim Smith, is still a throwback, but it’s a nominally stronger work. Guitarist Eric Pulido steps up as vocalist—he has an agreeable if rather bland tenor—and the band follows his lead. There are a lot of gentle tracks—“It’s Going Down” reminds me of the quieter moments on Pink Floyd records; “Corruption” could be Yes without all the loony time changes. But the band only mixes it up once here, on the instrumental “Vale,” which begins like the soundtrack to a movie about hobbits before crashing into a psych-rock morass. It’s weird and thrilling, unlike the record, which is old timey business as usual. —Dan Loughry

****

Miss Ferreira chose the perfect title for her official full-length, because after one listen you’ll find yourself wanting to be someplace loud and dirty, dancing in the dark. Out of the gate, “Boys” is an infectious, lo-fi fuzzy nod to a band like The Raveonettes, while “24 Hours” is absolutely a first-listen smash, with a massive sing-along chorus you can’t get out of your head. The major plus of this record is that Ferreira knows how to strike the perfect balance between pop-sounding electro (the biting bubblegum of “I Blame Myself”) and more jagged pill rockers like “Nobody Asked Me.” (If you love Ladyhawke, you’ll love this.) I’m also really digging the psychedelic, spaced-out “Kristine,” and the fully indie rocking “I Will.” Even the gaunt, plodding strains of the closing title track have an inexplicable allure. You’ll definitely hear a little bit of Katy Perry here, some Robyn there and even some shades of Lorde, but Sky sounds like none of them upon closer inspection. The best way to describe her vibe is ‘90s-influenced grunge electro, and she stands head and shoulders above most overly polished, female disco dollies. At barely 21, this girl knows how to rock out her defiant, autobiographical angst without repelling our ears. —Paul V.

***

When asked why the band named its new LP Weekend, The Sounds’ frontwoman Maja Ivarsson said, “We want people to feel like they do on … the weekend.” That kind of deep thought can be found all over the lyrics of the Swede-Pop band’s seventh LP. The band hasn’t changed much in the past 15 years. Working with Death Cab producer Alex Newport didn’t alter its sound as much as smooth out the quirks. The Sounds is a phenomenal live band, and one can imagine all of these songs going over great in a crowded, beer-soaked club, but The Sounds has never been intellectual. A lot of the charm of the earlier albums came from the dichotomy between Ivarsson’s broken English and her confident delivery of near nonsense. (See “Beatbox” from 2009’s Crossing the Rubicon.) Now that the band is forming coherent sentences, one realizes The Sounds doesn’t have much to say. Still, “Great Day” is a treat and expands the band’s scope. “Animal” is the love child of Joan Jett and Miley Cyrus. Unfortunately, too many songs—like album opener “Shake Shake Shake,” the title track amd so many others—are so vapid, it sucks all the fun out of the melody. A shame. These guys can and have done better. —Dominik Rothbard

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ENTERTAINMENT

THEATER REVIEWS ENDGAME A NOISE WITHIN | 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena Through Nov. 23 | anoisewithin.org Nobel Prize-winning writer Samuel Beckett filled his starkly original plays with such detailed and thorough stage directions that he is in many ways a writer, director and designer. A Noise Within summons its considerable resources under the direction of artistic director Geoff Elliott to adhere with exquisite fidelity to every note of what many consider the Irish master’s greatest work. Taking its title from the term for the final moves of a chess match, Endgame presents a bleak world in which the formerly powerful Hamm (Elliott) sits paralyzed and blind in a huge chair in a mostly empty room, while two high windows on either side of the back wall look out to a seemingly lifeless world. Clov (Jeremy Rabb), Hamm’s longtime slavish servant, attends to his master’s every whim, while

Hamm’s legless, elderly parents—Nagg (Mitchell Edmonds) and Nell (Jill Hill)— live in large garbage pails packed with sand. There is talk of leaving, of dying, of carrying on. Hamm is working on a great chronicle, part of which he recites. But mostly, in this endgame, the players are simply finishing the game, fully aware there will be no checkmate. “What’s happening?” Hamm asks. “Something is taking its course,” replies Clov. Where Beckett’s Waiting for Godot has music-hall humor and bits, Endgame is more sardonic and nakedly unsentimental in its depiction of the human condition. Characters introduce new subjects, fears, declarations and accusations seemingly out of nowhere. In order for the play to pack its greatest existential punch, the stakes must seem

PHOTO: CRAIG SCHWARTZ

enormous, even when we don’t fully understand the specifics. On this order, the three actors who benefited from having a director have the clear advantage. Rabb is a revelation as Clov, tickling us with a shuffling gait, and moving us by fully inhabiting his character’s fears and frustration. Edmonds, looking like the Ghost of Christmas Past, is delicious as Nagg, and Hill can paint a rich and heartbreaking back story with the simple line “Yesterday!” The highly skilled Elliott, on the other hand, relies on what seem to be carefully planned vocal acrobatics— sometimes almost singing his lines—in a way that robs them of genuine fear,

panic, rage or joy. Perhaps an outside director could have steered him to scarier emotional territory. The design team deserves the highest praise, with Jeanine A. Ringer’s hopelessly bleak room affectingly lit by Karyn D. Lawrence. Angela Balogh Calin’s costumes and Danielle Griffith’s hair, wigs and makeup combine to convey such appropriately grim indigence that we expect to smell the characters soon after seeing them. All in all, ANW gloriously realizes Beckett’s unique world. If Elliott allows Hamm to truly live in it, this production will really soar. —Christopher Cappiello

THE BLACK SUITS KIRK DOUGLAS THEATRE | 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City. Through Nov. 24 | centertheatregroup.org New musicals are always a nervous sell for this reviewer. Musicals that have stood the test of time are ones where there are memorable tunes that affect the audience and send patrons out of the theatre humming. In fact, I haven’t seen an original musical I’ve liked since Venice, which coincidentally premiered at the Kirk Douglas Theatre exactly three years ago. Thankfully, Joe Iconis’ new work The Black Suits is a mostly effective show with catchy music and an enormously charming cast. The plot is a simple story on its surface—four amiable teens spend a summer rehearsing as a garage band while navigating typical teenage complications. Chris (played by the charismatic Coby Getzug) is the frontman who has dreams of the band’s stardom while struggling with an absentee father. John (heartthrob Jimmy Brewer) is his best friend, an aimless 19-year-old in maritime school with a domineering father. Brandon (the amiable Harrison Chad) is

just enjoying being in the band and playing with his friends. Lastly, there’s Nato (endlessly amusing Will Roland), the band goofball who carries around a ceramic frog and likes to talk about his private parts. Rounding out the cast of characters are Veronica (Veronica Dunne), Chris’ 16-year-old girlfriend who is going through her own identity crisis, and Mrs. Werring (Annie Golden), the band’s disillusioned mentor. The teens spend the summer dealing with personal issues such as Chris’ anxiety disorder and John’s confusion over what he wants to do with his life. There aren’t any heavy-hitting subjects like drug abuse or teen pregnancy—which quite frankly is a welcome change in a show that doesn’t need easily constructed conflicts. Here the struggles are how the boys obstruct their own lives and eventually work their way through their issues. Truth be told, the script by Iconis and Robert Emmett Maddock (Plastic!

PHOTO: CRAIG SCHWARTZ

The Musical) is well-worn territory, and the issues dealt with here are strictly of the CW variety. But the cast is so likeable that the exploration of teen angst goes down easily. In that, the musical will appeal more to teens and young adults who’ve recently navigated these waters. Adults will enjoy it from an ‘I’ve been there’ perspective but may not connect as strongly. As for the music, the songs adopt that anguished, driving delivery (think Green Day) that has become popular since the mid-‘90s. Sort of Rent-meets-

Spring Awakening, the songs by Iconis (NBC’s Smash) are sometimes too spoton lyrically but are memorable and fun for the most part. That said, the able cast sells each and every tune—even if all of them don’t have the strongest of vocal instruments. Don’t get me wrong— the cast can sing, but some have a larger range than others. Yet this is one of those shows where the drive of the story and the pluck of the cast pulls it through any shortcomings and sends you out of the theatre on a toe-tapping high. —Kevin P. Taft NOVEMBER 26, 2013

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“I was so young. It made me go back in the closet because I was so overwhelmed at 26 or 27. I didn’t want the responsibility. I didn’t know how to handle the responsibility of speaking for the gay community. I always felt like I owed them a huge apology for coming out too late.” —Sean Hayes discusses how the success of Will & Grace made him more private about his personal life. I can’t speak for the entire gay community, but giving Linda Lavin more to do in Sean Saves the World would make us forgive almost anything.

Jon Lovett and Ronan Farrow

I recently read an article with a provocative headline: “Does It Matter That Ronan Farrow Is Gay?” I guess it would matter if you were sleeping with him. And I suppose it might matter to Frank Sinatra if he were alive. But does it matter to anyone else? I posed the question to a number of people, who overwhelmingly responded, “Who is Ronan Farrow?” Well, he is newsworthy since he’ll soon be hosting a show on MSNBC, which I am sure begs the question, “What is MSNBC?” After the recent Vanity Fair feature on his look-alike mom, Mia Farrow, a bit of public attention was expected. In a New York Times profile, his personal life was dispatched with a cryptic statement that Ronan makes the rounds socially, “often appearing at political fêtes with Jon Lovett, a former Obama speechwriter.” Next thing you know, he’ll be referred to as a confirmed bachelor and Lovett his longtime companion. What is unclear is whether this shroud of secrecy was an edict from Ronan’s camp. Frankly, I don’t care if he’s gay or if he comes out. But I must remember if ever I do meet him not to call him Satchel. At roughly the same time, a number of stories on Gawker targeted Fox News anchor Shepard Smith. First was an account about his boorish behavior to a bar waitress seven months earlier—he allegedly screamed “Get my fucking drink” and jostled her elbow. Buried in that story was the waitress’ casual mention that Smith was with a muscular 6’2”, 30-something white male who several bar employees identified as his boyfriend (the pair had reportedly been seen holding hands under the table). Days later, Gawker got more specific—about a year ago, Smith began dating a 26-year-old male production assistant from Fox News, who is now an associate producer at Fox Busi54

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ness Network, a move said to have been facilitated by Smith to avoid the appearance of impropriety. The aforementioned waitress and other co-workers confirmed this by saying, “Yes, that’s Shepard’s boyfriend.” This led to a New York Times article titled “Gawker Kicks Open the Closet, but Its Disclosure Barely Reverberates.” The gist was that while Gawker may have hoped that a Fox News anchor being gay would cause some hubbub, no one cared. Even the revelation that he’s dating an underling half his age generated little interest. Then Michelangelo Signorile wrote an article for The Huffington Post— “Why It’s Wrong to Say It’s Wrong to Say Shepard Smith is Gay.” I love Mikey, and I get what he’s saying—that when the press omits saying someone is gay, they’re perpetuating the belief that being gay is something to hide. And I think that’s a valid point in a story about someone’s sex life. But tossed into a report about a waitress in a bar does seem slightly gratuitous and rather suspect. I hasten to add that I’d say the same thing if this were a story about a heterosexual man. If someone wrote that a straight male comedian was acting like a dick to his waitress while drinking with a gal who charges by the hour, I’d cry foul. Being out with a hooker has nothing to do with the story. Plus, who am I to disparage dating hookers? So, while I won’t name Shep’s alleged beau, I’ll share photos of him on BillyMasters.com. More than Shepard Smith, more than Satchel Ronan Farrow O’Sullivan Allen Previn Sinatra, my favorite story of the week was that attendees of the G20 Summit received bugged gift bags. Who knew they gave out gift bags at a summit? The bags included flash drives and cell phone chargers that would allegedly transmit data to a third party. What is the world coming to? At this rate, when I get a gift bag at the People’s

Shepard Smith

Choice Awards, I’m now gonna worry that my phone calls are being listened to by Kaley Cuoco. One rarely speaks of Corey Feldman these days, but he’s trying to change that. In his memoir Coreyography (which I must admit is a pretty fabulous title), he discusses being molested by quite a

Corey Feldman

sizeable group of male movers and shakers in Hollywood. According to Feldman, he and Corey Haim were being banged like a pair of human piñatas. He claims that Haim was raped at the age of 11 when a guy explained that it was perfectly normal in showbiz for older guys and younger guys to have sex. With that persuasive argument, Haim allegedly allowed himself to be sodomized between two trailers. Haim then said to Feldman, “So I guess we should play around like that, too?” Feldman claims this horrified him, but then discusses similar encounters with other guys. I’m so intrigued, I might actually buy Coreyography, because something tells me no one is sending me a review copy! Meanwhile, Lifetime giveth and it taketh away. With the season finale of Drop Dead Diva, many people have wondered whether this will be the end of the show. After all, it was already canceled last year, only to get a late-term reprieve (with a significantly cut budget). The good news is that Lifetime has renewed Diva. The 13-episode fifth season will run next summer. The bad news is that Jennifer Love Hewitt’s Client List has been dumped. I guess after two seasons, people aren’t quite buying her argument that she must give hand jobs at a massage parlor in order to feed her children. That argument only works if you’re feeding them semen soup (best served chilled). This kinda needs to be our “Ask Billy” question: Ryan in Salt Lake City asks, “I

heard there’s an Olympian with a huge penis who has posted pics online. Do you know who he is?” You need to be more specific. These days, I don’t believe you even qualify for the Olympics without two nude selfies and a sex tape. But a bit of buzz surfaced last week about pole-vaulter Andrew Zollner. You may recall him causing a kerfuffle during the last Olympics because his sizeable pole could be seen through his Lycra shorts. For whatever reason (perhaps pride) he allegedly took some photos of his fantastic phallus unsheathed and aroused. I’d say he’s certainly going for the gold, judging from the photos you can find on BillyMasters.com. Let me quickly respond to a reader who is a fan of YouTube sensation Davey Wavey. I’ve met Mr. Wavey and can attest that he’s as charming and charismatic in person as he is on-screen. But my fan was curious about Davey’s derrière and dick. Although he shows lots

Davey Wavey

of skin in his videos (and on DaveyWavey.tv), I was fairly confident that Wavey had never ‘shown all.’ How wrong I was. In fact, I came across a fistful of photos showing every inch of him. Of his ass, I expected something to behold. But upon seeing the rest of him, I’d rather be-holding his penis. Check him out on BillyMasters.com. When a pole-vaulter is showing off his javelin, it’s definitely time to end yet another column. It makes sense since Zollner has competed in the decathlon. Check him out on BillyMasters.com, the site that proves 10 is his lucky number. If you’d like to get lucky, send your queries along to Billy@BillyMasters.com and I promise to get back to you before Shepard Smith hooks up with Ronan Farrow! Until next time, remember, one man’s filth is another man’s bible.

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Queersay RICH BITCH BLOW-OFF While you know me as Gossip Gay, a handful of SoCal rat-racing road ragers now calls me a hot vehicular mess. Yes, folks, it is I—yours truly—who crashed my Smart Car on the 405 last Thursday and contributed to a five-car pile-up at the 10 interchange. The accident wasn’t fully my fault. In fact, my insurance company only found me 47.5 percent liable. (Don’t ask me how this was determined.) However, there is one thing I do know—after the police had to pry me out of my two-seat death trap, I am lucky to be alive. But enough crying about my bad luck. Let’s flash-forward a week to the real gossip, when I find myself at the Burbank Carmax with a totaled Smart Car check, ready to drop a serious down payment on my dream car. (Granted, with a budget of around $12,000, my ‘dream car’ was looking more like a used Ford Fiesta with leatherette seats, but I digress.) As I was sauntering through the lot, hoping to find a ‘surrey with the fringe on top’ in my price range that came off the assembly line sometime after Suri Cruise’s birth, I espied with my queer little eye none other than a former Bravo reality star stumbling through the BMW hardtop section. As a former entertainment news editor, not only have I interviewed this 15-minutes-up has-been a slew of times, but I’ve also held her hair back as she vomited up daiquiris during Paris Hilton’s perfume release party at Tease. (Oh, the fabulous life I lead!) Her pink spew having ruined my leather Calvin Klein boots, I figured this rich bitch owed me at least a hello, so I sashayed over for a little superficial meet-and-greet. Pulled tighter and lipo’d harder than I’d remembered, I thought she would at least offer me a head nod of acknowledgement, but instead she gave me the cold shoulder.

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 eersay. Qu m/ .co LA Frontiers

As I began to say hello, she cut me off dead in my salutary tracks: “Sorry, I’m not taking pictures with fans today. Move along, boy!” Fan? Fan?! Fan!! Never before have I been so slapped in the superficial face! Fan?! Oh, don’t flatter yourself, Ms. Beverly Hills Nip/Tuck. You’re a dime a dozen and a couple Botox injections short of a smooth ride!

IT GETS BETTER To the heaving, sobbing bottom boy I saw on WeHo’s Ogden Drive last Saturday night—you know, the one dragging his (ex-)boyfriend’s clothing into the middle of the street, covering them in bleach and screaming, “How could you do this to me?! How could you do this to us?!” To you, my young mascara-dripping Gaysian spurned, I say never fear. Eventually, when you stop screaming and twerking like Miley Cyrus on an Amanda Bynes bender, you’ll see that it gets better. Oh, honey, it gets better.

READER RANT Recently I received an email from a loyal Queersay reader, one “Mr. Dominic” of West Hollywood, and he has a warning for y’all. Dear Gossip Gay, Recently I hired a massage boy off one of those websites, and when he left he stole a bunch of things out of my medicine cabinet and a lamp from the living room. Your readers should be aware that this happens. Thank you for that, Mr. Dominic. We shall all venture to be a bit more careful when hiring one of those ‘massage boys’ off of those ‘websites’ who steal ‘living room lamps.’ You’ve given us little information to go on as to whom these boys are or what websites they come from, but we shall heed your warning and protect our pills and Thomas Kinkade illuminaries with vigor!

NOVEMBER 26, 2013

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HILARITY ENSUES Comedy is a funny business, and stand-up comedy has to be the toughest row to hoe. One joker’s guffaw is another creature’s bile. It’s all subjective crud. Inexplicably, varmints like Yakov Smirnoff, Sinbad, Judy Tenuta and Christopher Titus have all made some semblance of a living hacking their way onstage through their banal material. I spent years employed by the jocular Bob Hope and absolutely laughed through half of them. Guys like George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy have always made me crack up. Since Johnny Carson quit The Tonight Show, it’s tough to find funny standups. I once worked on that show Star Search. For a while we had a comic category, and boy did it suck. Funny is fickle and harder to find than a Kardashian gal with an intact hymen. Finding truly witty folk is like a blind date with a descendant of Helen Keller, or copping a feel from a confused hermaphrodite or training for a long ride with a one-legged spin coach—sure you can do it. It’s just a mega challenge, like vegetarians eating animal crackers. But I’m always on the lookout for a meaningful one-night stand-up. There I was at The Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip. This night, the old Ciro’s— the former ‘home away from home’ for Sinatra, Monroe, Bogart, Crawford and Grable—starred a parade of comic killers with their best crap on queefing, shat shots and chokin’ the chicken quips. Just as we were set to bail, a true comedian saved us—a kid with stunning stage presence and even better jokes. You know when you meet somebody and you just can’t help but smile? That is what watching Jordan Pease is like. This 23-year-old funnyman is hilarious, honest, relatable and proud to be gay. His stage presence is so strong he even had your generic Sunset Strip straight and hammered frat dudes cracking up. The East Brunswick, N.J., native is the author of a really well-spun satirical memoir, Accidentally Okay that I found on Amazon. He has bits on YouTube and plays around the country and in town at clubs all the time. The set I watched was tight, spontaneous, sharp, biting, spot-on and completely charming. This guy is a total star. He grew up idolizing old-school comic icon Jackie Mason and today digs folks like Chelsea Handler and Rebel Wilson. This rail-thin smiling jester is the real deal. Keep an eye out for Jordan Pease. Go see him if you can. He not only will make our community proud; this guy has a very real shot at mass popularity. How funny and cool would that be?! The more guys I date, the more I like dogs. If your dog doesn't like your friend, keep the pooch and ditch the friend. Let’s see—I've had Shadow, Whoopi, I.V., Bo, Cosmo, Hank, Lucy and Pearl. Damn, dogs' lives are too short—their only real flaw. The other day at The Abbey I met Stephen Theiss, the co-founder along with my old pal Mark Perrin of Barkr. They call it the biggest thing for dogs since bacon-flavored treats. The premise is way genius. Barkr is a social network and a fully functional support thing for you and your pup. Meet locals who love dogs like you do. Set up playdates (for the dogs, silly). Find dog-sitters, lost dogs and even chat about your dog online. It's a dog-meet-dog world, and Barkr has it totally covered. It is a smart, winning concept. Check it out at barkr.com. It is free to join right now! My 18th Annual Toy Box Party is set for Saturday, Dec. 7, from 4-8 p.m. in West Hollywood. As always, the price of admission to the bash is a new, unwrapped toy. The client families of AIDS Project Los Angles will be the beneficiaries of your holiday goodwill and warmth. For all the info, go to the 18th Annual Toy Box Party profile on Facebook. Come raise a glass of cheer at the Toy Box Party of the year! Both HBO and U.S. Bank are sponsors. You’ll see friends, make new ones and make a difference in the lives of some people in need. That is a true blessing. The opinions of this column do not reflect the opinions of Frontiers magazine.

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CITY GUIDES

PHOTO: JONATHAN MOORE

WEST HOLLYWOOD RECOGNIZES TRANSGENDER AWARENESS MONTH

MAN BURNS TO DEATH AT WEHO CARNAVAL BY PAULO MURILLO Homicide detectives immediately reached out to the public asking for any information that would assist them in their investigation surrounding the death of a man engulfed in flames at this year’s West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval at approximately 10:25 p.m. The man was transported to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. Although the man’s name was not immediately released by the L.A. Coroner’s Office, his relatives spoke to the Los Angeles Times, which published the name Gilbert Estrada, 51. The Times reports that detectives first believed foul play to be the cause of the fatal burning, but Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Detective Richard Biddle said people witnessed Estrada accidentally ignite the hood of his Halloween costume while lighting a cigarette. According to witnesses, Estrada dressed up as a sniper in camouflage, which appeared to be made of burlap sack and straw.

Shocking video footage was posted to YouTube days after the incident, showing Estrada engulfed in a fireball that reached five feet high. Party goers continued dancing while a shirtless Estrada flayed with his pants completely covered in flames. People cheered under the impression the man on fire was a stunt man, putting on an act that was part of the show in front of the Pulp Friction Stage. However, the video also shows that some bystanders realized the man was distressed. They knocked him to the ground and tried to put out the flames with water bottles; some used their bare hands to try to smother the flames. The video lasts one minute and 41 seconds. It ends with Estrada lying face down, motionless with his pants completely charred. Nearly 500,000 people took to the streets of Santa Monica Boulevard for this year’s West Hollywood Halloween Carnival.

IS WEHO'S HALLOWEEN CARNAVAL A FAIRLY SAFE ENVIRONMENT, OR DO YOU ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK? “Definitely enter at your own risk. Anytime you enter a massive party environment, you're bound to put yourself at risk. It doesn't matter what city you're in. You have booze and people in masks, so it's a good night to get robbed or even assaulted while people cheer you on, thinking you’re putting on a show.“ —Paul Phillips

“It's all in good fun, but it can be dangerous. I would never bring my kids to such an event and I am always shocked when I see parents with their children in a baby stroller out past 11 at night. It's a night when anything can happen, so leave your kids at home.“ —Melissa Llama

November is Transgender Awareness Month. West Hollywood city officials held a press conference on the morning of Nov. 4 to kick-off a series of events dedicated to transgender awareness. West Hollywood City Councilmember John Duran spoke at the City Hall lobby, along with Karina Samala and Jaye Johnson, chair and co-chair of West Hollywood’s Transgender Advisory Board. The press conference concluded with the hoisting of the transgender flag on a City Hall flag pole. The flag will be flown for the entire month of November. Upcoming events include the Transgender Wellness & Wellbeing Conference on Sat., Nov. 16, at the National Council of Jewish Women, 543 N. Fairfax Ave., from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Transgender Day of Remembrance on Wed., Nov. 20, 6:30 p.m. in the West Hollywood Library Auto Court, 625 N. San Vicente Blvd. An outdoor reception will include speakers from the transgender community, city councilmembers and city officials. Various transgender performers will provide entertainment. The event will conclude with a traditional reading of the names of transgender people who have lost their lives due to hatred and violence (Admission is free for both events.)

SPEAK OUT “I think it’s fairly safe. People like to complain about the heavy police presence, but they help bring a feeling of safety. Accidents will happen. That's why you have firetrucks and paramedics standing by, but it is really up to the individual to be alert and responsible for their own safety.“ —Alex Leal

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DEPRESSION, OBESITY & DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PLAGUE DESERT GAYS BY JAMES F. MILLS Obesity and depression are running high among Coachella Valley gays according to a new study released by the LGBT Community Center of the Desert. Some 64 percent of people responding to a survey said they are overweight or obese, while 41 percent said they had been diagnosed with depression. Those were the two most surprising results coming for the online health needs assessment survey conducted in May and June 2013 by the LGBT Center. “State and national statistics show that there is little obesity in the gay male population in general, so I was surprised by our results,” reports Dr. Jill Gover, who served as the survey project manager and is the director of counseling at the LGBT Center. “The stereotype is that gay men go to the gym and lesbians don’t, but our results don’t bear that out.” As for the depression rates, gay men—especially older gay men—tend to have higher rates than do the general population. However, the numbers this survey produced were higher than expected. “It’s concerning that so many of the respondents have been depressed, but not really surprising,” says Gover. “Depression, anxiety and panic disorders were the top three mental health

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disorders in our survey, and those are the three most common for the general population in the Coachella Valley. What was surprising is how much more prevalent it is in our community.” According to the survey, 41 percent of respondents have been diagnosed with depression, as compared to eight percent of the Coachella Valley general population; 36 percent with anxiety, as compared to six percent of Coachella Valley residents and 10 percent with a panic disorder, as compared to three percent. Some 769 people participated in the survey, 71 percent identifying as gay males (547 respondents) and 15 percent identifying as lesbians (117 respondents). Four percent identified as bisexual, while three percent identified as transgender. Meanwhile, seven percent of the respondents said they were straight males or females. As far as demographics go, 80 percent were people over 50 years old, with 42 percent of them retired. Ninety percent identified as white, while 70 percent had a four-year college degree or higher. Some 57 percent are permanent residents of Palm Springs. Gover is pleased by the results, but also recognizes the limitations of the survey since the samples skewed heavily toward gay men. “I wanted more respondents,” Gover

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says. “I was hoping for more diversity, more minorities, a broader age range. We got a good number of the gay men but didn’t really get that much of the ‘L,’ the ‘B’ or the ‘T.’ Gover said the “snowballing” sampling method used—one person takes the survey, then tells his/her friends who take it and then tell their friends, until it has a snowball effect—clearly worked among gay men but not so well among other communities. If the Center does another health needs assessment in the future, Gover said it would use a random sampling method whereby each demographic is represented equally. Other results show that 22 percent of all respondents have been victims of domestic violence, with nearly 35 percent of lesbians having intimate partners who were physically violent. “The domestic violence numbers are disturbing,” says Gover. “We’ve known it is a problem, especially among lesbians, but I didn’t expect it to be that high.” As for drugs and alcohol, the results show that 15 percent of respondents smoke cigarettes, while 75 percent drank

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alcohol at least once per month. The average participant drank 14 days out of the month, or every other day. Approximately 30 percent of participants have used an illicit drug within the past year; 20 percent used marijuana within the past year. Approximately 11 percent of respondents have undergone treatment for substance abuse. The average person who had completed substance abuse treatment had been sober for an average of 14 years. As for sex, over 70 percent of the participants have been sexually active within the past year, with gay men more likely to have been active with more than one partner. Of those who have multiple partners, 16 percent said they always use a condom, but 35 percent said they never use one. Only half of respondents inquire about a partner’s HIV or STD status. The survey was funded through a $79,000 grant from the Desert Healthcare District. Center officials plan to share the results with other area groups as well as the city of Palm Springs. The survey results will also help the Center create programs to address needs.

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DANCING WITH THE DESERT STARS FUNDRAISER RETURNS BY JAMES F. MILLS Only three years old, Dancing with the Desert Stars has proven so successful it has already joined the list of must-attend events of the Palm Springs social season. The dance contest—which sees eight prominent locals competing for a mirrorball trophy and bragging rights—returns to Palm Springs’ Renaissance Hotel on Friday, Nov. 22, with cocktails starting at 6 p.m. and the show at 7:30 p.m. “It’s just a magical evening of music and dance,” reports Kerry Hendrix, one of last year’s contestants who, although he didn’t win, made a memorable impression by doing a double-cartwheel finale to his dance. “It’s about community and friendship and a whole lot of fun.” This year, Hendrix will be busy behind the scenes, working as director of marketing and promotions for Reaction Productions, which puts on the Dancing with the Desert Stars event. “I’m part of the production team this year,” says Hendrix. “Last year I went through all the training and rehearsals, so I understand what these guys are going through, and will help make it a better show this year.” Eight contestants have been training since early September for their two dances. Each must do a dance from a stage or film musical and then a dance of his/her choice. This year’s contestants are: 1. Heather Coladonato, president and CEO of Desert Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce 2. Dr. Frederick Eko, plastic/reconstructive surgeon with the Plastic Surgery Institute in Rancho Mirage 3. Jan Harnik, mayor of Palm Desert

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4. Katharine Johnson, a Palm Springs paramedic 5. Tony Marchese, co-owner of Trio restaurant in Palm Springs 6. Manny Pérez, state Assemblymember representing Palm Springs 7. Valerie Powers Smith, an attorney specializing in disability and special needs law 8. “Uncle” Ernie Santora, president of 1st Community Insurance Sitting at the judges’ table will be Toni Basil, the dancer/choreographer/ singer who in 1982 thought “Mickey” was so fine, he blew her mind (“Hey Mickey”). Joining her will be So You Think You Can Dance fan favorite and finalist Jonathan “Legacy” Perez and Dancing with the Stars 10th season contestant Aiden Turner, who is also known for acting on TV’s All My Children. Serving as hosts for the show are KMIR-6 anchorman Gino Lamont and drag performer Randy Roberts. “Audience participation helps bolster who’s going to win,” says Hendrix. “So come out to support everyone, have a good time and support a great cause.” Proceeds benefit 100 Women at Desert AIDS Project, a service program that helps with the unique medical needs of women and children with HIV/AIDS. This year, the dancers will be performing on an elevated stage, so “there won’t be a bad seat in the house,” says Hendrix. And Hendrix’s sage advice to the eight contestants? “Just remember, that it’s all for charity and it’s all for fun,” he says. “Your body will do what you’ve trained it to do for 10 weeks.”

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WITH MICHAEL WEINSTEIN PHOTO: GREG GORMAN

President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) president@aidshealth.org — aidshealth.org

THE RISK SWEET SPOT We live in a world of balanced risks. Every time we leave the house, drive on the street, travel or have a sexual encounter, we are taking risks. A life without risk is a life not worth living. Determining where to draw that line is tricky, both personally and as a matter of public policy. The general standard that we have adopted as a society is to minimize risk while maintaining enjoyment. Driving a motorcycle on busy freeways is an accident waiting to happen. We maintain the right to drive a motorcycle but require people to wear helmets. The degree of restriction of a helmet is balanced against the potential catastrophic effect of a head injury without protection. Society has decided that the trade-off between forcing people to wear a seatbelt and flying through a windshield is valid. We have somewhat arbitrary legal ‘drinking while driving’ limits based on blood alcohol content. Where do we draw the line when it comes to sex? The only completely safe sex is masturbation. Every form of sex with a partner relies on them telling you the whole truth and nothing but the truth, or they themselves knowing their status—which is a significant risk. Oral sex without a condom is much less risky than anal and vaginal sex for HIV transmission, but not necessarily so for other STDs. But who wants to suck or be sucked on with latex? It’s a non-starter for almost everyone. There is a simple mathematical equation when it comes to safer sex—the more partners, the more risk. Having sex with many partners who have sex with many partners means your chance of contracting an STD shoots up, if you know what I mean. Many of us who have worked in HIV prevention in the gay community for decades have made a calculated decision that trying to get gay men to have a limited number of sexual partners won’t work. Therefore, the risk calculation is, much like the motorcyclist, that we can avoid the most serious injuries, in many cases, by promoting universal condom use. If every gay man has protected anal sex with a condom every time, the number of STDs will plummet but not be entirely eliminated. Every other method we tried—not coming inside someone, sero-sorting, etc., has had disastrous results. We know that telling every gay man to use a condom won't work all of the time, just like all doctors and nurses won’t wash their hands between every patient. However, if we stop promoting condom use, matters will get much worse. We all want the green light to enjoy as much sex as we can without worrying about the risks. But the facts are that syphilis cases today are 10 times what they were in 2000 in Los Angeles. And every year that number goes up, and HIV infections have remained stubbornly high in the gay community. I don’t want to rain on your parade, but there are two proven methods for avoiding STDs, including HIV, if you are going to have anal sex: 1) have fewer partners and 2) use condoms. If having fewer partners is not an option, using a condom is a must. Obviously, you are an adult and you get to make your own decisions, but I think having these facts help.

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

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BY PETER DELVECCHIO

HELP FOR THE HOLIDAYS It’s cliché to say that the holidays can be a tough and challenging time for people in recovery, but as clichés go, it’s probably one of the more accurate ones. Depression, loneliness, stress, craving—all these and more can come together as the year nears its end, creating the potential for a perfect emotional storm and relapse. But the good news is there is no need to face any of it alone. There’s help out there aplenty. Here is a list of resources, courtesy of The Tweakers Project. You can find the details for each by clicking “Resources, Links & Recovery” on the group’s main page at tweakersproject.org. There is also a list of resources at the City of West Hollywood’s website, weho.org. Search for “social services.” Crystal Meth Anonymous crystalmeth.org (877) 262-6691 Alcoholics Anonymous alcoholics-anonymous.org (800) 735-2922 Narcotics Anonymous na.org (310) 390-0279 (english) (323) 735-2089 (español) Sexual Compulsives Anonymous sca-recovery.org (310) 859-5585 Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center Mental Health Services lagaycenter.org (323) 993-7669

Van Ness Recovery House vnrh.org (323) 463-4266 Alcoholism Center for Women themeasurementgroup.com/acw.htm (213) 381-8500 Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center didihirsch.org (310) 390-6612 Friends Research Institute friendsresearch.org (323) 463-1601 UCLA Clinical Research Center uclaocrc@gmail.com (310) 267-5020 Cri Help cri-help.org (800) 413-7660 Klean Center kleancenter.com (888) 601-6040 Children’s Hospital Adolescent Medicine (ages 12-24) (323) 669-2463 Women Helping Women at the Nat’l Council for Jewish Women ncjwla.org (877) 655-3807 Jeff Griffith Youth Center (323) 860-2280

McIntyre House mcintyrehouse.org (323) 662-0855

Being Alive beingailve.org (323) 874-4322

Tarzana Treatment Center tarzanatc.org (818) 996-1051

Additionally, these sites have information that might be helpful: tweaker.org lifeormeth.com foundationmethproject.org facesofmeth.us justthinktwice.com

West Hollywood Recovery Center thewhrc.org (310) 360-4833

Peter DelVecchio is a reporter for Frontiers and an attorney. He is also writing a book about his experiences with meth. You can friend him on Facebook. NOVEMBER 26, 2013

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OFF THE ESY COURT PHOTO

VO TV OF BRA

COUCH

By Dr. Greg Cason

WHEN FOOD IS THE PROBLEM “Body image is something anyone who has ever been within a mile of West Hollywood struggles with.” —A friend

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.

A few weeks ago I traveled for a little therapist training. We therapists do that now and then to keep our skills sharp—and to see what it’s like to get drunk in another town. This time it was New York City. When I am away from the left coast I often run across odd stereotypes about people from the Golden State. But when therapists deliver them, these stereotypes are served up with that strange combination of concern and condescension that is generally only dished out by mothers. During a break I was approached by my own stereotype of a New Yorker—a Woody Allen type—who cocked his head and asked me if the gay men in L.A. I saw all had eating disorders. Frankly, I was a little put-off. Did he really say all of my gay male clients? Do all therapists from New York ask inappropriate questions? Was he saying I look fat? Well, based on statistics gathered in his own city, he may not have been completely out to (a low-carb, high-protein) lunch. According to a study published in the April 2007 issue of the International Journal of Eating Disorders, gay and bisexual men may be at far higher risk for eating disorders than heterosexual men. In the study of New York City residents, more than 15 percent of gay or bisexual men had at some time suffered from anorexia, bulimia or a binge-eating disorder, compared with less than five percent of heterosexual men. And according to the National Eating Disorders Association, 42 percent of males who have eating disorders nationwide identify as gay. The sexual orientation difference appears to be primarily a guy thing. It was a statistical dead heat for the risk of eating disorder symptoms among straight, gay and bi women. Just below 10 percent of lesbian and bisexual

women and eight percent of heterosexual women had ever reported having some sort of eating disorder. Considering that most people think of L.A. as a repository for gay male hotties, it stands to reason that left coast gays can easily outdo the Gotham gays in food freakiness. But I guess that’s not really a good thing, especially when it is hitting guys at younger ages. High school boys in L.A. are significantly more likely than boys nationwide to describe themselves as overweight—this according to a 2011 survey done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Los Angeles Unified School District. This would be fine if it were the case, but the L.A. boys in the survey were about as likely to carry extra pounds as the nationwide group. To top it off, when compared to the nationwide sample of boys in the 30 days before the survey was given, L.A. high school boys were twice as likely to induce vomiting or use laxatives to control weight (5.2 percent vs. 2.5 percent) and significantly more likely to take diet pills, powders or liquids to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight (6.2 percent vs. 4.2 percent). No statistics were given regarding sexual orientation of the participants. But it’s clear that the price of looking good in L.A. is high. Many people blame Abercrombie & Fitch’s shirtless models and porn prima donnas for the trend, but they aren’t the only culprits. The primary pressure may come from so-called friends and party pals who often judge each other based more on build than charm. Low body fat and a good set of abs are practically a prerequisite to circuit events in L.A., such as Halloween and its proliferation of ‘slutty ____’ costumes. Once Halloween was over, you could hear a collective sigh of relief among the tight-bodied as they finally allowed themselves to eat solid food again.

Talks with men who have more than just a body neurosis suggest it may be much more than peer pressure. Some men with eating disorders say it is a way to exert control over their bodies when they feel emotionally out of control, often due to a history of trauma, abuse or neglect. In addition, a study published in 2010 in the journal Eating and Weight Disorders revealed that men with eating disorders had poorer relationships with their parents, fewer friends and more adjustment problems at school than those who did not have eating issues. What may be most telling is that these men were caressed less by their own parents and far more likely to experience nudity as a familial taboo. No matter what the cause, when you have a disorder you need to do something about it. The problem is many health professionals are not trained to recognize symptoms in men who may focus more on excessive exercise and supplementation. Often men are told to keep up the good work rather than being asked what they did to get that way. And even if they are asked, many are unwilling to admit they have a problem. Resources for men are scarce but evolving. A good website for information about men and eating disorders is a British site called Men Get Eating Disorders Too (mengetedstoo.co.uk). Other information can be found at the National Eating Disorders Association (nationaleatingdisorders.org/males-and-eating-disorders), which inexplicably has a picture of two females on its male information page. No matter what city you live in, if you think you might have a problem with eating (too much or too little); are exercising excessively; using supplements such as laxatives, pills or steroids to control weight or muscle mass; or are vomiting or using other means to purge food, then it’s time to get help.

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. 66

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WITH AARON SAVVY, ACSM Certified Trainer

GET THE BODY YOU WANT (& KEEP IT) Hello, reader, and welcome to one of the most important days of your life. What if I told you that you that yes, you could obtain the physique you have been longing for? Not only would you get your physique, but you could sustain it and never lose it. Is this possible? If I’m a guessing man, you are either saying to yourself, “I don’t believe you,” “Eh… whatever,” or “Do tell, Aaron!” Up to this point in your life, you have established for yourself a ‘lifestyle.’ Now, perhaps your lifestyle is full of healthy eating, workouts and plenty of sleep, maybe it’s partially healthy or perhaps it’s not healthy at all—only you can answer that. Nonetheless, you want more, and rightfully so. If you want to change your lifestyle, it all starts with your your mindset. For example, try this: I want you to stretch out your arm, open your hand and now close it. How were you able to do that? Because without second guessing yourself, you were able to relay the thought process from your brain to your arm. Changing your physique is as easy as that was, but many will still limit themselves every day, saying, “It’s too hard,” “I don’t have the time” or “I’m not good enough.” But they are wrong, and this type of thinking is unacceptable. Your life is a perpetual process of choices. It’s what you do with those choices that will either allow you to progress and move forward toward your goals or hinder your progression. Now, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that to get the physique you want will take at least five to six days per week in the gym, working each muscle group evenly. Your meals should be full of protein (lean meats), carbohydrates (brown rice, oatmeal, whole wheat), healthy fats (avocado, olive oil, almonds), a ton of vegetables and a lot of water. If you already knew this, why aren’t you applying it to your life? It is because you either doubt your ability to envision and see the final outcome or you just lack the knowledge or know-how to obtain your dreams. I never said obtaining this physique was going to be easy, but the simple tools I am laying out for you will give you solid ground to build off. If you are unsure about how to work out, please hire a fitness trainer. I have been able to maintain my physique for well over a decade now. How was I able to maintain this? I have friends who started the same time I did. They also got a great physique, but after time lost all they had worked so hard for. Work got in the way and the pure persevering just fizzled out. For me, I knew that I could not battle or fight with myself. There were no excuses! I always kept myself in check, and when I did have a bad day, I told myself just that and that tomorrow was going to be a better day. If you want this lifestyle, and I know you do, be good to yourself. Do not doubt yourself or your abilities, and for the love of god do not allow others to dictate or put negativity in your road to success. Take one day at a time (baby steps) and just don’t look back. I’ll be with you every step of the way!

For additional questions, feel free to visit me at aaronsavvy.com. NOVEMBER 26, 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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MARKETPLACE

BUSINESS

PROFILE

GOOD EATS BY DUANE WELLS Running a successful business is never an easy feat. Running a successful business with a big gay following in a city like Los Angeles—where tastes change and shift with peculiar particularity—is an even more epic achievement. And yet Chef Wayne Elias has managed to do just that with not one but two enterprises becoming hubs of excitement in their respective communities. First with the wildly successful Mark’s in West Hollywood and now with the even more wildly successful Rockwell Table & Stage in Los Feliz, Elias has mastered the art of the big gay draw with a combination of practical, common-sense elements that keep patrons coming back for more, time and time again. “I started out as the chef at our business, then moved into management. We opened a catering division as well as a food service division,” Elias offers in explanation of the background for his success, which began as a teen working for a Long Island catering company. “The key for us being successful in the LGBT community is that I learned a long time ago [that] everyone can do it better. That you have to listen to the needs and the expectations of your guests and be able to deliver and accommodate even the pickiest of tastes. I am not the best chef, but I am the most compassionate when it comes to meeting the demands of the taste profiles as well as the budget.” Add into the mix a common thread of ‘hot servers’ along with Elias’ straightforward philosophy of food—“It should be healthy and flavorful and not be composed of more than four or five ingredients.”—and you have the recipe for creating the buzz that has made Rockwell Table & Stage a Los Angeles institution. And as for the big gay following that has joined him on his culinary journey to Rockwell Table & Stage, Elias says it’s all about community. “To this day I donate to every organization that approaches me within the gay community,” Elias says resolutely. “We have come a long way, but in the beginning, before all the big corporate sponsors, it was the little guys who donated food, labor and liquor to help us raise money for all the various causes we have been faced with. Also, it helps spread awareness of the issues we as a community need to fight for and stand up for.” After fighting the good fight and launching two successful businesses, we couldn’t help but ask what the chef’s dream restaurant would look like, and like his philosophy on food and business, his answer was direct and forthright. “My dream restaurant would be a café that does breakfast and lunch ... [so] I get to relax in the evenings and get married.” To make a reservation at Rockwell Table & Stage or to find more info, visit rockwell-la.com.

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FRONTIERS4MEN.COM

SEX ED

EAT, DRINK AND GET NAKED BY JIM LARKINS Over time, scientists have discovered a wide variety of foods containing hundreds of sex-enhancing chemical compounds. We’re not talking about infomercial aphrodisiacs, knobby roots or mysterious powders here. Simple foods—including everything from chocolate to steak to oranges to hot peppers— have the potential for sexual potency. Nearly all non-processed foods contain some sex-boosting vitamins and minerals. But there are a select variety of phallic-friendly edibles that stand out because they reduce cholesterol, enhance blood flow and give penis cells the injection of chemical energy needed to stand at full salute. Carrots, for instance, might not increase vision (as the myth goes), but they could help give your partner something to look at that is fresh-carrot stiff. The carrot gets is vibrant orange color from beta-carotene, a compound that happens to reduce ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol, making it easier for a guy to produce and maintain an erection. Another veggie that can help you brandish that desired spear is asparagus, loaded with calcium, phosphorous, vitamin E and potassium—all ingredients of a healthy urinary system. They also provide nutrients for producing testosterone and other sex hormones. Your partner will be sounding the fire-in-the-hole alarm when you show him what hot chilies can do. They contain capsaicin, which not only lets you know your mouth is aflame but dilates blood vessels, allowing a surge of pole-

FRONTIERS4MEN.COM

hardening blood. It seems there’s some truth to the oyster/virility legend that has made these slimy appetizers so popular. Oysters—along with caviar, lobster and other shellfish—are loaded with zinc, a mineral that boosts testosterone production, which in turn aids in prostate health. Discover the jean-creaming effects of ice cream. Low-fat Ice cream has high counts of calcium and phosphorous, minerals that build muscular energy reserves and boost libido. Since the muscles that control ejaculation need calcium to contract properly, ice cream can also make for more explosive orgasms. Pack your meat with a cut of lean sirloin. Levels of dopamine and norepinephrine—two brain chemicals that heighten sexual sensitivity—increase when you consume beef. Steak is also stuffed with zinc, which ignites your libido by reducing prolactin, an arousalretarding hormone. Think there’s nothing sexy about a lumpy bowl of oats? Think again. Oats are replete with a variety of cholesterolfighting, erection-inducing compounds. There is also some validity to the socalled chocolate love drug. Cocoa contains stimulants that heighten skin sensitivity, which naturally results in producing the proverbial lead in one’s pencil. These are just a handful of foodstuffs that can put your love machine into full-throttle. Go forth and bone up on all of these natural penile potions. He’ll love you for it.

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LIMITED EDITION For info & sales: 323.250.6249 www.TomofFinlandActionFigures.com info@TomofFinlandActionFigures.com

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#32.16 #32.17 #32.18 #32.19

11/13/13 11/26/13* 12/11/13 12/24/13*

11/26/13* 12/11/13 12/24/13* 01/07/14

*denotes date change due to holiday

!!! MARKET EW K 120 Weddings N K Announcements / Services K 10 Jobs K 20 Rentals

K K K K K

ADULT K 160 Models/Escorts K 170 Massage/Body Rubs K 180 S&M

K 190 S&M Models K 200 Relationships K 210 Want to meet

30 40 50 60 70

Real Estate Roommates Health Services Massage Therapy Personal Services

K K K K K

80 Business Services 90 Travel 100 Announcements 110 For Sale 130 Organizations

K 220 Mail Order K 230 Websites K 240 Videos

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