FEB. 18 - MAR. 2, 2016 | VOL. 34, NO. 22
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ELLEN PAGE GOES ON ‘GAYCATION’ (P. 35)
SUPERDELEGATES: WILL THEY CAUSE DEMOCRAT VOTERS TO REVOLT? (P. 9)
IS ROCK DEAD? John Varvatos Says ‘Hell No’
DO NOT
D ISTU B L.A.’s Best StayR cation
(P. 19)
4 Actors Oscar Forgot
(Hotel sex not in
(P. 40)
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GUS KENWORTHY P.5 2
THE OUT OLYMPIAN AND NEW X GAMES MEDALIST TOPS THE LIST OF THE WORLD’S BEST SKIERS WHILE SPORTING THE LATEST SPRING FASHIONS (P. 42)
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Contents
FEB. 18 - MAR. 2, 2016
FEATURES Sweater by Kenneth Cole. Bracelet Gus’s own.
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L.A.’s 12 Best Staycations
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KENWORTHY: RYAN FORBES
Oscars Ballot
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Gus Kenworthy
ON THE COVER Gus Kenworthy wears tank by T by Alexander Wang and jacket by John Varvatos, photographed at Sunset Marquis exclusively for Frontiers by Ryan Forbes (ryanforbesphotography.com), with 100% of his fees donated to the L.A. LGBT Center. Styling by Art Conn. Grooming by Kyle Krieger. Photo assistance by Kyle DiFulvio. Wardrobe assistance by Mar’tee Brianne.
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ON THE Gus Kenwo at Sunset M for Frontiers Ryanforbesp with 100% to the L.A. L by Art Conn Kyle Kriege by Kyle DiF assistance
Contents
Download our interactive digital edition with videos, expanded editorial, behind-the-scenes photos and more. Search for Frontiers magazine on
FEB. 18 - MAR. 2, 2016
DEPARTMENTS NEWSBOX 09
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Will Superdelegates Cause Democrat Voters to Revolt? Flashbulb Watercooler Scalia’s Death Wrecks Political Havoc Big Pharma’s Can of Worms DateBook
THE GAY AGENDA 19 20 20 22
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John Varvatos’ Rock-Inspired Show 10 Gay Game-Changers of Color Ask Drew Droege An Abbreviated History of Male Masturbation 5 Things We Learned from the 2016 Grammys
TRAVEL 25 26 26 27
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The World’s 10 Best Boutique Hotels 5 Tips to Combat Jet Lag In Search of the Best Concert Venues Destination: Detroit
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CALENDAR 29 30 33 39
Bearbarella Comes to the L.A. Stage Which Oscar Party is Right For You? The Belles of Le Bal Eating Out: Moby’s Little Pine
ENTERTAINMENT 35 36 38 40
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Ellen Page on New Series Gaycation Theater Reviews The Q&A: Alex Newell Who Will (and Who Should) Take Home Oscar Gold? Set Your DVR
Frontiers magazine is published by New Frontiers Media Holdings, 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 © 2015, New Frontiers Media Holdings, LLC.
COLUMNS 56 57 58
Billy Masters Gossip Gay Palm Springs
PEOPLE INDEX Greg Berlanti Doris Day Frank DeCaro Ellen DeGeneres 4
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16 59 12 10
Idris Elba 40 Sean Hayes 36 Colby Keller 56 Jonny McGovern 38
Martha Plimpton 41 Cindy Sherman 58 Alexander Skarsgard 10 Sherry Vine 38
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Voter Revolt Will angry liberals shake up the electoral system by rejecting the delegate process? And if so, what will that mean for getting a Democrat into office? By Karen Ocamb
350 The number of delegates by which Hillary Clinton leads Bernie Sanders following the New Hampshire primary, due to pledged superdelegates
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oters in both political parties are sick and tired of being sick and tired. Grassroots anger towards “the Establishment” has become so stark, an amorphous feel-good slogan like “Make America Great Again” is heralded over candidates’ detailed plans for solutions to the country’s myriad problems. In short, feelings are facts in this 2016 presidential election, and with scorched-earth arguments over whether President Obama or his successor will get to pick a replacement for late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia—as well as the prospect of three more justices leaving the bench—the stakes couldn’t be higher for the LGBT community. Republican candidates are virtually dripping in blood after throwing so much red meat to their evangelical base. Two days before Valentine’s Day, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and former neurosurgeon Ben Carson sharpened their long knives appealing to evangelical voters at the Faith and Family Presidential Forum in Greenville, South Carolina, where 65% of primary voters identify as evangelical Christians. Bush and Rubio, the two “Establishment” candidates, joined their religious right opponents in railing against the Supreme Court decision legalizing marriage equality and vowed to back the First Amendment Defense Act, a bill that would prohibit the federal government from taking “any discriminatory action” (such as revoking tax-exempt status or severing federal contracts) toward any “person” (a definition that includes for-profit organizations) who refuses service to same-sex couples because of their religious opposition to same-sex marriage or premarital sex. Rubio and Bush would also end the standard of the separation of church and state.
“For anybody to suggest that we have to keep it in our church,” said Bush, who has gay supporters, “I think is wrong and misses the whole point of the American experience.” He added—disagreeing with many legal scholars—that, “embedded in [the Court’s Obergefell marriage] decision” is the potential danger that “people of faith might lose their tax-exempt status.” Real estate mogul and reality TV star Donald Trump got booed during a debate in South Carolina after blaming former President George W. Bush for allowing the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to occur on his watch and then taking the country into an unwinnable war in Iraq, which he calls “a big fat mistake.” Trump dismissed the boos as coming from special interests, promising that his election would “send a message” to Washington. Trump’s long game is enduring the South Carolina primary and the Latino-heavy Nevada Caucus to get to Super Tuesday on March 1, where more than onequarter—632 of the 2,472 total Republican delegates to the party’s national convention—are up for grabs in one
“Yeah, I’m going to make him get fully naked in the next one. Everybody wants to see the D. We should start a movement. A campaign.” Dakota Johnson, star of the Fifty Shades of Grey franchise and the new film How to Be Single, wants more nudity from co-star Jamie Dornan
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day (1,237 delegates are needed to win the nomination). States voting on Super Tuesday for both parties include Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Virginia. Democrats have a more complicated system. Super Tuesday yields 1,007 of the 4,763 delegates to the convention; 2,382 are needed to win the nomination. Eightyfive percent of the delegates are “pledged” and awarded based on primary or caucus votes, says Democratic National Committee Director of Party Affairs Patrice Taylor. But 712 unpledged “superdelegates”—governors, members of Congress and party officials and leaders—also weigh in, though they don’t have more power. “The rules,” Taylor wrote in a memo to Democrats, “were first established in the 1970s, long before any current candidate declared for office. All candidates run under the same rules.” That’s not how supporters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders see it. They note that the Democratic Socialist barely lost to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Iowa and trounced her in New Hampshire, but Clinton has a towering 350-delegate lead over Sanders because of her pledged superdelegates. Sanders supporters are furious that the system is “rigged” for Clinton, burning up social media, with progressive groups like MoveOn.org launching petitions to urge superdelegates to “reflect the popular vote rather than the sentiment of party elites,” Politico reports. “I will tell you if Bernie does have the majority of the delegates by election going into the convention and the superdelegates tried to reverse that, it would be absolutely awful for the Democratic party and all holy hell would break loose,” says top Democratic strategist Bill Hyers. Though Hyers says he doesn’t really see such chaos happening, many voters do, promising not to vote for Clinton if she gets the nomination. “I know, [this] means the Republicans will win. We will not get liberal Supreme Court justices, and some really bad laws, especially against my own people may come our ways,” says one Bernie supporter, Matthew Papin, on his Facebook page. “But I call you all out as doucebags now for not speaking out and railing against our party’s election rigging! Our democracies [sic] principles are under attack here and you do nothing! So a fuck you for that.” This is not without precedent. In 1979, supporters of progressive candidate Sen. Ted Kennedy refused to vote for despised incumbent President Jimmy Carter following Kennedy’s famous snub at the convention. Republican Ronald Reagan won in 1980, ushering in an era of religiousbased anti-gay hatred.
SANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL FILM FEST, Feb. 3-13—The festival’s 31st edition offered films representing more than 60 countries, with 52 world premieres, along with tributes, panels and outreach. Top, from left: Sylvester Stallone, Johnny Depp with Leonard Maltin, Elizabeth Banks, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Saoirse Ronan. Bottom: Paul Dano, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Jacob Tremblay, SBIFF Director Tom McCarthy, Alicia Vikander
PROJECT ANGEL FOOD MAJOR DONOR FUNDRAISER, Hollywood Hills, Jan. 30—The organization raised over $96,000 at the most successful house party in its 26-year history, at which Christine Ebersole performed for the crowd. From top: Joe Mannis with PAF’s Robert Bauer, John D’Amico, Mark McBride, Lawrence Zarian, Tony Maletta, John Wolf, Jeff Valenson, Nick Urbom, Richard Ayoub, Bob Cohen, Michael Marble Photo on right: Patricia Richardson with Ebersole and Jodi Long
“I cannot tell you, or thank you enough, for what you’ve done for the gay community. So, thank you.” Ellen DeGeneres gets emotional on her talk show while speaking with President Obama about gay rights and the administration’s fight for equality
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DIRECTORS GUILD OF AMERICA AWARDS, Hyatt Regency Century City, Feb. 6—Alejandro G. Inarritu, director of The Revenant, was the first director to win back-to-back DGA awards at the guild’s 68th annual ceremony. Top, from left: Geena Davis, Cheryl Boone Isaacs with Paris Barclay, Alexander Skarsgard, Adam McKay, Angela Bassett, Kathy Griffin Bottom: Jill Soloway, Inarritu, Jane Lynch, Lily Tomlin
SBIFF: GETTY IMAGES FOR SANTA BARBARA
SPEAK OUT
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WATERCOOLER
Your cheat sheet for intelligent conversation — By Peter DelVecchio
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Ky. Lawmakers: ‘Separate But Equal’ Marriage Licenses
The Supreme Court struck down “separate but equal” in the educational sphere way back in 1954, but lawmakers in Kentucky, home of “religious freedom” heroine and clerk Kim Davis, apparently think it might be just the ticket for marriage. A bipartisan effort is afoot in the state legislature to use two different marriage license forms, one identifying “bride” and “groom,” the other simply “first party” and “second party.” Couples could use either form, according to Republican sponsor Sen. Stephen West, though it’s not apparent why any same-sex couple would use the “bride and groom” form. Democratic state Sen. Morgan McGarvey has criticized the proposal, arguing it would result in disparate treatment of same-sex couples.
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Calif. Dems to Address Trans Bathroom Issues
The California Democratic Party will address bathroom access for trans people at its state convention in San Jose later this month as a result of the party LGBT caucus’s proposal that the platform “demonstrate California Democrats’ clear and unequivocal support for our transgender sisters and brothers,” the Bay Area Reporter reports. Their right to use public facilities corresponding to gender identities has sparked controversy and anti-trans legislation nationwide. Meanwhile, a transgender male student’s use of the boys’ locker room has sparked controversy at Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego County. Certain parents complain that while they understand the student is within his rights under a 2014 California law permitting trans students to use school facilities without regard to their birth sex, they want accommodations to protect what they see as their children’s privacy rights.
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SiriusXM Kills LGBT Radio Channel
In what Out calls a “gay bloodbath,” satellite radio network SiriusXM announced it is terminating OutQ, its LGBT channel. Satellite service ended Feb.13, and OutQ will stop streaming Feb. 18. OutQ had been on the air since 2003, available in both the States and Canada. It featured such figures as comic Frank DeCaro, whose show lasted for 12 years; morning host Larry Flick; producer, author and actor Lance Bass; and Derek Hartley and Romaine Patterson, who co-hosted the Derek and Romaine Show for a dozen years. “We are constantly evaluating our programming to ensure the best listening experience for all our subscribers,” a response from SiriusXM’s media rep states. “And while a fulltime OutQ channel is coming down, LGBT issues and hosts are represented across multiple SiriusXM channels.”
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GLAAD Reinstates Blogger Award After Outcry
When GLAAD announced its 27th annual Media Awards nominees, one category was conspicuous by its absence: Outstanding Blog. GLAAD justified the deletion by arguing that LGBT bloggers are now “indistinguishable” from more mainstream media. Bloggers, however, were not having it. “It is sadly ironic that GLAAD, an organization which prides itself on lifting up positive LGBT portrayals, has rendered grassroots LGBT voices invisible and unworthy of recognition,” an open letter to GLAAD signed by numerous prominent bloggers states. On Feb. 11, the day after the letter posted, GLAAD relented. “It’s become abundantly clear that we were wrong to remove the Outstanding Blog category, and we apologize,” GLAAD Vice President of Communications Seth Adam wrote.
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The Michigan state senate caused a kerfuffle Feb. 4, passing an animal cruelty bill that left intact the state’s archaic, unconstitutional prohibition of “the abominable and detestable crime against nature,” a definition sweeping in oral and anal sex. Like other states, Michigan’s archaic sodomy ban was part of a statute also prohibiting bestiality. The U.S. Supreme court struck down all state sodomy laws in 2003 with Lawrence v. Texas. The bill’s author, Republican Sen. Rick Jones, said he feared trying to delete the unconstitutional language would blow up the whole bill, known as “Logan’s Law” after a Siberian Husky was burned with acid by an abuser.Michigan’s House is expected to delete the sodomy ban from the bill, according to Equality Michigan executive director Steph White.
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Former L.A. County Sheriff Pleads Guilty
Ex-L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca has pled guilty on charges of obstructing a federal investigation into corruption in the county’s jail system and brutality by deputies against inmates, reform of which has been raised by gay criminal attorney John Duran and out L.A. County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl. Baca pled guilty to charges that he lied to federal investigators and ‘no contest’ to other allegations. Among other things, he was accused of lying about knowledge of subordinates’ interference with an FBI agent and their interruption of an interview by federal agents of an inmate who was a federal informant. Prosecutors will not seek more than six months jail time for Baca. His plea “demonstrates that the illegal behavior in the Sheriff’s Department went to the very top,” says U.S. Attorney Eileen Decker.
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Antonin Scalia’s Death Wreaks Political Havoc
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he sudden death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia on Feb. 13 while on a hunting excursion at a West Texas ranch shot huge holes into the chaotic race to replace President Obama. No sooner had Scalia’s body been found than the sniping between political parties began over when and how his replacement would be chosen. Scalia, 79 and Catholic, was the Court’s most conservative and provocative justice, with a long history of obscene analogies referring to LGBT people. In his 1996 dissent in Romer v. Evans, challenging Colorado’s ban on local anti-gay discrimination laws, Scalia said that, of course, one should not hate any human being. “But I had thought that one could consider certain conduct reprehensible—murder, for example, or polygamy, or cruelty to animals—and could exhibit even ‘animus’ toward such conduct. Surely that is the only sort of ‘animus’ at issue here: moral disapproval of homosexual conduct.” In his 2003 dissent in Lawrence v. Texas, Scalia said that moral objections were sufficient to criminalize homosexuality. “[Many Americans] view this as protecting themselves and their families from a lifestyle that they believe to be immoral and destructive.” While noting Scalia’s animus towards LGBT people, statements from Lambda Legal and GLAD were nonetheless gracious in offering condolences to Scalia’s family. President Obama, who has 11 months remaining in his administration, said he intends to execute his duty and nominate a justice to replace Scalia forthwith. But Republicans are clamoring for Obama to leave the seat vacant so the next president can fill the spot. Senate Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he would not bring an Obama nominee up for a confirmation hearing or vote. And presidential contender Ted Cruz promises to filibuster. “This is a 5-4 court,” Cruz said Feb. 14. “This next election needs to be a referendum on the court. The people need to decide. I’m very glad that the Senate is agreeing with what I called for, that we should not allow a lame duck to essentially capture the Supreme Court in the waning months of his presidency.” Interestingly, if Scalia’s seat is not filled, cases decided 4-4 will revert back to the lower appeals courts—which are packed with Democrats. With Scalia, Republicans expected wins from the conservative-dominated Court on such contentious issues such as abortion, union representation and affirmative action. But by blocking Obama’s nominee, they might actually cement Obama’s progressive legacy. —K.O.
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INSIDE BIG PHARMA’S CAN OF WORMS Internal documents reveal that Martin Shkreli’s Turing Pharmaceuticals and other companies believe greed is good and place profit before people By Karen Ocamb
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artin Shkreli’s arrogance apparently knows no bounds. Even after his federal arrest for allegedly perpetrating a Ponzi-like securities scheme, he revels in smirking and flaunting his hedge fund-made fortune. Ironically, he might have remained anonymous to everyone but the business community had his greed not cast him as “the most hated man in America.” Last August, Shkreli bought Turing Pharmaceuticals and overnight jacked up the price of the 62-year-old drug Daraprim—used to treat a toxoplasmosis in people with HIV and cancer—from $13.50 to $750 per tablet. The unabashed price gouging caused national outrage—and revealed that the practice is commonplace among drug companies that place profit before people. But after hearing their constituents’ stories, lawmakers are taking the scourge seriously. Last November, Republican Maine Sen. Susan Collins, chair of the Senate Aging Committee, opened a bipartisan investigation into the dramatic price hikes for certain off-patent drugs. In late January, Collins told Food and Drug Administration director Dr. Janet Woodcock she wanted to expedite approval for generic applications to discourage a pharmaceutical company “from buying up the decades-old drug, thinking it is going to have a monopoly long enough to make a great deal
160 The number of organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign, that signed onto an open letter to Martin Shkreli’s Turing Pharmaceuticals last October after its price hike on Daraprim
of money.” Collins said the committee is finding “that a lot of these companies are not doing the manufacturing. It is a new business model, and I am convinced that it is one that is negative for patients, providers, hospitals and federal and state health care programs.” Woodcock said there is difficulty with the generic application process because of the pharmaceutical companies’ closed system and delays at testing against the brand drug. Shkreli, Turing, Valeant Pharmaceuticals, Rodelis Therapeutics and Retrophin, the company Shkreli ran before Turing, were singled out during the hearing for hiking their prices by 20, 30 or 40 times the prior price. “These companies are to ethical pharmaceutical companies as a loan shark is to a bank,” Collins said. On Feb. 4, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a hearing featuring a smirking, almost non-speaking appearance by Shkreli. “We pledge that no patient needing Daraprim will ever be denied access,” Nancy Retzlaff, Turing’s chief commercial officer, said in a statement, adding that “drug pricing is one of the most complex parts of the health care industry. A drug’s list price is not the primary factor in determining patient affordability and access.” The Committee’s Ranking Democratic Rep. Elijah Cummings has been investigating the pharmaceutical “grey market” for two years. He subpoenaed internal company documents from Turing and Valeant and then released staff summaries of the more than 300,000 pages of documents, email exchanges between company executives, corporate projections, analyses on revenues and profits, communications with angry hospital officials and other health care providers and a public relations strategy to reframe and redirect the backlash from the pharmaceuticals to the insurance companies. “These new documents provide a rare, inside look at the motivations and tactics of drug company executives,” said Cummings. “They confirm what Americans across the country have experienced first-hand for years—that many drug companies are lining their pockets at the expense of some of the most vulnerable families in our nation. The documents show that these tactics are not limited to a few ‘bad apples’ but are prominent throughout the industry.” The memos shiver with pure greed. One email from Shkreli says: “$1bn here we come.” A sales presentation touts, “Exclusivity (closed distribution) creates a barrier and pricing power.” The memos spell out public relations strategies for dealing with backlash from gay and HIV groups, which Turing believed could be managed. A May 2015 memo warned, “HIV patient advocacy may react to price increase. ... HIV community is highly organized, sensitive and action-oriented. ... Significant price increases that disproportionately affect this community could result in backlash from patient advocacy groups, particularly if payers increase cost sharing with patients.” On Sept. 21, 2015, an outside consultant forwarded a Shkreli press article to Turing leadership: “With the inflammatory coverage of the last two days, it will be difficult to get HIV/AIDS KOLs [key opinion leaders] to spoke out [sic] on behalf of Turing. However, we still come out ahead if we can frame this issue within the HIV/AIDS community as a fight between a drug company and insurance companies. “As long as everyone who needs Daraprim can get it as soon as they need it,” the memo reads, “regardless of ability to pay, the community should have no issue. There is no love lost between HIV/AIDS activists and insurance companies, and they certainly don’t want to be manipulated by them to fight on their behalf.” The consultant wrote, “With the price increase comes new research, support systems, patient education and greater awareness, so pragmatically and strategically, the community
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shouldn’t advocate against its own interests. If we can get HIV/AIDS activists to ‘sit this out’ we come out way ahead.” An Oct. 12, 2015 internal presentation warned, however: “[The Human Rights Campaign] has been vocal and in the media about the pricing issue and is potentially the most vocal organization able to garner media coverage. While their motivation is primarily political, given their actions we feel it would be important to get a meeting with CEO Chad Griffin in an attempt to slow their aggressive stance and work with them to better understand the company.” HRC was among 160 organizations that signed onto an open letter to Turing last October. HRC’s David Stacy confirms that HRC—and Griffin directly—was twice invited to meet with Turing but refused unless they first lower their price on Daraprim, which Shkreli promised to do after the backlash but never did. At HRC’s urging last September, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman launched an investigation into whether Turing violated antitrust laws by limiting distribution of the drug. “Turing Pharmaceuticals and Martin Shkreli put people in jeopardy with their despicable scheme to gouge vulnerable patients and curtail access to a lifesaving drug,” Griffin tells Frontiers. “There is simply no explanation for that, and no middle ground. We are not going to let up until Turing restores Daraprim to its original price—and we continue to call on Congress to stop other companies from getting away with profiting at the expense of our health and our lives.” National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors, HIV Medicine Association, the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Treatment Action Group did meet with Shkreli to express their concerns. The meeting, however, was “very unproductive,” TAG’s HIV Project Director Tim Horn tells us. “Yes, Turing is greedy. But Turing is taking advantage of a loophole in the law that allowed that to happen. We need to close that loophole.” Meanwhile, AIDS Healthcare Foundation joined the fight from another angle. On Jan. 26, AHF filed a federal lawsuit against Gilead Sciences seeking to invalidate its patents
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on key AIDS drugs, including Tenofovir, a 30-year-old drug first synthesized in the Czech Republic. Tenofovir is a component in Genvoya, Gilead’s four-in-one Fixed Dose Combination to treat HIV/AIDS patients. AHF President Michael Weinstein said he believes “Gilead is trying to monopolize the market by price gouging on its HIV/AIDS treatments, actions that severely diminish access to these lifesaving medications and serve as catalyst for our legal action today.” “This case sends a message to the pharmaceutical industry. Gilead shouldn’t be able to line its pockets by manipulating access to its HIV drugs,” said Dorian Berger, AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s attorney from the firm Olavi Dunne LLP. “It is illegal to block access to lifesaving drugs by manipulating the law, and through this legal action we intend to hold Gilead accountable.” “The AHF lawsuit certainly drags a lot of longstanding questions about the development of [antiviral agent] TAF into the cold light of day,” Horn tells Frontiers, noting that Gilead delayed approval of a drug with “important safety advantages over its blockbuster drug TDF” because of its patent protection. “That delay means 10 additional years of accumulated kidney and bone toxicity for many people living with HIV—a shame, to say the least.” Horn also notes the timing. “What we’re seeing is a confluence of crises in drug pricing,” he says. “The pricing of highly curative treatment for hepatitis C that has resulted in significant rationing, when the emphasis should be on maximizing the numbers of cures now to eradicate the disease. Preposterous price gouging of off-patent lifesaving drugs with limited competition. Skyrocketing prices being set for generic medications that have been low-cost for years. Annual increases, to the tune of 7-8%, on the cost of HIV medications, which are seriously out of lockstep with all measures of inflation in the U.S. ... It’s now a government issue to secure the breeches.” AHF has two initiatives on the November ballot in California and Ohio that would prohibit those states from paying more for prescription drugs than the Veterans Administration. “Pharma has already raised $38 million against us,” says Weinstein.
“I don’t think anyone should ever be discriminated against because of who they are or who they love. ... But I will not support legislation that diminishes religious freedom.” Indiana Gov. Mike Pence tries to have it both ways during a Town Hall on Feb. 11
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DATEBOOK THU. | FEB. 18
YPC MIXER
T h e C e n t e r ’s Yo u n g Professionals Council and the L.A. Women’s Network host this mixer at WeHo’s V Wine Room, where you can discover how to support the LGBT Center. Dress chic, as they’ll be filming promotional videos. lalgbtcenter.org
FRI. | FEB. 26
THEN COMES MARRIAGE
Get the inside story of the fight for marriage equality and the defeat of DOMA when “superstar litigator” Roberta Kaplan and constitutional scholar/UC Irvine Dean Erwin Chemerinsky speak at Berg Dining Hall Bel Air for Shabbat Dinner. wcce.aju.edu
SAT. | FEB. 27
MOPX
This free, one-day mini-conference is focused on the concerns and interests of LGBTQ youth (up to age 24) and their allies. This year’s theme is “Healthy Lives, Healthy Relationships, Healthy Selves.” Register at eventbrite.com.
SUN. | FEB. 14
STARS OF NAPA VALLEY WINE
The top wine producers of Napa Valley come to Beverly Hills’ The Peninsula for this annual charity gathering where guests enjoy unlimited tasting. A silent auction raises money for the TJ Martell Foundation. winela.com
SAT. | MARCH 12
IMPACT AWARDS GALA
Family Equality Council, the advocacy group representing the country’s 3 million LGBTQ parents and their 6 million children, will honor Greg Berlanti, Sara Gilbert and Linda Perry at its annual gala, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. familyequality.org
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Is Rock Dead? T
hat was the question at the heart of John Varvatos’ Fall/Winter 2016 presentation earlier this month. On Feb. 2, the designer’s Bowery flagship store—formerly the birthplace of American punk, CBGB—was transformed into a dimly lit haunted house where the spectres of rock icons loomed large. The sentiment may have been a bit curmudgeonly—Kids these days and their EDM!—but the clothes at least, worn by both live models and mannequins in animal masks, felt contemporary while nodding to the designer’s preoccupation with rock star excess. —John Russell
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10 Gay Game-Changers of Color 1 James Baldwin 2 Bayard Rustin 3 E. Lynn Harris 4 André Leon Talley 5 RuPaul Charles 6 Patrik-Ian Polk 7 Jussie Smollett 8 Langston Hughes 9 Alvin Ailey 10 Lee Daniels Read profiles of these 10 men (and others) at tinyurl.com/grrplp8
ASK DREW DROEGE Each month, I get literally 3 to 4 questions from desperate fans seeking advice, so I’ve decided to answer a few here Have questions of your own for Drew? Send them to editorial@frontiersmedia.com
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I know it’s a bit flashy, but can we please bring back the ascot? —Rich, Cheviot Hills Yes! Rich, you get it. I’m an ardent fan of a loud, unapologetic splash of knotted dazzle, especially on a simple suit. Or on a bare chest, in place of a shirt. Live!
I’m a huge fan of Trina Turk Men and have a huge collection of white pants and belts and shoes. When is it appropriate to start wearing them? —Karl, Rancho Mirage Karl, of all the options presented to you at Trina Turk, you choose white? Ms. Turk is known for making her acolytes look like flaming raspberries riding animated tigers through metallic fields of rare jewels, and this is why
we love her. But if you must, make sure your enamel uniform is free of stains and scuffs, and wait until Easter! You don’t want to end up like Patty Hearst in Serial Mom.
My boyfriend gave me a lot of grief for wearing jogging pants to the Pantages last week. Can you please tell him that I just wanted to be comfortable? —Mike, Hollywood Mike, I will do no such thing. How dare you! Have some respect for the theater and the artists who work so hard to tell these stories! Oh, wait, you went to the Pantages? Last week? So, um, you saw Dirty Dancing? In that case, I get it. I only hope you topped off your look with a barbecue sauce-caked Garfield shirt and a Coors guzzler helmet. On with the show!
CALL TO ARTISTS! Sunday, April 24th 10am-6pm
Downtown Brentwood, San Vicente Blvd. Between Barrington And Bundy
Artists are a invited to feature and sell their original arts and crafts at the Spring Brentwood Art Festival. Application Fee: $250 per booth, Students: $100 To apply, visit:
www.BrentwoodArtFestival.com Or call: (310) 473-3070
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5 THINGS WE LEARNED FROM THE GRAMMYS
THE
GAY
AGENDA
By Johnny Lopez
1. Thanks to Taylor Swift and
Ciara‘s W Hotel cabana chic, pool cover-ups are the new black.
The Pleasure Principle
2. Sorry, Little Monsters, but Annie Lennox should have done the David Bowie tribute and saved us from this Elvis-meetsBette Midler/C.C. Bloom “Oh Industry” outtake from Beaches.
From Ancient Egypt to ‘90s Saudi Arabia, here are 8 outlandish milestones in the storied history of male masturbation 3. Best performance goes to 1. START HERE
According to the Egyptian Book of the Dead, serpent deity Atum, possessor of both male and female parts, created the world without Eve by masturbating civilization into existence. His act of self-pleasure brought about Shu and Tefnut, the grandparents of Isis and Osiris.
2. BE FRUITFUL AND MULTIPLY
Ancient Middle Eastern pagans saw mutual masturbation as a way to stimulate the coming harvest. The trick was to ejaculate in unison, thought to summon beneficent energies from the gods.
3. UNDER PRESSURE
A man in ancient Rome who desired to pleasure himself— instead of consorting with a young slave boy—did so with his left hand, once considered the “sinister” hand. Ancient Pompeii graffiti reads, “When my worries oppress by body, with my left hand, I release my pent up fluids.”
4. (SELF) LOVE HURTS
In the ancient Middle East, jelqing was a popular way to increase penis size, which was attributed to social standing. A heavy-handed form of fluffing, men attempted to draw blood flow away from the body and into the penis by masturbating vigorously.
5. HANDS OFF
In Taoism, when a man pleasures himself and ejaculates, 22
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his “jing,” or maleness, is transformed into energy, “qi.” It’s then absorbed into the spine and turned into “shen,” or spiritual power. Ejaculation via masturbation is seen as weakening, and orgasms sans ejaculation are preferred.
Sam Hunt and Carrie Underwood his tight white T-shirt. The 31-yearold was head and shoulders (and arms!) above the rest.
6. A SINFUL ACT
Between 1743 and 1745, English physician Robert James published A Medicinal Dictionary, in which he labeled masturbation “productive of most deplorable and generally incurable disorders.” He, along with many others of the time, considered it a hideous sin with numerous consequences.
7. S&M DADDY
4. The only thing not moved by
that Lionel Richie musical tribute was his face.
French aristocrat and revolutionary the Marquis de Sade is often described as the fairy godfather of sadomasochism. Before being deemed insane and tossed into a mental institution for 30 years, the Justine and Philosophy in the Bedroom author allegedly masturbated into a chalice in front of a prostitute while antagonizing God. He was also known to masturbate with crucifixes.
8. CRAZY TALK
Throughout the 1990s, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Abd al-Aziz ibn Baz, rabidly campaigned against selfpleasure, arguing the act causes disruption of the digestive system, inflammation of the testicles, decreased intellect and even insanity. —Diego Wyatt
5. Robin Thicke and Pitbull gave us the sequel no one asked for: A Night at the Roxbury 2 Find more of what Johnny learned at JohnnyLopez.com
MARCH 2, 2016
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TRAVEL [10]
[4]
[3]
[9]
[5]
PACK IT
UP
[2]
The World’s 10 Best Boutique Hotels A dream itinerary, from some of the globe’s largest cities to places that are literally at the end of the world By Patrick Rosenquist
Whatever did we do without the Zolt Laptop Charger Plus? Well, we charged our laptops, smartphones and tablets separately, for starters. The world’s smallest, lightest and smartest charger ($99, gozolt.com) allows you to power up your laptop and two mobile devices simultaneously, which makes it perfect for a short trip up to San Francisco or an 11-hour jaunt across the Atlantic. Did we mention that it’s also stylish? (I mean, there’s something you wouldn’t say about most chargers.) So what are you waiting for? Ditch that rat’s nest of tangled wires currently taking up space in your carry-on bag. —Stephan Horbelt
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f you’re looking for a great hotel, you could do worse than James and Tamara Lohan. The London-based couple—reviewing hotels as Mr. and Mrs. Smith since 2003—have crafted guide books, websites and apps structured around their personal opinions of some of the world’s best inns. Their thorough and thoughtful approach has won over legions of jet-setters and even earned them an MBE from the British Crown. Needless to say, they know where to stay. Here they provide us with not only every vacationer’s dream itinerary but a diverse selection showing off some of the world’s most beautiful and exciting destinations.
Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur
“The hotel is located on the edge of a cliff, and the views are awe-inspiring,” says James. The Post [1] features cabins—Tamara lovingly refers to them as cozy, luxurious “hobbit holes”—sprinkled throughout a Redwood forest. James also raves about the restaurant, Sierra Mar, headed by Chef John Cox: “Their wine list is staggeringly amazing. They’ve got it all.” postranchinn.com
Ett Hem, Stockholm, Sweden
With décor that melds unique antiques and sophisticated modernity, Ett Hem [2] represents the best of Swedish style. “It’s like your artistic aunt or uncle renovated a private home,” says Tamara, noting that owner Elsa Crawford is always updating the design with recently uncovered pieces. “In a lot of ways, it feels like a friend’s home. They always have a chef on duty, and you can pop in and ask them to prepare whatever you’d like,” says James. etthem.se
Amangiri, Lake Powell, Utah
“This part of Utah has a moon-like quality,” says James, “And Amangiri [3] is luxurious. Taken together, it’s all sort of Bond villian-esque.” Tamara is quick to add that the hotel’s best feature is its spa, which is considered one of the best in the world. Spread out over an area of more than 25,000 square feet, it’s certainly one of the largest. “They have killer pools, right near cliff edges. The whole juxtaposition is really striking,” she says. aman.com MARCH 2, 2016
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TRAVEL
IN SEARCH OF THE
WORLD’S
BEST
Concert Venues [7]
[1]
[8]
[6]
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O2 ARENA LONDON, ENGLAND
Uxia Casa Hotel and Spa, Trancoso, Bahia, Brazil
Located in a small town on the coast, a great perk of Ixia [4] is its integration into the local community. “The hotel is near an extended communal space, with an ancient church at the end,” says James. “You see children playing football. It feels like you’re staying among the community.” Its quartz pool, made of 40,000 pieces of mineral, is a standout. “Like everything else at this hotel, it’s utterly unique,” says Tamara. uxia.com
Lime Wood, Hampshire, United Kingdom
An hour and a half outside London, Hampshire [5] has long been a getaway for the city’s dwellers. The Lime Wood is the couple’s favorite boutique hotel in Britain. “It’s so cozy. You just never want to leave,” says James. It sports a “small but complete” spa, featuring an indoor/outdoor Jacuzzi. Chef Angela Harnett helms the restaurant, H.H. and Co., featuring forest-inspired fare. “The food is absolutely sublime. If I could stay there every weekend, I would,” James says. limewoodhotel.co.uk
The Upper House, Hong Kong
“I think Hong Kong and New York are the only two places that live up to their reputation as crazy and hectic,” says James, and The Upper House [6] is a great respite from the insanity, “a little haven, with a strong feng shui element.” The Lohans rave about the concierge service, which they consider one of the world’s best. “We once arrived and Tamara quickly mentioned she does yoga to relax. They delivered a book on yoga along with a list of local classes. We didn’t even ask for it,” says James. upperhouse.com
Alila Villas Uluwatu, Bali
Located on the beach, Alila Villas Uluwatu [7] is one of the most striking hotels in the world. “Architecturally speaking,
there’s nothing sexier,” says James. Featuring what looks like a mid-century take on a bird’s nest, this gorgeous structure juts out over the water. Coupled with an infinity pool and dark wood notes throughout the property, it’s their favorite place in Bali. “You’ve never seen architecture like this,” he adds. alilahotels.com
Featuring concer ts , spor ts events and other theatrical and theological performances, the 20,000-capacity arena boasts ticket sales to the tune of 1.2 million annually. It’s the world’s busiest (and, arguably, most modern) venue in the world. theo2.co.uk
Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island, Australia
Located on the southern edge of the continent near the city of Adelaide, Kangaroo Island [8] is known for its otherworldly landscapes and easy-going charm. “It truly feels like the edge of the world,” says Tamara. The hotel itself has an upscale, sleek feel that plays up its unique location. “This place has a great sense of space; it’s a luxurious lodge,” she adds. “This is a hotel that belongs on a bucket list.” southernoceanlodge.com.au
Huka Lodge, New Zealand
On the northern part of New Zealand, James believes Huka Lodge [9] is one place perfectly capturing that Lord of the Rings feel. “I think that’s where they shot most of it, right?” (Yes, it is!) Owner and interior designer Virginia Fisher, who brings a sophisticated, welcoming feel to the space, ranks among their favorites. James adds that this part of New Zealand boasts some of the country’s best fishing spots, too. hukalodge.co.nz
Ham Yard Hotel, London, UK
Kit Kemp, who designed all of Ham Yard’s 91 rooms [10] , ranks among the couple’s favorites. “She’s the most innovative designer in the UK; her work is unbelievable,” says Tamara. An off-kilter mix of unexpected textures and bold, bright colors come through in every part of the hotel. “There’s a bowling alley and a movie theater, along with a lot of private spaces throughout,” James says. “There’s also a great rooftop terrace, which is really rare to see in London,” says James. firmdalehotels.com
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GREEK THEATRE
LOS ANGELES, CALIF.
The small-but-mighty Greek on the East Side’s secluded and starry Griffith Park has a storied SoCal history dating back to Hollywood’s Golden Age. Visit the Samuel Tilden Nortondesigned amphitheater, modeled after a Greek temple, to catch the likes of Iggy Pop, Alabama Shakes and the incomparable Bonnie Raitt. greektheatrela.com
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DALHALLA
5 TIPS FOR NO MORE JET LAG A LITTLE PLANNING GOES A LONG WAY in jet lag deterrence. Stay on schedule, without losing Zzzs, with these preventative tips: 1) Pack 24 hours in advance, and skip the going-away party. You’ll stress less the night before with travel essentials in order ahead of time, and no alcohol means you have a better chance of staying on-track sleep-wise. 2) Even though you’re excited to start your vacay, stick to your routine: Eat, exercise and sleep sufficiently to ward off the lag. 3) Adjust your schedule (just a bit) to accommodate the impending time change. Go to bed an hour early for a few days in advance of your trip if you’re going east, vice-versa if going west; same goes for your meal schedule. 4) Make yourself comfortable while traveling. Pack your own pillow and small blanket to help induce relaxation while en route. 5) Kick the caffeine. Coffee and soda can help you stay awake when needed, but you’ll crash (and wake you up more often once you fall asleep), which will further disrupt your peaceful transition. —Mikey Rox
RATTVIK, SWEDEN
Situated deep inside a limestone quarry surrounded by dense European forest, Dalhalla produces a compact schedule of events from June to September including operas, choral works, jazz and popular concerts. Just don’t expect to get up close and personal with its performers; stage and spectators are separated by a waterlogged moat for a truly unique (and decidedly medieval) experience. dalhalla. se/en —M.R.
GOOD TO GO
Right, from top: Corktown’s Slows BBQ; Aloft Detroit at the David Whitney; Rivera murals inside the Detroit Institute of the Arts
One of the world’s few truly private tropical islands, Thanda Island off mainland Tanzania will begin to welcome travelers in April. A “sister property” of South Africa’s private game reserve Thanda Safari, you can enjoy an expansive fivebedroom villa (with indoor aquarium), off the grid and solar-powered. thandaisland.com
Destination: Detroit
Ditch your preconceived notions of the Midwestern Motor City and take in the unpretentious vibe, delicious food and a first-rate art scene By Stephan Horbelt
W
hile it’s apparent to any visitor that Detroit has suffered years of neglect, the town’s soulful nature and spirit of invention continue to shine through. It’s a city of two faces: one shuttered and abandoned, the other young and lively, ready to offer new excitement. Both make it a city worthy of a closer look, so book your flight.
SATURDAY TOUCHDOWN AT DTW, 2 p.m. Upon landing at Detroit Metro Airport, take the shuttle to pick up a rental car for the weekend. Having your own wheels is preferable to dealing with the city’s public transportation. CHECK IN TO YOUR NEW HOME, 3 p.m. Located downtown in the historic David Whitney Building, Aloft Detroit ($$$$$) is the perfect place to call home while you’re visiting the city. Its chic accommodations with a downtown loft vibe are perfect for the young professional, and you’ll move around the area easily thanks to the connected above-ground “people mover.” Valet is a bonus, too.
SUNDAY AN AFTERNOON OF ART, Noon Start your day with some culture at the Detroit Institute of Arts, one of the country’s most significant collections and remarkable buildings. Peruse everything from 15th century suits of armor to contemporary pieces by Warhol. You’ll be here for a while, so plan to grab lunch at the on-site café. DINE LIKE A LOCAL, 7 p.m. You won’t find better eats in this part of the country than at Slows BBQ ($$$$$), located in the city’s Corktown district. Famous for its “Yardbird” sandwich—pulled chicken breast with muschrooms, cheddar and bacon—you won’t go wrong with anything from the menu, including a slew of local craft beers.
Starwood Hotels will debut its very first hotel in Tokyo this July. The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho will be located in the heart of the city’s Kioicho neighborhood, close to Shimizudani Park and Benkei Canal. The property is part of a larger development including retail, offices and residences. luxurycollection.com The legendary love nest of Hollywood stars Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, known as Puerto Vallarta’s Casa Kimberly, has been renovated and reimagined as nine glamorous suites, a pool, boutique spa, restaurant and bar. casakimberly.com —S.H.
COAST TO COAST
PLAY A LITTLE BLACKJACK, 9 p.m. Detroit’s one of the largest U.S. cities with casino resorts, so if you’re feeling lucky, stop by the MotorCity Casino Hotel for slot machines and a few rounds of roulette. Other gambling options include the MGM Grand and, across the Canada border, Caesar’s Windsor.
SUPPORT THE DETROIT ECONOMY, 4 p.m. Squeeze in some shopping at John Varvatos, only a block away. Last year the designer returned to his native land (joining brands like Shinola and Carhartt) with a classy menswear shop that is just as much a clubhouse for the city’s fashionable as it is a retail outlet. Spend time in the upstairs reading/vinyl lounge.
HOP AROUND THE BARS, 11 p.m. There isn’t a “gayborhood” per se in Detroit, which means you may rack up a hefty Uber bill bouncing around from bar to bar, but all the staples are here: Gold Coast for stiff drinks and sleazy strippers, Hayloft Saloon for dive bar drinks, Soho for a martini night.
DINNER & DRINKS, 7 p.m. Grab a bite, throw back some drinks (and some darts), bowl a few frames, workout your wrist on old-school arcade games and try to get good at shuffleboard—all at Punch Bowl Social ($$$$$), a downtown hipster spot with décor that’s part-industrial, part mountain lodge. Stop in whether you’re solo or accompanied by a rowdy group of buddies for a fun night.
MONDAY SUPPORT PUBLIC ART, 11 a.m. Before heading back to the West Coast, take a drive through the Heidelberg Project, an outdoor art project on the city’s East Side begun in 1986, where trash and discarded objects have been used to transform a rundown part of town into a colorful two blocks of outlandish art.
DE LA RENTA RETROSPECTIVE
March 12 Even before SF’s MOMA reopens in May, the de Young will stage this world premiere retrospective of designer Oscar de la Renta’s work, including more than 130 pieces produced over a five-decade career, all in collaboration with his family. Through May 30. deyoung.famsf.org
ALEX DA CORTE: FREE ROSES
March 26 DaCorte specializes in mash-ups of abstract and modern design, generally in the most colorful way possible (above). An heir to pop artists, North Adams’ Mass MOCA has this first museum survey of his, comprised of sculpture, video, paintings andimmersivepieces. massmoca.org
MANUS x MACHINA
May 5 The Costume Institute’s spring 2016 exhibition at New York ’s The Met, Fashion in an Age of Technology, explores the impact of new technology on fashion, and how designers are reconciling machines in the creation of haute couture. Through Aug. 14. metmuseum.org
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events
nightlife
■ Fri. | Feb. 19 NATURE CONNECTS: ART WITH LEGO BRICKS EXHIBIT South Coast Botanic Garden
■ Through March 6 THE MAGIC FLUTE Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
Mozart’s classic opera combines state-of-the-art film animation and live actors, taking you into an enchanted world where good faces the forces of darkness. laopera. org
Nearly 30 sculptures are created using close to 500,000 Lego bricks in this exhibit showcasing the wonders of the natural world. Through May 8. southcoastbotanicgardens.org
Electric Bearbarella Peaches Christ’s sci-fi drag parody marks a new direction for L.A.’s queer nightlife By Mike Ciriaco ■ Sat. | Feb. 20 IHEART80S PARTY The Forum
iHeartRadio throws this firstever party with performances from Culture Club, Billy Idol, Tears for Fears, Missing Persons, Rick Springfield, and Loverboy. There will also be collaborations and covers from today’s artists. livenation.com ■ Through March 20 THE MYSTERY OF LOVE & SEX Mark Taper Forum
■ Thu. | Feb. 18 COUNTDOWN TO ZOOTOPIA El Capitan Theatre
BEARBARELLA: JOSE GUZMAN COLON
Disney celebrates its animated films with a festival including Wreck-It Ralph, Frozen, Tangled and more. Each screening is preceded by discussions with the filmmakers and other surprises. Through March 4. elcapitantheatre.com ■ Fri. | Feb. 19 CURATORIAL WALKTHROUGH Architecture + Design Museum
Curator David Mayes takes design enthusiasts (and their glass of wine) on a guided tour of the museum’s current exhibit, Pushing the Press: The Typecraft Design Library. RSVP to reserve a space. aplusd.org
exhibits Lady Bear (left) and Peaches Christ
■ Thu. | Feb. 18 DRAG ANGELES Advocate & Gochis Galleries
A look at 20 years of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence in L.A., featuring photos, ephemera and video. Tonight’s opening reception includes a DJ and a blessing by the Sisters. On view through April 2. lalgbtcenter. org
theater
This story of four people whose lives are inextricably intertwined follows Charlotte and Jonny, college students who have been friends since they were 9 years old, and her parents, who take issue with their bond turning romantic. centertheatregroup. org ■ Sun. | Feb. 21 LEAP BEFORE YOU LOOK: BLACK MOUNTAIN COLLEGE 1933-1957 Hammer Museum
The first comprehensive exhibition in the States about the experimental liberal arts college where artists like Robert Rauschenberg, John Cage and Merce Cunningham studied and taught. Through May 15. hammer.ucla.edu
I
Belfast, Northern Ireland. Perhaps gay nightlife f you like Jane Fonda but wish she were a in L.A. will suffer negative consequences as a bit thicker, you’re in luck. On March 5, San result of this kind of low-brow silliness being Francisco drag empress Peaches Christ and inflicted upon their scene,” she jokes. queer nightlife power couple the Boulet BrothBut it’s exactly this level of scandal that ers team up to bring Bearbarella to Hollywood attracted the Boulet Brothers. Following two for a one-night-only performance. A parody of performances of Bearbarella (one at 7 p.m., Fonda’s cult sci-fi camp-fest Barbarella, Christ the other at 9), the duo will host their popular easily adapted the larger-than-life story of Beardo Weirdo party right there at Dragonfly, a female astronaut traversing the stars and and they’ve teamed up with the city’s two bigshtupping aliens into a stage comedy. gest hirsute party franchises, Bears in Space “It’s basically a movie that is drag. Like, and Bearracuda. Looking ahead, the Boulets this film is literally drag,” says Peaches are interested in cultivating even more alterChrist. “From the costumes to the sets to natives to gay L.A.’s predictable bar scene. the performances—all drag, all the time. It “Introducing and encouraging innovadoesn’t make sense, but that doesn’t matter tive queer culture within Los Angeles is high because … drag.” on our priority list right now,” says While the original film was obviDracmorda Boulet, “so bringing a ously the project’s primary influence, play about outer space drag queen Christ also credits Lady Bear, who bears to Hollywood seemed to fit portrays the titular heroine, as a BEARBARELLA the bill pretty well.” muse. Shortly after meeting her Dragonfly “It’s a high-camp, super-sexy in 2008, Christ took a chance March 5 space opera with a sex machine and recruited the then-dragpeacheschrist.com in it, so it’s perfect!” adds his conneophyte as the lead of her new sort, Swanthula. “Also, the fact that show. “She was new to the drag you can easily slip the word ‘bear’ into scene back then, and I thought her big the title makes it a parody director’s big talent was enough to carry a cult classic gay, hairy wet dream!” parody tribute to Barbarella,” she says. For the Boulets, events like this comedic Promising killer dolls, poppers, dildo sex avant-garde performance/party hybrid is and loads of Duran Duran, Bearbarella aims the ideal direction for the future of L.A.’s to be even more scandalous than its source queer nightlife. “Gay nightlife in L.A. is material, which is ambitious considering the changing,” says Dracmorda, “and there’s an film’s protagonist is almost boinked to death opportunity right now to roll up your sleeves with an Orgasmatron. In fact, this risqué and get involved and encourage a more crestage show put Peaches Christ in hot water ative, artistic, expressive scene—so that’s while touring abroad. what we’re doing. Let’s show new gays and “When the prestigious British Film queens the different things you can do with Institute brought us to do a UK tour of the show, nightlife and drag.” I was charged with blasphemy and lewdness in MARCH 2, 2016
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■ ■ ■ ■
Which Oscar Party is Best for You? ■ Sun. | Feb. 21 AIDS/LIFECYCLE BINGO FUNDRAISER Hamburger Mary’s WeHo
■ Sun. | Feb. 21 FACTORY OF THE SUN MOCA
It’s the U.S. premiere of Hito Steyerl’s landmark video installation, in which he looks at the unprecedented global flow of data and the prevalence of surveillance. Through Sept. 12. moca.org
For the third year, Team Lady and the Tramps hosts Legendary Drag Bingo with great prizes and raffles, with your $20 entrance fee going directly to AIDS/LifeCycle. hamburgermarys.com ■ Sun. | Feb. 21 CELEBRITY AUTOBIOGRAPHY Acme Comedy Theatre
FOR THE SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS STAR-FUCKER
Elton John’s AIDS Foundation Viewing Party raises money to fight HIV while guilting celebs into taking selfies with you. West Hollywood Park, 647 N. San Vicente Blvd., newyork.ejaf.org FOR SUGAR DADDIES AND TUXEDOED TWINKS
Let your rich boyfriend throw down for a table at APLA’s ‘The Envelope Please’ Viewing Party while you look adorable in your finest formal wear. The Abbey, 692 N. Robertson Blvd., WeHo, apla.org/oscars FOR THE BEER-LOVIN’ BEAR
This award winning show is a collection of celebrity memoirs, acted out live by some of entertainment’s funniest performers. This cast includes Florence Henderson, Laraine Newman and others. celebrityautobiograhpy.com
■ Wed. | Feb. 24 SPIN THE BOTTLE Bar Mattachine
Head to Silver Lake for the Faultline Sunday Beer Bust and watch the Oscars while enjoying a brew among your hairy brethren. 4216 Melrose Ave., faultlinebar.com
Every Wednesday night, Paul V spins records and Jackie Beat spins her big wheel of song parodies, performing them live—and you spin to lip-synch for your drink! facebook.com/barmattachine
FOR THE DOWNTOWN MISFIT
SNAP SHOTS ✱
Love Connie and Dennis Hensley host Connie’s Oscar Gold, a ‘viewing competition’ with a cash prize for the most correct award-winner picks. Precinct, 357 Broadway, DTLA, precinctdtla.com FOR THE KITSCHY QUEEN
Rip the red carpet to shreds with fishbowls of booze (and binge on burgers) at the Hamburger Mary’s Oscars Party. 8288 Santa Monica Blvd., WeHo, hamburgermarys.com
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SALAD SATURDAYS | BAR MATTACHINE Photos by Jeremy Lucido
PARTY BOYS: BRIAN TO
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THE ACADEMY AWARDS ARE RIGHT around the corner, and the annual celebration of cinematic excellence serves as a reminder that Gay L.A. is itself divided into various categories. Most likely you won’t be attending the actual ceremony at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday, Feb. 28, but you can still attend an Oscars viewing party that’s perfect for you.
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S N A P SHOTS ✱
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ROUGH SEX | EAGLE L.A. Photos by Dusti Cunningham
WEHO PARTY BOYS Hamburger Mary’s WeHo Feb. 20 wehopartyboys.com
PARTY WITH A PURPOSE West Hollywood’s new all-male revue promotes scantily clad men and an anti-meth message
PARTY BOYS: BRIAN TO
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hile there are a multitude of scantily clad dancers working the bar circuit of West Hollywood, few grind their pelvises to promote a socio-political purpose. The sole exception may be new ensemble The WeHo ParTy Boys, a new, all-male revue debuting Feb. 20 at Hamburger Mary’s that will take place every Saturday thereafter. In addition to raising eyebrows, these dancers are raising awareness of a drug epidemic that has long afflicted the queer community. “Originally, the idea for WeHo ParTy Boys evolved out of a dance number I produced titled ‘Don’t PnP with Tina,’” explains Jim Beatty, the group’s founder. Its unique spelling is intended to serve as a reminder of how abuse of Tina, a colloquialism for crystal methamphedamine, negatively affects LGBTs. “The song warns the gay community against crystal meth use in a ‘don’t do it’ fashion, what that Grandmaster Flash hit ‘White Lines’ did with cocaine use years ago.” Beatty’s reference to the funk song, warning against the dangers of cocaine and crack use, serves as a reminder that drug abuse has infested our culture for generations. “The same drugs have always been around, haunting the gay community. Crystal meth was referred to as ‘crank’ back in the day, and it was a cheap alternative for those who couldn’t afford cocaine. It was snorted like coke. Nowadays, it’s primarily smoked or ‘slammed,’” says Beatty, using the slang for injecting drugs intravenously. While drugs and queer culture have coexisted for decades, the HIV epidemic of the 1980s further complicated matters. “In the past, transmission of HIV wasn’t an issue, and lives weren’t being destroyed the way they are now by meth. We need to keep spreading the word about the dangers of meth, and PnP in particular. But to be effective, we have to keep doing it in new and creative ways, like The WeHo ParTy Boys.” Admittedly, a Magic Mike-esque male dance revue does make the topic of drug prevention more palatable for gay audiences. Instead of a D.A.R.E. class for adults, the guys entice patrons with hard, healthy muscles and charismatic charm. “The WeHo ParTy Boys represent the best of our fabulous city and the guys who patronize our local clubs,” says choreographer Michael Silas, promising, “These men were chosen not only for their talent and performance skills but also for their personalities and magnetic presence. We can’t take our eyes off of them, and neither will you!” —M.C. MARCH 2, 2016
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SUPER BOWL SUNDAY FUNDAY | THE ABBEY Photos by Rolling-Blackouts
■ Wed. | Feb. 24 CITY OF GOLD Hammer Museum
See the 2015 film capturing the process that won food critic Jonathan Gold a Pulitzer Prize. A Q&A with Gold follows the screening. hammer.ucla.edu ■ Wed. | Feb. 24 ARCHITECTS OF CHANGE UCLA’s Korn Auditorium
Hilarity for Charity founders Seth and Lauren Rogen sit down with Maria Shriver to discuss their advocacy for Alzheimer’s and caregivers, what they’ve learned about igniting young people to do good and how others can learn from their experience. shrivermedia.com ■ Wed. | Feb. 24 THE TOSCARS Renberg Theatre
Members of the local comedy circuit celebrate awards season with their own spin, making five-minute parody spoof movies with a budget of $250, each team competing to win the Golden Fist. This year’s campy celebration is hosted by Jai Rodriguez. thetoscars.com
■ Sat. | Feb. 27 RUSTY PIPES Precinct
Get your ‘80s mix at this dance party featuring tons of new wave tracks to get you on the dance floor, plus sexy go-gos to keep you there. With DJ Gregorio Davila. precinctdtla.com ■ Sat. | Feb. 27 SQURRRLS ON FILM Akbar
The San Francisco party returns to L.A. with an Oscars-themed party, featuring music by Suppositori Spelling, Mateo Segade and Ryan Jones. As always, cover is $4.99. akbarsilverlake.com ■ Mon. | Feb. 29 CITY NIGHT Border Grill
Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger host a throwback to the ‘80s restaurant experience with a prix-fixe selection from their former restaurant’s menu. Enjoy signature Thai, Indian, and Italian dishes. bordergrill. com
■ Thu. | Feb. 26 GOLDEN GIRLZ Cavern Club Theater
A re-enactment starring Jackie Beat, Sherry Vine, Drew Droege and Sam Pancake, it consists of wordfor-word interpretations of real scripts from the popular ‘80s sitcom. cavernclubtheater.com ■ Sat. | Feb. 27 CONSIDERING MATTHEW SHEPARD First Congregational Church
Grammy-winner Craig Hella Johnson uses the tragedy of Matthew Shepard as inspiration for this oratorio, an ensemble of 29 singers and eight instrumentalists. conspirare.org 32
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■ Through May 8 ROMEO AND JULIET A Noise Within
Dámaso Rodriguez directs this classic Shakespearean love story as part of the Spring 2016 season. Known as one of the most widely recognized love stories ever told, this tale of lovers crossed by society remains timeless. anoisewithin.org
EATINGOUT Moby’s PlantBased Provisions LE BAL Theatre at Ace Hotel March 4 lebalrevue.com
THE BELLES OF LE BAL L.A.’s most talented queens share their favorite drag performances
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ollowing the success of its debut last autumn, upscale drag revue Le Bal returns to the Theatre at Ace Hotel next month. Hosted by I Am Cait darling Candis Cayne (above), this exploration of variety entertainment showcases a diverse cross-section of talent. In honor of the triumphant remounting, the show’s drag stars share memories of their favorite performances. —M.C.
Detox
“Delta Work’s ‘God Warrior’ is probably my favorite current drag number to see, but Monica Munro’s ‘Hellraiser’ numer will forever be epic to me.” Delta Work
“De De Deville out of Kansas City. She did ‘The Hustle‘ by Van McCoy, an incredibly complicated lipsync and dance combo. It has to be witnessed live. I love her. Completely sublime.” Coco Peru
“I was still living in NYC and I went to the club La Escuelita when a queen from Puerto Rico was doing her number. She worked herself over to one end of the dance floor in her five-inch stiletto heels and then, all of sudden, during a dance break, she did back flips to the other end ... in five-inch stiletto heels! Lots of girls do the death-drop and other impressive splits nowadays, but I’d never seen a girl do full-on acrobatic back flips and then land perfectly and pick up the lipsynch in perfect time. Did I mention in five-inch stiletto heels?” Trixie Mattel
“I saw BenDeLaCreme perform Charlene’s 1982 hit ‘I’ve Never Been to Me,’ but she mixed in CD scratches and audio-skipping effects, so it was like watching a drag queen stumble through a performance using a flawed CD track. The number even included Ben telling the DJ to skip ahead and fast-forward through the CD scratches. The number ends with Ben saying, ‘Alright, we’re just going to skip this one. I’m so sorry, ladies and gentlemen.’” Raja
“Dina Martina in Provincetown doing the 12 days of Christmas brings me all the joy, any time of the year. She gives no fucks or fleeks. I love a queen with a rebellious spirit.”
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butter and berries and an avocado toast. os Angeles may be a hotbed of celebBut the dinner menu is the real draw. rity-owned restaurants, but singer/ Start with a seasonal salad, like the one with songwriter/DJ Moby’s Little Pine is a butternut squash, faro, walnuts, scallions different kind of beast—an ironic descriptor, and pomegranate; or the Mediterranean seeing as it’s a vegan bistro. one with arugula, kale, spigarello, red frill, The restaurant takes up residence next olives and tomato for an antioxidant boost. to Silver Lake staple Edendale Grill, though it Among the little plates, the fried caufeels a world apart. The front space is actuliflower with romesco aioli is simple but ally a small retail area with eclectic home tasty, and the fried broccoli arancini are accessories as well as gifts and keepsakes deep-fried deliciousness. For something a (think candles, books and soaps) made by bit more refined, the wild mushroom brusartists Moby has hand-selected. chetta with caramelized onion spread and The entire space is a long, white, dimly arugula makes a nice sharing option. lit dining room with windows running along Little Pine also has several pasta options, one wall. It feels sort of like a backyard shed some of which are gluten-free, including or a minimalistic RV meant to draw the eye the macaroni and cheese with housemade outside. It was designed by Tatum Kendrick “cheese” sauce, topped with toasted bread of Studio Hus with the idea of mountain crumbs. The roasted tomato agnolotti are lodge-meets-mid-century modern, though hand-rolled and topped with truffled “cream” in addition to plywood and concrete there and blistered cherry tomatoes. are Carrara marble counterT h o s e with h e a r tie r tops and tables. There’s also appetites can opt for the a heated patio out back if you cassoulet with baked seican brave the L.A. winter. tan, tomato confit and garlic Those with a big party can breadcrumbs, or the Italian book the booth framed with “sausage” with polenta fries, Moby’s own prints of snowalso with tomato confit. covered pine trees on Mt. For dessert, the s’mores Baldy as the wallpaper. ganache is a standout—rich The focus here is on and chocolaty with a graham organic, plant-based ingrecrust, pecans and toasted dients, though the menu Little Pine meringue—as is the PB&J reads more like that of 2870 Rowena Ave., L.A. sundae with peanut butterMediterranean restaurant. (323) 741-8148 littlepinerestaurant.com and-chocolate and strawberry That’s perhaps no surprise ice creams, brûléed bananas, since it comes courtesy of $$$$$ candied Rice Krispies and hot chef Kristyne Starling, forfudge sauce. merly of Aventine. Atmosphere There’s no liquor license, The restaurant is open Bohemian backyard but there are wines and beers from morning till midnight bungalow on hand. The wine list skews daily (thoug h break fast Standout Dishes French with plenty of offbeat seems to be on-hold for the Cauliflower, agnolotti options from lesser-known moment), so you’ll find the Drinks regions like Alsace and the soundtrack changes throughBeer, cider and wine Loire, while the beers and out the day (thanks to its Hours ciders range from white ale world-famous DJ owner) as 7:30 a.m. – midnight daily to black lager. There are also does the menu. On weekReservations myriad kombuchas, smoothies ends, brunch items include Recommended and teas for sipping throughcinnamon-walnut shortcake, out the day. —Eric Rosen French toast with maple
★★★★★
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Ellen Page and Ian Daniel
From Jamaica to Japan Ellen Page and bestie Ian Daniel traverse the world for new Vice series Gaycation By Stephan Horbelt
'SERIAL' RETURNS TO BALTIMORE THE SECOND SEASON OF investigative true-crime podcast Serial debuted last December, focusing on the case of Bowe Bergdahl, a U.S. army deserter who was held captive by the Taliban for five years before making it back to the United States in 2014. Recently, though, the show’s co-creater Sarah Koenig announced she would be returning to the case of Adnan Syed, the accused murderer whose story made the podcast’s first season such a smash success. Syed appeared at a post-conviction hearing in Baltimore this month that could get him a retrial, thanks to the podcast bringing new evidence to light in the form of alibi witness Asia McClain. Listen to Serial seasons 1 and 2 and the three-episode season 1 update for free at serialpodcast.org. —Drew Mackie
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here’s a line in the trailer by Angeline Jackson, who is an incredible activist and an incredibly inspiring person,” says actress Ellen Page, 28, referring to a promo reel for her series Gaycation, premiering March 2 on the brand-new cable network Viceland. “She says it’s about being able to live, not just exist. We met all these people who are working to make that possible—some of the most courageous, brave people you could ever meet. It was definitely an incredibly inspiring and humbling experience.” The concept of Gaycation is simple: to investigate and celebrate the current state of the queer experience, Page and her best friend Ian Daniel set off on a journey across the globe. The show’s first episode finds them in Japan, wandering the streets of Ni-chome, the city’s gay district, and hanging in a ‘drag bar’ complete with wardrobe rental, a safe space for Tokyo’s gender-nonconforming population. Later episodes pin the duo in (less-friendly for LGBTs) Brazil and Jamaica, with a layover in Iowa, where you may remember Page’s viral encounter with a GOP presidential candidate last August. Gaycation’s Jamaica episode is one that Daniel describes as “very emotional” and “tense on many levels,” nothing that when visiting the notoriously anti-gay island, many people didn’t want to expose themselves or put themselves on camera. “Most of their MARCH 2, 2016
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Clockwise, from top: An Act of God, SissyBoy, Broken Fences
On the Stage AN ACT OF GOD
*****
BROKEN FENCES
*****
The Road on Magnolia // Through April 3 // In its West Coast debut, Steven Simoncic’s 2013 portrait of urban gentrification, set in contemporary Chicago, offers intriguing ruminations on the human ramifications of the phenomenon. The tribulations faced by the characters have as much to do with basic tolerance and compassion as with economics and real estate. Director Andre Barron’s production is marked by a solid ensemble cast and an atmospheric production design (highlighted by John Iacovelli’s set and Derrick McDaniel’s lighting ). When a white couple (Coronado Romero and Mia Fraboni) settle into their new home, it has an immediate impact on the property value of the neighborhood, creating a crisis for the struggling African-American family next door (Bruce A. Lemon Jr. and Donna Simone Johnson). The aforementioned principal players are superb, as is the solid supporting cast. Simoncic’s script could use sharper focus at times, but overall, this production is deeply affecting. —Les Spindle
SISSYBOY NoHo Arts Center
*****
// Through March 5 // In the debut of his solo vehicle, multi-talented James Mellon gives a crash course on his remarkable life, blending fascinating anecdotes and irresistible musical sequences. His enthralling bio-musical charts the adventures of an insecure young boy from Philadelphia who initially grappled with sexual confusion and overcoming bullies. His career has included female impersonation, Broadway and touring shows (appearing alongside Ann Miller, Tommy Tune, Lucie Arnaz and others), plus writing, composing, producing and directing. He deliciously describes standing up to legendary Broadway director-choreographer Jerome Robbins in a West Side Story revival. In 2004, Mellon and his longtime husband, actor-singer-director Kevin Bailey (who helms this show), launched the NoHo Arts Center, producing original musicals and dramatic offerings. The story takes a surprisingly somber turn but ends on a note of resilience and joy. Though this piece could use fine-tuning, it’s an irresistible and refreshingly candid self-portrait that has the whiff of a major hit. —L.S. 36
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PHOTO CREDIT TK
Ahmanson Theatre // Through March 13 // This winter, God takes over actor Sean Hayes’ body in the Will and Grace vet’s (kinda sorta) one-man show An Act of God. Written by former The Daily Show with Jon Stewart head writer David Javerbaum, his snappy and shrewd comedy is peculiarly perceptive and hilariously funny. Simply told, God (Hayes)—dressed in robes—arrives on a blindingly white set, sits down on an oversized modern white couch and stays there for the entire show to answer audience questions. Not only that, he’s set to reveal to the people of Los Angeles his brand new Ten Commandments. An astute look at religion and how we sometimes illogically look at God’s teachings and existence, the play probably preaches to the choir since it lands firmly on the left. Even still, for those with a firm belief in an Almighty Creator, Javerbaum’s script—while a bit long, even at 90 minutes—offers a thought-provoking perspective buried in between wisecracks and sassiness. —Kevin Taft
ACT OF GOD: JIM COX; BROKEN FENCES: MICHELE YOUNG; SISSYBOY: RAY GARCIA
lives are really lived indoors,” he says. “They stay in their apartments, work indoors. They don’t really travel around on foot, and they take cabs everywhere.” If this series were your average travel show, difficult circumstances might produce a lackluster episode, but Gaycation examines real issues and attitudes. Daniel says, “That’s the episode where you see people trying really hard to overcome just being born.” Page herself made headlines back in 2014 when she slung open her closet door at a Las Vegas convention, giving a speech during which she proudly proclaimed, “I am tired of hiding, and I am tired of lying by omission.” Since coming out, Page says, “I feel like a completely different person, and I’m getting to explore things creatively that in the past I probably couldn’t have, you know? I’m more happy and inspired and grateful than I’ve ever been.” The luxury of being paid to traverse the world is hardly lost on Page, who refers to herself as “one of those lucky little people” who gets to travel, which she calls a “major privilege.” As for the spark that initially got her interested in making Gaycation, after traveling the world for various film roles, she wondered, how would those trips have been different if she’d been an openly gay tourist, girlfriend at her side? So after traveling to far parts of the world that few people are lucky enough to experience, what have the best friends learned? Is there a throughline that applies to LGBTs the world over? Anything that connects all of Gaycation us, from Japan to Jamaica? Ellen Page and “I think it’s that people in Ian Daniel set the face of adversity are suroff on a personal viving and persevering,” says journey to Daniel. “It’s different in each explore LGBTQ cultures around country, but that’s always the the world throughline. Like, there’s conflict here; there are people that Premieres are against who I am. How do March 2 on I navigate my world? How do Viceland vice.com I exist?” “Obviously there are going to be different stories everywhere you go, but things are changing in a lot of places,” says Page, citing last June’s U.S. Supreme Court decision as one major improvement in the overall queer experience. “And I have hope that things are going to continue to change—because of the extraordinary, truly brave people who fight for equality in these countries.” If nothing else, Gaycation is a perfect method for bringing those fearless individuals to the forefront, piping their stories and struggles into homes around the world via laptops, smartphones and televisions, educating the LGBT masses while hopefully changing the hearts and minds of those who tear us down.
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The Q&A: Alex Newell
Our favorite Glee vet drops his debut EP, Power, on Feb. 19 before heading out on tour with Adam Lambert
TV THAT'S FIT FOR A QUEEN NYC drag legend Sherry Vine has been working furiously for the past year, writing and fine-tuning “gaySVTVworld,” a veritable cornucopia of new and original queer content with different daily features. She’ll draw inspiration from a traditional TV model but present it all with a modern, digital-age spin as each show/ segment clocks in under seven minutes long. Pop in to catch comedy, music parodies, fashion education, short films, a telenovela and even some retro classics via Throwback Thursdays with Pickles, a look back at public access moments that offer a glimpse into ’90s New York’s gay downtown art and nightlife scene. Your daily dose of gaySVTVworld premiered Feb. 14 at YouTube.com/ MissSherryVine, so technically you’re already late. —Paul V. Vitagliano
A New Type of Mixtape
The only vinyl club of its kind, these curated creations will open your ears to new bands the old-fashioned way
Y
ou know how people talk up the beauty of vinyl, and then they show it to you and you’re like, Yeah, it’s a record. I’ve seen records before. It looks like a fucking record. Well, Vinyl Moon has taken that into consideration with its new mail-order subscription service. For only $30 each month (cheaper if you subscribe at vinylmoon.co), the service will deliver straight to your door one of the most stunning pieces of vinyl, lovingly crafted by some truly brilliant artists—but there’s more! There are actually tunes on it! Provided you have a turntable (and you should), each month you’ll be greeted by 10 new tracks, by artists you’ve probably never heard of. Why is that cool? Sure, you can get music for free on the internet, but this 10-track record is so carefully curated, sequenced and packaged that it’s an experience you quite literally can’t get anywhere else. Each has its own unique vibe and atmosphere, though this isn’t chill-out music. These are ’should-be hits’ in a parallel universe where everyone has good taste. Try one month if you’re skeptical, or commit to the whole year and save a few bucks. Either way, you’ll be glad you did. —Dominik Rothbard
DUA LIPA "LAST DANCE"
MAJID JORDAN "SOMETHING ABOUT YOU"
CHAIRLIFT "MOTH TO THE FLAME"
Be on the lookout for the hilariously saucy Hey Qween! web series starring Jonny McGovern and co-host Lady Red Couture, which just launched its fierce fourth season. Aside from loads of fab new guests, the half-hour show is getting nipped and tucked with a glitzy, sexy new set, the addition of Adam Joseph as band leader and a brand-new segment called “Drag Besties“ that kicks off with Detox and Vicky Vox. Featuring everyone from RuPaul to Candis Cayne to Alaska Thunderfuck having a kiki, Hey Qween! is truly the place for LGBT stars and underground legends to dish in a way they can’t on any other talk show. Catch the new season, facelift and all, at thestream.tv —P.V. FRONTIERSMEDIA.COM
A: Thanks! Right now we’re still fine-tuning what the live show will be. I know it’s gonna be fun, and I might be throwing in some cover songs everyone will be familiar with. Q: On your album you worked with music legends like Nile Rodgers and Diane Warren. What was it like collaborating with them? A: A dream come true! I started working with Diane first. She’s just such a kind person, and I got to sing and record right in her office. Then I recorded with Nile at his house in Connecticut. I’m thinking, this is just so crazy to be here! Q: If you had your way, who do you want sitting in the White House a year from now? A: Honestly? I see Beyoncé as our next president, and I'd vote for her in a heartbeat!
FOUR SINGLES PERFECT FOR YOUR CURRENT PLAYLIST
NOT YOUR DRAG MOTHER’S WEB SERIES
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Q: When did you realize you had such a big singing voice, and who inspired you? A: Around 11 or 12 is when I knew I could really sing, which is when I started performing in my church and doing musical theater. Back then I just wanted to be Beyoncé! But I always loved Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. Oh, and Aretha Franklin and Patti LaBelle. Always! Q: How did your family react to you coming out? A: I mean, I came out on national TV wearing a sandwich board that said ‘GAY!’ [Laughs], so it’s pretty amazing to see how super-proud and supportive everyone is. All of my family are making arrangements to come see me on my tour, which is exciting. Q: Speaking of your tour, congratulations on going out there with Adam Lambert!
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MARCH 2, 2016
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From left: Banks, Rampling, Vikander, Rylance, DiCaprio, Stallone, Redmayne, Larson
4 ACTORS OSCAR FORGOT
IDRIS ELBA
AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... Our take on who will (and who should) take home Academy gold come Feb. 28 By Mike McCrann
One of the year’s most gorgeous films sees its Blu-ray and DVD release on March 1. The Danish Girl was nominated for four Oscars this year, including Best Actor for Eddie Redmayne and Best Supporting Actress for Alicia Vikander. Inspired by the true story of trans pioneer Lili Elbe and her wife Gerda Wegener, it’s a truly touching story about the power of true love and courage.
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et again it’s a controversial year for Oscar, as the 2016 roster of acting nominees is all-white, despite more than a few critically acclaimed performances by black actors (see sidebar at right). Which of Hollywood's alabaster ingénues will get validated this year? For your consideration, here are our quick and dirty predictions of who will take home that gold bald guy—and, more importantly, who is being shut-out despite gracing us with a more deserving portrayal (besides, you know, every actor of color in the industry).
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Who will win? Alicia Vikander, brilliant in The Danish Girl and this year’s “it girl,” will nose out Rooney Mara—an actress seriously lacking in chops whose character in Carol was completely vapid—and take the award. Who should win? Since Elizabeth Banks didn’t score a nom for her work in the Beach Boys film Love & Mercy, Vikander deserves it, though she’s been dating Michael Fassbender for the past few months. After seeing him naked in Shame, does she really need another award this year? BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR Who will win? We think Sylvester Stallone will walk away with this award—not for his work in Creed so much as a career thank you. Good for him, even though he doesn’t deserve the Oscar. Who should win? No contest. Mark Rylance is totally superior for his work in Bridge of Spies. He’s already won the New York Film Critics award and other lesser ones. Any other year he would win hands down, but how is an aging Brit going to beat a Hollywood survivor?
THE BIG SCREEN OUT NOW
BEST ACTOR Who will win? Everyone has been going overboard about Leonardo de Caprio’s routine performance in The Revenant. He’s such a lock, he could just send for the gold. Yes, he’s been great in previous films, but The Revenant is routine at best. Who should win? Eddie Redmayne, making him one of the very few actors to win back-to-back Oscars. (Think Spencer Tracy, Tom Hanks and Jason Robards.) But despite being stupendous in the film—and his performance surpassing the other nominees—he won’t win. BEST ACTRESS Who will win? Brie Larson will win, because she’s good, she’s new, she’s young and most people don’t want to even see The Room due to its disturbing subject matter. Little Jacob Tremblay as her son is actually the film’s best part. Who should win? Charlotte Rampling won’t win for 45 Years because the film opened in late December and is playing in very limited release—and she shot herself in the foot with comments about the diversity boycott being “racism against whites.” Too bad, as she gives a great performance and would’ve been the sentimental fave. BEST PICTURE Who will win? It’s between The Revenant and The Big Short. The former doesn’t even deserve to be nominated—it’s over-long, over-violent, predictable and boring—while the latter is a last-minute critical darling with great performances and a wonderful script. Who should win? There wasn’t a better film with as much emotional resonance as Brooklyn, which took the immigrant story to an emotional level not equaled by any other of the year's nominees. (Though Spotlight and its stellar ensemble cast is a close runner-up.)
FEB. 19
FEB. 26
Forsaken
Eddie the Eagle
The Witch
Gods of Egypt
Deadpool
MARCH 4
How to Be Single
Knight of Cups
Where to Invade Next
London Has Fallen
Zoolander 2
Zootopia
We’ve had a crush of unhealthy proportions on Elba since first watching the hit BBC series Luther, and his portrayal of a fierce West African war lord in Beasts of No Nation had us riveted.
MICHAEL B. JORDAN
He was great in Creed and deserved a nomination. Luckily the NAACP saw his worth, bestowing him with its Entertainer of the Year award at the Image Awards on Feb. 5.
MYA TAYLOR
After signing with ICM Partners for acting projects last month, the good news is that we’ll be seeing more of this trans star of Tangerine. Could she give Laverne Cox a run for her money?
JASON MITCHELL
The only nomination N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton saw was for Best Original Screenplay (and two white guys received it), but Mitchell’s performance as Eazy-E helped make the film a critical and box office darling. —S.H.
SET YOUR
DVR 1. LOVE
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Judd Apatow, Paul Rust and Leslie Arfin promise an “unflinching and excruciatingly honest” look at modern romance on Netflix’s answer to Girls. Expect melodrama fueled by selfishness and, most likely, that scene everybody does where the guy jacks off in bed next to his girlfriend who is shopping on her iPhone. (Friday, Feb. 19, Netflix)
2. MUST-SEE TV
If the name James Burrows isn’t familiar, it should be. He just directed his 1,000th sitcom episode and is responsible for The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Taxi, Cheers, Friends, Frasier, Will & Grace, The Big Bang Theory and so many others. Many of these TV families will reunite for this all-star special. (Sunday, Feb. 21, 9 p.m., NBC)
3. GIRLS
3
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Lena Dunham’s Girls debuts its fifth and penultimate season with Hannah dating Plop from The Office and Marnie getting married to Desi. Hannah’s dad will try dating men, and Shoshanna moves to Japan, where they’ll love her hair. (Sunday, Feb. 21, 10 p.m., HBO)
4. FULLER HOUSE
This isn’t a drill! After what feels like years of pre-release publicity, the Full House remodel comes to us on the most modern of formats, Netflix. The gang’s all here, with the small exception of Michelle, but the show’s about DJ and Stephanie raising their children alongside Kimmy Mother-effing Gibbler! Can you tell we’re excited? (Friday, Feb. 26, Netflix)
5. MAVIS!
5
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TELEVISION LONG DIVISION
Indie Period Pieces
Racial Injustice
The Bear from The Revenant
Mani-cams
It’s always nice to watch a music documentary that doesn’t end in drugs, death or destitution, and this Mavis Staples doc is downright inspiring. Look out for a cameo from Bob Dylan, in which he recounts their near romance. (Monday, Feb. 29, 9 p.m., HBO)
6. THE REAL O’NEALS
The 88th Annual Academy Awards
ABC was slow in getting its controversial Dan Savage-produced sitcom on the air. The show introduces us to a close-knit Catholic family in Chicago, rocked when their 17-year-old son announces he’s gay. Martha Plimpton plays the mom, so add this one to your DVR. (Wednesday, March 2, 8:30-9:30 p.m., ABC) MARCH 2, 2016
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VACATION
CHIC Spring 2016 promises to be unseasonably stylish with a chance of contradictory staples
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY RYAN FORBES STYLING BY ART CONN Dressy but relaxed; modern with retro patterns, breezy fabrics and bold colors; Hamptons meets Hollywood. Frontiers wooed Gus Kenworthy off the wintery slopes to embody our articulated escapist vibe at West Hollywood’s Sunset Marquis, where, fittingly, celebrities can escape within the city of Los Angeles.
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Shirt by Mr. Turk. Pants by Bar III. Shoes by Kenneth Cole. Sunglasses by Barton Perreira. Bag by Hugo Boss. Hat by Raffaello Bettini, available at Bloomingdale’s Century City. 44
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Shirt and suit by Mr. Turk. Shoes by 1901. Belt by The Men’s Store at Bloomingdale’s. MARCH 2, 2016
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Shirt by PLAY by Comme des Garcons. Shorts by Mr. Turk. Shoes by Nike. Bracelet by Miansai. 46
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Shirt by Mr. Turk. Blazer by Moods of Norway. Pants by John Varvatos. Sunglasses by Barton Perreira.
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T-shirt by Reiss. Pants and jacket by Mr. Turk. Belt by The Men’s Store at Bloomingdale’s Century City.
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Swim trunks by Mr. Turk Grooming: Kyle Krieger Photo Assist: Kyle DiFulvio Wardrobe Assist: Mar’tee Brianne 1958 Austin-Healey 100/6 Courtesy of Bruce Adlhoch Produced by Ed Baker MARCH 2, 2016
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Out on the Slopes By Patrick Rosenquist 50
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RYAN FORBES
Gus Kenworthy—Olympian, new X Games medalist and the world’s top-ranked overall skier for five years running—is also a gay man. No big deal, right?
RYAN FORBES
fter earning a silver medal at the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014, Gus Kenworthy realized that being closeted was no longer an option. “I was getting questions like, ‘Who’s your celebrity crush?’ or, ‘What kind of girl are you into?’” he says. “At that point, I realized I wasn’t just dodging the issue. I felt like I was being dishonest.” As part of a trio of Americans who dominated the Slopestyle competition—a rarity for any Olympic event—Kenworthy became a media sensation. His affable charm and constant internet presence made him the breakout star of the Sochi games, but reconciling his fame with his private life became difficult. Something had to change. Kenworthy decided to step out of the closet. Coming out was a slow process for him. He began telling a few friends and family members, all of whom were supportive. Their reaction was a relief. He became more comfortable with himself, or, as he puts it, “I was more excited, honest and funnier—I was more like me.” Soon he realized he had to come out to the world at large. Action sports like freestyle skiing are notorious for their macho image, and being a closeted athlete can take its toll. “I was sick of introducing my boyfriend as merely a friend,” says Kenworthy, who wanted the world to know he was gay. “I came out to my friends and family for my own wellbeing. I came out publicly for the sport,” Kenworthy says. “When I was a kid, I didn’t have anyone to look up to. There were gay people I admired, and sports heroes I also liked, but no one blended those two worlds.” So, last October, Kenworthy announced his sexuality in a cover story for ESPN magazine. “I’ve gotten messages from all over the world,” he says. “It’s a relief. I finally feel free.” Kenworthy grew up in Telluride, a resort town world-famous for its slopes. “Everyone in my family got into skiing at the same time. I was just a baby, but my brothers were a little older,” he says. Living minutes from the nearest lift helped sparked the family’s newfound passion. “My mom had never skied before, and she was about 40 years old. She wanted to learn.” Kenworthy grew up competing against his older brothers, always looking for ways to hone his skills on his hometown run. By the time he was a teenager, Kenworthy was a promising skier. When he was 16, Kenworthy posted a video online of a particularly impressive slope run. “That was for a competition in Sweden, an invitational, but there were two open spots you could audition for. That was the first video I ever put on the internet,” he says. While he failed to land a spot in the competition, the video went viral, racking up hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube. Soon after, he was approached by a French company looking for fresh faces to sponsor. Before long, the future Olympian went pro. Since his debut, Kenworthy has stood out from the competition for his ability to pull off complex tricks. He’s also a bit of a throwback, emulating those who pioneered the sport by focusing on a number of different styles. While most freestyle skiers focus on one type of competition—say, slopestyle or half-pipe—he’s become proficient in three. “I never wanted to choose. I didn’t want to get pinned down,” he explains. “I also get two or three chances to medal every competition. I couldn’t do that if I just focused on one style.” Each style also offers a different thrill. “There’s a lot of creativity in slopestyle. Every course is unique. It’s a lot of fun. You have to figure out the run as you go,” he says. The half-pipe, another one of his specialties, is the most heart-pounding. “It’s fast, it’s scary and it feels dangerous. When you finish, though, you’re just so pumped. You can’t believe you’re done.” Big air, in which skiers strive for height and precision during a jump, lets him try out new tricks.
Aside from skiing, Kenworthy is best known for bringing attention to stray dogs at the Sochi Olympics—although he claims his ex-boyfriend, photographer Robin Macdonald, was the main force behind the viral feel-good story. “All my friends know I love animals. So my ex saw the strays while he was working the event as part of the media. He snapped a photo of some dogs and sent it to me. I asked him, ‘What can I do to help?’” Kenworthy tracked down the strays and, as he put it, “immediately fell in love” with the dogs. “I think I got too much credit. I didn’t do all that much to bring them to the U.S. Robin stayed for a month afterwards to help arrange the whole thing,” he says. In retrospect, Kenworthy’s domination of the Sochi Olympics highlights one of the biggest stories surrounding the games: Russia’s anti-gay laws became an inescapable issue during the competition. The inclusion of openly gay tennis player Billie Jean King in the American delegation to Sochi was seen as an overt rebuke of Russia’s homophobic fervor. Putin claimed gay players were welcomed but warmed them to stay away from children. To Kenworthy, the atmosphere was nerve-shattering, but it was something he’d become accustomed to dealing with. “I wasn’t out. My boyfriend and I weren’t able to hold hands or be affectionate anywhere, so at Sochi, it wasn’t entirely different. We weren’t being open or honest anyway,” he says. “I think, looking back, it’s one of the reasons we didn’t work out.” While traveling through Russia, the pressure to hide his sexuality became even more overwhelming. “I went to Moscow with Robin and another male friend, and we rented a hotel room with two beds. They wouldn’t book us, because that meant two of us had to share one. It was things like that—you get the idea that this was a really homophobic culture. I felt unsafe,” he says. “It was definitely a bummer.” Kenworthy’s coming out launched his long-awaited return to the sport. About a year ago, during a half-pipe run, an awkward landing fractured his femur. He had microsurgery to fix the broken bone, and after being out of commission for so long, he was excited to get back into the sport, especially since it’s competition season. Last month, Kenworthy took to the Aspen X Games for the first time since coming out. While he doesn’t want to overstate how much his openness affected his performance, he medaled for the first time at the competition, earning a silver in both slopestyle and SuperPipe runs. “It was one less thing to worry about, that’s for certain,” he says. “But I don’t think there’s much of a correlation.” During his numerous appearances at the X Games, Kenworthy has had difficulty with the televised aspect of the game: “Usually, right before you go on, a producer asks you if you have a girlfriend in the audience. They like to do shots of your family cheering you on. Each time I was on ESPN, I’d have to tell them, ‘No, I don’t have a girlfriend.’ It came up every year.” In previous competitions, the exclusion made him upset. “I thought I’d never see the day when they announced ‘Kenworthy’s boyfriend.’ I just didn’t even think it was possible. I had a boyfriend but, of course, no one knew that. I was too embarrassed to bring him up, which is kinda messed up,” he says. This year, ESPN broke ground when they televised Kenworthy’s boyfriend, actor Matthew Wiklas, cheering him on. “I wasn’t scared to introduce him. It was definitely a big weight off my chest,” he says. After medaling at the X Games, Kenworthy looks forward to the rest of the season. Last week, a drone video of his preparation for a Big Air competition in Boston ricocheted around the web, showing the star staring down the vertigo-inducing 140-foot slope. Later this winter, Kenworthy will head to Oslo in order to compete in the X Games Europe, hoping to top his bronze win at the 2013 competition. What Kenworthy is most excited about, though, is returning to Telluride for Gay Ski Week. “I’ve never been before, of course,” he says, “but I’m really excited.” This Olympian has nothing left to hide.
Heavy Medal After a hotly contested final, Kenworthy took home the silver medal in Men’s Ski SuperPipe at the X Games Aspen 2016 (Left) Gus wears denim by G-Star
MARCH 2, 2016
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Welcome Home By Stephan Horbelt
Want to shrug off your daily stresses without ever leaving town? Reinvigorate yourself with an L.A. staycation, a great reminder that you live in the best city in the world
THE DAYTRIP
If you’re like most gay Angelenos, you don’t spend your free time wandering the Sunset Strip, so here’s a chance to do just that. It’s a district rich in L.A. history, particularly for music-lovers. Must-see spots on a bar-hop of ‘how the other side drinks’ include the Rainbow Room, Eveleigh and The Church Key, where you can order up inventive cocktails and cart-delivered small bites.
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Sunset Marquis West Hollywood
One of the city’s most exclusive hideaways, discretion is key at this property, located just below the bustle of Sunset Boulevard. It’s a notorious hangout for rock ‘n’ roll icons, whom you just might see bellied up to Bar 1200 on a low-key night (and some of them actually live on-site). At once luxe and comfortable, expect all the amenities of a world-class property, with the added benefit of gorgeous, lush grounds that include two outdoor heated pools for lazy days spent in the sun. Music makers looking for the
ultimate staycation are in luck, too, as the hotel houses Nightbird, its very own recording studio with state-of-theart gear. Best of all, a staycation here means never leaving the property. Cavatina, one of the city’s most gorgeous patio spots—offering California cuisine by Executive Chef Jonathan Kim—serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner, while the Morrison Gallery—curated by celebrity photographer Timothy White—lets you squeeze in a little culture. 1200 Alta Loma Rd., (310) 657-1333, sunsetmarquis.com
The Hollywood Roosevelt
There’s not a star of the Golden Age who doesn’t have a history with this famed 88-year-old property, which after its major 2005 renovation became just as popular with young Hollywood as it had been with ghosts of the silver screen. Notable residents of the historiccultural monument include Clark Gable (who called The Tower home, perfect for some inspiring time away) and Marilyn Monroe (who stayed in The Cabanas, great for a weekend of partying), but what a shame they never got to enjoy the Hockney mural painted on the bottom of the Tropicana Pool in 1988, or 25 Degrees, the hotel’s 24-hour bar/restaurant that spearheaded our city’s bespoke burger craze. Once the sun goes down, staycationers can get lit with a Moscow Mule in Prohibition-themed The Spare Room, opt for a custom work of boozy art at the dimly lit Library Bar or imbibe underneath the palm trees of the Tropicana, the pool nightly covered with a translucent floor. 7000 Hollywood Blvd., (323) 856-1970, thehollywoodroosevelt.com
THE DAYTRIP
You normally wouldn’t be caught dead doing touristy things like comparing your hands to Jimmy Stewart’s giant paws in the Chinese Theatre forecourt, or strolling down the Walk of Fame while keeping track of your favorite TV stars, but this is staycation, so all bets are off. (Just bring your big black sunglasses.)
Beverly Hilton Beverly Hills
This host of the annual Golden Globe Awards (which are held in the hotel’s infamous International Ballroom) has long been synonymous with both the excitement of Hollywood and the luxe rep of Beverly Hills. A stay here guarantees you’ll be waited on hand and foot, sure, but also that you’ll leave as well-rested as if you’d traveled to a villa on the other side of the globe. Sip on a Mai Tai from Trader Vic’s while you peacock around the Aqua Star Pool, and at some point saunter into Circa 55 for the hotel’s famous Cobb salad and other ‘California cool’ cuisine. 9876 Wilshire Blvd., (310) 274-7777, beverlyhilton.com
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Hotel Covell Los Feliz
Offering apartment-style living in the heart of L.A.’s trendy East Side, Hotel Covell is the very definition of ‘boutique property.’ Only five rooms, each one is different in design and vibe, and each one represents a “chapter in the life” of fictive man George Covell, the creation of owner Dustin Lancaster and local designer Sally Breer. Book a stay in the Oklahoma Room (symbolizing the character’s upbringing) or the New York Room (the hotel’s smallest, where the make-believe writer would crank out manuscripts). At some point you’ll wander downstairs to one of the city’s most popular wine bars, Bar Covell, for a glass of red, knowing that your journey to crisp white sheets at night’s end consists of but a few stairs. 4626 Hollywood Blvd., (323) 660-4300, hotelcovell.com
Sofitel Mid-City
There’s no excuse not to shop up a storm during a staycation here, seeing as how the Beverly Center is mere steps from its high-end quarters. After power-shopping a new record onto your FitBit, it’s nice to lay your head on a high-thread-count set of sheets. 8555 Beverly Blvd., (310) 278-5444, sofitel-los-angeles.com
Hotel Wilshire Miracle Mile
A chic and contemporary property right in the middle of the city, don’t let its Wilshire Boulevard address fool you—this is a tranquil spot perfect for a chilledout staycation. Book a room on one of the higher floors for breathtaking views of Los Angeles, and move even higher up for dinner, where poolside restaurant The Roof on Wilshire— helmed by celebrity chef Eric Greenspan—serves up fun al fresco fare and creative cocktails. (You can cozy up to the rooftop firepit on chilly nights.) With sophisticated furnishings and expansive bathrooms, you’ll probably never want to head back home. 6317 Wilshire Blvd., (323) 852-6000, hotelwilshire.com
THE DAYTRIP
Only a short walk down Wilshire, LACMA is calling your name. Sure, you’re plenty familiar with Chris Burden’s Urban Light installation, but what about the museum’s newly opened Rain Room, the comprehensive Frank Gehry exhibit (leaving next month) and its survey of Islamic art?
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Los Angeles Athletic Club DTLA
Like a layered cake where every floor offers a different round of delights, the boutique hotel inside LAAC is for some reason still a secret to much of Los Angeles. Of the building’s 12 floors, five are devoted to its world-class gym (including what is surely the city’s most gorgeous pool and a seriously extravagant men’s locker room and spa), with the top three housing hotel rooms and nine themed suites (our favorite being the tartan-carpeted Country Club Suite). And let’s not forget the gorgeously appointed cocktail bar Invention and on-site bistro Famous Players. Altogether, LAAC offers up everything you need for a local staycation without ever having to step foot off the property. 431 W. 7th St., (213) 625-2211, laac.com
Mama Shelter Hollywood
How can you not love a hotel where the bedside Bible is accompanied by Keith Richards’ memoir? Only a neighborhood as vibrant as the heart of Hollywood could accommodate a boutique spot this lively (part of a hotel chain found throughout Europe), and it’s a vibe that carries through its 70 colorful rooms. The lobby, though, is where you’ll no doubt be drawn, perfect when you’re in search of a raucous bar (full of out-of-towners and Hollywood suits alike), a game of foosball or delicious eats at the on-site restaurant. (Don’t pass up its avocado hummus or the banana milkshake.) This one’s a staycation spot for young and reckless gays looking to live it up. 6500 Selma Ave., (323) 7856666, mamashelter.com
W Hollywood
Talk about a neighborhood that has come a long way. No longer a sketchy part of town, Hollywood offers some of the city’s best dining, drinking and entertainment—and luxe digs, too, as this W Hotel, conveniently placed above a metro stop, can attest. 6250 Hollywood Blvd., (323) 7981300, whollywoodhotel.com
The Ritz Carlton DTLA
Splurge on one of the city’s most luxurious staycation opps by booking a bird’s-eye view suite. It’s not a stay at The Ritz without time spent in the Club Lounge, where guests are offered light bites and cocktails throughout the day, though the rest of your time would be wisely spent around the hotel’s 26th floor rooftop pool. 900 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 743-8800, ritzcarlton.com
Hotel Normandie Koreatown
Here’s a place dripping with old-school charm. An L.A. landmark of 90 years, a recent multimillion-dollar renovation has kept the property true to its vintage 1920s design, restoring the lobby’s gorgeous terrazzo and the rooms’ hardwood floors and opening up decades-old skylights. Best of all, Fido can accompany you on your staycation here, though you’ll want to leave him to his own devices while you explore The Normandie Club, one of the area’s favorite new cocktail bars. 605 Normandie Ave., (213) 388-8138, hotelnormandiela.com
The Line Hotel Koreatown
This ultra-modern hotel is so much more than its concrete walls and floors. With two Roy Choi-run restaurants—poolside greenhouse Commissary and Korean street food celebration Pot—and the carefully curated boutique Poketo, The Line is perfect for the Angeleno craving a new take on his city. Each room, decked out in furnishings by designer Sean Knibb, has a floor-to-ceiling view of L.A., allowing you to ‘get away’ from the bustle but not completely. (Because why would you want to?) 3515 Wilshire Blvd., (213) 381-7411, thelinehotel.com
THE DAYTRIP
With the hotel mere steps away from the Metro Purple Line stop at Wilshire and Normandie, the entire city is your oyster. Trek Downtown for happy hour and a burger just as easily as you can wander around Koreatown for the neighborhood’s authentic cuisine, like at BCD Tofu House, basically the Korean version of Denny’s.
THE DAYTRIP
Take advantage of the hotel’s prime DTLA location by taking in a tour of what was once our city’s cultural hub. Whether your tastes run more contemporary (The Broad has quickly become the country’s most talked about museum) or more melodic (The Grammy Museum, located in the nearby L.A. Live complex, is currently exhibiting Sinatra: An American Icon and Legends of Motown: Celebrating the Supremes), there’s something for any art-lover.
MARCH 2, 2016
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THE WORLD OF BILLY MASTERS From left: River Viiperi, Aaron Schock, Chris Crocker, Aaron Carter, Will Wikle, Colby Keller
Leave Aaron Alone One singer is making tongues wag over some racy photos. Aaron Carter was recently featured in a series of photos with Chris Crocker. You remember Crocker; his 15 minutes of fame sprang from a viral video imploring people to “Leave Britney alone,” and that history led to canoodling with Carter. It all started when a scurrilous website claimed that if you ask Aaron Carter to sing his biggest hit “I Want Candy,” he’ll whine like a baby. Lots of people argued back and forth, then Crocker entered the fray. He made a video, in which he said, “Leave Aaron Carter alone right now! For real, though. I mean, you people are mad because he doesn’t want to sing, ‘I Want Candy’ from when he was a kid? That’s like people asking me to do ‘Leave Britney alone.’ Now, I would do Aaron.” As I always say, you’ve got to put it out into the Universe. Aaron tweeted, “@ChrisCrocker is my man crush.” The twosome seemed to be flirting online, and before you know it, they were face-to-face, posing for a number of suggestive shots. How suggestive? People are now claiming the two are lovers—something Crocker clearly isn’t discouraging. However, we’re told that Aaron’s people made Chris delete an Instagram video showing the guys on the brink of a kiss. But nothing is ever really deleted, as you will see on my site.
That said, Bray believes the school was wrong to dismiss him without severance pay and without letting people know the circumstances leading to the video going public. In fact, the school filed an ethics complaint with the licensing board against Bray—a complaint that was dismissed. There is also a gay hate crime angle to the story. Whoever hacked into his Dropbox account changed the name of the folder from Private to FagTeachBray. While hacking someone’s account is a felony, there’s no hate crimes law in Arkansas. For the time being, Bray has set up a GoFundMe account to pay his legal bills and help him get back on his feet, which I assume is a different position than in the video. You can help him out at GoFundMe.com/briancodybray.
debut. Yes, he’s doing porn. This somewhat surprised me—not because he isn’t hot enough, but because he’d always refused it as an option. “Never. I like to be in control,” he said, a statement all good bottoms say at one time or another. But Wikle was in control for this project, to be released by CockyBoys. He’s co-producing The Stillest Hour, which also features Colby Keller and Levi Karter. We’re told the film cost roughly five times the amount of a usual porn. In addition to the hardcore content, this flick also includes quite a bit of plot and dialogue. Judging solely from the trailer, the acting skills are questionable—to say the least—but the heat generated by them certainly sizzles. You can check out Wikle’s willie on my site.
Congressman to Titan Man? Aaron Schock has never been one to miss an opportunity to flaunt his fantastic physique. Perhaps he could cash in on his muscular paycheck and wipe out the debt he’s run up with the legal firm that helped him navigate the waters of his disgraceful Congressional exit. The gay porn company Titan Men is willing to pay Aaron’s legal bills up to $1 million if he will make a series of films for them. Perhaps Schock would be more comfortable if the studio allowed his “personal photographer” to work on the crew ... or, perhaps, act as co-star.
Hot for Teacher Proving that internet videos are never completely private, our next story is about an Arkansas teacher who was fired after a video of him having sex with another man was posted on his school’s website. Brian Cody Bray, 29 and openly gay, had his email hacked, giving access to his Dropbox password, where the video was held. Mistake number one: don’t put things like that anywhere online. Have we learned nothing from Paris Hilton? While I hate to see Bray fired, it bears noting that the school’s actions in this case are pretty similar to what has happened to countless women who have posed nude or done porn. Bray understands this. “Of course I had to be dismissed at the time, because I had lost any kind of authority with my students there.”
Wikle’s Willie If I’ve ever said anything (and Lord knows I’ve said it all), I’ve said that if there were a reality star I’d want to watch mid-coitus, it would be Will Wikle. Not being a Big Brother devotee, I was late to the Wikle party. But I jumped on board (as it were) in 2011 when he whipped himself into shape and re-emerged as a top (top?) NYC go-go boy (boy?) while still working as an ER nurse, which probably came in handy while clubgoers watched his heart-stopping gyrations. When asked about this career trajectory, he said, “To my Southern Baptist family back home, I tell them that God blessed me with a bountiful butt, and shaking it is my ministry.” Well, isn’t that special? Those of you not in the Tri-State Area will get to see Will’s ass (and the rest of him) in his upcoming porn
Ask Billy: Slicked-Up Spaniard Our brief “Ask Billy” queery comes from Jason in Virginia: “Have you heard anything about nude photos of River Viiperi?” First, I need to let my readers know who Viiperi is. He’s a 24-year-old Spanish model who dated Paris Hilton a couple of years ago. And you know what that means: he’s had his shots! Professionally, he seems to be featured whenever an ad requires a hot, nearly naked man. But the photos we’ve uncovered go beyond nearly ... he’s simply naked. Actually, he’s naked and aroused. And somewhat “slick.” These shots were clearly taken in Viiperi’s bathroom. If a photo is worth a thousand words, check out a few thousand more at my site.
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When we’re identifying penises by tile patterns, it’s definitely time to end yet another column. Before ending, I want to thank you for the birthday wishes. Sincerely, I appreciate them and never take them for granted—except, perhaps, when I’m having sex with reality stars. I do draw the line at internet sensations. And speaking of the Internet, check out BillyMasters. com, the site that never goes down (unlike its proprietor). If you have a question for me, send it along to Billy@BillyMasters.com, and I promise to get back to you before Chris Crocker makes a “Leave Billy alone” video. Until next time, remember, one man’s filth is another man’s bible.
PHOTO CREDIT TK
THIS WEEK IN NUDITY: HOT FOR TEACHER, LOOK WHO’S NEW TO GAY PORN
QUEERSAY
BY GOSSIP GAY
SOBBING ON SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD
B
ecause this column is anonymous, I will readily confess a horrific piece of information: I am a mere two months away from my 35th birthday! I thought turning 25 was bad enough because—as we all know—that is considered middle-aged in West Hollywood. But 35? That’s legitimately, scientifically, actually middle-aged—even in breeder world! Yes, folks, yours truly is nearly at the top of his proverbial hill! That said, I’ve been doing what every middle-aged gay in my situation does. I’ve purchased a (far too expensive) convertible roadster, have begun investing in Abercrombie tank tops and have added the “Daddy” demographic to my Scruff profile. Additionally—and perhaps most tragically—I have also begun going out to The Abbey on a regular basis, each and every Sunday evening , to indulge in $14 cosmos and leer at go-go boys who gyrate for dollars. While it’s been a good (and even sexually fruitful) time, I’ll readily admit that even in my Smirnoff-induced euphoria, I often hear the inner-critic on my shoulder, calling me a pathetic pasthis-prime has-been. But then I take a closer look, past the disco-lit fabulousness, and see what’s really going on: 25-year-old actor/model/dancer/writer-wannabes are just as lost, lonely and confused as I once was, making a slew of mistakes and simply trying to find their way in this wacky, tacky, queer world. It’s with that realization that I feel compelled to send a message to the sobbing twink I saw sitting on the curb outside of Pump. The one screaming at his (supposed) boyfriend who lay on the sidewalk in front of MotherLode, aggressively making out with “some random stranger whore … like you do every Sunday night!” Dear sobbing boy (and all the lost 20-somethings out there like you), please know that all this WeHo bullshit gets better with time. You may not believe me now, but trust me: Even when your eight-pack abs give way to a keg and your hairline recedes, life in our gay city gets a little less complicated with age. And sobbing on the curb in front of Pump is no longer an “every Sunday” thing. (It’s a bimonthly occurrence at most!)
A READER REPLY OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS, I’ve received over 100 emails from y’all, seeking my sexy advice or commenting on my cattiness. (Feel free to drop me a line any time at QueerSay@hotmail.com.) That said, I wanted to take a moment to respond to one Aaron A. of West Hollywood. AA writes, “Are you serious with the advice you’re giving or are you simply being funny? I hope you’re being sarcastic, because otherwise your advice is horrible and those who take you seriously are going to end up in some gutter on Santa Monica Boulevard!” My response: “Dear AA, Thank you for your concern. I make it quite clear when giving advice that I am a mess—a hot mess at that —both literally and metaphorically. I strongly suggest that anyone and everyone reading this column for advice should do the exact opposite of what I suggest. Because, yes, any twink who follows my words of anti-wisdom will find himself on the pole. XOXO, Gossip Gay. For more Gossip Gay, go to FrontiersMedia.com. Drop me your dirty little secrets at QueerSay@hotmail.com, and don’t worry, I never give up my deep throat! MARCH 2, 2016
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PALM SPRINGS
NO RUMOR REGRETTED
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Mid-Monica: Photographer Monica Orozoco Takes a Whack at Modernism Ted Casablanca Gallery Through March 14 tedcasablanca.com
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hat do gossip columnists do when they retire from the rumor mill? In the case of famed wordsmith Ted Casablanca, he opened an art gallery. The Ted Casablanca Gallery, located at 388 N. Palm Canyon Drive, debuted in mid-November and has already developed a reputation for being bold and daring. “It’s a natural circling back for me. My undergraduate degree was in art. I was an artist before I became a writer,” reports Bruce Bibby, who wrote his must-read bon mots column from 1992 to 2012, first for Premier magazine and then E! Online, under the pen name of “Ted Casablanca,” a name taken from a character in the 1967 camp classic Valley of the Dolls. “I went to Cal Arts for my undergraduate degree; my first degree was in sculpture,” he says. “Then I went to NYU and studied journalism and became a writer.” The idea of opening an art gallery came to Bibby while in Palm Springs writing a “disgustingly prurient” novel about Hollywood that will be published later this year. While he initially envisioned opening his gallery in Hollywood, he decided Palm Springs was the more “rebellious” choice since edgy galleries in L.A. are not unusual. He sold his Los Angeles home and became a full-time Palm Springs resident last spring. “There’s a certain Zen quality to the desert that I wasn’t always finding in L.A.,” reports the 55-year-old Texas native. He doesn’t miss the gossip game, feeling he chose the right time to leave since he was growing disturbed by the declining state of entertainment journalism. He’s quick to add that it was his choice to discontinue his “Awful Truth” column. “My contract was up, and they asked me to stay. I said no,” he says. The incorrect rumor that Bibby was fired from E! after inadvertently leaving the name of a blind item subject in his column is one he finds amusing. “What I enjoy about the rumor is that it’s a false rumor, which I think is a very fitting ending for a gossip blogger’s exit,” he says. “I couldn’t have written it better myself.” Bibby is disturbed, however, that reporters published those rumors without calling him for comment. “I would’ve had no problem with any reporter who ever called me, and not one person ever did,” he recalls. “Everyone just picked
up a rumor, but no one picked up the phone, not one person. I thought, ‘Boy, have I left at the right time.’” Bibby believes his Ted Casablanca Gallery will be a natural continuation of his gossip blog, just one using a different medium. “What I’m doing now is basically a visual blog,” he says. “It’s a community of voices, just as my blog was a community of outspokenness.” Don’t look for him to take his vengeance out on Tinseltown at his gallery. At least not yet. “There are other things worth addressing besides Hollywood,” he says. “I did them for 20 fucking years. I’ll get to them when I feel like it.” His current show is Mid-Monica: Photographer Monica Orozco Takes a Whack at Modernism, on display through March 14, featuring self-portraits by commercial photographer Monica Orozco. Shot at the mid-century modern Marrakesh County Club in Palm Desert, Orozco wears wigs and costumes in various glamorous poses to create amusing, thought-provoking and often head-scratching images. “It’s a fun way to give a contemporary twist to mid-century modernism,” says L.A. native Orozco, who cites subversive photographer David LaChapelle as an inspiration. “I just want to crack people up. I want them wondering what’s going on. I’m always about making the audience laugh.” The exhibit grew out of her “Photo-A-Day” online project where she posts daily selfies in various settings and poses. “The photos are based on an alter-ego of mine, ‘deMonica,’” Orozco says. “Everytime I’m shooting myself, I’m really shooting ‘deMonica.’ She’s fearless, she’s whacky, she’ll do anything.” “Monica is delightfully unleashed,” Bibby says. “She takes on not just modernism and that whole design movement, but Hollywood history as well. There are some very Hollywoodcentric figures that she portrays. It’s the perfect fit in that melding of art-meets-design-meets-Hollywood-meets-WTF. It’s very Cindy Sherman-esque.” Orozco’s show is worth driving to the desert to see, Bibby says. “It’s a lot like the way I wrote the column. It’s a fun show. You may not like all of it, but you will definitely see something you like.”
MIXNER: NIGEL BARKER
After making a name for himself as one of the world’s premier gossip columnists, Ted Casablanca takes on a new role—art gallery owner By James F. Mills
Sat. | Feb. 20 WHEN DIVAS WERE DIVAS Tolerance Education Center
A one-time-only musical theater production exploring the lives of African-American female stars like Billie Holliday, Sarah Vaughn and Josephine Baker in pre-civil rights America. toleranceeducationcenter.org Sat. | Feb. 20 EVERYBODY LOVES DORIS DAY Purple Room
Tribute show to the “Que Será” lady with chanteuse Kristi King singing Doris Day’s greatest hits. Through Feb. 21. purpleroompalmsprings.com Fri. | Feb. 26 BEATLES TRIBUTE Palm Springs Art Museum
Sun. | Feb. 28 OSCAR® VIEWING PARTY Trio Restaurant
In My Life is a musical tribute exploring both the lives and songs of the Fab Four. psmuseum.org
A dinner and viewing party for the 88th annual Academy Awards, with proceeds benefitting AIDS Assistance Program. triopalmsprings.com
Sat. | Feb 27 DESERT SOUNDS Ace Hotel and Swim Club
Wed. | March 2 THE VON TRAPPS McCallum Theater
An audio/video celebration of the sonic sounds of the high desert, starting at 8 p.m. Free. acehotel.com
The grandchildren of Maria and Georg von Trapp of Sound of Music fame perform at 8 p.m. mccallumtheatre.com
MIXNER: NIGEL BARKER
MIXNER SPEAKS AUTHOR AND GAY RIGHTS ADVOCATE David Mixner offers a firstperson account of the history of the LGBT civil rights movement in a talk at a private home on Thursday, Feb. 25. Mixner’s talk is a fundraiser for the Point Foundation which grants college scholarships to LGBT students. “David did a one-man show, “Oh Hell No,” in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco last year talking about his experiences,” explains Eugene Patron, the Point Foundation’s communication and marketing director. “His talk in Palm Springs will be based on that show, but more intimate and informal. People can chat with him and ask questions.” Point Foundation alumni will also be on hand to discuss the scholarship program. “People should come out to support these young people,” says Patron. “They are future leaders of our community and committed to giving back to our community.” Founded in 2001, the Point Foundation gave 85 scholarships for the 2015-16 academic year and has received 2,200 applications for the 2016-17 academic year. pointfoundation.org —J.F.M.
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YOUR ACADEMY AWARDS SCORE SHEET On Feb. 28, which films and actors will take home the year’s big prizes? Will Mad Max: Fury Road surprise us all by driving off with the Best Picture trophy? Will it finally be Leo’s year?
The Big Short Bridge of Spies Brooklyn Mad Max: Fury Road
DIRECTING The Martian The Revenant Room Spotlight
ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE Bryan Cranston, Trumbo Matt Damon, The Martian Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE Cate Blanchett, Carol Brie Larson, Room Jennifer Lawrence, Joy Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Christian Bale, The Big Short Tom Hardy, The Revenant Mark Ruffalo, Spotlight Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies Sylvester Stallone, Creed ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight Rooney Mara, Carol Rachel McAdams, Spotlight Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs ANIMATED FEATURE FILM Anomalisa Boy and the World Inside Out Shaun the Sheep Movie When Marnie Was There CINEMATOGRAPHY Carol The Hateful Eight Mad Max: Fury Road The Revenant Sicario COSTUME DESIGN Carol Cinderella The Danish Girl Mad Max: Fury Road The Revenant
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Adam McKay, The Big Short George Miller, Mad Max: Fury Road Alejandro G. Iñárritu, The Revenant Lenny Abrahamson, Room Tom McCarthy, Spotlight DOCUMENTARY (FEATURE) Amy Cartel Land The Look of Silence What Happened, Miss Simone? Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom DOCUMENTARY (SHORT SUBJECT) Body Team 12 Chau, beyond the Lines Claude Lanzmann: Spectres of the Shoah A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness Last Day of Freedom FILM EDITING The Big Short Mad Max: Fury Road The Revenant Spotlight Star Wars: The Force Awakens FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM Embrace of the Serpent Mustang Son of Saul Theeb A War MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE) Bridge of Spies Carol The Hateful Eight Sicario Star Wars: The Force Awakens MUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG) “Earned It,” Fifty Shades of Grey “Manta Ray,” Racing Extinction “Simple Song #3,” Youth “Til It Happens To You,” The Hunting Ground “Writing’s on the Wall,” Spectre MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING Mad Max: Fury Road The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared The Revenant
PRODUCTION DESIGN Bridge of Spies The Danish Girl Mad Max: Fury Road The Martian The Revenant SHORT FILM (ANIMATED) Bear Story Prologue Sanjay’s Super Team We Can’t Live without Cosmos World of Tomorrow SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION) Ave Maria Day One Everything Will Be Okay (Alles Wird Gut) Shok Stutterer SOUND EDITING Mad Max: Fury Road The Martian The Revenant Sicario Star Wars: The Force Awakens SOUND MIXING Star Wars: The Force Awakens Mad Max: Fury Road The Martian The Revenant Bridge of Spies VISUAL EFFECTS Ex Machina Mad Max: Fury Road The Martian The Revenant Star Wars: The Force Awakens WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY) The Big Short Brooklyn Carol The Martian Room WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY) Bridge of Spies Ex Machina Inside Out Spotlight Straight Outta Compton
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