GayCalgary Magazine - November 2003 by GayCalgary Magazine

November 2003 issue 1

FREE

of charge

SPECTACULAR FIRST ISSUE! CALGARY ROYALTY

ISCAA’s King and Queen speak out

DETOUR

Appealing to all aspects of the Calgary community

http://www.gaycalgary.com

gaycalgary.com magazine

8 Publisher Steve Polyak Editor M. Zelda

Graphic Design Deviant Designs Advertising Steve Polyak and Mark Gabruch sales@gaycalgary.com Contributors Rob Diaz Marino, Mark Gabruch, Nina Tron, DJ Krazay Steve, Stephen Lock, Greg Nemeth, Linda Griffioen, M. Zelda, and the Gay and Lesbian Community of Calgary Photographers Steve Polyak Please forward all inquiries to: Gay Calgary.com Magazine Suite 403, 215 14th Avenue S.W. Calgary, Alberta T2R 0M2

Table of Contents 4

Letter from the Publisher

Just ask Nina

EGALE Canada - The Calgary Connection

Urban and Sexy

Phone (403) 543-6970 or (877) 543-6970 Fax (403) 703-0685 E-mail webmaster@gaycalgary.com Print Run Monthly, 12 times a year Deadline for Ad Bookings 21st of the month Deadline for Ad copy 24th of the month The opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of GayCalgary.com, MFM Communications or the contributors of the magazine.

Welcome to our first issue!

The Dish who dishes advise Defending the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people Calgary Women’s Chorus

8 Calgary Royalty

ISCAA’s King and Queen speak

People photographed or interviewed, writers, advertisers, contributors and anyone else involved with this publication are not necessarily gay, lesbian, bi, bi-curious or trans gendered. They can be straight people that are gay friendly.

Event Listings

No part of the publication may be reprinted without the expressed permission of the editor-in-chief.

Underwear so good - it’s outerwear

The Verge

Queer Eye - for the Calgary guy (or gal)

Mapping Calgary’s core

14 Detour

Appealing to all aspects of the Calgary community Priape hosts underwear fashion show & grand opening Unexpected, healthy delights Events that happened around Calgary

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Letter from the Publisher Welcome to our first issue! By Steven Polyak

Wow, our first issue! For those of you who are curious, this editorial will shed some light on what the heck GayCalgary.com is and where it came from. Back in 1992, way before the Internet chat rooms of today even existed, the Men for Men Bulletin Board System (MFM BBS) was created. Users would dial into this system using their computer’s modem in order to chat with local gay men. It was a solely text-based chat room, in addition to an events calendar and a picture download area. Eventually the system expanded to include access from the Internet, and we even placed computer terminals in a local gay bar for people to contact their friends! In 1998, we launched GayCalgary.com (http:// www.gaycalgary.com), porting the community events calendar, message areas, chat rooms and resource listings from the MFM BBS to the Internet. We began videotaping

On occasion, I’ve heard individuals complaining that nothing ever happens in Calgary, and personally, I know there’s nothing further from the truth! and photographing Drag shows and community events, resulting in an extensive photo gallery and video collection of over 300 Drag shows! Today we have GayCalgary.com Internet Terminals located at the majority of gay bars in Calgary, and also as a service, we create videotape ads that show upcoming community events… among other things (*wink*). So you can see we do a lot to support the gay community, and this magazine is just the next logical step as print tends to have its advantages over electronic information.

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As a company, GayCalgary.com receives no direct financial backing from any of the bars or organizations in the city. We exist from the support of the parent company, MFM Communications, revenue from the terminals, and most importantly from our valued customers who advertise on the website and in the magazine. This way we are not in any conflict of interest and can provide our product solutions and services to all gay establishments and non-profit groups. We have always strived to encompass the diversity in our community. This past year in particular, we’ve broadened our horizons, dealing with virtually all gay bars and community organizations in the city! On occasion, I’ve heard individuals complaining that nothing ever happens in Calgary, and personally, I know there’s nothing further from the truth! I hope this magazine will serve as a focal point to help people discover just how much our Gay Community has to offer. Take a chance and try visiting a different bar or restaurant, or go back to your old stompin’ ground to see what’s changed. You never know what you might be missing. Also, we encourage you to come out and support the various dances, Drag and Fashion shows, Theatre productions and other community events that are frequently occurring all over Calgary. Since this is our first issue, there’s a lot more to come. We will try our best to include articles from both gay and lesbian viewpoints. Expect to see a broader range of pictures from many events! We don’t want to exclude anyone, so if we’re missing a group, event, or business, please let us know or tell them about us. In addition, we would greatly appreciate your feedback – positive and negative. We are here solely for the Calgary Gay Community, and rather than just upholding the status quo, we believe that this magazine should always be moving toward improvement to better suit your expectations.

Just Ask Nina!

The Dish who dishes advise By Nina Tron Who is Nina? Is she some world-renowned psychiatrist? I think not. Perhaps she is a world-renowned Psychic? Yeah right, definitely not!!! Well we are sure she isn’t a professor at any local post secondary institute. Are we missing something? Well I can’t avoid the answer forever................ I am here to tell you all, I am a simple drag queen, hee hee. Okay, for real now, my name is Nina Tron and I am a big old drag Queen! In my 16 years of drag and being in the community, I have had my share of hard knocks and most certainly enjoyed the good times, and I mean some really good times. I come from Vancouver. Having lived in the beautiful city of Calgary for the last two years, I am very proud to call it home. Here’s what I can offer: a whole lot of opinions and a wee bit of insight that may benefit you with your problems or issues that may be plaguing your life. When you ask Nina, you’re always guaranteed a 100% honest answer. I am not going be able to provide the answer to world peace, but maybe offer you a different perspective, (i.e. world peace, to me, is free make-up for everyone, so the world would be so pretty that wars would become obsolete). Bring on those questions — you know the ones we are perhaps too embarrassed to ask our friends, or even the everyday mainstream ones. I am here for you, and I look forward to hearing from you all, I can be reached at: AskNina@gaycalgary.com or Mailed to Ask Nina c/o GayCalgary.com, Suite 403, 215 14th Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB T2R 0M2. Yours truly Nina Other than the question, all personal information (i.e. name, address, E-mail) will remain confidential. GayCalgary.com does reserve the right to alter questions for brevity and content.

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EGALE Canada - The Calgary Connection Defending the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people By Stephen Lock

Egale Canada, formerly known as Equality for Gays and Lesbians Everywhere, is the national equality rights, advocacy and lobby group for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans communities in Canada. While Egale is based in Ottawa, it very much has a national focus. The Board is made up of Directors who represent their respective regions: one male representative and one female representative (with trans people holding the seat as the gender with which they identify). The regions are: BC/Yukon, Prairies/NWT/Nunavut (which includes Manitoba), Ontario, The National Capital Region (Ottawa/Hull), Quebec, and Atlantic Canada. I am the male Regional Director for the Prairie/NWT/Nunavut Region along with Karen Busby of Winnipeg as the female Regional Director. Egale Canada involves itself with issues affecting the gay/lesbian/bi/trans communities that have a federal or national slant to them. However, Egale has also involved itself in provincial issues such as Sex Reassignment Surgery deregulation in Ontario because such cases potentially have a national impact.

The raids against the Toronto bathhouses resulted in 3 days of riots and demonstrations and are credited with launching the Canadian gay rights movement. Egale is currently heavily involved in the equal marriage issue and has spoken out strongly in favour of same-sex marriage. In fact, Egale was one of the principle groups behind the support for equal marriage movement in Canada. As such, Egale is very much interested, and involved, in the Alberta Human Rights case regarding the denial of a marriage license to Keith Purdy and Rick Kennedy and to Robert Lawrence and Ron Siegmund. The organization has also taken a strong interest in the Goliath’s Sauna case. This involved a raid against Goliath’s Sauna-tel by the Calgary Police Service last December. This was the first such raid against a gay men’s steambath/bathhouse since the infamous series of raids in Toronto, Montreal and Edmonton (1979-1981). The raids against the Toronto bathhouses resulted in 3 days of riots and demonstrations and are credited with launching the Canadian gay rights movement.

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Egale has spoken out strongly against what it sees as targeting gay space and is arguing the police had no cause to raid what was, essentially, private space. The case goes to trial on November 17. Of the thirteen men charged as found-ins without lawful excuse in a common bawdy house, only one has chosen to fight the charges. The other twelve, for a variety of reasons, chose to opt for Alternative Measures. The owners, management and staff of Goliath’s were charged as keepers of a common bawdy house. The argument being used by Egale, and by defence in this case, is that the section of the Criminal Code under which the men charged as found-ins and the staff of the Goliath’s were charged deals with indecency and that what was alleged to be occurring at Goliath’s was not indecent (indecency, by the way, is not defined in Criminal Code – what constitutes indecency is left to the discretion of the investigating officers). The sections that deal with ‘common bawdy houses’ are divided into two sections: One section deals with “any place resorted to for the purposes of prostitution” (which is not at issue here at all) and the other deals with “any place resorted to for the purposes of committing acts of indecency.” Egale is the only national voice speaking out, and defending, the equality rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, trans people (both transgendered and transsexual) and our families. For more information on Egale log on to www.egale.ca or contact me as the Regional Director for the Prairie/NWT/Nunavut Region at stephenlock@egale.ca

Urban and Sexy Calgary Women’s Chorus By Linda Griffioen

Arts in the Calgary GLBT community continue to flourish with the addition of the Calgary Women’s Chorus (CWC) to its ranks. Although less than 6 months into development, the CWC wowed the crowd in June of 2003 when they performed alongside the Men’s Chorus at the Rozsa Centre. Under the Musical Direction of Robb Hogan, the CWC begins its first full year of rehearsals and concerts at the Old Y Community Centre.

Anyone of any gender in the community can support the chorus as a general member while choral members are encouraged to participate as singers and songwriters. Our image is urban and sexy (this isn’t the church choir!).

(e) to provide a safe and secure environment for women to develop a sense of community and personal enrichment through choral music Above all, our desire is to encourage people to meet and socialize in an environment that’s fun and entertaining! The Calgary Women’s Chorus posts rehearsals, concerts and events on its website www.calgarywomenschorus.org. Contact us anytime at: #400, 604 - 1st Street SW • Calgary, AB T2P 1M7 • 8605455 president@calgarywomenschorus.org www.calgarywomenschorus.org

It’s a difficult, yet exciting time for a new Arts group within the community, as arts funding continues to dry up and the demand for alternative activities within the women’s community rises. The CWC was formed with the intent of giving women the opportunity to participate in the arts via choral membership (singers) or as general members (supporters who could administer the group needs via volunteer and board positions). Anyone of any gender in the community can support the chorus as a general member while choral members are encouraged to participate as singers and songwriters. Our image is urban and sexy (this isn’t the church choir!). The CWC is always looking for new members, volunteers, accompanists and singers who would like to participate in the arts. The society objectives are: (a) to establish and operate a women’s musical chorus in the Calgary area (b) to promote performance of women’s choral music (c) to commission original musical scores for women’s choral groups (d) to establish community-based musical education programs and activities designed to build a positive self image amongst lesbian and gay men through the development of an appreciation for choral music

gaycalgary.com magazine

CALGARY ISCCA’s King and Queen speak out

By Steven Polyak

Most people don’t realize how hard some of the non-profit groups in the gay community work at fund raising. The Imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch (ISCCA) is one such group. These people work very hard to raise money for different non-profit groups in the city. They sacrifice their time and personal lives when elected, to help serve the gay community of Calgary. It becomes a second full time job. They do all this without pay and with the expenses of dressing up, make up, and other costs associated with doing this fine work. GayCalgary.com has always supported the ISCCA and other organizations by promoting their events by videotaping and photographing them since the year 2000. We are pleased to have Empress 27 Bianca La Bouche and Emperor 27 Marty Mojo Stevens as our first issue’s cover story.

The Emperor and Empress are basically elected by the people of Calgary to be good will ambassadors and representatives. The people speak and we get elected. 8

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ROYALTY What is the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch (ISCCA), and what does it do for the Gay Community in Calgary? Bianca: The ISCCA is a non-profit organization, now in its 28th year, which helps the Calgary community raise funds for non-profit organizations. Every year the charities change — Marty and I have chosen the Children’s Wish Foundation, the Women’s Shelter and Beswick House. Why are there Emperor and Empress positions, and do you get paid for them? Bianca: No we don’t get paid for these positions. Marty: All outfits, all dresses, all wigs and all make up come out of our own pocket. How did you get the positions that you have today?

How has the ISCCA changed since you have been elected? Marty: We have brought in some new blood. We’ve both been acting ISCCA members throughout the years but never held a higher title in the court system. We were both elected for some new blood in the system and in the community. Bianca: ISCCA make it very well known that this is what they have done in the past for Calgary, and this is what they want changed. It’s definitely for the best. People in the community have said that the drag shows lack in quality and some of the members do not look attractive. How would you respond to those people who are critical of your events? Bianca: We are all pigs with wigs sometimes. Some shows suck, but you know I suck too sometimes. Even when you see shows on Broadway or something, it might not be the best performance, even if it’s a long running show.

Bianca: The Emperor and Empress are basically elected by the people of Calgary to be good will ambassadors and representatives. The people speak, and we get elected. Approximately how much money is raised per year, and where does it go? Marty: It varies per year and depends on the goals of the individuals that reign. The money then goes to the charities that they choose.

Bianca performing a number at Detour on the Arena stage.

You know there are different parts to being a drag queen — you can be a female impersonator, a female illusionist, or a drag queen. And there are different expectations with each. For example, if you are a female impersonator, then there is a lot more pressure on you because people have booked

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you in to make their bar money. If you are a drag queen, you can just decide to throw on a dress and a wig and go out there, and some of the people are comfortable doing that. Ultimately, when you look yourself in the mirror you need to say ‘ok, lets impress these people.’ Marty: Another issue in the gay community is that people come to drag shows to see drag queens. So as a male performer, it’s harder to stand up there and get the same kind of recognition and applause unless you have something really outstanding — like my good looks…. Bianca: And character. Characters are a huge thing in this city — people like their characters. Like Marty said, if you are a guy performer, then you have to come out looking like Elton John or Ricky Martin. This is a second full time job. I mean, look at what you have to do — you have to be out at almost every function. Sometimes Marty and I end up doing three functions in a night. Just recently, for example, we did a Pool Tournament for the Rekroom, and then we did an art gallery for the GLCSA and afterwards went to the ARGRA dance. So it’s a full time job. You work 8 hours during the day, then you go home and either get dressed into character or get into drag, put on your regalia and then go out there and show your community that they were right in electing you. What are some of the major events that are up and coming for the group? Marty: We are trying to do a joint trip with Edmonton, our sister city… Bianca: Edmonton and Calgary are so close together that they can help each other raise money for the exact same charities. The court in Edmonton is the Wild Rose Court, around for 28 years, and with their help we’re planning on some fabulous events out there, as well as back here in Calgary. We are also the half Emperor and Empress of Winnipeg Manitoba, my hometown. We are going there to raise funds for their court, and they will be coming back here to raise some funds for us. We have a great fund-raiser happening April 17 for a full week. It’s called Super Ball and Coronation 28. That’s when they elect the new Emperor and Empress. Super Ball Fever starts a week before the Ball, and you get to meet some incredible people in town. Some of the best female and male impersonators from the USA and Canada come. It’s going to be a good time. We also have a Midnight Café Reunion coming up too. It is going to be fabulous.

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How long have both of you been part of the Community, and what have you done in the past to help it? Bianca: I moved here five years ago from Vancouver, and with the help of Dean Burton, I became involved with the court. I believe that the court is doing an incredible job in raising money for charities. This city does care and I love living here. Marty: I came out in 1992 with the help of Paul Billo that used to work in the Rekroom. He brought me down to Boyztown. From there I worked at Boyztown on many occasions and met a lot of people that were involved with the Mr and Ms Gay Society. I was elected as Mr GayCalgary 16 and worked for the community. We raised great funds for the local charities we picked that year. I took a year off from the court, and from the Mr and Ms Gay Society, and afterwards jumped right back in, full force. What is it with all the crowns and royalty images that the ISCCA uses? Bianca: You mean those crowns, and those head pins, and all those big rocks and jewelry; well every queen likes to wear beautiful jewelry. Our crowns are given when you

buy some makeup or money to buy a new cowboy hat.” It is totally not true at all. We pay for everything out of our own pockets. People have to realize that if you’re signing up for something like this for a year, regardless of title, it means that you are devoting a year of your life. That means you might not have a lover, you might not even have a pot to piss in, but at least you are out there. You are supporting your community the best you can. You are doing mounds of good, so leave the scandal aside and just enjoy yourself and have a good time. What is in store for the ISCCA in the future? Bianca: The future looks great. Many years from now this organization will still be around. Marty: We are not going anywhere. There is new blood coming out of the wood works here.

are elected Emperor and Empress. It shows your level of royalty. You guys did not pay for this, we paid for this, and we are here representing our community in the best regalia we have. This is why we wear these — to show we are the representatives of your city. Members of the ISCCA travel all over North America. Why do they do this? Bianca: There are rules and regulations in every non-profit organization Marty and Bianca in their best wear. that you work with. With ours, ISCCA rules and regulations state that you are to travel. It’s great too — Marty went down to Austin, Texas and represented the court incredibly well. He has most of the States coming down and that is what it’s all about. You help fund raise their charitable organizations and they will in turn help fund raise for your organization. We have been to a total of 10 Coronations already, and are expecting at least 250 people from out of town at our Coronation because of how well known we are. All the money that we raise goes to charity. You hear some people that say, “She is raising money tonight to

What is the most positive change you have noticed in Calgary’s Gay community over the past couple years? Bianca: The people — the individuals that go out and support these organizations, support our causes, and still believe in it after 28 years. In what direction do you see Calgary’s Gay community heading? Marty: Right now it’s getting more main stream — there are billboards and magazines that are showing more the gay side of our community, people are coming out more, showing their interests, but it’s going to take time. You need more involvement with individuals that know about the community or the ISCCA. Bianca: We are a city of oil and gas, and we’re a very conservative city. You got to give the people what they want, and they will be happy. Check the GayCalgary.com website for video footage and additional photographs of Marty Mojo Stevens and Bianca La Bouche and other members of the ISCCA.

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Events Listing

Find out what’s happening around Calgary

Accommodations

Businesses

Home repair and painting.

(12) Foxwood B&B 1725 - 12 St SW • (403) 244-6693 http://www.thefoxwood.com

(14) B&D Emporium Inc. 426 - 8 Ave SE • (403) 265-7789 http://www.bndemporium.com Mon-Sat 10:30am-6pm; Sun 12- 5pm Adult clothing store and accessories specializing in fetish, leather, latex, gothic, punk, and corsets.

MFM Communications (403) 543-6970 http://www.mfmcommunications.com Website hosting and development. Computer Hardware and Software.

(13) Westways Guest House 216 - 25 Ave SW • (403) 229-1758 http://www.gaywestways.com

Bathhouse and Sauna’s (6) Goliath’s & the Texas Lounge 308 - 17 Ave SW • (403) 229-0911 Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day GayCalgary.com Terminal location*

(15) Blubox 1322A - 17 Ave SW • (403) 244-9500 Used clothing and accessories Brian Mahoney & John McNeill #10, 6020 - 1A St SW • (403) 259-4141 Re/Max Reality Professionals Do-All Homes (403) 816-8976

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(16) Priape Calgary 1322 - 17 Ave SW • (403) 215-1800 Mon-Fri 12-9pm; Sat 10am-9pm; Sun 12-6pm http://www.priape.com Clothing and accessories. Adult toys, leather wear, movies and magazines. Gifts. (17) Rainbow Pride Resource Centre 1229 - 16 Ave SW • (403) 266-5685 Mon-Sat 11am-10pm; Sun & Holiday’s 12-6pm GayCalgary.com Internet Terminal Coming Soon! Adult rentals, toys, movies and magazines. Gifts.

Video Fantasy 104, 4202 - 17 Ave SW • (403) 248-8620 http://www.videofantasy.ca Adult movie rentals What’s In Store 1600 Edmonton Trail NE • (403) 276-3066 Used clothing and accessories. Also costumes and rentals.

Clubs and Bars (3) BackLot 209 - 10 Ave SW • (403) 265-5211 Open 7 days a week, 4pm-close GayCalgary.com Internet Terminal location* (4) Calgary Eagle Inc. 424a - 8 Ave SE • (403) 263-5847 Open Tues-Sun 4pm-close

http://www.zaplin.com/calgaryeagle* GayCalgary.com Internet Terminal location Beer Bust – Every Sun, 4-8pm. Two Big Beef bones $5.95. $2.00 Draft (12oz) Canadian. Tequila Tuesday – Every Tues Tequila Drinks $3.00, Nacho’s $6.95. Free Pool – Every Wed Get Boned – Every Thurs. Two Big Beef bones $5.95. Dark Night – Every Fri. “Feel your way around and come in the Dark” Saturday Event Nights – Check the GayCalgary.com website for what is happening for each night. Event nights are can be Underwear Night, Uniform Night, Kilt Night, Chaps n’ Spurs, Harness Night and more. Check the GayCalgary.com website for updated event calendar information. (5) Detour/Arena 318 - 17 Ave SW • (403) 244-8537 Open Wed-Sun 10pm-close http://www.detourcalgary.com God Save the Queens – Every Sun. Two sets, one at 11pm and then at 12:30am. Also Sunday Night Dance party with DJ Jared K POP – Every Wed. Wet T-shirt and underwear contest win $100 cash. Hosted by Nina Tron. Dance all night with DJ Krazay Steve. Contestants get a free Wet T-shirt and Underwear. For a Gay Time, Take a Detour – Every Sat, 2 DJs and 2 Dance floors. Girlz Night – Every First Fri night on the Arena side. 21st Anniversary Party – Nov 17. Hosted by Devon Mills with Justine Tyme and Joan E. Check the GayCalgary.com website for updated event calendar information. (6) Goliath’s & the Texas Lounge 308 - 17 Ave SW • (403) 229-0911 Open 7 days a week, 11am-close GayCalgary.com Internet Terminal location* Check the GayCalgary.com website for updated event calendar information. (7) Loading Dock 318 - 17 Ave SW, side entrance • (403) 244-8537 Open 7 days a week, 3-9:30pm GayCalgary.com Internet Terminal location* (8) Metro Boyztown 213 - 10 Ave SW • (403) 265-2028 Open 7 days a week, 9pm-close http://www.metroboyztown.com Retro Metro – Every Mon. DJ Stuart spins seasoned mix of retro club trax! Free Pool – Every Tues.

Amateur Strip Contest – Every Wed. Hosted by Bianca La Bouche and win $100. Hot Butt Contest – Every Thurs. Hosted by Roxy Riccochet and win $100. Drag Shows – Every Sun. Charity shows at 10:30pm and main event shows at 12:30am. Check the GayCalgary.com website for updated event calendar information. (9) Money-Pennies 1742 - 10 Ave SW • (403) 263-7411 Open Mon-Fri 8am-close; Sat & Sun 10: 30am-close http://www.money-pennies.com GayCalgary.com Internet Terminal location* Steak Sandwich Specials - Every Tues. 2 Steak Sandwiches for $9.99. Wing Ding Wednesday – Every Wed night until sold out Karaoke – Every Friday in Nov Name that Tune – Every Saturday in Nov Check the GayCalgary.com website for updated event calendar information. (10) The Rekroom 213a - 10 Ave SW • (403) 265-4749 Open 7 days a week, 4pm-close http://www.therekroom.com Karaoke – Every Wed and Sat starting at 6pm. Also check the Metro Boyztown events for more events. Check the GayCalgary.com website for updated event calendar information. (11) The Verge 4A, 2500 - 4 St SW • (403) 245-3344 Open Tues-Sun 4pm-close Name that Tune – Nov 8 & 15. With Big Bad Bar Games, 9pm sharp Check the GayCalgary.com website for updated event calendar information.

Community Groups and Organizations (2) Aids Calgary 200, 1509 Centre St South • (403) 508-2500 http://www.aidscalgary.org Canadian HIV/AIDS Skills Building Symposium - Nov 20-23. Check http://www.hivaids-skills.ca for further information or contact Aids Calgary. Volunteer Orientation and Introduction to AIDS Calgary - Nov 3, 6-9pm. For more information or to register, please contact AIDS Calgary at 508-2500 or info@aidscalgary.org. Challenging Stereotypes Workshop - Nov 5, 6-9pm. For more information or to register, please contact AIDS Calgary at 508-2500 or info@aidscalgary.org. Safer Sex & HIV/AIDS Workshop - Nov 10, 6-9pm. For more information or to register,

please contact AIDS Calgary at 508-2500 or info@aidscalgary.org. Living with HIV/AIDS Workshop – Nov 12, 6-9pm. For more information or to register, please contact AIDS Calgary at 508-2500 or info@aidscalgary.org. Apollo Calgary Friends in Sports http://www.apollocalgary.com Membership Meet and Greet – Nov 3, 6-8pm. At the Verge. Complimentary Appetizers and Drink Specials Badminton – Most Sat,1-2:30pm Curling – Sat, 2:20pm games – King & Princess Pools. 4:30pm games – Queen Mom & Queen Pools. At North Hill Curling Club, 1201 - 2 St NW Bowling – Wed at 6:30pm; Sun at 2pm. At Let’s 10 Pin Bowlerama, 2916 - 5 Ave NE Volleyball – Sun from 4-6:30pm. At the YMCA, 320 - 5 Ave SE ARGRA – Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association Hotline: (403) 541-8140 http://www.argra.org ARGRA Dance – Nov 15 at 7:30pm. At the Victoria Park Community Centre. $6.00 for members and $9.00 for non-members. Country music until 10pm and hot mixed music for the rest of the night. Bear Back Calgary http://www.bearbackcalgary.com Calgary Men’s Chorus (403) 262-6295 Rehearsal – Sun at 6:30pm. At the Old Y Centre, 213 - 12 Ave SW, main floor common room. Calgary Women’s Chorus http://www.calgarywomenschorus.org/ Rehearsals – Tues 7-9pm. At the Old Y Centre, 223 - 12 Ave SW Dykes on Mykes http://www.cjsw.com Radio Show – Mon 8:30-9pm. Listen on CJSW FM 90.9. (1) GLCSA - Gay And Lesbian Community Services Association 206, 223 - 12 Ave SW, Old “Y” Centre (403) 234-8973 http://www.glcsa.org Between Men Peer Support Group – Mon 7-8:30pm. Formerly known as the Men’s Group. Meeting at Money-Pennies. Bisexual Network – First Tuesday of every month from 7-9pm. Located at the GLCSA.

Heading Out – Every second Thursday of the month from 7-9pm. Meeting at the GLCSA. Social group for men. Inside Out Youth Group – Mon, 7-9pm. Located at the GLCSA. For Gay, Lesbians, Bisexuals or questioning youth between 16 & 25 years old. New Directions – Every third Thursday of the month from 7-9pm. Meeting at the GLCSA. Transgender and transsexual support group. Womynspace – Fri from 7-9pm. Meeting at the GLCSA. Girl Friends http://members.shaw.ca/girlfriends Theatre Night – Nov 1 at 7:30pm. Parken on Parker – “Might As Well Live.” At the Beat Niq Jazz & Social Club, 811 - 1 St SW lower level. $10 special admission price. ISCCA – Imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch http://www.iscca.ca Crowns For Kids – Nov 9 at 12:30am. Kick off show. Located at Metro Boyztown Drag Show – Nov 2, 16, 30 at 10:30pm. $3 cover. Located at Metro Boyztown Turn A Bout Drag Show – Nov 16 at 12:30am. $3 cover. Located at Metro Boyztown. All male performers will switch and perform in drag including emperor 27 Marty Mojo Stevens and the drag queens including Empress 27 Bianca La Bouche will perform for you as male performers. Shooter bars – Nov 2, 13, 16, 23, 30 at 11pm. $3.25 shooters located at Metro Boyztown Charity Karaoke – Every Sun in Nov starting at 6pm. 50/50 draw. Located at the Rekroom. Rekroom Pool Tournaments – Every Sat at 6pm. 50/50 draw and prize’s. Located at the Rekroom. Calgary Eagle Pool Tournaments – Nov 2 & 23 at 5pm. 50/50 draw and prize’s. Located at the Calgary Eagle. Meet and Greet – Nov 7 at 8pm. Meet the upper house, Emperor and Empress 27. 50/50 draw and door prize’s. Located at the Backlot. Name that Tune – Nov 22 at 9pm. 50/50 draw and $2 shooters. Located at Money-Pennies. Charity Karaoke – Nov 28 at 9pm 50/50 draw and $2 shooters. Located at Money-Pennies. Integrity Calgary Worship – Every Second Sunday of the month at 7pm. Meet at St Stephen’s Anglican Church, 1121 - 14 Ave SW. Christian fellowship for gay, lesbians, bisexuals and our friend and family.

Continued on page 22

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DETOUR Appealing to all aspects of the Calgary community By Steven Polyak

Detour, located in Calgary’s largest and oldest gay space, caters to both gay male and lesbian communities. It also appeals to bi, bi-curious, and straight individuals. This diverse clientele might make some gay people a bit uncomfortable, but there’s nothing to worry about. Everyone who goes to Detour recognizes that it’s a gay space, and they wouldn’t go if they didn’t want to be there. 14

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In addition to its wide-appeal, Detour is the only gay club with two dance floors! Depending on the night, Arena (an additional area of the club where the second dance floor is located) can be used specifically for special events like Girlz night, or the whole space can be opened up for everyone to enjoy. The lesbian crowd does seem to enjoy the Girlz Nights that are held every first Friday of the month. For the guys, Wet Wednesday’s are a real hit! It’s a wet underwear and T-shirt contest hosted by DJ Krazay Steve – it’s great to have him back spinning in the Gay Community again. Over on the Arena side, there’s a raised stage set up for the Sunday night Drag shows (fondly named “God Save the Queens”), which we highly recommended for everyone. The theatrical quality makes these shows a unique experience. Performances can be viewed from the dance floor or the balcony.

it as Detour. We should have called it ‘Frankenstein’ because we brought it back from the dead! It took about three years to get people in there on a regular basis. I am glad we opened it.” How does it feel to have been opening your doors to Calgary’s Gay community for 21 years as of this November? “I would not have it any other way!” Detour is perceived as a straight bar by many in the gay community due to the large heterosexual clientele, which on some nights can make up for over 50% of the crowd. Do you think the perception is fair?

“Well I guess it depends on whose perception we are looking at. A lot of my friends who are my age that were kind of 18 in the 70’s aren’t really comfortable at Detour. They are at a point in their life that they want to meet Go down and enjoy yourself. Things have changed a lot somebody to settle down with, or to have immediate sex over the past 21 years – and expect more to come! We with or whatever, and Detour just doesn’t fit the bill. A interviewed one of the owners of Detour, Rudy Labuhn, lot of the straight people come down with gay people, … asking him some rather tough questions to finally a lot of them are straight, but they think like gay people, separate fact from rumor. This is how he answered: and they don’t really want to hang around straight people, and a lot of them are curious. I feel that we do help a lot Besides Detour, what other gay bars have been in the of people that really want to come out of closet. If you are Model Dairies building, and in what capacity have you a closeted man or woman and don’t know exactly how you been involved with those bars? fit in or what is expected of you, you go to Detour “Well prior to Detour, 318 and look and see what gay was there. We had actually people do there, or [what] opened 318 after we closed straight people do and [still] Dick’s, which was men only. feel comfortable. And after We had basically lost our years of fighting in the crowd because on a few back rooms for our rights men only bars had opened and wanting to be accepted up First Street, and at the by straight people, I am time, they were a little more certainly not going to turn exciting then we were. It around and say ‘Well thank was a good lesson, and we you for accepting us, but we learned from it. People go don’t accept you.’ By saying to have fun, not look nicely that, I am not judging any decorated up against a wall. of my competitors either. I 318 came out of Dick’s, and think there is probably room we mixed it [by including for just one men-orientated both] men and women. I bar in the city, and I think am actually glad that the that they do a very good job whole thing happened. At at what they do. And I think one point we had decided all in all that all the clubs to get out of business [so] and bars in the city really do we sold 318 to a fellow. cater to their customer base, Subsequently, he decided and we complement each to reinvent the wheel, and other very well. …It is one of things did not work out. Our those things that if we allow landlord came to us and gay men and women in our asked us if we would take space, I can’t sort of take it the space. We kind of felt Selma Body performing Sunday Night for God Save the Queens that one extra step and not obligated, and we reopened

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involve the same straight people that think the same way we do.”

make money while we are helping some other group I can see it as nothing but a positive situation.”

Another common perception is that Detour caters specifically to a younger crowd and does little to welcome seasoned club-goers. Is this the nature of the beast or problem you would like to address in the future?

With the various special guest DJs and the recent additions of DJ Krazay Steve on Wednesday and Jared K on Sunday, how would you classify Detour’s music style?

“I think it is a problem. I think it is the nature of the beast. Again getting back to what I said in the last question there is only so many people in a city. In larger cities with 2 million people there are usually one or two dance bars and they are usually mixed, and I just don’t see it as being a problem. I find our young gay clientele are very happy because they grew up in a society that they were accepted a lot more than maybe I was, and they like to hang around with their friends from school, or friends they have met at work or from wherever, and I just don’t see it as a problem at all.”

I find Calgary a very liberal community, I know a lot of people would disagree with me but it is one of those things that have changed... I mean that there was an entire dictionary when I came out of the closet and now people just come right out and say it.

“Well I think it is certainly dance orientated… there is no doubt about it, and we are widening it a little more, but it is still fairly dance, fairly current. And the difference with Detour and some of the other dance clubs, …a lot of people that go to other clubs… go out on weekends and the stuff they play isn’t on the radio, and so a song might have legs for a little longer than we would because the people that come to our place are so into it and follow it. And equally [they] get tired of it quicker. So we tend to have music that isn’t that familiar, and it alienates as many people as it stimulates.” In the past, Detour has flown in performers like Willie Taylor and others from all over Canada. How would you respond to local musings over why Detour doesn’t select local talent? “They have pretty well all worked in here so I don’t know if that perception that is there. I would actually not mind talking to people that might feel that way because it

Over the last year, there have been some major changes to events that occur in the bar like Girlz nights for the Lesbian crowd, Wet Wednesday for the male crowd and God Save the Queens. Are more great nights in the work? “Yeah, there are always great nights in the work. Mark, our manager, is always working on widening our client base and he has done a good job at it! He proposes it to me, and I [jokingly] say no.” Detour has been catering to more defined groups within Calgary’s Gay community with such regular events as Girlz Night, Wet Wednesdays, Kink Night and special events such as Wigged Out and the Walter Beswick Memorial Show. Do you feel that groupspecific events draw lines within the gay community or contribute to a more vibrant GLBT landscape in Calgary? “Well because we don’t really have a community clubhouse so to speak, or something where people can have a space as a venue on their behalf, I kind of feel really comfortable offering it to different groups. If we can pay our costs and everything like that, and we can still Laura Vanity Would belting a tune on the Arena stage at Detour.

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is surprising to hear that actually. The reason why we call in Willie Taylor and Justine Tyme is that Justine worked here for a long time, and we bring in Justine and Joan E, also from Calgary, in just for people that used to enjoy them here. And the thing with Willie Taylor is that he wanted to see our Pride Week and the shoe kind of fit. And sometimes it is hard to get shoes big enough for those girls – it just worked out. Calgary has a lot of talented queens and I can’t say it any other way, but every once in a while… it is good bring in someone else to mix up the old pot. Shake up the old girls.” What is in store for Detour in the future? “We are actually going through a renovation program, should be coming up. Mark keeps nagging me about it, and the project plans keep getting backed up.” What is the most positive change that you have noticed in Calgary’s gay community over the past 21 years? “The most positive change is how comfortable it is becoming within itself. You know that gay people kind of don’t look to anyone outside other then themselves to feel pride or anything like that. They don’t need an endorsement from anyone. I find Calgary a very liberal community, I know a lot of people would disagree with me but it is one of those things that have changed. When I started being in clubs, and I won’t say how many years ago, people were talking in code. They won’t come out and even say “gay.” They had some obscure little word; we still have a lot of the “gay” kind of words that everyone uses like ‘nellie’ and ‘butch,’ and all of that sort of thing. I mean that there was an entire dictionary when I came out of the closet and now people just come right out and say it. We went through a period 10 years ago where people would sit down and explain that they were gay and now people just don’t even bother. It is like ‘Why are you telling me this?’ The reaction is that people feel comfortable in their own shoes…”

tend to now hang out with their groups or whatever, and I think a lot of problems that come up in the community come up because of not understanding the opposite sex and not understanding the different age groups. Or being scared of the different age groups, whether they are young boys being scared of the older ones or older ones being scared of trends that are going on in the younger community. ‘How will I fit in?’ It is one of those personal development things that I am confident that everything will work out.” In what direction do you see Calgary’s Gay community heading? “I see it going nowhere but up. I just see it growing, and seeing it more comfortable, and I know that this will sound a little odd but I think it is very good that the community is growing and that the emphasis is not on the gay bars. I see that as one portion of the community and 10 years ago it was the only portion that people talked about. Now there are community groups… and I think that is very positive.” Detour • 318 17th Avenue SW • (403) 244-8537 http://www.detourcalgary.com

What do you think Calgary’s Gay Community needs or lacks, and how can Detour help to correct this? “I think all of the businesses and groups in the city [are] all kind of like making a cake, they are all ingredients to making a good cake or a bad cake – but I think we have a good recipe going here. What I would like to see is a little more interaction between everybody and a bit more understanding between the sexes like gay and lesbian for instance. Not so much that I am saying that we dislike each other, it is just that when I was younger, because it was a very small center, half of my friends were women because they were the only people my age. So I got to understand the lesbian sensibility really young. Now I don’t think a lot of gay males get that opportunity. They

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Underwear so good â&#x20AC;&#x201D; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outerwear Priape hosts underwear fashion show and grand opening Photos by Steven Polyak Fashion show held at Metro Boyztown. Models for Grand Opening provided by I Model Management. Additional photos available on the GayCalgary.com website.

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The Verge

Unexpected, healthy delights By Steven Polyak Located at 4A 2500 – 4th Street SW • (403) 245-3344 Upon entering The Verge, you’ll notice that it has a comfortable atmosphere – combining the ambiance of an upscale martini bar with the coziness of overstuffed couches. It’s a great place to spend time with old friends or meet new ones. For those who have visited The Verge before, you’ll notice that they’ve recently updated their menu – keeping customer favorites such as butter chicken and the Italiano wrap, and adding some new items like potato skins and chicken fingers.

Review | Food rary twist to this dish. By combining various spices with chicken, red cabbage, zucchini, carrots and cauliflower and serving it on a bed of rice with sesame seeds and chow mien noodles on top, The Verge serves up a unique and tasty creation. Definitely not your typical Chinese stir-fry. For dessert, Tree recommends indulging in the Chocolate Fondue. Featuring fresh fruit and decadent chocolate, this is perfect for sharing amongst two or three people. The Sundae, also a popular choice, comes with fresh fruit and chocolate sauce. And yes, there is even a cherry on top. Whether you’re craving a snack or wanting a full meal, The Verge is an excellent choice for healthy, flavorful dishes in a comfortable, friendly environment.

Rather than offering the deep-fried foods you’d find in many restaurants, The Verge offers healthy, but flavorful alternatives to popular menu items. When tasting foods for this review, I sampled the chicken fingers. Although they were baked instead of deep-fried, they had a crunchy outside were moist inside. The Verge’s chicken fingers make a perfect appetizer, or evening snack. I then experienced their fresh approach to chicken stir-fry. The Chef, nicknamed “Tree”, adds a contempo-

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Queer Eye - for the Calgary guy (or gal) Events that happened around Calgary Photos by Steven Polyak

The Backlot celebrates 7 year anniversary in style

Gay Lesbian Community Services Association (GLCSA) Art Auction

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Newly elected Board of Pride Calgary Additional photos of all these events are available on the GayCalgary.com website.

Izora Jackson Jones last show....for now

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Continued from page 13 Kitty Group Phone: Nico (403) 605-6597 Email: kittycoffee@hotmail.com Monthly Social – Every First Saturday of the month at 7pm. At The Good Earth Café, 1504 - 11 Ave SW Speak Sebastian http://www.cjsw.com Radio Show – Every first & third Wednesday from 9-10pm. Radio for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and kink community. Listen on CJSW FM 90.9. Western Leather Federation Coffee Night – Wed, 8:30pm. At the Calgary Eagle.

Restaurants (4) Calgary Eagle Inc. 424a - 8 Ave SE • (403) 263-5847 Open Tues-Sun 4pm-close http://www.zaplin.com/calgaryeagle GayCalgary.com Internet Terminal Location* (9) Money-Pennies 1742 - 10 Ave SW • (403) 263-7411 Open Mon-Fri 8am-close Sat & Sun 10:30am-close http://www.money-pennies.com GayCalgary.com Internet Terminal Location*

Theatre and Art Theatre Junction http://www.theatrejunction.com Boy Gets Girl – by Rebecca Gilman. Nov 19 to Dec 13. A modern American thriller that explores the dark side of sex in the city. Tickets 205-2922. *GayCalgary.com Internet Terminal Locations Surf the Internet • Check Your Email Chat Online • Play Games $1.00 for 10 minutes $5.00 for 60 minutes If you would like to add your business or nonprofit group, please call (403) 543-6970 or email webmaster@gaycalgary.com. You can add your information to the GayCalgary.com director on the website for free. GayCalgary.com endeavors to have the information here as accurate as possible. Events and listings can change at any time so it is recommended to check with the establishment before you head out.

(11) The Verge 4A, 2500 - 4 St SW • (403) 245-3344 Open Tues-Sun, 4pm-close (18) Victoria’s Restaurant 306 - 17 Ave SW • (403) 244-9991 Mon Fri, 11am-close; Weekends 10am-close (19) The Wicked Wedge 618 - 17 Ave SW • (403) 228-1024

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