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GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #93, July 2011
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Table of Contents
JULY 2011
Photography
Steve Polyak, Rob Diaz-Marino,
Videography
Steve Polyak, Rob Diaz-Marino
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Transcontinental Printing
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Office Hours: By appointment ONLY Phone: 403-543-6960 Toll Free: 1-888-543-6960 Fax: 403-703-0685 E-Mail: magazine@gaycalgary.com This Month's Cover Lady Gaga (Photo by Nick Knight), Dallas Green (Vanessa Heins), and k.d. lang (Photo by The Fun Star).
Proud Members of:
Publisher’s Column
8 Dallas Green’s Little Hell City & Colour back with new album
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Chris Azzopardi, Dave Brousseau, Jason Clevett, Andrew Collins, Rob Diaz-Marino, Janine Eva Trotta, Jack Fertig, Glen Hanson, Joan Hilty, Evan Kayne, Stephen Lock, Chantal Macleod, Allan Neuwirth, Steve Polyak, Carey Rutherford, Romeo San Vicente, Ed Sikov, Nick Vivian and the LGBT Community of Calgary, Edmonton, and Alberta.
Not In Kansas Anymore
12 Queer Eye - Part 1 17 Directory and Events 23 Kicking Balls
The Bow River Football Club
24 A Conflict between Faith-based Education within Public Schools and Secular Tradition 26 Calgary Outlink Reaches Out 27 Q Scopes
Pay attention, Capricorn!
28 Deep Inside Hollywood
Hugh Jackman can’t help loving musical theater
29 Cocktail Chatter
Jack Fogg Rolls In: The Bourbon Sour
30 Why the Umbrella Failed – Part 1 32 Alyssa Reid Brings The Game Edmonton-born singer returns home
33 Anything Goes Edmonton Rainbow Business Association
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Writers and Contributors
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PAGE 23
Publisher: Steve Polyak Editor: Rob Diaz-Marino Sales: Steve Polyak Design & Layout: Rob Diaz-Marino, Steve Polyak
This Year’s Fringe Fest Celebrates Sexuality, Individuality and Community Spirit
36 Out of Town
The French Riviera: Nice and Cannes
International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association
National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association
39 k.d. lang: ‘Loud’ and Proud Singer talks being butch, out and the first gay country star
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38 Wicked Impresses in Calgary Debut
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Table of Contents Continued From Previous Page
43 A Couple of Guys 44 Bitter Girl 45 Star Trekking in Calgary
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Beaming Down White Hats
46 InnerSPACE
Sci-fi Hosts at the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo
48 Western Canadian Pride Festival For the Community, by the Community
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49 Classified Ads
51 The (Gay) GAGA Interview
Superstar talks activism, her legacy and how being a gay icon is a ‘tall order’
54 Chelsea Boys
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55 Queer Eye - Part 2
History Originally established in January 1992 as Men for Men BBS by MFM Communications. Name changed to GayCalgary in 1998. Independent company as of January 2004. First edition of GayCalgary.com Magazine published November 2003. Name adjusted in November 2006 to GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine.
Disclaimer and Copyright
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Opinions expressed in this magazine are specific to the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of GayCalgary staff and contributors.
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GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #93, July 2011
Those involved in the making of this publication, whether advertisers, contributors, or the subjects of articles or photographs, are not necessarily gay, lesbian, bisexual, or trans. This magazine also includes straight allies and those who are gay friendly. No part of this publication may be reprinted or modified without the expressed written permission of the editor or publisher. Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. GayCalgary is a registered trademark.
August 2011 Print Deadlines Ad Booking: Thurs, July 28th
Submission: Tues, Aug 2nd In Circulation: Thurs, Aug 4th Please contact us immediately if you think you may have missed the booking or submission deadline. www.gaycalgary.com
Editorial
Not In Kansas Anymore Publisher’s Column
By Rob Diaz-Marino, MSc. June never fails to be a crazy month, and this one was both a literal and figurative whirlwind… Pride 2011 At its very outset we were up in Edmonton for their Pride celebrations. Though the parade went down a different route this year, it still had its destination at Churchill Square for the street festival. People lined up for hours to get into the packed beer gardens, however plenty stayed on the sidelines to take in the live entertainment and enjoy the sunny weather. As we’ve done for the past several years, I took a video recording of the parade which can be viewed on our website (at www.gaycalgary.com/a2292) while Steve took photos. Then we split off, each with cameras, to photograph the show and attendees having fun and losing clothes. I followed suit, losing my shirt for my first opportunity of the year to soak up some sun through a layer of SPF 30. This year’s entertainment wasn’t as drag-heavy as it has been in previous years, which made way for a unique variety of bands and singers. One singer was Robin S, the voice behind the famous song “Show Me Love”, while the lead of another act wore gold spandex pants and sung Lady Gaga’s Judas to a pygmy-sized blow-up doll with Stephen Harper’s face taped onto it. As the celebration was winding down, we got packed up and headed toward the Edmonton Expo Centre for the Pure Pride dance. We stopped in a nearby parking lot for a brief nap before heading in. You may remember the Pure Pride dance last year, which was held in a huge underground parking lot. Once again the boys from Pure Pride put on a spectacular event that included a fashion show by Priape, performances by Mark Sheppard, several high-end DJs, some celebrity go-go dancers, and some highly suggestive shadow play by porn star Brent Everett. The next morning, still a little groggy from all the activity the day prior, we headed out for the Pride Festival Pancake Breakfast, and shortly after, brunch at the Pride Centre of Edmonton.
A GAYmazing Birthday The next weekend, I had been up quite late the Friday night completing the electronic side for the GAYmazing Race being put on by Pride Calgary. We had published a number of tags in the June edition of the magazine, their purpose mysterious until they came into play for this scavenger hunt. Teams were given clues at each location of which tag to scan, and what password to use to access the clue that would lead them to the next location. My 30th birthday fell on the Saturday of that weekend, and it was planned that I would be up in Edmonton to cover the Gilligan’s Island Riverboat Party being put on by Buddys. I was supposed to leave Calgary shortly after the GAYmazing Race kicked off. However, we received the news that the party had been postponed due to unfavourable conditions on the river caused by the high volumes of rain. The event has been rescheduled to Friday, July 22nd starting at 7pm, and will be part of their week-long 11th birthday bash. So unexpectedly I ended up in Calgary for my birthday with no plans whatsoever. Following the GAYmazing Race Afterparty, we headed out for dinner at our favorite Chinese buffet, then went out for some drinks at Club Sapien and FAB since they were in walking distance from home. Both
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bars showed us some great hospitality on this rare occasion that I was out drinking.
I STILL Heart Geeks! This year’s Comic & Entertainment Expo was a huge hit yet again. Though we hadn’t originally planned to do so, as a sponsor of the event we were able to get a table to promote the magazine whilst we covered the event and interviewed further sci-fi celebrities (to appear in this edition and next). While manning our booth, two things became clear to me. One: Many of those male geeks that get teased and taunted when they are young, grow up to be some damn handsome and formidable looking men – you sure wouldn’t want to mess with some of them now! Two: Our magazine was surprisingly well received by the open-minded sci-fi crowd. At one point, a large procession of people in zombie costumes shuffled through the expo in honour of George Romero, despite being unable to attend because of a recent injury. My witty comment, from the perspective of a vendor, was, “the worst thing about zombies is that they never buy anything!” We were also on the hunt for autographs from the people that we had interviewed in the June edition of GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine. While William Shatner was not accessible to us (and most mainstream media too), we were still able to meet a few of them. Most memorable was Elvira, who signed the cover of several copies for us. As she was doing this, some officials of the expo emerged from the curtain behind her, escorting Mayor Nenshi through to meet her! It was such a bizarre coincidence, but he was excited for us to get photos of him with Elvira.
Lethbridge Pride Weekend The following Friday we went ahead with my originally planned Birthday party at the Calgary Eagle where we hung out with some friends and I got a shameful reminder why I don’t overdo it on the drinking anymore. Thankfully the only place I didn’t vomit was in the cab on the way home. The next evening was Master Barry’s Celebration of Life party. Boy David explained onstage that he and Barry had a conversation about how to honour him after he passed away, and Barry’s wish was to bring people of the community together to celebrate his life rather than to mourn. As he hoped, the evening filled the Calgary Eagle and brought a lot of old friends together again. GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine has sponsored Lethbridge Pride for the past 3 years, but this was the first time the event has not conflicted with other major events happening in both Calgary and Edmonton that we needed to cover. Steve and I made the road trip down on Sunday for their OUT in the Park festival. Compared to Calgary and Edmonton Prides it was a fairly small crowd, thinned by the constant flip-flopping of sun and rain that day, and the voracious mosquitoes in the park. We finally had the chance to meet a number of the organizers that we’ve been corresponding with by Email for the past several years, and interact with some of the attendees. Fendi from Calgary performed some drag numbers amidst a variety of colourful belly dancers, hula dancers, clowns, and live music. The Calgary-based band Hashmagandy finished off the afternoon.
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Editorial Contd. Rodeo Weekend It’s irrefutable that the annual Canadian Rockies International Rodeo put on by ARGRA is the biggest LGBT event of the year for Alberta, and as was pointed out, the second largest in Western Canada next to Vancouver Pride. Since their move to Strathmore 3 years ago, ARGRA has been taking steps each year to grow and engage a wider LGBT audience. This year we saw some major improvements to the layout of the midway, and the variety of attractions offered. The Grandstands, food vendors, vendor tables, GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine Community Carnival, Beer Garden and Showboat Stage were all along a single line going toward the evening dance venue and location for the pancake breakfasts and dinners. Between the Carnival and the Beer Garden was the new Memorial Garden – a picnic area amongst small cedar trees, flowers, and a water fountain! At the GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine Community Carnival, nonprofit groups set up carnival games in order to fundraise, or simply raise awareness. Groups were relieved to have tenting overhead this year, other than the particularly popular dunk tank run by the ISCCA. Dunking a drag queen is a particularly irresistible prospect, made even sweeter by the notion of a transparent window in the base of the tank to see them floundering underwater. Even I took a few throws before the weekend was out. Unfortunately by the end of the day it was difficult to see anything through the cloudy dregs of their makeup swirling around in the water. Current reigning Emperor Chris Tron, who was convinced to put himself up on the plank at one point over the weekend, reported that the ISCCA raised over $1500 thanks to dunking enthusiasts. I booked some holiday time off of work so that we could head out on Thursday and enjoy those two days before the real work began. During the day on Saturday and Sunday we were rushing around taking photographs around the campsites and midway, as well as photographing and videotaping the main rodeo events in the arena. At the nighttime dances we put on a presentation of photos and video taken during the day’s events. To pull this off, this year we made use of a 12 foot (diagonal) inflatable screen outside of the dance venue and one of the demo hybrid trucks provided by fellow sponsor Jack Carter to contain our projection equipment – a reverse drive-in theatre, so to speak. On Sunday at about 3 in the afternoon, roughly half way through the second day of rodeo events, a particularly nasty storm blew in. It was during the transition between Women’s Barrel Racing and Men’s Barrel Racing that the weather went from sunny to severely windy in a matter of seconds, sending dust and debris (including unsecured tents) flying through the air. Rodeo officials asked spectators in the grandstands to move back from the front rows for their own safety while they waited to see if the conditions would clear up as quickly as they manifested. Steve left the shelter of our grandstand box to go secure the contents of our vendor booth, and by the time he got back the wind was so bad that he couldn’t get the door to shut properly. He told me he had overheard ARGRA Officials discussing the fact that a Tornado warning was in effect for Strathmore, so we decided to close the shutters on the box, pack up our equipment and head back to our camp site to secure everything. Sure enough, as we were walking away, there was an announcement at the Grandstands asking everyone to evacuate to the nearby dance hall. We headed there and I stayed put while Steve went back outside to find our writer Evan, secure our campsite, and help round up anyone he saw in the campground. Soon the dance hall was full of competitors, campers, and their pets. The official announcement was made to the crowd. The bad news: the Tornado warning, and reassurance that if the situation grew any worse, we could take shelter in the basement of the dance hall. The good news: the bar was open for everyone, excluding competitors. After a long wait Evan, and then several minutes later Steve, arrived at the dance hall – both a little wet from the rain. Soon after, an announcement was made that the tornado warning had been upgraded to a tornado watch, meaning that there had been touchdowns reported in Strathmore. Soon after that, ARGRA president Greg Holsworth announced that the Rodeo events would not be able to continue due to safety concerns. We found out that regardless if the weather conditions improved in time, the debris in the arena and in the grandstands, not to mention shaken mental state of the people and the animals, would have made it dangerous to resume the rodeo events. And so, the rodeo was effectively over. As the weather improved nearly an hour later, and reports showed Strathmore in the clear, people were permitted to leave the dance hall and
Online Last Month (1/2) Advice for LGBT Mortgage Applicants Deploy preemptive tactics in 2011 LGBT real estate buyers and homeowners who have been thinking about taking out a home loan or doing a mortgage refinance may now have more reasons... www.gaycalgary.com/a2271
Creep of the Week: Linda Harvey
Calling all homos: do you live near anyone facing foreclosure? Well, the least you can do is help them move because it turns out that... www.gaycalgary.com/a2274
Deep Inside Hollywood
Jane Lynch swaps tracksuit for Wimple in Stooges Jane Lynch knows a thing or two about playing terrifying teachers, what with her Emmywinning stint as cheerleading taskmaster... www.gaycalgary.com/a2278
Oh Susanna
Soon The Birds singer/songwriter hits Alberta with Matthew Barber Vancouver born, Toronto based singersongwriter Suzie Ungerleider, better known as Oh Susanna, took her time when producing... www.gaycalgary.com/a2289
MARY B’s AUSTRALIA ADVENTURE [PART 1]
I’ve never really had a Bucket List, but if I did, it would obviously be called The Buckheit List. On top the top, in bright red ink... www.gaycalgary.com/a2281
Hear Me Out
Brandi Carlile, Augustana No wonder Brandi Carlile’s always releasing live music – her big, bellowy voice... www.gaycalgary.com/a2283
Mamma Mio is ABBA-tastic
While the Jubilations concept has always been about taking pop culture – films and TV shows primarily – and putting a musical spin on... www.gaycalgary.com/a2290
The OutField
Changing the game for good Over the past two decades, LGBT educational issues surged into the headlines. Library books, curricula, protection for gay students – all... www.gaycalgary.com/a2286
Book Marks
Nina Here Nor There: My Journey Beyond Gender Leche, by R. Zamora Linmark. Coffee House Press, 280 pages, $15.95 paper. The message of this kaleidoscopic novel is that you can... www.gaycalgary.com/a2272
Creep of the Week
Dave Agema If you go to Michigan State Rep. Dave Agema’s website you see quotes related to Michigan’s economy. It’s pretty boilerplate Republican... www.gaycalgary.com/a2275
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GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #93, July 2011
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Editorial Contd.
Online Last Month (2/2) Deep Inside Hollywood
Paperboy delivering McConaughey and Efron Two high-profile gay filmmakers collaborating on a sexy thriller? That’s the news with The Paperboy, a feature being produced by Pedro Almodovar and... www.gaycalgary.com/a2279
Catalina Island
A Gay and a Lesbian Makin’ Romance Out at Sea “Are there more resident bald eagles on the island or resident gays?” My lesbian wife, the always-sunny Mary B., and I are 22 miles away from... www.gaycalgary.com/a2282
Queeries
Must two brides dress like twins? Q: My fiancée and I are planning our wedding, which is going to be very “traditional” in many ways. We agree on almost all the details... www.gaycalgary.com/a2285
Creep of the Week: Dwight Probasco
When Wasilla High School Principal Dwight Probasco told the jazz choir they could not perform Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” at graduation, the kids in... www.gaycalgary.com/a2276
Deep Inside Hollywood
Carrie ruins prom for everybody. Again. Once Is Not Enough is more than just the name of a best-selling Jacqueline Susann novel, it’s how Hollywood does business all the time, cranking out... www.gaycalgary.com/a2280
Hear Me Out
Jennifer Lopez, Matthew Morrison Jennifer Lopez, Love? On her first album in four years, J.Lo isn’t waiting for tonight – it’s already here. There’s debaucherous drinking and... www.gaycalgary.com/a2284
The Outfield
Brian Burke and the Bowdoin ‘bubble’ Bowdoin College is a warm, welcoming place. Nestled in a small Maine town, it’s the kind of place where Ben Chadwick could be out... www.gaycalgary.com/a2287
Rihanna Heats Up The Dome
In 1998 I attended Janet Jackson’s Velvet Rope tour in Vancouver, in which she tied an audience member to a bed and proceeded to seduce them. Fast forward... www.gaycalgary.com/a2291
Creep of the Week: Stacey Campfield Bowdoin College is a warm, welcoming place. Ah, yes. The joys of sex education. I think all of us have fond memories of that day in fifth or sixth grade when the boys got shuffled into one room... www.gaycalgary.com/a2223
return to their campsites. The Awards Ceremony and Happy Trails Dance were still a go, so we prepared the presentations for those events and got all set up. At the Awards Ceremony, it was clear that a few individuals were unhappy about how the missed rodeo events were handled, however ARGRA officials insisted that they followed the guidelines of the International Gay Rodeo Association. After this I made a quick trip back to Calgary to check on things, and returned to the dance in time to have a few drinks and relax. Amidst several “friends of Dorothy” references from people at the dance, Judy Munson told us about how her Wild Drag Race team that day was slated to wear costumes in a Wizard of Oz theme. How appropriate.
Positive Voices Award At the AIDS Calgary Annual General Meeting last month, GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine was recognized for our support of the organization and its goals and mandate, with the Positive Voices Award. We declined giving a speech since neither Steve nor I am particularly confident with public speaking – writing is my stronger suit, and so they heckled that I should write something in this edition. Neither Steve nor I am HIV positive, and yet from its initial conception we have wanted this magazine to help disseminate AIDS awareness information. We recognize that HIV/AIDS has devastated prior generations in the gay community. We also recognize how difficult it is to motivate people to protect themselves from this disease without at the same time encouraging them to shun the people who are already affected by it. While HIV/AIDS is not exclusively a “gay disease” as some would believe, it is certainly a cause that the community has adopted as its own. For us, it was never a question of whether we should be involved. Since we started working with AIDS Calgary, their sister organization HIV Edmonton, and numerous other sexual health organizations in Alberta, we have helped to promote and cover countless fundraisers in the LGBT community for HIV/AIDS related causes, and helped carry those messages of awareness back to our readership. We have offered space whenever needed to publish articles related to HIV/AIDS prevention and sexual health. We have sponsored numerous AIDS Walks in both Calgary and Edmonton, and this year we are proud to say that we are sponsoring every AIDS Walk event across Alberta! While it once may have been believed that the LGBT community was a part of the problem, we are showing how the LGBT community of Alberta is playing a major role in being part of the solution.
Thanks We have to give a huge thank-you to our writer Evan Kayne who volunteered his time this month to hold the fort at the GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine booths at Edmonton Pride, the Comic & Entertainment Expo, and the ARGRA Rodeo. While Steve and I had to be running in all directions, Evan helped to ensure there was consistently someone at our booths to answer questions and to engage with.
The Snoopy Fence Early this month before things got too busy, we finally finished building our front fence to a point where it fully contained our front yard. The evening that we completed our final push – installing the gate and sealing the passageway at the side of the house with a piece of plastic trellis - we brought Snoopy out to freely explore the front yard for the first time. It was after dark and the grass was slightly wet from the rain during the day, however Snoopy immediately took to exploring the perimeter, sniffing the grass and plants, hiding in the shadows, pouncing at bugs, and occasionally dashing around the yard making a comical “oor-oor-oor” sound. It was clear that he was excited about this new world. We brought out Salem for a bit, who hasn’t seen the grass since he was a kitten. Snoopy playfully pounced on him from a dark corner, startling him. Salem was anxious to run back toward the house, but seemed to enjoy hanging out on the porch for a while. We also tried bringing out Sparky, who supposedly spent his time prior to us adopting him on a farm. Initially he was outright terrified – we plunked him in the yard and he immediately tried to scuttle back inside, except he couldn’t figure out that the stairs were climbable. He sat and howled pathetically until we carried him up the stairs and onto the porch. We had fulfilled my promise to Snoopy, and as I realized, a similar promise to Salem that I had made shortly after his brother passed away. I was definitely pleased with myself that day.
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Interview
Dallas Green - City and Colour. Photos by Vanessa Heins
Dallas Green’s Little Hell City & Colour back with new album By Jason Clevett For some, learning that you are the #1 album in Canada, ahead of heavyweights Lady Gaga and Adele, would be cause for a lavish champagne-fueled celebration. Something you should know about Dallas Green is he’s not a champagne wishes and caviar dreams kind of guy. When he got word of his newest album Little Hell‘s ranking (it was also #2 in Australia and #28 in the US) his reaction was to carry on with everyday life. “It is always nice when you hear things like that. I honestly don’t really know or try and worry about numbers, I don’t know what they mean. I appreciate that it sold so many copies. It is a great accomplishment I guess. Somebody asked me how it felt to be number one, well I still took the trash out yesterday.” GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine spoke with Dallas in our third interview with him, just 1 day after the announcement. He had just wrapped up 6 interviews with media in Mexico, where Little Hell is the first City and Colour album released there, and was enjoying doing media from the comfort of his living room. A lot of media focuses on awards and accolades, which Dallas says has never mattered to him. “I think if you let it overwhelm you it can [matter], but I don’t care about stuff like that. I am more concerned with writing a good song and singing well and performing well, that’s what I care about. If I had to choose, I could do without the interviews and photo shoots and awards. I appreciate that it is part of it and comes along with it, but it’s not why I do it. I have been playing guitar and singing for more than half my life, it has become something I need to do rather than something I enjoy doing. Winning a Juno doesn’t make me a better songwriter or sing better. It is just something else for people to talk about. I still have to work and worry about the song, which is why I concentrate more on that.” Little Hell is Green’s third City and Colour album, and combined with the three albums released as part of Alexisonfire, it is his 6th since 2004. I asked Dallas when he last took time off. “It depends on how you look at time off. I have days off between tours where I am at home for a week. I haven’t really taken time away from music since 2004. Right before Watch Out came out was when I had some time. Then Sometimes came out in 2005, Crisis in 2006, we toured on that for two years, Bring Me Your Love in 2008 and Old Crows/Young Cardinals in 2009 and now Little Hell is out. So I guess 2004.” When Alexisonfire wrapped up touring in December, Green was already recording in the studio in January.
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“I have a lot going on in my brain. If I had just said ok we finished touring with Alexis I am going to take a year to myself, I wouldn’t have been able to do that because I had all these songs demoed and in my head, I had been sitting on some of them for almost two years. It took me a few months after Bring Me Your Love to start writing what would become City and Colour material because we were so fixated on doing Old Crows. I don’t think I could have taken a break. We finished touring in December with Alexis and I was supposed to finally go on my honeymoon, it has been two years since we got married and I still haven’t gone on one. We ended up canceling because I didn’t think I’d have enough time between the vacation and going into the studio because I had already booked it and I knew I needed to prepare mentally. With the attention span being so short today, you have to keep people interested in what you are doing. I guess I fear one day people won’t be interested so I might as well give them everything I’ve got now. I guess I just have a problem, and a very understanding wife which really helps. Hopefully one day I will take a break or have a nervous breakdown and force myself to take a break.” When the first single Fragile Bird was released, the rock style of the music came as a surprise. “The first version of that song was acoustic and very slow, reminiscent of my older stuff. I just thought there was more to discover from my own perspective to that song. So I kept trying to re-work it and re-work it and one day I discovered the groove that is now recognizable with that song. I demoed it in my basement and at first I thought it was a little weird for what people would assume is a City and Colour song. Then I realized City and Colour can be anything I want it to be, because I’m in charge.” “The reason I made it the first single was because I wanted to put something different out and see how people would react. It is a good sign of if people are going to grow and evolve with you. I know there will always be people who just want me to put out a record of me playing acoustic guitar sadly or quietly. I like lots of different music which in turn makes me create lots of different styles of music. I thought it was a good song so it is on the record, which is full of peaks and valleys and ups and downs.” “Most of the stuff I have been hearing is that people are liking it. There are definitely some people who aren’t fans of it, but I think they just want me to be the way I used to be. As a musician and songwriter you always have to deal with that because music is such an emotional thing, you get invested in certain songs and people, and when they change you aren’t ready for it. What people forget is that they also change as well, they are not the same person they were six years ago - when Sometimes came out and they fell in love with that record - they are different and have different tastes. I can’t really worry about what people will say, because if I do that, I won’t be writing honest music from my perspective, I will be thinking about what other people think. That works for other people that are trying to be the biggest and best in the world but I just want to write the songs that make me happy and hope some people get it.” At first, Green planned on naming the album after the first song We Found Each Other In The Dark.
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“That was what I was originally going with, when I first started thinking about a record and writing new songs. I wrote that song early on and thought it was a cool title. Then I wrote Little Hell and started thinking about what Little Hell means to me on a grander scale, and it just seemed right. And the title is shorter which is always good.” Since Bring Me Your Love was released, Green has toured the world with both bands, gotten married (to So You Think You Can Dance Canada host Leah Miller), played at the Vancouver Olympics, won awards, and made some awesome tall friends, among other things. Many of these experiences tied in with the songwriting for this album.
up houses, and nowadays there are a lot of those around the world. I always wonder whenever I see one, what got it to that point. What was it like before? I find myself staring at it and wondering if a family had lived there, what circumstances brought it to the way it is now. That is what Natural Disaster is about, which is something I probably never would have written about without seeing the world. My life directly relates to what the songs are about.” City & Colour returns to Calgary for the first time in 2 years at the Calgary International Folk Festival on July 21st. It is a stop among a number of festivals including well known ones like Glastonbury in the UK, Coachella in California, and Lollapalooza in Chicago.
“Touring so much you get to see a lot of different things in the world. Something that always resonates with me whenever I see it is boarded
“The main reason for doing festivals, especially ones around the world, is to play for people who don’t know who you are, or have heard of you but haven’t seen you, and are there to see their favorite band and will check you out. It is an opportunity to play for new [people] and create new fans out of that experience. You also get to see bands that you probably otherwise would never get to see. I got to play at Coachella the same day as Kanye West. I didn’t get to stay and see him because he played really late and I had to go and catch a flight but the idea that I got to play on the same day as Kanye West is pretty cool because it isn’t something that will happen very often. Eminem is playing Lollapalooza and we are playing that. It is cool to be on shows with such an eclectic bill of artists. We are playing a festival in
www.gaycalgary.com
“The way I write songs is a very personal thing, I write about things in my life. All those things have affected the songs. O’Sister is about my sister, who went through some things and I wasn’t there for it because I was on tour so much with my two bands, which is directly responsible for the way I was feeling about it. I probably would have felt this strongly if I had been home but it may have come across differently because I would have been there to help and there to express my feelings. Because I wasn’t, I had to write a song about it.”
GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #93, July 2011
9
England that The Eagles are headlining. I’m not an Eagles fan but it is crazy that we are playing a festival that they are at.” The challenge in doing a festival set is selecting a set list. Instead of 2 hours for a theatre show, they may have 25 minutes to an hour to leave an impression. With three albums plus often adding covers to his sets, it can be hard to narrow it down. “With the festival slots around the world where I am not as well known as Canada, I have learned that you just have to go out and be short and sweet. You get half an hour, you play five upbeat fun loving songs that I can muster in the songs that I write, and that is it - go out, do your thing and come off. If I headline some festivals in Canada, I try to mix it up with new and old. I probably won’t play many new songs yet because I want to keep people interested and it is hard to play a bunch of new songs when people want to hear the old ones. We will save the new songs for when we come back on a headlining tour. In 2007 Green upset a writer for refusing to play his “hit” Save Your Scissors at the Edmonton Folk Festival. Hopefully that writer isn’t planning on attending the Calgary Folk Fest, or he will once again be disappointed. “That is definitely not going to happen, I have way more songs to pick from now.” One of the songs you likely will hear is Body in a Box off of Bring Me Your Love. If you search YouTube afterwards, hopefully you won’t find it; Green has been encouraging fans to put their cameras and cell phones away for the song. “That is something recently that I had been doing at my shows, trying to have one song where people remember what it is like to just watch a concert. People are so focused on remembering the moment that they are actually forgetting to experience it while it is happening. I wanted to have at least one song where people put their cameras and cell phones down and just sang along and watched and didn’t stare at blue lights. Since I started doing that I haven’t seen one new video on YouTube of Body in a Box. That makes me happy because people are paying attention to that. I have had a lot of people come up to me after and say that they didn’t pick the camera back up for the rest of the show which is really cool.” In recent years, I’ve seen a large number of gay and lesbian patrons attending City and Colour concerts. On a recent US tour with Tegan and Sara, Green became aware of a number of them as well. “I noticed, definitely, after I toured with Tegan and Sara in America. That opened up more of a lesbian crowd to me because they have a large gay and lesbian following... I would go out and sing a song with them and it would be 20 minutes before we got into the song because we would be yapping away talking about nonsense. They are two amazing, amazing women.” That said, while he embraces anyone who listens to his music, Dallas isn’t one to brag about who is in his audience. “When you meet someone you can assume they are gay or straight but, I don’t know who is or isn’t, or if there are a lot of gay people who like my music. I never really like to go oh yeah I’ve got a huge gay following or I’ve got a huge straight following. I want as many people to listen to my music as possible and that is the main goal. You write a song and hope whoever is listening, it doesn’t matter what they are to me as long as they’re not an asshole then I am cool with it. As far as Canada I don’t really know where it comes from. I am not going to say gay people are more attracted to sensitive, honest music because I don’t know that for certain. I appreciate their support just as much as I do the support of anyone that listens to my music.”
City & Colour Little Hell available now. www.cityandcolour.ca In Concert Calgary Folk Music Festival - July 21st http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2294
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Photography Edmonton Pride
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Photography Canadian Rockies International Rodeo - Strathmore
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Photography Lethbridge Pride Festival
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DOWNTOWN CALGARY
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Calgary Outlink---------- Community Groups Aids Calgary------------- Community Groups Backlot------------------------ Bars and Clubs Calgary Eagle Inc.------------ Bars and Clubs Texas Lounge----------------- Bars and Clubs Goliath’s-------------------------- Bathhouses
9 FAB---------------------------- Bars and Clubs 13 Westways Guest House---- Accommodations 16 Priape Calgary------------------ Retail Stores 24 Courtney Aarbo----------------------- Services 33 Twisted Element-------------- Bars and Clubs 34 Vertigo Mystery Theatre------------- Theatre
35 36 37 41 43 55
FIND OUT!
CALGARY
LGBT Community Directory GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine is the go-to source for information about Alberta LGBT businesses and community groups—the most extensive and accurate resource of its kind! This print supplement contains a subset of active community groups and venues, with premium business listings of paid advertisers.
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403-543-6960 1-888-543-6960 magazine@gaycalgary.com http://www.gaycalgary.com/CalgaryTravelRss http://www.gaycalgary.com/EdmontonTravelRss
Local Bars, Restaurants, and Accommodations info on the go! http://www.gaycalgary.com/Directory
Accommodations 13 Westways Guest House--------------------✰ 216 - 25th Avenue SW 403-229-1758 1-866-846-7038 westways@shaw.ca www.gaywestways.com
Bars & Clubs 3 Backlot----------------------------------- ✰ 403-265-5211 Open 7 days a week, 2pm-close
209 - 10th Ave SW
4 Calgary Eagle Inc.----------------------- ✰ 424a - 8th Ave SE 403-263-5847 http://www.calgaryeagle.com Open Wed-Sun, 5pm-close Leather/Denim/Fetish bar.
Club Paradiso
1413 - 9th Ave SE, 2nd Floor 403-265-5739 www.clubparadiso.ca tracy@villagecantina.ca Fri: Garter Girls Burlesque. Sat: Carly’s Angels. Weekdays: Magic, Comedy & Music. 60 Club Sapien------------------------------ ✰ 1140 10th Ave SW 403-457-4464 http://www.clubsapien.ca Dance Club and Restaurant/Lounge.
Browse our complete directory of over 590 gay-frieindly listings! www.gaycalgary.com
One Yellow Rabbit-------------------- Theatre ATP, Alberta Theatre Projects-------- Theatre Pumphouse Theatre----------------- Theatre La Fleur-------------------------- Retail Stores Lisa Heinricks----------Theatre and Fine Arts Marquee Room--------------- Bars and Clubs
58 59 60 61 62
Theatre Junction--------------------- Theatre Village Bistro & Lounge----------Restaurant Club Sapien------------------- Bars and Clubs Holidays on the Hill------------- Retail Stores Concept Bar & Lounge------- Bars and Clubs
60 Concept Bar & Lounge---------------------✰ 908 17th Ave SW 403-228-1006 www.facebook.com/ConceptLounge Premiere crossover lounge. Entrance on 16th Ave. 55 Marquee Room-----------------------------✰ 612 - 8th Avenue SW www.marqueeroom.com Alternative night every Wednesday. 9 FAB--------------------------------------- ✰ 1742 - 10th Ave SW 403-263-7411 www.fab-bar.com Closed Mondays. Bar and restaurant. 5 Texas Lounge-------------------------------✰ 308 - 17 Ave SW 403-229-0911 www.goliaths.ca Open 7 days a week, 11am-close 33 Twisted Element----------------------------✰ 1006 - 11th Ave SW 403-802-0230 www.twistedelement.ca Dance Club and Lounge.
Bathhouses/Saunas 6 Goliaths-------------------------------------✰ 308 - 17 Ave SW 403-229-0911 www.goliaths.ca Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
Community Groups 2 AIDS Calgary---------------------------- ✰ 110, 1603 10th Avenue SW 403-508-2500
GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #93, July 2011
17
Directory & Events Calgary Events ASK Meet and Greet---------------- 7-9:30pm Bonasera (1204 Edmonton Tr. NE)
Inside Out Youth Group---------------- 7-9pm See 1 Calgary Outlink
Yoga (A)----------------------------- 6-7:30pm Apollo Calgary
Sep27Dec6
Yoga (B)------------------------- 7:45-9:15pm See
Apollo Calgary
Sep27Dec6
Squash-------------------------- 8:15-9:45pm See
Apollo Calgary
Oct18
Tuesdays
Calgary Networking Club-------------- 5-7pm See 1 Calgary Outlink
1st Tues
Boot Camp (A)---------------------- 7-8:30pm See
Apollo Calgary
Sep7
Between Men--------------------------- 7-9pm See 1 Calgary Outlink
2nd, 4th
Rehearsals-------------------------- 7-9:30pm See
Womynspace---------------------------- 7-9pm
Church Service----------------------------- 4pm
Badminton--------------------------------- 7pm
New Directions-------------------------- 7-9pm
Swimming------------------------------- 5-6pm
Bowling------------------------------------ 7pm
Heading Out----------------------- 8pm-10pm
Mosaic Youth Group-------------------- 7-9pm
Alcoholics Anonymous--------------------- 8pm
At 4 Calgary Eagle with
Mondays
See
Free Pool------------------------------- All Day
Calgary Men’s Chorus
Jun
Karaoke------------------------------ 8pm-1am At 5 Texas Lounge
Fetish Slosh---------------------------- Evening At 3 Backlot
2nd
Alcoholics Anonymous--------------------- 8pm
See
Prime Timers Calgary
Apollo Calgary
See
Apollo Calgary
Sep8Dec15
Sep1Mar30
Old Y Centre (223 12th Ave SW)
Thursdays
Lesbian Seniors---------------------------- 2pm
See 1 Calgary Outlink
2nd
See 1 Calgary Outlink
3rd
See 1 Calgary Outlink
4th
Free Pool------------------------------- All Day
Running------------------------------------ 9am
At 4 Calgary Eagle
Swimming------------------------------- 7-8pm
Coffee------------------------------------ 10am
Drag Queen H20-------------------------- 8pm
Curling------------------------- 2:20 & 4:30pm
Kevin the Hypnotist------------------------ 9pm
Alcoholics Anonymous--------------------- 8pm
Saturday, July 23rd
By Different Strokes SAIT Pool (1301 - 16 Ave NW)
Lesbian Meetup Group------------- 7:30-9pm At 1 Calgary Outlink
1st
Fake Mustache Show------------------ 7:30pm By Miscellaneous Youth Network Quincy’s (609 7th Ave SW)
1st
Fake Mustache Show---------------------- 9pm By Miscellaneous Youth Network At 60 Club Sapien
3rd
Alcoholics Anonymous--------------------- 8pm Hillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance) 1227 Kensington Close NW
See See See
Apollo Calgary
Prime Timers Calgary
Apollo Calgary
Hillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance) 1227 Kensington Close NW
1st, 3rd
Sundays Deer Park United Church
Worship------------------------------ 10:30am
Fridays
See
Leather Night-------------------------- Evening
Boot Camp (B)---------------- 10:30am-12pm
Scarboro United Church
Wednesdays
Rec Volleyball------------------------------ 7pm
Int/Comp Volleyball----------- 12:15-1:45pm
Illusions-------------------------------- 7-10pm
BBQ Social Sundays----------------------- 2pm
ISCCA at 3 Backlot
See
Apollo Calgary
See 1 Calgary Outlink
1st
See See
Apollo Calgary
Alberta Society for Kink
403-398-9968 albetasocietyforkink@hotmail.com http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/ group.albertasocietyforkink
Apollo Calgary - Friends in Sports
Will return in September 2010. Sign up at myapollo.org to receive updates.
• Golf
golf@apollocalgary.com
• Lawn Bowling
Apollo Calgary
bike@apollocalgary.com
• Boot Camp
Platoon FX, 1351 Aviation Park NE bootcamp@apollocalgary.com
• Bowling (Rainbow Riders League) Let’s Bowl (2916 5th Avenue NE) bowling@apollocalgary.com
• Curling
Western Canadian Pride Festival-- All Day Watipi Lodge, Blackfalds, AB Jul29Aug1 Calgary Fringe Festival------------- All Day Jul29Aug6 August 2011 Bowls for Beswick----------------------- 1pm By SHARP Foundation Aug7 Inglewood Lawn Bowling Club 1235 - 8th Ave SE
Drag Queen H20 II------------------------ 5pm By
ISCCA at 3 Backlot Aug19
• Running (Calgary Frontrunners)
• Slow Pitch
slow.pitch@apollocalgary.com
• Squash
Temple B’Nai Tikvah, 900 - 47 Avenue SW
Calgary Sexual Health Centre---------- ✰
• Volleyball (Recreational) • Volleyball (Women’s)
YWCA Calgary (320 - 5th Avenue SE) vbwomen@apollocalgary.com
• Yoga
World Tree Studio (812 Edmonton Trail NE) Robin: 403-618-9642 yoga@apollocalgary.com $120 (10 sessions); $14 Drop-ins open to all levels. Apollo membership is required.
Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association (ARGRA)
www.argra.org
• Monthly Dances----------------------------- Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Association 1320 - 5th Avenue NW
Artists for the Quality of Life
Mount Royal University Recreation squash@apollocalgary.com All skill levels welcome.
403-890-1261 linda@afqol.org
• Tennis
calgaryfathers@hotmail.com http://www.calgarygayfathers.ca Peer support group for gay, bisexual and questioning fathers. Meeting twice a month.
tennis@apollocalgary.com
• Volleyball (Beach)
beachvb@apollocalgary.com
North Hill Curling Club (1201 - 2 Street NW) curling@apollocalgary.com
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Jul28Jul31
• Rehearsals
West Hillhurst Community Center 1940 6th Avenue NW vb@apollocalgary.com
• Outdoor Pursuits
YMCA Eau Claire (4th St, 1st Ave SW) calgaryfrontrunners@shaw.ca East Doors (directly off the Bow river pathway). Distances vary from 8 km - 15 km. Runners from 6 minutes/mile to 9+ minute miles.
• Biking
• Volleyball (Int/Comp)
235 - 18 Ave SW recvb@apollocalgary.com
• Western Cup 30
6020 - 4 Avenue NE badminton@apollocalgary.com
Camp fYrefly Alberta------------------ All Day
At 4 Calgary Eagle
lawnbowling@apollocalgary.com outdoorpursuits@apollocalgary.com If it’s done outdoors, we do it. Volunteer led events all summer and winter. Hiking, camping, biking, skiing, snow shoeing, etc. Sign up at myapollo.org to get updates on the sport you like. We’re always looking for people to lead events.
• Badminton (Absolutely Smashing)
July 2011
Legend: = Monthly Reoccurrance, = Date (Range/Future), = Sponsored Event
www.apollocalgary.com www.myapollo.com A volunteer operated, non-profit organization serving primarily members of the LGBT communities but open to all members of all communities. Primary focus is to provide members with well-organized and fun sporting events and other activities. www.westerncup.com Easter long weekend, 2012.
Sep12
Knox United Church
Calgary Contd. info@aidscalgary.org www.aidscalgary.org
At 4 Calgary Eagle
Worship Time---------------------------- 10am See
ISCCA at 3 Backlot
By
At 4 Calgary Eagle
Tuned Out Music Trivia---------------- Evening At 9 FAB
Friday, July 8th
Dark Knight Dress Code Party------------ 9pm
Worship Services------------------------- 11am
AIDS Calgary
Apollo Calgary
3rd
Kerby Center, Sunshine Room 1133 7th Ave SW
By
See
See
At 4 Calgary Eagle
BBQ Fundraiser------------------------- 5-9pm
Women’s Healing Circle--------------- 1:30pm
Women’s Volleyball---------------- 7-8:30pm
Saturdays
See
Knox United Church
By Different Strokes SAIT Pool (1301 - 16 Ave NW)
Sunday Socials---------------------- Afternoon
At 4 Calgary Eagle
See
Rainbow Community Church
Hillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance) 1227 Kensington Close NW
Hillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance) 1227 Kensington Close NW
Communion Service------------------ 12:10pm
See
GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #93, July 2011
Calgary Gay Fathers
Calgary Men’s Chorus
http://www.calgarymenschorus.org
www.afqol.org
304, 301 14th Street NW 403-283-5580 http://www.calgarysexualhealth.ca A pro-choice organization that believes all people have the right and ability to make their own choices regarding their sexual and reproductive health.
1 Calgary Outlink-----------------------------✰ B1, 1528 16th Avenue SW 403-234-8973 info@calgaryoutlink.ca http://www.calgaryoutlink.com
• Peer Support and Crisis Line
1-877-OUT-IS-OK (1-877-688-4765) Front-line help service for GLBT individuals and their family and friends, or anyone questioning their sexuality.
• Calgary Lesbian Ladies Meet up Group • Between Men and Between Men Online • Heading Out • Illusions Calgary • Inside Out • New Directions • Womynspace Calgary Queer Book Club
Weeds Cafe (1903 20 Ave NW)
Deer Park United Church/Wholeness Centre
77 Deerpoint Road SE http://www.dpuc.ca
403-278-8263
www.gaycalgary.com
Directory & Events Calgary Contd. Different Strokes
http://www.differentstrokescalgary.org
Don’t Buy In Project
http://www.dontbuyin.ca This Calgary Police Service Initiative aims to encourage youth to working towards an inclusive environment in which diversity is embraced in their schools and community.
FairyTales Presentation Society
403-244-1956 http://www.fairytalesfilmfest.com Alberta Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.
• DVD Resource Library
Over a hundred titles to choose from. Annual membership is $10.
Gay Friends in Calgary
http://www.gayfriendsincalgary.ca Organizes and hosts social activities catered to the LGBT people and friends.
Girl Friends
girlfriends@shaw.ca members.shaw.ca/girlfriends
Girlsgroove
http://www.girlsgroove.ca
Hillhurst United Church
1227 Kensington Close NW (403) 283-1539 office@hillhurstunited.com www.hillhurstunited.com
HIV Peer Support Group
403-230-5832 hivpeergroup@yahoo.ca
ISCCA Social Association
http://www.iscca.ca Imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch. Charity fundraising group..
Knox United Church
506 - 4th Street SW 403-269-8382 http://www.knoxunited.ab.ca Knox United Church is an all-inclusive church located in downtown Calgary. A variety of facility rentals are also available for meetings, events and concerts.
• Worship Services
10:30am in July and August.
Miscellaneous Youth Network
http://www.miscyouth.com
• Fake Mustache
Quincy’s (609 7th Ave SW) Club Sapien (609 7th Ave SW) Calgary’s ONLY Drag King Show. Early show 7:30pm, late show 9pm.
• Mosaic Youth Group
The Old Y Centre (223 12th Ave SW) For queer and trans youth and their allies.
Mystique
mystiquesocialclub@yahoo.com Mystique is primarily a Lesbian group for women 30 and up but all are welcome.
• Coffee Night
Second Cup (2312 - 4th Street SW)
NETWORKS
networkscalgary@gmail.com A social, cultural, and service organization for the mature minded and “Plus 40” LGBT individuals seeking to meet others at age-appropriate activities within a positive, safe environment.
Parents for Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
Sean: 403-695-5791 http://www.pflagcanada.ca A registered charitable organization that provides support, education and resources to parents, families and individuals who have questions or concerns about sexual orientation or gender identity.
www.gaycalgary.com
Positive Space Committee
4825 Mount Royal Gate SW 403-440-6383 http://www.mtroyal.ca/positivespace Works to raise awareness and challenge the patterns of silence that continue to marginalize LGBTTQ individuals.
Pride Calgary Planning Committee
403-797-6564
www.pridecalgary.ca
Pride Rainbow Project
prp@planet-save.com http://www.priderainbowproject.com Youth run project designed to show support for same-sex marriage in Canada and elsewhere. A fabric rainbow banner approximately 5 feet wide - goal is to make it 3.2km (2 miles) long, in order to break the world record.
Primetimers Calgary
primetimerscalgary@gmail.com http://www.primetimerscalgary.com Designed to foster social interaction for its members through a variety of social, educational and recreational activities. Open to all gay and bisexual men of any age, respects whatever degree of anonymity that each member desires.
• Free Pool
4 Calgary Eagle
9 FAB------------------------------------- See Calgary - Bars and Clubs.
✰
Halo Steak, Seafood & Wine Bar
Lorne Doucette (CIR Realtors)
Canyon Meadows Plaza 13226 Macleod Trail SE 403-271-4111 www.halorestaurant.com
403-461-9195 http://www.lornedoucette.com
Marnie Campbell (Maxwell Realtors)
59 Village Bistro & Lounge------------------ 2F, 610 8th Ave SE 403-262-6342 ext 236 M-R: 9am-4pm, F: 9am-5pm, S: 11am-5pm www.villagebistrocalgary.com
403-479-8619 http://www.marniecampbell.ca
MFM Communications
Retail Stores Adult Depot-----------------------------
✰
140, 58th Ave SW 403-258-2777 Gay, bi, straight video rentals and sex toys.
Queers on Campus---------------------- ✰
41 La Fleur------------------------------------ 103 - 100 7th Avenue SW 403-266-1707 Florist and Flower Shop.
Room 117, 423 - 4th Ave SE 403-699-8216 Mon-Fri: 9am-12pm, Sat: 12:15pm-3:15pm
305 10th Street NW http://www.thenakedleaf.ca Organic teas and tea ware.
403-283-3555
16 Priape Calgary------------------------- ✰ 1322 - 17 Ave SW 403-215-1800 http://www.priape.com Clothing and accessories. Adult toys, leather wear, movies and magazines. Gifts.
• Coffee Night
2nd Cup, Kensington
Services & Products
Safety Under the Rainbow
http://www.safetyrainbow.ca Mission: To raise awareness and understanding of same-sex domestic violence and homophobic youth bullying.
Scarboro United Church
134 Scarboro Avenue SW 403-244-1161 www.scarborounited.ab.ca An affirming congregation—the full inclusion of LGBT people is essential to our mission and purpose.
Sharp Foundation
Calgary Civil Marriage Centre
403-246-4134 ca.ca@shaw.ca Marriage Commissioner for Alberta (aka Justice of the Peace - JP), Marriage Officiant, Commissioner for Oaths. 24 Courtney Aarbo (Barristers & Solicitors) 1138 Kensington Road NW 403-571-5120 http://www.courtneyaarbo.ca GLBT legal services.
Cruiseline
403-272-2912 sharpfoundation@nucleus.com http://www.thesharpfoundation.com
403-777-9494 trial code 3500 http://www.cruiseline.ca Telephone classifieds and chat - 18+ ONLY.
Unity Bowling
DevaDave Salon & Boutique
Let’s Bowl (2916 - 5th Ave NE) sundayunity@live.com
Urban Sex Radio Show
CJSW 90.9 FM http://www.cjsw.com Focus on sexuality; gay bisexual lesbian trans gendered and straight issues here in Calgary and around the web.
MPs Catering
403-607-8215
Free and confidential HIV/AIDS and STI testing.
The Naked Leaf----------------------------
279R Student Union Club Spaces, U of C 403-220-6394 http://www.ucalgary.ca/~glass Formerly GLASS - Gay/Lesbian Association of Students and Staff.
403-543-6970 1-877-543-6970 http://www.mfmcommunications.com Web site hosting and development. Computer hardware and software.
61 Holidays on the Hill----------------------- 210 - 7th Ave SW 403-263-3030 Christmas, Halloween, and much more.
• Saturday Coffee
Midtown Co-op, 1130 - 11th Ave SW
Duncan’s Residential Cleaning
Jim Duncan: 403-978-6600 Residential cleaning. Free estimates.
810 Edmonton Trail NE 403-290-1973 Cuts, Colour, Hilights.
SafeWorks
• Calgary Drop-in Centre
• Centre of Hope
Room 201, 420 - 9th Ave SE 403-410-1180 Mon-Fri: 1pm-5pm
• Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre
1213 - 4th Str SW 403-955-6014 Sat-Thu: 4:15pm-7:45pm, Fri: Closed
• Safeworks Van
403-850-3755 Sat-Thu: 8pm-12am, Fri: 4pm-12am
Theatre & Fine Arts 36 ATP, Alberta Theatre Projects 403-294-7402 http://www.ATPlive.com
AXIS Contemporary Art--------------------
107, 100 - 7 Ave SW rob@axisart.ca
403-262-3356 www.axisart.ca
Fairytales
See Calgary - Community Groups.
Jubilations Dinner Theatre
Bow Trail and 37th St. SW 403-249-7799 www.jubilations.ca
43 Lisa Heinricks (Artist)--------------------- Art Central, 100 7th Ave SW, lower level http://www.creamydreamy.com 35 One Yellow Rabbit------------------------- Big Secret Theatre - EPCOR CENTRE 403-299-8888 www.oyr.org
Vigor Calgary
403-255-7004 www.vigorcalgary.ca Violence in Gay Male Relationships (VIGOR) is a committee of professionals dedicated to increasing the awareness of gay men’s domestic violence and the services available to them.
Wild Rose United Church
1317-1st Street NW
“Yeah...What She Said!” Radio Show
CJSW 90.9 FM yeahwhatshesaid@gmail.com
Restaurants 4 Calgary Eagle Inc.--------------------- See Calgary - Bars and Clubs.
✰
60 Club Sapien------------------------------ ✰ 1140 10th Ave SW 403-457-4464 http://www.clubsapien.ca
GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #93, July 2011
19
Directory & Events DOWNTOWN EDMONTON
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3
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1 Pride Centre------------- Community Groups 3 HIV Network------------- Community Groups 4 Edmonton STD---------- Community Groups
5 The Junction------------------ Bars and Clubs 6 Buddy’s Nite Club------------ Bars and Clubs 7 Down Under Baths--------------- Bathhouses
8 Prism Bar & Grill------------- Bars and Clubs 11 Steamworks---------------------- Bathhouses 12 Woody’s----------------------- Bars and Clubs
13 PLAY Nightclub--------------- Bars and Clubs 14 FLASH------------------------- Bars and Clubs
Calgary Contd. 37 Pumphouse Theatre------------------ 2140 Pumphouse Avenue SW 403-263-0079 http://www.pumphousetheatres.ca
✰
Stagewest-------------------------------
✰
727 - 42 Avenue SE 403-243-6642 http://www.stagewestcalgary.com 58 Theatre Junction---------------------- Theatre Junction GRAND, 608 1st St. SW 403-205-2922 info@theatrejunction.com http://www.theatrejunction.com
✰
34 Vertigo Mystery Theatre------------------ 161, 115 - 9 Ave SE 403-221-3708 http://www.vertigomysterytheatre.com
EDMONTON Bars & Clubs 6 Buddy’s Nite Club--------------------------✰ 11725 Jasper Ave 780-488-6636 14 FLASH---------------------------------------✰ 10018 105 Street 780-938-2941 flashnightclub@hotmail.com 5 The Junction---------------------------- ✰ 10242 106th St 780-756-5667 http://www.junctionedmonton.com
PLAY Nightclub (closed)-------------------✰
10220 103 Street info@playnightclub.ca http://www.playnightclub.ca
20
780-497-7529
Prism Bar & Grill (closed)-------------
10524 101st St http://www.prismbar.ca
✰
780-990-0038
12 Woody’s-------------------------------------✰ 11725 Jasper Ave 780-488-6557
Bathhouses/Saunas 7 Down Under Baths-------------------------✰ 12224 Jasper Ave 780-482-7960 http://www.gayedmonton.com 11 Steamworks--------------------------------✰ 11745 Jasper Ave 780-451-5554 http://www.steamworksedmonton.com
Community Groups Alberta Bears
www.beefbearbash.com
AltView Foundation
#44, 48 Brentwood Blvd, Sherwood Park, AB 403-398-9968 info@altview.ca www.altview.ca For gender variant and sexual minorities.
Book Worm’s Book Club
Howard McBride Chapel of Chimes 10179 - 108 Street bookworm@teamedmonton.ca
Buck Naked Boys Club
780-471-6993 http://www.bucknakedboys.ca Naturism club for men—being social while everyone is naked, and it does not include sexual activity. Participants do not need to be gay, only male.
GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #93, July 2011
Camp fYrefly
7-104 Dept. of Educational Policy Studies Faculty of Education, University of Alberta Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G5 http://www.fyrefly.ualberta.ca
Edmonton Pride Festival Society (EPFS)
http://www.edmontonpride.ca
Edmonton Prime Timers
edmontonpt@yahoo.ca www.primetimersww.org/edmonton Group of older gay men and their admirers who come from diverse backgrounds but have common social interests. Affiliated with Prime Timers World Wide.
Edmonton Rainbow Business Association
3379, 11215 Jasper Ave 780-429-5014 http://www.edmontonrba.org Primary focus is the provision of networking opportunities for LGBT owned or operated and LGBT-friendly businesses in the Edmonton region.
Edmonton Illusions Social Club
OUTreach
University of Alberta, basement of SUB outreach@ualberta.ca http://www.ualberta.ca/~outreach Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender/transsexual, Queer, Questioning and Straight-but-not-Narrow student group. 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton-------------- ✰ 95A Street, 111 Ave 780-488-3234 admin@pridecentreofedmonton.org
• Community Potluck
Main Space – Upstairs tuff@shaw.ca A potluck open to all members of the LGBTQ community. A time to get together, share a meal and meet people from the community.
• Free School
Main Space – Upstairs monika\penner@shaw.ca Free School provides workshops on a variety of topics related to local activism.
5 The Junction 780-387-3343 groups.yahoo.com/group/edmonton_illusions
• Get Tested for STIs
4 Edmonton STD 11111 Jasper Ave
• GLBT African Group (Drop-In)
Edmonton Vocal Minority
780-479-2038 www.evmchoir.com
sing@evmchoir.com
3 HIV Network Of Edmonton Society---- ✰ 9702 111 Ave NW www.hivedmonton.com
Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose
http://www.iscwr.ca
Free STD testing for anyone interested. For more information please contact the Pride Centre. fred@pridecentreofedmonton.org jeff@pridecentreofedmonton.org Group for ALL gay refugees and their friends and families, from all around the world.
• GLBT Seniors Drop-In
SAGE building, Classroom B 15 Sir Winstone Churchill Square tuff@shaw.ca A social and support group for seniors of all genders and sexualities to talk, have tea and offer each other support.
www.gaycalgary.com
Directory & Events Edmonton Events
Wednesdays
Mondays See
Team Edmonton
See
Pride Centre of Edmonton
2nd
Curling--------------------------------- 7:15pm See
Team Edmonton
Oct4Mar21
Tuesdays
GLBT Seniors Drop-in------------------ 1-4pm See
Pride Centre of Edmonton
TTIQ------------------------------------- 2-4pm See
Pride Centre of Edmonton
2nd
Youthspace------------------------------ 3-7pm See
Pride Centre of Edmonton
See
Team Edmonton
Sept7Mar15
Community Potluck--------------------- 7-9pm See
Pride Centre of Edmonton
Last
Recreational Volleyball-------- 8:30-10:30pm See
Team Edmonton
Oct5
Swimming----------------------- 7:30-8:30pm See
Team Edmonton
May19
Martial Arts--------------------- 7:30-8:30pm See
Team Edmonton
Free School---------------------------- 11-5pm
Edmonton Illusions-------------------- 8:30pm
See
Youth Sports/Recreation------------------ 4pm
Youthspace-------------------------- 3-6:30pm
See
Youth Understanding Youth------------ 7-9pm
Youth Sports/Recreation------------------ 4pm
See
Mixed Badminton---------------------- 8-10pm
Youth Movie Night------------------ 6:30-8:30
See
Thursdays
Youth Understanding Youth------------ 7-9pm
See
Saturdays
Unitarian Church (10804 119th Street) See Edmonton Primetimers
See
Pride Centre of Edmonton
1st
Pride Centre of Edmonton
Youth Understanding Youth
At 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton See
Team Edmonton
Jan13End of May
At 5 The Junction See See
Green Room – Upstairs huges@shaw.ca Support group for people living with HIV/AIDS.
• PFLAG
Red room - Downstairs 780-436-1998 edmontonab@pflagcanada.ca Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays: A support group for family members and friends of GLBT people. An excellent resource for people whose family members and friends have just come out.
• Prime Timers
See Edmonton Primetimers.
• Suit Up and Show Up: AA Big Book Study
Downstairs Couch Area Discussion and support group for those struggling with an alcohol addiction or seeking support in staying sober.
• TTIQ
Naturalist Gettogether
Youthspace------------------------------ 3-7pm
AA Big Book Study-------------------- 12-1pm
See
Pride Centre of Edmonton
Pride Centre of Edmonton
Last
Pride Centre of Edmonton
Youth Sports/Recreation------------------ 4pm See
Youth Understanding Youth
Swimming------------------------------- 7-8pm See
Team Edmonton
May19
Youth Understanding Youth------------ 7-9pm At 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton
Book Club------------------------------ 7:30pm See
BookWorm’s Book Club
3rd
Team Edmonton
See See
Monthly Meeting----------------------- 2:30pm By Edmonton Primetimers Unitarian Church, 10804 - 119th Street
2nd
2nd, 4th
Pride Centre of Edmonton
1st
Yoga--------------------------------- 2-3:30pm Team Edmonton
Men Talking with Pride---------------- 7-9pm Pride Centre of Edmonton
Ballroom Dancing-------------- 7:30-8:30pm Team Edmonton
Monthly Meetings---------------------- 2:30pm 2nd
Saturday, July 23rd
Entertainer of the Year Pageant---------- 9pm By
ISCWR at 5 The Junction
Saturday, July 30th
A Royal Toga Affair------------------------ 9pm By
ISCWR at 5 The Junction
Youthspace-------------------------- 3-6:30pm
August 2011
Bowling------------------------------------ 5pm
Baseball Tournament--------------- 12-5pm By Emily Morgan Foundation Aug14 Diamond Park Ball Field (River Valley)
Sundays
ISCWR Coronation----------------------- TBA By ISCWR Aug27
See See
Pride Centre of Edmonton Team Edmonton
GLBT African Group
At 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton
1st, Last
brendan@pridecentreofedmonton.org A safe and supportive space for GLBTQ youth aged 13–25. Video games, computers with internet, clothing bank, and more.
Team Edmonton
president@teamedmonton.ca http://www.teamedmonton.ca Members are invited to attend and help determine the board for the next term. If you are interested in running for the board or getting involved in some of the committees, please contact us.
• Badminton (Mixed)
St. Thomas Moore School, 9610 165 Street coedbadminton@teamedmonton.ca New group seeking male & female players.
• Badminton (Women’s)
Oliver School, 10227 - 118 Street 780-465-3620 badminton@teamedmonton.ca Women’s Drop-In Recreational Badminton. $40.00 season or $5.00 per drop in.
Garneau Elementary School 10925 - 87 Ave bootcamp@teamedmonton.ca
www.gaycalgary.com
Pride Centre of Edmonton
Pride Centre of Edmonton
Womonspace Meeting--------- 12:30-1:30pm
• YouthSpace
• Womonspace Board Meeting
Main Space – Upstairs brendan@pridecentreofedmonton.org
2nd
Team Edmonton
Movie chosen by youth (aged 14 – 25), usually with LGBT themes. Popcorn is served.
•Ballroom Dancing
• Youth Movie
Buck Naked Boys Club
See
Legend: = Monthly Reoccurrance, = Date (Range), = Sponsored Event
Green Room – Upstairs admin@pridecentreofedmonton.org TTIQ is mixed gender open support group addressing the needs of transsexual and transgendered individuals. Main Space – Upstairs wspresident@hotmail.com Womonspace is a Social and Recreational Society in Edmonton run by volunteers. They provide opportunities for lesbians to interact and support each other in a safe environment, and to contribute to the broader community.
Youth Understanding Youth
See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton
Edmonton Contd.
• Men’s HIV Support Group
Pride Centre of Edmonton
Get Tested for STIs---------------------- 3-6pm
See
See
Main Space – Upstairs robwells780@hotmail.com A social discussion group for gay, bisexual and transgendered men to discuss current issues and to offer support to each other.
2nd
GLBT Seniors Drop-in------------------ 1-4pm
Martial Arts--------------------- 7:30-8:30pm
• Men Talking with Pride
Team Edmonton
At 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton
See
Bowling----------------------------- 6:45-9pm
Fridays
Youthspace------------------------------ 3-7pm See
Men’s HIV Support Group-------------- 7-9pm
Running------------------------------ 10-11am
See
See
Boot Camp------------------------------ 7-8pm
Intermediate Volleyball-------- 7:30-9:30pm
PFLAG--------------------------------- 12:10pm
Foot Notes Dance Studio, 9708-45 Avenue NW Cynthia: 780-469-3281
• Blazin’ Bootcamp
• Bowling (Northern Titans)
Ed’s Rec Room (West Edmonton Mall) bowling@teamedmonton.ca $15.00 per person.
• Cross Country Skiing
crosscountry@teamedmonton.ca
GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #93, July 2011
21
Directory & Events Edmonton Contd. • Curling with Pride
Granite Curling Club, 8620 107 Street NW curling@teamedmonton.ca
• Cycling (Edmonton Prideriders) Various locations in Edmonton cycling@teamedmonton.ca
• Dragon Boat (Flaming Dragons) dragonboat@teamedmonton.ca
• Volleyball, Intermediate
Amiskiwacy Academy (101 Airport Road) volleyball@teamedmonton.ca
http://www.exposurefestival.ca Edmonton’s Queer Arts and Culture Festival.
• Women’s Lacrosse
10708 124th Street, Edmonton AB 780-453-2440 www.theatrenetwork.ca
Mother Teresa School (9008 - 105 Ave) recvolleyball@teamedmonton.ca
• Golf
golf@teamedmonton.ca
• Gymnastics, Drop-in
• Yoga
• Hockey
hockey@teamedmonton.ca
• Martial Arts
15450 - 105 Ave (daycare entrance) 780-328-6414 kungfu@teamedmonton.ca kickboxing@teamedmonton.ca Drop-ins welcome.
• Outdoor Pursuits
outdoorpursuits@teamedmonton.ca
• Running (Arctic Frontrunners)
Emily Murphy Park, west end running@teamedmonton.ca All genders and levels of runners and walkers are invited to join this free activity.
• Slo Pitch
Parkallen Field, 111 st and 68 ave slo-pitch@teamedmonton.ca Season fee is $30.00 per person. $10 discount for players from the 2008 season.
• Snowballs V
January 27-29, 2012 snowballs@teamedmonton.ca Skiing and Snowboarding Weekend.
• Soccer
soccer@teamedmonton.ca
• Spin
MacEwan Centre for Sport and Wellness 109 St. and 104 Ave Wednesdays, 5:45-6:45pm Season has ended. spin@teamedmonton.ca 7 classes, $28.00 per registrant.
Lion's Breath Yoga Studio (10350-124 Street) yoga@teamedmonton.ca
Womonspace
780-482-1794 womonspace@gmail.com www.womonspace.ca Women’s social group, but all welcome at events.
Youth Understanding Youth
780-248-1971 www.yuyedm.ca A support and social group for queer youth 12-25.
• Sports and Recreation
Brendan: 780-488-3234 brendan@pridecentreofedmonton.org
Restaurants 5 The Junction------------------------------- 10242 106th St 780-756-5667 12 Woody’s-------------------------------------✰ 11725 Jasper Ave 780-488-6557
Retail Stores Rodéo Drive
11528 - 89th Street 780-474-0413 brendalee@rodeodrive.ca http://www.rodeodrive.ca His and hers fetish wear, toys, jewelry, etc.
Products & Services Cruiseline
780-413-7122 trial code 3500 http://www.cruiseline.ca Telephone classifieds and chat - 18+ ONLY.
Robertson-Wesley United Church
NAIT Pool (11762 - 106 Street) swimming@teamedmonton.ca www.makingwavesswimclub.ca
10209 - 123 St. NW 780-482-1587 jravenscroft@rwuc.org www.rwuc.org Worship: Sunday mornings at 10:30am People of all sexual orientations welcome. Other LGBT events include a monthly book club and a bi-monthly film night. As a caring spiritual community, we’d love to have you join us!
• Tennis
• Soul OUTing
• Swimming (Making Waves)
Kinsmen Sports Centre Sundays, 12pm-3pm tennis@teamedmonton.ca
Second Sunday every month, 7pm An LGBT-focused alternative worship.
• Ultimate Frisbee
Bi-monthly, contact us for exact dates.
Sundays Summer Season starts July 12th ultimatefrisbee@teamedmonton.ca E-mail if interested.
Exposure Festival
• Volleyball, Recreational
Sharon: 780-461-0017 Pam: 780-436-7374 Open to women 21+, experienced or not, all are welcome. Call for info.
Ortona Gymnastics Club, 8755 - 50 Avenue gymnastics@teamedmonton.ca Have the whole gym to yourselves and an instructor to help you achieve your individual goals. Cost is $5.00 per session.
Theatre & Fine Arts
• Film Night • Book Club
Monthly, contact us for exact dates.
The Roxy Theatre
BANFF/CANMORE Community Groups Mountain Pride
BOX 4892, BANFF, AB, T1L 1G1 Brian, 403-431-2569 1-800-958-9632 members@gaybanff.com www.gaybanff.com Serving the GLBTQS community in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Area.
GRANDE PRAIRIE Community Groups GALAP
10113 - 103 Ave, T8V 1C2 780-512-1990 Gay and Lesbian Association of the Peace. • Wednesday Coffee Nights
LETHBRIDGE Community Groups GALA/LA
403-308-2893 http://www.galalethbridge.ca Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Lethbridge and Area.
• Monthly Dances
Henotic (402 - 2 Ave S) Bring your membership card and photo ID.
• Monthly Potluck Dinners
McKillop United Church, 2329 - 15 Ave S GALA/LA will provide the turkey...you bring the rest. Please bring a dish to share that will serve 4-6 people, and your own beverage.
• Support Line
403-308-2893 Monday OR Wednesday, 7pm-11pm Leave a message any other time.
• Friday Mixer
The Mix (green water tower) 103 Mayor Magrath Dr S Every Friday at 10pm
Gay & Lesbian Integrity Assoc. (GALIA)
University of Lethbridge GBLTTQQ club on campus.
galia@uleth.ca
• Movie Night
Room C610, University of Lethbridge
Gay Youth Alliance Group
Betty, 403-381-5260 bneil@chr.ab.ca Every second Wednesday, 3:30pm-5pm
Lethbridge HIV Connection
1206 - 6 Ave S
PFLAG Canada
1-888-530-6777 lethbridgeab@pflagcanada.ca www.pflagcanada.ca
22
GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #93, July 2011
Pride Lethbridge
lethbridgepridefest@gmail.com
RED DEER Community Groups Affirm
Sunnybrook United Church 403-347-6073 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7pm Composed of LGBTQ people, their friends, family and allies. No religious affiliation necessary. Activities include support, faith and social justice discussions, film nights, and potlucks!
ALBERTA Community Groups Central Alberta AIDS Network Society
4611-50 Avenue, Red Deer, AB http://www.caans.org The Central Alberta AIDS Network Society is the local charity responsible for HIV prevention and support in Central Alberta.
Western Canadian Pride Campout
www.eventmasterinc.net
YouthSafe
http://www.youthsafe.net Alberta’s website for youth with sex-and-gender differences. Youthsafe.net lists the resources, information and services to help youth find safe and caring spaces in Alberta.
Theatre & Fine Arts Alberta Ballet
http://www.albertaballet.com Frequent productions in Calgary and Edmonton.
CANADA Community Groups Alberta Trans Support/Activities Group
http://www.albertatrans.org A nexus for transgendered persons, regardless of where they may be on the continuum.
Canadian Rainbow Health Coalition
P..O. Box 3043, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 3S9 (306) 955-5135 1-800-955-5129 http://www.rainbowhealth.ca
Egale Canada
8 Wellington St E, Third Floor Toronto, Ontario, M5E 1C5 1-888-204-7777 www.egale.ca Egale Canada is the national advocacy and lobby organization for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, transidentified people and our families.
Products & Services Squirt
http://www.squirt.org Website for dating and hook-ups. 18+ ONLY!
Theatre & Fine Arts Broadway Across Canada
http://www.broadwayacrosscanada.ca
OUTtv
http://www.outtv.ca GLBT Television Station.
www.gaycalgary.com
Community
Photos by Kyle Marquardt (kylefoto.com)
Kicking Balls
The Bow River Football Club By Carey Rutherford First of all, don’t be confused by Mitch Matthews, the Bow River Football Club coach, when he’s talking about their soccer team. With the dramatic increase of FIFA awareness in recent years, we simple North Americans should have learned the global lingo of those who play ‘footie’ (soccer). So they are the Bow River Football Club, but they play in the Fusion Soccer League. Okay? Secondly, when Mitch exclaims, “Our women are fantastic,” and it’s coming from his chest-shaking rumble of a voice, it suggests something much more salacious to the average Albertan than what he continues with: “They’re great players, they’re really fun to play with, and they give it their all.“ And then he says, “You’ve got to put that in your article!” Done. Mitch played on The Rovers, a gay men’s soccer team in Melbourne, and when he moved back to Calgary from Australia, he says he “really wanted to play on a soccer team.” Having played competitively in Calgary, and then in the Australia-based Victoria Football Federation, Mitch contacted Apollo Calgary about getting access to their mailing list. He and Apollo’s president agreed to a test run for the team, and Mitch did further prospecting for players on FaceBook and Grindr. “So you can use Grindr for something other than what it’s intended for,” said Mitch with a grin. “We got some pretty excited people, and [some] who wanted to do things with the soccer team that shouldn’t be done with a soccer team.” They ended up with 30 people at their first practice - a great turnout. Mitch says the intention was to be very open and developmental in their approach to this club. “In Calgary there’s a women’s-only league and a men’s-only league, and they’re quite competitive, and for mixed leagues there’s the Calgary Sports & Social Club and the Fusion Soccer League. We chose the Fusion League because it’s officiated, which would give those members of the team that have never played soccer before (the chance to) concentrate on learning the game and not how to self-officiate.”
“During the game we play the hardest, score a couple of goals, usually on the opposing net, sometimes on our own, but it’s all in good fun.” “The intention was to have a team in Calgary that was GLBT friendly, that would be able to be competitive in a league that may not be a ‘gay’ league, but would still have the same opportunities for play, competitiveness; to just have a socially inclusive and fun team, to have that outlet in Calgary. There’s so many times that it’s a ‘gay’ volleyball league or a ‘gay’ bowling league, and it’s very gay-centric. This is a way of branching out and having a bigger team, and involving us in the greater community. We have some straight members on the team, and their partners and wives and husbands come out to the games, and other spectators and family and friends, so that’s pretty exciting. “And,” he adds, “(the Fusion League) provides uniforms, so we look pretty damn sharp out there, too.” The season is 12 league games, and if you advance to the final (“which at this time we’re not forecasted to do,” as they’ve only won one game), you’re into a few playoff games. Another season runs July to September, so the F&L’s (as they call themselves), are starting up their recruiting drive again. They want YOU! “If they want to contact us, they can contact me…and I’ll set them up and let them know when our practices are. There’s no tryouts for the team: if you want to play you’re more than welcome to come walk aboard right now. If you’re curious about soccer and have no experience, it absolutely doesn’t matter. We host the practices to help people through that natural progression as it goes along.” “We’re looking for drag queens, too, to come along with pom-poms to support us. This is a no-barrier opportunity for people to come out, experience soccer [any skill level], and meet a bunch of great people outside of the traditional venues in Calgary.” “It’s a really good opportunity even for those who are Questioning and want to meet people outside of the bar, but they’re not quite sure how to get into the community.” But you’ll pigeonhole this team at the risk of incurring the wrath of the Coach. “Some people…may think it’s just a bunch of poofters or faggots running out there, wearing the Daisy Dukes and with bows in their hair, but it’s not: it’s a competitive league. This isn’t a Pride parade, and we’re not all out there on a float. We’re active in the community,” Mitch insists, “but, if you haven’t figured it out yet, THIS IS SOCCER!”
“Generally how we work is we have a practice on Mondays from 7:45pm [at ‘13th Avenue Park’, between 1st and 2nd Street, and 13th and 14th Avenue, SW] until we’re tired or we want to go for a beer. We do some drills and stuff, and generally if there’s a good turnout we play a scrimmage at the end of it. And then we play our games on Thursdays at 6pm or 7:15pm at different locations around the city.
The Bow River Football Club bowriverfc@gmail.com http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2297
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GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #93, July 2011
23
Politics
A Conflict between Faith-based Education within Public Schools and Secular Tradition By Stephen Lock One of the great irreconcilables of our age is likely the chasm between “faith” and “sexuality”, specifically GLBT sexuality. While some liberal Christian churches and Jewish synagogues have moved to a greater acceptance of gay men and lesbians and, to a lesser degree transfolk, there still remains a massive disconnect between most faith communities and the GLBT communities. The Edmonton Logos Society, a non-denominational Christian program operating within Edmonton’s public school system, has come out - as it were - against the recent Edmonton school board’s draft policy regarding making public schools safer and more welcoming for sexual minorities. School trustees voted eight to one in March to create the policy for schools dealing with discrimination based on sexual orientation, with a draft policy posted on the school board website and an invitation for public feedback through a then-online survey, which has since closed. The proposed policy states, in part, that sexual and gender minority (meaning those of us who self-identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, twospirited, queer, or trans) students, staff, and families, including same-sex parented families, have the right to be “included, affirmed, and represented in an inclusive, positive and respectful manner by all school personnel”. It goes on to state they also have the right to have their “unique identities, families, cultures and communities valued and affirmed within all aspects of the school environment.” In early June, Logos sent an “alert” via their newsletter The Logos Lantern to parents of children enrolled in its program, stating the policy “... means that our Logos teachers and principals would no longer be able to express freely in their classrooms that the homosexual lifestyle [sic] is not in accord with their Christian beliefs, and that they would be required to ‘affirm’ homosexual lifestyle as acceptable to traditional Christian family values, [and] we cannot accept this.” Logos seems to be most concerned with the affirming aspect included in the proposed policy, believing this would have “a significant, negative impact on [their] Logos Christian Alternative Program” which was stated in the June edition of the Logos Lantern in boldface lettering. The alert, written by Bruce Wilkinson, President of the ELS, then goes on to say, “The Policy review Committee’s document states that Trustees are “committed to implementing proactive measures that will [amongst other things]: Develop, promote and implement inclusive educational strategies, professional development opportunities, and administrative guidelines to ensure that sexual and gender minorities and their families are welcomed and treated with respect and dignity in all aspects of the school community” [Emphasis added by Logos] “We have met twice with Edmonton Public School authorities and prior to the second meeting we forwarded [to] the Policy Review Committee 12 written questions asking for clarification. They gave us only flimsy, anecdotal evidence in answer to our query of why their proposed policy was even necessary. The rest of the questions they did not answer. For example they were unwilling even to state what “affirm” will mean for teachers, principals and other staff.” In all fairness, Wilkinson does support the school board’s existing policy of zero tolerance toward bullying, stating, “As followers of Jesus, we believe that every child should be free from bullying, whether it is because of his or her physical appearance or their sexual orientation, or for any other reason, and that all persons and families should be treated with respect and dignity,” but then qualifies that by also stating, “Yet, if the Trustees would insist that their already-existing policies on bullying were strictly enforced by the Superintendent and school principals, there would be no need for an additional policy at all.” [Emphasis included by Logos] He then moves into the minefield area of conflicting rights, an area rife with challenges for anyone involved in equality, civil, or human rights work, stating the proposed policy in fact violates Christians’ rights of expression and freedom of belief. He argues the proposed policy, “violates the motion approved by former Trustees which inaugurated the Logos Program on January 23, 1996. That
24
GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #93, July 2011
document states that, “A fundamental purpose [of the Logos program] would be to support the traditional values of the home ... [and] a teacher in this program would be expected to bring a Christian viewpoint to issues and topics from all curriculum areas... Furthermore, sex education would emphasize traditional Christian and family values.” [Emphasis included by Logos] He goes on to argue, “Some of the proposed policies of the Policy Review Committee also violate our rights specified in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms which states under the section “Fundamental Freedoms”, Clause 2, that everyone has: “(a) freedom of conscience and religion; (b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression...” “They also violate our rights under Article 1(b), (c) and (d) and Article 3(1) of the Alberta Bill of Rights as well as under the Code of Conduct, Article 3 of the Alberta Human Rights Act.” The Bill of Rights sections refer specifically to the right of the individual to equality before the law and the protection of the law, freedom of religion, and freedom of speech. Article 3(1) refers to no subsequent ruling or statute can negate or “side-step” these pre-existing rights. Artlcle 3 of the Alberta Human Rights Act outlines the parameters under which individuals cannot discriminate or cause a person or class of persons to be exposed to hatred or contempt because of their status within any number of protected areas. Exemptions to this include the free expression of opinion or if the notice in question is displayed “by or on behalf of an organization that is composed exclusively or primarily of persons having the same political or religious beliefs...” The proposed school board policy does not, I would suggest, violate the rights of Logos members. They are free to believe whatever it is they believe about GLBTQ people and they are certainly free to continue to worship and practice their religion...the churches they worship in are not being burned, they are not being rounded up for being Christian, and they are not being persecuted. It could, however, be argued GLBTQ youth are persecuted within our school system by their peers. If a teacher condemns homosexuality, or transsexuality for that matter, as against God’s will and as an evil, as sin, and a GLBTQ student is exposed to that belief, it could be argued that it constitutes a form of persecution. As mentioned, the balancing of rights is complicated and tricky, at best. While I do not share many of the beliefs promulgated by organizations like ELS, or the Christian Church itself, whatever manifestation it presents, I do respect individuals have the right - legal, ethical and moral - to hold those beliefs and to conduct their own lives in accordance with them. While for instance I would disagree with a teacher - in this case, a Christian teacher stating in the classroom that homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teachings, I also believe there is a way to present that without belittling or dis-affirming those of us who are GLBTQ. It would certainly offer what is commonly called ‘a teaching moment’ and open up discussion about beliefs, dogma, and any number of other issues such as Nature vs Nurture etc. This would appear to be in total keeping with Logos’ own Mission Statement, which states in part, “That students, taught in a spiritually nurturing, intellectually challenging and disciplined environment, acquire the knowledge, attitudes, skills and training necessary to seek after ‘whatsoever things are true.’” In Alberta, as in other provinces and territories within Canada, we have essentially two systems of education; a public, secular one and a ‘separate’ school system operated by the Roman Catholic Church. In recent years, various religiously-based charter and private schools have also come onto the field. I have no issue with parents sending their children into the separate school system or to a Jewish, Christian, or Islam-based charter or private school, if that is their wish. However, I also think it is important to maintain the secular aspect of the public school system, I would hope a system designed to equip youth with the background and cognitive skills to make a life for themselves as adults. The role of religion, or faith, in this context should fall outside the public school system; by all means, study the various religions and examine their respective belief structures. Doing so offers students an opportunity to be exposed to something outside themselves and broadens their understanding of the world, something that
www.gaycalgary.com
would define “education”, but to institute a faith-based curriculum into the public system, as was done with the introduction of Logos in 1996, well.... did nobody anticipate a collision of beliefs was inevitable? It would seem obvious to me. I am not for one second suggesting anyone compromise truly held convictions and beliefs. I am suggesting, however, that such a curriculum as Logos expounds, and the philosophy behind it, while good and noble in and of itself, has no place in a public education system which schools a plethora of students from a myriad of backgrounds, faiths, and cultures. To be clear, this is also not to suggest there is no role for such a curriculum if that is what individual families feel they need and require. I am suggesting there are alternatives to the public education system in which to pursue that agenda, and there should be those alternatives, but the public education system itself needs to remain, and be seen to remain, neutral in such matters. The approach the Edmonton School Board is taking with its policy regarding GLBTQ is not in conflict with the views I have just stated. Including and affirming GLBTQ individuals and our families in a respectful and positive manner within all aspects of public schooling is an extension of the role public education plays in society. GLBTQ community, and GLBTQ individuals, are part of society - we pay taxes, we support public (or separate) education and have the right to access that without fear of reprisal, attack, persecution, bullying, or any and all forms of discrimination, however subtle or camouflaged it may be. Believe what you wish to believe, that is your right. But it is not your right to impose those beliefs on any one else under the guise of ”religion” and your interpretation of ”God’s will.” What would Jesus do? “Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and render unto God that which is God’s....”
http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2298
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GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #93, July 2011
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Community
Calgary Outlink Reaches Out By Carey Rutherford For the longest time the Calgary Outlink webpage stated a stale message: ”Stay tuned for exciting changes Over the Next 60 Days!” Okay, fair enough, we’re patient folk, aren’t we? GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine asked Sam Casselman, the newly instated President of the Board of Directors for the Calgary Outlink Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity: How long has it been in this state? A month or two? Apparently it’s a little more embarrassing than that… “I’m not sure exactly, but a year at least. But this is something the current board is doing, and we’re going to have it up and running hopefully within a few weeks; sooner if possible,” she stated last month. “But it is done: I’ve seen myself the final, new website. It looks amazing, and is full of new resources, and great information.” As of publishing this article, indeed the new website is up and running. Casselman is was certainly unhappy with the delay, because she’s aware of how perceptions of the organization have slipped in recent years, giving rise to some frustration and a bit of an image problem. And this was exacerbated by the organization’s own internet survey which she admits did not reflect well on Calgary Outlink. “I think for a lot of people [Calgary Outlink is invisible]. The space has moved a few times and there were some staffing issues. I’d love to be able to say we’re just here to tell you how great things have been; things are going to be better and even greater, but honestly there have been issues and I think the community is aware of that.” “What I really want to bring to light is that there are changes happening and they’re for the better, and we hope that we can all build new relationships; rebuild old relationships.” The research, which was sponsored by Calgary Outlink and conducted by the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Social Work, included four parts: • The above-mentioned internet survey of 230 people, which was promoted through various means to members of the LGBT community and their families and friends • An environmental scan of 35 “existing services, programs or groups for the LGBT communities” • A literature review of 11 different research databases to gain some other research findings in the area of LGBT youth and adults
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GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #93, July 2011
• A Photovoice Project, which invited members of Calgary Outlink’s Inside Out Youth Group to creatively express what queer life meant to them using photography and narratives. Right now, Sam is most concerned about the LGBT community perspective which the internet survey shines some light on. “The part of the survey that is more relevant to what we’re trying to do right now was the part where they spoke to the community and asked them how they saw Outlink, what they knew about it… I think that some of the findings in that survey didn’t reflect all that favourably on Outlink. It was this element of invisibility and disconnection that rang out for Casselman, who was an Outlink client long before that became its name. “I myself have been frustrated in the past [with Outlink’s issues] and have just wanted to get involved and try to make it something fantastic… I’ve been out since I was 15, and Outlink was a resource my mom contacted then [which at the time was called the Gay and Lesbian Community Services Association], to ask what kind of resources were available. At that time it was very much a thriving organization that [was well known].” “A big part of what we’re trying to do now is reconnect with the community; make people aware of the services that are available, and that sort of thing.” “The concern is that it just hasn’t been really out there. For me Outlink, is working towards becoming an organization that will be there to support the community, be available for everybody, and be a resource that people can easily find out about. And part of that is us being out there and connecting with other groups and sources that can use Outlink as a referral.” We discussed whether part of Outlink’s difficulties stem from having to support and encourage Calgarians, while simultaneously needing to label them in order to provide that service. “It’s tough when you have anything that makes you different from what society calls ‘the norm’… Obviously our resources are geared towards a certain population, one just doesn’t have the ability to offer them to the entire population. It’s difficult, you do identify with some sort of label to be a part of the transgender group, or the transsexual group, and that can go on to the women’s [lesbians] group, or the men’s group, or the [LGBT] youth group. So I think it’s difficult [to provide the resources without requiring labels].” Despite being directed down this philosophical path, Sam still likes what Outlink stands for, and it’s potential to support others as significantly as she remembers when she needed it.
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“In lots of ways Outlink has been continuing to do a lot of things really well. It’s just more about making sure that the community is aware that these things are continuing, and [that OutLink is] being involved.” In particular, she feels the Inside Out Youth Group continues to be one of their successes. “I was in the space where we have our office and groups…and the youth group was happening in another area, and there were probably 25 youth in that space. That is a regular occurrence weekly: anywhere from 15 to 20-some youth will attend. And they come every week!” “We keep track of kids that have been there before, and those that are there for their first time. Every single week, on the sheets the facilitators fill out, there are new kids. So this is something that’s continued to happen, no matter what issues Outlink has had. “And for me, to see all these kids there, happy, in a space where they can be themselves and be supported, make new friends and get new skills and resources to deal with all the crap that teenagers deal with already. …All of that stuff for me is the best thing that Outlink does right now.” It’s hard to argue with that.
Q Scopes
Pay attention, Capricorn! Mercury in Leo, cranking up egos and voices, is at the end of a “yod” with Pluto and Chiron. The real challenge is to shut up, listen and adapt to difficult new realities. Venus making a T-square to Uranus and Pluto stresses relationships, forcing major adaptation. Your work is cut out!
ARIES (March 20–April 19): Brash overconfidence is sure to get you into trouble. You do have what it takes, but consider slowly and carefully what your strongest virtues are. A little humility will give you perspective and enhance your strengths.
TAURUS (April 20–May 20): You can get away with almost anything, but second-guessing yourself will ruin this lucky streak. Meditation aids focus, but don’t get trapped in distraction or dawdling. Stay clear on your ideals and purpose; they will pull you through.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20): As usual, your mouth is the surest opening to trouble. Think ahead! When in doubt, trust in your friends for appropriate guidelines. Meditative reflection is helpful, not just for verbal discipline, but for clarity in professional goals and partnership. CANCER (June 21–July 22): Venus in your sign makes
Calgary Outlink 1528 16th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T3C 0Z8 P: 403-234-8973 E: info@calgaryoutlink.ca www.calgaryoutlink.ca
you more attractive, but not necessarily to whom you want to attract! Stick to your standards. Do not submit to pressure! A philosophical sense of humor will get you through awkward advances and other potentially ugly situations.
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LEO (July 23–August 22): You need to clear the air and explore new ideas. Just be careful when and where! This is what friends are for, not your boss. Actually, once you have those ideas honed and polished your boss will probably love them!
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VIRGO (August 23–September 22): Whatever you’re worried
about, face the problem directly. Discussing it with your partner could solve it. (Not discussing it together could in fact be the problem!) If words fail you, try round one in the bedroom.
LIBRA (September 23–October 22): It’s your moment to
shine. Worrying about family and relations could hold back your career, but understanding them as important support and resources will strengthen you. It’s all in your attitude and knowing how empowering your roots really are.
SCORPIO (October 23–November 21): There is a special pleasure in getting to the truth of the matter, but doing so could be very disruptive to personal and work relationships. Conspire with, not against, your potential allies in your search for understanding.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22–December 20): Allow yourself
to be challenged by new ideas without arguing about them. Just consider them and see how they might be constructively applied. You love your theories, but practical experience is what proves truth and value.
CAPRICORN (December 21–January 19): Asserting yourself can create disaster at home. Pay attention and be ready to adapt. It may take some sacrifice, probably of some aspect of your ego, but foresight and your willingness to transform will save you.
AQUARIUS (January 20–February 18): Pay close attention to what your partner has to tell you. Don’t argue! You don’t have to agree; you do have to think about it. Affirming roots and community will give you the strength you need to make necessary changes.
PISCES (February 19–March 19): Changes at work are
likely to be a blessing in disguise. Friends’ advice that you don’t like will prove most helpful. It may need more discussion for you to fully understand. Keep an open mind.
Jack Fertig, a professional astrologer since 1977 teaches at the Online College of Astrology : http://www.astrocollege.com. He can be reached for personal or business consultations at 415-864-8302 or through his website at http://www.starjack.com
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GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #93, July 2011
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Gossip Smith (90210) plays the twentysomething Sonny, a gay man returning to the fictional town to find his family. But which family? Still a secret. Boyfriend soon? Also a secret. Can this storyline top the Noah/Luke saga on the now-cancelled As The World Turns? Be sure to tune in tomorrow. And the day after. And the day after…
Lance Bass plans to keep it real Maybe it was dating Reichen and hanging out with Kathy Griffin that did it to him, but Lance Bass is now looking to get his own reality series. Granted, it won’t be a “this is my life on a list, be it A or D” kind of show, but still, Lance Bass is climbing aboard that wagon with VH1. And it has to be acknowledged that his best idea of the several he’s recently sold – an asyet-untitled music competition series – is sort of genius. In Bass’s own words: “I got a member from Backstreet Boys, A.J. McLean. A member from *NSYNC, Joey Fatone. A member from New Kids on the Block, Joe McIntyre. And a member from New Edition, Bobby Brown. They’re all going to form a boy band, each, from the most talented guys in America that I’ve scouted, and then they’ll go head-to-head in a competition to see who the best band is, so it’s bragging rights for the guy in the group, for sure.” Of course, technically, Bobby Brown hasn’t signed on yet. But there’s little chance he won’t. The Whitney Houston bus dropped him off a while back. The man has a living to make. Now, next question: Why is no former member of O-Town involved?
Waiting patiently for more Downton Abbey? It’s shooting now.
Hugh Jackman, photo by 20th Century Fox
Deep Inside Hollywood Hugh Jackman can’t help loving musical theater By Romeo San Vicente If you want to get technical about it, Hugh Jackman has already made one movie musical: Happy Feet. Granted, you didn’t see him in the film, but that was his singing voice coming out of one of those dancing penguins. So it kinda-sorta counts. And yes, the Aussie action star has been all over Broadway and the Tony Awards and done his song-and-dance thing at the Oscars. But now he might get his first movie musical role in the long-awaited film version of Les Miserables. He’s in talks right now to come aboard and play… well, who exactly, nobody knows. But safe bet it’s a big role like Jean Valjean and that the musical’s rabid, devoted, huge following will make it a hit when it finally lands in theaters sometime before… well, when exactly, nobody knows, either. Paul Bettany is also rumored to be among the actors in talks but, again, for what role is anyone’s guess. And they’re going to find a spot for Susan Boyle, right? Because they should.
If good things really do come to those who wait, then American fans of the U.K. period drama series Downton Abbey are in for a serious treat early in 2012. The thinking person’s luxury soap, set at the start of World War I, starring Elizabeth McGovern, Maggie Smith and Hugh Bonneville, has been renewed for a second season and a Christmas special that’s in production right now in England and is due to air there this autumn (the Christmas special in December). Now, for reasons unknown, audiences on this side of the Atlantic who aren’t up on how to locate illegal streams of their favorite TV shows online will have to be patient a little longer for PBS Masterpiece to get its broadcast rights. But sometime early next year all the class warfare drama – including the storyline with handsome Rob James-Collier as that evil, treacherous and gay “first footman” – will unfold. Naturally, this will all take place tastefully and will be served with some very expensive teas and cakes. Romeo San Vicente knows that the butler did it and in which linen closet it happened. He can be reached care of this publication. Check the GayCalgary.com website every week for more Deep Inside Hollywood!
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Days of Our Lives finally gets its first gay No, it’s not exactly groundbreaking at this point for a daytime drama to begin a gay storyline. It’s not even groundbreaking when the show allows the gay character to be involved in a torrid same-sex kidnapping-and-blindness-and-paranormalactivities-centered relationship. But it’s still news, and as each show (of the few left standing in this time of waning ratings and soap opera audience attrition) brings a gay or lesbian character on board, it’s nice to pay attention to how it all turns out. And so, on Days of Our Lives, the first gay person is going to visit Salem and it’s happening this very week. Actor Freddie 28
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Lifestyle
Cocktail Chatter
Jack Fogg Rolls In: The Bourbon Sour by Ed Sikov An afternoon in June. Under a bright blue dome of a sky, boys paraded around like Speedo models and dressed accordingly. Cher’s “Believe” wafted through the air from two different houses, off sync. Since it was only Thursday, our witless but ever-giggling, wretchedly visible neighbors weren’t in residence yet. In a blazing stroke of architectural stupidity, our outdoor shower directly overlooks their deck. I’d done some heavy yardwork, and without the annoying onlookers – they either cheered or booed depending on the drugs they were on – I washed off in solitude under our outdoor shower. There’s also a clean shot to the front gate, which opened, to my horror, just as I was washing my most rarely-seen-in-public region. Jack Fogg waved a cheery hello, raised his eyebrows, and disappeared into the house. “Where’s Sammy?” I asked when we met again upstairs, I having scooted into some gym trunks, Jack into his standard Madras shorts. “Don’t mention that name,” he snarled. “Yesterday I caught him in my own bed with the Indian delivery boy!” I tried to look sympathetic, but the mental image was like Spanish Fly. “He had the balls to tell me he had a craving for chicken vindaloo!’ It’s happened before. Sammy’s insatiable. But the delivery boy?!” Classic! Harvard ’89 was offended not by Sammy’s cheating but by the trick’s caste! I said nothing but “You want a drink?” “Sure – what are you mixing?” “I dunno. Let’s see what we have.” I found some bourbon while Jack leaned into the open refrigerator. “Voila!” A hand emerged clutching a plastic lemon. “If there’s sugar I’ll make bourbon sours.” “Snap to!” I barked. My command pulled Jack out of the fridge with a faint blush. “Syrup! Not sugar!” “Yes, sir,” he replied, his cheeks reddening, and swiftly made us the most enormous bourbon sours I’ve ever seen. Sours go in 5-ounce glasses. Jack Fogg’s required 12-ounce tumblers. I plunked down on the couch. Jack Fogg plunked down right next to me. We clinked. “Cheers!” I still harbor a robust jealousy toward Jack Fogg. He’s well built and handsome and an Ivy League A-lister, whereas I’m Shrimp Boy from a two-bit town north of Pittsburgh who went to a college nobody’s heard of. But there I was in gym trunks getting blotto next to an equally shirtless Jack Fogg, who, noticing that I kept glancing at his blond chest hair, actually flexed. “These things are mighty fine!” I declared after emptying my glass. “Which?” he said with a leer. “The drinks or my pecs?”
after some cajoling of Chipper, he switched around enough housemates to keep Kyle away from Craig, who was sitting in ashes in a sackcloth muumuu from Lane Bryant. Surprisingly, Robbie stepped up. In fact, he became such a mensch (Yiddish for best dude; antonym of douchebag) that we wondered if he’d been forced into psychopharmacology. Turns out he had. He’d fallen into depression after being fired as news producer for Simonton Austin, the ridiculously closeted CNBC star who we’d all seen either shepherding or purchasing boys in every bar in town. Robbie told Kyle (who blabbed) that Austin groped him in his dressing room after snorting something brown – Robbie didn’t know what it was – and Robbie shoved him off. The next morning he found a pink slip on his desk and was out the door within the hour. This was just before the housemates’ rent was due, and Kyle paid Robbie’s share. Even Robbie couldn’t be an arrogant dickhead now that he was living on handouts. The Cymbalta didn’t hurt either. Last Saturday, we were lying around the pool puffing some oldfashioned herb, which freed Robbie to tell some refreshingly selfdeprecating stories. His first sexual experience was a catastrophe; at 16, after a swim meet, he got so turned on by one of his teammates in a gang shower that he spontaneously came right in front of the kid, who immediately did the same. His first true love: his film professor at the tiny Quaker college he’d attended. His worst habit: sneaking farts in crowded rooms. (This we already knew.) And my favorite – the inspiration for that evening’s cocktail: Robbie had moved to New York at 22. On his third night in the city he wandered into an Irish bar near his one-bedroom, three-roommates apartment. The bar was a typically skanky dive, but a few slumming preppies counteracted the resident rheumatic drunks. Robbie, clad in a pink gingham sleeveless shirt, pranced to the bar and ordered a daiquiri. The geezer bartender reacted poorly. “You’re either under age or a fag,” he snarled. “Which is it?” “Fag, sir,” Robbie helpfully announced and was promptly thrown out of the bar. This cruel injustice struck us all as hilarious, so much so that I ran to the harbor to buy lime juice and rum.
The Daiquiri
Time began to careen: Jack returning with two more flagons of bourbon sours… guzzling them while rating our housemates’ dicks… Jack’s hand stroking my inner thigh…. My head was spinning but the rest of me remained in firm control as I grabbed his wrists and leaned into him with enough force to pin him on his back with his arms over his head. Miracles occurred. Then I urged him onto his belly. So much shorter am I than he, I accessed his entire backside with ease and pulled down his Madras shorts, revealing his fuzzy perfection. Reader, I porked him.
Unless you completely lack self-respect, do not use frozen concentrate. For 1 mid-sized cocktail: 3 tablespoon white rum 1 tablespoon lime juice 1 teaspoon superfine sugar or to taste Put everything in a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake, and quickly pour into a festive glass. If you do not own festive glassware, get your sorry ass onto eBay and buy some.
Jack Fogg’s Humongous… Bourbon Sour 2/3 cup bourbon 3 squirts lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon simple syrup Mix the three together, add ice, be sure to have a couple of condoms and some lube in a nearby drawer, and serve. Avoid the conventional cherry unless you plan to do something very unconventional with it.
Ed Sikov is the author of Dark Victory: The Life of Bette Davis and other books about films and filmmakers.
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Ch-ch-ch-Changes: The Daiquiri Craig and Kyle were Splitsville after the Judy Carne fiasco. Their heartbreak was my joy, since I’d been praying to Eros and darker forces since that ghastly night at Rolf’s. One bleak night I snuck to the beach, drew a rudimentary pentagram in the sand, lit a “Coconut Creme” scented candle I found in the back of drawer, and spilled goat’s blood around it all in a shaky circle – OK, it was canned beef consommé. The hot if equally bogus Eros rituals will go undetailed, other than to say that the body is a wonderful toy. Anyway, Dan had to do some deft rescheduling so Craig and Kyle wouldn’t share any more weekends, but
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GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #93, July 2011
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Trans-Identity
Why the Umbrella Failed – Part 1 By Mercedes Allen While writing “The Death of the ‘Transgender’ Umbrella,” it became necessary to clarify something in my own mind. The language is changing, yes, but the aspect of the word “transgender” that had especially changed was also the thing that seemed to make it most valuable: its use as an umbrella concept. The way we frame our issues currently, sets us up for serious conflict between binary-identified and non-binary trans people when addressing issues of legal documentation and accommodation. It also spawns confusion and misunderstanding when the general public is faced with multiple narratives and tries to figure out how to parse them into a single entity. We need to recognize — and sooner rather than later — how couching transsexual and gender diverse issues under a single umbrella creates an expectation of a single narrative with a single solution to all associated challenges. I doubt that people who embrace a trans umbrella of any sort ever intended to erase these differences — instead, the intent often was very much a spirit of “let’s accomplish everything together.” But umbrella thinking usually leads us down a path where we’re looking to one solution, one neat and tidy accommodation that will work for everyone. It also causes us to give the impression (intentional or not) that a single one-size-fits-all solution will work for transsexual and gender diverse people. Just like some of the things we struggle against, it too expects a certain amount of conformity. And this is where shedding a trans umbrella hurt most — acknowledging my own hypocrisy. In my defense, this was largely because I wanted to believe that gathering under an umbrella didn’t have to mean erasure, and didn’t have to mean forcing a single narrative on everyone, provided we were all conscientious and diligent. But what I know about decolonialism tells me otherwise. Imply / Infer To me, the umbrella didn’t mean a single narrative. To those I interacted with, though, this was very much not the case, no matter how clearly I tried to communicate it. This was most evident when speaking on trans issues to general audiences or medical groups. What became most organic was to say a bit at the beginning on how diverse the trans community was, and then move on to specifically transsexual issues while trying to remain clear that the medical processes and needs were specific to transsexuals only. Invariably, the question period afterward was fraught with questions from people who were trying to resolve for themselves where non-binary trans people fit into that narrative. I wanted to believe that unity didn’t have to mean erasure, but inevitably, I needed to recognize that’s what had been happening, once I started to reflect: How are we to be identified in society? Are we to be accepted as men and women, or have a third-sex / third-gender designation? As long as we’re under a single name, society will look for a single solution and see us as a single entity, so there’s a serious risk of it becoming an either/or question, affecting identification, accommodation in gendered spaces, and to some degree how we interact with society overall. We don’t get to frame the whole debate, but the way we frame it when we initiate it through lobbying, instruction and protest forms a foundation. Society’s understanding of trans people is growing and evolving, and with the “you can’t change your chromosomes” attitudes that are out there, it’s certainly a risk that as society becomes more trans-aware, non-binary gender markers could become the easy solution for legislators, seeming to appease both trans people and our opponents (because they always look for an
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easy way out). Except that a non-binary gender marker becomes a scarlet letter for many transitioned transsexuals. We’re not consciously doing it, but this is how we’re presently initiating the discussion. It was a particularly difficult article to write for a number of reasons, not the least of which were the facts that I am still personally comfortable with the term “transgender,” and that I still realize that there are issues that touch on most or all trans people, requiring a collective response. The Transgender Day of Remembrance is one such reminder that transphobia touches all of us. But points of mutual empathy should not be mistaken as evidence of sameness, and that is why the umbrella failed. Decolonizing Trans I’ve been interested in decolonial theory for awhile, although I look at it somewhat differently than most do. I won’t go into depth, but in simple terms decolonialism is about how various classes lay claim and ownership over each other and impose regulations, will and rules of conformity that run counter to other classes’ needs. It’s not a popular subject, since the language of communicating colonial struggles — words like “oppression” — tend to cause immediate defensive reactions, and something I didn’t initially recognize as a proponent of a transgender umbrella was how I was slipping into that trap. In this argument, we had people clearly reacting to a perception of colonial annexation. The typical colonial response is to dismiss it as “all in their heads” or simply rationalizing it away as bigotry or reverse discrimination. I didn’t like the part I found myself playing. One problem that decolonial theory has is that academia treats it as its own possession, as though it’s their noble responsibility to lead the unwashed masses to salvation, thus perpetuating colonialism yet again. This is something I’ve experienced plenty of myself, having had no shortage of people throughout my life to decide that they’re a better authority than I am on who I am and what I need. In order for real decolonial change to happen, it needs to be something that’s recognized and understood by the public at large. When I bring it up here, it’s not to be aristocratic, but to simply engage the discussion on a community level. Most often, decolonial theory is used as an examination of how a primary class governs others, but minorities do it to each other too. In this understanding of minority issues, privilege is not a you-have-it-or-you-don’t proposition, but rather an edge that we find ourselves on differing sides of, in differing situations. So I see colonialism not as something that happens between nations but as something that happens among majority and various minority classes as each seeks personal power. Colonialism keeps getting perpetuated because it’s the only framework we’ve ever had with which to view society, and we expect that one collective group (whether democratic, economic class, ideological or characteristic in nature) is supposed to rule, and everyone else needs to be governed or to “get with the program.” And when the majority makes accommodations for various minorities, it’s often in a paternal, tokenistic way because its privilege blinds it to the deeplyrooted needs that the minorities have, and instead seeks easy and soft fixes. Which is why true beneficial change for a minority needs to be initiated and defined by the people in question themselves. The whole point is that by looking at the struggles of minorities on a global scale, patterns emerge in how they self-define, seek personal power through the same colonizing behaviours they have struggled against, assert authority (sometimes justifiably, sometimes not), and often succumb to the idea of ownership rather than partnership. Decolonialism attempts to rethink this process, recognizing that either we’re truly committed to social justice, or we’re simply seeking to better one’s own class – if we do the latter,
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we inevitably perpetuate colonial thinking, however much or little we’ve been able to elevate ourselves. If There Are Different Defining Characteristics, You Can’t Portray Sameness And when you have a group or groups with unique and strongly defining characteristics (say, a medical process, identification issues that affect citizenship, accommodation concerns in the 24/7 day-to-day) grouped with ones who don’t share all or some of those characteristics, all the while claiming to speak with one voice, you have a situation that is absolutely rife with the potential for colonial conflict and attempts at possession. Personally, I don’t think that transsexuals have been completely annexed by other gender diverse peoples (and yes, I realize that “gender diverse peoples” is itself an umbrella phrase, but am currently using it for now because it at least acknowledges diversity), nor gender diverse peoples completely annexed by transsexuals. In my local community, I see more danger of the latter happening. But by setting up an umbrella communal framework, we’ve created a colonial structure, and we’re now seeing the push-pull. It’s happening more often online because that is where our selfdefinition has been mostly taking place, and that is also where people feel most empowered and safe enough to speak about it. It only escalates from here, unless we rethink how we’ve defined things. And we may not have had a conscious will to annex anyone — but the conviction that it is advantageous to present ourselves as a single whole is all the seduction we need to do so unwittingly. The idea of an umbrella is that we can all stand under it — race, ability, sexual orientation, age, gender identity and/or expression — and that is why the idea is so seductive. It appeals to a sense of strength through unity. But an umbrella implies one people, one collective narrative and one solution, allowing colonial thinking to set in as we try to define a singular course of advocacy, thinking that anyone who doesn’t initially like it will one day thank us anyway. We also often rationalize a transgender umbrella by equating it to a spectrum of gender expression. While some of the conflicts can be separated between binary and non-binary -identified people, we as individuals cannot always easily be sorted that way. Some gender diverse people feel a need to transition to a degree; some transsexuals don’t completely adopt one gender or the other for a myriad of reasons — this all seems to validate the idea of a spectrum, and maybe it does. But we can’t use this as a reason to ignore the potential for conflict along binary and non-binary lines. In fact, the impulse to see everyone as part of a whole has caused us to completely fail to understand how people at either end of the question can feel triggered or erased when someone else’s narrative becomes perceived as dominant. Next Month: Part 2
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GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #93, July 2011
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Interview
Alyssa Reid Brings The Game Edmonton-born singer returns home By Jason Clevett Edmonton-born Alyssa Reid, who currently resides just outside of Toronto, has all the tools for success. At just 18 years old she has a top single in Canada with Alone Again and released her debut album The Game on June 21st. As part of a cross Canada tour she returns home to Alberta, performing on the Coke Stage at the Calgary Stampede, July 11th, and opening for Natasha Beddingfield on the EdFest stage at Edmonton’s Capital Ex, July 22nd. Reid’s early exposure to the music industry came through YTV’s reality show The Next Star. I recently had the misfortune of taking a friend to the Calgary auditions for the show, a nightmare that echoed Reid’s experience. “It wasn’t exactly what I thought it would be. The auditioning process and getting to the show was a lot more fun than actually being on the show. I wouldn’t say it prepared me for the future, when I actually got into the industry and had a song out it was completely different. It was very different than what I expected it to be.” So she went another route. YouTube has become a way for singers like Greyson Chance and Winnipeg’s Maria Aragon, among others, to get noticed. Such was the case with Reid, who re-wrote Justin Bieber’s One Less Lonely Girl from a female perspective. One More Lonely Boy has received over a quarter of a million views, and stirred up some angry Bieber fans. “Right now YouTube is one of the best outlets for putting your talent out there and getting a fan base. It is the number one video streaming site and there are millions of people on that site every day. So it is an amazing opportunity for people to put their talent out there whether it’s film-making, singing or playing an instrument,” Reid said. “I just re-wrote it to a girls version. At the beginning of the video I said I wrote it for Justin Bieber, and some die-hard Beliebers took that the wrong way and thought I wrote it bashing him. I actually just wrote it for him to hear. Once they figured that out it was good. Some people thought I’d had a secret relationship with Justin and written a song about it.” The video resulted in a meeting with label Wax records. After playing a few songs on her guitar, they signed her on the spot. The first single Alone Again samples the chorus of Heart’s classic Alone. Reid admits that tackling such a prominent piece was a daunting task. 32
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“Alone was such an iconic song, Ann and Nancy Wilson are crazy talented. At first I wasn’t even planning on using the song, I wrote a completely different song and I threw the chorus on as filler and sent it to my label to see what they thought about it. I ended up falling in love with it so by then I had no choice but to do it. I know it is very difficult to match up to Ann Wilson and know 100% that I don’t outshine the classic, it was such an amazing song. People either love it or they hate it. Some love it and are glad they get to hear it again, or they feel I ruined a classic. Either reaction is a good reaction because people care enough to comment. I am grateful for the opportunity to revive it and allow people that are 10 and 11 to sing the song now in 2011.” That is one of the great things about songs being covered and re-imagined. Although the original was released a decade before Reid was born, it has lead people her own age and younger to hear the original. “A lot of people didn’t know it was a cover until they saw media on it, a lot of younger people hadn’t heard Alone before. When I started doing interviews they YouTubed the original. It is really cool to be able to reference the video and song from the 80’s. It is really cool that people my age and younger get to listen to both songs now.” A lot of focus has been on the single, but The Game, on the whole, is an excellent debut album. From the opening Letting Go through Live To Tell, it is an enjoyable pop album that shows a lot of potential for Reid. “I have been writing and co-writing it for the past year. One of the first songs I ever wrote with my label is on the album called Without You. It is amazing that I got to take songs that were very personal to me, that I sat in my bedroom and wrote, and got to put them on the album. It was a long process; I was excited for it to come out finally.” Something we haven’t seen is Reid dancing around in her underwear or grinding on male dancers. What you see with her is what you get, and she takes her influence on young girls seriously. “I am just doing me. I am being true to who I am, not only as an artist but as a person. I don’t think prancing around in barely any clothes to sell records is what music is about. It is very important being a role model. People don’t realize how influential they are. People look up to them and want to emulate them. I think it is important to see the real Alyssa Reid as a person and not just a singer.” Reid returns to Alberta this month as a rising star. “I always wanted to go (to the Calgary Stampede) but never did. I am so excited to play there. I have heard so many amazing things about The Calgary Stampede and how fun and lively it is.” “Coming to Edmonton means I get to see my family. I love Edmonton and I go back a few times a year, and I love performing there because my family gets to come out and watch. This will be the first time I play there since Alone Again was released. I have no idea what it will be like. My family gets it but they don’t actually understand what happens because they haven’t seen it yet. When I sing Alone Again the crowd joins in and belts it at the top of their lungs. I am emotional just thinking about my family seeing the entirety of what this has done. It is going to be one of my best shows because of the people who are going to be there and what that is going to do.”
Alyssa Reid The Game in stores now. www.myspace.com/alyssareidmusic In Concert The Calgary Stampede - July 11, 2011 Edmonton Capital Ex - July 22nd, 2011 http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2304
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Event
Gametes & Gonads
Fucking Stephen Harper
slut (r)evolution
Anything Goes
This Year’s Fringe Fest Celebrates Sexuality, Individuality and Community Spirit By Janine Eva Trotta Hitting the eclectic community of Inglewood this month will be the sixth annual Calgary Fringe Festival. What started as one Calgary man’s dream has quickly blossomed into an exciting local event that showcases both local and international talent. Michele Gallant and her husband were performing at the renowned Edmonton Fringe roughly seven years ago when the simple thought was posited: “why doesn’t Calgary have one of these?” And so the Gallants launched Calgary’s first Fringe in 2006. Over the half dozen years that the festival has taken place, it has grown “organically”. Fringe will include 34 different artists this year, up from roughly 24 at the last. Venue space has also increased. Six Inglewood resident businesses have agreed to open their doors and host various artists in what Michele termed a BYOV – bring your own venue – performance system. Added to the four main stage venues, this brings the total tally of performance spaces up to 10. “Performers were saying, I can perform standing in a window of a shop, or I’d be able to go into a nightclub environment,” and so the venue boutiques idea originated, Michele says. The goal was to provide performers with spaces better suited to their act. These spaces will include an evening of musical storytelling, performed by Calgary’s Red Flame, at the Nine Café (formerly Serendipity); Six Guitars and slut (r)evolution at DaDe Art & Design Lab; Sabotage, performed by a Loose Moose alumni at the Loose Moose Theatre in the Crossroads Market; a melodic whodunit at Jacqueline Suzanne’s Bistro; Fucking Stephen Harper and Folk with Benefits at Club Paradiso; as well four shows, including ONEymoon, at the Lantern Church sanctuary. “The pastor there is programming spiritual/family-based shows in the sanctuary of the church,” Michele says, in addition to the gym space the church is providing for five other performances. “Merchants are getting more involved… which means that it opens the doors for Fringe artists to have special types www.gaycalgary.com
of shows that wouldn’t necessarily be set in a traditional theatre environment,” she says, And “that creates more of a festival vibe up and down 9th Avenue.” All of the festival performers are selected by way of lotterystyle draw and composed of 15 percent national acts, 15 percent international, and 70 percent local. Each performer selected is guaranteed six shows throughout the festival’s duration. “The draw means that everyone has an equal chance to get in,” Michele explains. “Because of that, it’s an anything goes festival – we don’t edit.” The only requirements that the Fringe does ask of its participants is full disclosure on what their performance entails, a nominal application fee, and that no laws are broken. “Otherwise whatever you want to throw up on stage – you go to town; from family shows all the way up to, you know, slut (r)evolution.” Many of the artists tour the Canada Fringe circuit every summer, with the last dates of the season taking place
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From Previous Page in Victoria, bringing with them their latest show and an entrepreneurial spirit. Artists can choose their own admission price at Calgary’s Fringe – from $8.50 to $13.50 – of which they receive 100 percent of the proceeds. In addition the festival charges $1.50 per ticket to cover box office, advertising, promotional materials, marketing and tech support. On average, Michele says, artists from last year went home with $2,300 apiece. “These are artists that care passionately about what they’re doing,” she states. “They’re not reading scripts; they’re doing what’s important to them.” Michele recommends that if you haven’t been to Fringe before, go and check out something you would not ordinarily attend. She is sure you will not regret it. To take place each year, the Fringe relies almost entirely on a huge team of volunteers. Michele is the festival’s sole full-time employee, with the addition of an assistant she hired on in May, and tech staff that work through the duration of the event. Sponsorship is also a big help to the festival. GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine will be proudly sponsoring the four following shows out of this year’s stellar line-up, running from July 29th to August 6th at various venues in Inglewood. ONEymoon – A Honeymoon for One, written by Jimmy Hogg and Christel Bartelse, has sold out audiences, earned fivestar reviews and a nomination for the Canadian Comedy Award in the category of Best One Person Show. Last year the act toured the Toronto, Minneapolis, London and Victoria Fringe Festivals, as well as Frigid Festival in New York City, where the show attracted an invite to Indianapolis the following month. ONEymoon is the story of Caroline, a woman with ambiguous ideas about marriage, bent on finding perfection, who decides to reinvent the traditional convention. The
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audience follows her zany journey through a solo marriage celebration of song, dance, and dilemma. “We all struggle with relationships, whether it’s with a partner, or a relationship with yourself,” Christel Bartelse, the show’s sole performer, says. “This show is about the long struggles of relationships, and that sometimes it’s better to just be with yourself, although even that has consequences.” Bartelse’s first one-woman show, CHAOTICA, was invited for inclusion in Toronto’s Pride festivities and toured Ottawa, Wakefield, Saskatoon and Edmonton Fringe. In London it received the Best in Venue Impresario Award and scored a nomination for the Brickenden Award for Outstanding Touring Production. “Christel’s work, while hilarious and high-energy, also has a strong undercurrent of real emotion which stems from the conflict between what an individual wants and societal expectation; and deals with the difficulty of self-invention in the face of these two opposing forces,” Bartelse’s manager, Sheila Sky, states. “While I can’t speak for all audience members, gay or straight, I think it is this undercurrent which leaves such a lasting impression.” ONEymoon has received a host of international accolades by both media and theatre aficionados. “This production – a celebration of independence and girl power – is an energetic, manic and hilarious tale full of obligatory audience participation...original music, rapping, inebriated cabana boy seduction and tap dancing,” Thandi Fletcher, for the Victoria Times, praises. “A masterful improviser, Bartelse is a bouncing ball of energy who clearly enjoys the spotlight.” ONEymoon will be performed six times during Fringe at the Lantern Church Sanctuary. Tickets are $15 and the show runs 60 minutes in length. Gametes and Gonads, is written, directed and performed by Saanichton, British Columbia’s Jim Leard, of Active Salad Productions. Leard says the show follows the themes of forbidden love, massive scale war and tragedy, and blind religious dogma. “But mostly it is just a solo comedy about sexuality with a sci-fi background, making references to Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, a touch of Shakespeare and various tidbits of pop culture,” he explains. Leard completed the script last year and performed Gametes and Gonads at the 2010 Victoria Fringe Festival where it was received with acclaim by audiences, and graced 4.5 starts by the Victoria Times Columnist. Leard also performed the show earlier this month at the Toronto Fringe. “Gametes and Gonads is about the massive battle going on inside your genitals at all times,” he says, describing the sperm as “a massive military force…in an all out assault on their greatest enemy: the Egg” while the ova, guided by ancient pagan religion, “are forced to sacrifice one of their own every month… to appease the Goddesses of the reproductive system.” Gametes and Gonads is rated Age 14+ as it contains violence, sexual content and mature language. Leard will be performing the 40 minute show at the Alexandra Centre Society six times throughout the festival. Tickets are $10. FUCKING STEPHEN HARPER: How I Sexually Assaulted the 22nd Prime Minister of Canada and Saved Democracy will be performed by journalist Rob Salerno, the script’s writer, director and inspiration, at Club Paradiso for six of the festival nights. Salerno has toured the show across Canada, including festivals in Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Victoria, and Vancouver, winning audiences over every time. The show has sold out dates in every city it’s ever played and has been recipient of audience pick awards in Winnipeg and Ottawa, including Best of Fringe.
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Interview - From Page 41 “It’s a solo act, and probably should be rated R, but I figure the title lets people know what they’re in for,” Salerno says, though this show is restricted in Calgary to audience members 19+. “The show is about my actual experiences reporting on the 2008 federal election for Xtra, attempting to get an interview with Stephen Harper, and instead finding myself arrested for sexually assaulting the prime minister.” Sounds funny right? But it is a true story. Maclean’s calls the journalist’s account of what happened a “hilarious take on Canadian politics, the media, the gay community, and what Stephen Harper’s balls feel like.” In a more serious light, “It’s also about the struggle for queer rights and my outrage at the current government’s attempts to roll back our rights and victories,” Salerno states. “Gay Calgarians will appreciate that the show is as queer and Canadian as they come.” FUCKING STEPHEN HARPER has helped to raise funds for persons living with and affected by HIV/AIDS with the Ten Foot Pole Theatre. Tickets for this one hour event can be purchased for $15. Last, but not least, slut (r)evolution (no one gets there overnight) will entertain audiences all nine nights of the Fringe at DaDe Art & Design Lab. From Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, playwright Cameryn Moore is this comedy cabaret’s sole performer, directed by Elizabeth DuPré. Attendees of last year’s Fringe might remember Moore as the phone whore. This year she comes back to merge memory with manifesto, “to explore incendiary events from her very sexual life”. Moore has been recipient of Best Female Solo at the San Francisco Fringe and excels at dramatic storytelling. This show is rated 18+ for its mature, and sexual, content. Tickets for the 60 minute show are $13. For more information on the Fringe, venue addresses, show information or to purchase tickets in advance, visit their website, listed at the end of this article.
Calgary Fringe July 29th to August 6th http://see.calgaryfringe.ca http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2305
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KD: I can’t imagine, because I was always out and coming out wasn’t really a big deal for me just because I was living out to my family, and in the world, for a long time. But it certainly made things easier. I can’t imagine what it would be like, but at the same time it’s definitely made my life easier just because it kind of stripped away the question marks in the audience’s minds or the business mind – the sort of public understanding of who I was. It took away any pretense or any question. So even though in some circumstances it’s more difficult, it’s definitely open and honest, so in that respect it makes it so much easier. GC&E: There was this big hoopla when Chely Wright came out last year as the first gay country star, because there was the argument that you beat her to it. How did you feel about all that? KD: I don’t know who Chely Wright is. But I don’t care. I mean, to a whole generation of people who know Chely Wright, they probably don’t know who I am, so to them it is the first country star to come out. (Laughs) I don’t really care who’s the first, who’s the last, because before me there were a lot of people that helped get me to a place to feel confident and comfortable with coming out. GC&E: When you look back at the films that you’ve done in the past, like “Eye of the Beholder” or “Salmonberries,” what do you think? Do you watch them? KD: No, I don’t watch them. (Laughs) I don’t watch a lot of movies, and if I were to watch a movie, I certainly wouldn’t pick one of mine. GC&E: Last year you lent your voice to a song on a Glee soundtrack. Would you ever do the show? KD: I don’t know. I don’t really watch Glee, but I know it’s very popular and very gay friendly, which is great. And Jane Lynch is hilarious. So I guess if they asked me I would consider it, but I’m really happy that I could be a part of something that’s supportive and promotes alternative and varying lifestyles.
http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2308
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GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #93, July 2011
35
Out of Town
The French Riviera: Nice and Cannes
View from Fort Royal of Île Sainte-Marguerite and, across the harbor, the hills above Cannes and the French Riviera. Photo by Andrew Collins.
By Andrew Collins The French Riviera, or Côte d’Azur, ranks among Europe’s most enduring - and alluring - gay playgrounds. True, this stretch of rugged Mediterranean coastline at the southeastern tip of France doesn’t generate quite as much buzz with GLBT travelers as Sitges, Ibiza, or Mykonos, as it’s not a pure party playground. But the sunny and sophisticated French Riviera (www.frenchriviera-tourism.com) is ideal for a romantic getaway, and the most gay-popular communities - Cannes and Nice abound with beautiful beaches, chic shopping, exceptional art museums, and atmospheric cafes and open-air markets. Nice Nice (www.nicetourisme.com) - the largest city in the region, with about 350,000 residents and an international airport with direct flights from North America - also supports an active GLBT organization, AGLAE (www.aglae06.fr) which sponsors Gay Pride each July and produces a gay guide to that’s distributed free at many businesses. The city is home to several fine museums, including the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, and the Matisse Museum of Nice. This is also a fine city for shopping, with dozens of upscale boutiques set along Rue Pastorelli and Rue du Marechal Joffre, including the famous Galeries Lafayette department store. For great views of the city and harbor, climb the stairs to Castle Hill and stroll among the botanical gardens and medieval ramparts, soaking up the views of the bustling port neighborhood - you can see for miles up and down the coast. At the base of the hill, bustling, Old Town’s narrow streets, classic architecture, esteemed galleries, and open-air flower and food markets contain a number of the city’s gay-frequented businesses. Old Town fringes the city’s shoreline, which you can stroll along the broad, palm shaded Promenade des Anglais, which fringes 36
GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #93, July 2011
the miles of pretty (but pebbly) beaches. A couple of the many beachside restaurants along here fly rainbow flags to welcome their sizable gay clienteles: the beach at Castel club (www.castelplage. com), which is lies in the shadows of Castle Hill, and the beach club run by the trendy HI Hotel (www.hi-beach.net), a favorite see-andsun spot of the Nice A-listers. The clothing-optional section of rocky shoreline right below Restaurant Coco Beach, a short walk beyond the Port of Nice, is another favorite gay hangout. Continue east around Cap de Nice to reach the exclusive village of Villefranche-sur-Mer, immortalized in the Bond movie Never Say Never Again. It’s also home to St-Pierre Chapel, whose restored interior contains murals painted by famed gay novelist Jean Cocteau. Across the bay is one of the world’s wealthiest enclaves, Saint Jean Cap Ferrat - everybody from Tina Turner to Bill Gates have homes around here. Head farther toward the Italian border, and you’ll reach the ancient cliff-top village of Eze and beyond that the Principality of Monaco, with its exclusive casinos and ritzy shopping. Cannes The Riviera’s other gay hub, Cannes (www.cannes.travel) - which is renowned for its legendary film festival each spring - curves gently around a sheltered bay, its glamorous hotels and swanky beach bars strung like jewels along La Croisette promenade. Cannes has an increasingly visible GLBT community - Cannes Rainbow (www. cannes-rainbow.com) promotes gay tourism to the area. This city of about 80,000 is perfect for strolling and windowshopping, rife as it is with antiques and food markets as well as luxury boutiques and department stores. To get your blood flowing, climb the steep, narrow streets to Suquet hill for majestic views of the harbor, and then walk back down through Old Town, perhaps stopping at a sidewalk café for lunch. www.gaycalgary.com
Set aside a half-day for taking a passenger ferry across the harbor to the Lerins Islands, the most famous of which is Île SainteMarguerite, home to the famed 17th-century Fort Royal, the clifftop fortress (now a museum) in which the legendary Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned in the 1600s. The island is also home to the excellent (seasonal) open-air restaurant, La Guerite, which serves superb seafood, including the addictively delicious tiny fried fishes, called blanchaille. Picasso’s stomping grounds Between Cannes and Nice, you can visit a pair of lovely communities, Vallauris Golfe-Juan and Antibes (www.antibesjuanlespins.com), whose Roman fortifications overlook the largest pleasure-boat harbor in Europe. A walk through Old Town’s narrow lanes leads to the exceptional Picasso Museum, outside of which a small sculpture garden looks over the sea. Around the corner you’ll find the city’s famous city market, which hums with activity and sells everything from fresh peaches to stuffed rabbits. Vallauris Golfe-Juan, where Picasso lived for many years, has boasted a reputation for pottery-making that dates back 2,000 years. It’s home to several arts museum, including the amusingly offbeat Museum of Kitsch, a celebration of jade-hued ceramic poodles and tropical-fish ashtrays. More esteemed attractions include the Castle Museum complex, which comprises three distinct art museums, including the National Picasso Museum “War and Peace” (with massive murals by Picasso. Finally, there’s Espace Jean Marais, a gallery celebrating the sculpture (and film career) of the celebrated gay actor, Marais, who was the lover at one time of Jean Cocteau. Two nearby interior villages of note include the medieval town of Vence, whose delightful village center is home to Chapelle du Rosaire, which contains stained-glass by Henri Matisse, and nearby Saint-Paul de Vence, a walled, medieval hilltop town whose cobblestone alleys are lined with art galleries, open-air cafes, and fashionable boutiques. Be sure to walk through the cemetery in which artist Marc Chagall is buried - he lived here late in life, as did the gay American novelist James Baldwin. Down the hill, check out the Maeght Foundation museum, whose grounds and galleries are filled with dramatic, large-scale contemporary art installations and sculptures. Fabled culinary The French Riviera enjoys a fabled culinary reputation - you’ll find no shortage of superb restaurants in every town, plus markets and gourmet shops specializing in local olives, oils, cheeses, pastries, and every other imaginable treat. Rosé is the most commonly produced wine in Provence, and locals consume it happily and regularly at virtually every meal. If you’re looking to pick up a bottle or two, check out the outstanding La Cave Bianchi (www.cavebianchi.fr) wine shop in Cannes. The town also has some favorite gay restaurants, including breezy Restaurant le Vegaluna (www. vegaluna.com) along the beach; see-and-be-seen Le Sparkling et son Club (www.sparkling-cannes.com), which is also fun for preclubbing cocktails; and Barbarella (www.barbarellarestaurant.fr), a romantic spot with sidewalk seating in at Old Town. In Nice’s pedestrianized Cours Saleya district in Old Town, you’ll find dozens of sidewalk cafés, most of them specializing in local seafood and pizzas, among the flower and food markets. If you make it around the Cape to Villefrance, do not miss the wonderful seafood restaurant La Mère Germaine (www.meregermaine.com), which has tables right on the bay. If you’re seeking a lunch spot in Vallauris, try cozy, gay-owned Le Clos Cosette, which turns out traditionally Provencal cuisine, or fashionable Cafe Marianne (www. cafemarianne-vallauris.com). The interior village of Saint-Paul de Vence is one of the country’s finest small towns for dining - it’s home to a handful of Michelin-star restaurants.
cocktails, conversation, and dancing; and Le Glam club (www. leglam.org), a small but lively spot for dancing to pop tunes. Fairly near the harbor is the Eagle (www.eagle-nice.com), a typical leatheroriented and cruise bar, and the fetish/sex club called Le Block (www.leblock.com). Nice also has a few very popular gay saunas, including the small but quite clean and attractive Les Bains Douches, and the large and always-crowded Sauna du Chateau (www.saunaduchateau.com). In Cannes, the intimate and rather ancient Zanzibar tavern makes a nice starting point, perhaps before heading to the city’s top gay venue, trendy Le Night Disco (www.night-club-cannes. com). Also, the nightclub and casino Palm Beach Cannes (www. casinolepalmbeach.com) occasionally hosts gay parties and is always very GLBT-welcoming. You’ll find a nice mix of swanky seaside hotels and affordable gay B&Bs throughout the region. Movie stars in Cannes regularly nest at the stunning Carlton Inter-Continental Hotel (www.ichotelsgroup. com) - many suites are named for luminaries, from Sean Penn to Elton John. The gay-popular Hôtel 3.14 (www.3-14hotel.com) lies just around the corner and is notable for its over-the-top quirky rooms - floors have fun, if bizarre, themes like American pop art and Moroccan chic. The rooftop pool is a wonderful place to while away an afternoon. In the leafy, inviting Juan les Pins section of Antibes, the gayfriendly Hôtel Juana (www.hotel-juana.com) and Hôtel Belles Rives (www.bellesrives.com) - which have the same owners and are within walking distance of each other - make excellent bases for exploring the entire Riviera. Hotel Belles Rives, in which F. Scott Fitzgerald lived while writing Tender is the Night, is the more historic and atmospheric of the two, and it’s home to the exceptional restaurant, La Passagere. Up in the hilly Vence, the gay-owned La Maison du Frêne (www.lamaisondufrene.com) is an exquisitely decorated B&B whose stunning rooms are hung with bold, playful contemporary art - it’s a perfect hideaway for a romantic vacation. Nice has the best variety of lodging options, which include reasonably priced gay B&Bs like Blue Angels (www.blueangels. fr) and ThyJeff Guesthouse (www.thyjeff.fr), both of which are close to the train station - the owners of the latter also run a cheerful gay café nearby, Le ThyJeff. Also consider the upscale four-room guest house, Mas des Oliviers (www.masdesoliviersnice.com), a gay-owned retreat set amid quiet gardens in the foothills above Nice - amenities include a pool, fitness room, and two terraces with lovely views. Among larger properties, the chic and artfully design HI Hôtel (www.hi-hotel.net) - with its bold color schemes, rooftop pool, and stellar sushi restaurant - is a favorite of trendy and discerning gay travelers. The hotel also operates the previously mentioned HI beach club and restaurant, a few blocks. Other Nice favorites include the opulent Hôtel Palais le la Méditerranée (palais.concorde-hotels.com), a grand dame with a magnificent Art Deco facade overlooking the sea, and the elegant and smartly undated L’Hôtel Beau Rivage (www.hotelnicebeaurivage.com), an 1860s beauty overlooking Promenade des Anglais - it’s been a favorite accommodation of such arts and literary figures as Matisse and Chekhov. Andrew Collins covers gay travel for the New York Times-owned website GayTravel. About.com and is the author of Fodor’s Gay Guide to the USA. He can be reached care of this publication.
http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2306
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Gay nightlife Gay nightlife in the region is relaxed, very friendly, and concentrated in Nice and Cannes. In Nice, consider Bar Le Fard (www.lefard.com), a snug spot on Promenade des Anglais - it’s a good place to start the night. Other good bets include centrally located Le 6 Bar (www.le6.fr), which draws a stylish mix for www.gaycalgary.com
GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #93, July 2011
37
Wicked Impresses in Calgary Debut
By Jason Clevett Since it debuted on Broadway in 2003, it seems everyone, including me, has been eagerly awaiting Wicked to tour Canada. Every time I was told of an announcement of the next Broadway season I waited with baited breath to hear one word, and time and time again was let down. I even tried to see it in San Francisco, only to discover that the only nights I could see it, the theatre was dark. So it was with a great deal of anticipation that I joined a packed Jubilee Auditorium for the opening night of Wicked. Having waited for this moment for years, after all this anticipation, I really really liked it, even if I didn’t love it in the way I expected to. Wicked is essentially the story of The Wicked Witch of the West, her development from school and overlapping with the story told in The Wizard of Oz. Elphaba, being born with green skin, is YYY essentially shunned everywhere including at school. Glinda being the popular girl is among those treating Elphaba poorly, until a change of heart leads to the two becoming friends. There is a lot to the story – themes of being an outcast, acceptance, political corruption, and how rumors and myths can quickly spin out of control. The sets are impressive. Natalie Daradich is brilliant as Glinda, and Anne Brummel is equally stellar as Elphaba. There is just enough of Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, who originated the roles, to pay tribute without being a copy. Jody Gleb as Madame Morrible and Don Amendolia as The Wizard also tackle their roles with gusto. There are several clever jokes and references to the original Wizard as well, and the audience learns how the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion come to be. Musically the cast is strong, although I’ve always felt the lyrics to the show weren’t its strong suit. Popular and For Good received a warm response from me, while Defying Gravity stood out as the best song in the show. The general consensus among people I’ve spoken to since, is that they loved the show, though your own enjoyment of Wicked will depend on your personal preference. It lacks the spectacle of Phantom or Lion King but the story and dialogue is well written. Just as I will always be fond of The Phantom of the Opera because my father took me to it as a teenager, I am sure that this run will leave a lasting impression on kids who will long treasure that memory, and on those who are attending their first show. It is definitely worth seeing at least once. The large scale shows like Wicked, Phantom and The Lion King only seem to arrive sporadically, so best to check it out now while it flies through Alberta.
Wicked Calgary - Jubilee Auditorium - June 29th to July 17th Edmonton - Jubilee Auditorium - July 20th to August 7th http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2307
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GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #93, July 2011
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k.d. lang: ‘Loud’ and Proud Singer talks being butch, out and the first gay country star
Photos by The Fun Star
By Chris Azzopardi k.d. lang is manning up, and here’s why: Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and all the other sexpots of pop who shoot whipped cream from their chests and ride disco sticks. In our recent interview with lang, a longtime gay activist and singer of the purest form who turns 50 later this year, she told us how her decision to boost her butchness was a rebellious choice. The look is evident in “I Confess,” the lead single from the recently released Sing it Loud. k.d.’s first record made entirely with a band in over 20 years ago, the new album features her sublime voice in all its glory. The singer chatted about the album’s evolution, how being the first out country star doesn’t matter (she doesn’t even know who Chely Wright is), and why she’s proud to have been part of Glee.
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GC&E: Why did you approach Sing it Loud with a fuller sound and, for the first time in a while, a band? KD: It just seemed to be the right thing to do. It was just what I was feeling. I was working with Joe (Pisapia), writing songs, and it came time to record them and I just felt like the band was the right way to approach it – very live and spontaneous and kind of rock. We put the band together and it was beyond my wildest dreams what transpired. We recorded eight songs in three days and the love in the room was palpable, and the communication and the magic was just extraordinarily creative. GC&E: There’s lots of love on the album. What inspired all of it? KD: We wanted to write something that was unpretentious and uplifting and made the listener feel good and felt good while we were playing it. It’s not really an autobiographical record because it’s highly collaborative. GC&E: How will the new songs translate to a live venue? KD: I really believe that the energy that we feel for each other and for the music will translate to the audience – at least I’m hoping, but I’m pretty sure it will. GC&E: Explain the line “I’ll be your daddy” on “I Confess.” KD: Well, it’s pretty self-explanatory, isn’t it? (Laughs) GC&E: Definitely, but how did it come about? Was it your line? KD: We were just sitting around and I said to Josh (Grange) and Daniel (Clarke), who I wrote the song with, “I want to write a Roy Orbison song.” It just started coming out of us, and I was just kind of riffing on lyrics and fooling around – “I love you madly,” and I just went, “I’ll be your daddy” – and Josh is like, “Oh my god, that’s so cool. You have to keep it.” GC&E: How do you think that line would’ve been received had you recorded this song 20 years ago when you first came out of the closet? KD: Probably the same as now. I think there’s going to always be people who feel uncomfortable with it and there’s always going to be people who are titillated by it. You just have to know that’s going to be the case for a long time. GC&E: Would you say you’re embracing your butchness more than you used to? KD: Yeah – this music really asks for it. I also think that the aesthetic nature of today’s music, with people like Lady Gaga and Katy Perry – not that it’s new, it certainly isn’t; I www.gaycalgary.com
know better than that – being very exaggerated, I thought, I can exaggerate too. (Laughs) GC&E: You mention the aesthetic of performers today, which seems to be more important than vocal talent these days. But you’ve always been about the voice. What do you make of the way the music business has shifted in the way it sells music? KD: It’s kind of the direction it’s been going. If you’re really a historian you can probably go back to television, to video, to multimedia and see how it sort of extracted it from its purist form, which is making music. Now you’re on camera every single time you open your mouth. I’m surprised someone isn’t video taping this interview for the web. (Laughs) I actually think it’s boring because everything is so overexposed. But it’s fine; it is what it is. I’m not going to be one of those people going, “Oh, it’s gotta be like it used to be.” I think it’s relative and it’s the evolution of the way things are. In terms of music, there is always going to be a place for someone who can sing and someone who can communicate with an audience. I don’t think that will ever be in danger, because that’s what separates the cream from the crop. If you can walk on stage and really deliver, yeah – you can’t fake that. GC&E: Did you ever feel pressure to conform in your career? KD: That would depend on what I wanted to reap from my music. I’ve always been quite sure that I wanted to have a more artistic career and a career of longevity, so in that respect, no. I’ve made decisions that have nurtured my art rather than my public awareness or my celebrity. That’s been self-determined, so no, I never felt the pressure. GC&E: So do you think people who nurture their celebrity status are less likely to endure than people who don’t? KD: I don’t know. I wouldn’t say less likely. You get what you get; it’s fate. You either have a huge amount of success at the beginning and then your career kind of dwindles, or you have something kind of consistent like me and it goes for years and years, or you work really hard and nothing happens and then you explode later on in life. I don’t really think that one is better than the other. GC&E: If you hadn’t come out publicly at 30 and you were still closeted, how do you imagine your life and career now?
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Event
Star Trekking in Calgary Beaming Down White Hats By Evan Kayne Continuing the tradition from last year of having one guest from the original Star Trek and one guest from Star Trek: the Next Generation, this year visitors to the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo got to see both William Shatner and Jonathan Frakes talk about their experiences and current projects. William Shatner (Captain James T. Kirk) What is there to add to the legend of Captain Kirk? After his lean days of the early 70s, the man has been working nonstop. His panel at the Expo was exactly what we would have expected – entertaining. After a humorous ceremony where Mayor Nenshi gave him Calgary’s traditional White Hat and made him an honorary Calgarian, Shatner went on to riff off such “Canadian moments” as impromptu riots post-Stanley Cup, to percussive maintenance for Winter Olympic closing-show teleprompters. He discussed his disappointment with the cancellation of the sitcom $#*! My Dad Says but repeated a mantra of always putting one foot after the other and continuing forward. It’s not like he’s lacking for work. Additionally, he has an interview show on The Biography Channel (Shatner’s Raw Nerve) , and he hosts the Discovery Channel television series Weird or What? Furthermore, he has created a documentary focusing on the many captains in the various Star Trek pantheon. The Captains has Shatner interviewing each of the various actors who played captains in their series: Patrick Stewart, Avery Brooks, Kate Mulgrew, Scott Bakula, and Chris Pine – the young Captain Kirk in the recent Star Trek movie. For a man who just turned 80 he is remarkably busy, and yet still full of energy for quips about what it was like being Captain Kirk (“I had to wash that green stuff off every night!”), racy banter with a young woman (“This is getting exciting....”) and thoughts on how he’d like to die (right in the middle of a performance so people think it was part of the act). If there was any complaint I had with it - and yes, I’m fully aware I may be attacked by green skinned Orion slave girls for voicing such heresy – he began to wear a little thin halfway into his session. Perhaps on television where there are directors or producers to tighten up his routine it works better. Perhaps he was tired...he laid out a stressful week he had prior to the Expo, and given that he’s 80 years old it’s okay to excuse his rambling. I’m not saying he’s NOT interesting...I hope he stays with us and healthy for many more years. However, this time, this big cheesy captain came across to me a bit stale.
the steady career as a director that he has carved out for himself. Or as he put it, “(acting is) a brutal and unjust bedmate.” He noted that he does prefer directing to acting because one can get work both based on your skills as a director and also through the people you know and work with. As well, it keeps him better occupied, while acting involves a lot of waiting around between takes (or, in his case, napping). Known as “Two Takes Frakes” for his efficient filming style during Star Trek: First Contact, as a Director he has tried to insert some of his sense of humour into his directing. Besides TNG and two Star Trek movies, he has directed episodes for several series including Dollhouse, Castle, Leverage, and NCIS: LA, among others. Frakes was entertaining and worked with the moderators, teased the attendees, and generally seemed to have a good time at the show, telling everyone about little bits of Trek history, and running through the panel in a relaxed, playful, yet efficient manner. While not a fan of his character, from this visit to the Expo and from the interview we had with him in last month’s edition, he is certainly easy to listen to, and as some Bears in our community think, still quite easy on the eyes.
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Jonathan Frakes (Commander Will Riker) From the moment he stepped onstage and was White-Hatted, he entertained fans with his laid back irreverent style of banter – from demonstrating the “Riker Lean” (“HE WENT FULL RIKER!!”) to stretching out on the couch while engaging with the audience. This was a bit jarring to me, as the character of Riker always struck me as humourless with only the occasional nod to the relaxed attitude of the actor underneath the uniform. As if to both express Frakes’ fondness for the character while simultaneously undercutting Riker’s serious nature, he pitched a possible idea for a new Star Trek series: “Half-hour sitcom. The Rikers in Space with their wacky Uncle Data and their little dog Worf.” On a serious note, when asked, Frakes was surprisingly blunt about a career as an actor. He acknowledged how lucky he was to get on Star Trek: the Next Generation, but also told the audience that 95% of actors are not able to get work compared to
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Interview
InnerSPACE Hosts
Ajay
Teddy
InnerSPACE
Sci-fi Hosts at the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo By Evan Kayne Amidst the sea of science fiction/horror/fantasy fans in attendance for the 2011 edition of the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo, you might have seen two blurs running back and forth from event to event. That would have been Teddy Wilson and Ajay Fry – hosts of SPACE TV’s science fiction entertainment and news show InnerSPACE. Like any fanboy, they were there to enjoy the Expo. However, for them it was a double barrelled pleasure as they were attending in their professional capacity, hosting or moderating several panels with subject matter varying from Todd and the Book of Pure Evil, Stargate, and the big star of the Expo this year, William Shatner. Returning for his second time, Teddy told me Calgary has been exceptionally welcoming. He had a blast at the 2010 Expo schmoozing with all the guests. Yet what he found more interesting was the reception of the fans here in Calgary: they seem to come out in droves. “I don’t know if it’s the kinship between the western frontier spirit and the exploratory, boundary pushing nature of sci-fi,” Teddy said, but he implied there seems to be a strong alchemy between the two. This kinship or alchemy is not new, Teddy continued. After all, Gene Roddenberry pitched Star Trek as Wagon Train “to the stars”. The weird marriage between Western and Science Fiction has recently been seen in Firefly, upcoming movies like Cowboys and Aliens, comics like Jonah Hex and even in literature with Steven King’s “Dark Tower” novel series. “I think it’s a natural fit that the West would have a really strong sci-fi genre fanbase. Calgary was great...just great spirit,” Teddy added. However, what set this Expo apart from others for him was not just the attendance (though it did double from 2010), it was the participation of fans. “(In 2010) I came back and mentioned to Ajay that I noticed a larger percentage of fans who were cosplaying – who were
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dressed up in costumes – than at a lot of other con[vention] s.” For Ajay, this was his first Expo. He has been to Calgary before, for the Calgary International Film Festival. Before the Expo, he told us that because of Teddy’s review from 2010, he was counting down the days until he left for Calgary. Of course, he was put to work – besides the panels he hosted with Teddy, Ajay got to moderate the Matt Frewer panel and the Mike Mignola panel – the latter of which was a bonus for him, as he’s a huge Hellboy fan. What did Ajay think of the experience? “My first Calgary Expo was fantastic. And I choose that word specifically because the fans were in large part what made it such a fun experience. I got to know a number of them as they came out to various panels and events over the weekend.” As well, he was impressed by and wanted to send a big thank you out to the volunteers: “Every one of them was friendly and helpful.” Furthermore, he was thrilled – as were many people – that Mayor Nenshi embraced his inner nerd and attended the Expo. Unlike last year with Dave Bronconnier, Nenshi didn’t just show up, present a White Hat to the major celebrity, and then split. “It’s great to see a local politician hanging out with us geeks. I heard he actually spent some time on the convention floor too...how cool is that?!” Besides the panels they hosted featuring sci-fi favorites, Ajay and Teddy also had their own InnerSPACE panel. It’s a bit overwhelming for them to see the fan reaction at this panel, Teddy stated. “We shoot our modest little show in a little studio in downtown Toronto...you’re kind of in your bubble a little bit. But then you go out to...anywhere across the country and you get this fan love.” Ajay’s response was much the same: “[There were] so many people who knew not just general aspects of our show InnerSPACE, but specifics as well. It just goes to show you people all over the country really are watching and hearing what we have to say.” Of course, this wasn’t their first www.gaycalgary.com
experience with fan feedback. At the Halifax convention, Teddy and Ajay were shocked to see the panel discussion for InnerSPACE being crowded to the point of standing room only. This year, they did do some homework for the major star. This was necessary, as one of their most surreal convention moments came courtesy of William Shatner at Toronto’s expo last year. They were moderating a panel with him, and normally there’s some interaction with panel hosts and guests. But Shatner came out after the introduction, took the mike and away he went on a roll...leaving Ajay and Teddy standing in the background. “About ten minutes in, he looks back and goes, What are you two guys still doing here?...and the whole crowd erupted in laughter at us.” At which point they slunk offstage. “I don’t think we’re going to stay at the podium this year...we’re probably just going to introduce him and let him do his thing.” Which is pretty much what happened. As both geeks themselves and media figures, the appeal Teddy and Ajay offer to their audience is their enthusiasm about new and exciting science fiction projects. Besides their thoughts about the Expo, I talked with them about the upcoming shows on SPACE. There are the staples: Doctor Who is returning in the Fall for the second half of this incredible season, and Teddy is really excited for the next season of Torchwood: “Miracle Day” starting on July 9th. If you’re a fan of TV shows about superheroes, “...there’s also a cool looking show called Alphas coming to Space July 11. Fall, we’re having Todd and the Book of Evil returning for season two, which is amazing. ”
Ajay is eagerly anticipating Outcasts, a show about humanity struggling to colonize a distant planet, starring Jamie Bamber, “Apollo” from Battlestar Galactica. As well, Ajay mentions SPACE has something for a lot of the folks who attended the Expo – Fanboy Confessional. “The first episode is set at Anime North and follows a bunch of cosplayers. But it explores all different elements of fandom including Furries, Steampunkers, LARPers. There’s six episodes and it begins on Space July 13th at 10pm.” Of course, for those sci-fi fans who want to be in the know, this the Fall when InnerSPACE resumes its normal broadcasting schedule, you can tune in to get the latest news on what’s happening in the science fiction entertainment world. Hopefully, we’ll also get the chance to welcome Teddy and Ajay back at the 2012 Expo.
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Event
Western Canadian Pride Festival For the Community, by the Community By Leon Thompson, Festival Organizer The Western Canadian Pride Festival is one of the largest campouts in the Canadian West for the LGBT community. Our success stems directly out of the great people who join us annually for the August long weekend. The Campout is open to all members and invited guests, friends and families. In past years we have always chosen themes and this year we will be carrying on with that tradition with “Fairy Tales Gone Wild”. It is hard to say how we got to where we are today, but one thing is for sure: the people we met on the way have had a great influence on what we do. We like to think that we do not put on an event, rather we join you as participants in the sand box. By us bringing our toys, sharing, entertaining and playing fair we are hoping you will come and do the same. The WCPF grew out of the idea of celebrating who we are. We are not just the “Big Gay Campout” as some have called us, but a campground full of gay people ... and there is a bit of a difference, there is much more to us than just our sexual orientation. Enjoy 4 days of camping, Live music with Eve’s Hell and The Razors at the Friday night meet and greet, 3 dance admissions with DJ Fly Girl, Saturday dinner, karaoke, games, pools, activities and a few other surprises. The WCPF has become a
tradition for those who have attended in the past. For many, it’s the highlight of their year. The cost this year is $100.00 for members, non-member early bird tickets $120.00 (ending July 28th). Paying at the gate? There will be 2 types of tickets available: Bring a Buddy pass for $220.00, and single gate ticket: $130.00 (cash only at the gate). Limited Tickets are available this year so please do not wait too long to register. We have never turned anyone away at the gate and will always make room for you, but please help us out by registering. Once again the Campout will be held at Watipi Lodge, a private campground centrally located between Edmonton and Calgary just 5 minutes north of Blackfalds, 10 minutes from Lacombe, and 15 minutes from Red Deer. Gates open on Friday at noon, but early bird campers are welcome prior to that. If you do want to come early and stay later, the cost is $20 per night. Please let us know that you are arriving early. Our only requirement is that you leave your problems at the gate and let us take you on a much needed break. If you have had 361 days of garbage over the last year, it’s totally ok to leave it at the gate. You are what’s important, not your problems! Come out and play with us, dress up with us and laugh with us...you will love it!
Western Canadian Pride Festival Watipi Lodge, Blackfalds, AB wcpf@hotmail.com www.mywcpf.com Fairy Tales Gone Wild July 29th to August 1st http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2313
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The (Gay)
GAGA Interview
Superstar talks activism, her legacy and how being a gay icon is a ‘tall order’
By Chris Azzopardi Lady Gaga is one of the biggest superstars in the world. But speaking to her only briefly during this rare interview, she evades her larger-than-life image with affable charm, self-deprecating humor (take that, socalled penis) and a down-to-earth demeanor. She’s sweet, perverted, articulate and talkative. And she can’t stop gushing about how much her fans mean to her – and when I have to cut her off to get a few last minute questions in, she doesn’t pull a diva trip. She’s cordial as can be. “I could talk to you forever, you’re so cute,” she says, almost in baby goo-goo, ga-ga talk. Point is, Gaga doesn’t sound like someone who just scored the best first-week sales of the year so far with Born This Way, her opus that seems to position her as the Mother Teresa of music. Since we last spoke, nearly two years ago when “Just Dance” was charting, she was barely a blip on the pop scene. How quickly things can change. This time, Gaga spoke about inspiring young gay people, why she cried for a week straight, what she’d do with an Ann Coulter-like kid and the legacy she wants to leave. www.gaycalgary.com
GC&E: We have lots more to talk about this time than your love for Italian sausages. LG: (Laughs) I love Italian sausages ... as much as I love my own. GC&E: Don’t take this the wrong way, but as a fashion icon I have to ask: What are you wearing? LG: I’m actually in a black bra and underwear. That’s it. The top one is lace and the bottom one is just plain and silky. This is my daywear. I’m walking around my hotel room and I’m going to yoga soon, and I probably won’t change. (Laughs) GC&E: How did you spend your last day off? LG: I watched So You Think You Can Dance, and I’ve been planning my performances for the next few months for television and getting ready for the new tour. GC&E: That’s work. That’s not time off, Gaga. LG: (Laughs) I know, I know. I always do that. I’m sorry. I don’t really take time off. I try, but I think I find comfort in my creativity. It’s like a warm blanket for me, so I will end up in some sort of way creating something or writing something.
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GC&E: How do you feel about your role as a gay icon and a leader in the LGBT rights movement? LG: That’s a really, really tall order and quite a description. I never set out to be a gay icon or become one or be revered as one, and I’m just really grateful to all the people that have believed in me and my music and my work. The most special thing of all has been that my sort of assimilation as a public figure has very organically stemmed out of who my natural friends were in high school. I had a lot of gay friends growing up, not even realizing they were gay. We didn’t really talk about it and I went to theater school and I did a lot of shows, so I guess it never really mattered to me if they were gay or straight – and we never really talked about it. We just loved talking about music and art and theater and fashion. So now it’s less about being a leader and more just about being a part of my generation and being part of the fight for equality that I feel is part of who I am and part of my childhood, and part of where I’m going. GC&E: The message you stand for as a public figure – about being yourself no matter who you are – is also a big part of Born This Way. LG: The album was inspired by the spirit of the fans, the spirit of the show and the spirit of people all over the world every night talking to me about social justice and sharing their stories with me and me realizing that my mission with music was driven in a very specific way at this point. So social justice has to be the most paramount issue that I address on the album. GC&E: I wish I knew who you were when I was a teenager. Young people these days are lucky to have such a role model. LG: That’s so sweet. Thanks for saying that. I hope that I can really be that, and I hope that they know that it’s so genuine and so authentic. GC&E: Which album gave you a sense of belonging and allowed you to be yourself when you were a kid? LG: I always talk about Green Day, because Dookie was the first album that I went to buy on my own. I think because I got bullied in school there was something I really appreciated about punk culture. It allowed me to feel unified with something that was separate from my community at school. Even though I didn’t have a lot of punk friends or I didn’t go to punk shows – because when I was 13, my mother would never have allowed me to leave the house and go downtown to see a punk show – just
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having the album in my hands and reading the lyrics and listening to the music made me feel like I was a punk, feel like a Green Day fan, feel like I was part of a union that was separate from my situation. That’s really carried through into my music and my dream and my message. But what’s been so great is social media. Unlike when I was a kid, my fans now have a way to get to know each other and be connected through social media so that the culture can grow. GC&E: And you’re using social networking a lot as a political platform, urging fans to step up in the fight for equality. LG: Oh yeah. I just got on Twitter and I was firing away like I was on the Senate floor. I couldn’t stop because I think to myself, almost instantly, there are 11 million people who are receiving this message from me and they have to know what’s going on. Even if I just get five people to call in New York, I can make that small bit of difference. GC&E: If you had a daughter and you found out she was going to be the next Ann Coulter, what would you do? LG: Oh. I’d have to have a sit-down with her. GC&E: What’s been the most rewarding moment of your career so far? LG: So many different things. It was a very, very huge shock for me when I heard the album sales for Born This Way. I just cried for, like, a week straight. (Laughs) It was seven full days of rainwater tears. I think I could’ve filled an entire ocean of gratitude. I just worked so hard on the music and I cared so much that the fans loved it, and all that mattered to me was they loved it. The feedback of the music and of the videos has been so wonderful. I sat down with the label and I talked to my team and we talked about the new album cycle and I said to them, “I don’t want for the goal of this to be that we gain new fans. If we gain new fans, that’s wonderful. But the goal for me is to strengthen my artistic evolution and strengthen the bond between the fans.” That was the single most important thing to me. Not to sell more records, not to gain more fans, not to convert people that didn’t like me before to like me now. That was not what I wanted. What I wanted to do was to look out into the crowd and know that they were stronger than ever, and the thing that has been the most exciting for me is to watch that happen, because what we have – what I have witnessed so far with the release of this album – is that the super fan section of my fans has grown. GC&E: This is basically a dedication to your Little Monsters, right? LG: It’s a dedication, exactly. It’s not fairweather fans. These are real fans. GC&E: If you could be reincarnated as a real living monster, what would you come back as? LG: Myself. But I would have all my protrusions be real and I would be a real fairy monster. GC&E: How gay of you. LG: I know. But she would be mean and fierce, too. And have a fake mole. And I would be able to instantly change a wig with a thought in my mind or change my bone structure based on my thoughts. GC&E: It’s like a drag queen’s dream.
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Photography FAB Anniversary Party - Calgary
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Photography Backlot Anniversary - Calgary
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Photography Bowling: My what a Drag! - Calgary
AIDS Calgary AGM - Calgary
Pistols & Pearls 2 at the Texas Lounge - Calgary
2011 Pride Kick Off Party at Junction - Edmonton
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GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #93, July 2011
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Photography Buddys Baseball Challenge - Edmonton
Calgary Outlink AGM - Calgary
Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo
Edmonton Pride Centre Breakfast
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GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #93, July 2011
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Photography Master Barry’s Celebration of Life - Calgary
Apollo AGM at Club Sapien - Calgary
ARGRA Pool Party - Calgary
ARGRA Afterparties at Backlot and Eagle - Calgary
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Photography GAYmazing Race (photos at FAB) - Calgary
Pink Party at Buddys - Edmonton
Party Monster at Buddys - Edmonton
Fake Mustache 100th Show at Club Sapien - Calgary
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GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #93, July 2011
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Photography Pure Pride Kickoff Party at FLASH - Edmonton
Interview - From Page 53 LG: Yeah. It’s my dream. It’s every girl’s dream! (Laughs) GC&E: Two of your songs are named after human features – “Hair” and “Teeth.” What’s the next body part you’ll write about? LG: Who knows. I didn’t even think of it that way. Where should I go next? I don’t know. I’ve already been thinking about the next album, though. Don’t shoot me. GC&E: Can you give us a glimpse into that one? LG: No, no. Stay on this one. We’re not done yet. (Laughs) I am planning on making the “You and I” video, though, and I’m really excited about that. GC&E: Everyone talks about overexposure when you’re as big of a star as you are. Does that worry you at all? LG: No. You’re just a right or left click away from the other direction. GC&E: Have you thought about the legacy you want to leave and what that might be? LG: Yes, I have. And it changes and grows. I would say that my wish is to be remembered as a cultural force, as someone who was fearless and unpredictable, who didn’t care what anyone thought about what I have created but only cared that they thought about it.
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Wet Jockey Contest at the Calgary Eagle
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GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #93, July 2011
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