GayCalgary Magazine - March 2016

MARCH 2016

® ISSUE 147 • FREE The Voice of Alberta’s LGBTQ Community

Interview with

CHEYENNE

JACKSON Lucas Silveira

Defying labels and loving Prides

Ginger Minj

Nicest Bitch You’ll Ever Meet

PLUS:

Jasper Pride 2016 Travel Feature - Jasper Alberta TLC • Scott Helman • Sheepdogs ...and more!

Business Directory

Kate Reid

Scan to Read on Mobile Devices

Community Map

Calgary • Alberta • Canada

Events Calendar

Opens up to GayCalgary

Tourist Information

STARTING ON PAGE 63

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GayCalgary Magazine #147, March 2016

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Table of Contents

MARCH 2016

Mercedes Brian Rosenberg, Allen, ChrisCarey Azzopardi, Rutherford, DallasChris Barnes, Azzopardi, Dave Brousseau, Constable SamAndy Casselman, Buck, Dave Jason Brousseau, Clevett, Andrew Jason Clevett, Collins,Keith EmilyJohnson, Collins, Lisa Rob Diaz-Marino, Lunney, Rick Janine Guasco, EvaRomeo Trotta,San JackVicente, Fertig, Steve Glen Hanson, Polyak, and Joan the Hilty, LGBT EvanCommunity Kayne, Stephen of Calgary, Lock, Edmonton, Neil McMullen, and Allan Neuwirth, SteveAlberta.

Polyak, Carey Rutherford, Romeo San Vicente, Ed Sikov, Nick Vivian and the GLBT Community of Calgary, Edmonton, and Photography Alberta.

Steve Polyak, Jeff & Brian

Photography Videography

Steve Polyak, Diaz-Marino, SteveRob Polyak B&J

Sales Videography Steve Polyak

Stevesales@gaycalgary.com Polyak, Rob Diaz-Marino

Legal Council Printers

Courtney Aarbo, Barristers andWeb Solicitors North Hill News/Central

General Inquiries Distribution

® GayCalgary Calgary: GallantMagazine Distribution 2136 17th Avenue GayCalgary StaffSW Calgary, AB,Clark’s CanadaDistribution T2T 0G3 Edmonton: magazine@gaycalgary.com Other: Canada Post

Office Hours:

By Council appointment ONLY Legal Courtney Aarbo, Barristers and Solicitors Phone: 403-543-6960 Toll Free: 1-888-543-6960 SalesFax: & General Inquiries 403-703-0685 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine E-Mail: magazine@gaycalgary.com

2136 17th Avenue SW This Month's Cover Calgary, AB, Canada Main: Cheyenne Jackson, T2Tphoto 0G3 by Vince Truspin. Top Right: Lucas Silveira. Mid Right: Ginger Minj, photo by Mike Windle-Gettyo.

Right: KAte Reid, photo by Office Hours:Bottom By appointment ONLY Steve Polyak GayCalgary Magazine Phone: 403-543-6960 Toll Free: 1-888-543-6960 Fax: 403-703-0685 E-Mail: magazine@gaycalgary.com

This Month's Cover Cher and Christina Aguilera courtesy of Sony Pictures; Annie Lennox courtesy of Mike Owen; Goudie. of: ProudRexMembers

Proud Members of:

Words from the Publisher

Billy Santoro, Grand Openings, Upcoming Events and Prize Draws

11 Kate Reid Opens Up with GayCalgary 15 Discussing Community Safety Dating Scam

17 Something More Important Than Fear My journey back to HIV treatment

18 Lucas Silveira’s Stairway to Heaven Defying labels and loving Prides

PAGE 18

Writers and Contributors

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21 Find Your Path

A Guide to Help Gay Men Become Dads

22 Deep Inside Hollywood

Denzel Washington, ‘Ladies Almanack,’ Manolo Blahnik, ‘Model Wars’

24 Jasper, Alberta

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Welcoming Town in the Heart of Natural Beauty

25 Whistler’s Inn

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26 Maligne Canyon Icewalk 27 Jasper Pride 2016

31 Out of Character - A Candid Chat with Alex Newell

PAGE 24

Publisher Publisher: & Editor: SteveSteve Polyak Polyak Copy Editor: Editor: RobJanine Diaz-Marino Eva-Trotta Sales: Steve Polyak Design & Layout: Rob Diaz-Marino, Steve Polyak Ara Shimoon

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®

Glee star on questioning his gender, stealing church-choir solos and Red Lobster

Edmonton Rainbow Business Association

34 The Temperance Movement Bears Down UK Band Currently Rocking Across Canada

37 Monster Truck Riding High

International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association

National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association

PAGE 31

Hamilton band Sitting Heavy with success

Gay European Tourism Association

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Table of Contents  Continued From Previous Page

40 Scott Helman A Rising Star Breakthrough Juno Nominee Talks To GayCalgary

Magazine Figures

42 Ginger Minj

Monthly Online Magazine Readership:

Combined total of PDF and ISSUU Downloads/Reads –100,000 copies

PAGE 40

Nicest Bitch You’ll Ever Meet

45 The Sheepdogs Rounding Up Rock n Roll Saskatchewan Band Tours With “Future Nostalgia”

48 TLC Still Chasing CrazySexyCool

PAGE 42

51 Mr. Jackson If You’re Nasty Cheyenne Jackson on Botox, his ‘bi phase’ & getting his butt grabbed

by Lady Gaga

56 Queer Eye 59 A Couple of Guys 60 News Releases

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63 Directory and Events 68 Classified Ads

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Scan for Latest Issue:

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Readers Per Copy: 4.9 (PMB) Avg. Online Circulation: 310,000 readers Estimated Total Readership: >319,800 readers Frequency: Monthly

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. February 2012 returned to GayCalgary Magazine.

February 2013, GayCalgary® becomes a registered trademark. December 2014/ January 2015 is the last print edition.

February 2015 is the first digital only edition.

Disclaimer and Copyright Opinions expressed in this magazine are specific to the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of GayCalgary staff and contributors.

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.

http://www.gaycalgary.com/RSS Articles • Recent News • Prize Draws • Events • Travel Info

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Total Readership of PDF/ISSUU/WEB

Proof of monthly figures are available on request.

Iconic R&B Group On Returning to Spotlight, New Album and More

Scan for this Issue:

®

Copyright 2016. All rights reserved.

GayCalgary® is a registered trademark.

APRIL 2016 Deadlines Ad Booking: Fri, April 1st

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Please contact us immediately if you think you may have missed the booking or submission deadline.

Online: Friday, April 8th

http://www.gaycalgary.com/i147 More articles and exclusive content online!

GayCalgary Magazine #147, March 2016

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Editorial

Words from the Publisher

Billy Santoro, Grand Openings, Upcoming Events and Prize Draws

By Steve Polyak Billy Santoro at Evo What a way to start February with my first event being at Evolution Night Club for their Palm Springs White Party Kick Off with Billy Santoro. I had gone up to Edmonton to cover the event and do a video interview with Billy, and I don’t know what it is with porn stars, but we always seem to hit it off. Billy was no different - I was laughing way too much with him prior to the interview, and I had trouble getting his “cream pie” story out of my head as the video started.

The article will go online later in March and be in the April edition, but in the meantime you can check out the hot photos of Billy in our photo gallery on page 56. The interview will not be safe for work – not because of full frontal nudity but because he does go into some detail of humorous things that have happened on the job site.

Bodega Grand Opening and Deva Dave’s Boutique Closing I finally got a chance to check out Bodega, Deva Dave’s new restaurant and bar, during their Grand Opening. The place was busy, with a red carpet out front and people waiting for tables. We tried the mac n’ cheese with jerked chicken and spiced crumb topping, the jerked honey bacon cheeseburger with sweet potato frites, and the blackened basa with dirty rice, seasonal vegetables and ginger salsa.

All three dishes were absolutely fantastic! Check them out at www. labodega.ca

Sadly, Dave has decided to bring Deva Dave’s Boutique to a close for a number of reasons, including the ability to focus more on Bodega and the Salon. It is sad to see the Boutique go, but Bodega creates a great space for the LGBTQ community to hang out, have drinks and a bite to eat.

Pure Pride Together Party 2016 My second trip up to Edmonton this past month was for the Pure Pride Together Party. Ginger Minj was the headline performer for the event with some amazing local talent performing throughout the night. Checkout our interview with Ginger Minj on page 42.

Coming Out Monologues This yearly sold out event is always a great thing to check out if you can. It runs from March 16th to 18th and every day there is a different set of cast and Monologues that are presented – so you may even want to get tickets to see all three days! Some of them are humorous, others are heartwarming and might get you teary eyed. Each person has a unique coming out story and this production explores and celebrates that. For more information, visit www.comingoutyyc.com

Jasper Pride There is a lot in this edition about Jasper Pride, coming up soon from March 17th to 20th. Check out our Jasper, Alberta travel feature on page 24, and also the additional interviews with Jasper Pride

Continued on Next Page 

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 From Previous Page guests and performers, Kate Reid (on page 11) and Lucas Silveira (on page 18). The Gala dance typically has around 550 people in attendance which is pretty amazing for how small Jasper is. The theme for the dance this year is 007, which is appropriate with this being their 7th year. With the Canadian Dollar being so low, expect to see a lot of tourists coming from outside of Canada to partake in the skiing, snowboarding and other activities. Visit www.jasperpride. ca for more information.

Apollo Western Cup This upcoming Easter weekend (March 24th to March 26th) is Western Cup 34. This year’s roster of sports includes Volleyball, Bowling, Curling and Dodgeball. The annual social events are going to take place at the Hyatt Regency downtown to accommodate the amount of people that attend the Saturday Night Dance. In the past, the dance had just over 1100 people attending – so full that some who didn’t buy tickets in advance had to be turned away at the door - and most of the crowd staying until 2am. So remember to buy your tickets in advance at www.westerncup.com for $25, or for $30 at the door.

Backwards Grand Opening Backwards Nightclub is hard at work putting the final touches on their new bar, but sadly won’t be opening in March as they were planning and had advertised in the February edition. The new opening weekend is scheduled for April 15th and 16th, 2016. They apologize for the delay, which is due to some unexpected requirements from the City of Calgary for additional changes they had done in the way of renovations. It’s clear that these guys are dedicated to this project, and they are thankful to have a great landlord, so they are now on the final stretch before opening.

Prize Draws on the GayCalgary.com Website GayCalgary has been hosting prize draws on our website for the past several years, and part of the tech updates that I had planned

Online Last Month Creep of the Week Liberty Ridge Farm

While I’ve never been there in person, Liberty Ridge Farm looks like a beautiful place according to the photos on their website. Lush green grass, handsome horses and goats, a... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a4998

Blue Rodeo Brings Classic and New to Calgary Concert

I’ve been so fortunate both in my personal life as a music fan buying tickets and my role as reviewer for GayCalgary to have seen many concerts. Something I have learned over time... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a4983

The Frivolist - Treat Yo’self 8 Ways to Avoid Valentine’s Day – and Enjoy It

If you’re consciously uncoupled (or just got dropped like a bad habit) this Valentine’s Day, make the most of your single status with these eight ways to tell Cupid to shove it. Drown... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5009

Creep of the Week Louie Gohmert

I think Trent Reznor/Nine Inch Nails said it best: “Bow down before the one you serve. You’re going to get what you deserve.” And if you’re Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas,... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5016

Deep Inside Hollywood

Todd Haynes, ‘Gaycation,’ Robert Mapplethorpe, Cynthia Nixon

Todd Haynes joins a psychedelic ’70s rock cult For over 25 years, queer filmmaker Todd Haynes has created meticulously detailed worlds that often intersect with fantasies about... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5018

Creep of the Week Donald Trump

Well, Iowa is over and Donald Trump emerged victorious. That is, if what he was aiming for was second place. He lost to bag of garbage Ted Cruz, so you know Trump must be livid.... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5017

Hear Me Out

Sia, Panic! at the Disco, Elton John, Lucinda Williams

Sia, This Is Acting Before she rebranded herself as a behind-the-scenes scribe for mainstream pop giants, Sia reveled in authenticity. Every feeling was pure – and even if it... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5019

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Childhood Recaptured In “The Boy’s Own Jedi Handbook” Ground Zero Theatre Explores Our Youth

Stephen Massicotte’s The Boy’s Own Jedi Handbook – playing until February 21st at the Vertigo Studio Theatre - is one of those shows that regardless of your age, will instantly... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5010

“Wizard of Oz” Remains a Wonder

Since 1902 The Wizard of Oz has been appearing in various forms and stages around the world. Whether it’s the classic 1939 film, a high school production, or one of the many touring... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5012

Creep of the Week Marco Rubio

On Feb. 8, Marco Rubio was asked a very important question by New Hampshire resident Timothy Kierstead, a man who said he’d been married for a “long time.”

“Why... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5024

was to do something a little bit more interactive. In the past, you would need to have a membership on the GayCalgary website to enter your name for random selection. Sadly, with some of our long running draws, people would sometimes forgot that they had entered.

So they would sometimes win tickets for a concert, movie passes, theatre tickets, but because they had made other plans or had to work late, they would then ask if we could redraw the tickets so that hopefully someone else could go. This became an issue if they did not get back to us in time, because it meant we had to rush to redraw and contact new winners, then wait for them to get back to us as well. On the flip side, there are often readers of the magazine who badly want to win the draws – so much that they would send me messages to that effect, sometimes even begging a little.

With the new prize draw system, readers can increase their chances of winning with additional draw entries each day by doing certain tasks. Some of the tasks are pretty easy, like following us on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube. Additional bonus entries are to invite your friends to enter the draw, or visit the website of a GayCalgary advertiser (which is great for the advertisers who often sponsor the prize draws). For those who like taking selfies, or photos of things on the go with your smart phones, you can get additional draw entries for submitting photos on daily or weekly topics, in scavenger hunt fashion.

The current draw is for tickets for 2 to see RuPaul’s Battle of the Seasons 2016 in Calgary, and there is a separate draw for the same in Edmonton too. These are standard tickets worth $49.50 each for the June event, so you have close to 90 days to vie for entries!

Rising Star - Marco Castro-Bojorquez

http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5036 View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments

White House honoree is singing his own ‘Song’

Marco Castro-Bojorquez was never very close to his father. They rarely spoke, especially about Marco’s sexuality. Two years ago, though, on New Year’s Eve, something changed. His... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5027

The Frivolist - Best Pitcher Showcase 2016

Oscar-Inspired Cocktails to Get the Party Started

Thirsty for Oscar? Watch the 88th Academy Awards go down in history – and hashtags (#becausesomebodyshadworkdone) – with these quenching cocktail recipes inspired by this year’s... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5028

Creep of the Week

Log Cabin Republicans

As a kid, I loved Log Cabin pancake syrup. Not only that, but I thought real maple syrup was gross. Then I grew up.

And I no longer believed the dumb things I believed when... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5031

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Kate Reid Opens Up with GayCalgary  Kate Reid at Red Deer Pride, by GayCalgary

by Lisa Lunney The one and only Kate Reid took time from her schedule to chat about her upcoming performance at Jasper Pride, Alberta Fans and hilarious adventures.

GC: First off, thank you for taking the time to chat with GayCalgary Magazine. Your busy schedule has you currently situated in the USA. Can you tell us bit more about what you’re up to?

KR: Santa Fe! I’m teaching down here at the Santa Fe University of Art and Design in New Mexico for the semester, until mid-May. I was invited here as a part of there Artists for Positive Social Change initiative, fulfilling a part-time, contributing faculty role as their artist-in-residence. I’m teaching a 4th year level course that I designed myself where we are delving into some of the social-political movements of the 20th and 21th century in the USA, and some of the songs and musicians that came out of and contributed to those movements. Students will also be working with the artistic practices of song writing, singing, and performance as a way to guide their inquiry and self-expression as these pertain to social justice issues and overall course themes. The overall theme of the course is based on the notion that song writing and performing songs in public spaces are artistic practices that document and archive personal, social and political narratives in the hopes of sharing information and advancing important social justice causes. As one of their projects, the

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students will be writing their own songs that pertain to their own life experience and a social justice movement that they are interested in/passionate about. The semester will culminate in a public performance of their songs in May. Students are also going to be working in the university’s sound recording studio to record their songs on the university’s independent student record label, Arroyo Records, with students from the music and sound engineering departments.

Finally, I am also part of a diversity/anti-oppression initiative where some upper level students and I will be giving a workshop I designed on diversity and anti-oppression that will assist in developing the university’s diversity policy and statement.

Wow…that’s a long-winded answer, right?

GC: Have you been up to any shenanigans outside of serious business?

KR: Haha, any shenanigans outside of serious business you ask? Hmmm…. well, I’m not really into shenanigans anymore— I’m pretty well behaved now that I’m in my mid-40’s…. god, I’m going to be 45 in April! Mostly, in my spare time, my obsession is hiking and just being outside in general doing some kind of active thing, which is definitely not badass. But, I love being outside. I feel whole and grounded out there, especially when I’m hiking. Nothing matters when I’m walking on the earth and taking all of that energy in. I feel connected to something bigger when I’m outside.

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Ok, fine, I’ll admit that I went to see Zoolander 2 with a friend of mine just a few days before this interview…but shhhh…don’t tell anyone. :-) That was kind of “shenanigan-esque” …it was just a lot of silly, ridiculous humour, but the cameos in the movie were awesome!

GC: Fans identify so strongly with your music. You’ve been known to put on a memorable show. Are there any nerves whilst going on stage?

KR: Yes, I get nervous before I perform for sure – some times more than others. Often, it depends on who I know is in the audience, and how the sound system is. If the sound is good and the sound guy (Russell at the Jasper Legion is one of my absolute faves!) is easy to work with and conscientious, then I’m usually pretty relaxed. I always have my little “prep” routine: solid sound check, a good meal with protein before the show, some good alone/quiet time beforehand to summon my energy, some licorice tea, and a bit of Bach Flower Rescue Remedy to chill me out right beforehand…. usually works wonders.

GC: What other musicians influence you? Current playlist?

KR: Current playlist? Well, my playlist is not current…lol… but…currently, I’m obsessed with Joan Baez’ song Diamonds and Rust—about her relationship with Bob Dylan. I can’t stop listening to that right now. And of course, Indigo Girls and Ferron…my lesbian faves. And Tears for Fears is getting a lot of play. I just love 80’s pop. Also, I’m listening to a lot of songs from the labour/union movement, the civil rights movement, and the Chicano civil rights movement in the US—mostly for the course that I am teaching. There are some amazing songs and songwriters out there that wrote such amazing songs during those times, it’s astounding to me. I also listen to a lot of classical music when I’m working at my desk: it gets me into the zone.

GC: What are you most looking forward to while performing at Jasper Pride?

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KR: What am I most looking forward to while performing for Jasper Pride? I’m just so looking forward to being in Alberta again and seeing some folks I haven’t seen for a long time. I love the town of Jasper: the scenery driving into the park from Edmonton takes my breath away, it’s just stunning. And, the people are so friendly in Jasper, and I am excited to be working with Ken and Russell at the Jasper Legion, and the gang at Coco’s again. Also, a friend of mine from Santa Fe is coming up with me so she will be seeing Jasper and the Rockies up here for the first time, that will be exciting. And a friend of mine is coming all the way from Ontario, which is amazing.

GC: You’re in for one busy spring! What do you love most about touring?

KR: What do I love most about touring? The Paris, Ontario venture is a really sweet little festival that’s just starting out. It’s called Skylight Festival and it’s in its second year. It combines social justice, arts, spirituality, and faith and they are just lovely people there at Skylight. I performed there last year and they invited me back. I sang a few “camp” (as in summer camp, not “gay” camp!) songs at the end of my set and many of them knew those songs so I invited a bunch of people up on stage to sing with me. It was a lot of fun and they were a great audience! I went to a Christian camp for 8 years when I was a kid and a teenager: it was a ton of fun and I learned a lot of songs there that have stayed with me. It was fun to sing those again with people who knew them. So, to answer your question: I guess that brings me to my favourite part of touring: it’s definitely the interesting people I meet on my travels. I have met some really lovely, fascinating people out there, and have had many surprises when it comes to audiences, and who is out there listening. Music has allowed me to make some really amazing connections with other people: some have turned into great friendships with people who have enriched my life immeasurably, and others were just brief moments of connection, which were still so impactful and heartwarming.

These friendships and moments are what makes being a musician so rewarding. There are so many interesting and kind people out there in all kinds of different places across Canada— small towns, big cities, rural areas—people I would not have had the chance to meet if it weren’t for playing music. I love how music brings people together.

GC: Where do you find the crowds most enthusiastic and welcoming?

KR: I have said this many times in the past, but hands down, my favourite province to play in is Alberta, and I have told Alberta audiences this many times…it’s a fact in my little world.

And people are always amazed when I tell them how Alberta is my favourite province to play in. They think that Albertans are so conservative and reserved but it’s the complete opposite in my experience. There is something so laid back and present about the people in this province. I’m so not in the closet at all about my love for my Alberta listeners. I just love performing for them: they are enthusiastic, and supportive, and they are not cliquey or reserved and they don’t talk during my performance like other audiences occasionally do — they listen and they sing along. Attn. Crystal Cave: if you are here for Jasper Pride, watch out, I might just ask you to come and sing Truckdriver with me….

GC: Any hilarious gig stories you’d like to share?

KR: I don’t know if I have any hilarious gig stories per se but definitely some hilarious experiences on tour, and hilarious billeting stories that I probably can’t share here. Sometimes staying with people can work out swimmingly, and other times, not so much. I did have a lot of laughs while on tour a few years back with Evalyn Parry, another queer artist from Toronto. We laughed a lot. Definitely meeting Captain Cupcake in Nanaimo back in 2009 at the Cambie Hotel and Bar was a highlight.

Several years ago, while I was doing a few shows in Alberta with local musician, Toni Vere, we ended up playing this gig at this dive-y biker bar on short notice because Money Penny’s – the lesbian bar where we had a show booked—got shut down by the city the day before our gig for some kind of health inspection

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infraction. So, Toni ended up finding us another place to do the show: at the Baja Bar and Grill, in south Calgary. It was the kind of place that smelled like a lot of beer had been spilled on the floor and a lot of cigarettes had been smoked there back in the days before they banned smoking in bars and restaurants.

Anyway, the place was full of a lot of biker dudes in denim and leather. Of course, a bunch of lesbians showed up to hear Toni and I sing. Admittedly, I was a little worried about singing my songs at the Baja, I wasn’t sure how the regulars were going to respond. But all the women were dancing up at the front and the biker dudes also came up front and joined them: they were really into dancing with the lesbians. But it was clear that they didn’t know they were lesbians: it seemed as though the bikers were thinking they were going to get lucky with all of those women. Then, I started singing. And, it was almost like slow motion: I watched the colour drain from the biker guy’s faces and those proverbial light bulbs went on in their heads.

They finally realized that the women they were dancing with weren’t the slightest bit interested in them—that the women were queer! It was so hilarious because suddenly, the biker guys all just sort of turned around, and slunk to the back of the bar together. All of the women noticed, of course, as did I. I made some joke about it after my song was done, and we had a good laugh about it—it was a great moment! It was one of those moments where it really felt like, as a bunch of queer women and lesbians, we had the power in the room that night, that we didn’t have to worry or feel concerned about being outnumbered. The biker dudes left us alone and let us take over their bar—it was great fun!

GC: If you could offer advice to the next generation of LGBT artists, what would you say to them? Would it be similar to a message you could send to your past self?

KR: Write and sing about what matters to you most. Follow your own instincts and be open to all kinds of experiences when it comes to your art. I am amazed that singing has brought me back into the education system and into universities as an instructor, and performer—I never imagined that music would lead me back to education. When I left teaching, I swore I would never go back because teaching didn’t feed my soul, and that all I was going to do was music. But doing this work inspired me to go back to school recently and get a Master’s Degree in Arts and Social Justice and now, I get to teach on my own terms about things that I am passionate about. I also get to use songs to teach—it’s incredible really! So, yeah advice: follow your own heart and write about what you are passionate about. And be professional: just because you are a musician doesn’t mean you have to subscribe to that “musician or artist stereotype.”

I get up early, I exercise and eat as healthy as possible, I’m on time for sound checks and performances, and I don’t spend my money at the bar. And above all, have fun—because playing music is fun!

GC: Thank you so much for taking the time to chat, your positive outlook is contagious.

Kate Reid http://www.katereid.net Kate Reid Live at Jasper Pride http://www.jasperpride.ca March 18th, 2016 at 8:00pm Jasper Legion – 400 Geikie St, Jasper AB http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5034 View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments www.gaycalgary.com

GayCalgary Magazine #147, March 2016

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Community

Discussing Community Safety Dating Scam

By Constable Andy Buck Hello again everyone. The clocks change imminently so that means Spring is around the corner! If you are anything like me that means a time to start thinking about discarding coats and gloves and looking forward to longer, warmer days. I know that the winter has been exceptionally good, but there is nothing like wearing shorts and flip-flops!

For those of you without access to Facebook, or those who may have missed my post recently, I would like to draw your attention to something that I posted for community attention.

The Calgary Police Service are alerting Calgarians about a pair of fraudsters believed to be targeting gay men in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. Over the past three months, it is believed at least eight people in Alberta have been victimized, losing more than $80,000.

The two fraudsters target men on dating sites frequented by older gay males. They establish relationships with the victims before observing pin codes to their debit and credit cards and eventually stealing the cards. In one instance, it is alleged that an elderly complainant was drugged using GHB. On Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016, Edmonton Police Service and Calgary Police Service arrested two men in Calgary in relation to this scam. Mourad AYTOUR, 42, and Saed TEETI, 36, have been charged with eight counts each of fraud and theft.

Further charges are pending. Anyone who has information about this scam, or who believes they may also be a victim, is encouraged to contact the Calgary Police Service nonemergency number 403-266-1234, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477. Alternatively, you can connect with me in the usual way.

Talking of social media, I have been extremely disappointed in public reaction to an article that Metro ran on 4 members of our Diversity Resource Team, including myself. The idea was originated by Metro, and was part of a series they are doing where they are looking to humanize the people behind the badge. Unfortunately, some members of the public have been quick to ridicule the article and the Calgary Police Service for having “all white males” in the roles that were spotlighted. To be fair, most of the criticism and sarcasm has come from people outside of the LGBTQ* community, and I want to thank those of you who have made positive comments about me in relation to the article. I find it very ironic that we are all working hard at developing and maintaining great relationships with communities that have been negatively affected by stereotypes, yet we are now being stereotyped ourselves. Since when was diversity only about skin colour? The desire to help people comes from within.

We are a team of ten individuals, all very motivated and highly experienced officers who are passionate about helping people. We understand and respect the historic mistrust between law enforcement and the diverse communities that we serve, and work extremely hard at improving that aspect of people’s lives. In relation to the LGBTQ* community, I am here to serve you in any way that I can, the best that I can,

and I welcome any comments or ideas that may help me to do that better or more effectively. I assure you of my best attention and intentions at all times.

Please take care of yourselves, look out for each other, and I look forward to connecting with you again next time.

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GayCalgary Magazine #147, March 2016

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Lifestyle

Something More Important Than Fear My journey back to HIV treatment

By Rick Guasco Last October, I came out. Everyone who knows me was surprised. Although I’ve been openly gay most of my adult life, and I’ve been HIV-positive since 1992, I have only been on treatment for a very short time. Three years ago, I fell out of care completely and was no longer on meds.

You’d think I would know better. I’m a fairly intelligent person, even if also opinionated and stubborn. Plus, I work for Positively Aware, an HIV treatment magazine, so you’d think I would be more, well, aware, of the importance of HIV treatment.

Except that I had become tired and afraid. I think that as long as I have lived with HIV, I’ve always lived with some measure of fear. It didn’t matter how healthy I was, or how sick I felt, fear has always lurked in the background.

In the summer of 1992, I developed blotches on my skin.

The purplish spots continued to blossom, about five new ones a week. When the fear became too much, I got tested that December: I was HIV-positive – and the spots were likely Kaposi sarcoma (KS), an opportunistic infection that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had labeled as an “end-stage AIDS-defining illness.”

“Good luck,” my post-test counselor said as he handed me three publications.

Kaposi sarcoma is a disease in which malignant tumors can form in the skin, mucous membranes, lymph nodes and other organs. Chemotherapy was the standard treatment for KS, but it often killed the weakest patients, and it seemed I was next.

The fear of KS was overwhelming. More than 100 lesions covered my body, 50 on my head alone. I looked like I had two black eyes and a swollen lip.

I began reading the three handouts I’d been given, all of which were published by Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN), an AIDS service organization in Chicago where I live. One of them was Positively Aware. The more I read, the more my fear subsided to a level where I could think. That’s when I realized information was the key to getting a grip on my situation.

I discovered a clinical trial that used interferon, a known cancer-fighting drug, to treat KS. But I’m so afraid of needles, it took more than two weeks before I could bring myself to begin the daily course of a self-administered injection of interferon into my upper thigh. Whenever I jabbed myself, I would close my eyes and look the other way.

Imagine having the body aches of the flu – every day. That was the major side effect of interferon. At its worst, I would rock back and forth at my desk, like someone experiencing withdrawal. But the interferon worked. Within two years, nearly all the lesions were gone.

In 1997, protease inhibitors, the first class of effective HIV drugs, appeared. But soon afterward, HIV patients began to report side effects from the long-term use of these medications and from having lived so long with the virus. Some people experienced a redistribution of body fat, giving them gauntlooking faces, or swollen bellies, or the appearance of a slight hunchback.

So, quite frankly, I was grateful for my interferon side effects.

Having had a disfiguring disease, I have become self-conscious about my appearance. My KS treatment was apparently keeping me healthy enough that I thought I could justify skipping HIV treatment.

After my insurance no longer covered interferon, I stopped taking it. For a few years, I coasted. I “felt healthy enough” to

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refrain from HIV treatment. Then in 2011, a familiar purplish spot appeared, just below my left ankle.

My KS was back. Once again, fear took hold. As months went by, I looked on as the spot slowly grew. It was only the fear that another spot might soon appear that made me see a doctor. A biopsy confirmed the diagnosis.

These days, the only treatment for KS is to go on HIV medication. Reluctantly, I did, going on one of the first singletablet regimens. The spot began to shrink, then disappear, and my viral load and T-cell count improved.

The side effects came with almost the first pill. Repetitive dreams nearly as bad as those from interferon. And during the day, a depression was beginning to settle in. I was afraid that this was my new normal.

I struggled for 11 months. My meds had been covered by the state ADAP program, and my job’s insurance was about to kick in. However, the paperwork transitioning me from ADAP to private insurance had gotten lost, and I now had no way to pay for my refill. This only seemed to add insult to injury, so I walked away from treatment.

I was afraid, however, of being called irresponsible – or a hypocrite. I told myself that my healthcare (or lack of it) was a personal decision. After all, I still “felt healthy enough.” But old fears lingered. Once, I had been afraid I wouldn’t live to see 30; having passed 50, I was starting to fear what might lie ahead.

My fears led me back to when I first faced KS. I’d made it this far; I was damned if I was going to die like it was 1985.

That’s when I decided to get back onto treatment. Four weeks later, my numbers had already significantly improved. And this time, the side effects have been negligible.

No one wants to admit to being afraid. Fear can make you feel helpless and isolated. But the truth is, you are not alone. If you learn how to use it, fear can be a good thing. It can remind you that there is something more important than fear.

Rick Guasco has been Creative Director of Positively Aware since 2010. He occasionally posts on Facebook about his return to HIV treatment. Positive Thoughts is a project of Plus, Positively Aware, POZ, The Body and Q Syndicate, the LGBT wire service. Visit their websites – http://hivplusmag. com, http://positivelyaware.com, http://poz.com and http://thebody.com – for the latest updates on HIV/AIDS.

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GayCalgary Magazine #147, March 2016

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Lucas Silveira’s Stairway to Heaven

Defying labels and loving Prides

by Carey Rutherford This is a strange position to be in: GC gets to, in the public sphere of global cyber-media, ‘out’ this Ontariobased musician and songwriter. Normally, by the time we’re interviewing them and plastering their name and photo all over Calgary and the rainbow community world, they’re public – if not comfortably settled – with their identity.

But Lucas Silveira, well, he’s a Zeppelin fan.

“I grab [Robert Plant, lead singer of Led Zeppelin] out of the air sometimes: I’ve done it in other interviews ... I think because Robert Plant, in the music industry scene, is a dude’s dude [and] has written some of the most provocatively sexual lyrics in rock ’n roll. And everybody just accepts it as his sexuality.”

GC can’t resist having a fanboy moment of our own, noting Plant’s continued stretching of musical expectations, even 40 years on. We enthuse over his earlier album with Alison Krauss.

“He’s an artist, [and he] was in Led Zeppelin! What else does he need to do to be amazing? [Other bands] have billions of dollars; you can sit on your ass, and put out an album that’s really good, [not] just re-hashed versions of older material. And that’s what I love about Robert Plant: that’s what he does ...

He’s not coming from ego. He may have once, but now he’s just wanting to give people an experience.”

GC asks how his Pledge benefit cover of the Beatles and his most recent Facebook cover of a Bob Dylan tune relate to the work he does in The Cliks.

“As a songwriter, I don’t limit myself to one specific genre of music; that’s just not the way I’ve written music ... It could be anything: from a folk song; it could be bluesy; I can write an R&B song; a hard rock song. Click stuff tends to be a bit heavier and I’m the same way as a listener.

“When I make an album, I tend to put a collection of songs … that complement each other; that’s the industry standard. You 18

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want [it to] fit and flow together … I like being an artist. I don’t like the way the industry works.”

Silveira describes the simplicity of the basic song as what really attracts him – whether it’s Beyonce or Dylan – which is why he often returns to that format himself. GC asks him what goes on differently between him playing solo with a guitar and when he’s fronting The Cliks.

“It’s fun: I love going onstage. I like putting on a show. It’s a different kind of fun than playing acoustically. I think it’s sort of the difference between being an introvert and an extrovert.

When I play with The Clicks … there’s a lot of energy happening; it becomes a lot of excitable energy. I don’t feel so emotionally attached to the performance, unless it’s a slower song.

“When it comes to acoustic performances, they become very introverted, to the point where it becomes a selfish performance … It feels like I do it for myself.

“If I feel something in a song that connects to something I’m going through; I think that’s when I’ll be able to perform it the best … It feels truer to the performer when they can take the words and intention of the song and make it their own.”

Silveira describes how, as an independent artist based in Toronto, his ability to support a band on the road across our vast distances is limited. He’s more focused on playing Prides, where the audience comes to him, and they are taken really good care of as performers. Which is why The Cliks will be appearing, for their first time, at Jasper’s Pride on March 17th.

“I focus on playing Prides, mostly. I get to go to different cities; you get to go see all your fans. The great thing about something like Pride is that people will come from all around that city you’re going to just to see you, and also the fact that it’s a celebration that will happen to have a mainly LGBTQ audience.”

In the last few years The Cliks has had the chance to tour with Cindi Lauper, the New York Dolls and The Cult, and Silveira describes the wonder of such an opportunity: www.gaycalgary.com

“Margaret Cho (comedienne with the True Colors tour) has given me advice from time to time, and on that tour I had some problems with the band (because of the attention he received from being a transgenedered male in mainstream pop, and the focus on him it created). She said ‘You just have to do you, and they’re gonna do them, and don’t ever, ever change the direction that you’re going for anybody else … Because of that, I made some of the best choices I have ever made.”

GC asks Silveira, So what’s up now?

“I’ve started a new project, which is R&B based, [with] a young guy from Minneapolis on it, called Lil One. He’s a great rapper, hip-hop artist, and he’s also a trans guy. [It’s] the only song I’ve ever written [about] someone trying to mess with my head about being a trans person.”

This project, which Silveira calls “Chap”, exists outside of his work with the Cliks. The demo of the first song, “Walk Away”, is up on his Facebook site. “[Previously] my gender identity is something that has never come into my writing. I write as a human being; I don’t write thinking I’m a Trans Man, and I’m going to express myself this way! … I don’t like to do that, because I find when you write from a place that’s so narrow, you also alienate your audience … I think everybody can connect to being hurt – to having their heart broken – having identity issues period! Being confused.

But if I were to write an entire album about being a trans man, I think that would be very strange.”

And here Silveira lights a fire under the music industry’s ass: “Nobody ever sees me as a musician; everybody always sees me as a trans or a queer musician …Even other queer people – that’s how they see you. They say, What’s it like to make queer music? What are you talking about? I don’t make queer music!

I happen to be queer! Does Robert Plant make ‘straight’ music?

No, he writes from a place where he’s talking about experiences he’s gone through, as does any other artist.

“It’s a blessing and a curse at the same time … Specifically in the mainstream community, people can say Oh that guy writes gay music, so that means I’m not going to be able to relate to anything that he writes. I won’t get played on mainstream radio because they will see it as a support for a queer artist.

“The blessing of it is that ... I have the support of my LGBTQ audience, that has supported me through the years. That support, where you can keep creating and people will come to you because of the fact you are queer, and they feel safe coming to your shows … It will be great that one day people will be able to be artists and actors, and not be seen as ‘trans’, but that’s not going to happen in my lifetime.”

Well, damn the torpedoes and the narrow-minded, and go party with Silveira and The Cliks and the other celebrants in Jasper during this year’s pride, March 17th to 20th.

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Lucas Silerira of the Cliks http://www.thecliks.com Lucas Silveira Live at Jasper Pride http://www.jasperpride.ca March 17th, 2016 at 8:30pm Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre, Jasper AB http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5013 View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments

GayCalgary Magazine #147, March 2016

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GayCalgary Magazine #147, March 2016

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Lifestyle

 photo by Graeme Coleman

Find Your Path

A Guide to Help Gay Men Become Dads

By Brian Rosenberg Here’s the thing about gay men: “Whoops!” is typically not a word you’ll hear in our family creation stories.

Children don’t come to us by way of a happy accident.

Instead, most gay dads plan meticulously before starting families.

The pages of FIND YOUR PATH: A Guide To Help Gay Men Become Dads include advice from researchers and lawyers on how best to navigate local laws and regulations, tips from family planning experts, and first-hand perspectives from gay dads, each of whom has come to fatherhood in a unique way. While these resources are not meant to be exhaustive, they are useful as a point of entry into the process.

Anyone considering a route to fatherhood through surrogacy will need to decide which type of surrogacy is best for his family.

There are two different types: The first is referred to as traditional surrogacy, where the surrogate is impregnated with the sperm of one of the male partners through insemination. The other type, known as gestational surrogacy, occurs when another woman donates an egg to be fertilized by a male partner’s sperm, and the resulting embryo is transferred to the surrogate’s womb to carry. In practical terms, this means that a traditional surrogate is biologically related to the child she carries, while a gestational surrogate is not.

When it comes to costs associated with surrogacy, the bad news probably won’t be news to you at all: surrogacy is expensive.

Standard expenses include agency fees, gestational carrier fees, travel expenses, IVF, attorneys’ fees, social workers’ fees, medical insurance. It adds up quickly, running anywhere from $90,000 to $120,000 or more.

You also need to plan for the unforeseen: extra costs associated with surrogacy could include lost wages for the surrogate, additional required medical tests, caesarean section fees, and even day care for the surrogate’s own children.

Some agencies have attempted to streamline costs associated with surrogacy, introducing different plans that aim to make fees as predictable as possible. They may also offer financing options to help.

the Bedford Research Foundation Clinical Laboratory, HIV-positive men interested in surrogacy should budget from $8,000 to $10,000 for this procedure.

One expense you may not have considered – but may find well worth it – is seeking the advice of neutral experts who are not benefiting financially from your choice of surrogacy agency. Attorney Rhonda Levy is one such professional; her company, Empowered IVF, aims to help clients turn into knowledgeable consumers capable of navigating the unfamiliar and daunting world of surrogacy. Fees range from single, two-hour sessions to package deals good for multiple consultations as parents move along on their journey.

“A neutral expert can help you cross- reference agency fee structures, and show you how some charge more without offering greater value,” Rhonda told Gays With Kids.

Additionally, some agencies encourage their intended parents to work with a particular fertility clinic.” This, she warns, could be because the agency has a mutually beneficial financial arrangement with that clinic.

Even more distressing is that “some have chosen to refer their intended parents to [clinics with] a track record of only average and sometimes even poor performance. A neutral expert can help conduct an insightful fertility clinic assessment and protect them from unnecessarily experiencing multiple failed cycles, which can be extremely disheartening for both them and the gestational carrier.”

She encourages people to do their homework and not go into the process in a passive way, but rather empower themselves with available knowledge.

Nonprofit organizations such as the Gay Parenting Assistance Program (GPAP) of Men Having Babies have begun programs to help offset the costs of surrogacy. Each year, GPAP provides dozens of gay prospective parents with over a million dollars worth of cash grants, discounts, and free services from more than forty service providers.

THE TAKEAWAY Do your homework before selecting a surrogacy agency, and consider consulting an expert in the field. Cost out the fees associated with the procedure, and consider applying for loans or assistance through Men Having Babies’ Gay Parenting Assistance Program if you qualify. Check out additional online resources such as Men Having Babies, It’s Conceivable, and GayswithKids.com.

An excerpt from FIND YOUR PATH, A GUIDE TO HELP GAY MEN BECOME DADS, available for free download at: https://gayswithkids.com/path

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Men with HIV hoping to use a surrogate face another expense around what is commonly referred to as “sperm washing.” According to Ryan Kiessling of the Special Program of Assisted Reproduction at

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Gossip of white directors and writers taking “custody” of black stories), but when you’re chosen by Denzel Washington you tend not to refuse. Expect more conversation on this subject as the project rolls toward completion.

Ladies Almanack: Parisian Lesbian Chic Famed writer Djuna Barnes’s 1928 novel Ladies Almanack told the true-to-life-yet-thinly-veiled story of a lesbian circle of writers and artists in Jazz Age Paris. Its characters were standins for Barnes’ woman-centered world, including her lover Natalie Barney, and writers like Radclyffe Hall. It’s a vital piece of history from nearly 100 years ago, but its relevance remains timeless.

So it’s welcome news that filmmaker Daviel Shy is working on an independent film version. Shot in Chicago and Paris on a shoestring budget, with tons of community effort behind it, Almanack the movie boasts familiar names like Guinevere Turner and Eileen Myles alongside non-actors, and expands its narrative reach to include historical figures like Colette and Gertrude Stein. It’s a tough film distribution world out there for aesthetically adventurous lesbian dramas with this much ambition, which makes the project feel all the more vital. In postproduction now, prepping for the film festival circuit, keep your eyes open for this one when it finally comes around.

They’re making a documentary about Manolo Blahnik’s shoes

 Viola Davis

Deep Inside Hollywood Denzel Washington, ‘Ladies Almanack,’ Manolo Blahnik, ‘Model Wars’

By Romeo San Vicente Denzel hires Tony Kushner for Fences Denzel Washington is directing the film adaptation of the late August Wilson’s 1985 play, Fences. This makes sense, as the 2010 Broadway revival starring Washington and Viola Davis earned the pair Tony Awards. Washington – and probably Davis, too – will also star in the film, which concerns race relations examined in the context of one black man’s dream deferred: He wanted a career in baseball and wound up collecting trash.

Wilson’s work is more than ripe for the screen, and now his original, not-quite-finished screenplay draft is getting the Tony Kushner treatment. The Tony-winning playwright wrote Angels in America and is working closely with Washington on the final product, which means it has prestige picture written all over it.

And true to the subject matter, there’s been some criticism over Kushner’s inclusion (he is white, and Wilson was often critical

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GayCalgary Magazine #147, March 2016

“Hello, lover,” said Carrie Bradshaw, famously, to a pink, feathery pair of what were probably Manolo Blahnik shoes. And if they weren’t they should have been. More than any other pop culture branding device, Sex and the City raised the profile of Blahniks’ sky-high heels, well, sky-high. And though Louboutin has stolen a bit of the maker’s thunder in recent years, that isn’t stopping filmmaker Michael Roberts from working on a muchneeded documentary on the legendary designer. Its awesome title is Manolo (The Boy Who Made Shoes for Lizards), and it will feature some of the biggest names in fashion and entertainment to sing the man’s praises, from Anna Wintour, Andre Leon Talley, Paloma Picasso, Iman, Rihanno, Naomi Campbell, and Isaac Mizrahi, to, yes, Sex creator Candace Bushnell. When it’s ready you’ll want to walk, not run, to see it, lest you break a heel.

It’s time to enlist in Model Wars You miss America’s Next Top Model. You know you do. So what do you do to console yourself besides watching endless runway shows on Apple TV’s M2M channel? You chant and pray for Model Wars to make it past the pilot stage, that’s what. Now, normally, pilots are not all that newsworthy. You may, in fact, never see them, since they can be killed in the quiet confines of a TV development executive’s office. But sometimes that pilot goes to series. And just from a conceptual standpoint we want this one to make it. It’s from Reality Bites screenwriter Helen Childress and based on Robert Lacey’s book Model Woman: Eileen Ford and The Business of Beauty. Ford began as a model, then founded the Ford modeling agency, and this nighttime soap would be set in a world very much like the one she built. In the late 1970s. Let that float around your fashion-brain for a moment: Jerry Hall, Lauren Hutton, Studio 54, Andy Warhol, severe outfits, Bianca Jagger, Eyes of Laura Mars, everything that was great about that era and none of the horrible Reagan aftermath. It has the potential to be a very shiny, glamorous Mad (Wo)Men. And we need that now. More than ever.

Romeo San Vicente shakes his little tush on the catwalk.

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Jasper, Alberta

Welcoming Town in the Heart of Natural Beauty More photos and videos online: http://gaycalgary.com/a4954 

By Steve Polyak A great thing about living in Alberta: on one side of the province you have the rolling grasslands and the amazing to look at badlands; on the other side you have huge mountains with glaciers that feed the drinking water of Calgary and Edmonton, much of which is protected by Banff and Jasper National Parks.

Jasper National Park stands out as the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, protecting an area of close to 11,000km2.

Its protected status means the natural environment will win over development of the town of Jasper, which sits in the center of all the beauty. So unlike Whistler, BC, which is built as a resort village, the town of Jasper keeps buildings no more than 4 stories tall and the amount of big businesses are kept at a minimum in favor of smaller local businesses.

There is no airport in Jasper, so travel is done either by car or bus. The drive takes 3.5h drive from Edmonton, 5h from Calgary or Red Deer, and 8.5h from Vancouver. Because Banff and Jasper are National Parks, you will need to pay for a park pass if driving. If you are flying in from outside of Alberta, the shortest route would be to fly to Edmonton and then travel by via the Yellowhead, also known as Trans-Canada highway 16. The other option is to take the train using Via Rail or Rocky Mountaineer; or a bus/shuttle service like Greyhound or SunDog Tours.

Since Jasper Pride happens in winter, be prepared for winter driving conditions. Coming from Edmonton, the roads are typically not too bad, but the journey from Calgary takes you through the Columbia Icefields, so ice, cold, snow and avalanches are a possibility, and so highway 93 can sometimes be closed.

Before you head out, check the road conditions online. As long as the roads are not closed, poor conditions are still traversable with ample caution.

When we do the drive to Jasper, I get time behind the wheel.

My first time driving highway 93 was under poor road conditions, with ice and snow across most of the road. Driving a bit below the speed limit made for a safe trip, but a few others pushed their luck by driving an unsafe speed and got stuck in snow banks on the side of the road. Even though it might sound scary, it is amazing to see this world of snow and ice on the way to the town of Jasper.

Skiing and Snowboarding at Marmot Basin Just a short 20 minute drive from the town of Jasper are the slopes of Marmot Basin: an impressive 6.8km2 of terrain on which to ski and snowboard. The longest run on the mountain is 5.6km. Marmot Basin has a long ski season that usually spans from November to May every year, with an average snowfall of over 400cm (160in) per year. The base is at 1,698m (5,570ft) above sea level - the highest base in Canada – and the top elevation is 2,612m (8,570ft).

Since Marmot Basin is not as close to major cities as other ski resorts, the slopes are not usually as crowded, so a skiers and 24

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 Sights around Jasper, Alberta, photos by GayCalgary

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 Whistlers Inn, photo by GayCalgary

Whistler’s Inn

snowboarders can enjoy the additional room. There are no gondolas on Marmot Basin, so if you just wants to check out the site, you can visit the base lodge which does contain stores, a restaurant and a sun deck. There are two lodges mid base, which also have restaurants and lounges - but are only accessible if you are skiing or snowboarding.

Due to its distance from the town, there is are many on-site amenities, including a rental and repair shop. Lessons for beginners are available, as well as high performance clinics and private lessons. If you have kids in tow, a Day Care is available too.

http://gaycalgary.com/a5040 Whistler’s Inn sits right in the heart of the town of Jasper. The hotel is 3 floors tall; the main floor has the lobby, the Whistle Stop Pub which is a restaurant and bar, Cassios Italian Restaurant, Smitty’s Restaurant and several gift shops. The stairs and elevator will take you to the second and third floors where the rooms are located.

When Whistler’s Inn provided accommodations for GayCalgary during Jasper Pride 2015, the room we stayed in had two double beds, and a spectacular view out the window. There are also two hot tubs and a steam room on the roof top - with an even better view - that you can enjoy as late as 11pm.

Other available rooms are 1 King bed, 1 Queen, or 2 Queens. They also have full suites available for people who want a fire place in the room, or additional space for larger groups that feels more like a home. Rates are pretty reasonable during Jasper Pride since it’s during off-season (January 4th to April 30th), with rooms starting at $139 a night. Peak pricing is in the summer from June 1st to September 30th starting at $249 a night.

Sight Seeing As you drive through the south entrance of Jasper National Park, you pass by the Bow Glacier, which provides the drinking water for Calgary and towns along the Bow River. The roads twist and turn as you pass through the mountain range, and when you start getting close to the Columbia Icefield which has the Athabasca Glacier, expect the temperature to drop. There is a visitor center that is closed during the winter months, however you are free to stop and check out the glacier any time of year. In summer months you can even take special bus tours of it. Though the ice mass has been slowly shrinking over time, it is still the largest glacier south of the Arctic Circle.

During summer months, another attraction along route 93 on your way to town of Jasper is the Glacier Skywalk.

This attraction allows you to walk on a glass walkway www.gaycalgary.com

In the basement of the Inn, accessible from the lobby, is the Den Museum. Guests of the hotel can ask for complimentary tokens to access it, and non-guests can pay a small fee for the same. The museum boasts that it features stuffed versions of over 100 different animals  photos courtesy Whistler’s Inn that you would find living in Jasper National Park. It is not a very large museum but you do get a nice close-up look at many animals that are usually too dangerous to see up close, or would be too afraid to let you get near.

Whether you drive or take the Greyhound to Jasper, the Inn’s central location allows you to easily walk wherever you need to go in the downtown core. For dining, you can select from one of the three restaurants in the same building, or easily find other places nearby. Tour operators are only a couple blocks away from the hotel too, so you can easily head back to your room after enjoying activities like snowshoeing, dogsledding, or our personal favourite, the Maligne Canyon Icewalk.

The hotel is very LGBT friendly, even having a tab on their website dedicated to LGBT guests. They have sponsored Jasper Pride since the very start and they host LGBT events throughout the year outside of pride.

Whistler’s Inn is also part of LGBT travel organizations like Blue Flame and IGLTA. Every year they host at least one event night for gay pride in Whistle Stop Pub. This year is the LumBEARjack Party on Friday, March 18th.

Whistlers Inn

105 Miette Ave, Jasper, AB http://www.whistlersinn.com

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 Malinge Canyon Icewalk, photos by GayCalgary

which sticks out of the side of a cliff. It is hovers 980 metres over the glacier formed valleys and waterfalls. There is also an interpretive centre showing information about the area for those who are a little terrified walking along the glass floor of the walkway.

A quick 15 minute drive from downtown Jasper, is the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.

Even if you are not staying at the hotel, it is still a great place to visit for its historical value.

The hotel started as a tent city in 1915 but bungalows were added in 1920 and then the hotel in 1922 which grew from there becoming an icon of Jasper. The hotel overlooks the stunning Beauvert Lake and the bungalows, on each side of the hotel, have a gorgeous view of the lake as well. The hotel hosts several restaurants, shops and services so you don’t have to worry about driving back downtown if you want to stay indoors. During Pride, you will find a series of large chairs by the lake, each baring a color of the rainbow. Jasper Park Lodge is proud to host the big Saturday night dance for Jasper Pride, as well as the dinner and a movie event earlier that day.

If you’re interested in being a little more active, you can walk through the hotel and see

Maligne Canyon Icewalk http://gaycalgary.com/a5041 Just a short drive from the Jasper downtown core is Maligne Canyon. During the summer months, you can hike along the canyon and see the water falls and the deep water-carved canyon but, in the winter time it is possible to walk through the canyon on the frozen water. During Jasper Pride, this walk becomes a pride activity for those who want to do something other than skiing. Sundog Tours takes you to a rental shop to get you equipped with rubber boots and ice cleats, then buses groups over to the canyon.

Once at the canyon, they lead you on a guided tour that begins along the path you would during the summer, over some of the bridges that criss-cross the canyon.

From here you can begin to see the frozen water falls - huge chunks of ice hanging from the edges of the canyon - and sheets of rolling solid ice along the river bed. In some places the canyon goes down to a depth of 50 meters.

There are several places in the limestone rocks in the valley where can see fossils of sea creatures - small shelllike imprints - from when the earth was covered in water. They also talk about the disappearing and reappearing Medicine Lake that is part of the Maligne Valley watershed.

Eventually you hop through the fences and down a steep path to the frozen river. It is slippery even with the ice cleats so you just have to be careful and watch out for one another. The guides walk ahead of the group and are constantly checking the safety of the frozen river bed, warning you ahead of time of areas that might not be safe to step. Depending on the weather, there are parts where you are getting dripped on from above, or wading through a shallow layer of water on top of the ice, which is why the combination of rubber boots and cleats are critical to your comfort and safety.

When the weather is colder, the ice formations are a lot more pronounced. Many of the waterfalls produce a frozen outer shell while the water continues to flow inside. In some areas you see water that has frozen as it comes out from between the layers of lime stone of the canyon walls. We even saw ice climbers tackling some of the frozen waterfalls, which must take a fair bit of bravery.

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Jasper Pride 2016 http://gaycalgary.com/a5042 GayCalgary attends a lot of prides throughout Alberta, and usually we see a specific area of a city that participates in the festivities while the rest of the city is just continuing with their day to day business and not getting involved. You mostly just see people attending from the LGBTQ community with some allies that will join in.

There is a big difference though with Jasper Pride. The whole town has a population of close to 4,500 people plus tourists and visitors from all around the world, and it feels like they all want to be part of Pride. The organization encourages businesses to even participate by decorating their windows and store fronts with rainbow colours, and a large number of them do! So even though Jasper Pride happens in the winter, there is a lot of warmth from the whole business community.

This year Jasper Pride will be hanging 83 rainbow banners down Connaught Ave so everyone traveling through Jasper will see that Pride is happening.

The 7th Annual Jasper Pride in 2016 is going to be no different. The board has been hard at work making sure their 4 day event is going to excel, arranging 24 events across those days - everything from daytime to evening, outdoor and indoor. There is something for everyone, which makes the weekend very inclusive.

Daytime Outdoor Events The first event this year is Climbing with Pride, a unique event to kick things off. The event takes you to Maligne Canyon where you can participate in ice climbing. Then, later on is the official raising of the Pride Flag in downtown Jasper.

For those who enjoy their snowboarding and skiing, Jasper Pride has their Pride Ski at Marmot Basin. On Saturday, people dress up in pride colours and there are even activities on the sun deck for those who don’t go for the slopes. Ice Pride, the extremely popular guided Ice Walk in Maligne Canyon is also available. Read more about it on page 26.

If the weather is not too warm and there is still snow on the ground, you can go for guided dog sledding at Pyramid Lake. For those who bring their kids along, there is Family Pride at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge where you can enjoy stories, songs and s’mores.

Daytime Indoor Events The Wicked Cup is the Pride coffee house for people to hang out, mingle and play games. Or, if coffee is not your thing, you can attend Pride Martinis at the Jasper Information Centre.

Meanwhile at the Crimson Hotel, Fairy Tales Presentation Society from Calgary will be co-hosting a movie Matinee with Jasper Pride on Friday and

Continued on Next Page   Jasper Pride 2015, photos by GayCalgary

the amazing architecture, or walk the trails around the lake. Also they have a top rated golf course which is open in the summer time. The hotel is proud to have hosted a number of celebrities, including Marilyn Monroe, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, King George VI and more.

Just about every year we have been to Jasper Pride has included some wildlife sightings. With the town of Jasper right alongside the Athabasca River, animals will stop by either in small groups or entire herds to follow the river and drink from it. We still haven’t had a bear encounter yet, other than with the gay type, but seeing that it is still pretty cold out when we visit, I’d guess they are hibernating.

Shops, Restaurants, Services and More Jasper was founded in 1907, so many of the buildings still being used today have a history. Most of the hotels, retail stores and restaurants are on Connaught Drive, which is the main road, or Patricia Street which is just one block over. It is a little surreal

to be surrounded by the spectacular sight of the mountains, while walking past buildings dating back 100 years. Whistler’s Inn, another big supporter of Jasper Pride, is centrally located in the town.

Jasper Pride occurs during the off season, making it much easier to find parking so you can get out and enjoy walking around the town, visiting the many locally owned and operated shops and restaurants.

You’ll still see familiar names like Subway, Robinson’s IGA, KFC/Pizza Hut, A&W, Tim Hortons and an Earl’s around, but there are also local non-franchised places to eat at. Whistle Stop Pub (105 Miette Ave), Jasper Brewing Co. (624 Connaught Dr) and Coco’s Café (608 Patricia St) are staple locations to visit any time of year – all major supporters of Jasper Pride, and the places to be when you are between events or not on the slopes. During Pride, close to half of the businesses in town do murals in their windows to celebrate the occasion, which shows tremendous support.

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 Jasper Brewery decorated for Jasper Pride, photos by GayCalgary

 Jasper Pride - From Page 27

Other Activities If skiing or snowboarding are not your thing, Jasper has a number of other activities available, summer and winter.

In the winter, you can try ice climbing on the frozen waterfalls in Maligne Canyon, or you can rent a pair of snowshoes and go on some designated snowshoe trails. If you like cross-country skiing, there are trails to do that as well. If you bring your skates, you can go pond ice skating on Mildred and Pyramid lakes. They also have rentals of fat bikes for winter biking experiences. Depending on the weather, you can also try dog sledding. Last year, the weather was too warm during Jasper Pride for us to try it so hopefully we get a chance to try it another time.

In the summer time, you can reach the nearly 1000km of hiking trails or go on the 300km of multi-use trails which are for also biking, horseback riding and road cycling. There are also campsites for RV and tenting available if you like to get away.

Or you can feel like you are on the top of the world by going on the Jasper Tramway. The base of the tram is about 8km from the town of Jasper, and the ride takes about 7 minutes to get to the top, 2277m (7472ft) from sea level. From there you can see six mountain ranges, rivers and lakes fed by the glaciers, and even the town of Jasper. Just north of Jasper are the Miette Hot Springs, which are natural hot springs that come out the mountain at 54oC before cooling down to a more comfortable 40o in the pool.

Sunday. This year they are showing “Kidnapped for Christ” (Friday) and “Boy Meets Girl” (Sunday).

At Coco’s Café, they have Young Pride, which an opportunity for LGBTQ youth to sit down and have a conversation with Kate Reid, who performs live later on in the evening at the Jasper Royal Canadian Legion. Read our interview with Kate Reid on page 11.

Or if you don’t feel like venturing out too far, you can craft your own Rainbow Mountain Monster Pillow at the Pride House.

Buy your tickets in advance for the very popular Movie Dinner Theatre which is at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. Every year the event is sold out but people want in so bad that they have set up chairs for those who just want to watch the movies without the dinner.

On Sunday, Jasper Pride has brunch at the Crimson Hotel. Later on in the day, the weekend activities wrap up with the Apres Pride Party for those who have not headed back home.

Evening Events Jasper Pride hosts an official Kick-Off Reception at Chateau Jasper, which allows everyone to meet one another on the first night before the 4 days of events begin. Jasper Pride has brought out Lucas Silveira of the Cliks to do a solo acoustic show at the Sawridge Inn. Read our interview with Lucas Silveira on page 18.

The launching the official Jasper Pride 2016 beer – yes, BEER – happens at Jasper Brewing Company.

Last year, this event was extremely successful to the point where people were purchasing cases of the beer to bring back to drink at their hotels, or to take back home to share with friends and family.

 Jasper Pride 2015, photos by GayCalgary

Something new this year is the Bond-age Boylesque Show at the Sawridge Inn (who will also perform at the Saturday night Gala Dance). The amazing Kate Reid will be playing live at the Jasper Royal Canadian Legion. Also something new is the LumBEARjack Party at the Whistle Stop Pub, which will host a best beard contest with prizes, and have live music by The Hi-Strung Downers.

There is also Girls Night Out at the Four Peaks Nightclub which will feature local Drag Kings and have a hot DJ playing at the club. From what we saw from last year, the venue was packed with a line up of people waiting to get in. It is an extremely popular event so show up early.

Saturday night has the “From Jasper with Love 007 Pride Gala Party” at the ballroom inside Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. Every year these dances have over 550 people attending which is about an eighth of the population of the town of Jasper. Just pause and think about how amazing it would be if an eighth of the population of Calgary or

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 Columbia Icefield, photos by GayCalgary

 Maligne Canyon Icewalk - From Page 26 Near the end of the tour we arrived at the largest frozen falls, and when you look up, you can see the bridge that crosses the canyon above. The view is truly a one of a kind experience. Photographs hardly do it justice since you loose the sense of scale for the falls and canyon walls.

Our group posed for photos in front of the frozen falls, where there was an area of overhanging ice that people could walk inside. If you are adventurous, you can even crawl through a narrow tunnel out the back of this little cave-like area.

After this, we were brought back to the point where we came into the canyon bed and had climbed back up to the path, and from there we walked back along the canyon. Last year things were getting muddy so once we crossed the bridge back to the parking lot, we needed to wash our rubber boots in the cold river. Then the bus took us all back to downtown Jasper.

The Maligne Canyon Icewalk is totally worth checking out. The walk runs during winter as long as the weather is conducive to keeping the river frozen - if it is too warm or the weather is bad, it can shorten the season for this.

Maligne Canyon Icewalk Tour

Sundog Transportation and Tours http://www.sundogtours.com/package/malignecanyon-icewalk-tour-jasper-alberta/

 Japser Pride - From Previous Page Edmonton attended a gay pride dance! Attendees of these dances dress up in theme, so don’t forget to bring your spy themed costume this year. There will be amazing performances from local favourite Toni Lester Van Blam and Slimpikins along with Bond-age Boylesque.

Over the past 6 years, Jasper Pride has built a weekend that has steadily grown as people continue coming back and bringing more friends. Book early as hotels and events may sell out very quickly. If you want to experience a Pride that is truly unique, affordable and in a spectacular setting, then this weekend won’t leave you disappointed. In fact, you may find yourself back there year after year.

Jasper Pride March 17th to 20th, 2016 http://www.jasperpride.ca

For those who enjoy stargazing, Jasper National Park has 11,000 km2 dark sky preserve. During the winter, it is available on Friday and Saturday nights, but in the summer it is open daily.

With the purchased experience, you get a nationally-renowned astronomer or astronomy journalist/author guiding you through an amazing 360 degree views of the stars, planets, auroras and more.

It doesn’t matter what time of year you go, Jasper shows its natural beauty. It is definitely work the trip!

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Jasper, Alberta

http://www.jasper.travel

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Out of Character A Candid Chat with Alex Newell

Glee star on questioning his gender, stealing church-choir solos and Red Lobster

By Chris Azzopardi Maybe Alex Newell’s star-making moment – the Dreamgirls showstopper “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” which the 23-year-old gloriously belted out on The Glee Project, before nabbing a spot on Fox’s Glee – was meant to be. After all, as a fiery kid in church choir, Newell was not about to let some lesser singer steal any church-choir solos from him. To get his point across, he would scream “at the top of my lungs.” He would throw things. Until that solo was his, no, Newell was not going.

“If I wanted it bad enough, I would throw a hissy fit until they’d just give me the solo,” he recalls, reliving the early onset of his now-famous ’tude.

With a new EP, Power, to his name, Newell opens up about his reputation as a diva, being mistaken as transgender and – who can blame him? – his meltdown over nearly missing out on singing a Sister Act song.

GC: Which church solo are you most proud of stealing?

AN: What was that stupid song that I wanted... oh my god, yes! It was “Oh Happy Day” from Sister Act. I wanted that solo and they gave it to someone else and I was soooo livid. I was like, “She can’t even sing it! I can sing it so much better than her!” I remember yelling at my aunt in the sanctuary after everybody left and she was like, “You need to calm down,” and I was just like, “NO! I’m not gonna calm down. That solo is mine. I should have it,” and I got it. (Laughs) GC: What’s an Alex Newell hissy fit like now?

AN: Now, an Alex Newell hissy fit is being extremely quiet and not giving anything. Nothing but silence. I’ll just look at you and be quiet, or I won’t look at you and I’ll be quiet, or I won’t make direct eye contact and I’ll just walk away – that’s when you know I’m genuinely angry at you.

GC: So honestly I don’t even know how you’re alive at this moment because I’m assuming you watched Beyoncé during the Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime show.

AN: Absolutely! And then I immediately turned the game off.

GC: Of course you wouldn’t miss Beyoncé – she’s one of your all-time favorites.

AN: Oh, she’s my idol.

GC: What is it about her? How does she inspire you as a performer / singer / fashionista?

AN: Honestly, she’s so just so… she’s made herself a verb, she’s made herself an adjective, she’s made herself such an entity – a force of nature. She literally almost fell (during the halftime show) and without missing a beat got right back up and didn’t miss a single count – that in itself makes anyone want to look up to her. She stands for so much. She means what she’s singing now, and she’s telling a message and a story.

GC: In your own career, how are you influenced by that?

AN: I guess just work ethic, and also her singing – having so much passion behind what she’s singing. You can feel her, www.gaycalgary.com

 photos by Brian Ziff

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you can feel what she’s singing when she’s singing it, and I feel that’s something I want to convey as well.

GC: But you’ve been doing that for years.

AN: Oh stop it! Stop, stop. (Laughs) GC: Who were your musical influences when you first discovered you were into music – before Beyoncé even existed?

AN: Oh my goodness – I mean, was there a before Beyoncé? I’m not that old! Whitney Houston was giant for me because we kind of had the same background of growing up in church and all of that. Chaka Khan, Donna Summer, Aretha.

Even gospel artists like Yolanda Adams, Karen Clark and Kirk Franklin. Just like... voices.

People who can sing. Patti LaBelle, Mariah Carey. I’ve always gravitated toward voices, whether it be someone screaming in my face, a hard R&B or pop ballad, or even opera and musical theater. I’m always inspired by people who can sing and don’t give any… I won’t say that word….

GC: Feel free to say whatever you want.

AN: Like Jennifer Holliday gives zero fucks about her vocal cords and I live for it.

GC: How much were you inspired by your influences on your debut EP? Because I hear Whitney influences on “This Ain’t Over.”

AN: Absolutely. I mean, just like melodic riffs and runs that she always did and executed so perfectly. Vocal acrobatics – just that. And the passion behind it, where you’re singing something that you actually believe in as well and you make yourself believe that everyone believes it at the same time. That’s what Whitney was, and I pulled that in there (for the EP). There’s some Donna Summer in there too. Just some of my greats. I tried to emulate them without imitating them.

GC: What do you make of people who refer to you as a diva?

AN: Sometimes it’s a compliment. But it doesn’t mean best in their craft anymore. It has this attitude about it, like “I’m a diva because I’m fierce at what I do” not because “I’m the best at what I do.”

So, that bothers me a little bit. It doesn’t mean prima donna anymore; it means, “I can wear a leotard on stage and give a subpar show,” rather than, “I can get on the stage and murder everyone”– not murder everyone in the sense of k i l l i n g them, but murder my performance and be the best at what I do. Be the prima donna, be No. 1, First Lady of the Stage. It’s like calling yourself your race: “I’m black.”

OK, great. Good for you. Moving on. It’s just claiming the obvious.

GC: You broke a lot of ground as Unique on Glee, which helped to start a conversation regarding gender and trans issues, both of which are now in the forefront. What does it mean to have been one of the first trans characters on television?

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AN: It was a great platform and such a great show, but to have a role come into your life that means something – that actually changes the way people view society – it’s just great.

Just to know that I was a part of something that’s bigger than me makes it even better. Sometimes you get those roles twice, sometimes once, so I’m just happy I had mine so early in my career.

GC: Do people ever misidentify you as the character in real life?

AN: Absolutely, and still to this day. I was at some AIDS benefit and I was walking the carpet and this one man literally looked at me and said, “So, your character is great, but how far along are you in your transition?” I was just like, “Excuse me? No, no, no, no. My character is transitioning. I’m not. I’m just a little black gay boy from Massachusetts.” But that means I’m probably just doing my job that much better. And I’m not angry about it. I’m not bitter about it, that people don’t separate character from real life. It just… it happens.

GC: Did the show have you questioning your own gender at all?

AN: Sometimes I’d be like, “Am I (a woman)? No, no, no.” I can’t sit and say that I haven’t, but for a better part of the last three years I was literally playing a woman and sometimes I’d wake up and be like, “I have to put this dress on,” and you go into a routine and I would mentally be preparing myself and waking up mentally prepared as Unique. I was like, “Oh my god, I have to stop this. I have to separate.” But yeah, I’ve done a lot of self-discovery. And I guess I’ve never really seen myself as a woman. Yes, I physically have seen myself as a woman, but when I think about 30 years in the future, I don’t see myself transitioning into a woman. I see myself as a gay male with my husband and my children and living that life. I guess that’s how I’ve confirmed it with myself, which could change. I don’t know. Who knows. I could have another cathartic self-discovery down the line.

GC: When did you know you were gay?

AN: I didn’t know what “gay” was; I just knew that I liked boys. Oh my god – I was boy crazed. I still am boy crazed!

Like, I can’t... I just can’t... I’ve looked into it (girls) and I can’t. But as a child, if you go to church seven days a week (who you’re attracted to is) probably gonna be one of your friends from church. It was never – because all the boys were ugly and the girls were trying to be prettier than me.

(Laughs) It was so much competition. My obsession with boys is how I’ve always known I was gay – and I wasn’t about to get cooties from all the girls.

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GC: Have you always been as comfortable in your own skin as you seem to be?

AN: Yes and no. There was always this insecurity of not having a father growing up. It’s different just having a single parent.

You have an insecurity, because the majority of people around you have both of their parents, so I was a little bit shy for that reason. You’re not socially accepted because you have mommy day and daddy day and your mom shows up for both. So I guess I always was a social outcast, in my own mind rather, and I don’t think I was that confident.

GC; Now look at you.

You and Adam Lambert are touring, which has to be the gayest billing of the year.

AN: No – it’s gonna be the gayest event of life.

Two gays on the road! How

fabulous!

GC: Adam was one of your earliest supporters. In 2012, he tweeted you, “Diva I’m blown away by u on Glee! You are KILLIN it Mary!” What’s it like to know that you’ll be touring with him now?

AN: To think someone of that caliber – someone who I looked up to – even acknowledged my work when I was just starting, I was floored. Like on the ground, palpitating for air.

And to be friendly with him now and to be going on tour with him – that he would even trust me to open for him – is just an amazing feeling and an experience that I will hold with me forever.

GC: What can people expect?

AN: Two hours of screaming the entire time and just singing in your face and just great vocals and runs. We might just explode by the end of the night every day.

GC: What about incorporating a Beyoncé cover? Which song of hers would you do?

AN: I mean, I’m literally about to sing “Formation” wherever I go now because I just want to say (a la Beyoncé), “If you fuck me right, I’ll take you to Red Lobster.”

GC: Do you eat at Red Lobster?

AN: I’ve never been to Red Lobster a day in my life.

GC: But you’ll eat there now?

AN: Unless Beyoncé is there herself, no.

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Interview

The Temperance Movement Bears Down UK Band Currently Rocking Across Canada

By Jason Clevett British blues-rock band The Temperance Movement is returning to Canada! Touring with Hamilton’s Monster Truck the tour hits MacEwan Hall in Calgary February 27th and Union Hall in Edmonton March 1st. It’s a perfect match up of two bands that are in a similar vein but with different sounds. The Temperance Movement recently released their second full length album White Bear, which shot to #1 on the UK’s Rock Albums chart.

“It really does feel nice. I didn’t think about it too much to be honest because I’m not sure how much it really matters to us,” singer Phil Campbell told GayCalgary. “It is strange because the people that work with us like our agent and management get very excited about the chart position of an album in a time when there is less music being bought than ever before. I didn’t even see the record until somebody handed it to me and asked me to sign it. I was so out of the production of the album I didn’t even see what it looked like until then. I could shake their hand and thank them for buying it, that is what I enjoy more.”

We caught up with Campbell while on tour in Germany. They have been on the road consistently, playing large venues in their home country and smaller clubs throughout Europe. It’s been an interesting experience transitioning the new songs to the varied venues.

“I’ve had 2 different experiences. We did a UK tour with big audiences in 2000 seat venues. We have a great time and a tour bus and nice riders and the stage is massive. It was great to play the new album in front of UK fans that have been there since the start.

Then we immediately came to Europe and played on the smaller stages we have played in places like Germany and some of the songs don’t work. We haven’t figured out how to play them in a small low key way. So we changed one or two of them. Some of them settle down in the smaller venue, and what we get in the smaller venue is to hear the actual music again and the actual amplifies and drum kit instead of the monitors. When you are on the small stage you get to hear everybody’s individual playing. That has a unifying and thrilling effect on the band. So now by the time we have gotten to Germany we have our chops up and are enjoying playing in front of audiences right in front of you.”

White Bear was a year and a half in the making, with the process starting while wrapping up touring behind their 2013 self-titled debut.

“We were touring around Europe and during that tour every time we set up for the sound check in the afternoon we would play something we had been working on. That is how a few of them got written. There were also conversations about the 5 of us being jointly responsible for the writing. That was a very important conversation and it inspired everybody to come up with whatever they wanted to.

The rest of the band lives in London and I live in Glasgow so there were a few songs that they sent up to me and that is how they were written was me singing over what they had come up with. The third part was me and Paul and Luke sitting down over a table. There are different ways of writing and on White Bear it was a more eclectic style.”

The bands bluesy soulful sound doesn’t seem initially like something to come out of the UK. However, there is a long history of groups like the Rolling Stones that have a similar sound.

“I am Scottish, the rest of the band are from England and our drummer is from Australia. So the band is not really from anywhere but London is where we met and the band started. I don’t sound Scottish or English I sound like Mick Jagger did when he was trying to play with a black American band. It’s a sound I like to show off with. I have tried to sing in my accent it is a completely different arrangement and not as much fun, I want to be someone else when I am singing. We are a blues based band that started off being influenced by The Faces and the music they made and camaraderie between them. The normality of people not trying to be anything other than a group of players having fun on stage. We have blues rock, soul, funk and try and pick up on different grooves we haven’t tried. Let’s try and make some music from feeling it. That is how we operate.”

The influence of The Stones is evident, and the band had the incredible experience of opening for them in Berlin and Vienna in 2014.

“It was a complete dream come true for a band that all love the Stones and got together on a steady diet of them. I used to play piano or guitar I had never been just a stand-alone singer. So I started listening to my heroes like the Stones and albums like Sticky Fingers tried to get into that mindset. Three years later we are playing with them and they were playing selections from Sticky Fingers. What was weird was being a club band that played in front of 400 – 2000 people and suddenly there are 50’000 people in front of me. It was a strange experience. There is a reason there is a catwalk, so he can walk down there and feel like he is in the middle of it because it is a very isolating stage. They are so popular they have to play these massive stadiums and you have to rely on the screens and do things to stand out. I wore a big tassely coat because I wanted to be

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noticed. It made me hungry. Imagine having this? Doing a tour like that would be amazing.”

Whether in front of 50,000 people or 500 Campbell has a larger than life stage presence that is captivating to watch.

“I have learned that the best thing to do is to perform the songs as best as possible. It you get yourself in the character and play that character, it is a story about someone else it’s not really about me. You have to remember there is a character to be played and by the time songs play I have gotten into that state. People want to be entertained so you leave your shit off the stage. It is nothing new, the show must go on. People have paid for their ticket and don’t want to see a miserable fucking bastard on stage. It is a great thing because I am a showoff. I want to dance and sing and people to laugh at what I am doing and be impressed by it. It makes people happy and allows us to keep going.”

Although Campbell doesn’t drink, the band’s name stems from it sounding like a cool name rather than the 19th century social movement against the consumption of alcohol.

with a lot of musicians that have been very friendly with us. Monster Truck came to our first show in Toronto and brought a bunch of friends and it was a great gig. With bands like Monster Truck and Sheepdogs, we’ve opened up for the Sheepdogs in Canada and they opened for us back home,” he said, adding that he was preparing for the weather. “I think everybody has got a big coat ready for Canada.

The last time we were there it was freezing. I come from Scotland I am always freezing anyway. The thing about North America is it is slightly bigger than where we come from. A lot of Canada looks like Scotland but the cities are different and the cold is different.

Scotland is cold but also very wet but in Canada it is not so wet but it is biting. I was like a kid in a candy store being in Canada, we waited 20 years to get there from when I started playing music so I enjoy every minute of it. I love it and it is always a warm welcome we get the people are amazing. We have such a great time. You may want to talk to me after this tour and make sure everything is ok because Monster Truck is a fucking riot.”

“It was suggested to me by a friend of mine who just said The Temperance Movement that is a great name for a band. This was a couple of years before the band formed. It made me think of bands like Creedence Clearwater Revival – a big sounding name. We have had to grow into the name. It has nothing to do with booze, it’s about lifestyle. What we have made it into is that we are a band that works hard and doesn’t get completely fucked up endangering the possibility of doing what we love. We keep our heads together. So from that point of view it is the perfect name for a band.”

The Temperance Movement http://www.thetemperancemovement.com Calgary – February 27th MacEwan Hall Edmonton – March 1st Union Hall

Kicking off the tour in Victoria the band will likely experience many of the different weather patterns of Canada this tour, but for Campbell it is evident that being here is something he loves.

“I love that synergy and opportunity. I love Canada, it is an easier place to be than America. No matter what aspect of your life there are always issues there. Canada is different. There are lots of Scots and Irish there, a lot of people that fled America. We are friendly

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Monster Truck Riding High Hamilton band Sitting Heavy with success

 photo by Matt Barnes

By Jason Clevett If you listen to rock radio, you have probably heard Monster Truck’s newest single Don’t Tell Me How To Live. The bands second full length album Sitting Heavy dropped February 19th and the band immediately is on the road with The Temperance Movement. The tour brings the 2 popular bands to MacEwan Hall in Calgary February 27th and Union Hall in Edmonton March 1st.

Guitarist Jeremy Widerman chatted with GayCalgary a few days before the album’s release, and it was evident that he was excited to have their latest effort out to fans.

“It has been a long process over the last year getting it out there. The fans seem excited so everything is on the up. It started out a couple of years back almost as soon as we finished releasing curiosity. We started recording riffs on the iPhone and keeping it in the back of our mind. Last year we started piecing it together a lot of the ideas and even had one or two songs we were playing live. Production started the beginning of last year really bearing down on all the ideas we had and putting them into complete songs. We started tracking in February and were still writing more. We were supposed to be wrapping up the recording in the summer and we came to the conclusion that the record wasn’t as strong as it could be. We added another recording session in and continued songwriting to get the record to where it is today,” he said, adding that the band is excited to play the new songs as well as tracks off of 2013’s Furiosity.

“We are excited to play these new songs on the road, that is always what you are excited most for with a new bunch of material. Our fans are so supportive and excited about new www.gaycalgary.com

material and they know they can expect not to be surprised or jilted out of what they were comfortable with. The old material is reflected in the new material; we aren’t going to suddenly change direction. We like to feel that any song from any album could be comfortable on any other album. The best part of playing these new songs live will be that people will embrace them quickly.”

Widerman is both humbled by the success thus far of the band, and recalled the first time her heard Monster Truck played on the radio.

“There are 2 ways to hear it on the radio. When you are a new band starting out you know you are going to be featured on a playlist or you did an interview and they are going to play a song. That is the way I had already heard my bands on the radio since I was 17 or 18 years old and started having recorded music out there. It’s not as exciting as the way I remember most, when I didn’t know it was going to be on. It was probably 2013 on Edge 102 in Toronto. I specifically remember driving the van through Hamilton running errands and it popped up on the radio. It was a moment I had been waiting for my entire life, hearing the song in the rotation and happened to be on at that time. It was pretty exciting.”

The band has made a long list of high profile fans along the way. Artists like Dee Snider have praised them and they have gained respect of their peers while opening for bands like Alice in Chains, Nickelback and Slash. The iconic former and soon to be reunited Gun’s n Roses guitarist especially is a huge fan which means a lot to four guys who started a band as a fun project.

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“In the moment itself you are trying not to lose your cool and be a part of it. When we were opening for Slash and actually at the show it is important for us to feel like we are supposed to be there and his peers rather than how we are really feeling – Holy shit we’re opening for Slash! Or We are opening for Alice in Chains! Any of those moments are pinch me moments before and after but in the moment you have to shake that feeling off so you can do your job. We are there to play well and interact with fans. I remember the first time we met Slash, we had finished our first set on the first tour with him. There was a knock on the door, we didn’t know who it was. We opened the door and there he was. The real moment was saying Hey Slash and hearing yourself say his name to him in the moment. He told us we had a great show and he loved the songs and then left. We all just looked at each other like what the fuck just happened? It was like we were sharing a lucid dream together. It is something that has bonded the band together forever. No matter how tense it gets trying to work with your three best friends and as much as we can get at each other’s throats we are held together by those experiences. The whole experience is juxtaposed against itself. You are taking this thing that has been created by music videos and interviews and things you have seen on TV. You take that against what we got to experience backstage which is he is just a regular dude. This guy that has been built up as a legend in your mind and we get the other side of it and he is so down to earth and such a regular guy. It’s an interesting contrast to wrestle with in your mind. He is just another guitar player that plays fantastic music. It is weird because I think that is how he wants you to see him. He really doesn’t want to be kneeled down before and prayed upon. He is so happy to be playing music every day and on the road. It is hard to force myself to see him like that because he is so iconic. I was never able to have a conversation with him where I wasn’t nervous. I knew that is not what it was all about it was just one of those things.

I think other members of the band were able to do it but I was never able to get there.”

Being a fan himself has given him perspective when Monster Truck fans meet the band.

“I know (these hugely famous artists) feel because when we meet people and they go crazy I don’t understand. I think back to me a week earlier playing X-box in my underwear and thinking if they could only see that maybe they will relax a bit and realize I am just a regular guy. That is probably why I attempt to look at it that way. It is such an odd statement for me to hear when someone says I can’t believe I am meeting you.

We haven’t ever felt like we are at that level and I don’t think anyone does unless you are an egomaniac rock star. That is one of the things we can say about the bands we have opened for they haven’t bought into the mentality that they are important or better than you. Even in our highest moments like winning a Juno or having an amazing festival spot, you remember you are just a regular guy who plays X-box in his underwear.”

Widerman is passionate when he speaks about what the fans have meant to him and the band.

“For the most part whether it is exposing the band or trying to gain popularity we have always had a steady climb. It has always been healthy and linear, never that big swing or jump.

There have been little ones like being in a movie or just finished a big tour. There has never been a big spike that has been attributed to one big thing. It is a healthy way to grow your band you aren’t risking having a large group of fans that are just in it for the moment and are going to disappear when they find something else that they like. Our fans are the best and a lot of bands say that but I mean it. I feel like they are with us until the end and have bought into the group and its music.

They are always backing us and willing to buy merchandise and preorder the album. It is because of that demographic of people that are not changing their minds about what they like. It’s not a passing fad it is something they have latched onto and are not letting go of. That is part of the reason we continue to have success and go forward.”

Some other highlights for Monster Truck including breaking into foreign markets. Especially in the UK and Australia there 38

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seems to be a lot of Canadian bands that establish a big fan base.

“It is a case by case basis really. There aren’t a lot of parallels you can draw between Canadians having success internationally.

It’s not a foregone conclusion and many Canadian bands have struggled to get outside of Canada especially in the united states. Europe and Australia is really a trial and error kind of situation where you have to go and see how it works. A band like Billy Talent is as big or bigger in Germany then they are here. That is something we looked up to and they gave us a lot of advice. It is that much more encouraging to know it is possible. It was a goal of the band once we decided this was going to be our full time job we knew it would be important to build things overseas. Playing Download Festival, touring Europe, playing festivals in the US – it is all things that we never fathomed in the creation of a band that was supposed to be a side project for fun in Hamilton. Almost everything since we started getting played on the radio is a pinch me moment.”

If you are noticing a lot more Canadian music on the airwaves, it’s not a coincidence. There has been a resurgence of amazing Canadian artists in recent years. One of the downsides of focusing on your own material for a while is being disconnected from the scene, something Widerman is excited to reconnect to.

“I wish I knew more about the Canadian music scene. It is rough sometimes especially when you are writing a new album and you are kind of sucked into this vacuum of focus and really concentrating on what you are trying to do. In the process of doing that you are almost attempting to not get to bogged down in what anyone else is doing. I am definitely well aware that the Canadian music scene is probably stronger than ever right now. I am definitely aware of a lot of great up and coming bands like The Glorious Sons, One Bad Son and The Wild which are all friends of ours and glad to see on the up. I haven’t been paying a lot of attention to it for a while because I have been focusing on making sure our album is up to standard and we are doing all we can to promote it and market it. It is something I am looking forward to getting more into once I am out of my apartment and studio space and back on the road. I am also really excited about the worldwide rock scene. There are a lot of great bands out there that we are looking forward to crossing paths with at festivals this summer.”

In the meantime the dual package of Monster Truck and the UK’s Temperance Movement promises to be a memorable evening.

“You can expect one of the best rock tours to come through all year. We have been working hard to make sure our new record is good live. You have a band from the UK that hasn’t toured as much in Canada as they will with us. We are so similar and different at the same time and both fighting for the same cause of keeping rock n roll moving along but have such a different approach to it. When we toured with the Rival Son’s the fans enjoyed both acts for different reasons. It was a feeling of camaraderie and a lot of fun and it will be like that with the Temperance Movement. People are going to feel like they get their monies worth and will remember it for a long time.”

Monster Truck - Sitting Heavy available now http://www.ilovemonstertruck.com Calgary – February 27th MacEwan Hall Edmonton – March 1st Union Hall http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5020 View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments www.gaycalgary.com

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GayCalgary Magazine #147, March 2016

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Scott Helman A Rising Star

Breakthrough Juno Nominee Talks To GayCalgary

By Jason Clevett Sitting casually in a hotel bar, Scott Helman still seemed somewhat in disbelief. The Toronto singer-songwriter had just 24 hours earlier been in Toronto to learn that he had been nominated for Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Pop Album of the Year in the Juno Awards. In addition to being part of Juno Fanfest April 2nd he will be at the awards April 3rd at the Saddledome.

“It was pretty crazy. You don’t really see yourself as that person until you are watching the announcements and it’s like “Justin Beiber! Shawn Mendez... Scott Helman!” It’s like Me? Are you fucking kidding me? Me It is a complete shock to me. I am honoured to be nominated and to be in the same category as these artists is pretty cool. I just hope my friends win, I have friends in both categories and I am rooting for them. I will be really selfconscious. I haven’t gotten used to it. Even when I was with Walk off the Earth on tour it was disbelief of where I was. I will try to have a good time and hang and have fun but it is going to be a trip for sure.”

Helman has opened for the likes of Matt Good and Tegan and Sara, along with an international tour with Walk off the Earth.

“I toured with them in the States and it was a big family. We were in Salt Lake City and Gianni was just like you should come to Europe with us.’ So we figured it out and I went to Europe. It was a perfect combination of complete debauchery and partying and also wholesome fun. My parents are from England so I had been a bunch of times but it was insane to play there. I was playing the Roundhouse in England which is a really historic venue. It’s like why am I here? My Dad couldn’t be there but he had always wanted to see me perform in London so he was on Facetime on the side of the stage watching and a bunch of my family were in the audience. That was really cool.”

Working with Walk Off The Earth gave Helman an additional exposure. The band is known for its creative cover videos in addition to original songs. Helman joined the band for a cover of The Weeknd’s Can’t Feel My Face that almost resulted in the newest band member joining them for the video.

“Literally 45 minutes of me being there Sarah went into labour.

Some chick came to the house and said she was good for an hour and a half so we just did the video while she was in labour and then she went and had a person. It was pretty insane. It took 30 minutes to film and a couple of takes. By the end of it she was like This is the last take Gianni! I have to go have a baby! and he is like You’ve got 2 more in you! She is such a good sport and I was sitting across from her thinking you are a superhero. She was totally calm and collected. I think inside she was screaming but her face didn’t show it.”

Opening spots on tour and the opportunity to play events like the Calgary Stampede, where Helman played in 2015 on the Coke Stage, are important to growing a career. While the chance to impress people and make new fans is there, it’s not Helman’s focus.

“It was awesome. It was super-hot that day but we had a good time. I try to give it my best every time. When I don’t do 100% on stage it’s not like awe shucks I didn’t get all the fans. People deserve a good show and that is what I want to give them. I know what it is like to go see an artist that I love and not be impressed and it sucks. I hate that feeling and I don’t want anybody to feel that.

Sometimes when you get into the groove of the tour you fluctuate between 80% and 100% it’s not always perfect but I just want to give a good show. You can tell the difference between an artist trying to win you over and one who is just awesome and loves the music and don’t feel that it’s a buy my record thing. I don’t want

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people to feel like I am making them like anything I just give it my best.”

Being on the road has its ups and downs. Helman has enjoyed getting to see parts of the country that many never experience and shared a few favourite memories.

“Playing cards with my band, we had a tour long game of gin rummy. I think we are still going and will see how high we can get the score next tour. We got stuck in Revelstoke and it sucked because we got snowed in and had to miss a show. The next day it was so scary. The first part of the drive there were cars flipped over on the side of the road. We were like ‘holy shit... we are going to be fine we won’t die!’ I don’t think the van even had snow tires. We totally could have died but we made it. We drove through Banff to Red Deer and the drive was so visceral. Seeing the mountains and that part of the country was such a trip. We stopped at a little gas station and got burgers and our tour manager was trying to hurry us up. For me it was such a cool thing to see that part of Canada. It stuck out for me. Being in those little towns is like a Jack Kerouac thing for me to skip town and be in some middle of nowhere place playing music.”

Helman is in the initial phases of making his next album.

“I have been writing for a while and have a bunch of new songs.

It is a process for me and I have to go through all the horrible shit to get to the record. You think you are getting it then realize you aren’t and have to dig deeper. There are parts of writing that suck but at the end of the day it’s the part I like the most. I have 5000 voice notes of ideas from the road and when I get home I put them all together. Unless I am not in a good mood or having a great day then I will go write. I will write a couple of songs each tour but the ones that I really like are from ideas.”

At 20 years old the pop star remains incredibly grounded and humble. History has shown that artists achieving success at a young age can at times be challenging and those dealing with any level of fame can sometimes seem to go off the rails.

“My friends keep me grounded. I have got to make mistakes you know? You can be an artist that presents yourself as perfect or you can present yourself as you and imperfect. I am not at all perfect, I am going to make mistakes and I am ok with that. I don’t want to be an asshole but I also want to be able to live my life and not be so tight up against the wall. I think it is important to recognize that because you can’t be perfect. When you see artists go off the rails it’s because the whole world sees them as this angel and they

are not and that has got to be stressful. My friends remind me that I am just a fucking normal person. You have a lot of people telling you are this or that, it is important to be able to just sit down with friends and have a beer. I haven’t had to deal with the whole ‘fame’ thing in the sense of a Justin Beiber or Alessia Cara. I just want to be recognized for what I do. I am pretty aware of being under a microscope it. I will be on my guard when people are filming, I won’t give away personal information I like to keep things private.

But the positive outcome is I don’t think celebrities should be looked at as otherworldly creatures, it is not good for anybody. The value should be art all that other stuff is so superfluous. When I go online and go ‘wait a minute, Justin Beiber is a real guy because he just posted a really weird tweet.’

That is kind of good for the world.”

Connecting with fans is a big part of being an artist, and being looked up to comes with the territory.

“I think there is an importance in being a role model and making good decisions when people are watching. You can ignore it for as long as you want but people are going to listen to you and be inspired by what you do. It is important for artists to realize that in order for people to do important things they have to do it on their own accord. I don’t really worry too much about being perfect or saying certain things that might be taboo because that is how I feel. It is important to show that you can be yourself too, you are your own person and I stand by that philosophy. I find that it has paid off because I see people tweeting me and say ‘it is so nice to know you feel the same way as me’ but also have had fans disagree with me on things and that it is nice to see my being myself. That is all I want from people. If people were just who they wanted to be instead of just looking at celebrities and wishing they were skinnier or taller or had wavier hair the world would be a better place.”

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Ginger Minj

Nicest Bitch You’ll Ever Meet

 photos by Mike Windle-Gettyo

By Keith Johnson Ginger Minj appears to have a natural endowment for singing, dancing, acting and especially for, my personal favorite, the gift of the gab. And gab she did when our paths finally crossed on an unusually warm Calgary day in February. Her car, for the time being, her office as she drove to a show rehearsal in Orlando, Florida where she calls home. Certain that we would be suffering in frigid temperatures, I was happy to report it was 62 degrees Fahrenheit (I did the conversion knowing she might be oblivious to the Celsius world) as she confessed it was a mere 72 degrees Fahrenheit in her home town of Orlando.

Born and raised in Leesburg, Florida The Minj (as dubbed by Carson Kressley) is driving, smoking and talking all at the same 42

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time. Inquiring about her smoking and her smoking habits she confesses that after her separation from a relationship she had been in for eleven years she returned to smoking as one of the few mechanisms of calming her nerves. “I come from a long line of addicts and the constant go-go-go that my career demands require the odd cigarette or two as a stress reliever”. Born Joshua Eads-Brown and having never done drugs of any kind she takes solitude in that this is the worst of her habits. “It has never been reported (as she assures me I am about to become privy to her private life like no other) that several months my doctors assured me that cancer was an almost certainty during a routine visit with my physician”. Terrified and despondent she believed her smoking habit would end. Unfortunately it did not as The Minj discovers she has eluded the death sentence for the time being. “Coffee, cigarettes and healthy dose of sarcasm are the three things I don’t leave home without”, she espouses.

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Remaining unaffected by her fame both Ginger Min (in Drag) and Joshua Eads-Brown (out of Drag are recognized everywhere he/she goes and on a daily basis. “I am still surprised every time I am recognized. I still see myself as the fat little kid from Leesburg”, he confesses. Even that is quickly changing.

Having separated from his partner, losing 55 pounds and becoming the runner up to Violet Chachki on the Season 7 Race, her world has quickly become unrecognizable.

In April she will be appearing in San Francisco and Seattle, during May she is off to North Carolina and luckily for us in June she will make an appearance in Calgary.

Rupaul’s Battle of the Seasons (2016 Extravaganza Tour) hits Edmonton on June 16, 2016 at Union Hall and Calgary on June 17 at MacEwan Hall. “I was in Edmonton just a week or so ago”. Informing me as though she was part Canadian.

Performing at Brixx Bar and Grill on February 27 she refers to Albertans affectionately and with child-like anticipation that she gets to return.

“The show is not only an opportunity to celebrate Rupaul’s Drag Race; it is an opportunity for each of the Queens to show off their individual talents that may not have been showcased during the taping”.

“If you have noticed Ginger is an outspoken character and is often described as both mean and opinionated”, she confesses as though the whole world saw her in that light. By contrast Joshua (the boy Ginger) lacks confidence, is socially awkward, and rarely speaks up. Ginger describes rarely seeing Joshua anymore and that, in fact, he had been sacrificed for a life of Drag. Rebellious and eager to get Joshua out there she stopped shaving her eyebrows, became unconscious of her weight, and grew her hair long and suddenly Joshua had a life and personae.

However short lived is the anti-grooming campaign as each performance requires a complete transformation within a schedule that appears grueling. “Ginger Minj is a name that was given to me (I did not choose it) during her employment stint at Sleuths Mystery Dinner”. “I needed to raise money to do my first pageant and the owner of Sleuths agreed to be my sponsor if

I used the name,” says Ginger. And so she did resulting in a character that cites other redheads like Carol Burnett and Lucille Ball as her idols.

If you have ever questioned whether Ms. Ginger Minj (a runner-up in this pageant of pageants) will hold a place of reverence in Drag Queen Herstory perhaps her album, which drops shortly, will change your mind. “It’s Meatloaf meets Jennifer Holiday”. Ginger proclaims.

Margaret Cho and Carney Wilson are also slated to sing along side The Minj. She really is the whole package. Her ability to sing, dance, and act has kept her extremely busy on the Drag Circuit for many years.

In addition her comedic talent has become somewhat legendary as the reigning Comedy Queen of the South.

Ginger is an extremely confident character, Joshua is more flawed. “People want Ginger’s advice not Joshua’s, she comments” She believes that Rupaul’s Drag Race (with viewership increasing by 20% in Season 7) is reaching the masses and Drag Queens as well as their alter egos (themselves) are seen as people.

Humans who have stories not unlike the rest of us.

When asked to reveal one of her secrets to success she responded without hesitation.

“If you don’t love yourself, how the hell you gonna love somebody else”.

“I know that sounds really trite and cliché but it is what RuPaul espouses and lives by and it rings true for all of us”, Ginger explains.

Amongst the sounds of traffic, the incessant honking of horns and the sound of the warm Orlando breeze there emerged a warm, sensitive and caring person who just wants to be accepted for who she is. “I’m a crossdresser for Christ. I’ll have you down on your knees and begging for Jesus in a minute”, remains the language of Ginger Minj and reflects very little of the personality of Joshua EadsBrown.

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The Sheepdogs Rounding Up Rock n Roll Saskatchewan Band Tours With “Future Nostalgia”

By Jason Clevett

The Sheepdogs – singer Ewan Currie, bass guitarist Ryan Gullen, drummer Sam Corbett, guitarist Jimmy Bowskill, and Shamus Currie, on trombone, keyboards, and tambourine – have been a band for a decade. Before their sudden rise on the charts they travelled throughout Canada making a name for themselves.

Having released a new album Future Nostalgia in October the band is on a cross country tour that returns to Edmonton February 15th at Union Hall and Calgary February 16th at MacEwan Hall. They have dates in Lloydminster on the 26th and Grande Prairie on the 27th. GayCalgary.com caught up with Ryan Gullen recently over the phone, who talked about keeping motivated during the early years.

“Part of the biggest motivating factors was that we were told that what we did was not going to be on mainstream radio because we were playing old style rock n roll and although we might only get 20 people at a show sometimes, those people were really into what we were doing. It gave us a little bit of hope that if we got the opportunity to get some recognition for what we were doing, these people were super into what we were doing and we recognized there had to be more people out there. We spent 7 plus years driving across the country and the states trying to get something going and often coming back with a lot less money than we left with and feeling frustrated. We didn’t have any thoughts that we were going to be as big as a U2 or a Nickelback. We were just doing our thing regardless of what people told us. Until 2011 we were doing everything ourselves. We wanted to keep doing what we

wanted to do and get where we were going by doing that. We didn’t want to change the music we made and have always stuck with that. As much as rock music isn’t in the forefront of current music there is something to be said about the way rock and roll makes you feel. There are always going to be people that get behind it.

What kept us going all those years was the fact that regardless if we played for 20 people or 1000 people they were really into what we were doing.”

Then the Rolling Stone cover hit and suddenly five guys from Saskatchewan were everywhere.

“It definitely was overwhelming. It was a slow climb to it and then the Rolling Stone cover came out. We were doing so many things we didn’t have time to over think because it was one thing after another. It was a festival then flying to New York to do something, then another show. The fact that we didn’t have much time to think about it afforded us the luxury of not getting to worked up about the pressure and attention. We kind of had to roll with it and hope that you make the right decisions. Looking back on it, it is like wow I can’t believe all the shit that we did. It was a wild time in our lives.”

The band is now a multiple Juno award winner, who hope to add another award this year with a nomination for Best Rock Group. The band was in Toronto for the announcement, but touring obligations in the UK conflict with the awards, so they won’t be in Calgary for the big event. The same thing happened in 2012 when they took home 4 awards but were in Australia.

“Usually those are things you find out about on the internet so it was cool to be (at the announcement) and hear it called out. We are very excited and proud of the album we released so to get that recognition from the music industry is always a very cool honor.

You don’t necessarily make a record in the hopes that you get a Juno nomination but it is a nice tip of the hat to something we put a lot of work into. The first awards were a huge one for us because

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It may seem like Saskatoon rock band The Sheepdogs exploded into the mainstream in 2011. Winning a contest to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine, touring the world, appearing on TV and constantly being on the move seemed to define the life of the band for a few years.

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that was the year where things really took off for us. When we won those awards we were in Australia on tour so we found out we won via text message. It was 6am or something so I was half asleep and went back to bed immediately after. Those three that we won, we beat a lot of huge artists and it was a big year for us.

It was a cool addition to everything else that happened over that time. We won video of the year in 2014 and we were at that Juno’s but not at the awards dinner the night before where it was handed out. So the joke is that we only ever win when we are not there to accept the award. We were nominated for three other ones that we were there for (at the broadcast) and didn’t win. So we figure if we want to win we have to not be in attendance. It’s not intentional though. Our album came out in October and all we have been doing is promoting and touring. We are always playing and trying to spread the word. We knew the Juno’s were there. We didn’t expect to get nominated but there might be a chance. Regardless of the nomination we are just going to keep doing our thing which is travel around and spreading the word of Rock n Roll.”

The band returned to their roots, renting a cabin in Ontario to create the new album.

“Every record you make, you take a different approach and try different things. It is a new chapter in your bands life. We were afforded a little more flexibility with what we could do. There are a lot of distractions when you are recording in a studio in a city and a lot of people involved between managers, agents, label etc.

It is easy for them to come and be involved in those situations.

We really wanted to separate all distractions whatsoever and have our only focus being that record. We lived in a cottage with an adjacent barn and we set up this studio and all we did was work on the record for three weeks. It really made us able to make it our focus on making the best record we could. With our last record we worked with Pat Carney from the Black Keys, the record previous to that we did at a house I was renting because we had no money to record in a studio. We wanted to go back to that idea where it was really cool that we were all working together on the record without the outside influence. We brought an engineer in from Memphis and we trucked in a bunch of gear and made sure it sounded good. The idea was to make an organic record similar to what we did with Learn and Burn but make it sound better. It was one of those situations that was incredibly relaxing and resulted in the record sounding a certain way. Like what it sounds like when we focused on an organic Sheepdogs Record.”

Having toured extensively both as a headliner and on festivals, The Sheepdogs have had a lot of moments that they never would have thought would happen.

“Being on tour with John Fogarty, Creedence Clearwater Revival is someone we really looked up to so getting to play shows with him in Australia was pretty cool. He would stand side stage and watch us play and was very complimentary of what we are doing. We were involved in a few of these tributes to like Tom Petty and The Rolling Stones in New York. You find yourself in a party situation recognizing people and those kind of moments are weird. Getting recognition from artists we look up to are moments you don’t really ever anticipate that happening and to get that recognition is pretty unique. You spend a lot of your youth listening to that music and it has shaped what you play, to have that person watch what you do and compliment you for what you do and watch you every night that you play is pretty wild.”

An important part of the bands continued growth is the festival circuit. From major festivals in the UK and US to Canadian festivals like X-Fest and Folk Festivals, it is an opportunity to play for a variety of people and make new fans.

“It has been a big part of our career. It is an opportunity to play in front of people that wouldn’t come to see you otherwise.

It is also a chance to play a different kind of setting. We feel strongly about our live show and are always trying to make it better. When you are in those settings where outdoors and it is hot and sunny and open, there is something to be said about the way people are at festivals. People let their guard down more than in a club setting and open to letting themselves get lost in the moment. At festivals part of that has to do with drugs. But at a lot of the festivals whether it’s a folk festival or a big US festival like Bonnaroo people go there to let their hair down. People tend 46

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to be more open to accepting a different experience and music.

Even for myself I would find myself watching shows I never would have watched and getting it. It is a cool opportunity to exposure yourself to that greater thing, that event that is creating a memory for people. It has been a big opportunity to expose ourselves to new people who aren’t familiar and to play in that kind of setting is a really great thing.”

The last few years has seen a lot of Canadians being heard on the radio and gaining popularity both at home and around the world.

“What happens a lot is traditionally radio played a part in what young people are into. We grew up in a small city and your main way of finding out about music is on the radio. The music you listen to influences the music you are playing. People our age had access to music on the internet not just what people told you to listen to on the radio. Now with things like YouTube and Spotify you can seek out and discover new music. With a lot of these artists having a lot of success and being unique in the ways they are creating music and crossing over into the mainstream.

Someone like Dan Mangan makes unique music that is great and you are seeing it in the mainstream. We are having a lot of Canadians that are being successful on the Billboard charts like The Weeknd and Justin Bieber but also people that are making different kinds of music. It is totally different.”

With popularity comes negativity and people who can make disrespectful comments online.

“As much as there is an opportunity for people to discover new bands there is also the chance for people to shit talk. You can’t pay attention to that. You want to avoid it but it is inevitable that you are going to see a tweet or a post that is negative and it bums you out. At the same time the moment that someone takes the time to take out a moment to shit talk you, even though they don’t like your music they are taking the time to make a point of doing it means you are doing something right. For every hater there are hundreds of other people that love what you are doing. Music is subjective and there will be people that like and hate what you are doing. You can’t pay much attention to it because no music appeals to every single person. It is a taste thing and you can’t let it get you down. You just put out your music and hope people like it and can’t let some dude on the internet ruin it.”

The Sheepdogs are excited to return to Alberta to play for fans that have been with them from the beginning. Gullen promises some memorable shows.

“Being from Saskatchewan we have spent a lot of time playing in Alberta. Watching the cities build and meeting new friends and fans, a big part of that is that we have been playing there a long time. The last time we played Calgary in a club setting, all those years of playing small clubs and now coming and playing at somewhere like Mac Hall and seeing all the people excited to see us after years of playing small club shows, it makes you feel good.

It reaffirms all the things you have done and it’s great to play a wild show for people in these cities we have played in for so many years. Those memories stand out. This tour we are doing a mix of old and new. We really try to make our live show something as fun and exciting as possible. We do some different takes on songs and do some jamming and make it a little different then the album.

Rock n roll music makes you feel good and we want to emulate that on stage. We don’t want it to be exactly how you listen to it at home. We make good time rock n roll and we emulate that and make our live shows as fun as possible. We have been playing a lot so we are excited to showcase the new songs and play some old ones and are really confident in our playing right now. It will be a good time.”

The Sheepdogs - Future Nostalgia available now http://www.thesheepdogs.com http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5011 View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments www.gaycalgary.com

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TLC Still Chasing CrazySexyCool

Iconic R&B Group On Returning to Spotlight, New Album and More

By Jason Clevett From 1991 – 2002 R&B you could not turn on pop radio or MuchMusic without hearing or seeing TLC. Ten top 10 billboard singles and four number 1 hits make the Atlanta based R&B trio of Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas the top selling American girl group of all time with 65 million albums sold.

With great success has come challenges such as bankruptcy and in group friction. The biggest blow to TLC happened April 25th, 2002 when Lisa Lopes was killed in a car accident in Honduras.

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Although the surviving members had some concert appearances and a reality show – R U The Girl in 2005 – it is in the last year that T-Boz and Chilli have really regrouped including a spot on the 2015 Main Event Tour with Nelly and The New Kids On The Block and work on a new album.

GayCalgary spoke with the iconic ladies of TLC backstage prior to a packed house at Cowboys Nightclub’s Iced event in January.

“It is surreal. We have been in this business over 20 years and we don’t take any of it for granted,” Chilli said about being back on stage. “When we are on stage whether it is 20,000 people or 10,000 or any crowd seeing the love on people’s faces for us there aren’t words to describe it. We are very blessed.” www.gaycalgary.com

Being on the Main Event tour was special for fans and the band alike.

“That tour was awesome. It was one of my favourites and easy breezy. There was no drama, and can I just say no drama?

Every tour has had drama but this one was drama free.

Everyone was mature in the New Kids. They are seasoned,” T-Boz said. Their performances have featured Lopes on screen performing her parts of songs during arena shows, and her vocals are tracked for smaller venues. It is both a tribute and highly emotional during the shows. “In the beginning we couldn’t do it, it was really, really tough. Sometimes it is cool, sometimes it just hits us. We can be reminiscing and then it’s right down. Chilli is always trying to make me cry.”

“I turn the other way so I don’t start crying,” Chilli added.

In January 2015 TLC launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund their new album. High profile donors like the New Kids, Katy Perry, Soulja Boy and Justin Timberlake contributed along with fans to raise nearly triple the goal - $400,000.

Being on the Main Event Tour along with making sure they get it right means the album has not been released yet but is planned for some time this year.

“It means we better get that album out! They want some music!” T-Boz said, adding that some fans lack of patience can be frustrating. “Most people who got common sense understand. There are some unique people out there who just don’t get it. The industry is so different people do stuff so fast but we have never been like that. Timeless music and real subject matters, that takes time.”

“We have been working really hard on it and now that we have a direction everything should fall into place and it should be out soon,” added Chilli. “We are out in LA working on the album. I am going to be out there as long as I need to be until we get it all together. It is definitely the number one priority.

We are bringing interludes back!”

“Oh Oh Oh! One of the interludes is the shit! We have some cool songs already” T-Boz exclaimed. It is important to get what has been reported to be the final TLC album right. It can be easy to second guess yourself and be surprised, such as with 1995’s Waterfalls. It’s frank lyrics about topics like HIV and drugs were groundbreaking at the time and it was the fans – and video – that made it a hit.

“It’s funny because when we did the songs (producer) Clive (Davis) didn’t believe in Waterfalls. We went to LA and we all nearly begged him to give us a chance. I think it was a song that some people couldn’t understand until they saw it attached to the video. The first time we saw the video we were crying. It was such a good video,” recalled T-Boz. Chilli agreed that the video was what connected the song, an art form that is lacking in pop music today.

“It really told the story. I think that is what is missing today. Even before we came out, videos helped to tell the story and would take the song to another level. Radio didn’t

get Waterfalls; it didn’t connect for some reason. That video changed everything.”

Waterfalls was selected by Bette Midler to be on her 2014 album of all-female covers It’s The Girls.

“That was such an honor, she is such an icon,” said Chilli, with T-Boz adding “She did great we were like Whoa go ahead Mama.”

I saw TLC both in Chicago on The Main Event Tour and at Cowboys and a few things remain clear. They still put it all on stage with backup dancers, full choreography and singing live. Also evident is how much the songs still are as applicable today as they were 15 years ago. Massive sing alongs to classics like Unpretty, No Scrubs and Creep shows that TLC has not and will not be forgotten.

“It is still so weird for us when we meet people and they get emotional. It’s like Why are you crying? It is still so funny, but I think sometimes when you are working you don’t realize all of the things that you’ve done until you sit back and reflect or someone shows you. It is a blessing to have a dream and fulfill it and seeing it really make a difference in the world,” T-Boz said. “I want TLC to be remember for the true essence of who we are. The records we broke, being the biggest selling girls group. Even burning down the house is the truth. The lives we’ve changed, people who have wanted to commit suicide but didn’t because of something we sang or said. I don’t care if you push the bad in there because it made us who we are.”

Added Chilli “I remember growing up and artists that I looked up to and inspired me. When you are in that place, the best way for me to remember how it really feels when another artist comes up and gives a compliment or fans that say different things, I think about how much I learned from being around Hammer.

I think about idolizing Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson and Jody Watley and Madonna and all these people that were just great. I am like ‘wow I get it.’ Because sometimes I don’t understand people’s reactions but then I remember. The first time I saw Sade I couldn’t speak, I didn’t say a thing. I couldn’t believe I didn’t say a word. The second time was a little bit better but still overwhelming. So it is an honor to be in the position we are in and I am so proud of my group. We want to be remembered as those girls who weren’t afraid to push the envelope. I think we are doing what God would want us to do, being very authentic and encouraging people to believe in themselves and have that security in loving yourself. It is just naturally there and it is good to know we have left positive vibes on people.”

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Mr. Jackson If You’re Nasty

Cheyenne Jackson on Botox, his ‘bi phase’ & getting his butt grabbed by Lady Gaga

 Photos by Vince Truspin

By Chris Azzopardi Has Lady Gaga touched your butt lately?

It’s a box Cheyenne Jackson can happily check off after his recent run on American Horror Story: Hotel, playing a bisexual fashion designer who, by the grace of Gaga, got felt up by Mother Monster herself. Of course the screen and stage singeractor’s resume is far more extensive: Jackson has starred in a wide range of projects including 30 Rock, HBO’s Liberace biopic Behind the Candelabra, Glee and the 9/11-inspired Flight 93, portraying late gay hero Mike Bingham.

Jackson’s latest is Day Out of Days, directed by Zoe Cassavetes, the daughter of filmmaker John Cassavetes and actress Gena Rowlands. In the film, now streaming via Digital HD and VOD, he plays a gay derm lending his expertise to friend Mia (Alexia Landeau) as she tries to survive ageobsessed Hollywood. As an out gay man, Jackson knows the struggle, but he’s stopped caring.

In a new interview with Jackson, the actor discusses his “fuck it” attitude at 40 (no more Botox for him), the butt-grab GIF Lady Gaga sent him and his passionate feelings on the Hollywood closet.

GC: You’ve played just about every variation of gay. How do you know if a gay character is right for you?

CJ: I never pick something based on if it’s gay or not. I just pick something if the character’s right for me. I play a pretty healthy mix, although these days I’ve been playing a lot of bisexuals. I was bisexual on Horror Story and then I just finished a film where I also played bisexual, so I’m in a bi phase right now. Honestly, just the part has to appeal to www.gaycalgary.com

me. I really do love that there’s such a broad spectrum I’ve played: gay guys who were more straight down the middle, and – though I hate this phrase – “straight acting,” and all the way to Behind the Candelabra where I was just, you know, super cunt-y.

GC: When it comes to roles in general, how many scripts do you end up passing on?

CJ: I make no bones about it: I’m not in a world where I just get offered all of these movies by any means. I’ve never put a number on it. I would say maybe five to seven offers a year and I’ll do a few. It just depends. Doing a movie, especially an indie movie, you really have to love the subject and you really have to love the writer / director. It’s such a labor of love – and I know it’s an overused phrase – but it is if you’re gonna be putting your blood, sweat and tears into it. And also, I don’t wanna take time away from my husband and my home and my family just to do a little thing.

GC: While shooting Love Is Strange with Alfred Molina and John Lithgow, it was said that you informed them on gay vernacular, such as what it means to be a “bear.” As the gay guy on set – maybe sometimes the only one – do you find yourself schooling your straight co-stars on everything gay?

CJ: Oh, well, I’ve never been the gay actor on set – maybe I’m the only openly gay actor. But yeah, listen, I’m happy to be the go-to if people wanna know what shit means. I’ve been out since I was 19, so I gotta do something with all this information I have!

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GC: You suggest that you’ve worked with many closeted gay actors, and we talk a lot about the Hollywood closet. Where do you stand on that?

CJ: It’s a personal thing. I mean, everybody should do their own thing, what is right for them. I hate it when people try to pull people out of the closet – who wants that? It’s not good for them, it’s not good for us; for whatever their own reasons are, they’re not ready. Just leave people to do their own thing on their own time. I fully believe that. I mean, I came out when I wanted to because it was my time, and I hate the whole witchhunt aspect. Just mind your own business.

GC: Regarding American Horror Story: Can we expect you in future seasons?

CJ: I hope so. We don’t know yet. I think we’ll all be finding out in the next few months.

GC: How aware are you that you’ve made just about every gay man jealous by having your butt touched by Mother Monster?

CJ: (Laughs) Oh, I knew! I knew as we were shooting it. We got to that scene, and it wasn’t in the script exactly like that.

But Gaga is so playful and comfortable with scenes like that and with her body. She was really fun and she put me at ease because I had never done a scene like that. So, we were just kind of playing around and she and I have such a comfort with each other, so between set-ups I laid down for a minute and she just started, you know, rubbing my butt and I’m like, “Ooh!” The director was like, “Oh, great; let’s just do that,” and that became a thing and I thought, ‘Oh, shit. I can see the screen caps now.’”

GC: You know, there’s actually a GIF out there.

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CJ: I know. She sent it to me that night. (Laughs) GC: Who was guiding who during that sex scene?

CJ: It was definitely a give and take. I was nervous going into it because I had never really done nudity onscreen, but she’s just great. I echo what everyone else says about working with her: She’s a total pro.

GC: I was surprised to hear that you hadn’t done a sex scene up until that point.

CJ: I mean, I’ve done kissing scenes and I’ve done post sex scenes and pre sex scenes, but nah. I’m definitely not shy about it. I’m totally into it. And since Horror Story, I’ve already done a film where I have sex with a woman and then I have sex with a man. So, I’m hitting it.

GC: What’s the film?

CJ: It’s called “Hello Again.” Michael John LaChiusa – it’s based on his musical. Really great cast: Rumer Willis, Audra McDonald, Martha Plimpton and Tyler Blackburn.

GC: What’s next for you?

CJ: I have a couple of things in the works. Right now I’m in New York doing The Secret Garden at Lincoln Center and I have a couple of other things lined up but can’t talk about them because they’re not signed on the dotted line. And I’m actually recording (a new album) in March in New York. I don’t know if I wanna talk about what’s on it yet, but it’s definitely some covers and new stuff – stuff I’ve kind of been touring with the last few years, but I don’t wanna say some of the names just yet.

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GC: Like Mia in Day Out of Days, you’re also 40. Have your experiences in Hollywood been similar or different from Mia’s?

And in what ways?

CJ: Yeah, definitely different, because I’m a man. It’s a different thing for women. Aging in Hollywood, as we all know, can be brutal, especially if you’re a woman. It’s a subject that people have talked about before and even made art about, but I like this particular story that Zoe’s telling just because it’s from one woman’s perspective, and I thought it was pretty great. Personally, I like getting older, and as a man, I like what’s happening to my face. Yeah, sometimes it’s hard to see more wrinkles and grey hair, which I’m totally getting, but it’s way easier for men – way easier.

I’ve been thinking about this since doing this movie, when you do see the occasional actress who doesn’t do anything to her face, like Kate Winslet – I saw something recently, and we’re the exact same age – and she has some wrinkles and she looks gorgeous and I loooove it. Oh my god do I love it. It’s so beautiful.

GC: While we’re on the topics of ageism and sexism, I recall your nude leak. I wonder if there’s a gender disparity when this sort of thing happens like it did to you a few years ago, when a video surfaced. Do you think there’s a difference in the way the public reacts to a male celebrity’s leak – in this case yours – versus a woman’s?

CJ: I’m not gonna speak to that at all.

GC: Fair. Let’s move on. As a gay man, what kind of effect has sexuality had on your career?

CJ: That’s a good question, but there’s really no way to know what would have happened. I have been out my whole

career. I came out during my very first big job in All Shook Up (in 2005) on Broadway. It was in The New York Times, and I just decided to get it out of the way so it wasn’t a thing. What effect has it had? I have no idea. Do I think I have missed out on things because I am gay? Maybe. Probably. But there’s no way to prove it. And if that’s really how something would go down, I wouldn’t want that (project) anyway. But things are definitely changing, and it’s funny that you say “as a gay man” because I find pressure on gay men, especially in our society, to look young. It’s almost like it is for women now. I see all these guys at the gym and everybody’s – well, not everybody, but a lot of guys – have a lot of stuff going on with their face.

GC: Do you feel like you’ve been pressured to look a certain way?

CJ: Of course I feel the pressure – and I succumbed to it.

I’m not against saying I used to do Botox and fillers for about three years. I got really into it.

GC: Why did you decide to stop?

CJ: I looked crazy. I didn’t look like me. I think especially on men, Botox and filler doesn’t make you look younger – I think it makes you look like you have Botox and fillers. It changed the shape of my eyes. I didn’t have any wrinkles on my forehead, and it was crazy. And then I started to obsess about every little thing. Then three years ago I was like, “Fuck it. I’m just gonna let my face do what it’s gonna do,” and I’m so happy I did.

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Photography ISCWR - Songs from Across the Pond at Evolution, Edmonton photos by B&J

Bodega’s Grand Opening, Calgary http://gaycalgary.com/ pa1113

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Photography Palm Springs White Party Kick Off 2016 at Evolution, Edmonton

Together 2016 with Ginger Minj & Friends at Brixx, Edmonton

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News Releases NSFW - Steam Room Stories: Does penis size really matter?

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Pride Tape Reaches Campaign Goal & Heads For Production “This is a huge step for LGBTQ athletes”

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News Releases Shkreli’s Smirking Appearance Before Congress Reinforces Contempt for Patients

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Cupid’s Arrow Takes Aim: Eau Claire Distillery Sees Lovers Smitten With New Valentine’s Cocktail

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INSANE JANE Comic Book To Television Series: Development Continues; New Costume Revealed

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Directory & Events DOWNTOWN CALGARY

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Calgary Outlink---------- Community Groups HIV Community Link---- Community Groups Backlot------------------------Bars and Clubs Texas Lounge-----------------Bars and Clubs

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Goliath’s--------------------------Bathhouses Twisted Element--------------Bars and Clubs Broken City-------------------Bars and Clubs Cowboys Nightclub-----------Bars and Clubs

FIND OUT!

GayCalgary 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. ..........Wheelchair Accessible Spot something inaccurate or outdated? Want your business or organization listed? We welcome you to contact us!

 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 Browse our complete directory of over 750 gay-frieindly listings!

Bars & Clubs (Gay) 3 Backlot-------------------------------------  209 - 10th Ave SW  403-265-5211  Open 7 days a week, 2pm-close 4 Texas Lounge

 308 - 17 Ave SW  403-229-0911  Open 7 days a week, 11am-close

www.gaycalgary.com

6 Twisted Element

 1006 - 11th Ave SW  403-802-0230

 http:.//www.twistedelement.ca

Bars & Clubs (Mixed) These venues regularly host LGBT events.

Bodega

 318A 10th Street NW  tim.richards@labodega.ca

 http://www.labodega.ca

Dickens Pub------------------Bars and Clubs Flames Central---------------Bars and Clubs Local 522---------------------Bars and Clubs Ten Nightclub-----------------Bars and Clubs

7 Broken City

 613 11th Ave SW  info@brokencity.ca

 http://www.brokencity.ca

LGBT Community Directory

CALGARY

9 10 11 12

 403-262-9976

9 Dickens Pub

 1000 9th Ave SW  info@dickenspub.ca

 http://www.dickenspub.ca

 403-233-7550

11 Local 522----------------------------------  522 6 Ave SW  403-244-6773

 http://www.localtavern.ca 12 Ten Nightclub

 1140 10th Ave SW

 403-457-4464

15 The Blind Monk---------------------------  918 12th Ave SW  403-265-6200  12thave@blindmonk.ca

 http://www.blindmonk.ca  Mon-Sun: 11am-2am

 http://www.apollocalgary.com  http://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.

 403-384-9777

14 Vinyl & Hyde (CLOSED)

 213 10 Ave SW

 http://www.vinylandhyde.com

 587-224-5200

• Badminton (Absolutely Smashing)

 6020 - 4 Avenue NE  badminton@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

 North Hill Curling Club (1201 - 2 Street NW)  curling@apollocalgary.com

 golf@apollocalgary.com

• Lawn Bowling

 lawnbowling@apollocalgary.com

Bathhouses/Saunas 5 Goliaths

 308 - 17 Ave SW  403-229-0911  www.goliaths.ca  Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day

Community Groups Alberta Society for Kink



http://www.westerncup.com

• Golf

13 The Pint

 1428 17th Ave SW  calgary@thepint.ca

 http://www.thepint.ca/calgary

 http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/ group.albertasocietyforkink

• Western Cup 31

10 Flames Central----------------------------  219 8th Ave SW  403-935-2637

 http://www.flamescentral.com

 403-398-9968  masdenn@yahoo.com

13 The Pint-----------------------Bars and Clubs 15 The Blind Monk--------------Bars and Clubs

Apollo Calgary - Friends in Sports

8 Cowboys Nightclub------------------------  421 12th Avenue SE  403-265-0699

 http://www.cowboysnightclub.com

 403-475-9227

N

• Outdoor Pursuits

 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.

• Running (Calgary Frontrunners)

 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.

• Slow Pitch

 slow.pitch@apollocalgary.com

GayCalgary Magazine #147, March 2016

63

Directory & Events Fetish Slosh----------------------------  Evening

Calgary Events

At 3 Backlot

Mondays

 2nd

Alcoholics Anonymous--------------------  8pm

Alcoholics Anonymous--------------------  8pm

 Hillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance) 1227 Kensington Close NW

Saturdays

Coffee------------------------------------ 10am

By Prime Timers Calgary  Midtown Co-op (1130 - 11th Ave SW)

Karaoke-----------------------------------  7pm

At 5 Goliaths

 Hillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance) 1227 Kensington Close NW

ASK Meet and Greet----------------  7-9:30pm

Wednesdays

Fridays

Communion Service-----------------  12:10pm

Inside Out Youth Group---------------- 7-9pm

See

ISCCA BBQs--------------------------------Dinner

Student Night------------------------  6pm-6am

Worship Time---------------------------- 10am

At 5 Goliaths

Illusions-------------------------------  7-10pm

Tuesdays

Calgary Networking Club-------------- 5-7pm

Mosaic Youth Group--------------------  7-9pm

Womynspace---------------------------- 7-9pm

Worship------------------------------  10:30am

Beers for Queers--------------------------  6pm

Thursdays

New Directions-------------------------- 7-9pm

Sunday Services---------------------  10:45am

Student Night------------------------  6pm-6am

 Kerby Center, Sunshine Room 1133 7th Ave SW

Heading Out----------------------- 8pm-10pm

Worship Services------------------------- 11am

Alcoholics Anonymous--------------------  8pm

Church Service----------------------------  4pm

Buddy Night-------------------------  6pm-6am

 Bonasera (1204 Edmonton Tr. NE) See 1 Calgary Outlink

See 1 Calgary Outlink By

 1st

YYC Badboys at 13 The Pint

At 5 Goliaths

At 3 Backlot

Knox United Church

 Old Y Centre (223 12th Ave SW)

Lesbian Seniors---------------------------  2pm

 3rd

Between Men--------------------------- 7-9pm Karaoke-------------------------  8pm-12:30am

Lesbian Meetup Group-------------  7:30-9pm

 2nd, 4th

At 4 Texas Lounge

ISCCA at 3 Backlot

See 1 Calgary Outlink

 Mount Royal University Recreation  squash@apollocalgary.com All skill levels welcome.

• Tennis

 tennis@apollocalgary.com

• Yoga

 Robin: 403-618-9642  yoga@apollocalgary.com

Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association (ARGRA)

 www.argra.org

• Monthly Dances

 Arrata Opera Centre (1315 - 7 Street SW)

Calgary Expo

 http://www.calgaryexpo.com

Calgary Gay Fathers

 calgaryfathers@hotmail.com  http://www.calgarygayfathers.ca Peer support group for gay, bisexual and questioning fathers. Meeting twice a month.

Calgary Men’s Chorus

 http://www.calgarymenschorus.org

• Rehearsals

 Temple B’Nai Tikvah, 900 - 47 Avenue SW

Calgary Sexual Health Centre

 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

 Old Y Centre (303 – 223, 12 Ave SW)  403-234-8973  info@calgaryoutlink.ca  http://www.calgaryoutlink.com

 1st

See 1 Calgary Outlink

 2nd

See 1 Calgary Outlink

At 5 Goliaths

 3rd

At 1 Calgary Outlink

 4th

 Hillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance) 1227 Kensington Close NW

 1st

Sundays See See See See See

Deer Park United Church Scarboro United Church Hillhurst United Church Knox United Church

Rainbow Community Church

Flashlight Night---------------------  6pm-6am

Legend:  = Monthly Reoccurrance,  = Date (Range/Future),  = Sponsored Event

• 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

 Weeds Cafe (1903 20 Ave NW)

Deer Park United Church/Wholeness Centre

 403-278-8263

Different Strokes

 http://www.differentstrokescalgary.org

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

• Telephone Support

 M-F, 8:30am - 12:30pm + 1:30pm - 4:30pm

Hillhurst United Church

 1227 Kensington Close NW  (403) 283-1539  office@hillhurstunited.com  http://www.hillhurstunited.com

HIV Peer Support Group

 403-230-5832  hivpeergroup@yahoo.ca

Calgary Queer Book Club

 77 Deerpoint Road SE  http://www.dpuc.ca

2 HIV Community Link----------------------  110, 1603 10th Avenue SW  403-508-2500  1-877-440-2437  http://www.hivcl.org

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.

Lesbian Meetup Group

 http://www.meetup.com/CalgaryLesbian Monthly events planned for Queer women over 18+ such as book clubs, games nights, movie nights, dinners out, and volunteering events.

Miscellaneous Youth Network

 http://www.miscyouth.com

• Fake Mustache • 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

 Good Earth Cafe (1502 - 11th 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.

64

 Hillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance) 1227 Kensington Close NW

At 5 Goliaths

 Calgary Contd.

• Squash

 2nd

See 1 Calgary Outlink

Uniform Night-----------------------  6pm-6am

See 1 Calgary Outlink

By

Alcoholics Anonymous--------------------  8pm

GayCalgary Magazine #147, March 2016

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.

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

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.

Queers on Campus-------------------------

 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.

• Coffee Night

 2nd Cup, Kensington

Safety Under the Rainbow

 www.sutr.ca A collaborative effort dedicated to building capacity and acting as a voice for the LGBTQ community, service providers, organizations and the community at large to address violence. For same-sex domestic violence information, resources and a link to our survey please see our website.

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

 403-272-2912  sharpfoundation@nucleus.com  http://www.thesharpfoundation.com

www.gaycalgary.com

Directory & Events  Calgary Contd.

Spectrum Volleyball Calgary

 http://www.spectrumvolleyball.ca  spectrumvolleyball@gmail.com Join us for recreational, competitive or beach volleyball.

Unity Bowling

 Let’s Bowl (2916 - 5th Ave NE)  sundayunity@live.com

DevaDave Salon & Boutique

 1317-1st Street NW

Restaurants & Pubs Bodega

See Calgary - Bars & Clubs (Mixed).

10 Flames Central---------------------------- See Calgary - Bars & Clubs (Mixed).

13 The Pint See Calgary - Bars & Clubs (Mixed).

Retail Stores Adult Depot (CLOSED)

Adult Source--------------------------------

 10210 Macleod Tr S  403-271-7848

 #102 2323 32nd Ave NE  403-769-6177

 1536 16th Ave NW  403-289-4203

 4310 17th Ave SE  403-273-2710

 http://www.adultsourcecalgary.ca

Best Health

 206A 2525 Woodview Dr SW  403-281-5582  besthealthcalgary@hotmail.com  http://www.besthealthcalgary.com

La Fleur

 403-266-1707 Florist and Flower Shop.

Ellen Embury

 403-750-1128  www.DBBlaw.com Fellow, American Academy of Reproductive Technology Attorneys

Hardline

 Calgary: 403-770-0776

 Edmonton: 780-665-6666  Other Cities: 1-877-628-9696  http://www.hardlinechat.com Telephone classifieds and chat - 18+ ONLY.

 2145 Summerfield Blvd  403-912-2045  http://www.hotwaterpoolsandspas.ca

 #4 - 1126 Kensington Rd NW  403-283-3555  http://www.thenakedleaf.ca Organic teas and tea ware.

Pushing Petals

 1209 5th Ave NW  403-263-3070  http://www.pushingpetals.com

Services & Products 6th and Tenth - Sales Centre

 633 10th Ave SW  403-239-5511  http://www.6thandtenth.com

 M-W: 12-6pm, R: 2-7pm, S-N: 12-5pm

Barry Hollowell

Calgary Civil Marriage Centre

 403-246-4134 (Rork Hilford)  MarriageCommissioner@shaw.ca Marriage Commissioner for Alberta (aka Justice of the Peace - JP), Marriage Officiant, Commissioner for Oaths.

Christopher T. Tahn (Thornborough Smeltz)

 403-808-7147

Courtney Aarbo (Barristers & Solicitors)

 3rd Floor, 1131 Kensington Road NW  403-571-5120  http://www.courtneyaarbo.ca GLBT legal services.

www.gaycalgary.com

 #3 306 20th Ave SW 

http://www.thirdstreet.ca

MFM Communications

 403-543-6970  1-877-543-6970  http://www.mfmcommunications.com Web site hosting and development. Computer hardware and software.

 Suite 27, Building B1, 2451 Dieppe Ave SW

 403-471-0204  780-922-3347  nrg@shaw.ca  http://www.nrgsupportservices.com

SafeWorks

 403-703-4750

Vertigo Mystery Theatre--------------------

 161, 115 - 9 Ave SE  403-221-3708  http://www.vertigomysterytheatre.com

Webster Galleries Inc.

 812 11 Ave SW  403-263-6500  http://www.webstergalleries.com

 T-S: 10am-6pm, N: 1-4pm

EDMONTON

Lorne Doucette (CIR Realtors)

 403-461-9195  http://www.lornedoucette.com

Bars & Clubs (Gay) 3 Buddy’s Nite Club (CLOSED)

 11725 Jasper Ave  780-488-6636 6 Evolution Wonder Lounge

 10220 - 103 St  780-424-0077  http://www.yourgaybar.com

FLASH (CLOSED)

 10018 105 Street  flashnightclub@hotmail.com

 780-938-2941

UpStares Ultralounge (CLOSED)

 4th Floor, Jasper Ave and 107th Street 4 Woody’s

 11725 Jasper Ave

 780-488-6557

Bars & Clubs (Mixed)

• Calgary Drop-in Centre

 Room 117, 423 - 4th Ave SE  403-699-8216  Mon-Fri: 9am-12pm, Sat: 12:15pm-3:15pm

These venues regularly host LGBT events.

Hooliganz Pub (CLOSED)

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.

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 Expo

 http://www.edmontonexpo.com

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

 780-387-3343

 groups.yahoo.com/group/edmonton_illusions 2 Edmonton STD

 11111 Jasper Ave

Edmonton Vocal Minority

 780-479-2038  www.evmchoir.com

 sing@evmchoir.com

Fellowship of Alberta Bears

 www.beefbearbash.com

GLBTQ Sage Bowling Club

 780-474-8240

 tuff@shaw.ca

HIV Network Of Edmonton Society--------

 9702 111 Ave NW 780-488-5742  www.hivedmonton.com Provides healthy sexuality education for Edmonton’s LGBT community and support for those infected or affected

by HIV.

• Centre of Hope

 10704 124 St NW

 inqueeries@gmail.com Student-run GLBTQ Alliance at MacEwan University.

• Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre

7 The Starlite Room

 10030 102 St contact@starliteroom.ca  http://www.starliteroom.ca 8 Yellowhead Brewing Co.

 10229 105 St  info@yellowheadbrewery.com  http://www.yellowheadbrewery.com

 http://www.iscwr.ca

 Room 201, 420 - 9th Ave SE  403-410-1180  Mon-Fri: 1pm-5pm

 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

Wheel Pro’s

 403-819-5219  http://www.bcbhcounselling.com

Third Street Theatre

Interactive Male

Free and confidential HIV/AIDS and STI testing.

Priape Calgary (CLOSED)

 1322 - 17 Ave SW  403-215-1800  http://www.priape.com Clothing and accessories. Adult toys, leather wear, movies and magazines. Gifts.

 Theatre Junction GRAND, 608 1st St. SW  403-205-2922  info@theatrejunction.com  http://www.theatrejunction.com

 403-355-3335  http://www.interactivemale.com

NRG Support Services

The Naked Leaf----------------------------

Stagewest-----------------------------------

 727 - 42 Avenue SE  403-243-6642  http://www.stagewestcalgary.com

Theatre Junction----------------------------

Hot Water Pools & Spas

 140, 58th Ave SW  403-258-2777 Gay, bi, straight video rentals and sex toys.

Pumphouse Theatre------------------------

 2140 Pumphouse Avenue SW  403-263-0079  http://www.pumphousetheatres.ca

 810 Edmonton Trail NE  403-290-1973 Cuts, Colour, Hilights.

Wild Rose United Church

 11650 Elbow Dr SW  ctahn@thornsmeltz.com  http://www.thornsmeltz.com

Cruiseline

 Calgary: 403-777-9494

 Edmonton: 780-413-7122  Other Cities: 1-877-882-2010  http://www.cruiseline.ca Telephone classifieds and chat - 18+ ONLY.

 4143- Edmonton Trail NE  403-226-7278  http://www.wheelpros.ca “Experts in Everything for Wheels”

Bathhouses/Saunas 5 Steamworks

 11745 Jasper Ave  780-451-5554  http://www.steamworksedmonton.com

Community Groups

Theatre & Fine Arts ATP, Alberta Theatre Projects

 403-294-7402

 http://www.ATPlive.com

Fairytales

See Calgary - Community Groups.

AltView Foundation

 #44, 48 Brentwood Blvd, Sherwood Park, AB

 403-398-9968  info@altview.ca  http://ww.altview.ca For gender variant and sexual minorities.

One Yellow Rabbit--------------------------

 Big Secret Theatre - EPCOR CENTRE  403-299-8888  www.oyr.org

Book Worm’s Book Club

 Howard McBride Chapel of Chimes 10179 - 108 Street  bookworm@teamedmonton.ca

InQueeries

Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose

Living Positive Society of Alberta

 #50, 9912 - 106 Street 780-424-2214  living-positive@telus.net  http://www.facebook.com/LivingPoz Living Positive through Positive Living.

• HIV Support Group

 huges@shaw.ca, curtis@optionssexualhealth.ca Support and discussion group for gay men.

Men’s Games Nights

 Unitarian Church (10804 119th Street)

 780-474-8240  tuff@shaw.ca

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.

Pride Centre of Edmonton-----------------

 10608 - 105 Ave  780-488-3234  admin@pridecentreofedmonton.org  http://www.pridecentreofedmonton.org  Tue-Fri 12pm-9pm, Sat 2pm-6:30pm

GayCalgary Magazine #147, March 2016

65

Directory & Events DOWNTOWN EDMONTON

1

6

8

5 4 3

1 Pride Centre of Edm.---- Community Groups 2 Edmonton STD---------- Community Groups

Edmonton Events Boot Camp------------------------------ 7-8pm See

Team Edmonton

TTIQ------------------------------------- 7-9pm See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton

 3rd

HIV Support Group--------------------- 7-9pm See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton

 2nd

QH Youth Drop-in---------------------- 3-8pm See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton

Martial Arts---------------------  7:30-8:30pm Team Edmonton

7

3 Buddy’s-----------------------Bars and Clubs 4 Woody’s-----------------------Bars and Clubs

5 Steamworks----------------------Bathhouses 6 Evolution----------------------Bars and Clubs

7 The Starlite Room------------Bars and Clubs 8 Yellowhead Brewing Co.-----Bars and Clubs

Youth Sports/Recreation-----------------  4pm

Women’s Social Circle------------------ 6-9pm

QH Youth Drop-in------------------  2-6:30pm

Counseling----------------------  5:30-8:30pm

Book Club-----------------------------  7:30pm

Monthly Meeting----------------------  2:30pm

Knotty Knitters-------------------------- 6-8pm

Martial Arts---------------------  7:30-8:30pm

QH Craft Night-------------------------- 6-8pm

Intermediate Volleyball--------  7:30-9:30pm

Cycling---------------------------  6:30-7:30pm

Fridays

See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton See

Tuesdays

See

2

See 1 Youth Understanding Youth

Mondays

N

Team Edmonton

Yoga---------------------------------  7:30-8pm See

Team Edmonton

Thursdays

See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton See See See

 2nd, 4th

BookWorm’s Book Club

 3rd

Team Edmonton Team Edmonton

QH Youth Drop-in---------------------- 3-8pm See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton

QH Anime Night------------------------ 6-8pm See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton

Movie Night----------------------------- 6-9pm

Youth Sports/Recreation-----------------  4pm

Men’s Games Nights--------------  7-10:30pm

GLBTQ Bowling------------------  1:30-3:30pm

QH Game Night------------------------ 6-8pm

Youth Sports/Recreation-----------------  4pm

QH Youth Drop-in---------------------- 3-8pm

Swim Practice--------------------------- 7-8pm

Saturdays

See

Team Edmonton

See

Wednesdays See

See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton

GLBTQ Sage Bowling Club

See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton

Youth Understanding Youth

See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton See

Team Edmonton

See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton See See

Men’s Games Nights

Youth Understanding Youth

• TTIQ

• Counselling

• Women’s Social Circle

Come knit and socialize in a safe and accepting environment - all skill levels are welcome.

• Men Talking with Pride

 robwells780@hotmail.com Support & social group for gay & bisexual men to discuss current issues.

• Movie Night

Movie Night is open to everyone! Come over and sit back, relax, and watch a movie with us.

• Queer HangOUT: Game Night

Come OUT with your game face on and meet some awesome people through board game fun.

• Queer HangOUT: Craft Night

Come OUT and embrace your creative side in a safe space.

• Queer HangOUT: Anime Night

Come and watch ALL the anime until your heart is content.

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See

Team Edmonton

Sundays See

Team Edmonton

Yoga---------------------------------  2-3:30pm See

Team Edmonton

Men Talking with Pride---------------- 7-9pm See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton

Ballroom Dancing--------------  7:30-8:30pm See

Team Edmonton

Soul Outing-------------------------------  7pm

 Robertson-Wesley United (10209 123 St)

 2nd

Monthly Meetings---------------------  2:30pm  2nd

 2nd

Legend:  = Monthly Reoccurrance,  = Date (Range),  = Sponsored Event

We provide a safe, welcoming, and non-judgemental drop-in space, and offer support programs and resources for members of the GLBTQ community and for their families and friends.

• Knotty Knitters

 2nd

Bowling-----------------------------------  5pm

 Unitarian Church (10804 119th Street) See Edmonton Primetimers

Buck Naked Boys Club

 Edmonton Contd.

 780.488.3234 Free, short-term counselling provided by registered counsellors.

 2nd, Last

Naturalist Gettogether See

By Edmonton Primetimers  Unitarian Church, 10804 - 119th Street

Running------------------------------  10-11am

QH Youth Drop-in---------------------- 3-8pm

Swim Practice-------------------  7:30-8:30pm

See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton

A support and information group for all those who fall under the transgender umbrella and their family or supporters.  andrea@pridecentreofedmonton.org Women’s Social Circle: A social support group for all female-identified persons over 18 years of age in the GLBT community - new members are always welcome.

Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton

 780-474-8240

 tuff@shaw.ca

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

GayCalgary Magazine #147, March 2016

Women’s Drop-In Recreational Badminton. $40.00 season or $5.00 per drop in.

• Gymnastics, Drop-in

•Ballroom Dancing

 Foot Notes Dance Studio, 9708-45 Avenue NW  Cynthia: 780-469-3281

 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.

• Blazin’ Bootcamp

• Hockey

 Garneau Elementary School 10925 - 87 Ave  bootcamp@teamedmonton.ca

 hockey@teamedmonton.ca

• Martial Arts

 Ed’s Rec Room (West Edmonton Mall)

 bowling@teamedmonton.ca $15.00 per person.

 15450 - 105 Ave (daycare entrance)  780-328-6414  kungfu@teamedmonton.ca  kickboxing@teamedmonton.ca Drop-ins welcome.

• Cross Country Skiing

• Outdoor Pursuits

• Bowling (Northern Titans)

 crosscountry@teamedmonton.ca

• Curling with Pride

 Granite Curling Club, 8620 107 Street NW  curling@teamedmonton.ca

• Cycling (Edmonton Prideriders)

 Dawson Park, picnic shelter  cycling@teamedmonton.ca

• Dragon Boat (Flaming Dragons)

 dragonboat@teamedmonton.ca

• Golf

 outdoorpursuits@teamedmonton.ca

• Running (Arctic Frontrunners)

 Kinsmen Sports Centre  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.

 golf@teamedmonton.ca

www.gaycalgary.com

Directory & Events Red Deer Events Wednesdays

LGBT Coffee Night------------------------  7pm See

CAANS

 1st

Friday, August 15th

 Edmonton Contd.

• 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.

• Swimming (Making Waves)

 NAIT Pool (11762 - 106 Street)  swimming@teamedmonton.ca  http://www.makingwavesswimclub.ca

• Tennis

 Kinsmen Sports Centre  Sundays, 12pm-3pm

 tennis@teamedmonton.ca

• Ultimate Frisbee

 Sundays Summer Season starts July 12th  ultimatefrisbee@teamedmonton.ca E-mail if interested.

• Volleyball, Intermediate

 Amiskiwacy Academy (101 Airport Road)  volleyball@teamedmonton.ca

• Volleyball, Recreational

 Mother Teresa School (9008 - 105 Ave)  recvolleyball@teamedmonton.ca

• Women’s Lacrosse

 Sharon: 780-461-0017  Pam: 780-436-7374 Open to women 21+, experienced or not, all are welcome.

Call for info.

• Yoga

 Lion's Breath Yoga Studio (10350-124 Street)  yoga@teamedmonton.ca

Womonspace

 780-482-1794  womonspace@gmail.com  http://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 & Pubs 12 Woody’s See Edmonton - Bars & Clubs (Gay).

Retail Stores Passion Vault

 15239 - 111 Ave  780-930-1169  pvault@telus.net “Edmonton’s Classiest Adult Store”

Products & Services Cruiseline

LETHBRIDGE

 780-413-7122 trial code 3500  http://www.cruiseline.ca Telephone classifieds and chat - 18+ ONLY.

Robertson-Wesley United Church

 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!

• Soul OUTing

 Second Sunday every month, 7pm An LGBT-focused alternative worship.

• Film Night

 Bi-monthly, contact us for exact dates.

• Book Club

 Monthly, contact us for exact dates.

Theatre & Fine Arts

Community Groups GALA/LA

 356 - 2 Street SE, Medicine Hat, AB  403-527-5882  1-877-440-2437

• Monthly Dances

 M-F, 8:30am - 12:30pm + 1:30pm - 4:30pm

 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

Exposure Festival

The Roxy Theatre (closed)

 University of Lethbridge GBLTTQQ club on campus.

 10708 124th Street, Edmonton AB  780-453-2440  http://www.theatrenetwork.ca

BANFF Community Groups HIV Community Link

 102 Spray Ave  PO Box 3160, Banff, AB T1L 1C8  403-762-0690

JASPER Accommodations Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

 Old Lodge Road  1-866-540-4454  http://www.fairmont.com/jasper

Community Groups Jasper Pride Festival

 PO Box 98, 409 Patricia St., T0E 1E0

 contact@jasperpride.ca  http://www.jasperpride.ca

• Telephone Support

ALBERTA 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.

Theatre & Fine Arts Alberta Ballet

 http://www.albertaballet.com Frequent productions in Calgary and Edmonton.

Gay & Lesbian Integrity Assoc. (GALIA)

 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 Expo

 http://www.lethbridgeexpo.com

Lethbridge HIV Connection

 1206 - 6 Ave S

PFLAG Canada

 1-888-530-6777

 lethbridgeab@pflagcanada.ca  www.pflagcanada.ca

Pride Lethbridge

 lethbridgepridefest@gmail.com

RED DEER Community Groups

Whistlers Inn

 105 Miette Ave  1-800-282-9919  info@whistlersinn.com  http://www.whistlersinn.com

Community Groups HIV Community Link

 403-308-2893  http://www.galalethbridge.ca Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Lethbridge and Area.

 The Mix (green water tower) 103 Mayor Magrath Dr S  Every Friday at 10pm

 http://www.exposurefestival.ca Edmonton’s Queer Arts and Culture Festival.

MEDICINE HAT

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.

CANADA Community Groups 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.

LGBTQ Education

 LGBTQeducation@hotmail.ca  http://LGBTQeducation.webs.com Red Deer (and area) now has a website designed to bring various LGBTQ friendly groups/individuals together for fun, and to promote acceptance in our communities.

Pride on Campus

 rdcprideoncampus@gmail.com A group of LGBTQ persons and Allies at Red Deer College.

www.gaycalgary.com

GayCalgary Magazine #147, March 2016

67

Classifieds Event

140

Furniture

335

The Fetish Slosh at the Backlot!

Safe Step Walk-In Tub Co.

Come on down to the Backlot the 2nd Tuesday of every month for a no-cover Fetish party. Upcoming dates are November 13, December 11th, etc. You can dress up in Leather, Latex, cuffs, collars, or just your skivvies. Have the conversation you like without offending a vanilla in sight. The Backlot supports and promotes the alternative lifestyles of Calgary so feel free to express your KINK!

Safe Step Walk-In Tub Alert for Seniors.

Bathroom falls can be fatal. Approved by Arthritis Foundation. Therapeutic Jets. Less Than 4 Inch Step-In. Wide Door. Anti-Slip Floors. American Made. Installation Included.

Call 1-800-594-9682 for $750 Off.

Wedding/Union

190

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MARRIAGE COMMISSIONER COMMISSIONER FOR OATHS IN ALBERTA WEDDINGS AND MARRIAGES at your venue or in my home studio starting at $150 Destination Location Style • Elopement Style • Quick and Legal • Formal or Stylish • Immediate or in the Future • Religion Free • Standard or Customized Ceremonies • Cross Cultural • Same Sex - LGBT-TTQ hilford@shaw.ca • 403-246-4134

Home to Share

350

Furnished Room For Rent in West Springs SW Seeking a clean/tidy, responsible, single, mature working person for quiet, clean, secure, furnished bedroom to rent in working MALE COUPLED household in modern home; 10 minute bus ride to amenities; beautiful location, house has 3 cats, rent includes utilities; bedroom located in walkout basement, private bathroom ; street parking; references required + proof of steady income.

403-660-6300

Dating Service

420

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INTERACTIVE MALE Interested in guys? You aren’t the only curious one. It’s just a phone call. Sexy. Discreet. Free.

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Help Wanted

GayCalgary Magazine is looking for salespeople, graphic designers, and writers in Calgary or Edmonton. For more info, contact:

527

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Studio with free parking. Deep Tissue and Relaxation. Licensed, Professional.

Video on website. 403-680-0533 mike@ultimatemalemassage.com

Products/Services 500 Certified Personal Trainer

Upcoming wedding/event/trip/class reunion?

If you want to look/feel better, increase your strength/endurance/flexibility, I CAN HELP YOU! call/text me 4038263305 or email me j_d_short@hotmail.com

Cleaning

517

GET A LIFE! Commercial Cleaning

Meet singles right now! No paid operators, just real people like you. Browse greetings, exchange messages and connect live. Try it free.

Call now: 1-800-692-5415

240

Will clean for the gay community. Very detailed. Includes vacuuming, dusting, cleaning floors, kitchens and bathrooms. Cute clean appearance. Must have own cleaning supplies.

Call for rates. Kevin 403-797-6336

Want to attract the LGBT local or traveler to your business?

LIVELINKS

Specializing in LGBT Weddings and Unions.

Everyone deserves the wedding they’ve always dreamed of with the person they love! Call us for a quote today 403.254.9754 Email: magicalmusic@shaw.ca Website: www.magicalmusicdjs.com

Private House Cleaner

Consulting

415

ALL MALE HOT GAY HOOKUPS! Call FREE! 800-913-8509 only 18 and over

Magical Music DJs

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It’s not about special treatment. You can’t assume the LGBT person, or the straight person will follow the pack anymore. The LGBT market is becoming more and more aware of what organizations support them, and which ones don’t, ultimately sending them away from businesses and communities that do not recognize them or their lifestyle. Does your staff need LGBT sensitivity training? Want to attract the market but unsure how to proceed?

Local, Domestic, International, We can assist.

Check us out at http://blueflameventures.ca, Email us at info@blueflameventures.ca, Call us at 604-369-1472. Based in Alberta.

Legal

557

Award Winning One Stop Paralegal, Immigration & Business Services since 1999. Gay Friendly Staff. Call 403-590-3818 http://www.ActiveProfessionals.com Active Professionals #200, 2705 Centre Street N.W. Calgary T2E 2V5

Retirement Homes 580 A PLACE FOR MOM

Does your business need a professional cleaner?

Steve is bonded/Insured. Flexible prices and brings all his own supplies. Steve is a part of the LGBT Community and has been cleaning for over 5 years in Calgary. (403)200-7384 getalifecleaner@gmail.com www.getalifecleaner.com www.facebook.com/getalifecleaner

A PLACE FOR MOM. The nation’s largest senior living referral service. Contact our trusted, local experts today! Our service is FREE/no obligation. CALL 1-800-830-6628

Travel

680

Puerto Vallarta Condos for Rent 2 x 2 Bdrm for Rent. Ocean views. daily maid service included. Wi-fi , high speed internet.

Secure Quiet 9 suite building. 1/2 block to Blue Chairs Beach. On site English speaking Manager. Contact Rob - rburla21@gmail.com

magazine@gaycalgary.com 403-543-6960

Ads starting at $10/mo. for the first 20 words. Submit yours at http://www.gaycalgary.com/classifieds 68

GayCalgary Magazine #147, March 2016

www.gaycalgary.com

www.gaycalgary.com

GayCalgary Magazine #147, March 2016

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GayCalgary Magazine #147, March 2016

www.gaycalgary.com