Metrosource LA October/November 2018

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 METROSOURCE LA

METROSOURCE OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

POWER SPLURGE LOVING LUXURY SAUSAGE FEST BERLIN & BEYOND

PAUL FEIG

LAUGH MASTER

INDULGENCE

BROADWAY’S NEW FLAVOR

What is BIKTARVY®?

BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements.

BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about BIKTARVY? BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects: } Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection.

If you have both HIV-1 and HBV and stop taking BIKTARVY, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health.

Who should not take BIKTARVY? Do not take BIKTARVY if you take: } dofetilide } rifampin } any other medicines to treat HIV-1

What are the other possible side effects of BIKTARVY? Serious side effects of BIKTARVY may also include: } Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY. } Kidney problems, including kidney failure.

Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys.

If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY. } Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death.

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. } Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.

The most common side effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (5%), and headache (5%). Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or don’t go away.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking BIKTARVY? } All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis virus infection. } All the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements. BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect each other. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all of your other medicines. } If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY. } If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you.

Please see Important Facts about BIKTARVY, including important warnings, on the following page.

Get HIV support by downloading a free app at MyDailyCharge.com

KEEP LOVING.

Because HIV doesn’t change who you are.

BIKTARVY is a 1-pill, once-a-day complete HIV-1 treatment for adults who are either new to treatment or whose healthcare provider determines they can replace their current HIV-1 medicines with BIKTARVY.

BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. BIKTARVY.COM

IMPORTANT FACTS

This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY® and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.

(bik-TAR-vee) MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.

ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults.

It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements.

BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains: • dofetilide • rifampin • any other medicines to treat HIV-1

BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY Tell your healthcare provider all your medical conditions, including if you: • Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis infection.

• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

• Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-thecounter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

• Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that interact with BIKTARVY.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY BIKTARVY can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section.

• Changes in your immune system.

• New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure.

• Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.

• Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.

• The most common side effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (5%), and headache (5%).

These are not all the possible side effects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY.

HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.

GET MORE INFORMATION • This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more.

• Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5.

• If you need help paying for your medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.

BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, DAILY CHARGE, the DAILY CHARGE Logo, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.

Version date: February 2018 © 2018 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BYVC0047 06/18

CONTENTS

October/November 2018 | VOLUME 29, NO. 5

IMAGES THIS PAGE: PEPPERMINT COURTESY JAMES MICHAEL AVANCE • PAUL FEIG COURTESY LIONSGATE • INN COURTESY FOGO ISLAND INN.

33 28 FRESHLY MINTED YOU KNOW HER AS AN EXTRAORDINARY ENTERTAINER AND

Drag Race alumna; now Peppermint spills the T about growing up, gender identity and her fabulous starring role in Broadway’s Head Over Heels.

33 BLAKE LIVELY WANTS TO DRESS LIKE PAUL FEIG

HE’S FAMOUS FOR SHOWCASING WOMEN IN FILMS FROM

Bridesmaids to Ghostbusters; now he’s adding humor and girl power into a new psychological thriller starring Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively.

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38 POWER SPLURGE YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE BEST OF EVERYTHING

but it can’t hurt to look; so check out private tours of far off places, over-the-top butler service, golden dumbbells and a martini garnished with a diamond.

52 SAUSAGE FEST SOMETHING ABOUT OCTOBER TURNS A PERSON’S FANCY TO

38 ON THE COVER PHOTO BY JAMES MICHAEL AVANCE

thoughts of beer, brats and lederhosen, but our recent trip to experience the joys of Berlin and Hamburg showed us Germany has more in store.

WATCH OUT

VIEWS

EDITOR’S LETTER

LAST YEAR, MY FIANCE JUSTIN SURPRISED ME WITH AN UN-

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expected gift: a smartwatch. When these ingenious little devices hit the market, I, like most people, was fascinated by the way they seemed to fulfill the promise of Star Trek’s combadges, taking almost unlimited access to communication and the whole of human knowledge and downsizing it into something wearable.

That said, it isn’t something I would have bought for myself. I have misplaced too many phones and iPods and pairs of ear buds to add a new piece of technology to my to-not-lose list. Plus, I’d been quite happy with my FitBit, which - though significantly more limited in its capabilities - also had the benefit of being nearly impervious to damage and dramatically less expensive to replace. Having been presented with the watch, though, I got lost in it: There were faces to download, apps to install, settings with which to tinker.

At first, the watch’s vibrations made me happy. It usefully alerted me to messages I might have missed while buried in work or running around town. But the relationship quickly grew strained. The fun of being able to surreptitiously receive messages while in meetings led to a sense of annoyance when I couldn’t reply to them. I also found it increasingly maddening that the watch informed me when someone had commented on a social media posts - but not what that comment was. I began to react to its interruptions with sighs and eyerolls, as though it was nagging me to eat my vegetables.

The watch also seemed to burn through energy - both its own and that of my phone. I experimented with its power saving mode and adjusting the notifications I received, but I was constantly running out of power, which meant the pedometer wasn’t keeping track of my steps anymore. Years of good habits I’d developed with the FitBit (to squeeze extra steps into my day) began to erode. I took to charging the watch so often, it led to another annoying habit - leaving my watch to charge instead of wearing it.

The last straw came shortly after an update to the watch’s operating system set the prominent knob on its side to summon a personal assistant, which was also accompanied by a vibration. So anytime I bent my wrist past a certain angle (for example, to put my hands on my hips) it would buzz at me. I had never realized how often I put my hands on my hips before, and it was information I could have lived without. I dug out my old FitBit and stared at it, remembering the days when I got one satisfying buzz a day when I met my step goal — back before my wrist had been transformed into a constant reminder of e-mail that needed checking or judgments about my choice of posture.

A solution occurred to me one day when Justin and I were both Googling around for answers. I was gritting my teeth in frustration (having already been driven to the edge of madness), while Justin, not having had a personal relationship with the watch, still spoke of it with gee-whiz enthusiasm, bringing up a variety of potentially useful ways to tweak its interface.“If he likes it so much,” I thought, “he should wear it.” And that was when I realized: he should.

I turned to Justin and told him I loved him and that though I appreciated his kindness and generosity, things just weren’t working out between me and the watch. Then I suggested that, rather than let it go to waste, he might like to try wearing it I’m not sure whether I was secretly hoping that the watch would be the same bitchy hellcat to him that it had been to me (thus validating my arduous struggle with it). Regardless, Justin and the watch turned out to be a perfect match. I’ve never once heard him complain about it issuing too many notifications or running out of power or passing inadvertent judgment on the way he holds his arms. And I learned that, though a lavish gift can often be an indulgence, sometimes there’s a greater satisfaction in freeing yourself from your obligation to it — and putting your hands on your hips whenever you damned well please.

■ OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

METROSOURCE.COM

PUBLISHER Rob Davis ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Evelyn Vayner EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Paul Hagen CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jiyon Son ASSOCIATE EDITOR Kevin Phinney SENIOR DESIGNER Jayson Mena COPY EDITOR Kevin Phinney PROOFREADERS Erin Jordan, Barbara Mele CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jennifer Day, Steve Gottfried,

Matt Gross, Jeffrey James Keyes, Christopher Lisotta, Deborah L. Martin, Terence O’Brien, Kevin Phinney, Jonathan Roche, Eric Rosen, Wade Rouse, Jeff Simmons, Megan Venzin DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Rick Kestenbaum ADMINISTRATION Luswin Cote INTERN Roi Mase NATIONAL DISPLAY ADVERTISING

Rivendell Media 212.242.6863

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER David Miller GENERAL MANAGER Thomas K. Hanlon DIRECTOR | OPERATIONS MGT Ray Winn DIRECTOR | MARKETING Ryan Christopher DIRECTOR | ORDER Heather Gambaro MANAGEMENT MANAGER | ADMINISTRATION Erin Jordan MANAGER | OPERATIONS Leonard Porter MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT MARKETING Kristine Pulaski MANAGER CONTROLLER David Friedman DIRECTOR | CREDIT & Elizabeth Teagarden COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT MANAGERS | CREDIT & Rosa Meinhoffer COLLECTIONS For national advertising inquiries, call: 212.691.5127.

Subscriptions: One year (6 issues): $19.95; 12 issues: $34.95.

Reproduction of any article, listing or advertisement without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.

The people, businesses and organizations appearing in Metrosource are supportive of the gay community. Mention of any person, business or organization is not a reflection of their sexual orientation. ©2018 Davler Media Group LLC. All rights reserved. Metrosource is a registered trademark of Davler Media Group LLC. Printed in the USA. Metrosource Davler Media Group 213 West 35th St., Suite 12W New York, NY 10001 212.691.5127 metrosource.com

DEPARTMENTS THE INDULGENCE ISSUE

October/November 2018 | VOLUME 29, NO. 5

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this page: Cher press photo - pC/ MaChado CiCala • CoCo art By peter palladino

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68 CULTURE 6 METROSCOPE Don’t miss Coming Out Day, Trans Day of Remembrance, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Lady Gaga — and more.

12 MUSIC Spin Jake Shears, Nicki Minaj and Troy Sivan.

14 Books British royals, 1970s punk photos and Grace Jones.

19 TECH terence finally upgrades his tV - and falls in love.

21 FINANCE When it’s time to invest, focus on your goals.

22 SCREEN the latest from rupert, kiera, toni and Jake.

BODY 26 METRO HIV the challenges of providing HIV services when you’re in a Red State.

50 HEALTH What happens when you try taking your workout temp down a few degrees?

VIEWS 20 diary Wade heads to a pricey salon and ends up cut to the quick.

51 POV When it comes to tapes, kevin is in the mix.

68 LAST CALL glorious Coco peru on her live show and Trick 2.

EXCLUSIVELY LA 56 LA SCOPE Happy anniversary, Uncabaret!

58 HOTSHOPS Massage with a message.

60 RESTAURANT REVIEW a look at la’s israeli flavor.

62 restaurant Bites Where to chow down...

64 Bar sourCe ... and where to drink up.

65 Business direCtory our exclusive list of businesses catering to the lgBt community.

67 CoMMunity RESOURCES Organizations and resources for la’s lgBts.

CURATED BY PAUL HAGEN AND ROI MASE

CULTURE

METROSCOPE

METROSCOPE

NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY ALTHOUGH JUNE IS PRIDE MONTH, THERE’S STILL ANOTHER CHUNK

of the calendar traditionally dedicated to our community.

October is LGBT History Month (though that’s unlikely to be acknowledged by the current administration), and one of the month’s most important observances is Coming Out Day. Since its founding in 1988, the occasion has been observed on October 11 — encouraging to people to open up to friends, family, neighbors and colleagues about their orientation. The concept was born of the idea that the more people realize there are LGBTQ people in their lives, the

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harder it will be for them to deny us our rights. In 2017, Matthew H. Birkhold, then an assistant professor at Ohio State University, published an opinion piece in the Washington Post calling for an end to Coming Out Day. He reasoned that, since straight people don’t have to come out, it reinforces the idea that homosexuality is aberrant. We must forcefully disagree with this sentiment. In a world where LGBTQ rights are being assaulted from the highest office in the land, it is more important than ever for us to be seen, heard and known. Keep giving our community a face. Come out. hrc.org

IMAGE THIS PAGE: PHOTO BY SHARON CHRISTINA RORVIK

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GOOD THING

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From Left: Naoki; Corey Weir; Ben Viamontes

INK SPOTTED

SCRATCHING THE SURFACE

ONCE CONSIDERED THE PURVIEW OF SAILORS AND CRIMINALS, TATTOOS

have increasingly become nearly ubiquitous in Western Culture. (There’s even a reality competition show about it called

IMAGES THIS PAGE: © 1000 TATTOOS BY CHRIS COPPOLA, UNIVERSE PUBLISHING, 2018. • BOY ERASED PHOTOS COURTESY FOCUS FEATURES

Ink Master, which was recently renewed for an 11th season.) A wider audience in search of ink that expresses their creativity and identity means top-notch tattoo artists are more in-demand than ever. Enter Chris Coppola, and his eye-catching compendium 1000 Tattoos (Universe Publishing, $29.95), which features new works from more than 40 of the most groundbreaking, up-and-

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coming tattoo designers working today. These artists represent a wide range of diversity — in terms of culture, race, gender and geographic origin. But the proof is in the work: Scott Ellis’ full back tatoos of jungle-prowling tigers and wave-riding dragons; Corey Weir’s bold, intricate, interwoven patterns; Gakkin’s wild, skin-swallowing fields of black; Lesha Lau’s surprising pixellations; Naoki’s big-eyed cartoon characters. Anyone can enjoy these eye-catching creations, but they’re certain to get tattooenthusiasts itching for their next investment in ink. rizzoliusa.com

SCREEN IT

ERASED ON A TRUE STORY AFTER DECADES OF HAVING THE LGBTQ EXPERIENCE ALL-TOO-OFTEN

relegated to the sidelines, recent years have seen more and more mainstream films telling our stories — and bringing along the A-list talent to aid in the task (e.g. Cate Blanchett in Carol; Armie Hammer in Call Me By Your Name). Now, it’s time to talk about the controversial subject of conversion therapy.

In Boy Erased, based on the memoir of the same title, Academy Award nominee Lucas Hedges (Manchester by the Sea, Lady Bird, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri) plays Jared, the son of a small town Baptist preacher. When he is outed to his parents (Nicole Kidman and Russel Crowe), Jared is pressured to attend conversion therapy or risk being shunned by his friends, family and church. Joel Edgerton wrote, directed and also stars (as the head of the conversion therapy program) in the film, which takes a candid look at the realities of the mental and physical abuse that occurs in such institutions. Notably, the film also features the talents of the great Cherry Jones and music phenomenon Troy Sivan (see our review of his album on page 13 of this issue). Based on a harrowing true story, Boy Erased is certain to garner plenty of buzz come awards season and, more importantly, stir conversation about the dangers of this horrific practice. focusfeatures.com METROSOURCE.COM OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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Eugene von Bruenchenhein Marie von Bruenchenhein, c. 1943 hand-colored gelatin silver print

CULTURE

METROSCOPE

Elie Nadelman Two Acrobats, 1934 glazed ceramic

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Marsden Hartley Adelard the Drowned, Master of the “Phantom”, c. 1938-1939 oil on board

ART BEAT

EN GARDE! laCma WIll BrIng tHe lauded exHIBItIon OUTLIERS AND

American Vanguard Art to its galleries starting November 18. The project explores pivotal moments when avant-garde artists and outsiders changed the trajectory of American art — ultimately telling stories of unique explorations, assimilation and the history of American modernism in multiple mediums. The works in Outliers and American Vanguard Art are divided into three periods: The first section focuses on the early years of New York’s Museum of Modern Art, when it championed folk artists before the rise of abstract impressionism. The second section hones in on the 1960s, when the Chicago imagists and practitioners of the West Coast assemblage became leading visionaries. And the third section examines the continued impact of outlier practices on contemporary American art today. The exhibition features upwards of 250 works from more than 80 artists — some formally

trained, others self-taught. This list includes Henry Darger (who created everything from idyllic landscapes to disturbing scenes of torture), folk art sculptor William Edmondson and Lonnie Holley — who became known for incorporating found objects into his sculptural work, alongside many others. The exhibit has been curated by Lynne Cooke and organized by the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Cooke is a renowned art scholar and the senior curator of Modern Art at the National Gallery. Other notable exhibitions that bear her imprint include Cristina Iglesia: A Place of Reflection, Rosmarie Trockel: A Cosmos and Richard Serra Sculpture: Forty Years. As Cooke has done extensive research on the relationship between self-taught and trained professional artists (including penning a book on the topic), she brings a deft touch the project, which addresses this fascinating intersection in the depth it deserves. lacma.org

COMICCON, DRAGCON, RAMENCON: IT SEEMS LIKE TODAY THERE IS A

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PACK UP

LADY’S NIGHTS

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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convention for almost everything. Still, we couldn’t help but take note of something which bills itself as multi-fandom event for LGBTQ women and allies celebrating LGBTQ women and characters on TV, film, web series, comics, books and more. Slated for November 3-4 in London, ClexaCon’ stated mission is to build community by bringing together a diverse group of LGBTQ fans and content creators from around the world.

Its networking events connect filmmakers, actors and industry professionals, while panels, workshops and autograph sessions connect creators with fans. ClexaCon aims to empower media creators to produce and distribute more positive LGBTQ content and provide educational resources for the community to aid in the push for better representation. The goal is to lay the foundation for improved visibility within the media while also encouraging more LGBTQ women to participate in creating the kind of stories they seek. There’s plenty of fun to be had as well, including parties, pool hangouts, cosplay, a fun run and speed friending. Response to this year’s first ClexaCon event (at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas) was so overwhelming — drawing over 4,000 attendees and celebrity guests such as Sense8’s Jaime Clayton (pictured) — that organizers scheduled this November follow-up to maintain momentum. clexacon.com

IMAGES THIS PAGE: REVELATION 7. CHAP., COURTESY OF THE MUSEUM OF EVERYTHING, LONDON ORDER; MARIE VON BRUENCHENHEIN, JOHN MICHAEL KOHLER ARTS CENTER COLLECTION, SHEBOYGAN; TWO ACROBATS, HIRSHHORN MUSEUM AND SCULPTURE GARDEN, SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, WASHINGTON, GIFT OF JOSEPH H.HIRSHHORN, 1966; ADELARD THE DROWNED, MASTER OF THE “PHANTOM”, THE FREDERICK R. WEISMAN ART MUSEUM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, MINNEAPOLIS, Bequest of Hudson d. Walker from tHe Ione and Hudson d. Walker ColleCtIon • ClexaCon Courtesy netflIx

From Left: Sister Gertrude Morgan Revelation 7. chap., c. 1970. paint on wood

Images tHIs page: CHer press pHoto - pC/ maCHado CICala • Crazy ex gIrlfrIend Courtesy tHe CW

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SOUNDS GOOD

HERE SHE GOES AGAIN WHILE REVIEWS OF MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN CAN MOST

diplomatically be described as mixed, at least one great thing came out of it. Cher’s terrific performance of the ABBA classic “Fernando” was by most accounts the highlight of the film, and even debuted at 22 on the Adult Contemporary charts upon release. Whether motivated by her sheer enjoyment of working with the material or the fervor of her fans’ reaction, Cher decided that her ABBA renaissance would not end with the soundtrack of the sequel — she’s announced a full new album covering the Swedish pop legends’ material — includ-

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THE TV SET

Crazy In love

ing title track, “Dancing Queen,”“The Name of the Game,” ”SOS,””Waterloo,””Mamma Mia,”“Chiquitita,”“The Winner Takes It All”and“One of Us.”“I’ve always liked ABBA and saw the original Mamma Mia musical on Broadway three times,” gushed Lé Cher.“After filming Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, I was reminded again of what great and timeless songs they wrote and started thinking, ‘Why not do an album?’” Cher has already thrilled fans with her cover of “Gimme! Gimme!

Gimme! (A Man After Midnight).”The remainder of the album will drop September 28th. cher.com

REAL TALK: THE THIRD SEASON OF THE CW’S CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED

Crazy Ex–Girlfriend took the show from fun-crazy (imprompturisk-taking, truth-bending, instagram-stalking) to dark-crazy (mother-kidnapping, reputation-destroying, murder-plotting) and brought audiences to a finale that seemed to presage our heroine Rebecca Bunch (played by show co-creator Rachel Bloom, pictured) facing a hefty punishment for her actions. It left some fans wondering whether there would even be a fourth season, and we are happy to report that there will be; but it is with mixed emotions that we confirm it is slated to be the show’s last. At ComicCon, Bloom and Crazy co-creator Aline Brosh McKenna insisted that the show was always meant to have a four-season arc, and that this last season will tie together the show’s at-times manic swings in mood and storytelling style. The pair also revealed that the final season (which mostly features original songs) will — by fan request — feature “Cell Block Tango” from the musical Chicago and that the show may have future life as a concert tour or stage musical. The farewell season premieres October 12. cwtv.com

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REMEMBER ME visibility, thanks largely in part to activists like Laverne Cox (pictured). But this vibrant part of our rainbow community has long been misunderstood and faced violence as a result. In 1999 Gwendolyn Ann Smith founded the observance to memorialize the murder of Rita Hester, but the date (November 20) has evolved into an occasion to remember all trans people whose lives were taken from them as a result of anti-transgender violence. Many observe the date by reading aloud the names of these people; the lists tend to be hundreds of names long but only represent a portion of those who have been

METROSCOPE CULTURE

THE 21ST CENTURY HAS SEEN AN EXPLOSION OF TRANS

lost.“They dared to be themselves when our society made it a crime to deviate from gender norms,”said Cox (known for her role on Orange Is the New Black and hosting makeup reality competition Glam Masters) of her transestors in a video on time.com. She also points out that the struggle is not over: “The murder rate of trans women of color increases with every passing year,” Cox adds. Nevertheless, she ends the video with a message of hope:“Our rights will be hard-won, but we are winning.” tdor.info

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GROOM SERVICE

HIGH TIMES

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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

LOOKING FOR AN ALL-NATURAL, FRESH, UNISEX SCENT?

In a world where hidden chemicals seem to lurk everywhere, fall for all-natural mists from Highborn. Not only do they have a wonderful fragrance — like stepping into the treatment room of your favorite spa, but they are also designed with a spiritual twist. For example, their Défumé scent is meant to cleanse the energy of a space the way one might burn smudge (like sage) or incense in preparation for meditation, prayer or other ritual you enjoy. When we first tried it, the sensation reminded us of stepping into a cloud of sandalwood (one of its base notes, meant to provide mental clarity); also in the mix are soothing clary sage, mood-elevating sweet orange, tension-relieving lavender, purifying palo santo and immunity-boosting patchouli. Other scents include Prince’s Pear (bergamot and rosewater) and Salome (neroli and rose geranium).You don’t need to subscribe to the spiritual side of the product to enjoy its aroma, but you can take it as a sign of the care its creators have put into crafting it.

Learn more online. highborn.nyc

METROSOURCE.COM

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HAVE A GAY OLD TIME IN ANAHEIM,

Montreal, New Orleans and Miami: GAY DAYS ANAHEIM OCTOBER 5-7 RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE SUPERSTAR DETOX

kicks off 2018’s Gay days Anaheim at Disney with a mad bash party at the Rumba room. On Saturday, join events like the Big Red Boat Mixer, the Hungry Bear Lunch Gathering or the Kingdom party with DJ Roland Belmares. End the weekend with California Adventure by Disney, a fabulous ladies ice cream social, and end with the spectacular World of Color show. gaydaysanaheiminfo.com BLACK AND BLUE FESTIVAL OCTOBER 5-8 IT’S ESTIMATED THAT THIS FESTIVAL, ONE OF Montreal’s most beloved gay events,

will draw approximately 250,000 revelers this year to take part in a program that has grown to include about 60 activities, including a fabulous Tea Dance, the Black and Blue Ball at the Palais des congrès de Montréal. bbcm.org HALLOWEEN NEW ORLEANS OCTOBER 26-28 FOR OVER 24 YEARS, THIS SCARY FUN

event has fundraised for project Lazarus, a home in New Orleans that provides assistance and care for those living with HIV/AIDS. This year, Halloween New Orleans will feature three back-to-back events on “Halloweekend” featuring DJs Drew G, Kitty Glitter and Dan Slater. togetherwenola.com/halloween THE WHITE PARTY WEEK, MIAMI NOVEMBER 22-26 MIAMI’S WHITE PARTY IS THE LONGEST

running HIV/AIDS fundraiser in the world and one of the city’s hottest gatherings. Now with over 16 events, it’s not-to-be-missed — flocked to by people from all over the world. Over its 34-yearhistory the White Party has also raised millions of dollars for HIV/AIDS care, research, and prevention. whiteparty.org

Images ThIs page: Trans awareness week phoTos courTesy LIfeTIme • phoTo courTesy hIghborn

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UP NEXT

CIRCUIT SHAKERS

Images ThIs page: shampoo phoTos courTesy crITerIon • sTar Is born courTesy warner bros

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NOW AND THEN

SALON AND ON IT’s 1968, on The eve of a presIdenTIaL eLecTIon ThaT

ultimately will install Richard Nixon in the White House.

George Roundy (Warren Beatty) is a successful Beverly Hills hairdresser, a profession which allows him to bed many a beauty, including his girlfriend Jill (Goldie Hawn), but he’s stuck under the thumb of his salon’s owner. Desperate to advance his career, he turns to his lover Felicia (Lee Grant, in the role that won her an Oscar) and her husband Lester, who assumes George is gay and asks him to escort his mistress Jackie (Julie Christie) to a Republican Election Night soiree — not realizing that George and Jackie for-

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LISTEN UP

STAR POWER

merly had a torrid romance. They all end up at a wild party fueled by alcohol, sex and drugs that threatens to unmask all their secret relationships. Though the film found release just as the Watergate investigation concluded (adding a deeper layer of irony), the wild farce is more focused on social and sexual politics than governmental ones. This very special Criterion Edition will feature a restored version of the movie, a vintage TV appearance by actor/producer/ co-writer Beatty, and new conversations about the film between critics Mark Harris (Vulture) and Frank Rich (New York Magazine). criterion.com

FIrsT came Judy’s. Then came barbra’s. now, IT’s TIme for Gaga’s. This latest incarnation of A Star is Born will have its debut at the 75th Venice International Film Festival, and — in addition to being the fourth remake of the classic romance — it will mark the directorial debut of Bradley Cooper, who also co-wrote the screenplay and stars opposite Gaga in this tale of lovers brought together (and torn apart) by show business and its excesses. The project traces its roots back to 2011, when Clint Eastwood was attached to direct and Beyoncé was to play the female rising star. In the end, Cooper and Gaga signed on in 2016 and principal photography began last year at the Coachella music festival — with other famous faces threaded through the cast, including Sam Elliott, Dave Chappelle, Andrew Dice Clay and Drag Race alums Shangela and Willam. Gaga also participated in crafting the film’s songs, and pushed for them to be sung live, rather than lip-synced to a track. In interviews, Cooper and Gaga describe their chemistry as instantaneous and magical, but you can judge for yourself when they arrive in theaters; the due date is October 5. astarisbornmovie.com METROSOURCE.COM OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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DUETTING WITH ARIANA

Two very different artists offer albums that include duets with Ms. Grande, while Jake Shears finds passion in relocation. BY MATT GROSS

JAKE SHEARS

Jake Shears (Freida Jean Records) THE FORMER SCISSOR SISTERS FRONTMAN RETURNS

MUSIC

to the limelight with his debut solo release, an album that seamlessly melds vintage country, rock and disco. Following a move from New York to New Orleans, Jake was able to find the inspiration he was so desperately seeking. As he explains it, “I needed a change of scene, and it’s a city I’ve always wanted to live in. I went down

THIS PAGE: JAKE SHEARS IMAGE COURTESY GREG GORMAN

CULTURE

and began writing there and something funny happened. The good stuff started coming,” he says.“And it kept coming. With the help of many talented musicians, I’ve been able to create the record I’ve been shooting for my whole life. It’s not only the most personal thing I’ve made, I truly believe it’s the best thing I’ve made.” The album’s lead single “Creep City” has been described by Shears as a“theatrical jam,”with a series of twists and turns that describes a moment where Jake reflected on his life and reassessed where he wanted to be spending it. Inspired by the likes of Elton John, Queen and Sylvester, to name a few, the self-titled record truly sounds like an instant classic from start to finish.

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This PaGe: Nicki MiNaj iMaGe courTesy youNG MoNey eNTerTaiNMeNT - cash MoNey records • Troye sivaN iMaGe courTesy heidi sliMaNe

TROYE SIVAN

Bloom (Capitol Records) THE AUSTRALIAN SINGER-SONGWRITER’S SOPHOMORE ALBUM IS SEXY,

confident and unabashedly queer. The former YouTuber (who was one of the first internet stars to come out publicly via vlog back in 2013) tackles desire, despair and intrigue on one of the finest pop records released this calendar year.“Seventeen”opens Bloom by detailing an encounter he had while underage with a man he met on a dating app. The title track cheekily and coyly chronicles his first time in a submissive sexual role. The definitive highlight of the release is its lead single and video,“My My My” — a liberating number describing that butterflies-in-your-stomach effect upon first meeting and ultimately embracing a lover. Elsewhere on Bloom, Troye duets with Ariana Grande on the bouncy“Dance to This”and strips production down to little more than an acoustic guitar on the stunning, yet totally heart-wrenching, “The Good Side.”Catch Troye Sivan on the Bloom tour starting September 21 in Irving, TX. For dates, visit troyesivan.com.

NICKI MINAJ

Queen (Young Money / Cash Money Records) The hiP-hoP diva’s firsT release iN over four years is also her

strongest and most expansive to date. On “Chun-Li” - which got Nicki into a bit of hot water with the Asian-American community earlier this year for the single’s controversial imagery and lyrical content - Ms. Minaj comes out swinging ‘90s style. The beat and vocal delivery is pure throwback in the best possible way.

She changes gears entirely on “Bed,” a sultry duet with pop siren Ariana Grande. Their fourth collaboration to date is a tropicalthemed slow jam about escaping the chaos of everyday life to run away and be intimate with a partner. The raunchy and direct“Rich Sex”features her longtime confidante and label mate, Lil Wayne.

Nicki co-headlines a tour with rap royalty Future this fall. For behind-the-scenes glances into her otherworldly stage wardrobe, join Nicki’s 90 million Instagram followers @nickiminaj.

METROSOURCE.COM OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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MASTERS OF INDULGENCE

CHRIS STEIN: POINT OF VIEW

By Chris Stein; Rizzoli New York, $39.95 YOU LIKELY KNOW CHRIS STEIN BEST FROM HIS CELEBRATED

CULTURE

position alongside Debbie Harry as part of the singular music-makers of Blondie. Stein’s artistry also extends from his student days at the School of Visual Arts to well after he ascended to stardom, and Stein kept a unique photographic record of the downtown NYC scene during the ‘70s. Following the success of the tome he assembled to celebrate Blondie’s 40th Anniversary (Negative: Me, Blondie and the Advent of the Punk), Stein provides a rich new collection of personal and visually arresting images — from his run-down East Village apartment to New York City streetscapes in now fondly remembered disrepair. Pop culture icons of the era crop up often, among them Andy Warhol, Jean-Michele Basquiat, William S. Burroughs, Shepard Fairey (creator of the 2008 Obama “Hope” poster) and the Ramones. But they are sprinkled among shots of sights of the graffiti-covered subway cars and burgeoning Bowery club scene that have become the period’s calling cards. Naturally, Debbie Harry plays a pivotal role as muse. Some of the most memorable prints include Harry appearing fresh-faced on a Union Square subway platform, seductively exposing a shoulder behind a steering wheel, channeling Marilyn Monroe while nuzzling a cat and serving Warhol some major side-eye; not to mention her striking visage in various prints as she’s performing — shots that were apparently hung up to dry after being developed.

Stein often seems just as interested in everyday people (from children to the homeless to the elderly) and the strangely post-apocalyptic landscapes they inhabit — with his lens ever in search of beauty in the disarray.

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Images thIs sectIon: © PoInt of VIew: new York cItY LIfeand the BIrth of the new waVe BY chrIs steIn, rIzzoLI, 2018. PhotograPhY © chrIs steIn. • grace Jones ILLustratIons BY BaBeth Lafon courtesY smIth street Books • © modern monarchY BY chrIs Jackson, rIzzoLI, 2018. PhotograPhY © chrIs Jackson

BOOKS

Excess comes in many flavors, including the buttoned-up beauty of royalty, the in-your-face philosophy of Grace Jones, and the punk perfection of 1970s NYC. BY PAUL HAGEN

GRACE JONES A-Z: THE LIFE OF AN ICON

By Steve Wide with Illustrations by Babeth Lafon; Smith Street Books; $29.99 A IS FOR ANDROGYNY. B IS FOR BANNED. C IS FOR COWL. D IS FOR DISCO.

When you’re as fierce an iconoclast as Grace Jones, expressing yourself may require rewriting the alphabet. That’s what this exhaustively researched and imaginatively illustrated book does, using the ABCs to present the world according to Jones. And what a world it’s been! From making a splash as a model to her discodivadom during the Studio 54 era to her expect-the-unexpected careers in music and film, she has led a life like no other. G is for Jean-Paul Goude, the inimitable photographer who created some of the most indelible images of Jones (including her Metrosource cover).

H is for Keith Haring, who made Jones’ body one of his most memorable canvases. L is for Dolph Lundgren, who Jones discovered, made her bodyguard and introduced to the bright lights of Hollywood (before allegedly trying to retrieve him from an LA hotel with a loaded gun). M is for movies — including Conan the Destroyer, A View to a Kill and Boomerang. Y is for Yves St. Laurent, who helped rocket her to stardom.

This is just a taste of the Jonesian oeuvre captured by this whimsical little tribute (in part because many of the letters have multiple reference points). Fans will enjoy reliving their favorite Grace Jones moments and even latecomers may find themselves slaves to her rhythm.

MODERN MONARCHY

By Chris Jackson; Rizzoli; $45 FROM THE REAL-LIFE RATINGS JUGGERNAUTS OF THEIR REGAL NUPTIALS TO THE

fictionalized recent history of Netflix’s The Crown, few subjects draw more global fascination than the lives of Britain’s royal family. And few people are as responsible for shaping the way they are perceived as Getty Images Royal Photographer Chris Jackson, who has spent the last 15 years with them as they engaged in affairs both domestic and foreign. The result is a sumptuous and spectacular record of the royals — from matters of state to matters of the heart, including their extraordinary devotion to causes such as raising awareness about HIV, mental health issues and cancer research. You don’t want to miss these moments: Prince Charles getting up-close-and-personal with a bird of prey, adorable prince George’s first day at school, HRH Elizabeth II sporting the crown jewels. Fans of recent addition to the royal family Meghan Markle will be pleased to find her well represented (not merely on her wedding day).

And we’d be remiss if we did not mention the hats — oh sweet heaven, do these Brits know their headwear?! You’ll find entire sections devoted to such topics as horses, the military (including Harry looking hunky in uniform), travel and sports. The volume also exemplifies what a magnificent job the Duchess of Cambridge (née Kate Middleton) has done stepping into her late mother-in-law’s shoes as the ideal of British grace and beauty. And you’ll even find appearances by America’s answer to royalty — the Obamas. It’s a must-read for fans of this most famous of families.

METROSOURCE.COM OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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STAYING VIGILANT WITH HIV

BODY

METROHIV

THE REALITY FOR ANYONE WITH HIV IS THAT CURRENT ANTIRETROVIRAL

medications must be taken every day for the rest of your life. They can help many people lead longer, more sustainable lives. Furthermore, newer medicines (of the more than 20 antiretroviral drugs approved to treat HIV) elicit fewer side effects, and most people won’t experience any serious ones. Nevertheless, medical professionals caution that — though overall, the benefits of an antiretroviral regimen far outweigh the risks — a person with HIV should seek medical advice when a side effect seems to linger.

“One thing that has changed is that we discovered that some of the latest drugs are very powerful, and maybe combinations of two drugs for some patients are sufficient,” says Andrew Goodman, MD, AAHIVS, Associate Director of Medicine at Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, a New York City-based global leader in LGBTQ healthcare. “There is even hope that someday we may be able to get to single drug regimens.”

Starting antiretrovirals can produce some side effects, particularly in the earliest days of treatment. “Taking antiretroviral medications now in 2018 is nothing like it was even 10 years ago,” Dr. Goodman says. “Certainly, at the very beginning, the majority of patients we care for do not have any side effects from their regimen, and if they do they are fairly minimal.”

AIDSinfo, a service of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), notes that when beginning an HIV regimen, a person may experience tiredness, nausea or upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, fever, muscle pain, occasional dizziness or insomnia. “The first thing I would say is that if someone

Andrew Goodman

is feeling any of the symptoms they think might be coming from taking their HIV medications, it’s best to just check in with their provider,” he says. “Ones that are more concerning to be would be anything that is severely interrupting someone’s day-to-day life.”

More serious side effects can include a fever, rash, nausea, or fatigue, and may signal a life-threatening condition. AIDSinfo also notes that swelling of the face, eyes, lips, throat, or tongue re-

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quires immediate medical attention — as do vision or hearing problems. Long-term side effects can occur well after a person begins a regimen. These “red flags,” Dr. Goodman notes, can include kidney problems, liver damage, heart disease, diabetes or insulin resistance, an increase in fat levels in the blood, changes in how the body stores and use fat , a weakening of the bones, severe headaches, and consistent breathing problems and a chronic cough. AIDSinfo also reports that there can be behavioral side effects impacting the nervous system, and psychiatric effects, such as insomnia, dizziness, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

While effective treatment can translate into an undetectable viral load, if a person stops taking medication, the viral load will rise again.

People may become tired of taking pills every day, have trouble with side effects, or wish to avoid being reminded of their HIV infection when taking pills, while others may see a disruption on acquiring medications due to insurance obstacles, inability to pay for medication, or their prescription not being available. “The healthcare system throws up a lot of barriers to keeping up with medication,” Dr. Goodman says. However, interrupting HIV treatment can produce harmful consequences. “We emphasize adherence with patients, and that’s very important.”

HIV drug resistance can develop when patients stop taking certain antiretroviral medications. Once HIV develops resistance to a medication, that medicine can no longer be used to effectively treat the virus. “You could wind up with a situation where you have a drug resistant virus that can be difficult to treat,” he says, adding, “The bottom line is: skipping drugs makes drugs resistant.”

Ceasing treatment allows HIV to actively reproduce and circulate in the blood, which is associated with increased inflammation and heightened risk of heart attacks and kidney or liver problems. Higher HIV levels in the blood can produce “retroviral syndrome,” where a person experiences fevers, headaches, and swollen glands, similar to the symptoms someone newly infected with HIV encounters.

“I’d hope that if anyone was having difficulty adhering to a regimen, before they even developed a symptom, they would come back and speak with me or their medical provider,” Dr. Goodman says.

Once they are on a stable regimen, Dr. Goodman asks most patients to see him every three months; those with an undetectable virus and fairly high T-cell counts are asked to visit every six months.

Dr. Goodman is optimistic that medical advances will continue to yield fewer side effects and more durable medications. “I would use the word ‘durable’,” he says, “because we know how hard adherence can be. Missing one dose still has odds that drug resistance can happen.”

“There is a lot to be hopeful for when it comes to treatment and what we have available,” he says, noting there may one day be a once-a-month antiretroviral injection. “A person is so much more than a virus that they happen to have.”

■

IMAGE THIS PAGE: ANDREW GOODMAN 15.12.21 MEDICAL PROVIDER 26

Living with HIV in the 21st Century means fewer side effects than ever, but there are still some situations that raise red flags. BY JEFF SIMMONS

MY TELEVISION SECRET

THIS PAGE: COURTESY LG

I haven’t tackled televisions because of a dirty little secret: Up until

a few months ago, my TV was from 2004 — for all purposes, a tech dinosaur. I’d hung on to my faithful Samsung LCD for 14 years, in part because it refused to die. Unlike laptops and smartphones (increasingly old by the time they hit the market), a TV is a major purchase that consumers still hold onto for several years, and none of the new models’ features were enough to make me give up what I had.

LED TVs were thinner, but not really better. Curved and 3D sets felt like fads that came and went. I already had devices that made my existing TV “smart,” and I know 4K is the future, but the content to support it had yet to materialize. None of these bells and whistles turned my head away from the set that had provided years of faithful service. I thought we might be together forever, until I found a sexy new lover: the LG OLED TV. Like so many great romances, my torrid affair with the LG OLED started in the aisles of Costco. I wasn’t even shopping for a TV. I went in to by paper towels; the LG just happened to catch my eye, but the moment I saw it, it threw my instant gratification monkey into overdrive. I stopped in my tracks. My pupils dilated, my face flushed, and my pulse began to surge. I wanted this TV. I coveted it. I lusted after it. It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. I vowed it would be mine.

Playing on the LG was a demo video of colored pencils. Although it was simple, the picture seemed to leap off the screen. The reds were rich and deep, the blues bright and luminous, yellows and greens faithful to nature. The 4k picture revealed the textures of wood pencil shavings and wax. It was like I could reach out and pick them up.

At nearly $2500, this was no cheap date. It was twice the price I paid for my TV 15 years ago; three times more than many “good”TVs on the market now. I knew that buying this TV would be an impulsive indulgence. I wanted to be sensible, so I exercised some self-control and decided to wait to see if this was mere infatuation or true love.

The very next day I rented a U-Haul truck, drove to my local Best Buy, and bought it. That was six months ago, and ,dear reader, it’s bliss.

The LG OLED is the best TV that you can buy right now.

I’m not the only one saying that. The LG OLEDs consistently rank at the top of consumer reviews. Outlets like PC Mag and CNET call it hands down, the best TV they’ve ever reviewed. It’s the perfect storm of things you want in a TV in 2018: OLED, HDR and 4K.

The big game changer is the OLED (organic light-emitting diode) panel. Manufactured by LG, OLED is a relatively new display technology more commonly seen on smaller screens like phones and smart watches, but wasn’t available in TV sizes until a few years ago. What makes OLED screens different is the lighting: Typical TV technology (LED) relies on backlighting to illuminate the thousands of pixels that make up an image, but OLED pixels generate their own light, and this makes all the difference. Black portions of the image are truly black because the pixels turn off. The edges between colors, dark and light, are sharper than can be achieved with LED (where the backlight bleeds through slightly). With no backlight, these TVs are also incredibly slim. The majority of my LG OLED is just a quarter-inch thick.

It’s also more energy efficient and runs much cooler.

These OLED screens are perfect for HDR (High Dynamic Range) content. All video and screens have limits to what colors they reproduce (that’s “the color gamut”). HDR expands that range, but what you really need to know is that HDR equals more shades and brighter colors. Also, the 4K displays means four times the pixel density of standard 1080p televisions — which provides greater detail — noticeable in the fine hairs and textures in scenes.

While OLED, HDR and 4K are all desirable, you’ll still need a fourth ingredient: 4K/HDR content that can take advantage of them.

Here the set is a little ahead of its time. It masterfully up-converts lower quality content. Though actual 4K and HDR content is not as widely available, the TV’s built-in apps give you access to it via major streaming services like Netflix, Amazon and Hulu. It’s still mostly confined to their original content (Netflix’s Stranger Things and Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, to name noteworthy standouts), but the library continues to grow. Still, it will be quite some time before cable/ satellite broadcast content has the capacity to support 4K video.

Which model should you buy? You can’t go wrong. Thankfully, LG uses the same display panels in all of its models. Higher-end models have different build quality and better audio, but no matter which one you choose, you’ll get the same amazing picture. Mine is a 2017 model, and now that the 2018s have been released, prices should drop as retailers sell off their stock of last year’s models (which, apart from the integration of Google Assistant, are essentially the same).

Another reason I’ve avoided writing about TVs so far is because the subject seemed so complicated and subjective. Now it’s clear and simple. Which TV should you get? An LG OLED. ■ METROSOURCE.COM OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

METROSOURCE

OF ALL THE GADGETS I’VE WRITTEN ABOUT FOR METROSOURCE TO DATE,

TECH

Terence managed to avoid writing about the topic of televisions for a very specific reason — until he finally fell for the set of his dreams. BY TERENCE O’BRIEN

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IT WAS THE BEST OF HAIR IT WAS THE WORST OF HAIR Wade decides it’s about time he splurged on a visit to an upscale salon, and he certainly ends up paying the price. BY WADE ROUSE

VIEWS

DIARY

I SPENT A MAJORITY OF MY

20

Ozarks childhood accompanying my grandmothers to the beauty parlor. Nearly every Saturday was spent watching them get their thinning hair permed and backcombed higher and higher until it reached – as one of them liked to say – “God’s eye.”

Remember that line of Dolly Parton’s from Steel Magnolias? “I don’t trust anybody that does their own hair. It’s just not normal.”Well, that’s the way my grandmas felt, and I ended up following in their meticulously coiffured footsteps.

The major difference between how they did it and how I do it, however, is that my grandmothers were loyal to one beauty parlor and one stylist the majority of their lives. I, on the other hand, change stylists more often than coffee filters.

This spring, before my latest book tour was set to start, I felt it was the time not only to reinvent my hair but also to splurge a little while doing it. So I stopped a handsome stranger on the street sporting a great haircut and asked what salon he used.

He laughed.

“I go to a barber who’s just starting out,” he said. “22 bucks.

No frills. No shampoo. Sometimes, he has his kids in the shop with him.”

“Oh,” I said.

Rather than take his advice, I ended up booking a consultation and cut at a super-expensive salon — the kind where there is plenty of attitude and a long waiting list. When the time came, I was nervous but excited.

A beautiful woman wearing what seemed like little more than a Kleenex greeted me; sat me in a giant egg-shaped chair; and brought me champagne. Once I was a touch buzzed, she introduced me to my stylist: a willowy, pretty man whose long hair had feathers tied into it.

“Just fly in?” I asked. He didn’t laugh.

My consultation consisted of a lot of“tsk-tsks”and head slapping. He asked me who had done the awful highlighting job on my hair.“The sun,” I said. He didn’t laugh.

He spun me in the chair and stared at me for a very long time, until I felt as though I were on the witness stand in an episode of Dateline.

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METROSOURCE.COM

“Do you trust me?” he asked.

I nodded.

“Good.”

He cooed as he colored, snipped, shampooed and gelled.

When he finally spun me back toward the mirror, I gasped.

I looked like Carrot Top. After Electroshock.

“Do you like?” he asked.

I couldn’t answer.

When the final bill was presented, I was struck dumb all over again.

And yet I paid. I even felt pressured to tip. Strangely, the whole process made me feel like that insecure little gay boy who spent years feeling like he never quite fit in amongst all the pretty people all over again.

I ended up trimming my own hair and doing the best I could to cover up the bad highlights. When it was time for my next haircut, I made an appointment with that young barber recommended to me by the handsome stranger with the great hair.

His barber shop had an old couch in it and a few folding chairs.

Vintage boxing posters lined the walls. There were no tissuepaper clad, champagne-toting attendants to greet me — just the proprietor and another barber.

“How long have you been cutting hair?” I said, noting his youth.

“Since I was 14,” he explained.“Learned on the street.”

I was nervous, and he could tell.

“Trust me?” he asked. After my previous experience, I didn’t really. But something told me to just let him do his job, so I nodded. With clippers, scissors and no attitude, he gave me the best haircut of my life — the kind where people now stop me on the street to ask where I go. And all for $22 bucks.

I’m still figuring these kinds of things out. I have lots of insecurities, especially when it comes to (as my grandmas used to say)“putting on airs,” but I’m finally learning that sometimes indulging means getting the right thing, not the most expensive thing; that there can be a fine line between pampering yourself and fooling yourself; and that sometimes the best treat you can give yourself (like not letting yourself get pushed around), doesn’t cost a damned thing.

■ Wade’s latest novel as Viola Shipman is The Recipe Box. To learn about both his novels and memoirs, visit waderouse.com.

HAVE YOU DEALT WITH A SALON DISASTER? SHARE YOUR STORY IN “GAY VOICES” AT METROSOURCE.COM.

Let’s Talk Investment Strategies We consider the difference between short and long-term goals, then look at some apps that can get you headed in the right financial direction. BY JENNIFER DAY

SHORT-TERM VS. LONG-TERM

STOCK PHOTO COPYRIGHT : ROBYN MACKENZIE

The main difference between short and long-term investing is that long-term goals generally take more than five years to fulfill.

The most important long-term goal is saving for retirement. Long gone are the days where you stay with one company until retirement and then live off the company’s pension plan. Start saving for your retirement first, then use the leftover money to save toward other goals.

Some simple tips: • Reach long-term goals by being a disciplined saver and a savvy, engaged investor.

• Consider the time value of money. Starting to invest when you’re in your 20s will produce a larger nest egg than if you start saving at age 30 or later (as the interest you accrue will eventually start accruing its own interest) but it’s never too late to start.

• Review your portfolio quarterly. Adjust your investments only when needed. If your goals change, revise your financial plan.

• Determine how much risk you feel comfortable with and adjust it depending on your goals.

Technology has made it easier than ever to invest in the stock market. Most banks will allow you to set up an investment account.

These are usually for more experienced investors, will require minimum investment amounts and can involve fees. How high those fees are may vary, depending on where you bank.

For beginners (or even people who don’t have large funds but want to invest in something other than cash), there are many different

investing apps that you can setup in minutes on your phone. Some of my favorite, most used apps are Acorns, Digit and Stash: • Acorns allows users to “invest the change” by linking their credit or debit cards to the app, which rounds up regular purchases and invests the difference into a diversified portfolio of index funds chosen

by Nobel Prize-winning economist Harry Markowitz. Acorns charges a monthly service fee, which is a small percentage of your account balance. So, if you leave a small lump sum of money in your account over a long period of time, the fee could eat up your balance, even if the market is performing well, so your balance either needs to be large or constantly growing. Otherwise, this is a convenient “set it and forget it” type of savings plan.

FINANCE

hopes that — like a seed carefully planted — it will grow over time.

Though many are intimidated by the concept, it’s an important wealth building tool, not something to avoid or be afraid of. Though investing can be as low-risk as opening a savings account or as high-risk as trading commodities, there are a variety of ways to do it.

Before you start investing, whether it be short or long-term, you should have clear goals in mind. Think of short-term as something like saving for a vacation or buying holiday gifts. Longer term goals might include purchasing a car or a home (which is, in and of itself, a kind of investment). And always remember the importance of investing in your future by making and funding your retirement plan.

CULTURE

THE GOAL OF INVESTING IS TO PUT YOUR MONEY TO WORK IN THE

• Digit is not technically an investment app, but makes saving money from your checking or savings account easy. To do this, Digit analyzes your income and spending patterns, and then automatically dips into your checking account and puts a few dollars into a savings account (typically $2-$17 every 2-3 days).You can also choose whether you want to raise or lower this amount in the app’s settings, and all saved money goes into a FDIC insured account. Digit doesn’t charge any fees. Use this type of savings for shorter-term investment goals.

• Stash makes choosing investments simple and arranges them into ETFs (read: different topics that you might care about). They’re named

by Stash to reflect the kind of investing you’d be doing by putting your money there. The service has a $5 minimum account balance and charges $1 a month for account balances under $5,000 ($2 per month for retirement accounts under $5,000) and a 0.25% annual fee for accounts with $5,000 or more. Stash waives its fee on retirement accounts for anyone under age 25.

Investing in your future is important. Even if you are most interested in short-term goals, set aside a portion of your money for long-term investments. Use the tools like those above to plan your future and you should be able to afford to not only see Celine in Vegas, but save up for the down payment on the home of your dreams and be secure when it comes time to retire. That said, this is all practical advice for informational purposes and the best advice of all is to make a plan for your financial well being with a licensed financial or tax advisor.

■ METROSOURCE.COM OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

21

ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS

THE HAPPY PRINCE AFTER PORTRAYING OSCAR WILDE, IN DAVID HARE’S THE

Judas Kiss on the stage two year ago, Rupert Everett returns to again play the iconic gay writer and legendary wit, this time in a ďŹ lm of his own writing and direction. Everett’s obvious love for the man and his story come as no surprise considering that on both stage and screen the actor plays the role brilliantly; The Happy Prince easily rivals Stephen Fry’s excellent take in 1997’s Wilde.

Much like Wilde’s short story of the same name, The Happy Prince is far from a happy story, yet it still sparkles with all the wisdom, joy and lust for life that Wilde possessed, even while it chronicles his often painful decline.

The ďŹ lm covers Wilde’s post-prison years (while frequently revisits the humiliation of his sentence in ashbacks).

Wilde had been sentenced to two years of hard prison labor for being too publicly homosexual, and the three years

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between his release and his death from acute meningitis were lived far from the glamour of his earlier life. During this time, the disgraced celebrity hid out in France and Italy, often broke, scraping by with the help of his few loyal friends (here played by Colin Firth and Edwin Thomas). Though aged and increasingly inďŹ rm, Wilde continued to spend what money he had on drugs, booze and boys — including “Bosieâ€? (well played here by the beautiful Colin Morgan - The Fall, Merlin) the unworthy love of Wilde’s life, whose pride had led directly to Wilde’s incarceration. THE WORD: In telling the ďŹ nal chapter in the life of one of the most magical personalities the world will likely ever know, The Happy Prince is a great love story, showing love through the lens of loss and implying that it is only through loss that love can fully be known and kept forever. COMING TO: Theaters

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CULTURE

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A gay man is haunted by his town’s secret history, Toni Collette plays a mother who may have inherited madness, Kiera Knightley falls for an 19th century crossdresser, and Rupert Everett bids farewell to Oscar Wilde. BY JONATHAN ROCHE

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ASSASSINATION NATION SET IN SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS THIS FILM CHRONICLES A FUN

but bloody witch hunt ďŹ t for our social-media obsessed culture. The would-be witches are four teenage girls — Lily, Bex, Sarah and Em — who come off a bit like ‘mean girls’ at ďŹ rst because they’re hot, a tight-knit group that seem to oat above a lot of the small town/high school drama that swirls around them. They actually turn out to be pretty cool; however, it’s hard to stay cool when everyone wants to kill you.

A mysterious hacker begins by gaining access to and then posting all the private data (personal e-mails, texts, private photos) of the mayor, then the school principal, and eventually half the town. In the wake of all the lives ruined as a result, folks look for someone to blame, and a random twist of fate leads them to blame our four young

heroines, forcing them to defend themselves until they are covered in blood and walking their suburban streets carrying assault ries and samurai swords.

Director Sam Levinson’s latest ďŹ lm is difďŹ cult to categorize, but it is deďŹ nitely good fun with an interesting, (if vague) social message. The writing is often engaging and the cast is strong - Bill SkarsgĂĽrd (It, Castle Rock), Maude Apatow (This is 40), Joel McHale (Community) and Noah Galvin (The Real O’Neals) have nice moments in this darkly comic modern-day morality tale. As Lily, Odessa Young (The Daughter) gets most of the ďŹ lm’s focus, carrying it with natural verve, and as Bex, trans actor Hari Nef (Transparent) is deďŹ nitely a scene stealer. THE WORD: At times, it may feel a bit messy, but the ďŹ lm has spirit and casts a certain spell. COMING TO: Theaters

COLETTE COLETTE (KEIRA KNIGHTLEY, IN WHAT MAY BE ONE OF HER

greatest roles yet) is a clever country girl in France at the end of the 19th century. She’s marries a charming older man (Dominic West) who whisks his young bride away from her wise mother (Fiona Shaw, Killing Eve) and back to Paris, where he’s a writer, though more often merely an employer of ghost writers. When the works of “Willy,â€? as he’s known, aren’t selling, he encourages his new wife to write something for him. She produces a novel, Claudine, and it quickly becomes a massive success. Semiautobiographical, Claudine describes the growth and experiences of a conďŹ dent French girl who blossoms into a charismatic adult. The Claudine novels (four in all), while shocking and even revolutionary in their day, would more likely be considered no more than chastely sensual now, but they did make Willy and Colette fabulously wealthy and famous. Although Willy is a fun-loving, vivacious and fairly enlightened husband, Colette eventually begins to outgrow the limits of their marriage. Just as Willy is no stranger to having mistresses, eventually Colette ďŹ nds herself in love with cross-dressing aristocrat Missy (the absolutely superb Denise Gough). But can she also have Claudine or will Willy hold her captive under his name?

Based on real people and events, this period character portrait directed by Wash Westmoreland (Still Alice) is very well done. THE WORD: Colette’s story is inherently feminist, but her struggle is refreshingly neither as dire or heroic as one might expect; she is never entirely without power because her power comes from within. COMING TO: Theaters METROSOURCE.COM /#4/"%2 ./6%-"%2

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HEREDITARY controversy of Hereditary, you it’s going to be interesting. Though disappointing to some for not following the rhythm of more conventional horror films (not to mention its shocking, expectation-defying finale), Hereditary is also a refreshing dose of uncompromised evil.

And regardless of how one feels about the film’s jump scares or plot twists, it is brilliantly crafted. Writer/director Ari Aster does so many things right in this, his first feature film. The plot revolves around a mother of two coping with the loss of her own mother, who may have bequeathed to their family a legacy too dark, dreadful and deeply-rooted to ever be fully understood, — or escaped. Aster sets the film mostly at the family’s home, a structure at once beautiful and yet quite unsettling — it’s a place filled with smaller houses, doll houses, that the protagonist makes as her art and livelihood, which add to the film’s themes of being toyed with and trapped. The audience

is teased by hidden images, quick cutaways, and a camera that refuses to recoil from some truly horrific imagery. Aster tells a story that is well thought-through and tightly composed; efficient and layered with ominous details that may require multiple viewings.

The film’s greatest adornment is its cast: Gabriel Byrne as the stalwart father, Alex Wolfe (Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle) as the stoner son, newcomer Milly Shapiro as a magnificently eerie little girl, and the always-exceptional Ann Dowd (The Handmaid’s Tale, The Leftovers) as a helpful motherly friend. THE WORD: The crown jewel is unquestionably Toni Collette, whose performance as a mother being pushed to the edge of sanity is by turns nuanced, frantic, and utterly award-worthy. COMING TO: Home Video

")3"%% THE TOWN OF BISBEE, ARIZONA IS HAUNTED. AUTHOR COLIN DICKEY

describes it well in his book, Ghostland: “Cities that are haunted … seem to straddle past and present as though two versions of the same city are overlaid on top of each other.”Though today Bisbee is a quiet, desert town, the Bisbee of 1917 was a boomtown, fed by the massive copper mine at its heart. Back then, copper was so valuable and im-

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portant to U.S. interests in World War I that a group of deputized citizens joined together to round up workers who were striking (for higher wages and safer working conditions) and put them on trains bound for somewhere in the New Mexico desert, warning them to never to return to Bisbee. The town attempted to erase the “Bisbee Deportation” from the history books almost immediately, and — thought it was grossly illegal, no persons or corporate entities were ever held accountable. Director Robert Greene documents the tragedy with a candid eye, using awkward-but-telling extended takes of interviews with locals, and a combination of documentary, Western and musical elements. Greene creates a record not just the town and its dark past, but also of its recent efforts to re-enact the deportation. In particular we follow a re-enactor playing one of the strikers, a young Mexican-American man, gentle, soft-spoken and gay, whose mother was deported when he was only 11 years old. But we see many stories from both sides — including those who believed the action to be so necessary that it justified their methods. THE WORD: Themes of immigration, unionization, environmental damage, corporate corruption and conflict regarding collective memory in Bisbee ’17 make it particularly salient to our currently divided country. COMING TO: Theaters

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CULTURE

SCREEN

WHEN A FILM IS RECEIVED WITH THE

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over again in this emotional and complex story about a woman charged with making life and death decisions. Fiona (Thompson) is a British High Court judge who rules on the most difďŹ cult cases – such as whether to separate conjoined twins in order to save one — instead of allowing both to die. Her latest case, whether to force a life-saving blood transfusion on a 17-year-old (queer actor Fionn Whitehead - Dunkirk) with leukemia despite his refusal brought on by his religious beliefs as a Jehovah’s Witness. In just a couple months he’d be able to legally decide for himself, but until then his fate is up to Fiona, who makes the unusual choice to visit the boy in the hospital. In doing so, she accidentally links herself to the intelligent and spirited young man in a way that she cannot control, just as she is struggling with the disintegrating relationship she has with a long-neglected husband (Stanley Tucci). Cracklingly intelligent writing combined with precision acting are the foundation of this

tale by Richard Eyre (Notes on a Scandal, Iris) adapted by Ian McEwan from his own novel. Above all the ďŹ lm showcases the considerable talents of Thompson, in addition to the promising newer talents of Whitehead — not to menton the rigorous and impressive job of being this kind of highlevel judge. This piece will require viewers to think, but it’s not a headscratcher: its intellectual energies are potent indeed, but the story stays grounded in very real and human concerns. It’s the kind of picture that could be nominated for some respectable awards, but it won’t be popular enough to win many — which is often the best kind of ďŹ lm. THE WORD: A sophisticated meditation on choice, loss and love. COMING TO: Theaters

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tale of a teenage boy witnessing his parents’ turbulent struggles with each other and themselves in 1960s small-town Montana.

After losing his job, Jerry (Gyllenhaal) has an identity crisis of sorts and leaves town to join the low-paid ďŹ reďŹ ghters battling an uncontrolled forest blaze. Jeanette (Mulligan) strenuously protests, but after Jerry leaves anyway, she attempts to ďŹ nd independence (although at times reluctantly) in the arms of another more successful man (Bill Camp - Midnight Special, The Looming Tower), which is not surprisingly problematic for Jerry. Throughout all of this quietly observed familial drama, son Joe (Ed Oxenbould - The Visit) peers on with an innocent, boyish face that seems like a possible stand-in for the director’s own (Paul Dano - There Will Be Blood, Little Miss Sunshine, Ruby

Sparks). Dano, who co-wrote the ďŹ lm with Zoe Kazan (Ruby Sparks, The Big Sick), does a decent job with his ďŹ rst directorial effort. The ďŹ lm’s look and overall production values are strong, though the story is a bit thin (or perhaps overly reliant on a layer of subtext that may not be substantial enough). Its message would seem to be that people are imperfect — even your parents — and at some point you will learn this and grow from it, but the ďŹ lm perhaps displays this too directly and with too few other themes. Gyllenhaal’s performance as a dispossessed man of the 40s/50s is good, but Mulligan (who gets more screen time) fully displays her dynamic dramatic abilities, which provide the ďŹ lm’s primary turning points. THE WORD: Possibly, as an actor-turned-director, Dano gives too much time to subtleties and not enough to storytelling. COMING TO: Theaters METROSOURCE.COM /#4/"%2 ./6%-"%2

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Preparing for an AIDS Outreach Center Fundraiser

AIDS IN A RED STATE

Shannon Hilgart

26

A Masked Donor at Evening of Hope THIS SPRING, THE WORLD’S LARGEST SINGLE HIV FUNDRAISER – AIDS/LIFE-

Cycle – raised $16.6 million, as 2,200 cyclists embarked on a sevenday ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Just a few weeks earlier, 20,000 people attended GMHC’s Annual AIDS Walk across New York City and raised $4.1 million.

Such cities such as New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles have been on the front lines of advocacy and fundraising since AIDS first surfaced nearly four decades ago. As the epidemic swelled, its changing face – and diversifying logistical challenges – fueled the founding of nonprofits striving to provide prevention, education and treatment services, and garner funding to stay afloat.

Such fundraising opportunities, however, can prove daunting, particularly in middle America “Red States” like Texas, where persistent stigma elicits fears of discrimination, bias and even violence.“One of the challenges we have is stigma,” concedes Shannon Hilgart, Executive Director of AIDS Outreach Center in Fort Worth, Texas. “It’s a pretty big barrier.”

In late 2017, the Centers for Disease Control reported that more than 82,000 people live with HIV in Texas, and health officials estimated that 18,000 Texans had no idea they were carrying the virus. In Dallas alone, Dallas County Health and Human Services estimates that 16,387 people were living with HIV in 2015 — a 56% jump over the course of a decade.

Politically, it’s estimated that Republicans outnumber Democrats by more than 850,000 voters in Texas, according to the Texas Organizing Project, with most of the state’s counties shading red. Though Fort Worth voters favored Donald Trump in the 2016 elections, Dallas, with a more sizable Democratic base, favored Hillary Clinton. But voter turnout traditionally has been weaker in Texas; one survey noted that Texas ranked 50th in the nation in turnout OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

METROSOURCE.COM

Considering the political atmosphere and cultural mores, HIV/ AIDS organizations like AIDS Outreach Center are devoting considerable attention to enlightening the public — and in particular, the younger generation — that the epidemic is not over, that it crosses gender and ethnic lines, and that it is no longer a death sentence.

AIDS Outreach Center began as an all-volunteer organization 32 years ago in response to the epidemic among gay males. Witnessing a demand for services, it began staffing up within two years, and now it enlists 50 staffers and serves more than 1,600 individuals and families.

It now stands as the only non-profit that offers a continuum of services to the HIV/AIDS community in Tarrant County and seven surrounding rural counties, where 5,227 people lived with HIV in 2014, the North Central Texas HIV Planning Council reported.

“There have been challenges, and they really have been about funding,” Hilgart says, pointing to stagnant government funding.

“That money has pretty much stayed the same as expenses go up.

We’re trying to do more services with the same amount of money.”

That shaky equation has led the organization to channel its energy into seeking more private and individual contributions, and to bring more people in the door to foster engagement. Private foundations tend not to support general operations, preferring to fund capacitybuilding initiatives or new programs. “Where we need money the most, general operations, nobody pays for it,” Hilgart says, noting that federal grants allow only a fraction of funds for such expenses.

“In a Red State, it’s not easy,”she says.“We’re not warm and fuzzy.

We’re not children, and we’re not animals,” noting that such causes tend to tug at heartstrings and therefore purse strings as well. “There are a lot of compassionate people, and we do have some long-term supporters who stick with us, but it gets harder every year.”

As a result, she regularly invites potential donors to the Center for tours to meet staff and program participants, who humanize the need.

“It is about getting them to listen to the reality that HIV is still a huge issue,” she says. When she senses a visitor is not connecting with the cause, she adapts to focus on the societal impact of AIDS. AIDS Outreach Center additionally throws an annual fundraiser, Evening of Hope, which began in 2010 with less than 100 participants.

The masked ball event, designed to “unmask” the stigma about HIV and AIDS, has grown significantly in size, attracting 400 people and raising $158,000 this spring. The evening’s theme illustrated the organization’s ongoing belief that,“With hope, anything is possible.”

“If we continue doing this work,” Hilgart says,“somebody can put an end to this epidemic.”

■

THIS PAGE: PHOTOS COURTESY AIDS OUTREACH CENTER

BODY

METROHIV

How do you raise vital funds to fight AIDS in a state that’s politically dominated by a party that tends not to make it a priority? BY JEFF SIMMONS

DEAR HIV, ’ WE DIDN T GIVE UP. XOXO, SCIENCE There is no cure, but science is still in the battle against HIV. Today’s HIV treatments may help you get to undetectable. That means the amount of virus is so low it can’t be measured in lab tests. Ask your healthcare provider about HIV and treatment options.

Learn about an HIV-1 treatment option at

XOXOSCIENCE.COM

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XOXOSCIENCE.COM, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. © 2018 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. UNBC5531 05/18

COURTESY OF JAMES MICHAEL AVANCE

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FRESHLY MINTED

PEPPERMINT GETS REAL ABOUT GROWING UP TRANS AND GOING FROM RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE TO THE GO-GO’S HEAD OVER HEELS. BY KEVIN PHINNEY IT’S BEEN QUITE A JOURNEY FOR PEPPERMINT — FROM HER

birth as a biological male in Hershey, Pennsylvania and her upbringing in Wilmington, Delaware to the Broadway stage as a lead in the Go-Go’s musical Head Over Heels. She doesn’t use (or share) her birth name, she says, because that identity is behind her. But did plenty of opening up about much more that has never been documented before.

METROSOURCE: When did you first recognize that you were not like the other kids on the block?

PEPPERMINT: I think I was fairly young, probably like seven or eight, maybe even younger; I think maybe second grade.

But as far back as I can remember, I’ve always been the same exact being with the same thoughts and feelings — for the most part. At least I had the same personality, so that’s never really changed. It’s really just been about, over the years, finding out how much of that can I express. I learned at a very early age that a lot of the things that I wanted to express were no-no’s, things I couldn’t do without being corrected.

There were always people telling you that what you’re doing doesn’t match up with what they think you should be doing.

So I would not do those things. I don’t have a specific incident, but anytime I was a little swishy, somebody would say, “Oh, you’re acting like a girl,” or “What are you?” You know those words. Anytime you hear them, you know people are policing your behavior.

Did you push back? Or did you try to fit in and assimilate?

As a young kid, I didn’t want to be scolded by authority figures and I didn’t want to be made fun of or bullied by anyone in my family or adults or other students. So I would do whatever I could to not be bullied. At the same time, I never went to extremes to become the shining example of what they wanted. I just tried not to stick out. There’s a difference, I think. If you can entertain, it helps to distract people from you being different. If you can be different and stand out in a good way, that’s a way that you can get accolades.

How old were you when that thought hit you?

There was a moment in time where I was swishing around the living room, putting towels on my head and flipping it

around and singing — maybe badly — and reciting lines from TV shows and movies that I’d seen. To me, there was no difference between being myself and being a performer or being a woman or young girl in my mind. ...So from a very early age I was a performer, a female performer at heart. ...

My family recognized very early that I had an affinity for performing, because I’d do it in the living room for anybody who would come over. That’s really where it started. But then it was my family that suggested getting me into music and the arts and plays in school and things like that.

Which took you into musicals and plays and the arts...

It wasn’t until I was in high school that I started thinking about my chosen path, which was initially to become a makeup artist, ‘cause I was like: that’s something very retail, which seemed very doable. For college, I went to American Musical and Dramatic Academy here in New York. I graduated in ‘99.

But a lot of my motivation was really just to be with other queer folks and live in the city.

Was there a moment back then when you said to yourself, “I see my future: I could do this!”

No. I mean, I really liked all that stuff. I loved it. You know, it brought me joy to perform and for the longest time, I found an equal amount of joy in all the arts. Singing, dancing, acting; together or separately. One of my favorite things to do was to learn Janet Jackson choreography and redo it over and over again exactly. But I never thought that I could necessarily have a career as myself. At least that was my thinking as an adolescent, pre-teen, pre-trans, pre-medical transition person. There just didn’t seem to be many examples of people like me. So I didn’t realistically see it as a vision, certainly not like I could be on Broadway.

How did moving to NYC help you explore gender identity?

I got into drag professionally while I was in school. I was working at The Tunnel nightclub and getting paid $50 a week to do the ropes at the front door. Eventually they let me in.

Then I did the door inside ‘til I got on the stage. I finally got to use what I was learning during the day in acting school — and then that’s when it all kind of came together. So for a while I was on a [path] where you learn and then go out and audition.

METROSOURCE.COM OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

29

And they encourage that. ... But I went on several auditions, and they were not for roles that I wanted.

You thought you couldn’t audition for the parts that you wanted? Or they wouldn’t see you for those roles?

They wouldn’t see me for those roles, because they were, you know, the female lead. And to them, that’s not who I was. So I didn’t — and I didn’t think I could. It would have been putting myself through more humiliation and rejection than I needed to go through, especially since I knew I was gonna face rejection. As an actor, you expect a certain amount of that. So I didn’t go out for the roles that I wanted. Instead I went out for the roles that people wanted me to go out for, which were like the male lead or the male backup dancer or whatever. And that’s not who I was, and it was not a comfortable space for me at all. All of this long before I really had a chance to come into my identity as a trans woman. So it was still kind of figuring itself out, and I couldn’t walk through the door with a lot of confidence as you should in an audition. I didn’t have that self-confidence until much later. But I quickly realized auditioning was not for me, at least not at that time and place. Instead, I leaned

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PEPPERMINT ON STAGE BY JENNY ANDERSON

Peppermint rocks the house

on drag, where I was getting applause, I was getting paid, and I was even beginning to travel and make friends and find community.

Opportunities seemed to open up for me down that path, so that’s the one I took.

Can you recall the first time you put on a dress and didn’t think of it as drag? Was it terrifying? Was it empowering?

Ha! Well, I don’t really have that kind of Hallmark Special moment where you’re in turmoil, and then — ah! — the light comes on and everything changes. For me it wasn’t quite so black and white.

For some people it is. The difference for me was, the first time I ever crossdressed was when my grandmother dressed me up for Halloween as Boy George. I don’t know if that’s really crossdressing.

So I dabbled with trying on women’s clothing in different ways. But it wasn’t necessarily me consciously trying to say,“This is who I am” and experiment with it. I just wanted to do something that was fun; that felt good. I gravitated towards it. So whenever there was an opportunity for everyone to put on costumes or dress outrageous in something over the top; well, other people would dress like a devil or Jason or Freddy Krueger, and I would dress like some girl.

So in the context of what was going on, it wasn’t like we’re figuring out our gender identities. It was like, we’re just trying on costumes.

But clearly that was just the beginning.

After that, it continued to resonate. As a theater kid, you have a lot of opportunity to try on costumes. So I did as a teenager and adolescent. The first time I really tried on a dress and walked around outside in public was when I was in drag, it was Halloween.

I think I did drag for Halloween every — once I did it the first time I never turned back. So that was at least from the age of fourteen on, every year. And it would always be those limited moments. And then those limited moments would become more frequent until there was no space in between. So I had a chance to really get my feet wet. And it didn’t feel like I was doing something daring. By the time I had come into my own as a transwoman and really sorted those feelings out, I’d already been doing drag for ten years. So I was very confident in a female form. That being said, there is and was a difference between who I was presenting during the day as my everyday person, a transwoman, and the drag version of me.

I think people are curious about what those differences are.

Some people speak about their drag persona in the third person.

It’s just an isolated character for some people; that’s valid. For me, since it started out as the only way I could really express who I was, it was ... a more colorful version of my everyday personality. I was really protective of the realism of that persona. That was the only control I had over creating and crafting myself as a woman — the drag version. ... Only later on did I start to see a separation.

Between your female personas on and off stage?

It was awkward for me. ... It wasn’t suitable for me to go out to the laundromat or to the store dressed like I do at night because it’s stage wear. So I had to figure out who this person was ... what I would wear, how I was gonna present myself, how would my hair be. And it was terrifying leaving the house for the first time just wearing like a tank top and some shorts. For the first time I didn’t have the protection of a costume.

That makes sense. Has it ever threatened your personal safety?

moon goddess photo credit Karl giant • peppermint red carpet by Jenny anderson

Moon Goddess

I talked about this once on Rupaul’s Drag Race. I was in high school, and long story short, I got beat up by the basketball team because there was a rumor I had a crush on one of the players ... led by the guy who thought I had a crush on him. Luckily, I wasn’t hurt.

I mean, there might have been a bruise or a little soreness, but no broken bones, no broken skin. So yeah. It was sad, but right afterwards, I kind of got up and dusted myself off. Of course I was shaken, and had probably every feeling about it. But I walked to the office to look for an authority figure. And while I was in there talking, telling them what happened, you know how a lot of times school offices are pretty much just glass windows? I turned around, and I saw all of my friends, and I felt like the whole school was there looking, and sending vibes of love. We went to court, and my Mom was a huge champion. I had to stay in school while they went to court. But finally he got expelled, banned permanently from our school and all our sporting events. I saw him sneak in a month later in disguise basically, while I was cheering on the basketball cheerleading squad for his team. So I felt like I had won.

Getting back to your transition: you head this creeping sensation that you and your birth gender were not aligned.

Oh, more than creeping. I had existed as this performer in drag mode for more than ten years. And in the beginning, I didn’t really think I needed Drag Race. I was doing very well on my own. For 10, 15 years I’d been performing in drag, traveling the world ... until a few years ago, when I noticed that [the show] was growing and growing. And these girls were now traveling into the spaces that I had once been one of the only ones to go. So I knew it could be a career boost. After Season Six, I was like, “Okay, maybe I should pay attention to this.”I auditioned three times. And I did not get on the first two, obviously. I was nervous about my presentation and

worrying if they going to be able to detect that I’m trans in this tape because I don’t ever remember there being a positive example of them choosing and supporting a transwoman.

So your transition had already begun medically?

I started my medical transition in 2012, so it was well in process by the time I got onto the show. I definitely had more things that I would have wanted to do or that I was still deciding on, but I don’t really know that anyone’s transition, medically or otherwise, is ever complete. Because we’re always evolving, and the landscape for what’s acceptable is changing so much. The more room we get as queer people, the more space we take up. I feel like I’ll never be finished until we’re all equal. It’s also worth noting that I saw Drag Race as a means to an end, because I didn’t have any other way to earn the type of money I wanted to support my transition.

Was coming out as trans on the show something you agonized over, or was it an impulse kind of thing?

It was really like a pot that had been simmering my whole life.

And so when is it gonna boil over? It wasn’t a matter of if; it was METROSOURCE.COM OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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Opening night with Laverne Cox

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PePPermint Snarl by Jenny anderSon • PePPermint with laverne Cox by Jenny anderSon

a matter of when. And I knew that we were gonna talk about it. So I went on the show telling myself that I wasn’t going bust through the door screaming, but the minute somebody mentions it, I’m gonna tell them and talk about it. And if they ask, I’ll be like, “Yeah, and what?” People ask if there were private conversations with Ru or the producers. No, baby.

There’s no private conversations about anything — for the contestants. She’s there for the show and shoots the show. But I can say my participation in the show was never discussed as being in jeopardy because of my transness, ever.

Ru has said having someone trans on the show is problematic. You disagreed, because you think of drag as a character — not a gender identity.

It’s an amalgamation. There’s lots of really butch, manly men who do great drag. But anyone who says that they’re not in touch with something inside of them that is female or feminine would be lying to themselves. Ru said it best: “You’re born naked, and the rest is drag.” So we’re all already drag queens.

That brings us to the present: How did you hear about a Go-Go’s musical based on a completely unrelated old book?

It’s actually a very obscure old book called “Arcadia,” which is essentially a poem about utopia.

It takes a pretty creative mind to say, “Hey! This should be paired with Go-Go’s music!”

It really does! The project started years ago before I ever even knew about it. By the time I came aboard, they’d already gotten their backing and knew they were going to go to Broadway.

Once they presented me with the entire body of work, I was able to see how timeless it was, how contemporary it is, how entertaining and funny it is — and how much many of the characters, including the one I play obviously, resonate.

So it’s all the hits? “Our Lips Are Sealed,” “Vacation,” “We Got the Beat” and the rest?

Plus “Heaven Is A Place On Earth,” and “Mad About You;” a lot of Belinda Carlisle songs. My song is “A Vision of Nowness,” which is a little more obscure.

Such a different world to be in than as a drag performer...

I definitely did feel some pressure in the beginning. But I’ve always known that the only way that it’s going to be successful is if I’m fully focused and connected to the material and just doing my thing. And I have to trust that’s why I was cast. So yes, I want the producers to feel satisfied. I want the audience to feel satisfied. And I wanted to feel satisfied myself. I think every performer goes through that. But I felt that kind of pressure even in a bar doing a drag show.

What’s it like to say you’re the first trans person to take the lead role in a Broadway musical?

Funny. It feels historic. It feels great. And it feels — well, I want to live up to it and do this moment justice. I think I can. I would like to. It feels like this show is perfect for me to continue on, and have a platform to speak out on behalf of our community.

And it’s just fantastic. I think it’s the perfect place for me.

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ALL PHOTOS THIS PIECE COURTESY LIONSGATE

BLAKE LIVELY WANTS TO DRESS LIKE

PAUL FEIG

BY PAUL HAGEN

THE MAN WHO GAVE US BRIDESMAIDS AND GHOSTBUSTERS DIVES INTO A NEW FILM THAT’S SO THRILLING, SEXY AND STYLISH, IT EXPLAINS WHY...

LONG BEFORE THE #METOO MOVEMENT BLOSSOMED, PAUL FEIG WAS REIMAGINING HOW HOLLYWOOD RELATED

to women. His Bridesmaids brought us a gross-out comedy centered around female friendship. The Heat reinvented the buddy cop movie for a galpal duo. Spy put thrust an unassuming female character into James Bond-style hijinx. And Ghostbusters inadvertently set off an internet firestorm when it was revealed the film centered around four funny women (rather than men) as the crew who “ain’t afraid of no ghosts.”

“If you look at all my movies, they’re all genre movies. That’s what I love,” says Feig as he settles in to discuss his latest film, A Simple Favor.“I’m just always like: what genre can we play with now? What genre can we introduce elements into that don’t normally exist in those?” Feig is not done experimenting. “I’m dying to do a sci-fi epic,” he says.“I’m dying to do a musical. I’d love to do a Western. The sky’s the limit.”

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A Simple Favor is Feig’s foray into the psychological thriller — an oeuvre not particularly known for either his trademark comic flair or for empowering women. But the movie quickly sets about proving there’s a place in the genre for laughs and for women to play roles other than victims. Much of that is fuelled by the relationship at the center of the film — forged when the worlds of Blake Lively’s impeccably-styled working mom Emily and Anna Kendrick’s perky vlogging homemaker Stephanie collide. “They’re not coming together as equals, career wise,” says Feig. “Anna’s sort of a little chirpy mom who’s struggling with this vlog, and all the other parents don’t like her because she’s too perfect; and then Blake is the career woman.”The chemistry between these two characters is off the charts from the moment they first share the screen — with Emily judging Stephanie for being provincial, but also acknowledging her prowess as a mom, while Stephanie is awestruck by Emily’s worldliness, but remains concerned about what that means for her family.

Feig tells me that as the script was being developed, this relationship started out even more lopsided. “They were a little more adversarial up front. It was a lot of Emily making fun of Stephanie, but Stephanie still kind of enamored with Emily.” But Lively and Kendrick pushed for parity.“Blake and Anna both didn’t want it to be too mean-spirited, and I was like: I’m with you.” However, there are still several funny instances of Emily teasing Stephanie. “They weren’t making fun of her, they were having fun with her,” Feig explains pointing to an exchange in which Lively ad-libbed, “Does your kid drink? It’s never too early,” and Anna came back with, “I think you’re joking, but…”. By the time they bring

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their sons back to Emily’s spectacular home, their back-andforth begins to feel like flirtation.

Feig tells me he saw reflections of his own mother in Stephanie’s awed reaction to Emily’s lifestyle.”She was a telephone operator in Canada before she met my dad, and then when she and my Dad had me, she became a stay-athome mom until I was in my teens,” he remembers. “She was always so enamored with professional women — any woman who had her own business or anything like that, who had a position of power, was like the coolest thing in the world. And so when she met my wife — when I first started dating my wife, my wife had her own management agency — my Mom would just go to work sometimes and just sit in her office and watch my wife work, and they were the best of friends.”

“I like the idea that Emily would actually respond to that: that she’s actually a hero to somebody — the way Stephanie looks at her and all that,”Feig enthuses.“To me, the moment that’s the perfect summation of why their relationship works is when she catches Stephanie dancing, and Stephanie’s kind of embarrassed. ... The fact that [Emily] kind of laughs and she’s like, ‘Go on - I want to see some more,’ and that makes Stephanie dance: that was a moment I was just like, ‘Oh my God the chemistry in these characters is just going to be so great together. … That’s what drives Stephanie to do so much.”

As is the way with psychological thrillers, to give away a little is to potentially give away too much. Suffice it to say that Stephanie does end up going to extraordinary lengths on Emily’s behalf, and we do get to see a moment where

their chemistry reaches a crescendo. “Honestly that, to me, is the most important moment in the whole movie, because it just tells so much,” says Feig.“Some people could read that [in the script] and think it’s just going to be some weird exploitative moment, and I know — when we were moving towards production — there were a few people that were worried about that on our team. And I was just like, ‘No, this tells the tale.’ I mean Stephanie is so lonely and so desperately needy for any kind of love and acceptance, and here she meets this woman who’s kind of her hero; and she just gets enamored with her totally. And in this moment of confession, she’s finally told this deep dark secret to this person who’s being very sympathetic to her, and they just kind of fall together.” Without giving away any particulars, it’s easy to agree with Feig when he comments, “I just think it’s absolutely masterfully acted, and I’m just so proud of that moment in the movie.”

A STEREOTYPE WORLD A Simple Favor is a queer film in ways that extend beyond the chemistry of its leading ladies. Around the time that Frances McDormand was calling for them in awards acceptance speeches and Ashley Judd was advocating for them on red carpets, Feig announced that his company, Feigco Entertainment, would be embracing inclusion riders. Such riders can require at least 50% of a film’s cast and crew be diverse, and I ask Feig if that extends to LGBTQ members of the film industry, as well.

“It’s all part of the mix,” Feig replies. On screen in A Simple Favor, he points to trans actor Petty Pearson, who plays the right-hand person of Emily’s fashion maven boss. “And then behind the camera … we try to throw the door open wide as much as we can.”

Another member of the LGBTQ community to score screen time is former Metrosource cover guy Andrew Rannells. As part of a Greek chorus of other parents who judge Emily and Stephanie for their respective momMETROSOURCE.COM OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

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extremes, Rannells is the resident gay dad, though it’s not explicitly stated that his character is gay. “I never wanted to state it, because I don’t like putting a big red flag on anything. Then I think it’s like: ‘Hey! Look how progressive we are!’” But Feig still hopes it comes across. ‘The assumption is, ‘Oh yeah sure, he’s the dad who’s part of the gay couple, and he’s the one in charge of the kid. For me that was always the point.”

Another queer character appears in the form of Emily’s boss Dennis Nylon, hilariously referred to at one point as a “bargain basement Tom Ford.” I ask Feig whether — in presenting a sardonic portrait of an LGBTQ individual — he was concerned about it being misperceived as mocking queerness in a stereotypical way. “Very much so, because I’ve seen that done poorly so many times, where it’s clearly like: ‘Oh look, here’s the funny gay guy!’” says Feig. “You don’t want that.” In his brief appearance on screen, Rupert Friend turns in a performance that delicately navigates this danger zone.

“We never wanted him to be flamboyant,” explains Feig. “I found out that Rupert had read the script and wanted to play that role. I was so shocked because it’s not a big part, but he just really kind of latched onto it. … The way he wanted to play it, the way we wanted to come up with his costume and everything: it was never an issue where I had to go, ‘Come on; tamp that down; let’s not do that; let’s not play in the stereotype world.”

Perhaps the most ambitiously queer aspect of the film is Blake Lively’s extraordinary wardrobe — which features some of the most exciting suiting worn by a woman on screen since Marlene Dietrich.

Feig is renowned for being nattily attired, and he readily admits that fashion is one of his favorite parts of the creative process.

Nevertheless, he doesn’t approach costuming dictatorially. “My journey with the actors and especially with actresses: I like to let them set the look, because I was an actor for years and I just know that it’s part of the character. It’s how you feel like the character.”

“She works in the fashion industry, so she’s fashion-forward,” Feig says of Emily. But they didn’t want to lean toward “her boobs are hanging out all over the place”or“she dresses super-revealing or sexy.” Instead, Feig explains, they wanted to dress her as a powerful, strong, career woman “who is coming into the, sort of, Lululemon

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world of parents just trying to get through their day as best as they can.” Feig says. Style conversations began early — before Feig started working with Lively or costume designer Renee Ehrlich Kalfus (who also worked on the fabulous costumes of Hidden Figures), and whom Feig describes as “really amazing.”

“We were definitely working towards more masculine kind of clothes for Blake, but it was more based on looking at Helmut Newton photos and that kind of thing — you know: the very iconic picture of the woman smoking the cigarette on that street in Paris?

And she’s got the big bell-bottom black pants and almost kind of a tuxedo-ish look to it?” Lively was on board with the idea. “Blake knew that she liked the idea of having this more masculine look, and then she looked at me, and she’s like, ‘I want to dress like you.’

Because I always wear, like, a three piece suit or double-breasted suits and that kind of thing.” So Lively said to Kalfus, “Let’s model me on the way that Paul Feig dresses.” Feig was flattered and got in touch with his friend Kimball Hastings, who works at Ralph Lauren, and said, “What do you think about suiting for Blake Lively?”The Lauren crew raided their archives, so most of the film’s suits are modified Ralph Lauren. Then Lively and Kalfus “put their absolute spin on with all the accessories and how they did the ties.”

Still worried that the studio would want more plunging-neckline sexiness, Lively came up with the idea that, though the first time we see her she’s in a suit,“when they get back to the house, she has this almost-Chippendales sort of fake shirt that she yanks off.”

When I refer to it as perhaps the most important dickie in the history of cinema, Feig laughs, remembering: “I said, ‘Oh my God, Blake, are you proposing a dickie?’ And she said yes. I was like, ‘This is fantastic!’ And then with the cuffs, too — it really makes me laugh.” It seems like this depth of care went into all of Emily’s ensembles, with each offering a new kind of surprise. “We just always want — every time Emily shows up — you to go, ’Wow! What are you wearing now?!’”

Later, I’ll be standing next to Feig at a party for the film when Lively sweeps into the room, channeling Emily by wearing an impeccably tailored suit in a shade of lime so vibrant that every eye would have been on her even if she weren’t a movie star. “She so

embraced it and it was just fun,” Feig says. “Blake doesn’t normally play these kind of roles, and even when I found out she wanted to do it, I remember — I’m such a fan of hers — I was like, ‘Wow, does she really?’” From the risks she took in costuming to a daring nude portrait that plays a crucial role in the film (Lively later tells me she’s not yet sure how she’ll ever explain it to her daughter), Feig says Lively kept surprising him with her willingness to challenge herself.

“I was like really? You would do that?”remembers Feig.“Blake was so willing to go way outside of her comfort zone.”

A HOUSE OF INDULGENCE Does this film full of fine fashions and smart cocktails reflect Feig’s own personal penchant for pampering? “I’m a house of indulgence.

I really am,” he confesses. “My whole thing is, work hard; play hard.

When I shoot my movies, we do what we call ‘French hours’ — tenhour days, which means we don’t take a lunch. There’s always food around. People eat as they’re working and then at the end of the ten hours, you have to pull the plug.” Then Feig and company head out for dinner and drinks. “I’m just a restaurant fanatic. The crazier the food, the better. And the fancier the restaurant, the happier I am. The more waiters and waitresses that are buzzing around the table, the more I love the place. So many people might be put off by that, but I love a good fancy meal where they’re trading out your silverware after every course and all that.”

In terms of travel, Feig admits to “chasing the dream of jet set glamour,”listing Capri, Positano and Venice among his favorite places to escape. Of Capri, Feig laments,“People say, ‘Oh, I went there for a day, and we hated it.’ It’s like: ‘Yeah. You went for a day and you hated it because you were there when all the tourists were there, and all the boats let everybody off and everybody’s walking around in their cargo shorts and all [that sort of] stuff.’ But if you hide out during the day and then you come out like at five or six [o’clock] for drinks down in front of [the Grand Hotel] Quisisana and suddenly people are walking around; they’re dressed up, and it looks like the Riviera in the 1950s.” Feig loves that era’s elegance — and the fact that he was able to channel it into A Simple Favor. “That’s what I love about this movie so much, and weirdly, this movie is probably my most personal movie — even though it has nothing to do with my life. It’s part murder and double-crossing, but just the fact that the martinis play so heavily into it and style plays so heavily into it.”

Feig wants to bring more of his sense of style to the screen in future projects, so long as he can make his films relatable. “That’s why I think I really took to this script because Anna Kendrick is the relatable character the middle of it all. She is the audience. She’s us.

We’re just normal people; so she’s going, ‘Oh my God — look how fancy and fun and stylish it is!’ And then she gets affected by it.” Feig says,“It plays into all the indulgences that I love.”

“I’m so proud of this movie. Honestly I think it’s my favorite movie I’ve ever done,” says Feig. “It just has everything, and it really wallows in the fun of how extreme it is.” Since it’s a thriller, we’ve attempted to reveal very little here about the plot — or what it all has to do with sexy Crazy Rich Asians star Harry Golding (who will play

a gay man in the forthcoming film, Monsoon). For similar reasons, they have chosen not to highlight what Feig describes as the film’s “very, very dark comedy” in its advertising. “I never want anybody to think we are not taking the thriller genre seriously because I love thrillers, I think, more than anything,” says Feig. “The thriller genre allowed me to do things that I haven’t been able to do in my other comedies because it’s such a dark world and because it’s such a world of extremes,” he says. “So I just say to everybody: you’re just going to have so much fun because you’re going to go on a full ride, and I personally feel you’re not going to be let down by any one of the elements of it because you’re going to be thrilled; you’re going to be shocked. But you’re going to have fun the whole time.” See A Simple Favor in theaters starting September 14.

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e g r u l p S

2.0

end ot sp n y h so w ARTIN you, M . h L t i RAH e it w DEBO ’t tak Y n B a c ? ster You n A-li a e k i it l

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THE FABULOUS PEOPLE KNOW HOW TO LIVE — WE SEE IT EVERY

day on social media (so it must be true). From private villas in remote locations to extravagant edibles, high tech headphones to golden workout gear, the bold-faced names are living their best lives, and the rest of us are experiencing serious FOMO. We wanted to know how to join the party so we looked for the most alluring, exotic and (let’s face it) expensive ways to part with some of your hard-earned dough re mi. As Auntie Mame once said,“Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!”

ALL OTHER IMAGES THIS PIECE PROVIDED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE SERVICES UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED

Dunia Baru

THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER Those insta-worthy destinations are waiting — for the right price.

When the rich and famous need to get away from it all, super-privacy is the priority. The Fogo Island Inn ($1200 per night) is located off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. It is remote enough to completely disconnect, yet accessible via modern transportation.

The island is halfway between the equator and the North Pole in the straits of Labrador, which provides locals with a temperate maritime climate and abundant wildlife that includes caribou, beavers, foxes, migrating whales and various native berries. In the spring, icebergs float by from the north, and in the summer the island is festooned in wildflowers. The inn itself is perched on stilts on the Atlantic coastline and has 29 suites, all with full views of the sea and sky.

Ker & Downey offers experiential luxury travel to an adventurous clientele who also want to give back. Some of their current offerings include trips to Peru on the Aria Amazon; to China aboard the Aqua Mekong vessels with international conservationist JeanMichel Cousteau; and to Cuba to explore the fabled island’s sustainability and conservation practices, including a visit to an organic coffee producer, lunch with local farmers and one-on-one exchanges with everyone from the mechanics who maintain Cuba’s classic cars to community activists and scientists.

Seeking something more exotic? The Dunia Baru is just the ticket. Constructed in Borneo and echoing the traditional design of Asian vessels, this luxury sailing ship sails the waters around Indonesia and the Andaman Sea. The ship carries 14 passengers, and every trip is bespoke, tailored to their client’s whims. Current offerings: a 5-day cruise in the Komodo archipelago, which includes searching for the famed Komodo dragons, swimming with Manta Rays and lying about on pristine beaches; and a six-day diving adventure in Raja Ampat, Indonesia — which includes 1,500 islands and over 1,000 species of reef fish. The average cost of a charter is $87,000.

If adventure is not your thing, check into CV Villa’s Villa Moana overlooking L’Ansecoy Bay in Mustique. A private chef stands ready to serve and can arrange for picnics on the beach and sumptuous formal dinners. Bedrooms face the ocean breezes, and if you don’t feel like moving far from home, relax in the infinity pool that overlooks the ocean. Prefer a little history with your luxury travel? Context Travel offers private or small-group strolls through the past.

The tours, led by PhD-level scholars, are inside looks at some of the world’s most famous sites. The after-hours private Vatican tour ($3,800) gives you an up-close look at one of the finest art collections in the world. For something closer to the modern era, The Sound of Music tour of Salzburg ($1200, private) includes visits to sites where the iconic musical was filmed, as well as a visit to the real Von Trapp villa and a look at the true legacy of the region, its most famous family and details their context in history.

Context Private Tours

CV Villa Mustique

Ker & Downey Cousteau Aria Amazon (Exterior View)

Fogo Island

Core Club

Core Club

Part of the allure of the A-list life is how perfectly effortless it looks, but accomplishing that je ne sais quoi takes an army of attendants. You can’t stuff a full-skirted ball gown into an overhead bin, and navigating the logistics of booking that photo expedition into the Amazon is a full-time job in and of itself. Enter the world of luxury service providers who will cater to your every whim.

Garde Robe bills itself as “luxury wardrobe management,” and offers services that include archival couture preservation for your one-of-a-kind de la Renta, seasonal wardrobe storage, and luggage-packing and worldwide delivery of your precious cargo to any destination (your second home in the Tuscan hills, perhaps?) They also offer a cyber closet — a digital look-book of your collections — which can be accessed on a secure website from anywhere in the world because, with a shoe collection that large, how can you be expected to remember whether you have last season’s Jimmy Choos in turquoise or gold? In addition to maintaining and delivering your wardrobe and preserving your pretties, Garde Robe membership also includes help with consignment advice, personal shopping, in-home tailoring and seamstress services and closet organizing. Individual services are approximately $350 per month; clients can add services as needed.

Quintessentially is a worldwide concierge service that offers

Quintessentially Butler Service

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“bespoke lifestyle services” such as travel itineraries, restaurant reservations, finding babysitters, butler services, picking up dry cleaning, preparing your second home for habitation, maintaining your personal calendar, suggesting VIP and private events all over the world, advising on art purchases, making sure the jet is stocked with your favorite libations — and, as they vouch on their website, “no request is too small.” Dedicated lifestyle managers are devoted to your contentment and make it their business to understand and even predict what you might need anywhere in the world. Their global elite membership will set you back approximately $45,000 per year.

The Core Club’s mantra is: Discover. Experience. Transform.

Memberships include a personal concierge service promising to “uncomplicated your life,” fine dining, private events, styling services by Paul Labrecque at his own salon at Core (or his two other locations in New York), and state-of-the-art skincare at Dangene: The Institute of Skinovation. Core:Fit is a fitness center complete with medical staff, private training, digital fitness training for when you can’t get to the club and wellness coaching. The club is one of the exclusive locations to offer Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS), which uses electrical impulses to stimulate muscular contractions. Cost of entry? $50,000 up front and $15,000 per year.

Garde Robe Wardrobe Service

BUTLER SERVICE IMAGE COURTESY 123RF

LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE

Dinner at Glass house Diamonds Are Forever Martini

DINNER AT 8 For the ultimate in pre-dinner cocktails, try the Diamonds are Forever Martini ($20,000), offered by the Ritz-Carlton Tokyo — a perfect Absolute Elyx vodka martini with a lime twist, poured over a flawless one-karat diamond. The martini is prepared tableside and is accompanied by the Shirley Bassey recording of (what else?) “Diamonds are Forever.”

Dinner is always a good idea, especially if it involves splurging on such things as Osetra caviar in exotic locales.

Phillip Johnson’s Glass House, built in 1949, is a singular piece of architectural history where you and 11 of your closest friends can pretend it’s all yours when you book a private seated dinner (and private tour of the property) for a mere $25,000. But be prepared: That doesn’t include the cost of food, beverages, service and rentals.

For dessert, “The Fortress Stilt Fisherman Indulgence” at the Fortress Resort and Spa in Sri Lanka is the perfect catch. Italian cassata flavored cream with Bailey’s liquor and pomegranate and mango compote on a bed of champagne sabayon sit next to a hand-carved chocolate stilt fisherman, holding an 80-carat aquamarine stone as blue as the surrounding waters of the nearby Indian Ocean.

Still hungry? Stop by Industry Kitchen in New York’s Financial District for their 24k pizza ($2,000). Order 48 hours in advance; that’s how long the squid ink pizza dough must rest before cooking. The crust is topped with Stilton cheese, foie gras, Osetra caviar, shaved truffles, and strips of edible 24-karat gold leaf. It’s the ultimate in comfort food.

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SPA LIKE YOU MEAN IT

Four Seasons Mauritus Talise Ottoman Spa

Four Seasons Bora Bora

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There are few names that inspire visions of the best of everything like The Four Seasons. Whether you’re staying in a massive urban center like New York, or a remote hideaway like Bora Bora, rest assured that you’ll be pampered from head to toe. The spas of the Four Seasons are internationally known and revered, and each spa pays special attention to its location. This is no cookie cutter luxury that offers the same amenities from city to city. The Four Seasons prides itself in using artisanal fragrances and products, and celebrating local cuisine and culture. The goal of each of their hotels is to make clients feel that they are an esteemed part of the environment. The Spa at Bora Bora is at the edge of a private lagoon, and is designed to look like a kahaia tree, which are indigenous to the island paradise. Signature spa treatments include skin-smoothing Tahitian black pearl powder, and algae treatments sourced from local waters. There’s an overwater couples suite, with treatment beds placed on glass panels above the lagoon, and an outdoor tub overlooking Mount Otemanu.

In the Indian Ocean, the island country of Mauritius beckons, and the world class Four Seasons spa there offers such signature treatments as Indian Bliss, incorporating Ayurvedic therapies with traditional herb bundles and traditional teas and sweets in an outdoor relaxation area. For a true relaxation experience, try the “Let it Go” eight-handed massage. This exclusive treatment created by the Mauritius therapists uses synchronized motions of four practitioners to stimulate energy across your body to achieve truly global rejuvenation.

Want to go for the gold? Then Head to the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray in Dubai, an opulent resort frequently visited by royalty.

In the hotel’s marble-and-mosaic bedecked Talise Ottoman Spa, guests can book a fullday journey ($7,000) that would have been fit for Cleopatra herself, including a milk and rose oil bath, argan-oil massage, the use of an Arabian gold hammam, a caviar lunch in the spa suite, and a custom-made 24-karat gold facial mask.

Hock dumbbells Gogosha Design Subjec t to Cha

nge

Seinhieser Head Phones

Chopard Sunglasses

THE STUFF THAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF If you want to live the luxe life, or at least look like you are, it’s all about the accessories. Sunnies are de rigueur of course: Chopard brings the bling with their diamond-encrusted pair (they will run you a cool $400,000), but for serious street cred, make your way to Gogosha Optique in Los Angeles, where Julia Gogosha-Clark and her staff will help you select the perfect, hand-made, artisanal frame for your face.

All of the limited-production frames at Gogosha Optique are made by international, über-chic designers, and you can schedule a private, after-hours session to pick your look. Frames run from $400 to $600, but fierceness knows no price tag.

For audiophiles, German audio brand Seinheiser’s Orpheus Headphones will set you back $58,000 but according to the brand’s website, will provide “otherworldly sound and timeless beauty.”

The amplifier sits on a glass housing that rests on a block of Carrara marble and the control dials are hand-milled from solid chrome-plated brass.

If you want to look like an A-lister, you have to work that body. For a hardcore workout in your own crib, the Peloton Tread ($4,000) hits all the right buttons. With digital access to Peloton’s top hard bodies, you can experience a mix of cardio and strength training for a total body workout — with a trainer broadcast on a 32-inch HD touch screen. And for weights that are chic enough to live in your living room, pick up Hock’s Goldloft Dumbbells ($125,000), made with precision-turned handles of rare Granadilla wood and 18k gold heads. Or opt for a complete set of Diskus Dumbbells on a walnut stand ($15,000).■

Peloton Tread

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To the uninitiated, tai chi chuan may look like slow motion silliness, but the practice offers a range of mental and physical health benefits. BY JEFFREY JAMES KEYES HAVE YOU EVER PASSED A SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE PRACTICING WHAT

appear to be very slow martial arts moves in a park? Chances are they’re moving through Tai chi chuan poses, and if you’ve ever wondered if you should get out and join them, you probably should give it a try.

Tai chi chuan, also referred to as shadow boxing, is an extension of traditional Chinese martial arts. Tai chi chuan literally translates as “perfect boxing.” Its roots extend back to the Ming Dynasty, when Zhang Sanfeng is said to have created the “Thirteen Postures of Tai Chi.” Its routines are used widely today as mind/body exercises known to not only treat but prevent numerous health issues. Tai chi is rooted in and utilizes fundamental Chinese philosophies, including qi as well as yin and yang.

Qi, known as universal life energy or life force — is always in flux as we transfer energy back and forth between people and things throughout our day. Yin and yang (represented by that tattoo you saw a lot back in the 80s and 90s) allude to the the opposite manifestations of qi. Yin refers to qi which is negative, dark and feminine, whereas yang is positive, bright and masculine. The constant interaction of yin and yang supposedly influences the life and destiny of all creatures and things.

Tai chi chuan can help improve your mood and relieve stress, anxiety and even depression. Regular practice can enhance the quality of your sleep, boost the immune system, lower blood pressure, improve pain in joints, increase energy level, stamina, muscle definition and strength. The exercise is low-impact, placing minimal stress muslces and joints — making it extremely safe for nearly anyone to take part (even those for whom other physical activities present a challenge) as it’s known to improve balance, reduce falls and the fear of falling, improve coordination and ease respiratory ailments.

Tai chi for weight loss? Yes! Tai Chi can strengthen both OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

METROSOURCE.COM

the upper and lower body, and while it may not exactly torch calories, working through its more than 100 movements can certainly augment and boost regular aerobic activity. On the mental front (smilar to yoga), focusing and centering your mind can create a sense of calmness and peace which helps banish weightgain-causing stress from your personal orbit.

The Tai Chi Foundation and The School of Tai Chi Chuan were both founded in 1976 to reflect the vision of Patrick Watson, who wanted to create a school of tai chi teachers to “preserve and transmit the movements and principles of the tai chi form” developed by his own mentor, Cheng Man-Ch’ing. It is affiliated with the New York School of Tai Chi Chuan, which has offered such classes as “Push Hands” and “Sword Form” at various locations around NYC for more than 35 years.

In Los Angeles, the TCSociety is a volunteer organization that aims to spread the understanding of the fundamentals of Tai Chi principles through the practice of Old Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan. Founded in 1992 by TC Hou, the TCSociety holds weekly practice sessions that last 90 minutes in Santa Monica, Studio City, Diamond Bar, Malibu, Thousand Oaks and Riverside. They also offer field trips to China and Taiwan for members seeking to experience and understand tai chi history up close.

Though there are books and videos that can demonstrate the fundamentals of Tai Chi, it’s best to learn from a proper instructor. What should you wear for your first Tai Chi class? Opt for comfortable, loose clothing and flat shoes. Cotton might be the most comfortable fabric to wear because it can absorb sweat and allows the skin to breathe. Avoid constricting clothing or anything that might suppress the qi from flowing!

Not sure where to go? Tai Chi for Health Institute is a great resource to find a Board Certified Tai Chi instructor. Visit taichiforhealthinstitute.org for info and instructors close to home. ■

STOCK PHOTO CREDIT: WAVEBREAK MEDIA LTD

BODY

HEALTH

Is Tai Chi for Me?

King Salmon Poke with Black Sesame and Quick Pickled Beet

BY GAYLE VAN WELY One of my favorite colorful dishes to serve at any special gathering is poke. This particular poke is packed with super-rich, good-for-you fat from king salmon and folate iron derived from red beets. Pickled beets also contain high amounts of potassium, phosphorus, magnesium — and vitamins A, B, and C (among others). The acidic sweetness from the beets and the brininess from the seabeans balance the luscious rich salmon to create an unbelievable unami bite.

SALMON POKE 1 lb. sushi-grade salmon fillet, cut into 3/4-inch cubes 2 Tbsp soy sauce 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 Tbsp sesame oil 2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar 2 Tbsp rice mirin 1 tsp ginger, grated 1 tsp garlic, minced 1 tbsp black sesame seeds

TIP Before you begin making a salmon poke dish, it’s best to place the raw salmon in a freezer for about 30 minutes to let it partially freeze. Ideally, the salmon should be firm, but remain soft enough to slice. This firmer texture will allow for far more sharply defined cuts.

METHOD: SALMON In a medium-sized bowl, combine soy sauce, oils, rice wine vinegar, mirin, ginger and garlic. Toss salmon gently with 1/4 cup of the marinade. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

METHOD: BEETS

IMAGE THIS PAGE BY GAYLE VAN WELY

RED BEETS 3 red beets sea salt 1/4 cup apple cider or sherry vinegar freshly ground pepper 1/4 cup olive oil

GARNISH Seabeans and scallions

1. Place beets in a large pot, then cover with cold water by 2 inches. Bring to a boil over high heat; add 1 tsp sea salt. Reduce heat slightly to maintain a rolling boil. Cook until tender, about 30 minutes. Drain, and let cool slightly.

Trim stem ends, then peel beets using a paring knife or a vegetable peeler.

Using a mandoline, cut beets 1/4-inch-thick slices for medallions. Use a carrot peeler to make a few into ribbons as well.

2. Whisk together vinegar, sea salt (to taste) and pepper in a small bowl.

Add oil in a slow, steady stream, whisking until emulsified. Pour vinaigrette over beets.

FIND MORE RECIPES ON METROSOURCE.COM. METROSOURCE.COM OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

45

MCA Chicago

CHOOSING TO BECOME HIV+ How a dark chapter in Cuba’s history helped craft a unique kind of community.

BY JEFF SIMMONS

Above left: Gerson Govea and Yoandra Cardosa of Los Frikis; January Parkos Annal

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Union cut financial ties with Cuba. During the late 1980s under the socialist Castro regime, where there were significant drains on resources such as gas and food, outliers such as “punks” were targeted for abuse, and people who were HIV positive were quarantined in sanitariums.

To evade persecution, a community of punks purposely injected themselves with HIV-positive blood, which guaranteed they would be sanctioned to the medical establishments, where they’d at least receive medicine, food, and shelter. As a result, so many members of that community, known as Los Frikis, purposely contracted HIV that at one point an entire sanitarium was filled with them. “You could hear rock ‘n’ roll and heavy metal coming from every house,”Yoandra Cardoso, a Friki, says in a Vice documentary. “When the sanatorium first opened, it was 100 percent Frikis... we were all here together.”

The way of life in the facilities allowed them to speak out against those in power, and patients could dress, socialize, and play music as they chose.

In the decades since, all but one of the sanitariums have since closed, and many of the patients have passed away.

“It’s an incredibly compelling story,” says January Parkos Arnall, Curator of Public Programs at MCA Chicago (the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago), “a time during this ‘Special Period’ when Cuban citizens, mostly young punks, were intentionally seroconverting to HIV-positive status in order to be able to take care of themselves.”

This November 30, MCA will host a special program with QUEER, ILL + OKAY, where Cardoso and fellow Friki Gerson Govea will discuss their journey in a conversation with Radio Ambulante’s Luis Trelles and Cursed Be Your Name, Liberty documentary filmmaker Vladimir Ceballos.

MCA, which champions the provocative side of contemporary art and culture, notes that life in sanitariums was seen by Los Frikis as being far preferable to staying on the streets, in no small part because of the freedom it gave them the freedom to challenge the government. The program will be presented in Spanish and English with simultaneous interpretation for non-bilingual audience members. Vida/SIDA, a Chicago-based organization committed to providing HIV prevention services to Latinos and other minority groups, will provide onsite, free rapid HIV tests.

“We’re really interested in the ways that contemporary art today extends beyond objects in a gallery,” Parkos Arnall says. “Multidisciplinary programs that showcase the breadth of the human experience are exactly the kinds of programs I want to be doing here.”

“We hope that through the lens of contemporary art and culture we can open up our local community to that kind of empathy and that kind of understanding, feeling like this is relevant in each of our lives,” she adds.

Joe Varisco, QUEER, ILL + OKAY’s founder and program director who is producing the event, says Cardoso and Govea are both“radicals, and they don’t tolerate bullshit; they don’t suffer fools.”Both are still active musicians, he said, and have never left Cuba before (both were in the process of getting visas this spring). “They are older now, in their 50s, and they are excited to share their stories,”Varisco says.

■

THIS PAGE: STEVEN HALL © HEDRICH BLESSING • GERSON GOVEA AND YOANDRA CARDOSA OF LOS FRIKIS PHOTO BY LUIS TRELLES FOR RADIO AMBULANTE • JANUARY PARKOS ANNAL BY NATHAN KEAY COURTESY MCA CHICAGO

BODY

METROHIV

IT’S CONSIDERED THE “SPECIAL PERIOD” IN CUBA’S HISTORY: WHEN THE SOVIET

WHO SHOULD GET TESTED FOR HIV? EVERYONE.

See how often testing is recommended.

Visit HelpStopTheVirus.com © 2016 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. UNBC3150 06/16

What’s in Your Gym Bag? A properly-stocked bag can mean the difference between leaving the gym looking beat — or as fresh as if you never broke a sweat. BY JEFFREY JAMES KEYES A JOCKSTRAP, SHORTS, TANK TOP, WATER BOTTLE: SOME THINGS SEEM TO BE IN EVERYBODY’S GYM BAG. BUT TO STEP UP YOUR GAME, YOU’LL

want to add some top-of-the-line skincare products. After all, if you’re going to invest the time pounding the elliptical, pumping iron and getting barked at by your trainer, you’ll have earned a little pampering when you’re done.

BODY

HEALTH

"LUE ,AGOON )CELAND s &OAMING #LEANSER Strip your face of residual sweat and impurities with a little Icelantic secret: Blue Lagoon Iceland’s signature Foaming Cleanser. The 1.7 Fl. oz. fits perfectly in any bag, and contains geothermal seawater, minerals & silica. The Blue Lagoon itself is a true wonder of the world: its geothermal seawater flows from volcanic aquifers deep within the Earth. So it’s no wonder this cleanser’s anti-aging, strengthening and revitalizing properties that will leave you feeling deeply refreshed and ready to face the world. $25 - 1.7 oz.

"LUE #OPPER s &ACE ,IFTING 3ERUM

Say goodbye to sore muscles when you rub them down with soothing Dragon Ice Relief and Recovery Balm after your workout. Jack Black’s formula includes menthol to warm and soothe your aching muscles, dragon’s blood (derived from real Amazonian tree sap) to reduce inflammation, beta-glucan to boost the immune system, Canadian willowherb for its anti-inflammatory properties and MSM (biologically active sulfur) to fight joint and muscle pain. Be sure to rub a little extra on your glutes and hamstrings after performing squats! $23 - 4 oz.

%XO -EN s -OISTURIZER It’s so important to continually moisturize your skin, especially after an intense workout. Lock in hydration with this no-nonsense moisturizer that offers extra inflammation control. Exo Men’s moisturizer is infused with more than 100 million Zen3 exosomes and a blend of next-gen natural ingredients including kelp, Irish moss, macadamia oil, sea lettuce, blue algae and grapeseed-coconut oil. It helps to rejuvenate cells from the outside in.

$80 - 1.6 oz.

IMAGES THIS SECTION COURTESY OF THE MANUFACTURERS

What is this magical blue cream? Blue Copper 5 Face Lifting Serum is a daytime serum with a lightweight formula that combines the anti-aging benefits of copper peptides with advanced visible lifting technology. Oak Kernal Extract provides instant smoothing, toning and firming. Shiitake mushroom extracts help reduce the appearance of thinning and sagging skin. This three-in-one formula promotes visibly firmer, healthier, younger looking skin, reducing fine line and wrinkles for both instant and long-term anti-aging benefits. $75 - 1.7 oz.

*ACK "LACK s $RAGON )CE 0AIN 2ELIEVING #REAM

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.ANOGEN s 3HAMPOO #ONDITIONER You don’t have to break the bank to have a great hair day. Nanogen’s 5 in 1 Shampoo & Conditioner for Men is a bold, thickening treatment shampoo and conditioner designed with men’s needs in mind. Cleanse, condition, exfoliate, thicken and strengthen your hair with a time-saving treatment that will help your hair look fuller and healthier. The combined formula of Redensyl - Larix Europaea Bark Extract revitalizes hair follicles, while pea sprout extract stimulates the production of hair cells and thickens, and the special combination of scientifically-developed peptides stimulate collagen and facilitate hair anchoring. Your best hair is just a wash away! $14.99 - 8.11 oz.

0HILIP +INGSLEY s 3WIMCAP If swimming is part of the agenda for your ultimate workout, Philip Kingsley’s Swimcap is an absolute must. Designed to guard against UV, chlorine and saltwater, Swimcap was originally formulated for the U.S. Olympic Synchronized Swim Team. Swimcap features elastin to improve the hair’s tensile strength and moisture retention, castor oil to lock in moisture, olive oil to moisturize and boost shine, and PABA to guard against UV rays — so anybody can jump into the pool and still have a great-looking ‘do later. $28 - 2.5 oz.

/LD 3PICE s (ARDEST 7ORKING Old Spice takes odor blocking to the next level with their powerful “Hardest Working” collection of antiperspirant/deodorants. You can apply it before a workout (if you want to nip funk in the bud before you sweat) or to keep you fresh after you rinse off. The Odor Blocker is Old Spice’s most powerful invisible solid Antiperspirant/Deodorant. The line comes in a variety of scents, including Lasting Legend, Pure Sport Plus, Stronger Swagger, Extra Fresh and Tougher Timber. And if you feel like you sweat too much, opt for Old Spice Sweat Defense, which delivers up to 66% sweat reduction. $5.49 - 2.6 oz ■

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49

After years of Hot Yoga, I realized there was a different kind of burn to be felt working out in the cold. BY JEFFREY JAMES KEYES WORKOUTS HAVE BEEN ABOUT HEAT FOR A LONG TIME. I’VE LOST COUNT OF

how many times I’ve held yoga poses in scorchingly hot rooms of up to 108°F, but there’s a new movement that’s bringing people to a cooler mat. Brrrn (yes, that’s with three“r’s”) bills itself as the world’s first cool temperature fitness concept. Located in Manhattan’s swank Flatiron district, cofounders Jimmy T. Martin and Johnny Adamic launched their 45°F to 60°F boutique fitness studio and lifestyle brand in May of 2018.

The cool duo pair the benefits of routine cool temperature exposure [called mild cold stress] with exercise [called environmental conditioning] to optimize the fitness experience.” Brrrn started off with a threetier group exercise program: 1st° (A Yoga-Inspired Mobility & Strength Series), 2nd° (A Core & Cardio Slide Board Series), and 3rd° (A Battle Rope Infused Hit Series). All three classes are 45 minutes.

I initially crossed the threshold into Brrrn on a Sunday morning for a 1st° class, and I could tell that in this crisp new studio there was already a visible cult following. The front desk was organized, down to Earth and broke the ice about the cold workout to come. What does one wear to a“cold yoga class?”I’d thrown wool socks, a baggy sweatshirt, a knit hat and a scarf in my gym bag just in case (since the Brrrn website feature pictures of chiseled yogis stretching and bending outside on a winter day). The staff let me know I would probably find myself shed-

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THIS PAGE: COURTESY BRRN FITNESS

HEALTH BODY

BRRRN UNIT

ding all this winter gear a few minutes into class anyway, so I opted to leave it in a locker in the dressing room (which was pleasantly scented by freshly used Dr. Bronner’s products). I noticed people heading into the infrared sauna and, for a moment, considered heading toward its heat instead of the cold.

But just a couple of steps into the 60°F studio and I immediately felt relaxed and cool. Light rock music was playing, and I found a space to begin my workout. Minutes into the class, I had already broken into a light sweat and was happy I left my heavy gear in the other room. Cofounder Johnny was teaching the class, and the sequence of yogic poses was challenging but seemed manageable for all levels. I contemplated all the hours I’ve spent in hot yoga studios, slipping and sliding in pools of sweat that had gathered on my yoga mats. While it’s true that sometimes the heat can make your body stretch and move a little more comfortably, it’s not necessarily the healthiest approach to the practice.

Overheating, dehydrating and even overextending are all possible in a hot yoga class.

“Cold has been the backdrop of the human experience for millennia,” explained Adamic.“We’ve engineered cold out of our lives. Now we live in these climate-controlled environments of 72°F from the time we wake up until we go to bed, but routine exposure to cooler temperatures is actually good for us. We are reuniting the cold back with exercise — where it belongs.”

As we made our way through the class, Adamic paid close attention to everyone in the room, offering subtle adjustments as we progressed from Downward Facing Dog through Chaturanga Dandasana and the Warrior Series, deepening everyone’s practice pose by pose. By the time we reached Savasana I felt exhausted yet refreshed, and I was already looking forward to our next class, where Adamic would be waiting with more encouragement and advice. I later learned he’s a former public health official for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Obesity Task Force. He joined forces with an athlete-turned-celebrity personal trainer, advertising copywriter and Saturday Night Live background performer Jimmy T. Martin to create the Brrrn program and they conducted their first trial in the beer fridge at Sixpoint Brewery just across the bridge from Manhattan in Brooklyn.

My next stage of Brrrn would be the 55°F Core & Cardio Slide Board Series, which is circuit-based in nature and focused on core and total body conditioning. The class is designed to improve balance and mobility, sculpt legs, strengthen inner thighs, improve core strength and increase overall muscular endurance. And true cold seekers will release their inner snowbeast with the 3rd°, a high-impact class combining dumbbell circuit training with battle rope exercises to improve overall strength and conditioning at a brisk 45°F. While I may be content sticking with the 1st° for now, I’m definitely intrigued by the cooler, more advanced classes and will be back for another cold snap — this time without bothering to bring the extra wool. thebrrrn.com ■

MIX EMOTIONS During the reign of Top 40 radio, Kevin mastered crafting crowd-pleasing playlists, but as tastes began to change, he found it harder to get people into the mix. BY KEVIN PHINNEY

my pocket, and would ask bartenders to play my tape, and I tipped them to do so — at first. Eventually, they started buying me thankyou drinks. Ultimately, they asked for their own copies. Several kept collections with certain ones marked “XXX,” because they made girls want to scale the bar to lead the crowd dancing below.

This went on an absurdly long time, but gradually I noticed things changing. MTV ditched videos, and with the rise of Napster and the ability of artists to get noticed on the internet without having to go through a record company, there were fewer that everyone knew. Sure, Madonna, Cher, Britney, Rihanna, JT, Xtina and Beyoncé all broke through. But with the rise of rap, hip-hop and countless indie bands, pleasing everyone at a party became an exercise in guesswork. And far too many people thought that if it looked easy, it must be. One night, as I had reduced a party into a sweaty throng with a vintage funk tune called “Get Off Your Ass and Jam,” the host drunkenly asked to cut in. He put on Hootie & the Blowfish. A fire couldn’t have cleared the place faster.

When I got married, the music for my reception was to be my masterpiece. People threw each other around to swing music, swayed to Nat “King” Cole, got their groove on with Prince, sang along to “Rainbow Connection” and left pleasantly exhausted.

Lately I’ve noticed my gift at inciting a party starting to slip.

Last spring, I attended a friend’s wedding reception and passed the DJ $20 to spin a Whitney Houston megamix I found recently. He agreed, but then played “I Want to Dance With Somebody” first — knowing it would sabotage my intention. Many in the crowd were fine with hearing Whitney hit it baby one more time, but I knew I was done. I’m secure in the knowledge that I’ll never completely lose my mojo, but I won’t spend any more time butting into a DJ’s gig to prove it. I never want to be known as that Hootie guy. ■

POV

It was easy to capture an audience back then. Top 40 and FM radio had created a ready template of something for everyone. You could hear Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love” next to Glen Campbell’s “Rhinestone Cowboy,”followed by hits from Fleetwood Mac or the Commodores. Then MTV came along, adding Duran Duran, Madonna, Michael Jackson and the Beastie Boys into the mix.

I started to experiment with my own mixes. My formula was simple, at least on the surface: Pick a starting point in time. Pick a genre. Then link each song to another on the radio at roughly the same time while gradually creeping forward in time to create a sweep of classics that would remind listeners of complete eras in their lives. I made pop mixes, R&B mixes, disco mixes and rock ‘n’ roll mixes. I made a habit of carrying what I wanted to hear in

VIEWS

MOST OF US WILL LOVE MANY

kinds of music over a lifetime, but nothing will ever hold the same hypnotic sway as what we listened to in our own puberty.

There’s something about coming of age that imbues every note of those songs with the essence of who we were in the process of becoming. Just a few chords can spin you right ‘round (baby) into a reverie of how Everything Was Better Then.

I learned this simple truth when I vaulted into perfecting the art of the mixtape while they were at the apex of their popularity. Friends would often joke that I seemed to have invented the art form. Some of them went out and bought Walkmans, then Discmans, and MP3 players to keep up with the tapes, CDs and playlists I painstakingly put together, then gave away for free.

I admit, there was no small amount of ego involved. Certainly I didn’t write or record any of the songs. Nor did I discover the artists or sign them to record contracts. But in the same way that Colonel Sanders didn’t create chicken or spices, I could put the ingredients together in a way people found . . . irresistible.

I was just out of my teens when I discovered this parlor trick.

A throwback craze for all things ‘50s had recently swept the nation: America couldn’t get enough of Happy Days (or its spinoffs, Laverne & Shirley, Mork & Mindy and Joanie Loves Chachi), so my roomates and I decided to throw a retro-themed house party. But instead of hearkening back to the sanitized ‘50s, we decided our party — in true Animal House style — would celebrate the debauchery of the free love ‘60s. To complete the ambience, we snapped up a few lava lamps, a black light and concocted a trash can punch (in an actual trash can, double lined with plastic lawn bags and containing what can only be described as a heroic amount of alcohol).

Since I had the most records, I was elected to spin. This was ideal for me, as my roomies were too intent on scoring with girls to care about what to play next, and I — still closeted and stuck going through the motions with women — had an excuse to avoid hunting down a gal pal to be my tonsil hockey partner. I started out playing current music, but then began slowly turning back the clock — meticulously linking a current song to an earlier one by the same artist or a contemporary cover to the original. Before long, we were all feeling it. Someone lit incense. Clothes came off.

The ‘60s definitely had an encore that night.

ARE YOU WINNING WHEN IT COMES TO SPINNING? SHARE YOUR STORY IN “GAY VOICES” AT METROSOURCE.COM. METROSOURCE.COM OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

51

The Reichstag und Paul Löbbe Haus

Sausage Fest : The Best of Berlin and Hamburg FROM ITS COSMOPOLITAN CAPITAL TO A CITY IN THE MIDST OF A MARITIME RENAISSANCE, GERMANY HAS PLENTY TO SERVE. BY MARK A. THOMPSON

Interior, Komische Oper Berlin

Alexanderplatz

THE SEXY, EDGY BRILLIANCE OF BERLIN IF YOU’RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO RECALL THE EDGY GLAMOUR OF

1970s New York, when the city was bankrupt but sizzling hot and teeming with creative energy, then it’s likely you’ll feel immediately at home as soon as you set foot in Berlin.

As David Bowie once said of the city where he lived from 1976 through 1978 while writing his Berlin Trilogy of albums Low, Heroes, and Lodger, “Berlin [is] the greatest cultural extravaganza that one could imagine.”

You can’t help but feel Bowie’s legacy as you sit happily in the lobby library of ORANIA.BERLIN, a luxury hotel in the center of gritty Kreuzberg — nearly oblivious to the fact that the lobby’s full-length windows have been smashed by neighborhood an-

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archists. In Berlin, it’s never entirely clear whether you are living amidst an act of destructive malice or immersed in subversive public art. Perhaps determining the difference is splitting hairs?

As Berlin’s erstwhile mayor once said, “Berlin is poor but sexy” — words which still beckon like a siren to more than 12 million annual visitors, though the phrase rang with greater veracity back in 2003 when the city’s debt seemed more insurmountable. Currently, Berlin is home to more than a dozen 5-star luxury hotels, in addition to 28 Michelin stars distributed amongst the city’s culinary wunderkinds.

The Michelin-starred GOLVET, for example, received its inaugural star only six months after the restaurant’s opening in a for-

CLOCKSWISE FROM TOP: PIERRE ADENIS • VISITBERLIN/VISUMATE • KOMISCHE OPER BERLIN • WOLFGANG SCHOLVIEN

House of the World’s Cultures

clockwise from top left: orania.berlin • frau tonis • visitberlin/pedro becerra/staGeview.de • lufthansa

Orania.Berlin

mer nightclub known for its panoramic views over Potsdamer Platz.

While the posh club never found a loyal audience, the restaurant has earned its plaudits from an elegantly understated dining room that keeps a sharp focus on modern European cuisine spiked with Asian influences. A potato baked in salt dough and served like a Fabergé egg is a reminder of the pleasures of simple treasures. Guests seated at the restaurant’s 40-foot bar face the open kitchen, while a terrace offers skyline views of the historic Schöneberg neighborhood where Berlin’s first gay bar opened in 1977.

For years, Schöneberg has been one of Berlin’s most colorful neighborhoods, with residents who have included Christopher Isherwood, Marlene Dietrich and Bowie, who lived there with Iggy Pop in a seven-room apartment. In 2013, one of Berlin’s most original cultural institutions, the SCHWULES MUSEUM, relocated from Kreuzberg to a former printing house in Schöneberg to accommodate its vast collection of LGBTQ archival holdings.

Nearby — and equally inspiring — is Schöneberg’s URBAN NATION, a museum of urban contemporary art which opened in 2017 in a turn-of-the-last-century building. For years, Urban Nation has been creating outdoor galleries on Berlin’s façades, and the brandnew museum presents an amalgam of ‘70s New York melded with 21st-century Berlin in its celebration of urban contemporary artists.

Schöneberg also hosts Christopher Street Day, Berlin’s annual LGBTQ celebration of equality, as well as the leather and fetish festival known as Folsom Europe.

Now, imagine an attempt to capture all this creative fusion — call it “the essence of Berlin” — in a bottle; that’s what FRAU TONIS Parfum has done. In a collaboration with KAUFHAUS DES WESTENS (aka KaDeWe), the Bergdorf Goodman of Berlin, the haute parfumerie released Berlin: a vibrant elixir of lemon, cedarwood and cardamom.

“I still keep a suitcase in Berlin,” sang Marlene Dietrich in an expression of her ongoing love for the city. Frau Tonis has also translated that love into a fragrance called Veilchen, a seductive interpretation of Dietrich’s signature violet blossom fragrance. As intense as Dietrich was assertive, Veilchen is a mesmerizing ode to the actress’ timeless glamour. Located near former Berlin Wall crossing spot Checkpoint Charlie, Frau Tonis also offers fragrance workshops for those seeking to create a personalized scent.

History seems to loiter around every street corner in Berlin. Across the street from Checkpoint Charlie, DIE MAUER ASISI PANORAMA BERLIN still provides a 360-degree reminder of an autumn day in 1980s Berlin when the Wall still divided the city. Artist Yadegar Asisi utilizes photography, painting and stage design to recreate the haunting atmosphere of lives lived in the shadows of the Wall — including

Frau Tonis Parfum

Christopher Street Day Parade

the menacing motto: “Those who do not respect the border will be greeted by bullets.”

Today, the city’s slogan is Berlin 365/24, a reference to Berlin’s ongoing openness to everyone at all times. A reflection of the citywide creative spirit, Berlin’s start-up economy numbers in excess of 2300 with more than 22 accelerators and incubators. Europe’s first 5-star airline LUFTHANSA established its Innovation Hub in 2014 at Hackescher Markt, the nexus of Berlin’s start-up ecosystem, to better foster partnerships with the global travel market. In November 2017, Lufthansa Group inaugurated its new JFK/Berlin route with a Business Class experience (pictured) marked by elegant lounges, onboard restaurant service and lie-flat seats that extend to nearly six feet in length.

Lufthansa Business Class

One’s arrival at Orania.Berlin offers an inside view onto the raffish charms of Kreuzberg, one of Berlin’s most vibrant neighborhoods. Imagine Haight-Ashbury in the swinging ‘60s transported to Berlin; its burgeoning cultural scene is now anchored in this luxury hotel on the corner of Oranienplatz. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Orania.Berlin opened in August 2017 with a paint-bomb benediction from the neighborhood’s raffish elements, although more benevolent Kreuzbergers are usually found with a cocktail at Orania.Bar amidst a cabaret milieu that evokes the historic building’s original 1920s café.

For decades, Kreuzberg has also been home to Berlin’s largest Turkish community, and an evening at FES TURKISH BBQ serves as a persuasive reminder that the neighborhood still offers the city’s best Turkish cuisine. Scores of plates crowd communal tables — flatbreads and meats and more than a dozen mezze spiced with cumin, sumac, red pepper, oregano, mint — and it’s here in a roomful of expats and immigrants, hipsters and Berliners, all sharing in this festival of flavorful food, that you recognize what a truly marvelous medley 21st-century Berlin really is.

METROSOURCE.COM OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

53

Speicherstadt

Elbphilharmonie in the Evening

HOME AGAIN TO HAMBURG

Elbphilharmonie Lit Up for Christopher Street Day

Elbphilharmonie Grand Hall

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notice. As an arbiter of luxury and indulgence, few people are more influential than the Hamburg-born kaiser of couture who left his hometown for Paris in the 1950s.

A master of extravagant spectacles, Lagerfeld has presented his collections for Chanel and Fendi at the world’s most dazzling locales: from China’s Great Wall to Scottish and Austrian palaces, Paris’ Grand Palais, and Rome’s Cinecittà — so it was only a matter of time before Lagerfeld landed at Hamburg’s ELBPHILHARMONIE. As Germany’s second-largest city, Hamburg has sometimes loomed in the shadows of its bigger sister Berlin. That may have changed with the 2017 opening of Elbphilharmonie, a 21st-century engineering marvel and stunning concert hall built atop a 1960s-era docklands warehouse in the center of Germany’s largest port city. Known affectionately as “Elphie” by locals, the magnificent Elbphilharmonie has given Hamburg a singular architectural landmark as recognizable as Sydney’s Opera House or Bilbao’s Guggenheim.

Designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron (at a cost of nearly $1 billion), the breathtaking structure rises nearly 400 feet above the Elbe River like a suspended cerulean wave of glass about to crash on the shores of Hamburg’s HafenCity. Once Lagerfeld bestowed his blessing on Elbphilharmonie with a 15th anniversary showing of Chanel’s Métiers d’Art collection, it was clear to many that Hamburg had become the new cultural capital of Germany.

Straddled between the North Sea and the Baltic, Hamburg and its metropolitan region (which currently numbers approximately 5 million people) traces its cross-cultural roots to its membership in the Hanseatic League, the medieval confederation of merchant guilds that dominated Northern European trade for more than 300 years. Despite of a history of cataclysmic catastrophes that include flooding, fires and World War II bombing

clockwise from top left: thies raetzke • elbphilharmonie • elbphilharmonie • michael pasdszior

WHEN KARL LAGERFELD RETURNS TO HAMBURG, PEOPLE TAKE

clockwise from top: the fontenay • the fontenay • herr von eden • hamburg convention buereau • studio gundlach

that several times reduced the city to little more than ruins, Hamburg has risen like a phoenix, wealthier with each incarnation of its rebirth.

By the time the Beatles arrived in 1960 for a two-year stint along the city’s notorious Reeperbahn that refined their act (as well as shaped their moptop haircuts), Hamburg had become a bellwether for European nightlife and musical culture. For a glimpse of the wild flamboyance of the era, albeit with Savile Row finesse, the men’s haberdasher HERR VON EDEN exemplifies Hamburg’s ongoing sartorial savvy.

Founded in 1998 by designer Bent Angelo Jensen, the label remains a favorite of numerous music industry luminaries who personify the maxim that a man is rich when of sound mind and the owner of a good suit. To wander through the warren of rooms in the exquisite St. Pauli boutique is akin to sliding into a resplendent rabbit hole outfitted in paisley, polka dots, stripes, A Hamburg Tattoo velvets and tweed. on Elbe Beach As the seat of Germany’s oldest stock exchange and home to the republic’s most influential media, including Der Spiegel and Die Zeit, Hamburg has a history of catering to the well-heeled and well groomed. Dedicated to gentlemen, BARBER HOUSE serves its fashionable clientele in an elegant Old Town building where wet shaves and haircuts are rendered with meticulous care amidst a surfeit of marble and mahogany.

One of Europe’s most affluent cities (home to more than 40,000 millionaires), Hamburg remains in the throes of a massive renaissance, most noticeably in the ongoing development of HafenCity. An area once defined by Speicherstadt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of neo-Gothic brick warehouses has become the largest urban redevelopment project in Europe: a 400-acre maritime city with architecture by Rem Koolhaas, Renzo Piano, and Zaha Hadid. The completion of Elbphilharmonie continues the reinvigoration of its docklands and the extension of the city center to the Elbe River.

Given the absence of an aristocracy during Hamburg’s history as a free imperial city and sovereign state before German reunification in 1871, the city is marked by lakefront mansions rather than palaces, many of which eventually became consulates and private homes, as well as showrooms to such designers as Lagerfeld, JOOP! and Jil Sander. In the early 19th century, the American-born shipping industrialist John Fontenay purchased a tract of land along Lake Alster, which is now home to THE FONTENAY, Hamburg’s first five-star hotel to open in more than 20 years.

Designed as a trio of interlocking circles along the lakefront, the 131-room Fontenay offers panoramic views of the city from its luxury rooms and suites, as well as a rooftop restaurant with a Michelin-starred chef, Germany’s first La Mer spa — and an indooroutdoor infinity pool. Nestled amidst one of Hamburg’s most verdant neighborhoods, The Fontenay complements Elbphilharmonie with an emphasis on innovative architecture emblematic of 21st-century Hamburg.

With more than 100 districts, Hamburg has a neighborhood for every fancy and fetish — though the two named for saints, ST. PAULI and ST. GEORG, are the centers of LGBTQ life and home to Hamburg Pride. A convivial neighborhood of coffeehouses, bars and design shops in 19th-century buildings, St. Georg runs parallel to the larger of the city’s two lakes, which makes for a pleasant moonlit walk back to REICHSHOF HOTEL HAMBURG with its Art Deco-era Bar 1910. Built that year, the century-old hotel still retains its Jazz Age charm with a classic speakeasy that features a club room and billiards table.

Martini in hand, it’s easy to understand why Lagerfeld returned home to a city that is building on a rich and glorious past to embrace a seemingly limitless future.

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The Fontenay Atrium The Fontenay Gartenrestaurant

Herr von Eden

Beatles-Platz on Reeperbahn

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STAGE AND SCREAM LA SCOPE

Snap up tickets for Vanessa Williams, Dear Evan Hansen, The Woman in Black, Phantom of the Opera, Uncabaret’s Anniversary Show and more. BY CHRISTOPHER LISOTTA stay hidden, and bringing them to light can have terrifying consequences (which makes for great theatre). pasadenaplayhouse.org

LOS ANGELES

DEAR EVAN HANSEN

Vanessa Williams

VANESSA WILLIAMS October 12-13 TV and Broadway diva Vanessa Williams brings her formidable voice to Orange County’s premier stage for two evenings of her pop hits —including the 1991 juggernaut “Save the Best for Last.” Singing with the Pacific Symphony as their season opener, Williams is expected to belt out a full complement of fan favorites, plus her unique take on American Jazz standards. Has the symphony ever been so sexy? scfta.org

THE WOMAN IN BLACK October 17-November 11 Based on a book by Susan Hill, The Woman in Black has been scaring London audiences for nearly three decades. The spine-tingling story of a man obsessed by a family curse and a ghostly female visage is finally making its way to Pasadena. Some secrets are meant to

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October 17-November 25 The Tony-and Grammy-winning musical has made its way to Southern California, where the seemingly small story of a teenage boy trying to fit in soars as one of the seminal shows of its generation. Heartbreaking and profoundly emotional, the show beckons audiences by not treating mental illness as “tragically beautiful.”That said, the show still manages to deliver a satisfying emotional and comedic punch. centertheatregroup.org

THE CAKE Through October 21 A devout North Carolina baker faces the ultimate test of her faith and friendship when her best friend’s daughter asks her to make her wedding cake — which she wants topped with two brides. That 70’s Show star Debra Jo Rupp stars in this very funny, ripped-fromthe-headlines satire that explores how love, friendship, faith and family all come together in a confection of flour, sugar and southern tears. geffenplayhouse.org

HALLOWEEN PALM SPRINGS AND GREATER PALM SPRINGS PRIDE October 31-November 4 Escape the craziness of LA, and enjoy the

desert’s off-season yet amazing Pride! Palm Springs’ gay fathers and mothers have built a super-sized long weekend around what has become an international LGBT destination event. Halloween kicks off with a performance by dance Diva Debby Holiday and spinning from DJ Phil B., with pride celebrations beginning the next day. A two-day music festival leads to the annual Sunday parade, which will celebrate the city’s 80th birthday by recognizing 80 of the city’s queer leaders and community allies. halloweenpalmsprings.com

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA LIVE November 3 No, we’re not talking about Andrew Lloyd Webber Broadway fare. CSUN presents a screening of the seminal 1925 silent screen version of the tragic story starring Lon Chaney. The original score will be performed live by a full orchestra (complete with organ!) to bring those spooky images to life in the most haunting way imaginable. Watch out for falling chandeliers (just in case). thesoraya.org

UNCABARET: 25TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW AND CELEBRATION November 18 It’s hard to believe it’s been a quarter century of comedian Beth Lapides curating eclectic evenings of quirky performers. Looking to create a space for comedy that was “unhomophobic, unmisogynist and unxenophobic,” Lapides has hosted everyone from Carrie Fisher to Kathy Griffin, including Margaret Cho and Coco Peru on her semi-weekly nights of music and comedic introspection.

The renowned Theater at the Ace Hotel in downtown LA gives Lapides the impressive venue her show so richly deserves for such a special occasion. acehotel.com ■ Debby Holiday

images this page: Dear evan hansen photo CreDit matthew murphy • vanessa williams By BarBara nitke Courtesy lmn’s the haunting of • halloween palm springs Courtesy halloween palm springs

Dear Evan Hansen

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and more!

THIS IS THE MOMENT THE NOW MASSAGE BOUTIQUE

LA HOTSHOPS

7611 Beverly Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90036 323-746-5525 thenowmassage.com Open 10am to 10pm Daily IT’S BEEN A WHILE SINCE ANOTHER MAN HAS ASKED

LOS ANGELES

me to remove my clothes. The fact that the most recent occurrence was in a therapeutic setting made it feel no less consequential. I was “on assignment” – like Anderson Cooper, but instead of exploring the site of an armed conflict or a natural disaster, I was headed to get a massage.

The benefits of human touch are well-

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documented. Babies that are held have a much higher rate of survival. Why should we imagine that adults are any different? In this day and age when we’re glued to our phones, wasting time on Facebook, binge-watching our latest guilty pleasure, or stressing about Trump’s latest tweet, the importance of un-plugging and de-stressing has become not just an indulgence but a necessity. The Now – a massage boutique with four locations in Los Angeles (this one in West Hollywood, 3329 Sunset Boulevard in Silver Lake, 2407 Main Street in Santa Monica and 12019 Ventura Boulevard in Studio City) seemed like the perfect antidote.

To be honest, I’m not the ideal candidate for a massage. Thin-skinned and slight of frame, I’m not what you’d call a touchy-feely person. I was so ticklish as a child that I’d squirm and giggle every time the pediatrician tried to touch me with his stethoscope. Coupled with the fact that I haven’t been in a relationship for quite some time, this wasn’t just an assignment: It was an intervention.

The ambience at The Now is a curious mix of Santa Fe shabby chic and ‘70s New Age (with hints of Bali). I had mixed feelings about the faux animal skin throw and the gnarled tree trunk backless chair, but I had to silence my inner critic and surrender to the moment (“the now” if you will). Faced with a menu of customized options with names like “The Healer” and “The Stretch,” I chose the boutique’s namesake, “The Now,” a Swedish-style 50-minute table massage along with an aromatherapy enhancement. I was greeted by my masseur and ushered down a lantern-lit corridor (pictured) lined with treatment rooms. The thera-

IMAGE THIS PAGE: COURTESY OF THE NOW MASSAGE BOUTIQUE

We sent a writer who is less than familiar with the rituals of massage to see if this boutique could ease him into it. BY STEVE GOTTFRIED

pist left for a few moments to allow me to disrobe privately (to whatever degree my comfort would allow).

Once I got past the nerves of stripping and lying down (at least I was partially covered by sheets), I was able to relax and surrender to the reality of the situation, as I waited for my masseur to return. I let the therapist know up front that my preference was for a calming, soothing massage — no deep tissue poking or prodding for me. And for the next hour, I got exactly what I needed; extended, soothing, tactile, (non-sexual) stimulation that counteracted the toil of my daily commute and everyday stressors.

My massage therapist was soft spoken, intuitive and responsive to my feedback. The only thing I might have changed would be the addition of some soothing spa music in the

treatment room, which was surprisingly quiet but for the sound of an oscillating fan.

At $70 for a 50 minute session, I felt the prices were quite reasonable.

And, for an additional $10, you can add an “enhancement” which — it turns out — is kind of like adding a topping to your frozen yogurt. I strongly recommend the splurge.

The “aromatherapy” enhancement involved choosing from 4 scents prior to my massage. Then, during the massage, the therapist held the scent within inhalation range, asking me to take a few deep breaths. Other enhancement options include CBD lotion therapy, herbal heat therapy and crystal healing, among others.

By the time my session was over, I felt rested, rejuvenated and ready to incorporate this ritual into my weekly schedule. How touching.

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59

We make a pilgrimage to taste Anne Conness’ contribution to a hot Los Angeles trend: Israeli-inspired cuisine. BY ERIC ROSEN

LA IS HAVING AN ISRAELI MOMENT — AT LEAST,

when it comes to the restaurant scene. Downtown, husband-wife chef partners Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis opened Bavel, their Middle Eastern-leaning sequel to cult favorite, Bestia. Mh Zh is inspiring crowds of hipsters to line up for its tiny sidewalk tables in Silverlake.

In Los Feliz, Kismet feels meant to be. Diners also have Jessica Koslow of Sqirl’s sophomore effort, an all-day Israeli dining outlet dubbed Tel, to look forward to once the chef finds a suitable space for the eatery on the Eastside.

And now, Jaffa has infused West 3rd Street’s restaurant row with some Israeli flavor of its own and diners have come running faster than Speedoed sunbathers flocking to a Tel Aviv beach. The restaurant is named after an ancient seaside neighborhood of stone streets and sleepy cafes, and is imbued with a sunny yet serious ambiance to match.

If Jaffa looks familiar, that’s because it used to be Blue Plate Oysterette not too long ago. If you can’t snag a table on the front patio, you might at least get a spot at one of the communal ledges that run along both the outside and inside sills of the front windows that create the fun, gossipy atmosphere of a Middle Eastern souk.

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Stepping inside the bright sky-lit dining room feels like visiting one of Tel Aviv’s most happening hotspots. Simple wooden bistrostyle tables and chairs line limestone walls reminiscent of Jaffa’s historic buildings, with pots of succulents discreetly placed here and there. The space is still anchored by a massive central bar where folks can gather for a quick bite or cocktails.

Speaking of cocktails, the list here was created by Aly Iwamoto, who has also done time at The Varnish and Here’s Looking at You. The Olive is a refreshing take on a gin martini, with Bombay Sapphire, dry vermouth, rosemary oil, Benedictine and lemon. For those who like sweet, the Date is a simple sipper combining El Dorado 5-Year Rum, date syrup, cardamom bitters, lime and mint. Winning the award for the most kick, however, the Blue Collar is a twist on the Manhattan, with Old Overholt Rye, Cocchi Torino vermouth, Maraschino cherry liqueur, Amaro Cio Ciaro digestif and orange bitters.

There are also California beers on tap and a menu of wines from California, Europe and, of course, Israel.

Chef Anne Conness’ dishes are meant to share, so focus your effort on the local-mar-

8048 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90048, 323-433-4978; jaffa.la

THIS PAGE: PHOTO CREDIT NICOLE IIZUKA

RESTAURANT REVIEW LOS ANGELES

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TEL AVIV TRENDY AT JAFFA

ket starters. Begin with a plate of the velvety hummus sprinkled with zatar, tomatoes, onions and vivid green olive oil. Order the pita in a bag, too, which comes with two fluffy, piping-hot rounds (you’ll definitely be ordering more).

A plate of tahini topped with tranches of charred eggplant also features baby heirloom tomatoes, fava leaves, dukkah spices, pistachios and pomegranate seeds. Chopped red beets with garlic labneh and savory pickled mustard seeds are crowned with a small helping of flavorful smoked Idaho trout with a healthy dollop of horseradish for some added pep. The spiced lamb and wheatberry kofte are hearty, served with tangy local cherries and cucumbers. The English pea agnolotti might seem out of place, but order them anyway, since they are utterly delicious – savory, slightly sweet, creamy and light all at the same time.

Instead of the fresh and simple Greek salad or the chopped salad with a healthy mix of apples, almonds, cherries, quinoa and feta, order the couscous. The rustic semolina balls come on a bed of luscious avocado hummus with roasted root vegetables, harissa and coriander.

Of course, you can’t have an Israeli menu these days without shakshuka. The tomato-chili sauce here is excellent, jazzed up with peppers, onions, paprika and cayenne, all over (yet another) helping of hummus on pita.

If you were out sick when your kindergarten class learned the virtues of sharing, don’t worry, Jaffa has you covered with a selection of larger plates. Organic Chinook salmon gets a Mediterranean makeover and is rubbed with shwarma spices and served with freekeh tabouli, tahini and whipped garlic. There’s whole-roasted branzino, as well as Jidori chicken with dried apricot, cipollini onions and green olives over rice pilaf, among other choices.

It might not be Purim, but pastry chef Natasha MacAller’s hamantashen with local peaches, almond, poppy seeds served with a side of frozen yogurt is a nice meal-ending treat. So is the panna cotta-like malabi, with Technicolor-bright Harry’s Barry’s strawberries, tangy buttermilk pudding, basil and cracked black pepper. It’s just one of the many creative combinations of flavors that makes Israeli cuisine so intriguing, and that will almost certainly bring you back to Jaffa again and again.

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RESTAURANT BITES Edited by Eric Rosen

WEST HOLLYWOOD ANIMAL

Going strong after 10 years, chefs Jon Dotolo and Vinny Shook’s meat-centric restaurant is still a mainstay for upscale comfort food prepared with seasonal, local ingredients and just a bit of flair to keep things interesting. 435 N. Fairfax Ave., 323-782-9225

BARBETTE

The team behind The Pikey and Jones have opened a genteel little eatery in the former Tinto Tapas spot where the menu is Frenchinspired with seasonal California produce. Ask for a table out on the garden-like back patio. 7511 Santa Monica Blvd., 323-850-8888

CAL MARE

Along with the Beverly Center’s massive revamp comes celebrity chef Michael Mina and partner Adam Sobel’s latest restaurant, with a focus on coastal Italian cuisine with SoCal touches. That means dishes with fresh flavors like marinated turbot with passion fruit, mustard seed and fennel. 131 La Cienega Blvd., 424-332-4595

CONNIE & TED’S

Chef Michael Cimarusti has been dazzling LA palates since he opened his fine-dining redoubt, Providence, but he takes a more casual approach with this genial restaurant, an ode to the simple seafood shacks of his Rhode Island childhood…where you can still get an impressive selection of oysters and one of the best lobster rolls in town. 8171 Santa Monica Blvd., 323-848-2722

E.P. & L.P.

La Cienega’s restaurant row keeps getting hotter thanks to additions like this restaurant and rooftop lounge. Chef Louis Tikaram draws on his Australian routes and Asian heritage to plate dishes like crispy duck salad, wood-grilled green lip abalone, and fried softshell crab banh mi to dinner-goers clustered around the second floor’s open kitchen, or enjoying Hollywood Hills views around the fire pit at the rooftop bar-lounge. 603 N. La Cienega Blvd., 310-855-9955

GRACIAS MADRE

The folks behind vegan-raw mainstay Café Gratitude have brought the folks of West Hollywood this Mexican-inspired eatery where the plant-based cuisine is just as delicious but without the affirmationheavy menu names. The totopos with salsa de arbole and cashew crema are a standout. 8905 Melrose Ave., 323-978-2170

JON & VINNY’S

You love their grilled meat at Animal and the seafood at Son of a Gun. Now it’s time to try Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo’s take on neighborhood Italian at this friendly Fairfax trattoria. Come on carb day so you can try the handmade pasta and seasonal pizzas along with a Dolcetto from the little wine shop located at the back. 412 N. Fairfax Ave., 323-334-3368

KITCHEN 24

Spacecraft Group brings its futuristic all-day-all-night diner concept to the heart of West Hollywood with the opening of its second Kitchen 24 location. You can expect the same greasy spoon-inspired plates with a bit of attitude thrown in — perfect for a late-night gluttony on your way back from Boystown’s bars. 8575 Santa Monica Blvd., 424-777-0959

MARCO’S

8200 Santa Monica Blvd 323-650-1060 www.marcoswesthollywood.com

PUMP

Lisa Vanderpump brings her stylish sensibility to this Weho outlet in her expanding F&B empire, right in the heart of Boystown on Santa Monica Boulevard and Robertson. Though the inside bar gets hopping later at night, start with happy hour out in a private garden cabana. 8498 Santa Monica Blvd., 310-657-7867 This hotspot from chef Stephen Kalt has a fabulous patio fronting Melrose for prime people-watching, and some of the best woodfired pizzas and handmade pastas in town. Try the grilled avocado with Calabrian chile and ricotta salata or the burrata-stuffed ravioli with sea urchin and shiso-basil. 7505 Melrose Ave., 323-782-1023

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SALAZAR

TESSE

Sitting in the expansive, palm-shaded patio, you can only just tell that this used to be an auto body shop. What does that matter when the handmade fish tacos and mesquite-fired steaks are so tasty? Wash it all down with an adult agua fresca like the Verde, made with cucumber, apple, pear, lime, cilantro and celery gin. 2490 Fletcher Blvd.

With made-to-order salads, sandwiches and hot entrees, there’s something for everyone at this ultra-fresh, healthy eatery with a patio on one of Weho’s best people-watching corners. See tendergreensfood.com for locations. 8759 Santa Monica Blvd., 310-358-1919 Bill Chait made a name for himself opening some of LA’s hottest dining destinations, including République and Bestia. Now the notorious restaurant impresario is back with a Sunset spot with a menu of updated French classics. 8500 Sunset Blvd. Ste. B, 310-360-3866

SAWYER

TORTILLA REPUBLIC

The good folks from The Hudson and The Churchill have set their sights east and opened up this Silverlake stunner that already has the hipster hordes beating down its doors. Snag a table on the romantic back patio and settle in for a meal of fresh seafood and hearty dishes like the soft-shell crab sandwich on a squid-ink bun. Cocktails are creative and include the Seconds Count with gin, champagne, honey, lavender and bee pollen. 3709 W. Sunset Blvd., 323-641-3709

HOLLYWOOD AND MID-CITY

DOWNTOWN/STUDIO CITY/ SHERMAN OAKS

The folks behind Taste go Mexican with this taqueria, which takes all your favorite Mexican dishes and makes them using farm-fresh ingredients and organic produce. 616 N. Robertson Blvd., 310-657-9888

APL

Adam Perry Lang is equally famous for his barbecue and the fact that he’s Jimmy Kimmel’s best friend. Only one of those facts will matter to you as you dig into the mouthwatering aged cuts of meat at his new Hollywood steakhouse, though. 1680 Vine St., 3230-416-1280

GWEN

71 ABOVE Downtown dining gets panoramic at this jaw-dropper restaurant on top of the US Bank Tower with the best views in town. The seasonal cuisine is stellar, too, thanks to chef Vartan Abgaryan. Be sure to try the standout starter: a poached oyster served with uni, caviar, tarragon and a champagne mignonette. 633 W. 5th Street, 213-712-2683

Aussie chef Curtis Stone has done it again with this fine-dining spot (and butcher shop!) in the heart of Hollywood. Guests can come for cocktails at one of the two bars, stay for a five-course prix-fixe in the swanky dining room, or just drop by the gleaming meat counter for cuts of dry-aged beef and charcuterie. 6600 Sunset Blvd., 323-946-7500

The latest venture from the husband-wife chef team behind Bestia, Bavel skews Israeli, with pan-Mediterranean accents, like flatbreads topped with savory lamb, duck nduja hummus, and chicken-leg confit with an earthy turmeric sauce. 500 Mateo St., 213-232-4966

HERE’S LOOKING AT YOU

BESTIA

This Koreatown eatery has won plaudits right and left thanks to former Animal chef Jonathan Whitener’s menu, which is a mélange of flavors from Latin America, Vietnam and right here in the US, all cooked to perfection over custom-made grills. There are just 50 seats total, so make your reservations (way) in advance or take your chances on a walk-in seat at the bar. 3901 W. 6th St., 213-568-3573

KISMET

The ladies behind Madcapra at downtown’s Grand Central Market now have their own brick-and-mortar restaurant in a busy section of Los Feliz, serving up a menu that meshes Mediterranean classics with Californian flavors such as Persian cucumbers with rosewater labneh and parsley-seed zaatar. 4648 Hollywood Blvd., 323-409-0404

PROVIDENCE

Chef Michael Cimarusti has long been lauded as one of LA’s best chefs thanks to the fabulous seafood feastsat Providence. Taking sustainability a step further, he formed the West Coast chapter of Dock to Dish promote eco-conscious local seafood by directly connecting California fishermen with chefs. 5955 Melrose Ave. (323) 460-4170

RÉPUBLIQUE

Chef Walter Manzke made a name for himself behind the stoves of some of LA’s best-loved French restaurants including Bastide and Church & State, and he brings his continental technique and flair for combining the best seasonal ingredients from local farmer’s markets to this La Brea bistro that’s housed in Charlie Chaplin’s former office building. 624 S. La Brea Ave., 323-362-6115

SQIRL

Still going strong after 23 years, Marco’s has become a West Hollywood staple in Italian cooking with their signature lasagnas, Chicken Involtina, various raviolis, nightly dinner specials, fresh seafood dishes, quality steaks and “the best Tiramisu in town.” This neighborhood hangout also serves home-style breakfast with bottomless mimosas every morning with a casual, friendly vibe.

SPARTINA

TENDER GREENS

Ever wonder why there’s always a line around the corner at this East Hollywood eatery for breakfast and lunch? It’s because of chef Jessica Koslow’s famous sorrel-pesto bowl with feta and poached egg. Though her menu features plenty of other mouthwatering specialties, that’s the dish that put her on the map…and got her into the New York Times and Vogue. 720 N. Virgil Ave., 213-394-6526

EASTSIDE/LOS FELIZ/SILVER LAKE/ ECHO PARK ALIMENTO

Chef Zach Pollock has turned a once-derelict space on the road up to the reservoir in Silverlake into one of the town’s most beloved neighborhood eateries. Handmade pastas, imported charcuterie and cheeses, a well-chosen wine list, and plenty of ambiance – perfect for an Eastside evening out. 1710 Silver Lake Blvd., 323-928-2888

JOY

Silverlake’s Pine & Crane has been satisfying Eastside East Asian cravings for years now, but now Highland Park residents need not venture west for Instagrammable slack season noodles and five-spice beef buns. 5100 York Blvd., 323-999-7642

METROSOURCE.COM

BAVEL

On a hidden, gritty little alley on the eastern edge of downtown, Israeli chef Ori Menashe has transformed a former factory building in to a congenial gathering spot where hipsters and foodies converge to consume housemade cured meats, pastas and other Mediterranean-inspire fare. 2121 E. 7th Pl., 213-514-5724

BLACK MARKET LIQUOR BAR

You remember chef Antonia Lofaso from Top Chef, but in her spare time, she’s been running a small group of restaurants in Los Angeles, including this Studio City standout. The gregarious gastropub serves market-driven dishes and strong, hand-mixed cocktails that are always delicious and never fussy. 11915 Ventura Blvd., 818-446-2533

GUERRILLA TACOS The taco truck that the late Jonathan Gold made famous with his inimitable encomiums now has a brick-and-mortar location downtown so fans don’t have to wait out in the cold (or hot) for favorites like the octopus quesadillas or fish tacos with tempura Baja cod. Plus, you can now have a drink with them! 2000 E. 7th St.

MAJORDOMO Chef David Chang of New York’s Momofuku made his West Coast debut with this Chinatown eatery. The menu skews Korean with delicious dishes like smoked bone-in short ribs with shiso rice paper and ssamjang. 1725 Naud St., 323-545-4880

MANUELA Combining a former factory, a world-class art gallery and one of the Arts District’s best restaurants, this fabulous find has a bustling indoor dining room abuzz with the well-to-do and a quieter patio with a view of the courtyard’s sculptures. 907 E. 3rd St., 323-849-0480

NOMAD LA’s hottest new hotel is also home to its hottest new restaurant.

Casual all-day diners can perch in the meticulously restored 1920s lobby while those with special-occasions can make reservations at the Mezzanine fine-dining room. 649 S. Olive St., 213-358-0000

Q SUSHI The origin story of downtown’s best omakase sushi restaurant is almost as interesting as the flavors that chef Hiroyuki Naruke treats guests to on a nightly basis. He was basically recruited by LA-based admirers of his six-seat Roppongi restaurant and has made his home in LA for the past decade or so. 521 W. 7th St., 213-261-3479.

REDBIRD From chef Neal Fraser, Redbird is in the former rectory (dating back to 1930) of LA’s first cathedral, which is now part of downtown’s Vibiana events complex. Guests can belly up to the marble bar for a signature cocktail like the bourbon-based Dandy, or enjoy dishes like blue shrimp and grits with molé under the stars on the patio (with a retractable roof). 114 E. 2nd St., 213-788-1191

TO ADVERTISE CALL 818 762-1955

RESTAURANT BITES Edited by Eric Rosen

ROSSOBLU

GJELINA

SPAGO

Sotto’s chef Steve Samson moves downtown to a gorgeous space in the Fashion District to serve up rich dishes from Italy’s EmiliaRomagna region. Try the signature tagliatelle with Bolognese ragu.

If you’re lucky, you’ll snag a seat on the expansive patio when the weather is nice. 1124 San Julian St., 213-749-1099

Venice’s most sought-after reservation serves a Mediterranean menu: fresh salads, wood-oven specialty pizzas, fresh seafood. Plan a party in the private dining room upstairs or opt for a seat in the back garden. 1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 310-450-1429

You can usually find celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck at his original temple to California cuisines, where you’re guaranteed to enjoy classics like smoked salmon “pizza” with crème fraiche and caviar. 176 N. Canon Dr., 310-385-0880

THE BELLWETHER

NATIVE Local favorite chef Nyesha Arrington is back on the Westside, taking over the former SMYC space. Like her previous kitchens, this one turns out seasonal coastal dishes infused with her own KoreanAmerican background. 620 Santa Monica Blvd. Ste. A, 310-458-4427

PALM SPRINGS

Valley dwellers like their gourmet fare, too, as the success of this hospitable hostelry proves. The menu changes with the seasons, but you’ll also find staples like pork-beef-ricotta meatballs with pecorino and tangy tomato sauce. 13251 Ventura Blvd., 818-285-8184

THE FACTORY KITCHEN Part of a quickly gentrifying Arts District, The Factory Kitchen makes its home in, where else, a former fish factory But the specialty here are homemade flatbreads, like one heaped with prosciutto, stracciatella and arugula over fried sage dough, and pastas, including a pork-veal casonzei in sage butter. 1300 Factory Pl., 213-996-6000

WESTSIDE/SANTA MONICA/VENICE CASSIA The folks behind Rustic Canyon and Spice Table teamed to meld Californian seasonality with Vietnamese tradition. Start with crab legs from the raw bar and ease into bigger dishes: savory scallops with hazelnuts and curry leaf or hearty Vietnamese pot au feu with short rib and bird’s-eye chile. 1314 7th St., 310-393-6699

FELIX The former Joe’s space on Abbot Kinney is looking fresh and fabulous after a makeover, as are the pastas being turned out from chef Evan Funke’s (formerly at Bucato) kitchen. Try the strascinati with ceci, cavolo nero greens, pangrattato and wild fennel but save room for one of the wood-fired pizzas as well. 1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd., 424-387-8622

bodyelectrictattoo.com TO ADVERTISE CALL 818 762-1955

N/NAKA You might recognize chef Niki Nakayama from Netflix’s Chef’s Table.

But fame hasn’t changed the way she meticulously prepares spectacular tasting menus at her hole-in-the-wall restaurant on Sawtelle’s sushi row. 3455 Overland Ave., (310) 836-6252

PIZZANA This Brentwood bombshell dishes out Neapolitan pizzas from a woodfired oven, and it’s already widely acknowledged to be among LA’s best pizzerias. 11712 San Vicente Blvd., 310-481-7108

VESPERTINE In Culver City’s eye-catching Waffle Building, Chef Jordan Kahn serves only a $250 per person tasting menu that changes constantly but always surprises. In a good way. It’s ambitious, but a perfect special-occasion restaurant. 3599 Hayden Ave., 323-320-4023

Neapolitan-style thin-crust pizzas (that can be made with glutenfree and cauliflower crusts), Italian-inspired meat dishes including branzino, and homemade gelato are all draws at this popular tavern.

There are also live DJs spinning on the weekends to get your evening off to an energetic start. 622 N. Palm Canyon Dr., 760-327-5678

CANTALA The Riviera Resort brings to mind Palm Springs’ bygone glamour, evoking the Italian Riviera with a menu of Mediterranean classics like whole-roasted branzino and rib-eye fiorentina, and an indooroutdoor dining room that’s equal parts supper club and sumptuous garden party. 1600 N. Indian Canyon Dr., 760-778-6659

DRAUGHTSMAN It might be housed in a former Pizza Hut, but there’s nothing downmarket about this convivial gastropub with a selection of favorites from local Coachella Valley Brewing Company. Dishes are hearty and delicious, including specialties like sort-rib poutine and a selection of specialty burgers. 1501 N. Palm Canyon Dr., 760-507-1644

WORKSHOP KITCHEN + BAR

BEVERLY HILLS NERANO This trattoria takes cues from Italy’s sunny Amalfi coast with dishes like tonnarelli pasta with Santa Barbara uni and bottarga. Don’t miss deals on classic cocktails and stuzzichini during the restaurant’s weekday Aperitivo Hour. 9960 S. Santa Monica Blvd., 310-405-0155

323-954-0408

BIRBA

Though Palm Springs isn’t known for its cuisine, that doesn’t mean you still shouldn’t expect a good meal here, and making that goal a little easier is this stylish, airy restaurant specializing in updated chophouse cuisine like juicy 18-day prime aged rib-eye and housecured gravlax tartines with horseradish cream. 800 N. Palm Canyon Dr., 760-459-3451

7274 1/2 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles, CA METROSOURCE.COM

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

63

BAR SOURCE Edited by Eric Rosen

WEST HOLLYWOOD

ST. FELIX

ABBEY

WeHo’s most famous (and crowded) spot draws sexy guys and gals from near and far. Strong cocktails, model-handsome bartenders, and an over-the-top interior all add to the venue’s allure. Food is best enjoyed in the daytime. 692 N. Robertson Blvd., 310-289-8410

BAYOU

The saints don’t come marching in at this New Orleans-themed gay bar, but you can expect sinners enjoying casual cocktails and Cajun fare. Grab drink specials at the two happy hours from 4-8pm and after 10:30pm. 8939 Santa Monica Blvd., 310-273-3303

This cozy restaurant and lounge is enjoyed by flirty singles, romantic couples and groups. St. Felix’s selection of wines, beers, and playful cocktails are a great way to start your evening and maybe even meet someone. 8945 Santa Monica Blvd., 310-275-4428

TRUNKS This comfortable and fun venue for playing pool, people watching and enjoying cocktails generally attracts an older crowd with daily drink specials and friendly bartenders. 8809 Santa Monica Blvd., 310-652-1015

HOLLYWOOD

BEACHES BAR & GRILL

LONO

EMPLOYEES ONLY

The folks behind Melrose Umbrella Co. also have this hopping Hollywood hotspot with a natty nautical theme, tropical tiki touches, and strong specialty cocktails like a Mai Tai with two kinds of Caribbean rum, macadamia nut liqueur, orgeat and vanilla. 6611 Hollywood Blvd., 323-848-4475

Despite kitschy décor and spiked slushies, this bright, bubbly spot has serious cred: its backers were some of the folks behind downtown cocktail den, The Edison, back in the day. Think “Love Boat” meets “Miami Vice.” 8928 Santa Monica Blvd., 310-360-0395 One of New York’s most celebrated speakeasies landed on the West Coast in April and opened in the former Baby Blues BBQ space on a prime stretch of Weho turf. Like the original, this one serves handcrafted cocktails and seasonal share plates. 7953 Santa Monica Blvd., 323-536-9045

FIESTA CANTINA

Thanks to 2-for-1 drink specials at two different happy hours (4pm8pm and 10:30pm-12:30am) the crowd at this festive Mexicanthemed bar swells all evening long, especially on the patio fronting Santa Monica Boulevard and the second floor deck overlooking the strip. 8865 Santa Monica Blvd., 310-652-8865

FLAMING SADDLES

Save a horse, ride a cowboy at the West Coast outlet of this Wild West-themed franchise serving cocktails and cowboys in equal measure. The boys come to cruise for strong drinks, hijinks and plenty of eye candy in skin-tight muscle tees and knee-high boots.

Mosey in Thursdays for “Cirque du So Cowboy” acrobatics and $5 drink specials. 8811 Santa Monica Blvd., 310-855-7501

FUBAR

The wild, sexy energy here has an East Village NYC feel with a Silverlake twist. Preps, jocks, hipsters and alternative guys have turned Fubar into one of the city’s sultriest and most popular venues, especially late night. Thursday’s Big Fat Dick is a can’t-miss experience. 7994 Santa Monica Blvd., 323-654-0396

GOLD COAST

Legendary corner bar featuring strong cocktails, a friendly staff, and a crowd of regulars, with multiple happy hour specials to boot.

8228 Santa Monica Blvd., 323-656-4879

GYM SPORTS BAR

Athletic types and their admirers inhabit this inviting, energetic space. The outdoor patio is fun for people-watching, while flatscreen televisions play the latest games. Come Saturday afternoons when boys from area sports leagues come after games to celebrate or drown their sorrows. 8737 Santa Monica Blvd., 310-659-2004

MICKY’S

This long-running venue offers a sexy interior, multiple dance areas, a party-ready patio, bare-chested bartenders and some of the flirtiest go-go boys in West Hollywood. 8857 Santa Monica Blvd., 310-657-1176

MOTHER LODE

It might have just gotten a facelift, but Mother Lode is still the same delightful, divey Boystown landmark — without the attitude that distinguishes other establishments here. Neighborhood gays come for the pool tables, karaoke nights and a truly fun night out.

This is definitely the place to start the evening before hitting other nearby bars. 8944 Santa Monica Blvd., 310-659-9700

RAGE

Two stories pack in a dance-loving crowd who can’t get enough of the potent cocktails being served at three bars with multiple theme nights, go-go dancers, and a party atmosphere 365 days a year.

8911 Santa Monica Blvd., 310-652-7055

REVOLVER

Reopened after a years-long hiatus, Revolver takes over the space that once held East/West, and returns with a more gentrified atmosphere. The drinks aren’t cheap, but at least they’re strong, all the better to match the well-muscled gym boys you’ll come across on a Friday night here. 8851 Santa Monica Blvd., 310-694-0430

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TIGERHEAT

STUDIO CITY/SAN FERNANDO VALLEY/INLAND EMPIRE OIL CAN HARRY’S After 40 years, this classic Valley gay bar is still going strong. You can still find a friendly crowd, strong but cheap drinks, a rotating roster of evening events, and even line dancing. 11502 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, 818-760-9749

THE BULLET BAR This leather and Levi’s joint stands out for having a no-attitude, cruise-friendly vibe. Karaoke, drink specials and theme nights are also part of the fun. 10522 Burbank Blvd, 818-762-8890

LONG BEACH THE FALCON Pulse-pounding DJ sets and affordable drinks attract an eclectic, good-looking crowd. The space gets packed, but with twinks, bears, and everything in between, no one complains. 1435 E Broadway, 562-432-4146

Relive your “Teenage Dream” at this 18-and-over weekly event for pure pop music (from beatboxing to ballads) in Hollywood every Thursday from 9:30pm on. Sexy go-go dancers, world-renowned DJs and celebrity nights make this one of the most fun dance parties in town. Visit clubtigerheat.com for venue information and other Tigerheat events around town.

HAMBURGER MARY’S

EASTSIDE/SILVERLAKE/ DOWNTOWN

One of the most popular gay bars in town thanks to friendly service, cheap drinks, a healthy mix of regulars and newcomers, DJs on Friday nights and live bands on Saturdays. Bring cash because cards aren’t accepted, though you won’t need much thanks to $2 happyhour specials. 1720 E. Broadway, 562-436-2433

AKBAR Trade in traditional gay bars for a visit this hipster venue frequented by skater punks, East Side studs and indie-loving gays. There are two bars, a packed dance floor in the back, an eclectic jukebox and low-priced drinks: everything you need for the perfect East Side night out. 4356 W. Sunset Blvd., 323-665-6810

BIBO ERGO SUM This cozy Art Deco-inspired watering hole off Robertson is one of the town’s best kept secrets and the keeper of one of its best cocktail lists whose drinks all have names that are nods to magic. You might even feel like doing some tricks of your own after drinking a few. 116 N. Robertson Blvd., 424-323-0066

EAGLE LA A notoriously dark den for men who love uniforms, leather, latex and kink. Multiple theme nights dedicated to bears and other fetishes make for some down-and-dirty fun. 4219 Santa Monica Blvd., 323-669-9472

FAULTLINE The Sunday beer bust is legendary, as is the Thursday underwear party, but the bar is also great for spotting leather daddies, Levi’sclad hotties and bears most days of the week. Drink specials, theme nights and good times are waiting to shake you up. 4216 Melrose Ave. 323-660-0889

PRECINCT This bar is almost undoubtedly one of Downtown’s biggest, at over 10,000 square feet. It occupies pride of place on the second floor of a historic 1902 brick building. Though the dance floor is a big draw, the main attraction is a semi-open patio with plenty of windows for street views and people-watching. 357 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, 213-628-3112

REDLINE The name is a nod to LA’s growing rapid-transit system, but there’s nothing pedestrian about this Downtown hotspot. It’s on the small side, but that just makes this industrial-chic space a tad cozier (and easier to talk to your neighbors). The happy hour runs a good three hours from 5-8pm, and plans for a weekend brunch is in the works.

131 E. 6th St., 213-935-8391

SPIRE 73 LA’s bar scene doesn’t always inspire superlatives, but this highflying hotspot is most definitely an exception. It’s located on the top floor of the Intercontinental Hotel in Downtown and has the honor of being the highest open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere. But don’t worry — that doesn’t mean it’s kitsch or touristy. Instead, Spire 73 boasts prime views, slick private cabanas, flickering fire pits, and an extensive menu of cocktails and other drinks that you can enjoy while taking in the skyline. 900 Wilshire Blvd., 213-688-7777

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An all-American menu, a no-attitude environment and enormous drinks all make this Long Beach classic perennially popular. Cute boys fill up the lively bar and resto for its hot bartenders, dancing, and expansive back patio. 330 Pine Ave., 562-436-7900

THE MINE SHAFT

THE SILVER FOX Long Beach’s long-running gay bar is still going strong thanks to fun weekly events like karaoke on Wednesdays and Sundays and 2-for-1 Tuesdays. Though the patio is a popular spot, once the crowd warms up to the music, you’ll find everyone inside on the dance floor. 411 Redondo Ave., 562-439-6343

PALM SPRINGS THE BARRACKS BAR The Barracks is hotter than ever — with porn stars, leather daddies, uniform studs, and fetish freaks cavorting on the patio. Don’t miss a chance to hit the popular Sunday beer bust. 67-625 E Palm Canyon Dr., 760-321-9688

CHILL BAR More contemporary than some of the city’s other gay bars, Chill Bar is the place for strong cocktails, a convivial crowd, good music, and plenty of mingling on the popular patio. 217 E. Arenas Rd., 760-327-1079

GEORGIE’S ALIBI This cozy cave is tucked away upstairs from Azul restaurant, and tends to be packed with locals and visitors alike thanks to game nights as well as some of the town’s hottest go-go dancers. Come on Sunday for the disco brunch and drag performances at the restaurant. 369 N. Palm Canyon Dr., 760-325-5533

HUNTERS One of Palm Springs’ most popular clubs, the inclusive vibe, thumping dance floor, packed bars and game area with pool tables, plus prime cruising on the front patio all keep this bar at the top of everyone’s must-hit list. 302 E. Arenas Rd., 760-323-0700

STREET BAR Right next door to Hunters, the vibe here is more laidback and friendly – just what you’d expect from Palm Springs’ oldest gay bar.

You’re sure to make new friends among the locals while enjoying sing-alongs or karaoke as well as regular local art exhibits. 224 E. Arenas Rd., 760-320-1266

TOOL SHED This Palm Springs staple still packs in the leather lovers and skin-tight jeans-clad hotties. Early birds get the drink specials, and a good time is practically guaranteed. 600 E. Sunny Dunes Rd., 760-320-3299

TOUCANS TIKI LOUNGE A veritable landmark, this kitschy joint brings the tropics to the desert. Come for the cabaret or the renowned drag shows, and stay all night for great drinks and dancing at this nostalgic oasis in the heart of Palm Springs. 2100 N. Palm Canyon Dr., 760-416-7584

TO ADVERTISE CALL 818 762-1955

ACCOUNTING Greg Cash TaxPlus

1022 Davie St Vancouver, BC, Canada www.celebritiesnightclub.com

BAKERIES

The Cultch

8709 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood .........................310 657-8694 www.cakeandart.com

BANKS US Bank

Toll Free ......................................800 720-2265 www.usbank.com/checking

Wells Fargo

Toll Free ......................................800 869-3557 www.wellsfargo.com/lgbt

755 N Fairfax Ave West Hollywood .........................323 297-0554 www.shortysbarbershop.com

Celebrities Nightclub

Cash, Gregory D., EA, MST 5150 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Ste 350 Long Beach .................................562 597-4300 www.gregcash.com

Cake and Art

ACCOUNTING – HOTELS Shorty’s Barber Shop

EVENT PLANNING & EVENT SPACE/RENTALS

HOTELS Aqua-Aston Hospitality

Vancouver East Cultural Centre 1895 Venables St Vancouver, BC, Canada ...............604 251-1766 www.thecultch.com

FRAMING Framing Gallery

8527 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood ........................310 657-6904

FITNESS/GYMS/PERSONAL TRAINERS

Book Soup Bookstore

8818 W Sunset Blvd West Hollywood .........................310 659-3110

Crossroads Books

1196 E Walnut St Pasedena ....................................626 795-8772

CATERING Li-Lac Chocolates

West Village: 40 8th Ave, NYC Greenwich Village: 162 Bleecker St, NYC Grand Central: 43rd & Lexington, NYC Chelsea Market: 75 Ninth Ave, NYC Industry City: 68 35th St, Brooklyn NYC............................................212 924-2280 www.li-lacchocolates.com

Opus Hotel Vancouver

322 Davie St Vancouver, BC Canada .......................................604 642-6787 www.opushotel.com

Preferred Hotels & Resorts

Fired Up Athletics

8585 Santa Monica Blvd .............800 845-8585 www.ramadaweho.com

8474 W 3rd St, Ste 208 LA...............................................213 608-9425 www.firedupathletics.com

Li-Lac Chocolates

West Village: 40 8th Ave, NYC Greenwich Village: 162 Bleecker St, NYC Grand Central: 43rd & Lexington, NYC Chelsea Market: 75 Ninth Ave, NYC Industry City: 68 35th St, Brooklyn NYC............................................212 924-2280 www.li-lacchocolates.com

GUEST HOUSES/B&B’S MisterBandB

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Lady Sadez

HAIR SALONS Blades

Ramada Plaza West Hollywood Hotel

Sandman Suites on Davie

1160 Davie St Vancouver, BC, Canada ...............604 681-7263 www.sandmanhotels.com

GIFTS

CLOTHING

COUNSELING/PSYCHOTHERAPY

8435 Beverly Blvd LA...............................................323 658-6663 www.elanhotel.com

www.preferredpride.com/metrosource

Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel

1088 Burrard St Vancouver, BC, Canada ...............604 331-1000 www.sheratonvancouver.com

Sunset Marquis

1200 Alta Loma Rd West Hollywood .........................800 858-9758 www.sunsetmarquis.com

Viceroy

www.misterbandb.com

www.ladysadez.com

Elan Hotel Modern

Body Builders Gym

2516 Hyperion Ave, Silverlake .....323 668-0802

BOOKS & BOOKSTORES

Hawaii ........................................855 945-4092 www.aqua-aston.com

415 South Belardo Rd Palm Springs ...............................760 320-4117 www.viceroypalmsprings.com

VIVE Hotel Waikiki

801 N. Larrabee St, Ste #1 West Hollywood .........................310 659-6693

2426 Kuhio Ave Honolulu, Hawaii ........................808 687-2000 www.vivehotelwaikiki.com

Lotus Place Recovery

1111 Baker St Unit A Costa Mesa.................................800 951-0735 www.lotusplacerecovery.com

EMPLOYMENT Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD)

1700 Stadium Way LA...............................................213 847-LAFD www.joinlafd.org

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) 700 E Temple St, B-38 LA .............................................866 444-LAPD www.joinlapd.com

(SEE AD PAGE 58) TO ADVERTISE CALL 818 762-1955

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INSURANCE – WEDDING SERVICES

INSURANCE

LEATHER

HealthSherpa

665 Leather & Fetish Co.

Toll Free..................................... 844 346-9476 www.metrosource.healthsherpa.com (SEE AD PAGE 59 & OPPOSITE PAGE)

PHYSICIANS & MEDICAL SERVICES

8722 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood .........................310 854-7276

Rough Trade

Marc Berton Insurance

LA .............................................. 323 872-0482 San Fernando Valley ................ 818 365-9449 Toll Free..................................... 800 924-4459 www.marcberton.com

(SEE AD THIS PAGE)

3915 W Sunset Blvd Silverlake ....................................323 660-7956 www.roughtradegear.com

REAL ESTATE/PALM SPRINGS

MARKETING SERVICES

Hammond, Joe & Howell, Gary

Brand2Fly

INTRODUCTION SERVICES

San Jose......................................408 763-7924 www.brand2fly.com

Bespoke Matchmaking

GayVan.com Travel Marketing

LA............................................... 888 422-6464 www.bespokematchmaking.com

Hollywood Sunset Free Clinic

Family Medicine & Mental Health 3324 W Sunset Blvd LA...............................................323 660-2400 www.hsfreeclinic.org

www.gayvan.com

ROOFING

NUTRITION & FITNESS

Reliable Roofing By Todd Gregory Young

Power Zone

8578 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood .........................310 289-1125 www.powerzoneonline.com

PHARMACIES/DRUGS AHF Pharmacy

1400 S Grand Ave, Ste 801 Downtown LA ............................213 741-5271 1300 North Vermont Ave Hollywood ..................................323 661-0643 www.ahfpharmacy.com

Cienega Pharmacy

N La Cienega Blvd, Ste 104 Marc Berton,99 Agent

TATTOO Body Electric Tattoo and Piercing

7274 1/2 Melrose Ave LA ..............................................323 954-0408 www.bodyelectrictattoo.com

Family is why we do it all.

TAX SERVICES

Greg Cash TaxPlus

amily Family is why we do it all. why we do it all.

We all feel the same commitment to www.marcberton.com 818-365-9449 Toll Free: 800-924-4459 323-872-0482 www.marcberton.com

Palm Springs/Rancho Mirage .......760 323-2705 Palm Desert/Indian Wells .............760 568-1673 Joshua Tree/Yucca Valley .............760 365-0072 Desert Hot Springs ......................760 251-9495 Cathedral City.............................760 323-2705 www.reliableroofingbytgy.com

(SEE AD PAGE 63 & THIS PAGE)

Beverly Hills.................................310 360-9969 Insurance Lic. #: 0630665 www.uniteddrugs.com

Bus: 818-905-1911 Toll Free: 800-924-4459 Marc Berton, Agent Bus: 323-872-0482 Insurance Lic. #: 0630665

Coldwell Banker Hammond: Palm Springs .............760 275-6597 Howell: Palm Springs ..................760 275-4792 www.palmspringsgary.com

care for our families. Helping you meet your insurance needs is part of my We all feel the same commitment to care for our families. Helping you meet commitment to you.

Cash, Gregory D., EA, MST 5150 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Ste 350 Long Beach .................................562 597-4300 www.gregcash.com

THRIFT SHOPS Berda Paradise Thrift Store

3506 W Sunset Blvd LA...............................................323 661-8246

TRAVEL/GETAWAYS Aqua-Aston Hospitality

your insurance needs is part of my commitment to you.

Hawaii ........................................855 945-4092 www.aqua-aston.com

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

VIVE Hotel Waikiki

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

2426 Kuhio Ave Honolulu, Hawaii ........................808 687-2000 www.vivehotelwaikiki.com

•• Auto • Business Auto • Business • Life • Homeowners

VIDEO

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Broadway Video

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3401 E Broadway, Long Beach ....562 433-1920

Proudly Serving Our Community Since 1982

Video West

Member, Los Serving Angeles GayOur and Lesbian Chamber ofSince Commerce Proudly Community 1982

805 Larrabee St West Hollywood .........................310 659-5762

‘Sustaining Donor’ LA LGBT Center

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1 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 66marcBerton_AM16.indd

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8709 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood .........................310 657-8694 www.cakeandart.com TO ADVERTISE CALL 818 762-1955

LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY RESOURCES Metrosource is committed to helping non-profit organizations in their ongoing efforts to serve our diverse community.

ATHLETIC ARRIBA SKI & SNOWBOARD CLUB PO Box 69611 West Hollywood, CA 90069 www.arribaski.org BIKE OUT 2811 Pico Boulevard Santa Monica, CA 90405 310 453-5040 CHEER LA 1223 Wilshire Blvd #1580 Santa Monica, CA 90404 www.cheerla.org DIFFERENT SPOKES OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA P.O. Box 2466 Hollywood, CA 90078 www.differentspokes.com GOLDEN STATE GAY RODEO ASSOC - GLAC P.O Box 2407 Long Beach, CA 90801 562 498-1675 www.larodeo.com GREATER LA IGBO LEAGUES www.igbo.org LA BLADES ICE HOCKEY PO Box 4346 Laguna Beach, CA 92652 310 288-3632 www.bladeshockey.com LA POOL LEAGUE PO Box 2227 Los Angeles, CA 90078 818 426-2171 www.lapl8ball.org LA TENNIS ASSOC. (LATA) PO Box 481226 Los Angeles, CA 90048 www.lataweb.com OUTSPORTS www.outsports.com PALM SPRINGS FRONTRUNNERS PO Box 2184 Palm Springs, CA 92263 760 318-8809 www.psfr.org SHORELINE FRONTRUNNERS OF LONG BEACH PO Box 90774 Long Beach, CA 90809 562 252-0218 www.shorelinefrontrunners.org SOCAL GIRL GOLF 714 391-3615 www.socalgirlgolf.com SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WRESTLING CLUB (SCWC) www.geocities.com/scwc2002 SURF & SUN SOFTBALL www.surfandsunsoftball.com TINSELTOWN SQUARES www.iagsdc.org VOLLEYBALL ASSOCIATION IN LOS ANGELES (VOILA) www.gayvolleyball.org WEST HOLLYWOOD AQUATICS www.wh2o.org WEST HOLLYWOOD SOCCER CLUB www.gaysoccer.com

CULTURAL, ETHNIC & SOCIAL

PACIFIC PRIDE FOUNDATION 126 East Haley, Ste A-11 Santa Barbara, CA 93101 805 963-3636 www.pacificpridefoundation.org

ASIAN PACIFIC AIDS INTL TEAM 6501 West Olympic Blvd Ste 610 Los Angeles, CA 90015 213 553-1830 www.apaitonline.org

THE POINT FOUNDATION 5757 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 370 Los Angeles, CA 90036 866 33-Point www.pointfoundation.org

BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY 5001 Angel Canyon Rd Kanab, UT 84741 435 644-2001 www.bestfriends.org

VALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 18111 Nordhoff St Northridge, CA 91330 818 677-2488 818 677-3000 valleyperformingartscenter.org

BEST FRIENDS PET ADOPTION & SPAY/NEUTER SERVICES 15321 Brand Blvd Mission Hills, CA 91345 818 643-3989 www.bestfriends.org/la CHRISTOPHER STREET WEST/GAY PRIDE 8235 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90046 323 969-8302 www.lapride.org DIVERSE & INCLUSIVE VISIONARY ARTISTS (DIVA) 8581 Santa Monica Blvd #220 West Hollywood, CA 90069 www.queerdiva.com GAY & LESBIAN ALLIANCE AGAINST DEFAMATION (GLAAD) 5455 Wilshire Blvd, #1500 Los Angeles, CA 90036 323 933-2240 www.glaad.org GAY MENS CHORUS OF LA 9056 Santa Monica Blvd, #300 West Hollywood, CA 90069 800 636-7464 www.gmcla.org I LOVE ME FOUNDATION 6444 Fountain Ave Hollywood, CA 90028 323 467-6444 www.chazdean.com KIDSAVE 11835 W Olympic Blvd #295 Los Angeles, CA 90064 310 479-5437 www.kidsave.org LA GAY & LESBIAN CENTER The Village at Ed Gould Plaza 1125 N McCadden Place Los Angeles, CA 90038 323 860-7302 www.laglc.org LA GAY & LESBIAN CENTER McDonald/Wright Building 1625 North Schrader Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028 323 993-7400 www.laglc.org LA YOUTH SUPPORTIVE SERVICES 8111 Beverly Blvd #306 Los Angeles, CA 90048 877 465-2977 www.la-youth.org

WORLD HARVEST FOOD BANK 1014 Venice Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90015 213-746-2228 www.worldharvestfoodbank.org

HEALTH/ COUNSELING AID FOR AIDS AFA 8235 Santa Monica Blvd #200 West Hollywood, CA 90046 323 656-1107 www.aidforaids.net AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION/MENS WELLNESS CENTER • 6255 W Sunset Blvd, 21st Fl Los Angeles, CA 90028 888 AIDS CARE • 1300 N Vermont Ave, Ste 407 Los Angeles, CA 90027 866 339-2525 800 367-2437 www.inspotla.org AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION PHARMACY 8212 Santa Monica Blvd The David Geffen Center West Hollywood, CA 90046 323 654-0907 www.ahfpharmacy.org AIDS PROJECT LA (APLA) Client & Community Services The David Geffen Center 611 South Kingsley Drive Los Angeles, CA 90005 866 679-0958 213 201-WALK (9255) www.apla.org www.aidswalk.net AIDS RESEARCH ALLIANCE 1400 S Grand Ave Ste 701 Los Angeles, CA 90015 310 358-2429 www.hopetakesaction.org www.aidsresearch.org AIDS WALK LA 3550 Wilshire Blvd, #800 Los Angeles, CA 90010 213 201-9255 (WALK) www.aidswalk.net AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY 3333 Wilshire Blvd #900 Los Angeles, CA 90010 800 227-2345 www.cancer.org

LONG BEACH LESBIAN & GAY PRIDE PO Box 2050 Long Beach, CA 90802 562 987-9191 www.longbeachpride.com

BEING ALIVE PEOPLE WITH HIV/AIDS ACTION COALITION 621 N San Vincente Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 310 289-2551 www.beingalivela.org

OUTFEST THE LA GAY & LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL 3470 Wilshire Blvd #1022 Los Angeles, CA 90010 213 480-7088 www.outfest.org

DESERT AIDS PROJECT Palm Springs, CA 1695 North Sunrise Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 760 323-2118 www.desertaidsproject.org

TO ADVERTISE CALL 818 762-1955

GAY & LESBIAN ARMENIAN SOCIETY (GALAS) 8721 Santa Monica Blvd Ste 654 West Hollywood, CA 90069 310 203-1587 www.galasla.org GAY & LESBIAN CENTER Orange County 1605 N Spurgeon St Santa Ana, CA 92701 714 953-5428 www.thecenteroc.org HEALTHSHERPA 844 346-9476 www.metrosource. healthsherpa.com (SEE AD PAGE 59 & THIS PAGE) HOLY FAMILY SERVICES, ADOPTION & FOSTER CARE 840 Echo Park Ave Los Angeles, CA 90026 213 202-3900 www.holyfamilyservices.org INLANDS AIDS PROJECT (AIP) 3756 Elizabeth St Riverside, CA 92504 951 346-1910 www.inlandaidsproject.org

THE TREVOR PROJECT 9056 Santa Monica Blvd #100 West Hollywood, CA 90069 310 271-8845 www.thetrevorproject.org VALLEY COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE 6801 Coldwater Canyon Ave North Hollywood, CA 91605 818 301-6314 - HIV testing 818 301-6390 - Medical Services www.smarthealthla.com

LEGAL LAMBDA LEGAL DEFENSE & EDUCATION FUND INC. Western Regional Office 3325 Wilshire Blvd #1300 Los Angeles, CA 90010 213 382-7600 www.lambdalegal.org NATIONAL G & L TASK FORCE 5455 Wilshire Blvd #1505 Los Angeles, CA 90036 323 954-9597 www.thetaskforce.org

LESBIAN LAWYERS ASSOC OF LA PO Box 480318 Los Angeles, CA 90048 213 486-4443 www.lgla.net

LA GAY & LESBIAN CENTER Health Education & Prevention 13210 South Figueroa Los Angeles, CA 90061 310 327-0590 LA PUBLIC HEALTH www.reallycheckyourself.org LA YOUTH SERVICES McDonald/Wright Building 1625 North Schrader Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028 323 993-7450 LIFEWORKS www.lifeworksmentoring.org 310 724-6300 PENNY LANE CENTERS 15305 Rayen St North Hills, CA 91343 818 892-3423 www.pennylane.org OUT OF THE CLOSET AIDS Healthcare Foundation 6210 West Sunset Los Angeles, CA 90028 323 860-5200

LA GAY & LESBIAN CENTER Jeff Griffith Youth Center 7051 Santa Monica Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90038 TOLL FREE: 800 773-5540 LA GAY & LESBIAN CENTER MacDonald/Wright Bldg 1625 North Schroder Los Angeles, CA 323 933-7400 www.angelfood.org THE TREVOR PROJECT 9056 Santa Monica Blvd #100 West Hollywood, CA 90069 310 271-8845 www.thetrevorproject.org THE VILLAGE AT ED GOULD PLAZA 1125 North McCadden Place Los Angeles, CA 90038 323 860-7328 prevention@laglc.org www.laglc.org

RELIGIOUS

LESBIANS

LA FREE CLINIC • 5205 Melrose Ave Los Angeles, CA 90038 323 653-1990 – appts 323 653-8622 – admin www.lafreeclinic.org • 6043 Hollywood Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028 • 8405 Beverly Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90048

REFERRALS/ SWITCHBOARDS

POWER UP 419 North Larchmont Blvd, #283 Los Angeles, CA 90004 323 463-3154 www.power-up.net WOMAN ON A ROLL PO Box 5112 Santa Monica, CA 90409 310 578-8888 www.womenonaroll.com

PROFESSIONAL LOS ANGELES GAY AND LESBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE P.O. Box #57555 Sherman Oaks, CA 91413 888 552-4522 www.balaweb.org THE QUEER LOUNGE PO Box 69887 West Hollywood, CA 90069 www.queerlounge.org

ALL SAINTS PARISH 504 North Camden Dr West Hollywood, CA 90036 310 275-0123 BETH CHAYIM CHADASHIM 6000 West Pico Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90035 323 931-7023 www.bcc-la.org GLORY TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN CENTER 3215 East Third St Long Beach, CA 90804 562 438-7758 www.glorytabernacle.com OPEN DOOR MINISTRIES 4101 Willow St 562 925.3533 www.open-door-ministries.org ST. JANE FRANCES CATHOLIC CHURCH G & L OUTREACH 12930 Hamlin St North Hollywood, CA 91606 818 985-8600 WEST HOLLYWOOD CHURCH 916 North Formosa Ave West Hollywood, CA 90069 323 656-2400

OUT OF THE CLOSET THRIFT SHOPS • 8224 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90046 323 848-9760 • 3500 East Pacific Coast Hwy Long Beach, CA 90804 562 494-0340 • 1726 East Colorado Blvd Pasadena, CA 91106 626 440-1719 • 360 North Fairfax Ave Los Angeles, CA 90036 323 934-1956 PROJECT ANGEL FOOD 922 Vine St Los Angeles, CA 90038 323 845-1800 www.angelfood.org

METROSOURCE.COM

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018

67

HOT STEAMING COCO

Drag entertainer and monologist extraordinaire Coco Peru talks writing, Lady Bunny, and whether the torch she carries for Trick still burns. BY KEVIN PHINNEY

VIEWS

LAST CALL

it meant to be a queen from stage shows to films. With the long-hopedfor sequel to Trick finally in the works, it seemed time for a trip to Peru.

METROSOURCE: You’ve seen drag move from the margins of society into the mainstream. Do you attribute that to greater LGBTQ visibility in general, or shows like Drag Race and Pose becoming a part of straight America’s viewing habits?

Coco: I think it is a combination of it all. Certainly, World of Wonder, the company that created Ru’s Race, had a vision for what the future could be just as I did when I created Coco Peru. I was inspired by the activists and queens that came before me. I saw the work they had done, and the courage that they had to do it and it inspired me; it propelled me to want to take what they had done and push it even further. I wanted young people that came after not to have to waste so many years questioning whether they were okay. I wanted them to grow up knowing they were able to be themselves and even create themselves. I remember when I first created Coco, my parents were very nervous that by my talking openly about being a gay man and doing it in drag, that it would alienate a straight audience. I knew early on that my audience would mostly be an LGBT one, but I told my parents that it would be a matter of time that straight people would recognize that my story is essentially their story, despite our different experiences and how we choose to dress. I grew up watching straight families and characters on TV and I could relate to it, and I knew that Coco would be relatable to everyone if they would just give me a chance and listen to my story.

Were you always attracted to drag or did not being the most butch guy on the block nudge you in that direction?

As a kid I was attracted to both male and female toys and clothing, but I was denied the female side of things, so I think drag is a way to make up for all that was lost and celebrate it.

How often does your show change? Nightly? Seasonally?

A show’s energy can change depending on the audience of course, but each of my shows is scripted, memorized, rehearsed and then it’s about engaging with an audience, so that it feels like I’m saying it all for the first time, and when an audience is present and engaged it does feel like I’m saying it all for the first time. It’s sort of like group therapy or gay church!

So much of your act comes out of personal experience. Are you always on the lookout for new topics to discuss?

When I sit down to write, memories pop up and I have to trust that they

are popping up for a reason. As I write more, the memories begin to make sense as to why I want to share them with an audience. Other times, I’ll tell a story to friends about something that happened, and if it gets a big laugh, I’ll mentally make a note that this could possibly be a story for a future show. Because my shows are all autobiographical, it does surprise me that so many people think that it’s fiction. Sometimes when I introduce my husband Rafael to the audience after the show, people are shocked that he really exists! That bothers me.

People may be surprised to know that you’ve been in the same relationship since before Trick, and that Rafael travels with you and is part of your career now. How have you two made that work?

My husband is a professor in a college, so he doesn’t get to travel with me that often, only when school is on break. We are complete opposites and we both appreciate what each of us brings to the relationship. He enjoys the excitement/madness of my entertainment world, and I enjoy the daily structure he brings to my life.

Interesting. So what’s the one thing about being a drag queen you think that no one would know who’s never been around it?

Stepping outside the box is where the magic happens. Oh, and sharing a dressing room with Lady Bunny is traumatic.

You talk about Coco as something you put on, like a wig or dress.

I’m not pretending to be a woman or anyone other than a heightened version of myself. As Coco, I talk about being a man, so I’m really embracing a sort of third gender where as Coco I get to be both male and female and that in the end, that really doesn’t even matter on some level. We’re all human beings … except for Lady Bunny. That is not human.

More than one person has said you pretty much steal the movie Trick. How did become part of the film?

I was not part of the original script. But Jim Fall, the director, asked me to read the part of Katherine, later played by Tori Spelling, in the first public reading of the script. Afterwards, everyone said to Jim,“You’ve gotta keep the drag queen in the movie.”So, a part was written for me and then I asked if I could rewrite it and that is what became the bathroom monologue.

Do people still quote your lines from the first movie to you?

Yes, people still quote “IT BURNS” and “It’s big, it’s beautiful and you’re gonna love it.” And I love it. I’m flattered that 20 years later, lines that I wrote and performed still resonate with people. It’s amazing. Seeing the cast again all reunited recently just felt ... right. So much had changed in the last 20 years and this new script really addresses that while celebrating ■ all the good stuff that never changes.

THIS PAGE: COCO ART BY PETER PALLADINO

BEFORE THERE WAS DRAG RACE, THERE WAS COCO PERU — REDEFINING WHAT

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