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ARK P I N ARTI M O LS • D I T U O OUT BUSIN ESS NEWS • AMERICAN
02 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY MAR 18 - MAR 24 2009
SNAPSHOT
NETWORK COLUMBUS @ THE SHERMAN OAKS CONDOMINIUMS: THIS MONTH, NETWORK COLUMBUS GUESTS TOURED THE FANCY NEW DIGS AT SHERMAN OAKS. THE COLUMBUS COMPACT CORP WAS ON HAND TO TALK ABOUT URBAN DEVELOPMENT. IT WAS A SWANKY NIGHT BY ANY MEASURE. PHOTOS BY DON FACKLER.
VOLUME 13 NUMBER 37
OWNERS AND PUBLISHERS Michael Daniels & Chris Hayes EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / ART DIRECTOR Chris Hayes hayes@outlookmedia.com ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR / PHOTOS Robert Trautman traut@outlookmedia.com
QUEER AS FOLK EXTRAS
THE COLUMBUS BOIS CHOIR
PHIL 'ER UP!
OUTLOOK: TERRIFIC!
LADIES' NIGHT
ALL SMILES
MANAGING EDITOR Adam Leddy aleddy@outlookmedia.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jacob Anderson-Minshall, Wayne Besen, Rolanda Copley, E Magazine, Jack Fertig, Patrick Fleming, Tom Moon, Leslie Robinson, Romeo San Vincente, Dan Savage, Simon Sheppard
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MAR 18 - MAR 24 2009
DRINKIN' FROM THE CAN
STRIKE A POSE, LADIES
SNAPSHOT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 ABOUT TOWN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,26 ANYTHING BUT STRAIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 COMMUNITY CORNER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 EARTHTALK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 OUT BUSINESS NEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 EXMANINED LIFE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 TRANSNATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 FEATURE: GAY MUSIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-20 DEEP INSIDE HOLLYWOOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 ARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 SEXTALK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 SAVAGE LOVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 THE LAST WORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 SCOPES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 NEXT WEEK: TRAVEL
MUGGING FOR THE PAPARAZZI
NOW THAT'S SEX APPEAL
WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO SHADOWBOX AT EASTON
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 03
ABOUT TOWN WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18 THAT’S SO METRO Columbus Metropolitan Club Lunch Forum @ The Athletic Club of Columbus, 136 E Broad St, 614.464.3220, www.columbusmetroclub.org: “Ground Zero of the Wall Street Meltdown.” 12p1:15p; $17-$35. ESTATE OF EMERGENCY Estate and Financial Planning Seminar @ King Ave United Methodist, 299 King Ave,www.hrc.org/estateplanning: Learn how to take care of yourself and your family. Presented by HRC. 6:30p-8:30p; free. YOU’RE A MCQUEEN, TOO Hunger @ The Wexner Center for the Arts, 1871 N High St, 614.292.3535, www.wexarts.org: Director Steve McQueen introduces his bold new film. 7p; $5-$7. OPEN WIDE! Sunshine Week Panel @ The Columbus Metropolitan Library, 96 S Grant Ave, 216.472.2220, contact@acluohio.org: Learn how to use Ohio’s Sunshine laws to hold government accountable. 3p; free. THURSDAY, MARCH 19 HOT STUFF! Disco Inferno @ Martini Park, 3948 Easton Way, 614.471.3400, www.martinipark.com: Join the boys from Outlook Weekly for guest DJs and a whole lotta booty shakin’. 8p; no cover. See page 26 for more info. WHERE’D YOU GET THAT COAT? Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat @ The Capitol Theatre, Riffe Center, 77 S High St, 614.228.CGMC, www.cgmc.com: CGMC teams with the Columbus Children’s Choir. Fri 8p, Sat 2p & 8p; $15-$30. See page 26 for more info. A BUNCHA THUMBS UP Cleveland International Film Festival @ Tower City Cinemas, 230 W Huron Rd, 216.623.3456, www.clevelandfilm.org: 60 countries represented, with 10% Cinema devoted to GLBT films and filmmakers. See the website for shows and times. I’LL DRINK ANY COLOR Green Drinks @ BoMA, 583 E Broad St, 614.233.3000, www.bomaevents.com: Prep Earth Month with green drinks and the Young Professionals of Columbus. 6p; free. GET YOUR WHISTLE NICE AND WET LinkOUT Thirsty Third Thursdays @ Havana, 862 N High St, 614.421.9697, linkoutcolumbus.com: Young professional? GLBT or ally? Thirsty? Join us. 6p; free. MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH, NOT IN YOUR HAND Melt @ Liquid, 1100 N High St, 614.298.3000, www.liquidhotspot.com: Men’s night at Liquid. No cover dance party with DJ Durty Dolce. 10p2a; no cover. GET YOUR DIET TOGETHER, PLEASE Healthy Living Program @ The Wellness Community, 10330 Sawmill Pkwy, Powell,
by Adam Leddy
614.791.9510, maria@wellnesscolumbus.org: “Great Grains for Good Reason” - take charge of your health through a healthy diet. 6p; free. FRIDAY, MARCH 20 NEWBIES ON THE 1S AND 2S Project DJ @ Wall Street Nightclub, 144 N Wall St, 614.464.2800, www.wallstreetnightclub.com: Up-and-coming DJs spin their tunes. This month: the SNL Trio, Abby, Jackie, and Laura. No cover with college or military ID. 9p; $5. BREATHE IN BREATHE OUT Isha Yoga Presentation @ Metro Fitness, 9 E Long St, 866.424.4742, www.ishafoundation.org: A free video presentation to get your started on relaxation and “inner engineering.” 12p; free. I’M AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WEST Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? @ Emerald City Theatre, 6799 Dublin Center Rd, Dublin, 614.470.1525, www.emeraldcityplayers.com: Albee’s most famous work. Secrets, seduction, and tragedy. Thru March 21. Fri-Sat 8p; $10-$12. SATURDAY, MARCH 21 HUCKLEBERRY HOUNDS Rock the House @ Ruby Tuesday, 1978 Summit St, 614.294.8097, www.huck-house.org: A concert to benefit Huckleberry House. 9:30p; $5. MONEY SHOT One Shot @ The King Arts Complex, 867 Mount Vernon Ave, 614.645.5464, www.thekingartscomplex.com: Ron K. Brown’s dance piece is the story of an incredibly talented African American photographer. 8p; $15-$25. STOP TRAFFIC AT WALL STREET Monthly Traffic Jam Party @ Wall Street, 144 N Wall St, 614.464.2800: The color of the glow stick signifies availability: green sticks for available, red for taken, and yellow for willing to play. Come see the colors and get to know your own Green or Yellow. $5; 9p. TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME CLGSA Softball Registration Party @ Club Diversity, 863 S High St, 614.244.4050, www.clubdiversity.com: Players, managers, and supporters, come out and kick off the 2009 season. 6p-8p; free. DEBE DOES COLUMBUS Debe Wenig @ James Club 88, 55 W Long St, 614.223.1213, www.jamesclub88.com: Debe joins James for a duo performance. 8:30p; cover. SUNDAY, MARCH 22 TOGA PARTY A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum @ Shadowbox Cabaret, Easton Towne Center, 614.416.7625, shadowboxcabaret.com: Shadowbox goes Roman! Physical comedy and a surprising storyline make this a can’t-miss. Sundays thru April 26. 2:30p & 7p; $20-$30. MAD ‘ABOOT’ HOCKEY, EH? Ohio Mayhem vs. Village Idiots @ Chiller Dublin, 7001 Dublin Park Drive, 614.764.1000, www.gayhockeyohio.com: See the gay hockey team in action. 8:50p; free. MAR 18 - MAR 24 2009
04 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
The Reader Poll
ANYTHING BUT STRAIGHT
Last week we asked:
Religion and Republicanism Are Losing the Future In pandering to the fanatical and the fearful - both religion and Republicanism may have compromised their future. First, the Republican Party seems in an awfully big rush to implode with Rush Limbaugh as its mercurial mouthpiece. The GOP’s other savior, Michael Steele, is just a big mouth who seems more suited to Limbaugh’s talk show gig than chairman of the Party. The GOP’s first African American leader, Steele, promised a “hip hop makeover” that would attract even “one armed midgets.” It is Steele, however, who is the incredibly shrinking chairman, with his promised “Big Tent” turning into a circus act. This carnival of “conservatives” has led the once-mighty Republican Party to O.J. Simpson-like popularity levels. An NBC/Wall Street Journal poll this past week put Republican approval at just 26%, compared to Barack Obama’s 68%. The state of the modern GOP was best captured on CNN’s D.L. Hughley Show, when the host interviewed Frank Schaeffer. A former member of the Religious Right and author of Crazy For God, Schaeffer said the GOP had created a “hard-assed neo fascist kind of direction in America.” He went on to say, “The Republican base is now made up of religious and neoconservative ideologues and the uneducated white underclass with a token person of color up in front of the TV to obscure the all-white, all reactionary, all backward, and there is
no global warming, rube reality.” The Republicans Schaefer is referring to have lately come out of the woodwork in Utah, where state Sen. Chris Buttars called GLBT advocates “the meanest buggers.” A right wing organization, America Forever, placed full-page ads in the Salt Lake dailies comparing gay men and lesbians to “druggies” and “hookers.” Of course, Utah Republicans might know about these things. A new study reveals that the conservative state leads the nation with 5.47 Internet pornography subscribers per thousand. Similar to the Republican Party, religious organizations have catered to the crazies for far too long. The “ex-gay” organization, Exodus International, is a perfect example. It travels the world to proclaim its “love” for homosexuals. Yet, a Board member, Don Schmierer, spoke at a Ugandan conference that pledged to “wipe out” gay practices. Schmierer joined Holocaust revisionist Scott Lively to urge Uganda to continue its persecution of gay people, including life prison sentences for the “crime” of homosexuality. Last week, the Vatican defended the excommunication of a 9-year-old Brazilian girl’s mother and doctors, who helped abort the pregnant child’s twins. The procedure was recommended because delivering these babies might have killed the 80-pound girl. The local Archbishop, Jose Cardosa Sobrinho, justified this despicable decision by saying, “God’s law is above any human
law.” Such transparently vindictive versions of “love” is why Christianity has lost followers in Europe and is now draining them in the United States. A new survey by researchers at Trinity College in Hartford, CT, documents that the percentage of Americans identifying as Christians has dropped to 76% of the population, down from 86% in 1990. Fifteen percent of Americans now say they have no religion at all. It may be that socially conservative churches and their anti-gay pastors are directly responsible for much of the erosion of Christianity. Sure, their mega-churches may be growing. But, for every new person they attract, they likely turn off ten others to all religion with their vituperative sermons. Focus on the Family’s “ex-gay” road show, Love Won Out, is a perfect example of how the radicals are ruining the image of Christianity. The conference may lure a few self-loathing dupes who briefly claim they have “prayed away the gay.” But, for every temporary convert (it rarely, if ever, lasts a lifetime) they turn off thousands of gay people to all religious belief. How does Focus on the Family justify this as a “win”? Even as the Religious Right rapidly contracts, conservatives are foolishly demanding that Republicans veer further right. Come to think of it, Rush Limbaugh may be the perfect leader for a party intent on alienating the majority while talking endlessly and aimlessly to itself.
What headliner would you most like to see at Columbus Pride Holiday this year? Lady Gaga - cost $50,000 - 57% Ultra Naté - cost ? - 21% Robin S - cost $3,000 - 7% Kat Deluna - cost $8,000 - 7% Kristine W - cost $6,000 - 0% Other... 17% including answer: A drag queen from RuPaul's drag race (especially Nina Flowers or Ongina)
NEXT WEEK’S QUESTION:
How much is the economy affecting your travel ? Log on to: www.outlookweekly.net to take this week’s poll.
63%
SOURCE: GALLUP
MAR 18 - MAR 24 2009
CATEGORY
JAN 20 ’09
MAR 16 ’09
DIFFERENCE
AMERICAN DEAD
4,226
4,257
31
AMERICAN WOUNDED
30,934
31,089
155
IRAQI CIVILIAN DEAD
98,605
99,452
847
NATIONAL DEBT
$10,605,968,804,933 $10,951,099,637,335 $345,130,832,402
DAYS IN OFFICE
1
55
55
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 05
MAR 18 - MAR 24 2009
06 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
COMMUNITY CORNER
State University. The foundation hopes to raise $1 million and eliminate the two-year backlog of pending wishes. Stonewall Columbus Pride Holiday 2009 will be Wishes come in all shapes and sizes and are as held on Friday and Saturday, June 19-20. The unique as the children who make them. The maevent is considered the largest Pride celebration of jority of wishes fall into four categories: I wish to its kind in the Midwest. In 2007, Columbus rego; I wish to be; I wish to meet; I wish to have. ceived national acclaim from The Advocate as an With children’s imagination guiding the process, unexpected - yet fabulous - destination for Pride. the Make-A-Wish Foundation gives every child the 2009 marks the 28th anniversary of Stonewall power to decide his or her heartfelt wish. Columbus Pride Holiday. We’re aiming for a bigger Call 877.206.WISH or visit and better event than the Columbus GLBT and al- www.bigwishgala.org to register for the event. lied community has ever seen. Attendance was outstanding last year, with an estimated 120,000 EVOLUTION THEATRE HOLDS I’LL participants. TAKE ROMANCE AUDITIONS Pride Holiday is a crucial fundraising venture Evolution Theatre will hold auditions for the for Stonewall Columbus. Funds raised at the Pride events support Stonewall Columbus and its pur- world premiere production of Edwin Sanchez’s new suit of equality, fairness and safety for the entire play, I’ll Take Romance, a kitschy, biting, screwball romantic comedy that revolves around the lives of GLBT community. The theme of Pride this year is Freedom. Thirty a self-centered go-go boy and his loyal best friend in New York City. Directed by Paul Lockwood and years after the Stonewall riots, which freedoms Mark Phillips Schwamberger, the show will run have we acquired and which have we lost in the June 17- 26. last three decades? Auditions are Sunday, March 29, 4-6:30p in Join us throughout June for this year’s Pride festivities. For a full list, visit stonewallcolumbus.org. Hughes Hall #109, 1899 N College Rd, on the OSU The Pride Committee is currently recruiting vol- Campus, and Monday, March 30, 6:30p-8:30p in Hughes Hall #110. unteers for all of the Pride events. The volunteer Cast: 2 females, 30-40; 2 males, early 20s; 1 form is available online at http://www.columbusmale, 40 -50, refined, confident, sophisticated; 3pride.org/volunteer. Please contact Jan Adams4 males, 20-50; and 1 male 30-40, able to do a Richards, Pride coordinator, at 614.930.2265 or Puerto Rican accent. email her at adamsrichards@stonewallcolumPrepare a 1-2-minute comic monologue. You bus.org if you would like more information. will also read from the script. We are also looking FREE SELF-DEFENSE CLASSES FOR for a stage manager, technical staff and crew. For additional information, please email iinfo@evoluTHE LGBT COMMUNITY! tiontheatre.org. A collaboration of The Ohio State University Student Wellness Center Sexual Violence Education TODD CORLEY TO PEN FORWARD and Support Program and the Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization (BRAVO). Students and FOR WHO’S WHO IN BLACK community members are welcome! (You need not COLUMBUS be affiliated with Ohio State to attend.) Who’s Who Publishing Company, the nation’s Learn mental, verbal and physical self-defense largest annual directory publisher serving the skills. To sign up for the self-defense classes, or if African-American market, ecstatically announces you have questions, contact the Student Wellness that Todd Corley, senior vice president of diversity Center at 614.292.4527, or e-mail sves@osu.edu. and inclusion for Abercrombie & Fitch, will pen the The class schedule: Tuesdays, April 14, 21, 28 foreword for the seventh edition of Who’s Who In & May 5, 12. 6-7:45p. Third Floor Gym, Pomerene Black Columbus. Hall, 1760 Neil Ave. Plan to attend all five sesAs Abercrombie & Fitch’s first-ever corporate ofsions. ficer responsible for diversity and inclusion, Corley has taken several strides to lead the company to a MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION HOSTS high standard of diversity. Since taking this position in November of 2004, he has overseen the BIG WISH GALA Twenty-nine years and 174,000 wishes since its forging of many important relationships with such founding, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America organizations as INROADS, UNCF, the National Hisis the largest professional wish-granting organiza- panic Business Association and the National Black MBA Association. Additionally, under his tion in the world, with 67 chapters across the leadership, the company has seen a steady incountry granting a wish every 40 minutes. crease in the percentage of minorities hired relaThe Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana will celebrate its silver an- tive to the total percentage of all people hired. Corley earned a Master of Business Administraniversary with the BIG Wish Gala on May 9. Countion degree from Georgetown University, where he try music superstars Rascal Flatts will be on hand is also a founding member of the country’s first dito provide a private acoustic concert on the 50yard line of the “Horseshoe” stadium at The Ohio versity master’s program. He serves on several MAR 18 - MAR 24 2009
STONEWALL COLUMBUS GEARS UP FOR PRIDE 2009
boards, including the Jazz Arts Group and the business advisory board of the Columbus College of Art & Design. Married to Dr. G. Penelope Fleming, he is the father of two children. “As a relative newcomer to the Columbus community, I am impressed every day with the caliber of people that I interact with and have come to know - professionally and personally,” Corley shares. “Many of those I am referring to are annually featured in Who’s Who In Black Columbus. If you have not yet experienced the energy in the room when the book is unveiled, you have truly missed out.” Columbus associate publisher Paula Gray states, “I believe that Todd Corley is a trendsetter and innovator in the field of corporate diversity, and we are blessed to see the impact of his leadership within the Central Ohio community.” C. Sunny Martin, founder and CEO of Who’s Who Publishing Company, adds, “With more than 15 years of experience in his field, Todd Corley is a dedicated champion for diversity, and we eagerly anticipate his contribution to the next edition of Who’s Who In Black Columbus.”
JEWISH SYNAGOGUES WANT TO WELCOME GLBT PEOPLE, RESEARCH SAYS Gay Jewish leaders recently released new research results on LGBT inclusion in the Jewish world at a strategy session in New York City on February 22 and 23. The research showed deep support for the inclusion of LGBT Jews in Jewish communities. The research was based on a survey sent to over 3,000 congregations across North America, with 1,221 respondents representing nearly 1,000 unique congregations (more than 25% of all the Jewish congregations in North America). Respondents reflected all of the major Jewish movements. Response rates were particularly strong - reaching over 50% - from those synagogues affiliated with the Reform and Reconstructionist movements and with Aleph: The Alliance for Jewish Renewal. The most support for LGBT inclusion was with the Reconstructionist and Reform movements, while the Conservative movement trailed and Orthodox members were much less supportive. Regardless of their tradition, most of the 760 rabbis who responded (73%) already think their congregations do a good or excellent job welcoming gays and lesbians, but very few use language in their mission statements or websites to explicitly signal a welcome for LGBT Jews, and only 33% offer LGBT-related programs for congregants. Reflecting contemporary social and political concerns, events or activities connected to marriage equality were the most often-cited program with specific LGBT content. “A sincere welcome for LGBT Jews must be demonstrated through visible action,” said Gregg Drinkwater, executive director of Jewish Mosaic. “Although most rabbis who took our survey believe
their congregations are inclusive and are likely sincere in their desire to reach out, we know from earlier research that without an explicit effort to welcome LGBT Jews, many LGBT people assume that such statements as ‘we welcome everyone’ come with an invisible asterisk, with the hidden message that ‘we welcome everyone, except you.’ “While the full report will be published in the coming months, the initial findings paint a picture of synagogue leadership that is open to full inclusion. And as it turns out, inclusion is good for congregations. One of the findings is that 41% of rabbis whose congregations proactively reached out to gay and lesbian Jews reported gaining members as a result, and only 2% reported losing members,” said Drinkwater.
ANNUAL WELLNESS FOR LIFE FAIR BENEFITS THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY AND FITQUEST WESTERVILLE Free and open to the public, the second annual Wellness for Life Fair, showcases wellness as an overall lifestyle, encompassing health, finances, fitness, nutrition and personal care. The fair is held Thursday, April 9 from 3-7p at the Westerville Community Center, 350 N Cleveland Ave in Westerville. Exhibitors will donate approximately $3,000 to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and FitQuest Westerville. FitQuest is a community effort to increase awareness of the health risks of a sedentary lifestyle and provide avenues to reduce those risks through physical activity, special programs and services. Local vendors ranging from organic food providers, acupuncturists, massage therapists, dermatologists, tennis and golf pros, financial professionals, counselors, and representatives from the American Cancer Society and Westerville Parks and Recreation, among others, will be on hand to provide visitors with information. “In today’s tough economy, finding a balance between financial and physical fitness is a challenge for many people,” said Jim Oppenlander, president and CEO of DOME Financial Services, the fair’s presenting sponsor. “Our goal with this event is to bring together experts who can address wellness related issues that many of us are concerned with.” “About 30%of cancer diagnoses are related to diet and lifestyle choices,” said American Cancer Society spokesman Robert Paschen. “Wellness is a growing trend, and it’s growing for a reason.” The fair will feature health screenings including blood pressure, BMI, total cholesterol (HDL, LDL, and triglyceride), glucose, hearing and vision. In addition, vendors will be providing on-site demonstrations for their products and services, including chiropractic assessments, chair massage, food and vitamin samples, and many others. Participants can win over $2,000 in door prizes from fair vendors including gift cards, free services, product discounts, and gift baskets.
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 07
MAR 18 - MAR 24 2009
08 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
MAR 18 - MAR 24 2009
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 09
EARTH TALK From the Editors of E
Dear EarthTalk:
Dear EarthTalk:
What is “microfinance” and how does it help poor countries and preserve the environment?
What is the so-called “smart grid” I’ve been hearing about, and how can it save energy and money?
Eliza Clark, Seattle, WA
Larry Burger, Litchfield, CT
The brainchild of Grameen Foundation founder Muhammad Yunus, microfinance is a form of banking whereby financial institutions offer small loans to the poor. The idea behind the concept, which originated in Bangladesh in the mid 1970s, is that motivated and disciplined poor people could climb out of poverty if they had access to funding - even small amounts - that help get businesses off the ground. With access to revolving loan funds, these “micro-entrepreneurs” can build businesses, pay back the borrowed money, and continue to provide for themselves and their families in a sustainable manner. A classic example would be a woman who borrows $50 to buy chickens so she can sell eggs to other members of her community. As her chickens multiply, she can sell more eggs, and eventually she can sell chicks as well. She pays back the money and has climbed out of a perhaps desperate situation financially - and the community benefits from having a new source of nutritious food. “Having access to money to start a small business isn’t about fulfilling a dream, it’s literally about keeping their families one step ahead of starvation and putting a roof over their heads,” says Tracey Turner, founder of MicroPlace, an online “microfinance marketplace” launched by eBay in 2007. Individuals can put small or large amounts of money on MicroPlace and get a rate of return in the two- to three-percent range - better than a donation - and get the satisfaction of knowing that their cash is helping someone in a developing country improve their lot and that of their impoverished community. On the environmental front, microfinance is, in
and of itself, “green” in that it promotes businesses that can be sustained indefinitely. Example after example over the last three decades have proven the concept that when poor people are given opportunities to earn a living in a legitimate and sustainable fashion, they have little or no need to pillage their surrounding natural resources to shelter or feed themselves. Also, most of the financial institutions involved in microfinance hold up sustainability as a precondition for awarding loans. Others encourage greener businesses by offering lower interest rates to borrowers with sustainability-oriented plans. While upstarts like MicroPlace and Kiva (which operates on a similar model whereby individual investors can get in on the microlending fun) are grabbing most of the microfinance headlines these days, Grameen Bank was the first microfinance lender in the world, initiating its first project in 1976 in the Bangladeshi village of Jobra. Today Grameen does a lot more than just offer small loans. It also accepts deposits and provides other banking services, and runs several development-oriented businesses including fabric, telephone and energy companies. And it has spawned thousands of other institutions doing similar things: World Bank statistics show that more than 7,000 microfinance institutions serve some 16 million people in developing countries with $7 billion in outstanding loans, 97 percent of which are repaid. In 2006, Grameen founder Muhammad Yunus was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.
America’s electricity grid is built upon what many consider to be an antiquated principle: Make large amounts of electricity and have it always available to end users whether they need it or not. It’s much like the way most home water heaters work in keeping water constantly hot even when it is not being used. It is also a strictly one-way relationship with utilities supplying power to end users, but not also vice-versa. The smart grid concept is predicated on a two-way flow of energy - and information - between electricity generators and end users. The system not only delivers power to end users as needed, depending on demand; it also gathers power from end users that produce their own homes and businesses that generate solar, wind or geothermal power themselves - when they have more than they need. Some 42 states and Washington, DC, already require utilities to have systems in place to buy excess energy generated by their customers. But, writes journalist Michael Prager in E/The Environmental Magazine, “because they can’t know in real time that power is coming in, utilities generate as much as they would have anyway.” He adds that when information flows both ways, end users will be able to send information back to the grid specifying how much power they need and when they will need it. They’ll also be able to communicate when they have excess power available to upload to the grid. On the forefront of research into the feasibility of the smart grid on a large scale is the Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management (FREEDM) Systems Center, established in 2008 by the National Science Foundation and
headquartered at North Carolina State University. FREEDM is partnering with universities, industry and national laboratories in 28 states and nine countries to develop technologies they say will “revolutionize the nation’s power grid and speed renewable electric-energy technologies into every home and business.” So far, some 60 utilities, alternative energy startups, electrical equipment manufacturers and other firms have signed onto the new partnership. One such utility, Colorado-based Xcel Energy, has even begun to put smart grid technology into practice on a trial basis for a small percentage of its customer base. The utility has spent some $100 million outfitting 35,000 homes and businesses in and around the city of Boulder with automation and communications capabilities to enable two-way communication of electricity needs. Xcel won’t have enough data to assess energy and cost savings until early 2010, but analysts are optimistic that the utility’s costly experiment will reap benefits down the road for consumers, utilities and the environment. Indeed, environmentalists and economists alike have high hopes that widespread implementation of such “intelligent” systems could help usher in a new age of unprecedented energy efficiency, emissions reductions and cost savings around the United States and beyond.
CONTACTS: Grameen Bank, www.grameen-info.org; MicroPlace, www.microplace.com; Kiva, www.kiva.org. Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management (FREEDM) Systems Center, www.freedm.ncsu.edu; Xcel Energy, www.xcelenergy.com. GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? E-mail: earthtalk@emagazine.com.
MAR 18 - MAR 24 2009
10 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
MAR 18 - MAR 24 2009
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 11
OUT BUSINESS NEWS
Spotlight:
by Adam Leddy
Scott Heimlich
Barcelona Restaurant & Bar Scott Heimlich purchased Barcelona in March 2002. Over the past seven years, he has expanded what the restaurant does and enhanced the overall dining experience for patrons. Scott is committed to delivering high quality dishes and service in a casual, inviting atmosphere. Barcelona is a Spanish fusion restaurant, with part of the menu dedicated to Catalan cuisine. Scott and his chef have travelled to Spain on several occasions to master the cuisine and expand the menu. He is quick to give credit for the restaurant’s success to his talented team. “I may lead them,” he says, “but they do all of the hard work.” We’re sure Scott can get his hands dirty, too. After all, what’s dirtier than an interview with Outlook Weekly? Adam Leddy: Why have GLBT people flocked to Barcelona, even though it is not a specifically gay establishment? Is it the fact that you are gay-owned; is it that Barcelona has a certain aesthetic that appeals to us? What’s the secret? Scott Heimlich: The fact that Barcelona is owned by a gay man helps, but I would like to think that we make everyone feel welcome and feel comfortable with who they are. There is nothing to hide and guests should be comfortable expressing what they feel. Barcelona wants everyone to feel welcome, whether you are gay or straight, young or old, black or white. It doesn’t matter. I am inviting you to enter my “home” and I want you to feel comfortable.
AL: In your view, what is the gay business owner’s responsibility to the community? You’ve been very generous in giving to the GLBT orgs, hosting their events, etc. Do you see enough of that from other GLBT (and straight) restaurateurs? SH: I feel that the owner of a business whether gay or not, restaurant or something else - has a responsibility to the community around them. You have to be supportive of what is going on around you in order to be supported by the community in return. I feel very strongly about what we in the GLBT community are trying to do. I want equal rights for everyone, and that is the leading battle cry for the GLBT organizations. So anything I can do to help support their efforts in turn impacts me and my life. The GLBT community has been very supportive of me, from the time I came out to helping support me as an independent business owner. As far as other GLBT business owners, hopefully they are doing what they can to support the community. You have to do what you can while still being responsible to your business, believe in what you support and have a desire to make a positive impact on the community around you. Besides my support of the GLBT community, I have also aligned myself with supporting childhood hunger issues and the arts. AL: How often does the menu change? Is your philosophy one of experimentation, or consistency? SH: The menu is designed to change on a weekly basis. It may be a few items one week
or a large portion the next. It all depends on the availability of product, how well an item is received by our guests and the many creative ideas Chef Paul has. Consistency is a major focus of how we operate the restaurant: consistency in food quality, service and how we offer new, exciting items. By being consistent in offering quality items, the menu could change every day and our guests will know that no matter what it is, it will be good. AL: You’re positioning yourself as a destination for gay commitment ceremonies. Tell us more about that. What can a couple expect if they book their ceremony/reception at the restaurant? SH: We have done a number of wedding receptions and rehearsal dinners in the past. The decision to market ourselves for the gay community came about for a couple of reasons. We held a reception for a gay couple this fall who were married in California before the laws changed. My boyfriend and I became engaged over the holidays and as we have started to think about what we are going to do for a ceremony and reception, it became part of the conversation among my managers at the restaurant. Barcelona can be the perfect environment for any type of celebration. Hopefully sometime soon we will be able to celebrate our unions with legal recognition, but until that point, we just
want to help you celebrate your commitment in the style it deserves. AL: What stands out most for you as you look back on your journey? What do you see in the future? SH: When I purchased Barcelona seven years ago, I really did not know what I was getting myself into. These past seven years have been absolutely incredible. I don’t think I would do anything differently. My staff and I have worked extremely hard to make Barcelona one of the top restaurants in Columbus. We do everything we can to make your visit enjoyable, but I realize that we do make mistakes. I rely on and need feedback from our guests in order to continue our growth. So when something is not as you had expected, let me know so that I can fix it. I am looking forward to many more years at Barcelona. Who knows what the future holds? I am just enjoying the journey. Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive. I would not be where I am in life without all of you. Barcelona Restaurant and Bar: 263 East Whittier Street, 614.443.3699, www.barcelonacolumbus.com.
Outlook Media to Upgrade Weekly Tabloid to Monthly Magazine Outlook Media today announced that it will begin publication of a new monthly magazine, Outlook Columbus, in April, with the first issue hitting newsstands in early May 2009. Outlook Media will cease publication of its weekly publication, Outlook Weekly, effective with the March 25, 2009 issue. “We’ve always had a plan for creating a monthly publication to take the place of Outlook Weekly,” said Michael Daniels, Out-
look Media Co-publisher and Business Director. “Our advertisers are seeking a way to reach our readers with a publication that offers more rich content and long-term shelf life than a weekly tabloid can offer.” Outlook Columbus Co-publisher and Editor-in-Chief Chris Hayes added that the monthly format allows the editorial staff to generate the expanded feature coverage that readers have longed for, while adding more of the creative content that they ex-
pect. “The new magazine will be a progressive George meets Out,” Hayes said. “It will focus on the heart of our Cap City: politics, style, community and fun.” Outlook Columbus will continue the tradition of being a free publication, serving the GLBT, allied and progressive communities in Central Ohio. Advertising packages are being developed, and all existing advertisers have the option to convert current contracts
to the new schedule. New advertisers are expected to join with the new format and frequency. The company will maintain its offices at 815 N High St in the Short North, with Hayes and Daniels serving as owner/operators. For more information, contact Michael Daniels, 614.268.8525 x3 or mdaniels@outlookmedia.com.
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THE EXAMINED LIFE by Tom Moon, MFT
Surfing the Urge for Tina Q: I used crystal meth daily for years and have been trying to recover from my addiction for a couple of years. I go to twelve-step meetings almost every day and I think I’m working a good program. But I can’t stay away from tina for longer than three or four months before I relapse. When the urge to use comes on, I do everything I can to fight it, but it just builds and builds until I can’t stand it anymore. Then I go out and use for a weekend and spend two weeks after that recovering from the damage I did to myself. My partner is getting pretty fed up with my back and forth, and I’m afraid I might lose him, but I’m beginning to wonder if I’m one of those people who just can’t get out of the trap. Any suggestions? First of all, keep working your program, and don’t give up! If your use has dropped from daily to three or four weekends per year, you’ve made substantial progress toward your goal of complete abstinence. I’ve worked with recovering alcoholics and addicts for over twenty-five years, and, unfortunately, I’ve seen very few meth users who were able to stop completely on the first try. Most had to go through multiple episodes of backsliding before they were able to stop completely. The important thing is to keep hope. If fighting with your desire to use is resulting in relapses, you might benefit from an approach called “urge surfing,” which involves not fighting with your urges. This technique was developed by Dr. Alan Marlatt, director of the Addictive Behaviors Research Center at the University of Washington, as part of a program of relapse prevention for people recovering from addictions to alcohol and other drugs. It’s a tool that can be used with substance abuse as well as any other destructive impulse, such as gambling, overeating, or compulsive sex. Most people are aware of only two alternatives when feeling unwanted desires. They either distract themselves, or grit their teeth and try to fight off the urges. Urge surfing is a third alternative which applies the practice of mindfulness meditation to the experience of craving. In this practice, instead of trying to suppress your impulses, you step aside and watch them arise and pass away on their own. Briefly, here’s how you do it: When the urge to use arises, relax, close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths. Instead of dreading what you’re experiencing, approach it with an attitude of interest and curiosity. For instance, investigate MAR 18 - MAR 24 2009
where in the body you’re feeling the urge. Focus on that area and notice what’s happening. Notice quality, position, boundaries and intensity of the sensation. Notice how these change with the inbreath and out-breath. Repeat the focusing process with each part of the body involved. Explore what occurs and notice how it changes over time. The key is to replace the fearful wish that craving go away with interest in your experience. It’s important to stay with your direct experience, and not get distracted by thoughts and interpretations about what it means. It is especially important not to futurize or catastrophize about the urges. That is, don’t make yourself more anxious with fearful thoughts about how what you’re feeling is going to get worse to the point of being unbearable. When thoughts arise, just note them, let them go, and return to the focus on your breath and body. If you just stay with your present experience and let an urge be - non-judgmentally, and without feeding it, fighting it, or futurizing about it - you’ll find that it crests, subsides and disappears on its own, usually within a few minutes. Of course, urges do return. But every time you experience a bout of cravings without struggling with them or succumbing to them, they become less intense and less frequent. One obvious danger in this practice is that if you allow yourself to stray from mindful awareness into romantic futurizing about how good it would feel to scratch the itch, you’re at risk for relapse. One way to avoid this danger is to do the practice, especially the first few times, in the presence of a trusted program friend. You can also “bookend” the practice by calling someone in the program before you do it and again after you’re done to describe what happened. It will also help if you do at least a few minutes of mindfulness meditation every day when you aren’t feeling urges to use. Doing this will strengthen the “mindfulness muscle” so that it will be more steady and reliable in the presence of strong feelings. Regular practice of this approach to desire will make it easier for you to remember that urges, like everything else, are impermanent. They subside whether you act on them or not. Every time you successfully surf an episode of craving, you’ll find your capacity to experience them without reacting growing stronger, and you’ll feel a deepening sense of freedom rooted in the insight that urges are merely passing waves of sensation which have no inherent power to compel you to do anything. Tom Moon is a psychotherapist in San Francisco. His website is tommoon.net.
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TRANSNATION by Jacob Anderson-Minshall
Switch Hitter Tired of “watching trans movies where everybody dies or is really sad,” filmmaker Brooks Nelson felt compelled to film his own, Switch: A Community in Transition. The documentary suggests that communities shoulder much of the “responsibility” for their trans members’ gender transformations. “I didn’t change,” Nelson insists. “I became more who I am - so really, the burden falls on everyone else. I peeled back stuff to reveal who I really am.” Meanwhile, he says, friends and family members - and the tight knit progressive community in Portland - were forced to switch gender pronouns, incorporate new names and examine their own assumptions about what it means to be male or female. “In all the different spheres that we all occupy,” Nelson argues, “people in them have different responsibilities to the person who is transitioning. My boss’s responsibility is really different than my partner’s responsibility. I’m expecting different things from him … like [to] step up as an employer and say, ‘This is a bad law for some of my employees,’ which means a lot more to somebody making those laws than you or me calling in.” Despite his conviction that his age, race, class and ability-diverse community had been “doing progressive political work for so long we know how to have really hard conversations,” Nelson admits he wasn’t happy with everyone’s reaction to his transition and the responsibilities it placed on them. “I really, really try to meet people exactly where they are. But I have a limit. At one point I reached this limit with this guy and I said ‘I will take you out back and beat the shit out of you. You just need to know that its not okay.’ He got it, at that point. And then I spent a lot of time thinking about that - was that some kind of guy thing? If I threaten to kick your ass, then you have to do what I say?” Nelson says he hopes the film builds al-
lies, by normalizing transitions. “Everybody has changes and transitions that they go through … how is this different?” Nelson identifies as masculine, but he admits, “Am I a man? I don’t know. What is one?” “This push to declare gender pronouns … has been really tough. I was tenaciously holding onto the middle and then it just became too much energy. It’s really hard to be genderqueer … particularly when you have to move through a mainstream world. People come up to me and say ‘Dude, I get you’re trying to end oppression based on gender presentation, [but] I still need to know how to refer to you in the meeting.’ It was like, Okay, enough. I have a lot of different battles to fight; I don’t want to have to fight this one.” The longtime activist moved to Portland from Atlanta in 1986, but only began filmmaking a few years ago after joining North West Documentary Arts. His first movie addressed the difficulties gender variant folk have in utilizing public restrooms. Although the title, Switch, may conjure up sex changes and moving from one box to another, Nelson says that’s not what the he intended. “It’s really about language. That was the biggest change. And that was the biggest struggle for the people who are more on the periphery, but that’s the expectation that folks are going to have. No matter what your relationship is with the trans person, you’re likely to be asked to switch your language in some way. “One of the goals I have set for the movie is that no matter who you are, when you’re watching it you see someone who either you are or you know. And number two … you walk away and have some thoughts about it afterwards. I don’t know if I accomplished it. I’m so fucking nervous!” Trans author Jacob Anderson-Minshall is the author of Blind Faith, the latest Blind Eye mystery. To view the book trailer and find out more, check out blindeyemysteries.com. MAR 18 - MAR 24 2009
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FEATURE STORY
QUEER MUSIC
The gay music scene in Columbus is diverse and vibrant. This week, Outlook takes a look at a few of the artists who make the scene so special. From folk to hip-hop and back again, these musicians are lending their considerable talents to our fair city, and for that, we extend to them our sincere and deeply felt props. Along with these local treasures, we spotlight a few national acts you should put on your gaydar.
Fabulous Johnson Brothers www.thejbros.com Next gig: April 4, Park Street Tavern, 10p. We, The Fabulous Johnson Brothers, have decided to abandon the usual band bio and instead interview the fabulous one himself, our own Aaron Pickering: You’ve said that your band’s old-school influences include Prince, Michael Jackson, and even The Rolling Stones. What do you share with such legendary artists? A love of the flamboyant and a desire to entertain people and let them feel lots of emotions.
Which modern acts are you most often compared to? Scissor Sisters, Maroon 5 and Lenny Kravitz. I thought only cheesy funk bands had horn sections. The music we grew up on in the ’70s and ’80s had horns all over it! You can even hear it now on songs from Xtina to Arcade Fire. We wanted something in this group that made us unique to the current musical climate. Horns seemed like the natural choice. There are so many different sounds and places you can go with them.
What distinguishes a JBros live performance from your recorded material? We take more chances live. Live, you can really stretch out and wiggle your toes a little more. You have to divert from your studio recordings live to make a performance special. Live, it’s all about taking chances. The potential to fall flat on your face is what makes you a better musician. That’s what makes a live performance so special.
In your own words, explain the name, The Fabulous Johnson Brothers. We were looking for something very tongue-in-cheek and memorable. We initially decided on the name Johnson. After a while, we added Brothers to signify our broverly love and eventually Fabulous was added to camp up the name a little bit.
Unecc No Shade www.myspace.com/noshade Next gig: Check myspace site No Shade shocks and entertains with a hot hip-hop and urban pop sound, combining the attitude and street edge of hip-hop with the creative and modern styles of pop music. Show stoppers D Flo and Jo’el bring years of entertaining experience to the group, having been performers nearly all of their lives. But these guys are more than your ordinary
rap duo. At any given time, one might find D Flo’s leg kicked to abnormal levels of flexibility while Jo’el drops to a split. These fellas are dancers, and they hold nothing back when it comes to getting down on the floor. No Shade’s unabashed style is inspired by West Coast and Dirty South influences. Press play on a No Shade track, and if your butt fails to wiggle and your head doesn’t bobb, you might be lame.
www.myspace.com/uneccmyspace Next gig: March 27, Mr. & MIZ Havana Prelims @ Havana, 8p. Unecc (pronounced “unique”) is a “stud rapper” whose laid back demeanor belies the fact that she is an absolute beast on the microphone. Unlike many rappers, her flow loses nothing in translation from the studio to the stage, as anyone who has seen her perform at Columbus Pride can attest. Originally from New York, Unecc moved to Central Ohio at age ten, and her talent has earned her considerable acclaim ever since. Check out Unecc’s MySpace page to hear her versatility, from party tracks like “Pop Yo” to the hard-edged, lascivious “U Scared.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
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Team, Smile, & Nod
R.J. Cowdery
http://www.teamsmileandnod.com/ Next gig: April 18, Slammers, 9p. A mix of dark humor, grieving sadness, glee-filled love, and politically-derived depression informs Kara Elizabeth’s songwriting. Using her acoustic guitar, she transforms her lyrics into vocal pop
www.rjcowdery.com Next gig: April 11, The Galley in Marietta, 7p. Over the many years since she wrote her first songs as a teenager, Rj Cowdery has experienced a topsy-turvy lifetime of stops and starts, with exciting creative breakthroughs followed by distractions and obligations that took her away from her lifelong dream of being a professional
melodies. Rich Ratvasky adds an inspired layer of experimental, beat-driven, intuitively arranged electronic ambiance. He often supplements the songs with vocals and guitar. Combining their efforts, they arrange their individual creations into one.
singer/songwriter. The Columbus-based folk artist, who first developed a regional following in the mid-’90s with her breakthrough album Bernie’s Daughter, has been making up for lost time this past year, receiving major accolades at some of the most prestigious folk festivals in the US and now releasing her highly anticipated, heartfelt album One More Door.
Donna Mogavero Shane! Shane! Shane! http://www.myspace.com/shanex3jazz Next gig: April 7, Vonn’s, 7:30p. Shane! Shane! Shane! (S!3) was formed in 2000, on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, by lead singer and guitarist Shane! With a core group of 4 musicians and an extensive list of accomplished side men (and women), S!3 has delighted audiences at MAR 18 - MAR 24 2009
festivals, gala events, and weddings. The jazzy band relocated to Columbus because of the lingering impact of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast economy.
www.myspace.com/donnamogaveromusic March 20, 9p, Liquid. For the past 30 years Donna Mogavero has been based out of Columbus. She has recorded three CDs and toured nationally. Her first CD, Acoustic, was recorded in 1994. Her second disc, Out of the Nest, was recorded in Columbus and Nashville. A live album, Donna Mogavero Live, followed. All
three discs can be found at www.cdbaby.com. Donna takes great pleasure in the little things. Walking her dogs, riding her horse, cleaning horse stalls, cleaning the house, playing guitar, and spending time with treasured friends. She lives a calm, simple life with her daughter.
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MAR 18 - MAR 24 2009
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FEATURE STORY
Over the Moon with Out Artist Jana Mashonee With her latest album New Moon Born, Jana Mashonee is poised to burst onto the mainstream music scene. The album represents a significant departure from her previous endeavors, taking on a decidedly more upbeat rhythm and blues flavor. “The album is about rebirth and new beginnings,” she says. “It reflects a phase in my life that has taken on a different shape and direction from anything I’ve done before,” she says. In addition to providing all the vocals and piano, Jana wrote and co-produced the album. In 2006, Jana released her Grammy-nominated concept album, American Indian Story. The Lumbee Indian singer-songwriter has also won 7 NAMMY Awards (Native American Music Awards) over the course of her career. At the start of the new millennium, Jana found success with charttopping club hits like “More Than Life” and her cover of Led Zeppelin’s epic, “Stairway to Heaven,” earning her the honor of being the first Native American female to land on the Billboard dance charts. Here, the singer talks about her diverse musical career, singing in gay clubs, and what it’s like to be gay in the Native American community. Q: This album has a more soulful vibe than your previous records. Can you talk about how the album came together? Jana Mashonee: It was originally going to be a concept album with a 20s and 30s feel. I had this image in my mind of a singer in a smoky bar performing both standards and original music. It was going to be called One Night in October. But I wasn’t getting the inspiration I needed, so I got diverted thinking about experiences from my personal life that I needed to get out, things I haven’t dealt with on my other albums. My last album, American Indian Story, was also a concept album, and I didn’t want to be restricted by a concept or a specific genre of music this time. Q: What are some of the personal thoughts and feelings that you wanted to convey with this record? JM: It was about realizing that I’m not a perfect person, that I’ve made mistakes, and now it’s time to move forward. The overriding theme of the album is rebirth, moving to another cycle, another stage in your life. Dealing with some of my personal issues on this record has definitely been an eye-opening experience. It’s been really cathartic. Recording was like going to a therapist. Q: You seem to be addressing past relationships as well. JM: Yes, there are a couple of songs about recognizing my selfishness in relationships, not just in romantic relationships, but with family also. The songs deal with certain choices I could have MAR 18 - MAR 24 2009
made but didn’t. With art, you have to give up a large part of yourself to what you’re creating. You are in love with your work. Being so focused on what you’re doing can make you selfish and not as giving as other people may need you to be. Q: Is the song “Angel” about someone wanting to commit suicide? JM: No, it’s not about killing yourself. It’s about trying to change bad habits and become a better person. It’s about taking a different path to create a new reality for yourself. Reality can be dark, so I try to acknowledge that in some of my songs. I like to convey intense emotions in my music because that’s when I feel most intense about life. Q: How you ever felt limited by people seeing you as some-
one who can only sing Native American music? JM: There have been periods when I’ve struggled with certain stereotypes. There was a time when I was a kid that I didn’t want to be different. I wanted to be the white girl with blonde hair and the perfect nose. With ethnicity, you have to face yourself and know who you are. For me, this was a very positive thing. Now, I embrace who I am. Q: Do you feel there is still a Native American influence to the songs on this album, just from the very fact of who you are? JM: Yes. Being Native is a way of life and a way of thinking. It’s not about material things, like dressing in feathers. It’s just how you are. If people aren’t familiar with me, they don’t immediately think Native American. Sometimes you have to kind of put it out there. That’s something I’ll always do in some way or another. Q: Let’s talk a bit about an earlier time in your career. I think many gay people know you from your dance hits “More Than Life” and “Stairway to Heaven” because of the massive club
play they received. JM: That was when I had my first record deal. They didn’t really know what to do with me - here I was, this Native American girl. I was signed around the time of the big explosion in Latin music, and they had me put out a record as Jana Maria, trying to pass me off as Latin. I recorded “More Than Life” after that, and it just took off on the dance charts. I did a lot of shows in gay clubs at the time, and I feel like the gay community was the first audience to accept me. Q: Why do you think that is? JM: I think there’s a connection that can happen between groups that are out of the mainstream there is an appreciation of people’s differences and the struggles that they share. I think it was also because I had this really big, theatrical stage presence. I went out there with my feathers and really tried to entertain. I’ve found that people in the gay community really respect you when you’re being true to yourself. Q: What’s it like to be gay in the Native American community? JM: People are very accepting, particularly the younger generation. And you might not think so, but even the elders are accepting of gay people. I have a Lakota friend who’s a clothing designer, and he told me there’s an ancient term for being gay in Native culture - it’s called “two spirit.” It refers to Natives Americans who fulfill both gender roles - men and women who wear male and female clothing and do the work of both genders. Because you can perform many roles in the tribe, you are thought of as more special. It still carries on today. Q: Last question: tell me about the scholarships you award to Native American kids. JM: It can be tough for kids growing up in the Native American community. Many kids don’t finish high school, there are a lot of broken families, and drugs can be a real problem. I met a lot of kids at my shows who felt like they just didn’t have a voice, so I started listening to the kinds of issues they had to deal with. Lack of education is a big problem, so I decided to create an incentive for people to finish high school by starting a scholarship program. I’ve been able to raise enough money from performing to give something back to the community, and it feels really good. For a long time, the Native American community has been the ignored community. I know some of my gay friends feel that way about the gay community, too. These scholarships are a way to recognize the beauty and potential present in our community, just as they’re present in all communities. New Moon Born is available April 15.
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FEATURE STORY by Patrick Fleming
American Out Idols: Six Out Musicians Release New Albums Every gay musician has to have his gimmick. Boy George was the ’80s clubber. RuPaul was the ’90s supermodel. Freddie Mercury was the biker. The Village People couldn’t get by with just one gimmick; they had six! Without a gimmick, you become Lance Bass. This spring, several out artists are presenting their new albums. To help them identify their gimmick, and encourage you to buy their albums, we’ve assigned them each a role.
Jason Walker, “The Fighter” When a skinny white boy has the balls to take the stage of Harlem’s legendary Apollo Theatre, you know he is a fighter. That’s exactly what Jason Walker did, appearing on NBC’s Showtime at the Apollo. Not only did Walker not get booed off the stage, he received a standing ovation and won the competition. Music producer Junior Vasquez happened to be watching the show. His people contacted Walker’s people and a month later, they were in the studio working on Walker’s first album. This Is My Life produced three Billboard #1s, confirming the artist as one of the few gay singers capable of breaking through to a global dance audience. His songs of life and love, delivered in an octave well above any other male artists in pop music, became staples on both gay and straight dance floors worldwide. This winter, Walker released his follow-up cd, Flexible. The first single, “Can’t Get You Out of My Mind,” rocketed Walker right back to the top of the club charts. It was also #1 on LOGO’s video countdown show, The Click List. His second single, “Can’t Stop,” produced by superstar remixer Quentin Harris, hits dance floors this spring and is expected to be his fifth consecutive #1. http://www.jasonwalkermusic.com/ Adam Joseph, “The Princess” Adam Joseph, the artist, may appear to be a pink, glittery princess, but don’t be fooled. Adam Joseph, the businessman, is a true warrior. After graduating from Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music, Joseph battled to become one of the first openly queer artists to sign MAR 18 - MAR 24 2009
with Sony BMG’s all-gay label, Rainbow with a Twist. It was the break artists dream of, until the label folded and dropped its entire roster.
Joseph was determined. He formed his own independent label and released the smooth R&B grooves “You’re Mine” and “Flow with My Soul.” But it was the music video to his campy track “Faggoty Attention” that shined the brightest spotlight on the young artist. A little bit Michael Jackson (“The Way You Make Me Feel”), a little bit Madonna (“Music,” at least the part where she is dancing in her limo), the video depicted Joseph and his gaggle of gays luring a vulnerable straight boy. It was a YouTube hit criticized by some as a lucky break. Adam Joseph, however, has said in interviews that the so-called lucky break was intentional, the result of hard work and tactical marketing. This spring, he aims to prove he’s got staying power when he releases his new faggoty track: a cover of Kool and the Gang’s ’70s disco hit “Fresh.” http://www.adamjosephmusic.com/
a complete one-eighty from his past work. In fact, the album is the most positive, upbeat music we’ve heard from the talented piano-man. And its gospel and country flavor is a sweet departure from the house and dance tracks preferred by most other out artists today. http://www.levikreis.com/live/ Raphael Solomon, “The True Beauty” Raphael Solomon has overcome many struggles. The 28-year-old sex muffin has been used, abused, spit out and hung to dry. The best thing is that he airs all of his deliciously dirty laundry on his captivating debut album, Beautiful Dancer. In “Sex with My Ex,” the first track from the album, Solomon reflects on the good and bad of making whoopie with an old flame. It’s an intriguing song, one that demands attention because of its unique subject matter and succeeds in captivating the listener with its beat and memorable hook. It’s important to note that Solomon decides that sex with a former lover is not a bad thing, as long as you go into it with no expectations. Living for the moment is a running theme in Solomon’s album and probably says a lot about the artist himself.
Even at his lowest - like when he admits in “Brand New Dime” how he can’t pay his rent Solomon’s the ultimate optimist. The former model knows how to pick himself up, dust off, and have a little fun. Like the night he dressed as Tarzan for a performance and his loincloth came undone on stage. Raphael Solomon’s “Beautiful Dancer” is available on i-Tunes now.
Levi Kreis, “The Country Boy” Born in East Tennessee, Levi Kreis broke into the music business as a Christian singer/songwriter. His last album, The Gospel According to Levi, ushered listeners through the complicated and painful past of a young man growing up under the grip of religious fundamentalism. His new album, Where I Belong, is out in May and is
Joey Salinas, “The Hustler” Joey Salinas’ 2008 ballad “All of Me” yielded the young artist a Billboard award. This spring, he releases …And Then There Was Alexander, a provocative album that continues Salinas’s voyage into the complicated adventures of his young life. The first single from the album, Bedtime, was penned by Salinas and inspired by a booty call. Joey says that while waiting for his hook-up to show up, he allowed the urgent, erotic energy he
was feeling to spill over into a tune. Basically, his hormones wrote the song.
The ups and downs of Joey’s rollercoaster emotions bleed into his music. He reveals and explores every aspect of himself: his sensitive, aggressive, sexual and moody sides. It is that personalized touch that critics say makes the young artist relatable to fans. http://www.joeysalinas.com/ Joel Evan, “The Exhibitionist” Playgirl model Joel Evan’s debut album, Enjoy the Sadness, was released under his stage name Jet Kanashi. Kanashi means “sorrow” in Japanese. The album explored Evan’s ideas on turning sadness into pleasure. He may have stripped physically for the magazine, but he stripped emotionally for the album.
Two years later and after many months of deep meditation, Evan is back with his next album, Embracing the Light…and Then Some. With this release, the artist decided to go back to his real name when he realized that “Kanashi” no longer suited the material. The new tracks explore Evan’s need to break from sadness and find inner peace. Standout tracks include the moody opener, “A Lighter Shade of Sorrow,” “Never Ending Universe,” and “Rule the World,” a frisky dance confection complemented perfectly by Evan’s melancholy vocals. Embracing the Light…and Then Some is available now. http://www.joelevanmusic.com/
OUTLOOK WEEKLY •
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MAR 18 - MAR 24 2009
22 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
DEEP INSIDE HOLLYWOOD by Romeo San Vicente
RICHARD PRYOR: ANOTHER DREAM ROLE FOR MURPHY?
A BIG DAMN MUSICAL FOR CARREY AND GYLLENHAAL
MIZRAHI AND CHILD GRACE THE FASHION SHOW
THE GOOD AMERICAN IN THE OLDEST PROFESSION
Never let it be said that gays in Hollywood aren’t looking out for the well being of American moviegoers. Take Bill Condon, the man who helped Eddie Murphy put a string of rotten comedy flops behind him and gave him the sole Oscar-nominated role of his career in Dreamgirls. If anyone was going to spare the world a post-Dreamgirls movie like Meet Dave, it was him. Well, now Condon’s trying again and looking to be the man responsible for a Richard Pryor biopic (no, Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling doesn’t count) that would star Murphy as the legendary troubled comic. If it comes to pass, you can count on Eddie to dig deep again and maybe even wind up back in the nominee seats of the Kodak Theater. Of course, if it doesn’t pan out that way, then we’re all in for Norbit 2. So think good thoughts.
The musical is back, so what better move for Hollywood than to safely gamble on the modern revival of an old standby? Enter Damn Yankees, the hit ’50s show that suited up the Faust legend in a New York Yankees baseball uniform. Now a contemporary remake from queer superproducers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (Hairspray) ought to bring a few more Great American Songbook tunes back into the public consciousness, especially since Jim Carrey and Jake Gyllenhaal are going to be singing them. Didn’t know they could sing? Then you must have missed Jake on SNL belting out a crazed “And I Am Telling You.” It’s Carrey as the wildcard in this scenario, but he has to be better than Pierce Brosnan, right?
A sad fact of life for fashion-hungry TV audiences is that we’re all simply going to have to wait for Project Runway to return to the airwaves. And how long that wait will be, thanks to an ongoing legal battle, is anyone’s guess. But Runway’s former network, Bravo, has what it hopes is a salve for your stylish emotional wounds: The Fashion Show, set to debut this fall. The premise more or less apes the Runway scenario of fashion designers competing to have their winning line sold to the public. But the judges are new, how’s that? Isaac Mizrahi is on board to charm audiences like he did in Unzipped, and he’ll be joined by former Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland. What qualifications she brings to the table besides a co-starring role in Freddy vs. Jason are unclear. But she’s adorable. Sometimes on TV that’s enough.
If to be a good American is to be good at business, then German illegal immigrant Tom Weise deserves his green card right now. Don’t know who he is? Then you’ve never been to HustlaBall, his queer-hooker-centric party, or visited Rentboy.com, the Web site he helped build to promote gay male escorting across the country. But an odd new documentary, The Good American, follows the fascinating Weise as he navigates American immigration law, HIV, prostitution, commerce, porn, love and loneliness. Recently premiering at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival to good reviews, director Jochen Hick’s (Sex/Life in L.A.) portrait of the seemingly tireless entrepreneur features appearances from porn mogul Chi Chi LaRue as well as dance music diva Ce Ce Peniston. It should be making the gay film festival circuit rounds soon, giving you the chance to buy two tickets and rent a date for the screening.
Romeo San Vicente has only ever escorted his sweet old grandmother to church. He can be reached care of this publication or at DeepInsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com.
ARTS by Rolanda Copley
Phoenix Theatre for Children Presents Thurber’s Many Moons “Oh, the weather outside is frightful…” Or at least, not helpful for parents trying to cope with restless children who have been housebound for the many gray months of an Ohio winter. Enter the Phoenix Theatre for Children with the solution, their most recent production and tribute to James Thurber, Many Moons. Columbus native James Thurber (18941961), author, humorist, and New Yorker cartoonist, wrote nearly 40 books, including collections of essays, short stories, fables, and children’s stories. He also received a Tony Award for A Thurber Carnival. The Thurber House (77 Jefferson Ave) was the home of the Thurber family while James Thurber was attending The Ohio State University, and it was opened to the public in 1984 as a nonprofit literary center and museum of Thurber materials. This year, the Thurber House marks its 25th birthday with Many Moons. Cast with MAR 18 - MAR 24 2009
four local actors, including one child actor who performs the central role, Many Moons is the story of Princess Lenore, who is ill from eating too many raspberry tarts. She believes that possessing the moon is the only thing that will cure her, so the king issues a command to the most learned and high-ranking members of his royal court to find a way to bring the moon to the princess. When none of them is clever enough to devise a way to deliver the moon, the king thinks all is lost until his crafty court jester sparks a bit of hope - with classic Thurber wit, of course. Many Moons will keep children entertained with its colorful costumes, live musical accompaniment, and spirited characters, but adults may take away a lesson or two as well. As the king and his court of intellectuals stammer over the impossibility of this monumental task, in the end, it’s the simplicity of the jester and the com-
mon sense of the child princess that save the day. Perhaps it’s a good reminder that our lofty “adult” views of the world aren’t always superior to the view of the children in our lives, and in fact, can often be more complicated than necessary. So, if you’re one of those weary parents trapped indoors with children full of boundless energy, or want to treat the cooped up nieces and nephews to a “feel good” field trip, load up the car and take them to Many Moons. It’s a fun, affordable family day out with a little something for everyone, especially your favorite court jester. Recommended for children four years and
older, Many Moons will be presented March 13-22 in Studio Two of the Riffe Center (77 S High St). Show times are Fridays at 7:30p; Saturdays at 1p and 2:30p; and Sundays at 1p and 2:30p. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children and can be purchased at the Ohio Theatre Ticket Office (39 E State St), all Ticketmaster outlets, and at www.ticketmaster.com. To purchase tickets by phone, please call 614.469.0939 or 800.745.3000. The Riffe Center Ticket Office will open two hours prior to each performance. www.phoenix4kids.org
OUTLOOK WEEKLY •
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CLASSIFIEDS COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE HISTORIC FRANKLINTON Retail or office space available. Over 3,000 sq feet right on Broad St. Get your business or office on the ground floor of the next “hottest” area in town. Get in while the prices are low! Call 614.390.6369 and leave a message. HELP WANTED UNEMPLOYED? UNDEREMPLOYED? Do you routinely scan the classifieds? Are physical, emotional, or mental health issues or handicaps causing you roadblocks to successful and satisfying employment? Vision & Vocational Services and Outlook Weekly are partnering to provide free needs assessment. Call
Rebecca Melton or Toi VanHorn at 614.294.5571 and mention this ad. You can Accomplish Anything - Outlook Media and Vision & Vocational Services are committed to helping you do so. HOUSING/FOR RENT BRYDEN ROAD HUGE, sunny, luxury 2+ bdrm, 2 bath townhse w/attic and bsmnt. Ref HWF, CA, DW, Sec. Syst, new high eff. furnace, custom kitchen w/pantry, 1st floor laundry. $1,000 + sec. dep. Call 202.360.7790. OLDE TOWNE EAST 1096 & 1104 Bryden Rd, 1 BR apartments available, new kitchen, wd flrs, vaulted ceiling, $450/mo. More OTE rentals available. Call Beacon Property Mgmt. at 614.228.6700.
MAR 18 - MAR 24 2009
24 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
SEX TALK by Simon Sheppard
SPEAKING OF
CRUISING ONLINE
Sure, where hard pricks are concerned, many men are more-or-less unrepentant pigs. There have always been queer guys who’ve had recreational sex - sometimes lots of it. But the advent of the Internet has transformed the way many of us get laid … or at least increased the frequency thereof. Boys in the boondocks can more efficiently find fuckbuddies, and urban queers can get laid damn near as easily as they’d order a pizza. Paradoxically, that can make promiscuity even more problematic. “There are still plenty of gay bars, including backroom bars where guys get it on,” says one queer observer of the sexual scene. “And in many cities, there are sex clubs and baths. But nothing has made it easier to suck casual cock than the Net. That can be a good thing, but there are snakes in paradise. A guy may feel like he’s more wrapped up in cruising than he really wants to be. He might think that if he’s not tricking at least a few times a week, there’s something wrong with him. It can get obsessive.” “I recently got out of a long-term relationship,” says a nice-looking guy in his 30s, “and the ritualized dating thing isn’t working out too well. So I’m always horny, and wondering about the whole online hook-up scene. How do I get over what I, maybe unreasonably, feel is the shame over cruising for casual sex? Sounds like everyone does it, right? “ When it comes to sex, shame is a generally useless emotion, one oft entwined with homophobia. There’s nothing at all wrong with wanting to hump butt … no matter what the antigay might say. Often, shame-related shyness is just a matter of initial reluctance. Jump into the penis pool just once, and the next sexual swim becomes easier. But there are things to be not very proud of. Lying, being rude, and using people are all behaviors best avoided - but the Internet has made them easier to indulge in. Having an open relationship is swell, but not cheating. And lying about your health status is just plain wrong. Jerking someone off is fine; being a jerk isn’t. Our observer says, “If you abruptly walk away from somebody in a bar, you risk being viewed as an asshole. Guys in bathhouses relate face-to-face. But when you’re hiding behind an anonymous e-mail address, it’s easy
MAR 18 - MAR 24 2009
to stand someone up, insult him, or simply disappear.” On the other hand, if you’re the one doing the pursuing, accept an e-mailed “no, thanks” with grace. Not everybody wants to suck your cock, and wheedling, or worse, online stalking, won’t change that. There’s nothing wrong with persistence, but don’t be a spam-sending pest. Says someone who’s been around the booty block more than a few times, “I love it when somebody acts like a slut, just as long as he’s not an not an inconsiderate slut. There’s really no excuse for treating someone who’s interested in you like he’s shit. Maybe I’m being sentimental, but when you trick with someone and he’s the one suggesting you get together again, I’d rather that he actually answer my emails, even if just to say, ‘Never again.’ Sure, having casual sex is a no-strings-attached affair, and some guys get embarrassed or regretful afterwards. But being turned down, even brutally, is a lot less insulting than being totally ignored.” The same goes for if you run into a former trick. If you’ve previously agreed you’d keep things discreet, then that’s the better part of valor. Many people use the Web to get laid because it confers a degree of anonymity, a separation from real life. But if Mr. Last Week says “hi” when you see him at the mall, it’s only mannerly to return the greeting. Just because someone had sex with you, that doesn’t mean he’s beneath contempt. (Though if he’s with his friends, it might be unwise to say, “I really loved pissing on you.”) So be nice, even when you’re looking to get blown. Online game players are everywhere. Don’t be one of them. If you post an ad, don’t be racist, ageist, or otherwise demeaning. And if someone who responds is too old, too young, too big, too skinny for you? “No thank you” is nicer than “Fuck off.” The Golden Rule applies when you have a hard-on, too: even penismad perverts can have principles. At a sex club or a keyboard, if you are going to be a slut, be an ethical one, and you won’t have to be ashamed. Simon Sheppard is the editor of Leathermen and Homosex: Sixty Years of Gay Erotica, and the author of Sex Parties 101, Kinkorama, and In Deep: Erotic Stories, and can be reached at SexTalk@QSyndicate.com. Visit Simon at www.simonsheppard.com.
OUTLOOK WEEKLY •
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SAVAGE LOVE by Dan Savage
My husband and I have been together for about four years and have been married for a little over a year. He’s 31; I’m 27. We started out as friends and soon began a long-distance relationship, until I got pregnant. We have a great friendship, and honestly I wouldn’t want to be with anyone else. Here’s our problem: I have the sex drive of a 16-year-old boy, whereas he’s practically asexual. The fact that we even got pregnant is quite shocking. Early on, it didn’t bother me much - infrequent sex is common in long-distance relationships - but now that we’re married, he would still rather jack off to porn. I’m not hideous. I’m in great shape, my “amazing ass” gets hit on all the time, and I’m an openminded, porn-loving girl - but my husband isn’t interested. LAME. The sex he does give me is quasi-forced, strictly missionary, and at most three times a year. But the solo sex he has in front of the computer while I’m at work happens three times a week at least. LAMER. The topic has been discussed often. Especially after I go out with friends and come home at an indecent hour, upon which I must explain that I spent the night being chatted up by blokes who noticed my “amazing ass.” He’s admitted that his sex drive has been a problem in his previous relationships. I guess I’m just getting to the point where one of these days, I’m going to fuck a minor-league soccer team. Any thoughts? Sexless And Desperate Your husband - who is beating off three times a week in front of the computer - is interested in sex, SAD. He’s just not interested in sex with you or anyone else he’s ever been with. But ultimately, the issue here isn’t sex. It’s about neglect and selfishness and false advertising. (When we marry, we’re signing up to fuck someone at least semi-regularly for decades. Not interested in fucking? Don’t marry.) Since he’s unlikely to change his ways - his stunted, sexually selfish ways - you have just two options: an open relationship or a new relationship. Considering your compatibility and the fact that you have a child, I’d encourage you to stay together. So an open relationship it is - and he shouldn’t have a problem with that. If sex doesn’t matter to him, if he’s indifferent to sex and/or you, then it shouldn’t matter to him if you occasionally do this supremely unimportant thing with other people and/or minor-league soccer teams. So long as you’re a good and loving partner and co-parent, and so long as your
family is your first priority, you should be free to seek safe, sane, and non-disruptive sex elsewhere. Added perk for him: no more quasiforced sex with you. And who knows? Maybe knowing that you’re having sex with other dudes - or just knowing that you can have sex with other dudes - will cause your husband to develop a bad case of sperm-competition syndrome (Google it), and the husband will be inspired, fucking you three times a week instead of his fist. I’m 21, female, and pretty experienced. The guy I’m dating now is 23 and a virgin. I’d really like to avoid some of the awkwardness that I’m sure is going to arise, seeing as I’m his first. (And has arisen - the first time we attempted to do the deed, he was so nervous he couldn’t stay hard; he also thought he was “in” when, in reality, he was humping my leg.) I’m at a loss. Obviously this is going to take a lot of communication in the moment; aside from that, do you have any advice for how to make this less awkward for both of us? First Isn’t Really Sexy Time Mess around a few times - at least a half a dozen times - with vaginal penetration off the menu, ratcheting down the performance anxiety for your boy. Once he’s seen that, yes, his dick does work - yes we can get hard, yes we can stay hard, yes we can blow a load with a woman in the room - then you can move on to vaginal intercourse. And take control, FIRST: Tell him - as sexily as possible - what you’re going to doing before you get started, tell him what you’re doing while you’re doing it, and then you can tell him when he’s “in” instead of letting him guess. And, finally, a little required reading for the virgins out there and the people who’re about to fuck some sense into them: The Virgin Project. Illustrators K. D. Boze and Stasia Kato interviewed all sorts of people - gay, straight, bi; young, old, ancient - about their loss-of-virginity experiences. The illustrated stories in The Virgin Project are moving, hilarious, and heartbreaking in turn - sometimes all three at once and knowing that everyone’s first time is awkward, and that some folks’ first times are unpleasant, and that most of us survive them, might be good for your virgin, FIRST. It couldn’t hurt you to be reminded of those things, either. I appreciated your responses to Missing Kisses and Loses Interest Quickly, and I would like to share what worked for me some years ago when I wanted to taste my own come but
was hesitant - and I’ve got two follow-up questions for you. My girlfriend (now wife), like LIQ’s wife, was frustrated that my come-eating ambitions would disappear after climax. So we figured out a way for me to eat it before I climaxed: I masturbate into a ziplock bag and put it in the freezer. Then during our lovemaking session we retrieve the baggie - she feeds it to me in frozen chunks, or she lays the frozen pieces on her body and I lick it up as it melts, preclimax of course. Because of these baby steps, now on special occasions I even eat it “fresh” after I’ve come in her. Two questions: Could home-frozen sperm stored for 24 hours or so in a regular household freezer - impregnate my wife? And if so, is there a risk of birth defects or miscarriage? Also, we are interested in using my ejaculate as an ingredient in cooking - are you aware of any legit recipes that use human semen? Coming Around To Cream Pies Frozen spermcicles gross me out, CATCP, and I arrive at this debate with real affection for the stuff. So I can’t imagine your idea will catch on, even among guys like you and LIQ. Another reader had a better idea: a little tantric woowoo. “Through specific breathing patterns and concentration, you can make yourself come without ejaculating; or, you can ejaculate a little and still be hard,” writes Mr. F. “I can bring myself to a ‘mini-orgasm’ where I just slightly come on my girlfriend’s tits, go right back to riding her again, and tease her by licking a bit off. She loves it.” As for your questions… “Sperm frozen in a household freezer would probably be useless for insemination,” says David E. Battaglia, an associate professor at Oregon Health & Science University and a fertility consultant. “The issue isn’t genetic damage (there probably wouldn’t be any). The issue is sperm survival. Sperm has to be frozen in special solutions in order to survive, and we freeze it in liquid-nitrogen temperatures.” And while I’ve never cooked with sperm - if it’s not in Mark Bittman’s How to Cook Everything, it was either meant to be eaten raw or not at all - there’s a cookbook out there for you: Natural Harvest: A Collection of Semen-Based Recipes. Download the Savage Lovecast (my weekly podcast) every Tuesday at thestranger.com/savage. mail@savagelove.net
MAR 18 - MAR 24 2009
26 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
ABOUT TOWN Outlook Weekly and Martini Park Want You to Shake That Thang Join the boys at Outlook at Martini Park for Disco Party Thursday on March 19. Comp appetizers at 8p, a special guest DJ, and costumes galore. In fact, get yourself all dolled up in your best disco gear, and you just might win a prize. The party kicks off at 8p. Entertainment provided by Disco Inferno. Martini Park: 4040 Easton Station, 614.471.4300, www.martinipark.com.
Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus and Columbus Children’s Choir Take on Joseph The Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus teams with the Columbus Children’s Choir to present one of the most popular musicals of all time: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The production will bring audience mem-
bers to their feet as both ensembles celebrate the diversity of Columbus’s arts community at three performances, including a Saturday matinee. Shows are Friday, March 20 at 8p and Saturday, March 21 at 2p & 8p. Capi-
tol Theatre, 77 S High St. Tickets $15-$30, available at www.cgmc.com and 614.228.CGMC.
Pseu Pseu Pseudolus: A Funny Thing Is Happening at Shadowbox by Michael Daniels Shadowbox continues to wow me with not only their choice in musicals, but the depth and versatility of their casts. The current production, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, is no exception. The Tony-winning Stephen Sondheim musical is presented true-to-script by codirectors Stev Guyer and Julie Klein, but the staging is unmistakably Shadow-
esque, with Spartan set design by Mark Dahnke, creative lighting by Scott Aldridge, and signature supporting video by David Whitehouse. Of particular note in this production is Katy Psenicka’s choreography - it fits the music and the mood to a T. The star of the show is JT Walker III in the role of Pseudolus. I’m convinced there’s not a role that Walker can’t play, and he reinvents himself with each production. His performances never feel stale or recycled. They are the perfect blend of serious acting with a healthy dose of camp. While Walker’s Pseudolus is the central talespinner, the rest of the cast delivers solid performances. Standouts include Whitehouse’s General Miles (and the way he wears that tunic and kilt ain’t bad!), Amy Lay’s bubbleheaded and bobble-
headed Philia, and Colin Hanson’s Erronius. The chorus is broken into the proteans and the courtesans - separating the girls and the boys - with both groups versatile, believable, and talented. The biggest OMFG moment belongs to Jimmy Mak. Mak is known for his comedic writing and physical humor, but who knew he could dance and sing - in high drag! You go, girl! Er, I mean, nice job, Jimmy. The tickets are inexpensive, the food is good, and the bar is always open. Go treat yourself to an evening of laughter at Shadowbox. Remember - Tragedy Tomorrow, Comedy Tonight! A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum continues Sundays-only at 2:30 and 7p thru Apr 26. There are no shows on Apr 12 (Easter Sunday). Tickets are $30/$20 students and seniors. For more information, call 614.416.7625 or visit www.shadowboxcabaret.com. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is sponsored by Outlook Weekly and Sunny 95.
Andy Bell Of Erasure To DJ at 20th Anniversary Of White Party Palm Springs On April 11 Erasure’s world-conquering anthems of love, lust, and longing have made it one of the most beloved and enduring success stories in modern British pop music history. After more than two decades, Andy Bell and Vince Clarke (founding member of Depeche Mode and Yaz) have sold more than 15 million albums around the globe, proving themselves masters of every kind of song from disco symphonies to unplugged ballads. And in Palm Springs, California, on Saturday, April 11, 2009 twenty thousand men from around the globe will gather poolside at the Wyndham Hotel as Bell spins his favorite songs as guest DJ for Jeffrey Sanker’s White Party Spring Break – now celebrating 20 years.
Bell will DJ from 4p - 5p, spinning classics from his band Erasure, plus the hottest electro artists and mixes from yesterday and today. He has been flashing his skills at turntables around the world since his sold-out DJ tour to support his solo album, Electric Blue in 2005. He is currently recording his second solo effort in London for release later this year. Rhino shows “a little respect” to Erasure with a 4-disc boxed set (3-CD/1-DVD) that includes all of the band’s singles (remastered in 2009) on 2 discs, a career-spanning collection of live performances on a third CD, and a DVD of the group’s best BBC appearances. Total Pop! – Deluxe Box will be available April 7 from Rhino Records at all retail outlets, includ-
ing www.rhino.com, for a suggested list price of $54.98. The box set will also be available for purchase at the FYE booth inside the Wyndham Hotel in Palm Springs during White Party weekend. Andy Bell will make a special appearance at the booth directly after his DJ set to greet fans. On April 9, two days before his White Party set, Bell will DJ a special in-store event at Amoeba Music in Hollywood, CA. He will sign copies of the new boxed set purchased at Amoeba (plus one additional Andy Bell or Erasure item per fan) after his set. A pair of tickets to White Party 2009 will be given out during Andy’s DJ set at Amoeba. Also on April 7, Rhino will release Pop!
Remixed as a digital-only release for $9.99. Pop! Remixed features remixes from Vince Clarke, Mark Picchiotti, Manhattan Clique, Komputer, Sweden’s Sound Factory, and a mix of “Drama!” by Andy Bell and JC. It will be available exclusively at Masterbeat.com (the official music sponsor of White Party 2009) for the first 30 days of release. Now planned annually on the second week in April, White Party Palm Springs continues its 20-year tradition, bringing the picturesque desert oasis alive with music and entertainment from around the world. This year’s special guest headliner Lady Gaga will invade the White Party stage just after midnight. For more info www.jeffreysanker.com.
COLUMBUS NEXT MEETING: APR 08, 6P-8P; LOCATION: DAVE & BUSTERS (3665 PARK MILL RUN DR); REBECCA MELTON: VISION & VOCATIONAL SERVICES • WWW.NETWORKCOLUMBUS.COM
MAR 18 - MAR 24 2009
OUTLOOK WEEKLY •
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THE LAST WORD by Leslie Robinson
A Rocky Time in the Rockies State senators in Utah and Colorado delivered hugely homophobic rants lately. It seems this country is suffering an outbreak of Rocky Mountain spotted fervor. In the Utah case, Sen. Chris Buttars (R-West Jordan) sat down with a documentary filmmaker to discuss the involvement of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in California’s Proposition 8 battle. Buttars said gay activists are “probably the greatest threat to America going down.” Not the frightening economy, not the two wars America is fighting, not the health care mess. The greatest threat to America is Americans demanding equality. The truth is out. Time for me to admit that this gay activist is doing her part to bring America down: I’ve signed up to bring a town in Idaho, a subdivision in Michigan and a mall in Florida to their knees. Buttars also said, “What is the morals of a gay person? You can’t answer that, because anything goes.”
Yes indeed. Today I managed to lie, embezzle, assault and commit arson. All before lunch. The state senator compared gay activists to Islamic radicals. “Muslims are good people and their religion is anti-war. But it’s been taken over by the radical side. And the gays are totally taken over by the radical side.” While I’ve never known a gay activist who wanted to blow up planes, I could suggest the idea at the next meeting. Maybe we could talk some eager young twink into it. Promise him that in the next life - to which we are rushing him he’ll be rewarded with an entire troop of Chippendales dancers. After a Salt Lake City TV station aired Buttars’ comments, people inside and outside the state called for him to resign. Fat chance. He has refused to even issue an apology. The Utah Senate president, a fellow Republican, removed Buttars as chair of a judicial committee - to keep him from being a distraction, not to punish him. Buttars’ colleagues agree with
much of what he said. One senator noted Buttars’ language was “immoderate,” adding, “I don’t believe that all gays have no morals whatsoever.” Oh. Goody. Over in Denver, Colorado state Sen. Scott Renfroe (R-Greeley) morphed into a preacher during debate on a bill extending health benefits to partners of gay state employees. In a six-minute speech, Renfroe called homosexuality an “abomination” and an “offense to God.” He quoted several Bible verses, including that pip from Leviticus that says men who sleep together shall be killed. He pinched a page from the playbook of Sen. Buttars in the neighboring state, comparing gays not to terrorists but to something similar. “I’m not saying this (homosexuality) is the only sin that’s out there,” he explained. “We have murder. We have all sorts of sin. We have adultery. And we don’t make laws making those legal. And we would never think to make murder legal.”
So homosexuality is on par with murder. With apologies to John Denver, I’m experiencing a Colorado Rocky Mountain low. After the appropriate uproar, Renfroe told the press he didn’t mean to suggest that homosexuality and murder were the same. He also said he doesn’t advocate punishing gay people. However, he still holds that all sin, including homosexuality, offends God, and the state shouldn’t enact laws condoning any of them. There goes that law allowing counterfeiting that I had in mind. Just when these two state senators have cast a pall over the region, an antidote arrives. Roger Carrier, a straight retired teacher from Salt Lake, was disgusted by Sen. Buttars’ comments. To combat what he feels is growing homophobia among Utah politicians, he’s proposed placing a statue of Harvey Milk at the Utah Capitol. It’ll never happen. But Carrier showed a happier attitude in the high altitude. Leslie Robinson lives between the Olympic and Cascade Mountains. E-mail her at LesRobinsn@aol.com.
HOROSCOPES by Jack Fertig
ARIES (March 20 - April 19): Dangerous though your impulses may be, the motivations behind them can be instructive. Listen to those reasons, harness that energy constructively and find ways to apply it to your career. Meditative exercise (like walking or tai chi) helps you focus.
CANCER (June 21- July 22): Arguments with your partner can leap from heated to hot. If you can’t disagree on anything, some adventure will help. Climbing Stromboli is ideal. If there’s no volcanic island nearby, or even an island or mountain, hike any secluded forest trail.
LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Exercise will help you work off stress around domestic issues. Scrubbing and sweeping could count as exercise. If it really is somebody else’s job (Is it really?) you could remind him or her and go for a walk.
CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Normally the soul of discretion, your tongue is unusually loose. Not just secrets, but anything best left unsaid may come shooting out of your mouth and as harsh as a bullet. Best just to avoid people you’d rather not talk with.
TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Friendly debates can look and sound nastier than they really are. If you can keep mutual respect, don’t hold back! You need the challenge. Listen and learn. Expanding your perspective is more valuable than correcting others.
LEO (July 23 - August 22): A strong libido is a sign of good health, but can expose you to risk. Brush up on safer sex techniques. Be daring and explore new methods. Choosing a “lab partner” will be harder than finding one!
SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): All those things you’ve been aching to say can be expressed, and may come out in torrents, but probably not in verbal logic. Drawing, poetry or music may say it better, even if your music sounds more like screaming. Hey, it works for Diamanda Galas!
AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): Worries about money are at least partly real, but it’s easy to exaggerate and panic. Center, meditate and assess the problems realistically before taking them on. Sacrifices may be necessary, but solutions are possible. Breathe!
GEMINI (May 21- June 20): You’re entering a sexier, more charismatic 15year phase. Remember that as public presentations or workplace encounters seem to provoke erotic reactions. Using that new power and keeping it clean may take some practice!
VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): You need to burn off some heat with your baby - or an amour du jour. Anything that works up a sweat is good, but do you really need clues? Set yourselves a fun challenge. Keep it reasonable and safe.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): Torching the place does not count as cleaning up! A yard sale is the best way to get rid of clutter, but evaluate those treasures before you let them go. Some are worth more than you think!
PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Be careful what you wish for! Friends may mistake your ephemeral whims for something you seem to consider very important! Rather than letting them waste such good intentions, lead them in a project that really counts for something.
Jack Fertig, a professional astrologer since 1977, is a founding member of the Association for Astrological Networking. He can be reached for consultations at 415.864.8302, www.starjack.com, and by e-mail at QScopes@qsyndicate.com.
MAR 18 - MAR 24 2009