Peach i3v2

Somebody to

LOVE

Love This Mann

Haulston Mann Stirs Things Up

Mitzi Pennington

Different Ways To Date

Q Music

Past Sounds Good

Wanda Sykes Still Puzzled

SANTA FE

SANTA FE FEATURES

ABOUT RICK CASE! SCOTT MCMILLAN

TWITTER: @SCOTTMTHECARGUY VOICE/TEXT: (404) 725-0540 SCOTTMCMILLAN@RICKCASE.COM

SOUTHEASTERN PREMIERE! A suspenseful examination of an alienated young man’s life filled with mystery and murder.

By Chay Yew FEBRUARY 7-23, 2019 Tickets: $15 and up Out Front Theatre Company 999 Brady Avenue, Atlanta

www.OutFrontTheatre.com

CONTENTS

FEBRUARY 13, 2019

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EDITORIAL

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From the Editor Whether you’re into Valentine’s Day or not, February tends to be a month where people pay more attention to their dating lives.

Take Mitzi Pennington’s word for it as she guides you to different ways of dating whether you’re in it for the sex, you’re just starting to date, or if you want to deepen the connection, you have with someone. If you have the stamina and courage, may we suggest her Around the World in Eighty Men traveling game?

We have an exclusive interview with Wanda Sykes, who is mostly known for her sharp wit and scathing anti-Trump tirades, but she also reveals that her wife plays an essential role in her career – and so does jigsaw puzzles!

We also spoke to Haulston Mann (yes, that’s his name) about his role in the new season of the web series, History, that explores the complex issues gay men face today. He plays the love interest of a couple wanting to open their relationship to a thruple – talk about paying more attention to dating!

Kevin Assam Chris Azzopardi Shane Gallagher Mira Muftic Gregg Shapiro

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The content of Peach ATL Media is for your general information and use only. It is subject to change without notice. The opinions expressed by any writer, advertiser, or other person appearing in the Peach ATL Media are not necessarily those of this publication, its management or staff. The information and materials appearing in the magazine are not guaranteed or warranted as to accuracy, timeliness, performance, completeness, or suitability of the information and materials found or offered for a particular purpose. It shall be your responsibility to ensure that any products, services, or information available through Peach ATL Media meets your specific requirements. Peach ATL Media is not responsible for claims made by advertisers, content of information, changes, events, and schedules. The magazine contains information and material which is owned by or licensed to Peach ATL Media, including but not limited to articles, advertisements, design, layout, graphics, and logos. No part or portion of Peach ATL Media may be reproduced in any way without the prior written consent of the publisher.

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6 | 02.13.19

Eclectic Sunday Offerings If you’re in tune with the gay agenda, you know that Sunday equals brunch.

Atlanta has many Sunday brunch options, but only a few where you get an entertaining drag show with your bottomless mimosas. Eclectic Bistro is one of them with a delicious brunch and a fun show that combines seasoned drag talent with queens making their first entry onto the scene.

Showtime is 1-3 pm, so you have plenty of time to brunch leisurely while getting your Sunday Funday started right. Hosts Fiera Ice and Tiffany Diamond-Deville introduce the talents of Angelica D’Paige, Jor’Dore Dior, LadyGray St. James, and new special guest performers every week.

Aside from a rotating brunch menu with specials, Eclectic Bistro offers brunch drink specials like a $6 Bloody and Mimosa, $4 well cocktails, and of course, the bottomless mimosa for $22.

The What, When, and Where What: Eclectic Bistro Sunday Drag Brunch When: 11 am – 4 pm – Showtime is 1-3 pm Where: Eclectic Bistro, 1425 Piedmont Ave NE, Ste B, Atlanta, Ga. 30309 eclecticbistroatlanta.com 8 | 02.13.19

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The Past Sounds Good

By Gregg Shapiro

A long time in the making, more than 50 years in fact, the six CD career-spanning compilation Neil Diamond: 50th Anniversary Collector’s Edition (Capitol/UMe), collects 115 songs from the cherished singer/songwriter’s legendary output. Representing music from Neil Diamond’s various label affiliations (Bang!, MCA, Columbia and Capitol), as well as his celebrated ventures into pop, rock, country, and let’s be honest, schmaltz, this set has almost every gem his acolytes require. Early recordings including “I’m A Believer” and “Red, Red Wine”, as well as a later selection such as “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers”, are reminders that Diamond was the kind of songwriter that other artists (The Monkees, UB40 and Barbra Streisand, respectively) felt comfortable covering.

Of course, it was Diamond’s shimmering renditions of his own songs, from the `60s (“Solitary Man”, “Shiloh”, “Holly Holy”, “Sweet Caroline”), `70s (“Cracklin’ Rosie”, “I Am…I Said”, “Song Sung Blue”, “Longfellow Serenade”, “Beautiful Noise”, “Forever In Blue Jeans”) and `80s (“America”, “Love on the Rocks”, “Hello Again”, “Heartlight”) and beyond, that established him as one of the most revered performers of his generation. The sixth disc of a dozen previously unreleased recordings makes this package even more appealing.

Years before Lindsey Buckingham joined (and was later fired from) Fleetwood Mac, he and Stevie Nicks (then a couple) recorded an album together as Buckingham Nicks. Long out of print, the LP is not only a good indication of why the pair were a necessary addition to the Mac, but also that Buckingham was a talented man. In 1981, Buckingham was one of three FM members (along with Nicks and Mick Fleetwood) to release a solo album. That record, Law and Order contained the hit single “Trouble”, while also showcasing Buckingham’s adventurous and experimental side.

“Trouble” is one of 39 studio recordings to be found on the triple disc Solo Anthology (Rhino). Buckingham’s six solo recordings, as well as his 2017 teaming with Christine McVie, are well-represented, as well as movie soundtrack contributions such as “Holiday Road”

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(from National Lampoon’s Vacation) and “Time Bomb Town” (from Back to the Future). The addition of the previously unreleased tracks “Hunger” and “Ride This Road”, as well as a third disc of 13 live recordings, qualify this compilation as a must.

In the early 1990s, The Posies did an excellent job of proving that there was more to the Pacific Northwest sound than grunge. That was true from the quartet’s early days (listen to 1988’s Failure) as well as on the 1993 breakthrough album Frosting on the Beater (Omnivore), newly reissued in an expanded double-disc 25th anniversary edition. More closely linked to other power-pop revivalists such as Teenage Fanclub and Matthew Sweet, The Posies, led by Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow, may have turned the amplifiers up a bit on Frosting on the Beater, but they didn’t sacrifice their power-pop chops in the process. That came through loud and clear on timeless album opener “Dream All Day”, from the first disc which features the original album (including “Solar Sister”, “Flavor of the Month”, “Coming Right Along”, to name a few), as well as nine bonus tracks. The second disc features 21 more bonus tracks. It’s also interesting to note thatDear 23, The Posies’ first album for the Geffen/DGC label was released in August 1990, predating Nirvana’s September 1991 Geffen/DGC debut by more than a year.

Clear across the spectrum Glen Campbell’s Sings for the King (UMe) consists of 17 studio demos of songs written by Ben Weisman and Sid Wayne intended for Elvis Presley and performed by Campbell. Campbell, who died in 2017, was a good choice as he and Presley’s voices are complementary. This is verifiable on “We Call On Him”, the album-opening “duet”, as well as the remaining tunes, including “Clambake” and “Spinout”, which can be heard on a variety of Presley albums.

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Love This Mann

By Shane Gallagher

Haulston Mann Stirs Things Up and Shakes Things Down on the Third Season of “History.”

The third season of the LGBTQ series, History, premieres this Valentine’s Day and it fittingly aims to answer the age-old question: What is Love?

The show explores the struggles faced by most 30-something gay men today — complex issues such as gender roles, toxic masculinity, rejection, and loyalty. In the end, we learn what love is for each individual, and whether the baggage from their past can ever be overcome.

All the crew are back for season three including Will, deciding whether or not to give in to his new boyfriend’s insistence that they move in together; Matthew, working on accepting his boyfriend’s flaws; Ted, exploring a relationship with a drag queen; and Jamie and Mark, who are considering the possibility of opening up their relationship. They eye Brandon, played

by Haulston Mann, as a possible candidate.

Look at him. Can you blame them?

We spoke with Haulston hunka-hunka Mann about the new season of History and what love means to him this Valentine’s Day.

Continued on pg. 16 >>>>

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Haulston, you’ve finished filming the entire season of History so you must be able to tell us now: What is love?

What are the benefits that you get from all that time spent lifting and stretching?

I think love is a selfless caring for someone or something.

But what do I know? I’m in my twenties.

I’ve really had a lot of success with using my physique in casting, but beyond that, it’s grounding to have a daily routine, and I love starting my days spending time with my training partners.

That’s true. What do guys in their twenties know about love? Love for Brandon, your character in History, appears especially messy.

Brandon sees the term “love” as something overly romantic and laughable. He’s a pleasure seeker as opposed to someone who digs for a deeper connection.

What advice would you give him in order to find true and lasting love — if that’s even what he wants?

I’m not sure it is what he wants, but he could benefit from a true connection with someone. A friend who he could talk to about fears. Someone special that he could sit with in silence and be completely happy. Connections like that are the meat of life.

What’s one thing you must have from a lover, Haulston?

Please, GOD, be funny.

I try to be funny. What’s one thing you’ll never accept from a lover?

No bullies allowed. The most attractive quality someone can have is empathy and understanding for others.

Check. Are you romantic?

I’ve had periods of being a smitten romantic and periods of being very cynical about romance. Deep down, though, I love being romantic with someone.

What are some other meats of life?

What is the most romantic thing someone has done for you?

I love to create. The way I experience acting or writing or movement is the same experience I had when I was a kid playing pretend in the back yard. When your imagination is unleashed, it’s such an incredible feeling. When you can draw other people into playing around too, what’s not to love about that!?

I was once taken to the Rothko Chapel in Houston, and we shared an hour in the single room experiencing the massive paintings in silence and completely present with one another. That was pretty cool.

How much time do you spend practicing your craft?

That’s hard to quantify. Each time I go into an audition is a chance to grow. And, of course, there are hours and hours of classes. I also enjoy working on classical text on my own time.

How much time do you spend in the gym?

About an hour and a half a day, five days a week.

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Do you recommend fans watch the third season of History alone or with someone they love?

As Brandon would say, the more, the merrier. Share the experience. Discuss the different reactions to it. That’s what life is all about, right?

The first two seasons of HISTORY are available on YouTube.

All six episodes of season three will premiere on Youtube on Valentine’s Day, February 14. Visit necessaryoutlet.com for more.

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Wanda Sykes, As Puzzled As Ever Comedian talks walkouts, Ellen’s interview with Kevin Hart, and the role her wife plays in her comedy career

By Chris Azzopardi Because according to Trump’s America only white het men can exist, now would be a good time to re-introduce Wanda Sykes. She is a black person and a woman and a lesbian.

And if you go to one of her Oh Well standup shows this year or catch the taping of one on Netflix tentatively scheduled to stream later this year, expect a poking and probing of things affecting Americans who identity as any of those under-attack minorities. Some women who are still supporting Trump for some reason may have benefited from that very basic Wanda Sykes 101 bio above before seeing the actress-comedian-writer in New Jersey in September 2018 and walking out and then demanding a refund from the Count Basie Center for the Arts.

These are the same people who loved the 54-year-old comedian in Monster-in-Law and Evan Almighty and as the voice of an animated skunk in Over the Hedge. And the same people who then wondered what the problem was when Roseanne tweeted a racist tweet and why Sykes, who wrote for the Roseanne revival, jumped ship.

Not that the entertainer and mom-to-twins didn’t have a loaded sched, but with recurring TV roles on Broad City and Black-ish (for which she was Emmy-nominated), and several new movies out this year, Sykes has somehow found the time and energy to rattle the privileged cages of Trump supporters.

Are you unfazed by walkouts at this point in your career?

It cracks me up, really. Like, what were you expecting? What are the crazy ladies’ names? Diamond and whatever? The two African-American women. I forget their names. Diamond and Salt? Silk? (Editor’s note: It’s Diamond and Silk, vloggers known for supporting Donald Trump.) It’s like, no, that’s not me.

Or Kanye West.

Right, right, right.

Continued on pg. 20 >>>> 18 | 02.13.19

peachATL.com | 19

At this point Trump is basically writing his own comedy show. Recently, there was a photo of him standing in front of a Burger King and McDonald’s buffet at the White House.

It’s hard to top him.

When the fodder is ripe for comedy is it actually harder to write the joke?

Yeah, it’s hard to top as far as what he does, because it’s just so ridiculous. Like when he does something ridiculous, it’s hard to write something where you would go, “That’s like blah blah blah,” because it’s already ridiculous. It’s hard to do a metaphor. So, really, you just have to talk about it as far as the level that it’s gotten to, and I don’t understand why we’re still putting up with it. Why aren’t we out in the streets, and you know, ready to drag him out of there, out of the White House? Because remember they got upset with Barack Obama when he wore a tan suit? I mean, this is ridiculous, the level that they’re going to.

Do you remember your first walkout and what that was like?

I got walkouts back under the George W. Bush administration. There were some walkouts back then. So, I’ve gotten used to it.

I think I read that during one of your first shows in the late ’80s, the audience booed you.

That was the second one. The first one I did, went great. I almost won the contest; I did really well. So that’s why I stayed with comedy. And then the second time, it didn’t go well. I just bombed (laughs). I think because I was just so confident from the first time that I maybe (got) a little too cocky. Actually, I think it was the first time being on stage and it went great, and then I started going to comedy clubs and I saw how it could actually go really poorly and just go off the rails. I watched comics bomb and then when I went back on stage again, I was just really nervous because I realized they don’t have to laugh; they can actually sit here and boo. So, I think that’s what happened the next time I did the competition.

What is one thing you want people to take away from Oh Well?

I hope they take away that I haven’t lost hope. That I still believe that people are good and that we’ll get through this, so I hope they walk away with that. Like, I’m not saying, “Hey, it’s the end of the world.”

Where are you deriving that hope from?

Young people. They give me hope. The Parkland kids, they do, they give me hope.

Through your involvement with the Ruth Ellis Center for homeless and at-risk LGBTQ youth in Detroit, you’ve met a lot of young people. What do young LGBTQ people want to know about Wanda Sykes?

A lot of it is career-wise, ’cause a lot of them, man, they’re so talented, they’re very creative, a lot of the kids from the center. So a lot of them want to know how I got started and any advice career-wise, and then of course how hard was it coming out, and do I think that it had an effect on my career, and also advice on dealing with family members as far as having problems dealing with coming out.

(Laughs) Sometimes it’s just, “Hey, what do you like to do for fun? When you get stumped creatively, what do you do to get out of it?”

What do you do to get out of it?

You know what, I like jigsaw puzzles.

(Laughs) I know I sound like an old lady!

But every now and then if I gotta break it up and nothing is coming to me and I get stuck in a rut, I like to break out a jigsaw puzzle and maybe put some music on, something I don’t normally listen to. You just need a shift. As soon as you make a shift, it opens everything back up for you.

What’s the last jigsaw puzzle you completed?

It was a cover from the New Yorker and it was a dog sitting on porch steps.

So you’re a dog puzzle person?

(Laughs) Nah, it’s not a lot of abstract stuff I do. I like a piece of art, or you know, it’s usually still life.

Do you do the 5,000-piece puzzles or are you more of a 300-piece puzzle person?

Usually it’s more like 2,500. Five-thousand, that’s a project for over the summer.

Who do you test your material out on?

Pretty much the audience. My wife can see when something happens, and if I write it down or she sees something in my phone she’s like, “Oh boy, that’s a joke for you now.” Or something happens and she’ll say, “Oh, you should write that down! That was funny!”

How were you writing your material before cell phones?

I always had a notebook and always wrote things down in my notebook. I have boxes and boxes of notebooks where I used to write my stuff down. Now it goes in the phone, but I still like to write by hand.

Will your Netflix show be out this year?

I’m shooting it in February, so it’ll probably be out late spring.

20 | 02.13.19

Will that be the Oh Well show? Will it be as anti-Trump as the show you’re currently touring now?

(Laughs) I would say the first 15 minutes or so – 20 minutes – is that. But then I move on! The tour that I’m doing now, that will be the special I’m working on.

The Guardian called it a “tough anti-Trump tirade.” Is it scary to talk about Trump because of what happened to Kathy Griffin?

No, I think we see that Kathy was right. I think she was just a little ahead of us as far as where this was going.

Right as far as her lambasting of the president?

Right.

Do you feel you have a greater responsibility now to speak on political and social issues?

I talk about what interests me and what I find funny and what I like to talk about. I watch politics, I follow what’s happening in the world. I like to talk about social issues, and I like to talk about my family and personal issues.

To me, I’m not going out of the way to say, “Oh, I need 10 minutes on Trump, I need something on gun control.”

That’s not how I write, it’s not planned. It’s what happened. And that’s the kind of comedy I like. There’s room for all types of comedy; there’s physical humor and there’s some comics who are not political at all and that’s fine.

But for me, if I walked out onto a stage and didn’t say anything about this craziness that’s happening, it’d be like the elephant in the room. I think when I go on stage people are waiting for it. Like, “Oh, OK, when is she going to get there?”

It’s affecting everything you stand for, so how could you not?

For me, I believe that’s the job for an artist. But then again, there are all types of artists and comics out there.

Ellen’s recent interview with Kevin Hart upset many people in the LGBTQ community. She was criticized for making Kevin out to be the victim, while muting the voice of her own community. Don Lemon was one of her critics.

Where do you stand on how that interview went?

I looked at it as two comedians who are friends, and she was trying to help out her friend. Now, I agree with Don Lemon that there is a huge issue in the African-American community concerning homosexuality and the LGBTQ community. So, I think for me, you’d have to go a little deeper with discussing that. To me, to say, “Hey, I already apologized, and I didn’t know about it until it came out this time around” – so, it’s like, well, we didn’t know about that and now we do, so where’s the apology? Or at least have some type of awareness as far as how your words really are affecting a lot of kids in our community. So, I always gotta come on the side of kids and our community.

People, including actress-writer Lena Waithe, have been expressing a desire to see you as Oscar host. Would you be interested?

If they asked, yeah, I would be interested.

You’re not busy doing a puzzle that night?

(Laughs) I got a nice gay flag puzzle that I wanna work on so, um…

Wanda, bring the gay puzzle to the Oscars and work on it there.

(Laughs) I mean, it’s the Oscars, so I wouldn’t run away from it. But it would be cool if they made it very inclusive and made RuPaul host.

Regarding your acting career: Have you had the acting career that you always desired to have?

Well, I never really desired to have an acting career. I just wanted to be one of the funniest comedians out there and wanted to make a living traveling all over, and film and TV is a bonus, really. I mean, come on, I got to go to Hawaii to shoot a movie with Amy (Schumer). But to me, I take it seriously, though; I also just love doing it. I love stand-up.

You have several films slated for release this year, including Friendsgiving and The Wedding Year. In Friendsgiving you play what must be a dream role: the fairy gay mother. How does one get the role of the fairy gay mother?

You’re just blessed with a role like that. You get a call and you’re blessed and it’s like, “Hey, you’re the fairy gay mother with Margaret Cho and Fortune Feimster.”

Do you get a magic wand?

I’m not gonna tell you if I get a magic wand or not. But there are wings involved!

If you had a magic wand, how would you use it?

Oh, boy. I can do a lot of things though, right?

You’re like Cinderella’s fairy godmother. You just wave that wand around, and if you want you can turn Trump into a horse.

(Laughs) Well, he’s already a jackass.

And you don’t even need a wand for that.

Don’t even need it. Wow, what would I do? I think first I would make Oprah the president, and then I’d do something about guns, and then I’ll make sure that Flint has clean water. I’ll do that.

As editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBTQ wire service, Chris Azzopardi has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. Reach him via his website at www.chris-azzopardi.com and on Twitter (@chrisazzopardi).

peachATL.com | 21

SUPERBOWL AT HIDEAWAY PHOTOS: Andrea Dwyer

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ONYX SOUTHEAST AT ATLANTA EAGLE PHOTOS: Andrea Dwyer

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peachATL.com | 25

JOE'S ON JUNIPER PHOTOS: Andrea Dwyer

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- since 1997 -

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OCTOBER 11-13,2019 atlantapride.org

hčĴƓƎƬ ëƘ ÜƧ ³ƀŴ

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Angel was born in the Dominican Republic and came to America when he was eight years old. He was raised in Long Island, NY, but has been in Atlanta for 20 years now. He lives in the Midtown area and is the co-owner of Prima Atlanta printer. He is also the father of a 13-year old daughter and a Bulldog/ Terrier mix. One of his favorite things to do is to workout, because it is a time to reflect and get natural energy. He also enjoys traveling, shopping, and dancing the night away – and he’s just here to live the experience of life!

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Happy Valentine’s To Me

By Kevin Assam

The dynamic lesbian real estate agent and pastry critic, Stephanie Barnow had this to say about our upcoming day of love: “Valentine’s Day changes for people in a relationship. In the beginning of a relationship it is very much an excuse to publicly celebrate new found love. Sending flowers and making a big display is part of the fun of new love. As the years go by, Valentine’s meaning deepens as love does. Instead of going out and being amidst the hand-holding smoochers, you stay in and make each other your favorite meals and watch movies until you fall asleep in each other’s arms - or something else if you’re lucky. Personally, I’ve always enjoyed the tradition of Valentine’s Day. It reminds you to take a moment and appreciate a love you have, a love you want, or to give the kind of love you would like to receive. Appreciation is a practiced skill and this is a fun way to exercise it. Who doesn’t like being shown how much they’re loved?”

She’s right. I need to appreciate a love I have. A love I want.

And even the kind of affection my romantic Libra traits can provide. That love, this year, will be the one I have with me.

This time last year I had swallowed the egregious pill of puppy dog love for someone who deliberately went unwashed for days on end because it gave his hair “character” — and probably a microcosm of ickies. Eek! Allow me to clear my throat for the onlookers in the back.

Not. This. Time. I have bent my back out of sorts over the past year. It was not from one too many passionate romps or attempts at amateur video techniques. I bent my back helping a lot of other people connect and find love. I introduced a delicious young blonde twink to his present husband. Oopsie if there’s a separation in the process. I have helped pull several lesbians out from hiding and on to the dating scene.

Even a brunch associate has fallen hard for my tarot card reading friend as a result of my social wrangling skills. I’m good at matching others. Most of the time. I just have not been able to match myself. There were so many failed attempts: the quasi-closeted bad businessman, the unwashed street performer, the idiot chef, the egomaniac francophile, the impossibly chic Trump supporting Mormon, the sex-

32 | 02.13.19

Photo: Raj Eiamworakul

crazed widow (honey, I’m not putting out), and on and on.

This Valentine’s, I’m appreciating myself. As my not-really Wiccan art expert wing-woman and go-to relationship adviser revealed: “Honestly, I’ll be appreciating myself on Valentine’s Day with a rose quartz dildo and minty lube. I hope to appreciate myself several times over. The minty lube expands the surface area of the g-spot. Hoping I’ll be able to make myself squirt.

I’ve gotten close but I think the day of love would be a nice time for a breakthrough.”

She’s absolutely right. Let all of us lucky enough to have a whole bed just to ourselves embrace that extra space to roll around this year. We should make those table for one reservations at wherever makes the best fresh fettuccini. We should buy ourselves those heart clogging overpriced chocolates and feast while we watch Eat Pray Love or Under the Tuscan Sun for the forty-seventh time.

We need to appreciate ourselves. It’s the only way we will have the energy, drive, and thought to continue nurturing our needy friends, man-baby interests, and challenged coworkers.

As one southern comedian and self-appointed relationship expert proclaimed: “I’ll probably buy a bunch of shoes for myself in honor of being my greatest love. Maybe call up a few exes to remind them what a huge mistake they’ve made. Then make snarky comments on any ‘happy couple’ Facebook posts.”

If you’re fortuitous enough to have discovered this article then know that the statistic gods have chosen you to execute the aforementioned advice. I wish you a splendid Valentine’s Day but I wish me one a bit more.

Kevin Assam is a middling writer but outrageously funny interviewer who takes little solace in being so single. He is a low-key asset with his hyper-real personality. Dessert aficionado.

Different Ways to Date February is special to me for many reasons, but mainly because it ends with my birthday. I also love its symbolic representation for love and that one Roman saint. In fact, if I could change one thing about the month it would be to make it longer, but then my birthday wouldn’t be on the last day, so we’ll scratch that idea. I find people tend to me more proactive about their dating love lives during this month, so I went out to seek some fun things you can do to get the full experience of Saint Valentine’s favorite time of year!

For those that are single and ready to mingle, I created a fun game I love to do almost every year. I call it Around the World in Eighty Men. The point of it is to travel around the world and get freaky with men of at least eighty, culturally distinct men, then journal about it (as graphically as possible) and email it to me privately. The last time I played it, I went to Georgia and California, even Nice and the Isle of Greece. I went whaling with a Japanese fisherman (and I’m NOT referring to killing any ocean mammals). A Turkish man ate my baklava and I even had an eastern and a western German tear down my Berlin Wall. The more diverse of people you get freaky with, the more fun your stories will get.

If you’re into more of a PG lifestyle, here’s a fun dating game that doesn’t involve sex (at least not right away). A good friend of mine, Patricia Schmartricia, is a serial dater who lives in a small town.

To keep her dating life interesting, she takes identities of traveling visitors and role plays as them on dates with men she’s dated before. As an added bonus, she uses those visitor’s credit cards and any cash they carry on them. She says pretending to be other people keeps the dating interesting and using those people’s money comes in handy as she doesn’t work. If you’re asking yourself how you can get other people to give you their identities and money, look online. There are many venues that everyday daters use to spice up their lives. Russia is a particularly great example of this. Get creative and be someone else for a change!

If you’ve been dating someone for a while and maybe want to use this Valentine’s Day to make things REALLY special, try asking them to marry you. My personal statistics show that almost no one does this on Valentine’s Day so you’ll get bonus points for being original. A friend of mine gave me some clever ideas of how to pop the question. My friend, Kay Zales, works out with me every morning and we love to gossip over coffee afterwards. She is a self-employed advice-giver and in her line of work, she has heard just about every way you can ask someone for marriage. One of her favorite methods is picking a non-traditional restaurant (like a hot-wings bar) and hiding the ring in the food (poke a hole in a boneless wing, for example). That magical bite will be one they’re sure to remember. A more scandalous way to propose is to turn that wedding band to-be into a Prince Albert and give your partner the proposal pounding of a lifetime! There’s limitless ways to propose!

February brings love and Polar Vortex freezing temperatures into the air, so there’s no better time to warm up to someone and get to some fun loving than this month. Become a sex sightseer, a serial dater or even tie the knot! If you’re happily taken, do a couple’s version of my traveling game, or have a baby without an pre-planning. Put on some warm clothes and get out there. Fun dates and freaky good times are waiting!

Yours in dating and fun

Mitzi Pennington is the self-proclaimed sex symbol and advice-giving-guru alter ego of Mirza Muftic. She came from humble roots of middle America and married into money shortly after dropping out of college. Her late husband’s fortune allows her to travel the world and have a sense of enlightenment one normally gets from actually working for their money. Mirza has had none of those experiences in his life. On occasion, Mirza will perform as Mitzi around Atlanta. His other interests/day job include film editing, retouching, and stop-motion animation.

34 | 02.13.19

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Get the details on these and other great upcoming events on our website calendar.

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1/2 price rates thru Feb!

Feb 2: Hot Lips Camp Crawl Feb 15-16: Valentines Weekend Celebration Volunteer Camp Cleanup - Photo Shoot Mar 1 -3: Flashback - The 60s, 70s, 80s Party Coming May 31- Jun 2: Sordid Lives Weekend with Del Shores Performing!

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Tuesday-Thursday 5:30pm til 10:00pm Friday & Saturday 5:00pm til 10:30pm Sunday Brunch 11:00am til 4:00pm

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WINE-DOWN WEDNESDAYS 1/2 PRICE BOTTLES OF WINE

THROWBACK THURSDAYS $5 OLD-FASHIONED MARTINI $5 ROSE KENNEDY

SALSA SATURDAYS $5 HOUSE MARGARITAS & MOJITOS $5 HONEY BADGER

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1/2 PRICE APPETIZERS TUESDAY-SATURDAY UNTIL 7:00PM ASK ABOUT OUR DINNER SPECIALS 1425 Piedmont Ave NE, Ste B, Atlanta, GA 30309

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Feb 13 – Feb 20

The G8Yties: 80’s Dance Party What’s Love Got to do With it Are you looking for a new love or do you just want to dance with somebody who loves you? Come out to the best retro party the city has to offer at this special Valentine’s Day edition and dance away to the best of the 80s.

Friday, February 15, 10 pm – 3 am

Field Day Kick-Off Margarita Bust Have a few margs and kick off this year’s Field Day (April 16). Learn more about Field Day, sign up, join a team, and mingle with other players while sizing out the competition.

Saturday, February 16, 3-6 pm TEN Atlanta

The Heretic STAFF PICK!

Joining Hearts Presents Love On the Rocks 2019 For the 32nd year, Joining Hearts will host their annual Valentine’s cocktail party – this year it will be at the historic Midtown gem, The Wimbish House. Enjoy Tito’s Handmade Vodka, bites by Sun In My Belly, and beats by DJ Mike Pope and kick off the organization’s fundraising year in style. Tickets through joininghearts.org.

Sunday, February 17, 5-8 pm The Wimbish House

Leather & Lace ATL 2019 Leather & Lace is back with the best kinkified entertainment around including Monica Moree and many others. All proceeds and tips will go 100% to Lost-n-Found Youth. DJ Daniel Weaver will take over the dancefloor once the event is over for a night of dancing.

Deep South presents HORSE MEAT DISCO

Saturday, February 16, 7-10 pm

Back by popular demand! The British disco party phenomenon returns to Atlanta for another night of worldclass house and disco. ATL’s own Vicki Powell will be opening, so come early and let’s get moving! Tickets are selling out, so get yours now!

Atlanta Eagle

Saturday, February 16, 10 pm – 3 am The Heretic

38 | 02.13.19

ECLECTIC SUNDAY DRAG BRUNCH PHOTOS: Andrea Dwyer

40 | 02.13.19

MIDTOWN 1

Monroe Dr. NE

14

Amsterdam Ave.

NE ve . tA

Piedmont Park

on

11

dm

6 12th St. NE

18

Pi e

Juniper St. NE

14th St. NE

7

9

2

10th St. NE

10

. NE

19

oe Dr

e. NE Piedmont Av

Juniper St . NE

Peachtree St. NE

3

Monr

Charles Allen Dr. NE

12 W. Peachtree St. NW

15

16

4th St. NE

8

13

BARS Amsterdam Blake's Bulldogs Friends The Model T My Sister’s Room Ten Atlanta

5

Dining 502 Amsterdam Ave NE 227 10th St NE 893 Peachtree St NE 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE 699 Ponce De Leon Ave NE 66 12th St NE 990 Piedmont Ave NE

9 10 11 12

10 th & Piedmont Campagnolo Einstein's F.R.O.G.S

clubs 13 Atlanta Eagle

306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

14 Urban Body Fitness 500 Amsterdam Ave NE

spa/bath 15 Flex Spa

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991 Piedmont Ave NE 980 Piedmont Ave NE 1077 Juniper St NE 931 Monroe Cir NE

fitness

retail 8 Barking Leather

4

Ponce De Leon Ave. NE

Ponce De Leon Ave. NE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Ponce De Leon Pl. NE

Spring St. NW

17

76 4th St. NW

16 17 18 19

G’s Midtown Henry’s Joe's on Juniper La Hacienda

219 10th St NE 132 10th St NE 1049 Juniper St NE 900 Monroe Dr NE

billards/Darts drag dancers leather non-smoking area Patio

When the world throws you Let be your savedandgay.com

Cheshire 23

ansley 21

37

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Piedmont Park BARS 2043 Cheshire Bridge Rd 1086 Alco St NE 1931 Piedmont Cir NE 2425 Piedmont Rd NE 1842 Cheshire Bridge Rd 1824 Cheshire Bridge Rd

32 33 34 35 36

Midtown Moon Felix's The Hideaway Mixx Oscar's

805 Lambert Dr. NE, Suite A 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd 2069 Cheshire Bridge Rd 1739 Cheshire Bridge Rd 2201 Faulkner Rd NE

Spa / bath 2103 Faulkner Rd NE 2135 Liddell Drive NE

1492 Piedmont Ave NE 1510 Piedmont Ave NE 1544 Piedmont Ave NE 1492 Piedmont Ave NE 1510 Piedmont Ave NE

Dining 37 Cowtippers 38 Eclectic Bistro

Fitness 30 Gravitee Fitness

NE

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clubs 28 Heretic 29 Tokyo Valentino

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39 38

Retail 26 Barking Leather 27 Southern Nights

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25

BJ Roosters Opus 1 Tripps Woof's

31 Manifest 4 U 42 The Den

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33

. NE

Manchester St. NE

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22

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Lambert Dr.

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1600 Piedmont Ave NE 1425 Piedmont Ave NE

Retail 39 Boy Next Door 1447 Piedmont Ave NE 40 Brushstrokes/Pleasures 1510 Piedmont Ave NE

Fitness 41 Equilibrium Fitness

1529 Piedmont Ave, Suite L

NOT SHOWN

Mary's Sister Louisa’s Church Swinging Richards Lips Atlanta

1287 Glenwood Ave SE 466 Edgewood Ave SE 1400 Northside Dr NW 3011 Buford Hwy NE

peachATL.com | 43

A snapshot of Gay Atlanta’s favorite destinations. View their ads in Peach ATL & visit their websites for weekly event listings.

Bars & Clubs

EAST ATLANTA, GRANT PARK & EDGEWOOD

Retail

MIDTOWN

MARY’S

MIDTOWN

amsterdamatlanta.com

1287 Glenwood Ave SE

AMSTERDAM

502 Amsterdam Ave. NE

ATLANTA EAGLE

marysatlanta.com

SISTER LOUISA’S CHURCH

BARKING LEATHER AFTER DARK barkingleather.com

306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

sisterlouisaschurch.com

CHESHIRE

SWINGING RICHARDS

BARKING LEATHER

1400 Northside Dr NW

805 Lambert Dr NE

BULLDOGS

Dining

2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE

FRIENDS NEIGHBORHOOD BAR

MIDTOWN

736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

10thandpiedmont.com

atlantaeagle.com

306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

BLAKE’S ON THE PARK

blakesontheparkatlanta.com 227 10th St NE

893 Peachtree St NE

friendsonponce-atl.com

466 Edgewood Ave SE

swingingrichards.com

10TH & PIEDMONT

MODEL T

991 Piedmont Ave NE

699 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

einsteinsatlanta.com

modeltatlanta.com

EINSTEIN’S

MY SISTER’S ROOM

1077 Juniper St NE

66 12th St NE

frogsmidtown.com

mysistersroom.com

TEN ATLANTA

tenatlanta.com

990 Piedmont Ave NE

CHESHIRE

SOUTHERN NIGHTS VIDEO

ANSLEY BOY NEXT DOOR MENSWEAR boynextdoormenswear.com 1447 Piedmont Ave NE

GCB & PLEASURES

brushstrokesatlanta.com 1510 Piedmont Ave. NE

FROGS CANTINA

Fitness

931 Monroe Dr

MIDTOWN

G’S

gsmidtown.com 219 10th St NE

HERETIC

HENRY’S

2069 Cheshire Bridge Road

132 10th St NE

BJ ROOSTERS

JOE’S ON JUNIPER

hereticatlanta.com

barkingleather.com

henrysatl.com

URBAN BODY FITNESS urbanbodyfitness.com

500 Amsterdam Ave NE

CHESHIRE GRAVITEE FITNESS graviteeatl.com

bjroosters.com

joesonjuniper.com

2043 Cheshire Bridge Road NE

1049 Juniper St NE

OPUS 1

LA HACIENDA

Spas/Baths/Adult

900 Monroe Dr NE

MIDTOWN

1931 Piedmont Circle N

CHESHIRE

FLEX SPA

WOOFS

LAS MARGARITAS

76 4th St NW

2425 Piedmont Road NE

1842 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE

CHESHIRE

ANSLEY

ROXX

MANIFEST 4U

MIDTOWN MOON

1824 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE

1492 Piedmont Ave NE

ANSLEY

FELIX’S

COWTIPPERS

1086 Alco St NE

TRIPPS

woofsatlanta.com

1510 Piedmont Ave NE

lahaciendamidtown.com

lasmargaritasmidtown.com

cowtippersatlanta.com

THE HIDEAWAY

1600 Piedmont Ave NE

1544 Piedmont Ave NE

DEKALB

MIXX

LIPS ATLANTA

1492 Piedmont Ave NE

3011 Buford Hwy NE

mixxatlanta.com

OSCAR’S

oscarsatlanta.com

1510 Piedmont Ave NE

44 | 02.13.19

atldragshow.com

2201 Faulkner Rd NE

flexspas.com

manifest4u.org

2103 Faulkner Rd NE

THE DEN

thedenatlanta.com

2135 Liddell Drive NE

Georgia Body Works.com Mobile Fitness and Massage “I come to you, so let’s get started!”

678-557-1780

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10 ALTERNATIVES TO VALENTINE’S DAY IF YOU’RE SINGLE YOU DON’T NEED NO ONE TO COMPLETE YOU!

Take yourself on a date

Hang out with your pet

Browse a dating app (if you’re looking)

Have a drink or two

Get on a hook-up app (if you’re horny)

Watch that movie only you want to see

Celebrate ‘Pal’entines Day – meet up with a friend!

Take online quizzes that predict your future

Buy yourself a gift

46 | 02.13.19

Shop and take advantage of the V-day deals

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Text your Peach Pits to 540-30-PEACH, or e-mail mikkel@PeachATL.com

Me: Hi, when are you home?

Him: Not sure

Imagine how terrible the Fyre Festival would have been if everything had gone right!?

Me: Can you give me a time?

Him: No, not yet Me: Is it an hour? Two hours?

Him: Why is this so important: This morning, I learned the best way to wake up is a gentle shake from one you love whispering “honey, wake up, Roger Stone has been arrested”

Me: So, I have time to change out of my pajamas, shower, and look like I had a productive day, ok!

I just bought my co-worker a ‘get better soon’ card. They’re not sick. I just think they could do better

I don’t hate you. I’m just not necessarily excited about your existence!

Asking for a friend: Why is being alive so expensive? I’m not even having a good time!

48 | 02.13.19

You like my hair?

Gee, thanks – just bought it!

Super Bowl Musings: Both teams played as if the winner would have to go to the White House for Big Macs…

CANCER (JUN. 21 - JUL. 22) Be assertive to get the things you want today.

That may uncharacteristic for you, but give it a whirl. The cutie in the sweater vest may be impressed at your self-assured swagger, and by the fact that you’d actually talk to someone wearing a sweater vest.

LEO (JUL. 23 - AUG. 22) You may have to introduce fresh routines into your repertoire because, man, your act is getting tired fast. Guys may have seen your song and dance a million times before, and now they’re listening to other tunes. The public is fickle so show them something new.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18)

VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEP. 22)

Your emotions may run rampant today. Unfortunately, this could cause you to lose control of your day. But wait until you get home to completely lose it. Set a tone for your little cry fest. A little Tori Amos or Tracy Chapman will have you completely losing control.

Hang out with colleagues after work today, even if they go for cocktails somewhere that isn’t all man/man. But that doesn’t mean the landscape will be barren. Watch for eye contact from other guys while you’re there. The intentions behind those looks may be strictly man-to-man.

PISCES (FEB. 19 - MAR. 20)

LIBRA (SEP. 23 - OCT. 22)

Boredom may cause you to slip into bouts of daydreaming today. You could see yourself on a beach in Bali, lazing in the sun while drinking cool, refreshing fruity drinks. Imagining those drinks being served to you by Tom Brady in a G-string will be icing on the cake.

Constant interruptions from co-workers will disrupt your daily routine today. This lack of balance will freak you out, but keep your cool. One well-timed hissy fit could bring an end to the interruptions, but it could also cause a serious rift between you and your colleagues.

ARIES (MAR. 21 - APR. 19)

SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21)

Today may be a good one to hang out with your gal pals. Your girly friends give you a much-needed different perspective, and ironically they’re not as bitchy as guys. Call them fag hags if you like, but sometimes they’re the best friends a guy can have.

Your inability to budge may get you into trouble today! In a group discussion, you could find that you’re the only person who’s not on board with a new plan of action. Give in graciously, then reward yourself!

TAURUS (APR. 20 - MAY 20)

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21)

Your many talents will be lauded and applauded by people in the know today. Ever the diva, you’ll simply shrug it off with wave of the hand. But deep inside you’ll be thinking, ‘You like me! You really like me!’

Your energies will be at odds with everyone else today. You’ll want to kick it like a Rockette, but they’ll be slow and plodding like Japanese performance art. You may have to meet halfway, but the result may be as bizarre as a Bjork concert.

GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN. 20)

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19)

Coherent thought may be a hard thing to come by today. You’ll think that this lack of mental ennui is the result of blowing off breakfast. But most likely it’s because you spent another long night on the Internet, ‘chatting’ with guys in other hemispheres.

Those around you may not demand enough of themselves while you may demand too much.

This could cause friction in the workplace if you’re not careful. Lash them with a wet noodle rather than a cat-o-nine-tails, although there may be some who prefer the latter.

50 | 02.13.19

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt Trouble in the love department? With sex?

Or just people in general? Send us your queries, questions, and problems, and you’ll get answers served straight up and with a little ice.

I

am 25 years old, and I quite honestly have a lot of anxiety when it comes to dating. With all the apps and the rampant hook-up culture in the gay community, it is so difficult to find out if a guy is just trying to hook up or if he actually wants to date and get to know you. Add to that, that many couples are opening up their relationship, which makes it even harder to figure out what they are into or not. I really want a deeper connection with someone, but I am both outraged and a nervous wreck at the same time – is there really no genuine guys left out there anymore? How do I break this negative way of thinking? And how do I ultimately find love?

Sincerely Genuine Connections Dear Genuine Connections No matter what, it is always difficult to put yourself out there. The first step for you (and for soooo many others in the dating pool) is to admit that you are indeed anxious about dating! Anxiety is normal and should honestly be expected, but the moment you let go of your judgment of having anxiety, you will also relax a little bit more – maybe in yourself or perhaps even on a date.

Another thing you can assess is if the hook-up and dating apps are actually hurting or helping you. If you’ve had it with biased preferences and rudeness from strangers, then take a break – apps are not the only way to meet guys! If you do feel the need for an app in your life, stay clear of the sex apps and go for one catered more towards dating. Create a profile that is honest and realistic which is the best basis for an online conversation either way. Regardless, of how you meet someone, start by communicating and get to know the person even before you meet up in person for a date. A good indicator is how good a communicator the other person is and how well, for instance, texts are responded to. Down the line, once the connection has been made, it is okay for you to voice your concerns and even

fears. You don’t want to be needy, but being open and honest about feelings and expectations will also create the basis for a deeper connection.

Yes, dating can be time-consuming and even anxiety-inducing but if you put in the effort, it will eventually pay off.

M

y boyfriend of many years has expressed an interest in engaging in pup play, and the other day he even brought home a puppy hood that he wants to wear. Quite honestly, I am freaked out by the whole thing, and don’t know how to handle it – or him! I’m afraid even to ask him what he wants from me.

How do I deal with this fetish? And what if I don’t want to!

Sincerely Who Let the Dog Out? Dear Who Let the Dog Out Any fetish can be challenging to understand, so the first step is to start talking! Get over your fear of talking to your boyfriend and start by asking him about what the appeal is for him. Try to approach it with a non-judgmental mindset and don’t react negatively when he tries to explain why he has this fetish. You are naturally also allowed to express your concerns to him, but again don’t label anything negatively and try to understand each other’s perspectives. If you love him, you’ll put in the effort to understand him, and if he loves you, he will never force you to do anything you don’t want to do. But there is nothing wrong with broadening your horizons and learning more about each other, so start communicating. Who knows, maybe you’ll learn to appreciate certain aspects of pup play, and it will become another extension of your relationship.

NEED ANSWERS? REACH OUT TO US, AND YOU WILL GET THEM! SEND YOUR BURNING QUESTIONS TO OUR EDITOR AT MIKKEL@PEACHATL.COM.

52 | 02.13.19