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Contents
MARCH 18, 2020
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MANAGING PARTNER Brian Sawyer brian@peachatl.com
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EDITORIAL Mikkel Hyldebrandt Editorial Director mikkel@peachatl.com Brian Sawyer
From the Editor
Graphics
In this issue, we decided to shine a light on some of the more underground sides of Atlanta. We spoke to Vicki Powell and Brian Rojas from Deep South about their ‘Sheaster’ season starter, and Cameron Allen, whose sexy Stroke party is coming up, spoke to us about creating a new party in Atlanta. We also guide you to some alternative ways to explore Atlanta, and we asked Mitzi Pennington to take a deep dive into the underground art scene – and true to style she goes deep. Real deep. Really, really deep… Our celebrity interview is with the handsome Wilson Cruz, who has executive produced the Apple TV+ five-part documentary, Visible: Out on Television. Chris Azzopardi talks to him about the LGBTQ+ series, his groundbreaking teen role in My So-Called Life, and what he’d tell his younger self.
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SALES | DISTRIBUTION Andrea Dwyer andrea@peachatl.com
CONTRIBUTORS Chris Azzopardi Mirza Muftic
That, and so much more in this issue of Peach!
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Running with Pride By Mikkel Hylderbandt
Celebrating 30 years, The Atlanta Pride Run & Walk is an annual 5K race and walk organized by Front Runners Atlanta. With a series of scheduled runs, Front Runners invites everyone and anyone to join the fun and ultimately get ready for The Atlanta Pride Run & Walk in April.
walking, and social club for the LGBT community and allies. Membership is open to all people regardless of race, pace, age, gender, sexual orientation or identity, or athletic ability. Through our weekly runs and social events, our club offers opportunities for fun, fitness, and socializing. There are no minimum requirements, and FRA allows each member to determine his or her own level of involvement.
On the last Wednesday of each month, the meetup is a local brewery or bar where a scheduled ‘beer run’ will start and end. This month it will be at MSR (My Sister’s Room), and it will be an excellent opportunity to see what Front Runners is all about and meet the peo- frontrunnersatlanta.org ple in the group. All running or walking levels are welcome. Check out their website for more info and the full schedule of runs. About Front Runners Front Runners Atlanta is a running,
KWBG Presents:
For more info
visit:
Key West PRIDE 2020 with :
Leslie Jordan
"EXPOSED"
gaykeywestfl.com /pride/
Emmy Award winner & comedian-Leslie Jordan
June 5th, 2020 | Doors open: 7 pm Show: 8 pm Key West Theater 512 Eaton Street
GET STROKEd
By Mikkel Hylderbandt Cameron Allen moved to Atlanta in 2010 and dove right into its nightlife, which eventually culminated with him creating the warehouse party, Stroke. Now, Stroke is ready for its third installment, and Peach caught up with Cameron to talk origins, talent, and sound advice for partygoers. How did you get involved in Atlanta’s nightlife? Nightlife has always consumed me – or maybe I consumed nightlife. I used to be in a band and play all around when I was 19. It’s always been music and art. While my art was put on the back burner, I found dance music, which completely took over. I became obsessed with Paradise Garage and finding tracks. Eventually, I found Vicki Powell, Danny Fernandez, and people like Kai Alce that laid so much groundwork for what we enjoy today. The rest is history. First off, tell us a little about the background of the Stroke party. This all started in my own apartment/roof patio. I’d throw spontaneous parties, sometimes with a day’s notice, booking some of the best DJs in Atlanta’s and other cities nearby. The parties popped off. They had this really special feeling that I’ll never forget – like you were in on a secret but at the same time felt completely familiar, like home. The house was full of love and intersection. I met so many amazing people. From that, it grew, eventually even feeling cramped. We’d invite 20 people, and 100 would show up with no promotion, just word of mouth. We had been looking for a new space to expand just weeks before being approached by the Mammal Gallery to curate a new party. The venue was perfect. And they’ve been such an amazing help from the start. We’re very happy to call them our new home. How does a party like Stroke fit into the Atlanta scene? I’ve been trying to figure out where exactly Stroke fits in for a while now, and it recently dawned on me that I don’t know because it’s somewhere in the middle, and that’s the best thing I could have hoped for. It’s underground, it’s queer yet not exclusive, yes, house music but it stretches beyond that as we do. We hope to learn from those who came before us and pass that along to everyone. Tell us about the lineup of DJs for this third edition of Stroke?
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We have some crazy talent. Jeffrey Sfire will be headlining. Sfire just got back from Berlin recording new material with Sophie, while closing out the last Cocktail D’amore party. He’s played Berghain plus plenty other big ones, and he throws the infamous Club Toilet in Detroit. He’s also a total BABE. His sound is that perfect blend of queer 80s/90s house and techno. Opening for him is local hero TWINS (Matt Weiner) with a rare DJ set. His sound is dark and sexy. I’m hoping for some magic to happen between the two of them. You always strive to create a well-rounded concept for the space with Stroke? What’s in store for this party? While the music speaks for itself, we always have something exciting to add. But for this particular night, we are concerned about the health and safety of our friends and family. During this strange period, we still want to create a space of escape, yet we need to address reality and take proper measures to ensure our well-being. If you feel unwell, stay home, there will be many parties to come. And remember: always wash ya ass... What else do you have planned for the summer? More Stroke parties? New concepts? Stroke just started, and we still have a lot ahead of ourselves. There’s a new warehouse space in the future we’re really excited about. I definitely like the idea of some surprise parties this summer… We’ll see what happens. Best way to stay in the loop is my Instagram @nsaworldwide or @hzlikehell. STROKE | March 21 | Mammal Gallery (Food Court) | 11 pm – late | Tickets are $10 available at the door for $10 (cash or card).
(Ed.: At the time of our deadline, Stroke is still on, but please check online for any updates!)
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Deep South Starts the Year Out Right By Mikkel Hylderbandt The Deep South DJ collective has been a focal point of the Atlanta underground music scene for years now with parties that have attracted some of the biggest names from all over the world. Peach spoke to Deep South residents Vicki Powell and Brian Rojas about what to expect on the dancefloor. First, some quick introductions, please. Vicki Powell: Hi, I’m Vicki Powell, born and raised in Atlanta and have been involved in nightlife for a few decades now. I love the Atlanta music scene, and it feels very much like home to me. Brian Rojas: Hey, I’m Brian Rojas, and I have been a resident DJ with Deep South for three years now. I also DJ with La Choloteca – a Latinx collective of local DJs. Deep South just kickstarted the year by welcoming back Horse Meat Disco to Atlanta. Next up is ‘Sheaster’ for Easter weekend – would it be fair to describe that Easter weekend as the true season starter for Deep South? VP: Yes, definitely. Although we have events throughout the year, I would say Pride and Easter are our biggest weekends. BR: Easter is so transformational for Atlanta – Spring is finally here, and the weather is warming up, so it’s the perfect time for Deep South to start the year out right. Easter Sunday is also the first edition of Sunday Service at Sister Louisa’s – a Deep South and community favorite that runs all summer long. Can you reveal the Sheaster DJ lineup for us? VP: Sure. We are very excited about this upcoming lineup. Saturday night, we have Analog Soul, Mr. White, Keenan Orr, MYN, Ash Lauryn. This is the first time for everyone on the bill other than the Deep South residents, so it should be a very special night. BR: We are working with the Bakery again for this event, so we have secured an ideal party space where everyone can come and be their authentic selves on the dancefloor. Looking past Sheaster – what does Deep South have in store for Atlanta this summer? VP: We have several exciting events on the horizon. I can’t reveal all the details yet, but you’ll be pleased. BR: Yeah, be on the lookout! All Deep South residents
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play at their own events and parties all the time, so keep an eye out for us. We always try to pick events and parties that embody the Deep South mantra of inclusion and a free spirit. Deep South has become an integral part of the Atlanta underground music scene – how do you keep on track with that development? VP: We stay focused on making sure we are highlighting under-represented DJs. There is so much talent out there, and we love giving them a platform to grow from. BR: I agree. Our community is so diverse, and we want to reflect that at our parties – and that naturally includes our headliners. We are lucky to see our growth as very organic, and I think that comes from doing things our way and with integrity. I think people respond to that. Why do you think Atlanta needs what Deep South can give it right now? VP: I think all cities, large or small, need a counterbalance in the music scene. We feature so many different styles and genres of DJs at Deep South, so for us, it’s more about building community. We want to see safer spaces for people to dance who don’t see themselves represented in mainstream nightlife venues. BR: Representation is key. Variety is another fundamental principle. When you come to a Deep South event, you will understand the kind of space we want to create. We want you to come correct and check your prejudice and privilege at the door. We want the love – and the music – to flow freely. Deep South’s ‘Sheaster’ Season Opener and four-yearanniversary with Analog Soul, Mr. White, MYN, Keenan Orr, and resident DJs will take place on April 11, 10 pm – 5 am at The Bakery Atlanta. Please check Deep South’s Facebook and Instagram for important updates, and go to Universe.com for tickets.
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Sunday March 22nd 3-7pm Beer Bust, Jell-O shots Raflles & Food Provided!!!
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Celebrating 30 years of Pets Are Loving Support
Hosted by Bubba Dee
Prom Night
Drag Queen Bingo May. 12, 2020
and Erica Lee
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Wilson Cruz Knows the Power in Storytelling By Chris Azzopardi Photo: David Miller, Bobby Quillard The first openly gay actor to play an openly gay series regular in a leading role on TV, Wilson Cruz has witnessed firsthand the changing tides of TV representation. Cruz paved the way for shows such as Will & Grace and Ellen with his portrayal of Rickie Vasquez, the troubled gay Latino high schooler on the teen drama My SoCalled Life, which ran for one season in 1994. Cruz was 21 when he played Rickie. Now 46, the actor reflects on the role as one of the interviewees in the new Apple TV+ five-part documentary, Visible: Out on Television, which, along with Wanda Sykes, he also executive produced. Emmynominated filmmakers Ryan White and Jessica Hargrave directed the series. Through a wide range of archival footage and interviews with actors, journalists and activists, the docuseries investigates how TV has shaped the American conscience. During it, Cruz recalls auditioning for My So-Called Life and turning back to late veteran casting director, Mary Goldberg, and telling her: “I don’t know if I’m ever going to see you again, but please tell whoever wrote this that it means a lot to me, that it would have made a difference if I had seen this when I was 15.” Then, as Goldberg replied, the twist he didn’t see coming: “Don’t worry,” she said, “you’re going to be able to tell it yourself.” Here, Cruz talks about the docuseries’ evolution, Rickie as his own personal catharsis, and his issue with studios casting straight actors to play gay as awards bait. How did you get involved with Visible? Seven years ago (political activist and Visible producer) David Bender, who had been working on this project for many years, reached out to me because 14 | follow us @ peachatlmag
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he was interested in interviewing me for the documentary, for obvious reasons (laughs). We had a long lunch and it became pretty clear really quickly that I had a passion for this subject matter, but also that I had access to many of the people he wanted to interview just because of the nature of my career and my relationship with GLAAD for over a decade, and so I could be very helpful to him. That’s how it happened. Eventually we interviewed 60 people on our own, and it became clear that this was going to be more than two hours and that we were going to need some help. We came to Apple and Apple brought on two amazing documentary filmmakers, Ryan White and Jessica Hargrave, in order to finish the film and really mold it. Then I came back on to help them continue to bring them who they needed to speak to, and also to make sure that we always had an eye on this not just being a documentary about the LGBTQ movement but really about how television was used as an agent of change by the movement. How do you think Visible broadens the historical perspective of the LGBTQ experience? I think that there’s a lot that we forget just because that’s the nature of the human experience. But what the series does really well is to remind us of what happened just within some of our own lifetimes – that, yes, we have come a long way and a lot of work went into getting us here. A lot of people risked a lot in order to have this conversation. It wasn’t just LGBTQ people – it was LGBTQ people and the people who love them who took up the baton when we were unable to, when we weren’t being hired to tell our own stories or we were afraid to come out and be public about it. We needed people who were willing to take on those roles. More recently, we forget that the way the network news was talking about HIV and AIDS during the height of the epidemic was incredibly problematic, and that the only people who were going to save us at that time was us. That’s when GLAAD was created. That’s when ACT UP was created. It was this community that really started to say, “If you’re not gonna save our lives, we’re gonna have to save them ourselves and we’re going to have to demand that we be seen.” We could no longer afford at that time to be invisible and that’s where visibility started to really begin in earnest. In the doc, you talk about how playing Rickie helped you reconcile with your father. Your experience with him – being kicked out of the house after you came out to him – was written into Rickie’s story, and he watched that storyline play out. How did that moment illustrate to you the power TV can have? I talk all the time about how television is an intimate medium: We are in your bedroom, we are in your living room; we come into your homes and you invite us in and we tell you our stories. In my personal experience, it was an invitation
to my father to see me because Rickie Vasquez was very much who I was when I was a teenager, and his life parallels mine in many ways. My father and I didn’t speak for a year, but within that year he was able to turn on the television and I was able to have a conversation with him that I couldn’t have physically and he learned a lot about me and about what my life had been like. He was moved to a new place and it gave him permission to reach out to me, and I have that series and that character to thank for the supportive father that I have today. That’s no overstatement. So it is a testament to the intimacy of television and the power of storytelling. Looking at the work that you’ve taken on, from Noah’s Arc on through Star Trek: Discovery, the transformative power of representation seems to be something you still believe in. Whenever I take a project on, one of the first things I ask myself is, “What is the message that this is going to leave an audience member with? What are we offering through this?” The other thing that it is for me is that so many actors are like, “Oh, I don’t want to play too many gay roles (laughs) because I just don’t want my career to be about that.” Whereas I have gone out of my way to look for roles that I feel will add to the conversation. I’ve wanted to have those opportunities. Why do you think that is when so many other actors go in the other direction? Because, with the first role I had on My SoCalled Life as Rickie, I got to see how powerful that story could be and I wanted to continue to tell stories like that, and I felt like there were few people who were willing and excited to take on those roles and here I was. As for your part in Hulu’s The Bravest Knight, the first children’s animated series to have openly gay characters, what about that spoke to you? My brother who’s also openly gay and married to his husband had just had a baby or was pregnant when they approached me to do The Bravest Knight. I thought it was a great opportunity for me to give a little gift to my nephew. On top of that, I think there aren’t enough children’s programs that depict families like the one we do on The Bravest Knight, because there are thousands of LGBTQ families in this country who would love to see their lives reflected back at them and their children so they know they’re not alone and that their families are just as valuable as anybody else’s. Have you been able to gauge what it means to Star Trek fans to have a more LGBTQ-inclusive Star Trek? Yes. For 52 years people have been clamoring for real LGBTQ representation on Star Trek, and to be a part of the couple who actually gives that to an audience is overwhelming. People reach out to us all the time, and I’m excited for people to see season three because we’re expanding it in a very special way.
In a very special gay way? That’s all I’m gonna say. (Laughs.) I want to keep my job! But there is a lot to look forward to in season three for LGBTQ fans, that’s for sure. You’ve known Anthony Rapp since Rent. Rapp originated the role of Mark Cohen on Broadway, and you later joined as Angel Dumott Schunard. What’s been the best part about getting to work with Anthony, who plays your lover in Star Trek, all these years? Well, first of all, he’s one of the most supportive actors that I’ve ever worked with. We are a team, we are a unit. But the best thing about working with him is that, because we find this couple in the middle of their relationship, there was very little work we had to do in order to get to know each other. We brought with us a 22year history of friendship, and so I feel like it comes across on screen that these two people know each other and genuinely love each other, because we do. Since you’re both gay men playing gay men on Star Trek, I wonder: Do you think LGBTQ roles should go to exclusively LGBTQ actors? No, I’m not going to say that we should only be the ones allowed to play them. But I will say that I think what an LGBTQ actor brings to an LGBTQ role is different; there’s just something innate and lived-in that comes across, but that’s not to say that a straight actor cannot give a powerful performance. What is worrisome to me is when a production will hire a straight actor to play that role because of some notion that because they’re a straight actor that it’s that much more difficult to take on this role. So it’s awards bait. These are our lives. These are experiences for a lot of people. And if you’re a straight actor playing these roles, I think it’s important that you acknowledge and understand that.
tell me how powerful it was for them is very real. It happens almost daily on social media. It’s just a trail of tears. When was the last time you revisited episodes of My So-Called Life? It’s been a while. I think it’s hard for me to watch myself, and I think the last time I watched it was about 10 years ago with my brother at home, but I think that was it. I ask because I’ve noticed that Rickie is so embedded in your identity that you get choked up just talking about him. What about him gets you emotional even now? (Sighs.) I think what’s important to me about it is he was a way for me to process my adolescence, which wasn’t easy. I think that’s probably why I haven’t watched it too, because when I did it I literally saw it as a way to walk through those experiences again and leave them there on that stage and then be able to walk away from them and move on. But for me, when I think about him, and if I do see an episode every now and then, it’s visiting your teenage self. You just want to hug them. You just want to say to them, “It’s going to be all right.” And I just want to grab him and say, “I’m gonna be fine.” But he does – he means everything to me because without him none of this would have happened. He set the trajectory for my career and also gave me my life’s passion of making sure our stories are told, and part of his legacy is Visible. As editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBTQ wire service, Chris Azzopardi has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Cher, Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter @chrisazzopardi.
I will say that in terms of trans actors playing trans roles, I think that is incredibly important because there are so many trans actors out there who are just waiting for the opportunity to be able to tell their own stories. Especially in terms of trans people of color and trans women of color and trans men of color, we need to see more of them. In the doc, actor Ryan Phillippe, who played a groundbreaking gay character on One Life to Live, reads a letter from someone changed by his character. Where do you keep the letters you’ve received? Well, seeing how I live out of a suitcase these days (laughs) … actually, I don’t have a lot of the stuff from the old days anymore. I have to tell you that most of the young people who watched My So-Called Life back in the day didn’t really reach out to me until years later when I would see them out publicly and in person, when they were adults, because so many people were processing their own stuff when that aired. But the onslaught (laughs) and the daily messages I received from people who felt and feel it necessary to reach out to me to 16 | follow us @peachatlmag
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by Mart Crowley In his Upper East Side apartment, Michael is throwing a birthday party for Harold complete with surprise gift: “Cowboy,” a street hustler. As the evening wears on – fueled by drugs and alcohol – bitter, unresolved resentments among the guests come to light when a game of “Truth” goes terribly wrong.
APRIL 30 — MAY 16, 2020
Tickets: $15 and up Out Front Theatre Company 999 Brady Avenue, Atlanta
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FRIENDS NEW FACES MARCH @ FRIENDS ON PONCE PHOTOS BY SNOW
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BRUNCH ON A MONDAY? yep. saturdays and sundays too.
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And the Award Goes to… By Mikkel Hyldebrandt
Photo: Screenshot from the film “Making Sweet Tea” - one of last year’s most popular festival films In its 33rd year, Atlanta’s Out On Film LGBTQ film festival has received a distinction that will propel it from its underground roots to the national stage: Out On Film has been designated as an Oscar® qualifying film festival! In a bit of a surprise move, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as an Academy Award® approved Atlanta’s own Out On Film LGBTQ film festival as an Oscar® qualifying film festival. That means, that short films that win the festival’s Best Drama Short award will now be eligible to enter the Academy’s Live Action Short film competition for the concurrent season. “We are honored and ecstatic to have the Academy recognize us as a qualifying festival,” said Jim Farmer (photo), festival director and executive director of Out On Film, “For the past 32-years, we’ve produced Out On Film with the primary goal of providing a safe and welcoming environment where filmmakers can share their LGBTQ-themed stories with our community and allies. We are thrilled to add that we can offer recipients of our Best Drama Short award the possibility of being considered in the Live Action Short Film category of the Academy Awards®, provided their films otherwise comply with the Academy rules, and reach an even larger audience.” Out On Film is one of the three Atlanta film festivals to be Oscar® qualifying, joining the Atlanta Film Festival and Bronzelens Film Festival, and one of only a handful of LGBTQ film festivals in the world, including three in the United States.
About Out On Film Established in 1987, Out On Film has grown from a weekend event into an 11-day event where filmmakers can showcase, screen and promote emerging LGBTQ-themed features, documentary, and short films from across the world. One of the oldest and largest LGBTQ film festivals in the United States, Out On Film received a grant from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2013 for its visiting filmmaker series, as well as numerous awards the last decade. In addition to events throughout the year, Out On Film will host its next festival from September 24 – October 4, 2020. For more details, visit outonfilm.org.
Jim Farmer is the festival director of Out On Film
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The Underground Dark Arts Atlanta is home to some of the most artistically artsy artists you ever seen art around town. What most people visiting the city don’t know is how varied the art scene is in Atlanta. Sure, we know of mainstream artists, and even artists that flourish in the underground scene. But I bet most haven’t encountered an underground dark artist. Yes, Atlanta is even home to creatives practicing the finer arts of summoning unseen forces. I spoke with a few local dark artists to give people a better understanding of their creative process.
Follow Mitzi @itsmitzip
Local herbologist, Selena Fleur, excels in the arts of plant animation and manipulation. After being banned from the Botanical Gardens, Selena vowed vengeance on all those who shunned her, and created the Midnight in the Garden of Me & I, her one-woman tour guide where she takes people around the perimeter of the city, showcasing the many floral sculptures she’s created. The tour is drink and smoke-friendly so everyone is encouraged to get toasty and lit. The real beauty of the tour is her plant sculptures are also sentient, which gives the tourists a real run for their money (or their lives)! If you’re into giving plants mobility, but have allergies like I do, this next underground dark artist is sure to win you over! Henry De’Lusion is a part-time Delta flight attendant and fulltime master of the mystic arts. He claims to have been born on a plane while it flew over the Bermuda Triangle, and also claims he knows where every missing airplane is located. If you’re skeptical about those claims, visit Henry’s weekly after-hour acrobatics act and stand-up show. He’ll have to laughing and screaming as he tells you his funniest stories while plunging himself off of a thirty-story building. Henry has the unique gift of flight, which gives him the performance stage unlike any other. It is also one of the reasons the FBI is interested in him. If you’re wanting to go out and have a laugh with some friends, while also witnessing an abomination unto God, Henry has it all! For the modern art-enthusiast, if you want to experience some of Atlanta’s finest, but are quarantined inside your home due to a largely inflated virus pandemic, then my next friend has JUST what you want. Miss De’Leo Demure Washington Dupree was born a psychic in what she calls “old country” (said with a heavy roll on the ‘r’). She had the gift to speak with the dead up until she got run over by a semi. Now deceased, she uses her power to let the dead speak to the living! So, if you’re stuck indoors, this underground artist can connect anyone deceased right to you! The skill itself might not seem like an artistic talent, but wait until you see what she turns your surroundings into while she performs her magic. Neon markings fill the air, floor and every wall. You’ll see objects shake, you’ll hear deep laughter coming from unknown sources, you’ll feel a hand touch your shoulder, but not in a pervy kind of way. It’s a spectacle that rivals anything from Broadway! To summon her, just play Britney Spears’ Toxic in reverse. Atlanta is beaming with artists of all talents and specialties. If you’re a little hipper for mainstream, and a little crazier for the underground art scene, pay a visit to some of these underground dark artists for a change!
Yours in enjoying underground dark arts,
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 shorly after dropping out of college. Her late husband’s fortune allows her to travel the world andhave 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.
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peachmediaprinting.com 6050 Dawson Blvd, Ste O, Norcross, GA 30093 Phone or Fax 404-814-3014 | Email quote@peachmediaprinting.com 28 | follow us @ peachatlmag
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peachmediaprinting.com 6050 Dawson Blvd, Ste O, Norcross, GA 30093 Phone or Fax 404-814-3014 | Email quote@peachmediaprinting.com
Slai Ukeme
Slai is originally from Nigeria and has lived in Atlanta for a little over five years now, where he works in healthcare. He enjoys traveling, going to the gym, and making new friends. He also loves hanging out with his group of friends – especially if it includes eating brunch with them.
@Slai_ukeme
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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
Charle s Alle n Dr . N E
12 W. Peachtree St. NW
15
16
P o n ce D e Leo n Pl . N E
Spring St. NW
17
4th St. NE
8
13
Ponce De Leon Ave. NE
4
Ponce De Leon Ave. NE
BARS 1 2 3 4
Amsterdam Blake's Bulldogs Friends
6 My Sister’s Room 7 Ten Atlanta
Dining 502 Amsterdam Ave NE 227 10th St NE 893 Peachtree St NE 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE 66 12th St NE 990 Piedmont Ave NE
10 th & Piedmont Campagnolo Einstein's F.R.O.G.S
991 Piedmont Ave NE 980 Piedmont Ave NE 1077 Juniper St NE 931 Monroe Cir NE
clubs 13 Atlanta Eagle
306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
fitness
retail 8 Barking Leather
9 10 11 12
306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
14 Urban Body Fitness 500 Amsterdam Ave NE
spa/bath 15 Flex Spa
34 | follow us @ peachatlmag
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
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When the world throws you Let be your savedandgay.com
Cheshire 23
ansley 21
idg
eR
tC ir .
NE
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
1510 Piedmont Ave Suite A 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd 2069 Cheshire Bridge Rd 1739 Cheshire Bridge Rd 2201 Faulkner Rd NE
Spa / bath 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 38 Eclectic Bistro
Fitness 30 Gravitee Fitness
e. nt mo ed
d.
clubs 28 Heretic 29 Tokyo Valentino
39
36 38
Retail 26 Barking Leather 27 Southern Nights
41
Pi
20
Dining 24 Las Margaritas 25 Roxx
Av
ge Rd Brid hire Ches
28
25 r eB
E
35
24
BJ Roosters Sequel Tripps Woof's
42 The Den
26
.N
.
r.
Dr
Rd
BARS 20 21 22 23
40
32
oe
hir
36
nr
on
es
er
Mo
dm
Ch
ll D
kn
27
33
. NE
Pi e
29
idde
ul
31
IX
34
x Rd
Manchester St. NE
Piedmont Rd. NE
22
42 L
Fa
BL
Le no
30
Lambert Dr.
PU
St.
.
A l co
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 The T
1287 Glenwood Ave SE 466 Edgewood Ave SE 1400 Northside Dr NW 3011 Buford Hwy NE 465 Boulevard SE
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
SOUTHERN NIGHTS VIDEO
1400 Northside Dr NW
ANSLEY
BULLDOGS
Dining
BOY NEXT DOOR MENSWEAR
FRIENDS NEIGHBORHOOD BAR
MIDTOWN
1447 Piedmont Ave NE
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
MY SISTER’S ROOM
991 Piedmont Ave NE
66 12th St NE
einsteinsatlanta.com
mysistersroom.com
TEN ATLANTA
tenatlanta.com
990 Piedmont Ave NE
THE T
modeltatlanta.com
EINSTEIN’S
1077 Juniper St NE
GCB & PLEASURES
brushstrokesatlanta.com 1510 Piedmont Ave. NE
BARKING LEATHER barkingleather.com
1510 Piedmont Ave Suite A
Fitness
931 Monroe Dr
MIDTOWN
frogsmidtown.com
G’S
CHESHIRE
219 10th St NE
gsmidtown.com
HERETIC
HENRY’S
2069 Cheshire Bridge Road
132 10th St NE
henrysatl.com
BJ ROOSTERS
JOE’S ON JUNIPER
2043 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
1049 Juniper St NE
bjroosters.com
boynextdoormenswear.com
FROGS CANTINA
465 Boulevard SE
hereticatlanta.com
2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE
joesonjuniper.com
URBAN BODY FITNESS urbanbodyfitness.com
500 Amsterdam Ave NE
CHESHIRE GRAVITEE FITNESS graviteeatl.com
2201 Faulkner Rd NE
SEQUEL
LA HACIENDA
Spas/Baths/Adult
TRIPPS
900 Monroe Dr NE
MIDTOWN
CHESHIRE
FLEX SPA
LAS MARGARITAS
76 4th St NW
1086 Alco St NE 1931 Piedmont Circle N
WOOFS
woofsatlanta.com
2425 Piedmont Road NE
lahaciendamidtown.com
lasmargaritasmidtown.com 1842 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE
flexspas.com
CHESHIRE
ANSLEY
ROXX
MIDTOWN MOON
1824 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE
THE DEN
DEKALB
2135 Liddell Drive NE
1492 Piedmont Ave NE
FELIX’S
1510 Piedmont Ave NE
THE HIDEAWAY
LIPS ATLANTA
thedenatlanta.com
atldragshow.com
3011 Buford Hwy NE
1544 Piedmont Ave NE
MIXX
mixxatlanta.com
1492 Piedmont Ave NE
OSCAR’S
oscarsatlanta.com
1510 Piedmont Ave NE
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LUXURY LGBT ALMAR RESORT TIMESHARE PLUS BONUS FOR SALE BEACH FRONT BEAUTIFUL BEACH HOTEL & FOOD CONTACT leonrri@hotmail.com
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10 UNUSUAL WAYS TO EXPLORE ATLANTA
Exploring Atlanta doesn’t have to be all big attractions!
Tiny Doors Scattered all across Atlanta – tinydoorsatl.com
Center for Puppetry Arts Amazing exhibit and shows - puppet.org
CDC Museum … If it isn’t closed
Crypt of Civilization The world’s first time capsule
The Glass Treehouse located near Ormewood Park
Switchyards Ping Pong Stadium Subterranean ping pong tables
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Doll’s Head Trail Constitution Lakes Park’s urban nature preserve
Junkman’s Daughter vintage store
Videodrome The video rental store that refuses to give up
The Elvis Shrine Vault Located inside of the infamous Star Bar
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We’re closer to Atlanta than you think! Get the details on these and other great upcoming events on our website calendar. Membership Required *Must be 21 to Enter
March 18
Southern Conference of Clubs Leather Weekend, March 13 - 15
Snake ChaSer Party Camp Crawl
greet meet& nights friday
Saturday night p
706-213-6105 www.camptheriversedge.com
Coastal Empire Sentinels Leather Weekend, April 3 - 5
otuck dinners
The Rivers Edge Campground, 23111 Pulliam Mill Road, Dewy Rose, GA 30634
Him: I want him back? Me: Maybe there’s still hope E-mail your Peach Pits to mikkel@PeachATL.com
I’m tired of people complaining about the cover charge, overpriced beers, and the pricey parking? If you don’t like it, don’t come to my house.
Awkward people are sexy. They stumble, apologize, know obscure fact, and say wrong the things. Just trying to sell myself here!
Him: You think? Me: Well, did he get a haircut and start going to the gym again? Him: Yeah, he looks better than ever Me: I’m sorry, you’re not getting him back
Gays born after 1995 can’t cook, all they know is yas queen, wig, crash car, polyamory, take prep, and lie
If you suck his d**k and put a finger in his butt at the same time, he’ll take a screenshot
Aliens probably ride past Earth and lock their doors…
Daddy Joke Alert Coronavirus is how the common cold describes itself on its resume
Fact: Bearded men are more likely to cheat on their partners than bearded women 40 | follow us @ peachatlmag
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LEO (Jul. 23 - Aug. 22) Have you ever wondered why everyone agrees with every thing you say? Is it because you’re always right, or because it’s the only way they know to shut you up? Let others have a say today. A free flow of communication let’s everyone participate in the conversation, and you may discover that your friends are just as witty and intelligent as you.
VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sep. 22) You’ve never learned from past experiences of impulse buying disasters. Witness the $150 hoodie you’ve never worn. You’re a dangerous man with a credit card, which may be an indicator of a deeper self-control problem. Take your partner or a friend along on your shopping sprees. They may be able to stop you before you buy that deluxe fondue set.
PISCES (Feb. 19 - Mar. 20)
LIBRA (Sep. 23 - Oct. 22)
Your relationship sometimes resembles an abstract painting, a mad jumble of shapes, colors and squiggles that somehow makes sense. People on the outside will gaze upon your painting, and scratch their heads while muttering ‘What the hell is that?’ But you and your partner will just laugh, and splash more paint on the canvas.
You’re riding a tidal wave of positive vibes today, baby, and it’s 1967 all over again. Get out and trip the light fantastic today. Smell the roses, give a dollar to a homeless guy, listen to some far-out music and generally let your freak flag fly. That guy with the Birkenstocks and puka shells necklace at the coffee shop will tune in to your grooviness, and maybe put some flowers in your hair.
ARIES (Mar. 21 - Apr. 19)
SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21)
You’ve tried stealth, cunning and the telling of tall tales to impress that guy, and not surprisingly, none of those tactics worked. How about showing him a little charm today? Letting him see the real you, and not the person you think he might want you to be, could have you going the distance.
Your ever changing moods have you both angel and devil today, and even you can’t tell where one ends, and the other begins. This is not the type of versatility you want to be known for, but at least you know why people cower under their desks when you enter a room. Be one or the other today, but not both. This way people will know exactly who they’re dealing with.
TAURUS (Apr. 20 - May 20)
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21)
You sound like Darth Vader as you climb stairs, and you take the elevator to your office on the first floor. It could be time to start thinking about your health. Working out consistently is a must, as is proper diet. Hire a personal trainer if you feel you need motivation. In the long run, it’ll be cheaper than the medical bills after the inevitable heart attack.
Ideas will come easily today as communication flows free and easy between you and your coworkers. It will seem like you’re all tuned into the same big picture today, and a lot will be accomplished. They will look to you to be the leader, and you will hand out responsibilities in a fair and unbiased manner.
GEMINI (May 21 - Jun. 20)
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19)
You will find yourself focused on your partner today, as well you should. Your many long, rich years together total nearly 150 when calculated in gay years. The romance is still hot and heavy, and while you may be a little slow in getting started, you still know how to push each other’s buttons. Tell him how you feel today, through words, and tried-andtrue actions.
Ru Paul has a better chance of delivering the keynote address at the Republican convention than you do of getting a pay raise today. Disappointing, yes, but your conduct during post-work drinks last week sort of sealed that deal. The best you can do is to put your nose to the grindstone. Working harder will prove your worthiness, and salvage your damaged reputation.
CANCER (Jun. 21 - Jul. 22)
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18)
Your partner may not share your aesthetic sensibilities, which makes feathering the nest a challenge. You want modern contemporary with a dash of Swedish chic, while he’s firmly rooted in neon beer signs and velvet Elvis. Try to reach a balance today that doesn’t entail bribes, temper tantrums or locking him in the garage.
A man from a different culture has entered your life, and you’re smitten. He’s fun, charming and an impeccable dresser. At first you thought the accent was cute, but it’s gotten frustrating deciphering his every sentence. Don’t give up, because this relationship holds a lot of promise. While you can barely understand what he’s saying, there are inventive ways of communicating without saying a word.
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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’ve always had issues with receiving anal, but I feel I am ready for it now. As a teenager (and minor) I was sexually abused, and in my only long-lasting relationship, anal sex wasn’t an option, because my boyfriend was a %100 bottom. But now, I really want to try and fantasize a lot about it! The problem is that I am in my twenties now, and everyone else seems so experienced with this, so I am concerned that my being a ‘virgin’ will be an issue. How do I tackle this, and also, how do I prepare for this? Sincerely Tight End Dear Tight End If your issues with anal primarily stem from the abuse situation, you went through as a teen, your path towards experimenting with anal starts with you processing that and moving forward. If you do feel prepared - mentally and physically – to get started with anal sex, then consider these three things: consent, cleanliness, and comfort. Your worries about revealing your inexperience can be worked out when handling the whole consent situation. Be honest and open, and if the guy isn’t into making this a learning process with you, then move on. There should be no pressure, and both parties have the right to say no at any time. Cleanliness is also essential, but there is no need to do a full douche every single time – if you watch what you eat and have a healthy digestive system, you should be pretty ‘clean’ after your BMs. A quick shower and some wet wipes go a long way. Comfort is also crucial, and this is where you have to make sure that your partner goes slow and prepares you for penetration. Of course, lube is essential, and whether you or your partner prefer water-based or silicone-based is totally up to you. Finally, you also need to take care of yourself: consider PreP and practice safe sex, because you don’t want to worry about STDs when having your first anal experience.
My relationship of many years has taken some epic leaps over the last few years. We have opened up the relationship, and we have come to a point where we have introduced a boyfriend into our relationship, which is great. So great, in fact, that we are all considering moving in together and actually starting a life together all three. The problem is that although we are ‘out’ as poly to our friends, we are not to our families. We also limit what we post on social media to avoid any awkward questions or comments. But I am starting to feel that we should be more open about it all. This is our life and our love, and if our family needs some time to adjust to it, then so be it. I don’t want to hide this beautiful thing we have going on, and I don’t want to conceal that we live happily as a throuple. Where do we start? Sincerely Lucky Three Dear Lucky Three There isn’t a lot of cultural conversation about polyamory. Still, it is definitely starting to come out, and especially in the LGBTQ community, which is also why you are comfortable being ‘out’ as polyamorous with your friends. But you are certainly right: it just isn’t culturally acceptable or mainstream to be poly. But it might not be as far-fetched as you think to talk to your family about it. You need to assess how you would tell them: compare it to telling them that you are gay and try to think back to how they reacted then and imagine how they would react now. Remember that a reaction is not the same as a response, so even though delivering this message will cause a reaction (positive or negative), it may not be the response that the conversation ends up with. You also need to talk to your partners here and make sure that they are all on board for this next significant step in your relationship. Keep in mind - as you have probably already learned maneuvering the intricacies of living in a throuple - no one should be forced, pressured, or rushed to do anything in the relationship.
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