QNotes Sept. 13-26, 2013 by QnotesCarolinas

Sept. 13-26 . 2013

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Sept. 13-26 . 2013

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Sept. 13-26, 2013 Vol 28 No 10

arts. entertainment. news. views.

contributors this issue Paige Braddock, Matt Comer, Jon Hoppel, Lainey Millen, Lawrence Toppman, Trinity

front page Graphic Design by Matt Comer Cover Credits: Stage Graphic, allvectors; Photos, Simon Annand/ New Adventures and George Hendrick’s Photography

Kinsey meets with advocates News Notes: National & Global NC Pride still operating without tax-exempt status News Notes: Regional Briefs

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Memories of yesteryear ‘Voice’ contestant is all about the ‘soul’ Gay themes permeate theatre season Theatre in the Queen City Macklemore: a new paradigm in music culture Take your comfort food with a little spice

NC Pride returns to Durham Raleigh center names award’s recipients Playing the Field Tell Trinity Jane’s World Q events calendar

opinions & views 4 Editor’s Note 5 QPoll

Material in qnotes is copyrighted by Pride Publishing & Typesetting © 2013 and may not be reproduced in any manner without written consent of the editor or publisher. Advertisers assume full responsibility — and therefore, all liability — for securing reprint permission for copyrighted text, photographs and illustrations or trademarks published in their ads. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, writers, cartoonists we publish is neither inferred nor implied. The appearance of names or photographs does not indicate the subject’s sexual orientation. qnotes nor its publisher assumes liability for typographical error or omission, beyond offering to run a correction. Official editorial positions are expressed in staff editorials and editorial notations and are determined by editorial staff. The opinions of contributing writers and guest columnists do not necessarily represent the opinions of qnotes or its staff. qnotes accepts unsolicited editorial, but cannot take responsibility for its return. Editor reserves the right to accept and reject material as well as edit for clarity, brevity.

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Sept. 13-26 . 2013

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editor’s note by Matt Comer matt@goqnotes.com

Anti-gay Pride outreach was spectacular failure Last month, I had the wonderful pleasure of working with a great group of friends, colleagues and volunteers to make Charlotte Pride a resounding success this year. Last issue, I thanked a great many people without whom the festival and the parade wouldn’t have been possible (goqnotes.com/24734/). But, in this column, I’ll turn my attention, as I have in times past, to Dr. Michael Brown, one of the area’s leading anti-LGBT activists. For several years now, Brown has attempted to engage Charlotte’s local LGBT community. Over the past few years — last year a notable exception — Brown has often led a large group of his anti-gay followers into Charlotte’s annual Pride festivities. They’ve interacted with attendees, prayed with attendees and spread harmful, false and hate-filled messages — driving an already outcast community further away from the church rather than closer to it. This year, though, Brown took up a different outreach strategy. There were no press releases or public proclamations. He held no large, flashy prayer service near the festival.

There was no mass influx of red-shirted anti-gay missionaries. Instead, he says, and at nearly last minute, about 40 of his students at Concord’s FIRE School of Ministry and other friends of the school headed into the festival crowd, clipboards in hand, to administer a survey entitled, “Are You Open Minded?” I called his tactics underhanded, dishonest and deceitful, an assessment with which Brown has taken strong disagreement as we discussed together when I appeared on his radio show earlier this month (bit.ly/1dV3n3N). Brown has said he had no intent to deceive. Yet, several missteps led to a great feeling of distrust and deceit among some survey takers. Several concerns became apparent after I spoke to some survey participants. Chiefly, the survey was administered by students, leading some to wrongly believe the survey was for some educational course credit. “They seemed like they were students and it was for a class assignment,” one survey participant told me. “I never want to be one who won’t let someone do something educational.”

Yet, after several questions, the survey taker became increasingly uncomfortable with its direction and tone and stopped answering questions. Some survey participants were not fullyinformed about how their answers would be used — primarily, that they might be published in Brown’s nationally-syndicated column and broadcast on his nationally-syndicated radio show. It’s simply unethical to engage members of the public in a survey without fully informing them how their answers will be used. And, at least one survey participant with whom I spoke says survey administrators never identified themselves as being with Brown’s school; the would-be survey taker says he looked at the questions and quickly declined because they “seemed a bit baiting.” Given Brown’s history, I believe, of falsely representing the aims of local and national LGBT advocacy efforts and the several missteps witnessed in the survey’s methodology, administration and publication, I can only conclude that the survey was designed for the simple purpose of pointing out some moral flaw in the attendees of Charlotte Pride. Further, the survey, and its ultimate publication in print and in radio, served simply to embarrass those who participated in it, demonstrated especially by two young women whom Brown’s staff videotaped and later published online as an “example” of what Brown called “moral confusion.”

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Brown and I have had our many disagreements, and he and I will likely never see eyeto-eye on his use of militant, violent religious rhetoric. Yet, I believe him when he told me during his radio show that he had no intention to deceive. Brown has often stated that he seeks to honestly and intently engage with LGBT people. I’ve had a meal with him and spoken with him many times. But, his latest engagement tactic was a spectacular failure of honest outreach. Instead of sowing seeds of trust, it left a lasting impression of just the opposite; instead of inspiring further engagement, it left many fleeing from the conversation and feeling like they had been tricked. To his credit, Brown apologized on air to those who felt deceived. I’d suggest that the survey and its results are best used not as some example of “moral confusion,” but rather as a phenomenal example for Brown and his students; that is to say, how best not to engage with the LGBT community. If Brown truly seeks honest conversation, one would hope all participants in that conversation would leave the exchange with a collective, positive experience. That many people felt otherwise should be a clear sign of “honest” engagement gone wrong. : : more: Brown’s “Are You Open Minded?” survey consisted of seven questions. Read Matt’s answers to those seven questions online at his personal blog, interstateq.com/ archives/5532/.

Charlotte mayor meets with activists, State Dept. on Russian sister city Voronezh Action plan, background on international relations discussed by Matt Comer :: matt@goqnotes.com

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CHARLOTTE — Mayor Patsy Kinsey met on stration in January. In June, Russia’s parliament Aug. 29 with local and international human rights unanimously passed an anti-propaganda law advocates, as well as representatives from the effectively silencing discussion of LGBT issues U.S. State Department, Human Rights Watch and and equality. Sister Cities International, to discuss the anti-LGBT The growing anti-LGBT violence in Russia was situation in Russia and Charlotte’s Russian sister the basis of qnotes‘ Aug. 16-29 print edition cover city, Voronezh. story (goqnotes.com/24428/). Kinsey and City Council had been petitioned by advocates with the Mecklenburg LGBT Political see Kinsey on 26 Action Committee (MeckPAC) to sever their ties with Voronezh, Mayor Patsy Kinsey addressed the situation of anti-LGBT violence and where 14 gay rights activists were legislation in Russia at the Aug. 26 Charlotte City Council meeting. attacked during a peaceful demonSee a video of her remarks at goqnotes.com/24725/.

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Sept. 13-26 . 2013

news

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National & Global News

NC Pride still operating without tax-exempt status Director John Short apparently operating former non-profit organization as private business by Matt Comer :: matt@goqnotes.com

Police disrupt a protest in advance of the G20 summit in St. Petersburg, Russia. Photo Credit: Valentine Egorshin, via Flickr. Licensed CC.

Human rights activists target Russian anti-gay law at G20 protests

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — Spaced out along St. Petersburg’s main thoroughfare, about a dozen human rights activists staged individual protests to attract the attention of leaders of the world’s biggest economies to human rights violations in Russia. Activist Iosiph Skakovsky said they held individual protests because mass protests are often banned or disrupted by police. Activist Natalya Tsymbalova was protesting “discrimination of sexual minorities, falsification of elections, pressure on NGOs, violation of the freedom of public assembly.” Her handmade poster said that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s claim that gays are not discriminated against was a lie. “There is discrimination. Speak out for Russia!” Police checked the documents of individual protesters but did not interfere in their actions. On Sept. 4, a dozen art workers from the Muzei Vlasti tried to stage a protest in front of Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg and took out the artwork by Russian artist Konstantin Altunin to unfold it for passers-by in downtown St. Petersburg, but police withdrew it. The recently enacted law banning homosexual “propaganda” makes it illegal to expose minors to information that portrays “nontraditional sexual relations” as normal or attractive. Authors of the bill have justified it as a measure aimed at protecting children and not suppressing the LGBT community. Recently, a Russian lawmaker proposed a bill that would deny gay parents custody over their children. — LGBTQ Nation

San Antonio approves ordinance

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — City leaders on Sept. 5 approved a far-reaching anti-discrimination ordinance, protecting LGBT residents in a variety of ways, including employment and public accommodations. Despite loud opposition from some San Antonio council members and the Texas Republican Party, the measure passed overwhelmingly, 8-3. The new ordinance prohibits discrimination by council members in their official capacity, prohibits discrimination among most city contractors and also provides for public accommodations protections at restaurants and hotels. Opponents said the new ordinance would stifle religious freedom. San Antonio

City Councilmember Elisa Chan had earlier been caught on tape calling homosexuality “disgusting.” She also said gays should be prohibited from adopting children. She has defended her remarks. “Just because I disagree with the lifestyle of the LGBT community doesn’t mean I dislike them,” Chan said before the vote. “Similarly, just because one opposes this ordinance, does not mean one is for discrimination.” Read more at bit.ly/15C6wmV. — LGBTQ Nation Quick Hits Under an arcane and rarely-enforced law, Wisconsin same-sex couples could face jail and other pubishments for marrying in marriage equality states. more: bit.ly/15HpXe2 Depsite a statewide ban on same-sex marriage, the Virginia National Guard is following directives from the U.S. Department of Defense and will begin offering benefits to legally married same-sex couples. Texas and Louisiana have refused to offer benefits on state-owned bases, though Alabama has said it will comply with the new rules. more: bit.ly/1fJGsVJ The nation’s oldest LGBT bookstore, Philadelphia’s Giovanni’s Room, is up for sale. Seventy-three-year-old owner Ed Hermance has said he hopes to find a buyer who will maintain the store’s historic place and purpose. more: bit.ly/14rpMT2 Same-sex couples in the Mexican state of Chihuahua have won the right to marry. A district judge there has ruled in favor of a couple who was denied a marriage license in April. Last year, Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriages must be recognized across the country. Several states have yet to fully comply. Mexico City began issuing licenses to same-sex couples in 2010. more: bit.ly/1aoJDVJ A Brazilian court has ordered the nation’s army to recognize a same-sex civil union between a sergeant and his partner. The ruling comes from a judge in the nation’s northeastern state, Pernambuco. In 2011, Brazil’s Supreme Court legalized same-sex civil unions. more: bit.ly/13ppgzf

DURHAM — Organizers of the North Carolina Pride Festival and Parade, set for Durham on Sept. 28, have yet to restore their federal tax-exempt status nearly three years after realizing they were not complying with IRS non-profit requirements. In the fall of 2010, NC Pride Director John Short informed qnotes that his organization — at the time, a non-profit with 501(c)3 tax-exempt status from the IRS — was out of compliance. The organization had failed to file annual 990 tax returns for three years. At the time, Short said an accountant would begin work to correct the filing oversights. But, catching up on the filings apparently never happened. In June 2011, NC Pride’s taxexempt status was revoked by the IRS. Since

then, Short has refused to speak openly about his organization’s filing troubles. A short statement in June 2011 was the last qnotes heard from Short on the matter. In the absence of a non-profit status, Short has apparently been operating the organization as a for-profit venture. Short did not respond to qnotes’ latest requests for comment as we went to press with this issue. It is not clear if Short is the only business owner of NC Pride or if there are other business partners. It also remains unclear what monies NC Pride collects and how it is distributed, and there remains no official accounting of how NC Pride donations and other funds were utilized when the organization still had its tax-exempt status. : :

qpoll Do you think NC Pride and other Pride festivals should operate as non-profit organizations or is it okay for them to be a private for-profit business? See the options and vote: goqnotes.com/to/qpoll

Meetings: Program: Time: Membership: Information:

Third Tuesday of every month, except when there is specialized programming, plus monthly socials to promote networking and friendship A wide variety of topics of interest to appeal to the diverse LGBT community After work with a cash bar social and heavy hor d’oeuvres with dinner and program following Visit the website for application options and benefits. Call 704.565.5075 or email businessguild@yahoo.com for more details or write to The Charlotte Business Guild P.O. Box 33371 | Charlotte, NC 28233

www.charlottebusinessguild.org

— Compiled by staff from LGBTQ Nation. LGBTQ Nation and qnotes are media partners.

Sept. 13-26 . 2013

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news notes: carolinas. nation. world. compiled by Lainey Millen | Matt Comer

Citadel starts safe zone programming CHARLESTON — The Citadel, South Carolina’s military training college, has announced the creation of its new Safe Zone program, originally launched in the 2012-2013 school year. The program, birthed in part by the creation of the Citadel’s first Gay-Straight Alliance in October 2012, is an effort to promote safety on its campus for its cadets, faculty and staff, including members of the LGBT community. The Safe Zone programming includes workshops that increase the awareness of the challenges facing LGBT people, provide participants language and skills they need to provide support, and a webpage to offer resources and information to The Citadel campus, the college said. The optional workshops give members of The Citadel community tools to be LGBT allies. “The webpage makes these allies visible,” said Jen Bennett, a graduate of The Citadel’s Clinical Counseling program and board member of South Carolina Equality. “Knowing this safety net exists and that it’s accessible to students is extremely comforting.” The new webpage includes contact information of faculty and staff members who are Safe Zone trained. This allows students and others to anonymously search for on-campus support. The Safe Zone programming incorporates cultural competencies for LGBT communities within the framework of The Citadel’s Core Values: Honor, Duty and Respect. In the College Regulations the explanation of “Respect” includes: “Respect for others eliminates any form of prejudice, discrimination, or harassment (including but not limited to rank, position, age, race, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, physical attributes, etc.).” More than 80 people have received Safe Zone training at The Citadel in 2013. Because of requests from the campus community, additional workshops will be held in the coming months. info: citadel.edu/root/safezone. — L.M. and releases

qnotes

Sept. 13-26 . 2013

Charlotte Planned Parenthood presents Knox documentary

CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte Planned Parenthood Youth Advocates will host a screening of “The Education of Shelby Knox,” a documentary about abstinence before marriage, on Sept. 30, 6:30 p.m, at Sam Lerner Cultural Center, Jewish Community Center, 5007 Providence Rd. The 2005 film follows then teenager Shelby Knox as she fights for better sex education in the public schools of her hometown of Lubbock, Texas, a town with teen pregnancy rates among the highest in the country and an abstinence only curriculum. The directors were Marion Lipschutz and Rose Rosenblatt. Through her efforts, she also became an advocate for the LGBT community. Knox works today as a public speaker and feminist activist. She will be the featured guest of Planned Parenthood’s fall luncheon on Nov. 6, 11:30 a.m., at the Mint Museum Uptown, 500 St. Tryon St. To attend, email Marcie Shealy at marcie.shealy@pphc.org. Tickets for the screening are $20 pre-ordered online at bit.ly/19p06of or

$25 at the door. Price includes movie showing, popcorn and soft drink. info: on.fb.me/17JWDzF. 704-5367233, opt. 4, ext. 6541. plannedparenthood.org/centralnc. — L.M.

AIDS home wants volunteers

BELMONT — House of Mercy, 701 Mercy Dr., is in need of volunteers to assist its residents who are living with advanced AIDS. Round-the-clock care giving by trained nurses is the cornerstone of its services. However, its staff can always use some compassionate care from the community. Volunteers can provide meals, companionship and social activities for the residents. A variety of services volunteers can provide for residents are: visiting, reading, running errands, housekeeping, washing and ironing, gardening, assisting in fundraising, helping with clerical duties and collecting or donating Wish List items. Holiday celebrations are always in demand since its Residential Recreation Coordinator Cheri Strickland has those days off. Game or movie nights are also popular as well.

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goqnotes.com/to/news Interested parties should contact Strickland at 704-825-3000. House of Mercy opened on May 18, 1991. It was initiated by the Sisters of Mercy who were concerned with and wanted to respond to the AIDS epidemic. info: thehouseofmercy.org — L.M.

Triad Benefit slated for Guilford

GREENSBORO — The 2013 Female Gurl Groove Artist Showcase to benefit the Guildford Green Foundation will be held on Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m., at the Blind Tiger, 1819 Spring Garden St. This event showcases “some of North Carolina’s best female singers and musicians,” organizers said. At press time, four artists had been confirmed with more to be announced. They are Carmen Sturgill, Tanya Ross, Amy Broome and Kristen Stillwell. Sturgill is a lead singer/keyboardist who was previously with the Jill Austin Band and now fronts One Night Stand. Ross is a singer/songwriter/musician whose music has been influenced by Gospel, Jazz and Soul. She heads up The Tanya Ross Project. Broome is no stranger to the Carolina music scene. She was a former nominee for a plethora of awards tipping their hat to her talent as a Rock and Country musician. Stillwell is an acoustical guitarist who melds an eclectic musical palette to create dreamy soundscapes with loops that dance in stereo. She performs with Willower. During the evening’s program, a raffle will be held with prizes donated by local businesses and companies. And, a food truck will be onsite serving up delicious fare for attendees. Sponsors are Rowley Decorating Suppliers & More; North Carolina Candle Company, LLC; Aqua Salon & Spa; Earth Fare; and Tree of Life Counseling. Tickets are $10 and are available online or at the door. info: ggfnc.org. — L.M.

Aging summit on horizon

WINSTON-SALEM — The fifth in a series on aging issues meetings will be held on Sept. 24, 6 p.m., at Hospice & Palliative CareCenter, 101 Hospice Ln. This professional summit is hosted by the Adam Foundation. The focus of this gathering is to formulate an LGBT action list that will begin this month and will continue into 2014. Those who work for a support organization for the aging population in a professional capacity are encouraged to attend. info: jehuss@bellsouth.net. — L.M.

Western High country center on drawing board ASHEVILLE — LGBT activists in the Asheville area have dreamed of a community center for decades, and, over the years, several attempts have been made, without success. Now, those dreams are stirring

again, and it seems, this time around, there are reasons for optimism. “The enormous success of Blue Ridge Pride is the bellwether,” said Yvonne CookRiley, a founding member of the International Foundation for Gender Education. Cook-Riley, who serves on the board of Blue Ridge Pride, says that attendance at Asheville’s annual LGBT celebration has burgeoned. Since its inception in 2009, which saw an estimated 2,000 attendees, the number has increased every year, growing to 11,000 in 2012 and gaining national recognition. But, Blue Ridge Pride isn’t the only indicator of a growing LGBT community in the mountains. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, 12 percent of the Asheville-metro area are same-sex households. Moreover, Asheville regularly draws LGBT visitors from Upstate South Carolina, northern Georgia and eastern Tennessee, as well as LGBT tourists, both national and international. Area support and social groups for the LGBT community range from potluck dinners in peoples’ homes to various religious and spiritual organizations, which meet in local houses of worship. A youth support group, groups for LGBT elders, hiking and book clubs and political organizations abound, dispersed throughout the city and the surrounding countryside. But, it is precisely this dispersion that calls for a center, a facility that is not borrowed or leased, but one which the LGBT community owns. “Ownership is of primary importance,” said Cook-Riley. “You can’t rely on charity forever; it’s time for Asheville’s LGBT community to stand on its own. The interest is there; the money’s there. It’s time to start building.” The LGBT Service Center is in the planning stages. A community forum hosted by Blue Ridge Pride will be held on Sept. 22, 3 p.m., at the University of North CarolinaAsheville, Humanities Lecture Hall. (A campus map is available online at maps. unca.edu//campusmap for exact location.) Rebecca Chaplin, L.S., M.A., will serve as the moderator. Chaplin is the group facilitator and chair of LGBT Elder Advocates of Western North Carolina. The objective is to have input for a needs assessment. Those who have expressed interest and representatives of LGBT support and social groups, as well as the general public, are encouraged to attend. Attendees should come ready to answer the question: Why does Western North Carolina need or not need an LGBT community service center? According to Cook-Riley, this facility could house a library and education center, a gallery, performance spaces, meeting rooms, spaces for fellowship and socializing, daycare, counseling clinics, and especially important for sustainability, retail areas. And, those retail areas need not be confined to shops and cafés. Organizers hope that law and real estate offices catering to the LGBT population will recognize the business opportunities the center affords. Feasibility studies are still to be done and funding will ultimately determine the size and scope of the center. info/rsvp: yvonne@blueridgepride.com. 828-254-6125. — from releases info: Have news or other information? Send your press releases and updates for inclusion in our News Notes: editor@goqnotes.com.

Sept. 13-26 . 2013

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Fall 2013 A&E Guide

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Memories of yesteryear Couple collects toys, cars, radios from childhood and beyond in historic Salisbury home featured on OctoberTour next month by Matt Comer :: matt@goqnotes.com

or Mike Grasso and Steve Warren, collecting is a life-long passion. The couple, now married and who met nearly 17 years ago at a Great Autos of Yesteryear event in California, have spent years gathering items that represent their passions and interests. Among them, is a collection of antique cars. “We started out with cars,” Grasso, 60, says of himself and husband, 58. “When he was in high school, his first car was a ‘29 Chevrolet. When I was growing up, my parents had antique cars, and I got into the hobby through them. I’ve just kept going with it. I have what was my mother’s car. Steve had a Town and Country, and our collection has grown since then.” But, it’s the collection of antique toys, pottery, radios, posters and other items that most will see when their Salisbury home is showcased next month in the Historic Salisbury Foundation’s Annual OctoberTour, Oct. 12-13, a tour of 14 historic homes and sites, of which qnotes is a media sponsor this year. Grasso, 60, and Warren, 58, spend time in Salisbury where Grasso works. They also have a home in California. Both houses are stocked with items as interesting as they are varied. “Steve likes to collect the toys of his childhood,” Grasso says. “We started collecting antique toys and, of course, we have a lot of car memorobilia and posters. I’ve always liked collecting antique electronics and have a lot of old radios.” Most of those radios — and at least one phonograph in the collection — still work or have been repaired. “About 80 percent” are functional, Grasso estimates.

“The collection has just morphed into a little bit of anything that looks interesting,” Grasso adds. In October, the couple will have a chance to show off not only their collection, but also their home, the TankersleyTatum House. Built in 1902, the Queen Anne-style home was built by the Tankersley Family and later occupied by the Tatums. Walter Tatum was a traveling salesman for Wallace and Sons and also served as the vice president of Salisbury Bank and Trust Company. The home later became a duplex, or some speculate, and a bevy of young couples occupied the dwelling through the mid-20th century. In 2007, the home came into the hands of Grasso and Warren. “We were coming to Salisbury pretty regularly to visit friends of ours in our other car clubs we belong to,” Grasso says. “We ended up deciding [to buy a home] here in Salisbury so we could be with our friends and enjoy activities with them.” Previous owners had kept the home in great shape, he says. “It was move-in ready. We didn’t have to do a thing to it,” Grasso says. The couple filled the home with their treasured items, but Grasso says their collecting passion is more personal than for historical purposes. “We don’t look at it as historical preservation for future generations,” Grasso says. “It’s just for own enjoyment.” He adds, “We’ve often said that when we die, we’d really love to go to our own estate sale. We have such interesting stuff!” : :

Mike Grasso and Steve Warren (top right) have antique collections spanning their two homes in California and Salisbury. Their historic home in North Carolina contains such personal treasures and passions like antique radios (bottom right), original classic film art work (top left), and toys dating from Warren’s childhood and earlier (bottom left).

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Sept. 13-26 . 2013

qnotes

Fall 2013 A&E Guide

‘Voice’ contestant is all about the ‘soul’ Judith Hill’s journey in music crosses genres, aspires to heal by Lainey Millen :: lainey@goqnotes.com

Judith Hill performed at Charlotte Pride in August. Photo Credit: Lainey Millen

he slender, statuesque and soulful song bird who wowed both coaches and the audience on NBC’s “The Voice” this past spring got her chops honest. Judith Hill, the daughter of Japanese pianist Michiko Hill and pioneering African-American funk bassist Robert “Pee Wee” Hill, was introduced to the industry from the cradle. In fact, her parents were friends with the likes of Billy Preston, Sly Stone and Bob Dylan, to name a few. They’d often come to the house to jam or simply hang out. Hill said that these experiences were “deep rooted” and the tunes she heard were ones that she gravitated toward. So, it was not so unusual that at the age of four, she would begin her foray into the world of music herself. She was schooled in jazz and classical melodies by her parents. And, she also recorded in their home studio. Hill, with whom qnotes spoke after her performance at Charlotte Pride in August, obtained her degree in music composition from Biola University, having created her first symphony there. She shared her best years were the ones when she was a composer. It provided a tremendous educational opportunity for her and the training paid off. She puts a lot of herself into her pieces, she added. She also indicated that faith is at the core of her musical choices. “I’m always writing from that deep place of understanding, of love, feeling connected to God. I want to try to inspire, to encourage people to feel the love, to bring hope.” She thinks that music is the “vehicle” to healing and bringing hope. “I want to bring peace in the world. I have a

qnotes

Sept. 13-26 . 2013

passion for human rights. Music is the language that brings people together. I want to have my own charities across the world,” she shared. Hill decided to do the competition show after people had suggested it to her. “At first I wasn’t really into the idea and I started to really think about it. I thought what’s more exciting, performing or doing it on television? I realized that all the elements of what I love doing the most was on that show. You could get up there and do covers and make your own renditions. It was really neat,” she commented about her jaunt along the way with “The Voice.” She liked the creative control she was offered, but getting there was a long process. Candidates had to go through many rounds of auditions before even being selected for the revolving chair coach “live audition” stage. Even though she did not win, she was excited that she got a far as she did, having been eliminated in the top eight. Since the show ended, she has been able to keep in touch with some of the other contestants, like Sarah Simmons, Sasha Allen and Midas Whale with whom she was close, as well as production and make-up personnel. She even sees the vocal coaches and other people associated with the show in passing. However, she has not spoken to Adam Levine, her coach, since the show’s finale. And, her fan base has expanded, too. It is infused with a wide demographic range, full of diversity. She is quite supportive of the LGBT community and has friends and family in it. “They are my biggest sup-

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Gay themes permeate 2013-14 theatre season ‘Book of Mormon,’ ‘Hedwig’ among LGBT-themed offerings by Matt Comer :: matt@goqnotes.com

LGBT theatre patrons will face a healthy slate of familiar and new stage offerings in the upcoming 2013-2014 theatre season, including the hit Broadway musical “The Book of Mormon” and a local production of the classic “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.” Those two productions precede next spring’s local reproduction of “Angels in America” by the Carolina Actors Studio Theatre. The play caused waves of controversy — both religious and political — when it was first staged in Charlotte nearly 20 years ago. ‘Book of Mormon’ “The Book of Mormon” comes “straight” from the minds of “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, along with “Avenue Q” co-creator Robert Lopez. It’s a hard-hitting musical satire, poking fun at a wide range of issues intersecting with religion, including homosexuality, evangelism and missionary outreach. “Mormon” has received a great deal of positive press and critical response. It’s won nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical. It also won a Grammy Award for its album. One of the main characters, Elder McKinley, is struggling with his repressed gay identity. In the number, “Turn It Off,” he teaches his fellow missionaries how turn off their own temptations “like a light switch.” “The Book of Mormon” will play as a part of Blumenthal’s Broadway Lights Series this December and January. For more information, visit blumenthalarts.org.

‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ Birthed originally as a musical, “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” gained a larger following when it was made into a film in 2001. The rock musical’s gay and gender-bending themes are front and center. The main character, Hedwig, suffers from a horribly-botched gender affirmation surgery, and the bulk of the production follows Hedwig and her band as she follows rockstar Tommy Gnosis, whom she launched into stardom, as he tours around the country. Tommy’s character is based, in part, on creator James Cameron Mitchell of “Shortbus” fame. The musical’s themes are provoking, guiding audience members into a journey of selfexploration and self-thought. “Hedwig” plays at Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte this January. For more information, visit atcharlotte.org. ‘Angels in America’ Later in the 2013-2014 season, Carolina Actors Studio Theatre will revive “Angels in America” for local audiences. The play, created in 1993 by Tony Kushner, won a Pulitzer Prize. But, that didn’t stop it from drawing ire from religious and political conservatives when it was staged in Charlotte in 1996. A mere several seconds of full-frontal male nudity

‘The Book of Mormon’ will come to Charlotte in December and January. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus

and the play’s gay and AIDS-related themes were enough for Mecklenburg County commissioners to strip all public funding from local arts. We’re betting the reception will go over much more smoothly this time around, leaving the focus of “Angels” exactly where it should remain. The play’s several themes — gay rights, the AIDS Crisis, family — are still important 20 years after its creation and more than 30 years after the beginning of the AIDS epidemic. The play will screen in May. For more information, visit nccast.com. : :

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Fall 2013 A&E Guide

Theatre: Fall & winter offerings Upcoming theatre performances, 2013-2014 Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte Off-Broadway-style company performs bold works by contemporary playwrights. 650 E. Stonewall St. 704-342-2251. atcharlotte.org. Two previews are offered at reduced prices. Sept. 12-Oct. 5 “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” History gets all sexypants in this high-octane rock musical that re-imagines our nation’s seventh president as a rock star maverick through blazing-hot, anarchically infectious music. AJ fought for the common man, shafted Native Americans, doubled the nation’s size — and looks hot in a pair of skinny jeans! Oct. 31-Nov. 23 “Venus in Fur” When a young actress arrives hours late for her appointment, she may have blown her chances at the leading role. But, her sexuallycharged audition for a demanding playwright/ director becomes an electrifying game of cat and mouse — blurring the lines between fantasy and reality, seduction and power, love and lust. Does life imitate art? Or, is it the other way around? This sizzling new play will have you guessing until the end! Jan. 8-25 “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” Ladies and Gentlemen, whether you like it or not, here’s Hedwig! You voted…we listened, and now, it’s your chance to get some HED! This glam rock musical follows Hedwig, the internationally-ignored rock goddess who fell victim to a botched sex change operation. Billy Ensley will reprise this defining role that he originated in 2002. Feb. 20-March 15: “By the Way, Meet Vera Stark.” What starts out as a 1930’s screwball comedy becomes a 40-year glimpse into the life of Vera Stark, a headstrong African-American actress who paved the way for future black actors. But, who was the real Vera Stark? Part comedy and part commentary, playwright Lynn Nottage uses today’s fascination with celebrity and controversy to get the truth behind this little-known legend.

Blumenthal Performing Arts Center The region’s leading presenter produces shows, but usually imports them, mainly for its Broadway Lights Series. Belk Theater, Booth Playhouse, Stage Door Theater, 130 N. Tryon St.; McGlohon Theatre and Duke Energy Theatre at Spirit Square, 345 N. College St.; Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon; Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. 704-372-1000. carolinatix.org. blumenthalarts.org.

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Oct. 15-20 “Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience” This parody performance of the favorite “Harry Potter” series is written by former BBC Television hosts Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner. The play takes on the ultimate challenge of condensing, or “potting,” all seven Harry Potter books into 70 madcap minutes, aided only by multiple costume changes, brilliant songs, ridiculous props and a generous helping of Hogwarts magic. Nov. 5-10 “Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty” Broadway Lights Series: Dance choreographer Matthew Bourne and his company New Adventures bring their new production of “Sleeping Beauty” to Charlotte, direct from a record-breaking season in London’s West End. Bourne is the only British artist to have won a Tony Award on Broadway for both Best Choreographer and Best Director and has won over 50 international awards for his choreographic work, including the Broadway production of “Mary Poppins.” Dec. 26-Jan. 5 “The Book of Mormon” Broadway Lights Series: Ben Brantley of The New York Times calls it “the best musical of this century.” Entertainment Weekly says it’s “the funniest musical of all time.” From “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, it’s “The Book of Mormon,” winner of nine Tony Awards including Best Musical. Jon Stewart of “The Daily Show” calls it “a crowning achievement. So good it makes me angry.”

Carolina Actors Studio Theatre Expect the unexpected from CAST, which ranges from Broadway classics to off-offBroadway discoveries — and redesigns its theater for each show. 2424 N. Davidson St. 704-455-854. nccast.com. Through Sept. 21 “Elemeno Pea” Set on Martha’s Vineyard, “Elemeno Pea” follows Simone, a personal assistant to Michaela Kell. Simone has invited her estranged sister, Devon, to visit her employer’s lavish beach-side guest villa. The sisters’ weekend is disrupted when Michaela returns unexpectedly, having been dumped by her wealthy husband Peter. To complicate matters, the 40-something Ethan, the couple’s best friend, wants to whisk Simone away on his yacht, The Ethan II. Devon, who lives in her mother’s basement, isn’t having any of this ludicrous behavior and just wants time alone with her sister. Refereeing the whole comedy clambake is Jos-B, the property caretaker…named Jos-B because the Kells already had a servant named Jose!

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goqnotes.com/to/arts Through Sept. 22: “Gypsy” Considered by many critics as one of the crowning achievements of the American musical theatre, “Gypsy” is loosely based on the memoirs of burlesque legend Gypsy Rose Lee. It tells the story of the ultimate “stage mother” who is willing to go to any lengths to transform her daughters into winning stars. Oct. 25-Nov. 10 “Arsenic and Old Lace” This American classic comedy revolves around Mortimer Brewster, a drama critic

who must deal with his crazy family as he debates whether to marry the woman he loves. His two spinster aunts have taken to poisoning lonely old men and burying them in the cellar. His older brother believes he is Teddy Roosevelt and he has a murderous brother who, after botched plastic surgery performed by his accomplice, Dr. Einstein, now looks like Boris Karloff. — The Charlotte Observer contributed. qnotes is a member of The Observer’s Charlotte News Alliance. Other information compiled from publicity materials.

Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty comes to Blumenthal. Photo Credit: Simon Annand and New Adventures.

Oct. 17-Nov. 19 “Good People” Welcome to Southie, a Boston neighborhood where a night on the town means a few rounds of bingo…where this month’s paycheck covers last month’s bills…and where Margie Walsh has just been let go from yet another job. Facing eviction and scrambling to catch a break, Margie (pronounced with a hard “g”) thinks an old fling who’s made it out of Southie might be her ticket to a fresh new

start. But, is this apparently self-made man secure enough to face his humble beginnings? Margie is about to risk what little she has left to find out.

Theatre Charlotte The state’s oldest community theater performs at 501 Queens Road. 704-376-3777. theatrecharlotte.org. carolinatix.org.

Sept. 13-26 . 2013

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pride

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NC Pride returns to Durham Annual festival, parade slated for Sept. 28 North Carolina’s longest-running LGBT Pride festival and parade returns to Durham at the end of the month. Both events, featuring festival vendors of all varieties and the iconic 29th NC Pride Parade, are slated for Sept. 28. A variety of nightlife and other community events are scheduled across the Triangle throughout the weekend. NC Pride has been one of the largest LGBT gatherings in the state throughout its history. Despite some organizational challenges — it lost its non-profit status in 2011 and has been presumably operating since as a for-profit business by director John Short — the annual event still attracts thousands each year. Last year’s parade included 88 walking contingents, 60 vehicles and 15 floats. Dignitaries at the parade and festival last year included several elected officials from across the state, including Chapel Hill Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt, N.C. House Rep. Marcus Brandon and others. Main Events NC Pride Festival Saturday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Duke University East Campus NC Pride Parade Saturday, Sept. 28, 1 p.m. Duke University East Campus Pre-Pride and weekend events NC Pride is partnering with a variety of organizations and businesses to host dozens of nightlife events, evening socials and dinners and other events both before and during Pride weekend. fficial events before and during NC Pride weekend. Among the highlights: Thursday, Sept. 26: Karaoke Grammy Awards Party with $500 in prizes and giveaways, The Bar, 711 Rigsbee Ave., Durham, 9 p.m.; Pre-Pride party at The Pinhook, 117 W. Main St., Durham, 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27: Pride Crawl on Ninth St. in Durham, with coffee and desserts at Madhatters, dinner specials at Blue Seafood, Blue Corn Cafe, Alivia’s and more, 6 p.m.-until; Latin NC Pride hosted by Sabor Vlatino, Flex, 2 S. West St., Raleigh, 10 p.m.

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Student groups flock to NC Pride from across the state each year. Saturday, Sept. 28: Bud Light Night Festival, “Embrace the Night,” in Downtown Raleigh, with special events, food trucks and other events at The View, Flex, Legends and other venues; Pride Block Party, Official Pride Block Party with food trucks, mechanical bull riding, body painting, outdoor DJ at The Bar, 711 Rigsbee Ave., Durham, 2 p.m.-3 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 29: NC Pride Brunch at Crooks Corner, 610 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, 10 a.m.-Noon; Pride Lunch, Madhatter Cafe, 5420 1802 W. Main St., Durham, 1:15 p.m.; Carrboro Music Festival, 1 p.m.-Midnight, carrboromusicfestival.com.

Film screening One of NC Pride’s featured pre-Pride events is a first-ever film screening. Partnering with the film’s producers, NC Pride will screen “Four,” a film following the intersecting lives of four individuals, at Chapel Hill’s Varsity Theatre and the Blue Shirt Club. Pre-movie coffee will be served at Sugarland and a roof-top after party will be hosted at West End Wine Bar on Franklin St. The event is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 26. Purchase tickets in advance at tugg.com/events/5400.

Nightlife The Triangle area’s LGBT nightlife will be hopping the weekend of NC Pride. Club 313 313 W. Hargett St., Raleigh 313raleigh.com. 919-755-9599 Flex 2 S. West St., Raleigh flex-club.com. 919-832-8855 Legends 330 West Hargett St., Raleigh legends-club.com. 919-831-8888 The Bar 711 Rigsbee Ave., Durham. thebardurham.com. 919-956-2929

LIST

NC Pride Run 5k 2013 NC Pride will host a 5k the morning of its annual festival and parade. The race will take place at Duke University East Campus and begins at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28. Register for the race online at ncpride.org.

NC Pride will screen the movie “Four.” Check out the trailer and purchase tickets at tugg.com/events/5400. Movie synopsis below:

In a nameless, suburban American town, the smell of barbeque fills the air as Fourth of July celebrations move from a hot summer day into night. Joe, a man who works hard and travels a lot, leaves his family behind for the holiday, citing a business trip. Abigayle, his precocious daughter, is left to tend to her ill mother and manage the house on her own, yet again. Seeking just enough attention to get her through another night of her lonely responsibilities, she turns to Dexter, a former high school basketball star whose best days are behind him. And while Abigayle is out with Dexter, Joe is quietly spending time around town with June, a young man he met online who’s struggling to accept himself. And for just this night, the small world that these four live in will become even smaller, though the freedom they experience has never been so dangerous, fleeting and honest.

Full Pride Schedule Want a full schedule of NC Pride events? Visit us online at goqnotes.com/in/pride/ for more great Pride coverage, with news and event listings for NC Pride in Durham and SC Pride, also scheduled for Sept. 28, in Columbia.

VOTE TODAY! BALLOTS OPEN THROUGH SEPT. 30

Best of LGBT Charlotte - 2013 goqnotes.com/qlist

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Fall 2013 A&E Guide goqnotes.com/to/arts

Macklemore: A new paradigm in music culture ‘Same Love’ star coming to Raleigh this fall Photo Credit: Amanda Rhoades, San Francisco Foghorn, via Flickr. Licensed CC.

The gays have had a pretty good run this year. From marriage equality and more gay and gay-friendly celebs than you can shake a stick at, it’s been a mighty fine ride here lately. Music hasn’t been immune. The boys of popular British boy band One Direction are as gay as you can get without actually being gay. And, in American Rap and Hip Hop, white boy rapper Macklemore is setting a new paradigm. Are the days of anti-gay rap on their way out? Absolutely, if Macklemore and collaborator Ryan Lewis have any say in the matter. The duo’s “Same Love” has been rocking local radio for weeks now, playing several times “on the daily.” Macklemore’s LGBTfriendly leadership in the music scene is refreshing — certainly more empowering than Katy Perry’s once-popular and now ohso-blase “I Kissed a Girl.” Macklemore & Ryan Lewis are headed our way soon, too. On Nov. 19, they’ll perform at PNC Arena in Raleigh. Tickets are already on sale at livenation.com. : :

More fall concerts:

Sept. 17, Steely Dan, TWC Arena Sept. 21, Chicago, Belk Theatre Sept. 28, Fantasia Barrino, Bojangles Coliseum Sept. 28, Ani DiFranco, Orange Peel, Asheville Oct. 8, India.Arie, The Fillmore Oct. 17, Emeli Sande, The Fillmore Oct. 26, Michael Buble, TWC Arena Oct. 30, Pearl Jam, TWC Arena Nov. 2, Drake, TWC Arena Nov. 12, Cindi Lauper, Belk Theatre Nov. 15, The Eagles, TWC Arena Nov. 20, Janelle Monae, The Fillmore

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news

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Center names awards recipients Will receive honors at upcoming gala by Lainey Millen :: lainey@goqnotes.com

RALEIGH — The LGBT Center of Raleigh, 411 Hillsborough Rd., has announced their Fifth Annual LGBT Center Gala and Awards winners. Randy Light is the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award. As the Alliance of AIDS Services-Carolinas’ director of development and special events, he has been a well-known face in the Triangle community, most notably taking on the persona of Mark K. Mart. Performing as Mart, Light has served as the hostess of events to raise necessary monies to help keep the work of the agency viable. Light said, “As much as I enjoy raising awareness and bringing in money to find a cure for HIV and AIDS, I hope we’re not

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still trying to raise money for this 20 years from now.” Former Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker has netted the LGBTQ Ally of the Year. Through his dedication, he championed such initiatives as the city’s employment non-discrimination policy. During his administration, Meeker also appointed LGBT community members to city boards and councils. Last year, he sported a “Vote Against” T-shirt and said, “I’m coming out for this side of the issue because it is the inclusive side. We need each other!” The Organization of the Year goes to Crape Myrtle Festival. The individuals who have been a part of this group over the years have helped to raise funds that have supported a number of agencies and more over the years. Now, with greater than 30 years under its belt, it strives to be a positive force in the community. “We support organizations that serve communities with real and serious needs,” its Board of Directors Chair Jaci Field said. “We hope that the way we do it adds a smile and perhaps a little glitter to everyone’s day.” The Community Impact Award recipient is Jen Jones, communications director for Equality North Carolina. Her commitment against the Amendment One referendum carried her across the state as she ran from city to city to gain support to thwart the legislation. Unfortunately, a majority of voters approved the amendment. “While we lost the referendum in 2012, conservatives came out against Amendment One in amazing numbers — simply because it was too broad,” Jones said. “But now, 71 percent of North Carolinians believe that employers should not discriminate against LGBT people who are employed by them.” Dale Mackey, the center’s volunteer coordinator, received the Volunteer of the Year Award. He has served the center for three years, ensuring that it was staffed and operating appropriately. “During my tenure at the center, there have been only a handful of people who I feel truly get what the center does…With grace and poise, Dale Mackey always comes through,” Center Executive Director James Miller shared. The awards will be presented on Oct. 11, 7-11 p.m., at Cobblestone Hall, 215 Wolfe St., Suite 100. The event will have live entertainment, silent auction, seated dinner and more. Tickets for the event are $100 and are available online. : : info: lgbtcenterofraleigh.com.

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Meet the Staff of Rosedale ID Making a Difference in Healthcare!

Featured Team Member: Steven Haynes, CNA Steven is currently a Certified Nursing Assistant and is working on finishing up his classes at ECPI to get his License in Practical Nursing. He has been an employee of Rosedale since 2010, and helps our clinical staff provide great healthcare to our patients. His objective in the field of healthcare is to make a difference by stopping HIV stigma. Addressing HIV stigma and how we can all work to stop it. HIV stigma makes it more difficult for people trying to come to terms with their diagnosis, and also interferes with attempts for our community to fight the AIDS epidemic.

We are excited to bring you the most up-to-date information and share our experiences with you through our new “Meet the Staff” columns in QNotes, in addition to our already popular “Ask Dr. C” column.

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Why does HIV stigma exist? HIV stigma exists as a result of lack of education and lack of open discussion around HIV. Often times people are scared to talk about HIV because they think it will be assumed that they are HIV positive. Also, because HIV is spread through sexual contact and injection drug use and those are taboo topics to discuss, people just don’t address it. It is important for people who are positive to be open about their diagnosis and use it as an opportunity to speak with those who are interested and educate others. Also, it is important for all of us to stand up and speak up when we hear discrimination. How does HIV stigma affect our HIV positive community?

The HIV stigma that they encounter in their community negatively affects many people who are HIV positive. They can start to believe that they are “wrong” or “dirty.” Patients have told me that they feel like giving up because they feel alone and worthless. They feel as if they do not have a support system because their friends and family respond differently to them. This can lead to patients dropping out of care and can have very serious medical consequences. How can we fight HIV stigma in our communities? Take time to educate yourself about HIV/AIDS so that you can share what you have learned with those around you. Know the facts about the disease and how it is spread. If you have any questions about HIV/AIDS or would like resources to learn about HIV/AIDS feel free to contact us at Rosedale. Our number is 704-948-8582 and we would be happy to speak with you. Know your status and encourage everyone you know to get tested as well. Rosedale offers Free Testing HIV Tuesdays. No need to make an appointment, just stop in for an OraQuick test. It is important that we all keep in mind that HIV/AIDS affects everyone, everywhere. This is a disease that does not discriminate and affects people from all walks of life. No one is immune to HIV/AIDS. Stigma and fear is not a cure. Don’t forget to visit our website at www.rosedaleid. com, friend us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for community and clinical updates!

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Fall 2013 A&E Guide

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Upcoming arts season:

Take your comfort food with a little spice Charlotte Observer’s Lawrence Toppman dishes on this fall’s and winter’s arts offerings by Lawrence Toppman :: The Charlotte Observer

Ballet impresario Serge Diaghilev told associates to “Épater le bourgeois” — to shock bourgeois audiences — which is one reason he could never hold a full-time job in Charlotte’s cultural community. Big players in this city fall somewhere between coddling the bourgeoisie and nudging it toward new experiences; smaller ones try the riskier experiments. Yet, all contributors to the upcoming arts season have touches of daring in their lineups. And, if you’ll abandon arts highways for byways, you’ll find quite a bit. Take the big three performing arts groups in town. The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra will conclude many concerts with the usual suspects: Brahms’ “Second Symphony,” Tchaikovsky’s “Sixth,” Holst’s “Planets.” Yet, concertmaster Colin Lupanu will play Prokofiev’s mischievous “First Violin Concerto,” and British composer Benjamin Britten (who would be 100 if he were alive today) will get three outings, plus the odd cadenza or encore.

N.C. Dance Theatre will anchor shows with familiar characters or pieces: “Carmen,” “Othello,” “Cinderella,” “The Nutcracker.” But, look closely: Czech master Jirí Kylián and American genius George Balanchine are there, and NCDT will alter its Innovative Works format by pairing choreographers with local visual, performing and musical artists. Blumenthal Performing Arts strikes an elegant balance in Broadway Lights tours, mingling the familiar (“Evita,” “Godspell”), huge hits (“The Book of Mormon,” “Porgy and Bess”), smaller hits (“Once”) and imaginative or re-imagined new works (“Peter and the Starcatcher,” “Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty”). Children’s Theatre of Charlotte and Theatre Charlotte, mainstays for kids and adults, rely mostly on tried and true properties that will appeal to their respective audiences: “Tarzan: The Stage Musical” and “Hansel and Gretel” for one, “Gypsy” and “Driving Miss Daisy” for the other. But, each will take on social issues of the 1960s in a daring way: Children’s Theatre with the new “Don’t Tell Me I Can’t Fly,” Theatre Charlotte with the still-daring rock musical “Hair.” Yet, you’ll find lots of theatrical innovation if you look around. Actor’s Theatre gets off to a rollicking start with “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,” reimagining our seventh president as a take-no-prisoners rock star. Its season finale, the introspective “Passing Strange,” deals with a bohemian musician from a very different era. Carolina Actors Studio Theatre brings an “experiential” immersion technique to each production, whether the giddy farce “Boeing Boeing” or the harrowing “Angels in America.” And although small companies — Queen City, Machine, Paperhouse, Citizens of the Universe and others — don’t announce full seasons in advance, their transgressive or avant-garde work pops Mikaela Fleming, Bo Broadwell and Nicia Carla in Actor’s up dandelion-style around the city. That’s Theatre’s production of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. also true for modern dance and music ensembles: Audiences have to stay alert Photo Credit: George Hendrick’s Photography to stay abreast. : : Opera Carolina made two choices that — The Charlotte Observer is the largest were safe and obvious — “Aida” and “The daily newspaper in the Carolinas. Flying Dutchman,” by 200th-birthday boys CharlotteObserver.com is the most visited Verdi and Wagner — and one that isn’t, news and information website in the region. Puccini’s “Il Trittico.” These three one-act qnotes is proud to be a member of operas, the last Puccini completed, include The Observer’s Charlotte News Alliance. his only comedy, satirical “Gianni Schicchi.” Republished with permission.

Sept. 13-26 . 2013

qnotes

SPORTS

Playing the Field Match-ups from across the Carolinas: NAGAA Softball World Series by Jon Hoppel :: qnotes contributor

The Knoxville Cyclones

One hundred and fifty-six teams from across the United States and Canada. Five thousand players and fans. Five straight days of competitive softball. That is what the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance World Series (NAGAAAWS) is in a nutshell. And, my team, the Knoxville Cyclones, was luckly enough to qualify and attend one of the biggest softball tournaments in the world. It all started on Tuesday, August 27, with the opening of round robin games. With so many teams in five different divisions (with 50 teams just in C division alone), teams had to go to one of five different parks in either Virginia or Maryland to play. My team was sent to Virginia on day one to play the Chicago Force and The Los Angeles Thunder. We entered the tournament undermanned, only bringing 11 players for this week-long affair. But, we were not as shorthanded as the Force, who only had nine players who could attend the first-dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s games. This left them with third baseman versus a team in the Cyclones who loves to go down the left field line. It did not bode well for Chicago and we were able to win easily 14-6. After an hour turnaround, we were matched up with the LA Thunder, who were coming off a very poor performance versus the third team in our pool, the Seattle Honey Badgers. Like any good team at the Series, LA refocused and gave us all we could handle in a very close game. But, in the end, our fielding and defense was the difference and we eked out a 12-8 win. Day two was a long day. Our first game was at 9 a.m. against Seattle, following by a sevenhour wait before our next game at the same field. And, with the host hotels being 45 minutes to an hour away because of the horrendous

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life

goqnotes.com/to/life D.C. traffic, teams were forced to sit it out and wait in the on-and-off-again rainy Wednesday weather. Knowing we would be stuck there all day, we made the most of our time, crushing the Honey Badgers 15-3 and earning a 5th seed for the duration of tournament. After a long wait and a first round bye, the Cyclones ended up facing the Chicago Force again in our first tournament game. This time, however, they had a full complement of players and were coming off an electric performance in their first-round match. This game was tough and hard fought throughout. We went up early, 5-0, but an inning later the Force answered back, throwing up their own 5-spot on the scoreboard. This trend continued each inning. The Force would score 2, the Cyclones score 2. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d score 3, Chicago would score 3. We ended up in the top of the 7th inning trailing by two runs. Yours truly started off with a triple off the fence, followed by Jonathan Crowe doubling, and eventually scoring, off of a line drive from Quinton McNutt to tie the game and force extra innings. In the top of the 8th, we were able to put two more runs on the board and Chicago was unable to match it, losing to us 11-10. I cannot accurately explain in words the feeling you get after winning a close and dramatic game like that. Our team was riding high, going undefeated in our first four games and playing extremely well. However, that would be short-lived, because the next day, the injury bug started infecting our team. A cracked rib from diving for a ball in the outfield for our left fielder and severely strained bicep for our right center fielder caused us to rearrange our defense, which had players playing unnatural positions. This was evident our first game on Thursday against the Houston Toros. We were out hit, out played and scrambling in the outfield through the first half of the game. We rallied in the later innings, but the hole we dug for ourselves was already too deep and we lost 16-6. This loss put us in the loserâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bracket, meaning one more loss would end our chance at the title. After a three-hour break, we were back at it, refocused and facing the 7th seeded Houston Knights in a do-or-die elimination game. It was an odd thing though as we were surprisingly loose and stress-free considering the situation and our lack of fire the previous game. But, there was absolutely no carry over into this game and we came out hot. We batted through our lineup in the first inning and even hit a three-run homer (power is not something our team is known for). The Knights never knew what hit them and were blown out, 18-4. We had our mojo back and on Friday, we would be playing the Toronto Swallows for a chance to move into the Elite 8. But, just like the bad energy did not carryover from our loss into the game with the Knights, the good energy did not carry over into game against the Swallows. We were beset by bad hitting, multiple errors and even a couple of base-running mistakes that should not happen with a team at this level, this far in the tournament. I have no explanation, sometimes it just happens and it could not have been at a worse time. We were easily blown out by Toronto, 21-6 and our run was done, finishing 13th out of 50 teams. The feel of defeat and your goal coming to an end are hard pills to swallow. But, Knoxville played with dignity, poise and class

that made me extremely proud to be called a Cyclone and a part of a brotherhood that you can only find in athletics. Next year, we will try again, and hopefully improve, like we have done the past three years, and have a real shot at being champions. North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance World Series Results: A Division: Champions: Houston Force 2nd: Phoenix Toros 3rd: San Francisco Steel 4th: Orlando Force

B Division: Champions: Boston Blizzard 2nd: Atlanta Genesis 3rd: Twin Cities Frostbite 4th: Dallas X-Plosion C Division: Champions: Orlando Fury Unleashed 2nd: Los Angeles Softball Cartel 3rd: Philadelphia Triple Play 4th: Tampa Hammerheads

3rd: Los Angeles Honey Badgers 4th (tie): Austin Pride & Ft. Lauderdale Bombers Masters Division: Champions: Southern New England Cranky Yankees 2nd: Tampa Sluggers 3rd: Los Angeles Gang Grey 4th: San Francisco United

D Division: Champions: Mid-Atlantic Lightning 2nd: Houston Dirty

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Fall 2013 A&E Guide

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Soulful song bird aspires to heal continued from page 10

Photo Credit: Andrew McLeod

porters and I love them so much,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to do anything to show my love to them, to show that I care.â&#x20AC;? So, whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on tap for her future? Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s already been in the studio and is due to release a winter CD around the holidays. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a soul singer and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always about the soul. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m going to do things that people can sing along to and enjoy,â&#x20AC;? Hill said. She added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The exposure [on â&#x20AC;&#x153;the Voiceâ&#x20AC;?] has brought me so many opportunities to help launch my solo career and helped me make that transition.â&#x20AC;? And, sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hitting the tour scene with Josh Groban in October performing as a solo act. They had already collaborated together when she sang on Grobanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s album that was recently released. She thinks that they are a â&#x20AC;&#x153;cool, interesting fit.â&#x20AC;? One of her crowning achievements was working as Michael Jacksonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s duet partner for the 2009 â&#x20AC;&#x153;This Is Itâ&#x20AC;? tour. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a magical time, being in his world. It was a once-in-a-lifetime [opportunity],â&#x20AC;? Hill said. However, due to Jacksonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s untimely death, the show was cancelled. She was invited to sing the lead at the memorial service at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif., during â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heal the World.â&#x20AC;? She was also able to team up with Landau Eugene Murphy, the winner of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Got Talentâ&#x20AC;? during its 2011 season. A producer friend of hers at-

tached to Murphyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s freshman album got the gig for Hill. Hill has had the opportunity to meet a number of other musical icons during her lifetime. However, one person she has not yet met, but would love to is Nelson Mandela. She thought that would be really amazing. On the horizon, Hill would relish the opportunity to develop music that is culturally diverse and is filled with touches of faith. She loves all music, especially classical and world genres. She also enjoys the stories in country. However, â&#x20AC;&#x153;soul is my passionâ&#x20AC;Śeverything else surrounds it,â&#x20AC;? she said. She wants to do compilations that are totally focused on one genre of music instead of blending a variety of styles on one album. She would also like to perform at Carnegie Hall since she loves and lives on the stage. And, a Broadway show all her own would be a welcome addition to her blossoming career. The silver screen is now not too foreign to Hill. She was one of the featured backup singers in the Summer 2013 release of â&#x20AC;&#x153;20 Feet From Stardom,â&#x20AC;? a documentary produced by filmmaker Morgan Neville and producer Gil Friesen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was really honored to be in [the film] and excited to be part of that.â&#x20AC;? she said. : :

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Sept. 13-26 . 2013

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tell trinity by Trinity :: qnotes contributor :: trinity@telltrinity.com

Does a 30-year-old virgin need counseling? Hey Trinity, At 14, I suffered from a colonic disease and had a colonic bag attached to my side. Now, at 30, I’m still a virgin. I recently decided to explore dating ads and websites, but I’m still very nervous. So, I’ve decided to go to counseling and was wondering if you think counseling is a good idea? Thirty And Ready, Oklahoma City, OK Hey Ready, Everyone should try counseling at least once in his or her life. With counseling,

you get support, education, compassion, insight into your fears and you get some great second opinions. Most importantly, counseling teaches socialization skills and techniques you need to bring you emotionally, physically and sexually up to speed with your sexual issues. So, sweetie, don’t waste any more time doing it alone, I mean, being a virgin alone, I mean, well you know what I mean. Dear Trinity, Sometimes life has too many apples to choose from. How do I know if I’m choosing the right or wrong apple? Is there any special secret about good decision-making? The Good/Bad Apple, Atlanta, GA Dear Apple, As with Adam and Eve, you have to a) decide whether to taste the apple and then b) how to deal with the outcome of your decision. Either way, you always have to do something so that something happens. Yet, for all your wrong decisions, think about how many great decisions will come from them. And, remember, darling, don’t waste time wasting time in the garden of good or evil. (Take a taste of my apple, oh, cartoon to see how I serve it up.)

Hello Trinity, I’m in love with my best friend. He also has feelings for me. What should we do about it without ruining our friendship? Friends or Foe, Panama City, FL Hello F F, This dilemma is as common as wanting to touch a stove to see if you’ll get burned. Some people are willing to get burned and some are boring, I mean, afraid or practical and don’t like to take risks. I say, never be afraid and when all else fails, ditch your fears and follow your intuition. Now, honey pie, if someone doesn’t try something soon, no one will even get hot, never mind burned! Dearest Trinity, My girlfriend always gets on my case about saying the wrong thing when she says I “should have said nothing!” How does one know when to say nothing? Tongue Tied, Memphis, TN Dearest Tied, In life, there are definitely times to shut up, stay silent and/or simply say “nothing.” But, pumpkin, if you haven’t learned about these special times, how could you know? So, here are: Trinity’s Unforgettable Tips For When To: “Say Nothing” (SN) 1. When you catch your nephew masturbating in a dark closet, SN.

2. When your very drunk lover slips you a few hundred bucks cause, “I (burp) luv ya,” SN. 3. When you and your partner have a big fight and she says, “I need a few minutes,” besides saying, “no problem,” also SN. 4. When the cop says, “If you say another word you’re under arrest,” SN. 5. When your best friend’s mother dies and he’s uncontrollably crying in your arms, let him cry, rub his head and SN. 6. When you’re secretly given free food, admission and/or drinks by the flirtatious host, besides, “thank you,” SN. 7. When the medical marijuana clinic gives you two bags for the price of one, SN. 8. When your very old and wealthy grandmother, at the restaurant table, begins stuffing her purse with sugar packets, bread, butter and maybe a fork, SN. 9. When your boyfriend spills his guts about what’s not working in the relationship, let him talk and SN till he’s done. 10. When the man of your dreams suddenly plasters a wet kiss on your lips then says, “Sorry, I thought you were someone else!” SN. info: With a Masters of Divinity, Reverend

Trinity hosted “Spiritually Speaking,” a weekly radio drama performed globally, and is now minister of sponsor, WIG: Wild Inspirational Gatherings, wigministries.org. Learn more at telltrinity.com.

Sept. 13-26 . 2013

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Kinsey meets with activists, others continued from page 4

Scott Bishop, MeckPAC chair, told qnotes he was pleased with Kinsey’s meeting with activists and other officials. Bishop, who was present at the meeting, said officials seemed to grasp the importance of the issues. Representatives from the State Department and Human Rights Watch detailed some background on the international relations and Kinsey committed to following up with an action plan. City staff in both Charlotte and Voronezh, Bishop said, are actively discussing the situation.

qnotes

Sept. 13-26 . 2013

The Voronezh relationship was discussed briefly at Council’s Aug. 26 meeting. There, Bishop related the situation in Russia and Voronezh. James Kemper, chair of the Charlotte-Voronezh sister city committee, also urged Council members not to sever their ties. As she stated in an earlier statement, Kinsey said at the meeting that the city would not sever ties. “After weeks of planning, this Thursday,” Kinsey said at the Aug. 26 meeting, “I look forward to hosting a private meeting with leaders from MeckPAC, Human Rights Watch, the U.S. State Department, Sister Cities International and Charlotte’s Sister City Committee to discuss diplomatic measures that should be pursued for more cultural understanding between Charlotte and Voronezh. I believe severing our ties with Voronezh

would do nothing to help its LGBT community. On the contrary, it would deprive us of the best means we have to improve the situation. My hope is that this dialogue will increase cultural and humanitarian understanding between our two international cities.” MeckPAC has been supportive of Kinsey’s efforts at dialogue and has since softened its stance on severing ties, despite receiving hundreds of signers on its petition. “It’s achieved its purpose because it has raised awareness with city leaders about what is going on over there and action has taken place as a result,” Bishop said in an earlier interview. : : more: See a video of Bishop’s, Kember’s and Kinsey’s remarks at the Aug. 26 Charlotte City Council meeting online atgoqnotes. com/24725/.

Pride in the Carolinas NC Pride • Sept. 28 NC Pride will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28 in Durham at the Duke University East Campus. The festival will go from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., with the parade at 1 p.m. That night, the Raleigh Nightfest and Embrace Party occur on Hargett St. in Raleigh from 6 p.m.-4 a.m. ncpride.org. See story on page 12. SC Pride • Sept. 28 The South Carolina Pride Parade will take place on Saturday, Sept. 28 at noon on Main St. in Columbia, S.C. Awards will be given for the most spirited and most colorful floats. scpride.org.

events goqnotes.com/qguide/events

Photo Credit: ayla87 via stock.xchng. License CC.

Sept. 14 • Cherokee Flo on the Go (For Ladies Only) Day Trip Get on the bus and enjoy a fun trip to Harrah’s Casino. 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Seat reservations, $20. Tickets available at White Rabbit, 920 Central Ave. twopartnerstravel@yahoo.com. Sept. 14 • Charlotte Trans*Closet Join Trans*Closet and Prism for a special event receiving and distributing needed clothing for transgender members of the community. Information on donation materials and volunteer opportunities, contact transcloset clt@gmail.com. LGBT Community Center of Charlotte, 2508 N. Davidson St. Noon-3 p.m. gaycharlotte.com. Sept. 15 • Raleigh Marriage Conversation Activist Tracy Hollister hosts a conversation on marriage equality and North Carolina’s Amendment One. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh, Clara Barton Room, 3313 Wade Ave. 3:15 p.m.-4:45 p.m. uufr.org. Sept. 18 • Rock Hill Film: ‘Tying the Knot’

The Arts Council of York County, Winthrop University DSU and VPA for a large screen presentation of “Tying the Knot,” a documentary exploring same-sex marriage. Winthrop University’s Dina Place, 2020 Alumni Dr. 12:30 p.m. $5/Public. Free/Winthrop Students.

Sept. 20 • Charlotte Scented Pleasures Have you ever wanted to design your own scent? Well there is no need to purchase another fragrance that is not exactly what you want! Create your own scent at the Scented Pleasures Perfume Workshop. LGBT Community Center of Charlotte, 2508 N. Davidson St. 8-10 p.m.$50/Individual. $85/ Couple. Register by calling 980-422-8578 or email CrystalDeniseLong@gmail.com.

Pride Season in Carolinas

Sept. 20 • Lake Wylie Lady Chablis Star of “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” the iconic Lady Chablis comes to the Rainbow In, 4376 Charlotte Hwy. 8 p.m. $10/Cover.

Triad Pride Triad Pride is planned for Saturday, Sept. 14 and will be set in Festival Park in downtown Greensboro from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. triadpride.org.

Sept. 21 • Charlotte Off White Party Just Twirl presents their fifth annual Off White Party with DJ Chris Griswold. Visulite Theatre, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. 10 p.m. $10/Advance. $15/ Door. Tickets available online at justtwirl.com through Sept. 20.

Upcoming LGBT Pride festivals and other events across the Carolinas this fall. OBX Pridefest The OBX Pridefest will be held on the weekend of Sept. 13-15 at the First Colony Inn and resort beaches of Nags Head. OBXPrideFest.com.

Upstate SC Pride Upstate SC Pride March & Festival is sched-

uled for Saturday, Sept. 14 at Barnet Park in Spartanburg, S.C. upstatepridesc.org. Blue Ridge Pride Blue Ridge Pride happens in Asheville on Friday, Oct. 5. The organization also sponsors several other events benefitting Blue Ridge Pride, including the White Party Weekend (June 21-22) and the Gay 5K and Rainbow Romp, July 13 in Carrier Park. blueridgepride.com. Pride Winston-Salem Pride Winston-Salem is planned for Saturday, Oct. 19. The festival and parade will be in downtown Winston-Salem. Times and other details will be announced at a later date. pridewinstonsalem.org.

Sept. 21 • Charlotte Unofficial White After Party Keep the party pumping after the Off White Party ends! Cathode Azure, 1820 South Blvd., Suite 106. 9 p.m. $5/Cover. cathodeazure.com. Sept. 27 • Charlotte Bingo ALFA hosts “Not Your Mama’s Bingo” benefiting the organization and its work on HIV/ AIDS. La Rumba Night Club, 534, U.S. Hwy. 70 SW.7:30 p.m. $20. notyourmamasbingo.com.

Sept. 13-26 . 2013

qnotes

Sept. 13-26 . 2013