December 2015 by The Vital Voice Magazine

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CEO & PARTNER • DARIN SLYMAN DSLY@THEVITALVOICE.COM PUBLISHER & PARTNER • JIMMY LESCH JIMMY@THEVITALVOICE.COM CONTENT MANAGER • KEVIN SCHMIDT KEVIN@THEVITALVOICE.COM ART DIRECTOR • MELANIE LAYER-GASKELL MELANIE@MELANIELAYER.COM GRAPHIC DESIGNER • GRANT SWANSON GRANT@THEVITALVOICE.COM WRITER • DENNY PATTERSON DENNY@THEVITALVOICE.COM WRITER • KARLA TEMPLETON KARLATEMPLETON1213@GMAIL.COM WRITER • KALEIGH JURGENSMEYER KMJURGENSMEYER@GMAIL.COM WRITER • TYLER BIERMAN TB6809@GMAIL.COM CONTRIBUTORS ART: DARIN SLYMAN, MELANIE LAYER-GASKELL, MARK MOORE, FRANK W. OCKENFELLS 3/E!, ALEX MARTINEZ/BRAVO, LAUREN CERADINI, MATHU ANDERSON, GINGER SNAP PHOTOGRAPHY, GREGSCARINI.COM, ROBB SAPP, CHRISTOPHER CARROLL TEXT: JIMMY NO SHOW, KEVIN SCHMIDT, DENNY PATTERSON, KARLA TEMPLETON, KALEIGH JURGENSMEYER, TYLER BIERMAN DESIGN: MELANIE LAYER-GASKELL, GRANT SWANSON ONLINE THEVITALVOICE.COM FACEBOOK.COM/VITALVOICE TWITTER.COM/VITALVOICE YOUTUBE.COM/THEVITALVISION INSTAGRAM.COM/VITALVOICE CONTACT VITAL VOICE MAGAZINE 4579 LACLEDE AVE #268

25K ISSUES PRINTED MONTHLY 400+ POINTS OF DISTRIBUTION

December 2015

THROUGHOUT THE ST. LOUIS AND KANSAS CITY AREA

DECEMBER 2015 | Volume 16 | Issueo 12

CONTENTS PUBLISHERS LETTER GETTING TO ZERO

7 10

ST. LOUIS EFFORT FOR AIDS CHECK ME IN

REHAB BAR & GRILL BLUE NEIGHBOURHOOD

TROYE SIVAN ‘TIS THE SEASON

TOYS FOR TOTS THE ART OF SUBLIME INTIMACY NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY GUIDE THE 2015 GIVE BACK GUIDE HOLIDAY READS

20 24 31 33

MICHELLE VISAGE & GREG SARNICI

26.

THE KING YOU LOVE TO HATE

JAKE MASKALL HOLIDAYS WITH PENELOPE SCENE PLAYDATES LAST CALL

41 42 46 49

BISTRO 303

MELISSA GORGA THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW JERSEY STAR TALKS HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES, FAMILY AND HER LGBT FANS.

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December 2015

PUBLISHERS LETTER

ANOTHER LOOP AROUND THE SUN I can’t believe another loop around the sun has almost been accomplished. It’s been a marvelous 2015 with the legalization of marriage equality nationwide and various other advances for our community. So much change, so many things to celebrate and be grateful for. It all leads us to our next chapter of living freely in the sun. There were so many Vital VOICE achievements this year that make us honored. From being granted excusive rights to have Joan Rivers on our January cover right after her untimely departure, to being named a media partner with the Advocate in June. This past May we sold out Queens in Space: DIVAS, featuring Chad Michaels. We were also astounded by the increase of online voting for our Voice Your Choice Issue to 26K+. It’s always this time of the year that we start to think about what organizations we can make contributions to benefit our brothers and sisters in the community.

Vital VOICE is always pleased to produce the year-end Give Back Guide. If you find that you have a few extra bucks to spare, we highly encourage you to check out these hard working non-profits. We started this year by spotlighting St. Louis Effort For AIDS as our non-profit of the year, and we end 2015 with an excellent look into what is next for STLEFA. With all the healthcare changes

and new HIV products on the market, we are proud of this organization’s commitment to keeping you up-to-date, in the know and making sure it is all accessible to you. Do you have plans to ring in the New Year? If not, check out this year’s NYE Guide. We are sure that there is something for everyone. We simply remind you to party responsibly. Get out there and celebrate all of your accomplishments. Finally, we want to humbly thank all of our sponsors, advertisers and readers for your continued support. The cast and crew of Vital VOICE always strive to keep our community moving forward. Some people embrace transformation, some do not.

Glancing back at the past is natural but staring is rude. Our society is changing, therefore so will our community. We wish you all the happiest of holiday seasons and look forward to sharing our stories with you in the New Year. V

Jimmy Lesch Publisher/Partner

Darin Slyman CEO/Partner

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“A CINEMATIC LANDMARK.” PETER DEBRUGE, VARIETY

“A BEAUTIFUL AND POIGNANT LOVE STORY THAT TRANSCENDS STEREOTYPES OF GENDER, SEXUALITY AND ROMANCE.” ERIN WHITNEY, HUFFINGTON POST

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Getting to Zero: St. Louis Effort For AIDS text KALEIGH JURGENSMEYER art COURTESY OF ST. LOUIS EFFORT FOR AIDS

Most of you reading this probably think there’s no way you could have it – you’re in a monogamous relationship, you always use a condom, you always have the convo before the fun starts. And like always, they assure you they don’t go near drugs and they definitely don’t have it either. The problem is that 1 in 8 people in the U.S. living with HIV are unaware that they are infected, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Many people don’t have symptoms and only begin to feel sick when it progresses toward AIDS. On this year’s World AIDS day, be proactive with your health and get tested. It’s even free thanks to the help of the region’s oldest AIDS service organization, St. Louis Effort for AIDS (EFA). On Tuesday, Dec. 1 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., stop by the Missouri History Museum to receive free HIV testing, sign up for insurance, and learn more about EFA and other resources in the community. People can come and go as they please, but there are scheduled activities going on throughout the day, including a Service of Remembrance for those lost to the disease. When the AIDS crisis began almost 30 years ago, fear and misconceptions plagued communities. No one knew what it was, how it was contracted or what the disease was capable of doing. Though we’ve come a long way since the disease was first discovered in 1981, stigmatization and discrimination against those living with HIV/AIDS still continues. 10

December 2015

Stigma-related violence or the fear of violence prevent many people from getting tested, returning for their results or receiving treatment. This not only inhibits diagnosis, but also keeps people from getting help when they most desperately need it— turning what could be a manageable chronic illness into a death sentence and perpetuating the spread of HIV. Cheryl Oliver, executive director of EFA, sees countless people unnecessarily suffer because they fear others’ judgments. She remembers one woman in particular who didn’t seek treatment until she was in the advanced stages of HIV, specifically because of this fear. “She lived with the disease for eight years without treatment and didn’t disclose it to anyone,” Oliver remembers. “She had a job, had a family. She was scared to tell them.” Inevitably, she became very sick. “She was preparing to die,” Oliver said. “For all those years, she was preparing to die and was afraid of being found out.” Fortunately, she came to EFA and was able to get the primary medical treatment that she needed. Though there is no cure for HIV and AIDS, there are ways to properly manage the disease, drastically reduce the chances of you spreading it and even prevent yourself from getting it. EFA not only provides confidential, free testing, but also provides education on the prevention of the disease and case managers that help clients receive primary medical care, medications, and other resources. Additionally, EFA offers social and support groups, a mobile testing service, benefits and awareness events throughout the year, and even has a program called PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support), which provides resources to people living with HIV/AIDS so they can keep pet companions as long as possible in their homes.

Each month, EFA provides comprehensive support services to more than 1,400 clients and reaches approximately 1,500 people for testing and prevention education through community outreach activities. Oliver points out that this illness “doesn’t need to be a death sentence.” The hope is that through a combination of education, medication, care and treatment, infections can be prevented. For those living with the disease, they can get treated so that they are less likely to infect someone. EFA has several events coming up in December. Aside from World AIDS day, EFA will also be hosting a 30th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, December 4 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Sheldon Concert Hall, where they will honor David J. Prelutsky, MD and Co-founder Daniel Flier. Admission is free to the celebration, which includes appetizers, two drink tickets and entertainment by the Andrew Patrick Jazz Quartet. Donations are suggested, space is limited and RSVP is required by calling 314-3336671. Ending the year on a high note, EFA will host “A Wicked Wonderland” in partnership with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS on Monday, Dec. 14, at 7:30 p.m at Ballpark Village. This charity cabaret benefit features a show by company members of Wicked, a silent auction, 50/50 raffle and more fun events throughout the night. VIP guests get to attend a pre-party and will enjoy hors d’oeuvres, a cast meet and greet and cocktails. Tickets range from $25-$100 and will be available at TicketFly.com. 2015 was a great year for EFA, but 2016 is looking even better. Better and more affordable treatment and prevention medications are in the future, and EFA will be the first to connect clients to them as they become available. EFA will also be offering more clinical services to expand STI treatments, as well as continuing their support services, providing primary care and resources to people living with the disease. “It’s naïve to think all the behaviors are going to stop, but the more information people have access to and the easier it is to get access to healthcare, the more protection they’ll have for themselves and others,” Oliver says. Today, people are living longer with the disease because they’re getting care and treatment. They can live a fairly normal life. But if care doesn’t happen, they will get sick and can infect other people. It doesn’t care that you’re a good person who only sleeps with good people who have only slept with other good people. Take responsibility of your health and get tested. It takes everyone’s help in “Getting to Zero.” V

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Check Me In Rehab Bar & Grill What’s next for Rehab Bar and Grill with the new management

team? Sometimes you just need to go where everybody knows your name. Okay, you caught me. Those are, in fact, the lyrics to the Cheers theme song. But for years, Rehab Bar and Grill has been using them as words to live by, and it’s worked out great. Tons of different kinds of people now view Rehab as their own personal Cheers, and for good reason. They’ve always had the friendliest staff and the perfect environment for anything from happy hours to a night out on the town. So what’s next for the Grove’s favorite corner bar? We sat down with co-owner Chad Fox and new co-owner Kyle Hanton to discuss just that. At the core of this new partnership is the idea to create an even more diverse bar experience. “He’s new school and I’m old school,” Chad says about Kyle. “When I go to a bar, my old ass wants to see the bartender with his shirt off because at some point in the night I’m going to think that I’m taking this guy home. Meanwhile, Kyle speaks more to that new sensibility that focuses on the fun and fast. We’re aiming to be both.” Looking forward, it’s not going to be just about being a gay bar, but instead a place where everyone is welcome and feels like part of the Rehab family. They’re really reaching out to create an environment for any denomination—gay, straight, trans, etc.—to come out for happy hour or to party until close; an environment that’s judgment free and totally inclusive.

Further changes to Rehab will include a total lifestyle lift. There will be exciting new changes to the menu, drink specials, events and even the bar decor itself striving to create an environment that is a bit more modern and inviting. “We’re always looking for what’s bigger and better,” Hanton explains. “I feel like if you get set in your ways you start to get predictable. We always want to keep experimenting and finding the next great thing.”

We’re always looking for what’s bigger and better,” Hanton explains. “I feel like if you get set in your ways you start to get predictable. We always want to keep experimenting and finding the next great thing. For both Fox and Hanton, this is more than just a job; it’s creating a new sense of family both in the community and among the staff. “We’re always here,” Hanton says. “I’m still bar tending and doing anything that needs to get done around the bar. If the urinals clogged, I’ll get in there myself pulling vomit out with my bare hands. Sure we have bar backs for that, but I don’t want to ask my staff to do anything I wouldn’t do.” “Twice a year we try to take as much of our staff that can and go somewhere for a couple days of fun,” Fox explains. “The way we see it, they’re what makes us successful, so we want to keep them happy like family because that’s what we all are at Rehab.” All of this amounts to great news for both current Rehab fans and potential clientele alike. So, whether you’re looking for your new after work watering hole or the next big nightspot for the weekend, Rehab Bar and Grill is set to cater to you. To learn more about Rehab Bar and Grill, visit their website at rehabstl.com or swing by this weekend and give it a try. You won’t regret it. V

In addition to the current “corner bar” feel that they hang their hat on, Fox and Hanton are looking to bring the nightlife aspect back to Rehab. As Fox puts it, “Now we want to make it so it’s not just a side-stop after work to unwind, but a destination. We want you to go out to go to Rehab.” text TYLER BIERMAN art GINGER SNAP PHOTOGRAPHY

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Enjoy the ultimate evening out. Then stay the night. Ring in the new year at Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch with the Ultimate New Year’s Eve Party, featuring Dr. Zhivegas, Superjam and DJ Jamie Lambert, plus Curt & Nina from the NOW 96.3 morning show. The celebration starts at 7:30 p.m. on December 31, 2015, and runs until 1:30 a.m. STARTING AT

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HYATT REGENCY ST. LOUIS AT THE ARCH 315 Chestnut Street St. Louis, Missouri, USA, 63102

Ultimate New Year’s Eve package available at Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch only. Package must be prepaid at time of booking and deposit is non-refundable after 12/14/2015. Must be at least 21 years of age to receive alcoholic beverages. For complete terms and conditions, visit stlouisarch.hyatt.com. The trademarks HYATT®, Hyatt Regency® and related marks are trademarks of Hyatt Corporation. ©2015 Hyatt Corporation. All rights reserved.

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TROYE SIVAN’S BLUE NEIGHBOURHOOD “Moving away from home, your first relationship, whatever it is. A lot of things have changed for me recently, so it’s a lot of life experiences.” text KEVIN SCHMIDT art LAUREN CERADINI

TROYE SIVAN | Blue Neighbourhood Available December 4

AS YOUTUBE CELEBRATED ITS TENTH BIRTHDAY THIS PAST YEAR, WE’VE SEEN THE MEDIA OUTLET MATURE INTO MORE THAN JUST A DESTINATION TO POST YOUR PET’S LATEST ADVENTUROUS EPIC FAIL. AND WHILE SUCH VIDEOS STILL HOLD THEIR OWN ON THE CHANNEL ALONG WITH OTHER VIRAL SENSATIONS, TUTORIALS, COMPELLING COVERS AND MOVING TRIBUTES, YOUTUBE IS NOW IN THE BUSINESS OF CREATING A NEW KIND OF CELEBRITY. A PERFECT EXAMPLE BEING TROYE SIVAN, A SOUTH AFRICAN BORN-AUSTRALIAN ACTOR, SINGER, SONGWRITER AND, OF COURSE, YOUTUBER. SIVAN’S REGULARLYMADE VIDEOS HAVE GARNERED NEARLY 3.7 MILLION SUBSCRIBERS, MAKING HIM ONE OF THE MOST FAVORED AMONG HIS PEERS.

“I’d like to think it’s just a lot better,” Troye continues while comparing his new music to his past work. “The goal when I was writing was just to be able to strip down these songs to where they could be played just on the piano and have them be equally as impactful. I think the core of the songs are a lot better.”

“I come from Perth, Australia, so I literally don’t even know how I would have done it without it,” Sivan says when talking about YouTube’s credit toward his rise to stardom. “I definitely owe a lot to social media and the Internet.” Sivan’s most recent project is more than just a video, but a new studio album called Blue Neighbourhood, which was announced this past October and set to release on December 4.

Life experiences that include up and leaving his hometown of Perth, where all of the stories that he writes about happen. “I have [the songs] in the context of someone who is from there,” he explains. “Anyone who moves away can relate that it’s exciting yet unsettling at the same time. I’ve been away for so long now that it’s created these weird experiences for me in that it’s a place of comfort and home yet I had to move away because I wasn’t able to do what I wanted to do there.”

“We been working on it for a very long time,” he says. “We released six songs earlier this year, one of them being ‘Wild.’ It was to give people a free introduction into the music I make and inside who I am and what I have to say.”

“I knew that I wanted to go out and see the world,” Troye says in closing. “So you can see consistantly throughout the album and in the music that it’s me going out and finding myself outside and inside of that place.”V

Sivan’s music is pure, smooth-sounding and, of course, quite catchy. But there’s depth in his lyrics, and he explores personal issues with this album, issues that most young people have to go through. That’s what inspires him the most. “Being a 20 year old, it’s a time in your life and a lot of things are changing,” he says. “Moving away from home, your first relationship, whatever it is. A lot of things have changed for me recently, so it’s a lot of life experiences.”

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Tis The Season for On Thursday, Dec. 17, Pearl Vodka & Vital VOICE invite you to continue celebrating the holiday season with a Toys for Tots drive at Bistro 303 in Kansas City. The holiday party of the year features two of the 2015 Voice Your CHOICE winners: Reader’s Choice Drag Queen, Daisy Bucket, will be hosting the event and DJ Chad Slater will be spinning all night! In addition, U.S. Marines will be on hand to collect your new, unopened toys donations. Your gift to Toys for Tots includes a signature holiday cocktail from Pearl Vodka. And as it is the season of gathering with friends and sharing a little love, a combination of a party, charity is always a good mix that makes a great addition to your holiday to-do list. Give and you shall receive! The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during the holiday season each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community. Their goal is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate children that will assist them in becoming responsible and productive members of society. Since its inception, the Marine Toys for Tots Program has distributed more than 416 million toys to over 195 million less fortunate children. The Marines bring the joy of Christmas to needy children by serving as positive role models in their service as well as their mentoring programs. They are undoubtedly impeccable in their appearance and demeanor, from their exquisite uniforms to their superb physical condition. The daily lives and performance of Marines are guided by the Marine Corps’ Core Values of “Honor, Courage and Commitment.” Through Toys for Tots, Marines demonstrate how much they care about others and that they are doing something about it. Marines demonstrate respect, consideration for others and a spirit of caring. These are qualities that they try to instill in the young people that benefit from their service work. V text KEVIN SCHMIDT art TIM GEE, JON BARBE AND ANDREA PIAMONTE thevitalVOICE.com

December 2015

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THE ART OF SUBLIME INTIMACY text DENNY PATTERSON art ROBB SAPP AND CHRISTOPHER CARROLL

“As I wrote the play, I really wanted it to pose a question to the audience rather than answer it for them.” 20

December 2015

t. Louis native Ken Page may be a well-known actor who has made numerous appearances on the stage and screen, but his directing credits are equally impressive. In association with Max and Louie Productions, his latest show, Sublime Intimacy, will be making its world premiere in St. Louis at the Kranzberg Arts Center from December 4-20. Written and directed by Page, Sublime Intimacy is a remembered tale of five friends: an ex-Hollywood actor, a psychology professor, a painter, an actress and a Broadway musical performer, whose lives were touched and changed forever by their love of the dancer and his dance. Although each character’s story is different, they overlap and intertwine with each other through visual art and dance. “As I wrote the play, I really wanted it to pose a question to the audience rather than answer it for them,” Page says. “In that, I would say it’s about sublime intimacy. The phrase came out of a conversation I had with a friend of mine about what is the level that exists beyond friendships, beyond relationships. When you think about being in a relationship with somebody, you think of it being great sex and understanding and companionship. But what I found with friends of mine who have been partnered or married for years, in some cases myself, there is some level that is the next level beyond all of that. Sometimes you have relationships where it isn’t sexual but it’s completely, totally intimate.” “When I started to write the play, I realized it had come out of an idea about people who have had a relationship that wasn’t the norm or didn’t come out of the regular situation,” he continues. “They weren’t dating relationships, they didn’t come out of falling in love necessarily, but they were relationships that had made an imprint on these people for the rest of their lives. It’s about the idea of these five to six people basically who have had relationships based on a level beyond the norm and in our case, their relationships with dancers. That’s how it’s centralized.” As to why Page wrote Sublime Intimacy, he believes in things coming to you through the universe; that there is always something out there that is wanting and hoping to express itself. There is something saying to write this, that this is something people might want to hear. “When the opportunity came up, I had mentioned it to a friend of mine, Laura Peters,” Page says. “I talked to her a bit about the idea and she mentioned it to Max and Louie who were looking for a

project for their second show. We had a meeting and discussed the idea. Then I really went to work on it. I developed a frame and skeleton with some characters sketched up, but as you do with writing, at least I do, I try to let it tell me what it wants to be. I then go back and work on making sure a story is being told. I try to let it speak to me.” Playing the role of the dancer is Alfredo Solivan, a professional dancer out of New York who specializes primarily in ballet and modern. He has worked with numerous companies, including the Dance Theatre of Harlem and Intermezzo Dance Company. Sublime Intimacy will be his St. Louis debut. “I am so happy,” Solivan says. “When Ken Page told me that he was writing a play back in January or February and asked me to do the show, I was thrilled. Absolutely humbled and flattered. St. Louis is a new city for me and I’m really happy to be coming and spending time here. Ken and I worked together last year in a production of Cats and he was an absolute pleasure and sweetheart. I can’t imagine any difference this time around. This show will also be Solivan’s first time performing in a play.

people and how people in a negative way objectify them, but in a positive way. You go see a ballet or when you talk about ballet dancers, they exist in a world that’s nonverbal.

“I lost a lot of my dancer friends due to the AIDS epidemic in New York,” he continues. “So, I wanted to do something to honor them. It allows us to put our own fantasies and thoughts onto them and I always think of them as silent interpreters. They don’t speak, and yet, they tell us all of these stories.”If anyone gains anything from this show, Page truly hopes it is sublime intimacy. “If you’re with somebody and you haven’t allowed yourself to reach the level of sublime intimacy, not just intimacy but sublime intimacy, do it,” Page says. “And if you’re not in a relationship and don’t have someone, I hope this show gives those audience members a memory.” V

“I have always done concert dance,” he says. “Going into dance is not like being on stage for two hours trying to hold the audience’s attention. Portraying a character for that long when I’m used to 15 minute pieces is so much more grand.” Page has always had a love for dance, and throughout his life he has been inspired, surrounded by or supported by dancers. “Dancers are different in the arts,” Page says. “You have actors and singers, but dancers exist in a very different universe. I’d say the closet thing would probably be classical musicians, because they are so disciplined and they study so much to be able to do what they do. They can’t even begin to do it unless they study and practice, and dancers are like that. But with that comes a mentality, sensibility and a sexuality of sort because they are very physical, always. All of those things come with dance, and my life has been surrounded and involved with people like that ever since I did my first Muny show when I was 18.” “I lost a lot of my dancer friends due to the AIDS epidemic in New York,” he continues. “So, I wanted to do something to honor them. I wanted to do something that spoke about what their effect is on

BROADWAY STAR KEN PAGE Sublime Intimacy makes its world premiere December 4-20 at the Kranzberg Arts Center in Grand Center.

Tickets are available at maxandlouis.com or by calling The Kranzberg Arts Center 314-533-0367

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Three, two, one and done! Ready to plan how you are going to spend New Years Eve this year? Neither are we! If you can’t to decide how to spend your FInal moments of 2015, we’ve put together a list of some of the best destinations to ring in 2016 in both St. Louis and Kansas City.

The MONOCLE

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Bal Nouveau starts at 8 p.m. on New Years Eve at The Monocle! Tickets are $100, which includes a VIP New Years Eve Experience consisting of Two Complementary Hand Crafted Cocktails, a Champagne Toast at Midnight, hors d’oeuvres, Show Vignettes, and party favors. The Vignettes of shows will consist of 30 minutes of live music and vocals, comedy, drag, burlesque, boylesque, and traditional cabaret! These shows will be done every hour from 9-midnight. Voted best martini in vital voice’s 2015 voice your choice reader’s choice awards, the monocle and the emerald room are st. louis’ premier destination for live music, cabaret and craft cocktails.

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JUST JOHN

4112 Manchester Ave. St. Louis, MO 63110 (314) 371-1333 | Justjohnclub.com

C e l e b r at e N e w Y e a r ’ s E v e at J u s t J o h n h o s t e d by D J D a n n y M o r r i s ! T h e e v e n t f e a t u r e s a f r e e c h a m p a g n e t o a s t a t m i d n i g h t, $ 3 c h e r r y b o m b s a n d , a s a l w ay s , N o C o v e r . L i m i t e d r e s e r v a t i o n s a r e a v a i l a b l e i f y o u p r e f e r t o r e s e r v e a t a b l e f o r t h e n i g h t. T a b l e s a r e $ 2 5 , w h i c h i n c l u d e s f o u r c h a i r s . C o n ta c t J u s t J o h n t h r o u g h Fa c e b o o k f o r r e s e r v a t i o n i n q u i r i e s . V o t e d b e s t g ay b a r t w o y e a r s r u n n i n g i n V i ta l v o i c e ’ s v o i c e y o u r c h o i c e r e a d e r ’ s c h o i c e a w a r d s . J u s t j o h n i s o p e r a t i n g a t t h e t o p i f i t s g a m e t h e s e d ay s , a n d s t ay s a l o c a l favorite where all are welcome.

4054 Choteau Ave. St. Louis, MO 63110 (314) 652-3700 | rehabstl.com

T h i s N e w Y e a r ’ s E v e , R e h a b p r e s e n t s F i r e & I c e , a n e v e n t t h e y p r o m i s e y o u w i l l n o t w a n t t o m i s s . F e at u r i n g m u s i c , d r i n k s , f r e e f o o d , a b a l l o o n d r o p a n d m o r e t h a n $ 1 0 0 0 i n c a s h p r i z e s , t h i s i s R e h a b ’ s e v e n t o f t h e y e a r . A n d , a s a l w ay s , t h e r e i s n e v e r a c o v e r at R e h a b .

December 2015

SUB ZERO

308 N Euclid Ave. St. Louis, MO 63108 (314) 367-1200 | subzerovodkabar.com

S u b Z e r o V o d k a B a r w i l l o f f e r t w o a l l- i n c l u s i v e pa c k a g e s , w h i c h i n c l u d e ta b l e s e r v i c e a n d r e s e r v e d s e at i n g. D i n n e r s e r v i c e a n d b a r w i l l b e o p e n t o p u b l i c . Wa l k - i n s a r e w e l c o m e , h o w e v e r r e s e r vat i o n s a r e r e c o m m e n d e d. A s ta n d a r d t i c k e t i s $ 8 0 p e r p e r s o n a n d i n c l u d e s t a b l e s e r v i c e w i t h d r i n k s a n d a p p e t i z e r s f r o m 9 p. m . u n t i l m i d n i g h t a n d a c h a m p a g n e t o a s t a t m i d n i g h t. A V I P t i c k e t i s $ 1 2 5 p e r p e r s o n a n d i n c l u d e s a t h r e e - c o u r s e d i n n e r a t 7 p. m . , t a b l e s e r v i c e w i t h d r i n k s a n d a p p e t i z e r s f r o m 9 p. m . u n t i l m i d n i g h t a n d a c h a m p a g n e t o a s t a t m i d n i g h t. I n a d d i t i o n , t h e i r s i s t e r r e s t a u r a n t, G a m l i n W h i s k e y H o u s e , will offer a four-course dinner with wine or whiskey pairings, and a c h a m p a g n e t o a s t a t m i d n i g h t.

Lilly’s

2321 Arsenal St. St. Louis, MO 63118 (314) 312-6398 | lillyshousestl.com

K r i s t e n G o o d m a n & H i P o i n t E n t e r ta i n m e n t p r e s e n t 2 0 S W E E T 1 6 , a N e w Y e a r ’ s E v e R e t r o D a n c e P a r t y at T h e C o r n e r G at e s , a b e a u t i f u l ly r e s t o r e d v e n u e a n d n e w e v e n t s p a c e i n t h e C h e r o k e e H i s t o r i c D i s t r i c t. R i n g i n 2 0 1 6 w i t h a t h r o w b a c k s w i n g i n ’ s o c k h o p, r e t r o d a n c e p a r t y, a n d S w e e t 1 6 c e l e b r at i o n ! T i c k e t s a r e a l l i n c l u s i v e a n d f e at u r e A l lY o u - C a n - D r i n k b e e r , w i n e , a n d c o c k ta i l s ; G o u r m e t B u r g e r & F r e n c h F r y B a r ; R e t r o P a r t y S n a c k s & B o s s E at s ; M i l k s h a k e s & S w e e t T r e at s ; a n d C o m p l i m e n ta r y V a l e t P a r k i n g ! J u m p, j i v e ‘ n w a i l t o T e r r y T h o m p s o n ’ s Swing Alive Band followed by DJ Sinamin keeps spinning all night! T i c k e t s s ta r t at j u s t $ 7 5 / p e r s o n . E a r ly B i r d t i c k e t s a r e a v a i l a b l e u n t i l December 7.

Café Trio

The HYATT

315 Chestnut Street St. Louis, MO 63102 (314) 342-4668 | stlouisarch.hyatt.com

T h i s y e a r , e n j o y t h e u lt i m a t e e v e n i n g o u t. T h e n , s t ay t h e n i g h t ! R i n g i n t h e n e w y e a r a t H ya t t R e g e n c y a t t h e A r c h w i t h t h e U lt i m a t e N e w Y e a r ’ s E v e P a r t y, f e a t u r i n g D r . Z h i v e g a s , S u p e r j a m a n d D J J a m i e L a m b e r t, p l u s C u r t & N i n a f r o m t h e N O W 9 6 . 3 m o r n i n g s h o w. T h e c e l e b r a t i o n s t a r t s a t 7 : 3 0 p. m . a n d r u n s u n t i l 1 : 3 0 a . m . S t a r t i n g a t $ 3 6 9 , t h e U lt i m a t e N Y E S t a n d a r d R o o m P a c k a g e i n c l u d e s o v e r n i g h t s t ay a n d t w o p a r t y t i c k e t s . S t a r t i n g a t $ 4 5 9 , t h e U lt i m a t e N Y E V I P R o o m P a c k a g e i n c l u d e s o v e r n i g h t s t ay a n d t w o p a r t y t i c k e t s w i t h V I P s e at i n g i n e i t h e r b a l l r o o m , p r e m i u m b a r a n d a d e d i c at e d c o c k ta i l s e r v e r . P a r t y - o n ly t i c k e t s a r e $ 1 2 0 e a c h ( $ 1 7 5 f o r V I P ) . E n j o y f o o d s t a t i o n s , o p e n b a r , c h a m p a g n e t o a s t a n d c o n f e t t i d r o p a t m i d n i g h t.

BISTRO 303

303 Westport Rd. Kansas City, MO 64111 (816) 753-2303 | bistro303.com

F r o m 5 p. m . t o 1 0 p. m . , B i s t r o 3 0 3 h a s p l a n n e d a v e r y s p e c i a l f o u r c o u r s e c e l e b r at i o n m e n u f o r $ 5 0 / p e r s o n ( $ 7 5 / p e r s o n w i t h w i n e pairings). They will cap the evening off with a champagne toast t o r i n g i n t h e n e w y e a r w i t h f r i e n d s a n d f a m i ly. N e w Y e a r s D ay i s a m a r at h o n ! T h e B i s t r o i s h o s t i n g t h e i r 3 r d A n n u a l R e h a b B r u n c h f r o m 1 1 a . m . t o 3 p. m . W i l d ly p o p u l a r w i t h t h e s e r v i c e i n d u s t r y c r o w d , t h i s b r u n c h f e at u r e s a B l o o dy M a ry B a r w i t h a l l t h e t r i m m i n g s yo u c o u l d w a n t, a s w e l l a s a n u m b e r o f b r u n c h s p e c i a l s . T h e y w i l l a l s o b e o p e n N e w Y E a r s N i g h t ( F r i d ay n i g h t t h e 1 s t ) w i t h d i n n e r s e r v i c e f r o m 4 p. m . t o 1 0 p. m . , a n d s h o t s p e c i a l s a n d h o t d a n c e v i d e o s i n t o t h e w e e h o u r s .

4558 Main St. Kansas City, MO 64111 (816) 756-3227 | cafetriokc.com

E n t e r ta i n m e n t at C a f é T r i o s ta r t s at 5 : 3 0 p. m . o n N e w Y e a r ’ s E v e a n d g o e s w e l l i n t o t h e N e w Y e a r . T h r e e d i n i n g p a c k a g e s a r e ava i l a b l e : e a r ly, m i d s e at i n g a n d a l at e d i n i n g a n d p a r t y o p t i o n . T h e y w i l l r u n a f o u r - c o u r s e l i m i t e d m e n u t h at w i l l i n c l u d e b o t t o m l e s s c h a m p a g n e d u r i n g t h e l a s t s e at i n g .

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December 2015

melissa gorga Talks Holidays, Housewives Style text JIMMY LESCH art ALEX MARTINEZ/BRAVO

“They make me feel like I’m Britney Spears,” says Melissa Gorga, with a laugh. Known for her witty and fun-loving personality, it’s no wonder the sassy Italian star of Real Housewives of New Jersey is a hit with LGBT audiences. “There’s nothing better,” she explains, describing her LGBT fans as dedicated and invested. “They make you feel like anything you’ve worked hard for was worth it,” Melissa and Joe, her husband of seven years and brother of Teresa Giudice, joined the cast of Bravo’s Real Housewives of New Jersey back in 2011, but she’s been an ally to the community for as long as she can remember. “I’ve always been around gay and lesbian people and it never phased me,” she explains. They’re actually my friends of choice.” We had a chance to chat with Gorga about the holidays, housewives and, of course, her celebrity lady-crush.

Holidays Any plans to record your own Christmas song? I did back when I was doing music - it would be a dream come true. My family could always listen to it. I haven’t thought about that recently.

What song would you do? I love the song from Jessica Simpson’s Christmas CD. It was a duet with her sister Ashlee. I know exactly what you’re talking about! Little Drummer Boy! I sing it like I own it. What do you usually put atop your Christmas tree? I always had an angel until she fell off and cracked her head, so I found this really pretty star. I have to find one that’s up to par and then I’ll go back to angels. What’s your favorite gift that Joe’s gotten you in the past? Our first Christmas was a couple months into dating, and he went way over-the-top. He gave me a beautiful diamond tennis bracelet. I don’t know if he wanted to impress me or what? I was only 24 years old and just coming out of college. It was the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen, and it felt like such an extravagant gift for a college girl. He set the bar high! Now it’s more like vacations, not gifts. What is your preferred method of Christmas Shopping? Are you a Black Friday shopper? Oh God! I run away from Black Friday. I’m an online shopper. If I go to the mall, I’m the first one there. I will go to the gym, and get done by 9:30 a.m. So I’m like the only girl in Neiman Marcus when they open the doors at ten.

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Beating the crowds! What is your tip for buying for that hard person to buy for? Ugh! There’s always that one that’s impossible. If they’re over 21, just resort to a really good bottle of something. That always hits home. Then they have to open it and share too. Exactly! Apart from shopping, what’s your favorite part of the holidays? I love the vibe, like old school Christmas movies. I put the fireplace on and roast chestnuts with Mariah Carey music on. I try to bring it back to how I grew up. What’s your favorite Christmas memory growing up? Being at my Grandmother’s house on Christmas Eve with crazy amounts of presents under the trees. She never allowed us to open one thing until midnight. We’d just stare at the clock and the doorbell would ring and Santa would come in. I have such great memories from Christmas and I want to keep that for my kids. It’s hard, but I always try to keep it old school. Do you do Italian cookies or traditional holiday cookies? We pretty much do Italian. We do a couple traditional, like I love the one with the Hershey kiss that gets pushed into the middle.

This past season was the first time cast members were introduced that were not related in some way. How do you feel they were received? It’s always challenging when they bring in new Housewives. With us, it’s like family members work best. So we’ll have to see wait and see... I’ve noticed that all of the other Housewives go on a big trip every season, but New Jersey never does. Please, talk to me about that! They’re in Dubai and we’re going to go to Florida. I have a major problem with that. I always complain to production about that. When it comes down to it, I don’t know if they trust us or not. Where would your ideal Housewives trip be? Italy. I know they’ve done it once, but I feel like they need to take us back Italy. It just makes sense! I haven’t gone to Italy yet. So I would love to do that. How have you never been there? It’s kind of crazy. Joe has been there but I’ve never gone. We started having babies right after we got married; the kids were too young and it’s something that we want to bring the kids to show. We are planning to go this summer. The pinnacle of every Housewives season is the reunion special. Walk me through what that’s like.

For someone who has never had an Italian cookie, how would you describe?

It’s complete torture. There’s no other word. We’re waking up so early - 3 a.m. to do hair and make up. You’re all jittery because you know it’s going to be an intense day.

Italian Christmas cookies are just so awesome! I feel like the kids don’t enjoy them as much, but they’re just so good! They’re less sweet. My favorite is the little ball one with the powder sugar on top and the nuts inside.

The vibe where they shoot the reunion is so quiet. Then having to sit for 12 hours and speak and not move and be grilled. Your feet hurt and you just want to go home. It’s just torture.

They’re better with coffee, which isn’t exactly a kid thing. Throw some Bailey’s in there?

Do you re-watch the season before hand to prep?

Add a little amaretto!

Housewives How do you think Real Housewives of New Jersey is different from other incarnations of the series? There’s no denying that we have a strong family vibe and we are very relatable with our struggles. We love hard and fight hard. We’re very passionate about family and that’s why people love our show. 28

December 2015

No. The first reunion I felt like I was being portrayed wrong by cast members and it just felt very heated, so I was prepared. There were notes in my phone. I was ready to go! Now, I just kind of wing it. You joined the cast in 2011. If you could tell 2011 Melissa one thing before filming started, what would it be? I would tell myself to say it like it is and not worry about any opinions from the viewers. You’ve just got to go with what you know in your heart is the right thing.

That’s interesting. Would you say going into it you were too worried about how you would come across? No, I think that after it aired you start to realize, ‘Oh my God! I can’t believe this person doesn’t see it my way.’ If you weren’t in Housewives, what would you see yourself doing for a career? I’m opening a boutique right now. It’s called Envy by Melissa Gorga in Montclair, New Jersey.

LGBT

I think a lot of it’s security in his sexuality. You know what? He really is such a secure guy. He’s so fine with it, where there’s other men who might not be as comfortable. Absolutely. Who would you say is your celebrity girl crush? I love Kate Beckensale. I think she’s beautiful. Jennifer Lopez has always been my girl - just genuinely flawless. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her not look good. It’s just hard to not say that she’s not perfection. Kind of annoying, right? Like, how do you do that?

Why do you think the Real Housewives franchise has struck a chord with the LGBT community?

I mean for somebody who gets prettier as they get older, God bless her.

I think that it’s the way that we say it like it is. We’re larger than life, and I just think it resonates.

Rosie had a great scene last season when she came out to Kathy’s children on camera.

And gay men love your husband Joe.

It was a beautiful thing to share that moment. It’s pretty amazing to capture that with two young children loving their aunt, hugging their aunt, being so accepting. That’s what this is about, and I’m so happy our show is able to showcase that. Love is love, and that’s it.

Can’t explain it, but there’s a love for Joe that’s just insane. I’ve performed at pride events and at Splash, and they literally had his picture stuck on their bodies. They go crazy over Joe!

There should never be any question. V thevitalVOICE.com

December 2015

The 2015 Give Back Guide As a community, we pride ourselves on giving. We hold events and fundraisers for a wide array of causes year-round. This holiday season, keep up the momentum and donate to a cause that’s dear to your heart. Spend your dollars helping those who need it most. The following organizations are our top picks at Vital VOICE. We hope you will remember them while in the giving spirit - we certainly will.V

5. TEAM Saint Louis

AIDS Walk Kansas City is the primary fundraising event for the AIDS Service Foundation of Greater Kansas City, who works to raise money and awareness for organizations that provide shelter, medical care and emergency services for the more than 5,700 men, women and children in Kansas City affected by HIV/ AIDS. Its affiliate, the Millennial League, is a group of young adults of the Millennial Generation that share a common interest in promoting HIV/AIDS awareness across all ages, cultures, ethnicities and genders.

Founded in 1985, EFA is the city’s oldest AIDS Service Organization. EFA provides case management, free testing and screening, and conducts community outreach. There are many ways to give to EFA including online donations, tribute giving, naming opportunities, donating your vehicle and even hosting your own fundraiser.

AIDSWalkKansasCity.org

6. Good Samaritan Project KC

2. Metro Trans Umbrella Group MTUG brings together the communities of trans, gender queer, androgynous, intersex people and their allies in the St. Louis metro area through community, visibility, advocacy and education. Whether you are a part of another group or are wishing to find a sense of community, MTUG strives to support all individuals that fall under the “umbrella term” of Trans. STLMetroTrans.com

TeamStLouis.org

Good Samaritan Project is a not-for-profit AIDS Service Organization founded near the start of the AIDS epidemic in 1985. The agency delivers services in collaboration with more than 100 community partners. GSP’s partner network includes secondary schools, youth organizations, health and human service organizations, civic and church groups, public agencies, and others. Started by volunteers who gathered in a church basement, GSP is Kansas City’s oldest and most comprehensive agency exclusively devoted to the care and prevention of HIV/AIDS. GSP-KC.org

3. DOORWAYS

4. St. Louis Effort for AIDS

Doorways is the only organization in the St. Louis area whose sole mission is to provide affordable, secure housing and related services for people living with HIV/ AIDS. A tax-deductible donation will go a long way toward helping them to provide safe, affordable housing for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, as well as help them open the doors to more clients.

DoorwaysHousing.org

STLEFA.org

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“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” - Winston Churchill.

1. AIDS Walk KC

NEW YEAR’S EVE 2015

BAL NOUVEAU A VIP New Year’s Eve Experience

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An evening of spectacular live stage entertainment, two decadent hand-crafted cocktails, sumptuous hors d'oeuvres, a bubbling champagne toast at midnight, and party favors fit for the New Year. 4510 MANCHESTER AVE ST. LOUIS - 314.932.7003 themonoclestl.com

December 2015

BOOK REVIEW

Looking for a good book to cuddle up with by the fireplace this holiday season? Well get yourself cozy and pour some hot chocolate or Baileys. We have the perfect stocking stuffer this year.

I Hope My Mother Doesn’t Read This GREG SCARNICI

Diva Rules MICHELLE VISAGE

Greg Scarnici might not have intended to write a book, but his exercises in writing short stories quickly turned into a best seller. In his debut collection of candid, shocking and hilarious essays, the Youtube sensation and SNL associate producer recounts a period in his life when he was just beginning to understand his sexuality and the city of New York.

You may know Michelle Visage as RuPaul’s right hand gal on RuPaul’s Drag Race, but she is not just your ordinary diva. In her new book, The Diva Rules: Ditch the Drama, Find Your Strength and Sparkle Your Way to the Top, Visage details her claim to fame in addition to offering advice and tips on how to live life to the fullest and finding success.

Besides Gina Gershon, have you embarrassed yourself in front of any other celebrity?

Out of all the diva rules you talk about, which one do you value the absolute most?

There was this time where I was completely wasted and asked Vince Vaughn to sign an autograph for my at one of the after parties and he was looking at me like who is this drunk queen, get them the fuck out of my face [laughs]. Unlike the Gina Gershon moment where I still think I was being funny and she should have reacted differently, here I knew I was a drunk mess and just walked up to him.

I value them all equally because I think they all serve a different purpose, but I think “You Do You” is a pretty powerful one, “Stop Relying On That Body” is another. There’s a lot and they all serve a purpose. What I like about the book is that it’s not like a soap opera where you have to read page by page to get to end. With this book, you can pick it up and whatever rule you need for that day, it’s there. And I love that.

Where is the most unusual place you ever had sex at?

Has there ever been a drag contestant that you absolutely could not work with?

Well I guess parks, but everybody does that. Airplanes, woods, movies theatre, in a car, I’m a real whore, aren’t I? [laughs]. Let’s see, oh! Just a week ago I was getting head in a club in Provincetown my boyfriend and this random guy were seated on a love seat and I was standing in front of them talking to them, and the guy next to my boyfriend started blowing me right there. You mention a lot of drug use throughout this book. What drug have you not tried? I’ve never done acid, but after reading Grace Jones’ autobiography, I want to now. After your trip to Rio, what comes to mind whenever you hear “It’s Raining Men?” Whenever I hear that song, I think of that little bar that I performed in. You know what, if I’m going to be honest with you, the association that comes to mind is the fact that a transexual prostitute pick-pocketed my boyfriend on the way home. He didn’t want that story in the book because he felt embarrassed that he was rolled as a tourist. So, what do you think will happen if your mother does read this? She did read it! She said she really enjoyed it, but skipped over some chapters any mother would.

No, not ever. I think for the most part, everybody goes on that show knowing what to expect because they’ve seen it at this point. In the beginning, it was different and it’s always evolving, but they know what to expect from me, they know what to expect from Ru – for the most part. I’ve never gotten to the point where I’m like “I’m not working with them.” I think everybody deserves to be worked with. What advice do you have for those who want to succeed but are afraid of failure? The fear of failure is the only thing that will stop you from winning, and there’s a quote that I think of often: “There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve – the fear of failure.” That is so true and the funny thing is, we are the one who stop ourselves. Nobody else. It’s so true and so ironic. We’ll just sit there like “Oh my God, why is this happening, when am I going to get my break?” We are so scared that we don’t do it, and that fear of failure actually makes us fail. V

text DENNY PATTERSON art MATHU ANDERSON AND GREGSCARNICI.COM

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December 2015

The King You Love To Hate jake maskall takes lead in the royals text KEVIN SCHMIDT art FRANK W. OCKENFELS 3/E!

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C DAN E

He is cunningly, unquestionably King. Whether you like where E!’s hit show The Royals is heading this season, Jake Maskall has headed straight to the throne, and he’s taking no prisoners with him. Maskall plays Cyrus Henstridge, who becomes King following the death of his beloved older brother, Simon. With such an entertaining villain in power this season, the show has rolled with an “anything goes” approach, making each episode even more unpredictably baffling than the previous. Maskall gets a thrill out of it. Like most famous villains portrayed on television and in the movies, his real self off the set is nothing like his character on screen. Vital VOICE caught with the ever so friendly and chatty English actor, who explains what it’s like to be the one you can’t help but love to hate. The Royals season two is off to a great start! How does it feel to be back? Director Mark Schwahn has really created magic and started season two with a bang. I keep having to pinch myself. It’s such a dream role, and it’s such a pleasure to be playing him. This season, Mark has given [Cyrus] more of a heart, another layer if you like. It’s been a bit of a calm down since wrapping filming on [season two]. It’s like, ‘okay, come on season three!’ Just working with people like Joan Collins and Elizabeth Hurley - it’s just heaven. What are you most looking forward to while playing King? We’ve got some great stuff coming up. There’s a great scene of me in a very good mood driving around drunk - that’s a DUI and states, right? But the consequences of all of that was a lot of fun laughs. We filmed that in Greenwich in London on the river, and it was a night shoot, basically driving a Bentley through sheets of glass at a very high speed. It was a lot of fun to do. You play a not so well-liked character on the show. How do you get into character? It’s therapy for me to unleash those inner demons! When I started with the pilot, it just sort of popped out. I thought about what kind of character Mark wanted. You know, he’s kind of arrogant, he’s vein, and season one was kind of about finding that Cyrus. When I read the pilot and I went on

the audition, for me, I knew I had to have it. No one else could have this part. I hoped that I could do it justice and was wondering how I could get into character. [Cyrus] is such a pleasure to play, I relish it, because really I’m actually nice. So when we started filming, everyone was shocked at how mean and nasty I could be. I hope to capture that hint a comedy in being a character that you love to hate. With new changes in Cyrus’s character, including him being bisexual, where would you like to see his character go? At the moment I’m hoping that Cyrus will remain king, and I’m thinking Cyrus is very much hoping he remains king. He would probably like to have a son perhaps, to continue his line. But you know, it is The Royals and anything could happen; it sort of snakes and twists and turns. In reference to him being bisexual, the thing is that it’s sort of normal and it’s not even questioned on the show, which is a great thing. It’s very reflective of society and where it’s going with gay marriage and civil rights. You know, it’s not an issue. You came out in 2005, which you said was no secret. How do you think being openly gay in the industry has changed over the past 10 years? Well there are not many actors who have come out, I guess. Of course it’s nothing to be ashamed of, and it shouldn’t be questioned at the end of the day. People may pigeonhole, thinking that gay people can only play gay parts, which is ridiculous. I’m hoping it’s changed, and I kind of came out in order to perpetuate the change. I don’t like to talk about my private life; I like to let my work speak from itself and have people take me on my level of work. How do you think the royal family on the show is similar to the British Royal Family? [Laughs] Well I guess it’s kind of like “art, life; life, art.” The thing is with The Royals, it’s all very much bigger than life; it’s fictional and we can literally get away with murder. I like to think that the British monarchy watches the show and they smile. I’m sure Harry and William watch it, and the girls Eugene and Beatrice. And I hope they can take it for what it is. We’re not reflective of British monarchy at all, but there are things that are similar, and we have touched on things that have been thevitalVOICE.com

fictionalized. But no, I don’t think that we are that close to them. Which one of your costars has surprised you the most? John Collins. She is the most remarkable woman, still working at her age. She is a professional and stunningly beautiful and she gives me inspiration that I can be working at that age. How amazing. There some days where we will be in our 13th hour and Joan, Dame Joan I call her, will be in there on an emotional roller coaster. She’s remarkable, and I tip my hat off to her because of her stamina. When it comes to a television series, do you prefer British originals or American spinoffs? I don’t believe in remakes, point blank. I think that when it’s been done, it’s original whether it’s British, whether it’s American, whether it’s Japanese. Anytime you make it a remake, it’s not going to be as good; it’s not going to have the heart. But lately I’ve been watching Fargo, and I love American TV. It’s some of the best in the world. Fargo is fantastic, and Nurse Jackie, which I love. I think Americans do TV brilliantly. I think that’s what helps with The Royals is that it’s American. Mark is American and I think that makes it better. Any guilty pleasures with TV, reality shows perhaps? Sometimes I worry that I’m addicted to the television. But I give myself excuses that I have to be culturally trained, as it’s a part of my training. It’s work at the end of the day, watching those shows. I love MasterChef, and I love X Factor. And the Great British Bake Off, that’s pretty good too. And what are your holiday plans this year? Usually on Christmas Eve, we say that we can have one present each. But when the Prosecco starts flowing, we end up opening all of our presents. So it’s become a bit of a tradition now that we open all the presents on Christmas Eve. When you’re King, you make your own traditions. V

The Royals airs Sundays at 10/9c on E! thevitalVOICE.com 37

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NEW YEAR’S EVE celebration

DECEMBER 18-20

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JANUARY 2-3

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December 2015

MAY 18-22

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Visit the Gallery at Craft Alliance Center of Art + Design for all of your Holiday Shopping! featuring Handmade gifts by local & national artists Jewerly, Ceramics, Glass, Scarves & More Cascades of ﬂoating handblown glass orbs Karen Woodward POP-UP! December 11-13 with an all new collection of whimsical glass sculpture “Dudes” We’ve got Yes covered. And yes, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri will help you get covered too. Visit us at lsem.org or call 314.256.8753.

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Delmar Loop 6640 Delmar Blvd. St. Louis MO 63130 314.725.117 ext.322

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Works grounded in shared memories of growing up in St. Louis

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STEVEN AND WILLIAM LADD : SCOUTS OR SPORTS? Open through February 14, 2016 Portrait. Photo credit Nick Lee, 2015.

The Fox Theatre • January 19-31, 2016 314-534-1111 • MetroTix.com

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ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD WHILE HIGH

Penelope Wigstock Christmas Eve 1996. I was dreading the holidays as usual: the crowded stores, the obnoxious shoppers, the bags of unsold weed sitting in my trunk…all very depressing. My friend Laura Bush was in town visiting relatives, so I invited her to join me for lunch. “Lunch” devolved into four Manhattans each, punctuated with an occasional spoonful of chicken and wild rice soup. We were hammered by 2:00 PM and desperate for something to do.We drove back to my apartment and dragged in one of the bags of weed, parsed out the stash, and crafted a few fatties for later.

Holiday Sweater that resembled the aftermath of a bomb blast at Hobby Lobby. I was certain that one of the embroidered elves on her garment was making lewd gestures towards me with his tongue, but in retrospect, I attribute it to the marijuana. We began dishing out turkey, stuffing, and all the “fixins” as my Branson relatives call them. I was feeling a bit sluggish and starting to come down from the booze and pot fueled afternoon, so Laura reached into her Dooney & Bourke bag, fished out a little orange pill, and shoved it into my hand.“Take this. You’ll be perkier in no time.” After running out of food thirty minutes later, we headed back to my place. I was feeling very sensual, and my suspicions were confirmed when Laura told me she’d given me a hit of Ecstacy. She suggested that we go out clubbing and I gently reminded her that almost all bars were closed on Christmas Eve. She passed out on my couch shortly after we turned the television on. I grabbed my secret stash of boner pills from underneath the bed and threw on a coat. I scribbled a note and left it pinned to her Liz Claiborne blouse: “Headed off to honor some vets. I would have woken you up, but you know I don’t share.”

Over a few bottles of Smirnoff Ice, we reminisced about our time together at Satan’s School for Girls—an upscale institution in rural Oklahoma.

When I arrived back at the Veteran’s shelter, several men were already sleeping in cots on the floor. I nudged them awake and fed them the pills with a glass of water, explaining that they were “vitamins.”

One of us came up with the brilliant idea that we would visit an Army Veteran’s Center down the street and help out serving Christmas Eve dinner. We smoked three joints in the time it took us to walk four blocks to the facility. By the time we arrived, we were stoned out of our fucking minds.

I don’t know how many of our service men I banged that night, but when I left early the next morning, I felt wildly patriotic and proud that I had shared the Christmas spirit—and maybe a mild bout of syphiliswith those brave soldiers. V

A nice woman named “Carol” got us situated and provided us with instructions. Carol was wearing a

Merry Christmas from Penelope!

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St. LOUIS: PEARL VODKA & DEFIANCE WHISKEY PRESENT

December 2015

GUYS & DOLLS Art mark moore Place LILLY’S mUSIC & SoCIaL HoUSe

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STL ART museum The Era of Innovative Design Open through January 31, 2016 Open Tuesdayâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Sunday St. Louis Modern has been organized by the Saint Louis Art Museum. This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Gertrude and William A. Bernoudy Foundation, and by BMO Harris Bank. Financial assistance has been provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency. Harley Earl, 1893â&#x20AC;&#x201C;1969; made by Chevrolet of General Motors, Detroit, and manufactured in St. Louis; Corvette, 1954; plastic, fiberglass, chrome, rubber, leather, glass, canvas, and assorted metals; 51 x 167 x 72 inches; Collection of Stephen F. Brauer

Now Open! FREE admission

MO History offee museum

THE WORLD IN YOUR CUP & ST. LOUIS IN YOUR CUP

Missouri History Museum

Forest Park | 314.746.4599 | mohistory.org Coffee: The World in Your Cup has been organized by the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Washington, Seattle. Major sponsorship has been provided by The Boeing Company, Microsoft Corporation, Starbucks Coffee Company, and the University of Washington. Support for this exhibition in St. Louis provided by

The Dana Brown Charitable Trust, U.S. Bank, Trustee

December 2015

DO YOU DO THESE?

INTERN WITH US! photography, writing, design and web internships available

contact: vv@thevitalvoice.com 314.256.1196

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PLAYDATES SAINT LOUIS

STLEFA 30th ANNIVERSARY

Nutcracker at the ballet

12/4 - sheldon concert hall - thesheldon.org

12/18-20 - Edison Theater - Edison.wustl.edu

Come and help Saint Louis Effort for AIDS celebrate 30 years of service featuring the acts of Stacy Carter, Andrew Patrick, Heather Curry, Anthony “Redd” Williams, Dwayne Estes and more! General Admission is $30 at the door; A $75 VIP reception starts at 6:45 p.m. that includes food and beverages.

A magical adventure for the whole family! The beloved Christmas story of a young German girl who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince takes stage at the Missouri Ballet Theatre in the Edison Theater on Washington University’s campus. The classic holiday ballet takes you around the world in a dazzling display of poignant skill and technique.

12/1 WORLD AIDS DAY Missouri History Museum Stlefa.org

12/5 Grinchmas on South Grand South Grand Neighborhood Southgrand.org

12/11-26

Sublime Intimacy 12/4-20 - Kranzberg Arts Center Maxandlouie.com It’s a remembered tale of five friends whose lives were touched and changed forever by their love of the dancer and the dance. Written and directed by Ken Page, Sublime Intimacy is a story that will be told through visual art and dance. St. Louis musician Henry Palkes composes an original suite of music, which will underscore the play.

December 2015

Holi-Dazzle Naughty or Nice Cabaret Show! The Monocle themonoclestl.com

12/18 AMY SCHUMER Scottrade Center Livenation.com

12/5 Wynonna & The Big Noise Lumiere Live lumiereplace.org

12/9-1/3 Wicked Fabulous Fox Theater Fabulousfox.com

12/12-13 Christmas at the cathedral Cathedral Basilica St. Louis Cathedralconcerts.org

12/18-20 MACY’S HOLIDAY CELEBRATION Powell Hall stlsymphony.org

DECEMBER Kansas City

Toys FOR TOTS

Sipping For Save 12/2 - participating bars - Saveinckc.org

12/17 - BISTRO 303 - THEVITALVOICE.com

SAVE, Inc. has partnered with 10 local establishments who have agreed to donate 20% of their bar tabs for the evening to the organization. SAVE, Inc. has chartered two luxury buses to make a continual loop between bars throughout the evening, so make sure to purchase your bus pass ticket for a VIP experience! All money raised stays in the Kansas City area to help find housing solutions for individuals and families dealing with HIV/AIDS, mental illness and/or substance abuse.

On Thursday, Dec. 17, Pearl Vodka & Vital VOICE invite you to continue celebrating the holiday season with a Toys for Tots drive at Bistro 303. The holiday party of the year features two of your 2015 Voice Your CHOICE winners: Your favorite drag queen, Daisy Bucket, will be hosting the event and KC’s DJ Chad Slater will be spinning all night! In addition, U.S. Marines will be on hand to collect your new, unused toys to donate.

12/5-24

12/8-13

THE NUTCRACKER

DIRTY DANCING

Kauffman Center Kcballet.org

MUSIC HALL Theaterleague.com

12/10

12/11

HOLIDAY GIVING B2b

GIRL 2 GIRL

Dan Nilson Residence Maglcc.org

Uptown Arts Bar Uptownartsbar.com

12/12

12/18

TECH THE HALLS

DANCING WITH THE STARS

Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland - midlandkc.com

Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland - midlandkc.com

12/23

12/26

BETTY WHITE CHRISTMAS

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA

Late Night Theatre umkc.edu

Sprint Center Sprintcenter.com

Heartland Men’s chorus PRESENTS 11/13 - The Folly Theater - follytheater.org Join Heartland Men’s Chorus for Kansas City’s non-traditional holiday tradition! We’ll wrap you up in a cozy Christmas sweater and warm your heart with soulful and sassy music of the season, including “Loving, Tender, Present,” a new commission about family and the holidays from the 1950s to today. With a mix of classic carols and merry mischief, there’s no place like home for the holidays. thevitalVOICE.com

SUNDAY FUNDAY!

Asian infused brunch, the best bloody Mary's & miss Leon's fried chicken From 4pm ~ close!

December 2015

textkevin kevinschmidt schmidt text artdARin dARinsLYmAn sLYmAn art place mOnOcLe placethe BistRO 303

last lastcall call

Joshua Minnis

Dave Welsh

“Fireball: At cost,” Josh quickly responds regarding one of the best parts of his job. “But a close second is working with my family. The people behind the bar with me are the people I hang out with on my days off, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” And besides creating dessertinspired drinks to sip on, Josh enjoys other Pearl cocktailsDave’s like Bistro303’s Cucumber Working favorite night to workMartini. at The “We mix PearlisCucumber VodkaRon withBryant Elderflower Monocle Thursday, where and Liquor and fizz,”make he explains. “It’s a sure fire hit Amy Armstrong it a joy to work behind with everyone whoyet orders it.” the bar. “Their fun, sometimes poignant and heartfelt performances start at 9 p.m. While bartendershe like Josh lovethe working and gomost until midnight,” says. “Also the high-energy somewhat chaotic shifts of crowd is engulfedand in the energy and you can Friday nights, favorite time to be just feeland the Saturday magic behind thehis bar.” at the Bistro is every Monday. “We have a group of ten ornew fifteen guysand called ‘Prime Timers’ Meeting people, making new friendsthat come in for our $5 Special,” and relationships areSandwich the best parts of he says. Dave’s job. “It is hard toofeven say ‘friends,’” “It’s the local chapter a worldwide social club he everyone that comes into forsays, older“as gay men. They’re a hoot! Nothe matter how Monocle feels more like family.” Furthermore, bad my Sunday Funday hangover, they put a the entire team tirelessly worked endless smile on my face every Monday afternoon.” early mornings and late nights to put every detail into place before they opened, and in building something special that they are exceptionally proud of, they look out for each other in the way family members do.

The CHOCOLATECOVERED CHERRY 2.5 oz Pearl Chocolate-Covered Cherry Vodka

The monocle

2 oz Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream 1As ozthe Coffee Liqueur newest spectacle in The Grove, The Monocle is very elegant, yet still feels like Shake with ice andon a “Cheers” like home. vigorously They pride themselves atmosphere, and get to lined know their customers strain into a chocolate personally. “We like toup know glass. May be served or their name and how their dayGarnish has been,” Dave on the rocks. with an says. “The crowds cover every demographic Amarena cherry. Add a dash of and age, 21 and up of course, butsweeten you see a little bit of the Amarena syrup to every age.” to taste if needed. “I love this after dinner treat because it This is a place to come with a date, friends, combines the traditional pairing family or anyone you want of coffee and dessert into to really spend quality time with. You can actually carry on a one delicious cocktail!” Josh conversation, watch an favorite amazing show or sing says. “Pair it with your alongor at our oneWhiskey-Glazed of our wonderful themed nights. cigar It’s heavy on concept and rich in experience, Bread Pudding.” all the while sparing no expense on a wellexecuted cocktail, with a commitment to above par entertainment and lavish interiors. It is a place with substance, swagger and that little something special.

The Tesla 2 oz Pearl Vodka Three Muddled Fresh Strawberries Three Fresh Basil Leaves Muddled .75 oz Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice

.75 oz Buzz Button infused House made simple syrup. The Tesla is one of the more popular craft cocktails at The Monocle. While it is a delicious drink by itself, the bar staff loves to experience everyone’s reaction to the “Buzz Button” that comes along side of the drink. It’s what makes the cocktail not only fun to make, but fun to watch.

BISTRO 303 Bistro 303 combines beautiful exposed brick and period architecture with a collection of paintings representing over fifty years of local Kansas City artists. “It’s truly a stunningly beautiful bar,” Josh says. “I’ve lovingly called it ‘Gay Cheers,’ where every queen knows your name. The crowd is the epitome of a friendly neighborhood hangout. It becomes quite the party on weekends!” More than just being a fabulous place to hang out, Josh is proud to work for a gay owned and operated local business that gives so much back to the community. “I began my relationship with the owners of Bistro 303 while hosting ASFKC (AIDS Service Foundation of Greater Kansas City) fundraisers years before I started working here,” he says. “I was thrilled to say ‘yes’ when they offered me the gig! They’ve made it a part of their business model to donate space, time and money to organizations that work for the betterment of our LGBTQ family and the greater Kansas City community.”

thevitalVOICE.com

December 2015

Pamper Yourself. Support the Cause. Book a 50-minute Your Choice Massage or a 50-minute Classic Facial and ask for the “Pride St. Louis Spa Package”. Guests will pay the retail rate and Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis will donate a portion of sales to Pride St. Louis, Inc. Call 314-881-5758 or visit fourseasons.com/stlouis/spa_and_salon

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More than 150 of the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top restaurants have come together for Kansas Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier dining event. Enjoy 10 days of multi-course menus at an extraordinary value. Visit KCRestaurantWeek.com for menus, reservations and a free mobile app. Gold Sponsors: Country Club Plaza, The Star/INK Magazine, Page Communications, Power & Light District, Town Center Plaza - Crossing, Open Table, Boulevard Brewing Co., Central States Beverage Images by Landon Vonderschmidt