March 2015 by The Vital Voice Magazine

MARCH 2015

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Contents CEO & partner Darin Slyman dsly@thevitalvoice.com Publisher & Partner Jimmy Lesch jimmy@thevitalvoice.com Art Director Sam sanchez sam@thevitalvoice.com Content Manager Kevin Schmidt kevin@thevitalvoice.com Writer Chris andoe chris@thevitalvoice.com Writer Hanna botney hanna@thevitalvoice.com

publisherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s letter androgynous fashion Diverse Kansas City Trans Visibility Kansas City

Trans Visibility

briefs newly weds tales from the emperor:

denny@thevitalvoice.com

gay bishop

black pride

art: Darin Slyman, Sam Sanchez, jon barbe, mark moore, Attilio Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Agostino/Alive Magazine, Brian bowen smith/E!, alex martinez/bravo text: Kevin schmidt, karla templeton, chris andoe, denny patterson, darren lewis, penelope wigstock Design: sam sanchez and grant swanson

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March 2015

throughout the St. Louis and Kansas City area

March 2015 | Volume 16 | Issue 3

26. E!’s royal rebel talks all things Moseley and gives an inside look on UK’s reigning family.

Cover photo by Brian Bowen Smith/E!

the insider

Sorority sweethearts dish on the dramas and delights of their first year of marriage on Bravo’s Newlyweds.

Men in crop tops and women in combat boots: Androgynous fashion is more than a trend!

Get your tickets to Kansas City Fashion Week, and get to know Project Runway’s Laura Kathleen.

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March 2015

publisher’s Letter

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When playing card games we know that there are 13 suits to a complete deck and within those suits are a range of numerical and face cards. As in life, the cards are a wealth of diversity in which to hold or play to win the game. Whether you’re a king like Mr. Moseley from the hit new E! Network TV show The Royals or the ace of spades bending gender lines, it always takes a full deck of cards to create a complete and diverse sphere. The diversity of our world fabric is what makes us unique, colorful and exciting. There are so many different slices to our world that many do not know about. One group that will be returning to our community is Black Pride St. Louis celebration. After a short hiatus, many came together to bring back this time-honored gathering that is unique to the LGBT AfroAmerican Community.

Jimmy Lesch Publisher Partner

Darin Slyman CEO Partner

Nothing is more diverse than the array of topics that will be presented at the 4th annual BRIEFS LGBT Theatre Festival this year. Joan Lipkin, The LGBT Center of St. Louis and Vital VOICE are excited to showcase these many LGBT stories March 27–29. You can get early tickets at BRIEFS15. Brownpaperticket.com. This year BRIEFS is moving to the famed Rialto Ballroom in Grand Center. We are also excited to add the Ken Haller playwriting competition. There will be a reception on Friday March 27 at 6:30 p.m. for both the winner and Ken Haller and his contribution to theatre and activism for the LGBT community. The universe deals us all different hands. How we play ‘em is up to us. Always remember to be uniquely you and never let others direct you into something that you are not. Again, diversity is what makes our society special. Embrace, help and cherish the differences between us all. V

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March 2015

the

a word

androgyny

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change, in a world full of

March 2015

fashion has been the model that has reshaped the perception of the public. For years, the garment industry has been the hero of hateful stereotypes that classified men and women to particular standards of style. Never boxing anyone or anything in, this culture has went on to transform the title of genderneutral to what we know now as androgynous fashion. Androgyny is very appealing to the eye, this approach is sure to leave your audience in an array of thoughts that question the ambiguity of your fabric. The concept of androgyny is a unisexual and ambiguous experience pushed to the edge by daredevils who strived for dimensional differences in their closets. Anyone can pick out different articles of clothing, but there arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t many who can purchase puzzling pieces that pick the brains of their onlookers. This trend is an intersex statement that stabs at any stigma that fabricates the limits of fashion and what it should be.

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Androgyny can easily be thought of as a mixture of masculine and feminine features or characteristics crossed between gender. Today, androgyny is not associated with the collision of the sexes but more with the code of crossdressing. This movement has been breaking boundaries that categorize gender and the creation of clothing for men and women. Gender has been taken out of fashion, and the man you’re in love with is frivolously flamboyant. That woman you have your eye on is serving some macho metrosexuality and made masculinity a part of her wardrobe. It’s not about sexuality, but the singularity of style and how an individual identifies themselves through their designer pieces. The dazzling dapper women of fashion has been making a splash in the pool of perception by crossing lines of their sexuality with strength. The ideal woman is not always thought of as a skinny feminine woman, but the catty couture world of modeling and society has set the standards that are presented in the media. Today, the modeling industry is reconstructing the unrealistic principles that have been placed in the world of fashion by reinforcing the ideas of a unisex look. For centuries, women have

been incorporating trousers, leather jackets and combat boots into their everyday appearance. The silhouette of a woman can find its perfect fit with a sleek blazer or a crisp cut button down that compliments her cleavage. Androgyny is an aspect of fashion that has power as an artistic medium that can go against the rules, but still be relevant on a commercial level. This particular level can separate the societal views on gender and challenge the grey area that has been unchangeable in fashion. Men have been making milestones in fashion by emphasizing their feminine features through different articles of female clothing. The idea of men dressing in women’s clothing has been a way of masculinizing female fabric, but it should be thought of as elegant empowerment. Don’t confuse that skirt with a kilt, there’s a difference between the material and how it is worn. We shouldn’t have to go to great lengths to inform participants of fashion about their rights of reinvention. Gentlemen wearing crop tops crack the code of ethics set by society of how men should be presented. The fundamentals of fashion are limitless and we stand firm in our beliefs of embodying the lifestyle. V thevitalVOICE.com

kansas city

politics art/culture

DICITY. text karla templeton art sam sanchez

fashion nightlife community

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;15 Despite recent legal and cultural changes surrounding the rights of LGBT people in the United States, it is no secret that there is still a great deal of progress to be made in the struggle for LGBT equality in America. This struggle is especially true in much of Middle America, where community members and politicians alike vocally and legislatively boast their condemnation. Like a beacon of light in what is often a very disheartening political arena, Kansas City, Missouri shines as a model for hope and evolution. This is the geographical center of the U.S. It is also the center of some very real and very positive change. It is a city that inclusively welcomes prosperity for each of its citizens.

March 2015

Further proof of the city’s LGBT political support can be seen in recent strides made in the struggle for marriage equality. The Kansas City area began issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples in November of 2014 after a federal judge declared that Missouri’s ban on gay marriage violates the U.S. Constitution.

In addition to a bourgeoning political atmosphere, Kansas City has much to offer its LGBT citizens and visitors. The art and cultural diversity are unmatched for hundreds of miles, making it a premier destination for those looking to get away for a weekend of fun.

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more has

While there is a multitude of things to do for residents and visitors during the day, Kansas City truly comes alive at night. The city has a thriving theater scene and no shortage of restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Regardless of what you’re looking for, there is somewhere to go and a host of friendly faces waiting to greet you.

Along with a rich history in the arts comes a rich history in the fashion world. Kansas City garment businesses and designers were responsible for a great deal of production in the Midwest in the last century, and are on the upswing to have that prominence again.

Known as “The City of Fountains,” Kansas City is beautiful from the inside out. Whether taking a stroll through one of the city’s many parks, walking along the streets of the Plaza or visiting the renowned Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the history of the city and the care with which it has been preserved are undeniable.

LGBT owned and/or friendly establishments are located throughout the metropolitan area. They are active within the community at large and play a major role in fundraising efforts for a variety of causes that directly benefit those in need.

Kansas City Fashion Week is an annual highlight in the area that never disappoints. Taking place March 19-21, be sure to check out this year’s collections! Tomboy Design Studio by local Designer Laura McGrew is confirmed to be there.

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politics art/culture fashion nightlife community

For decades, Kansas City has stood out in stark contrast to its Kansas neighbors. Kansas Governor Sam Brownback operates on the concept of “traditional family values.” His current battle for these family values includes an attempt to rescind an executive order, signed eight years ago by then Governor Kathleen Sebelius, to grant workplace protections to LGBT workers for the state government. Kansas City’s mayor Sly James takes a different approach. In a tweet to his 35,000 followers (@MayorSlyJames), he exclaims, “LGBT COMMUNITY! You are welcome in Kansas City! #equality #KansasCity.” The tweet quickly received over 900 favorites and more than 668 retweets, with 2000 additional likes and shares on Facebook. Kansas City and Sly himself are revered by many LGBT organizations across the country including The Human Rights Campaign, from which they recently received a perfect 100 on the organization’s Municipal Equality Index for the second year in a row.

Bistro303, Hamburger Mary’s, Buddies, Café Trio, Industry Video Bar, Missy B’s, Sidekick’s Saloon and Sidestreets Bar are just some of the terrific venues that call KC home.

all

Kansas

City

The glue that holds Kansas City’s diverse community together and ensures its continued growth is its tremendous ring of community organizations. Together, they have empowered young people (like Kansas City’s Zachary Mallory, winner of Nickelodeon’s “The Halo Effect” award) through education and have instilled a sense of pride in all that won’t soon fade. LikeMe Lighthouse is Kansas City’s beloved LGBT Community Center. Opened in 2012 by The LikeMe Organization, a nonprofit founded by country music star Chely Wright, LikeMe’s mission is “To provide a safe and welcoming space where LGBT individuals and their families, friends, and straight allies can come for education, resources and to build a cohesive LGBT community in the Midwest.” Along with donors, volunteers and widespread support, they have dedicated their space and their efforts to doing just that. All around, it is clear that the current of diversity running through the heart of Kansas City is strong. In a location more conducive to following a hateful lead than standing up for the rights of all, this city sets the right example. V

www.visitkc.com

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March 2015

transgender day

text denny patterson art jon barbe

of visibility

march 31 kansas city

The journey toward living openly and authentically looks different for everyone, and Madeline Johnson agrees. Johnson is a Senior Partner at Edelman, Liesen & Myers L.L.P in Kansas City and a selfproclaimed “gender attorney.” The title was given to her by one of her younger clients. Johnson primarily represents clients who have been discriminated against in employment and education based on sexual orientation and gender identity, but her favorite part is petitioning courts on behalf of clients for name changes, gender marker changes and birth certificate amendments. “Being the first person to call them by their now legal name and being the first person to be able to recognize them as their true identity is amazing,” she says. “There’s nothing I find as rewarding than helping people legally achieve that recognition.” Johnson began her transition three years ago. The most resistance she received was from family, but they have finally come to terms and accept her true identity. “On my last birthday, I received a wonderful text message from my mother stating that on this day she’d given birth to a daughter, it just took her 45 years to find me,” she says. “It was awesome, it was very validating for her to say I recognize my daughter.” In regards to Johnson’s career, she has not seen any push back. In fact, her practice as an attorney has thrived much more after coming out. “I think it has to do with my being true to myself and being authentic,” she explains. “I think my clients see a more confident, stronger person. They see a strong woman who’s ready to advocate for them. Whereas before, they saw someone who was a little bit weaker, I think. Somebody who was less confident. Less sure of the process and less sure of themselves. I think it’s been a great benefit to me in my practice. And of course, it’s expanded my practice into the realm of LGBT law.”

madeline johnson

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March 2015

transgender day

text denny patterson art Darin slyman

of visibility

march 31 saint louis

“I believe that we are at a critical time in the transgender rights movement,” says Sayer Johnson, President and co-founder of the St. Louis Metro Trans Umbrella Group (MTUG). “Representational, positive visibility is key to assisting us in claiming space at the community table. While the media has highlighted some of the trans narrative in powerful ways lately, there are many more narratives and stories that need to be told.” This year, MTUG will be launching an online campaign on Facebook outlining local visible trans folks and also plan on some sort of gathering. Details have not yet been finalized, so stay tuned to their website, stlmetrotrans.com, and their Facebook page. Personally, Sayer takes time to reflect on the ability to be an out trans person and the impact it has had on his life. “I feel gratitude for all the love and support I have received on this part of my journey and I recommit to the work,” he says. V

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March 2015

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Pearl vodka Presents 4th Annual

that uppity theatre company text denny patterson art sam sanchez

In conjunction with That Uppity Theatre Company and Vital VOICE Magazine, Pearl Vodka is proud to present the fourth season of Briefs: A Festival of Short LGBT Plays. Briefs has become a gem of St. Louis that brings together numerous directors and theatrical artists to showcase the work of eight different playwrights. Over 170 submissions were considered for selection. “Briefs is very important because we are getting the opportunity to see LGBT stories though the medium of live theatre,” said Vital VOICE CEO Darin Slyman. “Of course we read about these LGBT stories and of course hear about them, but rarely the opportunity to see them.” Conceived by co-producer and artistic director Joan Lipkin, she came up with the idea of Briefs because she felt that there

March 2015

wasn’t enough LGBT work being done in St. Louis. In addition, she is in love with the short play form. “I feel that you can curate numerous experiences to take place for one performance,” she says. “It gives you exposure to a variety of perspectives so it makes it possible for more directors, actors and writers to be involved. When you have a play by a single playwright, people have to really make the decision as to if they’re really going to see that play or not. It often shuts down exposure to new work because people can sometimes be a little more reluctant to invest an evening of their time and money in seeing something possibly done by somebody they don’t know or about something they haven’t heard of. Briefs, in a sense, is asking you to take risks, but only ten minutes at a time.

So if there’s one play you’re not that into, well, just hold on because you’ll probably be excited about the next one. It makes it possible for us to have a whole range of aesthetics, styles and issues.” Themes for this year’s festival will include a gay mermaid searching for love, the stresses of sexual identity for LGBT adolescents and a lesbian version of Dr. Seuss, in addition to works by nationally recognized playwrights Paul Rudnick and Wendy MacLeod. In the long run, Lipkin would like to identify enough strong material to publish an anthology of work that has come out of Briefs which would be a contribution to both the fields of dramatic literature and LGBT studies. Previously held at La Perla Private Event Space, Briefs will be moving to the Centene

A festival of short lgbt plays

Center for the Arts at the invitation of Cynthia Prost, the executive director of the Arts and Education Council who has attended Briefs since the beginning.

prize of $250 to the winning playwright and production at the festival. Haller’s work has been pivotal on behalf of young people and the LGBT community.

“I have seen this theatre festival grow and essentially outgrow its old location,” Slyman said. “We were fortunate to run into people from the Arts and Education Council of St. Louis. Cynthia’s been in charge of the Centene Center and said she would love to have the festival held there. It’s a bigger place, which is a top operative to provide the next setup in how our festival has evolved over the last four years. We’re providing a breath of fresh air.”

“I really wanted to expand our relationship with younger people and reach out to them to be more involved,” Lipkin said. “Next year, we hope to reach out additionally to high school students and make that a real specific initiative. Right now we only allowed college students because it was more expedient in trying to connect with them. We hope to work with several high school teachers in the area to help them offer opportunities for their students to write short plays.”

This year, Briefs also introduced the Ken Haller Playwriting Competition for LGBT and Allied Youth. Named after pediatrician, performer and longtime gay activist Ken Haller, this contest will provide a cash

John Schmidt, a senior and Nemerov scholar at Washington University in St. Louis, is this year’s winner.

Last year, I attended Briefs for the first time and was astounded by the quality and diversity of experiences depicted,” Schmidt says. “I am beyond honored to be selected as the winner of the inaugural Ken Haller Playwriting Contest and can’t wait to see my play, ‘A Little Splash of Brandy,’ produced alongside work I respect and admire so much.” Briefs’ performances will be held Friday and Saturday, March 27-28 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 29 at 2 p.m. A complimentary senior brunch will be featured on Sunday before the final matinee. Tickets prices are $18 in advance and $23 at the door and can be purchased online at brownpapertickets.com or call (800) 838-3006. V

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newly weds

Native New Yorkers Sam and Laura Leigh Abby are the epitome of a powerhouse lesbian couple. They began their journey as sorority sisters during undergrad at Emerson and soon began dating. Fastforward eight years, a production company, and a budding writing career: Sam is the owner of Penny Lane Productions, and Laura Leigh, a published writer with Huffington Post and Cosmopolitan Magazine. What’s more, they’ve just finished filming their first year of marriage for the Bravo reality show “Newlyweds: The First Year”. It’s difficult to say which is more endearing -their passion for life or their passion for love- but either way, it is clear that they are in it together. This duo bravely faces every obstacle with a tenacity and sense of purpose unmatched in many.

How long into your official first year of marriage was filming? Right away, we started filming the week we got married and we filmed for over a year, so we made it through that first anniversary with Bravo. when was your official wedding date? September 7, 2013. From filming, were either of you nervous about what could potentially air? You are nervous about putting your marriage out there to the world, sure. It’s under a microscope, but the reason we did the show was to really just show viewers what it’s like in this particular same-sex relationship, so you’re gonna have regrets but we certainly enjoyed doing the show and we stand behind everything we filmed. Was this a unanimous decision for the both of you to showcase your first year on a reality TV show? Yeah, we talked about it and decided as a couple that we would go ahead with it; it was a discussion that we had together. Yes, it was unanimous. How do you feel same-sex marriage/ couples have been portrayed in television, and how do you feel about Bravo’s portrayal? In terms of Bravo’s reality programming, I feel as if they let everyone be themselves. It’s tough to ask how we feel about representing samesex couples or about representing all lesbians out there. As far as we can go, we can show

March 2015

first year,no fear

everyone what we are about and what our relationship looks like. We can really only speak for ourselves. Has marriage changed the dynamics of your relationship after 8 years together? I think for us, marriage has made it more official, it’s more fun to say “wife.” It’s also more fun to make plans and do things, you always have somebody to have an excuse with. We’ve been a team for so long, marriage made the team official. This is our family; we are one unit now. Any plans for children? Haha! We will have to see! Watch the show and find out! What is the craziest date you have been on together? Our first official date, we were in college and we went out to dinner and went to a sorority party together. It was just one of those ridiculous situations that your like, “How did my life turn out this way?” I’m in a sorority and I’m dating one of my sisters.” Funny stories from wedding day? Funny stories…our guests partied their asses off. So for the first time ever, I actually am more of the party girl in the relationship, and so my friends were prepping me “don’t drink too much.” Well, as you will see when you watch the show, I was well behaved and Sam had a couple of drinks.

What’s next for the both of you? My goals are for writing. I like writing personal essays, about my life, things that I think are normal that are really actually unique to me. Being fearless with my voice, and saying “Hey, maybe this isn’t something that’s being talked about, and I want to put it out there.” I have a support system behind me and I can say these things. I’m working on a short memoir right now that I am hoping to publish, so that’s my biggest goal at the moment. I am also working on a lesbian wedding website, called 2brides2be, that I am hoping to get live in the next month. Just had a piece in this past months issue of Cosmopolitan about my relationship and lesbian identity that I am getting a ton of positive feedback from, so it’s really nice when you put something out there and you realize that there are really people who it’s affecting. Continue working in production, focusing now on digital media, just finished a show for Sony’s new company Astronauts Wanted, that I produced for them under Penny Lane Pictures. I have a gay cooking show that is based in New York where we have prominent gay guests who come onto the show, talk about their lives, explore and share recipes. Right now we are shooting a pilot for NYC TV as well as a subsidiary where we shoot high school junior and seniors. We film performing art and athletic videos to help get them into college, which is another thing we have started in the past year. I kind of love creative content, whatever comes to me and other ideas that I love, that’s what I produce. We are looking forward to letting everyone into our lives and let everyone see what we are about! V

y s

text karla templeton art alex martinez/bravo

laura

sam

Newlyweds: The First Year premieres Tuesday, March 10 on Bravo!

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the royalsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

rebel without a cause

March 2015

illiam Moseley has got a lot going for him right now. The British actor first caught our eyes in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, where he played a virtuous and guarded big brother figure with high standards. These days, William continues this balance of nobility and humility in his own life, taking little for granted in a career that has been steady and consistent since he was a child. Now, with his undoubtedly attractive looks and endearing British accent, Moseley takes on the role of Prince Liam in the new E! series, The Royals. The show gives a more glamorous and modern look into what goes down when the paparazzi aren’t there to capture catch them at their most vulnerable times. It’s chock full of drug abuse, inappropriate tweets, shady stares and impromptu rendezvous: every OC-watching, One Tree Hill-loving fan expects out of such a deceitful melodrama. Vital VOICE caught up with William to talk about the show, and to talk all things Moseley.

text Kevin Schmidt art Brian Bowen Smith, E!

what made you get into the show? You read a lot of scripts, a lot of pilots of TV shows, and often they don’t grab you. There’s something about The Royals, and I was kind of skeptical about it at first. I knew that E! was this kind of “gossip channel” and I was thinking that so far this doesn’t sound good. But once I read it, I could not put it down. It was actually really brilliant. It’s self-deprecating, it’s fun. It’s very satirical, very witty. It’s a very well-written, well-crafted show. And I really just went to town to do my best job to try and get the part. I worked really hard: I flew myself back to England on my own dime to meet the director. I remember him saying that it hadn’t gone unnoticed that I flew all the way back to meet him. And so, we kind of connected and it all fell into place in a beautiful, harmonic way.

How does this role differ from other roles that you have had in the past? I haven’t played many roles that aren’t quite as, almost eccentric, or full of life. Full of the good, the bad, everything that is sort of modern culture. I’ve played

raunchy, but more raunchy in a fictional world. I haven’t seen this side of opulence and extravagance, and that was something that was really fun to get into. So, this is definitely something new for me.

What did you know about the Royal Family before being cast for the show? Well. I’ve met the Queen, I’ve met Prince Charles, the Duke of Edinburgh and Camilla, and I was kind of enamored when I met them, especially when I met the Queen. It’s sort of one of those magical moments that you never forget. I remember sitting next to Simon Pegg, and we were both actually born in the same hospital in this tiny little town in England and he said to me as the Queen was coming up the stairs, “Well, we haven’t done bad for old Gloucester Hospital.” It was something almost ethereal to us, especially in England. There’s almost this fantasy world that’s tangibly real. That’s why Americans like the Royal family as well: It’s a modern fairytale. And that’s just kind of what I knew about them, and didn’t know much else about them. I knew that Prince Harry liked to have a good time, and so when

I played the part, I kind of just played it as myself. How would I feel if I were in this situation, how would I feel to play royalty, to be royalty?

What do you think the producer [Mark Schwan] wants viewers to get from the show? He wants to get across that this is a world that hasn’t been tackled before. We’ve seen Dallas, we’ve seen Gossip Girl, we’ve seen everything. But we haven’t seen royalty on the screen. We haven’t seen British, real royalty brought to life in a very real and modern way. And I think he really wants to shock people. He kind of wants to blow their minds a little bit, to shake people up. And I think that’s a fantastic ambition. It really brings people into this magical world. I think that’s his aim.

The show has already been renewed for a second season. Do you feel confident in the success of the show? Yeah, I do. You know, I’m always extremely skeptical, I’m skeptical about anything. I’ve been in Hollywood too long. I’ve seen things that are definitely going, films that have been set to be the biggest blockbuster of all time and have not made that. I’ve heard promises from very, very powerful people. So from my point of view, I’m always extremely skeptical. I just watched a film the other day and it was like, “If you have low expectations, then you’re extremely surprised and happy, but if you have very high expectations, you can be disappointed very quickly.” And that’s the thevitalVOICE.com

place that I’ve known to live in. It’s much easier. You know, I was talking with someone the other day and they were saying, “If you’re going to be an actor, get ready for a lifetime of rejection.” And that’s completely true to be an actor, and I would say that to anybody: that if you want to be an actor then be ready for the rejection and the disappointment. I keep a very level head, you know. I don’t over think it, I take each day as it comes, and when the good days are there then we just enjoy those for what they are.

Any interesting experiences while filming on location in England? We got to film in the “cubed room” [at Wilton House] and it’s basically more Van Dycks on this one wall than in any other museum in the entire world. It’s an absolutely beautiful place. It’s actually where D-day, for the Second World War, was planned- in this room. To have access to that, and to be able to film I a place like that, that’s sort of beyond your expectations, beyond anything that you could have wished for. Especially to be English. You know I like living in America, and I love America, I love California, I love Los Angeles, I love the weather, but the history of England, of our culture, is something I miss. And to have unprecedented access, to me, helps build the character and understand whom I was playing.

How to you mesh with your co-stars both on and off set? A lot of people say this, and this is such a cliché, that we’re like family. But actually we do really get along well. There’s no backstabbing, no bitchiness, there’s nothing bad going on. Everybody

just does their job, shows up happy, and we hang out on weekends. We’re just like our own little circus troop. No horror stories yet. Next year we might have some, but not yet.

Elizabeth Hurley is perfect in her role. Do you think her playing the Queen was a difficult role for her? I think it’s always difficult to play somebody that’s malevolent, and I think it’s difficult to know that you’re going to be disliked by people. I’m sure she was a little reserved about that. She plays a character where you can almost see her point of view. I’ve been watching the Sopranos, and I’ve never watched it before. The way James Gandolfini plays Tony Soprano, you would not want him in your life but somehow you really like him. I think Elizabeth Hurley kind of does the same thing. You might not want to be under her wrath, but you kind of admire her strength and power and that’s something that she as an actress brought to Queen Helena.

Your character seems more like the same one in the midst of a lot of chaos. How do you deal

March 2015

with chaos and stress in your personal life? I think it’s very important to look at what’s good in your life. So much of society at times is focused on what you don’t have. You need this new product to be happy. You need to look like this person to be happy. But you know what, if people weren’t searching out and grasping for this materialistic happiness and instead look within their own lives and see what they already have, then people will be happy with themselves. That’s something I didn’t have whenever I was 22, 23, 24, but when I got a little bit older, it’s kind of like what life is about: appreciating what you have and enjoying the pleasant moment. As a result, I stopped stressing out about the little things and stopped worrying myself about needless, pointless things. I didn’t want to look back at my twenties and be like “Wow, I spent a lot of my time stressed out.” I want to look back and be like, “Wow, I really had a great time.”

How would you describe the royal family on the show in comparison to the actual Royal family? We’re both British royals, both in modern-day London. What

I’ve realized is that it’s a very claustrophobic life. It’s kind of an awful life actually. You know, people say “Would you want to be a royal?” and I would say “no.” Being a royal means a scrutinous amount of attention, negative attention, positive attention. It’s very hard to not let that affect you on a personal level.

On the show, you fall for an American girl. From past experiences, what are the differences between American girls and English girls? When I was in high school there was always that girl in school that everyone liked, and she was English. But the thing that I like about American girls is that, I like the frankness of American girls. I love the English culture, I love the heritage. But there’s that slight sense of like “that can’t happen,” or “this isn’t the way it should be done,” or “this is the way we need to do it.” In America, it’s a bit more free, it’s a bit more out there. Sometimes that can produce more negative effects, but I kind of like the spontaneity of American girls. Kind of like the “just go for it” attitude. There’s something very liberating about that. I think that’s why I have been sort of attracted to American girls. V

The Royals premieres

Sunday March 15 at 10/9c on E!

thevitalVOICE.com

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Come enjoy the view - of what’s on your plate and beyond your table. One weekend isn’t enough to sample our cutting edge kitchen creativity, which means you Mae have to come back out to the city that The Advocate called “…one of the gayest cities in America.” Check out our impressive packages at explorestlouis.com/LGBT

CHANICAL

thevitalVOICE.com 33 INDICATE APPROVAL BY INITIALING B

March 2015

text chris andoe art sam sanchez

d n a s n e e t e t a l “In my s a w t i s e i t n e w early t , t u o t r o s o t t l u c i f f really di f o e u s s i e h t y l l a i espec .” y t i l a u t i r i p s d n sexuality a

hen a notorious conman threatened legal action in response to my posts about his scams, a Bay Area attorney I’d never met aside from Facebook graciously offered to defend me and to vet my upcoming book, Delusions of Grandeur.

I would soon learn the attorney, Joseph Paul Smith, is also the Old Catholic Bishop of Northern California, and has a long, interesting history of wearing many different hats. Smith put himself through law school and seminary as a paramedic and fire fighter. When asked about the dual tracks, he says they weren’t that different. “I swear seminary, law school and junior high all feel like the same thing. Law school even has lockers,” he laughs. “I was always interested in church, law and science, particularly medicine. Now I’m an attorney for a company that operates health clinics,” Smith begins, before explaining the difference between the Roman Catholic Church and the generally more progressive Old Catholic Church. “The Old Catholics split from Rome in 1870 over the issues of papal infallibility, which means the Pope speaks for God and never speaks in error, and universal jurisdiction, which means the Pope is the bishop of everywhere, with other bishops just standing in his place. They also split over the issue of being able to elect their own bishop without papal approval, as they had for hundreds of years.”

Unlike the Roman Catholics, the Old Catholic Church allows its priests to marry or have same sex partners. Because of his familial makeup, Smith was raised in three starkly different religions: Mormonism, Assembly of God and Old Catholicism, which he says was by far the kinder, gentler of the three. “In my late teens and early twenties it was really difficult to sort out, especially the issue of sexuality and spirituality. They all seemed really conflicted,” Smith says about the conflicting claims, and how the Mormons and Assemblies vilified homosexuality with a great deal of fervor. “I realized a lot of these claims of the Mormons and fundamentalists weren’t substantiated. I knew [LGBT people] didn’t change.” While Smith doesn’t care for the Assembly of God Church, he’s most put off by Mormonism. “It’s like every heresy the church has vanquished over the years has been rolled into one religion.” On the topic of homosexuality and Christianity, Smith says, “I think Jesus is much more concerned about what’s in your heart than who’s in your bed.” A mutual friend in Denver suggested Smith add me on Facebook a few years ago, and he became interested in my efforts to raise awareness about a notorious, prolific conman preying on those in the LGBT community. Since I tend to find the humor in everything, my alerts came in the form of comical updates about the conman’s latest shenanigans. “I suspect many people who’ve been swindled by this man have received no justice,” Smith laments. “I think it’s important to stand up to people who victimize others, and I think you’ve done that, and in such a funny way.” There have been moments when I’ve wondered if I’m too socially promiscuous. I throw a broad net and allow so many into my life, which sometimes leads to disaster. But then I reflect on all the fascinating people I’m friends with because of that openness. Friends like Joseph Paul Smith, who is not only driven and accomplished, but also warm, generous and down to earth. I hate to think of what my life would be like if I was closed to new people. Sure, more than a few turn out to be bad apples, but even they can make for a good story. V

thevitalVOICE.com

e d i r p k c bla

5 1 0 2

March 2015

text chris andoe art grant swanson

Seven years ago Bank of America recruited Little Rock native Randy Rafter to join their St. Louis operation. Rafter accepted, even though he knew only one soul in the city. He arrived two weeks before the Black Pride celebrations, and decided to check them out. “Little information was on the website, and it wasn’t really clear what was going on,” Rafter said, explaining he had to do some digging to find out the when and where. He attended that first event alone, and afterwards thought about ways he could contribute his time and talents. Having served as the Regional Youth & College Chair for the NAACP, he had much to offer in a leadership capacity, but his first idea was to lend his event producing expertise to the organization.

Rocky Beginning Rafter had a side business producing events, and arranged a meeting where he pitched an idea for a White Party. “They told me Black Pride has no money and I said that’s okay, and explained how we could pull it off.” The offer was well received, and Rafter had begun making preparations when he was told the Board intended to run with his White Party idea and strategy, but had contracted with someone else to execute the event. Rafter felt blindsided. Rather than scrap his event, he simply changed the theme to “Red Light Special,” with proceeds going to HIV/AIDS charities rather than Black Pride. Held on the same night, it went head to head with the White Party, and drew a sizable crowd.

A Second Chance A few years later a friend solicited his help with Black Pride’s Masquerade Ball. “I don’t mess with Black Pride,” Rafter responded, but after some arm twisting he agreed to assist, and found himself stuck between two strong personalities pulling in different directions, essentially planning two simultaneous events in one. He also found disorganization. “I would attend meetings, and I was the only one taking notes,” he said. “I’m big on structure and believe in parliamentary procedure. When there’s a leadership void, you have to take that role within yourself, and I just stepped in.” The event was a success, and a few days later Rafter attended a debriefing. It was there he was invited to join the board as the Secretary.

Retool, Revamp & Relaunch After the 2013 events, Black Pride Founder & Chief Executive Erise Williams retired, and the Vice President stepped down. A few months later the President stepped down as well, which is when Rafter assumed the top post. Not wanting to just throw something together for 2014, he made the decision to forgo the annual event and instead focus on a major overhaul. Inspired by a sermon at church, he adopted the slogan, “Not a moment. A movement!” and set out to completely retool the organization. “We spent a year having real conversations with community members and heard that people wanted to see Black Pride as both a resource and a catalyst for change,” Rafter recalls. In response, the new Board is planning a variety of initiatives including economic development and financial literacy workshops for young people. There have been some misconceptions over the years that Black Pride is an alternative to Pride, which was never the case. And by moving the 2015 celebration to the Grove, the organization is signaling that all are welcome and encouraged to participate. Leon Braxton was pegged to head up development and community outreach, and with her broad appeal many are expecting strong support from the community at large.

An Optimistic Outlook “I see a major opportunity for St. Louis to become a leader in race relations in the nation. We’ve been in a pressure cooker situation recently where we’ve been forced to have the difficult conversations. New leaders have emerged and new opportunities are on the horizons” Rafter said, going on to explain how Black Pride is working to draw participants from hundreds of miles around. Under Rafter’s New Administration the Board is working to bring more cohesion to the LGBT community, stressing that the Black Pride events are not about separation, but are about celebration. You can learn more about St. Louis Black Pride on the organization website at www.blackpridestl.org. V

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Fall/Winter 2015 KCFW March 19 - 21 @ Union Station Doors Open: 6:30 p.m. Show: 7:30 p.m.

St. Louis designer Laura Kathleen Baker began working on her career in fashion at the tender age of eight, creating a legacy that would garner the respect of the fashion world and set precedence for up and coming designers alike. She was a top five finalist on the famed Project Runway Season 9 on Lifetime, top six on Project Runway All-Stars season 2 and landed a runway spot in Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. She earned the power of casting the new designers on seasons 10-13 of the show, and lent commentary on Project Runway Road to the Runway. She accomplished these feats while simultaneously creating a fashion program here in a St, Louis high school that in just two years raised $100,000 for the program through her runway talents. Baker spoke with Vital VOICE about fashion trends in 2015 and what to look for at Kansas City Fashion Week this spring.

March 19 thursday evening runway show • Paolini Garment Company • Molly Elizabeth Designs • Dolyn Bags • Marlee-Ju • Jessica Lynn • Young Hearted Apparel- By Chiefs Defensive Back, Sanders Commings

march 20

friday evening runway show

• Sara Kahrs • Andrea Long • Lucia Sarto- Nataliya Meyer • Lauren Bander • Jane of All • Maria Behnen • Michael Drummond (Project Runway)

march 21 saturday evening runway show • Architexture • Laura McGrew • Kate Walz • Christian Michael • House of Cochon • Whitney Rorah • Laura Kathleen

March 2015

Laura Kathleen

text karla templeton art Attilio D’Agostino, Alive Magazine

What can we expect to see this year that you are excited about? I’m happy to see more body conscious clothing on the runways right now at NYFW. I’ve missed this being available from major retailers. I always think this is more flattering than wearing a moo moo! Clothing with movement is great, however you then have to show skin to even it out. I think all around fitted clothing on women of all sizes is best. A detail that I always love, so I’m happy it’s “in” again, is fringe. I’m not as into the western style but I LOVE the “lux fringe.”

What is this year’s statement piece? I love anything that has a black and white contrast. No matter what, the piece is going to be a statement if it’s well tailored.

Favorite new accessory? A Suzette scarf! My mom has created a new scarf line that has Laura Kathleen fashion photography printed all over it making great patterns/ prints. If you see someone wearing A Suzette, and let them know you like it, hopefully they are compelled to send the A Suzette to you. This way seeing A Suzette means that someone connected to you by giving a gift of thoughtfulness. You can buy a scarf at ASuzette.com.

Are jeans really becoming a thing of the past? NO WAY! Denim is an American staple and will never go out of style. Denim has evolved from no stretch and feeling like cardboard to comfortable and practically shape wear! Denim going out of style is like Italians no longer specializing in leather.

Do you have a designer in the KC lineup that you favor? Absolutely! Michael Drummond from St. Louis. Not only is he one of my best friends, but he is so full of talent. His runways are always amazing to watch.

What can we look forward to from you this upcoming season? We are expecting a baby girl this August so I’ve been thinking of clothing that both pregnant and non-pregnant women can wear. Lots of stretch fabric. I’ve found that the worst time to find clothing is when you are showing but not quite fitting into maternity clothing. I always design for where I am in life since my collections are a reflection of me.

Words of advice: fashion for the fashionless. Figure out who you are and what your style is. The best way to be fashionable is to be you. V

thevitalVOICE.com

AIDS WALK OPEN 2015

y s Tip

E E T Off

AIDS Walk Kansas City is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Michael Lintecum and Josh Stodtman of the Lintecum Group. The duo continues to be Kansas City’s biggest party planners for a purpose. This year, the two continue their work with the AIDS WALK Foundation, organizing and hosting events throughout the year for the purpose of AIDS awareness and a cure. With the kick-off party already a success earlier this year (more the 150 people attended at the new Hamburger Mary’s on Broadway in January), Lintecum, Stodtman and the AIDS Walk Committee look forward to the AIDS Walk Open. The event, held on March 7, attracts participants to multiple bars in Midtown and Westport for a day of “putt-putting with a purpose.” Vital VOICE caught up with Michael Lintecum and Josh Strodtman as they get ready for the upcoming event. text Kevin Schmidt art courtesy of aids walk kansas city

March 2015

“I

t’s a great day of fellowship, just a lot of fun,” Josh says. “It is a full day of playing miniature golf with two or three of your friends and hopping on the bus going from bar to bar. So, essentially it’s a mini-golf pub-crawl. We have a lot of well-attended events, but people mark this one on their calendar every year.” The event entails a competition between the bars where they create their own holes and the players vote for the best miniature golf hole. Last year, Industry won. “They had this very creative design of the Plinko game from The Price Is Right,” Josh says. “Missie B’s has also won the best hole four or five years in a row, and they continue to have one of the most creative designs for their miniature golf hole. Bistro303 is very popular, and they won one year.” But with new bars like CharBar and Cucina della Ragazza added into the mix, the title for “best hole” is still anyone’s title to grasp. Even Hamburger Mary’s new location is able to be on the route this year. Altogether, about 500 people participate in the AIDS Walk Open, with another 200 that just go out to the bars and watch. There is a best-dressed team award for fun and creative costumes, and there are volunteers that work the various holes who get to vote for the bestdressed team. For the costumes, the classic 1920s golf course look tends to be a popular look, but many don’t stick with the classics. “We’ve had some raunchy team names that we can’t say out loud,” Michael says. “‘Call 911, There’s a Hoedown’ was a team of ladies dressed up as cops one year.” All of the money raised goes to AIDS Walk Kansas City. Registration is $150 for a team of four, which includes the bus ride and drink specials at the various bars. The overall goal for fundraising is between $20,000 and $25,000. In addition to just paying a registration fee, there are other ways to donate money to AIDS Walk at the event. Each bar has a team of volunteers who will be keeping score

at the putt putt holes, and they will also be selling raffle tickets the entire day. Every bar that the teams go to will have an opportunity to purchase raffle tickets. At the end of the event, the raffle will be held at the awards ceremony at Missie B’s. The grand prize is one case of Miller Lite per player per month for an entire year. “What is that like 48 cases of beer?” Josh laughs. “Miller Lite brought the event to ten years ago, and they have been very generous in helping us get this together,” Michael adds. The event is an overall good time to get out, mingle for a great cause, and meet other likeminded people in the community. While the competition can be a little raunchy at times, it’s the inevitable too-much-fun atmosphere that keeps the event such a success. “We’ve never had anyone killed or seriously injured. The bus rides are always a lot of fun,” Michael says. “Everyone goes around on school buses that have been donated, and they turn into mini parties on wheels.” Michael and Josh still bring their “A” game to the course. “Oh yeah, we like to golf,” Michael says. “Josh and I are good golfers during the season. But we don’t play, we’ve got an event to run that day.” But when asked if the day is strictly business, Josh is sure to inform that the day isn’t too strict at all. “I wouldn’t say that, there have been times when I couldn’t stand up straight.” In closing, the AIDS Walk is an organization that is near and dear to both Michael and Josh. “The AIDS Walk means the community coming together to do, what I consider, the right thing,” Michael says. “That is, not only raising much needed funds for beneficiaries, but raising awareness past those who are active in the AIDS Walk. To raise awareness for our entire city and region. And it means maybe, people are getting better services and more health that they need than they would have otherwise.” V

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SAINT LO UIS SCIENC E C ENTE R A TRIBUTE TO SPACE EXPLORATION AND OUR GENERATION’S NEXT GIANT LEAP.

Next Stop... Mars

slsc.org/vvjts

March 2015

National Steak & Blowjob Day text Penelope Wigstock art Sam Sanchez

Don’t feign shock or outrage. It’s just us here… and you know I can keep a secret.

Head to Tucker’s in Soulard and have a petite filet in the restaurant and then a juicy T-bone in the bathroom (just be sure to lock the door—some people are so fucking rude when it comes to public sex!).

For those who are novices to this decadent celebration, allow me to offer some guidance.

Whatever your palette, lose your inhibitions and just get into it.

Go classy or go home!

Not into oral sex? Okay, after you see a psychiatrist to find out just what the hell is wrong with you, try doing some throat exercises to loosen up.

That’s right. You heard me…a holiday for those of us who love oral more than Linda Lovelace.

If you’re gonna indulge, do it right. Any common whore can troll underneath the salad bar at Ponderosa (Pound’a Grossa) and trick some unwitting dolt into a greasy one while he waits for more hot wings to arrive. Try Fleming’s in Frontenac and challenge yourself. Sure, the bill will cause you to miss that month’s rent payment, but the “meat” at that joint will knock your (slipper) socks off. And who hasn’t daydreamed about blowing some hot businessman in the back seat of his Lexus after polishing off a $50 Rib eye? You’re more a middle-of-the-road kind of gal?

MARCH

14th

Whatever your size preference, seize the moment this March 14th and “double down” on meat for one glorious day. V

My friend Krystal Meth practices deepthroating a pork loin before she gets to work, but she’s a show-off-and a nasty drunk. Start small: an Oscar Meyer hot dog will suffice for beginners. later. Work your way up tly one month comes exac rs to a bratwurst and ve lo r fo ay the real holid then if you’re feeling super confident, try a small zucchini.

day ’s e n ti n le a v fuck

PEARL VODKA AND VITAL VOICE PRESENTS 4TH ANNUAL

A FESTIVAL OF SHORT LGBT PLAYS

SAVE THE DATE: MARCH 27-29, 2015 THAT UPPITY THEATRE COMPANY thevitalVOICE.com

rupaul’s drag race: Battle of the seasons 3/17 • the pageant RuPaul’s Drag Race: Battle of the Seasons is back! Michelle Visage is set to host the tour again with 15 queens for the new tour. In St. Louis, the show will be hosted by Michelle Visage, featuring Adore Delano, Bianca Del Rio, Detox, Ivy Winters, Jinkx Monsoon, Phi Phi O’Hara, Sharon Needles and Cary Nokey. General Admission seats are $30, and VIP reservations are $50. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show begins at 9 p.m.

P l ay

Dates STL

www.thepageant.com

band of brothers

HRC St. Louis: Mad for Plaid bowlarama 2015

3/13-3/14 • edison theatre

3/21 • tropicana lanes, richmond heights

Join the Gateway Men’s Chorus as they present an evening of music celebrating the families and communities we forge for ourselves. In this modern world, it is crucial to shine a bright light upon the brotherhood of men. Promising to be both poignant and powerful, GMC will delight audiences with a show of empowering and uplifting music, exploring the bonds and experiences that go beyond blood relation and romantic love.

Don your best plaid and bowl for a cause with HRC St. Louis! All lanes come with a free pitcher, pizza, and a chance to win the award for the “Maddest Plaid” outfit! The event takes place Saturday, March 21 from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. at the Tropicana Lanes in in Richmond Heights. An individual ticket is $30, and a lane for five bowlers is $140 ($10 discount). A one-year HRC membership is included with all ticket purchases.

www.gmcstl.org

www.action.hrc.org

kinky boots

2015 st. louis undy run/walk

3/24-4/5 • fabulous fox theatre

3/28 • forest park

Kinky Boots is the exhilarating Broadway musical that will lift your spirits to new high-heeled heights! Winner of six Tony Awards® including Best Musical, this inspirational story follows a struggling shoe factory owner who works to turn his business around with help from Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos. Together, this unlikely pair discovers that when you change your mind about someone, you can change your whole world.

Join the Colon Cancer Alliance at Forest Park on Saturday, March 28 from 6 a.m. until noon for the Undy 5000 Awareness Run / Walk. There will be a 5K run as well as a 1K Fun Run. Registration is $30 in advance and $40 the day of the races. Your participation in the Undy Run/Walk helps the Colon Cancer Alliance and their local partners fight colorectal cancer in critical ways.

www.fabulousfox.com

www.ccalliance.org March 2015

MARCH

#noh8worldwide open photo shoot 3/11 • likeme lighthouse

2015

Join the #NOH8Worldwide movement in KC and add your face to the fight for equal human rights! Single/Solo Photos are $40, and Couple/Group Photos are $25 per person. Come camera-ready, wear a white shirt and pose & make a statement! Stop by anytime between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. to pose for an official NOH8 photo by photographer Adam Bouska. No reservations needed! Photos are first-come, first-served and they move fast!

www.noh8campaign.com

paddy’s at 303

remington steel magnolias

3/17 • bistro 303

2/21-3/20 • missie B’s

Presented by Svedka and Miller Lite, the party starts at Bistro 303 at noon on St. Patrick’s Day. The St. Patrick’s Day Green Tea Dance will commence, with performances by DJ Transition and DJ Remix. There will be a block party, indoor and outdoor bars and Jell-O shot boys. A $5 donation benefits the Millennial League of Kansas City.

What happens when you take a classic 80s detective show and splice it with an iconic cult classic? You get Remington Steele Magnolias! Six Beauties, One Parlor, One Hair-Raising Murder! This time around, Truvy’s beauty shop is a crime scene. Someone has taken out poor Shelby. The Remington Steele office has been called in to solve the crime! This is true Late Night Camp— Parody, bawdy, raunchy, and all around fun!

www.bistro303.com

spring break bingo fundraiser for latino pride

www.umkc.edu

heartland men’s chorus presents modern families

3/21 • hamburger mary’s

3/28 • folly theatre

To get Latino Gay Pride rolling locally, it just took one man: Mario Canedo. The organization started with a deep sense of pride for the community and a desire to do something for Kansas City. Canedo wants to create an event that is both fun and educational, which is what’s most important. Latino Gay Pride KC is a festival that is seven consecutive years in the making. Come out and have fun while playing Bingo. There will also be fun prizes and entertainment!

Another groundbreaking musical documentary from Heartland Men’s Chorus celebrates the changing face of American families—our families of origin and our families of choice. Stories from chorus members weave together songs of love, acceptance and community, including “Not My Father’s Son” from Kinky Boots and an encore performance of the audience favorite, “In My Mother’s Eyes.” The renowned Lawrence Children’s Choir will join in for this timely, uplifting celebration of family.

www.latinogaypridekc.com

www.follytheater.org thevitalVOICE.com

Art Mark Moore place HG Adult Playground

March 2015

pearl vodka presents

five â&#x20AC;˘

saint louis scene

thevitalVOICE.com

March 2015

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kansas city â&#x20AC;˘ hrc 2nd annual equality brunch art Jon Barbe place roasterie

20% discount for Vital Voice bookers

MoonriseHotel.com 314-721-1111 6177 Delmar in The Loop, St. Louis, MO 63112

Babs! Babs! Babs!

What happens when a hapless, out-of-work actor gets a job managing the shops in Barbra Streisand’s basement? See for yourself in this riotously funny one-man show.

In The Rep’s Studio Theatre March 11-29 Starring Jeremy Webb Hello

, gor geo

us!

by Jonathan Tolins Directed by Wendy Dann

“Hilarious. It’ll go down like butta.” Entertainment Weekly

BUY TICKETS NOW!

www.repstl.org (314) 968-4925 50

March 2015

THE REPERTORY THEATRE OF ST. LOUIS 130 Edgar Road • St. Louis • 63119

text Kevin Schmidt art Darin Slyman & Grant Swanson place Bistro 303

last call

BRYAN ADAMS Bryan is the Managing Partner at Bistro303 and creator of their Signature Martini list. Being there for seven years now, Bryan focuses on creating new and seasonal cocktails like the Pomegranate Martini. “The martini’s flavors are a nice balance of sweet and tart but it’s quite simple, and it’s one of the top sellers,” Bryan says. He loves to pair these signature cocktails as well as boutique wines that he finds with some amazing dishes prepared by Bistro303’s chef Paul Mullins. Bryan gets to share all these amazing eats and libations with his guests, which might be his favorite part about working at Bistro303. When he’s not at work, he likes to go out, wine and dine, attending events and industry expos looking for new ideas. He looks forward to playing with the Bistro 303 kickball team (Where My Pitches At) this spring!

pomegranate Martini This cocktail is made with 2oz Pearl Pomegranate Vodka, 1 oz Pama pomegranate liquor, and 1 oz. Southern Sun sweet and sour bar mix. Combine all ingredients in your favorite mixing tin, shake it like you mean it, and serve in a chilled martini glass. This martini is available anytime, but it is on special, along with Bistro303’s other Signature Martinis, on Wednesday nights (all night long) for only $5 (reg. $9).

bistro 303 Established in 2003, Bistro303 attracts a diverse, friendly and fun clientele in Kansas City. While the atmosphere at Bistro303 is upscale, it is by no means snooty. It’s a welcoming space with something for everyone, ranging from business meetings to family get-togethers, cocktails after work to an eventful night out with friends. Whatever it may be, Bistro303 is an inviting restaurant and bar whose walls tend to “overflow with laughter.” V

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