SEPTEMBER 2021 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 9 THESTANDARDPS.COM @THESTANDARDPS
MORE THAN A LITTLE RESPECT EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ANDY BELL
AGING POSITIVELY
REUNION PROJECT 6TH ANNUAL HIV CONFERENCE AAP-FOOD SAMARITANS ANGEL KICK OFF IS ON
CONTENTS VOLUME 9, ISSUE 9 SEPTEMBER 2021 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 9 THESTANDARDPS.COM @THESTANDARDPS
MORE THAN A LITTLE RESPECT
theStandardPS.com
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ANDY BELL
AGING POSITIVELY
REUNION PROJECT 6TH ANNUAL HIV CONFERENCE AAP-FOOD SAMARITANS ANGEL KICK OFF IS ON
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Volume 9 Issue 9 COVER MORE THAN A LITTLE RESPECT EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ANDY BELL COVER AGING POSITIVELY REUNION PROJECT 6TH ANNUAL HIV CONFERENCE FEATURE GRAB THE POPCORN! MOST ANTICIPATED MOVIES FOR THE REMAINDER OF 2021 Q&A KAMERON ROSS THE AGT ALUM BRINGS COUNTRY TO PALM SPRINGS PSP FOCUS AAP-FOOD SAMARITANS ANGEL PARTY IS ON PALM CANYON THEATRE ENTERS ITS 25TH SEASON
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COMMENTARY
The Standard Magazine 400 N Sunrise Way #263 Palm Springs CA 92262 760.831.4869 NINO EILETS Publisher LUCIANO McNULTY Editor MAYA KALABIC Art Director PHOTOGRAPHER David A. Lee CONTRIBUTORS
Steven Henke, M. Khordoc, Michael McQuiggan, Sara O’Connell, Martha Tang, Jeff Dorta, Tim O’Bayley, Bob Bogard, Troy Donovan, Cara Van Dijk, Julie Warren, Alexander Rodriguez, Allen Capra, Greg Stillwell, Jack Bunting, Dann Foley, Lee Lynch, Jill Langham & Terri Schlichenmeyer
www.thestandardps.com EDITORIAL CREDITS :
BrandPoint, Huffington Post, LGBTQ Nation, Project Publicity, MSN, Reuters, NBC News & Artsy The Standard Magazine is published monthly. Opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of the Standard or its staff, advertisers or readers with exception of editorials. Publication of the name or photograph of any person, business or organization in articles or advertising in the Standard is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such person, business or organization. The Standard disclaims any responsibility for claims made by advertisers. Advertising rates are subject to change without notice. The Standard reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to reject any advertisement for any reason including, but not limited to poor taste. It is the policy of The Standard that we only publish letters to the editor that are signed by the author and verifiable by phone number. We can reserve the right of anonymity upon request. The letters need to be original, in good taste and free of libel as well as edited for clarity and grammar. Letters are subject to editing by The Standard that also reserves the right to decline print. Please forward your letters to: info@thestandardps.com The views expressed is not necessarily those of The Standard. Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. No portion of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the expressed consent of
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COVER
MORE THAN A LITTLE RESPECT -- A CONVERSATION WITH ERASURE’S ANDY BELL BY STEVEN HENKE
I caught up with Andy Bell via email to talk about his career, his new album “The View from Halfway Down,” and his September 18 keynote address at the Aging Positively – Reunition Project HIV and aging conference. Bell shed some positive vibes on his life and the creative renaissance he is experiencing.
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Bell is a founding member of Erasure. Formed in 1985, when former Depeche Mode and Yazoo member Vince Clarke advertised for a new singer, the duo became successful in the U.K., U.S., and other countries with hits like “Chains of Love,” “A Little Respect,” and “Oh L’Amour.”
Now, three decades into their career, they are considered one of the most adored and influential synth-pop bands, selling more than 25 million records. In 2019, Erasure released their 18th studio album, “The Neon.”
SH: I read there was a time during the pandemic when you were in lockdown in London and your husband, Stephen, and dog were in Florida. How did the lockdown change you? Did you learn anything new about yourself?
Steven Henke: Thank you for talking with us. It has been a crazy year. You split your time between London and Miami. Where are you today?
AB: I learned for the first time in my life that I could actually live with myself and do things for myself. I may have been a bit smelly, and I may not have washed as frequently as I should have, but hey, what the hell. I never lived on my own since leaving home at 18 from a large family, and I was dependent on other people. It was great to do my laundry, wash up and go grocery shopping. I love TV, so I can be a real couch potato. There were quite a few Erasure-related things to do, having just finished our photo session and mixing right before the pandemic broke, so I had many Zoom meetings.
Andy Bell: Finally, after a year and seven months, I’m back in Miami with my hubby after quarantining for two weeks in Cancun. I feel a huge sense of relief. Everyone was beginning to question my sanity and whether our relationship was real or not, or if I had just woken up from a strange dream!
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COVER SH: Many members of the LGBTQ+ community struggled with isolation and mental health during the pandemic. How did you take care of yourself? AB: I must admit, I did go back into my shell somewhat and did not speak to people or my family up to the point that they would worry and text to see if I was OK! The worst thing was not knowing when it would end. Canceling four flights made me feel like the red tape was somehow gagging me. Eventually, I had friends over, got stoned and drunk, and had a complete bitch and conspiracy theory fest. It helped tremendously! I’m glad I’m slightly mad, and so are my friends, but I think the LGBTQ crew has to be somewhat to survive. In the U.K., we are fortunate to have the National Health Service, which the U.S. seems to be so frightened of. The word “socialism” is just a word. How can you be scared of a word? It’s just about non-profit organizations helping other people. Humans need one another, not this constant bickering, blaming, and point scoring! I did revert to my childhood in many ways, ordering lots of licorice and ice pops. And I did some online counseling, but that lasted three sessions (too boring), plus I got a bit sick of celebs doing their survival blogs, etc. Not that I am bitter (he he he)! SH: Despite the pandemic, you have been experiencing a creative renaissance, releasing a new album, “The Neon!” The album has been described as one of 2020s most elevating moments in an otherwise difficult year. Did you have a team with you, or was making this album a more solitary experience? AB: As I said, it had already been recorded just in time the previous October. (And I have to admit, I was very sober making it.) It was so refreshing that Vince had already recorded the backing tracks and musical scores in Brooklyn, and I vocalized the top lines in his home studio. There was an excitement in the air. I felt a new appreciation for the new wave music I had listened to as a teenager, and it bled into our new songs. SH: Before the pandemic, you released Erasure’s 18th album, “The Neon.” The album had a feel-good dance vibe that was great for keeping our spirits up during the lockdown. How did you choose the name for that album? AB: “The Neon” conveys to me the red-light district nightlife and memories of the fairground. I love soft mezcal neon against ancient stone! SH: Erasure’s 1988 single “A Little Respect” was voted the “Ultimate Pride Anthem” in a new poll from radio station Virgin
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Radio Pride UK, beating out anthems by Xtina, Gaga, Cher, and Madonna. What did that feel like? AB: We were completely taken by surprise by it. I admire the Virgin brand, and two of our favorite DJs now work there, Chris Evans and Graham Norton. It is great to be in such esteemed company on the list, so to speak. I suppose these things are cyclical. SH: Take us back 36 years; what were you doing when you answered Vince Clarke’s ad looking for a new singer? Is it true you were selling ladies’ shoes while starting your singing career? AB: Yes and laughing hysterically when I got static electric shocks from the metal stands because of the nylon carpets. SH: Did you have any idea when you met Clarke that you would be making music together 36 years later? Is it still exciting to imagine new music together? AB: Vince Clarke was THE person I dreamed of working with, so, it goes without saying, I think he was a straight man looking for a gay husband! Time has flown by and honestly has no meaning for me! SH: You were one of the first openly gay pop stars, and you famously used fashion to make bold statements. Was there a message you hoped to send to other members of the LGBTQ+ community when you wore your iconic outfits? To me, I saw a brave Gay man. Was everyone supportive, or did you face pushback? AB: It was fine. I didn’t want there to be any doubt in anyone’s mind as to who I was, and the campiness was somewhat of an armor. When “Sometimes” took off in the mid-1980s, I wore a white T-shirt and jeans. The first few videos from “Wonderland” were so camp, MTV was not going to touch them. It wasn’t a sophisticated look like it is today because of RuPaul (God bless him). However, when the airplay started to drop off somewhat, I remember someone saying, “oh, can’t you just put a dress back on!” SH: In 2004, you announced that you had been HIV positive for six years. Tell me about the process of making that decision. Did you know it would inspire others to know their status? AB: I was scared at the time, and it took a few years for me to process it. At that time, a witch hunt was in full flow in the U.K. press. This is something I will discuss further at the conference. SH: You’ve been open about being gay since the 1980s and
about having HIV. That openness helped many of us in the LGBTQ+ community, and it helped allies understand what they could not experience. Are you able to appreciate the impact you made? Who encouraged or inspired you to be authentic? AB: To be honest, I think you are born with it. My mother was also very instrumental because she’s basically a punk at heart who doesn’t give a shit! I don’t think about it too much. I love to be free and enjoy myself. Also, I rejected religion at about age 11. SH: You are the keynote speaker at the September 18 HIV and aging conference. How does living with HIV impact your life today? AB: I am so grateful to be alive and be a beneficiary of the cutting-edge science used to create our medications. I salute all of those who passed before us and the brave activists who still fight for us every day. Never take your “freedom” for granted, although to
me, it is a God-given right. It can be taken away at the stroke of a pen, usually by the people who believe they love Jesus. (So do I!) Love CANNOT be offensive. It is a misguided conception. SH: Every life and career has its ups and downs. How do you find inspiration today to keep the process fresh and exciting for yourself? How do you walk through the downtimes? AB: Stop listening to music for a while, do a play, forget who you are, and just mingle. Sometimes a good dance helps. SH: Lastly, you have uniquely dedicated fans that look forward to hearing their favorite songs when you perform. Do you have a favorite song that you look forward to playing at every concert? AB: “Blue Savannah.”
SEPTEMBER 2021 9
COVER
AGING POSITIVELY The Aging Positively Reunion Project 6th annual HIV conference is a collaboration between the HIV + Aging Research Project-Palm Springs, DAP Health, and other nonprofit community partners. It will be a virtual conference consisting of a mix of facilitated discussions, panels, and presentations led by key researchers, advocatexs, and long-term survivors of HIV/AIDS. TOPICS & SPEAKERS: Honoring Our Experience with Gregg Cassin Meditation with Daniel Lee, MD from UCSD’s Owen Clinic HIV & The Media: Karl Schmid is the entertainment reporter for ABC7 LA. He recently revealed his HIV status and has been an advocate for U=U as well as breaking down HIV stigma, etc. HIV research and program update panel: • Palmtree: Carlos Martinez, MD, • Eisenhower Health: Ken Lichtenstein, MD • Borrego Health: Valerio Iovino, MA (I - Care Program) • DAP Health: Greg Jackson, BS, MBA • HARP-PS: Jeff Taylor Caregiving with Perry Wiggins from The Center, end-of-life doula Alex Snell, Richard Bass/PALS and Julie Hirsh from JFS Let’s Kick ASS—sustaining and making new friendships late in life with Brian DeVries Keynote Speaker: Andy Bell from Erasure SCHEDULE: Opening/welcome (5min) 9:05 Honoring our Experience (30 min) 9:10 Meditation (30 min) 9:40 HIV & The Media (30min) 10:10 Research update (45min) 10:40 Caregiving (45 min) 11:25 Friendship (45min) 12:10 Keynote Speaker 1:00
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Wrap-up 2pm What: The Aging Positively — Reunion Project 6th annual HIV conference is a collaboration between the HIV+ Aging Research Project—Palm Springs and other nonprofit community partners. It will be a virtual conference consisting of a mix of facilitated discussions, panels, and presentations led by key researchers, advocates, and long-term survivors of HIV/AIDS. When: The 6th Annual Aging Positively — Reunion Project virtual conference will be held 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 18, 2021. Where: Attendees can attend the conference from the digital device of their choice. In-person elements may be announced later. How: Registration is free and open on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hiv-aging-virtual-conferencetickets-162082616469
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FEATURE
MOST ANTICIPATED MOVIES FOR THE REMAINDER OF 2021 BY TSM STAFF
One year into the new decade, the movie prospects keep getting better and there’s something for everyone. One big change in 2021: The way we watch the movies has changed big time. Warner Bros., for example, is releasing almost their entire slate of 2021 movies on HBO Max as well as in theaters in an unprecedented move that could signal bigger changes in the industry. Here are a few of the new releases for the remainder of this 2021. SEPTEMBER The Eyes of Tammy Faye Director Michael Showalter (The Big Sick) takes a more dramatic turn with this film based on the documentary of the same name that chronicles the rise and fall of televangelists Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, with Jessica Chastain and Andrew Garfield set to play the infamous couple. Directed by: Michael Showalter Starring: Jessica Chastain, Andrew Garfield, Vincent D’Onofrio, Cherry Jones, Sam Jaeger Opening on: September 17, 2021
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OCTOBER No Time To Die True Detective director Cary Fukunaga takes the reins for the 25th James Bond film, with Daniel Craig returning for his fifth and (presumably) final turn as 007. He’s joined by series regulars Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Rory Kinnear, and Ben Whishaw, as well as returning characters played by Lea Seydoux and Jeffrey Wright. Best Actor-winner Rami Malek matches wits with 007 as the latest villain trying to do bad things to the world. Directed by: Cary Fukunaga Starring: Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes, Rami Malek, Naomie Harris, Lea Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Rory Kinnear, Jeffrey Wright, Ana de Armas, Lashana Lynch Opening on: October 8, 2021 (formerly April 2, 2021) Halloween Kills The duo of director David Gordon Green and writer Danny McBride proved successful in the 2018 sequel-that-nullified-all-theother-sequels, Halloween, so they recently announced two more films to close out a new trilogy. The second installment, which sees the return of Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) and her grown-up
daughter (Judy Greer), will hit theaters just before, Halloween. Directed by: David Gordon Green Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer, Anthony Michael Hall Opening on: October 15, 2021 Dune Acclaimed director Denis Villeneuve takes on the massive challenge of re-adapting Frank Herbert’s sprawling sci-fi epic more than 30 years after David Lynch attempted the same and, according to many fans, fell short. At the very least, Villeneuve has assembled an impressive cast so it’s now up to him and his co-writers to fashion an engaging script from the daunting source material. Directed by: Denis Villeneuve Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Josh Brolin, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Javier Bardem, Jason Momoa, Dave Bautista, Zendaya Opening on: October 22, 2021 NOVEMBER Eternals The second film of Marvel’s Phase 4 goes cosmic again with
the Eternals. Much of the cast was announced in bits and pieces, with a big reveal at Comic-Con 2019 and a key addition made in August. In brief, the Eternals are powerful immortals who helped shape humanity and history on Earth, and the cast includes a lot of big names, from Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek to Kumail Nanjiani and a couple of Game of Thrones kings, Richard Madden and Kit Harington. Directed by: Chloé Zhao Starring: Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Kumail Nanjiani, Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kit Harington, Brian Tyree Henry Opening on: November 5, 2021 (formerly February 12, 2021) Ghostbusters: Afterlife Jason Reitman will direct a sequel to the original Ghostbusters franchise, unrelated to the all-female reboot directed by Paul Feig in 2016.. We’re still waiting on word if, as Sigourney Weaver stated in an interview, the remaining original Ghostbusters will appear in the film. Originally slated to open on July 10, 2020, the film was pushed back due to concerns regarding the coronavirus outbreak. Directed by: Jason Reitman
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FEATURE Starring: Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Paul Rudd Opening on: November 12, 2021 (formerly June 11, 2021) Top Gun: Maverick Not a whole lot is known about the movie, except that the filmmakers have recruited a cast of some of the most in-demand young actors in Hollywood – including Miles Teller, who will play Goose’s son – and that Val Kilmer is officially back as Iceman. And as the trailer released during Comic-Con promises, it will again feature Tom Cruise riding motorcycles, playing volleyball, and flying jets like a madman. Directed by: Joseph Kosinski Starring: Tom Cruise, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Val Kilmer, Jay Ellis, Miles Teller, Monica Barbaro Opening on: November 19, 2021 (formerly July 2, 2021) DECEMBER West Side Story Steven Spielberg’s new adaptation of the famous Broadway musical of the same name, which is itself an alternative take on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, is finally seeing the light of day in late 2020. Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler star in the as Tony and Maria, two teens in 1950s New York City who belong to rival gangs but fall in love with each other and must deal with the consequences. Directed by: Steven Spielberg Starring: Rita Moreno, Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler Opening on: December 10, 2021 (formerly December 18, 2020) Spider-Man: No Way Home There’s a lot to break down in the upcoming third Sony/MCU Spider-Man movie starring Tom Holland as Peter Parker, with some pretty big potential implications for both studios and their respective franchises. Suffice it to say, there will be some heady, game-changing plot elements at play. Directed by: Jon Watts Starring: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Jamie Foxx, Benedict Cumberbatch, Alfred Molina Opening on: December 17, 2021 (formerly November 5, 2021) The King’s Man While both a third installment of the Kingsman franchise and a Statesman spin-off are still on the way, audiences will first get a taste of how the whole thing came to exist in the first place with this prequel, set in the early 1900s. Ralph Fiennes leads an all-star cast in an origin story that will show how a group of ex-soldiers formed the spy agency. Directed by: Matthew Vaughn
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Starring: Harris Dickinson, Ralph Fiennes, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Gemma Arterton, Matthew Goode, Charles Dance, Daniel Brühl, Stanley Tucci, Djimon Hounsou Opening on: December 22, 2021 (formerly August 20, 2021) The Matrix 4 Somehow, some way, Neo and Trinity are set to return to the world of The Matrix, as Lana Wachowski is set to bring us another sci-fi action-adventure set in the world digital world she helped create way back in 1999. We won’t get Agent Smith or Morpheus this time around, but people like Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Neil Patrick Harris, Jessica Henwick, and Priyanka Chopra are joining the cast. The film was already delayed once to 2022 after it was originally slated to open in May of 2021, and now it’s been moved back up again to a very competitive Christmas weekend. Directed by: Lana Wachowski Starring: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jada Pinkett Smith, Lambert Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Neil Patrick Harris, Jonathan Groff, Jessica Henwick, Priyanka Chopra Opening on: December 22, 2021 (formerly April 1, 2022), with simultaneous release on HBO Max Sing 2 Originally slated for Christmas 2020, Universal’s Sing 2 will release summer 2021 instead. The animated feature about a koala talent agent will see most of the principal cast return, with the addition of Idina Menzel and Selena Gomez. Chances are it’ll be another big family-friendly hit. Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Selena Gomez, Shawn Mendes, John C. Reilly, Idina Menzel, Reese Witherspoon, Nick Kroll, Scarlett Johansson Opening on: December 22, 2021 Downton Abbey 2 Fans of the popular ITV/PBS series rejoiced when the Crawley family and the staff of their famous estate made the leap to the big screen in 2019, and we’re getting a second trip just in time for Christmas, 2021. The original cast is returning, with new additions like Dominic West, Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, and Nathalie Baye. Directed by: Simon Curtis Starring: Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Michelle Dockery, Matthew Goode, Elizabeth McGovern, Maggie Smith, Dominic West, Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye Opening on: December 22, 2021
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BOOK REVIEW
ALWAYS OVERBOOKED BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER It’s really very common. Giving birth is so common, actually, that someone does it in the U.S. nearly eleven thousand times a day – which means that it’s really not much of a big deal, unless it’s your baby. In that case, it’s a one-of-a-kind miracle and, in the new book “The Natural Mother of the Child” by Krys Malcolm Belc, it’s an answer, and a whole lot more questions. They had wanted their children to be close in age. That was the plan – Irish Twins, they called them – but when Krys Belc went to the birth clinic, visibly pregnant with Samson and toting five-month-old Sean, the child of his partner, Anna, women in the clinic’s waiting room stared. Or were they, like Belc’s neighbors, staring because Belc looked like a pregnant man? Yes, Belc inherited his father’s looks. He feared that he might’ve inherited his father’s temper, too; sometimes, Sean was too much and being neither mother nor father, Belc was often unable to comfort the boy. Belc didn’t particularly enjoy being pregnant; in fact, it brought old memories and new notions to surface. Absolutely, he grew up loved and maybe a little protected, but he wanted what his brothers had; he was sure his mother once harbored hopes of sharing a pregnancy with him, but not anymore. And then it happened: seeing the newborn son he made, made Belc realize that he needed to become the person he always knew he was. A few months after Samson was weaned, Belc began taking testosterone. How does one say goodbye to breasts that fed a beloved son? Belc didn’t want his, but finding the right decision was unsettling. How does a grown son reconcile himself to the idea that his father won’t hug him anymore? Sadly, Belc’s father was generally awkward around him since his transition. How can nonbinary parents not get frustrated at the loops of paperwork to protect their parenthood? “Natural mother,” indeed. And how can anyone ever fully thank those who helped make them parents? If ever there was a book that turned itself in circles to get to the right ending, “The Natural Mother of the Child” is it – and that’s not unpleasant. Nothing and everything in this book is black and white; it’s calm and turbulent, surefooted and not. Author Krys Malcolm Belc takes readers on a journey to fatherhood that started when he was a girl, envying his brothers without knowing exactly why, giving readers a distant, poignant sense of something wanting. That feeling trails
throughout Belc’s story, as we wait for what we know is coming and it’s worth it: after his account of pregnancy and the self-consciousness of being mother-not-mother, his decision to transition solidifies like a ship through fog. Look at “The Natural Mother of the Child” first as a parenting book, because that’s exactly what it is: the story of learning enough about one’s self to be a good parent. As for the trans part of this memoir, that’s icing on a cake that’s uncommonly good. “The Natural Mother of the Parent: A Memoir of Nonbinary Parenthood” by Krys Malcolm Belc c.2021, Counterpoint Press $26.00 / higher in Canada 304 pages
SEPTEMBER 2021 17
FEATURE
FILMOUT SAN DIEGO 21ST ANNUAL LGBTQ FILM FESTIVAL BY MICHAEL MCQUIGGAN
FIREBIRD
JUMP DARLING
FilmOut San Diego’s 21st Annual LGBTQ Film Festival will take place from September 9–12, 2021. Forty-eight films will be screened during the four-day festival at The San Diego Natural History Museum (THE NAT) and The Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) both located in San Diego’s historic Balboa Park. We will feature award-winning films from Sundance, SXSW and Berlin Film Festivals, along with independent features and a variety of short films. We will be providing an advance sneak peak of the new Amazon Prime Video film, “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie,” which
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is based on the award-winning West End hit musical that is inspired by true events. The film will launch exclusively on Prime Video on September 17, 2021, in over 240 countries and territories. In addition to the in-person festival, we will be adding four virtual films only available online during the festival *(BEYTO, ISAAC, ON THE FRINGE OF WILD, and THAT COLD DEAD LOOK IN YOUR EYES). This will give our patrons who aren’t quite ready to mingle, an opportunity to participate in our festival from home. Several filmmakers and talent plan to attend the in-person festival
BOY CULTURE
BOULEVARD A HOLLYWOOD STORY
BEAUTIFUL DREAMER
LUST LIFE LOVE
and participate in audience Q&A’s after their respective screenings. A complete list of all filmmaker contacts is listed below for press interviews. FilmOut San Diego annually affirms the ongoing integrity and boundless imagination of our community and the artists who tell our stories. The Board of Directors believes its work is an integral part of an ongoing effort to build a vibrant, affirming and sustainable LGBTQ community in San Diego County
Reception at: MOPA 1649 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101: 7:30pm to 10:30pm. Men’s Centerpiece: Q. Allan Brocka’s – BOY CULTURE: THE SERIES Women’s Centerpiece: Kelly Walker’s – MY FIONA
The Opening Night Film and Party will take place on Thursday, September 9, 2021 @ 7:00pm at THE NAT and our Closing Night Film will end the festival on Sunday, September 12, 2021 @ 7:30pm at MOPA with a Closing Night Dessert Reception after the film.
The San Diego Natural History Museum (THE NAT) Thursday Sept. 9th Only – Opening Night! 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) Sept 10–12 – Friday, Saturday & Sunday 1649 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 September 9–12, 2021
Opening Night Film: Peeter Rebane’s FIREBIRD Opening Night Film @ 7:00pm and Opening Night Party at: THE NAT 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101: 7:00pm to 11:30pm. Closing Night Film: Phil Connell’s JUMP, DARLING Closing Night Film @ 7:30pm and Closing Night Dessert
Festival Spotlight: Jeffrey Schwarz’s – BOULEVARD! A HOLLYWOOD STORY International Spotlight: Rafael Gomes’ – MUSIC FOR BLEEDING HEARTS.
For complete festival ticket info, screening updates, sponsorships and volunteer information, please visit us at www.FilmOutSanDiego. com and follow us on Facebook at FilmOut San Diego or on Instagram/Twitter at @FilmOutSD.
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PROFILE
FRENCH DESIGNER LOGAN GUINARD JOINS ARCHITECTURAL BLUE BY JILL LANGHAM
Matthew Naylor is the President and founder of Architectural Blue located in Palm Springs. His company has been well-known in the desert for over 25 years. He specializes and is known for his unique designs and quality work. Matthew creates gorgeous one of a kind pools and outdoor spaces for his homeowners to spend special moments with family and friends. In 2019, just months before Covid hit our country, a young man named Logan Guinard, a 25-year-old, French designer, came to Palm Springs to meet with Matthew. Logan, who had studied both landscape architecture and pool design from a young age was looking to collaborate with a well-known and experienced pool designer. The meeting went well and Matthew could tell immediately that Logan would be an asset to his company and that he could turn Logan’s passion into a serious career. Together they decided to combine their knowledge to give the best to their customers by creating even more unique exterior spaces, while also bringing new concepts to the pool industry. Logan began as an intern before becoming the main designer of the company. His work consists of sharing time with customers for the purpose of creating a unique design by taking their personalities and wishes to heart . Once the ideas begin to emerge, the projects come together based on the imagination of all involved.
By mid 2020, homeowners realized that it was the time to do projects at home because they were stuck at home due to the pandemic. As a result the company and Logan stayed very busy. His skill set improved rapidly allowing him to not only do design work but to also learn project management making him an essential employee to the company. He feels that this an honor and believes he is an asset to the community as well. “I have learned a lot as we strive to push the envelope in design and the customer experience. My position allows me to interact with both the workers in the field and the clients but also helps me to understand more easily the steps of construction. I have a passion for designing and building truly unique projects. The ultimate satisfaction is seeing the finished product and the joy on our customer’s faces.” One happy customer wrote this to Logan which made him very ecstatic, “Dear Logan, Your swimming pool is so breathtakingly gorgeous that I really can’t believe I live here. Thank you so much. Your work inspires this lucky old man! With gratitude, J.K” All in all, Matthew and Logan hope to continue working together for many years to come. www.architecturalblue.com
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SEPTEMBER 2021 23
INDESIGN
BODACIOUS BATHROOMS, HOW TO GET THE DETAILS RIGHT. BY DANN FOLEY
Bathrooms are not unlike kitchens when considering the value of your home. They can be the room that either helps or hinders the sale of your home. They can also be that space that energizes or deflates you. I want to discuss how to get your bathroom right for you. Let’s not talk about resale at this point. Let’s make ourselves happy first!
stay within your set budget. The trick is (you know there is always a trick or two) do your homework. Research everything that is available to you, even those things that you think you can never afford. The best decisions are based knowing what is possible first, then making adjustments to fit your home, your lifestyle and your budget.
The thing about bathrooms is that they are all basically the same. You have a sink/vanity, a tub/shower (sometimes both) and a commode. The layout, size and style of the bathroom is as varied as each home but, the details are where you let your own personality shine through. Many of the details are pretty permanent too, such as the tile in the shower or on the floor. The cost of vanity cabinets and stone or quartz counters make these small spaces a big investment.
As a principle in a design firm with the experience and reputation such as ours, we have access to the newest and the best. That is one of the things that we bring to the table. We actually help our clients to save money by making the right decisions the first time. We do that through our own research and sourcing. We also make sure our clients have the very best that their budget will allow. You can do the same thing with a few tips from me…
The fear of making a costly mistake paralyzes so many that they end up with a pretty ordinary bathroom, lacking in any real style. I tell all of my clients that making decisions based on fear is as costly as making decisions based on bad taste. You can have style and you can
TILE: First, be sure that you are selecting the proper tile for the proper surface. I have seen too many bathrooms where wall tiles have been put on the floor, creating a dangerous issue when they are wet.
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Second, realize that the big home improvement guys have lots of tile but, they keep it pretty basic. The style tends to be “last year’s look”. This does not mean that there are not gems to be uncovered. I like to pair well priced tiles for every surface with specialty tiles to give the room a richer look. Third, mix it up! A shower stall doesn’t have to have only one wall tile. My tip is to avoid the contrasting band idea and choose a feature wall in the shower. Use one tile on the feature wall and a complimentary tile on the remaining walls. The finish is much more dramatic and luxurious. Fourth, don’t worry about mixing scale, texture or finish of tiles. I use mirrored, glass, metal, stone and porcelain tiles all in the same bathroom. It is not so much about contrast as it is about adding texture and visual interest. COUNTERS: First, I only recommend quartz counter tops to my clients. They are the only stone surface that is impervious to stain. The bathroom has become a sort of laboratory with the number of chemicals in your soap, shampoos, conditioners and cleaning fluids. What we have seen is that the marbles that we all loved from years ago are staining much more quickly and permanently. Second, know where you can make a big difference. Did you know that some quartz can be back lit? Your quartz vanity top can actually be lit from underneath! Talk about dramatic and luxurious. If under counter lighting is not in your budget, many quartz counter styles (my preference is always Cambria Quartz) have reflective materials in their mix that catch and reflect light beautifully. With the proper lighting from above, your counters can literally sparkle. Third, an undercounter mounted sink is still the first choice of a luxury bathroom but, be sure that the edge of the counter that falls into the sink is properly finished. No matter what edge detail we may use on the outside edge of a vanity, the inside edge of the sink should be eased and polished.
ACCESSORIES: First, when selecting your faucets, handles, towel bars, towel rings, vanity hardware and bath tissue holders, remember that they don’t all have to match. In fact, mixing up styles and finishes may help you to create a more personalized bathroom. I love mixing gold and silver. I also love mixing modern with traditional. If you follow me here, you know that I am always saying, “It’s all in the mix”. The look becomes confusing when your contrast looks haphazard instead of purposeful. Be sure that you coordinate every selection before proceeding to ordering. Second, every shower should have a handheld shower. They are not only great for bathing, but they make cleaning a breeze. And ease of cleaning should always be part of the equation when creating your bathroom. Third, shower enclosures are very important part of making your bathroom fresh and luxurious. Use frameless glass for the door and stationary panels. The exposed barndoor mechanism is also a popular choice for the sliding door. This is an area where I will definitely contrast the finish with the other metals in the room. Finally, as in any room, lighting is paramount in the making the whole room shine and work. As in other rooms I recommend a variety of light to do the job. Recessed cans of course, but decorative fixtures also add the illumination and the style. I use as many sconces and chandeliers in bathrooms as much as living rooms and dining rooms. The latest in bathroom lighting is the integrated LED lighted mirror. I love them! I use them in every bathroom and powder room. They instantly upgrade the look and the usability of your bathroom. My wish for you, what I always wish for you; Live Well! Dann www.foleystinnette.com Designer Dann@ Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, Houzz
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Michael Childers PRESENTS
DIRECTED BY
MUSICAL DIRECTION BY
SCOTT COULTER
TODD SCHROEDER
NOVEMBER 10, 2021 BENEFITING
BARBARA SINATRA CHILDREN’S CENTER STARRING
Brent Barrett Klea Blackhurst Debby Boone Carole J Bufford David Burnham Ann Hampton Callaway Liz Callaway Scott Coulter Laura Dickinson Julie Garnyé Jason Graae Sam Harris Aaron Lazar Skye LaFontaine Amanda McBroom Ken Page Jeffrey Scott Parsons Freda Payne Joan Ryan Gary Shaw Jake Simpson Kevin Spirtas Nita Whitaker Karen Ziemba and Lily Tomlin
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$ $ 7 5 , 95 & $1 S T E K TIC WW.MCCALLUMTHEATRE.C 75
W
OM
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EVENT
THE DINAH, THE WORLD’S LARGEST ALL-GIRL MUSIC FESTIVAL DROPS 30TH ANNIVERSARY STELLAR LINE-UP BY M. KHORDOC
KAT CUNNING PHOTO BY REBECCA LADER
MACYGRAY
MK PHOTO BY JACKSONXJOSHUA
The Dinah, the largest all-girl music festival in the world, has announced the entertainment line-up for its 2021 festival taking place September 29 through October 3 in Palm Springs, CA.
coming talent, Mariah Hanson (founder and producer of The Dinah), assembled a stellar list of performers that will once again turn the city of Palm Springs into the ultimate entertainment hub.
After almost a year-and-a-half of practically no in-person concerts, festivals and live music, The Dinah is back on track for an exceptional 5-day event with an epic slate of Top Ten Billboard headliners, rising pop stars, and celebrities. Full COVID-19 vaccination or negative COVID-19 test results will be required to attend the event. Known for its diverse, eclectic, and multi-genre line-ups, this year’s Dinah will be no different. The highly anticipated return of the most celebrated and certainly longest running LGBTQ+ womxn party brings a massive line-up of pop, R&B and Hip-Hop music’s very best.
Grammy-award winner Macy Gray will headline the Dinah Holiday Party on Saturday, October 2 at the Palm Springs Convention Center.
Featuring performances from both established and up and
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That unmistakable rasp, unshakable grasp on soul, and funky spirit ensured Macy Gray her status as a 21st century icon since her arrival with the triple-platinum How Life Is in 1999. Selling over 25 million total albums globally, winning a GRAMMY® Award and two BRIT Awards, collaborating with everyone from Ariana Grande to Galactic, her voice has consistently resounded throughout pop culture. Sharing the stage with Gray is another Grammy-award winner: Yung Baby Tate.
Tate may have inherited some of her mother’s musical gift (her mother, Dionne Farris, is best known for being a member of Arrested Development), but she’s built her own path to pop stardom using her own creativity and talent. On a meteoric rise, Tate closed 2020 dropping After The Rain, a deeply personal EP featuring the standout track, “I Am” with rising Alabama rapper Flo Milli, which quickly evolved into an anthem of affirmations and a Tik Tok sensation, earning over 1 million views on YouTube. Taking the stage at the Black and White Ball on Friday, October 1, is actress, singer, songwriter, performer and dancer, MK xyz. Music’s “it” girl gained popularity after releasing her song “Pass it” featuring G-Eazy. She released her latest EP titled “Sweet Spot” via Epic Records this past spring and has just been casted on Netflix upcoming drama vampire series “First Kill.” Making a splash at the Girl Spot Pool Party on Friday, October 1 is leading non-binary artist and actor Kat Cunning. With a trafficstopping voice and powerful presence, Kat Cunning adds soulful grace to anthemic alternative pop. Cunning recently released the hit single “Boys” which Billboard called “a life-affirming new single that deserves your attention” and Alternative Press heralded as “the perfect track to start off Pride month.” Although the music industry took a huge hit in 2020, artists continued to release great music. The Dinah discovered so many emerging talents that need to be heard and is now excited to present two bands to watch in 2021: Boi Band and Smeared Lipstick who will respectively headline the opening and closing parties at AsiaSF Palm Springs. Both bands are part of The Dinah’s “Emerging Artist Contest” created as a commitment to the community to offer womxn and non-binary talents coveted stage time and exposure. A cultural phenomenon that has over these past 30 years reached epic proportions, The Dinah has indisputably become an inescapable venue for female recording artists to breakthrough, and features a phenomenal line-up of artists ever to perform at a LGBTQ+ women event: Lady Gaga. Katy Perry, Bebe Rexha, Kesha, Iggy Azalea, Jessie Reyes, Tegan & Sara, Meghan Trainor and most recently Lizzo (among many others) are all #1 Billboard charters who have headlined the world class event. From a small, one-night event at a Palm Springs Museum with 1,500 participants thirty years ago, to booking lavish locations at deluxe hotels with some 15,000-plus attendees (LGBTQ+ women,
non-binary & trans attendees, and straight allies), and major corporate sponsors today, The Dinah has evolved into one of Palm Springs & the Coachella Valley’s largest tourism boosters, as well as an event the entertainment industry’s most elite go to. The Dinah will be celebrating its 30th milestone anniversary at its usual stomping grounds: The Hilton Hotel, AsiaSF Palm Springs and the Palm Springs Convention Center. Place, atmosphere, and people you want to comeback for! What makes The Dinah so contagiously irresistible? Hands down, the event draws its massive appeal in its diversity the mix of cultures - and the freedom that is always present in the air. Tickets on sale now: www.thedinah.com Please note this is a partial list; more talent to be announced soon. For more information and updates go to: www.thedinah.com STAY CONNECTED Instagram: @thedinahshore Twitter: @thedinahshore Official Hashtags: #TheDinah2021 #TheDinah Citywide COVID-19 Safety Requirements for Palm Springs Full COVID-19 vaccination or negative COVID-19 test results will be required to attend the Dinah. Customers and/or visitors are required to wear face coverings in indoor settings, such as stores and restaurants, regardless of vaccination status. Proof of vaccine or negative COVID-19 test required indoors when entering a bar or restaurant. For more information and updates regarding the City’s COVID-19 response, visit www.palmspringsca.gov. HAPPY DINAH! We will strictly adhere to CDC, State, County and local Guidelines and recommendations to produce a safe Dinah. CURRENTLY, THOSE GUIDELINES (AND LAW) REQUIRE EITHER PROOF OF VACCINATION OR RECENT COVID TEST. Since the situation is fluid, we will issue the final guidelines 30 days out so we are working within the latest guidance and requirements for safety. We look forward to seeing you in the Fall. Happy Dinah!
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AGT’S KAMERON ROSS: BRINGING COUNTRY TO PALM SPRINGS BY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ
Country music singer Kameron Ross is a charmer. With his Texas manners, chiseled jawline, country drawl, and that resounding voice, he is the epitome of a country music singer. He lit up the screen the moment he stepped onto the stage of America’s Got Talent, an appearance that represented a success on a not too easy journey for the singer. Kameron started singing at a very early age, performing at local country music concerts, releasing his debut album, and opening for The Band Perry, Miranda Lambert, and multiple others. As his career started to take off, he became confident in himself and in his music…he came out publicly as gay. The phone stopped ringing; the bookings stopped. Kameron stepped away from the music scene, disheartened. Stepping onto that AGT stage, wowing the judges (in particular, Simon Cowell), and nailing his performance, was a comeback and a win for the country music industry as well as the LGBTQ community. The country music scene is changing, and Kam is part of that change, joining out country musicians like Ty Herndon, TJ Osborne, Brandi Carlile, and even Lil Nas X. From his AGT appearance, he has released a series of singles, music videos, and even remixes…he’s ready. This October, Kameron makes his Palm Springs debut at Oscar’s Downtown for An Evening with Kameron Ross, a celebration of his career through live performance, candid interview, fan Q & A, and clips. We sat with Kam for a Standard Magazine exclusive as we chatted AGT, music, coming out, and more: What was going through your mind as you took your place on the America’s Got Talent stage? Don’t forget your lyrics! No, seriously. I was so scared I would blank. What did you do right after your audition? At the last minute, production decided to let Lio, my partner, come backstage with me, so he was waiting off to the side watching on a monitor. When I left the stage they had me do a sort of recap with Terry, the second we were done I ran up to Lio and we gave each other one of the longest hugs we have ever given each other. I was so glad to have him there.
What are some of the realities of filming AGT that the audience never sees? There is so much waiting! The day of my initial audition I did interviews for about an hour and auditioned for about 6 minutes, longer than most, but I was on-site waiting from about 10:30 am and wasn’t wrapped up with my day there until 9 pm. What is it about country music that affects you the most? The growth I have seen in country music has really been amazing to me and so moving. As someone that left the scene momentarily because of being rejected, judged, or forgotten about, it is amazing to see all of the progress that is happening. I feel like myself and all of the other queer country artists are doing our job by leaving the country music scene a little better than we found it, that’s what it’s all about after all. Isn’t it? What do you offer the country music scene that is unique? I think the fact that I am not afraid to follow what makes my heart and ears happy makes me unique. I don’t know of many country artists that have done what I am doing with my single “If I Could Go Back” Remix, I have a love for EDM-style music and wanted to put my spin on that, so I did it. I also love Latin/Reggaeton music. I really want to try that out soon! Keep an eye out!
How did you recover emotionally from being shunned by the industry after coming out? I wouldn’t really consider it recovering from being shunned, but I needed to learn to love myself and my identity. I knew who I was but needed to become better acquainted with him. Learn to love myself and accept myself fully. Once I had done that, it really healed a lot of the things that surrounded my coming out. Looking back, would you have come out so early? Absolutely. It was my time. I say this all the time, you can’t force someone to come out before they are ready. We shouldn’t have to even worry about that anymore but since we do, people have to do that on their terms when they are ready. It was my time. What is your creative process when writing a new song? I think like most people you have to be in that mindset to write. Sometimes I go into a writing session and we spitball ideas around until we start to get into a groove of what kind of song we want to write. I start to think of lyrics and how a melody would go along with the lyrics. Then everything just starts to flow. I play the guitar but I’m not a pro at it, so a lot of my songwriting is very creative. There are times where I’m in the middle doing something that I start humming a melody and I have to stop everything I’m doing to go record it
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so that I don’t forget. The same thing goes for writing lyrics for a song. There have been times where I wake up in the middle of the night with a “hook” (lyrics) that is just too good not to write it down. Sometimes I continue to write the lyrics until I am stumped. Then I might take a break and come back to it later. You got started in the industry at an early age…what did you learn about the business early on that you still subscribe to today? This might sound corny, but I learned to be polite and treat people you work with well. I wasn’t already treated well but I sleep better at night knowing that I’ve done my best at treating people well in all parts of my life. You have to trust your gut and cut your losses with some people if you aren’t getting a good vibe from them. You are coming to Palm Springs! What are you most excited about your visit? I am excited to meet the locals! I am the kind of person that loves to get to know people in every place that I visit. I hear great things about the people of Palm Springs, so I hope they are ready for me!
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You will be doing a live show at Oscar’s…how will your stage performance differ from your album music and music videos? My performances have a lot of life to them because that is when I am my happiest. I love to be on a stage and love to make people fall in love with having me on that stage even if they didn’t know me or my music ahead of being there. I ramble, so I hope they are ready. Lol What do you love about performing live the most? Interacting with the crowd! What is the funniest/craziest fan story you have? I have a super fan that has messaged me on multiple platforms asking for feet pictures. He has a few profiles he does it from and I don’t think he realizes it’s easy to tell they are all him. If I am wrong, then I have a lot of fans that want feet pics. You have become a media sweetheart…everyone wants to chat with you! What question do you wish the media would ask more?
AN OFFICIAL EVENT OF PALM SPRINGS PRIDE
SHARING OUR DESERT'S LGBTQ+ HISTORY
An Inaugural Exhibition
A HISTORY OF THE GREATER PALM SPRINGS AREA THAT MADE IT A WELCOMING PLACE FOR THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY.
That’s a tough one. I have been traveling a lot and my dogs are staying in Huston with my parents so I miss them right now, I would love for people to ask about them, so I had more of an opportunity to bring them up. Can you tell I miss them? Sexuality definitely plays a part in your musical brand. Are you ever afraid that the sexual part overshadows the music? I am not. Attractive men are all over the internet and around every corner. I don’t mind showing some skin or posting a gym selfie because I know that people that love my music are going to love it whether I play in a turtleneck or open vest.
THE WELWOOD MURRAY MEMORIAL LIBRARY 100 S. PALM CANYON DR. PALM SPRINGS, CA THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2021 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. FRIDAY & SATURDAY NOVEMBER 5 & 6, 2021 10:00 A.M. - 5:30 P.M. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2021 12:00 - 5:30 P.M. SPONSORS (AS OF AUGUST 2021):
What do you want most from your career? I just want to help in paving the way for young country music artists to feel like they have a home in country music too, regardless of who it is that they love. What is your message to the Palm Springs community? Come and see me at Oscar’s! After the year we have all had we deserve some good music, love, and laughter. I plan to share all of that with you all at Oscar’s. You can follow everything Kameron at KameronRoss.com And you can purchase tickets for An Evening with Kameron Ross at OscarsPalmSprings.com
lgbtqpshistory@gmail.com
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>> AAP – FOOD SAMARITANS TO HOST A GLAMOROUS SEASON KICKOFF CELEBRATION BY TIM O’BAYLEY Food Samaritans (AAP) will begin its 2021-2022 season with a kickoff celebration on Thursday, October 7, 2021, at 6 p.m. at a private location in Palm Springs (address provided upon RSVP). There is no admission fee to attend, but attendance at the event signifies an intention to join the Jeannette Rockefeller Angel Program or purchase tickets to Evening Under the Stars, (April 30, 2022), or become a sponsor of Evening Under the Stars. An RSVP is required by October 4. Call 760-325-8481 to RSVP. Guests at the Season Kickoff celebration will enjoy luscious cocktails, abundant delectable hors d’oeuvres, and a special performance by the spectacular Broadway star, Andrea McArdle. Valet parking will be provided. Andrea McArdle first captured the hearts of theatergoers everywhere in 1977 when she originated the title role in the megamusical ANNIE, based on the popular Harold Gray comic strip “Little Orphan Annie.” Since then, she has starred in several Broadway musicals and appeared in theatres nationally, and internationally. She has honed her craft by working with some of the great legends of the entertainment industry such as Ethel Merman, Liza Minnelli, Julie Andrews, Bob Hope, Liberace, Frank Sinatra, Steve Martin, and Martin Short, to name a few, and was privileged to have appeared on television with Johnny Carson, Merv Griffin, and Dinah Shore. Ms. McArdle’s performance has been generously underwritten by Joseph Johnson & Thomas Andrika. On display at the event will be a seating chart for AAP’s 27th Annual Evening Under the Stars gala, coming up April 30, 2022, and presented by Eisenhower Health. Attendees may select their seats from those available before anyone else. Evening Under the Stars has grown to become one of the premier events in the Coachella Valley’s fundraising/social season with an audience of up to 1,500 attendees. Over the past 27 years since Evening Under the Stars began, it has not only raised funds and increased awareness of AAP’s mission, but it has also featured many significant and world-renowned performers. Early galas were intimate affairs at private estates in Palm Springs, but over time this fantastic evening of entertainment generated such an overwhelming demand for tickets that the event is now held on the spacious grounds of the O’Donnell Golf Club in downtown Palm Springs.
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A wide variety of fabulous and famous performers have enchanted the audience, often bringing them to their feet dancing. The Evening Under the Stars stage has featured Gladys Knight, Lily Tomlin & the cast of Laugh In, Cyndi Lauper, Mary Wilson, Pink Martini, The Go-Go’s, Barry Manilow, Bea Arthur, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, and the iconic Village People, among others. The event also brought back the music of ABBA and assembled the First Ladies of Disco. The headline entertainment for 2022 will be announced at the Season Kickoff celebration. Tickets for the gala will go on sale at the Kickoff celebration and begin at $395. Sponsorship opportunities begin at $7,500 for corporate or individual packages. Benefits include tickets to the event, recognition on-screen and in a printed
PSP FOCUS program at the event, and may also include logo placement in advertising, printed materials, and more. The Jeannette Rockefeller Angel Program honors the organization’s founding mothers – Jeannette Rockefeller, Gloria Greene, and Joanna Jakway – and supports its ongoing mission to help feed low-income people with chronic illnesses. Since its inception, AAP has distributed more than $13 million in direct client service to more than 2,750 clients. AAP’s clients get by on an annual income of less than $18,735. There are many benefits that accompany each level of giving in the Jeannette Rockefeller Angel Program, including tickets to AAP’s iconic ‘Evening Under the Stars’ event. “2021 marks thirty years since our organization was created,” said Mark Anton, CEO and Executive Director of AAP – Food Samaritans. “With the expansion of our mission in 2015, we changed our name to better reflect the inclusion of low-income people living
with other chronic illnesses in addition to HIV/AIDS. We know that being part of this community means helping those among us who are struggling, and we will continue to serve all who need us with the help of our dedicated community.” AAP will continue to monitor health advisories and will comply with all the current measures, regulations and mandates set forth by the City of Palm Springs and the County of Riverside. This may or may not include requiring masks and/or social distancing required to limit the spread of COVID-19. If safety measures change, all guests who have RSVPd will be notified via email. If applicable, City mandates requiring proof of vaccine or a negative test prior to entry will be observed. For more information about AAP – Food Samaritans and the Season Kickoff celebration, call 760-325-8481 or visit aapfoodsamaritans.org.
>> PALM SPRINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY RESUMES PASSPORT SERVICES BY JULIE WARREN The Palm Springs Public Library, designated as a U.S. Department of State Passport Acceptance Facility, is once again assisting the public in executing their completed U.S. passport applications. We accept your passport application and forward all forms and documents to the United States Department of State, where your passport will be processed. Now is the time to plan ahead to ensure your international travel plans aren’t impacted! As an official Passport Acceptance Facility, the Library can only help to facilitate the execution of new passports, not renewals. Appointments are required and are available Monday – Saturday offering a convenient option for everyone. It’s easy to make an appointment, just go the Library’s website at www.pslibrary.org. and click on ‘Passport’. Applicable processing fees set by the State Department are paid at the time of service. U.S. Passport photos are also available for a $15 fee. Please note that due to the current backlog at the Department of State their processing times are longer than usual and can take up to 18 weeks, or 12 weeks with paid expedited service. Also, when coming to the Library for your appointment all persons are required to wear face masks. “Our staff is trained and happy to help anyone applying for a new passport; we are excited to bring back this service to the community” said Jeannie Kays, Director of Library Services.
The Palm Springs Public Library offers a varied and comprehensive collection and online resources to the community. The Library is located at 300 S. Sunrise Way, on the corner of Sunrise Way and Baristo Road. For more information about the Library call 760-322-READ (7323) or visit the Library’s website www.pslibrary. org. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, become a subscriber to our YouTube channel and sign-up online to receive our monthly e-Newsletter.
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>> I HEART MAC & CHEESE ENTERS CALIFORNIA MARKET WITH PALM SPRINGS RESTAURANT BY BOB BOGARD I Heart Mac & Cheese, a fast-casual restaurant concept specializing in customizable, made-to-order macaroni and cheese bowls and grilled cheese sandwiches, today announced it is entering the California market, signing an agreement with first West Coast franchisee Blu Bryan in Palm Springs, California. The store will be the first I Heart Mac & Cheese location in the state and West of the Mississippi. “It’s exciting to be bringing this great brand to my home state,” said franchisee Blu Bryan, CEO and Founder of BMC Foods. “I Heart Mac & Cheese is a unique concept and I love our innovative take on a classic, childhood favorite food. With our customizable serving options and return to comfort food, we are responding to consumer demand while also furnishing an experience that is unparalleled in the marketplace.” Currently under construction, the new restaurant will be located at 190 S. Indian Canyon Drive at Arenas in downtown Palm Springs. The restaurant plans to open in November and will be one of only a few downtown restaurants with extended hours late into the evening. Bryan is committed to ensuring that his business also has a real impact on the community, and he plans to hire a diverse and inclusive team. “Giving back to the community is a key component of my philosophy. I will work with local charities when hiring so as to have the greatest impact on the community that we will proudly serve.” Bryan also plans to offer catering for entertaining and for businesses as well as food truck options for special events. “It’s a dream come true for me to be able to put all of this together in the home that I love,” Bryan added. South Florida-based I Heart Mac & Cheese is a popular concept rapidly expanding across the United States, serving up traditional
mac and cheese and sandwich options, as well as a variety of healthconscious options. The brand has earned a reputation for consistent, delicious food and is well-known for custom, build-your-own macaroni and cheese bowls, grilled cheese sandwiches, and dessert menu – including the recently launched Cheesecake Bites. Guests select a pasta, bread, quinoa, broccoli, cauliflower, or tater tot base along with a choice of ten different proteins, eleven vegetables, and nine cheeses. Gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, and plant-based options are also available. Sesame ginger, mango habanero, buffalo, BBQ, and pesto are just a few of the delicious dressings and sauces available to mix in or top off each creation. “Our franchise network has been seeing tremendous growth this year, and we are proud to be expanding in the state of California,” said Steve Giordanella, I Heart Mac & Cheese, CEO and chairman. Delivery options may be found through Uber Eats, Postmates, Door Dash, and Grub Hub. Catering options are available for events of nearly all sizes. For locations and more information, visit https:// www.iheartmacandcheese.com/.
>> INNDULGE, UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT BY TROY DONOVAN The owners of INNdulge, a gay clothing optional resort in Palm Springs, have announced their award-winning mid-century jewel will soon be under new management. Beginning this month, Jay Cook will take over the day-to-day operations of the property. “Jay is the solution to allowing Sandy and me the opportunity to travel more and ultimately ease into something that might look like
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part-time retirement while remaining active in the resort,” explains Jon Jackson. He and his partner Sandy purchased INNdulge on a whim ten years ago. “We never thought about owning a hotel until we learned the iconic INNdulge resort in Palm Springs was for sale,” Jackson explains. Since that time, they have run the property mostly
PSP FOCUS on their own. They had a manager last summer, but Mr. Cook will take on a larger role. He will be in charge of the entire resort, from guest services to employee scheduling, trouble shooting, and more. Mr. Cook is someone Jon says he can uniquely trust completely with the daily operations of the resort. “Jay is my ex,” he reveals. “We started dating back in the late 80s in Salt Lake City when Jay was an undergrad, and I was in law school at University of Utah. We moved to San Francisco together in the early 90s and spent the better part of ten years together.” “We’ve been separated for over twenty years now,” says Jay Cook, who now resides in Phoenix with his husband and dogs. “But we remain two people who like each other. Jon and I talked about the idea of my taking over as manager a couple of times over the years but now seemed like the perfect time.” Jay Cook recently retired from FedEx where he spent 25 years driving deliveries predominantly in downtown San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area. Before that, he owned a protein shake shop in the Castro and waited tables at the Castro’s infamous Patio Cafe and the Rio Grande Café in Salt Lake City. “It will be nice to return
to a more stationary job that allows for real people interaction,” he says. Cook and his family will remain living in Phoenix. He will commute to Palm Springs every week for the job. “I’m excited to build on the success that Jon and Stacy have achieved at INNdulge,” Cook continues. “They’ve built a strong clientele who have come to rely on Palm Springs and INNdulge as their yearly vacation destination. I’m eager to help continue their legacy.” Visit http://inndulge.com
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PSP FOCUS
>> PALM CANYON THEATRE ANNOUNCES 25TH SEASON BY CARA VAN DIJK
Individual tickets and season packages are now on sale for shows slated during the Palm Canyon Theatre’s 25th anniversary season. The Palm Canyon Theatre is the city’s oldest source of live theatrical entertainment running Broadway favorites and classic stage productions from September to July. Tickets are prices from $15-$36. Season packages, range from $100-$275. PCT’s 2021-2022 Broadway Series Shrek – Oct. 22-Nov.7 The Sound of Music – Dec.3-19 Les Misérables – Jan. 21-Feb. 13 Palm Springs Getaway (New Musical) – Feb. 25-Mar. 13 Monty Python’s Spamalot – Apr. 22-May 1 Into the Woods – May 13-22 Godspell – July 8-17 PCT’s 2021-2022 Classic Series The Guys – Sept. 11-12 Sordid Lives – Sept. 24-Oct 3 This Side of Crazy – Nov. 18-21 Cyrano de Bergerac – Mar. 31-Apr. 3 All seven musical productions are on sale for $175 per person or choose any four – Broadway or Classic productions – for $100. Or select the “Patrons Choice” package and choose any 10 shows for $250. The entire season of shows is only $275. Individual show tickets are also on sale now. Show times for all productions are Thursdays at 7 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Palm Canyon Theatre is centrally located in the beautiful Uptown Design District of Palm Springs, 538 North Palm Canyon Drive, at the corner of Alejo and Palm Canyon Drive, across from The Corridor and Chicken Ranch. Box office hours are currently Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information call 760-323-5123 or visit www. PalmCanyonTheatre.org. ABOUT THE PALM CANYON THEATRE: The Palm Canyon Theatre is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the education of live stage production and the enrichment of the greater Palm Springs community and its visitors. The regional repertory theater company operates primarily with volunteers and produces about 13 Broadway musicals and classic plays each year,
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PSP FOCUS
plus offers a children’s theatre camp and production. The theatre opened its doors in 1997 when Dr. William “Bill” Layne and his family renovated the historic Frances S. Stevens School located at the corner of Palm Canyon Drive and Alejo Road in Palm Springs, Calif.
SEPTEMBER 2021 39
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WELLNESS
MORE THAN 92% OF LGBTQ+ U.S. ADULTS HAVE RECEIVED A COVID-19 VACCINE BY ALLEN CAPRA That’s compared to just 71.3% of the country’s general adult population. A comprehensive new report from Community Marketing and Insights (CMI), The Rockefeller Foundation, and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation is shedding light on how LGBTQ+ Americans are faring amid the global fight against the novel coronavirus. The findings are actually pretty encouraging: Of the 15,042 LGBTQ+ adults surveyed this May and June, an overwhelming majority (92%) had received at least one vaccination for COVID-19, compared to just 71.3% of the general adult population in the United States. David Paisley, senior director of research for CMI, said there are many reasons why LGBTQ+ Americans are more likely to be vaccinated than non-LGBTQ+ people, such as “higher percentages of the LGBTQ+ community being liberal, living in blue states, and living in urban areas.” Isolation and social distancing during COVID-19-related lockdowns has also negatively impacted the mental health of LGBTQ+ people, “which may have motivated quick vaccination to reenter the community.” Researchers also noted that factors like race and ethnicity, age, and gender skewed vaccination rates, albeit only slightly. Although vaccination rates among Black LGBTQ+ respondents were still relatively high (85%), they were higher for AAPI LGBTQ+ folks (96%) and white LGBTQ+ people (94%). This is in line with previous studies highlighting COVID-19’s disparate impact on LGBTQ+ Americans of color, particularly Black LGBTQ+ folks. The organizations involved with the report plan to continue making sure that “no one is left behind” in America’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout, especially LGBTQ+ people of color. And despite what skeptics and anti-vaxers purport, these shots work. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting vaccinated is proven to help prevent severe disease and death from COVID-19. It’s especially important given the highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19, which is rapidly spreading across the U.S. We need shots in arms, people!
Community Marketing and Insights (CMI) Health and COVID-19 • The survey asked a broad question about sixteen potential health concerns. Of note was the considerable concern around LGBTQ mental health issues. Sleep and body weight concerns were also commonly mentioned across most demographics. COVID-19 was a big concern for all right now (for obvious reasons). • COVID-19 has negatively impacted everyone. For some, the impact was from illness or the death of a loved one. However, for most of the LGBTQ community, isolation and mental health were significant adverse impacts. This might be especially problematic within the LGBTQ community because many were already experiencing isolation before the pandemic. At the time of the survey, the vast majority of LGBTQ participants reported having received at least one vaccination for COVID-19 (92%). There was some reduction in vaccination rates for the Black LGBTQ community, but still relatively high (85%). There are many reasons why LGBTQ vaccination rates may be higher than the general population, including higher percentages of the LGBTQ community being liberal, living in blue states and living in urban areas. While participants had strong education levels, those with no more than a high school diploma still had an 87% vaccination rate. Many in the LGBTQ community may have more experience with medical science through education, workplaces, or other personal medical concerns. In addition, COVID isolation significantly impacted LGBTQ people, which may have motivated quick vaccination to reenter the community.
SEPTEMBER 2021 41
FITNESS
THE TRUTH ABOUT METABOLISM BY JILL LANGHAM
Hello my dear friends, I wanted to share some of the findings of the New York Times article written by Gina Kolata, August 12, 2021 on metabolism that I found to be quite fascinating. She challenges the notion that metabolism slows during middle age, something I have been believed to be true for many years as it’s been told to me many, many times. “There were 6500 people in the study ranging from an 8-dayold to a 95-year-old! They found there to be four distinct periods of life as far as metabolism goes.” It broke the four phases by age and the first phase was from birth to age 1, when we burn calories 50% above the adult rate. It would make you think that there couldn’t be a fat baby, but we’ve all seen or had one! The second phase is from age 1 to age 20 which is when our metabolism slows about 3% a year. Phase three goes from 20 to 60 where they found metabolism to hold steady. So maybe I was just lucky that I never experienced metabolic changes over the last 5 years! But, the study did say that after age 60, our metabolism declines by 0.7% a year, which made me feel a tad better, but still bummed out cause I don’t want it to be true. They unbelievably discovered that if certain factors were controlled, there was no difference between the metabolism of men and women! I would love to challenge them to come to Palm Springs and compare gay men’s metabolism to straight men’s in the over-60category. I believe our community would really skew the results! And they would see a big difference.
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Both body size and the amount of muscle were controlled by the researchers. They realized that not everyone would fit into these four categories because some people’s metabolism are either above or below average for their ages. (Pre-covid, I have always felt that my metabolism was way above average.) They deduced that the metabolic rate depends on a person’s age and not how much they weigh! It was discovered is that an infants metabolic rate is the same as their mother’s for the first month of life, that is, until something “kicks in and the metabolic rate of the infant, takes off.” Sadly, the study also concluded that metabolism does NOT go lower for adults from age 20-60 which includes women over 40 who have begun menopause! This determination was particularly interesting for me because of the long-lasting effects of menopause that I have personally experienced. Had I not delved deeply into finding my own solutions, I would have wholeheartedly disagreed
with their findings because millions of women who go through menopause describe themselves as having no energy and as a result no interest, drive or desire to exercise, have sex or feel joy all of which diminishes metabolism. Instead, menopause is really about our hormone levels being out of balance which causes symptoms like sleeplessness which decreases activity levels, which make us gain weight which depresses us which makes us eat more which makes us fatter!. And so on and so on. The great news is that once you get your hormones in balance you have at least until age 60 to boost your metabolism again! But, our metabolism will slow down after 60 and will be 20% lower by the age of 95, so keep on moving. It turns out that metabolism slows due to the slowing down of our organs, like our heart, liver, kidneys and brain. They are functioning less well as we age and is why we see more chronic diseases in older people. So even if we look younger than our ages over 60, “things start to change. There is a point when things are no longer as they used to be!” I believe that I have a very high metabolism which has only become higher from living amongst you. But, since having Covid at age 64, I feel that my metabolism has greatly changed. I feel like I cannot metabolize foods the same way that I did and am now gaining more fat in places I have never stored fat before. It also takes twice as much exercise for my body to see results, if any. The “pump” that I have always gotten from a workout rarely happens and if it does, is gone almost immediately. Was this from Covid, my age, my change in lifestyle, exercise and socialization or all of the above? I wonder if the young people of today, who have begun life paying attention to the foods and beverages they eat, exercise regularly and are way more tuned into their bodies then we ever were, will change the ages of the aforementioned phases. I further wonder if Covid and the sedentary lifestyles that so many of us adopted will lessen our lifespans? Will the Baby Boomer generation die earlier than its predecessor’s? It will be interesting to see and I hope I am wrong. Let’s do all that we can to stay fit. Sending good health and love your way. XOXO Jill
SEPTEMBER 2021 43
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MUST SEE
HERE TV AND NOVO NOVUS PRODUCTIONS PRESENT A BOY LIKE THAT BY JEFF DORTA
Daniel Armando’s controversial tale of forbidden love, A Boy Like That tells the story of Harold, a middle-aged Mexican theatre acting coach who travels to New York and finds himself obsessing over a precocious teenage boy named Felix, who he believes is the reincarnation of his first childhood love. Inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s 1962 film, Lolita, A Boy Like That explores a taboo relationship and the dangerous lengths some are willing to go to overcome the grief of a lost love. Written and directed by Daniel Armando, the film stars Jaime Zevallos (Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger) as Harold and newcomer, Andres Chavez as 17-year-old Felix. “Both Harold and Felix look towards each other to fill a void,” explains Daniel Armando of the two main characters in A Boy Like That. “Harold sees Felix as a reminder of his youth, of what he had and what he feels he will never be able to obtain again. Felix feels abandoned by his mother and longs so deeply for nurturing that he is willing to cling onto any older figure that offers comfort. He’s canny, the result of living a privileged life without consequences, but desperate for love and acceptance. The relationship Harold and Felix weave together becomes a twisted, entangled web of chaos.” Armando was drawn to Jaime Zevallos for the role of Harold because he admired Zevallos’ approach to the character and felt he had a firm understanding of Harold’s questionable motivations. As for the character of Felix, he chose Andres Chaves because he was impressed by how grounded Chaves was as a young actor. “There was also something mysterious and ambiguous about Andres that complimented the character of Felix,” says Armando. Filmed predominantly in Jackson Heights, Queens, A Boy Like That features Adrienne Lovette (The Deuce, Fosse/Verdon, Better Call Saul), Lawrence Stallings (Broadway’s Book of Mormon), Linda Manning, Stephanie Chloe, and Sean Labbe. It is executive produced by Novo Novus Productions (Dane Joseph, Daniel Armando, and Dwight Allen O’Neal), with Jaime Baker and Ella Jane New serving as associate producers. Cinematography is by Ryan Balas and original music by Brett Walling.
“It’s important for Here Media to support diverse LGBTQ+ video artists to ensure that the creative integrity of the filmmaker remains uncompromised,” says John Mongiardo, President of Here
SEPTEMBER 2021 45
MUST SEE TV. “Working with the team at Novo Novus Productions is an ongoing and inspiring partnership in storytelling.” Novo Novus Productions is an award-winning multimedia production focused on producing film, web, and theatre content that highlights the LGBTQ community of color. Recent feature films are Bwoy (starring Anthony Rapp), What It Was, The Breeding (released by Breaking Glass Pictures), Daddy’s Boy, Subways, and Boys Like You (Best Short winner at North Carolina LGBTQ Film Festival, being distributed through Guest House Films). Other notable works include three seasons of the pioneering hit comedy web series Drama Queenz, the docu-web series Fade In (about homeless LGBTQ youth in New York City), and the stage play, Reflections in a Ditch. “Our company is devoted to creating complex stories about the LGBTQ community of color, and really examining the intricacies and issues inherent with our identity,” explains Dwight Allen O’Neal, an Executive Producer on A Boy Like That. “Our pictures tend to be outside-the-box art films, character driven, that explore intimate
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subject matters like sex, relationships, and identity. Everything we create is meant to make people question.” Says Armando, “Our hope with A Boy Like That is that it sparks conversation about love between men of different generations and the arduous process of overcoming grief.” Here TV launched in 2004, making it the world’s first SVOD LGBTQ+ video service and is available on all major US cable operators including Xfinity, Spectrum, Cablevision, FiOS, U-Verse, Cox, as well as Amazon, Roku, Sling and the Here TV app (www. here.tv) where it can be viewed on all iOS and Android mobile devices. Here TV reaches millions of viewers each month and has produced Academy award-winning films in addition to receiving a Daytime Emmy and four Daytime Emmy Award nominations. For more information on A Boy Like That, visit novonovus.com.
SEPTEMBER 2021 47
MUSIC
FINDING THEIR LOST AMULET QUEER FEMME ARTIST JULIA SINELNIKOVA AKA THE ORACLE RELEASES DEBUT EP BY SARA O’CONNELL
In Lost Amulet, the debut EP from Julia Sinelnikova aka The Oracle, the self-identified nonbinary queer femme blends a love of poetry with soaring vocals, a futuristic sound, and deeply emotional narratives. “I wanted the EP to capture the diversity and beauty of queer love, and create an immersive, uplifting and healing atmosphere that counters these tumultuous times on earth,” Julia
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Sinelnikova aka The Oracle explains. “I’m thinking of Lost Amulet as a book of astral love spells. Like different facets of a diamond, the musical direction is multifarious, but maintains an upbeat tempo and glistening ethereal ambience throughout.” Lost Amulet opens with “Dark Iridescent,” a sad, brooding song about chasing after quickly transforming, fluid energy. In the next
single, “Clockwork”, Julia Sinelnikova aka The Oracle fuses spoken word poetry into an intensely dark but flowing narrative. It leads into the hyper-pop “Cloud 9 Angel” that Julia Sinelnikova aka The Oracle lovingly describes as a straight up sappy love song. “I had to get the cheese out of my system!” she confesses. It is followed by “Leaving Earth” and then two remixes of “Celadon Haze,” the song that first introduced Julia Sinelnikova aka The Oracle to music fans last winter, telling the story of queer exes, contemplating the rekindling of their love due to the isolation of the COVID pandemic. While the original version of “Celadon Haze” was a Bjork-inspired ethereal trance/pop track, the remix presents a fresh new house beat with vocal effects and subtle drums. When Julia Sinelnikova aka The Oracle released “Celadon Haze” last winter, they included an immersive visual that helped to elevate the sensual experience of the song. It received nearly 20,000 views online, proving to be a winning strategy that Julia Sinelnikova aka The Oracle will employ once again this summer. The “Dark Iridescent” video creates a sinister yet sparkly atmosphere, incorporating a shifting, transmogrifying visual to both enchant and disorient the viewer. The “Leaving Earth” video references fairies, aliens, and children’s toys via digitally rendered characters in surreal amalgamations. Created by digital artist Serotines, there are mysterious scenes with floating shapes, strange morphing rooms, and form-changing characters that travel across space and time in search of love and magic. Julia Sinelnikova aka The Oracle was born in Jerusalem, Israel and until five-years-old, lived in St. Petersburg, Russia. The family
relocated to Texas and between the ages of 10 and 14, Julia toured the country, performing with a singing choir. Now living in Brooklyn, NY, Julia Sinelnikova aka The Oracle remains an artist, working predominantly in sculpture, lighting design and performance. They are now expanding their expressiveness into recording and DJ production. “When deciding on the title for the EP, I reflected on my periods of deep spiritual connection and elevation and the sense of loss and emptiness I have felt throughout my life as an artist,” explains Julia Sinelnikova aka The Oracle. “With these songs and visuals, I feel like I am bringing something back from being lost, which I guess is technically true regarding my singing as it’s something I haven’t done since being a child in the choir.” The music has become a protective spell of magical, positive energy for Julia Sinelnikova aka The Oracle as well as a soundscape for their video art and light art ideas to come together through performance. “I hope listeners take away a sense of the depth of my range from Lost Amulet,” Julia Sinelnikova aka The Oracle sums up. “I want my music to encourage psychedelic exploration, excessive dreaming, and the imagination of new, utopian worlds - as well as a brush with dystopia for necessary contrast. Through listening to my songs, I aim to reveal my personas and the details of the worlds in my mind to my audiences.” Follow Julia Sinelnikova aka The Oracle on Instagram.com @ or_acle. Other links.
SEPTEMBER 2021 49
MUSIC
TONY BENNETT & LADY GAGA REUNITE ON LOVE FOR SALE BY MARTHA TANG
PHOTO CREDIT KELSEY BENNETT
Love For Sale, the new collaborative album from Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, will be released on October 1st via Columbia Records/Interscope Records. This historic album will be Tony’s last studio recording, showcasing the Cole Porter songbook of classic popular music with both duet and solo selections from both artists. Their duet, “I Get A Kick Out Of You,” is the first single from Love For Sale. Love For Sale featuring Cole Porter’s songbook was an idea the two performers discussed shortly after their first album, Cheek To Cheek, debuted at #1 on the Billboard album charts upon its release in 2015. Recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York
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City, the album features a mix of jazz ensemble, big band and orchestral arrangements. At the time of the sessions, Bennett had already been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, a condition the family made public in a disclosure earlier this year. Love For Sale will be available in both a standard, deluxe and vinyl configurations as well as a highly collectible box set edition. In celebration of Tony’s 95th Birthday, Lady Gaga has invited fans to post videos naming one thing they love about Tony to their Instagram Reels using the hashtag #Tonys95thBdayCard. She will choose her favorites and edit them together for a video highlighting 95 Reasons she and her fans love him.
! f f o k c i K n o s a e S 2 02
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Thursday, October 7, 6 to 8 PM At a private location in Palm Springs (address provided upon RSVP)
• Entertainment by the spectacular Broadway star, Andrea McArdle • Luscious cocktails and abundant delectable hors d’oeuvres • Valet parking Be among the first to select your seats for Evening Under the Stars (April 30, 2022) • Renew your participation in (or join) our Jeannette Rockefeller Angel Program • Purchase tickets to Evening Under the Stars • Become a sponsor of Evening Under the Stars RSVP REQUIRED by Monday, October 4 • 760-325-8481 Your RSVP and attendance indicate your willingness to purchase tickets to (or sponsor) Evening Under the Stars or participate in the Angel Program. Ms. McArdle’s performance has been generously underwritten by Joseph Johnson & Thomas Andrika Media Partner: The Standard Magazine ANDREA McARDLE first captured the hearts of theatergoers everywhere in 1977 when she originated the title role in the mega-musical ANNIE, based on the popular Harold Gray comic strip “Little Orphan Annie.” Since then, she has starred in several Broadway musicals and appeared in theatres nationally, and internationally. She has honed her craft by working with some of the great legends of the entertainment industry such as Ethel Merman, Liza Minnelli, Julie Andrews, Bob Hope, Liberace, Frank Sinatra, Steve Martin, and Martin Short, to name a few, and was privileged to have appeared on television with Johnny Carson, Merv Griffin, and Dinah Shore.
Now in its 30th year of service to the community, AAP – Food Samaritans remains dedicated to providing nutritional support to improve the quality of the lives of low-income people living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses. aapfoodsamaritans.org AAP will continue to monitor health advisories and will comply with all the current measures, regulations and mandates set forth by the City of Palm Springs and the County of Riverside. This may or may not include requiring masks and/or social distancing required to limit the spread of COVID-19. If safety measures change, all guests who have RSVPd will be notified via email. If applicable, City mandates requiring proof of vaccine or a negative test prior to entry will be observed.
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SEPTEMBER 2021 53
2021-2022 EVENTS For the latest Events, Visit GayDesertGuide.LGBT
Sept. 17-19
Gay Days Anaheim/ Out on the Mountain
Sept. 18
Aging Positively / Reunion Conference
Sept. 22
Taste of Palm Springs and Business Expo
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Club Skirts Dinah Shore BNP Paribus 2021
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Modernism Week Fall Preview
Oct. 15-17
Casual Concours (Great Autos)
Oct. 22
LGBTQ Community Center Stage
Oct. 24
LGBTQ Community Center, Reopening Celebration
Oct. 27
Pride Honor Awards
Oct. 28-31
Leather Pride 2021
Oct. 30
DAP Health Desert AIDS Walk
Oct. 31
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Michael Childers One Night Only
Nov. 12
Palm Springs Equality Awards
Nov. 13
Desert Hot Springs Pride
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Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival
Nov. 19-21
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Feb 24-28
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Apr 15-17
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