V-Rag Magazine #14 - August 2010

www.v-rag.com

V a n R a g a z i n e

V-rag

vancouver's gay arts + culture rag

Margaret Cho Queer Film Festival Holy Ghost!

Jiz!

august 2010 issue 14

1238 Davie Street_ 604.669.1753

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It's Here...

V-rag

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V-rag

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V a n R a g a z i n e

august 2010

04 editor's note

Too much Pride can give one the proud shakes

06 holy ghost!

Electro disco duo comes to Vancouver

08 margaret cho

Could she be the Queen of the Gays?

12

jiz & the mammograms

14

queer film festival

18

wasted thoughts

Sienna D'Enema is one foul mouthed fella

The low-down on this year's VQFF

Rob Easton is having a lazy summer

20 the third kind The juggler or the jerk

22

calendar of events

24

film festival guide

26

joan-e's rag

The city's most comprehensive calendar

To help you plan out your week of movies

Odyssey, a farewell to Howe Street

cotton around town 27 Let's all welcome August in

wayoutwest 29

Download MobileTag and let's get started!

live on stage 30

Dean Paul Gibson and Bard on the Beach

film:notes 32

Earthling, Watercolors

music:notes 33

Zero 7, The New Pornographers, Kelis

long hot summer 36

Priape and Kate McLaren go to the beach

event listings 42

Our picks for August's hottest events

vancouver nightlife 43 Weekly barhopping guide at a glance

v-map 44

Don't get lost! Find everything here

dj lisa de lux 46

q&a: Providing the groove for the ladies

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august 2010 Issue 14

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vanragazine #14

22nd Vancouver l Queer Film AuFegusstti12v-2a2 nd st Film Festival Vancouver’s 2 large

Earthling

| Fri | Aug 13 | 9:30 n tow sel Tin Cinemark

Editor's Note It's Pride Hangover month; we're all feeling a little bit exhausted and trying to push through the shakes. But after such a fantastic party like Vancouver Pride, what better month to relax, sit back and watch a ton of movies? The 22nd Annual Vancouver Queer Film Festival will cure our collective hangover with a selection of the best in Canadian and international GLBT films.

Also to ease our aching heads, Margaret Cho is coming to town! We got to sit down with the gay icon and funny girl to chat about her new projects and her new hubby. Rising electro superstars Holy Ghost! of DFA Records answer our questions about the club scene and their latest tours, while YouTube sensation Sienna D'Enema gets dirty with Jiz. And lastly, photographer Kate McLaren teams up with a trio of very hot boys for some beach fun courtesy of Priape. Pride may be over, but summer is in full force! V Editor & Art Director Cole Johnston • cole@v-rag.com Director of Business Development Darren Royea • darren@v-rag.com Sales Manager Skipp Johnson • skipp@v-rag.com

Fri | Aug 20 | 6:30

|

le 7 Watercolours Empire Granvil

Come Out and Play! queerfilmfestival.ca

Editorial Contributors John Britton Lana Chunn Terry Costa Rob Easton Rob Farrow Joan-E Cole Johnston Jeff Lawrence Justin Meisner Matt Roy Michael Venus Printed by East Van Graphics

Art & Photography Taylor Ross Alexander Bard on the Beach Girlie Action Nicholas Jang Cole Johnston Mel Marcelo Kate McLaren Vancouver Queer Film Festival Austin Young Cover Photo by Austin Young Publisher Cole Johnston Design

Copy deadline for the September issue is Aug. 20. Ad space is available until Aug. 23 and can be booked by calling 604306-6541 or emailing ads@v-rag.com. Our rates are available upon request. V-Rag welcomes submissions but accepts no responsibility for the return of unsolicited materials.

V-Rag Magazine 1535 West Broadway, PO Box 29141 Vancouver B.C. V6J 1W6 V-Rag is printed monthly by Cole Johnston Design. No part of this may be reproduced in any form by any means without prior written consent from the publisher.

All content © 2010 Cole Johnston Design.

www.v-rag.com

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vanragazine #14

Holy Ghost!

by Jeff Lawrence

A

t an alarming rate, a generation of kids are catching the Holy Ghost! Symptoms include uncontrollable limbs, prolific sweating and occasionally, haunting of the ear.

This Holy Ghost! isn’t part of any trinity – it’s made up of a pair of New Yorkers named Nick Millhiser and Alex Frankel who seem to possess hearts and iPods wherever they go. It turns out they just make catchy, retro-inspired pop music.

Frankel and Millhiser hit it big in 2008 with their runaway hit “Hold On,” a throwback song that combines disco with fuzzy synths, typifying the style Holy Ghost! keeps conjuring up. The pair has since remixed songs for the likes of MGMT, Datarock and Phoenix.

In terms of a journey from the music they used to make to the music they make now, consider the word “biblical.” The two met in the early 2000’s while playing in Automato, a hip-hop band with some electronic elements, which Millhiser and Frankel provided.

“We did not have a successful run,” Frankel says. “I’m still quite proud of parts of the Automato record and we’re all still friends.” After the group disbanded, he and Millhiser stuck together, united by a new kind of music as a result of look-

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ing for samples in disco records. Then they started experimenting with those disco sounds, which led to the birth of the single heard ‘round the internet.

When “Hold On” started blowing up on countless music blogs two years ago, Frankel recalls that it was completely unexpected. “Still surprised to hear it out, really,” he says. Asked why that single spread like internet wildfire, he struggles for a reason. “Not sure, simple hook, tuff beat? Maybe it was the subliminal messages we implanted. If you play Hold On backwards it says, ‘download this for free now.’”

The simple hook and the tuff beat managed to catch the attention of two iconic names in the music world, DFA Records’ Tim Goldsworthy and James Murphy, also frontman for LCD Soundsystem. Millhiser and Frankel were promptly signed to DFA and haven’t looked back.

Frankel credits this success to the hip-hop band he was in nearly a decade earlier. “That band was our high school band,” he says, “and we got signed to a major and basically the one great thing that came out of that experience was meeting James and Tim, who have shaped us enormously.”

Now the 27-year-old is basking under the Mediterranean sun in Ibiza while the duo tours

photo courtesy of girlie action

"If you play 'Hold On' backwards it says, 'download this for free now'."

with their mentor Murphy and LCD Soundsystem across Europe.

“Poor us,” Frankel jokes. While Murphy has become a close friend of Holy Ghost!, he’s still in awe of the situation the band is in. “Hell yeah it’s intimidating opening for one of the world’s best bands and our personal heroes,” he says. “But they’re very supportive and actually turned what should have been a terrifying experience into a really great learning experience. Basically, summer camp with your best friends for four weeks.”

Those who have only heard the band may picture two guys on synths and laptops with midi controllers. That’s not the case, Frankel says.

“Because the album’s out we’re playing a bunch of songs people don’t even know, so there definitely are some ‘Hey, where’s the MGMT remix?’ looks,” he says. “That’s why we’re going to start playing a few of the remixes live as well I think.”

But once those people disconnect from their laptop-producer image of Holy Ghost!, “mostly it’s a positive reaction like, ‘Whoa, that was so much different than the last 10 DJ’s who said they were going live!’”

The live setup works well for Millhiser and Frankel, who have been playing in bands

together since their early teens. “It’s really fun to come back to it,” he says.

As for new material, Holy Ghost! has been hoarding songs for nearly two years. The group has yet to release a full-length, and since that album won’t see the light of day until later this year, they released a four-song EP titled Static on the Wire on DFA Records in May. Featured on the EP is the eminent track “Hold On” as well as the group’s second single, “I Will Come Back,” a haunting Cut Copy-esque ditty that not only tips but throws its hat at mid-80’s synth-pop. “[For the EP] we chose the songs that seemed ‘EP’y’ versus ‘albumby,’ Frankel explains.

“I.e., the longer, more sprawling songs. The album is a bit tighter in arrangements and stuff.”

And even though their debut album isn’t released yet, Frankel presents an abridged version of what he thinks is Holy Ghost!’s trajectory in the years to come: “I’m sure we’ll find a way to keep things difficult.” For god’s sake, let’s hope so. V Holy Ghost! is currently touring Europe with LCD Soundystem, but Frankel and Millhiser have a date with Chromeo here at the Commodore Ballroom, Aug. 11

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photos by austin young

Margaret Cho

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T

elephone interviews can be tricky.

You’re usually trying to connect with someone in a different time-zone, via their manager or agent who has hooked you up courtesy of the clueless 17 year old intern on the switchboard of whatever building the celebrity-du-jour happens to be in at the scheduled time of the interview. So we’re not surprised when we dial the number we’ve been sent for Margaret Cho and get the ‘click’ of voicemail. Here we go again. But instead of a bored-sounding receptionist, we get a giggly female voice: "Hi this is Margaret! Leave me a message and I’ll call you back". We’ve just got Margaret Cho’s personal voicemail. One of the most famous female comedians on the planet has sent us her cell phone number.

But why are we surprised? When we finally get through after several tries, chatting with the infectious Cho is like chatting with a good pal; friendly, gossipy and totally open.

Cho is something of a legend in popular gay culture, displaying all the traits and attributes that are close to our collective queer hearts. She’s a minority whose politics, sexuality, beliefs and ethics don’t fit into accepted norms, she’s constantly under attack from the religious right and she refuses to label herself. She is a poster-girl for what it means to be, and be free.

For example... she identifies as a "queer woman" who happens to be married to a man. And yet, she says that her marriage is "pretty conventional". When we question her on what this means, her response is disarm-

by John Britton ingly open. "I think it would be dishonest to be with my husband exclusively because that would deny my own experience... yet at the same time I want to be with my husband forever. So, we have an open marriage. We’re in love, we’re happy together, we respect each other’s needs and if that means exploring relationships with other people then so be it. Our marriage is pretty conventional in most other aspects. We’re like that happy old gay couple living in Palm Springs, you know?

It doesn’t work for everyone, and that’s fine.

But it works for us. And that’s the key." What works for the couple? "With that contentment comes sustainability." Sustainability? That sounds like something that all marriages should aspire to whether they are gay or straight. "Absolutely!" says Cho. "For me, it’s definitive of what a life partnership should be. It’s all about communication and honesty.

If you’re honest, you can’t go wrong."

Whilst we’re on the subject of marriage, we talk about the long fight for marriage equality in the USA – a subject that Cho has been visibly involved in for pretty much all of her adult life. And it’s at this point we realise that Cho is that rare and wonderful interview subject; someone who is open to real discussion. We decide to get a little more direct with our questioning. Cho stated, years ago, that she wouldn’t even consider getting married until marriage was an equal right for everyone. Yet... here she is, happily married in her ‘older-gay-couple-living-in-PalmSprings-kinda-way’? What gives, Margaret?

vanragazine #14

"Hmmmmm. I don’t remember saying that!

But you know what, I was angry and am still angry at the inequality and so I’m pretty sure I must have said it. In any case, I am still very pissed off. Getting married has actually solidified my resolve to seeing gay marriage happen, (it’s) helped me conclude that people really need each other. It’s so important to have a sense of family. So that’s why I made much more noise after I actually got married. It enrages and saddens me that people still let their fears get in the way of basic human rights. I think that the people who are against gay marriage are just afraid of disappearing. Their way of thinking is becoming extinct; there are fewer people that are invested in it and so they go at it harder.

(There’s a) conservative faction that now feels that they are diminishing and so they need to overcome it to lengthen their reign, by working at it harder. It’s vexing!"

Vexing it may be, but Cho has found her niche morphing strong political and personal beliefs and incredible life experiences into

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a unique brand of comedy that has seen a string of sell-out concert tours, successful forays into TV (her hit comedy drama Drop Dead Diva is enjoying a second season run on the Lifestyle Network) and now an evolution into music in the form of Cho’s first ever album Cho Dependant. Why the transition into musical comedy? “Well, I wanted to write a comedy album because I love musical comedy, but at the same time I also wanted the music to be enduring beyond the joke, and in order to do that I knew I was going to have to ask for help from some of my friends who fortunately are some of the greatest musicians around.

That’s how I ended up with collaborations with people like Ani Di Franco and Fiona Apple and Tegan and Sara and Andrew Bird and all these wonderful musicians. I wrote the lyrics and they wrote the music.” That’s an impressive line-up by anyone’s standards, and Cho is showcasing the upcoming release with a North American tour that will feature a blend of her trademark stand-up and songs from the album. The tour stops in Vancouver on 28th August, and Cho is excited to be back. “I love Vancouver! I’ve spent a lot of time there and I actually recorded some of the new album up there.”

As our conversation winds down, we chat a little about Cho’s personal heroes (which include Oprah Winfrey and Joan Rivers). This leads us into a frank discussion of aging and Cho’s personal strategy for dealing with that process (tattoos, which at this point comes as no surprise to us at all). As a final thought, we wonder who this sex-positive queer hero would choose as her ideal three-way? “Ahhhh, let’s see... well... Gaga would be good. Gaga and Beyoncé (laughs). I can so see myself in an alternate version of the ‘Telephone’ video!”

When we ask who it would be if it were with a man and a woman, her reply is as disarming and friendly as any she’s given throughout the whole interview. “Can Beyoncé just wear a strap-on? Does that work?” V Margaret Cho's new album Cho Dependent is available on August 24th from iTunes or www.margaretcho.com. The tour comes to Vancouver on August 28th at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

Read the full interview in an upcoming posting on the official V-Rag website, www.v-rag.com!

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vanragazine #14

Jiz& the

Mammograms

by Cole Johnston

P

arental discretion is definitely advised. Jem is dead. Long live Jiz. And who killed the 1980s cartoon pop princess and turned her into a foul-mouthed evil tranny? Why, that honour would have to go to mysterious YouTube sensation Sienna D'Enema.

Every good gay boy knows the truly truly truly outrageous Jem & The Holograms from when they were supposed to be watching G.I. Joe (but the pink hair and magical earings became too much to resist). Los Angeles-based gay filmmaker D'Enema, who prefers to remain anonymous, has created a series of voice-overs and re-edits of the classic television show. The result is the hilariously vile and offensive Jiz & The Mammograms. Touching on abortion, race, scat humour, prostitution and violence, this isn't everyone's cup of tea for sure. And if Jem was never your thing, there's also a brilliant re-dub of the Golden Girls, in which Blanche and the gals are post-op sex hungry trannies.

“For me, these videos are a sort of filmic Tourette syndrome,” D'Enema says. “One night, in a vast pit of writer’s block, I turned on the Golden Girls. The sound was off, and I started to just talk over the screen as if they were tranny AIDS patients.

“I turned on my camera, and taped a completely improved version of what would later become the Golden Shower Girls. After releasing that much filth from my mouth, the creative juices came back with a gusto.”

And we're assured those juices will continue to flow in the future.

“There may also be a dub of Punky Brewster ('Spunky Cooter') and 'ThunderCunts' in the future as well,” he promises. V Check out Jiz as well as all of Sienna's dirty dubs at his YouTube page www.youtube.com/ user/siennadenima

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vanragazine #14

Queer Film Festival

2010

by Cole Johnston

14

still from watercolors

I

n 22 years, the Queer Film Festival has become the second largest film festival in Vancouver. V-Rag caught up with this year’s Director of Programming, Amber Dawn, to shed some light on the massive success of the Festival.

“The world of queer cinema and arts has grown over the last two decades,” she explains. “Everything from more affordable, accessible digital film technology to the gains in international queer visibility help fuel queer filmmakers and in turn our Festival.

The community also encourages and supports the Festival. We deserve to see ourselves represented in film. It’s an affirming experience to see a queer kiss on the big screen and hear the audience cheer. The Festival brings folks together, from East Van dykes to West End fags, bears, genderqueers, trans folk, leather dykes, drag queens, youth, etc. I love the Festival for reminding me how large and vibrant the queer world actually is.”

Starting off as a grass-roots alternative festival in the late eighties, who would have thought that the film industry would soon change so much to favour queer films? Even Hollywood has been getting on board, garnering Oscar-nominated pictures like A Single Man, Milk, Transamerica, Boys Don’t Cry and Philadelphia. But to Dawn, this is a natural evolution and “shows that large audiences and critics alike understand the value of our stories – and moreso that they are no longer ashamed to admit that our stories are moving and dynamic and romantic and powerful.” She adds “and I do think actors such as Tom Hanks and Sean Penn do have influence and when they

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V-rag Top5Picks V a n R a g a z i n e

Earthling D: clay liford

Fri. Aug. 13, 9:30pm @ Tinseltown There are blockbuster science fiction films, films that feature Robert Downey Jr. blowing up entire city blocks in his super suit, for example.

Then there’s psychological classics, such as the Dr. Who series or The Fly, which employ alternative realities to probe age-old existential questions of identity and human experience. Earthling—with its puzzling plot—can be placed in the latter camp.

As in all worthwhile sci-fi, the question “What does it mean to be human?” is asked, as well as “Why do we love who we love?”

Violet Tendencies D: Casper Andreas

Tues. Aug. 17, 7:00pm @ VanCity Theatre Sat. Aug. 21, 9:30pm @ Granville 7 Ever wonder what happened to teen star Mindy Cohn aka Natalie in the 1980s hit TV show the Facts of Life? Violet (Cohn) is Manhattan's most fabulous fruit fly, but at age forty she's ready to put down the martini glass and start a serious relationship.

Without any straight people in her life to fix her up, Violet scours online dating sites only to be stood up and sadly disappointed. Her roommate Riley suggests she seek out the straight male version of herself: the mythical "Fag Stag."

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Pornography: A Thriller D: David Kittredge Fri. Aug. 13, 9:30pm @ Granville 7

A quintessential queer Friday the 13th movie, this mind-bending nightmarish thriller flick centres on the mysterious disappearance of fictional gay porn star Mark Anton at the height of his career in 1995. Rumours of murder and blackmail cloud the incident, until presentday writer Michael Castigan unwittingly moves into Mark's old apartment and his investigation of the events surrounding the mystery begin to stir up the same malevolent energy that destroyed Mark. A surrealistic waking dream.

Sea Purple (Viola di Mare) D: Donatella Maiorca Thurs. Aug. 19, 7:00 pm @ Granville 7

Being born female earns Angela very little favour in her 19th century Sicilian mining village.

When she grows up and announces her wish to marry her best friend Sara, Angela is suddenly in a troubled spotlight as her family and neighbours reel at the news. After every attempt to overturn the relationship, the community finally accepts their young love on one condition—that Angela becomes Angelo and lives the rest of her life as a man. Both triumph and tribulation follow as Angela’s transition reshapes the entire village.

Watercolors D: David Oliveras

Fri. Aug. 20, 6:30pm @ Granville 7 On the opening night of his first New York art exhibit, Danny reflects on the inspiration of his paintings. Memories of his first love, Carter, are triggered and through a series of flashbacks a bumpy comingof-age story is told. Danny's mother takes in Carter, a high school athlete with golden-boy looks and a troubled home life. Danny-a nerdy type- helps Carter with his homework and before long these tutorials turn into mutual attraction. But it is heartache that drives Danny to paint as he discovers the hard way that only art can turn pain into beauty.

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V-rag

for a full calendar of films. There's definitely something for every movie-goer.

Don’t expect to just sit in a stuffy theatre at the Queer Film Festival, however. “We have a series of workshops and salons at the Festival that focus on telling our stories and creative personal narrative, as opposed to learning a specific skill. And our parties always promise to invigorate the community. Our parties are some of the best in town.” We’ll be there! In the meantime, check out V-Rag's top 5 picks of the festival this year. V

still from earthling

The 22nd Annual Queer Film Festival runs from Aug. 12-22 at various theatres around the city.

Check out www.queerfilmfestival.ca for more info or the centre-spread for the films playing.

august 2010 Issue 14

make those queer-positive award acceptance speeches, I feel very hopeful.”

Critics and audiences aren’t the only people changing with the times. More and more, queer film-makers have been creating innovative, thought-provoking films. Dawn agrees, saying the industry is “getting more diverse.

There are gay horror films (a la Pornography: A Thriller) and queer science fiction (Earthling) now screening at this year’s Festival. It’s not all camp and coming out stories anymore.”

Audiences this year can choose from over 75 films over the 11 day Festival. From dramas to documentaries, comedy to horror, even some never-before-screened film classics, this year is already shaping up to be one of the most eclectic programs so far. Read on

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vanragazine #14

WASTED thoughts

by Rob Easton

W

hat better way to spend your summer than napping? As long as it follows a late summer night, you’re in the clear. Summer allows one the advantage of being lazy while still operating under the guise of efficacy. Sitting naked at Wreck Beach isn’t a waste of time. That’s tanning!

“Summer won’t last forever!” you’ll say.

Let the short length of these long days propel you into inaction! Jobless for the summer?

Better aim to start after Labour Day. Slept in too late this morning? Better relocate to the beach.

Yet today, the self-reproach of an extra long sleep has me thinking, "shouldn’t I be doing more to save the world?"

I think of the millions of people suffering.

I think about how I should work harder to find a new job.

Normally, I get over this guilt by a self improvement project like cleaning or learning a new Lady Gaga song on my guitar. Today I didn’t though. My shame comes from my own inaction. Hence this lament.

Either way, the world is you oyster. The time (to do nothing) is now!

I decide to call a friend.

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“He... Hello?” his raspy voice stutters. He’s still in bed, was out late the night before. It’s 2pm. Bingo! Guilt can always be solved by comparison to someone who’s more of a sloth than you. I’ve already been outside and eaten two meals.

We decide to hang out later. But now the question is what to do? How do we effectively waste our afternoon? We certainly can’t play video games. It’s too nice out and that would really waste time.

“K, I’ll call you when I’m heading out.” I need to finish writing my V-Rag column. At least I’m getting something done. I quickly jot down a potential to-do list to placate my guilt some more.

• • • • •

Buy new speedo Work on tan Throw the aerobie around Eat dinner Manscape

And with that, I’m no longer lazy. I am seizing this beautiful day. I’ll save the world in the fall. V

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tough to stay stylish in summer. But there a few things you can do to help you look and feel great this season!

t loss and to rid the body of harmful chemicals and toxins which causes skin to look less vibrant and the body to feel sluggish and fatigued. t Dietary choices such as choosing vegetables and fruit with a high antioxidant and water content can help you stay cool. Leafy lettuce, cucumbers, watermelon, tofu and summer squash are delicious ways to stay cool. A Naturopathic Physician supplement upplement and exercise routine that will get you oking and feeling great this summer! looking

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t Holistic Family Medicine t Acupuncture t Women’s Health t IV Therapeutics

august 2010 Issue 14

Q: I would like to look and feel great this summer; is there anything y hing I can do naturallyy to help p with that?

A: Hot temperatures, on-the-go kids and stress at work can make it

vanragazine #14

the

photo by taylor ross alexander

THIRD KIND

by Justin Meisner

A

fter high school I spent my first year at college studying theatre arts (before subsequently running for the hills a year later for any other major that didn't require me to sing, dance and frequent Renaissance festivals) and one of the (many) inane things we were required to do was learn how to juggle- therein forever solidifying my inability to differentiate between studying theatre arts and attending circus school.

I can't even remember what class this was supposed to be for, although I'm sure Wasting the Government's Money 101 was the jest.

And while my already well honed and mastered cynicism prevented me from seeing the relevancy at the time, in retrospect my granola smelling, scarves-in-July wearing "teacher" may have been onto something.

Had she stopped smudging the room long enough before starting each class to write the names of some of my lovers on those balls I think I may have paid a little more attention.

All my dating life I have never understood how people could juggle multiple relationships - or more importantly why anyone would want to. I'm not talking about seeing someone else while you're in a relationship, I'm talking casual, serial dating.

People who dated but said they weren't looking for a relationship I never fully understood. Why would you bother dating in the first place if you weren't looking for anything? On top of that, how could someone spend the night with a person, being intimate, and then the following night do it with someone else? I am not talking about sex, that I get, it's the emotional intimacy part; the kind of emotionally intimacy when you're... you know, dating.

I guess I was just young and naive, thinking that every guy I went on a date with was a possible candidate for a long term relationship. But something switched this year and for the first time in my life I got it. For the first time since I began dating

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as a teenager, I wasn't looking for a relationship, I wasn't looking for a serious boyfriend. Maybe it was maturity, maybe I was finally comfortable just being with myself, or maybe I had just become so cynical that this was my self-righteous way of throwing in the hope towel. Whatever the reason I began to understand the pleasures of juggling. But getting it and being good at it are apparently two different things.

How do you successfully juggle casual relationships without being seen as heartless, shallow, or emotionally retarded? And how do you do it without juggling other guys that are heartless, shallow and emotionally retarded?

I am not a player, never have been and I am not some shallow prick; but when you begin the delicate art of juggling I've come to realize that occasionally you're going to drop a few balls, and whether you mean to or not someone is bound to get hurt.

But I don't want to hurt anyone, the same way I got hurt by jugglers in the past. Despite how open and upfront I am with people, and no matter how much they initially claim to comprehend, if the other person ends up hurt am I a jerk regardless of intention?

Is a juggler (or a jerk) in the eyes of the beholder?

Maybe I just picked the wrong circus sideshow; if I only I had a Siamese twin or a vagina to go with this beard I might be a little better at being the freak. V Follow Justin in our new regular feature, The Third Kind as he "power-dates" his way through the city. www.houseofeugene.blogspot.com

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august 2010 Issue 14

This month's artwork: Mel Marcelo is a San Diego-based vector illustrator who specializes in portraits and celebrities. His work has been used for Oakley, Mossimo, Paul Frank, and Newsweek, as well as on countless album covers and concert posters.

This was commissioned for the Lady Gaga San Diego performance in December 2009. www.myspace.com/melmarcelo

august 2010

2

United @ Gorg-O-Mish

Hot Gay DJ Finale @ J Lounge

9

Tops & Bottoms @ J Lounge

Industry Night @ The Odyssey

16

Live Jazz Mondays @ Capone's

QFF After Party @ Lotus Lounge

23

Industry Night @ Score on Davie

Lady Gaga @ Rogers Arena

30

Evolution @ Oasis

Monday Madness @ 1181

Vancouver Pride Parade Robson to Pacific

Big Gay Sing @ Roundhouse

8

Benga @ Venue

New West Gay Pride @ The Quay

15

Sunday Kegger @ The PumpJack

A-Track (Boat Cruise) @ Queen of Diamonds

22

Jokers of the Scene @ Venue

QFF Gala Party @ Celebrities

29

Gorg-O-Mish Boat Party @ The Abitibi Boat

Feather Boa Shows @ The Odyssey

Monday

1

Sunday

Tuesdays at Celebrities @ Celebrities

DJ Tim @ Numbers

31

Lady Gaga @ Rogers Arena

Karaoke Tuesdays @ Oasis

24

Nicky Click & the Dolls @ Lick

Chill @ 1181

17

Hercules & Love Affair @ Venue

Tootsie Tuesdays @ Cranberries Spa

10

Karaoke Tuesdays @ J Lounge

Frequeency @ The Odyssey

3

Tuesday

Plugged In @ J Lounge

Waxing Wednesdays @ Cranberries Spa

25

Bingo For Life @ Celebrities

Night at the Indies @ Cafe Deux Soleils

18

Chromeo w/ Holy Ghost! @ The Commodore

Faux Girls & Lips Inc. @ The Odyssey

11

Sad Mag Issue 4 Launch @ The Cobalt

Average Joe's @ Numbers

4

Wednesday

13

Gay Pride Stonewall @ G.i.N. (Heritage)

Backstreet Boys @ Rogers Arena

6

Friday

Pase Rock @ Red Room

Haunted @ The Narrow

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QFF Gala Party @ Century House

Jerry Seinfeld @ Queen E. Theatre

19

QFF Gala Party @ Celebrities

Margaret Cho @ Queen E. Theatre

MKW & Mumbles @ Five Sixty

28

Michael Buble @ Rogers Arena

Nawtybox @ Lick

21

Hot Mix @ Five Sixty

International Music Fest @ Pacific Coliseum

14

New West Pride Dance @ G.i.N. (Heritage)

Diagonal Zine Fair @ 221a Artist Run Centre

7

Saturday

Please send event and calendar listings to events@v-rag.com.

Vampire Weekend @ Malkin Bowl

Felix Cartal @ Celebrities

27

QFF After Party @ J Lounge

Watercolors @ Empire Granville

20

AVICII @ Celebrities

Queer Film Festival (QFF) Earthling @ Tinseltown Theatre @ Empire Granville

12 - Opening Night

Indulge Thursdays @ Cranberries Spa

The Lion King @ Queen E. Theatre

5 - Opening Night

Thursday

22nd VANCOUVER QUEER FILM FESTIVAL AUGUST 12-22 2010

Vancouver’s 2 nd Largest Film Festival Friday 13

Thursday 12

Monday 16

Tuesday 17

1 – 3 pm

13 &

Workshops @ Roundhouse

Schedule Key

p. 53

4 pm

4

4

Holding Hands w/ panel

TT

p. 39

5 pm

5

7

EG (7)

p. 26

EG (4)

p. 47

Lucky 13

TT

TT

7

Strong and Silent Types

7

EG (4)

p.43

5

Off World

p. 42

7

Opening Gala Undertow

The Owls

5

My Normal

TT

6 – 7 pm

Sunday 15

Saturday 14

EG (4)

7

p. 35

We Are the Mods

p. 42

TT

p. 43

p. 49

TT

p. 47

7

7

Children of God

5

Queer Prom + PSAs

Director’s Spotlight EG (4)

p. 29

Mr Right

TT

Parents Reborn

VCT

7

p. 43

Queer History Project p. 42

TT

p. 49

7

Bloomington

7

We Are the Mods

TT

p. 45

Violet Tendencies VCT

7

p. 49

Diagnosing Difference w/ panel

TT

p. 37

8 Youth Gala @ Roundhouse

8 – 930 pm

p. 30

930

930

Porn: A Thriller

EG (4)

930

p. 45

Later

9 Gala Party @ Celebrities

EG (4)

p. 45

Too Much Pussy

Earthling

TT

The People I’ve Slept With

930

p. 37

TT

930

930

p. 48

11 Hot Mix @ Club Five Sixty

The Fish Child

EG (4)

930

p. 39

The Butch Factor

TT

p. 35

930

The Taqwacores

VCT

930

p. 47

The Coast Is Queer TT

p. 36

8

30

After Party @ Lotus

All Boys w/ Jason Karman

VCT

930

p. 35

Riot Acts

TT

p. 47

11 Nicky Click and CJ & the Dolls @ Lick

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE Thursday 19

Friday 20

Sunday 22

Saturday 21

1 – 3 pm

Wednesday 18

5

TT

5

5 The Taqwacores

p. 45

7

TT

p. 47

VCT

p. 35

7

Two Spirits w/ Kevin Lee Burton p. 48

EG (3)

p. 43

EG (7)

p. 27

p. 49

Cross Cultural Romance

Mr Right

TT

EG (4)

p. 42

EG (3)

p. 36

EG (4)

p. 53

6

From Coast to Coast Is Queer

7

Visible Panel @ Rhizome

p. 43

6

Watercolours

7

EG (3) 30

Sea Purple

7

5

Other Nature

30

Centrepiece Gala

p. 43

5

The Owls

6

7

Children of God

TT

EG (4)

p. 36

5 pm

queerfilmfestival.ca

7

Gayblevision w/ Mary Anne McEwen

ECU

p. 39

Closing Gala Strella

EG (7)

p. 28

And the Rest Is Drag EG (3)

6 – 7 pm

For more information about festival artists, films and events visit

Plan B

4 pm

4 Off World

p. 35

830

9

Yang + Yin w/

VCT

930

p. 49

Far Out

TT

EG (4)

930

930

p. 37

TT

p. 45

My Normal

Undertow

p. 26

9 Gala Party @ The Century House

EG (3)

p. 39

The Fish Child

Plan B

Helen Leung

ECU

9

p. 42

11 After Party @ J Lounge

EG (4)

930

p. 39

Violet Tendencies EG (3)

p. 49

930 Gala Party @ Celebrities

Later

930

8 – 930 pm

Homelands

vanragazine #14

Joan-E's A FAREWELL TO HOWE STREET

W

ell, the time we thought would never come, has finally come. The Odyssey Nightclub, after 25 years in business at 1251 Howe Street, will close its doors after a Grand Finale party on September 5th. The O has been "closing" for years so I can understand why some may be skeptical, but I assure you, it's done. Funding for the long-awaited social housing project is now in place and demolition will begin as soon as the end of September. The owners are enthusiastically hopeful that relocation confirmation is imminent, and Odyssey supporters remain with fingers crossed.

Much has been said about the end of the O, and a great deal of it unflattering (especially on the online comment sections of some LGBTQ publications). For many, it was not their cup of tea, or the tea had run cold. For others, the notion of gay bars is a relic of the past, unnecessary in a more sexually sophisticated nightlife era. Some other detractors may be from the people who have been thrown out and/or barred, fired and/or not hired in the first place.

Or, maybe you just hated the place.

I, of course, have a different perspective.

I have had the honour of hosting Feather Boa for almost 16 years every Sunday night at the Odyssey. I was a bartender for almost a decade, and have been a regular showgirl, hostess, mouthpiece, unofficial spokesperson and "inhouse Queen" for almost two decades. I've been treated like royalty and have had a good time to say the least. Often I over-indulged and was occasionally "convinced" to leave, but was never (thank god) shown the door. On Septem-

26

photos by nicholas jang www.double-take2.ca

Rag

ber 5th, I will be granted a final great privilege of hosting the Odyssey (1.0) last Feather Boa show and closing party.

What made the club success? The club is an ugly one. If you've seen it during the day, it's real ugly. The lone, great quality of the building has always been the Odyssey Patio. The patio, an infamous City of Vancouver mistake, is where I spend most of my time. It is rather pretty and hosts the plaque commemorating the late great First Lady of the Odyssey, Diana Rose. The rest of the club, however unattractive, is very conducive to shows. For many, the Odyssey is a dance club, but for me it has always been a show bar first and formost. All of Vancouver's drag royalty have performed there.

The ability to attract (and keep talent) has had something to do with the room but more to do with the owners and managers. The greatest thing that Bill, Michael and the management have ever had (other than the good sense to give us full artistic freedom) was the perspective and insight to stay the course. In other clubs, if you have two bad months you're done.

At the O, they keep you on and wait it out. By month five of our Sunday show in 1994, we

V-rag

27

were only getting about 35 people a night. Six months later, we were in the hundreds.

The music at the O has always been key. Many DJs (some with immense talent) have come and gone but one was without equal. DJ Jules. Jules used to laugh at the criticism thrown his way for his 'bubblegum top 40 music'. His ability to find, and keep the voice of the Odyssey was his gift.

He packed that dance floor solid for the better part of 20 yrs until just days before his tragic death. It's only fitting that his protégé, DJ Drew, seems to be the one person in the world who has properly found that "Jules voice".

The greatest Odyssey secret has always been its staff. Having a diverse staff hired not only for what they could offer but for who they were came first. Looks came second, if at all.

Charm, personality and flare were qualities more important to age, size or sex. People came to see the staff, period.

The music, the staff, great shows and solid management has attracted, nourished and maintained the greatest family of regulars any Vancouver club has ever known. Many describe the Odyssey as a twink bar. I always see so much more. Yes we have the younguns, but we also have a full measure of folks from every age, race and sexual orientation.

Every business describes itself as a family, but in the case of the Odyssey it really is true.

Not for everybody, I know, but for many. The Odyssey, for me, has always been a home. A place I felt comfortable, a place where I was loved and sometimes resented or disliked. A place where I grew up, learned lessons and made mistakes. A place where sadness entered but never made a permanent nest. A place where music and dance thrived and where relationships began, and sometimes ended.

A place where a generation of boys and girls became men and women. I'll miss it. And I really look forward to seeing our new house! V

elcome Fabulous August! We welcome your golden rays and lazy days. We all survived a crazy and exciting Pride so it’s time to change gears and enjoy this month to the fullest. Let’s start by attending all the festivals like Out On Screen (which boasts many fascinating flicks and parties), Shambhala and New West Pride.

Vancouver goes Goo Goo with a slew of Gaga-themed parties all over town like Goo Goo for Gaga at Five Sixty on Saturday the 21st and then again on Tuesday the 24th for Gagalicious. Gaga's very own support band on tour, Semi Precious Weapons as well as her tour DJ and best galpal Lady Starlight will both be attending the official Monster Ball: Lady Gaga Afterparty at Canvas Lounge on Monday the 23rd. Yours truly will be the hostess with the mostess, bringing all the Gaga Glamour.

Things continue to get Sexy at Five Sexual on Saturday nights and on August 28th, Carlotta Gurl brings it as Katy Perry for the brand new CD release party! DJs Quest, Mumbles, Adam Dreaddy and MKW will keep you dancing with tons of swag from EMI Music.

Keep your eyes open for some fabulous events from The Spit Boys, Vera Way and the House of La Douche as they all have fun cooking for back to school season. I'm forecasting a lot of fun! Time to get to the beach before summer is over! Ciao, Miss Cotton xo V

Check out more of Joan-E's Rag on www.v-rag.com or www.pinq.ca

Check out the all new House of Venus website www.houseofvenus.com

around town!

W

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V-rag

29

WATCH: Pornography: A Thriller www.tinyurl.com/vrag27

A quintessential queer Friday the 13th movie, this mindbending nightmarish thriller flick centres on the mysterious disappearance of fictional gay porn star Mark Anton at the height of his career in 1995. Rumours of murder and blackmail cloud the incident, until present-day writer Michael Castigan unwittingly moves into Mark's old apartment WATCH: The Butch Factor www.tinyurl.com/vrag28

Is there a gay man out there who hasn’t pondered the meaning of masculinity? Director Christopher Hines asks this poignant question. The result: eighty-seven minutes of hard bodies and hard answers. Heralded as a must-see movie for all gay men, this documentary gets up-close and personal with a strapping slate of interviewees.

WATCH: Off World

www.tinyurl.com/vrag29

Winner of the Best Canadian Feature Film at the 2010 ReelWorld Film Festival, Lucky, a Filipino adoptee, makes the emotional journey from his home in Toronto to the Philippines to discover his birthplace. He discovers he has a gay, genderqueer brother and grapples not only with the glaring poverty, but with the ramifications of queer life in the slum.

WATCH: You Can't Curry Love www.tinyurl.com/vrag30

Vikas is a handsome East Indian and a self-proclaimed Londoner through and through. But when he is sent to India for business he discovers a new world, new love and an unexpected new side of himself. Will his unexpected feeling of “coming home” and coming out in India make him leave his London life behind?

WATCH: Violet Tendencies www.tinyurl.com/vrag31

At age forty, Violet is ready to put down the martini glass and start a serious relationship. Without any straight people in her life to fix her up, she scours online dating sites only to be stood up and sadly disappointed. As her romantic quest becomes increasingly disastrous, hilarious and consuming, she overlooks the potential for love right under her own nose.

WATCH: Little Love

www.tinyurl.com/vrag32

Markus, new to the city, is looking for a place to belong. Andy is on top of the world, and wants to keep things exactly as they are. Andy extends friendship to Markus, including him in his close circle of friends that includes Andy’s younger boyfriend, Rafael. The three hit it off immediately, and become a tight-knit “inner circle” within the group of friends.

august 2010 Issue 14

Use the QR Code to watch the videos on your iPhone. Download the free Mobiletag app. Scan the QR code for the video.

The video will autoplay. Or type the tinyurl/vrag address into your browser/iPhone to watch the videos. A list of films AtoZ at the Vancouver Queer Film Festival www.tinyurl.com/vragVQFF. Visit www.wayoutwest.tv for more gay videos!

vanragazine #14

LIVE ON

STAGE

30

photo courtesy of bard on the beach

S

cotland first saw him on stage in illustrious pre-school pageants directed by nuns he even played Joseph at the early age of four - probably where the acting bug first hit Dean Paul Gibson.

It was not until 1990 though, while working as an actor and production assistant for White Rock’s Arena Company that he knew the rest of his life would be on stage, or at least creating for the stage.

Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre saw him in Humble Boy, Manitoba Theatre Centre got him in The Drowsy Chaperone, Theatre Calgary was Vigil and Vancouver Playhouse's A Christmas Carol were only some of his extensive acting highlights. Dean was a member of the original award-winning production of The Overcoat as well as the award-winning Green Thumb production of Problem Child for which he won a Jessie Award, Vancouver’s top theatre prize.

A graduate of Studio 58, where he has returned to direct the new students in a production of Where’s Charley?, Dean has also adjudicated festivals and taught workshops. He has directed many productions including Shakespeare’s major plays for Vancouver’s Bard on the Beach, as well as contemporary works for the Arts Club Theatre, Vancouver Playhouse and Theatre Calgary. “I enjoy being in a leadership position,” the talented subject confesses, “and bring people together. Directing and acting, one informs the other so much that it just seems right.” On the practical side, the directing job ends on opening night, giving Dean opportunity to enjoy the work, or jump ship and take on an acting role with another production.

This summer, Dean celebrates his 19th season as an actor by playing the all-time favourite title role of

Falstaff at Bard on the Beach; he is also directing Much Ado About Nothing for the Mainstage and continues his position as Artistic Associate at the Bard. “Playing Falstaff is in a way a homage to a mentor who recently passed away, Douglas Campbell,” says the actor/director. Even though not necessarily a role he coveted, he’s glad that the experience positioned itself this summer as his return to the acting stage at the Bard, after 8 years of directing major box office hits for the company. In the upcoming seasons, maybe we’ll see Dean back on stage to play Caliban in The Tempest, a role he admits to be one of his favourites. V Falstaff is now playing at Bard on the Beach Studio Stage until September 22nd; Much Ado About Nothing runs on the Mainstage until September 25th.

For more details visit www.bardonthebeach.org

I

BONGS 1120 Davie Street, Vancouver, BC, V6E 1N1 604-331-1602

www.cottonmouthsmokeshop.ca

vanragazine #14

FILM:notes Earthling D: clay liford

Watercolors D: David Oliveras

As the Queer Film Festival descends upon us once again, so does a brooding film called Earthling, written and directed by Clay Liford.

Part science fiction, part horror, and part drama, Liford manages to layer beautiful imagery over a mysterious and intriguing plot, all the while offering compelling commentary regarding human identity and social interaction.

The story revolves around two main characters: Sean (played by Matt Socia), the sole surviving astronaut of an unexplained atmospheric event, who has brought something alien back to earth; and Judith (played by Rebecca Spense), a high school teacher who, after a freak accident, begins to notice unusual changes in her body and her mind. Sean and Judith struggle to discover who—or what—they really are, with the aid of several other characters, most notably Abby (Amelia Turner), who is responsible for reuniting Sean and Rebecca for the chilling finale.

The central question that arises in the film is the idea of human relationships. The aliens living inside the characters don’t subscribe to our mainstream moral and social values, and as an audience, we must reevaluate what is “normal”, as Abby seduces Rebecca, or when we are introduced to the extremely pregnant young teen Maris, or when Sean becomes intimate with his biological sister.

With very strong performances from Spense and Turner, along with Liford’s keen direction, and simple but effective special effects, Earthling is a must see for sci-fi fans and indie film buffs alike.

I'm always a bit apprehensive about socalled gay coming-of-age films. They're generally sappy, vacuous and occasionally embarrassing. Watercolors has renewed my faith in the genre, painting a beautiful picture of gay first love. Not since Hettie Macdonald's 1996 masterpiece Beautiful Thing has a movie so perfectly captured the excitement, joy and heartbreak of falling in love as a teenager. It's not without its flaws; some of the supporting cast could use an acting lesson or two, and the script occasionally veers into predictable territory. But the two main leads are pitch-perfect as a bookish nerd and a troubled athlete discovering love and the anguish that comes with it.

Impressive newcomer Tye Olson plays Daniel, a role that many will relate to as a high school misfit, while Kyle Clare oozes sex appeal and likeability as the jock who befriends him. Their chemistry, although a bit rocky at first, eventually tears up the screen and you find yourself rooting for both of these characters. Equally first-rate is a small role from Karen Black as the wise high school art teacher. As usual, she takes a fairly flat character and creates one of the most memorable players in the film.

Winner of the Audience Award at L.A. Outfest and voted Best Gay Film at the Fort Worth Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Watercolors is a film that speaks to movie-goers and critics alike. Be sure to check it out at this year's Queer Film Festival (see page 14).

by Matt Roy

32

by Cole Johnston

V-rag

33

Zero 7 record

New Pornographers together

Kelis flesh tone

Few musical acts I have been old enough to follow since inception have had the ability to surpass the quality of their previous record with each subsequent release. But since 1999, UK duo Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker have been leading the so-called 'triphop' movement and breaking ground with a roster of guest vocalists more diverse than the entire Stars line-up; Sia Furler and Jose Gonzalez to name a few.

With ten years now under their belt, the pair have unveiled Record, the first retrospective collection of their genre-bending career.

From the early day ambiance of "In the Waiting Line" (still one of the best songs I have ever heard) to the folk-stylings of "Futures" through to their last incarnation Yeah, Ghost, an album so haunting it sounds like it came from the swamps of Louisiana. For those who still think Air is the leader of this musical pack, this is the perfect introductory package to correct them.

Vancouver’s own indie-super group The New Pornographers' latest release Together, is upbeat, charming and colourful. The album's pace is much faster compared to their somewhat lacklustre 2007 release Challengers.

I’m not too sure if it was all the guest artists on the album that helped create the extra dose of energy coming from this album, but whatever it was it turned out in their favour.

"Your Hands (Together)", the first single, is bright and undeniably catchy, offering a perfect combination of rock edge and classic vocals.

Together does eventually reach a plateau, but the lovely piano ballads "Valkyrie in the Roller Disco" and "My Shepard" are worth the slow-down. Even those songs, with their solid vocal arrangements, pulse with intensity.

Some other highlights from the album are “Crash Years”, and “Up in the Dark”. I know I’ve listed a lot of the album, but there really isn’t a song on this album not worth mentioning.

Am I in the middle of a sweaty man ball in the centre of a dance floor at a circuit party? No, I’m at home listening to the Kelis album. It’s very, very gay... In a good way.

Flesh Tone is one of those “just press play” albums, every track a hard-hitting, bass heavy anthem-in-waiting that fits right in with the summer post-Pride season. Normally when an artist attempts this kind of genre-flipping target market grab (i.e. if the gays like it everyone else will get on board), it crashes and burns; the gays can be a fickle bunch. But Kelis succeeds with an unassuming, unpretentious record. Her voice is robust enough to compete with that booming electro backdrop, and her lyrics are sincere, making it honest-togoodness house music.

Notable songs include the headliners “4th of July” and “Acapella”, though my favourites are “Brave” and “Song for the Baby”. All in all, Flesh Tone is a solid dance album. Now, back to my man ball.

by Justin Meisner

by Lana Chunn

by Matt Roy

august 2010 Issue 14

MUSIC:notes

.com gay style culture fashion music art

Now Online and Interactive www.v-rag.com

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Photography: kate mclaren www.kate-mclaren.com concept & styling: kate mclaren, cole johnston & Mandy-Lyn Antoniou swimwear courtesy of: priape www.priape.com Models: kevin busch, levo dyer & micah gilbert

It's been a long, hot summer, and it's 95 degrees in the shade...

vanragazine #14

LISTINGS fri aug. 6 - sun. aug. 8

wednesday aug. 11

New Westminster Pride The first ever Gay Pride event in New Westminster's history! Join history being made at G.i.N. at the Heritage Grill for their Stonewall Party on Friday and the Gay Pride Dance on Saturday.

Then chill out at the Quay on Sunday for the closing party. Might just be the cure for the post-Pride blues.

Chromeo w/ Holy Ghost Canadians Chromeo hit us with a brand new tour for their spanking fresh new album, with help from this month's featured Holy Ghost! Commodore Ballroom, 868 Granville.

tuesday aug. 1o Hercules & Love Affair The new album is on its way, get a taster from the electronic masters. Venue, 881 Granville.

ths. aug. 12-sun. aug. 22 Vancouver Queer Film Festival Have we gushed about this event yet in this issue?

Guess not. One last time, get your ass to the theatre and enjoy the best in gay art and cinema!

MONday aug. 23

23 Lady Gaga Ga ga ooh la la! This sold out pretty quick but a second date was added on the 24th. Which is probably sold out by the time this gets to print! Rogers Arena, 800 Griffiths Way. saturday aug. 28 Margaret Cho The gay icon comedian brings her new tour to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 600 Hamilton.

photo: www.double-take2.ca

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MIDWEEK CRISIS

CAESARS & REDSTRIPE INDUSTRY NIGHT: GUINNESS/KILKENNY & SCORE ON SPECIALS ANY SPECIAL MARTINI SPECIALS DAVIE Please send event and calendar listings to events@v-rag.com.

INDUSTRY NIGHT

THE BOA SHOWS

KARAOKE TUESDAYS

NUMBERS IDOL

PILSNER SPECIALS

Live Bands

TOOLBOX WEDNESDAYS: EVERY LAST WEDNESDAY

EVOLUTION

DJ SAM McCOOEY

DJ TIM

HIGHBALL SPECIALS

GLEE TUESDAYS

RED TRUCK LAGER & BEEFEATER HIGHBALLS

BINGO FOR LIFE & RED HOT WEDNESDAYS

TUESDAYS AT CELEBRITIES

RUSSELL & TWISTED COOLERS SPECIALS

WILD WEDNESDAYS

Wednesdays

CHILL

Tuesdays

WELL LIQUOR SPECIALS

ODYSSEY

OASIS

NUMBERS

LICK

3SUM IN THE LOFT

LOCAL BEER SPECIALS

G80Z SUNDAYS

NUMBERS IDOL

Comedy Night: Tops & Bottoms

Brunch & T-Dance theme nights

J LOUNGE

JUNCTION

HOUSE WINE & BLUE

CAESARS & OKANAGAN SPRINGS SPECIALS

CHEAP SUNDAYS

Mondays

FOUNTAINHEAD

FIVE SIXTY

CELEBRITIES

1181

Sundays

HIGHBALLS & BUCKETS OF DOS EQUIS SPECIALS

ALL BEER, CIDERS & COOLERS ON SPECIAL

SHOWER POWER

LATIN NIGHT

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE?

GRANVILLE ISLAND SPECIALS

live bands

GROWERS CIDERS & KEITHS SPECIALS

COCKY

Thursdays

CANADIAN JUGS & JAGERBOMBS SPECIAL

RUSSELL CREAM SPECIALS

CIRCUIT O

BANGIN'!

CORONA NIGHT

BLACK SATURDAY / SHOW YOUR STUFF

FALLEN ANGEL

LIVE PIANO SATURDAYS LOLLIPOP EVERY 2ND SAT

SATURDAY DANCE PARTY

GRIND, NAWTYBOX, & MAN-UP ROTATING

BASELINES: EVERY 3RD FRIDAY DJ DREW

CONNECTION SATURDAYS

karma saturdays DJ Alkatraz

THE SOCIAL

Fixx Fridays le duom

GRANVILLE ISLAND & SMIRNOFF ICE SPECIALS

magic sessions mkw main room

dj leanne's deep house trevor risk main room KOKANEE & POLAR ICE VODKA HIGHBALLS

RELEASE SATURDAYS

TIGHT

Saturdays

STEREOTYPE FRIDAYS

MUMBLES' MADHOUSE

Fridays

NIGHTLIFE IN VANCOUVER

V-rag

43

vanragazine #14

DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER

V-MAP

NIC

Robson Market

17

J Lounge (1216 Bute)

18

Lick Nightclub (455 Abbott)

19

Little Sisters Bookstore (1238 Davie)

20

Masc Skincare (433 Davie)

21

Mine Salon (177 E. Broadway)

22

Neptoon Records (3561 Main)

23

Numbers Cabaret (1042 Davie)

24

Oasis Lounge (1240 Thurlow)

25

Odyssey Nightclub (1251 Howe)

26

Pacific Cinematheque (200-1131 Howe)

27

Pacific Sun Co. (1060 Davie)

28

Pompadours on Denman (1071 Denman)

29

Priape (1148 Davie)

30

Public House JUNCTION (1138 Davie)

31

PumpJack Pub (1167 Davie)

32

Republic (958 Granville)

33

Roundhouse Centre (181 Roundhouse Mews)

E. 1ST AVE

34

Score On Davie (1262 Davie)

E. 2ND AVE

35

Scratch Records (726 Richards)

36

Steamworks (123 W. Pender)

37

Top Drawers (115-1030 Denman)

38

VanCity Theatre (1181 Seymour)

39

Vancouver Art Gallery (750 Hornby)

E. 8TH AVE

40

Venue (881 Granville)

E. BROADWAY

41

Videomatica (1855 W. 4th Ave)

42

West End Community Centre (870 Denman)

43

WISE Hall (1882 Adanac)

E. 12TH AVE

44

Zulu Records (1972 W.4th Ave)

E. 13TH AVE

1600

1700 BIDWELL

1800

1900

GILFORD

NELSON

COMOX

NELSON PARK

CARDERO

NICOLA

DAVIE

34 19

1 31

29 30

15 10

23 27 3

BURNABY

24

17

HARWOOD

HARWOOD

St .

ENGLISH BAY BEACH

PENDRELL

DAVIE VILLAGE

CARDERO

BIDWELL

PENDRELL

PACIFIC BLVD BEAC H

PACIF

GE

n

SEA WA LL PROME NADE

M

BRID

ai

SUNSET BEACH

Stadium

BURRARD

le

28

Gr an vil

Burrard

CHILCO

nt PENDRELL

37

THURLOW

Independent Flixx (976 Denman)

1000

H.I.M. Main Office (310-1033 Davie)

16

CARDERO 1500

15

16 West End

D

BARCLAY

BUTE

42

1200

GO LA

West End Community Centre

ROBSON

HARO

BUTE

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Come as you are.

www.blairsmith.ca 604.313.8732

455 Abbott Street Vancouver

604.339.7874

18

august 2010 Issue 14

LU

TO NORTH VANCOUVER

JA

a in n Ch ow T

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max Theatre anada Place ver Trade & vention Centre

HA ST IN G S

V-rag

HELPING YOU MAKE ALL THE RIGHT MOVES.

photo by kate mclaren

vanragazine #14

dj lisa de lux Career Highlights?

DJing along side some of Vancouver's most acclaimed artists like Schitz Popinov and Stinkmitt, as well as Spinderella (Salt N Pepa), Glitch Mob, Dehli 2 Dublin, Scream Club and Medusa. I've spun at one of Canada's largest electronic music festivals Shambhala for 4 consecutive years, and i've spun in cities like Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Toronto, Seattle, and Atlanta. I've also had TV DJ appearances on Showtime's hit series The L Word for the shows last 3 seasons.

Q&A

Rock Star moments?

Every time I'm on stage!

DJ Nightmare?

DJ Lisa De Lux is a leading figure behind the decks and a fixture on the lesbian club scene.

This BC girl is a driving force within the community and always ready to rock the decks with her banging beats and unique style. She was recently a contestant in the Hot Gay DJ competition; check back next month when our Q&A will be with the contest's winner!

First DJ gig?

2002 when I was 18 years old at Milk before Lick was Lick, me and some lezbe-friends put on an night called Gspot.

Favorite Gig(s)?

This year spinning the SF Pride Street Party in the Castro for over 2,000 homos outside on the back of a massive flatbed truck with sound for miles! Epic moment.

What kind of music do you play?

I spin a wide variety of music ranging from classic 90s house, electro house and all the sub genres to breaks, drum n bass, dubstep n hiphop. Right now im super into 90s house and bringing back the old simplistic ways of music. Getting tired of all this over hyped poorly produced mainstream stuff.

46

No monitor in the DJ booth at any club, venue or concert is a total nightmare!

Musical Inspirations?

The entire house music movement starting in the 80s and into the 90s. Pump up the Volume (a documentary on the history of house music) is incredibly inspiring. Another of my biggest inspirations comes from the dancers. They give life to the DJ. And the crowd, without the crowd there is no DJ. Hobbies?

I love to cook, produce music, take pictures, make art and stay on top of my health by working out; yoga, skateboarding and dancing.

Future Plans?

More music production on the way. I would eventually like to sell my tracks to the film and television industry. I've recently started getting in to photography as a side job and I'm going on a DJ tour all over Europe with Kasey Riot in October! So far, we have London, Brighton, Paris, Berlin and Stockholm!

Then ending it off with my trip to India for 4 months! I even got some DJ gigs lined while im there. Beyond exciting!! V